Motorsports
NASCAR: No Chicago Street Race next year, but it could…
CHICAGO — NASCAR is pressing pause on its Chicago Street Race, answering at least one major question about its schedule for next season.
NASCAR raced on a street course in downtown Chicago on the first weekend in July each of the last three years. But it had a three-year contract with the city, leaving the future of the event in question.
Writing to Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday, race president Julie Giese said the plan is to explore the potential of a new event weekend with his office and other community leaders while also working on a more efficient course build and breakdown.
“Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an event that further enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike, as we work together towards a new potential date, shorter build schedule, and additional tourism draws,” Giese wrote in her letter to Johnson.
Giese said NASCAR is keeping its Chicago Street Race office and plans to continue its community partnerships.
“We deeply value our relationship with the City of Chicago and remain steadfast in our commitment to being a good neighbor and partner,” she said in the letter.
NASCAR is replacing its Chicago stop with a street race in San Diego.
A message was left Friday seeking comment from Johnson’s office.
NASCAR’s Chicago weekend featured Xfinity and Cup Series races on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course against the backdrop of Lake Michigan and Grant Park — to go along with a festival-like atmosphere with music and entertainment options.
The goal was an event that appealed to both a new audience in one of NASCAR’s most important regions and the most ardent racing fans. NASCAR used to race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, a 45-mile drive from downtown, but it pulled out after the 2019 season.
Johnson’s predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, was in charge when the three-year contract for the downtown weekend was finalized.
It wasn’t exactly a popular move in Chicago. Local businesses and residents were frustrated by the street closures in a heavily trafficked area for tourists in the summer. But organizers shrunk the construction schedule from 43 days in 2023 to 25 this year, winning over some of the race’s critics.
Drivers and their teams had some concerns about the course ahead of the first weekend. But the setup was widely praised by the time the third year rolled around — both the course and the ability to walk to the circuit from their downtown hotel.
Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson called Chicago “probably my favorite event in NASCAR each year.”
The racing in downtown Chicago has been dominated by Shane van Gisbergen, who won the Xfinity and Cup races this year from the pole. He also won in Chicago in his Cup debut in 2023 and last year’s Xfinity Series race.
“I love the track,” he said after this year’s Cup win. “It’s a cool place to come to. You feel a nice vibe. You feel a good vibe in the mornings walking to the track with the fans. It’s pretty unique like that.”
Motorsports
Kuwait Motor Sports Club achieves outstanding results
MANAMA: The director of the Kuwaiti Motor Sports Club, Sheikh Sabah Dawood Al-Sabah, praised the outstanding results achieved by the club’s racers in the second round of the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship on Saturday, emphasizing that they reflect the advanced level reached by Kuwaiti champions in this sport. The team director stated that the racers delivered a remarkable performance in the competitions held at the Bahrain International Circuit’s drag strip.
Abdullah Ali Al-Aqab secured first place in the Pro 29.5 category, while Ahmed Zaman took second place in the 8.5 Index category, and Fawaz Al-Awadhi finished third in the same category. The remaining members of the participating delegation also achieved high rankings in the eight rounds.
Al-Sabah affirmed that these achievements are the fruit of the continuous efforts exerted by the racers and the technical and administrative staff.
He noted the club’s commitment to providing all means of support and care to raise Kuwait’s flag high in regional and international events, wishing them continued success in future competitions.
The second round of the Bahrain National Drag Racing Championship, the most popular drag racing championship in the region, kicked off over the past two days at the Bahrain International Circuit’s drag strip. The new season of the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship is scheduled to run until March, with the third and fourth rounds taking place in January and the championship concluding in March. — KUNA
Motorsports
Mini Bike Challenges Sport Bike to a Race – Drag Bike News
It’s the biggest motorcycle drag racing grudge race of the year, Kings of Grudge Grinchmas from Orlando Speedworld Dragway and we cover this shocker as a fast mini bike calls out a stretched Suzuki Hayabusa grudge bike on the opening day of this event. We also see some motorcycle drag racing gone wrong as a fast Suzuki Hayabusa and GSXR 1000 suffer engine damage. Enjoy some thrilling motorcycle drag racing from Kings of Grudge









There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel (please subscribe here) and like the Cycledrag Facebook page (Please like here) and more will be coming soon. Also subscribe to our NEW Youtube channel “Racing Jack” and Check back daily.



Motorsports
Bubba The Love Sponge and Cycledrag Discuss The State of Motorsports – Drag Bike News
It’s episode No. 3 of the Racing Jack Show and we sit down with media mogul “Bubba The Love Sponge” to Talk about what’s really hurting the racing business and what the sport must do to bring fans back to NHRA, NASCAR, Dirt Races and a whole lot more. After an in-depth discussion on the state of motorsports and racing the leader of the Bubba Army shocks us when he calls his good buddy and motorsports legend Tony Stewart.

