FS1 will televise SRO America's GT World Challenge and GT4 America Championship races in 2026.

The new agreement will bring the two GT racing series to FS1 for the 2026 season, delivering expanded exposure for the series. Both GT World Challenge America and GT4 America will be featured in one-hour packaged programs showcasing on-track action, championship battles and key storylines from each series. All programming will air on FS1, which reaches approximately 60 million homes across North America.

The broadcasts will provide in-depth commentary and enhanced production elements, featuring a familiar lineup of SRO America talent. Ryan Myrehn returns for play-by-play commentary and analysis, alongside Calvin Fish as expert color commentator, with longtime FOX Sports presenter Amanda Busick serving as host and reporter.

"Having GT World Challenge America powered by AWS and Pirelli GT4 America on FS1 is an important step in the growth and visibility of our championships," said Greg Gill, president and CEO of SRO America. "FS1 provides a powerful platform to reach a broad, passionate audience while honoring the history of GT racing on this network. We look forward to working with FS1 and reaching new heights together as we bring the excitement of premier GT racing to more homes across North America."

Both championships will compete at seven venues on the 2026 calendar, including iconic circuits such as Sonoma Raceway, Circuit of The Americas, Sebring International Raceway, Road Atlanta, Road America, Barber Motorsports Park and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

For more information, visit gt-world-challenge-america.com.

Welcome, North Carolina-based Richard Childress Racing has announced several key appointments to its NASCAR Cup Series competition leadership team.

Mike Dillon has been named chief operating officer, a position that will focus heavily on competition administrative functions, according to the team's announcement. Dillon will provide forward thinking and direction in all areas of performance and operations, with an emphasis on recruiting and retaining top talent in the industry.

He has served in key roles such as vice president of competition, director of team operations, driver, and spotter. Dillon helped launch RCR's successful NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series program in the late 1990s and has been instrumental in RCR's driver development program over the years.

John Klausmeier will focus on competition leadership for RCR as technical director, overseeing all technical engineering activities with a focus on vehicle systems engineering, design and metrology, and will continue to provide departmental oversight for RCR's engineers and crew chiefs. Klausmeier has more than 20 years of motorsports experience. All competition departments report to Klausmeier, while Klausmeier reports to Dillon.

Andy Street has been named performance director for RCR, focusing on research and development and increasing overall on-track performance across the company. He will also serve as crew chief for RCR's part time No. 33 Chevrolet entry in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026.

Additionally, Richard Boswell will continue as crew chief for the No. 3 Chevrolet Cup Series team and Jim Pohlman will work as crew chief for the No. 8 Chevrolet Cup Series team.

For more information, visit rcrracing.com.

Ashly Ennis, director of racing communications for Hendrick Motorsports, has been named the recipient of the inaugural Jon Edwards Excellence in Public Relations Award, an honor recognizing outstanding performance, professionalism and dedication within the NASCAR industry.

Ennis earned the award for her work during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season and her continued impact throughout the garage. She currently serves as the communications representative for William Byron, a two-time and back-to-back DAYTONA 500 Champion, and has been widely respected for her strategic communication skills, strong media relationships and unwavering support of her team and peers.

Throughout the season, Ennis played a pivotal role in managing high-profile media initiatives, navigating competitive race weekends and elevating the public presence of both Byron, the No. 24 team and Hendrick Motorsports as a whole. Her collaborative approach and calm leadership have made her a trusted resource among drivers, media members and fellow public relations professionals.

The Jon Edwards Excellence in Public Relations Award was established to honor the legacy of Jon Edwards, a long respected and beloved public relations representative who passed away in April 2025. Edwards, who worked with four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and most recently two-time champion Kyle Larson, was widely known for his integrity, mentorship and passion for the sport, leaving a lasting impact on NASCAR's communications community.

The award recognizes individuals who embody Edwards' commitment to excellence, service and character, both on and off the track. As the first recipient, Ennis sets the standard for the values the award was created to celebrate.

Ennis' recognition not only highlights her individual accomplishments but also underscores the vital role public relations professionals play in shaping the stories and relationships that define NASCAR.

