NASCAR has announced a landmark long-term partnership with FedEx Freight that will make the newly independent freight transportation leader the entitlement partner of the NASCAR Truck Series beginning in 2027.

The NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series brings together two brands deeply connected to the trucking industry and the people who keep America moving––pairing a company described as North America's largest less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier with a NASCAR series defined by toughness, relentless competition and some of the hardest racing in motorsports.

The agreement also represents a significant milestone for FedEx Freight as a newly independent, publicly traded company. The NASCAR sponsorship marks the first time FedEx Freight has placed its brand behind a sponsorship platform of this scale, using one of the most prominent entitlement positions in American motorsports to build awareness of the standalone FedEx Freight brand and deepen relationships with customers, employees and business leaders across the country.

"FedEx Freight choosing NASCAR for a brand investment of this magnitude says a lot about where our sport is today and the value our platform can deliver to businesses looking to grow," said Craig Stimmel, senior vice president and chief commercial officer, NASCAR.

As part of the agreement, FedEx Freight will also become an Official Partner of NASCAR and NASCAR's exclusive freight shipping partner in the United States, Canada and Mexico beginning January 1, 2027.

The sponsorship gives FedEx Freight a year-round national platform reaching well beyond race-day visibility. Through the NASCAR ecosystem, FedEx Freight will connect with customers, employees and communities while leveraging NASCAR's national reach, highly engaged fanbase and extensive business network to drive brand awareness, customer engagement, B2B lead generation, employee recognition and community impact.

"Some partnerships just make sense. As FedEx Freight moves forward in its next chapter as an independent company, we are focused on opportunities that strengthen our brand and support our long-term growth strategy, and we are confident the NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series will deliver," said John Smith, president and CEO, FedEx Freight.

"NASCAR and its loyal fanbase represent the same commitment to safety, hard work, reliability and teamwork that has defined our company for decades," Smith said. "NASCAR provides a powerful platform to connect with customers, engage our dedicated team members and introduce the FedEx Freight brand to millions of passionate fans nationwide. This is a series built on trucks and being number one. It is a relationship that reflects our confidence in the future and our commitment to building a strong company positioned for continued success."

At the center of the sponsorship will be the NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series entitlement and targeted activation in key markets surrounding FedEx Freight distribution locations.

For NASCAR, the partnership continues a period of significant commercial momentum as major brands increasingly view the sport as a platform capable of delivering not only consumer engagement and national visibility, but also meaningful business-to-business relationships, employee engagement and long-term brand growth.

FedEx Freight operates a network of more than 365 locations supported by 40,000 team members and nearly 30,000 vehicles, providing another natural bridge to NASCAR's national footprint and the communities in which the sport races.

Over the coming years, NASCAR and FedEx Freight will work to develop additional opportunities to engage fans, employees, customers and the broader business community.

For more information, visit nascar.com.

F=ma, based in Irvine, California, has added filmmaker, creative executive, Gymkhana Film Director and Hoonigan co-founder Brian Scotto and his production company, 321 Action Action.

321 Action Action will continue operating under its own brand while serving as F=ma's creative production studio, supporting projects across RACER, GRIDLIFE, The ID Agency and commercial partners. Scotto also joins the F=ma Executive Team while remaining CEO and Chief Creative Officer of 321 Action Action.

"For decades Brian has been one of the defining creative forces behind modern automotive culture," said James Schiefer, CEO of F=ma. "He has an unmatched ability to recognize where culture is headed, build authentic communities around it and tell stories that resonate far beyond traditional motorsports audiences. Bringing Brian and 321 into the F=ma family allows us to pair the industry's strongest media, events and marketing platform with one of its most respected creative storytellers."

Scotto founded 321 Action Action after his tenure as co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Hoonigan Industries. The company develops films, branded entertainment, documentaries and original series focused on automotive culture. According to the company, 321 Action Action earned three Gold and two Silver Telly Awards for its work in the past year, while Scotto's work has generated more than 1 billion views. The company will continue serving existing clients while taking on projects across F=ma's portfolio.

"Car culture is once again merging with mainstream pop culture," said Scotto. "Motorsport, automotive tuning, vintage cars are all now intertwined with fashion, music and have even become a device that other non-endemic brands use as a part of their visual identity.

"This recent shift opens up a vastly larger opportunity for storytelling in our space. YouTube provided an amazing home and proving ground for many creators and unknown talent, but automotive enthusiasts are ready for larger-scale documentaries, premium television shows, feature films and experiences that celebrate this culture in authentic ways. F=ma gives us the infrastructure, talent and distribution to create those stories while helping partners, brands and media platforms connect with enthusiasts through entertainment first."

