It’s Tight At The Top As Gagne Leads Herrin By Just .084 Of A Second On
Opening Day In The Pacific Northwest

SHELTON, WA – June 28, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The Superbike pack might want to start paying attention as Jake Gagne is beginning to look like the Jake Gagne of old as he rode his Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1 to provisional pole position on a cloudy and cool Friday afternoon at Ridge Motorsports Park.

It was close at the top as Gagne’s best of 1:39.997 was just .084 of a second quicker than Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin with the defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion a mere .094 of a second faster than Real Steel Honda’s Hayden Gillim on the provisional front row.

Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier led the provisional second row, with the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion just .996 of a second slower than three-time champ Gagne. Both Gagne and Herrin did their fast laps on their seventh lap.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante was fifth-fastest, marginally ahead of his teammate Sean Dylan Kelly.

Bobby Fong ended up seventh, just a tad over a second slower than his teammate.

FLO4LAW/SBU Racing’s Benjamin Smith, Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates, and BPR Racing’s Bryce Kornbau rounded out the top 10.

Motovation Supersport – Scholtz And Jacobsen At The Top 

Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz led the Motovation Supersport Q2 session on Friday with the defending series champion besting Rahal Ducati Moto w/XPEL’s PJ Jacobsen by just .340 of a second with the two championship rivals from a year ago the only two to crack into the 1:42s with their 1:42.221 and 1:42.561 laps, respectively.

Scholtz’s teammate Blake Davis was third, a tick over a second off the top two and just .051 of a second faster than Jacobsen’s teammate Kayla Yaakov. The third of the Rahal Ducati’s rounded out the top five in the capable hands of Corey Alexander.

Celtic/Economy Lube+Tire/Warhorse HSBK Ducati’s Cameron Petersen was sixth-fastest, fractions ahead of BPR Racing Yamaha’s Teagg Hobbs. Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis, BPR Racing Yamaha’s Josh Hayes and Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott rounded out the top 10. Scott was still feeling the effects of being rear-ended in the morning practice session.

SC-Project Twins Cup – Di Mario Rules! 

Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario continued to show his mastery of the SC-Project Twins Cup class on Friday with a dominating performance in Q1. When all was said and done in the 30-minute session on the 2.47-mile Ridge Motorsports Park track, Di Mario was on provisional pole with almost two seconds in hand.

Giaccmoto Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle was second, 1.886 seconds behind Di Mario and just a few tenths quicker than Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher.

Karns/TST Industries’ Levi Badie and Speeddemon Racing’s Logan Cunnison rounded out the top five.

Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Powered By Harley-Davidson – Hurry Up And Weight

Local hero Andy DiBrino led the way in Q1 for the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship class at Ridge Motorsports Park with his lap of 1:45.016 putting him .806 of a second clear of the first of a trio of Harley-Davidson Pan Americas.

The first of the Harleys belonged to Hayden Schultz with the KWR Harley-Davidson rider besting Saddlemen Race Development’s Jake Lewis and his title-defending and current championship-leading teammate Cory West.

All the Harley-Davidson Pan America riders had to adapt to an increase in the minimum allowable weight of their bikes, a technical rule change instituted as a balancing measure after the previous Super Hooligan round last month at Road America. The Saddlemen Race Development Pan Americas had to add 38 pounds with the KWR Harleys having to add 24 pounds to meet the new minimums

Corey Alexander gave ARCH Racing its best day yet by putting its 2SR on the provisional second row with the fifth-fastest time of the day and just 1.3 seconds from DiBrino.

Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. – All Cain 

Championship points leader Miranda Cain was the fastest in the Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. class on Friday at Ridge, with the Minnesotan almost a second quicker than Kira Knebel in Q1.

Shea MacGregor, Kate West and Cassie Creer rounded out the top five on the first day of the race weekend in Washington.

Jake Gagne led Superbike Qualifying 1 on Friday at Ridge Motorsports Park. Gagne has won five Superbike races in Shelton, Washington. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

Mathew Scholtz was the fastest of the fast in Motovation Supersport Q1 on his Strack Racing Yamaha. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

Andy DiBrino led the way in Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Q1 session at his home track on Friday. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

HAMPTON, Ga. — Nick Sanchez scored his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory early Saturday morning at EchoPark Speedway, as rookies took four of the top five spots in a race that was delayed by lightning and ended at 12:26 a.m. ET.

The 24-year-old Sanchez became the first driver to earn their first series victory this season. He gave Big Machine Racing its second career Xfinity victory.

“In this sport, winning is everything,” Sanchez said. “Nobody cares about second, third. Nobody cares that I ran great at Pocono or Texas. They look at the results and that’s all they see. That’s frustrating. Obviously, I feel like I’m a lot better than what I’ve shown this year. I’m a lot better than my results.

“I’m not going to shy away from the fact that winning is the only you’re going to advance in the sport.”

Rookie Carson Kvapil finished second to match his career-best result. Sam Mayer placed third. Rookie Connor Zilisch was fourth. Rookie Taylor Gray placed fifth.

