Relive a September to remember as Gant readies to enter NASCAR Hall of Fame

Posted on January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 by Zack Albert

Editor’s Note: This story originally was published on Sept. 1, 2016 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Harry Gant’s magical September winning streak in 1991. It is presented here to commemorate Gant’s induction to the NASCAR Hall of Fame with the Class of 2026.

Just months before, the seemingly timeless Nolan Ryan had twirled his seventh no-hitter at the age of 44. Tennis star Jimmy Connors was days into an unlikely, age-defying run into the U.S. Open semifinals at 39.

In 1991, the sports world’s well had been primed for feats that defied both logic and the limits of advancing years. The NASCAR world was no different.

The time was right for 51-year-old Harry Gant.

RELATED: Harry Gant through the years

By the 1991 season, the veteran driver already possessed a handful of nicknames to choose from:

• “Hard-Luck Harry,” a label he finally shook by collecting his first premier-series win (1982, Martinsville) after finishing second a heart-wrenching 10 times.

• “The Bandit,” a nod to Gant’s longtime sponsorship from U.S. Smokeless Tobacco’s Skoal brand.

• “Handsome Harry,” his best-known alias, which owed to the matinee-idol good looks that followed him into grandfatherhood.

But 25 years ago this month, Harold Phil Gant earned another affectionate handle for his most notable accomplishment in stock-car racing’s big leagues — a history-making, four-race win streak at age 51 that transformed him into “Mr. September.”

Other drivers with Hall of Fame credentials have amassed wins in fours since the dawn of NASCAR’s modern era in 1971, but other factors beyond his age make Gant’s performance a singular achievement. Gant also won twice in what is now the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series during that magical September, leaving him a streak of six straight national series triumphs. He won all four premier-series races with the same car — a Leo Jackson-owned No. 33 Oldsmobile Cutlass — and same engine at all four tracks.

“We’ll probably run it until we wreck it,” Gant said back then. The car was involved in two crashes during the four-race romp, but never lost its winning edge.

The phrase “better with age” was Harry Gant defined. He won eight Winston Cup races after the age of 50, a run that made his Skoal Bandit banner a frequent flyer just underneath the American flag at the Alexander County courthouse in his hometown of Taylorsville, North Carolina.

Gant still calls the town of nearly 2,100 residents home. Though he hung up his driving gloves after the 1994 season, he’s far from the formal interpretation of retirement. From sunup to sundown, Gant can be found either raising cattle and raking pastureland on his 300-acre farm or mowing neighboring solar farms with his grandson.

Taking time out to recall the details of his extraordinary record? When his daughter, 55-year-old Debbie Pollard, answers the phone in Gant’s nondescript Taylorsville office, she says he’s simply far too busy. Maybe when the grass stops growing later into October, she says, pointing out a small window to chat this weekend in Darlington.

“That might be a good place to catch him,” Pollard says.

Twenty-five years ago at Darlington, no one could. In the three magical weeks that followed, Gant’s No. 33 was just as uncatchable.

In the spirit of celebrating NASCAR’s throwback history this weekend, NASCAR.com takes a race-by-race look at Gant’s stunning surge to four wins in a row — and the chance for a fifth that barely slipped away.

DARLINGTON: Sept. 1, 1991

The race: Gant’s hot streak actually took root away from the race track with a Wednesday victory in a driver-invitational golf tournament. Gant qualified fifth for the Heinz Southern 500, but alterations by crew chief Andy Petree had brightened his driver’s outlook on an otherwise cloudy day.

In front of Gant on the starting grid were points leader Dale Earnhardt, going for his third consecutive Southern 500 win, and Davey Allison, who started from the pole position and dominated the early portions of the Labor Day classic. Gant didn’t take the lead until the 151st lap, but once there, he placed cars a lap down at a rapid clip.

Allison loomed as Gant’s closest competition — he ended the day leading 151 laps to Gant’s 152 — but a broken throttle spring doomed the No. 28 Ford’s chances. With his throttle intermittently sticking, Allison barreled into Michael Waltrip, sending the latter into a spin and bringing out a caution period with 70 laps to go.

Gant led the rest of the way, winning by 10.97 seconds and leaving just two other cars on the lead lap. Down the stretch, ESPN anchor Bob Jenkins remarked that Gant was “not getting older, he’s getting better” — a theme that pit reporter Dr. Jerry Punch picked up on in his Victory Lane interview.

“For 51 years of age, you look fresh as a daisy,” Punch said.

Gant, who savored the last of his four career Darlington victories, replied: “Well, I feel good. I figured that was the only way I was going to beat ’em today was just wear ’em out. They may be younger, but I can wear ’em out.”

What was different: The frontstretch and backstretch were flip-flopped, with the start/finish line still on the side closest to the Harry Byrd Highway. Pit road also was separated into frontstraight and backstraight lanes, a huge disadvantage for cars forced to pit last.

Silly season moves: Darlington weekend began with news reports of Geoff Bodine reaching an agreement with car owner Bud Moore for 1992, leaving the Junior Johnson-owned No. 11 team after two years. Bill Elliott, later tapped as Bodine’s replacement, rattled off his own four-race win streak early in the ’92 season.

Race runner-up: Ernie Irvan, the Daytona 500 winner that year. Irvan won twice in 1991 and wound up fifth in the overall standings — the highest points finish of his premier-series career.

RICHMOND: Sept. 7, 1991

The race: Gant had never won back-to-back races in his career, but carried high hopes after a Busch Grand National victory at Richmond Raceway, which had freshly installed lights for its first weekend of night races. Gant quipped after winning the 200-lap preliminary that the track’s switch pushed his celebration past his bedtime.

Gant had questioned Jackson, his car owner, about bringing his Southern 500-winning car to Richmond, hoping to save the familiar No. 33 for the following weekend at Dover. Jackson won the debate, and Gant had that familiar seat for the Miller Genuine Draft 400.

