Motorsports
Bristol Monster Truck show a homecoming for Tennessean Dalton Widner – Speedway Digest
Dalton “DT” Widner may be the third most famous celebrity from his former high school, Knox Gibbs in Corryton, Tennessee, but on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway he’ll be one of the most popular drivers on the track when the Overdrive Monster Truck Series invades The Last Great Colosseum. Widner, who drives the popular Jurassic […]

Dalton “DT” Widner may be the third most famous celebrity from his former high school, Knox Gibbs in Corryton, Tennessee, but on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway he’ll be one of the most popular drivers on the track when the Overdrive Monster Truck Series invades The Last Great Colosseum.
Widner, who drives the popular Jurassic Attack truck, attended the nearby Tennessee high school famous for producing country music stars Kenny Chesney and Morgan Wallen, but Widner, who played high school football there and then college football at UNC-Charlotte, says he’s just a regular guy.
“Morgan Wallen and Kenny Chesney are way, way up here, and I am way, way down here,” Widner said with a grin recently during a preview event for the Bristol Monster Truck event. “I’m just a lucky guy who gets to do what I love for a living.”
And this weekend, for the first time, he will get to do it in front of his hometown family and friends. A few years ago. Widner was up in these same grandstands watching Monster Trucks do their stunts. Now, he will be behind the wheel of one of the behemoths.
“I will probably have 40 or 50 people up in the stands pulling for me,” Widner said. “I’m excited to be a part of the show and finally perform for people who have never seen me before.”
Widner, 25, says the path to the cockpit for Monster Trucks can be a long one. After volunteering to help, he was able to go fulltime with a team five years ago. He then became a backup driver and eventually was able to become a full-time driver.
“There’s not really a straight path for it,” Widner said.” When I was starting out I started volunteering for teams. Trying to have a little presence in the industry. I worked as a volunteer guy. In college, I got a job offer to do it fulltime and eventually got a spot to drive and have been doing it now for four years.”
If you are looking for him on the track, Widner will be the one driving the truck with horns. His 10-foot tall, 2,000- horsepower machine is designed after a dinosaur. While it’s a favorite with the kids, he says don’t let the playful appearance fool you, it’s got some real bite.
“It’s pretty wild,” said Widner, who also has driven Kamikaze, Velociraptor and Wrecking Machine. “It’s like riding your favorite roller coaster, but you are in control of it. It took me about a year to get all of the different stunts down, but I can do them all now. It’s a lot of fun to drive.”
He says his days as a football player at the D1 level in college also come in handy, especially from the mental side of things.
“It helps me not focus on who I am going up against,” Widner explained. “ There are a lof of the greatest drivers here and there’s a little pressure that comes along with it. What I bring from football helps me because I don’t worry about who is across from me and I just do my thing and control what I can control.”
Widner says while driving the truck is his passion, it’s also great to be able to try to inspire as many kids in the audience as possible.
“Just showing kids that if you have a dream and want it bad enough you can do it,” Widner said. “I fought my way up to be able to do it. I’m living proof that it’s possible.”
In addition to Widner, many of the most popular Monster Trucks in motorsports compete with the Overdrive series. Those who are expected to join Widner and compete tomorrow afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway include:
Block Head driven by Daron Basl of Salem, Oregon
Dirt Crew driven by Jerry Beck of Lafayette, Ind.
Cyber Attack driven by Jared Smith of Lafayette, Ind.
Tail Gator driven by Tim Jones of Saint James, Mo.
Vendetta driven by Mike Christensen, Ogden, Utah
Bad News Travels Fast by Brandon Derrow, Elkton, Va.
Colossus driven by Elliott Miller, Grand Rapids, Mich.
The Virginia Giant driven by Cliff Vowell of Fairfax, Va.
Bad Company driven by John Gordon of Hiram, Ga.
Smashosaurus driven by Tripp Jones of St. James, Mo.
Dirt Crew Dozer driven by David Olfert of Shaw, Oregon
The Track Party Experience kicks off when gates open at 2 p.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Fans will be able to walk the track and enjoy a meet and greet session with the drivers. The Track Party Experience, which includes a driver autograph session, is only $5 per person added to your original ticket cost.
While the Track Party Experience is going on, the popular Monster Truck Ride Experience, available to all ages, will offer the ride of a lifetime to anyone with the courage to crawl up inside a behemoth Monster Truck. The Monster Truck Ride Experience will be available to guests from 2-5:45 p.m. at an additional cost of $20 per ride, per guest. For an additional extra $5 ($25) you can head to the Fast Pass line, where you will be able to get your ride in quicker by skipping the long line for the general $20 ride.
The big show begins at 6 p.m., so you and your clan will want to head to your seats to enjoy some high-flying action from the biggest, loudest and most acrobatic Monster Trucks on the planet.
Tickets start at $29 for adults and tickets for children 11 and under start at $15. A Family 4-Pack General Admission package is $84.95. To purchase tickets for the Overdrive Monster Trucks series please visit BristolMonsterTrucks.com.
Overdrive Monster Trucks Bristol Motor Speedway, Saturday May 10 (schedule):
Gates Open: 2 p.m.
Track Party: 2-5 p.m.
Monster Truck Rides: 2-5:45 p.m.
Show Starts: 6 p.m.
BMS PR
Motorsports
Best Motorsports Fan Experience 2025 | Newsweek Fans’ Choice Awards
All American 400 Nashville Fairgrounds SpeedwayNashville, TN Photo courtesy of Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway/Track Enterprises Photo courtesy of Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway/Track Enterprises Hosting races since 1904, historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is home to one of the premier ARCA races in the nation, the All American 400. If you want to do more than just watch the […]

