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In hindsight, the Cookout Clash could have been run on Tuesday but when the decision was made on Sunday to run the preseason exhibition on Wednesday, there were so many variables for numerous decision-makers to sort through. It’s objectively true that the snowstorm that passed through North Carolina was one of the five most impactful in the history of the state. In Winston-Salem, where the ...Keep readingView the full article

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – An incredible list of NHRA legends will help kick off NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, as some of the biggest names in NHRA history will be appearing at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on March 5-8 at famed Gainesville Raceway. Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, Shirley Muldowney, Joe Amato, Darrell Gwynn and Bob Frey are all slated to appear in Gainesville, a spectacular contingent of NHRA legends to open the milestone year in style. Throughout the weekend, fans will have the chance to meet and interact with each legend, who each played instrumental and iconic roles in NHRA’s 75-year history. A full list of weekend appearances by the impressive group of legends will be released soon, while a comprehensive list of legends appearing at all 20 national events will be released in the coming weeks. In Gainesville, it won’t get much bigger than the seven scheduled to appear to ring in NHRA’s 75th anniversary season. The iconic Garlits was named the No. 1 driver in NHRA history during the 50th anniversary celebration, winning 35 Top Fuel races and three world titles. The popular “Swamp Rat Alley” will also return to Gainesville, featuring a trio of historic Garlits cars (Swamp Rat 1-B, Swamp Rat 8 and Swamp Rat 28A). Bernstein made history in Gainesville with the sport’s first 300-mph run in 1992, one of many highlights in an illustrious career that included four Funny Car world championships and two Top Fuel world titles. Prudhomme has long cemented himself as one of the sport’s biggest stars, winning four world titles. “The Snake” had an incredible Funny Car run in Gainesville as well, winning five times between 1974 and 1987 as a driver. Muldowney was a trailblazer as a dominant female in drag racing, winning three world championships in the Top Fuel ranks. She won 18 career races, including back-to-back Gatornationals in 1981 and 1982. Amato was a remarkable force in Top Fuel, as the standout won five world championships. He thrived in Gainesville, winning four times en route to 52 career victories in the loaded category. Gwynn was also a star in the Top Fuel ranks, winning 18 times, and Frey’s legendary calls as the voice of the NHRA helped bring the sport to new levels. Bernstein’s magical 300-mph run will be celebrated as the race’s historic moment, a theme that will take place at all 20 races during the spectacular 2026 campaign. Bernstein will be featured in the commemorative ticket for the Gatornationals. Fans can scan onsite signs in Gainesville to purchase the commemorative ticket, which will be available for purchase online all season and will be distinctive to each race in 2026. Other special items during the 75th anniversary season-opener in Gainesville include: A free, limited-edition NHRA 2026 season poster to the first 6,500 fans in attendance on Sunday. A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and 75th anniversary stage in Nitro Alley. Race winners will get the special NHRA 75th anniversary Diamond Wally, along with the Gatornationals traditional Golden Gator trophy. The weekend in Gainesville includes Friday qualifying, the Top Fuel All-Star Callout specialty race on Saturday, eliminations on Sunday and action all weekend long in the Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown and the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Last year, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Chad Green (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won on the hallowed grounds of Gainesville Raceway to open the year. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8. This year, fans will see a host of major stars, including Top Fuel reigning world champ Doug Kalitta, motorsports legend Tony Stewart, local standout Josh Hart, who joined John Force Racing, and the return of star driver Leah Pruett. In Funny Car, the stars include back-to-back world champ Austin Prock, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Jack Beckman and new John Force Racing driver Jordan Vandergriff, while Pro Stock features champ Glenn, Greg Anderson and Erica Enders, who each have six championships, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Aaron Stanfield. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Herrera is after a fourth straight Gators win, while Richard Gadson begins his title defense against Matt Smith, Steve Johnson and Angie Smith. Upgraded experiences in the Gainesville Top Eliminator Club – which features a premium experience and a number of exclusive benefits at one of the biggest races of the season – are also available for purchase. Before the race, fans are invited to a special “Gatornationals Kickoff Party and Fanfest” at Josh Hart’s Burnyzz Speedshop in Ocala. In what’s become a pre-event tradition, the event will take place on Wednesday, March 4. The fun-filled kickoff event will include driver appearances and autographs at the state-of-the-art facility and much more. To purchase tickets to the 2026 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more info about the NHRA, visit www.nhra.com. This story was originally published on February 3, 2026. The post Huge List of Legends set to Appear at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

In a late move coming just weeks before the start of the 2026 season, NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway have decided to take the Charlotte Roval off the calendar, replacing the sixth race of The Chase with a traditional oval race. Marcus Smith, president of Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI), confirmed the news first reported by The Athletic in an appearance on the Dale Jr. Download. He joined ...Keep readingView the full article

Set to compete in the MotoAmerica Super Hooligan class, the Lightfighter V3-RH is a naked electric racing motorcycle with a proprietary battery pack, an enviable parts spec, and a unique partner program.Those who heap hate on electric motorcycles usually cite their cost and limited range as factors.... View the full article

The 68th March Meet returns to Famoso Dragstrip with Nitro racing and nostalgia cars. The historic event runs March 5-8.View the full article

POLARIS’ RZR FACTORY RACING DRIVER BROCK HEGER DOMINATES AT KING OF THE HAMMERS® TOYO DESERT CHALLENGE FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR, SECURING UTV OVERALL WIN Carrying his momentum straight from another victorious Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, RZR Factory Racing’s Brock Heger opened the 2026 UTV season in dominant fashion by once again conquering the King of the Hammers (KOH)® Desert Challenge. At the 7th annual Desert Challenge this past Saturday in Johnson Valley, Heger delivered a flawless performance behind the wheel of his Polaris RZR Pro R Factory to secure the overall UTV Open class victory during the Limited Race. The win marked Heger’s third consecutive Desert Challenge victory, continuing his unmatched run of success at one of off-road racing’s toughest proving grounds. In addition to Heger’s victory, Polaris racers in the RZR Pro R delivered a standout performance, earning two podium finishes and six top ten results. Chaden Minder secured a third-place podium behind Heger, followed closely by Sebastian Marques in fourth and RZR Factory Racing teammate Ethan Groom in fifth in his first full-time appearance behind the wheel of the RZR Pro R Factory. Branden Sims added a ninth-place finish, with Sierra Romo rounding out the top ten. Following an intense qualifying session, Heger lined up second, with Ethan Groom starting sixth and Joe Terrana in the orange car qualifying eighth. The four-lap race unfolded as planned, with Heger quickly charging into the lead and never looking back. He went on to deliver a dominant wire-to-wire performance, with the RZR Pro R Factory showcasing its speed and reliability over the 250-mile event to finish more than nine minutes ahead of the second overall UTV. Behind Heger, Polaris drivers maintained a strong pace through the opening half of the race as the evolving dynamics of the event reshaped the running order in the closing stages. With his grassroots program, Chaden Minder delivered a breakthrough performance, charging to an impressive third-place UTV overall finish. After qualifying 22nd, Minder fought his way through the field, going wheel-to-wheel with the factory-backed racers. His performance highlighted the power, strength, and durability of the RZR Pro R platform, proving its ability to perform in some of the toughest conditions in off-road racing. Similarly, Polaris privateer Sebastian Marquez also had a strong showing in his RZR Pro R, landing fourth. Behind them, Groom ran consistently inside the top three early before slipping back late, ultimately regrouping to secure a fifth-place finish. Starting 30th on the grid, Cayden MacCachren delivered one of the strongest drives of the race, charging through the field to cross the line in an unofficial third. Post-race review later adjusted the results after it was determined he had inadvertently missed a virtual checkpoint, an occurrence that affected multiple competitors, resulting in an 11th-place classification. “It feels great to start the season with this kind of momentum,” said Heger. “Coming straight from Dakar and barely getting adjusted back, then jumping into a race as demanding as King of the Hammers® makes this win so rewarding. Like we’ve done the past few years, we were able to qualify well, get to the front early, and then control the race, which is all you can ask for. This race is an all-out sprint through the desert and my RZR Pro R Factory performed incredibly, delivering the power that I needed while the suspension flawlessly absorbed the intense whoops and terrain of the desert. Now it’s time to set our sights on the rock race this week.” “King of the Hammers always delivers drama and challenge, and this year was no exception,” said Alex Scheuerell, Polaris’ Director of Off-Road Motorsports. “When the dust settled, Brock drove an incredible race to bring home the trophy once again for Polaris. His ability to shift between disciplines and dominate at the highest level is truly remarkable. Beyond Brock’s win, it was a standout day for Polaris and the RZR Pro R, with our drivers securing six of the top ten UTV spots overall and showing just how capable these machines are across the toughest terrain in the sport.” RZR Factory Racing still has more work to do in Johnson Valley this week, as Heger and CJ Greaves will take their skills to the Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship Race Rock on Thursday, February 5 behind the wheel of modified Gen 1 RZR Pro R Factory machines that have been specifically tuned to conquer the rock-strewn terrain, including the iconic Chocolate Thunder. To learn more, please visit Polaris.com/RZR or join the conversation and follow on Facebook sm, Instagram sm, YouTube sm and Xsm. KOH® and King of the Hammers® are registered trademarks of Hammerking Productions, Inc. About Polaris As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) has been defining and redefining outdoor adventure since 1954. Polaris delivers industry-shaping off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, boats, military, quadricycles, and commercial transportation vehicles, along with an expansive portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Its lineup includes some of the most iconic brands in powersports, including the RANGER, RZR, Polaris XPEDITION, Bennington pontoons, Slingshot, and more. Headquartered in Minnesota and serving customers in nearly 100 countries, Polaris continues to set the standard for performance, quality, and unmatched service. Explore more at www.polaris.com. See the qualifying order for the Can-Am Championship rock race HERE. The post BROCK HEGER DOMINATES AT KING OF THE HAMMERS appeared first on UTV Action Magazine. View the full article

