Motorsports
Alex Bowman Running Mexico City Race; Anthony Alfredo Will Be on Standby
NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman has been medically cleared to compete in Sunday’s Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Mexico, Hendrick Motorsports said in a pre-race advance. The Tucson, Arizona-native will indeed be driving his typical No. 48 Ally Financial Chevrolet in Sunday’s groundbreaking event for the NASCAR Cup Series, […]

NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman has been medically cleared to compete in Sunday’s Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Mexico, Hendrick Motorsports said in a pre-race advance.
The Tucson, Arizona-native will indeed be driving his typical No. 48 Ally Financial Chevrolet in Sunday’s groundbreaking event for the NASCAR Cup Series, which will be the first non-exhibition event outside of the United States since 1958, and the first in Mexico.
In last Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Bowman was involved in a multi-car accident at Lap 67, which saw his Hendrick Motorsports machine get hooked up the racetrack viciously into the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier.
Bowman was able to climb from the battered No. 48 under his own power and was subsequently checked and released from the infield care center.
After being evaluated this week for back pain following his hard crash at Michigan, Bowman will compete in the event. However, Anthony Alfredo, who does the majority of the team’s simulation work, will be on standby in case Bowman needs a relief driver at any point this weekend.
When speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90) earlier this week, Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, spoke to whether or not Bowman would be able to compete in Sunday’s event in Mexico City, saying the organization “[felt] confident that [Bowman] would be in the car.”
The 32-year-old driver has a history of injuries, which have kept him sidelined from the NASCAR Cup Series for two multi-race stints over the last three seasons, most recently in 2023.
At the tail-end of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, Bowman suffered a major impact at Texas Motor Speedway that caused a concussion, forcing him to leave the cockpit of the No. 48 for six events.
The following Spring, while competing in a sprint car race in West Burlington, Iowa, Bowman suffered a compression fracture to his vertebra in an accident with Conner Merrill, which forced him to sit out for three weeks.
Bowman, now cleared by medical professionals to compete, will get the opportunity to take on Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this weekend in Mexico City, with two practice sessions on Friday (1:30 PM ET and 3:00 PM ET), qualifying on Saturday (Noon ET), and the race on Sunday (3:00 PM ET).
Coverage for all NASCAR Cup Series on-track sessions will take place on Prime Video.
Motorsports
Introducing Rodin Motorsport’s Lucy Gould
At the start of this season, Lucy Gould became the first full-time female mechanic in Formula 2’s history. So we recently sat down with the Rodin Motorsport number three mechanic in Spielberg and she talk us through her role, how she has gotten to this point, and the advice she would give to anybody wanting […]

At the start of this season, Lucy Gould became the first full-time female mechanic in Formula 2’s history.
So we recently sat down with the Rodin Motorsport number three mechanic in Spielberg and she talk us through her role, how she has gotten to this point, and the advice she would give to anybody wanting to pursue a career in motorsport.
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT’S YOUR POSITION WITH THE TEAM?
“My name is Lucy Gould and I am a number three mechanic with Rodin Motorsport’s F2 team. So, that means supporting the number one and number two mechanics.”
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN THE TEAM?
“I have been working with Rodin Motorsport as a whole for three years now, but this is my first year with the F2 team.”
READ MORE: Joshua Duerksen on 2025 struggles, proving himself, and the support from Paraguay
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE ROLE?
“I got the role with Rodin Motorsport through work experience. I did a week in the factory in 2022, and I got offered the job by Stephanie Carlin. So, I started straight away, and I have not looked back since. I did some time with the Spanish F4 and F1 Academy teams, and I got approached by our F2 Team Manager Benn Huntingford, and he offered me a role as a support mechanic in F2.”
WHAT IS THE MAIN SKILL YOU NEED IN YOUR ROLE?
“The main skill I need for my role is to be able to adapt quite quickly. There is a lot more that I have had to learn coming into F2, because the car is quite different. But most importantly, it’s being able to learn and take direction, and it all becomes a lot easier the more practice and experience you get.
“I thought it was going to be quite a big challenge, making the step from F4 to F2, and there have been a lot of changes, but it has not been as difficult as I thought it would be. Everyone has been really welcoming and willing to helping me, so I feel really comfortable in the role I am in now.”
WHAT DOES AN AVERAGE RACE WEEKEND LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
“An average weekend for me is we come to the track on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and we set up the garage and prep the cars if we’ve been on a double or triple header. But if not, we normally prep the cars at the factory. Then we have setup and weigh bridge, and I normally help with the tyres, so they get mounted by Pirelli and then we get them back and we prep for the weekend and then send them back into parc ferme, so I normally help with that.
