Ten races left, and the pressure is suffocating. With the NASCAR playoffs looming, jobs, millions, and legacies are on the line — and some of the sport’s biggest names are hanging by a thread. From champions clinging to hope, to winless drivers quietly building momentum, this updated breakdown of the Cup Series playoff picture might surprise you. The field is tightening. The chaos is coming. Who’s in, who’s out, and who’s just praying for a Daytona miracle?

• Which former champions may miss the playoffs entirely?
• Why Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick should be swinging for stage wins now
• Carson Hocevar and Ryan Preece as legit wildcard spoilers? Believe it.
• And could Darlington be Daniel Suárez’s last stand with Trackhouse?

From consistent grinders to win-it-or-go-home road course ringers, this playoff field isn’t just competitive, it’s volatile. One lucky break or one blown strategy call could change everything. Whether you’re rooting for the underdog or the dynasty, this video dives deep into every bubble battle and ticking time bomb on the path to the postseason. Watch the full breakdown, then hit the comments. Who do you think sneaks in, shocks the system, or watches it all slip away?

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. will wear a new hat for JR Motorsports at Pocono Raceway, stepping in as crew chief for Connor Zilisch after Mardy Lindley was suspended for loose lug nuts

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is gearing up to support his JR Motorsports team in a shock new role this weekend. With crew chief Mardy Lindley serving a one-race suspension for loose lug nuts discovered at Nashville Superspeedway, Earnhardt Jr. will step in as the crew chief for the No.88 car, driven by rising star Connor Zilisch at Pocono Raceway.

The development comes after Earnhardt Jr. recently named three current NASCAR stars that remind him of his legendary father before he shared his financial concerns for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team and weighed in with a strong view on leaked NASCAR plans.

JR Motorsports announced the temporary crew chief switch: “This weekend, @DaleJr will be filling in for Mardy Lindley as crew chief of the No. 88 as Lindley serves his one-race suspension for loose lug nuts following the NXS race in Nashville two weeks ago.”

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The suspension was handed down after post-race checks at the May 31 Xfinity Series event in Nashville revealed two unsecured lug nuts on Zilisch’s Chevrolet. Consequently, team owner Lindley was hit with a $10,000 penalty and a suspension from race-day activities, though NASCAR opted to apply the crew chief’s suspension at Pocono rather than immediately after the Nashville race.

For Dale Earnhardt Jr., already an analyst for the Cup race broadcast on Prime Video, this presents a new challenge and a rare opportunity to return to hands-on team leadership. With two Xfinity championships, 24 wins, and 26 Cup victories under his belt—including two Daytona 500s—Dale Jr. brings a wealth of experience and a unique dual perspective as part-owner and media figure.

Eighteen year old Connor Zilisch, in his rookie Xfinity season and currently fifth in the standings, recently scored a career-best P2 finish at Nashville. As Zilisch tackles Pocono’s tricky, 2.5-mile triangular layout for the first time, Earnhardt’s guidance from the pit box could prove invaluable.

Earnhardt Jr. ‘s decision to step behind the scenes underscores his dedication to JR Motorsports and its driver development philosophy. Since its inception in 1998 under Earnhardt’s leadership, the team has become a mainstay of the Xfinity Series, striving not only to win races but also to cultivate future talent.

From a wider perspective, the situation underscores NASCAR’s strict enforcement of technical regulations, regardless of a team’s fame or ownership. Loose lug nuts are viewed as both a safety risk and a competitive threat, and NASCAR’s prompt response reflects its increasing rigor.

However, the deferred suspension has sparked debate about consistency: while Lindley must sit out Pocono, some argue that the delay benefits JR Motorsports.

This weekend, all attention will be on Earnhardt Jr. as he juggles his broadcasting role with his duties as a crew chief. His extensive racing knowledge, love for the sport, and connection with Zilisch could prove beneficial, possibly leading to a solid performance at Pocono – further cementing JR Motorsports’ reputation as a dominant force in nurturing NASCAR talent.

Watch the video of the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster below

Fast Motorsports will have sponsorship from Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster for the upcoming race at EchoPark Speedway.

The coaster is set to open for business in the Smoky Mountains on June 20th. BJ McLeod is the co-owner of the Pigeon Forge, TN business and is also a co-owner of the NASCAR team.