All American 400 Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
Nashville, TN

Hosting races since 1904, historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is home to one of the premier ARCA races in the nation, the All American 400. If you want to do more than just watch the Super Late Models from the stands, purchase a pit pass to wander through the garage and pits—you’ll see crews in action as they change the tires and put out the fires to get their drivers back on the track.
Atlanta Motorsports Park
Dawsonville, GA

Pro-level go-karts, racing schools, private sessions with your own car: Atlanta Motorsports Park is a speed lover’s dream. Two award-winning, Formula 1–style tracks test your mettle behind the wheel with technical turns, elevation changes (some of the world’s most intense) and a skid pad for perfecting driving in the rain. Kart racing is open to anyone 12 and up, and kids as young as 5 can ride along.
Barber Motorsports Park
Birmingham, AL

There’s more than IndyCar racing at Barber. What you’ll first notice is crazy art scattered around the road course, such as the Lady in the Lake sculpture and a massive metal spider standing guard over the track. See the artwork up close with a Porsche Track Experience, or sign up for an off-road adventure or obstacle course. Then head to the museum, which houses the planet’s largest collection of motorcycles.
BMW Performance Center
Greer, SC

Think you can drift your way through a track’s turns with BMW’s latest M series performance car? Find your limits at the BMW Performance Center’s East Coast location, where you can join a one- or two-day driving school (cars provided!) to learn how to drift on a skid pad and find the perfect line through each turn. Zentrum Museum and X Series factory tours cap off the ultimate driving day.
BMW Performance Center West
Thermal, CA

Snowcapped mountains and desert vistas provide a stunning backdrop for your track day at the BMW Performance Center in California. During your all-day session, you’ll get to learn the basics of driving a high-performance machine, from quick turns on the Handling Course to hard braking on a skid pad. The best part just might be the timed laps to discover who’s the fastest driver in your class.
Circuit of the Americas
Del Valle, TX

