Motorsports

20th Anniversary Celebrations – GTPlanet

Published

8 months ago

May 6, 2025

May marks a very special time for Forza Motorsport in 2025. Turn 10 is rolling out Update 20 for all console and PC players, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport franchise.

Weighing in at 9GB on PC and 10.42GB on Xbox Series X/S, this is one of the biggest updates by far, adding lots of new content and gameplay features.

There’s a lot to unpack in this update, so let’s dive in.

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Fujimi Kaido

The headline news this update is the return of Fujimi Kaido. Since the last appearance of this iconic circuit in Forza Motorsport 4, it has become the most community-requested track of all time. This 10.24-mile (16.5km) mountain pass is one of the longest tracks in the game, behind the Nurburgring Nordschleife, as it winds its way through 144 corners in the spectacular Japanese mountains.

With a peak elevation change of over 2,700ft, players will experience both challenging uphill and exciting downhill sections. The track will be available to drive in single player and multiplayer modes.

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Spotlight/VIP Cars

In line with the 20th anniversary celebrations, each of the Spotlight cars are the cover cars from the previous seven Forza Motorsport titles, from the Honda NSX up to the Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

Each Spotlight car will be available for purchase every week for a limited 30% discount using in-game credits. Players with VIP can also grab their own selection of Forza Motorsport history for a 15% discount.

A pair of Time Attack monsters and a returning drift car are also added to the Showroom for everyone:

Spotlight Cars

Honda NSX-R ’05 – May 7-14
Nissan Fairlady Z ’03, Aston Martin DBS ’08 – May 14-21
Audi R8 5.2 FSI ’10 – May 21-28
Ferrari 458 Italia ’09, BMW M5 ’12 – May 28 – June 4
McLaren P1 ’13, Audi RS7 Sportback ’13 – June 4-11
Ford GT ’17 – June 11-18
Porsche 911 GT2 RS ’18 – June 18-25

VIP Discount Cars

Cadillac V-Series.R #01 Cadillac Racing ’23, Cadillac V-Series.R #2 Cadillac Racing ’23, Cadillac V-Series.R #31 Whelen Engineering ’23 – May 7 – June 25
Nissan R390 ’98 – May 7-14
Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale ’03 – May 14-21
Aston Martin DBS ’08, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ’09, Ferrari 430 Scuderia ’07, Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 ’11, Porsche 911 GT3 ’07 – May 21-28
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport ’11, Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 ’11 – May 28 – June 4
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport ’11, Mazda 787B ’91, Shelby Cobra 427 S/C ’65 – June 4-11
Ferrari 458 Speciale ’13, Ford Shelby GT-350R ’16, Lamborghini Veneno ’13, McLaren F1 GT ’97 – June 11-18
Acura NSX ’17, BMW M4 Coupé ’14, Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport Coupe ’69, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 ’17, Ford Escort RS Cosworth ’92 – June 18-25

Showroom Additions

Toyota Starlet #25 Horsepower Techs Time Attack ’84
Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MkIV ’95
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution #1 Sierra Enterprises Time Attack ’05

One of the big additions is the addition of an extreme 1984 Toyota Starlet. This particular version bares very little resemblance to the road car thanks to a widebody kit, a huge rear wing, and a colossal rear diffuser for maximum downforce in Time Attack.

The engine is a 2.0-liter F20C lifted from a Honda S2000, but fitted with a massive turbocharger and converted to run on ethanol. The engine produces 650hp, giving this pocket rocket insane performance.

Another Time Attack car comes in the shape of the Sierra Enterprises Mitsubishi Lancer, crossing over from Forza Horizon 5. This Evo has undergone a plethora of extreme upgrades to take part in the top Unlimited class of Time Attack, with a fully stripped interior, carbon body panels and insane aerodynamic changes.

The Evo runs a 2.2-liter turbocharged engine tuned to produce 950hp and channeled through a beefed up four-wheel drive system.

