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RP Motorsports by Forte Racing Returns for 2026 Season in McLaren Trophy America

Team’s 2026 McLaren Trophy America Season Aims to Continue Driving Awareness and Support for Relapsing Polychondritis and Related Autoimmune Disease Research

Monrovia, California (Thursday, March 12, 2026) – Back for their second season in the McLaren Trophy America series, co-drivers Neil Langberg and Kevin Madsen are preparing to return to the cockpit of the No. 53 RP Motorsports by Forte Racing McLaren Artura Trophy Evo. The duo, along with team manager Jon Miller, Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation President David Bammert, and Forte Racing team owner Shane Seneviratne, are eager to continue their partnership with McLaren while growing awareness and accelerating research for relapsing polychondritis and other autoimmune diseases.

The 2026 McLaren Trophy America season kicks off later this month at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California, marking the start of another campaign for the Race for RP initiative and its growing collaboration with McLaren.

The inaugural North American season in 2025 proved to be a strong debut for both the championship and the Race for RP partnership. The collaboration delivered innovative fundraising initiatives alongside traditional auctions held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, United Kingdom. As the partnership continues to grow, additional opportunities to raise funds and expand awareness for autoimmune disease research are expected throughout the season.

The team has tested at both Miami and the Thermal Club in preparation for the upcoming season.

Driver Neil Langberg, co-founder of the Race for RP, looks forward to continuing the mission on track while building on the momentum from last season.

"The boys are back in town" in the #53 Race for Relapsing Polychondritis McLaren Artura Evo car," Langberg said. "We are happy to once again partner with McLaren in the MTA series and maintain our fundraising campaign to drive awareness and accelerate research for RP and other autoimmune diseases. Unlike race car drivers and teams, patients enduring a chronic disease do not get an off season. It's a 24/7 proposition, and 1/5 Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease. This is why we race. Please join us back on track for 2026.”

Langberg will once again share driving duties with Kevin Madsen, who returns to the program with confidence following productive offseason preparation and testing with the team.

“I’m excited to kick off another McLaren Trophy America season with all the RP Motorsports by Forte team members," Madsen said. "The team has grown. There have been good tests at Miami and Thermal. Neil has been cranking in strong, deliberate practice on the sim. Now it’s time to get out there and race for a cause - relapsing polychondritis.”

Behind the scenes, Forte Racing team manager Jon Miller will again oversee the team’s McLaren Trophy America effort, guided by the experience gained during the championship’s inaugural season.

"We're thrilled to be back with RP Motorsports by Forte Racing, continuing another season of Race for RP's partnership with McLaren for the McLaren Trophy America season," Miller said. "Neil and Kevin are back behind the wheel of the iconic #53 entry looking for success in the Pro/Am and Papaya Cup ranks as we work to raise awareness and funding for relapsing polychondritis and other autoimmune disease research."

The Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation continues to play a central role in the initiative, using the global platform of motorsports to help expand awareness and support groundbreaking research. David Bammert, President of the Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation is excited for the continued partnership with McLaren for the upcoming season.

“We’re excited to once again partner with McLaren as we head into the 2026 McLaren Trophy America Series," Bammert said. "McLaren’s dedication to mission-aligned initiatives strengthens the RP Foundation’s efforts to expand global awareness and advance groundbreaking research in RP and related autoimmune diseases. Every lap moves us closer to answers and ultimately, a cure.”

For Forte Racing team owner Shane Seneviratne, the Race for RP program represents the type of mission-driven partnership that embodies the spirit of motorsports while creating meaningful impact beyond the racetrack.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Race for RP and McLaren as we enter the 2026 McLaren Trophy America season. Programs like this demonstrate the true power of motorsports to bring people together around a meaningful cause. Neil, Kevin, and the entire team are passionate about using this platform to raise awareness and support critical research for relapsing polychondritis and other autoimmune diseases. We are excited to see what we can accomplish together both on and off the track this season.”

The No. 53 RP Motorsports by Forte Racing McLaren Artura Trophy Evo will compete throughout the 2026 McLaren Trophy America season with the goal of delivering strong results on track while continuing to grow the impact of the Race for RP initiative.

The 2026 McLaren Trophy America season kicks off with Rounds 1 & 2 at Sonoma Raceway March 27-29.

