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Posted on November 12, 2026November 12, 2026 by Staff Report

Dear NASCAR fans,

Now that the confetti has fallen and another NASCAR season has come to a close, I wanted to take a moment to say something very simple: thank you.

Thank you for your passion, your loyalty, your energy, and, yes, even your opinions about what we should be doing better.

Whether you’re watching the Cup Series on Sunday, following the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series or Craftsman Truck Series, cheering on your favorite driver in the Whelen Modified Tour or spending a Saturday night with family and friends at your local short track, you are the heartbeat of NASCAR.

And what a season it has been.

From Tyler Reddick’s emotional Daytona 500 victory alongside Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin and the entire 23XI Racing team, to making history on the streets of Naval Base Coronado in San Diego as we honored our nation’s heroes, to the return of The Chase and 10 pressure-packed races that culminated in Kyle Larson lifting the Bill France Cup for the third time.

And beyond the Cup Series, we witnessed incredible competition, celebrated new champions and watched the next generation of drivers make their mark throughout NASCAR. From our national series to the local tracks that are the foundation of our sport, there were countless moments that reminded us why we love racing.

But 2026 was also a year of tremendous heartbreak.

We lost an American badass in Kyle Busch. A fierce competitor, an incredible talent and someone who meant so much to our sport. His absence is felt every single week.

And yet, through that loss, we were reminded of something that makes NASCAR different. Seeing fans across the country raise eight fingers on Lap 8, and watching our entire industry rally around Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, was a powerful reminder that NASCAR has always been about more than racing.

We are a family. We compete fiercely; we don’t always agree, but when it matters most, we come together.

That is something I hope we never lose.

In my 30 years in this sport, I’ve been fortunate to witness some incredible moments, remarkable champions and extraordinary performances. What Kyle Larson and his team accomplished this season deserves a place alongside some of NASCAR’s greatest achievements.

But what has always made this sport special to me isn’t just what happens on the race track. It’s the people who surround it.

It’s the families who have passed their love of NASCAR from one generation to the next. It’s the fans who travel hundreds of miles to attend a race, the volunteers and local communities who keep grassroots racing alive and the passionate supporters who make NASCAR unlike anything else in sports.

When I was named CEO earlier this year, I wrote to you about how important our fans would be in shaping NASCAR’s future. After spending this season listening to so many of you, I believe that more than ever.

I know there are things we need to do better. I know we won’t always agree on every decision. And I know that your time, your passion and your loyalty are things we must continue to earn, never simply expect.

That’s a responsibility I take seriously, and one our entire NASCAR team embraces.

We have an incredible history, some of the most passionate fans in all of sports and so much opportunity ahead of us. I’m excited about where we’re going, and equally committed to preserving the traditions and experiences that made all of us fall in love with NASCAR in the first place.

So, from all of us at NASCAR, thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for caring as deeply as you do. And thank you for continuing to push us to be better.

Wishing you and your families a happy, healthy holiday season.

We can’t wait to see you back at the race track in 2027.

— Steve O’Donnell

NASCAR Creative Design

Posted on November 12, 2026 by Neil Paine

It was, to borrow Kyle Larson’s words, “a little anticlimactic,” sure.

But most dominant results are.

Despite the hopes of Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin entering Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, a seven-point showing by Larson in the opening stage — combined with eight and five points by Bell and Hamlin, respectively — meant it was mathematically impossible to catch Larson in the Chase presented by Mobil 1 standings by the end of the day. Just like that, Larson was your 2026 NASCAR Cup Series champion.

And with it came all kinds of NASCAR history. Larson is now one of just 11 drivers in Cup Series history to hoist the Bill France Cup three times, and he’s the first to do it in back-to-back seasons since the last two of Jimmie Johnson’s five straight, in 2009-2010. Larson, Johnson, Joey Logano and Tony Stewart are the only drivers to join the triple-title club this century:
The fascinating thing about Larson, though, is that — out of the three title runs — he hasn’t ever had the same championship season twice.

In 2021, Larson had the best team and he rolled to the title. He won five races during the regular season — including three in a row (four if you count the All-Star Race) at midseason — and entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, then rattled off five more victories in the next 10 races, winning the elimination race in three out of four rounds. It was, statistically, one of the most dominant seasons of the 21st century. Given a second chance and a shot at redemption by Hendrick Motorsports, Larson kept his eye on the prize all season and he didn’t miss.

Last season was different: Larson started the year with wins in three of the first 12 races, prompting us to investigate where his peak ranked among all-time drivers. But he seldom found that peak form over the rest of the regular season, averaging a finish of 17.4 with an 80.2 Driver Rating from mid-May onward. It was only in the playoffs that Larson’s performance ticked upward, though he still did enough to survive and advance rather than dominate — typified by how he ended up outdueling Denny Hamlin with a third-place finish in Phoenix. He joined Stewart in 2005 as the only champions to go winless during the postseason.

And then there was this season. In a strange inversion of both of his previous championship campaigns, Larson was both winless and not especially dominant during the regular season, ending up as the No. 7 seed going into the reborn Chase.