The U.S. Grand Prix, one of the country’s only Formula 1 races, is on many race fans’ wish list. But visiting Circuit of the Americas is almost more fun when there’s no race; that’s when you can drop new experiences into your bucket. The COTA Driving Experience gets you speeding down the track like a pro, and go-karts, mini golf and track nights for cyclists open this Austin icon to everyone.
DirtFish Rally School
Snoqualmie, WA

Get your kicks—and bumps, jumps and hairpin turns—with a rally program at DirtFish Rally School. More than 30 courses let you push your Subaru to the max during your half-day, full-day or three-day school. It’s popular with pros and stunt drivers who want to learn new skills, but it’s also accessible to anyone new to rally racing. Plus, a track photographer captures your driving sessions for a frame-worthy memory.
Las Vegas Grand Prix Hospitality Packages
Las Vegas, NV

It’s the hottest ticket in Sin City: Formula 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix gives you VIP access with its Hospitality Packages. You’ll get stellar views of the course and the Strip, all-inclusive dining (interested in a trackside dinner hosted by Gordon Ramsey?) and access to the garages and exclusive Vegas clubs. There’s a wide range of price points, so pick your package to watch this grand race like an A-lister!
NASCAR Driving Experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte, NC

If you’ve ever wanted to face the sweeping banked turns at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the NASCAR Driving Experience gives you the green light. Ride along with an instructor, who’ll treat you to a few high-speed laps, or take the wheel yourself to see if you’re fast enough to earn the pole position. From five-minute sessions to 40-lap speed tests with pit stops and spotters, it’s the fastest way to have fun.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Charlotte, NC

Celebrating stock car racing’s legends, the NASCAR Hall of Fame takes you through 75 years of victory lanes. While there, you can take the checkered flag in the iRacing simulator—the same simulator the pros use to get ready for race day. Or grab a headset and call the race just like Darrell Waltrip (boogity, boogity, boogity!). The best part? It’s a top-tier experience for a cheap-seats price.
NASCAR Racing Experience at
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, FL

Drivers, start your engines! Daytona’s NASCAR Racing Experience gets you in the driver’s seat of an actual stock car on one of the world’s most famous tracks. Only need five minutes to fulfill your need for speed? Or do you want to feel the grind of a real race with a 48-minute session? You’ll find lots of options (including ride-alongs if you don’t want to drive) for your speedway fantasy.
Porsche Experience Center Atlanta
Atlanta, GA

Southern charm meets German engineering at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta. Take the joy ride of your life in a Porsche 911 with either a 90-minute drive or a quick ride-along drifting demo on one of two tracks. If you’re ready to take your talents to the next Grand Prix race, you can head to the Simulator Lab and race on famous circuits like Nürburgring and Monaco.
SpeedVegas
Las Vegas, NV

At SpeedVegas, you can feel the wind in your hair in an exotic supercar going triple-digit speeds—or the dirt in your face with an off-road adventure in a Baja truck. For a more social outing, pro-level go-karts let you race your friends. Have a child who loves fast cars? Anyone 11 and up can ride in a Lamborghini or Ferrari for the thrill of luxury performance at an affordable price.
Sportbike Track Time
South Haven, MI

Sportbike Track Time invites you to BYOB (bring your own bike) and put it to the test at GingerMan Raceway. Sessions are offered throughout each track day for motorcyclists of every skill level. Intermediate and advanced riders can even add on a one-on-one coaching session to enhance their abilities. A professional photographer is also on site for each session to help commemorate your day.
Talladega Garage Experience
Lincoln, AL

If you’re going to a NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway, then go all out with premium passes to the Talladega Garage Experience. Your upgrade comes with incredible access to each team’s garage, perfect for seeing crews tune the cars or fix wreck damage. Plus, you’ll get to attend pre-race ceremonies (you’ll be close enough to wave at Chase Elliott!) and watch the race from Big Bill’s Open Air Social Club.
Track Tours at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis, IN

