NASCAR’s middle tier is at a crossroads. The scenario unfolding before them: O’Reilly Auto Parts is stepping in as the new title sponsor for the second-tier series starting in 2026, succeeding Xfinity. NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell lauded the move, praising the alignment of values and emphasizing how it continues to “fuel that passion for the next generation of NASCAR’s stars and fans.” Yet, while financial muscle appears renewed, smaller outfits are rightfully asking: Will this lifeline stretch all the way down?

Several Xfinity teams have publicly acknowledged that sponsorship revenue is drying up, tightening the purse beyond what performance alone can compensate. NASCAR team-owner Tommy Joe Martins of Alpha Prime Racing highlighted a potential remedy in touring: uniform payouts, sa

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