Imagine you are a NASCAR team owner today with a multi-car organization, and some of your cars are currently out of the playoffs with six races remaining in the regular season. You’ve watched as Shane van Gisbergen has won three road course races in a month to leap your cars in the standings, get his team into the playoffs, and prepare to cash in on the accompanying extra money he’ll get from finishing in the top 16 of the Cup Series points.

Heck, the guy is third in the playoff standings as a rookie. He’s tied for the series lead in wins this year! So what do you do as an owner? Would you be able to avoid being a prisoner of the moment? Because it sure would be tempting to allow van Gisbergen’s success to change the calculation for how you run a race team.

Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks, always with a mind on being the “disruptor,” surely has done it this time. He figured out a way to game the NASCAR playoff system in a way no one else has.

While we knew there was an opportunity for a road course ringer to win their way into the playoffs — AJ Allmendinger has long been proof of that — no road racer with this type of dominance has come along until now. You can say it’s the perfect combination of van Gisbergen’s background (touring cars in Australia which are a distant cousin to NASCAR’s Next Gen) and timing (the Next Gen is a spec car, which gives van Gisbergen equal equipment to his competitors).

But van Gisbergen hasn’t just won a single race. He’s won three. And no matter what playoff format NASCAR comes up with, there’s always going to be a spot in the field for multi-time race winners.

From winless to one of the top seeds in the #NASCARPlayoffs.

Talk about a swing for @shanevg97! pic.twitter.com/Fm3P3bFqaT

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 14, 2025

Even if they shrunk the field to 12 drivers, he’d be in. And back in the traditional 10-race Chase, NASCAR tweaked the format to allow for a “wild card” spot (the highest driver outside the points with the most wins). So van Gisbergen, with three wins, is a playoff driver no matter how you slice it.

If you don’t think teams notice this, you’re lying to yourself.

“This is showing the relevance of mastering (road course) races (in) NASCAR,” former open-wheel and NASCAR driver Max Papis posted Sunday night on X. “This will open (the) door to a variety of racers that might never had a (shot) at it.”

That’s how it always works in NASCAR. A short-track racer finds success in the Cup Series, and suddenly that’s the hot area to look for prospects. An open-wheel driver successfully makes the transition and then team owners give someone else a try. Sprint car drivers show their adapability to stock cars and suddenly everyone races to find the next star from the dirt world.

Maybe now Supercars drivers are the answer. Except it’s not that simple, and it doesn’t give van Gisbergen the proper credit for what he’s achived.

Instead of just assuming it’s all because of his background or experience level, why not point to his unbelievable skill? The bottom line is team owners can hire other drivers in a similar mold, but there might be only one SVG.

Playoff field forecast

Because of the opportunity for drivers like van Gisbergen — who was outside the top 32 in points last month and missed the cut for the In-Season Challenge bracket — to get into the playoffs win a single victory, road course races have lately been viewed as “wild card” events similar to superspeedways.

Except … nah. Not anymore, with van Gisbergen such a heavy favorite. The playoff-bubble drivers are quite fortunate that he has won three in a row, because it has prevented someone like a Michael McDowell or Ty Gibbs from nabbing a spot and moving the cutoff line upward.

Check out the bubble now: Tyler Reddick is 149 points up on the cutoff and is the only “safe” driver on points. Chris Buescher (+34), Alex Bowman (+32) and Bubba Wallace (+3) could all see their tentative spots wiped away if there were new winners from outside the top 16.

But how many more winners will there be? Let’s rank the final six regular-season races by upset potential:

1. Daytona (Aug. 23): Very likely. You almost have to pencil in an upset winner here and assume that will be another new playoff entry.

2. Watkins Glen (Aug. 10): About 50-50. Again, not really a wild card anymore, but if van Gisbergen doesn’t win again, it does open the door for McDowell, Gibbs, Buescher or Allmendinger.

3. Richmond (Aug. 16): Not likely. It should be a driver from one of the big teams. Then again, remember Austin Dillon in this race last year?

4. Iowa (Aug. 3): Not likely. Probably a Christopher Bell/Kyle Larson/Ryan Blaney type win from someone already in the top 10 of the standings.