Racing Heroes Car Pack

Turn 10 has also revealed the first paid DLC car pack, dubbed “Racing Heroes”. Featuring five famous machines from past and present, this pack has a broad appeal to racing fans

The big news is the return of the 2008 Mazda Furai. This LMP2-based car never raced, but quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its wild styling and rotary engine noise. The rotary engine in question is a 2.0-liter three-rotor unit making 450hp on ethanol. Unfortunately, the real car met a tragic end during a test by Top Gear, where a suspected mechanical failure saw the car destroyed in a fire.

One of the other headline cars making its debut is the 2024 Ford Mustang GT3. Marking Ford’s return to GT racing in the ultra competitive GT3 category, the Mustang is now racing across the globe in the hands of various customer teams. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 5.4 liter V8 making around 550hp before Balance of Performance rules.

This particular Mustang was run by Ford’s factory Multimatic Motorsports team in the IMSA GTD Pro class in 2024. Its special “Champion Spirit” livery also honors Ford’s victories in IMSA to celebrate 60 years of the Mustang.

The three other cars in the pack are the 2001 Formula Drift Nissan Silvia, 1997 Toyota Chaser MkII and 1984 De Tomaso Pantera GT5. The Racing Heroes pack is available now on the Microsoft Store and Steam for $4.99/€4.99/£3.99.

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Public Meetups

One of the big new gameplay additions is Public Meetups. Here, you can gather with your friends and other players on a variety of tracks to drive and drift. Four different types of meetups will be available at any time:

Fujimi Kaido Drift Meetup
Cycled Track Drift Meetup
Nurburgring Nordschleife Track Day Meetup
Cycled Track Day Meetup

The newest tour is a history lesson taking you through all seven Forza Motorsport titles, with the Spotlight cars front and center.

Spirit of Forza Motorsport – Honda NSX-R ’05
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 2 – Nissan Fairlady Z ’03
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 3 – Audi R8 5.2 FSI ’10
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 4 – Ferrari 458 Italia ’09
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 5 – McLaren P1 ’13
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 6 – Ford GT ’17
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 7 – Porsche 911 GT2 RS ’18

The 20th Anniversary Tour will put you behind the wheel of each of the seven previous cover cars over the last 20 years.

Even though the update is now live, the 20th Anniversary Tour will kick off on May 7 with Spirit of Forza Motorsport. Each of the following series will then be unlocked after a seven day period. Your prize for completing the tour is the 2022 Acura NSX Type S for the final showcase. Alternatively, you can acquire the NSX by completing 20 races in the 20th Anniversary Series in Featured Multiplayer.

Unlike previous tours, the 20th Anniversary Tour is available permanently, so you will have no issues trying to finish it on time.

You can choose to run through 20 years of Forza Motorsport hero cars or build your own for the Open Class Tour. Work your way from D Class to R Class in each three-race series to claim the prize of the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo. You can also claim the Z by doing 10 races in the Open Series in Featured Multiplayer

You’ll need to keep an eye on your schedule as the tour will run until June 18.

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Challenge Hub

The Challenge Hub features lots of rewards for the 20th anniversary update, including cars, cosmetics and credits. Each of the challenges can be completed in single player or multiplayer.

Featured Challenges

20th Anniversary Tour Challenge – Complete all series in the 20th Anniversary Tour in Career OR Complete 20 races in the 20th Anniversary Series in Featured Multiplayer
Open Class Challenge – Complete all series in the Open Class Tour in Career OR Complete 10 races in any Open Series in Featured Multiplayer
Drift Champion – Get a Drift Score of 20,000 in the ‘Super Supra’ Drift Rivals event
Downhill Daredevil – Complete 1 clean lap in the ‘Fujimi Kaido Touge’ Rivals Event
Spirit of Forza Motorsport Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport’ series
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 2 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 2’ series
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 3 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 3’ series
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 4 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 4’ series
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 5 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 5’ series
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 6 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 6’ series
Spirit of Forza Motorsport 7 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 7’ series
Spirit of Forza Motorsport (2023) Challenge – Complete 15 total races in any game mode
Forza Motorsport 1 Rival Celebration Reward – Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Where Dreams Are Driven’ Rivals event
Forza Motorsport 2 Rival Celebration Reward – Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Jump Ahead on Road Atlanta’ Featured Rivals event
Forza Motorsport 3 Rival Celebration Reward – Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘A Love Letter to Car Fans’ Rivals event

