Motorsports
Austin Dillon only crashes the NASCAR playoffs this time at Richmond
Well, that changes everything.
Or nearly ’bout everything.
And who saw it coming?
Sure, the stats would suggest an Austin Dillon win at Richmond wasn’t out of the question. Of all Cup Series tracks where he’s made at least nine career starts, it’s his third best in terms of average finishes.
Also, a third of his career wins have come at Richmond. Yeah, that’s only two of six total victories, but still, Richmond seems to be the place where Dillon is less, you know, mid-packy. “Tire management” is largely credited, as if tires aren’t used at all those tracks where Dillon is, yep, mid-packy.
Whatever, we’re now up to 14 different winners for 2025, with a real chance to get to 15 this week at Daytona. Alex Bowman will surely volunteer to grab a trophy, if some of those dudes would just get the hell out of his way.
More about that, and some other items, including Dillon’s public service announcement on ladder safety, as we work that old-school H-pattern shifter and get up to speed.
First Gear: Austin Dillon better in cockpit than on ladder
Dillon will belatedly make his sixth appearance in the Cup Series playoffs, beginning in two weeks at Darlington.
Belatedly? He thinks it should’ve come last year when he also won at Richmond, but that win was a little too rough around the edges (and fenders) for NASCAR’s liking, so the trophy stayed but the playoff ticket was ripped up.
In his five previous playoff trips, he’s made it through the opening Round of 16 twice, and both times he didn’t get past the Round of 12.
Dillon began racing full time in the Cup Series in 2014, and though his six wins are more than a lot of guys, right or wrong, he’s often labeled as an underachiever leaning heavily on family leverage — grandpa Richard Childress is the team owner, of course.
Driving RCR’s famed No. 3 Chevy might help with marketing efforts, but it comes with lofty expectations considering the Dale Earnhardt-sized shadow looming over the familiar styling of that number on the car’s side.
There was nothing fluky or controversial about Dillon’s Richmond dominance. He and the No. 3 team earned it, and to think, the driver was playing hurt and, yes, here comes that public service announcement.
Be careful on ladders. Even at the young age of 35, Dillon learned that lesson the hard way. He says he’s been nursing a broken rib for the past few weeks. Fell off a ladder trying to fetch his bow-hunting gear, landed on the bow case and broke the seventh rib on his right side.
He proceeded to finish 10th at Iowa, 15th at Watkins Glen, then first at Richmond. He wears it well, it seems.
I’m not sure what reviews you’ve read about broken ribs, but Dillon confirms the rumors.
“It’s been pretty painful,” he said post-Richmond.
Second Gear: We all feel Alex Bowman’s frustration
We’ve all been there. Right lane full of stragglers, left lane available for overtaking … except for a couple of interlopers who assume doing 48 in a 45 is worthy of left-lane acceptance.
In our case, we’re just in a hurry to get to work, get home from work, or maybe get to Happy Hour before the Miller Lite draft returns to full price.
Bowman was trying to win a race at the highest level of stock-car racing, as well as clinch a playoff spot and, we’re assuming, trigger some financial incentives attached to both. Except, he suggested afterward, “they hate us.”
Bowman’s in-race frustration over the team radio seemed to focus on a group of racers including Shane van Gisbergen, John Hunter Nemechek, Erik Jones and Jesse Love. Mostly SVG, actually — a fellow Chevy driver, no less.
Clogged, stubborn traffic in Bowman’s windshield might not have been fully responsible for preventing him from catching Dillon and making a race of it at the end, but it sure didn’t help.
“A couple of favors,” is what Bowman said he needed to catch Dillon and attempt to pass in the final laps.
“I certainly think we had the better car, but unfortunately, I didn’t get there,” he said.
Bowman started the year in decent fashion before slumping through spring. He’s been very consistent since mid-June but remains winless and now sits atop the playoff bubble as the last guy making the playoffs on points. If there’s another first-time 2025 winner at Daytona, he’s rooting for Alex Bowman.
Or Tyler Reddick, who’s also winless but a mile ahead of Bowman in points.