Ready to kiss the bricks like an Indy 500 winner? The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum offers several track tours, from a visit to legendary Gasoline Alley to a lap around the oval that ends at the most famous yard of bricks on earth. For a deeper dive into the track’s IndyCar history, take the 90-minute golf cart tour—by the end, you’ll want to be the next open-wheel racing star.
About Newsweek Fans’ Choice Awards
Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of journalists and sports fans. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at fanschoice@newsweek.com.
Our Featured Panelists

Shannon DalPozzal
Shannon DalPozzal is a writer and traveler, where she blends storytelling with a lifelong passion for unique American experiences. She spent her childhood summers at Huntsville Speedway in Alabama, cheering on her uncle from the grandstands and falling in love with the roar of engines and the thrill of the track. Now based in coastal Maine, Shannon is the Best-Selling author of Of a Woman: The Journey to Becoming and host of the podcast Unpacked with Shannon DalPozzal. She explores everything from memoir to motorsports with curiosity, heart, and a keen eye for culture.

Susan Lanier-Graham
Susan Lanier-Graham is the founder and publisher of WanderWithWonder.com and an accomplished storyteller, journalist, and creative strategist. With more than 75 published books and hundreds of articles to her name, she crafts content that informs, inspires, and connects with readers through authenticity and purpose. Susan’s sports journey began on horseback and grew to include a passion for horse racing, basketball, soccer, and motorsports. She played basketball in junior high and high school and remains a devoted fan. She’s also drawn to the global energy of soccer fans and is an avid NASCAR enthusiast, having taken hot laps at top tracks across the U.S. With a gift for storytelling and a commitment to meaningful work, Susan brings heart, strategy, and a sense of wonder to everything she creates.

Karon Warren
The daughter of a drag racer, Karon Warren was born with a need for speed. She routinely visits NASCAR tracks and NHRA dragways around the country to see her favorite racers in action. When she’s not watching racing, she writes for a variety of outlets, including USA Today’s 10Best, U.S. News & World Report, AAA, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She also is the author of “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before You Die.” For more on Karon and her travels, check out www.thisgirltravels.com.
Motorsports
Judge orders NASCAR teams to turn over financial data to stock car series, limits details
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a dozen NASCAR teams to provide 11 years of financial data to the stock car series as part of an ongoing legal fight but sharply limited what they need to share. A day after hearing arguments from both sides, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell of […]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a dozen NASCAR teams to provide 11 years of financial data to the stock car series as part of an ongoing legal fight but sharply limited what they need to share.
A day after hearing arguments from both sides, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell of the Western District of North Carolina said the information will “allow NASCAR to have much of the arguably relevant substance of the requested information, while protecting the legitimate interests” of the 12 teams. They had raised concerns that the private financial details could end up being made public and would hurt competitive balance.
Under the decision, the teams must provide top-line data — total revenue, total costs, and net profits and losses — dating to 2014. The teams and NASCAR were ordered to settle on an independent accounting firm to handle the details by Friday, with that work paid for by NASCAR.
Earlier this week, attorneys for 12 of the 15 overall race teams argued against disclosing their financial records to become part of NASCAR’s antitrust lawsuit. They are not parties in the ongoing suit filed by 23XI Racing, which is owned by the NBA Hall Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins.
23XI and Front Row are the only two organizations of the 15 that refused last September to sign take-it-or-leave offers on a new charter agreement. Charters are NASCAR’s version of a franchise model, with each charter guaranteeing entry to the lucrative Cup Series races and a stable revenue stream. Of the 13 teams that signed, only Kaulig Racing has submitted the financial documents NASCAR subpoenaed as part of discovery.
Teams have long argued that NASCAR is not financially viable and they need a greater revenue stream and a more permanent length on the charter agreements, which presently have expiration dates and can be revoked by NASCAR. Two years of negotiations ended last fall with 13 teams signing on and 23IX and FRM instead heading to court.
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Motorsports
NASCAR penalizes Hendrick Motorsports Xfinity team for Pocono violation
NASCAR has penalized the Hendrick Motorsports Xfinity team Chase Elliott drove for last weekend at Pocono for a violation. The team was fined $40,000 and docked 40 car owner points and 10 playoff points Wednesday. Crew chief Adam Wall has been suspended for the next three Xfinity events (through Sonoma) for the L1 violation. Advertisement […]

