TOYOTA RACING becomes Sponsor of 2026 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400
American Off-Road Racing Championship officials are pleased to welcome TOYOTA RACING to the 2026 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400, returning to Las Vegas on March 5th - 8th. Toyota will be celebrating the return of 7x NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson as he returns to his roots of off-road racing. Johnson will be racing in the Unlimited Truck class with Off-Road Champion Troy Herbst sharing duties.
Toyota cemented its off-road legacy at the Mint 400 in 1989, when Ivan “Ironman” Stewart claimed the overall victory in the iconic #015 Toyota Trophy Truck—ushering in the unlimited truck era and redefining desert racing. Both Jimmie Johnson and Ivan “Ironman” Stewart will be on-hand signing autographs at the TOYOTA RACING Experience during the Mint 400 Off-Road festival on Thursday, March 5th at 1:00 p.m., on Fremont Street East. The Mint 400 Off-Road festival is free and open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“We’re excited to welcome TOYOTA RACING back to The Mint 400,” said Matt Martelli, CEO of Unlimited Off-Road Racing. “The Toyota brand is woven into the DNA of off-road racing culture from their legendary era with Ivan “Ironman” Stewart piloting the iconic #015 Toyota Trophy Truck. Having both Ivan and Jimmie Johnson back with us makes this Mint 400 extra special.”
At this year’s Mint 400, fans and racers can also get an up-close look at the latest Toyota vehicles, score premium giveaways and purchase TOYOTA RACING gear at the TOYOTA RACING Experience at the Mint 400 Off-Road festival, as well as the Start / Finish Line Midway.
“Toyota’s racing heritage began with decades of off-road racing success, where icons like Ivan Stewart helped Toyota build reliable trucks by pushing them to the limit at iconic racing venues across the country,” said Paul Doleshal, General Manager, Motorsports and Sponsorships, Toyota Motor North America. “We are thrilled to make our return at one of off-road racing’s most prestigious stages - the Mint 400 – with the legendary Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel. Toyota knows Jimmie will drive with that same racing spirit across the desert, and we look forward to giving fans an unforgettable experience at the Toyota Racing Experience.”
The Mint 400 has held the title of the toughest, most spectacular off-road race in North America since 1968 when it was first run. Initially, the race was a public relations event promoting the Mint Hotel’s annual deer hunt, but what started out as a hotel promotion soon grew into a legitimate desert race. Since its 2008 revival, “The Great American Off-Road Race” has only gotten bigger and more prestigious, and deeper fields every year only make it tougher to win.
This year’s Mint 400 will take place from March 4th - 8th in Las Vegas. More information on the event for racers and spectators is available at TheMint400.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.
Details regarding racer registration, sponsorship packages, exhibitor vending, spectator tickets, camping, and parking passes for the American Off-Road Racing Championship are live on americanoffroadracingchampionship.com
About American Off-Road Racing Championship
About the American Off-Road Racing Championship:
The American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC) is the premier desert off-road racing league in North America, created through the unification of Best in the Desert (BITD) and Unlimited Off-Road Racing (UNLTD).
Best in the Desert, founded in 1984 by legendary racer Casey Folks, is the longest-running and most respected off-road racing series in the U.S., with a legacy that includes iconic events like Vegas to Reno, the Silver State 300, the Parker 425, and the Laughlin Desert Classic.
Unlimited Off-Road Racing, established by the Martelli Brothers in 2023, produces world-class events such as The Mint 400, The California 300, and The Parker 400. UNLTD is recognized for its focus on innovation, storytelling, and large-scale racer participation, with events known for high car counts, challenging courses, pre-running, and family-friendly fan experiences near major markets.
Together under the AORC banner, BITD and UNLTD preserve the heritage of desert racing while building its future—offering racers, sponsors, and fans a unified championship built on clarity, consistency, and world-class competition.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.