But, of course, that was before he turned everything around in The Chase. After posting a good-not-great 93.0 Driver Rating and a pretty pedestrian 17.2 average finish in the regular season, Larson then improved his rating by 11.3 points and his average finish by 9.9 positions in the final 10 races of the season — which happen to have been the most important races of the season as well. Among Cup champions during the “postseason” era of NASCAR (playoffs or Chase), nobody improved their average finish there more than Larson did versus the regular season this year:

Now, this wasn’t necessarily a full-on “Joey Logano in 2024” type of situation. (As I noted back then, Logano ended the season overall with the worst finishing quality and Driver Rating of any champion since at least 2014.) Larson posted significantly better values in both categories, especially after factoring in his Chase run. In the end, Larson’s final numbers actually look like carbon copies of what he had a year ago — he just took a different route to them this time around:

2025 season: 3 wins, 15 top fives, 22 top 10s, 13.2 average finish, 94.3 Driver Rating
2026 season: 3 wins, 15 top fives, 21 top 10s, 14.5 average finish, 96.1 Driver Rating

His postseason Driver Rating wasn’t even very different — Larson just converted that potential into better finishes in 2026 than he did in last year’s playoffs, ending up this season with one of the better average finishes of any champion (ninth out of 23 since 2004, better than either of his other title runs) during the span of the postseason itself.
Now, the attention turns to where Larson might go from here.

Using the “season ages” at Racing-Reference.info — which aim to place all drivers on equal footing in age comparisons by looking at their ages on July 1 of a given season — 2026 was Larson’s age-33 season. (He turned 34 later in the summer.) With three career Cup Series titles through that age, Larson joined a very elite club whose only other members — Jeff Gordon (who did it by age 26), Jimmie Johnson (age 32) and Richard Petty (like Larson, age 33) — went on to win more titles, in some cases many more:
And we know from our past research that Larson likely has a lot of winning left to do. Among retired drivers who won at least 10 races in the modern era (since 1972), more than half of their career wins came from their age-34 seasons onward, on average. In other words, Larson — with his 35 lifetime wins and three championships, might not even be halfway to the resume he ends his career with.

That’s kind of a scary thought, given how much Larson has already accomplished in the sport. After all, we’ve now seen him win championships by dominating from start to finish, by doing just enough to survive, and by saving his best racing for when it mattered the most. If there’s one thing that trio of title runs has taught us, it’s that Larson doesn’t need a particular formula to win NASCAR’s biggest prize. So at this point, the biggest question might not be whether Larson can win another one, but what new route he’ll come up with to get there.

Posted on November 11, 2026November 12, 2026 by Staff Report

Frankie Muniz has been released from a local medical facility after an incident in practice for Wednesday’s Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic at Daytona International Speedway, Ford Racing announced Wednesday.

“I am disappointed I won’t be able to take part in Ford’s Proud to Honor event tonight,” a statement from Muniz read. “I was looking forward to honoring the service of our veterans and racing against these other amazing drivers.

“I am a little sore, but my Mustang did its job in protecting me. I want to thank everyone at Ford Racing, Daytona International Speedway and the staff here at the hospital. I especially want to thank everyone who has reached out and for all the prayers.”

Muniz was slated to race in Wednesday’s exhibition, pairing with Team Penske driver Austin Cindric to represent the U.S. Air Force. Jenson Altzman, a Ford factory development driver, competed in his place.

Team Reaume, whom Muniz drives for in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, shared a statement earlier Wednesday.

“Frankie Muniz was involved in an incident while practicing for today’s Proud to Honor event at Daytona International Speedway,” the statement read. “He was taken to a local medical facility for further evaluation and is awake and alert. We’ll share updates as they become available. Thank you for your support and for respecting Frankie’s privacy at this time.”

Muniz, an Emmy-nominated actor turned race car driver, has anchored Reaume’s No. 33 Ford in Truck Series the last two seasons. His best career finish, 10th, came in the Daytona season opener in 2025. A native of Scottsdale, Arizona, Muniz embarked on a full ARCA Menards Series season in 2023, recording 11 top 10s.

Before his NASCAR career launched, Muniz was best known for his role in “Malcolm in the Middle,” which launched a four-episode reunion show last spring.

Posted on November 11, 2026 by Zach Sturniolo

MIAMI — The coronation of a new era in the NASCAR Cup Series concluded with Tuesday’s NASCAR Awards as Kyle Larson was formally celebrated for his third championship.

His consecutive clinches of the Bill France Cup echoed of chapters past in NASCAR, considering no one had gone back-to-back in title pursuits in 16 years, when Jimmie Johnson was last to do it. Larson’s excellence has long been admired by his competitors. But the dominance with which he and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team crushed the competition throughout the 10 races of The Chase presented by Mobil 1 lands Larson’s name among NASCAR’s greatest of all time.

MORE: Champions crowned, legacies honored at NASCAR Awards

His third go-round as champion is something Larson relishes. There is a particular platform champions receive in NASCAR that allows — or demands — that they become a steward of the sport. That can entail representing the sport’s past and present while also helping identify its future.

“I think once you do win a championship, you do feel some sort of role and responsibility in representing the sport in a right way,” Larson said. “Not that you were never doing it the right way before, but there’s more eyes on you to represent it in a good fashion. I can’t think of a champion that hasn’t been a good champion for the sport. I’m proud to be a champion, and I do feel that responsibility, so try to notice it and live by whatever role that Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon might have.”