Ennis, 35, is a native of Mansfield, Ohio, and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Georgia Southern University. She joined Hendrick Motorsports in November 2018.

For more information, visit nascar.com.

Image courtesy of NASCAR

Perris Auto Speedway in California is bringing back student ticket pricing, along with reductions to some other ticket categories in an effort to make race nights more affordable for fans and families in 2026.

Fans will see the new pricing take effect at the 30th Anniversary Season opener featuring the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and PASSCAR Stock Cars on February 14, followed by the first Night of Destruction of the season on February 21.

Beginning with the February 14 season opener, teens ages 13–17 with ID will be admitted for just $15.00. In addition, adult sprint car ticket prices have been reduced from $35.00 to $30.00, while senior tickets (65 and over) have also been lowered by $5.00, and are now priced at $25.00.

"In a world where everything seems unaffordable, we are lowering some ticket prices," said Promoter Don Kazarian. "We are bringing the teen ticket pricing back and holding steady on other tickets in an effort to make it affordable to enjoy a family night at The PAS in 2026."

For more information, visit perrisautospeedway.com.

The Joey Logano Foundation has awarded a $100k grant to Youth Villages, a nonprofit supporting families, children and young adults facing serious obstacles with mental and behavioral health services.

The Joey Logano Foundation, founded by the multiple-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, aims to provide second chances to children and young adults during times of crisis, particularly those involved in the foster care system.

The grant will further strengthen and expand the LifeSet and Scholars offerings for youth in need of services, the organization said. LifeSet is designed to help young people successfully transition from foster care to adulthood. Through one-on-one support, LifeSet specialists work with participants to achieve secure, safe housing, build healthy relationships and meet education and employment goals.

The Youth Villages Scholars initiative builds on that model by offering additional assistance to LifeSet participants enrolled in postsecondary education or vocational training. Scholars receive monthly stipends, technology, school supplies and other essential resources, as well as support from dedicated staff and mentors.

"We want to see youth who have been through the foster care system have a healthy chance at living independently and embarking on a path to a bright future," Brittany Logano, founding vice chairman of the Joey Logano Foundation and wife of Joey Logano, said in a press release. "That is exactly what they receive with Youth Villages' Scholars program. It is wonderful to hear success stories from Scholars who were raised in the system and defeated all odds to take on their dreams of going to college or a trade school, graduating and creating a joyful life for themselves."

For more information, visit joeyloganofoundation.com.

Building off a successful 2025, when race track protections were secured in North Carolina and Iowa, PRI has expanded its effort to protect America's local race tracks from nuisance-based lawsuits driven by surrounding development that arrives after a facility is already established.

Four states are already on board with newly introduced bills: Indiana (HB 1415), Kansas (HB 2416), Ohio (HB 639) and Oklahoma (SB 1195).

Each bill advances a simple, common-sense principle: when a race track was there first and is operating lawfully, new neighbors and developers should not be able to use nuisance litigation to restrict or shut down the track.

Each "Right to Race" bill aims to give long-established race tracks more stability and predictability, enabling them to continue hosting events, supporting local jobs and serving the motorsports community. Together, these proposals reflect a growing, pro-motorsports approach in statehouses to protect the places where grassroots racing happens and where the next generation of racers and builders get their start.

The PRI and SEMA legislative approach has already taken checkered flags in other states. Recently passed laws in North Carolina and Iowa have shown that lawmakers can preserve motorsports heritage and community institutions while maintaining oversight. These four new bills build on that momentum and signal a coordinated, multi-state push to keep grassroots racing alive.

WHY THESE BILLS MATTER

Local race tracks are far more than weekend entertainment, serving as the backbone of the American motorsports industry. Local tracks are small businesses and community institutions that annually contribute $69 billion to the United States economy through local jobs, tourism, charitable activity and the next generation of racers, engineers and automotive innovators. They also serve as safe, regulated outlets for motorsports participation. When established tracks are forced to curtail operations or close due to nuisance litigation pressure, communities lose a vital part of their cultural identity, and the broader racing and aftermarket ecosystem loses a critical pipeline.