5. Dover (Sunday): No way. There hasn’t been an upset at Dover in the last 20 years.

6. Indianapolis (July 27): Slim to none. Not with every team bringing their A-game for a crown jewel race.

So in reality, we’re looking at maybe two more different winners? That’s two spots available on points, which would lock Reddick in before Daytona and make the race between Buescher and Bowman — and possibly Wallace if he can string a few good weeks together — for the last playoff position.

Brad Keselowski called for a reduction in road courses in NASCAR’s premier circuit, which is up to six such tracks on the schedule. (Meg Oliphant / Getty Images)

Back to left turns

Brad Keselowski last week argued there are too many road courses in NASCAR.

“NASCAR was successfully built as a primarily oval racing series,” Keselowski wrote on X. “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.”

He’s right. For a series that had traditionally had two per year (Sonoma and Watkins Glen) as novelties, to have expanded to six in less than a decade has felt like overkill — especially with the IMSA-like Next Gen car, which doesn’t put on particularly compelling shows on those circuits.

But what is the sweet spot for NASCAR road racing? Keselowski said two to four is “plenty enough.” We’d lean toward four, because that would perhaps cut the Roval and Circuit of the Americas (despite being a beautiful track in a great market) and leave NASCAR with: Sonoma and Watkins Glen (the traditional NASCAR road races), a street race (Chicago, San Diego, etc.) and an international race (Mexico City, Montreal, somewhere in Europe).

Any more than that starts to give road-course fatigue, when in reality most NASCAR followers are oval fans first who will tolerate the occasional right turns — as long as it’s not overdone. And right now feels like it’s too much.

Lawsuit latest

The two teams suing NASCAR for being an illegal monopoly, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, filed another request for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to retain their charter status for this weekend’s race at Dover Motor Speedway. NASCAR has until Wednesday to respond, and a ruling by the district court judge could come before the Dover weekend begins.

With a federal appeals court overruling an earlier preliminary injunction that allowed the teams to race with charter status for 2025 while their lawsuit is pending, their combined six entries would have to race as “open” cars at Dover, barring a legal victory this week.

Further adding urgency to the matter is NASCAR’s letter to the teams informing them there is interest to reassign or sell the charters, which puts the teams at risk of going out of business should they lose their charter status permanently. NASCAR has said in court it does not want to be forced into a contractual relationship with teams it does not want to do business with, which describes its current feelings about 23XI and Front Row.

While the teams have committed to running as “open” for the remainder of the season and paying the financial difference out of pocket, being non-charter teams does not appear to be a viable model for NASCAR organizations in the long run. There’s simply too much money at stake. Plus, Reddick could become a free agent as soon as this week if the charters go away; a clause in his contract requires the team to provide him with a chartered entry.

Of course, another preliminary injunction from the district court would buy more time and possibly get the teams through to the end of the season and the Dec. 1 trial date. But without that order, the teams will be facing a different reality beginning at Dover.

(Top photo of Shane van Gisbergen celebrating Sunday’s win: Trinity Machan / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

• #93 MMG Honda of Karl Wittmer and LP Montour claims victory on home soil
• MMG only 110 points back in the TCR class championship following back-to-back wins

Honda returned to victory lane for the second-consecutive time, as the #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR of Karl Wittmer and LP Montour took the win at their home track in the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120. Things took a dramatic turn in the sixth round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season, but MMG executed cleanly amidst the chaos, taking the checkered flag first and bolstering their position in the championship fight.

After qualifying in second position the day prior, just a mere 0.040 seconds off the pole position time, LP Montour rolled off as the race went green, carrying forward the team’s strong momentum throughout his stint. He moved up into the lead by the fifth lap over the polesitter, but found himself overtaken by another competitor four laps later.

The team had to complete a pit stop earlier than originally anticipated, as they suffered an unexpected left front tire delamination. Montour managed to dive into pit lane to address the sudden issue, and thus put Karl Wittmer on a major fuel-saving strategy as he took over driving duties.