RP Motorsports by Forte Racing remains committed to using motorsports as a platform for change, combining elite competition with a mission to advance research and awareness for autoimmune diseases. Fans can follow the team’s progress and support the cause by visiting www.raceforrp.org and www.forteracing.com.

ABOUT RACE FOR RP

Race for RP is a motorsports initiative aimed at driving awareness and accelerating research for RP and other autoimmune diseases. Through collaboration with drivers, teams, and sponsors, Race for RP fuels education, accelerates research, and raises awareness of Relapsing Polychondritis and other related autoimmune diseases. For more information, visit raceforrp.org or follow @raceforrp on social media.

ABOUT FORTE RACING

Founded in 2023, Forte Racing is a motorsports team based in Los Angeles and Charlotte, supported by Lamborghini Squadra Corse. Under the watchful eye of Shane Seneviratne, the team competed in various racing series, including the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship, the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo and, in 2025, expanded by adding a single-car entry in

the inaugural McLaren Trophy America Championship. Building on the foundation of US RaceTronics, the team has quickly built a strong reputation with multiple podium finishes, race wins, and several North American and World Championships. The team will expand to a four-car McLaren Trophy America program for 2026 in addition to continuing their presence in the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge. For more information about the team, its drivers, and race operations, visit www.forteracing.com.

ABOUT THE SERIES

McLaren Trophy America Championship series' second season will launch in March of 2026. The season will feature 10 rounds at five iconic U.S. tracks including participating the the Formula 1 Miami GP in May.

2026 McLaren Trophy America Schedule:

• Rounds 1 & 2: Sonoma Raceway, CA | March 27-29

• Rounds 3 & 4: Miami Grand Prix. Miami, FL | May 1-3

• Rounds 5 & 6: Road Atlanta, GA | June 12-14

• Rounds 7 & 8: Road America, WI | August 27-30

• Rounds 9 & 10: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IN | October 8-10

ABOUT RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS

RP is a rare and degenerative autoimmune disease that primarily affects cartilage in the body, causing inflammation that can lead to severe complications. RP affects multiple organs, including the ears, nose, airways, joints, and even the heart and brain. Research is essential to improve care and treatment options for those living with RP.

MEDIA CONTACT: Race for RP/Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation

David Bammert | dbammert@polychondritis.org | (906) 869-3962

polychondritis.org | raceforrp.org

Collie Scores Career-Best Second For Sexton Gatlin Racing At Imperial

SGR rebounds from opening night setbacks; Brent Sexton and son Grant headed to Las Vegas for USCS opener

Lakeside, CA — March 10, 2026 — After a difficult start to the weekend for Sexton Gatlin Racing, sophomore lightning sprint car driver Braydin Collie delivered the team’s best result of the weekend with his career-best second-place finish in Saturday’s 20-lap California Clash main event at Imperial Valley Raceway.

Braydin Collie scored a career-best lightning sprint second-place finish at Imperial. Missy Benker photo.

This week, the focus shifts to Nevada as Brent Sexton and his youngest son, Grant Sexton, head to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday and Friday for the season-opening races of the Ultimate Sprint Car Series.

Last week, SGR brought four drivers and three cars to the famed Imperial Valley Raceway in southeast California. The plan called for Brent Sexton and Collie to race their own cars both nights, while Brent’s oldest son Dalton would drive the team’s third car on Friday with Grant scheduled to take over on Saturday.

Unfortunately, Dalton’s night ended early on Friday due to a chain issue. Things started much better for Collie and Brent, who qualified ninth and 12th respectively in the 19-car field. The outlook improved even more in their eight-lap heat race when Brent drove to victory with Collie finishing second.

For the 20-lap main event, Brent started on the pole with Collie rolling off seventh. Brent quickly settled into second while Collie held position in seventh. The race remained steady until lap nine when Collie tipped over in turn two. The young driver was uninjured, but the beautiful #44 machine was finished for the night.

Sexton appeared headed for a runner-up finish until lap 14 when his car suddenly puffed smoke, forcing him out of the race. Brent was ultimately credited with a 10th-place finish while Collie was scored 13th.

Twenty-four hours later, Sexton and Collie returned for round two with a new teammate joining the lineup. Rising star Braden Chiaramonte climbed aboard the team’s #3C entry.