The championship speech Larson delivered on stage at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County proved to be a microcosm of what his life has become. In a suit that shimmered under the lights in a way that resembled Jeff Gordon’s ChromaLusion car, Larson stood in front of the NASCAR industry — drivers, teammates, media, fans and sponsors alike — perhaps more comfortable in his role than he ever was previously. He began by chiding his daughter Audrey for telling him he sucked at NASCAR while in the midst of a 51-race winless streak, then offered his own admission of hopelessness in a Hendrick Motorsports team luncheon just before The Chase began.

“(Team president and general manager) Jeff Andrews got up there and said, in so many words, ‘Never doubt Hendrick Motorsports,’ ” Larson recalled. “And I’ll admit it: I was sitting there almost rolling my eyes. I thought, ‘That’s just what you say at a luncheon. How could anybody in this building believe we could beat the Toyotas right now?’ Jeff, I owe you an apology. Right after Audrey gives me mine.”

Larson’s legendary Chase run exemplified the power of belief in process, something that crew chief Cliff Daniels preached throughout the course of a 2026 season that didn’t produce the No. 5 team’s first win until Race 28 of the season at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.

A budding star in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Corey Day has seen Larson’s maturation firsthand and from a unique perspective. The 20-year-old Californian is seen as Larson’s prodigy, a sprint-car star who has made the transition to NASCAR with the backing of Larson and Hendrick Motorsports. Despite this year being Day’s first full season in stock cars, he walked away with four wins, 12 top fives and 22 top 10s and had a real chance to win the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship entering the finale.

A part of his growth this season has come thanks to Kyle Larson, who has become a true mentor for the up-and-coming Day.

“I learned a ton for sure on many aspects of this — the mental side, and then obviously the driving side,” Day said. “And just the never-give-up by him and the 5 guys in general was really cool to see this year. I mean, I could sit in competition meetings, and there was a lot of tough ones this year of the drivers just unsure of how to help, right? As a driver, you can only say so much before you start steering people down the wrong path. So just seeing how he handled that — all the drivers, really — see how everyone handled that, doing all they can, but not too much or not too little to help. I mean it shows. I mean they won a freaking championship, and they didn’t have a win before September.”

Leading by example has become a key part of Larson’s story in 2026. Opposed to years past that were spent splitting time between dirt racing, Indianapolis 500 pursuits and NASCAR, Larson largely refined his focus to his day job this season in a way that was palpable to all within the walls of Hendrick Motorsports.

MORE: See best Red Carpet photos from NASCAR Awards

“I think over this year, he’s probably changed a little bit in that sense,” Day said. “You know, he never used to sim before. He does sim a lot now. There’s just a lot of things that he really like went to work on this year to try and better himself, as well as a team was trying to obviously better themselves. So when I think of leader, I think of Cliff Daniels, right? Like you hear Cliff talk, and you just want to die for the guy. He’s so good. But yeah, I think as a driver, too, your influence of just being in the shop with the guys and just showing your commitment to this is huge, and I think that’s what Kyle does very well is he’s always there when he needs to be and shows face and just give the guys the motivation that he’s put in the work and he’s just as committed as as they are.”

“He’s just a good teammate,” said William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. “I think in the debriefs, he’s open about what his car is doing. He describes it well and (I) feel like he gives everyone a lot of information to lean into. … And yeah, it’s changed. Like he’s used the sim more this year and we’re in the gym together sometimes. Just kind of a different method of how to get there on the weekends, whereas I’d say early on he was racing a lot of the dirt stuff most weekends, and so didn’t see him a whole lot at the shop.”

In a sense, Larson is beginning to bring his NASCAR career full circle. Highlights of his rookie season featured thrilling battles at the front of the field with his mentor and idol Jeff Gordon, throwing crossovers and trading positions in the postseason. Now, he’s only one championship shy of Gordon’s four, with Gordon overseeing Hendrick Motorsports as its vice chairman.

At age 34, Larson still has a long future ahead in NASCAR. Day will likely not be his last mentee, and 2026 will likely not be his final championship season. But after 12 years of Cup racing, three championships and 35 race wins, Larson has rounded the corner from competitive veteran to one of the sport’s flagship drivers, firmly planting himself on the doorstep of the greatest of all time moniker.

Watch the full NASCAR Awards Show at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 13 on the NASCAR Channel.

Posted on November 11, 2026 by Press Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 11, 2026) – The new Ford Racing Mustang that will compete in the NASCAR Cup Series was unveiled today inside the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America as part of Ford’s Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic event. The 2027 Ford Mustang race car continues a progression of the iconic sports car that competes globally in 29 series, 17 countries and on five continents.

Ford’s newest NASCAR contender is based on the production Mustang Dark Horse SC, which is the most advanced and powerful Dark Horse ever with its supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine providing up to 795 horsepower and 660 lb.-ft. of torque.

“When we introduced the Mustang Dark Horse SC in January and announced it was coming to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, we had no time to waste,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Racing. “Racing makes our road cars better, and our road cars make our race cars better. We put that philosophy to work here, incorporating key elements from the Dark Horse SC into the new Mustang race car to help make it even more competitive every week.”

Chief among that is an aggressive-looking nose that has been designed to optimize aerodynamics. In the road car, that comes in the form of increased cooling while in the race car it creates more downforce.

