NBC Sports has revealed the details of its coverage of the 2026 IMSA season, including live coverage of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge, VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and more.

NBC Sports' 2026 IMSA schedule includes more than 15 hours of live coverage on NBC broadcast network and over 160 hours on Peacock, with more than 140 hours exclusively on Peacock. NBC's live coverage includes the start and finish of January's Rolex 24 At Daytona; flag-to-flag coverage of the Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 18; Detroit Grand Prix on May 3; GT Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway on August 23; September's Battle on the Bricks; and the opening hours of the 10-hour Petit Le Mans in October.

Peacock will serve as the streaming home of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with flag-to-flag live coverage of all races as well as exclusive coverage of qualifying and portions of select endurance races.

NBCSN, NBC Sports' recently launched linear network featuring a wide range of sporting events and programming, will present simulstreamed coverage of select races this season, including the final portions of the Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans as well as the entire race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Peacock will once again present live coverage of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and IMSA-sanctioned Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, Ford Mustang Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup races in 2026.

For more information, visit imsa.com.

See the full IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship coverage schedule below:

Greg Biffle, a long-time NASCAR driver who won championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, and won 19 Cup Series races, has unfortunately passed away alongside his wife Cristina, son Ryder and daughter Emma in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina, NASCAR officials confirmed. He was 55.

NASCAR released the following statement:

"NASCAR is devastated by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton in a fatal plane crash.

Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many. His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.

On the track, Greg's talent and tenacity earned him championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, as well as numerous wins and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg's entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life."

A Vancouver, Washington, native, Biffle, often called "The Biff," was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers during the 2023 season and won 19 races in a 15-year Cup Series career that spanned 515 starts, nearly all for car owner Jack Roush. In his climb up the NASCAR ladder, he became champion in both the Xfinity Series (2002) and the Craftsman Truck Series (2000).

Biffle's name, however, became more prominent after Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding and damage across the Southeastern United States in late September 2024, as he shared with PRI News earlier this year.

"The way it started was, I got a Facebook message that there was a family stuck up in North Carolina. They were in an Airbnb and had no power, no food, no supplies--out of baby formula, diapers, things like that. I was getting ready to leave for a trip, but I thought, if I don't go get the helicopter out and try to reach them, who's going to? Once I got in the air and posted that I was trying to reach them, I got about 4,000 messages back," Biffle shared with PRI News.

"What we saw from the air was hard to put into words. If you think about a couple of hundred miles in almost every direction, every road, every bridge, every power line, gone. The water wasn't 10 or 12 feet deep. It was 50 or 60 feet deep over the roadway. It took everything in its path: bridges, homes, entire towns. What started as rescuing one family turned into 11 days, flying from daylight to dark every day. And we started with two helicopters, then eight, then 20, then 35. By Day Four or Five, we had 75 to 80 aircraft flying across western North Carolina and surrounding states."

"People I didn't even know were calling me, offering helicopters, supplies, fuel. My phone was getting 600 texts a day. People just showed up. Cars lined up at the airport, dropping supplies. Volunteers came out of nowhere," Biffle continued before pointing out his racing DNA helped bring him to the rescue. "Race teams operate differently than normal businesses. They deal with problems that you can't plan for. They don't punch in at 9:00 and punch out at 5:00. They'll do whatever it takes to get the job done. That's just part of our DNA."

PRI sends its condolences to the Biffles' family and friends. For more on Greg Biffle's life and career, visit nascar.com.
 

Image courtesy of NASCAR | Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The SCCA Foundation is embarking on an initiative in an effort to guarantee that future generations will be able to enjoy the thrill of amateur motorsports. That's why Bob Crawford, chairman of SCCA's Board of Directors (BoD), announced the appointment of Clay Turner as the new SCCA Foundation Executive Director. He and Foundation Chairman Jeff Jacobs are now charged with driving the non-profit's bold mission of making opportunities in amateur motorsports accessible to all, now and for generations to come.

Turner, a 25-year member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and current member of SCCA's BoD, brings extensive leadership experience and business acumen to this pivotal role, as well as a deep passion for motorsports. A seasoned competitor, he was elected to SCCA's 13-member BoD in 2021 as the Area 8 representative after previously holding several leadership positions at SCCA's Regional level.

"SCCA Foundation can play a larger role in preserving, protecting and expanding amateur motorsports," Turner said. "We envision a vibrant future--one where the thrill of competition, the spirit of community, and the legacy of excellence are passed on to the next generation of drivers, volunteers and leaders. As a Club, SCCA is uniquely positioned to pass along a legacy of excellence built by racing legends, ensuring the thrill of competition and spirit of community continues to inspire future generations to experience the rush of auto racing competition."