TAKE ACTION: HELP PROTECT THE TRACKS IN YOUR STATE

PRI and SEMA encourage race track owners, racers, local businesses and enthusiasts to engage early by educating lawmakers and community leaders about the value of racing facilities. Hosting a facility tour for local officials, sharing local economic impact data and community contributions, and building a broad coalition of supporters can help advance commonsense protections and keep racing alive for future generations.

• Stay informed and take action when it matters most by connecting with SEMA Action at semahq.org.
   

For more information and to get involved in race track nuisance-protection efforts in your state, contact SEMA Government Affairs at governmentaffairs@sema.org. For state-specific questions, contact one of our senior managers for state government affairs:

• Tierra Hubbard (Indiana and Ohio) at tierrah@sema.org
• Victor Muñoz (Kansas and Oklahoma) at victorm@sema.org
  
   

Images courtesy of Shutterstock | Bruce Alan Bennett 

The landmark, PRI/SEMA-supported bill to preserve Americans' ability to modify their vehicles has reached an important milestone, with members of a key congressional committee considering the merits of the "ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act" (HR 6688). This bipartisan legislation would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to create guidelines to ensure that automotive businesses have the information needed to properly calibrate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) after vehicles are modified.

• The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade hearing, titled "Examining Legislative Options to Strengthen Motor Vehicle Safety, Ensure Consumer Choice and Affordability, and Cement U.S. Automotive Leadership," represents a key step for SEMA's top federal legislative priority, where it was discussed alongside other bills that strengthen motor vehicle safety, ensure consumer choice and affordability and cement American automotive leadership.

Bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) spoke in support of her bill, which would require NHTSA to establish ADAS guidelines to create modification ranges and tolerances for new vehicles starting in model-year '28. The bill also requires the guidelines to establish ADAS test procedures that enable aftermarket businesses to properly test and validate that the vehicle systems have been properly calibrated.

SEMA and PRI submitted a statement for the record, outlining the critical need for lawmakers to pass HR 6688.

"Millions of Americans modify and customize their vehicles to enhance their vehicles' safety, performance and comfort. Their reasons for modifying vary. For some, it's a means for doing business and earning a livelihood; for others, it's how they recreate or express themselves. Regardless of their needs and preferences, it is imperative that evidence-based calibration and testing procedures are in place to ensure that ADAS is properly functioning for the protection of people both inside and outside the vehicle," wrote SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "Those who choose to modify or customize their vehicles are no less deserving of enjoying the safety benefits of ADAS than vehicle owners who choose to keep their vehicles in their stock condition."

Background

The ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act would require NHTSA to establish ADAS guidelines to create modification ranges and tolerances for new vehicles starting in model-year '28. The bill also requires NHTSA to create guidelines that establish ADAS test procedures that aftermarket businesses can properly test and validate that the vehicle systems have been properly calibrated.

This legislation is crucial to being able to safely make common modifications, including installing bike racks, wrapping a vehicle, installing larger wheels and tires or installing a winch or aftermarket bumpers, without compromising the functionality of ADAS.

The bill is also timely, because a forthcoming federal mandate that would require new, model-year '29 vehicles to feature automatic emergency braking, bringing important safety systems to all new vehicles sold in the United States.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Korawat Photo Shoot 

Industry members are invited to participate in the 2026 SEMA and PRI Washington Rally, taking place in our nation's capital on May 5-6, 2026. 

• The SEMA and PRI Washington Rally is one of our industry's most important events. The Washington Rally provides an opportunity for SEMA and PRI member companies to come together and advocate on behalf of the specialty-automotive aftermarket and motorsports parts industries with members of Congress. 

With the 2026 mid-term election in November and the balance of power in both the House and Senate up for grabs, it's more important than ever for SEMA and PRI members to come to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the industry. Whether it's protecting the right to modify vehicles, creating tax certainty for race tracks, expanding motorized access to federal government lands or another policy issue that's important to your business, there are many important issues facing SEMA and PRI members in the nation's capital.  
 

