SASKATOON – It was a bizarre way for Kevin Lacroix to win the Leland Industries 250 in Saskatoon.

It was Marc-Antoine Camirand who had initially taken the checkered flag ahead of Lacroix and nine other drivers at the NASCAR Canada Series event in Saskatoon. 

But soon after the checkered flag waved, the announcement came over the loudspeaker that the finish was under review.  

In the end, race officials took issue with Camirand’s antics in his move to pass Lacroix during the final lap. Officials docked Camirand due to rough driving, in particular contact with the rear of Lacroix’s car.

As a result of the penalty, Lacroix was awarded his first-ever NASCAR Canada Series victory at the Saskatoon oval. For Lacroix, who had several close calls at the Saskatoon track before and seemed plagued by a string of woes lately in the series, it was about time for good luck to come his way. 

“The luck was always in the end of the races — mechanical issues, bad luck in the pits. Now the luck is turning around, so look forward to continuing on that.”

The result followed what had been another controversial and rough race at Edmonton International Raceway in Wetaskiwin over the weekend. 

The NAPA 300 on Saturday was won by Camirand, but afterwards NASCAR Canada fined him $1500 and docked him six Championship Driver points for intentionally wrecking a vehicle after a late restart. 

In that case it also involved Lacroix, who nevertheless recovered to finish third. Both Camirand and Lacroix were also put on probation to Dec. 31 over their behaviour following the incident. 

“Maybe NASCAR thought it was too much, two weekends in a row like this,” said Lacroix of the ruling of officials in Saskatoon. 

Given what transpired in Alberta, Lacroix said the rough stuff from Camirand was something he expected as he fought to hang onto his shrinking lead in the late laps.

“I was just waiting. I knew it was coming,” said Lacroix. “For the last five laps I was just waiting for it. I knew it was coming.”

The ending was uncharacteristic of the racing seen the entire night in Saskatoon. Caution flags were few, and as usual there were no major wrecks on the track. But the late-race bumping and jostling ran counter to that narrative this night.

The frantic finish also put a damper on what had been a tremendous night of racing for both drivers. Lacroix had taken the pole position and was the dominant car most of the night, leading almost the entire race. 

Camirand, meanwhile, had started eighth on the grid, but had moved up to third by the midway point and later moved past second-place Jason Hathaway to set up the dramatic finish with Lacroix.

“As a driver here we can see the board, so I saw his number going through the field on the board,” said Lacroix. 

“With 50 laps to go I knew I had to push a little bit more and maybe used my rear tires too much… he’s a good driver and puts pressure on me. That worked, but yeah it was stressful. But the car was good and I’m happy.”

The penalty to Camirand also meant it was Hathaway who was awarded second place on the night, while Louis-Philippe Dumoulin got third. The penalty sent Camirand all the way down to fourth place.

There had been boos from the crowd after the announcement of the penalty, but in the end no one doubted the entertainment value of what race fans had seen at the track Wednesday.

For Lacroix, he hopes the win on the Saskatoon track means big things for him for the rest of the NASCAR Canada schedule.

“I don’t believe in good luck for one track in particular, but here it seems like everyone that does good here does good in the season,” said Lacroix. “So finally, I do good here and looking forward for the rest of this season.”

NASCAR has currently set up camp in San Diego with eager anticipation. A deal between the racing promotion and the city, to hold street races for multiple years, is about to be announced as early as next week, according to RACER magazine. While a large section of the fandom sees this as a step in the right direction, there are many opponents to it.

Notably, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski have expressed strong concerns, arguing that there are already too many road course races on the schedule and that adding one more would move NASCAR further away from its oval-racing core. In 2025, there are six road/street course races. The million-dollar question right now is whether this is too high a number.

One fan responded to a post on X by Kelly Crandall, Chief NASCAR Writer at RACER, which revealed the news, “WE DON’T NEED MORE F***ING ROAD COURSES.” Another made a valid argument, “I want NASCAR back. If I wanted all of these street courses and road courses, I’d watch IndyCar.”

