Grassroots racing might not have the glitz of the Daytona 500 or the spotlight of a Cup Series playoff race, but it’s where the heart of motorsports really beats. It’s Friday night under the lights, dirt flying, engines screaming, and local heroes chasing glory in front of hometown crowds. For decades, this level of racing has built the next generation of stars, and in 2025, grassroots racing isn’t just surviving. In fact, it’s thriving. Thanks to better access, streaming, and fan engagement, small tracks and series are pulling in more eyes than ever before. Now, one $330 million powerhouse is being credited for taking things to the next level. And even NASCAR legends are taking notice.
FloSports, Inc. announced that it has issued 1,704,115 series D preferred shares at an issue price of $24.503468 per share for the gross proceeds of $ 41,756,727.3708 in a round of funding led by new investor, Dream Sports Inc., on March 19, 2025. The preferred shares will be convertible into common shares at their original issue price. The shares carry a fixed non-cumulative dividend rate of 8% per annum. The transaction is raised at a post-money valuation of $330,626,528. Beyond that, FloRacing has quietly become a backbone for grassroots motorsports, giving local tracks and weekly series a platform that was once nearly impossible to access.
Since partnering with NASCAR for the NASCAR Roots properties, FloRacing has steadily expanded its catalog of live and on-demand events. Everything from ARCA and Modified Tours to Weekly Series dirt and pavement racing. With its streaming-first model, the fanbase for these small races stayed intact even as viewing habits shifted. “Our audience on Flo didn’t change. There’s a Flo fan. Yeah. They’re going to watch it on Flo,” Dale Jr. observed, pointing out the loyalty of viewers who follow via the app no matter where they are, on the Dale Jr. Download podcast.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Drivers like Rico Abreu have also seen firsthand how meaningful this access is, and he puts it best. “When Flo started the streaming, he’ll call and rip my a*s after the races.” That “he” is his dad, but the point is clear. Streamed races allowed family, fans, and folks who couldn’t make the tracks in person a front-row seat.
Thanks to streaming, more fans are discovering tracks they’d never been able to visit or even knew existed. “I think that’s also why short track racing and dirt track racing for us has grown so much in the last couple of years. It is more accessible,” reflects Tony Stewart, capturing the feeling of the grassroots world finally being seen. Clips, promos, and event coverage are everywhere now, making weekend racing a national spectacle instead of a local secret.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“Now people that didn’t have a chance or an opportunity to go to your racetrack now see it on a streaming platform and go, ‘I really want to go,” Stewart summed up the discussion succinctly. That sentiment might be the biggest win of all. Because it means these small venues aren’t just surviving. In fact, they’re earning new fans, gates, and relevance, thanks to streaming platforms that made them visible again.
Rico Abreu joins Tony Stewart Racing in blockbuster 2026 move
Tony Stewart Racing just landed one of the biggest signings of the 2026 Sprint Car season, and it’s a move that has fans buzzing. Rico Abreu, the California fan favorite and current Kubota High Limit Racing points leader, is set to merge his family-owned No. 24 team with Stewart’s powerhouse operation at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Abreu isn’t coming alone. He’s bringing along his entire race-day crew, including legendary crew chief Ricky Warner, who helped Donny Schatz rack up 264 wins, 10 World of Outlaws titles, and 10 Knoxville Nationals victories during his time at TSR. He has been instrumental in Abreu’s 44 feature wins since 2022. This reunion is poised to be a game-changer.
For Abreu, the move is all about opportunity, something he missed in NASCAR. “I see it as tying myself to a top-tier establishment. Like, I don’t know if you find anything bigger or better than Tony Stewart Racing in our industry,” he told FloRacing. Beyond the prestige, he’ll have access to TSR’s world-class resources, data, and infrastructure. Tools, he admits, were tough to match while running his own operation.
Abreu will continue campaigning full-time in the FloRacing-backed High Limit tour, confirming that TSR has leased his franchise and given him authority over the team’s day-to-day management. Familiar faces Zack Middlebrooks and Brady Forbrook will stay on the crew, while current TSR crew chief Todd Devnich transitions into a management role.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Perhaps most exciting for fans: Abreu’s iconic No. 24 isn’t going anywhere. He’s hinted at unique throwback schemes and special-event liveries for 2026, promising campaigns that engage fans and add excitement to every stop on the tour. “The fans love that stuff,” Abreu said. “That’s the s— that separates us — the activation side of the business.”
Evidently, the 33-year-old has a bright future ahead, regardless of missed opportunities in the past. Do you think he can perform well in his new setup?