A TBS broadcast crew, which remarkably included NFL great Ken Stabler as a commentator and pit reporter, watched pole-starter Rusty Wallace and Davey Allison rule the early stages while Gant bided his time. By the three-quarter mark of the 400-lap race, Alan Kulwicki and Ernie Irvan came to the front to stage a spirited duel for the top spot.

That battle went sour with 88 laps left when the two front-runners collided. Gant, running third, tried to avoid the spin, but turned into the path of Morgan Shepherd and lost control. Gant looped his car and kept going, actually gaining second place in the aftermath.

The fracas allowed Allison to take control, but his grasp on the lead wasn’t a firm one. Gant reeled in the Robert Yates-owned No. 28 to lead the final 19 laps.

“We’ve been having a lot of fun the past couple of weeks,” Gant said after scoring his only premier-series triumph at Richmond. In Victory Lane, Gant received a prolonged peck on the cheek as he posed for post-race photos with a trophy girl. As Gant smiled, someone shouted: “He’s a grandpa. Not on the mouth.”

What was different: Besides making the transition to nighttime racing, Richmond also featured a pit-entrance wall perilously close to the racing groove in Turn 4. The abutment has since been moved farther away from the preferred racing line.

Silly season moves: After Dale Jarrett righted the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford from an early spin, TBS lead broadcaster Ken Squier remarked about the future NASCAR Hall of Famer: “Of course, next year he’s one of the big stories, moves on with the coach of the Washington Redskins to form a new team. Joe Gibbs will come out here with an organization. That oughta be something.”

Race runner-up: Davey Allison, who led a race-best 150 of 400 laps. The second-generation star finished the 1991 season with five victories and a third-place ranking in the Winston Cup standings.

DOVER: Sept. 15, 1991

The race: With another Grand National victory in the books as a Saturday prelude, Gant entered the Peak Antifreeze 500 at Dover with a ton of momentum. The grandstands were catching on, too, with the Gant faithful sporting pins reading, “Life Begins at 51.”

The fans’ rally of support for the veteran Gant prompted 49-year-old Dick Trickle to quip: “The older you get, the better you get. If I was Harry’s age, we probably could’ve won.”

The Monster Mile took a heavy toll on the field that September, snaring 15 cars in a Lap 70 melee on the backstretch. Three more hopefuls bowed out just past the midpoint when pole-winner Alan Kulwicki’s engine faltered, leaving himself, Dale Earnhardt and Rusty Wallace tangled up in the No. 7 car’s dropped oil. Several more teams succumbed to crashes and mechanical woes, leaving just 16 of the 40 cars running at the finish.

Davey Allison was again Gant’s prime challenger, but after leading the first 114 laps, the engine expired on his No. 28 Havoline Ford. Allison actually continued in a brief relief stint for the ailing Kyle Petty, who missed 11 races that year after suffering a broken left leg in a crash that May at Talladega Superspeedway.

With Allison added to the lengthy attrition list, Gant poured it on, leading all but four of the final 330 laps. His only nuisance down the stretch was a warning light on his dash, indicating a potential hiccup with his car’s alternator. Rather than make a lengthy stop to remedy the issue, Gant said later that he simply unscrewed and discarded the bulb on his Oldsmobile’s dash.

Gant’s performance left little doubt to the outcome, but his excellence left the TNN broadcast booth in awe. “I can’t believe what I’m watching,” said NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Buddy Baker. “This guy acts like there’s nobody out there but him; the rest of ’em are just traffic, you know?”

By the end, the rest of the field indeed was traffic. Gant finished on a lap by himself, a feat that’s only happened once since (in 1994 with Geoff Bodine at North Wilkesboro).

“I thought yesterday was an easy win, but today was even easier,” Gant told reporters afterward. “It just sat there glued to that race track.”

His plans to celebrate the victory in the days that followed stayed true to his working-man upbringing. “Finishing up some garage doors and just moving some dirt,” Gant said. “I may not be the best race driver, but I’m a good carpenter.”

What was different: Dover has always been known as a punishing venue, but the Monster Mile hosted grueling 500-mile events up until the 1997 season, when the track reduced its race distances by 100 miles. The September 1991 race clocked in at 4 hours, 32 minutes. In 1991, the track also used an asphalt surface, which was replaced by concrete in 1995. Dover Downs International Speedway also dropped the “Downs” part from its name in 2002.

Silly season moves: Baker mentioned during the broadcast that Hall of Famer Bobby Allison had turned laps in testing at Martinsville Speedway earlier in the week. Though the session fueled speculation for a NASCAR comeback, Allison would not race again after his severe crash in June 1988 at Pocono Raceway.

Race runner-up: Geoff Bodine, who held off Morgan Shepherd in a closely contested battle for second place over the final five miles. Bodine, who led just two of the 500 laps, exclaimed in post-race interviews: “Can anyone beat Harry Gant?”

MARTINSVILLE: Sept. 22, 1991

The race: With a growing buzz in the grandstands focusing on Gant, ESPN broadcasters Benny Parsons and Ned Jarrett previewed the Goody’s 500 from beside his car. By then, the two TV analysts had retired from their racing days, but it didn’t stop both of them from showing up at Martinsville Speedway in their fire suits, playfully begging Gant for a chance to drive the No. 33 Oldsmobile that had become a fountain of youth.

Gant methodically worked his way to the front from the 12th starting spot, bypassing Rusty Wallace to take the lead for the first time in the 196th of 500 laps. Though Gant set the pace for a race-high 226 laps, his path was not nearly as trouble-free as at Dover the week before.

In a contest for the lead after a Lap 376 restart, Wallace nudged Gant into a spin in the 0.526-mile track’s third turn. Gant’s No. 33 sustained significant front-end damage after third-place Morgan Shepherd became involved, but the 51-year-old drove away from the stack-up.

The amount of torn-up sheet metal and smoke around the No. 33’s nose seemed terminal, at least to Parsons. “Looks like that right-front tire is going south and the car is going north,” he said. “Pretty heavy damage to that car, so Harry Gant will not win his fourth in a row, I’m sad to say.”

