From 32nd on the grid to the top of the leaderboard, Spire Motorsports pulled off a stunning upset at North Wilkesboro Speedway, leaving the facility with 100,000 reasons to celebrate.

During Friday evening’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Mechanix Pit Crew Challenge, Michael McDowell’s No. 71 team delivered a lightning-quick pit stop. As a result, they edged out Trackhouse Racing’s No. 99 squad, clocking in faster than their 12.6-second effort to secure the top spot and the grand cash prize.

From Underdogs to Top Dogs: Spire Motorsports Claims $100K at NWB

NASCAR’s All-Star weekend is off to a flying start. Prior to Friday’s Pit Crew Challenge, the Spire Motorsports No. 71 team sat 32nd out of 36 in this season’s pit crew rankings. Yet, despite the odds, the crew stole the spotlight, outgunning every other crew to bag the $100,000 cash prize.

Clocking in at 12.587 seconds, the stop included everything from entry to exit, launching them to the top over Trackhouse Racing (No. 99) and Front Row Motorsports (No. 4). McDowell was the 15th driver to take it to the track during Friday’s NASCAR All-Star Open qualifying, during the three-lap run, where crew pulled off the the stunning feat during the three-lap qualifying run.

That stop held strong against the 18-car NASCAR All-Star Open field, but many wondered if they could persist against the 20 teams competing in the NASCAR All-Star Race qualifying session. The No. 71 winning crew comprised Brandon Chapman (Fueler), Max Marsh (Front Changer), Ty Boeck (Rear Tire Changer), Luke Bussel (Tire Carrier), and Dax Hollifield (Jackman).

The crew bested 12.600 seconds and 12.669 seconds of No. 99 and No. 4 squad to clinch the challenge. Meanwhile, Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11 crew, which made the headlines earlier this year in Darlington with a 9.650-second 4-tire pit stop, recorded a time of 14.460 seconds.

Everything felt like a dream for Jackman Hollified, who stayed up late till 2 a.m. working out the strategy. Reflecting on the win, he said, “We’re all rookies. We have half our team, this is our 12th race. So we’ve been working hard for the past year, just doing the little things right, and once you do enough of those, things are going to turn out right, you know? We just work on getting better each and every day, and it showed today.”

Meanwhile, Travis Paterson, crew chief of No. 71, noted, ” We put a lot of effort into this, whether it was our setup or these guys coming to the shop to check it, and all we said was we wanted to repeat what they did in practice because it was an eight-three (8.3-second stop), and that’s what they did. Awesome on them. So badass for these guys.”

The Cup Series action will resume on Saturday evening for the All-Star Heat Races at 5:10 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action on FOX Sports or tune into MRN Radio/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Don Davis Race Cars (DDRC), Hughes Motorsports, and Doug Foley Jr. are proud to present the new DDRC Bracket “Eliminator” Roadster

SALISBURY, NC — Don Davis Race Cars (DDRC), Hughes Motorsports, and bracket racing driver Doug Foley Jr. have teamed up to create the ultimate new weapon for bracket racers — the DDRC Bracket “Eliminator” Roadster — and early production is already underway.

Engineered with direct input from championship-winning racers, the DDRC Bracket “Eliminator” Roadster blends proven craftsmanship, driver feedback, and real-world racing experience to deliver consistency, stability, and round-after-round repeatability — the true keys to winning in today’s toughest bracket racing environments.

“This isn’t just another roadster — it’s a race-winning platform, engineered with racers’ input to meet racers’ needs,” said Scott Anderson, owner of Don Davis Race Cars. “Every detail, from chassis setup to driver feel, has been developed to deliver confidence, predictability, and results.”

Built specifically for the demanding, high-pressure world of sportsman drag racing, the Eliminator features precision 4-link chassis geometry and a lightweight strut front end for maximum stability, adjustable driver ergonomics for superior comfort and control, and engine placement optimized for ideal weight distribution and balance. From a carbon fiber dash and interior panel options to a gas strut-assisted body lift for quick maintenance, every element of the chassis is engineered with the racer in mind.

The Eliminator is built on a 4130 Chromoly Roadster chassis with a 105-inch wheelbase and a 42-inch track width. As shipped, it weighs approximately 2,150 pounds with a Big Block Chevy (BBC) engine. The rear housing is a custom Moser Engineering DDRC 4-link design, and all chassis tabs come pre-welded for quick and easy setup.

