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MLB, NASCAR stars talk the legends of Bristol as racetrack transforms for historic ballgame

NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. advises the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves to watch a couple of night races at Bristol Motor Speedway before the Speedway Classic. Once at the racetrack, he recommends a walk up the banked walls to truly appreciate the half-mile bullring. MLB’s Speedway Classic on Aug. 2 means either the Reds […]

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NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. advises the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves to watch a couple of night races at Bristol Motor Speedway before the Speedway Classic. Once at the racetrack, he recommends a walk up the banked walls to truly appreciate the half-mile bullring.

MLB’s Speedway Classic on Aug. 2 means either the Reds or Braves will win at Bristol before Stenhouse reaches victory lane at his favorite track. He still plans to watch as they play an MLB game on a ballpark built inside the Bristol infield.

“Hopefully, if they get one over the wall, kind of see where that ball ends up landing,” Stenhouse said of the track where going over the wall usually means injuries and ambulances. “But, yeah, just a really cool venue and something that I’ll be looking forward to watching.”

Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, now a Fox racing analyst, said search his 1990 crash where his car disintegrated after hitting a wall to learn how challenging Bristol can be.

He joined Stenhouse, former Braves centerfielder Andruw Jones, 2009 World Series champ Nick Swisher and three-time All-Star Reds first baseman and now MLB Network analyst Sean Casey in promoting the first MLB game in the state of Tennessee.

Waltrip said the banking of the track has to be seen to be believed and is a big part of its intensity.

“The banking is straight up,” Waltrip said. “You can barely climb up it, and it’s condensed down to a half-mile track. So you’re just constantly in the corners and speeds upwards of 150 miles an hour. It’s just crazy how precise and how technical you have to be to be successful there.”

Trying to hit a baseball might be a bit easier than stepping into a racecar at Bristol. At those speeds, Stenhouse said he forgot to breathe for 10 laps his first time there.

Bristol still has tickets available for an event that will feature a pregame concert with Tim McGraw and Pitbull. A fan zone outside the track will feature more music, a 110-foot Ferris wheel, a food truck row, pitching tunnels and batting cages and team mascots.

“It’s going to be one of those special nights that goes down in history,” said Jerry Caldwell, president of Bristol Motor Speedway. “People are going to want to be there and want to be a part of it or tune in on Fox and take in this event.”

Casey played in a March 2008 exhibition between the Red Sox and Dodgers at Los Angeles Coliseum that drew 115,300 for the largest crowd ever to see a baseball game. Casey said this crossover gives baseball fans a reason to check out Bristol and NASCAR fans the chance to see something different.

Players like Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. will get an experience to remember.

“These guys that are going to be able to have that memory of playing at Bristol, it’s going to be a one of a kind thing,” Casey said.

Stenhouse said he played some wiffle ball during the last stop in Bristol. NASCAR will be in Iowa with a Cup race Aug. 3, but he hopes to sneak over from his North Carolina home for a chance to hit some hard balls over the fence at Bristol — or pitch off the mound.

“I hit a wiffle ball over the fence,” Stenhouse said. “Yeah, it would be cool to get there and take the field in all at the same time.”

___

AP Baseball Writer Ron Blum contributed to this report from New York.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.



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Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports: Iowa Speedway Competition Notes- Todd Gilliland

Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford TeamIowa Speedway Competition NotesIowa Corn 350 Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025Event: Race 25 of 38Series: NASCAR Cup SeriesLocation: Iowa Speedway (0.875-miles)#of Laps: 350Time/TV/Radio: 3:30 PM ET on USA/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90 Todd Gilliland Notes Following a sixth-place finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his third […]

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Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Team
Iowa Speedway Competition Notes
Iowa Corn 350

Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025
Event: Race 25 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Iowa Speedway (0.875-miles)
#of Laps: 350
Time/TV/Radio: 3:30 PM ET on USA/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Todd Gilliland Notes

Following a sixth-place finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his third top-10 finish of the season, Todd Gilliland will now shift his focus to the Iowa Speedway. Gilliland has one previous start at the 0.875-mile, Newton, Iowa track, starting 14th and finishing 12th in 2024. In the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, Gilliland has two wins in two starts at the track, capturing the checkered flag in 2016 and 2017.

Love’s Travel Stops returns to Gilliland’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend. Fans are encouraged to download the Love’s Connect App to unlock exclusive benefits and savings. This Summer, users can save 10¢ per gallon on gas and up to 25¢ per gallon on auto diesel, along with access to great mobile-only deals. Fans can download the app from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

“I’m feeling confident heading into Iowa,” said Gilliland. “We had a strong run at Indy, and that’s something we can build on. The season hasn’t quite lived up to expectations so far, but things are starting to click. The team’s finding its rhythm, and I think over the next few races, you’ll start to see a real shift in our performance.”