Gant had fallen out of the top 10, but made a fierce charge to prove Parsons wrong. Gant said later that he “ran about 10 laps as mad as a bull,” the hood of his battered Olds held down by bungee cords and the right-front fender peeled away.

On the ensuing restart, Gant deftly jumped back up to ninth place, causing Parsons to doubt his proclamation. When Gant slipped past Terry Labonte for third, Parsons was beside himself: “This is unbelievable! I crossed Harry Gant off. I said he’s not going to win four in a row, and I don’t know — he just might still do it.”

By Lap 448, Gant had come all the way back to the top spot, passing Ernie Irvan and Brett Bodine to take control. After being bumped out of the lead by Bodine one lap later, Gant capitalized when Petree & Co. made quick work of his final pit stop, winning the race off pit road and staying out front the last 47 laps.

“I figured we had it in the bag, but then I realized how many laps were still left, and I knew it couldn’t be this easy,” Gant told reporters later. “… It sure is special. I don’t even know what to say about all this anymore.”

What was different: Martinsville Speedway’s curbs in the corners have endured, but in 1991, the pit road was split into separate lanes on the frontstretch and the backstretch. The entire area was rebuilt in 2008, creating one contiguous pit lane. Like other short tracks of its era, the 1991 starting lineup had a scant 32 cars.

Race runner-up: Brett Bodine, who faded down the stretch with a broken exhaust and worn brakes. Bodine, now NASCAR’s pace car driver, held on to secure the final top-five finish for a Buick in stock-car racing’s top series. “If it means winning races like Harry, I’ll say I’m 51 right now,” Bodine marveled post-race.

NORTH WILKESBORO: Sept. 29, 1991

The race: The final Winston Cup race of the month offered Gant a chance at more history: An unprecedented five-in-a-row streak in the sanctioning body’s modern era. North Wilkesboro Speedway was at a fevered pitch, the 0.625-mile track nestled just 20 miles away from Gant’s hometown in the next county over.

“I think we’ve got a home-track crowd, but I don’t think there’s any advantage for this car today,” Gant told ESPN’s Dr. Jerry Punch in interviews just before the start of the Tyson Holly Farms 400.

Qualifying indicated a clear-cut edge, with Gant netting his first pole position in more than four years, ending a dry spell of 126 races. His lap was just 0.004 seconds better than second-fastest Davey Allison, who was granted permission to go first in the qualifying order so that he could attend a wedding that Friday evening.

Gant sailed effortlessly from the start, placing all but 11 other cars a lap down before the race was even 100 laps old. He led the first 252 of 400 laps before surrendering the top spot to Morgan Shepherd in a pit-stop exchange. Just 41 laps later, Gant had reassumed the lead as the anticipation built for a potential September sweep.

But the No. 33 car that had been seemingly indestructible for the stellar four-race stretch finally developed a weak point. A faulty brake line caused Gant’s car to lose fluid for the final run to the checkered flag, allowing points leader Dale Earnhardt to close in.

Gant couldn’t hold on, and Earnhardt worked his car around on the high side with nine laps remaining. ESPN’s Ned Jarrett remarked: “First time that Harry Gant has been passed in how long?” Benny Parsons, his colleague, told lead announcer Bob Jenkins: “I feel like there’s not going to be Christmas this year.”

Off camera in Victory Lane, Earnhardt — who had assembled his own four-race sweep in 1987 — cracked: “I didn’t want ol’ Harry breaking my four-straight streak.” More significantly, the win provided a boost to his lead in the series standings, an edge that Earnhardt would carry to his fifth championship at season’s end.

Gant simply shrugged at his misfortune and managed a smile: “I was outrunning them down the straights and coasting through the corners. But with a driver like Earnhardt behind you, that won’t work for very long.”

What was different: Second-day qualifying, which allowed drivers to try to improve upon their first-round times. Earnhardt used the rule to improve his starting position from 28th to 16th in Saturday’s qualifying. NASCAR officials abandoned the next-day session after the 2000 season.

Silly season moves: Petty Enterprises made plans for a news conference, scheduled two days after the North Wilkesboro race. At the Oct. 1 media availability in Level Cross, Richard Petty ended weeks of speculation by announcing that the 1992 season would be his last as a driver.

Race runner-up: Gant, who led 350 of the 400 laps before settling for second place. Gant later reflected on the impact of his September stretch, saying that his official fan club membership rose roughly 20 percent that season. “That was probably the best thing about the streak,” Gant said, “just the support of all the fans.”

Posted on January 22, 2026February 2, 2026 by Brandon White

One full-time ride remains for Kaulig Racing’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program as part of Dodge’s long-awaited return to the sanctioning body.

Fifteen competitors from the short-track ranks will compete for that opening.

To determine who gets to race in Kaulig’s No. 14, Ram Trucks unveiled “Race for the Seat,” a reality television show that will see drivers test their skills at tracks like South Boston Speedway and Virginia International Raceway. The program will also provide a behind-the-scenes viewpoint as competitors make their case for a full-time ride.

Those participating in “Race for the Seat” possess diverse backgrounds on their respective resumés. Making up the roster are competitors from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ARCA Menards Series, CARS Tour and NASCAR’s Weekly Series.

“Race for the Seat” debuts Jan. 25 on FOX, with the remaining episodes airing on Ram’s YouTube channel through Feb. 6. Below are the 15 drivers set to battle it out for an opportunity to drive in the Truck Series on a full-time basis.

Austin Beers won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship in his fourth full-time season. (Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Austin Beers — During the 2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, Austin Beers became the youngest champion in series history by earning two victories and never finishing outside the top 10. Consistency has followed Beers since he made his Modified Tour debut in 2021, as he has amassed five wins, 32 top fives and led 1,183 laps.