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We ask Bubba how the next generation of race fan has changed, how difficult it is to run a track and an organization and how racing organizations can follow the successful formula of WWE and UFC. We also discuss the controversial decision by the NHRA to cancel its final race of the season and discuss some of the interworking of NHRA drag racing and how it functions as a not for profit organization. Bubba also talks about what it’s like to climb the ladder in NASCAR in today’s climate compared to how it once was in the days of greats like Dale Earnhardt Sr. Finally we discuss Bubba’s reporting on the untimely death of Hulk Hogan and how the wrestling legend’s passing changes the way Cycledrag operates.
There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel (please subscribe here) and like the Cycledrag Facebook page (Please like here) and more will be coming soon. Also subscribe to our NEW Youtube channel “Racing Jack” and Check back daily.



Motorsports
Sport Bike Crashes at Biggest Grudge Event of the Year – Drag Bike News
We head to the biggest motorcycle drag racing grudge race of the year where we unfortunately see one fast racer on a Suzuki GSXR blow an en engine and suffer a big top end crash at Orlando Speedworld Dragway. It’s motorcycle drag racing gone wrong as this veteran driver suffers an incident but the good news is he was alert and awake and the Orlando safety team was right on top of it. We also see some unbelievable motorcycle drag racing as nitrous and turbo Suzuki Hayabusa and GSXR 1000 and Kawasaki ZX-14 stretched bikes go for big money win at the biggest Grudge race of the year, Kings of Grudge Grinchmas from Orlando, FL





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Motorsports
We rank the top-10 NASCAR Cup drivers of 2025
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season was a 36-race saga of raw speed, strategy, and sheer misfortune, ending with Kyle Larson claiming his second championship at Phoenix Raceway—despite Denny Hamlin delivering what many consider the most statistically dominant campaign of the modern era. Hamlin’s six wins led the series, but a heartbreaking late caution in the finale snatched victory away, allowing Larson to capitalize. Points reset in the playoffs obscure the full picture of performance across ovals, road courses, and superspeedways.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
This ranking prioritizes overall impact: wins, poles, consistency, laps led, playoff pushes, and overperformance—elevating those who truly excelled beyond the trophy. In a year of road-course brilliance, veteran grit, and cruel twists, here are the top 10 drivers who defined 2025.
1. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing) – The True Season Dominator

Rank in Point Standings: 2nd
No. of Wins: 6
No. of Poles: 5
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Led JGR
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Strong
Hamlin’s six victories were the most in the series, backed by aggressive restarts, bold strategy, and unmatched hunger at age 44. He dominated the finale at Phoenix, leading a record 208 laps from pole—only for a late caution (unrelated to him) to erase his lead and hand the title to Larson. Heartbreakingly close after superior raw stats all year, Hamlin proved he’s among NASCAR’s all-time greats, championship or not.
2. Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports) – The Opportunistic Champion

Rank in Point Standings: 1st
No. of Wins: 3
No. of Poles: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Tied high at Hendrick with Byron
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive
Larson’s versatility and calm execution sealed his second title, leading over 1,100 laps with 15 top-fives and minimal errors. A smart two-tire call in Phoenix overtime turned Hamlin’s dominance into victory. Deserving champion, but Hamlin’s superior wins and poles make this a debated crown.
3. Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse Racing) – The Road-Course Phenom

Rank in Point Standings: 12th
No. of Wins: 5
No. of Poles: 3
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Dominated road courses
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Led on twisties
In his full-season debut, SVG monopolized road courses with five wins (often by massive margins) and Rookie of the Year honors. Playoff qualifier with oval improvements, his raw talent overperformed the No. 88 Chevy—turning heads and redefining road-ring mastery.
4. Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing) – The Qualifying Ace and Adapter

Rank in Point Standings: 3rd
No. of Wins: 3
No. of Poles: 7
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Competitive
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Led JGR
Switching to JGR after replacing Truex Jr., Briscoe exploded: series-high seven poles, three wins, and a Championship 4 berth. Massive speed gains and aggression made him a breakout, dragging his team deep into the playoffs.
5. William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports) – The Consistent Frontrunner

Rank in Point Standings: 4th
No. of Wins: 3
No. of Poles: 3
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Tied with Larson
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Strong
Regular-season points leader Byron claimed three wins (including back-to-back Daytona 500s) and led thousands of laps. Dominant stretches and clutch Martinsville playoff advance highlighted his evolution into a perennial threat.
6. Ryan Blaney (Team Penske) – The Clutch Closer