Feedback from elite racers has played a central role in shaping the Eliminator Roadster. Jim Hughes, owner of Hughes Motorsports and a championship-winning driver, shared: “The Eliminator has everything a driver wants and nothing they don’t. It’s the car you’d build if you had the time, tools, and thirty years of mistakes to learn from — and they already did that work for you.” 

Meanwhile, Doug Foley Jr., a proven bracket racing standout, added, “When you’re making pass after pass with money or championships on the line, you need a car that’s predictable and stable every single time. That’s exactly what the DDRC Bracket ‘Eliminator’ Roadster provides — confidence.”

Production is underway at Don Davis Race Cars’ facility in Salisbury, NC, with first deliveries expected soon. Interest has been strong — racers serious about elevating their programs are encouraged to contact DDRC early to reserve a build slot.

About Don Davis Race Cars (DDRC)

Founded in 1985, Don Davis Race Cars (DDRC) has earned a national reputation for craftsmanship, innovation, and performance in the world of sportsman drag racing. For 40 years, DDRC has been trusted by racers competing in Super Gas, Super Comp, and bracket racing classes who rely on consistency, precision, and proven quality to win rounds and championships.

Now led by Scott Anderson, a former NASCAR fabricator, DDRC has expanded its capabilities using advanced design tools, modern manufacturing techniques, and a customer-first approach. From chassis design and welding to composite fabrication and full vehicle builds, DDRC’s work reflects a deep foundation of real-world racing experience.

Based in Salisbury, North Carolina, DDRC continues to support grassroots racers across the country — combining four decades of excellence with forward-thinking engineering to deliver cars that win, round after round.

For more information or to reserve a car, contact Scott Anderson, Owner of Don Davis Race Cars, at 915-241-1757 or by email at sales@theDDRC.com. Additional details can be found online at https://dondavisracecars.com. Stay up to date by following @DonDavisRaceCars on Facebook and Instagram.

For more bracket racing news from DragChamp, click here.

As long as all goes smoothly, the logistics of Kyle Larson’s highly touted Memorial Day Double — starting and finishing the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and Coca-Cola 600 on May 25 — aren’t that complicated.

But there’s another tricky element to Larson’s intricate schedule over the next week that’s flown under the radar: Is the former NASCAR Cup champion able to race for both the Indy 500 pole and the All-Star Race at North Carolina’s North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday evening?

With final-round qualifying starting an hour later this year — Fast 12 starts at 4:05 p.m. vs. 3:05 in 2024 and Fast Six at 6:25 vs. 5:25 last year — it appears inevitable Larson will have to forgo leading The Greatest Spectacle in Racing to green, should he have that chance.

“For me, and definitely for Rick (Hendrick) and Hendrick Motorsports, I think no mater through this whole experience this year, Cup should be the priority,” Larson said Tuesday. “So, yeah, I mean, I just assume, you know, we’re going to run the All-Star Race no matter what. So hopefully, you know, we run into that predicament because that means our car is fast. And, two, I mean, yes it would be extremely nice to go for the pole at the Indianapolis 500, but at the same time, it’s hard to turn down an opportunity race for a million dollars.”

If this year’s Indy 500 qualifying schedule followed 2024’s itinerary, Larson likely wouldn’t have to face that predicament. But his strict minute-by-minute schedule calls for Larson to depart IMS via helicopter by 5:40 p.m. The Fast 12 is scheduled to end at 5:05, but the Fast Six? That starts at 6:25.

Even if Larson were to qualify first among Fast Six drivers, he wouldn’t arrive to North Wilkesboro until around 8 p.m. race time. Still, “like I said,” Larson added, “I hope we’re in that predicament.”

Of course, if weather somehow delays the start time of Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, then Larson might have an opportunity to stick around for the Fast Six, should he advance. But with only a 10 percent of rain throughout the day, the chances of that as (of Friday afternoon) are unlikely.

During NASCAR weekend the first weekend of May at Texas Motor Speedway, Larson issued a similar response to this week’s logsitical update, emphasizing that “it’s important to race” the All-Star Race

“And it’s a lot of money on the line,” Larson said of the $1 million winner’s share. “Sure it would be great to have an opportunity for the pole, but I’d rather race for $1 million and start sixth.”