Mike Christopher Jr. — The son of Modified Tour driver Mike Christopher and nephew of Modified legend Ted Christopher, Mike Christopher Jr. is continuing his family’s proud racing heritage. Christopher Jr. earned his lone Modified Tour victory in 2022 and finished 13^th in his Truck Series debut last year.

Mini Tyrrell — Despite being just 21, Mini Tyrrell has established himself as a seasoned competitor on the CARS Tour with 88 starts. His most recent full-time campaign was his best with three victories in total, including a $50,000 payday in the Throwback Classic at Hickory Motor Speedway.

Cody Kelley — The reigning track champion at South Carolina’s Florence Motor Speedway, Cody Kelley has carved out a successful career in Late Model Stock Cars primarily in South Carolina. Kelley has also excelled when racing outside his home state, as he set the fastest time for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 last year at Martinsville Speedway.

Casey Kelley — Like his twin brother Cody, Casey Kelley is a respected Late Model Stock competitor in South Carolina with a championship at Florence on his resumé. Casey has also proven himself against stout competition; he scored a top-five finish in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 in 2024.

Landon Huffman has carried on the success of his father Robert with several accomplishments in Late Model Stocks. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)

Carson Ferguson — Versatility has always been part of Carson Ferguson’s identity. He was the first to win a championship in the Dirt Nationals, Asphalt Nationals and Road Course World Finals in a Legends car in 2014. Ferguson now primarily competes in dirt-track events across the Southeast, earning two major victories in 2025.

Kade Brown — Kade Brown’s Late Model Stock accomplishments have accumulated with track championships at Hickory and Florence, plus victories in each facility’s crown-jewel events. Brown has been full-time on the CARS Tour since 2023; he earned a career-best points finish of third last year.

Ryan Gemmell — Primarily known for his success in vintage cars divisions like the NASCAR Classic series, Gemmell made his ARCA Menards Series debut with Joe Nemechek last year at Watkins Glen International. Gemmell has showcased his road-course expertise in all three of his ARCA Menards Series starts with no finishes outside the top 10.

Chase Burrow — Since breaking into Late Model Stocks at the turn of the decade, Chase Burrow has raced across his home state of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina looking to gain experience. Burrow’s patience and tenacity paid off last year when he obtained his first CARS Tour victory at Virginia’s Langley Speedway.

Jonathan Cash — One of the most experienced drivers on the “Race for the Seat” roster, Jonathan Cash’s career has seen him compete in Late Model Stocks, ARCA Menards Series East and USAR Pro Cup Series. Cash now finds himself in the Southeast competing full-time in Modifieds. He won in August at Coastal Plains Raceway.

In 2023, Trevor Ward won the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway and took home the prestigious Virginia Late Model Triple Crown. (Photo: Veasey Conway/NASCAR)

Tanner Reif — With his younger brother Tyler joining Niece Motorsports’ NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program for 2026, Tanner Reif seeks to find his way onto the grid. The elder Reif has primarily competed in the ARCA Menards Series West during the 2020s, claiming three victories.

Landon Huffman — Motorsports has always been part of Landon Huffman’s life, as his dad Robert Huffman is a five-time NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series champion. The younger Huffman has carried on his family’s success by winning a track title at Hickory and finishing second in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 in 2023, among other accolades.

Grant Griesbach — Although Grant Griesbach has been competing primarily in the Midwest since the mid-2010s, the 2025 season proved to be his best to date. Griesbach earned wins in the Midwest Truck Series and picked up his first major Super Late Model victory at Wisconsin International Raceway, all while gaining more experience against quality fields.

Jared Fryar — Throughout his career in short tracks, Jared Fryar has established himself as a quietly efficient competitor. He is one of two drivers to win championships in two CARS Tour divisions alongside Carson Kvapil and is coming off a career year in the platform’s Late Model Stock class, where he tallied three victories and six top fives across seven starts.

Trevor Ward — Every year in Late Model Stocks, Trevor Ward has gradually improved against the best of the discipline. His accomplishments include both a ValleyStar Credit Union 300 and Virginia Late Model Triple Crown title in 2023. Ward narrowly missed his first track championship last season at South Boston.

Posted on January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 by Nathan Solomon

Editor’s note: Today’s Wood Brothers Racing preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2026 Cup Series season.

WOOD BROTHERS RACING

Manufacturer: Ford
Engine: Roush Yates
Driver-crew chief pairing: Josh Berry-Samuel “Miles” Stanley (No. 21)

Team outlook: Wood Brothers Racing enters 2026 with momentum, looking for a third consecutive season with a victory and a second with driver Josh Berry. In just his fifth start with the team, Berry took the iconic No. 21 Ford to Victory Lane at Las Vegas, securing a 2025 playoff berth in the process. And before Harrison Burton’s 2024 Daytona victory, which doubled as the organization’s 100th at the Cup level, it had been since Ryan Blaney in 2017 that the No. 21 entry had won. The fruits of the family-owned team’s labor have paid off, and Wood Brothers Racing is primed for another stout season with Berry behind the wheel.

JOSH BERRY, NO. 21 FORD

Experience: Two full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 84 starts
2025 stats: 16th in final Cup Series standings; 1 win, 3 top fives, 8 top 10s, 0 poles, 207 laps led

Driver outlook: Berry earned a playoff berth last spring with his first career Cup win at Las Vegas, but his season spiraled upon reaching the 10-race postseason. He finished dead last in all three Round of 16 races, crashing in the first two events and suffering a brake issue in the cutoff race at Bristol. So entering 2026, Berry must certainly be motivated to shed his playoff woes and make a deep run toward the Bill France Cup. He nearly banked a second win later in the 2025 season at New Hampshire, and a seventh-place finish in the finale at Phoenix gives him momentum into the new campaign. Berry’s ceiling is extremely high, and at age 35 nearing the prime of his career, he’s a dark horse candidate heading into his third full-time Cup season.

Posted on January 21, 2026February 4, 2026 by Staff Report

Editor’s note: Updated times and day for on-track action.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season will kick off in exhibition fashion as 23 drivers will battle at Bowman Gray Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 4 (6 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) for the annual Cook Out Clash.