Less than eight weeks after Edwin Burgos posted the first-ever five-second rotary-powered quarter-mile, Joel Olivo watched his Siquitraqui Motorsports “Grey Bullet” 2021 Mazda RX9 surpass the 5.956 world record held by the “Loquito Killer” RX8 with a blistering 5.935 at Orlando SpeedWorld in Bithlo, Florida. With renowned import racer Juan “Juanchy” Illanas at the wheel, Olivo’s machine made history in multiple areas. The first run under six seconds was produced by a three-rotor engine (20B) while the Olivo/Illanas braintrust used a two-rotor (13B) Wankel to claim the new record. Olivo, the man behind Siquitraqui Motorsports in Puerto Rico, usually drives his new RX9, but for this test session, he stated, “I had to work from outside to accomplish this”, and put the trusted Illanas in the cage of the Choli Race Works chassis. Using a 13B Mazda engine from Moncho Performance equipped with a new Precision Next Gen XPR turbocharger on the 2-rotor engine, Pito Tuning controlled the 79-cubic inch screamer through an amazing series of runs during the session. Starting with a 6.09, the immaculate uncluttered Mazda ran 6.06 and 6.01 while clocking a staggering 0.943 sixty-feet elapsed time. The 5.935 came with another new world record of 3.843 seconds in the eighth-mile, a full five hundredths of a second quicker than the three-rotor (20B) record holder of Burgos. Oliva and Illanas just missed Australian George Rehayem’s 20B world speed record of 237.63 mph while hitting a best of 236.94. The “Grey Bullet” team also fell short of the 190.67 mph record eighth-mile speed of Burgos with their own 186.46. However, it appears the battle is only beginning between the 20B and 13B “killer bees”! The post “GREY BULLET” RX9 DESTROYS ROTARY RECORD first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Aprilia Australia Race Out Sale Competition Winners Aprilia Australia has announced the winners of its national Race Out Sale competition, celebrating riders across the country who purchased selected MY23 and MY24 Aprilia motorcycles during the promotional period. The Race Out Sale ran from September 15 to November 30, 2025, offering Australian riders the chance to […] The post Aprilia announces Race Out Sale Competition winners appeared first on MCNews. View the full article

Off-Road Travel TV stands as the only weekly cable television program dedicated exclusively to off-road adventure travel and the overland lifestyle. Each week, the show transports viewers to spectacular remote locations while showcasing the latest gear and accessories that make the modern overland lifestyle so popular and appealing. The show’s journey actually began in 2022 with a trip to the Overland Expo PNW. Until then, the project had been a conceptual idea shared by co-founders Mark Mitchell and Ken Faught. Mitchell encouraged Faught to attend the expo to immerse himself in the excitement of the overland world and refine the concept of a television show focused on that lifestyle. Faught subsequently loaded up his Sprinter van with his 18-year-old son, Wyatt, and set off for Redmond, Oregon. They immersed themselves in the overland lifestyle and the experience made such a profound impression that the pair extended their weekend trip into a two-week van adventure across the western states, returning with a renewed fire to move the project forward. default After two years of preparation and hard work, the vision of Off-Road Travel TV became a reality in early 2024 when the founders signed a two-year deal with MAVTV (now the RACER network). Aiming for a memorable debut season, the team decides to embark on an epic, two-month-long, 8,000-mile journey titled “Glaciers to Geysers: A Tale of Fire and Ice.” On the way to Alaska and back, this 8-week expedition took the crew through Oregon, British Columbia, Alberta, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Arizona, proving that world-class overland and off-road destinations can often be found close to home. The first season concluded with exciting adventures driving UTVs in Hawaii and riding dirt bikes in Baja, Mexico. READ MORE: AEV FXL is Ready for Big Adventures with 40s The momentum continued into season two, which kicked off with an unforgettable expedition to drive 4×4’s in the otherworldly landscape of Iceland. The production then shifted focus to try our hand on some amazing snow bikes in Montana before moving to the warmer climates of the Virgin Islands to drive UTVs on St Thomas and St John. The adventures continued with a trek to the Arctic Circle on adventure bikes and a wide variety of off-road dirt bike tours and destinations across the western United States. The season concludes with an amazing international trip to Bali, where the team will drive UTVs through this exotic environment. By mixing quality storytelling with stunning visual imagery and lots of dramatic drone footage, Off-Road Travel TV has carved out a unique spot on the RACER network as the only lifestyle program in the lineup. In addition to travel segments, the show features vehicle builds, equipment reviews, and real-world testing of off-road vehicles. This comprehensive approach makes Off-Road Travel TV essential viewing for any adventure-minded traveler looking for new adventures or the latest in gear and products. Season two is already up and running and Off-Road Travel TV just extended their network contract for an additional two years meaning the adventures will continue into 2027 and 2028! Off-Road Travel TV can be seen every Sunday at 9:30 am on the RACER network, with multiple re-airs scheduled throughout the week. LEARN MORE View the full article