During Wittmer’s stint, a drive-through penalty for a pit lane speed violation was handed to the then-leading car in the TCR field, promoting MMG to first place, although Wittmer still had a big task ahead of him to save enough fuel to the end

With 40 minutes remaining in the two-hour event, an incident involving multiple vehicles in Turn 7 brought out a lengthy full course caution. The second and third-place runners were involved, taking them out of contention. The caution allowed Wittmer to save additional fuel. The green flag running resumed with 20 minutes to go, and Wittmer went on to cross the finish line with a 2.149 second buffer between him and the car behind, securing his fifth and Montour’s second career series wins.

Following their top form at both Watkins Glen International and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the Honda outfit currently sits third in the TCR championship standings, just 110 points out of the lead.

The #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda Civic Type R TCR of William Tally and Tim Lewis recovered from a spin on lap 2, battling a subsequent rear-alignment issue for the remainder of the race, to cross the line in 10th.  

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 Honda Race Results

• Finished 1st – #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR, Karl Wittmer, LP Montour
• Finished 10th – #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda Civic Type R TCR, William Tally, Tim Lewis

Quotes
LP Montour (#93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR) Finished first: “Happy to have won the race with Karl. It’s a whole Canadian team here on Canadian soil. It means a lot for the whole team to be able to secure back-to-back wins; it’s very good for the points in the championship. Can’t be happier than that for my friends and family; Honda and MMG did everything right and it paid off.”

Karl Wittmer (#93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR) Finished first: “Honda gave us a great car. Everyone at MMG and HRC is working so hard to make this program happen for us and the results are showing it. Proud to be Canadian, proud to be part of HRC and MMG, and we will probably throw the biggest party in our hometowns to celebrate!”

Next
Honda will return for the seventh round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season, the two-hour Road America 120, on Saturday, August 2nd at 2 PM CT / 3 PM ET.

Acura and HRC US social media content and video links can be found on:

# # #

WATKINS GLEN — Twenty-two years after making his first-career start at Watkins Glen International in the NASCAR Cup Series, Paul Menard finally took the checkered flag at the historic racetrack in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s 50th race at The Glen. After rolling off third in his No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang, the 2024 champion made the pass for the lead on lap 17 and was engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with Adam Andretti (No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro) until the checkered flag waved.

When the green flag waved, polesitter Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang) was immediately passed on the outside by second-place Andretti, who shot out to a massive 10-car length lead. Andretti nurtured his multi-second advantage for the first nine laps while Menard fought with Dyson for the second position. On lap 10, Menard made the pass on Dyson and slowly began to hunt down Andretti. Andretti’s gap began to shrink, and on lap 17, Andretti made a mistake on the exit of the boot, allowing Menard to get by. For the remaining 13 laps, Andretti was on Menard’s bumper, attempting to regain the point position, but when the race reached its conclusion, it was Menard who drove into GYM WEED Winners Circle, followed by Andretti and Dyson. Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro) finished fourth, and Amy Ruman (No. 7 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Camaro) finished fifth in a car borrowed from Drissi Motorsports following a crash in testing which heavily damaged her Corvette.

Notes of Interest

Paul Menard earned his 11th-career Trans Am victory in the series’ 50th start at Watkins Glen International. The victory was Menard’s fourth of the season.

The 2024 champion won for the first time at Watkins Glen International. He has been competing at the track since 2003 in NASCAR’s top-three series.

Menard has made 28 previous starts at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series and one in the Trans Am Series. Before today, his best finish was second in both Trans Am and Xfinity.

Menard leaves the track with the points lead and a 31-point advantage over Adam Andretti.

Adam Andretti scored his sixth podium in eight races this season. He is tied with Menard for the most podium finishes in 2025.

“It’s great to be back in the Trans Am Series at Watkins Glen, one of my favorite racetracks,” said Menard. “It’s just a bad-ass racetrack, and I told Adam [Andretti], we just did 100 miles of qualifying. We were on it every single lap. The car held up; I got a little loose at the end. We had a tough weekend; we battled a lot of different gremlins and my boys put it all together for the race. The car was just solid all race. On to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. I love that track up there; another bad-ass, high-speed track. Adam is keeping us honest in the points and we’ll keep at it.”

