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Motorsports

Cadillac’s Road to Formula 1

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8 months ago

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In every sense, the clock is ticking on Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 next year.

In March, Cadillac, supported by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, received final approval from Formula 1, expanding the grid to 11 teams for the first time since 2016.

“As soon as we got the entry, one of the things that changed is they put up a countdown clock at the factory in Silverstone,” Dan Towriss, the chief executive of TWG Motorsports, said in an interview in April. The company is a division of TWG Global, which has a sports portfolio that includes the Chelsea Football Club and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers.

“We know exactly how many days to the engine’s fired, how many days to the first race,” he said. “That’s how we have to think about it because there’s so much work to do between now and then. It’s moving faster than I want it to.”

The Cadillac entry started life as Andretti Formula Racing two years ago. The F.I.A., the governing body of Formula 1, approved the proposal from Michael Andretti, the initial force behind the bid. A few months later, it was rejected by Formula 1.

In an interview a year ago with The New York Times, Andretti said he would fight. Last fall, he stepped back as chief executive of Andretti Global, which owns teams in IndyCar, Formula E, Extreme E and Australian Supercars. He decided “it was time to pass the baton” to his business partner Towriss.

“From Michael’s standpoint, he was very magnanimous in a way,” said Towriss, who has known Andretti since 2017. “He didn’t want to stand in the way of this project.

“It was a long process, a taxing process, and so he chose to step away. He wasn’t asked to step away, he wasn’t asked to leave. I think he saw that a level of acceptance wasn’t there for him.”

Towriss said the move “opened the door” with Formula 1. Five months later, Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 president and chief executive, welcomed Cadillac.

With the commitment of G.M. to bring in a Cadillac team, Domenicali said, “it was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport.”

Cadillac will become the second U.S. automaker to have a presence in the sport. Ford will provide power units to Red Bull, also starting in 2026.

Towriss is saddened that Andretti stepped down. “Just tremendous respect for what the family legacy is in motorsports, for him personally, for Mario, and the family from that standpoint,” he said, referring to Andretti’s father.

“My personal opinion is that it all felt a bit unfair to be singled out in that way,” he said. “To his credit, at some point, you just have to accept the situation for what it is and move on. With his blessing, that’s what we did.”

Throughout the process, the team did not stand still. Workers were hired, and the facility in Silverstone, England, was opened a year ago to complement its headquarters near Indianapolis. Formula 1’s approval has accelerated the project’s growth.

Without a guarantee from Formula 1 of acceptance, the company still had to make a commitment. “It was not for the faint of heart,” Towriss said.

“It takes a long time to build a Formula 1 team. I don’t think anybody on our side, or anybody who knows the sport, thinks you can just show up and in a short period of time, do that.

“If we had waited until the point we were approved and then said, ‘Great, now let’s start hiring people, let’s start building,’ we’d be a long way from racing at that point.”

Towriss said that Graeme Lowdon, a longtime Formula 1 executive who advised the team, was a great salesperson in convincing people to join the team. Lowdon was chief executive of the now-defunct Manor Racing.

He had also been a consultant on the acquisition in 2020 of the Williams Formula 1 team by Dorilton Capital, a private investment firm whose headquarters are in New York City.

In December, Lowdon was announced as the team principal of Cadillac. “At the very beginning, a big part of the advice was to tell them to start building the team now,” he said in an interview in April.

“Then my engagement changed because they said: ‘OK, we’re happy with all this advice. Now you’re asking us to build a team. Can you go from advising to doing it?’ I guess I must have earned their trust, and they must have had confidence in what I’m doing because they then asked me to be the team principal.”

Being offered the position did not come out of the blue. “Even on our entry, I was down as the team principal,” he said. “For two years now, on our race license — and we have a U.S. race license, and an international race license — it’s my picture on it. That was something that was envisaged fairly early on.”

Throughout the two years, Lowdon never doubted that the bid would fail. “There is absolutely no scenario on earth where you could keep a perfectly good sports team from competing in a world championship,” he said, although there was a consequence.

“The thing that worried me and stressed me enormously, and I have to say it took a toll on me big time, was that it’s one thing saying it will definitely happen, it’s another saying when.

“We completely respected the process. Our role was to answer questions, but there’s only so much of that you can do. That was an unpleasant and enormously difficult period.”