For many of us, adventure seems very far away. Fields of snow outside our windows and a heater straining to keep up with the endless encroaching cold may keep some of us from exploring, but Spring is on its way. Soon, thousands of our fellow overlanders will once again emerge from our shelters seeking the outdoors. For those dreaming of that day, here are 10 products that we think will make Spring outings that much better. Airstream Orange County — 2026 Airstream Basecamp 20 Meet the 2026 Airstream Basecamp 20 —a compact, adventure-forward travel trailer that’s built to pivot from weekday escapes to weekend basecamps without skipping a beat. With a smart 20-foot footprint and sleeping space for up to four, it’s designed to keep you comfortable, organized, and ready to roll—wherever the road ends, and the trail begins. Two interior décor options to match your style: Scarlet Peak or Alpine Lake. 20-foot length, single-axle simplicity for confident towing and easy campsite maneuvering. Sleeps up to 4 with a versatile interior that converts quickly from lounge mode to sleep mode. Convertible front dinette transforms into an additional bed/lounge area (43″ x 78″). Flexible rear bench seating seats five and converts into multiple sleep configurations, including a full bed spanning the back (82″ x 78″). Functional galley kitchen with a two-burner gas stove, sink, spice rack, and grocery storage, plus an all-electric refrigerator (optional microwave). Wet bath design with shower, toilet, and sink in one efficient space—made for real-world travel days. Starting at $69,850 BUY NOW BRS Offroad — Sherpa Gen 3 BRS Offroad has spent more than a decade designing and manufacturing serious off-road campers in Australia, refining its approach in some of the harshest and most remote terrain on earth. That hard-earned experience now lives on in the United States, with BRS bringing its manufacturing operations and its deep overlanding heritage to Tennessee. Rather than simply importing an existing design, the brand has developed Americanised versions of its campers, tailored specifically for North American travel, towing platforms, and terrain while retaining the proven DNA that made them successful in Australia. The Sherpa Gen 3 reads less like a camper trailer and more like a thoughtfully engineered mobile basecamp. It’s a rig that feels purpose-built rather than accessorised, designed by people who understand what extended off-grid travel actually demands. From its independent air suspension with Bilstein shocks to its compact, trail-friendly footprint, the Sherpa feels confident on rough terrain, equally capable of threading into remote campsites or settling in for extended stays far from pavement. One of the Sherpa’s defining strengths is how seamlessly it integrates modern technology into real-world overlanding. At the centre is a Garmin-powered control system that manages lighting, power, water, and diagnostics from a single interface or mobile device. Power comes stock standard from a 270-amp lithium battery system, with the ability to expand to 540 amps without compromising interior space or storage, an important detail for travellers running fridges, communications gear, and camera systems around the clock. Cold-weather capability is another area where the Sherpa quietly stands apart. Its diesel heating system provides cabin heat and hot water, while also circulating warmth through an internally heated chassis to protect critical components and plumbing in freezing conditions. Inside, the always-ready queen bed, practical kitchen, and calm, functional layout make the Sherpa genuinely livable, while outside the 270XT Max awning and integrated shower system transform any stop into a capable, comfortable basecamp. The Sherpa Gen 3 isn’t about excess, it’s about confidence, capability and making remote travel accessible. MSRP: $69,900 BUY NOW CBI Offroad Fab — CBI Offroad Bolt-On Rock Sliders CBI Offroad rock sliders provide the ultimate defense for off-road and overland vehicles, offering a seamless blend of rugged protection and practical utility. Each set is engineered to shield vulnerable rocker panels and lower doors from unpredictable hazards like jagged rocks and deep ruts. Unlike basic side steps, these sliders possess the structural integrity to support the vehicle’s entire weight, allowing them to function as secure jacking points or pivot surfaces when navigating tight technical obstacles. By transferring impact away from the body and onto a frame-mounted steel barrier, CBI ensures that demanding trails do not result in costly body damage. The technical foundation of these sliders lies in their high-strength construction, utilizing heavy-duty DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) steel tubing. Every unit is precision-designed and laser-cut to match specific frame geometries, ensuring a precise, bolt-on fit that requires no welding or permanent vehicle modifications. CBI offers several configurations, including “Classic” angled profiles for maximum ground clearance and “Overland” models with flat surfaces and integrated top plates. These plates transform the armor into a functional, non-slip step for safer cabin entry and easier access to roof-mounted gear. Finished for longevity and aesthetics, sliders are available in raw steel or a signature textured black powder coat formulated to resist corrosion and trail wear. Many designs offer a rear “kick-out” to push the vehicle away from obstacles while providing a wider stepping platform. Proudly made in the USA at their Idaho facility, CBI Offroad rock sliders represent a lifetime investment in vehicle protection, giving enthusiasts the confidence to explore deeper into the wild without compromising their rig’s integrity. Starting at $850.00 (varies by vehicle and configuration) BUY NOW CompoCloset — S1 Dry Flush Sealing Toilet The S1 Dry Flush Sealing Toilet was developed for travelers who want a reliable, modern sanitation system that works in real off-grid conditions. Designed by CompoCloset for overland vehicles, vans, and remote camps, the S1 removes the usual trade-offs between hygiene, simplicity, and long-term usability. It delivers a familiar toilet experience without water, chemicals, plumbing, or complex maintenance, making it ideal for extended travel beyond serviced campsites. At the core of the system is a separating design that keeps liquid and solid waste independent. Urine is diverted into a removable bottle, while solid waste is individually sealed using an automated, battery-powered heat-sealing mechanism. This separation reduces odor, improves containment, and significantly extends liner efficiency compared to mixed-waste dry flush toilets. By sealing only solids, the S1 reduces plastic consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional dry flush systems, while offering liners in both compostable and recycled plastic options for lower environmental impact. The sealing mechanism is powered by an internal 12V lithium-ion battery, delivering approximately 40–50 seals per charge. The battery can be recharged via vehicle electrical systems or standard power outlets, allowing flexible integration into a wide range of overland setups. No chemical powders, gel agents, or water are required for operation, keeping both maintenance and ongoing consumable costs low. Built for durability and mobility, the S1 features a rugged ABS housing, stainless steel hardware, waterproof electrical connectors, and integrated carry handles. Its compact footprint allows easy installation in truck campers and van builds while remaining portable for flexible use between camps. For overlanders who prioritize independence, cleanliness, and efficiency, the S1 offers a practical, low-waste sanitation solution that supports longer stays off-grid and greater comfort in remote environments. MSRP: $1,199 (Bamboo Lid optional upgrade for $125) BUY NOW GME US — XRS-370C4P The XRS Connect 4×4 Pack pairs the top-of-the-line XRS-370C-U Compact GMRS Radio with the Heavy Duty AE4704B-U radome antenna, the perfect solution for users looking for the ultimate communications setup for their hardcore 4×4. The XRS-370C-U Compact GMRS radio boasts a rugged die-cast metal housing with a built-in secondary speaker for outstanding audio performance, and our ever-popular magnetic microphone mounting bracket. This radio features a professional-grade speaker microphone complete with a loud and clear 2-watt speaker, user-customizable buttons ,and a high contrast OLED screen guaranteeing a crystal clear, anti-glare display in any lighting conditions. The XRS-370C-U GMRS Radio also offers Bluetooth® connectivity – enabling over-the-air firmware updates, simplified customization of settings, and smartphone control. The AE4704B-U included in the pack is a heavy-duty fibreglass radome antenna. Boasting a heavy-duty spring base and tough fibreglass radome, this 2.1dBi gain antenna is built to handle the harshest off-roading conditions. MSRP: $540.00 BUY NOW Kimbo Campers — Kimbo 6 Series Kimbo Campers designs and builds radically durable, modular, and repairable truck campers engineered to perform in real conditions and last for decades. Built in the Pacific Northwest, each Kimbo is shaped by a commitment to longevity, simplicity, and honest engineering—removing unnecessary systems while delivering comfort, reliability, and confidence wherever the road or trail leads. The Kimbo 6 Truck Camper brings this philosophy to life in a compact, lightweight platform designed for midsize and full-size trucks. It is constructed from a frameless, riveted aluminum shell using 0.1-inch 5052 aluminum, allowing the entire structure to expand and contract as a single material. This monocoque design eliminates common leak points found in multi-material campers and creates a shell that is exceptionally durable, dent-resistant, and repairable. With four-season insulation, double-pane insulated windows, and an available dry-air propane heating system, the Kimbo 6 is built to remain comfortable in rain, snow, wind, or heat. Base weight starts at approximately 980 pounds, preserving nimble handling both on pavement and off-road. The Kimbo 6 is delivered as a complete, camp-ready living system. Integrated solar power, a sealed battery system, efficient ventilation, and factory-installed modular components support extended off-grid travel without requiring owner modification. Interior and exterior modules—including kitchen, storage, heating, shower, and power upgrades—are engineered to work together as a cohesive system, providing reliability and ease of use from day one. Compared to the Kimbo Builder configuration, which is designed for hands-on owners who want to complete their own interior build, the Kimbo 6 is fully finished at the factory for travelers who want to load up and head out immediately. The result is a truck camper that balances durability, comfort, and real-world usability—designed to support years of adventure with minimal compromise and maximum trust. MSRP: Starting at $27,990 BUY NOW Overland Vehicle Systems — Expedition Pro+ Truck Cap with Full Windows with Slider Port Built for those who refuse to choose between form and function, this new truck topper delivers a refined take on rugged utility, blending trail-ready durability with clean, modern styling. Designed for the modern explorer, it transforms any pickup into a versatile adventure platform—equally at home on daily drives, weekend escapes, or extended overland journeys. Every detail reflects a commitment to strength, usability, and thoughtful design, creating a topper that works as hard as the truck beneath it. Full-window doors and a full rear hatch flood the interior with natural light while enhancing visibility and airflow, making loading, unloading, and gear management effortless. Tempered glass front and rear windows provide added security and long-term durability, standing up to harsh environments and demanding conditions. A sliding window option improves ventilation, making the topper especially well-suited for pet owners who need consistent airflow while on the move. An integrated third brake light ensures safety and compliance with modern vehicle standards, adding peace of mind on the road. Access and organization are where this topper truly shines. Heavy-duty wing doors equipped with gas assist struts allow for smooth, one-handed operation and easy access to cargo from either side of the truck bed. Marine-grade stainless steel hardware resists corrosion in wet, salty, or dusty environments, ensuring long-lasting performance. Inside, MOLLE-Pal channels and panels provide customizable storage solutions, allowing gear to be mounted securely and efficiently. Installation is simple and non-invasive thanks to a no-drill clamping system that delivers a rock-solid fit without compromising the truck bed. For added capability, optional crossbars expand hauling potential, supporting up to 750 pounds of static load and 325 pounds dynamically, making it ideal for rooftop gear, recovery equipment, or adventure accessories. Purpose-built, durable, and unmistakably capable, this truck topper is designed to elevate every journey—on-road or off. MSRP: $3,399.99 – $4,299.99 BUY NOW READ MORE: Overland Vehicle Systems Introduces the XD Atlas Roof Top Tent TRAVOCA USA — Rigel 45L Dual-Zone eCooler TRAVOCA’s elegantly rugged Rigel DZ eCoolers earn praise from Overlanders and the media for both aesthetics and performance. The heavy-duty cold-rolled steel, bamboo, and HDPE exterior appeals to design and DIY fans and is ready for personalization and customization with new accessories like a MOLLE panel and “hold my beer” shelf. Although the look is nostalgic, the tech inside is modern. Featuring Toshiba technology in the compressor and Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) throughout, Rigel earned Gear Junkie’s 25/26 Best Energy-Efficient Electric Cooler honors. The combination of this tech helps retain cold up to 60% longer than fridges without VIPs! IPX5 water resistance protects your provisions from rain and makes the outside easy to clean after a muddy trip with a simple hose-down. Dual zones mean fresh food and frozen treats wherever your journeys take you. And the versatility is amazing. Choose whether you want the fridge or freezer side to be larger, or remove the divider to optimize for a single zone. Chill down from 79°F to 32°F in only 20 minutes using MAX mode. Go for a deep freeze of up to -4F while conserving power in ECO mode. TRAVOCA is with you, helping make life Better Outside. MSRP: $849.99 BUY NOW Wander Voyager — Chevrolet 6500 Expedition Vehicle The Wander Voyager 6500 is built for those who refuse to compromise—pairing the proven strength of the Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD 4×4 chassis with Wander Voyager’s signature off-grid engineering and residential comfort. Powered by a 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 producing 350 horsepower and 750 lb-ft of torque, and matched with an Allison six-speed automatic transmission, this heavy-duty rig delivers both smooth highway cruising and commanding off-road capability. Equipped with 40-inch tires, Kelderman air suspension, a Kelderman front bumper, and a WARN 16.5 TI-S winch, the 6500 is ready for any terrain—from desert tracks to snowy mountain passes. Despite its robust stance, it remains remarkably easy to drive, maintaining stability and comfort even at highway speeds up to 80 mph. Designed for real off-grid living, the Wander Voyager 6500 integrates 6000W inverters, 30kWh batteries, and a 2600W solar array—powering all systems with ease. Paired with a 100-gallon fresh water tank and efficient grey and black water management, it supports true independence on the road. The 12,000 BTU residential-style split air conditioner and 5000W diesel heater, paired with 3” XPS insulated fiberglass walls, create a perfectly controlled interior climate—whether crossing deserts or exploring winter Alaska. Inside, every detail is engineered for life on the move. The cabover queen bed is easily accessed by built-in steps that double as storage, while the dinette transforms into an extra sleeping area. Generous cabinetry throughout the cabin offers plenty of organized storage, complemented by insulated exterior compartments and additional toolboxes mounted beneath the living quarters. A spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, large sink, towel warmer, and macerating toilet adds true residential comfort. The Wander Voyager 6500 seats five and sleeps four. It’s more than a vehicle—it’s a modern expedition home designed to take you anywhere, in any season, with unmatched comfort and confidence. MSRP: $568,000 BUY NOW View the full article