This is the same mentality, prioritizing NASCAR above the Indy 500 this year, Larson’s abiding by throughout his Memorial Day Double undertaking. Should weather again foul up Larson’s Double attempt in Indianapolis, he won’t chance missing the Coke 600.

“Yeah, I mean, I think I owe it to my NASCAR team as well to get here in time to try and win one of the biggest races of the season, and a race that has the most implication to the season as well,” Larson said on Dale Earnhardt Jr.s podcast last month, the Dale Jr. Download. “So, yeah, I mean, obviously I want to be here, and I want to do well here, and I want to try and compete for a pole. But, you know, I think my team, they deserve me to be at Charlotte to try and compete for a win there.”

Making “sure I’m giving both series the respect they deserve” is important to Larson, too, who has said multiple times he couldn’t enjoy the Indy 500 experience last year because “I had a lot of weight on me and a lot of guilt of not being able to be in two places at one time.”

“I just was never in the right mindset,” Larson said in an interview with IndyCar writer Bruce Martin. “I didn’t enjoy anything about” race day of the 2024 Indy 500.

“This year, we’re a little more prepared, but it’s still a challenge,” Larson added last month on the Dale Jr. Download. “You know, NASCAR is my priority, but I’m passionate about this too. So, it’s about making sure I’m not shortchanging either one and giving my all to both.”

South Florida Porsche Dealership In Anti-Jewish Controversy.

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The co-owner of Champion Motorsports is apparently leaving his company after calling a customer a “Jew Cu-t” in a text message. Naveen Maraj, according to the General Manager of Champion Porsche, is resigning from the company following BocaNewsNow.com’s reporting on the incident that involved a Boca Raton customer.

In a lengthy statement first published by BocaNewsNow.com Friday night, General Manager Mike Peters suggested that Maraj and potential customer John Wolff had a longstanding relationship which kinda sorta made the Antisemitic remark okay. But Wolff, who we did not initially identify, says he hadn’t spoken to Maraj in six years, and to suggest that they had the sort of relationship where it’s okay for Maraj to call him a “Jew Cu-t” is absurd.

We are republishing the entire statement from Champion Motorsport, below. We asked General Manager Mike Peters to clarify how a co-owner of a company could resign from that company. Peters sent BocaNewsNow.com this response:

”Naveen had maintained certain operational  and managerial responsibilities at Champion.  He will no longer be involved in day to day operations or management.”

Here is the official letter from Mike Peters announcing Maraj’s resignation. We note that customer John Wolff refutes much of the content regarding his relationship with Maraj. BocaNewsNow.com has learned that the Anti-Defamation league continues to review the incident. We also note that competitor Braman Porsche in West Palm Beach is actively involved with multiple Jewish organizations in South Florida. Norman Braman’s parents were Jewish immigrants from Europe. Norman is the former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles.

STATEMENT FROM CHAMPION PORSCHE/CHAMPION MOTORSPORTS: ”We have become aware of a recent comment made toward Mr. John Wolff that was both offensive and inexcusable. Upon learning of this, we immediately investigated and learned that Mr. Wolff was not a customer of Champion but was a friend with a Champion representative. Considering the content, we felt it was essential to address the matter directly—with the seriousness and transparency it deserves.

We have discovered that the comment was not made with the intent to harm. Notwithstanding, we recognize that intent does not negate impact. The language used was inappropriate and does not reflect the standards of conduct or mutual respect that has been a part of the Champion culture for over 38 years.

By way of background, Mr. Wolff and Mr. Naveen Maraj have maintained a close personal friendship for more than 14 years. Over that time, they became avid fishing partners and became, what Naveen believed to be a close friend. That friendship included a degree of casual banter and familiarity that, while understood privately, can easily be misinterpreted—or become wholly inappropriate—when viewed outside of that context. The remark in question was made in a personal capacity and was entirely unrelated to Mr. Maraj’s role or responsibilities at Champion. It was a moment of misplaced informality between friends, not a deliberate attempt to offend or cause harm.

That said, we fully acknowledge that words carry weight—regardless of context or intent. We deeply regret any discomfort, concern, or confusion this incident may have caused. Mr. Maraj has personally expressed his remorse and apology to Mr. Wolff. 

