Motorsports

Austin Dillon only crashes the NASCAR playoffs this time at Richmond

Published

5 months ago

August 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Well, that changes everything.

Or nearly ’bout everything.

And who saw it coming?

Sure, the stats would suggest an Austin Dillon win at Richmond wasn’t out of the question. Of all Cup Series tracks where he’s made at least nine career starts, it’s his third best in terms of average finishes.

Also, a third of his career wins have come at Richmond. Yeah, that’s only two of six total victories, but still, Richmond seems to be the place where Dillon is less, you know, mid-packy. “Tire management” is largely credited, as if tires aren’t used at all those tracks where Dillon is, yep, mid-packy.

Whatever, we’re now up to 14 different winners for 2025, with a real chance to get to 15 this week at Daytona. Alex Bowman will surely volunteer to grab a trophy, if some of those dudes would just get the hell out of his way.

More about that, and some other items, including Dillon’s public service announcement on ladder safety, as we work that old-school H-pattern shifter and get up to speed.

First Gear: Austin Dillon better in cockpit than on ladder

Dillon will belatedly make his sixth appearance in the Cup Series playoffs, beginning in two weeks at Darlington.

Belatedly? He thinks it should’ve come last year when he also won at Richmond, but that win was a little too rough around the edges (and fenders) for NASCAR’s liking, so the trophy stayed but the playoff ticket was ripped up.

In his five previous playoff trips, he’s made it through the opening Round of 16 twice, and both times he didn’t get past the Round of 12.

Austin Dillon wins again at Richmond:

He led 107 laps, the first time the no. 3 car led 100+ lap in a Cup race since the 1998 Daytona 500 (also 107 laps) pic.twitter.com/Y2xVpasp3Y

— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) August 17, 2025

Dillon began racing full time in the Cup Series in 2014, and though his six wins are more than a lot of guys, right or wrong, he’s often labeled as an underachiever leaning heavily on family leverage — grandpa Richard Childress is the team owner, of course.

Driving RCR’s famed No. 3 Chevy might help with marketing efforts, but it comes with lofty expectations considering the Dale Earnhardt-sized shadow looming over the familiar styling of that number on the car’s side.

There was nothing fluky or controversial about Dillon’s Richmond dominance. He and the No. 3 team earned it, and to think, the driver was playing hurt and, yes, here comes that public service announcement.

Be careful on ladders. Even at the young age of 35, Dillon learned that lesson the hard way. He says he’s been nursing a broken rib for the past few weeks. Fell off a ladder trying to fetch his bow-hunting gear, landed on the bow case and broke the seventh rib on his right side.

He proceeded to finish 10th at Iowa, 15th at Watkins Glen, then first at Richmond. He wears it well, it seems.

I’m not sure what reviews you’ve read about broken ribs, but Dillon confirms the rumors.

“It’s been pretty painful,” he said post-Richmond.

Second Gear: We all feel Alex Bowman’s frustration

We’ve all been there. Right lane full of stragglers, left lane available for overtaking … except for a couple of interlopers who assume doing 48 in a 45 is worthy of left-lane acceptance.

In our case, we’re just in a hurry to get to work, get home from work, or maybe get to Happy Hour before the Miller Lite draft returns to full price.

Bowman was trying to win a race at the highest level of stock-car racing, as well as clinch a playoff spot and, we’re assuming, trigger some financial incentives attached to both. Except, he suggested afterward, “they hate us.”

Bowman’s in-race frustration over the team radio seemed to focus on a group of racers including Shane van Gisbergen, John Hunter Nemechek, Erik Jones and Jesse Love. Mostly SVG, actually — a fellow Chevy driver, no less.

Seemed like the thing Alex Bowman was most upset about in the last 10 laps was the way Shane van Gisbergen raced him, which impeded his progress despite SVG being a lap down not racing anyone.

Looked like Bowman weaved in front of SVG on cooldown and made a hand gesture. pic.twitter.com/Sk7HixLGo6

— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) August 17, 2025

Clogged, stubborn traffic in Bowman’s windshield might not have been fully responsible for preventing him from catching Dillon and making a race of it at the end, but it sure didn’t help.

“A couple of favors,” is what Bowman said he needed to catch Dillon and attempt to pass in the final laps.

“I certainly think we had the better car, but unfortunately, I didn’t get there,” he said.

