NASCAR has announced the inductees who will comprise the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027. The three-person group -- the 17th since the inception of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 -- consists of Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Larry Phillips. In addition, Lesa France Kennedy was named the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

Members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in an in-person closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate and vote upon the 15 nominees for the induction class of 2027 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.

The Class of 2027 was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, including representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion (Kyle Larson). In all, 50 votes were cast. The accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) presided over the tabulation of the votes.

Harvick received 92% of the Modern Era ballot votes and Burton received 32%. Neil Bonnett finished third, followed by Randy Dorton and Greg Biffle. Larry Phillips received 38% of the Pioneer ballot votes.

Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote were Harry Hyde (Pioneer), Greg Biffle and Kevin Harvick (Modern Era).

The two Modern Era inductees came from a group of 10 nominees that included Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Randy Dorton, Ray Elder, Ernie Elliott, Kevin Harvick, Randy LaJoie and Jack Sprague.

Nominees for the Pioneer Ballot included Ray Fox, Harry Hyde, Banjo Matthews, Herb Nab and Larry Phillips.

Nominees for the Landmark Award included Alvin Hawkins, Lesa France Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Les Richter and T. Wayne Robertson.

Ten nominees appeared on the Modern Era ballot, which was selected by the traditional Nominating Committee. The same committee selected the five Landmark Award nominees. The Pioneer ballot, which included five nominees whose careers began in 1966 or earlier, was selected by the Honors Committee.

The Class of 2027 Induction Ceremony is set for Friday, Jan. 22, 2027, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony will be available June 10 on NASCARHall.com.

Class of 2027 Inductees:

Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick's rise to NASCAR stardom came under extraordinary circumstances in 2001, when he was called upon to replace Dale Earnhardt following his tragic passing. Just three races into his rookie season, Harvick delivered an emotional victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and went on to earn the 2001 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors, signaling the arrival of a new force in the sport. Known as "The Closer," he proved capable of winning anywhere, including his 2007 Daytona 500 triumph. In 2014, Harvick mastered NASCAR's brand-new elimination-style playoff, answering every must-win moment to claim the Cup Series championship and cement his place among the sport's elite. Over 826 starts, Harvick amassed 60 victories, ranking 11th all-time among Cup Series winners. After retiring from full-time competition, he transitioned to broadcasting, joining FOX Sports as a NASCAR analyst for Cup Series races.

Jeff Burton

"The Mayor" of NASCAR. Jeff Burton earned that nickname for his insightful perspectives on issues affecting the well-being and safety of the sport. But it was his on-track performance that fueled his 22-year Cup Series career. The 1994 Cup Series Rookie of the Year spent the first half of his career at Roush Fenway Racing, where he experienced his most success. His first Cup win came at Texas Motor Speedway in 1997, the track's first race. Over the next five years, Burton would win 17 times and finish in the top five in the standings four times. In 1999, he won a career high six races, including two of the sport's crown jewel events -- the Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500. Burton finished his career with 21 Cup wins and 27 O'Reilly Series wins, one of 10 drivers to have at least 20 wins in each series. Since 2015, Burton has served as an analyst for NBC Sports' NASCAR coverage.

Larry Phillips

The legend of Missouri's Larry Phillips cannot be measured in wins alone. That's because nobody can say for sure how many victories there were. He raced here, there and everywhere on dirt and asphalt and in places where record keeping wasn't always a priority. Phillips was just happy to vanquish the competition and go on to the next track. One crew chief, James Ince, estimated Phillips won 1,000 times; maybe 2,000. Rivals expressed frustration upon seeing Phillips' No. 75 car come through the pit gate, admitting they were racing each other for second place. What is fact is that Phillips was the first of two drivers to win five NASCAR Weekly Series national championships. During an 11-year span -- from his first title in 1989 through 1996 -- the Springfield, Missouri competitor won 220 of 289 NASCAR-sanctioned starts. Phillips also won 13 track championships in three states.