Scotto has more than two decades of experience in automotive media. Before co-founding Hoonigan with Ken Block, he served as editor-in-chief of several enthusiast publications and later launched 0–60 Magazine. As co-creator and producer of the Gymkhana franchise, Scotto helped develop the series' production and storytelling approach. His work has received Emmy recognition, One Show Gold Pencil honors and Telly Awards, according to the company.

Within F=ma, 321 Action Action will develop original intellectual property, branded content, creator-led programming, documentaries, television projects and cinematic productions while supporting projects across RACER and the broader F=ma portfolio.

For more information, visit fmagroup.llc.

The Wheel Group (TWG) based in Ontario, California, has added automotive wheel industry veteran Patrick Fitzgerald to its National Accounts team.

Fitzgerald brings more than two decades of automotive industry experience to TWG, including senior sales leadership roles with Custom Wheel House and Method Race Wheels. His background includes extensive experience in the performance wheel market, working with enthusiast brands and dealers.

"Great products get you in the door, but great programs and great relationships are what keep you there," said Fitzgerald. "I've spent my career around wheels and the people who are passionate about them, so TWG is a natural fit. There are a lot of opportunities here, and I'm excited to help our customers find solutions that grow their business while giving enthusiasts more of the products they want."

"Great products get you in the door, but great programs and great relationships are what keep you there," said Fitzgerald. "I've spent my career around wheels and the people who are passionate about them, so TWG is a natural fit. There are a lot of opportunities here, and I'm excited to help our customers find solutions that grow their business while giving enthusiasts more of the products they want.”

In his new role, Fitzgerald will focus on national account relationships and strategic programs for TWG's brands and products.

"Patrick knows wheels, and he knows the enthusiast," said Wade Kawasaki, CEO of The Wheel Group. "He's spent years working in a highly competitive part of our industry and understands how to turn product into programs that dealers can actually sell. We're excited to have him on the team."

Fitzgerald joins TWG as the company expands its portfolio of wheel, tire, accessory and off-road brands.

For more information, visit thewheelgroup.com.
 

Drag Illustrated is now accepting nominations for its 2026 DI 30 Under 30 list, the magazine announced. Nominations for the list will be accepted from Wednesday, September 16, through Wednesday, September 30.

Thirty honorees will be featured in Drag Illustrated's 12th annual 30 Under 30 Issue, the magazine's November/December 2026 issue. The group will also be recognized during the annual DI 30 Under 30 press conference and induction ceremony at the PRI Show in downtown Indianapolis on Friday, December 11. Register and learn more at prishow.com.

"The 30 Under 30 project is one of the highlights of our year," said Nate Van Wagnen, editor-in-chief of Drag Illustrated. "It started as a rebuttal to the tired statement that drag racing is an aging sport, and every year since then we've seen more evidence of just how many talented, motivated young people are making an impact throughout the sport. They're driving race cars, tuning them, building them, working on race teams, promoting races, building brands, operating tracks, creating content and contributing in countless other ways. Our mission with the 30 Under 30 Issue is to recognize those individuals, introduce them to a larger audience and hopefully inspire the next wave of young people who want to make drag racing part of their lives and careers."

Past DI 30 Under 30 lists have included two-time NHRA Funny Car world champion Austin Prock, 2025 NHRA Pro Stock world champion Dallas Glenn, NHRA Top Fuel rookie sensation Maddi Gordon, reigning PDRA world champions Ty Tutterow and Marcus Butner, 2026 Spring Fling Million winner Tyler Bohannon, and numerous other accomplished young drivers, tuners, fabricators, crew members, media professionals, track officials, promoters and industry personalities.

The nomination process helps the Drag Illustrated editorial team identify deserving candidates from across the sport, including those whose accomplishments may take place outside the national spotlight. Information submitted through the nomination process is also used by the editorial staff during the selection process and in preparing the individual features on each honoree.

"Drag racing has always been driven by people who are willing to put in the work, take a chance and find a way to make their mark, and we see that same spirit in the young people coming up in the sport today," said Wes Buck, founder and editorial director of Drag Illustrated. "The 30 Under 30 list gives us a chance to recognize more than just race wins and championships. We want to shine a light on the young racers, crew members, builders, tuners, promoters, media members, and industry professionals who are already making a difference. Some are doing it on the biggest stages in the sport, while others are making an impact at their home track or inside a race shop. They all matter to the future of drag racing."