Third Gear: Chase Elliott crashes, William Byron cleans up
When Chase Elliott hit the wall near the midway point at Richmond, scattered among the debris were 15 playoff points happily swept up by William Byron.
Elliott got the worst of that 11-car dust-up and left Richmond in 38th place out of 38 entries. He entered Richmond 42 points behind Byron in the regular-season point standings, and the odds were already long.
Byron happily goes to Daytona with a wad of house money in his pocket. He finished a modest 12th at Richmond, but Elliott’s early departure was enough to clinch the regular-season championship and those 15 playoff bonus points.
NASCAR has been awarding the regular-season championship since 2017. None of the past three regular-season champs have gone on to win the Cup Series championship, but three of the first five did (Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson).
Fourth Gear: Walker Evans helped NASCAR go truckin’
Among the niche populations of racing enthusiasts, some of the most passionate are those in the world of off-road racing. Those folks lost a giant this past week with the death of Walker Evans at age 86.
Evans piled up 21 off-road championships, nine class wins in the Baja 1000 and landed in three different Halls of Fame, including the Daytona-based Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
How does this pertain to NASCAR? Some 30 years ago, Walker was among a handful of off-road truck racers who worried about the commercial future of their form of racing. So they began meeting regularly with NASCAR and, long story short, it resulted in the Truck Series, which continues today as a viable NASCAR property.
Former NASCAR executive Dennis Huth was the organization’s point-man for what was originally known as the SuperTruck Series in 1995. He recalls Evans as “one of the nicest guys in motorsports I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and working with.”
Walker left the hills and deserts to race the early truck circuit with modest results, but as an owner, he won some races and did well with Brendan Gaughan behind the wheel. The early days of NASCAR’s racin’ trucks included owners and drivers from a wide variety of racing cultures, not just off-road but open-wheel, modifieds, etc.
“His motorsports experience was legendary,” Huth says. “His background helped mold the series as one with multi-faceted drivers from numerous racing series that were represented at the inception of truck racing.”
Next time you’re navigating soft sand in your F-150 or Silverado, lower the radio and tip your officially licensed cap to the legend.
— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
Top Fuel driver Josh Hart, a life-long Mopar fan and collector, will be selling his prized Mopar car and truck collection at the Kissimmee Mecum Auction, January 6-18. Hart was recently named Top Fuel driver for John Force Racing and in a show of support for the longstanding Chevrolet sponsorship of the 24-time NHRA world championship winning team Hart is going all in to support his new team.
“I am going all in with John Force Racing in my pursuit of a Top Fuel world championship and I wanted to show that I am also all in when it comes to representing our sponsors like Chevrolet,” said Hart, a multi-time Top Fuel national event winner. “Chevrolet is an iconic manufacturer, and I will be very proud to wear the Chevy bowtie on my Burnyzz Speed Shop Top Fuel dragster and my uniform. I can’t wait for the 2026 season to start.”
Hart’s collection that is up for grabs during the Mecum auction includes multiple Dodge Vipers, several Dodge Drag Pak Challengers and a beautiful Dodge Power Wagon. All the cars in Hart’s collection are in mint condition, many with low mileage and amazing detailing. Hart has spent years building his collection and hopes that all the cars go to appreciative collectors.
“All of the cars in my collection have been prized possessions, but I saw this as an opportunity to find them a new home with collectors that will appreciate them as much as I did,” said Hart. “Some of the cars are some of the earliest cars to roll of the assembly line. The Drag Paks are amazing cars that I have had since they first were released. This is a great mix of cars that could be museum pieces or the perfect daily driver.”
Hart’s collection includes:
- 2018 Demon with 80 miles and 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 with 3 miles, matching VINs specially built for Hart with crate, sold as a pair
- 2017 Dodge Hellcat last built manual with 700 miles
- 2017 Viper GTC 1 of 1 program twin turbo, 1200hp with 300 miles
- 2021 Drag Pak race-ready driven by Top Fuel driver Josh Hart during the 2025 NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series
- 1967 Power Wagon fully built with real Hellephant power plant on a Rubicon frame with 37’s
- All high production number and some of the last models to roll off the assembly line with every option carbon fiber and loaded personalized build sheets to Hart and triple black along with four other Drag Paks and another Viper ACR
Hart will be on track racing for John Force Racing at the season opening NHRA Gatornationals, March 5-8, 2026. The Kissimmee Mecum Auction will be live from January 6-18. 2026.