TA Top Five

1. Paul Menard, No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang

2. Adam Andretti, No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro

3. Chris Dyson, No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang

4. Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro

5. Amy Ruman, No. 23 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Corvette

SGT Results

For the seventh time this season, Joshua Carlson in the No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang dominated the SGT class. He was the fastest competitor in practice, qualifying and the race, and he led every lap. Ray Mason (No. 00 Alloy Employer Services Ford Mustang) showed quick pace, crossing the finish line second, and 2022 champion Milton Grant (No. 55 Sentry Self Storage/Springhill Suites Porsche 991.1) finished third.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Carlson on the podium. “We led the whole weekend in practice, qualifying, and the race. I’d like to thank Enseva. Without them, I wouldn’t be racing this weekend. I had a lot of fun racing with Milton [Grant] and Ray [Mason]. I hope to see them out at the next race.”

SGT Top 51. Joshua Carlson, No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang

2. Ray Mason, No. 00 Alloy Employer Services Ford Mustang

3. Milton Grant, No. 55 Sentry Self Storage/Springhill Suites Porsche 991.1 Mustang

The two race teams suing NASCAR over antitrust allegations filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction Monday to be recognized as chartered organizations for the remainder of 2025.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are locked in a lengthy legal battle over the charter system, which is the equivalent of the franchise model in other sports. 23XI, owned by retired NBA great Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, last September rejected NASCAR’s final proposal on extensions and instead filed an antitrust suit.

The case is winding its way through the court system but now with urgency: the teams were set to lose their charters Wednesday and in the latest filing, they allege NASCAR has indicated it will immediately begin the process of selling the six tags that guarantee entry into every race as well as monetary rewards and other benefits.

After the filing NASCAR was ordered to respond by 5 p.m. Wednesday — which means there would be no ruling on if the charters will be revoked likely until Thursday, at the earliest.

“Today we filed a motion in the district court for a renewed preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order to protect the teams’ ability to race chartered for the remainder of the 2025 Cup Series season and prevent irreparable business harm to 23XI and Front Row Motorsports until we can present our case at trial in December,” said Jeffery Kessler, attorney for the teams.

“New information surfaced through the discovery process that overwhelmingly supports our position that a preliminary injunction is legally warranted and necessary. The teams’ love of stock car racing and belief in a better future for the sport for all parties – teams, drivers, employees, sponsors, and fans – continues to motivate their efforts to pursue this antitrust case.”

There were large portions of the filing redacted because the arguments are based on information learned through discovery, making it confidential, for now. But, the urgency is likely tied to NASCAR indicating it plans to immediately begin selling the charters if they are revoked.

Should the teams have their six combined charters revoked, the drivers would have to qualify on speed to make each week’s race and would receive a smaller percentage of the purse. They may also have to refund money paid out through the first 20 races of the year.

NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of filing “a third motion for another unnecessary and inappropriate preliminary injunction” and noted it has made multiple requests to the teams “to present a proposal to resolve this litigation.”

“We have yet to receive a proposal from 23XI or Front Row, as they have instead preferred to continue their damaging and distracting lawsuit,” NASCAR said in a statement. “We will defend NASCAR’s integrity from this baseless lawsuit forced upon the sport that threatens to divide the stakeholders committed to serving race fans everywhere.

“We remain focused on collaborating with the 13 race teams that signed the 2025 charter agreements and share our mutual goal of delivering the best racing in the world each week, including this weekend in Dover.”

Also on Monday, Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motor Club had a short virtual hearing in a North Carolina court over their fight for a charter.

Legacy, owned by seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, contends it had an agreement with RWR to lease one of its two charters in 2026. RWR contends the agreement was for 2027 and it already has a contract with RFK Racing to lease that team a charter next season.

Legacy on Monday asked for and was granted the right to depose RWR over the recent revelation that T.J. Puchyr, one of the founders of Spire Motorsports, plans to purchase the race team. Legacy contends if Ware is selling the team, then one of the charters should be transferred to its organization.

Legacy also argued that Ware did not disclose he was entering into a sales agreement with a third party — Puchyr, who is now a consultant and brokered the initial lease deal between RWR and Legacy — in an April hearing. The judge in that case warned that RWR could be in contempt of court if it misrepresented its intentions in the first hearing.