Bowman started the year in decent fashion before slumping through spring. He’s been very consistent since mid-June but remains winless and now sits atop the playoff bubble as the last guy making the playoffs on points. If there’s another first-time 2025 winner at Daytona, he’s rooting for Alex Bowman.

Or Tyler Reddick, who’s also winless but a mile ahead of Bowman in points.

Third Gear: Chase Elliott crashes, William Byron cleans up

When Chase Elliott hit the wall near the midway point at Richmond, scattered among the debris were 15 playoff points happily swept up by William Byron.

Elliott got the worst of that 11-car dust-up and left Richmond in 38th place out of 38 entries. He entered Richmond 42 points behind Byron in the regular-season point standings, and the odds were already long.

Byron happily goes to Daytona with a wad of house money in his pocket. He finished a modest 12th at Richmond, but Elliott’s early departure was enough to clinch the regular-season championship and those 15 playoff bonus points.

NASCAR has been awarding the regular-season championship since 2017. None of the past three regular-season champs have gone on to win the Cup Series championship, but three of the first five did (Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson).

Fourth Gear: Walker Evans helped NASCAR go truckin’

Among the niche populations of racing enthusiasts, some of the most passionate are those in the world of off-road racing. Those folks lost a giant this past week with the death of Walker Evans at age 86.

Evans piled up 21 off-road championships, nine class wins in the Baja 1000 and landed in three different Halls of Fame, including the Daytona-based Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

How does this pertain to NASCAR? Some 30 years ago, Walker was among a handful of off-road truck racers who worried about the commercial future of their form of racing. So they began meeting regularly with NASCAR and, long story short, it resulted in the Truck Series, which continues today as a viable NASCAR property.

Former NASCAR executive Dennis Huth was the organization’s point-man for what was originally known as the SuperTruck Series in 1995. He recalls Evans as “one of the nicest guys in motorsports I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and working with.”

Walker left the hills and deserts to race the early truck circuit with modest results, but as an owner, he won some races and did well with Brendan Gaughan behind the wheel. The early days of NASCAR’s racin’ trucks included owners and drivers from a wide variety of racing cultures, not just off-road but open-wheel, modifieds, etc.

“His motorsports experience was legendary,” Huth says. “His background helped mold the series as one with multi-faceted drivers from numerous racing series that were represented at the inception of truck racing.”

Next time you’re navigating soft sand in your F-150 or Silverado, lower the radio and tip your officially licensed cap to the legend.

— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com

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Motorsports

Jeff Gordon ‘excited’ for big Hendrick addition tipped for huge impact – Motorsport – Sports

Published

25 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Jeff Gordon has expressed his excitement with Hendrick Motorsports’ new partner tipped to make a big impact behind the scenes.

Heading into the 2026 NASCAR season, Hendrick will have a new partner to aid them in their quest to maintain their status as one of the top teams in the sport. On Thursday, Gordon and Hendrick announced that the team has partnered with Atrium Health on a new facility meant to aid the team’s drivers, such as Kyle Larson.

The 35,000-square-foot facility, called the Atrium Health Athletic Center, is set to open in late January and will feature amenities aimed at helping the drivers remain in top shape. The announcement comes after Hendrick Motorsports made a $14.2M piurchase after Rick Hendrick’s $1 billion admission..

“Excited to welcome @AtriumHealth to the team! Here’s a first look at the partnership in action,” Gordon’s post on X read, which showed renderings of what the new facility would look like, featuring photos of a spa area, weight room, and fully furnished locker rooms, among other amenities.

Furthermore, Gordon elaborated on the benefits of having a facility with Atrium Health for the drivers, particularly since NASCAR differs from other motorsports, which he claimed would have an “impact where it matters most.” He also elaborated on the partnership in a release from Hendrick Motorsports, which was issued in conjunction with the social media posts.

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“The demands of NASCAR are different from any other sport – the schedule is relentless, the margins are extremely tight, and performance is about preparation as much as it is execution,” the four-time Cup Series champion’s statement began.

“This new facility allows our coaches and staff to work side by side with Atrium Health clinicians, ensuring every aspect of training, recovery and readiness is aligned. Everything in this space is designed around our athletes and our teammates.

“At the end of the day, it always comes back to people, and this new partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting them the right way every day.”

Dr. Claude T. Moorman, the President of Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, explained they were “proud” to team up with Hendrick in creating a facility that integrates “sports medicine, performance services and clinical care.”