Rewards: Acura NSX Type S ’22, Nissan Z Nismo ’24, Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MkIV ’95, Toyota #25 Horsepower Techs Starlet Time Attack ’84, Forza Motorsport Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 2 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 3 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 4 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 5 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 6 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 7 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport (2023) Racing Suit, Livery for Nissan Fairlady Z ’03, 50,000 credits

Weekly Challenges

May 7-14

Spotlight Challenge: Get on the podium in the 2005 Honda NSX-R in a race with at least 10 opponents
Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 3 clean laps on Fujimi Kaido
Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete 5 races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
Weekly Rivals Challenge: Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Spotlight – 2005 Honda NSX-R’ Rivals Event
Weekly Track Challenge: Complete 10 laps on any Fujimi Kaido layout

May 14-21

Spotlight Challenge: Reach Car Level 5 or higher in the 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z
Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 3 clean laps in Qualifying in Featured Multiplayer
Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
Weekly Rivals Challenge: Beat a rival in the 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z
Weekly Track Challenge: Get on the Podium on any Suzuka layout

May 21-28

Spotlight Challenge: Complete 5 clean laps in the 2010 R8 Coupe 5.2 FSI Quattro
Weekly Skills Challenge: Get on the Podium in any Featured Multiplayer race OR Get on the Podium 3 times in Career races
Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
Weekly Rivals Challenge: Get a Drift Score of 10,000 in any Drift Rivals event
Weekly Track Challenge: Get a Segment Score of 8 or higher at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – National Circuit

May 28 – June 4

Spotlight Challenge: Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Spotlight – 2009 Ferrari 458 Italia’ Rivals event
Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 5 clean laps
Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
Weekly Rivals Challenge: Complete 10 clean laps in any Rivals Event
Weekly Track Challenge: Complete 10 laps on any Sunset Peninsula layout

June 4-11

Spotlight Challenge: Complete 5 races in the 2013 McLaren P1
Weekly Skills Challenge: Get a Segment Score of 9 or higher on any track
Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
Weekly Rivals Challenge: Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Spotlight – McLaren P1 ’13’ Rivals Event
Weekly Track Challenge: Get on the Podium on any Yas Marina Circuit layout

June 11-18

Spotlight Challenge: Get on the podium in the 2017 Ford GT in a race with at least 10 opponents
Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 5 clean laps in the 2017 Ford GT
Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
Weekly Rivals Challenge: Beat a rival in the 2017 Ford GT
Weekly Track Challenge: Get a Segment Score of 8 or higher on Lime Rock Park – Full Circuit

June 18-25

Spotlight Challenge: Reach Car Level 5 or higher in the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 5 clean laps in the rain
Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
Weekly Rivals Challenge: Complete 10 clean laps in any Rivals Event
Weekly Track Challenge: Get a Segment Score of 9 or higher on any track

Rewards: 10,000-25,000 Cr.

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Multiplayer Events

Featured Multiplayer is stacked with events for the 20th anniversary. Like in the new tour, race your favorite Forza Motorsport cover car in the 20th Anniversary Series.

Ferrari and Lamborghini also get their own featured one-make series with the 488 Challenge and Huracan Super Trofeo.

Forza Proto-H and Daily Racers also return to the Featured Series list.

Featured Series

20th Anniversary Series, Modern Factory Racecar Series, BMW Procar Spec Series – May 7-14
20th Anniversary Series, The Challenge Series, Lotus 3-Eleven Spec Series – May 14-21
20th Anniversary Series, Forza Proto-H Series, Subaru BRZ Spec Series – May 21-28
20th Anniversary Series, Lamborghini Series, Mazda Miata Spec Series – May 28 – June 4
20th Anniversary Series, Community Choice Series, VW Golf GTI Spec Series – June 4-11
20th Anniversary Series, Daily Racers Series, Ferrari FXX Series – June 11-18

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Rivals

Theres a big selection of Rivals events for Update 20, with both Time Trial and Drift events for players to attempt. Fujimi Kaido gets its own event throughout the whole of the update.