The coaster offers, “side-by-side tracks for a high-speed, competitive ride you won’t forget.”

Coaster Location: 115 Conner Heights Rd Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

BJ McLeod comments

“We’re excited to have Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster onboard to celebrate their grand opening,” said BJ McLeod, driver of the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevy Camaro and Co-Owner of the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster.

“We know this wouldn’t be possible without the fans so can’t wait to giveaway this experience to allow them to be a part of it.”

Giveaway

With the sponsorship, they are also offering a giveaway to race fans:

Prize Package Includes:

– “A 4-day / 3-night stay in a luxury cabin in scenic Pigeon Forge, TN on dates of your choosing (some exclusions may apply, excluding holidays)”

– “4 free tickets to ride the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster”

To Enter:

1. Follow @teamlivefast, @bjmcleod78, and @pigeonforgeracingcoaster on Instagram

2. Comment on the official giveaway post who you would bring along for the ride

Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster Video

Links

Fast Motorsports | Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster | NASCAR

Is NASCAR crossing the finish line for the final time in Chicago? That’s the big question as preparations begin for another professional street race through downtown next month.

Several city streets will be affected over the next few weeks for the third year in a row as NASCAR prepares for the third Chicago Street Race through Grant Park.

NASCAR and the city agreed to a three-year deal for the race, but representatives said they’re continuing positive discussions with city leaders about keeping the event in Chicago beyond 2025.

Soon, several sets of bleachers for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race will emerge in Grant Park, though spectators don’t arrive for another 16 days for the two-day event on July 5 and 6.

Ticket, schedule information for 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race

Andrew Shusterman watched the race from the bleachers last year, but he was underwhelmed.

“You kind of just have to peek through some holes and barely see the turns, or you can just settle at looking at a straightaway, but then it gets really loud,” he said.

However, the city’s tourism arm, Choose Chicago, has been pleased with the money the event has brought in for the city.

They estimated NASCAR brought in $236 million for Chicago over the first two years of the race in 2023 and 2024, despite rain interrupting festivities both years.

You can imagine the storm that might be swirling at City Hall with a recent report by The Athletic that NASCAR won’t be extending its stay in Chicago and is in talks to bring a street race to San Diego instead.

A spokesperson for that San Diego’s mayor had no comment.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s team did not respond to requests for comment on the future of the NASCAR race in Chicago, although city offices were closed Thursday for the Juneteenth holiday.

NASCAR representatives were mum about talks with San Diego, but said a 2026 street race in Chicago isn’t off the table.

“This has got to be a top tier venue for a NASCAR race; like, a huge park in the middle of the city, surrounded by these beautiful buildings,” Shusterman said.

Professional street racing in Chicago might not be a thing of the past, even if NASCAR doesn’t stay.

CBS News Chicago has learned that, as of last month, Formula 1 racing officials have officially registered the trademark Formula 1 Grand Prix of Chicago.

Formula One’s media team did not respond to a request for comment on possible plans for a Chicago race.

As for NASCAR, for now they’re going full throttle on this year’s street race.

Keep an eye out for road closure signs downtown. They’ll be multiplying in the coming days as the race draws near.

Former NFL player Marshall McFadden knew absolutely nothing about NASCAR before stepping into racing. Neither did Super Bowl champion safety Josh Bush.

But now, the two Trackhouse Racing pit crew members are part of a growing group of retired athletes finding a new career in racing, and they’ll both be in the pit for Sunday’s Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono race.

After retiring from football after a three-year NFL career and one year in the CFL, McFadden moved back home to Charlotte, N.C., the home base of NASCAR, to figure out his next steps. A friend of his, Curtis Walls, had gotten involved with NASCAR years earlier and became a pit crew coach. He invited McFadden to come along to a team practice, and McFadden was immediately intrigued.

» READ MORE: Temple law student Stephen Mallozzi interns at a law firm during the week and drives NASCAR trucks on the weekend

“It’s a team, about 20-25 guys,” McFadden said. “They were all out in the car. They looked like me, athletic, big, fast, strong. The music was going. They had their own training facility, coaches. It was almost like everything that I left off from football, and I was like, ‘This might be a smooth transition for me.’”