BROWNSBURG, Ind. – The Shawn Reed Racing Top Fuel team will run the full 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule with Shawn Reed and Ida Zetterström sharing driving duties of the Reed Trucking & Excavating dragster throughout the season, it was announced today. Reed will scale back from full-time touring and compete on a limited basis to devote more time to his business, while Zetterström, a multi-time European drag racing champion, will serve as the team’s fill-in driver in his absence. Reed, who scored his first NHRA Top Fuel victory in 2025, will open the season at the NHRA Gatornationals where he will also compete in the NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout. The event-by-event driver schedule for the remaining 19 races will be announced at a later date. “Last year was one for the books, that’s for sure,” Reed said. “Started with the PRO Shootout win. Obviously, Seattle was not ideal, but we came back bigger and badder than ever. We went out, won the IHRA race in Ohio, the first NHRA Countdown race in Reading (Pa.), continued to qualify well, and ended up finishing the year ranked eighth, a personal-best for me. “As much as I’d love to pick right back off where we left off, the reality is I need to focus more of my time and attention on my business, which requires me to be back in Washington more often than our race schedule allows. I don’t want to lose the momentum my guys have built, and it was important to me that we continue to run a full season. Adding a second driver was the logical choice. I’d heard Ida might be available, and lucky for me, she was. I’ve watched her race and have always been impressed with how she carries herself both on and off the track. She’s a proven talent, and I’m excited to see what she can do behind the wheel of our Reed Trucking & Excavating dragster.” The core Shawn Reed Racing team, led by crew chief Rob Wendland and assistant crew chief Ryan Elliott, remains intact as the organization prepares for the 2026 season with two drivers, and potentially, two cars. “I can’t put a number on how many races we’ll each run just yet, as we’re still working through that,” Reed added. “The truth is, I want to run as many races as possible, and so does Ida; we’re each working hard to make that happen. My hope is that we’ll be able to put Ida in a second car at some point. We have the parts and pieces for it; we just need the funding. In an ideal situation, I’m fielding two cars with Ida running full-time in a second dragster, but for the time being, she’s pounding the pavement so that she can be behind the wheel of my car at as many events as possible.” For Zetterström, who made her NHRA debut with Joe and PJ Maynard’s JCM Racing team in August of 2024 and spent the last two seasons competing on a limited basis, the Shawn Reed Racing opportunity presented itself at an ideal time. “Joe and I met after the season to discuss the future of JCM, and he let me know that he would be taking a step back from team ownership,” said Zetterström, winner of the 2024 National Dragster ‘Best New Talent’ fan vote. “I’m incredibly grateful for everything Joe and PJ have done for me and for the opportunity to race in the U.S. these last two years. My ultimate goal is still to secure a full-time ride, and being able to stay visible by making appearances in Shawn’s car throughout the year will go a long way toward achieving that. My schedule this year will be based on both Shawn’s work schedule and the budget I bring to the table. “Shawn and I have the same shared vision of me ultimately running full-time in a second Shawn Reed Racing dragster. But until that happens, I’m excited for the opportunity to get in a car that is known to perform well and be consistent. The fact that this team will be out there at all the races is a big deal because I know that every time I strap in, I’ll be in a car that’s ready to go out and win. I value this highly, both for the sponsors and for me to have the best chance of advancing in the class. This is a great step towards the future and the goal of finding enough partners to put together a full campaign and one day, run for a championship. I’m truly honored that Shawn and Andrea are trusting in me to drive their car.” The 75th anniversary 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season gets underway with the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla., March 6-8. This story was originally published on February 3, 2026. The post Reed, Zetterström to Share Driving Duties of Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel Dragster first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