Road Crew

Driver: Todd Gilliland

Hometown: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Chris Lawson

Hometown: Medway, Ohio

Car Chief: Joe Marra

Hometown: Somers, New York

Engineer: Marc Rullo

Hometown: Ringwood, New Jersey

Engineer: Kevyn Rebolledo

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Spotter: Brit Andersen

Hometown: Branford, Connecticut

Underneath Mechanic: Michael Brookes

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Interior Mechanic: Chance Burke

Hometown: Siler City, North Carolina

Tire Specialist: Billy John

Hometown: Pitman, New Jersey

Engine Tuner: Tim Meyer

Hometown: Beatrice, Nebraska

Transporter Driver: Randy Bernier

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Danny Olszowy

Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

Rear Tire Changer: Justin Fox

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Paul Steele

Hometown: Wichita, Kansas

Jackman: Landon Honeycutt

Hometown: Mount Pleasant, North Carolina

Fueler: Zeke Nance

Hometown: Calhoun, Georgia

ABOUT LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with more than 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with 640 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.





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National Motorsports Appeals Panel upholds penalty to No. 52 Truck team

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld the penalty against the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing team after last weekend’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Stewart Friesen drove the truck to a third-place finish in Friday’s TSport 200, but in post-race inspection, it was discovered that his No. 52 Toyota […]

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The National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld the penalty against the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing team after last weekend’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Stewart Friesen drove the truck to a third-place finish in Friday’s TSport 200, but in post-race inspection, it was discovered that his No. 52 Toyota didn’t meet the height requirement, measuring too low in the front and the rear.

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As a result, instead of a third-place finish, Friesen was dropped to 35th place and credited with just two points. Friesen, a winner in June at Michigan International Speedway, led 20 of 200 laps in Friday night‘s event.

In reaching Wednesday’s decision, the panel provided the following explanation: “The panel agrees that the team violated Rule 14.17.3.2.1.2.A. There was a part failure that is not known if it was intentional or unintentional, resulting in failure of front ride height.”

The Appeals Panel members for this hearing were Dixon Johnston, Bill Mullis and Tommy Wheeler.

Friesen was set to undergo surgery on Wednesday after he suffered fractures to his pelvis and right leg Monday in a Super DIRTcar Series race at Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada. According to a social media post that his wife Jessica made on Tuesday, Friesen was in serious but stable condition.

This story will be updated.



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HSR NASCAR Classic Presented by Goodyear Returns to VIRginia International Raceway

The HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear marks its first anniversary this September when it returns to the site of its series’ debut last year at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR). Officials from VIR and HSR announced that the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear Celebration will be among the featured races at the HSR VIR […]

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The HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear marks its first anniversary this September when it returns to the site of its series’ debut last year at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR). Officials from VIR and HSR announced that the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear Celebration will be among the featured races at the HSR VIR Historics, Sept. 5-7, on the 3.27-mile Southern Virginia road course.

The HSR VIR Historics is the first full-series HSR event on the competitor-favorite circuit since 2018, and the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear series will be one of the main events in the race-weekend spotlight. The return engagement brings HSR NASCAR Classic back to the track where the series premiered last year in a support role on the IMSA Michelin GT Challenge race weekend.

Historic Sportscar Racing Growing in Popularity

Open to stock cars that have been retired from active competition, last year’s HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear introduction was in response to the increasing popularity of the Group 8 Historic Stock Cars category with HSR competitors and fans alike, company officials stated in a press release.

Historic #11 race car on racetrack

“The HSR NASCAR Classic series was a success last year on our IMSA Michelin GT Challenge weekend, and we expect the enthusiasm and following for the championship to be even stronger as part of the returning HSR VIR Historics,” said VIR owner and CEO Connie Nyholm. “We have been working closely with our friends and colleagues in Daytona Beach the last couple of years to bring a full HSR race weekend back to VIR, and we were finally able to make it happen, just in time for our 25th Anniversary, Reborn. The bonus comes with the addition of the new NASCAR Classic series to the weekend, which will be very popular with our race fans and competitors here in stock car country.”

Located just on the border of North Carolina, VIR is in a “target-rich” location due to the sheer number of NASCAR Classic eligible cars and loyal stock car racing fans in the surrounding and nearby regions, noted the release.

“We are so excited to return to VIR for a full weekend of HSR competition, including the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear after last year’s outstanding series debut,” said HSR president John Doonan. “The three words that come to mind when I think of the NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear Celebration at VIR are ‘location, location, location.’ This area is very much a part of the heart of the NASCAR community, and you even go through North Carolina a bit, just a couple of miles before the VIR main gate in the drive to the track. We are working closely with Connie Nyholm, Kerrigan Smith, and everyone on the VIR team to get the word out now on the VIR Historics and NASCAR Classic, and look forward to a great turnout of competitors and race fans in September at VIR.”

Event-Packed VIR Historics Weekend

The NASCAR Classic Celebration is among the headline events on the VIR Historics weekend that also includes HSR’s Run Group 4 division for historic open-wheel cars, points-paying rounds of the HSR WeatherTech Sprint and B.R.M. Endurance Challenge series, and feature series races such as the SascoSports International/American Challenge presented by Hoosier and HSR Global GT.

A private test day for HSR competitors on Thursday, September 4, sets the stage for three full days of official competition at VIR, Friday through Sunday.