Collie led the SGR trio in qualifying with the third-fastest time in the 18-car field. Chiaramonte qualified sixth and Sexton ninth. The team again performed well in the heat race competition. For the second night in a row, Brent won his heat race with Collie right behind in second. Chiaramonte placed third in his heat.

In the smoother-running 20-lap feature, Collie and Sexton started side-by-side in row two while Chiaramonte lined up 10th. Chiaramonte quickly became one of the race’s biggest stories, passing five cars on the opening lap to move into fifth. Within six laps, he had advanced all the way to second.

On lap seven, Chiaramonte secured second place and began chasing the leader. For four laps the pair battled for the top spot, thrilling the fans before a yellow flag slowed the action on lap 14. Just as the fight for the lead was set to resume, the caution came back out when a car slowed on the restart. Unfortunately, it was Chiaramonte. An electrical issue sidelined the #3C and ended his night with a disappointing 15th-place finish.

Despite the setback, Sexton Gatlin Racing remained in contention. Chiaramonte’s misfortune elevated Collie to second with seven laps remaining. The Lakeside driver pressured the leader all the way to the finish and secured his best result yet in lightning sprint competition.

Sexton crossed the line in seventh, an improvement of three positions from the night before.

Heading into the next California Lightning Sprint Car Series race at Ventura Raceway on March 21st, Collie sits sixth in the championship standings while Sexton is tied for eighth.

Before that event, Brent and Grant Sexton will compete Thursday and Friday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the opening rounds of the 2026 Ultimate Sprint Car Series season. Fans unable to attend can watch both nights live on FloRacing.

For more updates, follow Sexton Gatlin Racing on social media and stay tuned for results throughout the 2026 season.

Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2026 season possible. East County Electric Works, Antonelli’s Deli, Keys Brothers, Geoff Dale, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Valley Lubricant Services, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, and Troy Dirt.

Collie would like to express his thanks to the following sponsors. Sexton Gatlin Racing/HRP Hose and Rubber Products/Sexton Fire Protection/Maxima Racing Oils/Automated Interiors/Valley Lubricant/

Swift Powdercoating/Sunnyside Promotions/Sids Auto Body/BK Wings/BTS Equipment/TC Construction/Thunderstruck Motorsports/AG Sand Cars/Mom/Dad/Tavo/Grant/Dant

If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2026, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com.

Jeff Dyer Gets Win at Imperial Valley Raceway – Las Vegas This Week

Yucca Valley, CA — March 11, 2025 — Jeff Dyer notched his first win of the 2026 campaign when he scored a commanding victory in Round #1 of the California Lightning Sprint Cars/SoCal Lightning Sprints “California Clash” at the Imperial Valley Raceway. One night later, he finished eighth in Round #2. This week, he will race Thursday and Friday, March 11th and 12th, in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series season openers at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

After qualifying eighth to open the lightning sprint portion of his schedule last Friday night, Dyer won his eight-lap heat race. That earned him the fourth starting spot in the scheduled 20-lap main event.

It did not take California Highway Patrol officer Dyer long to work his way into the lead. Using the outside line, he was in second place by the end of the first circuit. Two laps later, he drove around the outside of the leader and moved away to a comfortable lead.

Dyer stayed in the lead for the duration. That included six restarts caused by on-track chaos that necessitated yellow and red flags. Every time the green track lights came back on, Dyer simply drove away from the pack. However, it was not necessarily easy.

“We had a really good car,” Dyer commented. “All of my offseason stuff sort of came to fruition. I did not realize how fast I was until I watched the video. It is kind of frustrating with all of those yellows and reds. It kind of messes up your momentum. Sometimes lapped traffic can allow you to pull away a little more, but sometimes it can hurt you, too.”

Twenty-four hours later on the same track, things did not work out quite as well. He timed in second quick of the 18 cars on hand but started and finished fourth in his heat. In a frustrating main event, he started ninth and finished eighth.

“Saturday, we started off good,” Dyer lamented. “But it was a completely different track on Saturday than it was on Friday. I had a good car, but I did not do very good in my heat race. It was a points format. I did not pass anyone in my heat. So, I had to start ninth in the main.”