McFadden kept working, and after a few months, the coaches pulled him aside to see just how serious he was about pursuing pitting. Soon after that, McFadden signed his first professional contract, and eight years later he works with Ross Chastain’s No. 1 car crew through Trackhouse Racing every Sunday.

Bush also found his way to racing through a friend. He grew up in Lexington, N.C., near the Richard Childress Racing facility, but had never seen a race before meeting NASCAR driver Austin Dillon while doing nonprofit work. The two struck up a friendship at a Thanksgiving charity event, and eventually started golfing together.

“He just kept asking me, ‘Hey, would you be interested in joining NASCAR?’” said Bush, who played for the Jets and Broncos in a five-year NFL career.

Initially, Bush wasn’t interested. Instead, he planned to try out football coaching, and got an internship with the Las Vegas Raiders — which was promptly canceled, thanks to COVID. Left with nothing to do but golf, often with Dillon, he finally decided to jump into racing.

Now, Bush is expanding past just the pit crew for Daniel Suárez‘s No. 99 car. After finishing morning pit crew practice, he also works in sponsorship and marketing at Trackhouse Racing, and even gives tours of the facility.

Making the leap

So what actually makes a good pit crew member? It’s not just ex-football players who are succeeding in the role, but when making tire changes or replacing broken parts, every second counts. Literally. That means athletes with explosive speed are a premium.

» READ MORE: From 2024: Former college football players find a new field: On high-pressure NASCAR pit crews

“Marshall [McFadden], running around the car for him looks effortless,” pit crew captain Shane Wilson said. “It looks so easy for him to run at a very high pace around a car. Other people look like they’re doing everything they can do to get to the same speed as somebody like him, because he’s trained so long in quickness and agility and speed and strength.”

Many athletes come into NASCAR knowing little about racing or cars, like Bush or McFadden, so learning how to make the corrections necessary can be challenging.

McFadden said he had to learn to “fail fast,” and unlike football, there’s no one there to back you up if you make a mistake. But Wilson said athletes are uniquely suited to meet the moment.

“That’s pressure that you can’t just learn,” Wilson said. “That’s something that’s bred into you. That translates really well into pit stops. You come down with five laps to go in a race, and it’s all on the pit crew to send the driver back out in the spot they were at or even better. That’s a different type of switch that gets turned on in their head. Athletes are really good at being prepared for that situation and not letting the moment be too big.”

After two years of rain-soaked July Fourth weekend events, could the NASCAR Chicago Street Race be heading west to eternally sunny San Diego?

The Athletic reported Wednesday that NASCAR and the Southern California city’s sports tourism commission are in negotiations to hold a race on the streets of San Diego in 2026.

A NASCAR spokesperson declined to comment on the unconfirmed report, while the San Diego Sports Commission did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Chicago is set to host the third annual street race July 5-6 on a pop-up course in and around Grant Park, completing an inaugural three-year agreement with NASCAR. The deal, struck during former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration, includes a two-year renewal option.

“We continue to have positive conversations with the city of Chicago, and right now, we’re focused on making 2025 the best event yet,” a NASCAR spokesperson said Thursday.

A spokesperson for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. The city, which had an annual 180-day exit clause after the first two races, committed to this year’s event in August.

Adding a San Diego street race next year does not necessarily affect the future of the Chicago Street Race.

Most NASCAR tracks range from a quarter-mile to 2 ½-mile banked ovals, but the Florida-based sanctioning body for stock car racing holds several events at road courses, including Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, in Sonoma, California, and at Watkins Glen in New York. NASCAR might similarly be building its portfolio of urban street races, with Chicago paving the way.

The Chicago Street Race has nonetheless had its challenges in the first two years, including pushback over the disruption and street closures to set up the 12-turn, 2.2-mile course through Grant Park, down DuSable Lake Shore Drive and up Michigan Avenue.

This year, NASCAR has streamlined the buildout and reduced major street closings to 18 days, starting with the shutdown Thursday of Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. All streets are scheduled to be reopened by July 14.

But the biggest issue facing the first two street races was inclement weather.

In 2023, the inaugural Fourth of July weekend event navigated record rainfall that curtailed races, canceled concerts and left fans soaked. The first Cup Series street race also garnered a huge national TV audience with Chicago as a rainy backdrop, averaging nearly 4.8 million viewers during a four-hour broadcast on NBC.