“Then we get to Friday, where we have Free Practice and Qualifying, making sure that everything is on the trolley ready to go to the pit lane, setting up the pitlane when we get there, making sure everything is where it needs to be. So, if there are any issues, we know exactly where everything is so that everything runs super smoothly.
READ MORE: Jak Crawford on title hopes, consistency and being the most in-form driver on the F2 grid
“The same goes for Qualifying, making sure we’ve got all the correct sets of tyres out. Then we will prep on a Friday evening for the Sprint Race on Saturday afternoon and the same goes, making sure we have all the correct equipment to go to pit lane, having our pitstop equipment just in case.
“Prep on a Saturday evening for the race on Sunday morning and it’s all the same again. Making sure we have everything we need, and obviously we do a pit stop in the Feature Race, so making sure we have the correct set of tyres out for the stop and then having our backup set out, and that can change during the race. The engineers can say we want this set, so I make sure I am always listening.”
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE TOUGHEST ASPECT OF YOUR JOB?
“I think being away from home a lot does take its toll, but I also really enjoy the travelling side of things. It’s good to get to experience different countries and places and I really enjoy being a part of a team.
“I also think for me personally, being a female, I struggle with the weight of some things, so it’s just making sure I go to the gym and lift some weights, so it’s easier for me, so I can do more of the same stuff that the guys do.
STAT ATTACK: The key numbers behind the first eight rounds of 2025
“Even just things like lifting the wheels, they are quite heavy, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. But I really enjoy my job, I don’t think there is anything I find super difficult enough to deter me away from it.”
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
“I personally feel the best part of my job is the racing. I have always loved racing, so getting to be part of a Championship like F2, where you have the pit stop, and it is so competitive, and we follow an F1 weekend, so I really enjoy coming away for race weekends.
“It’s also a really nice feeling when you get a podium or win as a team. Everyone is on such a high and it carries on to the next weekend as well. But other than that, I really enjoy being a part of a team, and learning new aspects of motorsport, not just the car, I like learning all around. I am into asking people lots of questions about their job and learning as much as I can.”
ANY FUNNY STORIES FROM YOUR TIME WITH THE TEAM SO FAR?
“I think there are many things I have done that are funny. But we do all like to have a joke around with each other, that is a nice part of it. We all work together but we all get along really well, so we can have a joke around with each other. Sometimes we play pranks. but normally it’s just being silly, and of course professional.”
Bruno Michel’s Double-Header Debrief: Intrigue heading into Round 9
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO DO WHAT YOU DO?
“The best advice I could give is really annoying because it is so basic and everyone says it, but it is to get work experience. I would not be doing what I am doing now without it.
“It’s really difficult to learn anything online because the majority of roles in motorsport are such hands-on jobs, so I found the most beneficial thing for me to do is to get work experience, and of course it consisted of me having to email all sorts of different teams.
“Sometimes you don’t hear back, and sometimes it’s a no, so it can be difficult to keep the confidence and to have the perseverance to keep asking. But you have to be persistent and eventually you will get somebody that will reply to you and give you an offer.
“The only way to get experience is to do it. Everyone says they want someone who is experienced, so you need to find a way to get into it. It can be a day at a racetrack, a week in a factory, not just with an F1 team or F2, F3, F4 team but it can be in karting, or a form of supercars or GTs. Basically, anywhere that is a semi-professional race team. It’s just great experience.”
Motorsports
2025 NASCAR Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Odds and Predictions
On Sunday, July 20, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Dover Motor Speedway for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. This event marks the 21st race of the season and the fourth round of the In-Season Challenge. More commonly known as “The Monster Mile,” Dover is an intermediate track that has similar characteristics of a short […]

On Sunday, July 20, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Dover Motor Speedway for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. This event marks the 21st race of the season and the fourth round of the In-Season Challenge.
More commonly known as “The Monster Mile,” Dover is an intermediate track that has similar characteristics of a short track. This venue has been a part of NASCAR since 1969, when Richard Petty won the first race here.
Last weekend, Shane van Gisbergen won another road race as he dominated the Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma. It was his third win in the last five races. All three wins were on road courses.
This weekend, Denny Hamlin comes in as the odds-on favorite to win the NASCAR Dover race. He’s followed by Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Chase Elliott. SVG is a massive +30000 longshot on the concrete mile.
In addition to the field trying to win this race, the In-Season Challenge will see the final four drivers battle it out for the right to race in the finals next week.