“It was just hard to pass on a one-lane track,” he said when thinking about the main. “Every time I would get some spots, I would do something stupid and lose two spots. I kept going forward and backward. It looked like there was some stuff on top, but every time you went up there, it was like driving on ice.”

Dyer came out of the weekend second in both the California Lightning Sprint Car Series and the California Clash Series points, only 17 points behind the leader. His next chance to slice into the leader’s advantage in the CLS regular season standings will come on March 21st at Ventura Raceway. For the California Clash Series, that opportunity will come on August 29 at Perris Auto Speedway.

This week, with the Ultimate Sprint Car Series in Las Vegas, Dyer will tackle the biggest track on which he has ever raced. Basically, he will set up the car as he does for Perris and adjust from that point on.

In 2026, the following marketing partners will help keep Dyer on track: Amsoil Oil Twins, Jobu Racing, Fonseca Racing, and Specialty Fasteners. If you would like to be a part of Dyer Motorsports in 2026, call (760) 550-7237 or send an email to dyermotorsports4@gmail.com.

Jeff is racing in memory of his grandparents, Glenn, and Beverly Sels, throughout the 2026 season.

Eddie Tafoya Jr. Makes First Las Vegas Motor Speedway Appearance This Week

Chino Hills, CA — March 10, 2026 — After one of the most impressive performances of his career two weeks ago, Eddie Tafoya Jr. will make his first-ever appearance at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this Thursday and Friday, March 12 and 13. Tafoya will compete in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series 2026 season openers. The event will run in conjunction with the High Limit Series openers, and both nights will be available on FloRacing.

The visit to the oval located just minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip will see Tafoya racing on the biggest track he has competed on since a trip to Northern California for the reopening of the Calistoga Speedway last Labor Day weekend. Prior to that in 2025, he raced at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park with the USAC National Sprint Car Series 13 months ago. Like those two tracks, Las Vegas is much larger than the tracks Tafoya normally competes on.

For the 28-year-old Tafoya, it will be only his second and third races since finishing the 2025 campaign at Perris Auto Speedway last November. Two weeks ago at Arizona’s Mohave Valley Raceway, the Chino Hills, California resident shook off any winter rust he may have had with one of his best sprint car performances.

At Mohave, the 2018 Perris Auto Speedway Young Guns Champion and the 2019 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year timed in sixth fastest among the 22 cars on hand for the second race of the USAC/CRA season. He then came from fifth to win his 10-lap heat race.

In the 30-lap main event, Tafoya rocketed into the lead at the drop of the green flag and paced the field for the first seven laps before relinquishing the top spot. At the halfway point, he had slipped back to fourth and was battling to remain inside the top five.

Not to be deterred, Tafoya got his elbows up and found a sweet spot on the low line of the track. Competing against some of the toughest hombres west of the Mississippi, he drove his way back to second place. In the end, he slipped back one position to finish third. It was one of the toughest races of his career on the West Coast, and he passed the challenge with flying colors.

Tafoya will have little time to rest after this week’s races. A week from Saturday, March 21, he will compete with the Avanti Windows & Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Cars at Perris Auto Speedway.

Eddie Tafoya can be followed on Instagram at eddietafoya51.

Team Tafoya Racing would like to thank Specialty Fasteners, BR Motorsports, King Racing Products, Gasper Transportation, CMI Precision Machining, Owen’s Insurance Services, Keen Concrete, DRC Chassis, and Rider Racing Engines for their continued support of the 2025 season. If you would like to join forces with the team for another fun and exciting year of racing in 2026, please contact Tafoya at Eddie Tafoya Jr. at (909) 393-3999 or mailto:teamtafoya@aol.com

DRR Adds Popular Fuel Brand to Daly’s Chevrolet Mount for his 13th Indy 500 Start

CARMEL, IN (March 12, 2026) –ARCO, a top U.S. fuel brand, has joined in a partnership with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) to participate in the 110^th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge with popular veteran driver Conor Daly in the No. 23 DRR Chevrolet car on Sunday, May 24, at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

ARCO is a leading fuel brand dedicated to providing quality TOP TIER™ gasoline at a great value. With locations across the United States, ARCO helps drivers fuel up with confidence, knowing they’re getting reliable performance.