“Our focus will be on supporting athlete fitness, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as optimizing performance throughout the NASCAR season, which is the longest season in professional sports,” his statement read.

“This partnership allows us to deliver high-level care in a purpose-built environment that meets the needs of both elite athletes and the broader workforce of the Hendrick organization.”

With Hendrick getting a new facility, it certainly can aid Larson’s, one of the team’s stars, quest to win another championship. In the 2025 season, Larson edged out Denny Hamlin in overtime to win his second Cup Series title, Hendrick’s 15th overall, the most in the sport.

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Motorsports

Hendrick Motorsports and Atrium Team Up for Health

Published

56 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Atrium Health has joined 15-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports in an innovative partnership that includes naming rights to the new 35,000-square-foot Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center located on the team’s campus in Concord.

The agreement establishes Atrium Health as both a brand partner of Hendrick Motorsports and a long-term provider in athlete and employee wellness.

Atrium Health is home to the region’s largest sports medicine outreach program and is nationally ranked for orthopedic care by U.S. News & World Report. The organization supports more than 20 professional and collegiate teams and over 100 high schools across North Carolina and South Carolina.

Set to officially open later this month, the Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center at Hendrick Motorsports will provide integrated medical, wellness and sports performance resources for the team’s more than 50 pit crew athletes, while also supporting the health needs of Hendrick Motorsports’ Charlotte-area employees. Atrium Health clinicians will staff the facility.

The Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center includes a high-performance gym with the latest training equipment, modern locker rooms, a team operations center for race-day competition operations, a nutrition area, athletic meeting and film rooms, and dedicated spaces for physical therapy, hydrotherapy and recovery. The facility also features a dedicated space for sports science research, and a closed-loop pit stop practice circuit that can accommodate two teams concurrently.

Beginning with the 2026 NASCAR season, Atrium Health will have a significant presence across all Hendrick Motorsports-fielded teams, including logo placement on driver fire suits, crew apparel, athletic training gear and track equipment.

Atrium Health has actively supported the NASCAR industry through initiatives like the NASCAR Day Giveathon and by providing sports medicine coverage at major events such as the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. These efforts underscore Atrium Health’s commitment to improving health and wellness for athletes, fans and event participants at the speedway.

Gene A. Woods, CEO, Advocate Health: “Partnering with Hendrick Motorsports is a defining opportunity to deliver world‑class, innovative medical care to one of the highest‑performance cultures in NASCAR. In both health care and auto racing, excellence is engineered – driven by precision, powered by state‑of‑the‑art technology and made possible by exceptional teammates. With Atrium Health’s nationally recognized clinicians embedded on the Hendrick campus, this partnership will help keep their record‑setting athletes fully on the throttle and give every team member faster, more seamless access to care – on and off the track.”

Rick Hendrick, owner, Hendrick Motorsports: “People are the foundation of our organization, and supporting their health and performance is essential to our success. Our new partnership with Atrium Health brings best-in-class clinical and performance resources directly to our campus. There’s no facility like this in the world of auto racing. It’s a game changer. The Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center will help our athletes perform at their best and give our teammates convenient access to high-quality health care. We value the shared commitment to people that defines both of our organizations, and we look forward to a truly incredible collaboration in the coming years.”

Dr. Claude T. Moorman, president, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute: “We are proud to join Hendrick Motorsports in creating a facility that integrates sports medicine, performance services and clinical care. Our focus will be on supporting athlete fitness, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as optimizing performance throughout the NASCAR season, which is the longest season in professional sports. This partnership allows us to deliver high-level care in a purpose-built environment that meets the needs of both elite athletes and the broader workforce of the Hendrick organization.”

Jeff Gordon, vice chairman, Hendrick Motorsports: “The demands of NASCAR are different from any other sport – the schedule is relentless, the margins are extremely tight, and performance is about preparation as much as it is execution. This new facility allows our coaches and staff to work side by side with Atrium Health clinicians, ensuring every aspect of training, recovery and readiness is aligned. Everything in this space is designed around our athletes and our teammates. At the end of the day, it always comes back to people, and this new partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting them the right way every day.”

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Motorsports

2026 season preview: Spire Motorsports

Published

1 hour ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Editor’s note: Today’s Spire Motorsports preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2026 Cup Series season.