This story was originally published on December 30, 2025. 
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The International Hot Rod Association announced it has acquired Heartland Motorsports Park in the Capital City.
IHRA made the announcement on its website, citing its commitment to preserving motorsports history and reimaging legendary venues.
Over the years, the Heartland Motorsports Park hosted concerts and races, bringing millions in revenue to the county.
The property was put into the hands of Topeka 77 in 2024 after its previous owners, Shelby Developments tax dispute with the county.
IHRA’s vision is to honor the facility’s past while “positioning the property as a modern destination entertainment complex.”
IHRA’s owner made the following statement on their website:
IHRA hopes to extend Heartland Motorsports Park beyond competition weekends and plans to create a year-round destination, blending motorsports with entertainment and community engagement, such as:
- Revitalized drag racing operations with improved racer and fan amenities
- Expanded motorsports and special event programming
- Live music, concerts, and festival experiences
- Enhanced hospitality, vendor, and fan-experience areas
- Community-focused events designed to drive tourism and economic impact
IHRA said they plan to begin renovations immediately.
WIBW has reached out to GO Topeka for further details.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Copyright 2025 WIBW. All rights reserved.
Heartland Motorsports Park has been part of drag racing’s history for more than six decades, and now the Topeka, Kansas, facility is entering a new era. The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced it has acquired Heartland Motorsports Park, a move that signals both a deep respect for the track’s legacy and a forward-looking plan to expand what the property can be in today’s motorsports landscape.
Originally opened in 1963 as Topeka Dragway, the facility grew into what became known as Heartland Motorsports Park, one of the most versatile racing complexes in the country. Over the years, it’s hosted everything from drag racing to road racing, karting, motocross, and countless grassroots events.
With IHRA now at the helm, the goal is not to erase that history, but to build on it.
“Heartland Motorsports Park is one of those places that simply matters to racing,” said IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell. “It has history, soul, and a footprint that allows us to think bigger than just a racetrack. Our goal is to restore this facility with respect for its legacy while building something that serves racers, fans, and the community for generations.”
That “thinking bigger” is a key part of IHRA’s vision. Rather than focusing solely on race weekends, the association plans to transform Heartland into a year-round destination that blends motorsports with live entertainment and community-driven events. While drag racing remains at the core, IHRA is looking to expand the overall experience for racers, fans, and the surrounding region.
Planned improvements include revitalized drag racing operations with upgraded racer and fan amenities, expanded motorsports programming, and the addition of concerts, festivals, and special events. Enhanced hospitality areas, vendor space, and fan experience zones are also part of the long-term plan, along with community-focused events designed to boost tourism and economic impact in the Topeka area.
“Motorsports has to evolve to stay strong,” Cuttell said. “The future is about creating places where racing, music, entertainment, and community come together. Heartland has all the pieces to become one of the premier motorsports and entertainment destinations in the country.”
Renovation planning is already underway, with IHRA expected to release more details on redevelopment phases, event schedules, and community partnerships in the coming months.
Note: The Penske Entertainment editorial staff is looking back at the five biggest moments of 2025 in INDY NXT by Firestone in this year-end series, with one installment appearing on the site per day in countdown fashion from Dec. 27-31.
Myles Rowe ended the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season in style, scoring a commanding victory in the season finale Aug. 31 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Rowe led 20 of 65 laps to earn his second career win in the INDYCAR development series – both coming during a breakout 2025 season.
That feat marked a satisfying conclusion to a year defined by growth and resilience. ABEL Motorsports originally signed Rowe following a difficult rookie INDY NXT campaign with HMD Motorsports/Force Indy in 2024, when he went winless in 14 starts despite entering the series as the reigning USF Pro 2000 champion.