“The Indianapolis 500 is the biggest motorsports event in the world, and we are very pleased to add ARCO to our partnership on Conor’s No. 23 entry this year,” said Dennis Reinbold, DRR team owner. “Their participation with our 2026 Indy 500 program brings a strong national presence across multiple primary markets as we attempt to reach our ultimate goal – winning the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ on May 24.”

Daly will serve as a Brand Ambassador for ARCO, bolstering fan engagement efforts and reinforcing activation initiatives.

“This collaboration with ARCO and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is a great opportunity at this year’s Indy 500,” said Daly, who placed 10^th for DRR at the Indy 500 in 2024. “I’m very excited to come back to my hometown and have a chance to taste the cool glass of milk. Having ARCO increase their footprint with the Indy 500 and the No. 23 is massive for everyone involved. I’m committed to helping move this program forward in every way possible and representing ARCO.”

Daly, the 34-year-old driver from Noblesville, Ind., has competed in 12 Indy 500 Mile races in his career with five top-ten finishes. In 2024, after starting in 29th position for DRR, he finished tenth as he led 22 laps and was the race's biggest mover, gaining nineteen positions. Conor has led a total of 82 laps at the 500.

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, based in Carmel, Ind., will compete in its 27th Indy 500 this May with the 100-year legacy of the Dreyer and Reinbold families at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dating back to DRR team owner Dennis Reinbold’s grandfather, the legendary Floyd “Pop” Dreyer, serving as a mechanic for the Duesenberg team in the 1920s. DRR has entered 51 cars in the Indy 500, and all entries have qualified for the Memorial Weekend motorsports classic.

Daly and DRR team will open Indy 500 practice on Tuesday, May 12, with qualifications scheduled for Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17. The 110th version of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will take place on Sunday, May 24.

Thienes / Kujala Finish Second at Sebring, Thienes Claims Bronze Cup Win in VPRC Endurance Debut

Forte Racing Pit Crew Has Fastest Pit Stop of the Race

Monrovia, Calif. (Tuesday, March 10, 2026) – Brian Thienes and co-driver Patrick Kujala, along with the entire Forte Racing team, delivered an impressive performance in Sunday’s inaugural IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge race at Sebring International Raceway. Competing in the new two-hour endurance format for the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, the duo secured a strong second-place finish in the No. 77 Thienes Engineering Ligier JS P325.

The result also earned Thienes the Bronze Cup class victory, placing him first in the Bronze Cup championship standings and second overall in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge championship standings following the opening endurance round.

Despite a lack of testing with the brand new car, the team showed speed immediately. Kujala quickly adapted to the new Ligier platform, setting the pace in the first practice session with a P1 result during his first time behind the wheel of the No. 77 Thienes Engineering Ligier on the Sebring circuit.

The new endurance format also introduced pit stops to the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge paddock. Drawing on experience from crew members who worked in last year’s IMSA WeatherTech GTD program, the Forte Racing crew executed a flawless stop that proved to be the fastest pit stop of the race.

While Brian Thienes is competing in both the Sprint and Endurance races within the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge this season, the strong Sebring result also delivered a victory in the Bronze Cup class for the veteran driver. The new format also allowed him to reunite with former co-driver Patrick Kujala.

“It was great to get back on the podium thanks to some incredible driving by Patrick Kujala,” Thienes said. “Patrick showed off his great driving skills keeping the car at the front end of the race with a damaged wing. The team did a great job to put the race car together last minute. We had an incredible result this weekend considering we just pulled the new car out of the box without any testing. We hope to do better at the next race after we've had some time to work with the car. As always, Pete Jacobs provides a very competitive race car and, in this case, he was able to provide a very good car with no testing."

Kujala was equally enthusiastic about returning to the Forte Racing lineup alongside Thienes for the endurance rounds of the championship.

“Happy to be racing with Brian again!” Kujala said. “The team did a great job and we collected important data for the new car which hopefully will help as understand it better. Looking forward for COTA now!”

Behind the scenes, Forte Racing Technical Director Peter Jacobs was pleased with the performance of both drivers and the team as they adapted to the new car and format throughout the weekend.

“I want to extend a big thank you to our drivers, Brian Thienes and Patrick Kujala, as well as our entire team,” Jacobs said. “Right from the start, we secured P1 in the first practice session with Kujala behind the wheel, followed by dedicating the second practice to Thienes for maximum track time.”

