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Kyle Busch Highlights William Byron as an Exception to the Lack of Success of Drivers Who Buy Their Seats in NASCAR

Talent is not the only rope that a young driver can use to climb to the pinnacle of stock car racing. Money is a powerful tool — especially today, when sponsorship is vital to keeping teams operational. Kyle Busch knows this better than most, having been a team owner in the Craftsman Truck Series for […]

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Talent is not the only rope that a young driver can use to climb to the pinnacle of stock car racing. Money is a powerful tool — especially today, when sponsorship is vital to keeping teams operational. Kyle Busch knows this better than most, having been a team owner in the Craftsman Truck Series for over a decade.

The two-time Cup Series champion admitted this sad reality in a recent conversation with GOLF’s Subpar and pointed out an anomaly named William Byron, amidst a flurry of pay drivers who made it to NASCAR and stayed simply based on their family’s financial strength. Now a key driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Byron drove for Kyle Busch Motorsports back in 2016.

Busch pointed out how he was always on the lookout for skilled drivers who won races cleanly, considering the Truck Series was a feeder program for the higher tiers. It was at this time that he came across Byron and employed him. He said, “William Byron, for instance, had a sponsor. His dad helped him and funded him and stuff like that, but everything he got, he was talented. He worked at it.”

“He was very smart and diligent at it and did a great job of being able to understand the vehicles and how to make himself successful in those vehicles. And he won his way, all the way, to the top. Now, he’s in NASCAR being paid to race.” Byron is one of the most successful drivers in the sport and a crucial element in his team’s championship hopes.

How much does a driver have to pay to secure a NASCAR seat?

Sponsorship fuels team operations more than ever before. This has led to teams letting drivers race for them based on their ability to bring in funds alone. Busch, rather alarmingly, revealed in the interview how much it costs to buy a seat in each of the three national series.

“I would say the Cup Series is probably around six to eight million bucks. You can get a Cup seat,” he said. “Xfinity Series ride, if you’ve got between four and a half to six million. You can be in an Xfinity Series car. To run [in] Truck, you probably need three million bucks.”

Some current drivers raise questions about merit, with their presence owed more to money than performance. Unfortunately, the financial model of NASCAR allows them to be a part of the game regardless.



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Porsche young drivers take on Spa 24 Hours

Photo credit: Porsche Porsche Motorsport North America’s Selected Drivers series continues its global push this weekend as Laurens Hartog and Tom Sargent prepare to compete in the 24 Hours of Spa. Both drivers will pilot Porsche 911 GT3 R entries at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, with the race scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. EDT on […]

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Photo credit: Porsche

Photo credit: Porsche

Porsche Motorsport North America’s Selected Drivers series continues its global push this weekend as Laurens Hartog and Tom Sargent prepare to compete in the 24 Hours of Spa. Both drivers will pilot Porsche 911 GT3 R entries at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, with the race scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 28.

Hartog arrives fresh from a podium finish at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, while Sargent is making his Spa debut after racing at the Six Hours of Watkins Glen earlier this month. Hartog has twice won endurance events at Spa, including the Porsche 992 Endurance Cup 12-Hour and a 24-Hour Series race. Sargent earned a Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship runner-up spot in 2023 and captured a GT World Challenge victory with GMG Racing in 2024.

Both drivers were named to the PMNA Selected Drivers roster alongside Riley Dickinson in recognition of their success in Carrera Cup North America. Hartog is the defending series champion, and Sargent finished directly behind Dickinson in 2023. The Selected Drivers program provides manufacturer support, expanded race opportunities and mentorship across GT and endurance platforms.

Volker Holzmeyer, president and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America, praised the group’s international impact and wished them luck at what is billed as the world’s largest GT3-only event. In addition to Hartog’s Dinamic GT entry and Sargent’s Wright Motorsports lineup, a total of 75 GT3 cars from 10 manufacturers will contest the race across five driver-ranking classes.





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Dale Earnhardt Jr. trolls Hendrick Motorsports after NASCAR levied suspension

Feeling fresh off his first win as a crew chief in his first race on the box, Dale Earnhardt Jr. trolled his Hendrick Motorsports friends. Dale Jr. helped lead Connor Zilisch to the win at Pocono. It was the young NASCAR driver’s first win at an “oval” track. There was a bit of criticism, or […]

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Feeling fresh off his first win as a crew chief in his first race on the box, Dale Earnhardt Jr. trolled his Hendrick Motorsports friends. Dale Jr. helped lead Connor Zilisch to the win at Pocono. It was the young NASCAR driver’s first win at an “oval” track.

There was a bit of criticism, or more dismissal, over Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his first race as a crew chief. A few people were talking about “war rooms” and how connected the crew chiefs are to the tracks, even when they are suspended.