Created in 1986, SCCA Foundation's original signatories included Paul Newman, Carl Haas and former ACCUS-FIA President Nick Craw. As an SCCA support organization, the non-profit Foundation has nearly four decades of service to the Club through its education, training and development efforts.

For more information or to support the Foundation's endeavors, visit sccafoundation.org.

For more on the SCCA, visit scca.com.

-- Industry Community Unites to Advance Racing Technology and Build the Next Generation of Professionals --

The 37th annual PRI Show concluded last week in Indianapolis after three days of dynamic engagement, collaboration and innovation. Held at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, the PRI Show reaffirmed its role as the premier global gathering for motorsports by convening manufacturers, retailers, race teams, tracks, sanctioning bodies, promoters and media under one roof.

"The PRI Show is where the global motorsports community comes together to shape the future of racing," said PRI President Michael Good. "This year's Show delivered on every front -- innovation, education and strategic collaboration -- while reinforcing PRI's commitment to growing the sport and connecting the next generation of professionals."

Industry Support Stronger Than Ever
The 2025 PRI Show was one of the largest in nearly two decades, with more than 1,060 exhibitors, including 161 first-time participants. Thousands of attendees filled every corner of the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium and the connector, creating an unmatched environment for collaboration and innovation. This convergence of industry leaders and innovators underscores PRI's role as the global hub for motorsports -- strengthening relationships with sanctioning bodies, expanding educational programs and driving initiatives that connect the next generation of professionals to the sport.

T.O.P.S. HQ: Driving Collaboration and Growth for Tracks and Sanctioning Bodies
A key highlight of this year's PRI Show was the expanded T.O.P.S. HQ presented by MyRacePass.com area, which served as the central hub for track promoters, operators and sanctioning bodies. Designed to foster collaboration and strengthen industry relationships, T.O.P.S. provided a dedicated space for networking, conducting business, and participating in 42 targeted seminars aimed at improving track operations and event promotion. The activation featured sessions and educational programs that empowered attendees with actionable insights to enhance their facilities and grow grassroots racing. This initiative underscores PRI's commitment to supporting the backbone of motorsports and building a stronger, more connected racing ecosystem.

Attracting the Next Generation of Motorsports Professionals
Education and workforce development were a major focus throughout the Show, highlighted by the Next-Gen Engagement Panel moderated by PRI President Michael Good. The panel featured top leaders from across motorsports, including Michael Cobb, SCCA President and CEO; Joey Denewitz, NASCAR Managing Director, Weekly & Touring Series; John Doonan, IMSA President; Evan Jonat, NHRA Senior Vice President of National Events; and Jason Smith, USAC President.

The discussion centered on strategies to connect with future talent, create career pathways, and ensure a strong pipeline of professionals for the racing industry. This year's efforts included participation from leaders representing 118 educational institutions and more than 500 students, highlighting PRI's commitment to workforce development. Additional programs such as the Next-Gen Education Track, Student Networking Breakfast, and the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow National Championship provided hands-on learning and networking opportunities for students and educators.

Exhibitor Innovation Recognized
Innovation was front and center on the Show floor, highlighted by the Featured Products Showcase awards. More than 400 cutting-edge products competed for recognition from a panel of 12 motorsports industry judges, with 22 manufacturers earning top honors. The winning entries represented the forefront of motorsports technology, spanning performance components, advanced simulation tools, safety innovations and data-driven solutions.

Attendees also enjoyed an impressive lineup of feature vehicles throughout the Show and showcased in the new PRI Paddock, a dynamic addition to this year's Show. Highlights included a BMW M4 GT3 EVO from SRO GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, a Honda Civic from SCCA Time Attack, a TRAD PRO4 custom off-road truck from Amsoil Champ Off Road, a Schnee-Lawson Sprint Car from the High Limit Racing Series and a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano from Formula Drift. Also on display was the "miRAGE" Mitsubishi Mirage R4 owned by Vivian Campbell, guitarist for Def Leppard, which drew crowds throughout the event. A centerpiece of the experience was the Show's iconic hanging car, represented by the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster driven by four-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Antron Brown, continuing a long-standing PRI tradition.

