Race Engineer Intern

The NASCAR Foundation heads to New York for Honors Gala and Speedy Bear Brigade Powered by Kaulig Giving. By NASCAR Foundation Release NASCAR.com Published: September 2, 2026 Kaulig Giving DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - In celebration of The NASCAR Foundation's 20th anniversary, the non-profit will host multiple events in New York City to honor two decades of serving racing communities across the United States and beyond. The two-day celebration will kick off with The NASCAR Foundation Honors Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 8, hosted by the France family in collaboration with the evening's Leadership Sponsors, including Brown & Brown, Kaulig Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Next League. Various current and former NASCAR drivers, team owners and executives as well as special guests across the sports and entertainment industry will be in attendance. The celebrations will continue the following day on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with The Speedy Bear Brigade Powered by Kaulig Giving, where drivers and representatives from both The NASCAR Foundation and Kaulig Racing will deliver NASCAR-themed Teddy Bears to children at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone. "For 20 years, The NASCAR Foundation has been proud to bring the NASCAR community together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families," said Nichole Krieger, vice president and executive director of The NASCAR Foundation. "This anniversary is a celebration of the incredible impact our supporters, partners, drivers and fans have helped us create, and we're excited to mark this milestone in New York City while continuing to bring the spirit of NASCAR to children who need it most." The NASCAR Foundation Honors Gala will also honor the four finalists of the 16th annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, with the winner being announced at the end of the evening's celebrations and receiving a $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to further their philanthropic efforts. The award, named in honor of the foundation's late founder and chairwoman Betty Jane France, recognizes inspiring NASCAR fans who volunteer for children's causes across their regions. Additionally, FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks will be honored with the Champion for Children Award, recognizing an individual whose leadership, philanthropy and commitment to children have created meaningful opportunities and lasting impact for young people in our racing communities. Much like Mrs. France, the recipient of the award embodies the ideals that every child deserves opportunity, the importance of giving back and a commitment to using their platform to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Guests attending the gala spread a wide range of those within the industry and beyond, including current NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, AJ Allmendinger, Ty Dillon, Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love. Multiple NASCAR Legends and Hall of Famers are also set to attend, including NASCAR Champion and Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace as well as two-time Daytona 500 Champion and NASCAR/FOX Broadcaster Michael Waltrip. Emmy and Tony Award winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth will also give a special performance at the Honors Gala, singing multiple songs from her impressive Broadway resume. Following the Honors Gala, NASCAR Cup Series drivers AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon will join The NASCAR Foundation Vice President and Executive Director Nichole Krieger and NASCAR Owner and Founder of Kaulig Giving Matt Kaulig to deliver Speedy Bears to Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone. The group will begin the day with a special presentation at the hospital, followed by visits to children, hand-delivering both smiles and the NASCAR-themed Speedy bears. "The Speedy Bear Brigade is a special program because it gives us an opportunity to bring comfort and joy to children and families when they need it most," said Matt Kaulig, NASCAR team owner and founder of Kaulig Giving. "We're incredibly proud to have been part of the growth of this program and to help bring the NASCAR community together to reach more children each year. Seeing the smiles these bears bring is what makes Speedy Bear so meaningful to all of us." While 2026 marks 20 years of The NASCAR Foundation as a whole, it's also the 10th anniversary of The Speedy Bear Brigade Powered by Kaulig Giving, celebrating a decade of delivering NASCAR-themed teddy bears to hospitals across all 50 states, as well as Mexico and Canada. The NASCAR Foundation Honors Gala Red Carpet will begin at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 8, with the event commencing at 7:30 p.m. Then, the festivities continue Wednesday, Sept. 9, with the Speedy Bear Brigade Powered by Kaulig Racing, all taking place in New York City.

Connor Zilisch has signed a multiyear contract with Hendrick Motorsports to drive the No. 48 Chevrolet starting in 2028. The 20-year-old rookie, currently racing for Trackhouse Racing, will replace Alex Bowman, who announced last month he will step away from full-time racing after the 2027 season. Zilisch currently ranks 34th in the Cup Series standings, with a series-leading eight DNFs. Team owner Rick Hendrick praised Zilisch's talent and character, calling him "a truly gifted young racer." Ally will continue as primary sponsor of the No. 48 Chevy, a role it has held since 2019. Zilisch said joining Hendrick Motorsports represents "one of those moments you dream about as a kid.

Connor Zilisch Lands Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet Ride Beginning in 2028 Reading Time: 3 mins read One of NASCAR's brightest young stars already knows where the next chapter of his rapidly accelerating career will take him. Hendrick Motorsports announced Monday that Connor Zilisch has signed a multi-year agreement with the organization and will take over the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet beginning with the 2028 NASCAR Cup Series season. Zilisch will succeed Alex Bowman, whose previously announced retirement from full-time competition following the 2027 season will open one of NASCAR's most recognizable seats. The agreement represents another significant milestone in the rapid ascent of Zilisch, a 20-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina native who has emerged as one of the sport's premier young talents. "Connor is a truly gifted young racer," Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said. "His talent behind the wheel is exceptional, but I'm even more impressed by the person he is. "When someone with that kind of ability and character becomes available, you do everything you can to bring them into your organization. "We have tremendous confidence in Connor, and we believe he's the right driver to build on the legacy of the No. 48 Ally team for many years to come." That legacy is considerable. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson made the No. 48 synonymous with Hendrick Motorsports success, collecting 83 victories during his Hall of Fame career. Bowman took over the entry beginning with the 2021 season and will remain behind the wheel through 2027. When Zilisch takes over in 2028, he will become just the third full-time driver of the No. 48 during its modern Hendrick Motorsports tenure. "This is one of those moments you dream about as a kid," Zilisch said. "Hendrick Motorsports has always represented the standard in its sport, and being entrusted to help continue that legacy means everything to me. "The chance to drive a Chevrolet for Mr. Hendrick, carry the colors of an incredible partner like Ally and compete alongside some of the best drivers and people in racing is what you work so hard for. "I'm grateful for the confidence they've shown in me, and it's my job to prove they made the right decision." Zilisch's road to Hendrick Motorsports has been remarkably quick. After beginning his career in karting, Zilisch transitioned to sports cars and showcased his versatility with class victories in both the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2024. Later that year, less than two months after turning 18, Zilisch made an immediate impact in his NASCAR O'Reilly Series debut at Watkins Glen International, leading 45 of 90 laps en route to victory. Driving for Hendrick Motorsports affiliate JR Motorsports in 2025, Zilisch followed with a dominant 10-win campaign that included eight poles, 18 consecutive top-five finishes and the regular season championship. Through 45 series starts, he has earned 13 victories and 10 poles. Zilisch made three NASCAR Cup Series starts for Trackhouse Racing in 2025 before beginning his first full-time campaign with the organization this season. He will remain with Trackhouse next year before transitioning to Hendrick Motorsports in 2028. His arrival will also coincide with Ally Financial's 10th season as the full-season primary partner of the No. 48 team. "We've spent nearly a decade investing in the No. 48's storied legacy alongside Hendrick Motorsports, and handing the wheel to a driver of Connor's caliber is such an incredible way to begin another historic chapter," said Andrea Brimmer, Ally's chief marketing and public relations officer. While there remains plenty of racing before Zilisch officially arrives at Hendrick Motorsports, Monday's announcement gives the organization a definitive succession plan for one of its cornerstone teams. And for Zilisch, a career that has moved rapidly since his arrival on NASCAR's national stage now has its biggest destination yet: the keys to the No. 48.