In a significant move for the upcoming motorsports season, TeamSLR has announced that Alon Day, the celebrated four-time NASCAR Euro Series champion, will join its roster for a 2026 TA2 Series campaign. Day will compete alongside Lanie Buice, the talented young Chevrolet development driver from Jackson, Georgia, as TeamSLR and M1 Racecars build on the momentum of last year’s title-winning run, aiming to secure back-to-back CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series championships.
Reflecting on a Dominant 2025 Season and Setting Sights High
After a remarkable 2025 season in which TeamSLR drivers netted seven straight victories to close the year—including national and regional championships by Tristan McKee, Jared Odrick, and Brody Goble—the team enters 2026 with renewed energy and confidence. The 12-race calendar presents new challenges, but the combination of youth and veteran expertise has leadership excited for what lies ahead.
The team’s most recent triumph came with Helio Meza, a 17-year-old rising star from Houston, who returns for select events after his standout win at the COTA finale. With three fulltime driver championships, seven national race victories, and an impressive overall performance of 20 wins, 38 podiums, and 23 pole positions last year, TeamSLR’s leadership is energized for the new campaign.
“I’m excited to start the year. I think we’ve got as good of a lineup as we’ve ever had, and our group’s probably better prepared than we’ve ever been,”
said Scott Lagasse Jr., co-owner of both TeamSLR and M1 Racecars, affirming the program’s readiness and commitment to competing at the sport’s highest level.
Lanie Buice’s Return: Full-Season Ambition with Chevrolet Support
Lanie Buice, who pilots the No. 8 Sunoco/Chevrolet SLR-M1 Racecars Camaro, returns to TeamSLR after gaining experience in several key events last year. Her sixth-place qualifying effort at Virginia International Raceway and ninth at the COTA finale underscore her rapid progression as a competitor. Looking forward to a full TA2 Series schedule, Buice will also balance her commitments in the ARCA Menards Series and various Late Model races in 2026.
“I’m just super excited and grateful for the opportunity to race for TeamSLR with the support of Chevrolet and all the people that I’ve had behind me to be able to run the full season,”
Buice said, acknowledging the support network propelling her forward.
“I’m excited to compete fulltime in the TA2 Series. It’s just a really good series to be a part of. I’m motivated by the challenge of trying to figure out all the different places we go to across the country and trying to be the best that I can behind the wheel every single weekend. I always reach really high and shoot for the stars, so I feel like as long as I do what I’m supposed to do behind the scenes, and with all of us at TeamSLR where we just work really well together, the possibilities are endless,”
she added, highlighting her determination and high aspirations.
Alon Day: European Touring Champion Steps Into TA2 Spotlight
Alon Day enters the TA2 Series with an impressive résumé, having recorded 32 wins and four championships in the NASCAR Euro Series—earning him the distinction as that series‘ winningest driver. The 34-year-old from Ashdod, Israel, brings experience across multiple disciplines, including open-wheel racing and a string of starts in the INDY NXT Series. Over the past decade, Day has also competed in NASCAR’s premier divisions, including appearances at six of the circuits featured in this year’s TA2 schedule.
“While this is my first year in a TA2 car, the fundamentals remain the same – it’s four wheels and a steering wheel,”
Day commented, projecting assurance in his adaptability.
“Having raced everything from single-seaters and Indy NXT to stock cars, I’m comfortable and confident in my ability to adapt quickly. Driving for a top-tier program with TeamSLR, and with the incredible support of Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the Chicago-based aircraft maintenance support and finance company, I know I have the right environment and equipment to get up to speed immediately.”
Backing Day’s efforts is an ongoing partnership with JSSI. Neil Book, Chairman and CEO of JSSI, stated,
“We are excited to partner with Alon Day for a third consecutive year. Alon is a champion on and off the track, and having joined him at every race last season, I’ve seen firsthand the excellence, grit, and relentless preparation he brings to his craft. These are the same values we strive to embody at JSSI. I am thrilled that Alon will be driving for TeamSLR this year, led by Scott Lagasse Jr., whose high-performance culture strongly resonates with our own. Scott is a proven powerhouse in this sport and a mentor to the next generation. Joining such a championship-caliber team will provide Alon with the elite infrastructure necessary to compete at the highest level.”
Helio Meza and the Next Generation of TeamSLR Talent
TeamSLR’s pipeline of young contenders continues to impress. Helio Meza, who made a memorable debut by claiming pole and racing to victory at the 2025 COTA finale, is set for a six-race TA2 slate in 2026, beginning with the season opener at Sebring International Raceway. Meza’s growth mirrors the developmental philosophy exercised by TeamSLR and their partners at Chevrolet, who work closely with driver mentors such as Josh Wise, Scott Speed, and Lorin Ranier.
Meza’s busy 2026 schedule also includes the full NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series, select CARS Tour and short-track events, and occasional Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup starts, where he was recognized as Rookie of the Year in 2025.
“I really didn’t know what to expect when I stepped into the TA2 car last year at COTA, but everyone at TeamSLR just made it super easy for me, and obviously it doesn’t hurt to have great equipment underneath you, either,”
Meza remarked about his breakout.
“TA2 is probably the most fun I’ve had driving a racecar. I don’t know what it is about it, but I just love how raw the car is – no traction control, no ABS, really good power – so I’m really looking forward to doing more races this year. I have Chevrolet, Alessandros Racing, some of Alessandros’ partners on board, as well, and Telmex jumped on board to help me chase my dreams. It’s going to be a good year.”
Comprehensive Race Calendar and Key Partnerships
The 2026 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series kicks off on March 1 at Sebring, Florida. Other anticipated stops include Road Atlanta, Sonoma Raceway (with a doubleheader), Lime Rock Park, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and more. The tour visits a range of iconic circuits across the U.S. and Canada, culminating in the season finale on November 8 at COTA.
TeamSLR’s technical and sponsorship partners play a crucial role, with brands such as CUBE 3 Architecture, Guthrie’s Garage, Sunoco, Franklin Road Apparel Company, and Kallberg Racing joining the journey. The team’s collaboration with M1 Racecars provides them access to cutting-edge chassis and engineering support, reflecting a marriage of technology and experience led by Scott Lagasse Sr. and Jr.
TeamSLR and M1 Racecars: A Legacy of Performance and Innovation
TeamSLR, operating under the Lagasse family since 1985, has forged a reputation for nurturing talent and notching over 130 victories and eight championships in various top-level series, including NASCAR and ARCA. The organization is deeply involved in the Trans Am Series, offering expertise in driver coaching, car construction, and customer racing programs.
The synergy with M1 Racecars—exclusive chassis supplier and technical partner—bolsters TeamSLR’s championship aspirations. M1’s precisely engineered Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger builds are renowned for providing consistent performance, benefiting both TeamSLR and customers alike. The involvement of TeamSLR in development and feedback ensures a continuous cycle of improvement and competitiveness in the TA2 category.
What’s at Stake: The Road Ahead for TeamSLR and Alon Day
As anticipation builds for the TA2 Series opener, all eyes are on Day and Buice as they lead the charge for TeamSLR, supported by a team of mentors, partners, and young prospects like Meza. With a blend of established champions and emerging talent, the organization looks to solidify its legacy and inspire the next generation in motorsports.
The 2026 season represents not just a bid for another driver championship, but also a showcase of the development pipeline that’s driving the future of the TA2 Series. Fans, partners, and competitors alike will be watching closely as the campaign unfolds at legendary tracks across North America, shaping the sport for years to come.