There's something wrong with several General Motors crossovers, and the automaker seems unsure of how to fix the issue. Customers have been complaining of a "Service All Wheel Drive" or "Service 4WD" message appearing on the driver displays of Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave crossovers, and according to January service bulletin PIT6479, technicians have been instructed to disconnect the battery for a period and then restart the affected vehicle before returning it to the customer. Little more can be done at this stage because GM's engineering team is still investigating the root cause of the issue to develop a permanent fix. More Details on GM's AWD Issue Amos Kwon/Autoblog View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The problem affects certain North American examples of the 2025-2026 Enclave, the 2024-2026 Traverse fitted with the LK0 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and the 2024-2026 Acadia, with all affected vehicles equipped with RPO code F48 (all-wheel drive). These vehicles store error code U3000 Sym 92 as either a current or past fault in the K47 rear drive control module, with customers reporting that the aforementioned warning is displayed when they first start their vehicles, with the AWD system appearing not to be active. Faulty AWD is especially concerning when customers are in the depths of winter, battling for traction, and although a permanent resolution has yet to be determined, it's worth visiting a dealer for the interim fix, as it may make the AWD system function more or less as intended, at least temporarily. GM's Temporary Fix Comes After More Severe Issues Elsewhere Bill Pugliano/Getty Images Technicians have been told to disconnect the battery for 20 minutes to reset the faulty module. Thereafter, they must perform a full vehicle power-up and power-down cycle, log into GDS 2 (GM's diagnostics software), and clear all diagnostic error codes. On returning the vehicle to the customer, technicians should inform them that, although the vehicle is safe to be driven, the warning message and potential AWD faults may recur until the engineering team figures out how to deliver a permanent fix. Whatever the solution, it sounds like the problem may be software-related, rather than a mechanical failure, which could indicate that the ultimate fix will be simple to apply. GM Authority reports that the Traverse and its corporate cousins have also suffered from issues including engine coolant troubles, low oil pressure warnings, and problems with transmission components. Sadly for GM, this crossover isn't creating the only reliability-related question mark for the company after a recall for almost 600,000 vehicles with L87 V8 engines recently led to multiple lawsuits. View the full article

Kia’s momentum in the United States has carried over to the new year. Throughout 2025, the manufacturer sold 852,155 vehicles across the country, a record result, and January 2026 sales reached another all-time high. Last month, Kia sold 64,502 vehicles, a 13% increase over January 2025. No less than six different Kia models set January sales records, while sales of electrified models and SUVs also set new records. And, while the Kia Soul went out of production last year, this appears to be benefitting sales of the brand’s other affordable crossovers. From Sedans To Minivans, Kia Is On A Roll 2026 Kia Carnival Kia View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Kia saw great sales results for sedans, SUVs, and minivans alike last month. The Carnival (5,879 units sold), Sportage (13,984), K5 (6,276), Telluride (9,424), Seltos (5,278), and K4/Forte (11,642) all posted record January sales. While the K4’s January sales were up by just 2%, the Carnival managed a 60% increase, part of a general trend where minivans are gaining some ground again. The Sportage was Kia’s top-selling model, followed by the K4/Forte and Telluride. Kia’s EVs didn’t perform as well, but that’s not a surprise as many manufacturers have seen lower EV sales in recent months; the EV6 reached 540 units and the EV9 was on 674. However, electrified Kia models (including both hybrids and EVs) were up by 45%, and SUV sales grew by 14%. Kristen Brown/Autoblog The Kia Soul, which was discontinued last year, saw sales dip to 1,731 units, down from 3,554 in January 2025. This is likely due to remaining inventory of the subcompact crossover gradually drying up. However, sales of the Niro (3,170) and Seltos (5,278) were up, so it’s possible that Soul customers turned to one of these affordable Kia crossovers instead. “Building on three straight annual sales records, January’s record performance shows that Kia is not slowing down as the brand’s strategy of giving customers everything they need and more than they expect across a variety of segments and powertrains attracts more and more new customers,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. Two New Models Expected To Be Big Sellers 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback Gabriel Ionica View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article January’s sales don’t take into account the new K4 Hatchback and Telluride, both of which will reach showrooms imminently. The K4 Hatchback’s starting price of under $25,000 should make it very popular, especially as Kia hasn’t had a small hatchback on sale for a few years. The second-generation Telluride, which will launch as a 2027 model, is a lot pricier, but it’s bound to take over where the old one left off. A new hybrid powertrain option and starting price of under $40k bode well for the three-row crossover. We expect these new entries to start significantly impacting the sales charts before the end of the first quarter. Why Are Kias So Popular? K Kia remains a value-oriented brand, much as it was when the first Kia arrived on our shores in late 1993—that was the Sephia sedan. But everything else has changed since then. Kia has branched out into the SUV, minivan, and EV segments, so it covers all core categories, much like its long-running Japanese rivals, Honda and Toyota. Kia also sets itself apart in design. Its models are boldly styled (just take a look at the new Telluride next to the old one), and even the brand’s cheapest cars don’t blend into the background. The brand is on a rapid path to hybridization, too, as underlined by its record electrified vehicle sales last month. It’s the combination of these factors that have catapulted Kia into the mainstream. It’s an established household name at this point, but it’s backing that up with solid, well-rounded, and daring products. View the full article

Last month, a Nissan enthusiast and salesman shared his plan to build a Nismo-inspired Sentra. Called the Sentra SE RS, we can now set eyes on the final product, which looks like it wants to give the Honda Civic Si more than a few headaches. The sporty sedan was shared in a post on social media by Nick Raymond Scherr, also known as ‘Nismo Nick’ online. Having brought his vision to life, the sedan is now available at Pinnacle Nissan in Scottsdale, Arizona. Is it worth buying over a Civic Si or VW Jetta GLI? Let’s take a closer look. Sentra Comes To Life The new 2026 Nissan Sentra is already a striking compact sedan, but Scherr’s upgrades take it to another level. Here’s everything that’s new: Nismo LM-RS6 18x8.5 wheelsNismo cat back exhaustNismo-inspired graphicsBespoke grille designAdjustable coilover suspensionKatzkin Black/Red leather with SE RS headrestA black spoiler, roof, and mirrors add to the sporty look, and the design of the Nismo LM-RS6 wheels goes back to the ones found on the original 350Z. The look is easily more aggressive than the stock Civic Si and Jetta GLI. “My goal is to bring excitement to the already bold 2026 Sentra while allowing customers to buy this right off the showroom floor,” said Scherr. Although Scherr said he has plans for a turbocharged Sentra with a six-speed manual, that more dramatic transformation is coming at a later stage. For now, then, this is a bit of a sheep in wolf’s clothing, as all 2026 Sentras use a 149-horsepower engine and CVT. Related: Buying the Cheapest 2026 Nissan Sentra Could Be a Costly Mistake How Much Does It Cost? Nissan Sentra SE RS nismonickofficial/Instagram View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article This turn-key model’s modifications will cost you $6,995. As it’s based on the 2026 Sentra SR, which goes for $25,000 on its own, the total works out to $31,995. That’s more than Honda charges for the Civic Si ($31,495) but less than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI ($34,200). For Nissan enthusiasts who need the practicality of a sedan, the Sentra SE RS is the only option available without the laborious task of completing all the mods yourself. However, with no performance upgrades besides the suspension, it’s not going to be nearly as enjoyable to drive as the Civic Si or Jetta GLI, which are both a lot more powerful—the Honda makes 200 horsepower and the VW is up at 228 hp, and both have engaging manuals. With availability limited to Pinnacle Nissan in Arizona, the SE RS’ wide-ranging appeal is lacking, but we applaud Scherr and the dealership for reminding us how appealing small, affordable, and performance-minded Nissans can be. We look forward to the turbocharged manual model, though, which should have the performance to back up those spicy looks. View the full article