“Before the event, we decided to run the car in a low downforce configuration,” Jacobs continued. “However, both Brian and the team had limited experience with this setting as well the new 325 car. So, as we approached qualifying, we switched to a higher downforce setup, which gave Mr. Thienes the confidence to secure the 3rd starting position for race day.

At 63 years of age, Brian delivered an outstanding performance in the first half of the race, bringing Patrick a well handling race car. Our pit stop was flawless and the fastest of all teams, allowing Patrick to gain a significant advantage in his last half of the race.

Shortly after all the pit stops were completed, a full-course yellow was called due to an on-track incident. This changed the game for Patrick, bringing all the cars back within striking distance. Unfortunately, just a few laps into green flag racing, Patrick had contact with another car that turned down on him while he was attempting to take the position, damaging the left front dive plan and causing the car to understeer. However, Patrick is a fighter that never gives up maintaining a close third place position with a great deal of pressure from behind.

Sometimes, it’s better to be a little lucky than good, as the leader fell out due to a mechanical issue handing us a second-place podium finish.”

Forte Racing team owner Shane Seneviratne praised the drivers and crew for delivering a strong result despite the limited preparation with the new car.

“We are extremely proud of the effort from Brian, Patrick, and the entire Forte Racing team this weekend,” Seneviratne said. “To roll out a brand new Ligier JS P325 with no testing and come away with a podium finish and the Bronze Cup victory is a tremendous accomplishment. Brian drove a smart, consistent opening stint and Patrick did a fantastic job keeping the car at the front despite the damage late in the race. The crew also delivered the fastest pit stop of the race, which shows the level of preparation and teamwork across this program. It was a great start to the endurance season and we are looking forward to building on this momentum at COTA.”

With the first of four two-hour races for the LMP3 class of the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge now complete, the team will next head to Circuit of The Americas May 7–9 for the second round of the 2026 IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge.

For updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and live action from the paddock, follow @ForteRacing on Instagram.

* Photos by Brayan Castiblanco

ABOUT FORTE RACING (Formerly US RaceTronics)

Forte Racing, based in Los Angeles and Charlotte, competes in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar GTD Championship, IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo series with support from Lamborghini Squadra Corse. In 2025, the team will expand into the McLaren Trophy America series in SRO, further broadening its competitive footprint.

Founded as US RaceTronics by Shane Seneviratne in 2005, the team quickly made its mark with multiple wins and podiums in the Atlantic Championship before transitioning to Lamborghini Super Trofeo in 2015, winning multiple North American and World Championships.

In 2023, the team entered IMSA WeatherTech GTD with a Lamborghini Huracan EVO2 GT3, driven by Misha Goikhberg and Loris Spinelli. They secured four top-five finishes in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, including a win at the 2023 Petit Le Mans and a second-place finish in 2024, finishing fifth in the GTD Championship both years. Forte Racing continues to build its reputation as a rising force in GT racing.

For more information on driving opportunities, series details, or event attendance, visit www.forteracing.com.

Sexton Gatlin Racing Heads to One of Its Best Tracks — Imperial Valley — This Week

Lakeside, CA — March 5, 2026 — A quartet of drivers from Sexton Gatlin Racing will head to one of the team’s most successful venues, Imperial Valley Raceway, for this Friday and Saturday’s SoCal Lightning Sprints/California Lightning Sprint Cars co-sanctioned California Clash Series races. Flying the SGR banner this weekend will be Brent Sexton, his two sons Dalton and Grant, and lightning sprint sophomore Braydin Collie.

Even though the track runs a limited schedule, SGR drivers have visited victory lane four times at the track — located just a few miles from the USA/Mexico border — since 2022. In fact, Brent and both of his sons have all taken winner’s trophies home from the Imperial facility. Brent leads the way with two victories, both coming in the now-defunct POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Series. The first came on March 6, 2022, and followed a win by Dalton just 24 hours earlier. Brent’s second victory at the track came on October 20, 2023.

Grant, the youngest of Brent’s offspring, is the only member of the family trio to win there in something other than a lightning sprint. In October of 2022, he outdistanced the field in an open competition sprint car race.