NASCAR has penalized the Hendrick Motorsports Xfinity team Chase Elliott drove for last weekend at Pocono for a violation.
The team was fined $40,000 and docked 40 car owner points and 10 playoff points Wednesday. Crew chief Adam Wall has been suspended for the next three Xfinity events (through Sonoma) for the L1 violation.
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The No. 17 team is not entered for Friday night’s race at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. The car is scheduled to compete next on July 12 at Sonoma with Corey Day as the driver.
The team was cited for a violation related to main frame rail conical receivers. The No. 17 car was one of two taken to the NASCAR R&D Center for further evaluation after the Pocono race. Elliott finished fourth in that race.
NASCAR cited Section 14.3.3.2.1.1.K of the Xfinity Rule Book, which states: “Main frame rail conical receivers will not be permitted to be moved without having the chassis re-certified prior to the Event at which that chassis will compete.”
NASCAR also cited 14.3.3.2.1.1.L of the Xfinity Rule Book, which states: “Modifications to main frame rail conical receivers that were made to circumvent NASCAR inspection processes, measurement equipment, and/or gauges will not be permitted.”
Motorsports
Young’s Motorsports Announces Ben Maier’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Debut at Lime Rock Park
MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Young’s Motorsports is proud to announce that 16-year-old racing sensation Ben Maier will make his much-anticipated debut in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series this weekend at the legendary Lime Rock Park. Maier will pilot the team’s flagship No. 02 Executive Chevrolet Silverado in what marks a pivotal moment in his rapidly advancing […]

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Young’s Motorsports is proud to announce that 16-year-old racing sensation Ben Maier will make his much-anticipated debut in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series this weekend at the legendary Lime Rock Park.
Maier will pilot the team’s flagship No. 02 Executive Chevrolet Silverado in what marks a pivotal moment in his rapidly advancing career.
The debut comes as Maier takes on one of the most technically demanding road courses in the country, offering a prime opportunity to showcase the skill, focus, and competitive drive that have defined his rise through the motorsports ranks.
Maier, a rising star in the Motorsports world, has spent years honing his skills in various racing series like Stadium Super Trucks with Robby Gordon, Trans Am, Cars Tour and Travis Pastrana’s NitroCross and now, with the support of Young’s Motorsports, he is ready to take on the competition in the highly competitive Truck Series.
His youthful enthusiasm and passion for racing have already garnered attention and fans can expect an exhilarating performance as he takes to the track.
“I am so excited for this opportunity,” said Ben Maier. “When working with the limited resources our family has, a kid like me is not supposed to be able to make it to NASCAR.
“I’m so thankful for Tyler and Young’s Motorsports for taking this chance on me. I’ll give them my best effort. I also need to thank Executive Chevrolet for making it happen. I can’t wait to wheel the No. 02 Executive Chevrolet Silverado truck around Lime Rock Park!”
Young’s Motorsports extends its sincere gratitude to Executive Auto Group for serving as the primary sponsor of Maier’s NASCAR debut. Their steadfast support has played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for emerging talents like Maier to chase their dreams and compete on one of racing’s biggest stages.
“We’re proud to support the next generation of racing excellence by sponsoring Ben Maier in this weekend’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Lime Rock Park,” offered Shaun Woodward, General Manager, Executive Chevrolet.
“Ben’s drive, talent, and determination embody everything we stand for at Executive Chevrolet: hard work, passion and pushing the limits. As a local dealership rooted in community and performance, we’re thrilled to be part of his journey and can’t wait to see him take the track.”
The team also acknowledges Cool Boxx for their partnership and contribution. Their state-of-the-art driver cooling system will be a vital asset in ensuring Maier remains comfortable and focused throughout the demanding event at Lime Rock Park.
Additionally, Skip Barber Racing School will be featured on the No. 02 Chevrolet for the first road course event of the season. With over 400,000 students, the Skip Barber Racing School is the world’s largest automotive education and entertainment company, offering driving, off-road and racing schools at the finest tracks in America.
“We are proud to have Ben Maier representing Young’s Motorsports at Lime Rock Park,” said Young’s Motorsports team principal Tyler Young.
“His talent and determination are evident, and we believe he has a bright future ahead of him. We also want to thank Executive Chevrolet, Cool Boxx and Skip Barber School for their support in making this debut possible.”
For more information on Ben Maier, please like him on Facebook and follow him on Instagram.
For more information on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).
The LiUNA! 150 (100 laps | 147.8 miles) is the 15th of 25 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races on the 2025 schedule. The two-day show begins with practice on Friday, June 27, from 1:05 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. Qualifying will follow on race day, Saturday, June 28, launching at 9:30 a.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 1:00 p.m., with live coverage on FOX, the NASCAR Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90.
Motorsports
JR Motorsports — NXS EchoPark Speedway Preview – Speedway Digest
Carson Kvapil No. 1 – Registix Chevrolet Kvapil 2025 NXS Stats Starts: 16 Wins: 0 Top 5s: 3 Top 10s: 6 Laps Led: 61 Avg. Finish: 14.6 Points: 6th Coming off his sixth top-10 of the season last weekend in Pocono, Carson Kvapil heads to Atlanta for his second start at the 1.54-mile speedway in […]

