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If you have been paying attention, there have been recent signs that Zach Newlin and his team are making progress.

After numerous years of fielding winning 305 and 358 sprint cars, Zach Newlin and his family resurrected the Newlin Racing 11z in 2023, this time as a 410 sprint car program.  He acknowledged that establishing a competitive 410 team in Central Pennsylvania would be a slow process, especially given the budget they have to work with.

That process can be a daunting one, at times taking a toll on anyone’s determination, no matter how passionate they are.  

Nothing puts fuel back in the tank like glimpses of promise.

HOW IT STARTED

Newlin only entered a handful of events in 2023 and 2024, picking his spots that provided the best opportunity to get the most laps.  Factors like the amount of tow money (what teams are paid if they don’t qualify), expected car counts, and event format (draw vs. time trial) all have to be considered to give a team the best chance to gain experience and hopefully put some money in their pocket at the end of the night.

The team battled through some growing pains early on, including fueling issues and other ‘wrinkles’ that took some time to iron out.  Making A-mains was hit-or-miss for Newlin during those years.  

Finally, in 2025, although still picking his spots, Newlin got more steady seat time, which allowed him and crew chief, brother Lance Newlin, to start to build a better notebook and figure out how to get the most out of what they had to work with.

HOW IT’S GOING

The team started 2026 with a new (to them) RPM chassis, which has required a lot of trial and error to determine how to get the most speed out of it.

Newlin has entered four races at three different tracks during the first month of his 2026 season, and he has qualified for all four A-mains.

At Port Royal Speedway on May 2nd, Newlin showed he has found the speed to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. 

A good pill draw put Newlin on the front row of his heat race.  He held his own and survived a mid-race restart to hold off a couple of veterans and record a 2nd-place finish to put his team solidly in the A-main.

“We have been trying to find the right balance in the car.  What works for others may not work for us since we are down about 100 horsepower compared to some teams.  We scaled the car recently, trying to learn where we might need to make adjustments,” Newlin explained.

“We’re getting closer to figuring this car out for early in the night, but we have some work to do on the setup with a full load of fuel for the feature.”

Newlin started 11th in the 25-lap A-main, but his race ended early when an incident occurred in front of his Butler Hill Maple Farm, Falcon Machine Service, Fisher’s Heating A/C Electrical, Pandemonium Bar & Grill, Strange Oval, Newlin Bar Service No.11z.

“I felt a little tight in the early going of the feature, but I’m really bummed we got caught up in an incident and didn’t get to see how good we really were,” Newlin said.

“I knew we made contact, but I wasn’t sure how much damage there was, if any.  Without guaranteed time in the work area, we couldn’t really look at it.  After the restart, the car didn’t feel right, and I had a small vibration, so we called it a night. “

“I want to thank everyone who supports this team, no matter how big or small their contribution is.  We could not do this without them.  We are determined to make the most of what they provide.”

THE LATEST

Newlin’s next 410 sprint car race will be at BAPS Motor Speedway on May 17th.  The return of the Mansberger Motorsports No.21m 358 sprint car is still in the works, but the season debut will have to wait a couple more weeks.

Fans can follow Newlin Racing on Facebook or follow @ZachDaddyRacing on X (formerly Twitter) to keep up with the team’s schedule, latest news, and other updates!

Zach Newlin is poised for a busy 2026 racing season, a welcome change compared to the limited seat time last season.

The Millerstown, PA driver will take on the continued challenge of building the family-owned 410 winged sprint car program, plus he will return to the 358 sprint car division for numerous races.

RETURN OF THE 21M

We have more to tell you about the plans for the Newlin Racing 11z this season, but first, we want to share some good news.

The Mansberger Motorsports No.21m 358 sprint car team will return for 2026 with Newlin at the wheel.

Newlin wheeled the car for four seasons for the late Dan Mansberger from 2021-2024, including returning the team to victory lane at Williams Grove Speedway in 2023.

After a little over a year on the sidelines, Dan’s son, Nathan Mansberger, is continuing the family tradition.

