DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NASCAR today announced that Hardee’s, the iconic American quick-service restaurant brand, is returning to the sport in a major way as the Official Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) of NASCAR. In addition to the multiyear agreement, Hardee’s also will join 23XI Racing as a primary partner with Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team, marking one of the most significant comebacks of a heritage brand in recent NASCAR history. Throughout the season, Wallace will drive the No. 23 Hardee’s car at several races, starting in Martinsville, and Hardee’s branding will be included all season on the No. 23 team’s uniforms and equipment and Wallace’s firesuit.
Martinsville
How Did The Northeast Drivers Fare At Martinsville?
William Byron won the Martinsville Cup race with Ryan Preece coming in sixth. Joey Logano of Middletown, CT finished eighth.
Taylor Gray won the Xfinity event while Justin Bonsignore of Long Island, NY came in tenth. Anthony Alfredo of Ridgewood, CT ended up 16th. Not so lucky was Thomas Annunziata, who ended up 38th.
In the Trucks, it was Corey Heim who made the trip to Victory Lane, while Gio Ruggerio of Seekonk, MA ended up 11th
William Byron Makes Championship Field With 11th-Hour Win At Martinsville
MARTINSVILLE, Va.—With a heroic, gloves-off drive on Sunday in the crucible that is Martinsville Speedway, William Byron earned a shot at the NASCAR Cup Series title and simultaneously saved the rest of the Championship 4 field from its worst nightmare.
Byron led three times for 304 laps—a career best for a single race—and beat Ryan Blaney to the finish line by 0.717 seconds after a restart with 11 laps left to win the Xfinity 500 elimination race under most exigent circumstances.
Martinsville Drama Sets Up Heavyweight Matchup Between Hendrick And Gibbs In Championship
A pair of Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas and a pair of Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets will vie for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship next Sunday at Phoenix Raceway – the four-team title card settled in Sunday’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway which certainly delivered the drama – again – in deciding which four drivers earned the chance to race for the big trophy.
Austin Beers Becomes Youngest NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion in Series History
Justin Bonsignore wins Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 at Martinsville Speedway, finishes second in championship points
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Oct. 23, 2025) – Justin Bonsignore took home the Martinsville Speedway clock, but it was Austin Beers’ time to shine as the 22-year-old became the youngest champion in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour series history.
2026 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Schedule Revealed
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR today revealed the 2026 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule, a 16-race slate that blends tradition, competition and fan-favorite venues.
The new season marks the highly anticipated return of Stafford Speedway and Oxford Plains Speedway, while the championship finale moves back to its storied home at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
Christopher Bell/Kyle Larson Matchup Is A Primary Focus At Martinsville
For years, those following the careers of Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell have anticipated a head-to-head matchup between the two drivers—on asphalt.
With two berths in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Race on the line, it’s a given that the two stars will pay close attention to each other in Sunday’s high-stakes Xfinity 500 (2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
JR Motorsports Teammates In Close Battle For Final NASCAR Xfinity Playoff Berth
Two JR Motorsports drivers—prolific rookie Connor Zilisch and defending NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier—already have qualified for the Championship 4 Race on points.
Two other JRM drivers are locked in a close battle for the final Championship 4 berth as the series moves to Martinsville Speedway for Saturday’s IAA & Ritchie Bros. 250 (7:30 p.m. ET on CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Features Frantic Race For Playoff Berths
With one notable exception, the elimination race in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series features the closest competition among the three national touring series.
With three spots left in the Championship 4, five drivers are within 15 points of each other entering Friday night’s Slim Jim 200 at Martinsville Speedway (6 p.m. ET on FS1, NRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Corey LaJoie To Drive No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado At Martinsville
Corey LaJoie will drive Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado in the Slim Jim 200 at Martinsville Speedway.- Last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, LaJoie piloted his No. 77 Gainbridge Chevy to an eighth-place finish in the Love’s RV Stop 225. After battling inside the top five for much of the afternoon, LaJoie lined up on the front row for NASCAR Overtime when his drafting line broke apart before ultimately finishing eighth.