Players with VIP will get to relive the first time driving in the current Forza Motorsport and get behind the wheel of the Cadillac V-Series.R on Hakone GP Circuit.

Drifters should prepare their best A, B and C Class cars to do battle at Catalunya, Suzuka and Maple Valley.

McLaren’s Logitech G Challenge returns, putting you behind the wheel of the legendary MP4/4 at Spa and Hakone.

The latest Rivals list is below;

Fujimi Kaido Touge – Toyota Starlet #25 Horsepower Techs Time Attack ’84 – Fujimi Kaido – Full Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
VIP – Cadillac Throwback – Cadillac Racing V-Series.R ’23 – Hakone – GP Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
Where Dreams Are Driven – Honda NSX-R ’05 – Laguna Seca – Full Circuit (May 7-21)
Jump Ahead on Road Atlanta – Nissan Fairlady Z ’03 – Road Atlanta – Grand Prix Course (May 21 – June 4)
A Love Letter to Car Fans – Audi R8 5.2 FSI ’10 – Nürburgring – Grand Prix Circuit (June 4-18)
Forza Ferrari on Mugello – Ferrari 458 Italia ’09 – Mugello – Full Circuit (June 18 – July 2)
Ghost of Fujimi – Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT Apex ’85 – Fujimi Kaido – Full Circuit Reverse (May 7- June 25)
Super Supra – Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MkIV ’95 – Grand Oak Raceway – Full Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
Open Class Drift – A Class – A Class, RWD – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – National Circuit (May 7 – June 25
Open Class Drift – B Class – B Class, RWD – Suzuka – East Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
Open Class Drift – C Class – C Class, RWD – Maple Valley – Short Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
Logitech McLaren G Challenge Qualifier #1 – McLaren MP4/4 ’88 – Spa Francorchamps – Full Circuit (May 14 – June 11)
Logitech McLaren G Challenge Qualifier #2 – McLaren MP4/4 ’88 – Hakone – GP Circuit (June 11 – July 9)
Spotlight – Honda NSX-R ’05 – Silverstone – International Circuit (May 7-14)
Spotlight – Nissan Fairlady Z ’03 – Sebring – Short Circuit (May 14-21)
Spotlight – Audi R8 5.2 FSI ’10 – Hockenheimring – Full Circuit (May 21-28)
Spotlight – Ferrari 458 Italia ’09 – Le Mans – Full Circuit (May 28 – June 4)
Spotlight – McLaren P1 ’13 – Bathurst – Mount Panorama Circuit (June 4-11)
Spotlight – Ford GT ’17 – Watkins Glen – Full Circuit (June 11-18)
Spotlight – Porsche 911 GT2 RS – Maple Valley – Full Circuit (June 18-25)

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Other Changes

Drivatar AI receives one of its biggest updates to improve the raceability of computer opponents. T10 has released a new multi-line system to allow AI opponents greater options for their optimised racing lines. This also aims to improve side-by-side racing when AI is forced off its optimum line and reduce erratic driving behavior.

New plug-and-play updates for steering wheel users bring new calibrations and more authentic lock-to-lock turns. With these changes, Steering Lock Range and Steering Sensitivity have been reset. Default force feedback settings have also been reset. Those who have already tweaked their FFB settings should not be affected.

Selected music from Forza Motorsport 3-6 have been added to the music playlist, along with three new sequences from Lance Hayes, composor for Forza Motorsport 3-5.

The seven featured Spotlight cars also receive audio updates to concide with their new events as well. The 2005 Honda NSX-R also receives a Mugen bodykit and all players will receive a special 20th Anniversary livery for the car.

Forza Proto-H, GT2 and GT3 all receive a complete rebalancing in Multiplayer.