In 2025, he rewarded ABEL’s confidence by delivering two wins in his final six races, providing a timely boost to his upward trajectory.
Winning once – his breakthrough July 12 triumph at Iowa Speedway – would have been meaningful on its own. Winning twice made a stronger statement.
“It’s nice when the results start to match what you believe in your heart,” Rowe said.
Rowe’s rise has been anything but typical. After beginning in karting, he advanced to the Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series in 2017 and 2018, but financial limitations forced him to step away in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated sponsorship prospects, and Rowe shifted his focus to photography while attending Pace University, unsure if he would ever return to racing.
That changed with the launch of Penske Entertainment’s Race for Equality & Change initiative in 2020, which created new pathways for minorities and women in motorsports. From that effort, Force Indy was established. In 2021, Rod Reid – founder of NXG Youth Motorsports – offered Rowe a lifeline with a USF2000 opportunity.
Rowe seized it, becoming the first Black driver to win a race in the series with a breakthrough victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park. He remained in USF2000 in 2022 with Pabst Racing, while Force Indy moved up to INDY NXT. Rowe delivered five wins that season and finished just six points short of the championship, placing second to Michael d’Orlando.
His ascent continued in 2023 with Pabst and continued Force Indy support in USF Pro 2000. Five more wins secured the title and made Rowe the first Black driver to win a North American open-wheel championship.
That achievement earned him a career enhancement scholarship to step up to INDY NXT in 2024. But his rookie year proved challenging, as he finished 11th in the standings. In 2025, he rebounded convincingly with six podium finishes, including an impressive 2.5 average finish across four oval starts. He added three podiums on road and street circuits, underscoring his versatility.
Rowe returns to ABEL Motorsports in 2026, aiming for the championship.
Ireland’s Derek Tohill has accomplished a great deal over the course of his decorated rallycross career, being crowned on multiple occasions in the domestic series as well as two times apiece in the British and European Championships. Something he has never been able to experience, however, is competing in front of his home fans at international level. Until now.
Tohill’s achievements speak for themselves. The Dubliner made his FIA European Rallycross Championship bow back in 2008, contesting Division 2 behind the wheel of a Honda Civic Type R. Having switched to a Ford Fiesta, he won his first title two years later, before seeing off no less a driver than Robin Larsson to triumph in the TouringCar category in 2013.
That prompted a step-up to the newly-formed World Championship the following season, when he piloted an LD Motorsports Citroën DS3 to five points finishes, recording a best result of eighth in Finland.
From 2016 to 2018, Tohill raced in Euro RX’s headlining Supercar class (now Euro RX1), twice advancing to the final and placing seventh overall in 2017. He subsequently lifted the laurels in the British Championship in 2021 – repeating the feat this year – and has collected no fewer than nine Irish Rallycross Championship trophies. He continues to lead the charge in the current campaign as he seeks to secure the spoils for an astonishing tenth time.
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A stalwart of the national rallycross scene, the 50-year-old has warmly welcomed Mondello Park’s return to the European Championship schedule in 2026 following an absence of three decades – the dawn of an exciting new chapter in Ireland’s proud rallycross history. It is, Tohill acknowledges, both a tremendous opportunity and a colossal responsibility.
“This is monumental for rallycross in our country,” the DA Racing Peugeot 208 driver told motorsport.ie. “It was Euro RX events that led me to compete in Europe in the first place, but I have never experienced a ‘home’ round in all my years racing at European and World Championship level. To now have one is fantastic for the sport, both in the short and longer-term.
“I’m under no illusions that the success of such a high-profile event will require massive effort from the wider motorsport and rallycross communities, and from our ASN, Motorsport Ireland. The French round at Lohéac relies upon over 700 volunteers to make it happen – that’s a small indication of what is involved.
“Our challenge is even greater, considering Ireland has not organised something on this scale for 30 years, so I hope everyone can pull together to create a must-have event for the championship – not just in 2026 but for many years to come!”
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