Rank in Point Standings: 6th
No. of Wins: 4
No. of Poles: 2
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Most at Penske
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive
Blaney’s four wins included a late surge, capping with Phoenix victory. Leading 852 laps despite inconsistencies, his momentum and improvements made him Penske’s leader.
7. Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing) – The Reliable Winner

Rank in Point Standings: 5th
No. of Wins: 4
No. of Poles: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Tied high at JGR
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Solid
Bell’s four wins and series-high 22 top-10s showed reliability across tracks. Steady playoff runs positioned him as a future champion in JGR’s lineup.
8. Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) – The Resurgent Favorite

Rank in Point Standings: 8th
No. of Wins: 2
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Solid
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive
Elliott returned strong with two wins, consistent top-10s, and playoff pushes. Balanced oval/road performance rebuilt his momentum.
9. Joey Logano (Team Penske) – The Experienced Fighter

Rank in Point Standings: 7th
No. of Wins: 1
No. of Poles: 2
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Led at times
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Strong
An “off” year for the defending champ still yielded a win and poles through savvy racing, keeping Penske competitive amid challenges.
10. Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing) – The Quiet Maximizer

Rank in Point Standings: 9th
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 2
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Overperformed
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive
Winless but consistent with runner-ups and top-10s, Reddick extracted maximum from 23XI amid hurdles—excellent racecraft in a rebuilding effort.
2025 blended triumph, heartbreak, and emerging stars. While Larson holds the trophy, Hamlin’s dominance and SVG’s flair captured imaginations. NASCAR’s depth shines—on to 2026!
Motorsports
4 NASCAR Cup cars unlikely returning for the 2026 Daytona 500
The entry list for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, which is now just over a month and a half away, is slowly but surely coming together.
In addition to the 36 chartered cars that are locked into the 68th running of the 200-lap race around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) high-banked Daytona Beach, Florida oval, three non-chartered (open) cars have also been confirmed.
Justin Allgaier is set to drive the No. 40 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, B.J. McLeod is set to drive the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports, and Jimmie Johnson is set to drive the No. 84 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club.
There are four spots open in the 40-car field, though that number could be increased to five if somebody (likely Johnson) is granted a world-class driver provisional and does not manage to successfully qualify either on speed or his Duel result.
Regardless, there will likely be multiple drivers sent home from the Duel races disappointed, as there are still expected to be five more cars added to the entry list between now and February, setting up a battle between eight drivers for either four or five spots. However, four cars once considered potential entries will likely not be a part of that battle.
Here’s a look at four possible Daytona 500 entries that are unlikely to return in 2026.
No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
For the first time since 2023, Trackhouse Racing brought back their PROJECT91 program for the 2025 Daytona 500, fielding the No. 91 Chevrolet for Helio Castroneves. Castroneves locked into the race via the world-class driver provisional, making the Daytona 500 the first since 1993 to feature exactly 41 cars.
PROJECT91 did not return for the rest of the 2025 season, and it is unlikely to be back for the season opener next year, as the Justin Marks-owned team aim to place full focus on their three-car full-time lineup.
No. 01/No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Rick Ware Racing expanded to two cars for four races in 2025, each race for Corey LaJoie as he drove the No. 01 Ford. That schedule included the Daytona 500 and two other superspeedway races at Atlanta Motor Speedway, plus the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway. It did not include any races during the second half of the season.
A second entry has not been completely ruled out by the team for 2026, but it is unlikely to make an appearance at Daytona, ever after LaJoie was competitive and led laps in 2025.
No. 50 Team AmeriVet Chevrolet
Team AmeriVet (formerly The Money Team Racing) have quietly competed in the NASCAR Cup Series for four consecutive years, though they have not competed in the Daytona 500 since over a year before their 2024 rebrand.
This underdog team still managed to qualify for the race in both of their previous attempts back in 2022 and 2023, but they are unlikely to make a third attempt this coming February.
No. 56 Tricon Garage Toyota
Tricon Garage did what JR Motorsports did in 2025 by moving up to the Cup Series for the first time and making their debut in the Daytona 500. They did so with Martin Truex Jr. behind the wheel of the No. 56 Toyota. but Truex is not expected back in 2026.
Additionally, Corey Heim, who won the Truck Series championship for the team in 2025, is expected to run a fourth 23XI Racing entry, so a Tricon Garage return for the “Great American Race” has been all but ruled out.
Expected Daytona 500 entry list additions: No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford, No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota
Single-car qualifying for the 68th annual Daytona 500 is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, followed by the two Duel qualifying races on Thursday, February 12. Fox’s live coverage of the race itself is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 15.
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