On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the NASCAR Cup Series will hold its third race of the season at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. The 1.5-mile track will host the Autotrader 400, a 260-lap challenge kicking off at 3:00 PM ET and broadcast live on FOX, with radio coverage via PRN and SiriusXM channel 90. Among the contenders, Noah Gragson targets a strong finish at EchoPark Speedway, aiming to build on his competitive momentum in the 2026 season.
Noah Gragson’s Campaign Gains Traction at EchoPark Speedway
Noah Gragson, driver of the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, arrives at EchoPark with promising form after securing an 11th-place finish at the Daytona 500 last weekend. Currently sitting 16th in the NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championship standings, Gragson’s performance in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series has been notable, featuring two poles, three top-fives, and five top-10 finishes across six starts at this particular circuit.
This weekend, TitleMax returns as the primary sponsor on Gragson’s car. TitleMax, one of the nation’s largest title lending companies, supports borrowers with competitive rates and customer-focused service. Their partnership with Gragson underscores an effort to improve last season’s results at Atlanta.
“I’m excited to get to Atlanta and have TitleMax back on our Ford Mustang Dark Horse,”
said Gragson.
“We didn’t quite have the race we wanted to with TitleMax on the car last season, so we’re hopeful to give them a better showing this year. Coming off a strong finish at Daytona last week, we feel like we have a lot of positive momentum that we’ll look to carry over to this weekend’s race and continue to build from at another superspeedway.”
– Noah Gragson, Driver
Supporting Gragson is a dedicated team featuring Crew Chief Grant Hutchens from Omaha, Nebraska, Car Chief Joey Forgette of Iron Mountain, Michigan, and engineers Dillon Silverman and Scott Bingham from California and Georgia respectively. The pit crew includes skilled professionals such as Front Tire Changer Tafton Hensley from Mooresville, North Carolina, and Rear Tire Changer Justin Fox from Concord, North Carolina. Their collective expertise aims to optimize race performance at EchoPark Speedway.
Todd Gilliland Seeks Redemption on a Familiar Track
Todd Gilliland, behind the wheel of the No. 34 car, enters the race after suffering an early exit at Daytona. Historically, EchoPark Speedway stands as one of Gilliland’s better venues, where he has achieved four top-20 finishes in eight starts and frequently qualifies near the front of the pack. This consistency gives Gilliland and his team hope for a competitive outing.
Gilliland’s campaign benefits from Love’s Travel Stops sponsorship, a company that has supported professional drivers and travelers since 1964. Fans are encouraged to use the Love’s Connect App for exclusive discounts, including savings on fuel.
“We showed a lot of promise at Daytona before the wreck,”
Gilliland shared.
“There’s a lot of optimism heading into this weekend because Atlanta has always been a strong track for us, both in qualifying and in the race. We’re consistently competitive at these types of tracks, and hopefully this Sunday we can put ourselves in position to be there at the end.”
– Todd Gilliland, Driver
Gilliland’s crew features Crew Chief Chris Lawson from Ohio and Car Chief Joe Marra from New York. Engineers Marc Rullo and Kevyn Rebolledo, both from the North Carolina/New Jersey area, support car setup and strategy. The pit crew includes Front Tire Changer Danny Olszowy of Kentucky and Fueler Zeke Nance from Georgia, all united to maximize Gilliland’s performance on the speedway.
Zane Smith Aims to Sustain Momentum After Daytona Success
Zane Smith and the No. 38 team secured an impressive sixth-place finish at the Daytona 500, setting a strong tone for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Smith’s prior best at EchoPark was seventh place in June 2025, where he contended for the win in the closing laps. His confidence is bolstered by an ongoing primary partnership with Aaron’s, which revives the iconic Lucky Dog paint scheme on his Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
The Aaron’s sponsorship also includes the Fastlane 5000 Sweepstakes, offering fans the chance to win a $5,000 home upgrade along with weekly prizes through March 31. This initiative enhances engagement with fans nationwide across retail and online platforms.
“We’re carrying a lot of momentum into this weekend, and the confidence around the shop is high,”
said Smith.
“Front Row Motorsports has a strong history on drafting-style tracks, and we backed that up at Daytona. It’s exciting to have Lucky Dog back on our Ford Mustang Dark Horse, and our goal is to put him in Victory Lane.”
– Zane Smith, Driver
Smith’s team includes Crew Chief Ryan Bergenty from Connecticut, Car Chief Will Norris from Tennessee, and engineers Jacob Clamme and Chris Yerges hailing from Indiana and Wisconsin. The pit crew, led by Front Tire Changer Michael Louria of Michigan and Fueler Ray Hernandez from Florida, supports Smith’s quest for a top finish at EchoPark Speedway.
Front Row Motorsports and Their Quest for Superspeedway Success
The three drivers—Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, and Zane Smith—all represent Front Row Motorsports (FRM), a winning organization competing in both the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Founded in 2004 by Bob Jenkins, FRM boasts achievements such as the 2021 Daytona 500 win and the 2022 Truck Series championship. Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, FRM fields multiple entries across NASCAR’s top tiers, bringing extensive experience and resources to the EchoPark Speedway showdown.
What’s at Stake in the EchoPark Speedway Race
The Autotrader 400 represents an important early-season test for all drivers involved. For Noah Gragson, securing a strong finish could propel him up the championship standings and build vital momentum. Todd Gilliland looks to rebound from recent setbacks by leveraging his familiarity with the Atlanta track, while Zane Smith wants to maintain his upward trajectory following a standout Daytona performance.
Each driver’s performance at this 1.5-mile superspeedway will shape team strategies and set the tone for the remainder of the 38-race NASCAR Cup Series schedule. EchoPark Speedway’s drafting style and fast-paced laps demand flawless teamwork from road crews and pit crews, all focused on delivering precision and speed.
Fans can expect a competitive race filled with strategic moves as Front Row Motorsports’ trio vies for victory and valuable championship points. Their combined talent, backed by dedicated sponsors like TitleMax, Love’s Travel Stops, and Aaron’s, highlight the passion and determination driving this weekend’s action.