SPIRE MOTORSPORTS

Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: Hendrick Motorsports
Driver-crew chief pairings: Daniel Suárez-Ryan Sparks (No. 7); Michael McDowell-Travis Peterson (No. 71); Carson Hocevar-Luke Lambert (No. 77)

Team outlook: Anyone within the Spire Motorsports camp would probably tell you 2025 was a disappointment. The team showed speed throughout the season and competed for wins, but couldn’t close the deal with any of their three cars. None of their drivers reached the playoffs, but that could and should change in 2026, as Spire understands what they are capable of, attempting to shatter the glass ceiling and make a big statement in the year ahead.

DANIEL SUÁREZ, NO. 7 CHEVROLET

Experience: 9 full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 323 starts
2025 stats: 29th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 2 top fives, 7 top 10s, 0 poles, 35 laps led

Driver outlook: Suárez had his worst final result in the standings last year since his 2020 campaign with Gaunt Brothers Racing. Going into 2026, he replaces Justin Haley in the No. 7 Chevrolet, and all signs should point toward a far better year for the 34-year-old veteran. Paired with McDowell, the two should be forces to be reckoned with on road courses this year, and Suárez’s recent history at EchoPark Speedway could line him up for a breakthrough multi-win campaign.

MORE: Daniel Suárez driver page

MICHAEL MCDOWELL, NO. 71 CHEVROLET

Experience: 18 seasons in NASCAR Cup Series (full-time the last nine seasons); 537 starts
2025 stats: 22nd in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 3 top fives, 6 top 10s, 2 poles, 96 laps led

Driver outlook: Texas and Chicago were ones that got away from McDowell as the long-time veteran was passed by Logano for the lead in the closing laps before crashing with two laps to go from second in the Lone Star State. At Chicago, McDowell started on the front row and led 31 laps before a mechanical failure ruined the No. 71 team’s day. Even at age 41 with many miles logged, the hunger and drive are still there for McDowell and should be in contention for victories this year, maybe even having an outside shot at a championship run.

MORE: Michael McDowell driver page

CARSON HOCEVAR, NO. 77 CHEVROLET

Experience: 2 full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 81 starts
2025 stats: 23rd in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 2 top fives, 9 top 10s, 1 pole, 122 laps led

Driver outlook: Hocevar lived by the moniker of “checkers or wreckers” last season, and it bit him more times than it rewarded. Consistent, race-contending speed is there in the No. 77 Chevrolet, but the goal for Hocevar is to have the discipline to complete the grind of a full race. He showed that at Nashville, finishing runner-up to a dominant Ryan Blaney, but other races got away from him. If he can hone it in consistently and balance aggression through a 36-race calendar, there’s no telling what Hocevar could achieve in his third Cup season.

MORE: Carson Hocevar driver page

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Motorsports

Sawyer Brown Pre-Race Concert Presented by Raymer Oil Revs Up Window World 450 – Speedway Digest

Published

1 hour ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

As NASCAR Cup Series points racing returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first time in nearly 30 years, the soundtrack of that era returns as well with multi-platinum country hitmakers Sawyer Brown headline a pre-race concert presented by Raymer Oil. The performance will be part of The Boys and Me Tour, firing up fans before the historic Window World 450 at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

The Window World 450 marks the first NASCAR Cup Series points race at North Wilkesboro Speedway since 1996 and the first 450-lap Cup Series race in track history. With extended distance and playoff implications, the event is set to be one of the most anticipated races on the 2026 NASCAR calendar.

“North Wilkesboro Speedway and Sawyer Brown both represent eras for racing and music that fans still talk about with passion today,” said Graig Hoffman, executive director of North Wilkesboro Speedway. “As points racing returns to Wilkes County for the first time in three decades, it felt fitting to welcome a band that was defining country music during that same period. This will be a summer doubleheader of entertainment you’ll hear throughout the North Carolina mountains in July!”

Formed in the early 1980s and rocketing to national fame in the mid-1990s, Sawyer Brown has built a reputation on electrifying live shows and songs rooted in real life. With 24 albums, 51 charted singles and the No. 1 hit “Some Girls Do,” the band has spent more than four decades delivering high-energy performances to fans across the country — including more than 6,000 live shows.

Anchored by frontman Mark Miller alongside Gregg Hubbard (keyboards/vocals), Joe Smyth (percussion), and Shayne Hill (lead guitar), Sawyer Brown’s legendary live energy is set to echo through North Wilkesboro Speedway for a 60-minute set beginning at 5 p.m., revving up fans ahead of the return of the highly anticipated Window World 450.