“Our team of race engineers worked hand-in-hand with Ford designers to create a car that not only holds true to Mustang’s unique appearance but lives up to its heritage as a car that was born to race,” said Rushbrook. “We believe this car will put us in a position to win a lot of races and championships in the years ahead.”

Mustang debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2019 and since then has won three championships with drivers Joey Logano (2022 and 2024) and Ryan Blaney (2023). In addition, it has won 80 races, including major events like the Daytona 500, Southern 500, Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard 400 two times apiece.

“I’ve said this ever since Ford brought Mustang into the Cup Series and nothing since then has changed my mind. We have the best-looking car on the track, hands down, and Ford Racing has worked to make it one of the fastest too,” said Logano, who has won three championships with Ford. “Mustang is an American icon and no one is more proud to drive it each and every week than me. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of this new Mustang at Daytona.”

Blaney, who drove the production car and was part of the NASCAR announcement at Season Launch, is also looking forward to his new ride.

“All of us want to be the first one to win a race in this new Mustang and I’m no different,” he said. “I’ve been pretty fortunate that throughout my Cup career the only car I’ve ever driven is a Ford, and I’m proud of that. Ford does a great job of designing race cars that give us the best chance to win, and I can’t think of a better way to get started than by winning the Daytona 500.”

The Ford Mustang will make its competitive debut during Daytona Speedweeks, culminating with the 69th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 21 (Fox Sports, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

The unveiling of the new Cup car marked the first event of a day that is being highlighted by the inaugural Ford Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic at Daytona International Speedway (8 p.m. ET, USA Network). A total of 12 Ford Racing drivers will be competing on the road course in Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rs with all six military branches being divided into teams of two. Proceeds from the event will go to support military members, veterans and their families.

Courtesy of Ford Racing

Posted on November 11, 2026November 11, 2026 by Adam Fenwick

The history of racing on Long Island goes back decades and includes multiple bygone speedways that have long since faded into memory. On Saturday night, Riverhead Raceway will honor the history of one of those speedways with the 10th running of the Islip 300.

Taking its name from the defunct Islip Speedway, the Islip 300 is one of the biggest Modified events in the Northeast. Islip Speedway, which ceased operation in 1984, was a popular, 0.2-mile asphalt short track that welcomed the NASCAR Cup Series six times and held weekly racing for the popular Modified division.

Drivers like Don Howe, Wayne Anderson, Charlie Jarzombek, Fred Harbach, Al DeAngelo were among the men to beat in the Modified division through the years at Islip. Success at the Long Island oval often meant success elsewhere, with Howe, Anderson and Jarzombek finding success with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour down the road.

To honor the history and legacy left behind by Islip Speedway, Riverhead revived the track’s crown-jewel event. Beginning in 2017 and held every year since, the Islip 300 serves as a spiritual successor to the event won by stars like Richard Petty, Bobby Isaac and Bobby Allison.

More than 25 drivers have filed entries in pursuit of this year’s $12,000 top prize. Below is everything to know about the 2026 edition of the Islip 300 at Riverhead Raceway.

Riverhead Raceway began hosting the Islip 300 in 2017. The event has quickly become an annual tradition at the Long Island oval. (Photo: Susan Wong/NASCAR)

TV channel, live stream for Islip 300 at Riverhead Raceway

Saturday’s Islip 300 at Riverhead Raceway will be shown exclusively on FloRacing, the official streaming home for all NASCAR Regional properties.

The event will not be shown on a traditional TV channel.

Below is how to watch the 2026 Islip 300 on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Date	Race	Streaming Start Time	How to watch
Saturday, Nov. 14	Islip 300	12:30 p.m. ET	FloRacing

2026 race schedule

The Islip 300 will feature five divisions this season, including the headlining Modified class. Also on the card are the Legend cars, Crate Modifieds, Street Stocks and Eddie Partridge All Stars.

The starting field for the Islip 300 will be set by a two-lap, single-car qualifying session. Legends, Crate Modifieds and Street Stocks have 10 laps to determined where they will line up in their respective features. There will also be consolation races for the Legends if necessary.

Below is the complete race-day schedule for Riverhead on Saturday.

(All times ET)

Time	Event
7:30 a.m.	Pit window opens
8 a.m.	Pit gates open
9:30 a.m.	Modified drivers meeting
10 a.m.	General admission opens
10-10:20 a.m.	Legends practice
10:20-11 a.m.	Modified practice
11-11:20 a.m.	Crate Modified practice
11:20-11:40 a.m.	Street Stock practice
11:40 a.m.	Eddie Partridge All Stars
12:30 p.m.	Qualifying begins (Modifieds: 2 laps/single car … Legends: 10 laps … Crate Modifieds: 10 laps … Street Stocks: 10 laps … Legends Consi: 12 laps)
2 p.m. (Approximate)	Opening ceremonies/National Anthem
To follow…	Feature Races (Eddie Partridge All Stars: 15 laps … Legends: 40 laps … Crate Modifieds: 40 laps … Street Stocks: 40 laps … Modifieds: 300 laps)

Only one driver, current NASCAR Cup Series star Ryan Preece, has won the Islip 300 multiple times. (Photo: Kostas Lymperopoulos/NASCAR)

Entry list

One year after scoring the biggest win of his career, Joey Braun is back in search of another victory in Riverhead Raceway’s Islip 300.