The format to decide the full field at the iconic Winston-Salem, North Carolina, track — from practice groups, qualifying and setting the lineup — has been adjusted following the postponement of Saturday’s and Sunday’s on-track events due to winter weather. Let’s break down the updated format here.

FINAL PRACTICE/QUALIFYING GROUPS

Wednesday will be the day for all on-track action. There will be two 8-minute practice sessions followed by a qualifying session that will be split into groups. Each car will have four minutes to record a qualifying time over as many laps as desired within the time window. The top 20 cars from qualifying will lock into the main event. NASCAR indicated that single-lap speed during Wednesday’s sessions will play a key role in setting the 23-car starting field for the main event.

Practice and qualifying are at 1:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed on the FOX Sports App. People can watch in the FOX Sports App if they have FS1 and sign in through their provider.

The Last Chance Qualifier, meanwhile, will see the top two cars from the event advance to the main race. The Last Chance Qualifier will air at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

The 23rd and final position in the Cook Out Clash will be awarded to the driver who finished highest in the 2025 driver points standings and did not already transfer into the main event.

NASCAR RaceDay on FOX will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Cook Out Clash at 6 p.m. ET.

NASCAR said it will continue to work closely with the City of Winston-Salem to monitor weather conditions. Any further adjustments to the competition format will be communicated as they are finalized.

BUY TICKETS TO THE CLASH

The 2026 Cook Out Clash marks the second consecutive season in which the exhibition has occurred at the quarter-mile venue. Chase Elliott won the 2025 event.

Practice Groups:

GROUP 1	GROUP 2	GROUP 3
AJ Allmendinger	Alex Bowman	Kyle Larson
Todd Gilliland	Austin Cindric	Denny Hamlin
Zane Smith	Austin Dillon	Chase Briscoe
Connor Zilisch	Josh Berry	William Byron
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Chris Buescher	Christopher Bell
Daniel Suárez	Cody Ware	Ryan Blaney
Cole Custer	Ty Gibbs	Joey Logano
Ty Dillon	Corey LaJoie	Chase Elliott
Noah Gragson	Kyle Busch	Tyler Reddick
Riley Herbst	Michael McDowell	Ross Chastain
Ryan Preece	Carson Hocevar	Bubba Wallace
Chad Finchum	Erik Jones	Shane van Gisbergen
Burt Myers (i)	John Hunter Nemechek

Qualifying Groups:

GROUP 1	GROUP 2	GROUP 3
Cole Custer	Ty Gibbs	Joey Logano
Ty Dillon	Corey LaJoie	Chase Elliott
Noah Gragson	Kyle Busch	Tyler Reddick
Riley Herbst	Michael McDowell	Ross Chastain
Ryan Preece	Carson Hocevar	Bubba Wallace
Chad Finchum	Erik Jones	Shane van Gisbergen
Burt Myers (i)	John Hunter Nemechek	Kyle Larson
AJ Allmendinger	Alex Bowman	Denny Hamlin
Todd Gilliland	Austin Cindric	Chase Briscoe
Zane Smith	Austin Dillon	William Byron
Connor Zilisch	Josh Berry	Christopher Bell
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Chris Buescher	Ryan Blaney
Daniel Suárez	Cody Ware

Posted on January 21, 2026January 26, 2026 by @nascarcasm

May I have your attention, please? (CLEARS THROAT)

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SIGN-UP: @nascarcasm’s Fantasy Dumpster Fire | How to play Fantasy Live

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MORE: NASCAR Fantasy hub

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NASCARCASM

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR presented team owner and motorsports innovator Jack Roush with the Bill France Award of Excellence, recognizing his decades-long impact on the sport and his ongoing commitment to competition, innovation and leadership at the highest level of stock car racing.

The Bill France Award of Excellence is NASCAR’s most prestigious honor, reserved for individuals who have made significant, lasting positive contributions to the sport. Though the award was first given in 1953, it is not given annually, underscoring its prestige. With this recognition, Roush becomes the first individual to receive the Bill France Award of Excellence twice, adding to his previous honor in 2001.

“For decades, Jack Roush has helped move NASCAR forward while staying true to what makes the sport special,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France. “He has built championship-caliber teams and developed generations of drivers and leaders. Jack’s legacy extends far beyond victories, leaving a mark throughout the sport and reflecting the enduring impact this award was created to honor.”

Roush, inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2019, founded Roush Racing, now Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, in 1988 and quickly established it as one of the sport’s most influential organizations. His teams have earned multiple NASCAR national series championships and amassed 331 combined victories across NASCAR’s three national series.

Known as “The Cat in the Hat,” Roush gained a reputation for identifying and cultivating driving talent, including Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton and Greg Biffle. With a background in mathematics and engineering, his meticulous approach to competition and innovation has helped define the modern era of NASCAR. The honor also comes during the 50th anniversary of Roush Industries, marking five decades of technical excellence and leadership in motorsports and beyond.

Posted on January 21, 2026February 14, 2026 by Staff Report

Hardee’s is returning to the premier level of stock car racing in 2026 as the Official Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) of NASCAR in a multiyear agreement, NASCAR announced Wednesday.

Additionally, Hardee’s will join 23XI Racing as a primary sponsor of driver Bubba Wallace and his No. 23 Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in March at Martinsville Speedway.

RELATED: 2026 Cup Series schedule

Hardee’s has a rich history in NASCAR, dating back to the 1980s as it sponsored Hall of Fame drivers Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Alan Kulwicki and Dale Jarrett, visiting Victory Lane 12 times between 1981 and 1997. Additionally, Hardee’s was prominently featured in the 1990 classic film “Days of Thunder,” sponsoring the fictional No. 18 Chevrolet driven by Russ Wheeler.