Twenty-six of the 38 cars were involved in an incident, including Sanchez. He spun to bring out the caution on Lap 68 of the 163-lap race after contact with Matt DiBenedetto as they raced for sixth place at the time.

The race was delayed 1 hour, 18 minutes before the end of stage 1 due to lightning.

Shortly after the restart, a 10-car crash eliminated Sheldon Creed, Justin Allgaier, Ryan Sieg, Sammy Smith, Katherine Legge and Patrick Staropoli.

Stage 1 winner: Taylor Gray

Stage 2 winner: Brandon Jones

Next: The series races at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, July 5 in the Chicago Street Race.

(All times Eastern)

Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts

Sunday, June 29

AUTO RACING

7:30 a.m.

FS1 — FIM MotoGP: The Motul Grand Prix of the Netherlands, TT Circuit Assen in Drenthe, Netherlands

8:55 a.m.

ESPN — Formula 1: The MSC Cruises Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria

ESPNU — Formula 1: The MSC Cruises Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria (F1 Kids)

11 a.m.

FS1 — NHRA: Qualifying, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio (Taped)

2 p.m.

FOX — NHRA: The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio

BIG3 BASKETBALL

1 p.m.

CBS — Week 3: Houston Rig Hands vs. L.A. Riot, Boston Ball Hogs vs. Miami 305, Detroit Amps vs. Dallas Power, Chicago Triplets vs. DMV Trilogy, Miami

CFL FOOTBALL

7 p.m.

CBSSN — Toronto at Ottawa

GOLF

6 a.m.

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Italian Open, Final Round, Argentario GC, Monte Argentario, Italy

1 p.m.

FS2 — LIV Golf League: Final Round, Maridoe Golf Club, Carrollton, Texas

GOLF — PGA Tour: The Rocket Classic, Final Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit

2 p.m.

NBC — PGA Tour Champions: The U.S. Senior Open Championship, Final Round, Broadmoor Golf Club (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo.

3 p.m.

CBS — PGA Tour: The Rocket Classic, Final Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit

GOLF — LPGA Tour: The Dow Championship, Final Round, Midland Country Club, Midland, Mich.

HORSE RACING

Noon

FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races

MLB BASEBALL

1:30 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Philadelphia at Atlanta (1:35 p.m.) OR Toronto at Boston (1:35 p.m.)

4:30 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Miami at Arizona (4:10 p.m.) OR Washington at L.A. Angels (4:05 p.m.)

7 p.m.

ESPN — Minnesota at Detroit

ESPN2 — Minnesota at Detroit (StatCast)

OT7 FOOTBALL

3 p.m.

NFLN — Playoffs: TBD, Quarterfinal 1, Miami

4 p.m.

NFLN — Playoffs: TBD, Quarterfinal 2, Miami

SOCCER (MEN’S)

Noon

TNT — FIFA Club World Cup: Paris Saint-Germain FC vs. Inter Miami CF, Round of 16, Charlotte, N.C.

TNT — FIFA Club World Cup: Paris Saint-Germain FC vs. Inter Miami CF, Round of 16, Charlotte, N.C.

4 p.m.

FS1 — CONCACAF Gold Cup: Canada vs. Guatemala, Quarterfinal, Minneapolis

7 p.m.

FOX — CONCACAF Gold Cup: U.S. vs. Costa Rica, Quarterfinal, Minneapolis

SOCCER (WOMEN’S)

Noon

CBSSN — International Friendly: England vs. Jamaica, Leicester, England

3 p.m.

TNT — International Friendly: U.S. vs. Ireland, Cincinnati

TRUTV — International Friendly: U.S. vs. Ireland, Cincinnati

TENNIS

6 a.m. (Monday)

ESPN — ATP/WTA: Wimbledon, First Round, London

WNBA BASKETBALL

4 p.m.

ESPN — Chicago at Los Angeles

6 p.m.

NBATV — Las Vegas at Phoenix

X GAMES

1 p.m.

ABC — X Games 2025: Day 3, Salt Lake City

_____

Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Currently sitting 3rd and 4th respectively in the weekly DIRTcar Sportsman-Modified standings at Can-Am and Brockville Speedways, Kingston’s Jessica Power Racing is pleased to welcome Shocker Hitch Air Ride Towing Hitches to the team’s marketing program.

From a corporate home base in Lethbridge, Alberta, Shocker Hitch Canada is a trusted name known industry wide. For anything you’re towing or whatever you’re hauling, there is a Shocker Hitch Air Ride Towing system to match every need.

With 5th Wheel, Bumper Hitch, Camper, Farm, Gooseneck applications and more, Shocker Hitch Canada has the products and expertise you’re looking for. Get safer, smoother towing with Shocker Hitch. Their air trailer tongue mount couplers, the Streamline Aluminum air bumper hitch and Shocker Impact and Impact Max cushion hitch ball mounts provide a more comfortable ride, whatever you’re towing.

Learn more about Stocker Hitch Air Ride Towing Systems by visiting www.stockerhitches.ca or by seeing the Jessica Power Racing team hauler at their weekly events.