“Realistically, the 21m is my chance of winning races this year, so I’m definitely ready to get back to being competitive in that car,” Newlin commented.

The team will compete at Williams Grove Speedway and BAPS Motor Speedway this season.

410 UPDATE

Not long after Newlin’s 2025 season ended prematurely with a bent frame, he acquired another RPM Chassis with help from supporter Butler Hill Maple Farm and began building a new car.  That project was completed last week after the refreshed motor was dropped between the frame rails, and the fresh wrap was applied.

While Newlin is known for sporting a specific shade of green on many of his cars over the years, he has also strayed from that with white and black cars.  This year’s car leverages that ‘Zach Daddy Green’ in a whole new way.  

Newlin’s son, Caleb, designed this year’s car.  He came up with a beautiful, eye-catching scheme that transitions from white to orange to green from front to back.

“I thought Caleb’s design was super cool.  Who else gets to race a car their kid designed?” an excited Newlin shared.

“We are building this 410 program, but we know it’s going to take time.  We are going to go out and try our hardest with the hand we are dealt.”

Newlin plans to compete in 20-25 races at Port Royal, BAPS, Selinsgrove, and Path Valley Speedways in Central PA.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Winged 410 sprint car racing is an expensive venture and requires a lot of support.  Newlin Racing is fortunate to have dedicated partners who have enabled it to continue building its program.

Returning as Newlin Racing’s primary partner for the 2026 season is Butler Hill Maple Farm.  The Knoxville, PA-based business offers high-quality maple products, including syrup, infused syrups, and sweet treats, all handcrafted by 31-year U.S. Army veteran Corrie Bacon. Experience the finest maple flavors.  Visit ButlerHillMapleFarm.com or call 607-426-5820.  Taste the rich tradition of Butler Hill Maple Farm!

Falcon Machine Service joined the team in 2025 and is back for another campaign.  Falcon Machine Service provides expert CNC machine service and repairs across the Mid Atlantic, focusing on optimizing equipment performance through maintenance and support. For inquiries, contact 717-275-4500 or email [email protected].

New partners Fisher’s Heating, A/C Electrical, and Pandemonium Bar & Grill have come on board for the new season.  

Fisher’s Heating, A/C, Electrical provides comprehensive HVAC and electrical services in Mifflintown, PA, including installation and repair of heating, cooling, and electrical systems. For service, contact them at (717) 363-3171.

Pandemonium Bar & Grill offers a lively dining experience in Shermans Dale, PA, featuring a diverse menu and welcoming atmosphere. You can contact them at 223-299-4838 or visit their Facebook page for more details.

Another key partner, Ron’s RV Sales, returns for 2026.  Enjoy a pressure-free RV buying experience at Ron’s RV Sales. With no pushy tactics, explore our inventory at 349 Industrial Park Rd, Mifflintown, PA. Visit Ron’s RV Sales on Facebook or call (717) 348-4520. Experience honest service with a community touch.

Newlin Bar Service, Newlin’s own business, specializes in optimizing racing performance through torsion bar dyno testing and exclusive cleaning tools for sprint and micro sprints, as well as torsion bars, front arms, and Walker Filtration products. For inquiries, contact them at 717-275-5279.

Numerous other supporters make it possible for the small, family-owned Newlin Racing team to race, including Black Cat Tattoo, Ron’s RV Sales, Nesbit Innovations, Engler Machine, Black Cat Diesel, The Race Shop, Smoke Whisper BBQ, Roger Snyder Insurance, Safety-Kleen, AL Driveline, HRF Racing Fuels, RPM Chassis, Hershey Racing Engines, and Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Management.

“We can’t thank everyone who supports us enough.  This literally would not be possible without each one of them,” Newlin said, gesturing toward his sharp-looking 410 sprint car.

THE LATEST

Fans can follow Newlin Racing on Facebook or follow @ZachDaddyRacing on X (formerly Twitter) to keep up with the team’s schedule, latest news, and other updates!