“Hardee’s is an American classic with deep roots in our sport, and its return represents more than a new partnership — it symbolizes the power and appeal of NASCAR’s heritage,” Craig Stimmel, NASCAR chief commercial officer, said. “As more legacy brands look to NASCAR to connect with loyal, multigenerational fanbases, Hardee’s stands out as a partner that understands the passion, tradition and energy that fuel our community. We’re thrilled to welcome them back in such a significant way.”

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

MORE: See Hardee’s long history in NASCAR

23XI Racing and Wallace welcome Hardee’s to the No. 23 Toyota on the heels of a season when he won the 2025 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to earn his first crown-jewel victory. Wallace also advanced to the Cup Series Playoffs for the second time in the past three seasons, matching career bests in top fives (six) and top 10s (14).

“NASCAR is built on legacy, and Hardee’s has been part of some of the most iconic moments in our sport’s history,” Wallace said. “To bring that history forward with 23XI is really special, and we’re looking forward to representing a brand that means so much to NASCAR’s story. Fans know the Hardee’s paint schemes of the past, and I’m excited to help create some new memories for longtime and newer fans.”

MORE: Bubba Wallace’s driver page

Hardee’s will utilize its new partnerships to activate at key NASCAR events and engage with fans, “celebrating the sport’s history while fueling its future,” the release states.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to begin with the 68th annual Daytona 500 at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway (FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Posted on January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 by Staff Report

Rackley WAR announced Wednesday that Toni Breidinger will join the team this season for a partial schedule in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Breidinger is set to drive the team’s No. 27 Chevrolet in eight races this year, starting with the season-opening Fresh from Florida 250 on Feb. 13 at Daytona International Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and NASCAR Racing Network). Her schedule will have sponsorship support from Raising Cane’s, Celsius and Sunoco, and the partnership will mark her first Truck Series efforts with Chevrolet.

“I’m looking forward to starting this next chapter with the Team Chevy family,” Breidinger said in a team release. “Chevrolet’s passion for motorsports and commitment to performance is unrivaled. With their support of Rackley WAR’s growing program, I’m confident they are going to provide me with the resources to compete for wins.”

Breidinger competed full-time with Tricon Garage in the Craftsman Truck Series last season, placing 23rd in the final standings. The 26-year-old driver has made 29 Truck Series starts, and she collected 27 top-10 finishes in 65 ARCA Menards Series appearances in parts of five seasons.

Breidinger’s reach extends beyond the motorsports world. She became the first NASCAR driver to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and she leads all NASCAR drivers in the Sports Business Journal’s rankings of engagement and social media value.

Breidinger’s Truck Series schedule for 2026:

Feb. 13: Daytona International Speedway
May 1: Texas Motor Speedway
May 15: Dover Motor Speedway
May 29: Nashville Superspeedway
July 18: North Wilkesboro Speedway
July 24: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Aug. 22: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Oct. 23: Talladega Superspeedway

Rackley WAR enters its sixth year of Craftsman Truck Series competition under the guidance of CEO Curtis Sutton and President and Chief Operating Officer Willie Allen. Dawson Sutton drove the organization’s No. 26 Chevrolet full-time last season. Rackley WAR has one Truck Series victory, scored by Matt DiBenedetto in 2022 at Talladega.

Posted on January 21, 2026January 23, 2026 by Mike Hembree

On his journey to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Ray Hendrick raced in two locations.

Anywhere. Everywhere.

Around the tough short tracks of New England, in the racing hotbed of Richmond, Virginia (his hometown) and onto the faster superspeedways at places like Charlotte and Talladega, Hendrick raced and won. He won so many times – the record-keeping of the early years was spotty, at best – that his career total is lost to history. The number 700 wins has been tossed around for years in the Hendrick story. No one will ever know for sure, but those who raced against him, especially in the Flyin’ 11 Modified coupe he made famous, typically were surprised by Hendrick only when he didn’t win.

“When you raced against him, you raced against the best,” said Bill Dennis, among the short-track stars who challenged Hendrick frequently. “He wanted to lead every lap. He never laid back one inch. He was going to the front whenever he could. When you saw him on your bumper, you knew he was coming by. If I was doing all I could against him, sometimes I’d just let him go.”

Ricky Dennis, Bill’s son, said Hendrick called second place “the first loser. He was a hell of a competitor. When he was there, we had to hope we could beat him. More times than not, we didn’t.”

Virginian Brian Tidball grew up with Hendrick’s sons and saw their dad race to the front many times.

“He was phenomenal to watch,” said Tidball, who has researched Hendrick’s career. “He won so much at some tracks that they put a bounty on him. Usually it didn’t work. He told me during the late 1950s and early 1960s they could race six or seven times a week, and he’d win four or five.”

Hendrick’s star was made in the NASCAR Modified division. Driving first for car owner Ira Smiley and later for John Tadlock, Dick Armstrong and the legendary Jack Tant-Clayton Mitchell team, among others, Hendrick quickly earned a pair of nicknames: Mr. Modified and Rapid Ray.

He raced from 1950 to 1988, concentrating on modifieds and late model sportsman races. He ran 17 times in the Cup Series but never had consistently competitive equipment. Those visits to the highest levels of stock cars convinced him he would have more fun – and make much more money – dominating elsewhere, particularly the Modified ranks.

The wins came in torrents.

Over the years, he had fierce battles with other stars of the time, including Bugs Stevens, Richie Evans, Fred DeSarro, Sonny Hutchins, Tommy Ellis and Dennis.

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

He won the track championship five times – four Modified and one Late Model Sportsman – at South Boston Speedway, one of his favorite haunts. He scored an all-time record 20 victories at Martinsville Speedway.

Short tracks were Hendrick’s bread and butter, but he also had wins at high-speed ovals in Dover, Talladega and Charlotte.

Hendrick’s glory days were recorded in cars powered by engine builder Jack Tant and chassis expert Clayton Mitchell. “Those guys made me,” Hendrick said in an interview after he retired. “I was driving for Jack, and then Clayton came along with us and nothing could touch us.”

