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NASCAR Cup Cars that Competed After Street Car's Production Wrapped

Photo Credit: ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images With the start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, competitors racing with the Chevrolet bow tie will be running an unmarked vehicle. Of course, fans of the sport will instantly recognize the car as the sixth generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that has raced since 2018 and since 2022 in the form of the Gen 7 stock car, there is no mention of the Camaro name on the vehicle for 2025. The discontinuation of the production Chevrolet Camaro following the 2024 model year prompted the adjustment to how the brand’s vehicles would be represented in racing. Running what is essentially an obsolete car for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, the Chevrolet contingent are not the first teams to compete with cars no longer running off assembly lines. From the foundation of NASCAR in 1948 to the 1970s, Cup races would commonly feature cars across several model years but a Grand National Series (later Cup Series) rule required that cars be based...
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Ringbrothers Premieres Spectacular Custom Car Trio at 2024 SEMA Show

The INVADR, one of three custom masterpieces Ringbrothers debuted at the 2024 SEMA Show (Photo Credit: Ringbrothers LLC) Las Vegas is depended upon for creating a destination for observing grand spectacles. With the annual SEMA Show, a wide assortment of companies related to the auto industry has the opportunity to outshine the bright lights of the city. A centerpiece for the 2024 edition automotive showcase was a fleet of custom cars prepared by both aftermarket part companies and even the automakers themselves.  Ringbrothers, a producer and retailer of high quality vehicle accessories , have been a reliable supplier of some stunning show cars in previous SEMA Shows. Past events have included a 1,360-horsepower AMC Javelin AMX made possible through a collaboration with antifreeze company Prestone and a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II that was a recipient of a General Motors LT4 V8 engine. For the 2024 SEMA Show, the Ringbrothers introduced the automotive performance world to the I...

Summer of 2024: The Georgian College Auto Show

Gold-wrapped Kia EV9 electric crossover vehicle (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024)  As is often the case, the warmer weather and the ample sunlight prove extremely inviting in 2024. With the season nearing in an end in Canada, I personally reflect on several months of satisfying events with automotive-centric entertainment. While occurring in early June, the 2024 Georgian College Auto Show captured the spirit for what would be experienced during the summer. First of all, I wish to share how this year’s summer had done a great deal to override a very unpleasant spring. The thing I’ve realized as I have lived more than four decades on this planet is bad things can happen to me but very few people actually care. In truth, we all go through moments of disharmony and for me I attempt to remain aware of this when I go through my own. I regret that this is not the attitude I receive from some people in this world I attract who are too selfish and ungrateful. At least one per...

How Automakers Had Almost Once Dropped the Drop-Top

2024 Ford Mustang Convertible at 2024 Canadian International AutoShow (Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada) Sometimes in life it’s best to open up. For automobiles, an opportunity to reveal an inner personality is realized with convertibles. Despite the prevalence of air conditioning on almost every modern vehicle, convertibles remain special for delivering occupants the feeling of being one with the world with the rushing breeze when in motion and the warmth of a summer sun. This sensation continues to impress up to this day with cars such as the Mazda MX-5, Ford Mustang convertible, BMW 4 Series Cabriolet and the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster, it may be disturbing to know how the excitement of open top motoring almost rendered extinct to North American audiences roughly 50 years ago. A perfect storm of circumstances contributed to a near death for the convertible. The Top Goes Up For Safety The first half century of the automobile was propelled by unbridled innovation and imaginati...

30 Years of IndyCar Racing Being Powered By Honda

Close-up of Scott Dixon's Honda-branded Engine Cover (Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada)   A company maintaining an uninterrupted 30-year association with motorsports is a commitment involving a great deal of mutual appreciation and respect. Back in 1994, the Honda name’s appearance on Indy cars was a new sight for many racing fans. While the auto marker had gained a reputation for winning in Formula 1 through the 1980s and early 1990s, the North American open wheel racing scene presented a much different challenge. Honda Racing’s endeavour into IndyCar immediately demonstrated that some first steps may be uneasy but the capacity to endure these early struggles can amount to greatness.   Honda had explored involvement with Indy car racing during the early 1980s partnering with Engine Development Limited (a company jointly founded by Jack Brabham and John Judd) to create a competition powerplant. While Honda opted not to officially enter the CART Indy car racing, work on t...

Canada’s Role in the Emergence of NASCAR Royalty

Photo Credit: Pattie Petty/NASCAR When it comes to stock car racing or even auto racing in general, the name Richard Petty ranks alongside the legendary stars of any major sport. The son of early stock car racing icon Lee Petty, Richard’s accolades behind the wheel are marks drivers today struggle to beat. Amassing 200 victories in the NASCAR Grand National/Cup Series including seven championships, Petty would retire from driving in 1992 with the lofty nickname of “The King”. Although his on-track feats would be enough to earn the moniker, professionalism and business sense reflected by a long-term partnership with automotive additive company STP combined with a fan-friendly personality has made Richard Petty a figure that continues to resonate among the motorsport community. Before all the victories and championships, a 1/3-mile oval on Toronto’s Exhibition Place was the site where everything started.  Richard Petty was born the son of Lee Petty who achieved three championships ...

No Time To Waste: IndyCar Driver Colton Herta

  Photo Credit: Chris Owens/IndyCar For all race drivers, there is a desire to conquer the clock. Although it may seem to be an accomplishable goal to spare some movement on a stopwatch, certain elements in time no one can stop. For this reason, many of us want to achieve goals so early in our life. For NTT IndyCar Series driver Colton Herta, his entrance into full time competition in the tour resulted in him becoming the youngest-ever race driver as he took the checkered flag at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Six years removed from a first taste of victory, the driver of the Honda-powered #26 Andretti Global Dallara is a steady veteran behind the wheel while only 24 years of age. At the age of 18, the IndyCar career of Colton Herta started in the 2018 season finale at Sonoma Raceway. Although he finished 20th in the Harding Racing #88 car, many saw potential on the driver who finished runner-up in the Indy Lights championship to Pato O’Ward. The young American racer en...