With that said, let’s take a look at the latest NASCAR Dover odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites, and make our Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 predictions for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Dover Motor Speedway.
Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Race Profile
Dover Motor Speedway (DMS) was formerly known as Dover International Speedway up until a few years ago. So, you might still see sources calling it by that name.
The track broke ground in October 1967, and held it’s first Cup Series race in July 1969. “The King” Richard Petty won the first two races and three of the first four at this track.
Dover used to hold two annual races each season. However, the second event was taken off in 2021, and given to Nashville.
DMS is a one-mile, oval-shaped track with a concrete surface (1995). It features four turns with high banking of 24 degrees and two straights with nine-degree banking.
Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 breaks down as follows:
- Total Miles: 400 miles
- Total Laps: 400 laps
- Stage 1: 120 laps
- Stage 2: 130 laps
- Final Stage: 150 laps
The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 will begin at 2pm ET live on TNT and MAX.
Recent Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Winners
The great Jimmie Johnson holds the record for the most wins at Dover with 11. Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson’s old team, has the record for the most victories at Dover with 22. Kyle Busch leads all active drivers with three wins at DMS.
The following is a list of the most recent winners:
- 2024: Denny Hamlin
- 2023: Martin Truex Jr.
- 2022: Chase Elliott
- 2021: Alex Bowman
- 2020: Denny Hamlin
- 2019: Martin Truex Jr.
- 2018: Kevin Harvick
- 2017: Jimmie Johnson
- 2016: Matt Kenseth
- 2015: Jimmie Johnson
In regards to this specific Dover race, Johnson holds the record with six wins. Bobby Allison sits in second with five victories. Hendrick Motorsports has won this Dover event 12 times. Hamlin and Busch are the only active drivers with multiple wins in this Dover race.
NASCAR Dover Odds
Check out the latest Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 odds:
NASCAR Odds | NASCAR Odds |
---|---|
Denny Hamlin +375 | Kyle Larson +500 |
Ryan Blaney +700 | William Byron +700 |
Chase Elliott +900 | Ross Chastain +1200 |
Christopher Bell +1200 | Tyler Reddick +1600 |
Chase Briscoe +1600 | Alex Bowman +1800 |
Kyle Busch +2000 | Ty Gibbs +2500 |
Carson Hocevar +2500 | Brad Keselowski +3000 |
Chris Buescher +3000 | Joey Logano +3000 |
Josh Berry +3500 | Ryan Preece +4000 |
Bubba Wallace +6000 | Austin Cindric +6000 |
Denny Hamlin is the clear-cut odds-on favorite to win this race. He’s the defending race winner and has multiple Dover wins in his career. However, drivers like Larson, Blaney, Byron, and Elliott are right on his rear bumper.
Continue reading below to see my breakdown of the betting favorites along with provided some value plays and a longshot driver. You can also compare my picks with the best handicappers.
Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Favorites
The following drivers are considered by oddsmakers to be the odds-on favorites to win the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400:
Denny Hamlin +375
- Standings: 5
- Win: 3
- Top 5: 9
- Top 10: 10
For the second time in his last three races, Denny Hamlin has finished 20th or worse. It led him to slip from fourth to fifth in the standings.
However, Hamlin heads to Dover where he’s had plenty of success at over the years. In 34 DMS starts, Hamlin has two wins, eight Top 5s, 16 Top 10s, and a 15.6 average finish.
Hamlin won last year’s race, has two Top 5 results in a row, and has three Top 7s in the last four races which he’s led laps in, as well.
The #11 car absolutely dominated the race last year as he led 136 of the 400 laps. That was nearly 70 more laps led than Truex Jr., who had led the second most laps.
I think Hamlin is a Top 10 car with a race-winning ceiling. However, I don’t think his odds offer any value from winning the race through a Top 10 result. It’s a risky bet with Hamlin considering other drivers offer more value and have better average finishes.
Kyle Larson +500
- Standings: 3
- Win: 3
- Top 5: 9
- Top 10: 12
Kyle Larson is one of the drivers that offer better value than Hamlin. In 16 DMS starts, Larson has one win, eight Top 5s, 12 Top 10s and leads the field with an 8.2 average finish.
Larson finished runner up last year to Hamlin and has five Top 6 finishes in the last six races at Dover. He has four Top 3s over that span and won at DMS in the fall of 2019.
I prefer the value with Larson over Hamlin and think he has just as good of a chance at winning this race on Sunday.