At Champion, we are firmly committed to fostering an environment rooted in respect, professionalism, and integrity. Incidents like this remind us of the importance of these values, and we will use this moment as an opportunity to reinforce them—both internally and in our broader relationships. In furtherance of those standards, Naveen Maraj has advised that he will resign from his employment with Champion and will step down from his managerial and leadership roles with the company effective immediately. 

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to clarify and take responsibility. Should there be further concerns or if additional context would be helpful, we remain fully available for continued dialogue.”

Read our original reporting here.

Fresh off his win in the Advent Health 400 at Kansas Speedway, veteran driver Kyle Larson will take aim at the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday. Larson has been red-hot this year, earning his third win and ninth top-10 finish of the season last weekend. Larson took first at the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in March. He followed that up by winning the Food City 500 in Bristol, Tenn., last month.

Larson is the +500 favorite, with Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell at +600, and William Byron and Joey Logano at +800 in the latest 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway odds, from DraftKings Sportsbook. Sunday’s race is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET. Before making any 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race picks or NASCAR predictions, you need to see what NASCAR insider Steven Taranto has to say.

Taranto, who moonlights as a sim racer and has 20 career wins in iRacing, is the lead NASCAR writer for CBSSports.com. He has an annual NASCAR medial credential and also publishes a popular weekly NASCAR predictions column, famously calling Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez’s breakthrough wins in 2022.

Taranto was red-hot for SportsLine in 2024 as he nailed 17 winners, including 16-1 longshot William Byron at the Daytona 500 and 14-1 longshot Chase Elliott at Texas. He correctly picked the Straight Talk Wireless 400 winner in Larson on March 23. Anyone following his NASCAR picks at their favorite sportsbooks could have seen huge returns.

Now, Taranto has analyzed the starting lineup and odds for Sunday’s 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He’s sharing his best bets at SportsLine.

2025 NASCAR All-Star Race expert picks

For the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, N.C., Taranto is high on a number of favorites, including Larson, who is having a solid season. The 32-year-old, who took sixth overall last year, has half as many wins already this season as he did in 2024, when he earned six wins and 18 top-10 finishes. The Hendrick Motorsports driver, who won the 2021 championship, is +500 favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook.

The 13-year Cup series veteran has competed in 377 races in his career. In that span, he has collected 32 career wins with 22 poles and 191 top-10 finishes. His first Cup series race was at the 2013 Bank of America 500 at Charlotte, and he earned the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year honor. Larson registered his first win at the 2016 Pure Michigan 400. He also has had success at the Xfinity Series level, picking up 17 wins, 85 top-10 finishes and eight poles in 119 races in a 10-year span. See which other drivers he’s backing at SportsLine.

Top NASCAR props for North Wilkesboro Speedway

Head-to-head: With limited options at this all-star event, Taranto sees a good bet in the head-to-head matchup between Ryan Blaney (-180) over Ross Chastain (+130) on DraftKings Sportsbook. Blaney has been near the front of the pack in most races throughout his career. The 31-year-old is a 13-time winner in the Cup series, with a remarkable 153 top-10 finishes and 11 poles in over 11 years of racing. He won the 2023 series championship.

Chastain, meanwhile, had his best finish in 2022, when he placed second. In nine years and 230 career races at the NASCAR Cup Series level, he has registered five wins, 61 top-10 finishes and two poles. He is looking for his first win since entering victory lane at the 2024 Hollywood Casino 400 in Kansas. See all of Taranto’s picks at SportsLine. 

How to make 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race predictions

Taranto has also identified two other drivers in his 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race best bets. He’s also high on a huge NASCAR longshot who’s going off at 80-1, potentially netting any backer a huge payday. You can only see who they are here.

So who wins the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at Wilkesboro Speedway, and which massive longshot could stun NASCAR? Visit SportsLine now to see the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway picks and best bets from a NASCAR insider who nailed a colossal 17 winners last year, and find out.