No matter the outside noise, Dale Jr. appears to want to do it again. Chase Elliott’s No. 17 car was taken back to the Research and Development Center for a teardown. Well, the Hendrick Xfinity Series team got caught with a “main frame rail conical receiver violation.”

Adam Wall was the crew chief, and he’s suspended for three races. So, Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he’s going to hit up Greg Ives and see if he can fill in for the 17 team.

Ives has been at Hendrick Motorsports for years, from mechanic to crew chief. In the Cup Series, he’s worked with Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Alex Bowman. He recently worked as the crew chief for JR Motorsports and Justin Allgaier in the Daytona 500.

Could Dale Jr. convince his former crew chief to let him work on the 17 car? I’m not so sure. Ives is helping develop Corey Day in the Xfinity Series in that car. Maybe they need a guy to catch tires on pit stops. Earnhardt proved he can do both at Pocono.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was thrilled to win as crew chief

With Mardy Lindley watching at home and helping as much as he could, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a great debut as crew chief. He also had his buddy Steve Letarte up there with him. So, Connor Zilisch was in good hands.

I mean, there were many chances that Earnhardt could have ruined things. He was on the pit box; he ultimately had the final say on things. If he made one decision for whatever reason against Lindley or Letarte’s advice, it could have cost them the race. Heck, he was grabbing tires! So, he could have easily caused a pit road penalty.

Besides, it was great to see him after the race. That win meant a lot to Dale Jr. However it got done, it got done.

“Yeah, it sure was [fun],” Earnhardt said on The CW broadcast after the win. “When we have an issue like this with somebody being suspended, and uh, Mardy and everybody, they know what to do. Just a great job, putting us in a position to succeed. And we had a lot of things go our way.

“A lot of good luck. Great strategy. Had a little help from Letarte up here. I wasn’t not gonna have Steve Letarte not get on this pit box after the races we won together in 2014. So, he was a big help. But Pat, everybody on this team, just amazing all weekend long. And what a great race car driver. Connor Zilisch is going to be a big deal in this sport for a long time. So, a lot of fun for me today!”



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Rick Ware Racing agrees to sell to T.J. Puchyr, who wants to expand team

According to a report from the Associated Press, T.J. Puchyr has entered into an agreement to purchase Rick Ware Racing and expand it into a three-car team by 2027. Now, many fans are likely wondering who Puchyr is, but it is a name familiar to those in the NASCAR garage. He is a former owner […]

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According to a report from the Associated Press, T.J. Puchyr has entered into an agreement to purchase Rick Ware Racing and expand it into a three-car team by 2027.

Now, many fans are likely wondering who Puchyr is, but it is a name familiar to those in the NASCAR garage. He is a former owner at Spire Motorsports alongside Jeff Dickerson, helping to build it into the strong organization it now is. They purchased Furniture Row Racing’s charter following the 2018 season and formed Spire together, which now runs three full-time entries and has contended for multiple race wins this year. Puchyr has since sold his stake in Spire and is no longer connected to the team.

Per the AP, the deal would keep Rick Ware’s son Cody as one of the drivers. RWR currently runs one full-time, charted car, but they are also leasing another charter to RFK Racing for the No. 60 Ford in a two-year agreement. RWR is also in the middle of a lawsuit with Legacy Motor Club, who claims RWR backed out of a signed deal and that they owe them a charter for the 2026 season. 

Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing Ford

Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing Ford

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 Ford Mustang is currently last in the championships standings among the 36 chartered teams, placing no higher than 24th in any race this year.

“I’ve won at everything I’ve done at every level, and I think we can compete with these guys,” said Puchyr in an interview with the Associated Press. “I think we can build it brick-by-brick and it’s going to take people, money and time. It’s not lost on me that [RWR] is the 36th-place car in the garage, we all see it. But I believe we can make this a competitive organization, even a winner.”

There are a lot of moving parts with this deal, and it will be fascinating to see how it unfolds in the months to follow. 

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Daniel Suárez Faces Trackhouse Future Turmoil After JGR Breakup and Sponsorship Betrayal

In a year marked by turmoil and uncertainty, NASCAR driver Daniel Suárez found himself at the center of a storm of betrayal and upheaval. The shocking details of his breakup with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) after Toyota and sponsors turned their backs on him have now come to light, revealing a tale of resilience and […]

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In a year marked by turmoil and uncertainty, NASCAR driver Daniel Suárez found himself at the center of a storm of betrayal and upheaval. The shocking details of his breakup with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) after Toyota and sponsors turned their backs on him have now come to light, revealing a tale of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

As the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across various industries, NASCAR was not spared from its effects. The 2020 season came to an abrupt halt, leaving teams scrambling to navigate the new normal of racing under strict protocols and financial strain. For Suárez, who had spent over four years at JGR, the sudden policy shifts and departures of key personnel created a sense of instability within the team. The Mexican driver admitted that it never felt like he was part of a winning environment, with crew chiefs and engineers constantly in flux.