He’s one of 29 drivers who have filed entries for Saturday’s Modified extravaganza. The entry list represents some of the best Modified drivers in the region as well as some of Riverhead Raceway’s top local competitors.

Headlining the list of drivers hoping to deny Braun a second consecutive Islip 300 win is recently crowned NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Patrick Emerling. Having already proven capable of winning at Riverhead thanks to his triumph in Modified Tour competition at the track earlier this year, Emerling will look to add an Islip 300 trophy to his growing trophy case.

Also entered is Matt Hirschman, who is one of the eight previous winners of the Islip 300. Hirschman, who won the event in 2023, will look to join Ryan Preece as the only other multi-time Islip 300 winner. Dillon Steuer and Chase Grennan, also previous Islip 300 winners, are also among the 29 entries for Saturday’s event.

Other notable entries include Paulie Hartwig III, who won the pole for the 2023 Isliip 300 at the age of 12, J.R. Bertuccio, Ryan Flores, Carson Loftin, 2026 track champion Owen Grennan, Timmy Solomito and Mark Stewart.

The Islip 300 entry list (as of Nov. 11) can be found below:

Car No.	Driver
00	Chris Rogers
2	J.R. Bertuccio
8	John-Michael Shenette
8X	Eddie Brunnhoelzl
9	Tom Rogers
10	Dylan Slepian
11	Patrick Emerling
11X	Dillon Steuer
14NY	Cory Osland
15	Ryan Flores
15X	Joey Braun
17X	Michael Rutkoski
23	Carson Loftin
27	Eric Hersey
27	Rodney Dowless
31	Paulie Hartwig III
36	Kyle Ellwood
38	Owen Grennan
41	Justin Brown
49	Chris Young
51	Jayden Harman
55	Chase Grennan
60	Matt Hirschman
66	Timmy Solomito
70	Riley O’Keefe
78	Walter Sutcliffe
81	Mark Stewart
88	Roger Turbush
96	Matt Brode

Chase Grennan is among the previous Islip 300 winners entered in the 10th running of the event on Saturday at Riverhead Raceway. (Photo: Kostas Lymperopoulos/NASCAR)

Islip 300 winners

Year	Winner
2017	Dillon Steuer
2018	Ryan Preece
2019	Kyle Soper
2020	Ryan Preece
2021	J.B. Fortin
2022	Anthony Nocella
2023	Matt Hirschman
2024	Chase Grennan
2025	Joey Braun

Posted on November 10, 2026November 10, 2026 by Staff Report

Kyle Busch, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion whose fierce competitiveness and unmistakable personality made him one of the sport’s most recognizable figures, was named the 2026 National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver on Tuesday during the NASCAR Awards ceremony in Miami.

Busch, who died unexpectedly on May 21 at age 41, received the honor through fan voting, marking the first time the Cup award has been presented posthumously since Dale Earnhardt in 2001.

Justin Allgaier earned the honor in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, while Layne Riggs was selected in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

For Busch, it marked his first Most Popular Driver Award, a fitting recognition of the passionate following known as “Rowdy Nation” that supported him throughout a remarkable career, and gained considerable steam in his twilight years.

The honor carried additional significance following a gesture from Chase Elliott, who withdrew from consideration after winning the award eight consecutive times from 2018-25.

Elliott followed the example of his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, who stepped aside from voting in 2001 following Earnhardt’s death. Earnhardt subsequently received his first and only Most Popular Driver Award.

Chase Elliott encouraged fans to recognize Busch, pointing to the dedication he had witnessed beyond the driver’s occasionally polarizing public persona.

“He has my vote, and I encourage those out there who want to get involved to show him that same love. It would be a really cool honor for him and his family,” Elliott said in October.

MORE: Elliott follows in his father’s footsteps, steps aside in MPD

Busch’s accomplishments included Cup championships in 2015 and 2019, 63 victories in NASCAR’s premier division and a record 234 wins across the three national series. His relentless approach and larger-than-life personality made him one of NASCAR’s defining competitors of the modern era.

Allgaier, meanwhile, claimed his seventh Most Popular Driver Award in the O’Reilly Series and fourth consecutive honor, continuing an extraordinary run of fan support.

The 40-year-old JR Motorsports veteran capped his six-win 2026 campaign by securing his second series championship in three seasons at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday. A longtime fixture in the division, Allgaier recently announced a multiyear extension to continue driving the No. 7 Chevrolet after initially considering retirement.

Riggs earned his first Most Popular Driver Award following a career-best seven-win season in the Craftsman Truck Series.

The 24-year-old Front Row Motorsports driver emerged as one of the division’s most formidable competitors in 2026, earning the No. 1 Chase seed before finishing runner-up to Kaden Honeycutt in the championship standings.

The three awards, determined entirely by fan voting, recognize different careers and accomplishments.

For Busch, the distinction carries particular weight — one final acknowledgment of the lasting connection he built with NASCAR fans.

Posted on November 10, 2026November 10, 2026 by Holly Cain

MIAMI — South Florida chic, vibrant color and celebratory vibes set the stage for Tuesday night’s NASCAR Awards Ceremony at the elegant Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.

Top drivers, manufacturers, executives and race teams from all three of NASCAR’s national series were honored in the chic downtown theater — the first time the NASCAR Cup Series awards ceremony has ever taken place in the Sunshine State.