___

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There was plenty of pavement track action this past weekend, with Spencer Speedway roaring back to life on Friday with the 35th Annual Tribute to Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak 110 featuring the Race of Champions Modifieds. Saturday, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour was at the Lancaster Motorplex. Oswego Speedway hosted a special event for Winged 350 Supermodifieds the same night.

In action closest to home, Matt Hirschman added his second Race of Champions Modified win of 2025, backing up his win in the Rocket 76 at Evans Mills, claiming the Tommy/Tony 110 at Spencer. Patrick Emerling was second ahead of Paulie Hartwig III, Jake Lutz and Mike Leaty.

Hirschman established his car as dominant, but Leaty had an opening and took the lead on lap 41. During a cycle of caution-period pit stops, Hirschman slipped out of the pits ahead of Leaty and never looked back.

The Tribute to Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak traditionally takes place at Lancaster Motorplex. The event will return there later this season; this 35th running of the Tommy/Tony tribute was held-over at Spencer from 2024. Multiple attempts to run the event during the 2024 season were sidelined. Spencer has three races remaining on their schedule — all in August — including the massive Maynard Troyer Classic VI. The Durar/Jankowiak event served as the tune-up for the Troyer Classic, scheduled for Aug. 29.

“I think what was important tonight for me was we’ve got a big race coming up later this year, the Maynard Troyer Classic,” said Hirschman in a Race of Champions release. “Tonight was important to be here, I think, to size ourselves up and see what we had. This is not a place I’ve ever had a string of much success at, but we’ve picked up some wins here now.

“If we were running the 60, whatever lap it is this year, I think Mike Leaty’s your winner, so we might still have some work to do.”

While the planning never stops, Hirschman did take time to reflect on the milestone victory.

“First and foremost, though, Tommy/Tony night, 110, two fallen heroes from this area up here. I’ve won this race a bunch of times, mostly, I think, at Lancaster. Tommy Druar, Tony Jankowiak, it’s great to see that their families are still involved, their kids are racing, and keep that going after such a tragic loss for both of them,” said Hirschman. “My guys had a great pit stop that got us back out in first, and we adjusted on it a little bit. I think we picked up some speed again then and had a good, strong car to the finish, but Mike also had trouble. He’s the guy to beat here. When he won in dominant fashion at Lancaster a few weeks ago, that put a little pressure on me for Evans Mills, because I’m like, I don’t know if we’re going to beat him at Spencer, so we better get a win at Evans Mills, which we did.”

Emerling was second after Leaty faded through the top five; Emerling struggled with an alternator issue in his heat and had to start deep in the field. Hartwig III’s podium effort comes in his second RoC Modified Series start of 2025.

Tommy Barron won the 25-lap Asphalt Super Stocks feature; Joe Mancuso and Chris Batorski finished with the podium spots while David Bailey and Tim Faro filled the top five. Joey VanLare won the 15-lap 602 Sportsman feature over Carter Ridgeway and Austin Patteron. Patsy Catalano won the Four-Cylinder feature over Caiden Ingerick and Blake Giglio. Ashley Schoonmaker won the Six-Cylinder feature.

The Race of Champions Modifieds return to action on July 26 at Holland Speedway for the Crosby 100. The Asphalt Sportsman series will race July 19 at Chemung Speedrome in the Tribute to Ed McGuire 51.

At Spencer Speedway, the Race of Champions Sportsman Series returns on Aug. 1, with grandstands opening at 5 pm. Adult admission is $20. The next date is Aug. 15, hosting the Apple Harvest Night at the Races with the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. Adult admission is $20.

The Maynard Troyer Classic VI is scheduled for Aug. 29. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. Adult admission is $27.

At Oswego, Brendan Young scored the 350 Supermodified feature, winning the 25-lap main from the outside pole. Kyle Perry was next, with Talen Hawksby, Dave Cliff and Brian Sobus running in the top five. Noah Ratcliff took the 30-lap Small Block Supers feature, racing to the win from sixth on the grid. Andy Jodway followed, with Camden Proud charging up from 12th to take third. Drew Pascuzzi and Greg O’Connor filled the top five. The Supermodifieds were off, racing a two-day program at Berlin in Michigan

Austin Beers won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Lancaster Motorplex, his third straight win in starts at the facility.