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR: Lesa France Kennedy

Lesa France Kennedy is the Executive Vice Chair of NASCAR and one of the most influential women in sports. In her more than 30-year career with ISC (International Speedway Corporation), Kennedy advanced through several key executive positions with increasing responsibility including Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Vice President and CEO. Kennedy spearheaded the revitalization of Phoenix Raceway, and the state-of-the-art Daytona Rising project at Daytona International Speedway. She also helped cement NASCAR's presence in the Midwest with the building of Kansas Speedway. Kennedy has been honored by Forbes, Adweek, Sports Business Journal, the National Women's History Museum and is enshrined in the Cynopsis Sports Hall of Fame.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) presented by FloRacing has announced the official dates and purses for the 2027 Speedweeks schedule, featuring 15 nights of action across three premier facilities in Florida and Georgia.

The 2027 Speedweeks campaign will begin at All-Tech Raceway in Lake City, Florida, from February 24-27 before continuing at Ocala Speedway in Ocala, Florida, from March 1-6. The tour will conclude at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Georgia, from March 9-13.

All-Tech Raceway will once again serve as the season-opening venue for the LOLMDS. The Lake City facility is known for its unique layout, excellent sightlines for fans, and welcoming atmosphere throughout the pit area and grandstands. All-Tech Raceway has become among the favorite destinations for teams and fans making the annual trip south to begin the season. Fans can expect three nights of racing following an opening practice night, highlighted by a $15,000-to-win finale on February 27.

Ocala Speedway returns as one of the most historic and tradition-rich stops during Speedweeks. Located in the heart of Florida dirt racing, the facility has hosted countless memorable moments over the years and continues to deliver exciting side-by-side racing. The six-night program at Ocala Speedway will feature five complete racing programs following a practice night, culminating with a $25,000-to-win finale on March 6.

The 2027 Speedweeks schedule will conclude at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Georgia. Since becoming a regular stop on the national dirt racing calendar, Golden Isles Speedway has earned a reputation for producing thrilling racing and dramatic finishes. The Georgia facility will host four nights of racing following a practice night, highlighted by a $25,000-to-win finale on March 13.

"We're excited to officially announce the 2027 Speedweeks dates and purses," said Rick Schwallie, Series Director. "All-Tech Raceway, Ocala Speedway and Golden Isles Speedway have become tremendous hosts for our teams and fans during the early portion of the season. With outstanding facilities, strong purses, and passionate race fans, we're looking forward to another exciting start to the year."

2027 Speedweeks Schedule

All-Tech Raceway - Lake City, Florida

• February 24 - Practice Night
• February 25 - $10,000 to Win / $48,575 Purse
• February 26 - $12,000 to Win / $52,800 Purse
• February 27 - $15,000 to Win / $63,400 Purse

Ocala Speedway - Ocala, Florida

• March 1 - Practice Night
• March 2 - $7,000 to Win / $30,775 Purse*
• March 3 - $7,000 to Win / $30,775 Purse*
• March 4 - $10,000 to Win / $48,575 Purse
• March 5 - $12,000 to Win / $52,800 Purse
• March 6 - $25,000 to Win / $82,800 Purse

Golden Isles Speedway - Brunswick, Georgia

• March 9 - Practice Night
• March 10 - $7,000 to Win / $30,775 Purse*
• March 11 - $10,000 to Win / $48,575 Purse
• March 12 - $12,000 to Win / $52,800 Purse
• March 13 - $25,000 to Win / $82,800 Purse

*Non-championship points events

Additional event details, including support divisions, ticket information, camping availability, and nightly schedules, will be announced at a later date.

For the latest news, results and championship standings from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, visit LucasDirt.com.

British engineering firm JCB is targeting a new land-speed record with a 32-ft. car powered by hydrogen engines and will attempt to set a new mark at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah later this year with its JCB Hydromax.