The evening started with reminders about the true strengths of this sport. The racing in 2026 has been compelling, the storylines plentiful, but NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell reminded everyone it all really comes back to one thing: the people. And there was plenty of praise and gratitude to offer so many.

MORE: How to watch NASCAR in 2026: Listings guide

“Tonight isn’t just about what happened on the racetrack,” O’Donnell said. “It’s about the people who make this sport so special. The men and women in our race shops. The crews at the track. The countless people behind the scenes. And the families who make sacrifices throughout the year so we can all do what we love.

“Tonight is about all of you. This year also reminded us just how much we mean to one another.”

The three national series champions — NASCAR Cup Series’ Kyle Larson, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Justin Allgaier and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Kaden Honeycutt — were formally recognized. All thanked their teams and spoke of what their titles will mean in perpetuity and were absolutely cognizant of how tough the competition was to achieve the champion status.

Beyond the championships celebrated throughout the night — other significant awards went to people who have impacted the sport off the track.

WATCH: O’Reilly champion Justin Allgaier’s speech

NASCAR COO Ben Kennedy spoke about the amazing and continued impact on children around this country that his grandmother Betty Jane France’s NASCAR Foundation has maintained. It’s celebrating its 20th year and has raised and bestowed more than $50 million.

Matt Lederer, Comcast vice president of brand partnerships and engagement, took the stage to announce the winners of the Comcast Community Champion of the Year. And with all the great nominees, it ultimately was shared by two. The late Kyle Busch and the late Greg Biffle were honored for their impactful work in the community.

The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Busch, who died of a sudden illness in May, and his wife Samantha were honored for their work with the Bundle of Joy Fund, created to help families with costly fertility treatments. Their work has resulted in more than $2.5 million in grants going to nearly 200 families that welcomed 114 babies.

A former NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series champion, Biffle and his family perished in a plane accident last December. The Biffle Family Legacy Fund has continued to donate resources and time to communities all around the North Carolina area. After Hurricane Helene, he flew his own helicopter up into the mountains every day for weeks to bring supplies and help to people whose lives and livelihoods were destroyed by the storm.

“Kyle Busch and Greg Biffle showed us that being a champion is also defined by how you show up for others,” Lederer said.

Perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening came when Samantha Busch accepted the National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver Award on behalf of her husband Kyle. The capacity crowd in the theater stood up to show respect and appreciation for the Busch family.

MORE: All Most Popular Driver Award winners

“There has been so much love for Kyle from this sport over the past several months, and I wish more than anything that he could be here to see it,” an emotional Samantha Busch said, tears in her eyes.

“He gave so much of his life to racing, and I know it would mean the world to him to see the impact he had on NASCAR and the people who love it.

“Whether you cheered for him or booed him, he gave you something to make noise about. And he loved that. To Kyle, that passion was what made this sport so special.

“Seeing that same passion bring everyone together to honor him has been incredible. I especially want to thank [former Most Popular Driver winner] Chase Elliott and the drivers who encouraged their fans to vote for him. That respect from the guys he raced against means so much.

“And to the fans,” she concluded, “I wish you knew just how much you meant to him. He loved packed grandstands, meeting families and seeing kids light up when he signed an autograph. He knew you spent your hard-earned money and time watching him race, and he never took that for granted. He loved racing, and he loved that you did too.”

WATCH: Truck champion Kaden Honeycutt’s speech

The evening finished by recognizing the 16 NASCAR Cup Series drivers who qualified for this year’s new Chase championship format. Ultimately, Larson claimed his third title and became the first driver since NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson to win consecutive championships. He is only the 11th driver in the sport’s history to win three titles or more.

The 34-year-old Californian was appropriately seated front row and center with his wife Katelyn, son Owen, 11, daughter Audrey, 8 and son Cooper, 3.

After taking the stage to loud applause, Larson offered an immediate reflection on his work.

“Before I get going, I have to acknowledge my toughest critic, my daughter Audrey,” Larson said smiling down at his children. “A while back you told me I sucked at NASCAR and I want you to know I took that personally. So, I went out and won the championship.

“I’m still waiting on that apology by the way.”

Larson thanked NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Rick Hendrick, four-time Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports executive Jeff Gordon, crew chief Cliff Daniels, team executive Chad Knaus and the team members who supported the No. 5 through a 51-race winless streak.

He answered with two more wins, including his first-ever drafting-track victory at Talladega Superspeedway and amassed enough of a points cushion heading into Homestead-Miami that he officially clinched the title with a fourth-place finish in the opening stage.

“Rick [Hendrick] has always said this business is about people, and he doesn’t just say it, he lives it,” Larson said. “He makes every person in that building feel like they matter. And he’s always preached that nobody can tear us down from the outside. The only way that happens is from inside our own walls. When things got hard, nobody turned on each other. We pulled closer.”

He bookended his speech with words to his children.

“Owen, Audrey and Cooper, this year you got to see how hard racing really is,” Larson said of overcoming a slow start to ultimately hoist the big trophy. “There were plenty of weekends where nothing your dad did seemed to work, and I know Audrey had a few things to say about that. But I hope you also saw how rewarding it can be when you put in the time and dedicate yourself to your craft. Whatever you decide to chase, chase it like that. And always listen to your driver coach [wife Katelyn]. Trust me, she’s always right.”

Watch the full NASCAR Awards Show at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 13, on the NASCAR Channel.