The 2026 DI 30 Under 30 honorees will be recognized Friday, December 11, during the PRI Show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The annual ceremony gives honorees an opportunity to be recognized in front of peers, family members, industry leaders, sponsors, and members of the drag racing community.

To nominate someone for the Drag Illustrated 2026 30 Under 30 list, submit a nomination at dragillustrated.com/nominate. Nominations close Wednesday, September 30.

Troy Yarborough has been appointed president of the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington NTT INDYCAR SERIES event, Penske Entertainment announced.

Yarborough replaces industry veteran Bill Miller, who was appointed president of the event upon its original announcement in 2024.

Yarborough joins the Grand Prix with more than 20 years of experience in sports marketing, corporate partnerships and business leadership. Since joining Team Penske in 2015, he has served as senior director of partnerships, leading corporate relationship management and commercial activations while overseeing the sponsorship division. He provided strategic leadership for more than 40 corporate partners across Team Penske's NASCAR and NTT INDYCAR SERIES programs.

Prior to joining the Penske organization, he spent much of his career at Octagon, a global sports marketing and entertainment agency, where he built sponsorship programs, brand partnerships and fan engagement initiatives. Through his career, he's developed expertise in stakeholder engagement, event strategy, executive hospitality and partner activation.

"The inaugural year proved that Arlington is a fantastic stage for the NTT INDYCAR Series. Our vision for year two is simple: take everything we learned from year one and make the experience even better for fans, partners, and the community," said Yarborough. "Success for us means creating an unforgettable experience, showcasing everything that makes Arlington special and building an event that continues to grow and make a positive impact for years to come."

For more information, visit gparlington.com.

For more than 20 years, The Timken Tunnel at Victory Junction has served as a gateway to the heart of Camp, and thanks to the generous support of The Timken Foundation and Musco Lighting, the iconic landmark and surrounding campus have received significant enhancements designed to improve the camper and family experience.

With support from The Timken Foundation and Musco Lighting, the tunnel has received a vibrant refresh designed to make that arrival even more exciting, camp officials said.

The enhanced tunnel now features refreshed signage, including a new vibrantly checkered "The Timken Tunnel" entrance sign and large "Welcome Campers" lettering above the tunnel entrance. As children and families leave Camp, they now see a playful "See Ya Later!" message on the opposite side.

Musco Lighting transformed the tunnel with interior and exterior lighting capable of illuminating the space in multiple colors, creating a dynamic and immersive welcome for campers and families.

In addition to the tunnel enhancements, The Timken Foundation's support allowed Victory Junction to upgrade lighting across campus. Additional upgrades include replacing existing indoor and outdoor lighting with energy-efficient solutions and installing new lighting in previously unlit outdoor areas to improve visibility and safety. These improvements will help create a safer, more welcoming environment for campers, families, volunteers and visitors while supporting the Camp's long-term sustainability efforts.

"For generations of campers and families, The Timken Tunnel has marked the location where anticipation turns into reality as they enter Camp," said Chad Coltrane, president and CEO for Victory Junction. "We're incredibly grateful to the Timken Foundation and Musco for helping refresh this iconic feature while also enhancing our campus environment through important lighting improvements that will benefit the children and families we serve for years to come."

The tunnel reflects Victory Junction's deep NASCAR roots and racing-inspired campus. Founded by the Petty family in honor of Adam Petty, Victory Junction was created to provide a medically safe, empowering environment where children living with complex medical and physical needs can experience the fun and freedom of Camp––always free of charge to families thanks to the generosity of donors and partners.

For more information, visit victoryjunction.org.

The NASCAR Euro Series has formed a technical partnership with ORECA Motorsport, the France-based motorsports engineering firm to participate in the NASCAR Euro Series engine program.

Moving forward, new and rebuilt EuroNASCAR spec V8 powerplants will undergo dyno validation by ORECA's engine specialists before delivery to race teams. Furthermore, ORECA's engine department will support the technical inspection process by providing engine dyno analysis to guarantee an even better parity on track.

Looking down the road, both organizations will explore advanced engine development projects to power the long-term future of the series.

"We are very happy to partner with the ORECA Engine Department to continue improving the series and the EuroNASCAR cars," said Jerome Galpin, NASCAR Euro Series president. "Since we founded the series in 2009, we never stopped looking ahead and far ahead. This technical partnership will bring immediate impact before starting the 2026 Playoffs, but also a great opportunity for the future evolution of our power units. The best is always to come."