Testing will begin in the United Kingdom before the team heads to Bonneville SpeedWeek in August. The JCB Hydromax will run with two production-based hydrogen engines, producing a combined 1,600 hp. SpeedWeek is run by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), which governs and verifies official class records at the event.

Andy Green, who set the diesel land-speed record of 350.092 mph in August 2006 behind the wheel of the JCB Dieselmax, will pilot the Hydromax for the upcoming attempt.

Following Speedweek, the team will remain at Bonneville to pursue officially recognized world records under the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport.

"Britain has a proud heritage of setting speed records and, as a British company, I'm excited to challenge for a new one using hydrogen. This is not just about speed--it's about showcasing the world-class engineering talent we have here in the UK and the robustness of our new hydrogen engines," said JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford. "JCB Dieselmax was always a bit of an unusual idea--but it proved a point. Putting an advanced engine into a land-speed car showed the world what it could do in a way a digger never could. It's the same thinking with hydrogen today. If you're serious about emissions, you have to be serious about hydrogen--and a land-speed project is the perfect way to prove it."

For more information, visit jcb.com.

Turn 14 Distribution has hired Brenden Gill as a new outside territory sales manager to further cement its commitment to the powersports sector, the Horsham, Pennsylvania-based parts distributor announced.

A UTV enthusiast, Gill previously served as a parts manager at RideNow, and also served seven years as a service advisor with Edge Performance Sports in Oregon.

Gill has a proven record of streamlining processes and overcoming roadblocks, as evidenced by the growth of Southwest territory sales during his tenure, the company said, and will bring this talent for growth to the customers at Turn 14, where he looks forward to contributing to an environment with a significant powersports presence.

“We are committed to bringing the best and brightest to our Powersports team, and the addition of Brenden Gill fully aligns with that goal,” says Zya Braun, regional territory manager at Turn 14 Distribution. “He has the experience and insight to expand Turn 14’s reach even further into the powersports sphere.”

As outside territory manager, Gill will oversee sales in Arizona and California.

For more information, visit turn14.com.

The economic and cultural impact of grassroots racing was front and center on a national public television program as PRI and SEMA were featured in a new segment on PBS's long-running program "Market to Market."

The story, titled "Rural Racing Economics," explored how racing serves as both an economic engine and cultural cornerstone in rural communities across America. PRI Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs Karen Bailey-Chapman was interviewed as part of the segment, representing the collective voice of PRI members and highlighting the industry's broader impact beyond the race track.

Now in its 51st season, "Market to Market" is the nation's longest-running agricultural business program on public television. The weekly half-hour show airs on more than 120 public television stations across 17 states and reaches audiences throughout much of the Midwest, as well as regions stretching from New Mexico to Kentucky and Wyoming to Ohio. In addition to its television broadcast footprint, the program also streams online through YouTube and Facebook.

While "Market to Market" traditionally focuses on topics such as agriculture, environmental issues, emerging technologies and innovative business trends, producers have recently expanded coverage to include rural cultural and economic issues--making grassroots racing a natural fit.

The segment shines a spotlight on the important role racing plays in supporting local economies, small businesses and community identity in rural America--a message that continues to resonate across the motorsports industry.

Watch the full PBS segment, "Rural Racing Economics," on the Iowa PBS website or on YouTube below:

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Bruce Alan Bennett

Education for the industry, by the industry. PRI is now accepting seminar and panel proposals for its 2026 education program, offering speakers an unmatched platform to share ideas, technologies, and expertise with the racing and performance community.

Organizers are looking for submissions that showcase current trends, innovative techniques, best practices, and discoveries across the motorsports industry. Program audiences include race teams, speed shops, engine builders, fabricators, machinists, tuners, manufacturers, WDs, sanctioning bodies, track operators, media and other industry professionals––many of whom are small business owners and managers.

Topics of interest can include––but aren't limited to––technical content, sponsorships, hiring and employee management, branding, content creation, youth engagement, small business operations, advertising and promotions, traditional and digital marketing, sales strategies and EV motorsports performance.