One more fan couldn’t quite recognize the sport that he once loved and cherished. His comment read, “This isn’t NASCAR anymore. Part IMSA/IndyCar/Sprint cars/with a little hint of old NASCAR.” A number of other fans with similar opinions expressed themselves on the platform and continue to do so in other avenues as well.

What do Dale Jr. and Keselowski think about adding another street race to the calendar?

Dale Jr. recently took to social media with a GIF of wrestler/actor John Cena that said, “You are absolutely correct,” to concur with the notion that there are too many road course races on the Cup Series schedule. Keselowski went a step ahead and gave a warning shot to the fandom about how there could be seven road course races next season.

He wrote, “We went from 2 to 6 Road course races, possibly 7 next year. NASCAR was successfully built as a primarily oval racing series. IMSA was built as the primary road course series in North America. IMSA will always do road racing better than NASCAR, and that’s ok. Yes, TOO Many Road courses in NASCAR.”

Their opinions could stem from the fact that they never had much luck on non-oval tracks. But then, that does not mean that they are wrong. Transitioning away from oval racing will be a huge disappointment for any fan who already knows what NASCAR is all about. These moves by the promotion appear to be aimed at attracting the next generation at the cost of the old.

What’s Happening?

Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith recently discussed Kentucky Speedway’s future in the latest episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, comparing a revival to that of North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Since the introduction of NASCAR’s Generation Seven car in 2022, NASCAR fans have reinvigorated their love for 1.5-mile racing. The quality of racing on these tracks has led to grassroots campaigns for two 1.5-mile ovals recently removed from the schedule to be readmitted.

These two tracks are Chicagoland Speedway, removed after the 2019 season and rumored to be in consideration for a revival in 2026, and Kentucky Speedway, removed after the 2020 season. Each of these tracks were removed for similar reasons, yet have their group of fans supporting their return.

But, their futures are not directly tied to one another, as they are owned by different entities, with NASCAR owning Chicagoland and Speedway Motorsports owning Kentucky.

During a recent interview, FOX Sports’ Kevin Harvick, a two-time Xfinity Series winner at the track, asked Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith whether he thought the track could be revived. Smith said that he believes “it could happen” and compared the track to North Wilkesboro Speedway.

“I think Kentucky has as much of a shot as North Wilkesboro,” Smith said. North Wilkesboro, a North Carolina short track once left abandoned by SMI and NASCAR, was renovated in the early 2020s following a grassroots campaign helmed by Dale Earnhardt Jr and passionate race fans.

Though the track was entirely overgrown and disheveled, Smith and his team helped revitalize North Wilkesboro, something he says could happen with Kentucky or any other former race track. “It’s happened. So it could happen to
Kentucky, it could happen anywhere.”

Should Kentucky Return to NASCAR?

Kentucky Speedway, much like Chicagoland, was built during a nationwide boom in stock car racing interest in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

While few of the tracks built across the country during that period achieved their lofty goals, Kentucky was one of a handful to actually work its way to a NASCAR Cup Series event in 2011 after hosting the Truck and Xfinity Series since 2000 and 2001, respectively.

While that race, the first Cup Series race in Kentucky since 1954, had some issues, mostly related to infrastructure, it was mostly a success. Yet, the track’s attendance and racing quality slowly dwindled in the late 2010s, much like Chicagoland.

NASCAR did not return after the 2020 season, and aside from a video posted to YouTube earlier this week, little reference material exists about the track’s current physical state.

While that video infers that Kentucky is in no worse shape than Chicagoland was in a recent video posted by NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar, that may not be the main detraction from re-adding Kentucky back to the schedule.

Despite the fact that Chicagoland has support based on its racing style, its location in the midwestern market is a plus for NASCAR. While Kentucky does not host a NASCAR Cup Series race, it is close to Virginia and Indiana, both states with multiple tracks hosting NASCAR National Series races.