 
Celebrity Appearances
The PRI Show welcomed some of the biggest names in motorsports, including Mario Andretti, Antron Brown, John Force, Tony Kanaan, Richard Petty, Ivan "Ironman" Stewart, and Tony Stewart, among others, who engaged with fans and industry professionals, adding excitement and star power to the event.

PRI also honored three industry icons with induction into the PRI Hall of Fame: Paul "Scooter" Brothers, John Kilroy and Chris Raschke. These honorees exemplify the ingenuity and craftsmanship that define modern racing and the value of PRI as the platform to launch new products to a global audience.

Motorsports Advocacy and Education
PRI continues to champion the interests of the racing community through legislative and regulatory advocacy. Show attendees had the opportunity to participate in education sessions focused on PRI's efforts to protect racetracks and grow the sport, including updates on federal legislation such as the Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act and state-level initiatives that safeguard tracks from nuisance complaints. These programs reflect PRI's commitment to ensuring a strong and sustainable future for motorsports.

The PRI Show returns to Indianapolis Dec. 10-12, 2026. For more information, visit PerformanceRacing.com.

About Performance Racing Industry

Performance Racing Industry fuels the passion for motorsports by building, promoting, and protecting the worldwide racing community. PRI supports the interests of racers, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning bodies and businesses through legislative action and advocacy, its monthly business magazine Performance Racing Industry, and the world's premier motorsports trade show, the PRI Show. PRI also supports businesses by providing market research, education and best practices in motorsports business and racing technology. According to the PRI Economic Impact Study, motorsports generates $69.2 billion in U.S. economic activity and supports more than 318,000 jobs nationwide. For more information, visit PerformanceRacing.com.

INDYCAR will have an independent officiating system in place for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone seasons, the Indianapolis-based sanctioning body announced.

A new independent, not-for-profit organization--INDYCAR Officiating Inc.--has been established and will be governed by a three-person independent officiating board (IOB).

The board will select a managing director of officiating (MDO) and establish its annual budget. The board members were independently selected this week, with two members chosen via a vote from INDYCAR team owners, who are charter members, and the other member appointed by the Federation Internationale de I'Automobile (FIA).

The managing director will report directly to the independent board with no oversight from INDYCAR or Penske Entertainment officials. This individual will be charged with full officiating oversight--including the hiring of personnel for race control and INDYCAR technical inspection--and responsible for enforcing the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT rulebooks as written by INDYCAR.

The two IOB members selected via a vote from chartered team owners are:

• Ray Evernham--Longtime motorsports veteran who, most notably, served as the crew chief for three of Jeff Gordon's NASCAR Cup Series championships. Evernham also pioneered Dodge's return to NASCAR as owner of Evernham Motorsports before later becoming a television analyst, producer and consultant.
   
• Raj Nair--A 30-year veteran of the automotive and auto racing industries, Nair has vast experience and technical compliance expertise as an executive at Singer Group, Inc., Multimatic, Inc. and the Ford Motor Company, where he also served as the North American president from 2017-18. As the chief technical officer and executive vice president of Ford's global product development (2012-17), Nair was responsible for all Ford Motorsports programs, including in NASCAR, IMSA and FIA WEC.

The third member of the IOB appointed by the FIA is:

• Ronan Morgan--Brings more than 50 years of global motorsport experience as a senior official, promoter, organizer and competitor. With the FIA, Morgan served as the chairman of stewards for more than 100 international race and rally events, was sporting manager of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2009 to 2021 and is president of the FIA Drivers Commission. Morgan is also a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council and advisor to the FIA President.

The FIA's role in INDYCAR's independent officiating system will be limited to the appointment of its board member.

For more information, visit indycar.com.

SEMA is the first-ever winner of the Federation International Automobile (FIA) President's Award for Excellence in Communications, honored for its groundbreaking, multi-year, multi-channel effort to protect vehicle choice in the United States by stopping EV mandates. The award was announced and presented last week at the FIA General Assemblies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 

• For this new award, which recognizes outstanding communication efforts that inspire, inform and engage, SEMA was selected from a global pool of entries from across FIA's member clubs. 

SEMA's entry highlighted the strategies and tactics it deployed during its historic two-year national advocacy campaign to defend Americans' right to choose internal combustion, hybrid or electric vehicles. In response to California's 2035 zero-emission mandate (adopted by 11 states), SEMA launched a multi-channel political, media and grassroots campaign to protect vehicle choice. 

Through the Driving Force Action SuperPAC, digital activism and direct congressional lobbying, SEMA mobilized 7,000 small businesses, 70 million automotive enthusiasts and lawmakers from across the political spectrum. The effort resulted in President Trump signing a bipartisan Congressional Review Act resolution repealing California's Advanced Clean Cars II waiver, reaffirming technology neutrality and preserving automotive freedom nationwide. 