As part of celebrating the previous seven titles, Update 20 will run for seven weeks until mid-June. T10 hasn’t provided clues to the next update, but we’ll bring them to you when details are released.

You can read all the patch notes right here. You can also swing by our Forza Motorsport forums for community discussion and discovering possible undocumented changes.

See more articles on Forza Motorsport Game Updates.

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Motorsports

Toyota to Debut GR Corolla Rally Car as Second Manufacturer Team in ARA’s 2026 Season

Published

9 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Overhead view of Toyota's Yaris rally car skidding through a mountain switchback during a race in Saudi Arabia. — Toyota Gazoo Racing at Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 | TGR WRT / McKlein

Gazoo Racing gears up to challenge Subaru’s long-standing American stage rally dominance

I will never forget my first rally race, partly because nearly half the competitors were Subarus. Anytime a different make or model flew by, usually in the 2WD class, it felt like an event.

From small local teams to top national entries, Subaru dominates the American Rally Association. Until now, Subaru America has had the only manufacturer-backed team in the series (with “Vermont SportsCar” as its technical partner).

After that race, I spent time talking with drivers and longtime rally fans. I asked what other cars could realistically compete. The answer came quickly. “Ford Fiestas and the GR Toyota Corolla. Man, an AWD GR Corolla would be fast.”

It’s almost as if Toyota was listening. The automaker announced it will develop a GR Corolla RC2 rally car and enter one or two of them in the 2026 ARA season. This makes it the second manufacturer-backed team in the ARA.

“TGR will enter the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship for the first time with a rally car based on the GR Corolla, taking on the challenge of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars on American roads.” — Toyota Gazoo Racing

Why Toyota chose the GR Corolla for ARA

The AWD GR Corolla, powered by a 300-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine, should be a legitimate contender. Toyota did have an easier option. The company already campaigns a GR Yaris Rally2 car in other global series.

So why not use that platform? Because the mission of a manufacturer-backed team is simple: win on Sunday, sell on Monday.

“By developing a GR Corolla rally car, TGR-WRT is harnessing the pedigree of the Corolla model within rallying and further expanding its efforts to use motorsport to help make ever-better cars for the road,” Toyota said. “It also hopes to support the development of rallying in North America, where the GR Corolla is available as a rally-bred performance car for the road.”

Toyota’s new ARA effort will debut at the 100 Acre Wood Rally in March 2026. The team’s co-driver will be Finnish rally veteran Topi Luhtinen. Seth Quintero, fresh off driving the DKR GR Hilux at Dakar, will pilot the car. Something tells me Toyota Gazoo Racing will fit right in.

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Motorsports

William Byron 2025 season in review: Third-straight Championship 4 appearance caps another strong year

Published

9 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Editor’s note: This is part of a series from NASCAR.com reviewing the top 30 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in reverse order of the 2025 final standings

Driver: William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Crew chief: Rudy Fugle
Final 2025 ranking: 4th
Key stats: 3 wins, 11 top fives, 16 top 10s, 1,330 laps led

How 2025 ended: William Byron’s evolution behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet led him back to the Championship 4 for the third consecutive season after his fourth straight multi-win campaign.
Best race: Indeed, the year’s penultimate race at Martinsville Speedway produced an absolute masterclass by Byron, Fugle and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team. Entering NASCAR’s final race of the semifinal round beneath the provisional cutline, Byron won the pole, swept the stages and led a career-high 304 of 500 laps en route to winning his way into the Championship 4. Byron muscled past Ryan Blaney with 44 laps remaining to reclaim the lead for the final time, ousting Blaney from Champ 4 contention and propelling Byron to Phoenix.