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William Byron is one of the most intriguing drivers in NASCAR.

The 27-year-old, North Carolina native is obviously one of the top names in the motor sport, racing as one of the four drivers for the prestigious Hendrick Motorsports organization.

Following last weekend’s race at Sonoma, Byron is the No. 1 driver in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. In fact, three of the top racers in the standings entering this weekend’s race at Dover Motor Speedway are Hendrick Motorsports racers, with Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson rounding out the top three.

“It just says that I feel like we just do a really good job as teams,” says Byron in a one-on-one interview. “I’d say there’s been other teams that have been really fast this year. We’ve had our fair share of races when we’ve been really fast, but I think that just all three, four teams have done a good job executing and just working together. That’s the strength, is in our people and just the way that we interact and work as a team.”

While Larson (32 years old) and Elliott (29 years old) are a bit more established as not only older and more experienced drivers, they’ve both finished No. 1 in the cup standings, with Larson winning it all in 2021 and Elliott winning it in 2020. Both have established legacies, with Larson already having been named one of the 75 greatest NASCAR drivers of all time and Elliott coming from a motorsport family, with his dad being Bill Elliott.

Byron may not come from a racing family, but he’s arguably the top young driver in the sport. He’s finished No. 3 in the standings in back-to-back years and he’s on the doorstep of being that guy that finishes on top when it’s all said and done. His story is even more interesting considering he didn’t grow up racing on the track – he learned how to drive and race through a simulator.

“I feel like I’ve always wanted it really bad,” says Byron. “Now it’s just trying to do it in a smart way. Just trying to be smart about my approach and channeling that motivation towards the right thing. It’s always a little bit that you learn throughout the years and it’s never been from a lack of effort. Just trying to dial in what I need to do on the track and with my team.”

William Byron On 2025 Season So Far: ‘Every Team Goes Through Their Ups And Downs’

Byron will obviously have to start showing a little more consistency as the season progresses if he hopes to achieve his goal. The back-to-back Daytona 500 winner — he’s just the fifth driver to accomplish that feat — has had bright spots this season, but he’s also had some rough patches.

The Charlotte, North Carolina native finished 28th or lower in four of five races prior to Sonoma, including posting his worst weekend of the season in Chicago with a DNF (40th-place) finish after his car encountered a clutch issue.

He bounced back with a strong finish in Sonoma, posting an eighth-place finish. He was actually second for most of the day and maintains a slim 14-point lead over his teammate Elliott entering the stretch run of the season. There are only six races to go before the playoffs start.

“Every team kind of goes through their ups and downs,” said Byron just prior to the race in Sonoma. “For us, it’s a long season and really just trying to get back on track this weekend. We’ve done a really good job, just getting qualified well and just bringing a good car, good preparation throughout the week with the simulator and all the different conversations.

Byron says he feels he’s driving “better” than he’s ever had, which is something that is key if the 27-year-old is to finish with his first NASCAR Cup Series win this season.

“What I’m really confident about this year with our team is we have a lot of speed, so we’ve just been fast, and just that’s all across the board,” says Byron. “The car preparation, the engineers doing a good job, the setup, and then me driving the car to the potential and the limits. I feel like I’m driving better than I ever have, and feel like our team is just working really well. It’s a long season, so you just have to keep that up.”

William Byron On Importance Of Valvoline To His And Hendrick Motorsports: ‘It’s Such An Iconic Brand’

The Hendrick Motorsports star is sponsored by a number of prominent names, but arguably the most prominent brand you’ll see on his car during the 2025 season is Valvoline. Byron sported the trademark blue paint scheme of Valvoline for this past weekend’s race in Sonoma and features the look six races a year.

Valvoline is known as the original motor oil and has been around since 1866. The brand is obviously known for its “Restore and Protect” product– it’s also it’s most advanced engine oil — but it plays a pivotal role in the success Byron has on the track. Valvoline was a partner of Hendrick Motorsports from 1993 until 1995 before its current partnership with the dominant motorsports brand, starting in 2014.

