Here’s a look at the latest from Inside The Garage this week:
- Mick Schumacher’s IndyCar Oval Preparation
- Tony Stewart’s Return to Racing at Daytona
- Corey Lajoie’s Unexpected Opportunities
Mick Schumacher is preparing to experience left-hand turns exclusively for the first time as he takes laps at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This private test on the 1.5-mile oval marks his debut on oval racing. He will then join a full-field test at Phoenix Raceway on February 17-18, gearing up for his first oval race on March 7.
“I am eager to get my first feel for oval racing,” Schumacher shared during IndyCar media days. “Phoenix will be special with all the other drivers, giving me a chance to experience racing in traffic. It’s a solid two-step way to get accustomed to ovals.”
Until now, Schumacher has logged roughly a day in the simulator focusing on Homestead, but he acknowledges the limits of virtual practice. “Simulators don’t fully capture the car’s behavior or track bumps; you’re just turning left repeatedly,” he explained. “It’ll take time to truly understand what driving on an oval is like. This testing approach, focusing on how the car should handle at Homestead, will help me be ready for Phoenix.”
Son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, Mick raced with Haas in F1, served as a Mercedes reserve driver, and competed two seasons in the World Endurance Championship before switching to IndyCar this year. “The racing and competition are fierce, and the people great. I’m excited to compete and attend the events,” he added.
Schumacher will also debut a new paint scheme in 2026 with RLL, though the finalized livery is still under wraps. “I’ve seen some options; as long as the car is fast, I don’t mind how it looks,” he joked. Unlike drivers who seek a cool paint job to boost morale, Schumacher believes speed makes a car look good.
While NASCAR kicks off the season Wednesday with a rescheduled exhibition Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, IndyCar teams have nearly four weeks before their season opener in St. Petersburg, with some testing at Sebring on February 9-10 before Phoenix.
Corey Lajoie faces back-to-back big weeks as he steps into races he hadn’t planned for. Last year, he was Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s backup driver, ready if Brad Keselowski needed to step away for the birth of his child. Although he never drove their car then, he will race for RFK in the first two events of this year — the Clash, filling in for Keselowski who is sidelined by a broken foot, and then the Daytona 500 in the No. 99 car.
“This might be my last race at Daytona,” Lajoie reflected. “I’ve raced like every one is my last in recent years. This opportunity surprised me, and I appreciate the trust from Chip, Brad, and the RFK team. It’s like bonus money—I just want to enjoy it.”
Lajoie, who won the ARCA East race at Bowman Gray in 2012, is valuing the chance to learn from RFK’s established team routines, sim work, and race weekends. “I’ve beaten strong competition there before and believe I can do well,” he said.
Meanwhile, 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Corey Heim has yet to reveal his full 2026 schedule but 23XI Racing has confirmed his entry into the Daytona 500. Heim plans to compete in over a dozen Cup races plus select track events. He’s also a reserve and simulator driver for 23XI, which means his focus won’t be on a title chase this year but on gaining valuable experience.
“It’s business as usual. I approach every opportunity with the intent to compete strong and build my career,” Heim explained. “I’m grateful for where I am and the chances I’ve been given.”
Among the eight open drivers competing for four Daytona 500 spots are Lajoie, Heim, and Front Row Motorsports’ Chandler Smith. They join Anthony Alfredo, Justin Allgaier, BJ McLeod, Casey Mears, and JJ Yeley. Jimmie Johnson also enters as an open car but holds a provisional exemption, so his place is guaranteed, expanding the field to 41 cars.
Tony Stewart returns to racing at Daytona driving for Kaulig Racing’s truck team, a program featuring multiple drivers over the season. When asked about continuing to race there, Stewart left the possibility open. “I won’t say this is my last race. I’ll keep it open-ended for now,” he told reporters, joking about his wife’s likely reaction.
Social Spotlight
Fans are eagerly hoping for snow as they await upcoming events.
They Said It
“What are we going to do? We’re just going to ride it out and see how it goes—that’s the approach.”
— Kyle Larson, on the postponement of his crash event due to snow.
Did You Know?
In 2025, no NASCAR National Series races were delayed because of weather, so this three-day snow postponement is a rare interruption.
In Inside The Garage, Bob Pockrass offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at motorsports like no other.
Fan Take:
This update is exciting for NASCAR fans because it shows fresh talent like Mick Schumacher crossing over and embracing new racing styles, bringing fresh energy and stories to the sport. Corey Lajoie and Corey Heim’s unexpected roles and opportunities highlight NASCAR’s dynamic nature, proving that perseverance and readiness can open doors—and keep the competition lively for years to come.