RELATED: Panini issues 1 of 1 Jeff Gordon trading card

Other season highlights: Byron began the season by winning the 2025 Daytona 500, becoming just the fifth driver to win the “Great American Race” in consecutive years. In addition to an impressive win at Iowa Speedway in which he led 141 of 350 laps, Byron also had dominant performances equate to runner-up finishes at Darlington Raceway in the spring and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 24 Chevrolet led the first 243 laps of the Goodyear 400 at Darlington but ultimately could not reclaim the lead late. At Charlotte, a fierce battle between Byron, Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain resulted in a Chastain victory despite Byron leading 283 of 400 laps that evening. The No. 24 team showed notable resolve throughout the season’s opening 26 races, overcoming stretches of adversity and inconsistency all the way to clinch the Regular Season Championship one week early.

Stat to know: Byron ended his campaign with a series-best 1,330 laps led — bettering his previous high mark (1,016 led in 2023) by over 300 laps. The No. 24 Chevrolet was out front more than any other driver this season, leading 224 more circuits than 2025 champion Kyle Larson, Byron’s teammate, who led the second-most laps this year with 1,106 laps out front.
Quotable: “Winning the regular season championship and winning the (DAYTONA) 500 (and) three races a year is something to really be proud of. So yeah, I feel like it was our best year yet, honestly, but it was a lot of adversity and a lot of things that happened all the way to the end. I mean, it seems like a lot changed for us in the results column with about three laps to go this year. We’ve just got to learn from that – and a lot of it was kind of out of our control. But yeah, just gotta move past it. But I think overall, yeah, it was our best year.”

RELATED: Check out William Byron’s Liberty University Chevrolet for 2026!

Looking ahead: Few drivers have maintained a consistent year-over-year level of performance, as Byron has in recent seasons. That level of production and sustained championship contention should remain prominent for him and the No. 24 team entering the 2026 campaign. There is some history on the line in February as he attempts to become the first driver to win three straight DAYTONA 500s. But the biggest question remains: Will 2026 will be the year Byron breaks through for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship? There are very few reasons to think he won’t.

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Motorsports

Aaron Rodgers Gave This $20K Christmas Gift to Steelers’ Offensive Linemen

Published

11 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NEED TO KNOW

Aaron Rodgers gifted his Steelers’ offensive linemen Can-Am Maverick X3 off-road vehicles from Mosites Motorsports
Mosites Motorsports shared videos and photos of the linemen receiving the gifts, which retail at a starting price of $19,999
Other NFL quarterbacks like Lions’ Jared Goff and Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes also gave gifts to their linemen this year

Aaron Rodgers rang in Christmas with a special surprise for his Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive linemen.

The NFL quarterback, 42, gifted his linemen Can-Am Maverick X3 off-road vehicles from Mosites Motorsports, the powersports dealership highlighted in Instagram photos of Rodgers and his teammates riding in the vehicles.

The Pittsburgh dealership revealed the news in a Christmas day Instagram video showing the linemen speeding off in the vehicles in the roadway nearby the dealership and inside the parking lot. Over the video were the words, “Aaron Rodgers’ gift to his lineman came with horsepower.”

The dealership echoed this in its caption, writing, “This Christmas, Aaron Rodgers gave his offensive line the gift of horsepower. Safe to say, it delivered.”

The vehicles also came with a hefty price tag. The Can-Am Maverick X3 retails at a starting price of $19,999 and can go up to just under $29,000, according to the company’s website.

Aaron Rodgers and Steelers’ offensive lineman on Dec. 21, 2025.

Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty

In the Instagram photos shared by Mosites Motorsports, Rodgers can be spotted wearing a red Christmas sweater and gifting his teammates with the vehicles. In one photo, he could be seen shooting a thumbs-up to the camera as he rode shotgun in one of the vehicles.

Additional photos showed the lineman testing out the vehicles on the roadway and them hugging Rodgers to thank him for the gift.

“Aaron Rodgers rewarding the guys who protect the pocket,” Mosites Motorsports wrote. “Can-Am Maverick X3s built for work, power, and play. Tough to top this kind of gift.”

This comes as the Steelers are projected to clinch a spot in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. according to ESPN. The team is scheduled to take on the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 28, and if they win the game, they will be guaranteed a spot in the AFC playoffs.