He tallied his second-ever Modified Tour win there in 2023, his second win of that season after winning at Richmond Raceway. Returning in 2024, Beers raced from fifth to first, leading 74 laps in that win. Now, his third in a row at Lancaster came after holding off Patrick Emerling.

“I’m wore out,” Beers said. “I was on the edge every single lap trying not to give up anything. We had the best in the business behind us with Justin Bonsignore, Patrick Emerling; Matt [Hirschman] was there, too. I’m so thankful to get the three-peat,” said Beers in a NASCAR release.

By taking his third at Lancaster, Beers helped match a notable Modified Tour record. He is the seventh different winner in seven events this season, matching the string set in 1999. Tony Hirschman broke that streak with back-to-back victories in races No. 7 and No. 8.

The Modified Tour win list thus far includes Emerling, Ron Silk, Craig Lutz and Matt Hirschman, along with Justin and Kyle Bonsignore.

“This shows how tough this tour is,” Beers said. “There’s six other guys that could still win, like [Stephen] Kopcik, the Catalanos and [Tyler] Rypkema. A lot of guys could still win here, but it means a lot to get another win at Lancaster. I love this place.”

Consistency has been Beers’ standard all season, with only a single finish outside the top five at Riverhead. However, he had not won, either. And Lancaster’s win was in question for a period. An early caution allows the Beers crew to improve his No. 64. He started building momentum, racing to second behind Kyle Bonsignore after pit stops on lap 76. He inherited the lead when Bonsignore pitted during the final caution period, and then held off a motivated Emerling. Emerling had raced to second last year behind Beers at Lancaster as well.

Emerling charged to the rear bumper, but could not displace Beers. Hirschman finished third behind Beers and Emerling. Kyle Bonsignore and Jacob Lutz completed the top five.

The Modified Tour will next race a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader at Monadnock Speedway, with the Duel at the Dog 200 taking place on July 19 and the Cheshire County Clash 200 occurring the following day. The two races make up the final two legs of the Whelen Short Track Cup. FloRacing will have live coverage of all the on-track activity.

TOURING SERIES

Matt Sheppard won the Short Track Super Series event at Outlaw Speedway last Thursday. The win was Sheppard’s second straight at Outlaw Speedway, having won last Friday. It is also his 53rd career STSS win, matching Stewart Friesen on the all-time STSS win list. Sheppard found the middle to be the fastest line, holding off Friesen for the win. In winning the 50-lap Machuga Memorial, Sheppard collected $7,078.78. After Friesen, Alex Yankowski, Bobby Varin and David Hebert filled the top five.

Taylor Doxtater won the 25-lap Sportsman feature ahead of Justice Mayo, Blake Parsons, Karl Comfort and Andrew Clark. Glenn Whritenour won the Street Stock feature, taking their 20-lap feature over Jimmy Grant, Shane Wolf, Chris Woodard and Brett Crawford. Nate Power won the 20-lap four-cylinder feature. Zach Daugherty was next ahead of Jayson Smart, Gavin Hall and Jeff Moore.

Outlaw is back to Friday night action this week. The Short Track Super Series returns to Afton Speedway on July 16.