Next up for the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear is the Go Bowling at The Glen full NASCAR event at Watkins Glen International, Aug. 8-9. This year’s race marks the third-straight appearance for HSR historic stock cars on the New York track’s NASCAR weekend, following last year’s NASCAR Classic debut and a demonstration race in 2023.



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Motorsports

Bomb threat at Trackside Motorsports prompts evacuation in Lincoln Township | News

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP, Wis. – On Wednesday July 30, Vilas County Dispatch received a bomb threat at Trackside Motorsports near Eagle River. An individual claimed a bomb was placed inside and threatened to detonate it if law enforcement arrived. Authorities evacuated the area and set up a perimeter. Phone calls with the suspect revealed he was […]

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Bomb Threat

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP, Wis. – On Wednesday July 30, Vilas County Dispatch received a bomb threat at Trackside Motorsports near Eagle River. An individual claimed a bomb was placed inside and threatened to detonate it if law enforcement arrived.

Authorities evacuated the area and set up a perimeter. Phone calls with the suspect revealed he was not nearby, and deputies found no devices in the building.

Simultaneously, a separate incident occurred in Eagle River. Teenagers were seen waving BB guns from a vehicle, leading to a traffic stop near Trackside. Despite the proximity, the two events were unrelated.

Both incidents are being investigated by the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office and the Eagle River Police Department.



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Kaulig Racing parts ways with Xfinity Series driver Josh Williams

Josh Williams is no longer with Kaulig Racing, the team announced Wednesday. The team stated that it will continue to field the No. 11 car in the Xfinity Series with multiple drivers the rest of the season. The team announced Wednesday afternoon that Carson Hocevar would drive the No. 11 car at Iowa in the […]

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Josh Williams is no longer with Kaulig Racing, the team announced Wednesday.

The team stated that it will continue to field the No. 11 car in the Xfinity Series with multiple drivers the rest of the season.

The team announced Wednesday afternoon that Carson Hocevar would drive the No. 11 car at Iowa in the Xfinity race.

Syndication: The Indianapolis Star

Austin Hill will miss Saturday’s Xfinity race at Iowa Speedway.

Williams, who turns 32 on Sunday, had been with the team since last season. In 54 races at Kaulig Racing, Williams had no wins, no top-five finishes and six top 10s. He placed 18th in the points last year and is 19th in the standings this season.

Williams has 240 career Xfinity starts with 17 top-10 finishes.

In a statement posted on social media, Williams wrote: “As most of you have seen, Kaulig Racing has made the decision to release me for the remainder of the season. This has been a difficult day for my family, friends, long-time partners and fans, whom I can’t thank enough for standing by my side through all of this. We will be back soon and looking forward to a much brighter chapter in my racing career. I wish nothing but the best for my guys on the 11 team.”





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Motorsports

Josh Williams abruptly released by Kauilig Racing mid-season

NASCAR team Kaulig Racing has parted ways with their driver Josh Williams Josh Williams currently races the No. 11 car for Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He’s run every race for the team this season. However, the No. 11 car will have a new driver starting this weekend at Iowa Speedway. The team […]

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NASCAR team Kaulig Racing has parted ways with their driver Josh Williams

Josh Williams currently races the No. 11 car for Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He’s run every race for the team this season.

However, the No. 11 car will have a new driver starting this weekend at Iowa Speedway. The team says they will rotate drivers in the car for the remainder of the season.

The 31-year-old has raced full time for the team since the start of the 2024 season. With 240 total Xfinity Series races over a 10-year career, Williams has collected 17 top-10 finishes.

Kaulig Racing announces the departure with Josh Williams

On Wednesday, the team made the following announcement:

“Kaulig Racing announced that is has parted ways with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, Josh Williams, effective today.”

“Kaulig Racing will field the No. 11 Chevrolet with multiple drivers over the remaining 12 NASCAR Xfinity Series races.”

“More announcements regarding the driver lineup will be forthcoming.”

Josh Williams comments

The driver issued the following statement moments after the team release:

“As most of you have seen, Kaulig Racing has made the decision to release me for the remainder of the season,” Williams opened.

“This has been a difficult day for my family, friends, long-time partners and fans, whom I can’t thank enough for standing by my side through all of this.”

“We will be back soon and looking forward to a much brighter chapter in my racing career. I will nothing but the best for my guys on the 11 team.”

Carson Hocevar wins - NASCAR Truck Series - Texas Motor Speedway - Victory LaneCarson Hocevar wins - NASCAR Truck Series - Texas Motor Speedway - Victory Lane
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – APRIL 01: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 01, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Update: The team has selected a replacement

For this weekend at Iowa Speedway, the team will have Carson Hocevar in the No. 11 car.

Hocevar will run double-duty at Iowa Speedway as he’ll also drive the No. 77 for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Carson Hocevar comments:

“I love to race, anywhere, anytime, so when I was asked to drive the Kaulig Xfinity car at Iowa, I jumped at the opportunity,” said the enthusiastic Hocevar. 

Hocevar added, “I’m grateful to the team at Kaulig Racing for believing in me and to Jeff Dickerson and my Spire team for letting me have some fun with the 11 team this weekend. I promise to make the most of it.”

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Josh Williams | Kaulig Racing | NASCAR



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