While in Washington, D.C., you will have the opportunity to network with your colleagues in the automotive aftermarket industry, meet with your members of Congress and their staff to discuss critical issues and advocate for policies that will benefit our industry. Your participation helps ensure that our industry's concerns are heard and that we can continue to innovate and grow. 

2026 Washington Rally Itinerary (All times EDT) 
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 
 

SEMA and PRI PAC Reception 

5:30-6:30 p.m., Royal Sonesta Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill, Sapphire Room and Terrace (Penthouse Level) 

• A PAC contribution for the suggested amount of $250 per individual is required to attend this event. If you have already made your 2026 SEMA and PRI PAC contribution, this event may be complimentary as a part of your PAC membership benefits. Please direct questions to Eleanor Rollings, SEMA director of PAC development, at eleanorr@sema.org. 

Washington Rally Congressional Dinner 

6:30-8:30 p.m., Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, Crown Ballroom (Penthouse Level) 
 

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 

Breakfast and Welcome Briefing 

7:30-8:30 a.m., Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, Crown Ballroom (Penthouse Level) 
 

Morning Meetings with Congressional Lawmakers and Staffs 

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., House and Senate Office Buildings 
 

Congressional Luncheon 

12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m., Capitol Hill Club 
 

Afternoon Meetings with Congressional Lawmakers and Staffs 

2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., House and Senate Office Buildings 

Hotel Accommodations 

There are a limited number of rooms available in a SEMA/PRI block at the Royal Sonesta Washington, D.C., Capitol Hill, for $409 per night, plus tax. A link to book a room is provided upon completion of the registration process. 

For more information on the Washington Rally, contact Eric Snyder, SEMA's senior director for federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org. 

NASCAR is bringing back "The Chase" as its national series championship format beginning in 2026, marking a return of NASCAR's original postseason format that was in place from 2004-2013 in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The changes come after an extensive review that included collaboration between owners, drivers, OEMs, tracks, broadcast partners and fans.

"As NASCAR transitions to a revised championship model, the focus is on rewarding driver and team performance each and every race," said NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell. "At the same time, we want to honor NASCAR's storied history and the traditions that have made the sport so special. Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and this format is designed to honor their passion every single race weekend."

The format follows an exhaustive Playoff Committee and fan-feedback review that put forward three key recommendations:

• A larger sample size for a championship
• Bolster the importance of each race
• Rewarding consistency while maintaining the importance of winning

NASCAR has implemented each of those pieces of feedback by making the following changes for 2026 and beyond: 

• The Chase is back. The driver with the most points after the postseason slate will be crowned the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion. The Chase will consist of the final 10 races for the NASCAR Cup Series; the final nine races for the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series; and the final seven races for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
   
• 'Win and you're in' is gone. A race win will no longer guarantee automatic entry into The Chase, increasing the importance of every event on the schedule. Winning is still valuable, but drivers must continue to perform at a high level throughout the regular season.
   
• Race-winning drivers earn more points. A win will now earn the race-winning driver 55 points. Previously, a win paid 40 points. The goal is to reward drivers who go for wins, not just strong points days, and ensure aggressive racing and strong team performance remain central to each weekend. Points for all other positions, including stage points, remain the same.
   
• The Chase will feature the top drivers in regular-season points. Returning to a points-based qualification system, The Chase in the NASCAR Cup Series will feature 16 drivers; the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series field will be set at 12 drivers, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series field at 10.
   
• The points leader after the regular season will receive a meaningful advantage. The top driver at the end of the regular season will earn a 25-point cushion over the second seed.

For more information, visit nascar.com.

Image courtesy of NASCAR

Active members can enter the PRI Member Portal to secure 15% off online and in-store purchases with Bell Helmets--plus dozens of other deals, discounts and benefits.

Not yet a PRI member? There's a tier for you! Learn more at performanceracing.com/membership.

PRI is not affiliated with, nor does it sell or thoroughly evaluate the products, services, and companies listed. PRI provides this information to PRI members for their evaluation and consideration and does not endorse or sponsor any company, product, or service. PRI takes no responsibility for, and makes no representation, warranty, or assurance as to the accuracy, quality, reliability, or completeness of the products or services offered.