For the 2026 season, competitors in the zMAX CARS Tour will have the reliability of Simpson Race Products to trust for their on-track safety.
Already a ubiquitous presence across motorsports in the United States, Simpson has formed a partnership with the CARS Tour to become the series’ official safety gear provider. Simpson’s commitment to safety has been instrumental in saving the lives of countless drivers, including those who compete in the CARS Tour.
Chris Dilbeck, the senior sales manager at Simpson who is also a winner in the CARS Super Late Model Tour, always felt comfortable behind the wheel knowing the company’s products would protect him. Dilbeck is proud to see Simpson’s mission expand with the CARS Tour, a series he believes represents short track racing at its best.
“My background as a former CARS Tour competitor gives me a real appreciation for what this series means to racers and teams at this level,” Dilbeck said. “This partnership is about giving back to the competitors who put in the work week in and week out by supporting them with safety, reliability and performance they depend on to compete at a high level.
“From Simpson, Stilo and HANS protecting drivers, to MSD Ignition delivering consistent proven performance on track, we’re proud to invest in the drivers and teams who represent the future of grassroots racing.”
The idea of the company started back in 1958 when founder Bill Simpson broke both of his arms in a drag racing incident. Determined to prevent similar injuries, Simpson turned to his uncle, a military surplus store owner, for advice on how to reduce speed in drag racing, who suggested using a cross-form parachute.
What started as a prototype test of his uncle’s idea set Simpson down a path that would see his company become one of the most influential in motorsports history. Simpson designed NASA’s umbilical cords, a project that introduced him to astronaut Pete Conrad, who was the third person to walk on the Moon.
Conrad introduced Simpson to a product called Nomex, a flame-resistant fabric. Simpson used Nomex to create the first fire suit ahead of the 1967 Indianapolis 500, which was used by 30 drivers in the 33-car field.
Over the company’s six-decade history, Simpson has developed hundreds of products that include helmets, gloves, restrains, shoes and three generations of fire suits. The exceptional quality of Simpson’s equipment is what has garnered them the trust of drivers and crew members in NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula One, NHRA and other tours.
To kick off their new relationship with the CARS Tour, Simpson is offering bonus money to race winners who use their equipment throughout the 2026 season. Winners who use a Simpson suit or Stilo helmet will receive a $250 bonus, while $100 will be distributed to a victor utilizing an up-to-date HANS or Hybrid restraint.
Simpson is also introducing the Hard Luck Award to both CARS Tour divisions, which is distributed to the driver who is the first to officially retire from each event this season. The driver who receives the Hard Luck Award will be given a Simpson product of their choice.
As a former driver herself, CARS Tour partnerships and marketing manager Karsyn Elledge understands how important it is to have trustworthy equipment. Elledge has always considered Simpson to be the gold standard for safety in motorsports and looks forward to fostering a strong relationship with the company going forward.
“We’re excited to have Simpson Race Products come aboard as the official safety gear provider of the CARS Tour,” Elledge said. “Their commitment to driver safety, quality and innovation makes Simpson an ideal partner as our series continues to grow and showcase some of the best short track racing in the country.”
Simpson Race Products’ new partnership with the zMAX CARS Tour commences on Feb. 21 with the 2026 season-opener at Coastal Plains Raceway. FloRacing will provide coverage of all the on-track action.
For more information on the zMAX CARS Late Model Stock Tour and the zMAX CARS Pro Late Model Tour, visit www.carsracingtour.com. Be sure to stay active and social with the tour by liking “CARS Tour” on Facebook, following @CARSTour on X (formerly known as Twitter) and scrolling through photos on Instagram cars_tour.
Additional series information can be obtained by calling the CARS Tour series office, located in Mooresville, NC, at 704-662-9212.
Those who want to stay up to date with Simpson Race Products can do so by going to their website at www.simpsonraceproducts.com or by following “Simpson Race Products” on Facebook, @simpsonraceproducts on Instagram and @SimpsonRacing on X (formerly known as Twitter).