Tant remembered racing at wicked Langhorne Speedway in Pennsylvania for the first time with Hendrick at the wheel in the 1969 Race of Champions. Practically a perfect circle, Langhorne was fast, very dangerous and not for the timid.

“I had read about Langhorne a long time before we got up enough money to run it,” Tant said in an interview after his racing days. “There they put you on the grid in the order that you checked in, so we got there before dawn. When the sun came up, I looked around and could see for the first time all the big guys who were there. Ray started 11th. In 10 laps, he was leading the race.”

Hendrick won that day against some of the biggest names in the sport, then won the RoC again when it moved to Trenton, New Jersey in 1975.

MORE: Scenes from Class of 2026 Voting Day

Virtually the only significant track where Hendrick failed to win was Daytona International Speedway. That he missed Victory Lane at one of auto racing’s most famous tracks was one of the few disappointments in his driving career.

John Dodson, now owner of two car dealerships in Williamsburg, Virginia, owned a race car Hendrick drove for part of one season. He and Hendrick met when Dodson was a teenager and remained friends until Hendrick’s death in 1990.

“They’d race four or five nights a week, and it was nothing for Ray to win two, three or four,” Dodson said. “He knew how to win everywhere, and if the car was right you wouldn’t stop him.

“He ran some for Junie Donlavey (a longtime NASCAR car owner and a fellow Richmond native). A guy carried me over to Junie’s shop when I was about 14. They had a room off to the side with a pool table. They covered the table and played poker on it one night a week. I looked around that night, and Sonny Hutchins and Emanuel Zervakis and guys like that were playing. They would cut five dollars out of the pot on every hand and throw it in a bucket. That’s what Junie ran on.”

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Jimmy Spencer, a Modified star who drove on to become a winner in Cup, raced against Hendrick on the tight tracks of the Modified tour.

“He was like David Pearson and Richie Evans and Bobby Allison, guys like that,” Spencer said. “He would go race where the money was. The way he figured it, he knew everywhere he went that he would finish no worse than third or fourth, and that was good money every time. You win a thousand or a couple thousand every time out, and you’re doing great.

“I remember a race at Thompson (Speedway, in Connecticut) when I was running second late in the race. Ray had some kind of trouble and had been lapped. I came up on him trying to get up to first, and no matter what I tried I couldn’t get by him. I finished second. After the race, I went up to him and said, ‘Mr. Hendrick, why did you race me so hard when I was trying to win the race?’ He put his arm around me and led me over to the car and pointed at the bumper. He said, ‘If you want to get my attention, use that. That would have done the job. But I race for every position.'”

Hendrick had talents beyond racing. He was an expert carpenter. He worked for his brother’s construction company as a foreman and often put in a full day’s work at a building site before heading out to race that night. Hendrick’s grandson, Chuck, operates an automotive repair shop and works in a garage bay built by Hendrick.

“Ray was the type of driver who would absolutely run you into the ground if the car was capable,” Tidball said. “I remember a 400-lap Modified race at South Boston that he won by five laps.

“He was a tough guy. He wrecked in a 300-lap Late Model Sportsman race at Langley. Fell out of the race. Buddy Baker wanted a relief driver, and Ray got in his car. Tommy Ellis was leading and came up to lap Ray. Ray blocked his every move. Finally, Ray got tired of it and gave Ellis a shot in the corner. Later, Ray said, ‘The next time that little SOB touches me, he’ll be picking pine bark from his teeth.’ But Ray later drove one of Tommy’s cars at Richmond.”

Hendrick drove most of his career for other team owners but ran one Modified season in cars he co-owned with Donald Guild. Stuart Guild, Donald’s son and a friend of Hendrick’s son, Roy, remembers Hendrick blistering the rest of the field.

“He was the best I ever saw in traffic,” Guild said. “Back in those days, you were in traffic all the time. He just had a knack for moving through, and you very seldom saw him mess up. He was aggressive, but he didn’t get in trouble much.

“Ray ran back in the day when the driver made a huge difference. Now if you’re not in the right car, you’re not going to win, but the driver meant a whole lot more then. He wrestled a car at Trenton (in 1975) to take the lead late and won the race. The car was pushing hard, and after the race Ray’s wrist was so swollen they had to cut his wristwatch off. A tough guy.”

Tant remembered that Trenton race and Hendrick’s pure talent for manhandling a race car. “A car didn’t have to be dead-on for him to win with it,” Tant said. “When you did get it dead-on, he was gone.” Tant said Hendrick was so efficient at controlling a car with manual steering that he “absolutely hated it” when power steering came along.

The race to lead as much as possible cost Hendrick his only real shot at winning the Modified national championship. In the final race of the 1966 season at Atlanta, he needed to finish only a spot or two in front of championship challenger Ernie Gahan, who started near the back of the field. Hendrick started 15th but raced hard in search of the lead and eventually blew a tire, the aggressive run ending his shot at the championship. Gahan won.

“I had a good car at Atlanta, and he (Gahan) had a junker,” Hendrick remembered. “All I had to do was finish, but I went out there and tried to win the race and blew a tire.”

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

The trophies, plaques and other awards documenting Hendrick’s career were stored for many years in the basement of his home in Richmond. Well-lit shelves spotlighted the Victory Lane hardware. “As a kid, I was fascinated with all the trophies and helmets and flags around in his basement,” said Chuck Hendrick, his grandson. “There were wall-to-wall trophies, hundreds.”

Hendrick’s widow, Janet Belcher (she later remarried), kept the trophies for many years but eventually gave them to other family members and friends when she moved to another residence. “The vivid memory I have from being in that basement as a kid was a checkered flag from Charlotte Motor Speedway,” Chuck Hendrick said. “I’d grab it and wave it around there in the basement. That was the thing I got from there. Now the Hall of Fame has it.”

And the Hall also will have Ray Hendrick soon.

Belcher said she attended every race with Hendrick after their marriage. “We met at Southside Speedway, and I went with him everywhere,” she said. “He was just a natural. He loved it, wasn’t afraid of anything. He didn’t want to give it up, but it got to where the cars weren’t as good, and he’d rather quit than drive like that.”

