Team Real Racing Kicks Off 2026 Season Strong — And PCI Is Along for the Ride

Three races. Thousands of miles of desert terrain. And a team that refuses to quit. Team Real Racing — one of PCI Race Radios' proud partners — has roared into 2026 with serious speed, grit, and a podium finish already in the books. Here's a look at where they've been, what they've learned, and what's coming next.

Race 1 — The Parker 400 | Parker, AZ | January 17, 2026

Team Real Racing came out swinging at the Parker 400 with a strong race pace throughout all three laps — until a bearing failure in the torque converter ended their day 30 miles into the final lap. While the result wasn't what the team hoped for, driver and crew used it as a valuable test session, gathering critical data on new components they've been developing. The fighting spirit was evident from lap one.

Race 2 — King of the Hammers | Johnson Valley, CA | January 31, 2026

King of the Hammers is one of the most demanding events on the planet — and Team Real Racing was running inside the top 6 through the first half of the race. A persistent power steering issue that had been tracked since the truck was new finally caught up with them in Lap 4 of 5: temperatures spiked over 300°F and a twisted sector shaft made the truck dangerously unstable at speed, forcing them to call it a day for safety reasons. The team is actively addressing the power steering system ahead of upcoming rounds.

Race 3 — The Mint 400 | Las Vegas, NV | March 4–8, 2026

The Mint 400 was, in the team's own words, "BRUTAL" — and also their best result of the year so far. Team Real Racing posted the 5th fastest lap of the entire event at 1:40, took calculated risks to push for a podium, and despite losing over 45 minutes to a string of challenges, still came home 3rd in class and 16th overall. That's a box finish in one of off-road racing's most iconic events.

Some of the obstacles they overcame:

• Quick-connect seat belts that unbuckled at speed four separate times — the team is switching back to traditional belts immediately

• A top light bar that broke free from its mounts and entered the cab mid-race

• A leaking power steering line requiring two hood removals during pit stops

• Four flat tires from aggressive sidewall impacts (reports suggest many teams averaged 3–4 flats at this year's Mint)

The pit crew performed brilliantly under pressure. Their speed and precision throughout the day were a major reason the team was able to fight through every setback and still reach the podium.

Team Highlights & Shoutouts

The Mint 400 weekend was a big one for the full Team Real Racing family:

Taryn Mccalla (B13) earned a 3rd place podium in the UTV Pro Turbo class — an impressive performance in one of the most competitive UTV categories in desert racing.

Cody Piscitelli, Team Real Racing's newest driver, delivered back-to-back 1st place finishes in UTV Stock Modified. What makes Cody's victories even more remarkable: he is paraplegic and races entirely on hand controls. Two wins in a row is a testament to skill, determination, and the spirit that defines Team Real Racing.

What's Ahead: The 2026 Race Calendar

Team Real Racing is competing in the 2026 American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC) — the unified championship presented by UNLTD Off-Road Racing and Best In The Desert — across the full Unlimited Trophy Truck season:

• Silver State 300 — Tonopah, NV | April 22–26

• Vegas to Reno Legends Rally — Nevada | July 16–19

• Vegas to Reno — Nevada | August 13–16

• Laughlin Desert Classic — Laughlin, NV | October 15–19

Follow the Journey

Team Real Racing brings their fans and partners along for every mile. With nearly 450,000 YouTube subscribers (projected to hit 1,000,000 by December 2026), 31,900+ Instagram followers, and monthly Instagram reach averaging 600,000–1,300,000 accounts, the team produces professional content at scale — including live race streaming, 8+ onboard cameras per event, drone and helicopter footage, and sponsor-integrated short-form video.

The team also has a permanent exhibit at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park — viewed by millions annually — and counts celebrity collaborators including Flo-Rida, El Fantasma, Dennis Quaid, and Los Tucanes De Tijuana among its extended family.

At PCI Race Radios, we're proud to support teams like Team Real Racing who embody what off-road racing is all about: pushing limits, adapting under pressure, and crossing finish lines no matter what the desert throws at you. We'll be cheering them on — and keeping them connected — every mile of the 2026 season.

Follow Team Real Racing:

YouTube | Instagram | TeamRealRacing.com