The middle race of the round of 8 of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs is scheduled to take place at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday afternoon, and seven drivers are set to attempt to join Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway with a win.
Three drivers not in playoff contention, however, will have to drop to the rear of the field before the start of the 188-lap YellaWood 500 around the four-turn, 2.66-mile (4.281-kilometer) high-banked Lincoln, Alabama oval.
23XI Racing’s Riley Herbst qualified ninth and Legacy Motor Club teammates John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones qualified 28th and 30th, respectively, but they will not retain their starting positions.
Herbst is set to drop to the tail end of the inside lane after his No. 35 team replaced the clutch, while Nemechek and Jones are set to drop to the tail end of the outside lane. Nemechek’s No. 42 team had to replace a piece at the rear of his car, while Jones’ No. 43 team made unapproved adjustments.
All drivers who had been slated to line up on the inside lane behind Herbst are set to move up a row, and all drivers who had been slated to lineup on the outside lane behind Nemechek and Jones are set to move up two rows.
Here’s an updated look at the YellaWood 500 starting lineup.
NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup at Talladega
1st – Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
2nd – Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
3rd – Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
4th – Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
5th – Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
6th – Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
7th – Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
8th – Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
9th – Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
10th – Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
11th – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
12th – Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
13th – Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
14th – Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
15th – Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
16th – Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
17th – Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
18th – Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
19th – Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
20th – Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
21st – Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
22nd – Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
23rd – Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
24th – Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
25th – Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
26th – Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
27th – Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
28th – Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
29th – Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
30th – A.J. Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
31st – Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
32nd – Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
33rd – Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
34th – Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
35th – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
36th – Casey Mears, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford
37th – B.J. McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
38th – John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
39th – Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
40th – Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
NBC is currently airing live coverage of the YellaWood 500 from Talladega Superspeedway. Start a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss any of the action!
Not many NASCAR drivers can say they retired on a win — but the Late, Great Greg Biffle can. Biffle made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series in 1996, driving part-time before moving to the Truck Series in 1998.
He later progressed to full-time Cup Series competition, building a highly successful career across all three national series. Biffle won titles in the Truck and Xfinity series and nearly completed the Grand Slam in 2005, finishing second in the Cup. The North Carolinian won a total of 56 races across NASCAR’s three national series during his career: 19 in the Cup Series, 20 in the Xfinity (Busch) Series, and 17 in the Craftsman Truck Series.
He retired from full-time competition after the 2019 season, but won his last-ever NASCAR race, the Truck event in Texas at the SpeedyCash.com 400. It was Biffle’s first Truck win in 15 years. On Thursday, Biffle, his wife Cristina, and two of his children, Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5, were four of seven killed in a tragic plane crash in Statesville, NC.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days from the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. Three of the people on board, including former stock car racer Biffle, had their pilot’s license.
Collection and documentation of the crash will take place, and investigators will begin to piece together what went wrong. A central focus of the investigation will be locating and analyzing the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which captures all sounds inside the cockpit. Once recovered, the device will be sent to a laboratory in Washington, D.C. for examination.
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Greg Biffle raced in his last-ever NASCAR race in 2019, driving the No. 51 in the Truck Series for the June 7 SpeedyCash.com 400.
Biffle, who tragically died on Thursday in a horror plane crash in Statesville, NC, had retired from full-time NASCAR racing in 2016 after two decades in the sport.
The NASCAR legend won two NASCAR national series Truck and Xfinity titles — but fell short in the Cup, finishing second in 2005.
Those also killed this week were his wife, Cristina, daughter, Emma, son, Ryder, and three others.
The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 concluded in spectacular fashion with a historic Grand Finale at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut. Megastar and ISRL Brand Ambassador Salman Khan was present on ground, adding star power to an electrifying night of high-octane racing and live entertainment, as per a release. The finale witnessed a record-breaking turnout of over 32,000 fans, marking the highest-ever attendance for a motorsporting event in India and reinforcing Kerala’s strong connection with motorsport and large-scale live sporting experiences, the release said.
Amid roaring crowds and intense on-track action, Team Bigrock Motorsports were crowned ISRL Season 2 Champions, capping off a fiercely competitive championship that unfolded across Pune, Hyderabad and Calicut. The season showcased a compelling blend of international excellence and emerging Indian talent.
The Calicut round delivered thrilling racing across all categories. Matt Moss from team BigRock Motorsports (Australia) claimed victory in the 450cc International class aboard the Kawasaki KX 450, while Calvin Fonvieille from team Apollo Indewheelers (France) dominated the 250cc International category on the Yamaha YZ 250. The 250cc India-Asia Mix class was won by Delvinator Alfarizi (Thailand) riding the KTM 250 SX – F, drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium.