Hendrick died September 28, 1990 at the age of 61 after a battle with cancer. He was buried in his driver uniform at Westhampton Memorial Park in Richmond. His gravestone describes him as “Mr. Modified” and “A Stock Car Legend.”

MORE: Members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Earlier that month, during the Cup Series’ stop at Richmond Raceway, Sonny Hutchins, perhaps Hendrick’s greatest rival, threw a final party for his old foe. Illustrating the respect Hendrick enjoyed across the full NASCAR spectrum was the fact that many of the top drivers of the day, including Richard Petty, were in attendance.

The success of the Flyin’ 11 car was celebrated in 2017 at Darlington Raceway when Denny Hamlin used the car’s paint scheme during Throwback Weekend. A restored Flyin’ 11, now owned by Rick Hendrick, was displayed at the track. Although Rick Hendrick and Ray Hendrick aren’t related, they formed close ties in the 1960s. Rick, then a teenager, traveled with Ray’s team along with Rick’s father, Joe, to races, a small start on the road that would lead him to spectacular success in NASCAR.

Jack Tant was among the guests attending the Darlington race, and he renewed his friendship with Rick Hendrick. Larrie Matthews, a longtime Hendrick Motorsports employee and a fellow traveler with Rick on trips with the Ray Hendrick team, also was there. “Jack told Rick, ‘I’ve had a wonderful life. I’m not sure today isn’t the best day of my life,'” Matthews said. “Rick put his arm around him and said, ‘Jack, if you hadn’t let me and Pop help out some with Ray’s car, we probably wouldn’t be standing here now.'”

Hendrick Motorsports

Posted on January 21, 2026January 27, 2026 by Holly Cain

Editor’s note: Today’s RFK Racing preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2026 Cup Series season.

RFK RACING

Manufacturer: Ford
Engine: Roush Yates Engines
Driver-crew chief pairings: Brad Keselowski-Jeremy Bullins (No. 6); Chris Buescher-Scott Graves (No. 17); Ryan Preece-Derrick Finley (No. 60)

Team outlook: Not unexpectedly, the overall goal for 2026 is to return RFK Racing to Victory Lane — a place they have known well, but did not visit in 2025. Although none of the drivers advanced to the Cup Series Playoffs, the team showed consistent signs of promise, especially toward the end of the schedule, which bodes well for the 2026 season. Now both Keselowski’s crew chief, Jeremy Bullins, and Preece’s crew chief, Derrick Finley, have a year under their belt with RFK, which should provide the foundation to “raise the game.” Team co-owner-driver Keselowski came the closest to giving RFK a trophy to hoist, finishing runner-up three different times (at Atlanta and twice in the playoffs at Bristol and the Phoenix season finale). In fact, both Keselowski and Buescher (seventh) claimed top 10 finishes in Phoenix. And Buescher and Preece’s respective 17th and 18th-place showings in the final championship standings made them the highest-ranked drivers in the series not to qualify for the playoffs.

BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 6 Ford

Experience: 16 full-time seasons in Cup Series; 593 starts
2025 stats: 20th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, six top fives, 13 top 10s, 0 poles, 222 laps led

Driver outlook: The 2012 Cup Series champion Keselowski is ready to return to Victory Lane for the first time since a win at Darlington in the spring of 2024, and certainly turned in the effort toward that last year with three runner-up showings, including one in the Phoenix season finale to close out 2026 on a high note. Keselowski may be challenged — at least early in the schedule — while healing from a broken leg he suffered during a ski trip over the offseason. But the 41-year old team leader remains as motivated as ever. Last year, the driver of the No. 6 Ford Mustang led the fewest laps (222) since 2010 and earned his lowest average race finish (20.9) since 2022, yet his output in top-five and top-10 finishes still remained on par with recent years. At season’s end, he was optimistic about his team’s progress in particular, but adamant that winning is a mandatory expectation. He is one of the sport’s very best on superspeedways, and a victory right out of the gate in the Daytona 500 would be huge for the entire organization.

RELATED: Brad Keselowski driver page

CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 FORD

Experience: 10 full-time seasons in Cup Series; 365 starts
2025 stats: 17th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, five top fives, 16 top 10s, 0 poles, 47 laps led

Driver outlook: The 2025 season marked the first time the talented Texan Buescher went without a victory since 2021 and the fewest laps (47) he’s led since 2020. That being said, Buescher was consistently competitive; his 16 top 10 finishes — including a season best of runner-up at Michigan — was most on the RFK team and absolutely in line with his output in previous seasons. And Buescher rallied to claim the highest points position (17th) among all drivers who didn’t qualify for the title competition. The only driver who returned his crew chief (Scott Graves) from a year before, the 2015 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Buescher certainly knows how to contend for titles and should be considered a perennial contender. The 33-year-old’s six-win Cup Series resume includes victories on a variety of track styles from the superspeedway (Daytona), short track (Bristol) and road course (Watkins Glen), proving he is a threat to win every week.

RELATED: Chris Buescher driver page

RYAN PREECE, No. 60 FORD

Experience: Six full-time seasons in Cup Series; 223 starts
2025 stats: 18th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, three top fives, 14 top 10s, 1 pole, 133 laps led

Driver outlook: The newest member of the RFK team, the 35-year old New Englander turned in the best work of his career – his three top fives and 14 top 10 finishes are both triple that of any of his previous six full-time seasons. His third-place effort at Las Vegas in the spring tied his best-ever finish (Talladega, 2019). The season proved to be a big positive for the new pairing with crew chief Derrick Finley and raised both the confidence level and expectations heading into 2026. Not only did Preece prove last year that he can lead laps; he did so at a wide variety of tracks (11 in all). Twice, he put together a string of at least three top 10 finishes, and closed out the season with top 10 showings in three of the final four races.

RELATED: Ryan Preece driver page