“There’s something special about a place that has stood the test of time,” said Miller. “North Wilkesboro Speedway has that kind of soul. Bringing The Boys and Me Tour to a track with this much history, on a night this meaningful, is exactly the kind of moment we love to be part of.”

Fans can experience the “life songs” of Sawyer Brown’s pre-race concert up close with a $75 Track Pass upgrade, which includes stage-front access to the concert, driver introductions and pre-race festivities.

TICKETS:

Single-day tickets will be available for purchase exclusively at the North Wilkesboro Speedway Box Office, Tuesday, Jan. 13, from noon to 5 p.m. Three-day weekend ticket packages and Track Passes can be purchased online now at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.

SMLLC PR

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Motorsports

Ram CEO’s new marketing play involves NASCAR, reality TV and Dana White

Published

2 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Jan. 9, 2026, 8:01 a.m. ET

Ram is working furiously to put its truck sales back on track, and its latest marketing ploy is a NASCAR reality TV show produced by Dana White.

The Stellantis NV brand — which announced last year it would once again sponsor a NASCAR Craftsman truck team for 2026 after 13 years away — is behind a series called “Race For The Seat” that premiers Jan. 25 on Fox.

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Motorsports

Mash The Gas Launches Sixth Season of Top-Ranked NASCAR Coverage – Cincinnati.com

Published

4 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Distributed by EIN Presswire

Mash The Gas Accelerates Into Its Sixth Season of NASCAR Coverage

Entering our sixth season reflects the consistency, credibility, and trust we’ve built with NASCAR fans, partners, and the sport we cover week in and week out.”

— Kevin Batstone, Co-Host, Mash The Gas

DAYTONA BEACH, FL, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Mash The Gas, the premier podcast dedicated to NASCAR Cup Series coverage, announces the launch of its sixth season, premiering [February 2nd, 2026]. Entering its most established year yet, Mash The Gas continues to deliver trusted race analysis, insider insight, and engaging weekly discussion for NASCAR fans, industry professionals, and brand partners nationwide.

Over the past five seasons, Mash The Gas has consistently ranked as a Top 5 “Must-Listen” NASCAR Podcast according to Feedspot, a distinction that reflects the show’s credibility, consistency, and growing influence within the motorsports media space.

Mash The Gas is hosted by Jeff Davis, Kevin Batstone, and NASCARSky. Season 6 marks NASCARSky’s second full-time season with the program, further strengthening the chemistry and on-air dynamic that has resonated with listeners. Her NASCAR-focused editorial work and influential social media presence bring a modern, fan-forward perspective to weekly coverage.

Kevin Batstone is a longtime podcaster and media professional, also serving as the host of the successful Discussion Combustion podcast and Happy Friday America, both known for consistent production and loyal audiences. Alongside Jeff Davis, Batstone’s experience anchors Mash The Gas as a polished and reliable NASCAR platform.

Together, the hosts deliver a focused mix of race recaps, pre- and post-race analysis, hot-topic debates, and interviews with drivers, media members, and industry insiders, establishing Mash The Gas as a trusted voice throughout the NASCAR season.

*Season 6 Highlights*

* Launch Date: Season 6 debuts [February 2nd, 2026], beginning with coverage of The Clash and building toward the Daytona 500
* Weekly Coverage: In-depth race previews, post-race breakdowns, and featured guest interviews.
* Growing Reach: Expanding listenership across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and all podcast platforms

Sponsorship Opportunities

As a consistently Top 5-ranked NASCAR podcast, Mash The Gas offers brands a proven platform to connect with one of sports’ most loyal fanbases. Opportunities include:

* Custom host-read ad placements
* Branded race preview and recap segments
* Social media amplification
* Season-long partnership integrations

*Media & Industry Collaboration*

With a history of covering marquee races and welcoming respected industry voices, Mash The Gas continues to pursue collaboration with NASCAR Media, teams, and content partners to amplify the sport’s stories and engage fans.

Entering its sixth season, Mash The Gas remains committed to delivering credible, entertaining, and insightful NASCAR coverage. Season 6 represents the show’s most refined and impactful year to date.

Mash The Gas Podcast
Discussion Combustion Productions
mashthegaspodcast@gmail.com
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