NASCAR and its fans have been on a collision course with uncertainty.

As we neared the end of the trial based on the lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports after refusing to sign the charter agreement, it was entirely possible that the future of how NASCAR was operated would be in the hands of a judge — and those running the sport weren’t going to like it one bit.

Jim France’s testimony was the harbinger of doom that seemingly lit a fire under both parties to get together and talk, and try to figure out a way to make concessions that made both sides happy enough to move forward with an agreement and end the court case.

And then, in just a couple hours on Thursday morning, lightning struck, and the teams and NASCAR came to an agreement. Judge Bell happily announced the settlement, hinting that it should have happened a long time ago, and the jurors were dismissed much to their delight.

After all the vitriol, the “redneck” jab from NASCAR brass, strong comments about Jim France from the 23XI camp, and a year-plus of turmoil, the teams ultimately got what they wanted — including evergreen charters and better overall terms — and the sport is better off for it long-term.

“Standing up isn’t easy, but progress never comes from staying silent. The reward is in knowing you changed something,” Denny Hamlin posted on social media after the settlement.

“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress. It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans,” 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan said. “With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come. I’m excited to watch our teams get back on the track and compete hard in 2026.”

In one week, an exciting title battle will take place in a motorsports finale.

After a bad strategy call from the McLaren team allowed Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen to claim the victory in the Qatar Grand Prix, the 4-time defending champion moved up to 2nd in the Formula 1 standings, just 12 points behind points leader Lando Norris. Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri is also still alive in the points, 16 points back.

With 25 points up for grabs to the winner at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there are scenarios where Norris, Verstappen, Piastri each emerge as the 2025 champ.

Will Verstappen, who was more than 100 points out of the title fight as recently as August, complete a miraculous comeback and claim his fifth straight championship?

Will Norris hold off his two competitors and claim his first championship?

Can Piastri overcome the longest odds of the top 3 to become one of the youngest F1 champs ever?

Natural is better

What’s the lesson of all this? It shows that natural championship battles are much more engaging than anything that is manufactured, as we’re seeing in other racing series.

As car buyers look for alternatives to fully electric vehicles that are still eco-friendly, plug-in hybrids are emerging as a popular choice — offering some electric range, but also strong fuel mileage when operating on fossil fuels.

Many automakers, including Kia, are now offering PHEV offerings among their SUV lineups, and I recently tested the 2025 Sorento plug-in hybrid (specifically a SX-Prestige AWD model).

The Sorento falls between the Sportage and Telluride in the Kia SUV lineup, and is a three-row SUV option that is smaller than the popular Telluride. It comes in gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

Updates have been made to both the inside and outside of the Sorento PHEV for 2025, and tech improvements are made, making this one of the stronger plug-in hybrid options for buyers in this segment to consider.

Read on for my full take on the Sorento PHEV and who might want to pick one up.

In the EV landscape, one area with a limited number of offerings to date is the three-row SUV. You have a few choices, but it’s not the smorgasbord of options you get with smaller EVs.

One brand not afraid to compete in this large EV category is Kia, which offers the Kia EV9, a three-row SUV that aims to deliver power, roominess and versatility, strong range and charging, and sharp design.

I recently tested a 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line model, and can safely say that Kia has succeeded on all counts — arguably offering the best option in the category.

Competitors exist that each have their own strengths (including Hyundai Ioniq 9, Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90), but as an overall package it’s hard to top the EV9.

Read on for my full review of this fun and family-focused offering from Kia, which is now in its third year of production, and features new updates for 2026 such as compatibility with Tesla chargers.

A curious thing is happening in NASCAR’s B-series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity), as we head into 2026.

This series, which has been dominated by Chevy and Toyota teams in recent years (especially by Chevy and JR Motorsports), will have essentially no presence from Ford teams in 2026.

The news has long been out that Haas Factory Team will switch from Ford to Chevy starting in 2026 in O’Reilly Series, and today it was announced that RSS Racing will be moving from Ford to Chevy as well, and continue partnering with Haas Factory Team.

What it means is that, from a distance, it looks like Ford is giving up on the series for now. No major teams are currently affiliated with Ford, and anything that remains (Potentially AM Racing, and some of the backmarker teams who help fill out the field) is not going to earn them many strong finishes.

As someone who has watched teams like Roush Racing and Penske Racing dominate this series in the past, that’s tough to see.

All the racing world’s eyes will be on the Motor City on Jan. 15, specifically at the newly renovated Michigan Central Station, when Ford Racing will host its Season Launch event in conjunction with the spotlight being on Detroit for the annual Auto Show.

Mark Rushbrook, global director for Ford Racing, says he wanted a special location for the unveiling.

“This iconic landmark, steeped in the city’s spirit of grit, perseverance, and undeniable love for cars, is the perfect place to kick off an epic year on the track and in the dirt. It’s a powerful statement, complementing the energy of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show happening the same week, truly making Detroit the global hub of automotive excitement,” Rushbrook said. 

Rushbrook said all elements of the Ford Racing lineup will be on display.

“From the thunderous roar of NASCAR to the grueling challenges of Mustang endurance sports car racing, and the relentless grit of our off-road teams tackling Dakar and Baja — every facet of Ford’s global racing prowess will be on full display. This isn’t just a launch; it’s a declaration of intent across every racing discipline, a true embodiment of the “Go Like Hell” spirit that drives us,” he explained.

Beyond racecars, Rushbrook said the event will also feature an exclusive sneak peek at an all-new Ford Racing production road car.

As the 2025 Formula season approaches its end, teams are already starting to look ahead to the 2026 season, including the unveiling of what next year’s cars may look like.

Four months ahead of its scheduled race debut in Australia, Audi has debuted a preview of what it will bring to the track in 2026.

“By entering the pinnacle of motorsport, Audi is making a clear, ambitious statement,” says Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. “It is the next chapter in the company’s renewal. Formula 1 will be a catalyst for the change towards a leaner, faster and more innovative Audi.” 

Döllner says Audi is entering the racing series with an ambitious yet realistic roadmap: “We are not entering Formula 1 just to be there. We want to win. At the same time, we know that you don’t become a top team in Formula 1 overnight. It takes time, perseverance and tireless questioning of the status quo. By 2030, we want to fight for the World Championship title.”