Katherine Legge will make a return to Pikes Peak after her first run last summer.

It’s almost time for the 103rd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and Acura announced Thursday what we can expect to see on America’s Mountain on June 22. With Katherine Legge making her second run to the 14,115 summit of Pikes Peak, the automaker is chasing down the front-wheel drive record, in the competitive Time Attack 1 (TA1) division with an Integra Type S DE5 race car. Acura worked on the #93 Integra racer in coordination with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), and it’s also fielding another Integra Type S as a pace car for the hill climb event.

“It was an honor to compete in Pikes Peak for the first time in 2024, as I had always dreamt of being among the famous drivers who have tackled the mountain” said Legge. “At Pikes Peak, you’re always competing against yourself, the mountain and the other drivers. It’s my goal to leave my own legacy, setting the front-wheel drive record in the Integra Type S DE5.”

Beyond taking on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Legge has and continues to compete across a host of other racing series, including IndyCar and the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Last year, her rookie run yielded a top-five finish in the TA1 category, with her 10:51.359 time landing a few seconds short of the current front-wheel drive record holder: Nick Robinson in a 500-horsepower Acura TLX, set in 2018.

Acura is bringing the Integra Type S HRC prototype it debuted at Monterey last year, too.

Throughout the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, another HRC-upgraded Integra Type S will serve as the official pace car. We first saw it during Monterey Car Week last year, where the automaker showed off a line of performance parts owners will actually be able to buy for their cars soon.

Olympic speed skater Rusty Smith will be driving the pace car. He made Team USA three times, competing in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 winter games. Acura says he also has a strong passion for their vehicles, owning several enthusiast models including a first-generation NSX-T in Spa Yellow (with a Vivid Yellow interior, no less).

Honda’s Olympic connections aren’t stopping with this year’s Pikes Peak, as the company announced it would be a founding partner of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games in Los Angeles, serving as Team USA’s official automotive partner.

A flight bound for NASCAR’s Mexico City race had to halt its takeoff after a loud noise was heard from the aircraft.

Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will host the Viva Mexico 250, the first time NASCAR will race internationally in 25 years. Should the outing and race in Mexico be deemed a success, NASCAR also has flirted with the idea of expanding further, while also adopting a Formula 1-style podium.

For now, though, drivers have to make it to the city before the festivities begin in earnest. However, some, like NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Ryan Ellis, had to experience a less-than-stellar experience while aboard a plane headed to Mexico City.

On X, Ellis posted a series of updates as he shared his flight experience. After posting a photo of himself in the plane with the caption “Mexico-bound,” he quickly followed that up with another post detailing what had happened as the plane prepared to take off.

“Cancel that, plane attempted takeoff, plane made a small boom, we are headed back,” he continued. He ended his series of updates by stating that he and the rest of the passengers were “back in Charlotte” as a result.

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Motorsports journalist Matt Weaver provided more context to the incident, stating that Ellis’ aircraft was not the only one that experienced issues on the way to Mexico City. In all, Weaver explained that NASCAR is aware of the incidents and personnel are “being placed on different planes” to Mexico.

Though the incidents could just be isolated to those two, it is not the start NASCAR could have wanted as it continues to eye expanding the sport’s popularity. Ahead of the Viva Mexico 250, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps commented on how he would like to see the sport’s biggest stars racing in Brazil. 

“I’d like to see it happen,” Phelps said to Motorsport.com. “Obviously, we need all parties to come together and understand how important that would be for NASCAR in general and for the category. But I personally would be very excited about it.

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“We’d like to have a Brazilian [driver] come out of NASCAR Brazil, come and race with us full-time, and, you know, compete for wins and championships. So we’re excited about this prospect, I was very impressed with the number of drivers I saw and how fast they were and their abilities, and we’re excited about this happening in the future.”

As NASCAR continues to expand its reach, the Viva Mexico 250 is a homecoming for sorts for driver Daniel Suarez. Suarez, originally from Mexico, became a United States citizen in 2024 and partnered up with Mexican telecommunications company Telcel for the race.