Rodgers isn’t the only quarterback to have given his lineman special gifts this year. Detroit Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff surprised his linemen with state-of-the-art golf carts for Christmas, according to a video on X shared by the team.

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The linemen could be seen hugging Goff and riding around in the vehicles. The team captioned the video, “Santa Jared came through with the Goff carts.”

Patrick Mahomes also gave his Kansas City Chiefs’ linemen several gifts that included bicycles, watches, sunglasses and shoes. The Chiefs shared a look at the lineman receiving the gifts in the locker room with the caption, “Christmas came early for the o-line! Shoutout to QB1 for the gifts.”

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Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s ex-rival shares hope after humbling – Motorsport – Sports

Published

12 hours ago

December 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dale Earnhardt Jr is one of NASCAR’s most vocal critics of the sport’s frequent changes at the Cup level and beyond, arguing that their experiments often hinder the sport. Now, one of his former rivals noted that NASCAR may be leaving its experimental phase and entering a period of correction.

Kenny Wallace expressed frustrations but also noted that NASCAR’s leadership has been significantly humbled by recent decisions that did not meet expectations. He mentioned that he knows for certain the league is actively working to address its major problems. Dale Jr. also shared his thoughts on what lies ahead after NASCAR settled its antitrust lawsuit.

“I know for a fact that NASCAR is all hands on deck,” Wallace said on his YouTube channel. “They realized what happened, and it took them a while, but they definitely made some decisions that were not the way to go. They just went all in, all in, and now you look back and realize how much they messed up.”

Wallace added that despite past missteps, positive changes may still come. He said, “NASCAR has been humbled mightily. I know for a fact they hear y’all. They are going to go on tour in 2026, and they’re going to make it right.”

Earnhardt Jr. previously said NASCAR tries a bunch of things…that don’t pan out.”

The 2026 season will already see big changes previous season. NASCAR is increasing engine horsepower from 670 to 750 on tracks under 1.5 miles and on road courses, including Bristol, Darlington, Dover, Nashville, and Gateway. Safety updates, including the introduction of mandatory A-post flaps at all tracks, are being implemented after years of concern.

Eligibility criteria were also relaxed next season to allow full-time Cup drivers with a minimum of three years of experience to participate in up to 10 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races and eight Craftsman Truck Series races, while continuing to protect playoff events.

Chicagoland Speedway makes its return for the first time since 2019, while a new street race at Naval Base Coronado near San Diego brings NASCAR back to Southern California. The Chicago Street Course and Mexico City were skipped, with Homestead-Miami Speedway once again serving as the championship finale instead of Phoenix.

Earnhardt Jr. cautions that changing rules and structure alone won’t be enough to revitalize NASCAR. He previously stated his vision for the sport to have more notable “rock stars,” as evidenced by drivers like his father, Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, and Jimmie Johnson, who have ascended to superstardom beyond the track.

“We need some rock stars,” he said. “It’s all about having some driver come in here and captivate the hell out of us and make people who aren’t watching go, ‘Who the hell is that?'”

Dale Jr.’s 2026 season with JR Motorsports will feature playoff driver Justin Allgaier returning to the No. 7 car in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, alongside Sammy Smith, who is in his third season with the team. The team aims to secure a championship after a 2025 season where three of four drivers, including Conor Zilisch, competed for the title but ultimately fell short against Jesse Love.

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NASCAR world rocked by deaths of 3 drivers. Here’s what we know

Published

14 hours ago

December 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NASCAR is closing out the year with one of its most tragic Decembers ever.

The latest heartbreaking incident came on Dec. 18 when legendary driver Greg Biffle, his family and some friends were killed when their plane crashed at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.

Biffle’s Cessna 550 was reportedly attempting to land at around 10:15 a.m. at the airport just outside of Charlotte when the crash occurred.

Fans flocked to social media to remember Biffle, 55, who made headlines in 2024 when he flew his helicopter into hard to reach areas in North Carolina to provide relief to those trapped following Hurricane Helene.

Biffle had a 16-year career behind the wheel in the NASCAR Cup Series, starting 515 races and winning 19. He had 175 top ten finishes.