"We are proud to bring our engine expertise and experience to the NASCAR Euro Series and to contribute to the continued development of its V8 engine program" said Serge Meyer, ORECA Motorsport engine department director. "With its strong technical heritage and experience across some of the world's most demanding racing programs, ORECA's engine department is looking forward to putting its know-how to work alongside Team FJ. This partnership is about more than engine validation and technical support: it is about combining our expertise to keep raising the level of competition and preparing the next steps for the series."

For more information, visit nascar.eu.

CERATIZIT has relocated its Canadian headquarters to a new facility in Mississauga, Ontario, to further support its Canadian customers and better serve the cutting tool industry across North America.

CERATIZIT of Canada Tooling Solutions is now located in Mississauga's Airport Corporate Centre. Strategically chosen for its access to the Toronto Pearson International Airport and major transportation routes, the new Canadian base of operations serves as a hub for CERATIZIT's sales, technical support and customer service for Canadian manufacturers, the company said.

"We've built strong relationships with our customers throughout the country, and our new location expands our capacity," said Chris Dones, CERATIZIT Sales Director of Northern U.S. and Canada. "Whether they need help with a specific application or just want to talk through a machining challenge, we look forward to being more accessible to manufacturers across Canada."

In addition, the new location will carry out CERATIZIT's broader commitment to quality, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. Through its vertically integrated tungsten supply network, including Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP), CERATIZIT maintains access to every stage of tungsten processing from raw material conversion to the production of high-purity ammonium paratungstate (APT). This integration strengthens supply chain security while ensuring consistent material quality for manufacturers producing critical components, the company said.

For more information, visit ceratizit.com.

PRI is launching NextGen Connect presented by Carlyle Tools at the 2026 PRI Show, an initiative designed to help students, educators and motorsports professionals build connections and explore career pathways across the industry. The program will debut December 10-12 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

At the 2026 PRI Show, students and young adults can explore careers in motorsports and connect directly with industry professionals through NextGen Connect. Located in Wabash 1 and 2 at the Indiana Convention Center, the space will feature educational seminars, resume reviews, professional headshots provided by SimpleTire, networking opportunities, career guidance and access to motorsports company representatives.

"The future of motorsports depends on having a strong pipeline of people who are excited to build careers in this industry," said PRI Managing Director Doug Bresnahan. "NextGen Connect creates opportunities for students, educators and industry professionals to build relationships and explore the many career paths available in motorsports."

Each day of the Show will feature a Lunch and Learn session presented by SimpleTire, giving participants the opportunity to hear directly from industry professionals while building their understanding of career development and the business of motorsports. The first session, "Building an Intentional Brand," will be led by Amanda Van Den Elzen of Racer on Demand on Thursday, December 10, at 1:00 p.m. Additional Lunch and Learn speakers and topics will be announced at a later date.

"We wanted to create a place at the PRI Show where students and young adults can have meaningful conversations with people working in motorsports and get a better understanding of what it takes to build a career in the industry," said PRI Show Director Karin Davidson. "It's an opportunity to ask questions, make connections and get a firsthand look at the people and companies that make the motorsports industry what it is."

In addition to the daily educational sessions, the NextGen Connect Breakfast will take place Saturday, December 12, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Wabash 1 and 2 and feature a keynote presentation from Hendrick Motorsports Director of Technical Partnerships Alba Colon. Hendrick Motorsports is also a supporting sponsor of the program.

Beyond the PRI Show, NextGen Connect will connect academic and trade programs with industry employers, promote career pathways including internships, apprenticeships and co-ops, and create opportunities for ongoing dialogue between educators and companies.

Register for the 2026 PRI Show

The 2026 PRI Show takes place December 10-12 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, bringing together motorsports professionals from across the globe.

Register today to connect with more than 1,000 exhibiting companies, explore new products and technologies, attend education sessions, network with industry professionals and experience everything the PRI Show has to offer.

To register and learn more, visit PRI2026.com/Attend. PRI membership is no longer required to attend.

Mustang Week, the weeklong event for Ford and Mustang enthusiasts, is returning in 2027 with a four-event schedule.

Event organizers confirmed the four events, which will take place across the country in four different cities: Tampa, Florida; Galveston, Texas; Southern California; and Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina.

Each stop will offer a full week of cars, racing, events, drifting, burnouts, vendors, cruising, and the Ford and Mustang community coming together.

For more information, including a full schedule, visit mustangweek.com.