Carson Kvapil
No. 1 – Registix Chevrolet
Kvapil 2025 NXS Stats
Starts: 16
Wins: 0
Top 5s: 3
Top 10s: 6
Laps Led: 61
Avg. Finish: 14.6
Points: 6th
Coming off his sixth top-10 of the season last weekend in Pocono, Carson Kvapil heads to Atlanta for his second start at the 1.54-mile speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
On tracks 1-2 miles in length, the 22-year-old Mooresville native has made 14 starts, amassing three top-fives and five top-10s with, a best finish of second coming at Dover Motor Speedway last season.
According to NASCAR Loop Data Statistics Kvapil currently ranks third in speed late in the run following last week’s race at Pocono Raceway.
Kvapil will be sporting the orange and white colors of Registix on his Chevrolet this weekend. Registix, a reverse logistics company, strives to bridge the gap between vendors and buyers, ensuring mutual success and growth.
Carson Kvapil
“We didn’t have the best results at Atlanta earlier this year, but I feel as though this team has learned a lot since then. This No. 1 Registix team will build off the momentum from Pocono and keep working to be in contention at the end. We have speed every week and I know our hard work will pay off soon.”
Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
Allgaier 2025 NXS Stats
Starts: 16
Wins: 3
Top 5s: 10
Top 10s: 11
Laps Led: 648
Avg. Finish: 10.9
Points: 1st
Justin Allgaier has scored one win, four top-fives and 10 top-10s in 19 career starts in Atlanta.
His lone win came during the 2021 season, where the JRM driver started sixth and led 47 laps en route to the win.
Since the shift of Atlanta to a drafting-dominant track like Daytona International Speedway or Talladega Superspeedway, Allgaier has scored a best finish of second, coming earlier this year.
According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Allgaier currently leads the NXS to-date in several key categories, including laps run inside the top 15 (2,492), driver rating (113.1), average running position (8.25) and laps led (648).
Justin Allgaier
“We came close here in the spring, and I know we are going to have that same speed again with our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet Friday night. JRM has always had really strong speedway cars which definitely gives added confidence anytime we go to a drafting track. Hopefully we can keep our nose clean all night long, work well with our teammates, and be up front fighting for the win when it counts.”
Sammy Smith
No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet
Smith 2025 NXS Stats
Starts: 16
Wins: 1
Top 5s: 3
Top 10s: 8
Laps Led: 40
Avg. Finish: 14.2
Points: 11th
Atlanta is one of Sammy Smith’s strongest tracks, with an average finish of 9.6 in five races there with the NXS.
Smith has one top-five and four top-10 finishes, with his best of fourth coming earlier this season on the 1.54-mile quad-oval.
Of Smith’s 41 NXS starts on tracks measuring 1-2 miles in length, he has tallied two wins, seven top-five and 21 top-10 finishes.
According to NASCAR Loop Data Statistics, Smith is ranked fourth in average running position this season at 10.67.
Sammy Smith
“I feel good looking ahead to our race at Atlanta this weekend. We’ve run really well there in the past, finishing better and better each time. We’ve been preparing to do that again and get this No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet in Victory Lane on Friday.”