Posted on November 10, 2026November 10, 2026 by Staff Report

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney is set to miss the 2026 NASCAR Awards on Tuesday evening at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.

The Team Penske driver and winner of the 2026 season-finale race at Homestead-Miami Speedway suffered a fall Monday that required medical attention.

“I was out at dinner last night with my family and some friends and I accidentally took a fall that required medical attention,” Blaney posted on Instagram. “I am doing okay and am resting and recovering. I’m disappointed to miss celebrating Kyle Larson and the NASCAR Championship today and Ford’s ‘Proud to Honor race’ tomorrow at Daytona.

“While I won’t be there, I’ll be supporting my teammates and fellow Ford drivers as they honor each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces on Veterans Day.”

The full NASCAR Awards Show will air Friday, Nov. 13 on the NASCAR Channel.

Posted on November 10, 2026November 11, 2026 by Brandon White

Every racing season at New Smyrna Speedway begins and ends with marquee events.

The Red Eye 60/60 kicks off the busy slate in January, which is immediately followed by the prestigious World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing that encompasses nine nights in February. For the grand finale in November, New Smyrna hosts the Florida Governor’s Cup, with the 2026 iteration serving as the event’s 59^th running.

Wayne Reutimann helped kickstart the Florida Governor’s Cup tradition with his victory at Golden Gate Speedway in 1965. The Florida Governor’s Cup bounced around between Golden Gate and Showtime Speedway until 1988, when it found its permanent home at New Smyrna, which has held the race every year except for 2022 and 2024 when Mother Nature intervened.

Among the notable names who have at least one Florida Governor’s Cup victory on their resumé include Dick Trickle, Butch Miller, Bobby Gill, Erik Jones, Ty Majeski and Bubba Pollard. Plenty of talented drivers comprise the entry list for Sunday’s 200-lapper, all of whom look to add onto the storied history of the Florida Governor’s Cup.

Below is everything to know ahead of the 2026 Florida Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway.

New Smyrna Speedway will wrap up its 2026 season this weekend with the prestigious Florida Governor’s Cup. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)

Florida Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna: 2026 TV Channel, live stream

This weekend’s Florida Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway will be shown live on FloRacing, the official streaming partner for all NASCAR Regional properties.

The race will not be shown on a traditional TV network.

Below is the broadcast schedule for the event.

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Race	Streaming start time	How to watch
Florida Governor’s Cup (Day 1)	6:30 p.m. ET	FloRacing

Sunday, November 15, 2026

Race	Streaming start time	How to watch
Florida Governor’s Cup (Day 2)	12 p.m. ET	FloRacing

Race-day schedule

Accompanying the Super Late Models for this weekend’s Florida Governor’s Cup are three support divisions: Pro Late Models, Pro Trucks and the Bomber B class.

The support divisions will run their respective races on Saturday evening. All of them will get two practices that day alongside the Super Late Models, with the second session also serving as qualifying for Pro Trucks and Bomber Bs.

On Saturday, racing will commence at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 50-lap Pro Truck feature. The 100-lap Pro Late Model event immediately follows the Pro Trucks, with the Bomber Bs wrapping up the first day of racing in the Florida Governor’s Cup.

Super Late Model competitors get one last practice on Sunday morning before qualifying commences at noon. The green flag for the 59^th running of the Florida Governor’s Cup is set to wave at 2 p.m. ET.

Below is the complete race-day schedule. (All times ET)

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Time	Event
8 a.m.	Credential Office Opens
8:30 a.m.	Garage Area Opens & Hauler Parking Resumes
9 a.m.	ASA Crew Chief Meeting (at Series Trailer)
To follow…	ASA Tire Mounting Begins / Pro Late Model Tire Mounting to Follow
9:30 a.m.	Technical Inspection (by Schedule)
12 p.m.	Driver Meeting (at Series Trailer)
1-1:40 p.m.	Pro Late Model Practice 1
1:50-2:50 p.m.	ASA STARS National Tour Practice 1
2:55-3:25 p.m.	Pro Late Model Final Practice
3:30-4:30 p.m.	ASA STARS National Tour Practice 2
4:15 p.m.	Pro Late Model Qualifying Tires Released
4:30 p.m.	Pro Late Model Qualifying Inspection Begins (by Qualifying Order)
4:35-4:55 p.m.	Pro Truck Practice 1
5 p.m.	Bomber B Practice 1
5:15-5:30 p.m.	Pro Truck Final Practice / Group Qualifying
5:35 p.m.	Bomber B Final Practice / Group Qualifying
5:45 p.m.	Pro Late Model Approved Qualifying Adjustments
6 p.m.	Pro Late Model Qualifying
6:30 p.m.	Opening Ceremonies
To follow…	Pro Truck Feature (50 Laps) … Pro Late Model Feature (100 Laps) … Bomber B Feature (25 Laps)

Sunday, November 15, 2026

Time	Event
9 a.m.	Garage Area Opens / Hauler Removal Begins
9:45 a.m.	ASA Driver Meeting
10:30-11 a.m.	ASA STARS National Tour Final Practice
11:25 a.m.	ASA Qualifying Tires Released
11:45-11:55 a.m.	ASA Cars Report to Staging
12 p.m.	ASA STARS National Tour Pole Qualifying
12:45-1:25 p.m.	Driver Autograph Session / ASA Race Tires Released
1:30 p.m.	Pre-Race Ceremony
2 p.m.	Florida Governor’s Cup (200 Laps)

After making his Super Late Model debut in the Tekton 250 Battle at Berlin, Cleetus McFarland is set to compete in Saturday’s Florida Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway. (Photo: Michael Clubb/NASCAR)

Entry list

Headlining the Super Late Model entry list for the Florida Governor’s Cup is Garrett Mitchell, better known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland.