Ryan Blaney +700
- Standings: 7
- Win: 1
- Top 5: 7
- Top 10: 8
Ryan Blaney is another favorite that I am fading his race-winning odds this weekend. The #12 car has two Top 7s in a row, but only one Top 5 and four Top 10s in 14 overall DMS starts. His 17.4 average finish is well below other favorites and he seems to be slightly below drivers like Larson, Hamlin, Elliott and others.
I wouldn’t touch Blaney this weekend unless it’s in a driver matchup where you are picking him to lose. Sure, he could finish in the Top 5, but his Dover resume suggests more of a 12-17 range.
William Byron +700
- Standings: 1
- Win: 1
- Top 5: 7
- Top 10: 11
William Byron’s lead in the driver standings has shrunk to just 14 points over his teammate Chase Elliott. And, he comes into Dover with just one Top 10 in the last four races. In fact, he has two crashes in the last three races and three finishes of 27th or worse in the last four events.
This is definitely a driver in a slump. And, his Dover resume doesn’t give us confidence either. In 10 DMS starts, Byron has three Top 5s, four Top 10s and a 14.9 average finish. He crashed out of last year’s race and has two finishes of 22nd or worse in his last three Dover starts.
Byron is capable of sneaking into the Top 5 this weekend, but I wouldn’t bet on it. He’s highly overvalued this weekend like Blaney is. I would skip the #24 altogether on Sunday.
Chase Elliott +900
- Standings: 2
- Win: 1
- Top 5: 7
- Top 10: 11
Unlike Blaney and Byron, I’m high on Chase Elliott this weekend in Dover. In fact, he’s one of my top plays this weekend.
In 14 DMS starts, Elliott has two wins, 10 Top 5s, 10 Top 10s, and a 9.5 average finish which is the second best among the field.
Elliott has a win and three Top 5s in the last four Dover races. In fact, outside of two DNFs (crash and blown engine), Elliott has 12 Top 12s.
I believe Elliott is a Top 10 driver with a race winning ceiling on Sunday. And I love his value for a Top 5 finish which I will go into more detail further below.
Ross Chastain +1200
- Standings: 8
- Win: 1
- Top 5: 3
- Top 10: 9
Ross Chastain sits inside the Top 10 of the driver standings. However, I think he’s also slightly overvalued this week. Chastain has just two Top 5s and two Top 10s in 10 DMS starts. Those results came in the last three DMS races.
Chastain was 12th last year, but 2nd in 2023, and 3rd in 2022. He also led laps in those two races where he finished in the Top 3.
With that said, Chastain has just one Top 10 in the last five Cup Series races, which was two weeks ago in Chicago. He finished 24th last weekend. Prior to the two road course races, Chastain was 26th at Pocono and 33rd in Atlanta.
I really don’t feel confident in Chastain finishing higher than the 8 to 13 range.
The Best Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Betting Value
The following drivers are my NASCAR picks for the best betting value in the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 based on their previous success at the Dover International Speedway:
Tyler Reddick +1600
- Standings: 4
- Win: 0
- Top 5: 5
- Top 10: 8
In six Dover starts, Reddick has two Top 10s and a 14.5 average finish. He’s completed every start, which is more than we can say about half of the field. Reddick has a 9.0 average finish in the last two DMS races.
Of the Top 9 drivers in the standings, Reddick is the only one without a win. However, he’s heating up on the season. Reddick has three straight Top 6 finishes from Atlanta to Chicago to Sonoma. These are three very different races, as well.
Another reason why I like Reddick this weekend is due to his chance of advancing to the final round of the In-Season Challenge. The #45 car is the top driver left in the field. Yet, he will battle Ty Gibbs who is my other value bet this weekend.
I think both of these drivers have a chance at finishing in the Top 10 on Sunday. With that said, I am leaning towards Reddick to score a higher finish, but barely.
Ty Gibbs +2500
- Standings: 17
- Win: 0
- Top 5: 3
- Top 10: 5
Like Reddick, Ty Gibbs is coming on strong over the last two months. In his last six Cup races, Gibbs has two Top 5s, three Top 10s, and six Top 14s. He was 7th at Sonoma last weekend and runner up at Chicago two weeks ago.
In two Dover races, Gibbs has an 11.5 average finish as he was 13th in 2023, and 10th last year. He edged out Reddick by one spot last year.
This weekend, I think Reddick gets the better by one. However, I do like Gibbs Top 10 odds of +140. There’s value here and it’s a safer play than his race-winning odds.