Speaking on the impact NASCAR could have by racing in Mexico, Suarez made his thoughts clear. “This race will be the highlight of my racing career,” he said. It is a chance to compete in front of my home country fans and those who have supported me all these years.”

He added: “I hope this event creates a lot of NASCAR fans in Mexico.We want to make this event permanent on the NASCAR calendar for many years.

“Mexico has been loving motorsports for a very long time, and I feel like, slowly, that has also changed into NASCAR. NASCAR is a very important sport for Mexico, and it continues to grow with the NASCAR Mexico Series and now the Cup Series going there. It’s going to be a big deal.”

On Lap 67 of the NASCAR Cup race at Michigan International Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman was racing deep in the pack when he found himself in a bad situation. After contact from Cole Custer, he ended up slamming the outside wall in a head-on impact that lifted the rear tires off completely the ground. Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet hit the wall at roughly 150mph, immediately ending his race.

Bowman later described it as perhaps the biggest hit of his career. Unfortunately, the 32-year-old has a history of injuries. He suffered a concussion following a crash at Texas Motor Speedway in 2022, missing five races as a result. In 2023, he suffered a back injury in a sprint car crash that forced him to miss three Cup races.

Thankfully, Bowman has been medically cleared to race this weekend in Mexico City despite some soreness. The road course event is a big opportunity for Bowman as his most recent win in the Cup Series came at the Chicago Street Course last summer.

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

As a precaution, Hendrick will have Anthony Alfredo on standby for Bowman at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Alfredo, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, also works as a simulator driver for HMS. He has 42 starts in the Cup Series, including one start earlier this year at Talladega Superspeedway.

Bowman currently sits 13th in the championship standings after the first 15 races this year and is hoping for some positive momentum. He has finished 27th or worse in seven of the last nine races, including five finishes of 35th or worse in a dismal run for the No. 48 team.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Connor Zilisch, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, has made a significant impact in the NASCAR Xfinity Series by winning his first race at Watkins Glen International in September 2024 and his second at Circuit of The Americas in March 2025.

Zilisch, who previously ran a partial Xfinity Series schedule and part-time in the Craftsman Truck Series, signed a multiyear deal with Trackhouse Racing in 2024 to further his racing development. His success in the Xfinity Series marks him as a rising star in NASCAR.

The CW will broadcast all 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races in 2025, marking the first time the entire series will be available on free, over-the-air television.

This comprehensive coverage will include additional content through The CW’s digital platforms, fully produced by NASCAR Productions.

Adam Alexander, a seasoned NASCAR announcer, will lead the play-by-play coverage for The CW’s NASCAR Xfinity Series broadcasts.

Alexander brings extensive experience from his previous role at FOX Sports, where he covered the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2015.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series is known for featuring up-and-coming drivers alongside established NASCAR stars, providing a platform for future champions to showcase their talents.

The series races at iconic tracks such as Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

With his recent victories and a promising career trajectory, Connor Zilisch is poised to become a key figure in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, while The CW’s comprehensive coverage will bring the excitement of the series to a broader audience in 2025.

NASCAR has paid tribute to former crew chief and team owner Travis Carter, who died on Tuesday. Toby Christie of Sports Illustrated shared NASCAR’s statement which described what Carter meant to the sport.

“From his early days atop the pit box to his years as a respected team owner, Travis Carter embodied the competitive spirit, integrity, and passion that define NASCAR,” the statement read. ” NASCAR extends its heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family and many friends.”

Christie mentioned that Travis Carter was moved into hospice care on Monday. He was 75 years old, and no official cause of death has been announced.

Carter spent more than 30 years in the NASCAR Cup Series garage. In 1973, Carter became a crew chief for Benny Parsons and the No. 72 DeWitt Racing team. Under Carter’s guidance, Parsons earned 15 top-five finishes and 21 top-10s over the 28-race season. The team also won the race at Bristol in July 1973 and claimed the Cup Series title. In 1975, Carter and Parsons won the Daytona 500.