"SEMA is honored to accept this award on behalf of our members and the broader U.S. community of automotive enthusiasts and consumers, for whom we fought this battle," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "Our fight was never about preventing electric vehicles from gaining a foothold in the market; rather, it was about our right to choose, our ability to innovate, and our belief that technology-neutral government policies are necessary to help the free market thrive. The American automotive aftermarket has long been a shining example of our nation's engineering prowess, and we're anxious to continue this work to help every small business, family and automotive enthusiasts to live their best, most prosperous lives through the vehicles they choose." 

For more information, watch below.

HOT ROD has announced the schedule and locations for its annual HOT ROD Power Tour and HOT ROD Drag Week events in 2026.

The two traveling events will celebrate Route 66, stopping at several cities along the legendary highway.

HOT ROD Power Tour regularly puts on display more than 6,000 cars and trucks. In 2026, it will visit the following locations:

HOT ROD Power Tour 2026

• June 8 – Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL
• June 9 - Village of Rantoul, Rantoul, IL
• June 10 - World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis, MO
• June 11 - Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
• June 12 - Tulsa Raceway Park, Tulsa, OK

The HOT ROD Drag Week is a competition to find the ultimate street-legal drag car in a grueling test over five days of drag racing, requiring racers to drive approximately 1,000 miles from city to city, while securing the quickest possible elapsed time across the five days:

HOT ROD Drag Week

• Tech Inspection, Registration, Test ‘N’ Tune – September 13 - Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL
• September 14 - Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL
• September 15 - Byron Dragway, Byron, IL
• September 16 - Cordova Dragway, Cordova, IL
• September 17 - World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis, MO
• September 18 - Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL

Registration details for both will be available at a later date.

For more information, visit hotrod.com/hot-rod-power-tour or hotrod.com/hot-rod-drag-week.

U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, Michigan, will host a NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event in 2026, with the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals set to open the 2026 Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

The event will take place September 18-20 at the facility, serving as the 15th of 20 races during NHRA's special 75th anniversary season and the first of six playoff races.

The Great Lakes Nationals marks the first NHRA national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, giving NHRA four new national event facilities during the 2026 campaign that includes national event tracks in 19 markets.

U.S. 131 Motorsports Park will also host an NHRA national open on July 8-9, leading into a NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional event on July 10-12.

For more information, visit nhra.com.

VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), the Alton, Virginia race track, has completed the acquisition of the land the track operates on.

The acquisition ends a decades-long lease and opens new doors for growth and development, track management said.

Since reopening 25 years ago, VIR has operated under a 100-year land lease with the Foote family. According to the ownership group, the lease often place limitations on large-scale and long-term planning, expansion and financing.

The land acquisition not only secures VIR's long-term future but also unlocks potential for strategic development and collaboration across the motorsports world, track management said. Fourteen businesses have already located on VIR's campus, with more on the way. As a major tourism and event destination, VIR contributes significantly to the regional economic impact drawing over 400,000 visitors each year primarily from the broader mid-Atlantic area Pennsylvania through Georgia.

For more information, visit virnow.com.

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), the Fairfield, Ohio-based sanctioning body, has acquired Maple Grove Raceway, the Mohnton, Pennsylvania, drag racing facility.

Established in the 1960s, Maple Grove has undergone a period of revitalization, pairing modern operational enhancements with the family-focused culture that has defined the racetrack for decades, according to the IHRA. Their commitment has preserved the track's heritage while positioning it for long-term growth. The former owners, the Koretsky family, will continue to play an active role throughout the transition and in guiding Maple Grove's future direction.

With IHRA ownership, Maple Grove Raceway is expected to see continued investment in racer-focused services, fan amenities, youth and grassroots development, safety programs, and infrastructure improvements. This acquisition reinforces IHRA's broader vision to elevate drag racing at every level while protecting the traditions that have made it a cornerstone of American motorsports.

Additional announcements regarding upcoming events, programming, and future initiatives at Maple Grove Raceway will be released in the coming months.

"This is a track with deep roots and an even stronger future," said Darryl Cuttell, owner of IHRA. "Maple Grove represents what racing should be--competitive, welcoming and centered around racers and families. Bringing it under the IHRA umbrella is not just a business decision; it's a commitment to strengthening the sport and investing in its long-term success."

For more information, visit ihra.com.