2026 PRI Show Education Speaker Submissions

• Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Show dates: December 10-12, 2026
• Location: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN

Submit your proposal and help shape the future of racing education at the PRI Show.

The race to the PRI Show is underway! Exhibitors can secure their booth space now for the 2026 PRI Show, set for December 10-12, in downtown Indianapolis. 

Motorsports professionals, including buyers and decision makers, from all 50 states and 35-plus countries come to the PRI Show to source new parts and products. 

How to Navigate the New Portal for PRI Show Exhibitors

The process to submit an exhibit application is a little different this year.

PRI has launched a new customer management system powered by Salesforce to better serve its exhibitors year-round.  

Those who have not submitted the Exhibit Space Rental Application (ESRA) for the 2026 event, Dec. 10-12, Indianapolis, must activate a new account in the system.

Once this one-time step is complete, exhibitors can secure their spot on the PRI Show floor, download invoices, complete online payments, and access free resources to plan a successful booth.

Getting set up in the new PRI Show exhibitor platform is simple:

• Visit exhibitor.performanceracing.com. 
• Returning exhibitors: Enter the email last used to purchase a PRI Show booth. A "password reset link" will be sent to your inbox. Click that link and create a new password.
• New exhibitors or returning exhibitors using a new email: Click "New Exhibitor," and fill out the form to create a new account.

Note: Updating an account email address does not affect exhibitors' account history or PRI Show seniority.

Run into roadblocks? Contact the PRI Show team for support:

• Call: 949-499-5413 and select option 4
• Email: sales@performanceracing.com

The court's tariff decision may bring short-term financial relief to some aftermarket companies through refunds, but uncertainty remains as appeals move forward.

The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) recently ruled that President Trump's application of 10% universal tariffs imposed earlier this year under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 is unlawful and exceeded the authority granted to the executive branch by Congress.

In a 2-1 decision, the CIT ruled that the tariffs were invalid and not allowed by law. However, the U.S. Department of Justice appealed the ruling, so the decision is now on hold until the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit makes a final decision.

The Section 122 tariffs were implemented after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in February. The Supreme Court's ruling triggered a sweeping federal refund process for importers that had paid duties under the now-invalidated IEEPA tariffs.  

Refunds Begin 

Businesses across the country have begun receiving tariff refunds from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The first wave of reimbursements began hitting company accounts this week, with more than 330,000 importers potentially eligible for repayment tied to approximately $166 billion in collected duties. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), they have processed over $35 billion in IEEPA refunds on over 8 million entries to date. 

How to File for a Refund 

CBP officially launched Phase 1 of its new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) process for refunding tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on April 20. While the rollout is a major step toward returning duties to importers, the initial phase is intentionally limited in scope and applies only to straightforward claims. 

Under Phase 1, CBP is only accepting refund requests for entries liquidated within the past 80 days, aligning with the agency's 90-day voluntary reliquidation authority. Importers of record and authorized customs brokers can submit claims through the CAPE Claim Portal by uploading eligible entries via CSV file. Once validated, CAPE will remove applicable IEEPA tariff classifications, recalculate duties and process refunds through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), with interest paid where applicable. However, CBP estimates even simple claims could take 60–90 days to process. 

Not all entries qualify during this first phase. CBP is excluding entries tied to reconciliation filings, drawback claims, protests, antidumping or countervailing duties, and entries lacking ACE liquidation status. "Finally liquidated" entries also appear to be excluded for now and may need to wait for future CAPE phases. 

Importers should ensure they have active ACE portal access, updated ACH payment information and a clear understanding of which entries may qualify. Companies are also being urged to conduct compliance reviews before filing claims, as each CAPE submission requires certification that all entries comply with applicable customs laws. 

Businesses that paid IEEPA tariffs should begin organizing import records now, separate eligible entries based on liquidation status and timing, and closely monitor future CBP guidance as additional CAPE phases are expected to expand refund eligibility. Read more about filing for a refund for IEEPA tariffs paid.