“Valvoline’s history and NASCAR goes way back,” says Byron of Valvoline. “Just growing up, watching Mark Martin race and all the various paint schemes. When I got started with Hendrick, probably two-to-three years into my career, I got connected with Valvoline and started to race their cars. It’s a lot of pride in racing their car, because it’s such an iconic brand, in motorsports and just in general.”

Byron won the race at Watkins Glen while sporting the Valvoline paint scheme — in was in the white color scheme look — back in 2023. He hopes to repeat that same success with the car moving forward.

“I feel like a lot of friends and family and people watching, they always recognize the Valvoline car,” says Byron. “It’s been fun to carry those colors and hopefully get a win soon. I won the road course with them at Watkins Glen. Just trying to hopefully get another one soon.”

As Byron says, the “history” between Valvoline and Hendrick Motorsports is something that is key as both iconic brands continue its relationship. Hendrick Motorsports has seen three of its drivers win the NASCAR Cup Series title over the past decade while sponsored by Valvoline.

“Just the history, like I talked about, and the consumer relationship,” says Byron of why Valvoline is pivotal towards his and Hendrick Motorsports’ success.

His teammate, Larson, also sports the Valvoline paint scheme and it alternates throughout the season. Larson’s car leans heavily on the red paint scheme in contrast to Byron’s blue paint scheme.

“The blue is really nice this year,” says Byron. “We’ve never really had a bad scheme, but I think it definitely looks sharp and fits me really well. Blue is my favorite color as you can tell, so it’s just kind of a good scheme.”

“We’re not just sponsoring a car,” Sherfick continued, “we’re showing up for our city, our state, and a sport that brings people together. This is about pride, perseverance, and racing toward what’s possible.”

The Brickyard 400 is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, with coverage on TNT, the IMS Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

-Photo credit: Garage 66

Sherfick Companies, a family-owned commercial and residential construction business, has teamed back up with Josh Bilicki for a Garage 66 NASCAR Cup Series entry at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sherfick Companies’ expertise in the central Indiana market continues to grow with more than 25 years of experience. In their construction projects, they offer the highest quality builds, materials, and service in both commercial and residential settings. Sherfick also provides property management services that include property maintenance, lease compliance, vacancy marketing, tenant placement, rent collection, on-call contractors, and managers.

The 2025 Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG comes on the heels of Bilicki’s impressive drive to P21 at the Chicago Street Couse, a Garage 66 team best since the debut of the NextGen car. The Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin native will be making his 105th premier series start and third in the Brickyard 400, a race in which he captured a Top
25 finish in his last running.

“I am excited to be back at the Brickyard with Sherfick Companies and Garage 66,” said Josh Bilicki. “Sherfick has been a great partner, and racing at Indianapolis is always special. We’re looking to build on our momentum from Chicago and put together another strong performance for the team and our partners.”

As a lifelong Hoosier and motorsports enthusiast, Sherfick Companies founder
Michael Sherfick expressed deep excitement about this collaboration:

“It’s an incredible honor to be a part of one of the most iconic races in the country, right here in our backyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Partnering with Josh Bilicki and the hardworking team at Garage 66 is a perfect alignment of passion, grit, and commitment to excellence—values we live by at Sherfick Companies every day.”

“We’re not just sponsoring a car,” Sherfick continued, “we’re showing up for our city, our state, and a sport that brings people together. This is about pride, perseverance, and racing toward what’s possible.”

The No. 66 Sherfick Companies Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry will be the fifth Brickyard 400 for Carl Long’s Statesville, North Carolina operation. The best NASCAR Cup Series finish in team history came at Indianapolis in 2017.

Catch the 400-mile battle from the World’s Greatest Race Course live on TNT on Sunday, July 27 at 2 pm ET. 50 minutes of practice take place on Friday, July 25 and qualifying follows on Saturday, July 26, with live coverage on TruTV.

Garage 66 PR