The media is full of doom and gloom these days seemingly more than ever before, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of inspiring stories. They do exist, but they’re usually buried under the torrents of bad news. A good example is the story involving a man from Fort Myers, Florida, who had lost his only way to get to work in December after police confiscated his car, deeming it unsafe to drive. No wonder police spotted him, as he was driving his 1999 Honda Civic without a windshield and front bumper, and with deployed airbags. The 250,000-mile car was immediately impounded and sent to a junkyard, leaving Jeremy Smith with no means of transportation and no way to get to work. Local Dealer Jumps To The RescueThankfully, a Cape Coral car dealership learned about Smith’s sad story and came to his rescue, offering to sell him a 2014 Jeep Cherokee for just one dollar. It all happened after Joshua Clinton, managing partner at Cape Coral ChryslerDodgeJeepRam, saw the story on TikTok and decided to help. "We've all been through some kind of struggle. I said, I think there's something we can do to help him,” Clinton told Gulf Coast News. Last Thursday, Jeremy Smith was presented with his 2014 Jeep Cherokee, for which he only had to pay $1. The man, who admitted it was wrong of him to drive a car in such a derelict state but he had no choice, was overwhelmed by the gesture and shared a message of hope for other people who may be in a similar situation. “Try not to, you know, be down in dumps or stay down because some day it will get better. And you never know what can happen,” Smith said. The Used Car Deal Of A Lifetime As it turns out, Jeremy is a mechanic, so the dealership’s boss expressed hope that we would be able to keep the Jeep running for as long as possible and maybe even come to work for him if he wants to. Now, all of this sounds great, but some may argue that since he is a mechanic, Smith could have done a better job of keeping his old Honda in reasonable condition and not put himself and his son in a position of being left without transportation. Will he take better care of the Jeep Cherokee that cost him just one dollar? Hopefully he will take advantage of this rare opportunity. As the dealership's boss put it, cars have never been less affordable than they are right now. That’s a sad reality for people who need affordable used cars, so getting a perfectly usable car for $1 is not something that happens every day. Used 2014 Jeep Cherokee SUVs are listed for at least $3,900 on Cars.com, which makes this the deal of a lifetime for our mechanic, who said that never in his life he has owned something this nice. View the full article

Audi has been lagging behind its compatriots in the premium space, achieving fewer sales in 2025, but that's not the only problem it's been facing recently. In 2023, the company decided to rename its entire lineup, with even-numbered models to represent all-electric vehicles and odd-numbered nameplates their combustion-powered counterparts. As a result, the car we knew as the A4 became the A5, but this only created more confusion, and with two-digit numbers being used to signify power output, customers' minds were truly boggled. Audi realized the error of its ways and will revert to its old naming convention with the new gas-powered A6, and its CEO hinted to Australian media that it may do the same with the rest of its lineup. Audi CEO Admits Renaming the Lineup Was a Mistake Audi "Yes, as we said earlier this year, that was a mistake, and we corrected it," Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said at the Munich motor show in September, reports Drive. "We will go back to our old nomenclature: A is for flat-floor cars, Q is for SUVs, and then the number describes the size of the car or the segment of the car, full stop." This will make understanding the lineup easier for both customers and the salespeople tasked with unpacking each car's place in the range to those buyers, but what happens to the A5, which has already adopted the now-abandoned naming structure? Will it switch back to A4? Related: Audi Is Abandoning Big Screens for a Better Experience "Yeah, that's thinkable," said the CEO, adding, "In general with the A6 as the anchor point, from there into the future we will be looking." This could make the current A5 sedan stand out in decades to come as a rare and unusual version of a badge associated with two-door cars, but whether Audi resurrects the A4 name soon or not, its renaming debacle will be remembered as a resource-intensive marketing blunder. Audi's Rivals Also Have Special Naming Structures Audi Mercedes has also learned that giving EVs unique names doesn't always work out. Its electric S-Class, the EQS, has been a poor seller, and the Stuttgart-based automaker has now decided to instead name vehicles traditionally, adding the "with EQ Technology" suffix to all-electric models. BMW did things differently, instead calling the electric 7 Series the i7, and is dropping the long-standing "i" suffix from combustion models like the M340i because customers associate that with EVs, although it was meant to signify fuel injection. The difference is that, while Mercedes gave its EVs unique, egg-like styling, BMW's EVs have been almost indistinguishable from the designs of combustion cars. Mercedes and Audi have learned from BMW that giving customers the same car with different powertrains is the simplest way to encourage a switch to electric power. Hopefully, Audi's upcoming design revolution will be complemented by an easily understood naming strategy. View the full article

Dario Franchitti is a four-time IndyCar champion, three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, an overall winner in the Rolex 24 ,and even a Daytona 500 starter in NASCAR, but now he's about experience something truly chaotic -- NASCAR Trucks at a street course. The 52-year-old racer will compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next month when the series joins IndyCar at the Grand Prix of ...Keep readingView the full article

Jay Leno’s Garage just gave viewers an early look at the Slate Truck, a low-cost electric pickup prototype that Slate says is designed to be repaired and customized by owners, not locked behind a dealer network. In the episode, Slate leaders Tisha Johnson and Jeremy Snyder outline a plan built around simplified manufacturing, modular upgrades, and a service model that leans on independent repair shops, with a target price under $30,000 and marketing that often frames the truck as a $25,000 EV. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article What Slate Says The Truck IsSlate describes the truck as a single core vehicle that comes off the line in the same basic configuration, then gets personalized by owners through bolt-on kits and wrap-style exterior finishes. The video leans hard on the idea that the truck can evolve over time, with flat-pack kits that can convert it from a standard pickup into an SUV-style body or an open-air setup, depending on what the owner wants to do with it. Slate also repeats a right-to-repair pitch, saying it intends to let customers handle more of their own maintenance and even some warranty repairs, while routing service through a network of about 4,000 independent shops instead of traditional dealerships, which connects directly to its low price. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article How Slate Plans To Keep Costs DownSlate says its cost structure comes from design-for-manufacturing decisions that remove expensive complexity, including avoiding a conventional paint shop and encouraging wraps and molded-in color approaches instead. It also describes a modular single-vehicle assembly concept where the base truck is standardized, because that allows the factory to focus on repeatability, then push customization to accessories rather than production-line variation. The company says production is planned in Warsaw, Indiana. What The Specs And Claims Look Like So FarSlate’s published targets point to two battery options, one aimed at about 150 miles of range and another aimed at roughly 230 miles, with liquid cooling and a NACS charging port intended to support access to the North American Supercharger network. The episode also stresses safety, with Slate saying the minimalist approach is still engineered toward a five-star crash target and that beta prototypes are already in testing, although formal ratings will depend on final production vehicles. Slate also claims more than 150,000 reservations, which is part of the reason the truck keeps getting framed as a potential inflection point. View the full article