Megastar Salman Khan, Brand Ambassador, ISRL, said, “Watching the Grand Finale in Calicut was truly special. The passion of the fans and the intensity of competition show how far Indian motorsport has come. ISRL is creating a platform where Indian riders can compete confidently alongside the world’s best,” as quoted from a release.
Reflecting on the season, Veer Patel, Managing Director, ISRL, said, “Season 2 reflects the growing belief in Supercross across India. From Pune to Hyderabad and now Calicut, the record-breaking fan response shows the sport has truly found a home here, while we continue building strong pathways for Indian riders alongside world-class racing.”
Over the course of Season 2, 36 international riders from 21 countries, including Australia, France, the USA, Germany, Thailand and South Africa, competed alongside India’s top riders such as Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanath and Shlok Ghorpade, highlighting ISRL’s growing global stature, as per the release.
Beyond the races, the Reise Moto ISRL Fan Park transformed EMS Corporation Stadium into a complete motorsport festival, featuring live music, racing simulators, interactive brand zones, food experiences, merchandise and rider interactions, creating an immersive fan experience for families and enthusiasts alike.
With Season 2 concluding on a historic high, the Indian Supercross Racing League now looks ahead to expanding its footprint, strengthening grassroots development and further positioning India on the global Supercross map.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Drag Racing with CHRISTMAS TREES! Racing Action From Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025 At Bradenton Motorsports Park
Dec 21, 2025Chad Reynolds1320 Event Coverage, 1320 Spotlight, 1320 Videos, BangShift 1320, RACING & ACTION, Videos
Cleetus’ Christmas Tree Race 2025 was a very special race. The race has become kind of a big deal since starting a few years ago, and has some pretty simple rules. You must race with a Christmas Tree on or in your vehicle, it must be a minimum of 6 feet tall, it can’t fall off, and you have to have lights on it. Simple right? Well…
Video Description:
We wrapped up Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025, following the entire event from start to finish. This video covers every round from the OG 32-car field all the way through the Elite 8 — the fastest cars on the property — right down to the finals.
Cleetus lined up in both Mullet and Leroy, alongside a stacked field of big-name cars and a few surprise entries we hadn’t seen before. From first-round shakeups to the final matchups, this one delivered nonstop action.
FREE LIVE DRAG RACING: The 4th Annual Christmas On The Coast Jr. Dragster Races From Gulfport Dragway – Saturday
Calicut (Kerala) [India], December 21 (ANI): The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 concluded in spectacular fashion with a historic Grand Finale at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut. Megastar and ISRL Brand Ambassador Salman Khan was present on ground, adding star power to an electrifying night of high-octane racing and live entertainment, as per a release.
The finale witnessed a record-breaking turnout of over 32,000 fans, marking the highest-ever attendance for a motorsporting event in India and reinforcing Kerala’s strong connection with motorsport and large-scale live sporting experiences, the release said.
Amid roaring crowds and intense on-track action, Team Bigrock Motorsports were crowned ISRL Season 2 Champions, capping off a fiercely competitive championship that unfolded across Pune, Hyderabad and Calicut. The season showcased a compelling blend of international excellence and emerging Indian talent.
The Calicut round delivered thrilling racing across all categories. Matt Moss from team BigRock Motorsports (Australia) claimed victory in the 450cc International class aboard the Kawasaki KX 450, while Calvin Fonvieille from team Apollo Indewheelers (France) dominated the 250cc International category on the Yamaha YZ 250. The 250cc India-Asia Mix class was won by Delvinator Alfarizi (Thailand) riding the KTM 250 SX – F, drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium.
Megastar Salman Khan, Brand Ambassador, ISRL, said, “Watching the Grand Finale in Calicut was truly special. The passion of the fans and the intensity of competition show how far Indian motorsport has come. ISRL is creating a platform where Indian riders can compete confidently alongside the world’s best,” as quoted from a release.
Reflecting on the season, Veer Patel, Managing Director, ISRL, said, “Season 2 reflects the growing belief in Supercross across India. From Pune to Hyderabad and now Calicut, the record-breaking fan response shows the sport has truly found a home here, while we continue building strong pathways for Indian riders alongside world-class racing.”
Over the course of Season 2, 36 international riders from 21 countries, including Australia, France, the USA, Germany, Thailand and South Africa, competed alongside India’s top riders such as Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanath and Shlok Ghorpade, highlighting ISRL’s growing global stature, as per the release.
Beyond the races, the Reise Moto ISRL Fan Park transformed EMS Corporation Stadium into a complete motorsport festival, featuring live music, racing simulators, interactive brand zones, food experiences, merchandise and rider interactions, creating an immersive fan experience for families and enthusiasts alike.