Importers are currently operating in a highly uncertain environment: Some businesses are receiving refunds tied to the invalidated IEEPA tariffs while simultaneously continuing to pay the newer Section 122 tariffs that remain temporarily active during the appeals process. Trade attorneys and customs advisors are warning companies to closely track liquidation dates, refund eligibility windows, and potential future shifts in tariff authority.

Questions? Please contact Juan Mejia, PRI's senior manager of federal government affairs, at juanm@sema.org.  

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Sven Hansche

Holley Performance Brands, Bowling Green, Kentucky, has appointed Sarah Apple as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective immediately.

Apple joins Holley with extensive experience advising public-company leadership teams on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, strategic transactions and operational matters. Most recently, she served as associate general counsel at REV Group, where she led key initiatives involving SEC reporting and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to REV Group, Apple held progressive leadership roles at Regal Rexnord Corporation, serving as a strategic advisor and business partner to senior executives across global operational matters, compliance initiatives, SEC reporting, board governance and large-scale strategic transactions.

In her new role, Apple will serve as a member of Holley's senior leadership team, overseeing the company's legal function and advising on corporate and board governance, regulatory matters, strategic transactions and business operations across the organization.

"Sarah brings a strong combination of public-company governance experience, strategic legal leadership and operational insight that will support Holley's continued growth and long-term value creation," said Matthew Stevenson, president and CEO of Holley Performance Brands. "We are excited to welcome her to the organization and look forward to the leadership and perspective she will bring to our team."

Apple succeeds Carly Kennedy, who has departed the company after serving as EVP, general counsel and corporate secretary. Kennedy played an important role in strengthening Holley's legal and governance capabilities while supporting several strategic initiatives across the business. To ensure a smooth transition, Kennedy has worked closely with Apple to support continuity and an effective handoff of responsibilities.

"We are grateful for Carly's dedication and meaningful contributions to Holley. We wish her continued success in her next chapter," added Stevenson.

For more information, visit holley.com.

Administrator Lee Zeldin's speech marked the first time a member of the President's Cabinet has spoken at a SEMA and PRI Washington Rally.  

Nearly 120 advocates––including SEMA and PRI members, content creators, industry partners and a few automotive celebrities––brought action to our nation's capital last week to advocate for the automotive aftermarket, motorsports parts and off-road industries. 

The 2026 SEMA & PRI Washington Rally was the organization's largest ever advocacy event, uniting manufacturers, influential voices, builders, racers, retailers, track operators, industry leaders and more from across the country to advocate for policies that protect automotive customization, innovation, motorized access to public lands and provide tax certainty to race tracks. 

The Washington Rally continues to be motorsports' most important advocacy event, underscoring the value of direct engagement between industry leaders and policymakers. Rally attendees participated in more than 110 meetings on Capitol Hill and met with key executive branch agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

During their Hill meetings, SEMA and PRI members provided congressional staffers with firsthand perspectives on important bills that would positively impact both their companies and the automotive aftermarket, off-road and motorsports parts industries. Participants discussed topics ranging from protecting the right to modify vehicles and legislation preserving access to public lands to creating long-term tax certainty for motorsports facilities  and supporting small businesses that drive innovation throughout the industry. 

The kick-off dinner featured remarks from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who discussed his priorities, the EPA's efforts to eliminate EV mandates and the agency's support. Administrator Zeldin's speech marked the first time a member of the President's Cabinet has spoken at a SEMA and PRI Washington Rally.  

The dinner also featured noted automotive personalities Chris Jacobs and Cristy Lee, who led a conversation with Eric Schmitz, the Coalition's director for speaker of the House Mike Johson (R-La.), and Katie Phillips, executive director of the House Blue Dog Coalition. 

Between House and Senate meetings, SEMA and PRI Rally attendees had lunch at the exclusive Capitol Hill Club, with Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, serving as the keynote speaker. 

For more information, visit semahq.org.