Professional motorcycle drag racer Dystany Spurlock is beginning the journey to fulfill a lifelong dream of racing in NASCAR’s Cup Series, taking the first steps on that path as she prepares to compete in the ARCA Menards Series during the 2026 season. Instead of a one-time debut, Spurlock will take a step-by-step approach, starting with late model racing and, once approved by NASCAR’s competition committee, entering ARCA competition as she pursues stock car racing’s highest stage. Each phase brings her closer to a season-long campaign in NASCAR’s top feeder series, where she’ll compete against experienced racers at some of the sport’s toughest and most iconic tracks. Her journey starts at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina, where Spurlock will compete in a late model series to gain valuable seat time on paved ovals. She then plans to enter the ARCA Menards Series East event at Hickory in late March, a critical step toward national-level competition, with the goal of advancing into a spring ARCA Menards Series national event and racing regularly throughout the season. Completing this progression would make Spurlock the first Black woman in NASCAR’s 77-year history to compete at any level. While her focus remains squarely on development, performance, and earning her place on track, it would represent a historic moment for the sport. Spurlock’s stock car development is being supported by MBM Motorsports, led by former NASCAR driver and veteran team owner Carl Long. Based in Statesville, N.C., MBM brings decades of experience across NASCAR’s three national touring series and will provide a strong foundation for her ARCA program. As Spurlock works through the demanding process required to earn approval to compete in NASCAR, each step of her journey will be documented by primary sponsor Foxxtecca, an experiential events and media company co-founded by Chris Harris and Kellie Crawford. Titled Driven by Dystany: The Road to NASCAR (link to trailer), the project provides an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the preparation, evaluations, setbacks, and commitments involved in pursuing a NASCAR license and progressing toward her ultimate goal of racing in the Cup Series. Spurlock’s push toward ARCA is the result of a six-year development effort launched by the African American Automotive Association (AAAA) and later joined by Foxxtecca, whose mission is to build pathways into motorsports through competition, education, and long-term development. Harris—through the AAAA—has managed Spurlock’s career, helped shape her driver development, and worked to position her for this next step. “Dystany’s resilience is one for the record books. She has gracefully plowed through every roadblock and worked her tail off for this very moment,” Harris said. “She has earned this opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of racing at this level, and Foxxtecca is making sure she has the support she needs to maximize it.” Longtime NASCAR athletic trainer Phil Horton, who is overseeing Spurlock’s preparation, also played a key role in the process by connecting Harris with Long, helping bring the partnership together. Her move to stock cars builds on an already groundbreaking career in motorcycle drag racing. Spurlock was the first woman to win the Real Street class in the XDA Motorcycle Drag Racing Series—setting a world record in the process—and holds multiple BMW S1000RR performance records in the U.S. and internationally. In 2025, she became only the second Black woman to compete professionally in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class and is currently finalizing plans for her sophomore season, where she’ll race with the Arana Racing team led by father-and-son duo Hector Arana Sr. and Hector Jr. Spurlock plans to take on the rare challenge of competing in both professional series during the same season by putting in the work and trusting the process. “This is about earning the opportunity the right way,” she said. “Nothing about this has come easy. It’s taken sacrifice and believing in myself even when the odds were stacked against me. Stepping into NASCAR would be more than the next stage in my career. It would also prove that if you keep pushing and refuse to let obstacles stop you, doors really can open.” This story was originally published on February 3, 2026. The post Motorcycle Drag Racer Dystany Spurlock Aims For Historic NASCAR ARCA Series Bid first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

The stick-shift-focused racers of the UMTR South are gearing up for a full slate of events in 2026. The series recently announced its 2026 schedule for the Quick Stick and Street Stick classes. 2026 UMTR South Schedule May 2 – Darana Raceway, Xenia, OH May 9 – Darana Raceway, Hebron, OH (North vs. South Nationals) May 16 – Edgewater Sports Park, Cleves, OH June 6 – Ohio Valley Dragway, West Point, KY June 27 – Kentucky Dragway, Clay City, KY July 18 – Edgewater Sports Park, Cleves, OH August 8 – Darana Raceway, Xenia, OH August 15 – U.S. 60 Dragway, Hardinsburg, KY August 22 – Edgewater Sports Park, Cleves, OH (Memorial Race) August 29 – London Dragway, London, KY September 12 – Darana Raceway, Hebron, OH (with NDRL) September 26 – Darana Raceway, Xenia, OH October 3 – Edgewater Sports Park, Cleves, OH October 10 – Darana Raceway, Xenia, OH (Fall Finale) This story was originally published on February 3, 2026. The post UMTR South Announces 2026 Schedule first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

On February 7th, UMTR North will host its Champions Celebration to honor the accomplishments of the 2025 racing season. This past year featured an incredibly tight points race that came down to the wire in both classes. In the Quick Stick category, Tim O’Neal took home the top honor in his Chevy Vega, narrowly defeating Troy Hrdlicka by just 4 points. Additionally, Jeremy Murray secured his Street Stick championship in his Neon, surpassing Brandon Margo by a mere 3 points. UMTR North also announced its 2026 schedule. 2026 UMTR North Schedule Saturday, May 9 – North vs South, Darana Hebron, Hebron OH Sunday, May 24 – Quaker City Motorsports Park, Salem OH Saturday, June 6 – Kuhnle Motorsports Park, Thompson OH Saturday, June 20 – Kuhnle Motorsports Park, Thompson OH Saturday, July 11 – Darana West Salem, West Salem OH Sunday, July 12 – Darana West Salem, West Salem OH Saturday, July 25 – QuakerCity Motorsports Park, Salem OH Saturday, August 22 – Quaker City Motorsports Park, Salem OH Friday, September 11 – Darana Hebron, Hebron OH Saturday, September 12 – Darana Hebron, Hebron OH Saturday, September 26 – Keystone Raceway Park, New Alexandria PA Sunday, September 27 – Keystone Raceway Park, New Alexandria PA This story was originally published on February 3, 2026. The post UMTR North to Celebrate 2025 Champions, Announces 2026 Schedule first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

One of the most iconic and significant drag racing events in the country, the Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet, will return to Famoso Dragstrip, March 5-8, 2026. The 68th edition will feature Heritage Series and Nitro categories as well as a car show, swap meet and vendor row. While the NHRA celebrates its 75th year of professional drag racing the March Meet will continue to highlight the impressive past performers and nostalgic race cars that built the sport that is celebrated and enjoyed by millions today. Tickets are on sale now with single day and multi-day tickets available. A full list of competitors will be available on the coming weeks. “When you look at the stars and cars of today’s NHRA you have to acknowledge what has happened at the March Meet over the past nearly 70 years,” said Blake Bowser, March Meet promoter. “Our event is the closest thing to a time machine for long time fans as well as new fans looking for a cool experience with amazing looking vehicles. I don’t think there is another sport that showcases its past better than the March Meet. The nostalgia cars on the track look almost identical to their predecessors and in some cases, fans are seeing the original race car burn out and fly down Famoso Dragstrip.” The four-day event will highlight qualifying and then the qualified field will race for one of the most historic trophies in drag racing on Sunday, March 8. On Thursday, gates will open at 8 a.m. with a full morning of qualifying runs starting at 9 a.m. capped by Nitro competitors making their first test runs at 2 p.m. Friday will be another day of high-speed excitement with Nitro qualifying at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The final day of qualifying on Saturday will see gates opening at 8 a.m. with one more Nitro Funny Car and the continuation of qualifying for Top Fuel and Fuel Altered at 12:30 p.m. The first round of Funny Car eliminations commences at 3:30 p.m. with the final round of qualifying for Top Fuel and Fuel Altered. The day will be capped by jet dragster exhibition passes. “The first two days of the March Meet will give the fans a taste of the high-octane excitement drag racing has been built on,” said Bowser. “The pits are open and fans can mingle with the drivers, crew chiefs and teams while they get ready to wrap up the race on Sunday. The vibe in the pits presents a welcoming atmosphere with the air of intensity as qualifying winds down.” The final day of the Good Vibrations March Meet is jam-packed with elimination rounds in Funny Car, Top Fuel, Fuel Altered, and all the Nostalgia classes. Gates will open at 8 a.m. and the cars will start flying down the track at 9 a.m. A special opening ceremony will set the tone for the day at 11 a.m. with the car show, swap meet and vendor row running all day for fans from across the country. Fans can buy single and multi-day tickets here. For additional information on racing or participating in the car show visit www.marchmeet.com or call 800-759-8679. Fans can also email marchmeet@famosodragstrip.com for all event information. This story was originally published on February 3, 2026. The post Famed March Meet Set For Historic 68th Installment March 5-8 first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