The pandemic-induced sponsor cuts further exacerbated Suárez’s challenges, leading him to make multiple moves between teams, from Gibbs to Stewart-Haas, and eventually to Trackhouse Racing. Each transition tested his mettle and reinforced his focus on the ultimate prize. Suárez’s experience underscored the crucial role of trust in the world of NASCAR, where loyalty can quickly dissipate in the face of financial turmoil.

Speaking candidly on the Dale Jr. Dirty Mo podcast, Suárez revealed the harsh reality of dwindling sponsorships in the wake of the pandemic. What was once a promising partnership with Toyota and JGR crumbled as sponsor commitments evaporated, leaving the driver with limited resources to compete at the highest level. The financial strain was felt industry-wide, with NASCAR teams grappling with a significant drop in sponsorship revenue.

Despite the setbacks, Suárez approached each new opportunity with unwavering determination. His brief stint with Gaunt Brothers may not have yielded the desired results, but it showcased his relentless drive to succeed against all odds. Now, at Trackhouse Racing, Suárez faces another crossroads as his contract nears its end. With one win under his belt and a precarious position in the standings, the pressure is on for the Mexican driver to deliver results and secure his future in the sport.

As Suárez navigates the uncertainties of his racing career, his positive attitude and commitment to success have not gone unnoticed. Even in the face of potential upheaval at Trackhouse, the driver remains focused on achieving both personal glory and team success. The coming months will test Suárez’s resilience once again, as he strives to turn the lessons learned from past betrayals into a pathway to sustained competitiveness on the track.



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‘Truck & Tractor Pull’ to bring three nights of motorsports to Arcola

ARCOLA, Ind. (WPTA) – A truck & tractor pull is set to bring three nights of motorsports to western Allen County. From Thursday, June 26 to Saturday, June 28, the 2025 Arcola National Truck & Tractor Pull will be happening in Branning Park. The event held by the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department in partnership with […]

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ARCOLA, Ind. (WPTA) – A truck & tractor pull is set to bring three nights of motorsports to western Allen County.

From Thursday, June 26 to Saturday, June 28, the 2025 Arcola National Truck & Tractor Pull will be happening in Branning Park.

The event held by the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department in partnership with the National Tractor Pullers Association invites competitors and fans to take part in three nights of motorsports.

Gates open at 5 p.m. nightly, with pulls beginning at 7 p.m. Each night will feature a variety of vehicle classes.

RELATED: Husband-wife duo compete in Arcola Truck and Tractor Pull

Tickets for the event are $14 on Thursday for people 13 and up, $18 on Friday and Saturday for people 13 and up, $5 for children between the ages of 6 and 11, and free for children under the age of 6.

Founded in 1954 as part of Arcola Days, organizers say the Arcola National Truck & Tractor serves as a key fundraiser for the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department.

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Italian supercar set to debut at Monterey Motorsports Festival

The Monterey Motorsports Festival announced the U.S. debut of the Italian-made Perala S supercar during Car Week in August.The car will make its U.S. debut at Car Week. Under the hood, it has a 621 horsepower twin-turbo 3-liter V-6 engine. They say it was inspired by the Maserati Boomerang concept car from the 70s. Instead […]

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The Monterey Motorsports Festival announced the U.S. debut of the Italian-made Perala S supercar during Car Week in August.The car will make its U.S. debut at Car Week. Under the hood, it has a 621 horsepower twin-turbo 3-liter V-6 engine. They say it was inspired by the Maserati Boomerang concept car from the 70s. Instead of traditional doors, the entire front comes unhinged.If you want to get a glimpse of it in person, they plan to debut it at Car Week on August 16 at the Monterey Motorsports Festival. General admission tickets for adults run $119, with lower-priced options available for seniors and those under the age of 18.

The Monterey Motorsports Festival announced the U.S. debut of the Italian-made Perala S supercar during Car Week in August.

The car will make its U.S. debut at Car Week. Under the hood, it has a 621 horsepower twin-turbo 3-liter V-6 engine.

They say it was inspired by the Maserati Boomerang concept car from the 70s. Instead of traditional doors, the entire front comes unhinged.

If you want to get a glimpse of it in person, they plan to debut it at Car Week on August 16 at the Monterey Motorsports Festival.

General admission tickets for adults run $119, with lower-priced options available for seniors and those under the age of 18.



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