The most risk I would take for Gibbs is his Top 5 odds of +400. That’s also better than Reddick’s at +275. However, I feel more comfortable with the duo finishing in the 6-11 range than cracking the Top 5. Yet, with a chance for advancing in the tournament, anything can happen.
The Top Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Longshot
Joey Logano +3000 is my top longshot pick for the second week in a row. I stated to skips his race-winning odds and jump on the reigning Cup Series Champ for a Top 10 pick at Sonoma. And, Logano came through with a 9th place result.
Although his Top 10 odds aren’t as high as last weekend, he still has a +160 line to finish in the Top 10. Logano has three Top 10s in the last six Dover races and five in the last nine. He sports 15 Top 10s in 28 DMS starts, which is a 53.6% Top 10 finishing rate.
Logano has averaged a 10.0 finish in the last two Cup Series races. Take a flier on a second consecutive Top 10 result.
Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Predictions
Will the real Kyle Larson please stand up. One of the top drivers in the Cup Series has not finished better than 7th in the last five races. He hasn’t won since Kansas, which was nine races and nearly three months ago.
With that said, I think we’re going to see the dominant Larson return this weekend. And, with a field of drivers that aren’t any better than the #5 car at Dover, over the last few years, you have to like his chances.
Larson has five Top 6 finishes in the last six DMS races. He was runner up last year to Hamlin and also won in 2019. A poor car in 2023, is the one blemish on his record since 2016. If u ignore that result, then Larson has five Top 5s, eight Top 10s, and nine Top 12s in the nine other races since then.
The only other drivers I feel confident in contending for the checkered flag are Elliott, Hamlin and the surprise pick of Alex Bowman, who I will break down in more detail below. I’m taking Larson to win in Dover and regain some much-needed momentum for the Playoffs in six weeks.
NASCAR Dover Prop Bets
Check out the following NASCAR prop bets for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400:
Either To Finish In The Top 3 at Dover
I really like these two Hendrick Motorsports teammates. In fact, if you add Larson, then I’m super high on three of Hendrick’s four drivers. I’m not as confident in William Byron this weekend.
Elliott and Bowman have combined to finish in the Top 3 in two of the last four Dover races. They’ve also won two of the last four DMS events.
Bet: Bowman or Elliott (+150)
The Best Top 5 Bet for Dover
Chase Elliott (+160) has the best Top 5 finishing rate at 71.4%. He’s tallied 10 Top 5s in 14 starts, which includes three in the last four races. Over that span, Elliott has a 5.0 average finish. The #9 car was 5th last year, 11th in 2023, won the race in 2022, and finished third in 2021.
Bet: Chase Elliott (+160)
The Best Top 10 Bet for Dover
Alex Bowman (+300) is a sneaky play this weekend, and I love the value that he provides for a Top 10 finish. Bowman has one win, five Top 5s, and six Top 10s in 13 starts.
However, the #48 car tallied all of that success in the last seven DMS races. Bowman finished in the Top 3 for both races in 2019. He has four Top 8s in the last four races, which includes winning the 2021 edition of this event.
You would be hard pressed to find a better Top 10 pick that combines success and results like Bowman does.
Winning Manufacturer
- Chevrolet (+100)
- Toyota (+175)
- Ford (+320)
Ford has just one win in the last nine Dover races. Toyota has four over that span, as does Chevy. However, Toyota has won the last two editions of this race.
With that said, I am still taking Chevy to win. The manufacturer has been on a tear as of late. I love the chances of Larson, Bowman, and Elliott this weekend. Let’s also not forget that Kyle Busch drives a chevy and he has three wins at Dover.
Team of Race Winner
- Hendrick Motorsports (+145)
- Joe Gibbs Racing (+190)
- Team Penske (+550)
- Trackhouse Racing (+1200)
- RFK Racing (+1200)
- 23XI Racing (+1400)
- Richard Childress Racing (+2000)
- Spire Motorsports (+2200)
Let’s hedge our bets here. I have rolled with Hendrick Motorsports for most of the prop bets and the race winning prediction. But I am going to hedge this approach with Joe Gibbs Racing for this prop bet. Hamlin is the odds-on favorite to win this race. JGR has won the last two editions of this race, as well.
I think Ty Gibbs offers value, and I will never count out a driver like Christopher Bell who has two Top 6s in the last three DMS races.
Bet: Joe Gibbs Racing (+190)
Winning Car Number
- Over 12.5 (+100)
- Under 12.5 (-130)
Since we’re not on road courses, and don’t have SVG as a contender this weekend, we can get back to the basics and that means siding with the top drivers in the Cup Series like Hamlin, Elliott and Larson.
