Here\u2019s a look at the latest from Inside The Garage this week:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am eager to get my first feel for oval racing,\u201d Schumacher shared during IndyCar media days. \u201cPhoenix will be special with all the other drivers, giving me a chance to experience racing in traffic. It\u2019s a solid two-step way to get accustomed to ovals.”<\/p>\n
Until now, Schumacher has logged roughly a day in the simulator focusing on Homestead, but he acknowledges the limits of virtual practice. \u201cSimulators don\u2019t fully capture the car\u2019s behavior or track bumps; you\u2019re just turning left repeatedly,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019ll 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. \u201cThe racing and competition are fierce, and the people great. I\u2019m excited to compete and attend the events,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Schumacher will also debut a new paint scheme in 2026 with RLL, though the finalized livery is still under wraps. \u201cI\u2019ve seen some options; as long as the car is fast, I don\u2019t mind how it looks,\u201d he joked. Unlike drivers who seek a cool paint job to boost morale, Schumacher believes speed makes a car look good.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Corey Lajoie faces back-to-back big weeks as he steps into races he hadn\u2019t planned for. Last year, he was Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing\u2019s 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 \u2014 the Clash, filling in for Keselowski who is sidelined by a broken foot, and then the Daytona 500 in the No. 99 car.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis might be my last race at Daytona,\u201d Lajoie reflected. \u201cI\u2019ve 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\u2019s like bonus money\u2014I just want to enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lajoie, who won the ARCA East race at Bowman Gray in 2012, is valuing the chance to learn from RFK\u2019s established team routines, sim work, and race weekends. \u201cI\u2019ve beaten strong competition there before and believe I can do well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s also a reserve and simulator driver for 23XI, which means his focus won\u2019t be on a title chase this year but on gaining valuable experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s business as usual. I approach every opportunity with the intent to compete strong and build my career,\u201d Heim explained. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for where I am and the chances I\u2019ve been given.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the eight open drivers competing for four Daytona 500 spots are Lajoie, Heim, and Front Row Motorsports\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
Tony Stewart returns to racing at Daytona driving for Kaulig Racing\u2019s truck team, a program featuring multiple drivers over the season. When asked about continuing to race there, Stewart left the possibility open. \u201cI won\u2019t say this is my last race. I\u2019ll keep it open-ended for now,\u201d he told reporters, joking about his wife\u2019s likely reaction.<\/p>\n
Social Spotlight<\/strong> They Said It<\/strong> Did You Know?<\/strong> In Inside The Garage<\/em>, Bob Pockrass offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at motorsports like no other.<\/p>\n Fan Take:<\/strong> Here\u2019s a look at the latest from Inside The Garage this week: Mick Schumacher\u2019s IndyCar Oval Preparation Tony Stewart\u2019s Return to Racing at Daytona Corey Lajoie\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[853],"tags":[114],"class_list":{"0":"post-40833","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nascar","8":"tag-nascar"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40833"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40833\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nFans are eagerly hoping for snow as they await upcoming events.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhat are we going to do? We’re just going to ride it out and see how it goes\u2014that\u2019s the approach.\u201d
\n\u2014 Kyle Larson, on the postponement of his crash event due to snow.<\/p>\n
\nIn 2025, no NASCAR National Series races were delayed because of weather, so this three-day snow postponement is a rare interruption.<\/p>\n
\n
\nThis 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\u2019s unexpected roles and opportunities highlight NASCAR\u2019s dynamic nature, proving that perseverance and readiness can open doors\u2014and keep the competition lively for years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"