While SGR is bringing four drivers to Imperial, it will only field three cars. Brent and Collie will compete both nights. However, Dalton and Grant will split driving duties in the third car. Dalton, 23, will wheel the machine on Friday, while younger brother Grant, 21, will take over the cockpit on Saturday.

For Dalton, it will be only his sixth race since 2022. He made three starts in 2023, none in 2024, and two last season. His best finish during that span came on April 15, 2023, when he placed third in the POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint Car Series main event at Perris Auto Speedway.

Last week, Brent made his 2026 season debut when the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars visited Arizona’s Mohave Valley Raceway. The three-time lightning sprint champion turned in the 19th fastest lap in qualifying with a 15.237. He then started seventh and finished fifth in his 10-lap heat race. Later in the night, he advanced again, moving from his 18th-place starting position to finish 16th in the main event.

This week’s Imperial Valley races will be contested during the annual Mid-Winter Fair. Admission to both nights of racing is free with the purchase of a fair ticket. Each evening will feature a complete lightning sprint program including qualifying, heat races, and a 20-lap main event. Racing begins at 6:15 p.m. both nights.

For more information or to purchase advance fair tickets, visit www.ivfairgrounds.com/p/tickets--deals. Fans unable to attend in person can watch both nights live on speeduniontv.com.

Imperial Valley Raceway is located on the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds at 200 E. 2nd Street, Imperial, California 92251.

After this weekend’s races, SGR will have little time to rest. Next Thursday and Friday, March 12 and 13, Brent and Grant will compete with the Ultimate Sprint Car Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

For more updates, follow Sexton Gatlin Racing on social media and stay tuned for results throughout the 2026 season.

If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2026, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com.

Eddie Tafoya Jr. Takes Third at Mohave Valley in His 2026 Debut

Chino Hills, CA — March 2, 2026 — A gritty performance earned Eddie Tafoya Jr. a hard-fought for third-place finish when the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Cars visited Arizona’s Mohave Valley Raceway last Saturday night. It was the veteran driver’s first race since closing out the 2025 season last November at Perris Auto Speedway.

With a large, enthusiastic crowd packed into the grandstands and thousands more watching live on Flo Racing, Tafoya turned in the sixth-fastest qualifying time among the 22 cars on hand, stopping the clock at 14.228 seconds. The effort placed him on the inside of row three for the start of the third 10-lap heat race.

Tafoya, who resides in Chino Hills, California, wasted no time charging toward the front in the heat. On the opening lap, he quickly picked off three cars to move into second. After a yellow flag flew at the end of the first circuit, Tafoya seized the lead entering turn three on the restart and paced the field for the final nine laps.

For Tafoya, the 2019 Perris Auto Speedway Young Guns Champion and 2019 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year, the impressive heat race win, combined with his strong qualifying effort, earned him the pole position for the 30-lap main event.

When the green flag dropped, Tafoya rocketed into the lead and set the early pace. He led the first eight laps before surrendering the top spot. By the midway point, he had slipped back to fourth, but the battle was far from over. Running the bottom groove to perfection, he sliced past two competitors to climb back into second.

In the war that unfolded over the final 10 laps, Tafoya slipped back to third. From there, he fended off repeated challenges to secure a podium finish that equaled his best-ever performance on the lightning-fast Arizona clay oval.

“I was leading and trying to find some grip,” Tafoya told the crowd after the race. “It is kind of hard there leading with K.T. (Kevin Thomas Jr.) back there. He runs the bottom and Ricky (Lewis) is going to pound the top. It is kind of difficult figuring where to go. Two or three of them got around me. I had to regather myself, pull back together, make good decisions and get back up on the wheel.”

“I think everyone from California wanted to get that one for Bill Perkins,” he emotionally told the crowd. “He put a lot of us in these racecars.”

“Big thanks to Specialty Fastener, my mom and my dad, to Rowdy coming out to help, my girlfriend Amanda, and to my grandparents watching back home. It is good to be on Flo.”

Tafoya will take this weekend off before returning to action with the Ultimate Sprint Car Series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on the 12th and 13th of this month. One week later, he will be back in USAC/CRA competition at the track closest to his Chino Hills home, Perris Auto Speedway.

Tafoya can be followed on Instagram at eddietafoya51.