A busy year for McFarland will see him test his luck against Super Late Model veterans and prospects for the second time. McFarland made his debut in the discipline in the Tekton 250 Battle at Berlin in August, but his evening came to a premature end after he was collected in a crash with 19 laps remaining.

Joining McFarland on the grid for Sunday’s 200-lap main event is 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ty Majeski, who won the Florida Governor’s Cup three straight years from 2015-17. Majeski’s short-track accomplishments in 2026 include winning the Rattler and the Money in the Bank 150, but he seeks to end a near decade-long drought in the Florida Governor’s Cup.

Carson Brown enters the Florida Governor’s Cup with the ASA STARS National Tour title locked up, having won five races this year that include the Winchester 400 and the Clyde Hart Memorial at New Smyrna. Brown looks to enjoy one more stellar Super Late Model outing in 2026 before embarking on a full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign with Richard Childress Racing.

Other drivers set to compete at New Smyrna Speedway this weekend include Tristan McKee, Jade Avedisian, Derek Thorn, Spencer Davis, Derek Kraus, Kyle Steckley and Stephen Nasse.

Below are the complete entry lists for the Florida Governor’s Cup.

Super Late Models

Car No.	Driver
3	Kasey Kleyn
5	Casey Johnson
5	Tristan McKee
8	Nicholas Naugle
9	Derek Kraus
9	Brad May
10	George Gorham Jr.
14	Chase Pinsonneault
15	Trenten Henick
17	Hudson Bulger
18	Zack Walker
22	Kyle Steckly
22	George Phillips
22	Ryan Herbert
24	Jade Avedisian
27	Bobby Good
28	Dustin Hester
33	Cleetus McFarland
35	Luke Yarbrough
51	Stephen Nasse
81	Carson Brown
91	Ty Majeski
96	Derek Thorn
96	Spencer Davis
98	Holden Myers
99	Anastasia Markovic
711	Gabrielle Grigsby

Pro Late Models

Car No.	Driver
1	Matthew Laprade
5	Chad Rutherford
5	Nick Snyder
7	Cole Anderson
7	Tim Morton
9	Brad May
9	Matthew Montineri
10	Cody Durham
10	George Gorham Jr.
10	Blake Suttie
15	Preston Pardus
16	Tim Sozio
17	Blaise Hetznecker
31	J.T. Chastain
33	Nate Smith
43	Daniel Dye
55	Palmer Haag
84	Anastasia Markovic
97	Jonah Cullen
01	Dylan Williams

Pro Trucks

Car No.	Driver
M5	George Gorham Jr.
9	Ross Francisco
10	George Gorham III
16	Mike Stalnaker
23	Nick Provost
24	Dalton Smith
25	Timmy Todd
31	J.T. Chastain
51	Garrett Thompson
59	Becca Monopoli
67	Phillip Sorrell
05	Greyson Greaves
417	Vincent Cortez

Bomber B

Car No.	Driver
10	Shawn Bailey
11	Niko Garrano
66	Andrew Symons
80	Kenny Roth
99	Daniel Brown
03	Ashley Bartramn
100	Chyenne Woodman
K9	Chuck Rush

(Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)

Governor’s Cup winners

Year	Winner
1965	Wayne Reutimann
1966	Bobby Brack
1967	Durmont Smith
1968	Gary Balough
1969	Robert Hamke
1970	Don Gregory
1971	Jack Arnold
1972	Ed Howe
1973	Wayne Reutimann
1974	Ed Howe
1975	Ed Howe
1976	Ed Howe
1977	Robert Hamke
1978	Dick Trickle
1979	Jim Fenton
1981	Mike Eddy
1982	Jimmy Cope
1983	Leroy Porter
1984	Butch Miller
1985	Butch Miller
1986	Butch Miller
1987	Butch Miller
1988	Dick Anderson
1989	Dick Anderson
1990	Bobby Gill
1991	Bobby Gill
1992	Bobby Gill
1993	Pete Orr
1994	Pete Orr
1995	David Russell
1996	Jack Cook
1997	David Rogers
1998	Billy Bigley Jr.
1999	Wayne Anderson
2000	Jimmy Cope
2001	James Powell III
2002	Mike Fritts
2003	Wayne Anderson
2004	Jeff Choquette
2005	Mike Fritts
2006	Jeff Scofield
2007	Jeff Choquette
2008	Wayne Anderson
2009	Tim Russell
2010	David Rogers
2011	Erik Jones
2012	Augie Grill
2o13	Augie Grill
2014	Travis Cope
2015	Ty Majeski
2016	Ty Majeski
2017	Ty Majeski
2018	Jeff Choquette
2019	Matt Craig
2020	Bubba Pollard
2021	Sammy Smith
2022	Hurricane Ian
2023	Stephen Nasse
2024	Mother Nature
2025	Cole Butcher