“It has been a great season so far and we appreciate the assistance of all of our marketing partners,” said Jessica Power, driver of the No. 52 DIRTcar Sportsman-Modified. “Bringing a new sponsor like Shocker Hitch Air Ride Hitches into our program is a positive move as the team gets closer to the special events near the end of the season.”

Catch car No. 52 and driver Jessica Power in Friday night action at Can Am Speedway in Lafargeville, New York. The team’s Saturday night home is Brockville Ontario Speedway. Be sure to like and follow Jessica Power Racing on social media for information on plans for the balance of the 2025 schedule.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads back to Atlanta but with a new name as it has been re-branded as EchoPark Speedway! The Amazon portion of the broadcast schedule is in the past and now the NASCAR Cup Series can be seen on TNT, and they better bring their A-game because Amazon Prime was great to watch.

The exciting part of this portion of the schedule is the In-Season Challenge, and if you haven’t submitted your bracket well by all means you can do so by clicking right here. 32 drivers going head-to-head in a March Madness style tournament. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday night (in addition to watching UFC). Fortunately, we tend to know what’s in store for a race like this so let’s dig into the NASCAR DFS picks and plays for the first…

A pair of new faces in Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin are not just battling for the Rookie of the Year honors – and the big scholarship money that comes with it – but looking like real threats for the overall championship as well.

Ethan Goulart is one of those new faces. With his victory in the most recent race at Mid-Ohio (above), driving the No. 29 Saito Motorsport Group MX-5, he’s not only propelled himself into the rookie fight with Noah Harmon, but with a little bit of consistency in the final six races, he could easily be contending for the overall championship.

Eight months ago, Goulart was in a different fight with Harmon, trying to claim the SCCA Spec Miata National Championship in the Runoffs at Road America. Starting on pole with no less than his father, four-time SCCA National Champion Elivan Goulart, alongside him, the race turned into a battle between the younger Goulart and Harmon. When the checkers flew, Goulart ended up the youngest SCCA National Champion in history at 15 years and 174 days old, and this in one of the most competitive amateur road racing classes.

Fast forward to June 2025, and Goulart is racing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, a track he hasn’t seen before – and with rain falling, too. With the help and advice of others, including his father casting a keen eye on the previous races during the IMSA weekend, and his own careful observation during the warm-up lap, Goulart found the grip, made the winning move and took his first win in MX-5 Cup.

“It was definitely really cool,” he says of that breakthrough victory. “Being a rookie just made it 10 times more gratifying. It was good in the moment, right? And now we’re on to the next weekend at [Canadian Tire Motorsport Park]. But I can’t thank the whole team enough, the Saito Motorsport team and SCDA track days. This past year-and-a-half has been really good for me: being the youngest National Champion in the SCCA Runoffs in Spec Miata, having a first MX-5 Cup win this year, plus having my podium debut at Daytona, too, is all really cool.”

Rain may be the great equalizer, but in a series of equal cars at a repaved track, the playing field was about as level as it could be.

“I don’t think it could have gotten more equal,” says Goulart, “because nobody has really driven on that track in the rain since the repave. But I actually hadn’t even been to Mid-Ohio before. That was my first time and I’m still fairly new to these cars as well, so I think that just made us even more of the underdog. But we were able to get the job done.”

And he got it done in conditions that were tricky and ever changing.

“The way the track dried and developed, it was so drastic,” he explains. “The way the puddles were developing…some spots would dry very quickly as the laps went on, and some would stay wet, and then some would actually even move to different spots as the water streamed. So, it was definitely the wettest in the beginning of the race, but what made it so tricky was on-and-off rain. You’d get 10, 15 minutes of dry, and then it would just start raining again. That’s what made it so tricky trying to read the track.”

After reading the changing conditions to perfection, Ethan Goulart celebrated a first MX-5 Cup win at Mid-Ohio.

The win, after some rough races, has him in the thick of the rookie fight with Harmon. But while Goulart certainly covets the Rookie of the Year title and the award that comes with it, he’s looking for even more, and sees himself in a good position to achieve it.

“I have my eye on Rookie of the Year, but I also have my eye on winning the overall championship,” he declares. “I don’t think any true racing driver shows up to race a full season without having their eye on a championship. So that’s my main goal.”

Like many ascending pro racers – and endurance sports car racing is his aspiration – Goulart started on the Mazda Motorsports ladder. While part of choosing MX-5 Cup just makes sense to continue on that path, he says the well-built, evenly-matched cars and great people were a big part of it as well. But, ultimately, he knows it’s a great proving ground.

“Mazda Motorsports has always put on a great ladder program with grassroots racing, and it really gets your name out there in the IMSA paddock,” he says. “This is like the pinnacle of Mazda’s ladder, right? It’s just so competitive; you have probably at least 10,15 guys who could win at any race. So if you win one of those races, you’re getting your name out there. And this was one of the things that we thought was best this stage of my career, right now, to help me progress to the next level.”

With a victory in MX-5 Cup, he’s certainly getting his name out there. Now he’s looking to get it engraved in the record book with a championship.

• All Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin races are streamed live on RACER.com and archived on The RACER Channel on YouTube. The 2025 action continues with rounds 9 & 10 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Ont., on Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13. Plus, find all the latest series news at mx-5cup.com.