With Season 2 concluding on a historic high, the Indian Supercross Racing League now looks ahead to expanding its footprint, strengthening grassroots development and further positioning India on the global Supercross map. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
Tragedy Strikes: NTSB Launches Deep Investigation into Fatal Greg Biffle Plane Crash
In a devastating turn of events, the aviation world was rocked last Thursday when NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, his family, and three others tragically lost their lives in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now on a mission to uncover the harrowing details behind this catastrophic incident, with a press conference held Saturday shedding some light on the ongoing investigation.
NTSB Board Member Michael Graham and Investigator-In-Charge Dan Baker addressed the media, but the information was limited as the investigation is still in its infancy. “We still do not know the circumstances which led the aircraft … to attempt to return to the airport,” Graham stated, emphasizing the urgent need to piece together the events that led to this heart-wrenching disaster.
One chilling revelation from the conference was a text message exchange between Biffle’s wife, Cristian Grossu Biffle, and her mother, Cathy Grossu. Cathy recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the crash: “Then she said something like ‘We’re in trouble, emergency landing.’ And I texted back, ‘What’s wrong with the plane?’” The gravity of the situation escalated when Cathy received an SOS alert, signaling a dire emergency. Graham confirmed that the NTSB is aware of this critical communication, stating, “We are not aware of any other communications from passengers on board the aircraft to those on the ground.”
As investigators delve deeper, the question of who was at the controls during the crucial moments of the flight remains unanswered. Both Greg Biffle and his companions, Dennis and Jack Dutton, were licensed pilots. Graham noted, “We do anticipate that all the information about all the pilot-rated occupants will be included in our preliminary report.” This report is expected within 30 days, but the agency’s final analysis could take up to 18 months.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pilot’s identity, Graham revealed that the NTSB has a “degree of confidence” about the individual in the left seat, although verification is still required. He stressed the importance of accuracy in the investigation: “We want to know where everyone was sitting, and that is a little more difficult in a crash like this.”
In a shocking update, Graham shared that early indications from multiple sources suggest the aircraft was stable and configured for landing with its lights on. However, it was flying dangerously low. This crucial information aligns with the physical evidence found at the crash site, including debris located approximately 1800 feet from the runway threshold.
The investigation is ramping up as the NTSB meticulously documents the wreckage, evaluates the flight voice recorder, and analyzes various components. “All of these are being sent to NTSB recorders labs in Washington, D.C.,” Graham explained, highlighting the importance of recovering critical data to determine the probable cause of this tragedy.
Amidst the chaos, a drone was deployed to assist in the investigation, although high winds initially hampered its operations. As conditions improved on Saturday, the team was able to resume their efforts to gather evidence from the crash site.
With so many unanswered questions and the clock ticking, the NTSB is committed to uncovering the truth behind the demise of Greg Biffle and his companions. As the agency continues its exhaustive investigation, the families and fans of those lost are left grappling with the profound loss and searching for closure in this heartbreaking saga.
Throughout the racing year, now and then, race fans are blessed with a handful of special days in which NASCAR, IndyCar, and F1 all race on one calendar date. In 2026, this will occur eight separate times. Here’s a look at those race days.
Of course, these are all subject to time and date, and, in some cases, these races could realistically happen with 12 hours of one another.
The first date that all three series race on is March 15, with Formula One racing at Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix, IndyCar racing on the streets of Arlington, Texas, for the first time, and NASCAR racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
On May 24, all three series will race on U.S. soil on the same day. Formula One will race in the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, with IndyCar hosting the 110th Indianapolis 500 that same afternoon, and NASCAR kicking off the 67th Coca-Cola 600 later that evening.
The final triple header will be on September 6, with Formula One racing at Monza, IndyCar racing in their season finale at Laguna Seca, and NASCAR hosting, what is at press-time, a playoff race in the 77th Southern 500.
March 15
NASCAR: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
IndyCar: Grand Prix of Arlington
Formula One: Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai)
March 29
NASCAR: Martinsville Speedway
IndyCar: Barber Motorsports Park
Formula One: Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)
April 19
NASCAR: Kansas Speedway
IndyCar: Grand Prix of Long Beach
Formula One: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Jeddah)
May 24
NASCAR: Charlotte Motor Speedway
IndyCar: Indianapolis 500
Formula One: Canadian Grand Prix (Montréal)
June 7
NASCAR: Michigan International Speedway
IndyCar: World Wide Technology Raceway
Formula One: Monaco Grand Prix (Monaco)
July 5
NASCAR: Chicagoland Speedway
IndyCar: Mid‑Ohio Sports Car Course
Formula One: British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
July 19
NASCAR: North Wilkesboro Speedway
IndyCar: Nashville Superspeedway
Formula One: Belgian Grand Prix (Spa‑Francorchamps)
September 6
NASCAR: Darlington Raceway
IndyCar: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Formula One: Italian Grand Prix (Monza)
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