AREA RESULTS SATURDAY

Matt Sheppard won his 95th career feature at Land of Legends Raceway, bringing him to stand third all-time in feature wins at Land of Legends Raceway. Bob McCreadie (99 wins) is next, and only four ahead. Alan Johnson is atop the all-time win list, with 129. After 30-laps of racing, Mat Williamson was second ahead of Erick Rudolph, Justin Haers and Alex Payne. Tyler Guzzardi was a first-time winner at Land of Legends, celebrating a victory in the 25-lap Sportsman feature. Frank Guererri Jr. was next, followed by Nick Ventura, Richard Murtaugh and Matt Guererri. Bobby Parrow delivered a win in the 305 sprints, taking the 20-lap feature over Spencer Burley and Ethan Gray; John Smith and Darryl Ruggles filled the top five. Jimmy Grant dueled with Rick Crego in the Street Stock feature, and came out on top after 20-laps of racing. Marc Minutolo was third ahead of CJ Guererri and Mike Welch. Blane Smith broke a decade-plus winless streak, taking the 15-lap Hobby Stock win over Bubby Kerrick and Jared Hill while Frank Burnell and Minutolo ranked in the top five. Chris Darling topped Brianna Murtaugh in the 12-lap New Legends Sportsman feature. Land of Legends will welcome a DIRTcar Sportsman Series West and Central combined tour event next Saturday with a 30-lap main. The track will host the 182nd Ontario County Fair Championships on Wednesday July 23. The card will include the 13th Les Whyte Top Gun Shootout: Empire Street Stock Series. They will race a 30-lap main paying $1,500-to-win. The Hobby Stock “Hoedown” will be a 20-lap main paying $750-to-win along with Vintage Cars. There will be no racing on July 26 in lieu of the Ontario County Fair.

At Fulton Speedway, Matt Caprara won the 35-lap Modified feature. Sean Beardsley was second ahead of Max Hill, Chris Mackey and Ryan Dolbear. Emmett Waldron keeps on trucking, winning the 25-lap Sportsman feature over Jason Parkhurst and Josh Livingston. Jimmy Moyer and Hunter Hollenbeck filled the top five. John Pietrowicz won the 15-lap Hobby Stock main over Ron Hawker and Andrew Galvin. Jacob Gurecki scored a win in the 15-lap Novice Sportsman feature. Joe August topped Jipp Ortiz in the 25-lap Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour feature.

Fulton will be off Saturday, July 19.

FRIDAY

At Brewerton Speedway, Ron Davis III became the eighth different modified winner in eight events thus far. He took the 35-lap win over Jason Parkhurst and Chris Hulsizer. Tyler Trump and Tim Sears Jr. filled the top five. Nick Ventura triumphed in the DIRTcar Sportsman 25-lap feature; he had Riley Rogala and Tony Finch II on his bumper, with Tyler Corcoran and Cody Manitta filling the top five. Mike Mullen scored the 33-lap Mod Lite Brian Crutchley Memorial, taking home a huge $10,000 payday in the process. Joe Isabell was next, ahead of Justin Williams, PO Trudeau and Joe Garafolo. Nathan Powers won the 15-lap Four-Cylinder Super Stock feature over Jack Taskey and Justin Guyle. Aaron Push won the Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour 25-lap main over Brad Litzenberger. Brewerton will be off July 18.

Matt Sheppard won Friday night at Utica-Rome, coming out on top of a spirited battle with Alex Yankowski. Rocky Warner was third in the 30-lap main, followed by Justin Wright and Danny Johnson. Mike Richmond took the checkers in the 25-lap Sportsman main, followed by Tyler Peet and Jeremy Slosek. Shane Playford (Pro Stock), Jayden Wust (Limited Sportsman), Rudy King (Four-Cylinder), Brett Putman (All Star Slingshot) and Preston Trautschold (Junior Slingshot) earned class wins.

Billy Dunn won Can-Am Speedway’s Autograph Night event, taking the 25-lap 358-Modified feature over Shaun Shaw and Tim Fuller. It was the 900th Modified feature contested at Can-Am. Tyler Meeks and Ryan Bartlett filled the top five. Richard Murtaugh tallied a win in the 20-lap Sportsman main, holding off Logan Brown and Keegan Nier. Jessica Power and Gavin Eisele filled the top five. Tiger Chapman (602 Sprints), Tony Fezzo (Thundercar) and Genavieve Bartlett (Limited Sportsman) earned class victories.

The roar of Formula 1, the thrill of a Riyadh concert, the spectacle of a Dubai exhibition, these iconic moments dazzle the world. But behind the scenes, logistics powers it all. From timed deliveries to seamless setups, companies like DHL aren’t just support; they’re the silent force turning vision into reality, ensuring every light, sound, and movement hits the mark with precision.