Travis Carter was a crew chief for multiple legendary NASCAR drivers

Carter was also a crew chief for Cale Yarborough, and the pair won the 1978 NASCAR Cup Series championship. In his 17 years as a crew chief, Carter collected more than 30 wins in the Cup series. Along with Parsons and Yarborough, Carter was a crew chief for Bobby Allison, Dave Marcis, Morgan Shepherd, Harry Gant, Darrell Waltrip, Geoff Bodine, Todd Bodine, and Joe Nemechek.

In 1990 Carter formed his own NASCAR Cup Series team, Travis Carter Enterprises. He never won a race in 493 starts, but he recorded 17 top-five finishes, 58 top-10s and six poles.

“Sad news. Travis added a lot to NASCAR,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote on X/Twitter. “It was really nice to get to talk with him in recent months. I’m in awe of the men like him that shaped the NASCAR I grew up in.”

“Travis Carter has passed away,” Kenny Wallace posted on his X/Twitter account. “I will always remember Travis changing tires for Junior Johnson’s cars in a VERY calm demeanor. Travis never got on his knees. TRAVIS WAS A LEGEND. My prayers to the family.”

Ferrari may be struggling in Formula One, but the Italian marque heads into this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans as the favorite, eyeing a third straight victory in endurance racing’s crown jewel.

Tennis legend Roger Federer will serve as the celebrity starter, waving the flag to kick off the 93rd edition of the legendary race at 4 p.m. local time (2:00 p.m. GMT) on Saturday.

Over the next 24 hours, 21 elite hypercars will battle through daylight, darkness and dawn, covering more than 300 laps – over 4,000 kilometers – in front of a sellout crowd of 320,000 fans fueled by caffeine and beer.

Ferrari ended a 50-year hiatus with a stunning win in the centenary race in 2023 and successfully defended its title last year.

The Prancing Horse stable ended Toyota’s run of five consecutive wins from 2018 to 2022. The Japanese manufacturer now seeks to reclaim its crown 40 years after its first Le Mans appearance.

A shake-up in regulations for 2023 sparked renewed interest in the premier class. This year, Ferrari, Toyota and Porsche face stiff competition from Aston Martin, Cadillac, BMW, Alpine and Peugeot.

Ferrari’s position as the team to beat is bolstered by a strong start to the season, reeling off wins in the first three World Endurance Championship races in Qatar, Imola and Belgium.

But Antonio Fuoco, who took the checkered flag last year alongside Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen, is taking nothing for granted.

“Compared to last year, everyone is closer to the other. It’s going to be a tough battle,” said the 29-year-old Italian driver.

Ferrari team manager Batti Pregliasco is wary of the threat posed by Toyota.

“The idea of winning a third Le Mans in a row would be magnificent,” he said.

“But the Toyotas are very strong here because they have the experience, the ability and the means to win.”

Bittersweet memories drive De Vries

Nyck de Vries, who shared driving duties in the Toyota that finished second in 2024, is hungry for redemption.

“Finishing second last year was a great result, but after such a long race with so many different emotions, it felt bitter-sweet. We want to put that right this year,” said De Vries, who was summarily dropped by Red Bull’s then-AlphaTauri sister team midway through the 2023 Formula One season.

De Vries is one of several former F1 drivers – including 2009 world champion Jenson Button – lured by the chance to etch their name onto Le Mans’ roll of honor, as Fernando Alonso did for Toyota in 2018 and 2019. The veteran Spaniard joined a prestigious group that includes Graham Hill, Phil Hill and Jochen Rindt.

Joining the 21 hypercars are 17 entries in the LMP2 class and 24 in the LMGT3 category in an event that has not been without tragedy – 22 drivers have died in its history.

Le Mans, where cars have hit eye-watering speeds of up to 400 kph on the Sarthe circuit’s Mulsanne Straight, also marks the 70th anniversary of the 1955 disaster. That year, debris from Pierre Levegh’s car rained down on the crowd, killing 81 spectators – although the exact toll was never definitively established.

It serves as a somber reminder of the dangers facing the 186 drivers competing this weekend – including the all-women Iron Dames LMGT3 team of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Celia Martin.

The encouraging news for this brave bunch is that the French national weather service forecasts a dry and calm weekend, with no rain or storms expected as qualifying for pole position begins Thursday night.

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