His last race with the series came in the 2022 Geico 500 in Talladega.

Biffle also drove 244 races on the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He won 20 of those and logged 149 more top 10 finishes. He also was behind the wheel for 83 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races, winning 17 of those with 55 top 10 finishes.

His death followed the passing of Nick Joanides on Dec. 5 and Michael Annett on Dec. 2.

Joanides, 55, was a star on the West Coast scene most recently making three starts in the ARCA West Series. He also drove in the NASCAR Xfinity Series when it was called the Nationwide Series.

Annett, 39, drove for JR Motorsports from 2017 through 2021 and the team shared the news of his death on social media.

A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Annett was behind the wheel for 106 NASCAR Cup Series races, but never managed to finish in the top 10. While his results at that level were not eye-popping, Yahoo Sports noted he drove for a pair of “underfunded teams” in Tommy Baldwin Racing and HScott Racing.

Annett had more success on the Xfinity Series where he drove in 321 races with 95 top-10 finishes. His lone win came in the 2019 NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at Daytona International Speedway.

He also drove in nine NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races with two top-10 finishes.

ARCA posted a statement on X about both the deaths of Joanides and Annett that read, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of ARCA Menards Series driver Michael Annett and ARCA Menards Series West driver Nick Joanides, both of whom passed away recently.”

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Motorsports

Kyle Larson’s protégé puts NASCAR on notice in Australia – Motorsport – Sports

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14 hours ago

December 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Kyle Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports protégé, Corey Day, put NASCAR on notice following a standout debut in Australia in the Burson Auto Parts Boxing Day Bonanza ahead of the 2025 High Limit Racing International at Perth Motorplex. The 20-year-old is enjoying the NASCAR offseason ahead of his first full-time season in stock car racing at Hendrick Motorsports in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Day, dubbed 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion Larson’s protégé, enjoys competing on dirt and did so Down Under, making his debut in Australia. The California-born motorsport star started the Burson Auto Parts Boxing Day Bonanza from 28th and managed to fight his way all the way up to second, finishing behind race winner Buddy Kofoid in the 30-lap affair.

Day will return to action in Perth on Sunday when High Limit kicks into gear. “First night in the books down under, and it was a wild one. P28 to P2 in a non-stop feature. Ready to go with High Limit starting Sunday,” Day said on X.

Day will be hoping to stake a big claim in NASCAR’s second-string national series, following in the footsteps of Connor Zilisch, who has made the jump up to a full-time Cup Series seat. HMS have high hopes for Day, who could be a Cup driver in the near future.

“That was what I was working towards this year,” Day told NASCAR.com. “It wasn’t announced or anything, but my contract was written as next year was an option if this year went well. I guess I did a good enough job to get that option picked up. To say I’m going to run a NASCAR series full-time next year is something I’ve dreamed about doing since I was a little kid. It’s really cool.”

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“I’m ready, I’m excited,” Day added. “This year, I ran a lot of different race cars, which is really challenging to be able to progress a lot in all of them.

“I learned a lot in each and every one of them. It’s hard to be really good at one of them when you only get to do it a certain amount of times per year.”

Day can also lean on the experience of Larson, who claimed a second Cup title last month in Phoenix. Larson was left impressed by Day’s early exploits in the Truck Series this year.

At Nashville and Indianapolis Raceway Park, Day finished fifth and second, prompting praise from Larson. “It was good to see him have a strong run there. It was a track that I thought may, you know, suit his style, being able to move around and search for grip and things,” Larson said.

“He was probably one of the first, if not the first, running below the apron that night and found some speed that way. So, it just lends itself to a dirt guy’s background, probably. But yeah, he’s been slowly getting better here lately in the stock car stuff, and I’m sure gaining confidence. So yeah, I’m hopeful and excited to see how he keeps going in the #17 car,” he added.

This weekend’s action Down Under will pit Day against Larson, who won the $100,000 High Limit International at Perth Motorplex last year.

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