In case you missed it, President Trump said on Friday that he had signed an executive order announcing the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C. This will be an IndyCar street race that the White House says will be free to the general public, with a live broadcast on Fox Sports. This will be the first-ever motor race in the capital, near the National Mall, with the last official street race held on July 4, 1801, when President Thomas Jefferson celebrated the first Independence Day at the White House (then known as the President's House) by hosting a public festival that included horse races. Route Still to be Determined IndyCar The full executive order on whitehouse.gov reveals that a route has not yet been laid out, but the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Transportation are expected to designate one within 14 days of the order. Mention was also made of the route including at least part of Pennsylvania Avenue, so the racers will likely pass the White House. Naturally, organizers will need to ensure that the path is suitable for the speeds of IndyCar race cars and their low ground clearance, with adequate safety protocols in place should a crash occur. The event, billed as a tribute to the United States Armed Forces, is expected to cater to over 350,000 people, which is the usual count for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race's Sunday festivities, the world's largest single-day spectator sporting event. Total weekend attendance will likely be far higher, though, since last year's British Formula One Grand Prix drew over half a million people from Thursday practice sessions to the race on Sunday. The highest single-day attendance figure in F1 is still American, though, with over 250,000 attending the 2000 U.S. GP at Indianapolis. Washington, D.C.'s Race Won't Impact F1 Fans Mark Thompson/Getty Images Hardcore open-wheel racing fans will have a very long day if they want to watch both Washington, D.C.'s first IndyCar street race and the Formula One goings on, as the Dutch Grand Prix, held at the Zandvoort Circuit, will be on the same weekend. The F1 race starts at 9 AM ET, and the IndyCar race will likely take place around the same time that the Indianoplis 500 starts, 12:45 ET. If that proves to be the case, motorsport fans should have enough time to take a break once the F1 finishes before watching the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. View the full article

Veteran nitro crew chief Ron Douglas will join Doug Foley’s Foley Lewis Racing Top Fuel team as a consultant for the 2026 season, the team announced today. Douglas joins a proven group led by longtime Foley Lewis Racing crew chief Doug Kuch as the team prepares for what Foley describes as a “rebuilding year” beginning at the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season opener, the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Douglas brings to the table years of experience leading championship-contending teams in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. He’ll support the existing efforts of Kuch, who tuned for Foley early in his Top Fuel career and returned to the team at the end of the 2023 season. “I’ve always admired what Ron has accomplished in his career,” Foley said. “We’ve always been looking for somebody who could come in and put their eyes on the computer and their hands on the parts and see something through a different lens. We were fortunate that Ron was available. He’s a little bit different than some of the other crew chiefs in that he’s very hands-on. That’s only going to enhance what happens under the awning here and help the team continue to get better at what they do.” The addition of Douglas comes at a pivotal time for Foley Lewis Racing as the team looks to bounce back from a 2025 season that dealt multiple blows, from the loss of team co-owner Tim Lewis early in the year to a crash at the end of the season. “I really felt like we were getting there over the last couple of years, and I felt like we may have taken a step back in 2025,” Foley said. “There were opportunities that were missed. I don’t feel like I drove even close to my best, and it was a tough year overall. It started with losing Tim and never got better. This year is a fresh beginning. We’re going to put our heads down, focus on what our new goals are, and forget about 2025.” Foley’s 2026 schedule will begin at the NHRA Gatornationals and will include a mix of NHRA national events and IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series races. A part of Foley’s new strategy for the season involves choosing when to race and when to test and refine. “This year, we’re putting a bigger focus on quality over quantity,” Foley said. “It’s difficult for smaller teams like ours to get quality runs in, so if we need to go testing instead of going to the next race, that’s what we’ll do. If we feel like we’re getting behind, we’re going to take a timeout and figure out where we’re weak and how we can get better. We’re looking at it as a rebuilding year.” When Foley fires up his 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster at the Gatornationals, returning partner Authority Garage Supply Inc. will be bannered on the side as the primary sponsor. United Garage Door Company, LiftMaster, C.H.I. Overhead Doors, Coble Enterprises, Red Line Oil, and The BAMR Company are also returning as partners. This story was originally published on February 3, 2026. The post Doug Foley Announces Addition of Ron Douglas as Consultant to Foley Lewis Racing Top Fuel Team first appeared on Drag Illustrated. View the full article

Hyundai’s N division has come a long way since its first product, the i30 N hot hatch, was launched almost a decade ago. Sadly, that car never made it stateside, where the Korean marque’s N lineup is currently limited to the Ioniq 5 N, Elantra N, and the new Ioniq 6 N. But Hyundai has grander plans for its N range over the next three to four years. That’s according to Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president of product planning and mobility strategy at Hyundai. Although she was careful not to divulge specifics, one comment from Boyle gives us a clue as to what new N-badged Hyundais we can expect. Related: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Is The Ruler By Which Performance Sedans Should Be Measured Likely Future Hyundai N Models Hyundai A broader N range will provide Hyundai with tougher competition for Toyota’s GR range, which is also expanding rapidly. “We are expanding N. You will have more N models in three, four years,” Boyle said to The Drive. “I won’t say which ones. We will only expand it on the things that [make sense].” It’s that last statement that jumps out. While BMW and Mercedes have added M/AMG badges to practically everything in their lineups, it sounds like Hyundai will only apply the N treatment to models best suited for performance applications. That probably rules out a large electric SUV like the Ioniq 9, the budget-oriented Venue crossover, and the conservative Sonata. Hyundai A likelier candidate could be the Tucson, one of the brand’s most popular models. It’s a compact two-row crossover, and an N version would give the surprisingly quick Toyota RAV4 GR Sport something to think about. The previous Kona N was a hoot, so a newer version would be special. There have also been rumors of a Veloster N comeback. But what would be better than any of these options is a dedicated sports car to carry the N badge. Hyundai has no coupe alternative to the Toyota GR86, but as the N Vision 74 concept showed, the Koreans have what it takes to design a truly desirable sports car. Hyundai execs have already expressed interest in turning this into a production model. Related: Hyundai Won’t Sell the New i30 N Here, But a Veloster N Comeback May Already Be in the Works Why It’s The Perfect Time For Hyundai N To Expand Hyundai is well-positioned to grow the N performance brand. Its performance models have successfully proven their credentials, both with gas and electric power. In other markets, the i30 N is every bit as fun to drive as the long-running Golf GTI, while the Ioniq 5 N has shown that this driver-focused appeal is by no means limited to gas models. Last year, Hyundai said it’s far from done with gas-powered N models, even as the electric ones become more prominent. Hyundai is also on an upward trajectory in the U.S., having achieved five consecutive years of record sales in 2025. With core models like the Palisade, Elantra, and Santa Fe keeping the ship rolling, there’s leeway for a bolder, more experimental performance lineup. H Finally, there’s a clear appetite for performance models in the country. BMW M achieved massive sales success last year, but even non-luxury brands are thriving. The GR Corolla had its best year ever in 2025, and Subaru just introduced a more affordable WRX. Already dominant in SUV sales, Hyundai’s N division is ready to step out of its foundation phase and establish itself as a leading global performance brand. View the full article