There will be additional money available to zMAX CARS Pro Late Model Tour competitors who can lay down a fast lap in time trials.
MAHLE Motorsport, which has served as an official CARS Tour pole award sponsor for several years, is launching the MAHLE Motorsports Front Row program in the series’ Pro Late Model division. As part of this program, the pole winner in the PLM Tour now receives $300, while the outside polesitter earns a $150 bonus.
Scott Clontz, the marketing manager for MAHLE Motorsport, has been searching for methods to increase the company’s involvement with the CARS Tour. He sees the MAHLE Motorsport Front Row program as the perfect way to do so, emphasizing the importance of seeing Pro Late Model drivers get rewarded for a stellar qualifying effort.
“The CARS Tour delivers short track racing in its purest form, and we are thrilled to partner with the series for the MAHLE Motorsport Front Row in Pro Late Models,” Clontz said. “Recognizing both front row qualifiers supports the passion for competition that makes this series one of the best in circle track racing.
“We’re excited about continuing our partnership with the CARS Tour and can’t wait to see the intensity turned up even higher as we head into the 2026 season.”
Founded in 1920, MAHLE operates as a leading development partner and supplier to the automotive industry, with one of every two vehicles globally supplied with the company’s components. A key focus of MAHLE today revolves around climate-neutral mobility, particularly with electrification and reducing CO2 emissions.
With racing, MAHLE Motorsport North America was established in 2000 and has rapidly emerged as a leading supplier of forged pistons and rings. Teams across the United States and the world trust MAHLE Motorsport for the durability and efficiency of their products, specifically engineered for high-performance street and race applications.
MAHLE Motorsport’s enduring commitment to the CARS Tour has been a pleasure to witness for the series’ partnerships and marketing manager Karsyn Elledge. Now that MAHLE Motorsport is offering expanded payouts across the PLM Tour front row, Elledge believes the relationship between the two will remain strong for years to come.
“The addition of the MAHLE Motorsport Front Row bonus is a huge win for our Pro Late Model competitors,” Elledge said. “Recognizing both the pole sitter and outside pole winner adds another layer of excitement to qualifying this year. MAHLE Motorsport’s support and passion for performance aligns perfectly with what the CARS Tour is all about.”
Drivers in the zMAX CARS PLM Tour will get their first opportunity at the MAHLE Motorsport Front Row bonus during the season-opener at Coastal Plains Raceway on Feb. 21. FloRacing will carry live coverage of both qualifying and the two feature races.
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.