2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway odds, lineup

See full NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway picks at SportsLine

Kyle Larson +500
Ryan Blaney +600
Denny Hamlin +600
Christopher Bell +600
William Byron +800
Joey Logano +800
Chase Elliott +900
Tyler Reddick +1400
Chris Buescher +1600
Chase Briscoe +1600
Josh Berry +1800
Alex Bowman +1800
Ross Chastain +2000
Kyle Busch +2500
Brad Keselowski +3000
Austin Cindric +3000
Daniel Suarez +8000
Austin Dillon +10000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +15000
Harrison Burton +25000    

The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third straight year with a $1 million payday on the line. Like All-Star events in other sports, fans will have a say in the participants, with the final three drivers in the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race driver pool determined by a fan vote. The sport’s top stars, like Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin, could be popular options for NASCAR DFS picks in the 250-lap race, so what’s the best way to form a NASCAR All-Star Race DFS strategy when the green flag drops at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday?

Joey Logano won last year’s NASCAR All-Star Race and although it didn’t count toward the NASCAR Cup Series standings, he went on to win the Cup Series title, so should your NASCAR All-Star Race DFS lineups include the driver you expect to hoist the ultimate title at the end of the season? Before locking in any NASCAR DFS picks for the NASCAR All-Star Race 2025 on sites like DraftKings and FanDuel, be sure to check out the optimal NASCAR at North Wilkesboro DFS strategy and advice from SportsLine’s Mike McClure. 

McClure has won over $2 million in his career as a daily Fantasy pro, and his NASCAR DFS driver pool, projections and advice can help you score a big win on Sunday on sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.

McClure’s model began its 2025 season by calling Chase Elliott to win for a +300 payout at the Clash at Bowman Gray and was also high on Byron as a +2000 longshot at Daytona. Then last week, it predicted Kyle Larson’s win in Miami for a +350 payout. In 2024, it nailed Larson to win in Las Vegas for a 21-5 sports betting payout and predicted Denny Hamlin’s wins in Bristol at 5-1 and Richmond at 17-4.

It also impressively nailed five of Larson’s wins during his historic season in 2021. All told, the model has nailed a whopping 20 winners since 2021, including nine in 2023 and three in the first seven races last season. Anyone who followed its lead on betting apps and sportsbooks on those NASCAR picks could have seen huge returns. You could even use its picks to take advantage of the latest Caesars promo code and BetMGM promo code.

Now, he’s turned his attention to Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race 2025. He’s only sharing his picks and NASCAR DFS driver pool here.

Top 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race NASCAR DFS picks

For the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race, McClure is high on Tyler Reddick ($8,800 on DraftKings and $10,000 on FanDuel). Reddick isn’t off to the best start one-third of the way through the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, but he’s still sixth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings as he’s avoided truly disastrous results. Reddick has never finished outside the top 25 this season, and his average finish of 13.7 is nearly on pace with his 13.2 average finish last year when he finished fourth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. His ability to avoid finishing at the very bottom of the pack gives him a high floor for NASCAR DFS lineups.

The 29-year-old has finished in the top 15 in each of his first two NASCAR All-Star Races, including third in 2023. He was tied for the second-most top-10 finishes (21) last season with the third-most top-five results (13). Despite finishing outside the top 10 in four straight races, McClure likes Reddick’s value for Sunday. 

Part of McClure’s optimal NASCAR DFS strategy also includes rostering Kyle Busch ($7,800 on DraftKings and $7,000 on FanDuel). Busch has finished 20th or worse in each of his last three races, but those came after three straight results inside the top 20. Despite being just one-third of the way through the season, Busch already has 40% of the number of top-10 finishes he had last year as he’s in the midst of a bounceback season. Busch had four top-10 results this season, which is tied for the 11th-most in NASCAR.

The 40-year-old finished 10th at last year’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He’s one of the most experienced drivers in the driver pool, and Busch won the 2017 NASCAR All-Star Race. Busch doesn’t come at a high price and McClure sees him as a strong candidate to return value to 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race NASCAR DFS picks. See which other drivers to roster here.

How to set 2025 NASCAR at North Wilkesboro DFS lineups

McClure is also targeting an undervalued driver set to return plenty of value for his NASCAR DFS picks. He’s in a prime position to make a run at the checkered flag and comes at a price that won’t break the bank. You can see who it is, and every other pick, right here.

So what are the top NASCAR DFS picks for NASCAR at North Wilkesboro 2025? And which value driver is a must-roster? Visit SportsLine now to see DFS millionaire Mike McClure’s complete driver pool for DraftKings and FanDuel, for a chance to cash in big on NASCAR DFS.