All three drivers are Under 12.5 and are some of the favorites to win this race. With this option, we also have drivers like Blaney, Chastain, Busch, Cindric, and Keselowski.
Over the last 11 Dover races, there have been seven different winners. Of those seven winners, two are retired in Truex and Harvick. Of the five remaining winners, four of them are Under 12.5.
Motorsports
Columbus’ motorsports history: interview with Bobby Rahal
Central Ohio once had a thriving auto racing scene, sparking curiosity from a Curious Cbus viewer about Columbus’ rich motorsports history. Legendary racer and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal shares how Columbus became home to vibrant grassroots racing, the Columbus 500 and helped launch national talent. “The history of motor racing in the state […]

Central Ohio once had a thriving auto racing scene, sparking curiosity from a Curious Cbus viewer about Columbus’ rich motorsports history. Legendary racer and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal shares how Columbus became home to vibrant grassroots racing, the Columbus 500 and helped launch national talent.
“The history of motor racing in the state of Ohio goes way back,” said racing legend Bobby Rahal. “Really probably as far back as Indiana and Indianapolis in itself.”
Ohio once hosted numerous dirt tracks and road circuits, including the famed Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, which opened in the early 1960s and the Put-in-Bay races of the 1950s.
“It truly was grassroots,” Rahal recalled. “Every car dealer had a team…every auto parts store had a car or was involved in it.”
Columbus itself was home to the Columbus Motor Speedway and the Columbus 500, a street race that brought international attention to the city.
“The Columbus 500 was a significant race because it brought IMSA European-style racing into the streets of Columbus, Ohio,” Rahal explained. “Some of the best drivers in the world came to the streets in Columbus and competed for a trophy that was highly sought after.”
The area also nurtured local talent. Drivers like Bob Johnson, Don Sessler, and Chuck Dietrich found national success, helping to cement Ohio’s place in American motorsports.
Though many of the local tracks have since closed, the spirit of racing remains strong.
“The passion, the fervor for racing is as strong today in the Columbus area as it ever was,” Rahal said. “I don’t see that going away.”
Motorsports
Dover Motor Speedway set to debut ‘Miles Beach’ for NASCAR weekend
A Volkswagen Bug is now a Pokemon Car that talks and sings in Camden Take a peek inside the Volkswagen Bug that has been customized into a talking and singing Pokemon Car in Camden. Benjamin Chambers, Delaware News Journal Dover Motor Speedway will transform into “Miles Beach” from July 17-20. Here are some fun events […]


A Volkswagen Bug is now a Pokemon Car that talks and sings in Camden
Take a peek inside the Volkswagen Bug that has been customized into a talking and singing Pokemon Car in Camden.
Benjamin Chambers, Delaware News Journal
- Dover Motor Speedway will transform into “Miles Beach” from July 17-20.
- Here are some fun events from “Miles Beach.”
- This year, NASCAR weekend collides with the Delaware State Fair.
“Flip-flops and freedom” might become the unofficial theme when NASCAR fans meet boardwalk bliss at Dover Motor Speedway’s new “Miles Beach” makeover during race weekend.
The Monster Mile will transform into “Miles Beach” from July 17 to 20.
Miles Beach will be located in the Speedway’s Fan Zone and feature dozens of family-friendly events and beach-themed attractions, many of which will be free, including for guests not attending the races.
Here’s what to know about Miles Beach and some fun highlights that will be on tap there and how to get Dover race tickets. We also have a traffic guide for the race, as Miles Beach overlaps with the first weekend of the Delaware State Fair (July 17-20).
600 tons of sand and more at Miles Beach in Dover
Miles Beach will be decorated with 600 tons of sand to create a beach area with lots of seating and shade, plus a boardwalk (at the entrance), palm trees, beach balls, Adirondack chairs, vintage cars and beach grass, according to a press release from Dover Motor Speedway. There also will be a 25-foot-tall lighthouse.
World’s Largest Rubber Duck is coming to Monster Mile
Dover will squeeze The World’s Largest Duck when it visits Miles Beach. The yellow duck is 60 feet tall and weighs 15.5 tons. This duck is super photogenic.
White Lightning Bar + Arcade at Dover Motor Speedway
This indoor/outdoor spot will be on tap all weekend and offers a full bar with Anheuser-Busch products, plus over a dozen classic arcade favorites.
Tasty food and drinks at Dover Motor Speedway
Guests can enjoy the First State’s Orange Crushes, Dolle’s salt-water taffy and popcorn, crispy boardwalk fries, and a variety of ice cream delights and other beach-inspired nibbles.