The Middle East’s mega event boom is no accident. With strategic investments in infrastructure, tourism, and cultural capital, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are turning the region into a global epicenter for entertainment, sports, and business showcases. According to forecasts, the Middle East events market is set to hit a staggering $76.67 billion by 2028.

But what the numbers don’t show is the incredible operational feat behind the scenes. These events aren’t just displays of glamour; they’re logistical marvels. Every component from custom-built staging and light rigs to climate-sensitive musical equipment and high-definition broadcasting tools must arrive on time and in flawless condition.

That complexity is amplified when stages need to be replicated across borders in a matter of days, think a music tour hopping from Muscat to Jeddah to Abu Dhabi. Transporting hundreds of tonnes of equipment across multiple cities isn’t a creative exaggeration; it’s standard operating procedure.

Speed, Strategy, Precision

What makes event logistics in the Middle East uniquely challenging? It’s a cocktail of unpredictable weather, complex regional regulations, and the sheer scale of operations. Navigating the patchwork of customs requirements across Gulf nations demands not just precision documentation but also trusted local partnerships.

Environmental conditions add another layer of intensity; 50°C heatwaves, sandstorms, and humidity-sensitive cargo can all derail the best-laid plans. And yet, time and again, logistics providers like DHL pull off high-pressure feats across tight timelines.

That same precision is being deployed on the world’s fastest stages, Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3. In a major development, DHL has now been appointed as the Global Logistics Partner for the FIA, the governing body of world motorsport. This extends their role beyond Formula 1 to include transport, setup, and maintenance of essential racing infrastructure such as mobile offices, garages, and racetrack signaling systems. It’s a testament to the trust placed in their speed, reliability, and execution under pressure.

“We share essential values such as safety, quality, speed, and precision,” and we are both deeply committed to sustainability. said Paul Fowler, Head of Global Motorsports Logistics at DHL.

Established in 1904, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) initially embarked on a mission to establish consistent governance and safety standards in the realm of motor sport. Today, it serves as the global governing body for premier racing championships, including Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3, while also driving innovation, sustainability, and fairness across the motorsport ecosystem.

Tech-powered resilience

One of the biggest shifts transforming logistics today is digitization. Real-time shipment tracking, emissions monitoring, and predictive simulations of potential delays now form the backbone of major event logistics. These tools don’t just solve problems, they help anticipate them.

For example, DHL’s “Stretch” robot, developed with Boston Dynamics, can autonomously unload up to 700 packages per hour, easing pressure during high-density event windows like back-to-back race weekends or large expos. In pressure-cooker moments, such speed and consistency make a difference.

As part of their FIA partnership, DHL will operate trucks in Europe powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a low-emission alternative fuel, aligning motorsport logistics with decarbonization goals. It’s a small but significant step in making one of the world’s fastest industries greener.

Sustainability in motion

With mega events come mega emissions, but that narrative is evolving. DHL and other providers are embedding sustainability into their operations, from electric delivery trucks and AI-powered route optimization to biofuel-powered aircraft and smart, reusable packaging.

Even temperature-controlled containers are being reimagined to reduce energy consumption while keeping sensitive gear safe. These aren’t optional upgrades anymore; they’re mission-critical, especially with governments pushing for greener events.

“Pushing for greater sustainability across both motorsport and mobility is a priority for the FIA. This partnership with DHL is a great opportunity to drive sustainable practices across our industry,” said Craig Edmondson, FIA’s Chief Commercial Officer.

As mega events expand across the Gulf, logistics is becoming a crucial partner in meeting net-zero ambitions. It’s no longer enough to move fast; movement must now be clean, efficient, and transparent.

More than just delivery

Vision of a global stage for entertainment, sports, and innovation, the demand for logistics will only intensify. But this is no longer a support role; it’s a strategic function.

Companies like DHL aren’t just delivering goods, they’re making sure everything needed for the show to go on arrives exactly when and where it should. Whether it’s a Formula 1 race or a major concert, their role is critical to the success of every event on the calendar.

The story behind the spotlight

When logistics succeeds, it disappears because nothing goes wrong. There’s a certain poetry to the fact that logistics, by nature, seeks no applause. It exists to support, to streamline, to make others shine, not just for delivering events, but for delivering the future.