Connor Zilisch
No. 88 Blues Hog Chevrolet
Zilisch 2025 NXS Stats
Starts: 15
Wins: 2
Top 5s: 5
Top 10s: 7
Laps Led: 240
Avg. Finish: 13.0
Points: 5th
Connor Zilisch enters this weekend’s race at Atlanta fresh off his second NXS win last weekend in Pocono. He won for the second time this season and the third time in his 19-race career. The victory was his first in his career on an oval. Zilisch also became the fourth driver to win multiple races this season.
Zilisch enters this weekend with four consecutive top-five finishes, plus a win and a pole position in the last two races at Pocono and Mexico City. In 15 starts this season, Zilisch has two wins, five top-fives and seven top-10 finishes.
Zilisch won his fourth pole of the 2025 NXS season at Mexico City and the fifth of his career. His four poles are the most by any NXS driver this season.
The driver of the Blues Hog Chevrolet enters Atlanta fifth in the NXS driver standings, 14 points behind fourth-place Jesse Love and 46 ahead of sixth-place.
Connor Zilisch
“We were actually pretty good at Atlanta earlier this year until we got involved in a mess late in the race. Atlanta is really chaotic. It’s a mile-and-a-half but it races like a superspeedway and things happen really fast. We’re going to have to be on our toes and something I’ve been working on is understanding the balance of when to push and be aggressive and when to take it easy. I know this No. 88 crew will prepare a great car so as long as we can find that balance and stay out of trouble, I know this Blues Hog Chevrolet will be in contention for another win at the end.”
JRM Team Updates
JR Motorsports at EchoPark Speedway: JR Motorsports has competed at EchoPark Speedway a combined 75 times in the NXS since 2006. In those starts at the 1.54-mile track, the organization has recorded four wins, 20 top-fives and 43 top-10s. The average finish is 12.6.
Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Connor Zilisch will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / HMS-Byron/Bowman souvenir rig on Friday, June 27 at 1:20 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. ET
JRM PR
Motorsports
Former NASCAR Team Owner Larry McClure Has Died
Former NASCAR team owner Larry McClure has died, according to WCYB in Arlington, Va. A cause of death was not given. McClure was the co-owner of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, along with Tim Morgan and Jerry McClure. The team competed in NASCAR from 1983-2010. Several NASCAR veterans competed for McClure, including Mark Martin, Sterling Marlin and Ernie […]

Former NASCAR team owner Larry McClure has died, according to WCYB in Arlington, Va.
A cause of death was not given.
McClure was the co-owner of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, along with Tim Morgan and Jerry McClure. The team competed in NASCAR from 1983-2010.
Several NASCAR veterans competed for McClure, including Mark Martin, Sterling Marlin and Ernie Irvan. The biggest wins in the NASCAR Cup Series for the organization came in the Daytona 500, which the team won three times — twice with Marlin and once with Irvan.
Morgan-McClure last competed full time in the Cup Series in 2007 and last appeared at the track in 2010.

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