Live appearances and performances from the Miles Beach Stage
The weekend will be full of entertainment and celebrity and NASCAR driver appearances. There will be performances on and around Miles Beach by the Mariachi Arrieros Band, Trinidad North Steel Drum Band, The Red Hot Ramblers and Homestead Bluegrass Band. More performances will be announced.
When is Miles Beach at Dover Motor Speedway?
- July 17: 3 to 9 p.m. (THOR Camper Welcome Party)
- July 18: Noon to 9 p.m.
- July 19: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monster Mile Bash)
- July 20: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kids tickets for NASCAR Dover race
Kids 12 and under get in free to the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series at Dover Motor Speedway with a ticketed adult and get in for just $10 for the NASCAR Cup Series race. NOTE: Not available in all sections; race weekend tickets may be limited. Limit four per ticketed adult in certain grandstand sections. Tickets are required for gate entry for all guests, regardless of age.
Tickets for NASCAR Dover race
Sunday tickets: Simple as it gets, tickets are available for the NASCAR Dover race on July 20.
Triple Access Package: This is a deal for race fans who want to experience a little more than just the race. This package provides fans with two Sunday tickets in the turns, two Frontstretch Access passes before the race and a parking pass for the race.
Multi-day tickets: Fans can get in to see all three races of the Dover tripleheader, including the ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series, and save money along the way. Fans will be able to add July 18 and tickets for both ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series races for just $50, plus fees, and July 19 tickets for the NASCAR Xfinity Series for just $30, plus fees.
What roads will be closed for NASCAR at Dover Motor Speedway?
DelDOT is closing Leipsic Road to through traffic from Route 13 to Persimmon Tree Lane from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 18, July 19 and July 20. This is mainly to help traffic flow after the races are done each day, according to Charles “C.R.” McLeod, director of community relations for DelDOT.
When will traffic be the worst during NASCAR at Dover Motor Speedway?
The DelDOT spokesperson said he expects the heaviest event-related traffic in and around Dover will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 20, as race fans head to the track.
That would be a good time to avoid unnecessary travel on Route 13 and use an alternate route since “we expect heavy traffic volume,” McLeod said.
Traffic is also expected to be thicker than Texas toast when the race ends during the evening.
McLeod said this will also cause congestion when you add northbound traffic heading home from the beaches, so those travelers will want to also keep that in mind when thinking about what time they pass through Dover.
DelDOT’s special event staff will be present at both NASCAR and the State Fair, helping to keep traffic moving as best as possible, McLeod said.
“We ask people for their patience and caution both in Dover and Harrington as these two large-scale events are happening.”
Free shuttle bus to and from Christiana Mall on July 20
On July 20, a free shuttle bus is available starting at 8 a.m. at the Christiana Mall to Dover Motor Speedway. The “race express” bus will be near Nordstrom at the park-and-ride site. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information and the bus schedule, call shuttle provider Advance Student Transportation at (302) 998-6726.
When are the NASCAR races at Dover Motor Speedway?
July 18 from 5-7 p.m.: General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series race (on FS1).
July 19 from 4:30-7 p.m.: BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race (on The CW, Performance Racing Network).
July 20 from 2-6 p.m.: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race (on TNT, Performance Racing Network). For more information, visit dovermotorspeedway.com.
The Tennessean reporter Austin Chastain, and News Journal reporter Ben Mace contributed to this report.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
Motorsports
Platinum-selling DJ Dillon Francis to Headline Monterey Motorsports Festival during Car Week
MONTEREY, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2025 / DJ Dillon Francis will be the first headline act to ever appear at Monterey Car Week when he plays a live set at the Monterey Motorsports Festival on August 16. He’ll play a 75min set to close out the show on the Monterey Arena Stage […]

MONTEREY, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2025 / DJ Dillon Francis will be the first headline act to ever appear at Monterey Car Week when he plays a live set at the Monterey Motorsports Festival on August 16. He’ll play a 75min set to close out the show on the Monterey Arena Stage from 9:45PM during the event that runs from 5-11PM on Saturday night.
As its name suggests, Monterey Motorsports Festival is about cars, music and culture. For car enthusiasts, the 22-acre Monterey Fairgrounds – located just three miles from Cannery Row – will be packed with vehicles from every genre. Standout attractions announced to date include the exclusive Car Week appearance of New Zealand drifter and Red Bull athlete, Mad Mike with his MADMAC P1 – a 1000hp Rotary-engined McLaren. Plus the Giugiaro-designed Peralta S will make its US debut and first public appearance since it was unveiled to its owner earlier this year. We’ll have many more automotive announcements in the weeks leading up to the show itself.
For music fans, the Monterey Motorsports Festival will be headlined by platinum-selling superstar DJ, producer and entertainer Dillon Francis. He’s known both for his unique sound – combining EDM, Latin, Trap, and even pop influences into dance anthems – as well as unforgettable live performances, allowing him to carve out a unique position in the world of electronic dance music.
Francis burst onto the scene in 2010 and soon became a founding member of the Moombahton movement before releasing hits such as Get Low (with DJ Snake), Coming Over (with Kygo), and Anywhere . He’s since become a staple at the world’s biggest music festivals, playing everywhere from Coachella and Lollapalooza to EDC and Ultra Music Festival. Francis has also collaborated with a wide range of artists including Diplo, Calvin Harris, Brendon Urie, BabyJake, Yung Gravy, and more.
You can catch Dillon Francis live at Monterey Motorsports Festival 2025, where he’ll headline the Arena Stage on Saturday, August 16, 2025, closing out a night of music, motors, and high-octane celebration during Monterey Car Week.
Supporting him will be musical acts including The Outlaw Mariachi ( @theoutlawmariachi ) with their own brand of Mariachi-style cover-band rock as well as Don’t Stop Believing ( @DSBband ), rated as the best Journey cover band in the world. There will also be local bands Latin Jazz Collective and Sensory Tribe to keep the party rolling.
Anybody who doesn’t want to miss the only appearance of Dillon Francis, Mad Mike, the Peralta S, and many more attractions can obtain tickets now from montereymotorsportsfestival.com .
Motorsports
Legacy sues T.J. Puchyr for “underhanded attempt” to buy RWR
There are at least five different lawsuits going on at the moment in relation to charter disputes in NASCAR, and three of them involve Legacy Motor Club as either the plaintiff or defendant. After suing Rick Ware Racing for allegedly backtracking on a signed contract to sell a charter to Legacy for 2026, RWR has since countersued […]

There are at least five different lawsuits going on at the moment in relation to charter disputes in NASCAR, and three of them involve Legacy Motor Club as either the plaintiff or defendant.
After suing Rick Ware Racing for allegedly backtracking on a signed contract to sell a charter to Legacy for 2026, RWR has since countersued Legacy. While Legacy claims they have a signed Charter Purchase Agreement for a 2026 charter, RWR claims they are trying to take a charter other than the one originally agreed upon.
And while this is unfolding, a report from the Associated Press has emerged, saying that T.J. Puchyr had entered into an agreement to purchase all of Rick Ware Racing.
In this latest suit, they claim Puchyr is wrongfully interfering with Legacy’s attempt to purchase a charter from RWR. This comes after Judge Daniel A. Kuehnert warned RWR that they could face “serious ramifications” if they tried to sell, despite previously indicating in court that they had no such plans.
Puchyr was working with Legacy?

John Hunter Nemechek, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota
Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images
Legacy revealed in a filing this week that Puchyr was actually working with the team as an “Independent Contractor Agreement” through his consulting firm, Rucus. They also say he had direct knowledge of their purchase agreement with RWR as he helped to broker it before making his own offer to buy the race team in the midst of this charter dispute.
In the suit, Legacy claims, “As part of that agreement, Mr. Puchyr was given access to confidential and sensitive business information so that he could promote Legacy and its principals in order to help Legacy secure (a) sponsorship deal. Legacy trusted Mr. Puchyr. By engaging Mr. Puchyr, Legacy expected him to act with integrity and to refrain from actions that would undermine Legacy’s operations, reputation, or competitive standing. It further expected Mr. Puchyr to avoid any conflicts of interest, disclose any circumstances that might compromise his impartiality, and comply with ethical standards that reinforce Legacy’s trust in his services.”
They go on to say that he has betrayed their trust and is now interfering in their ongoing legal battle with RWR as he aims to buy the entire organization. They make serious accusations against Puchyr, saying he has “worked behind the scenes to upend Legacy’s deal with RWR,” adding: “He has openly and proudly boasted about his malfeasance, criticizing Legacy and its principals, while touting his underhanded attempt to strip Legacy of its bargained-for right to Charter from RWR.”
Legacy also claims Puchyr made “personal attacks” against Legacy’s co-owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson. Per the filing, Puchyr said he didn’t think Johnson “‘has all the facts, doesn’t understand the deal we had’ and ‘tried to humiliate Rick publicly.'”
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