The team has about 350 employees, with a target of 550 by the end of the year. Pat Symonds, former chief technical officer of Formula 1, has become the executive engineering consultant. and Nick Chester, once a technical director at Renault, is the chief technical officer.

“I thought it was going to be super difficult to hire people, but it was much easier than I thought,” Lowdon said. “The reality is, we were very lucky. We were in a position where a lot of the early discussions with key people who came on board shared the vision.”

“On the day our entry was confirmed, we wrote to them, with an old-fashioned letter. It wasn’t an ‘at-all’ email. The reason for that is they’d all taken a bit of a leap of faith, and we wanted to show our appreciation personally.”

For the first three seasons, Cadillac will be powered by Ferrari engines until G.M. builds its power unit, which will debut in 2029.

Mark Reuss, the president of G.M., said in an interview in April that it was “a moment filled with pride, a truly historic event for the entire company” when Formula 1 confirmed the entry.

From 2026 through 2028, G.M. will support Cadillac technically, including aerodynamics, performance engineering and manufacturing as it builds to become “a distinctly American team,” Reuss said.

He is aware of the challenge ahead. “G.M. and Cadillac have been at the forefront of racing and winning in elite series for more than a century,” he said. “We do not underestimate the level of competition nor the level of commitment needed to be included in F1.”

With nine months to go until the first Cadillac/G.M. car hits the track in preseason testing, the race is on, with the countdown clock providing a continual update.

“The last time Dan was across,” Lowdon said, referring to Towriss, “he talked to everyone at Silverstone, and he ended his address by saying, ‘As you can see on the wall, we’ve got X number of days left, so let’s crack on.’

“Everybody knows what the mission is.”



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Motorsports

Greg Biffle’s last NASCAR race in 10 pictures before death – Motorsport – Sports

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2 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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Not many NASCAR drivers can say they retired on a win — but the Late, Great Greg Biffle can. Biffle made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series in 1996, driving part-time before moving to the Truck Series in 1998.

He later progressed to full-time Cup Series competition, building a highly successful career across all three national series. Biffle won titles in the Truck and Xfinity series and nearly completed the Grand Slam in 2005, finishing second in the Cup. The North Carolinian won a total of 56 races across NASCAR’s three national series during his career: 19 in the Cup Series, 20 in the Xfinity (Busch) Series, and 17 in the Craftsman Truck Series.

He retired from full-time competition after the 2019 season, but won his last-ever NASCAR race, the Truck event in Texas at the SpeedyCash.com 400. It was Biffle’s first Truck win in 15 years. On Thursday, Biffle, his wife Cristina, and two of his children, Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5, were four of seven killed in a tragic plane crash in Statesville, NC.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days from the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. Three of the people on board, including former stock car racer Biffle, had their pilot’s license.

Collection and documentation of the crash will take place, and investigators will begin to piece together what went wrong. A central focus of the investigation will be locating and analyzing the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which captures all sounds inside the cockpit. Once recovered, the device will be sent to a laboratory in Washington, D.C. for examination.

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Greg Biffle raced in his last-ever NASCAR race in 2019, driving the No. 51 in the Truck Series for the June 7 SpeedyCash.com 400.

Greg Biffle raced in his last-ever NASCAR race in 2019, driving the No. 51 in the Truck Series for the June 7 SpeedyCash.com 400.

Biffle, who tragically died on Thursday in a horror plane crash in Statesville, NC, had retired from full-time NASCAR racing in 2016 after two decades in the sport. 

The NASCAR legend won two NASCAR national series Truck and Xfinity titles — but fell short in the Cup, finishing second in 2005. 

Those also killed this week were his wife, Cristina, daughter, Emma, son, Ryder, and three others. 

(Image: Getty)



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BigRock Motorsports Retains Its Championship Title At ISRL Season 2 Grand Finale In Calicut

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2 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 concluded in spectacular fashion with a historic Grand Finale at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut. Megastar and ISRL Brand Ambassador Salman Khan was present on ground, adding star power to an electrifying night of high-octane racing and live entertainment, as per a release. The finale witnessed a record-breaking turnout of over 32,000 fans, marking the highest-ever attendance for a motorsporting event in India and reinforcing Kerala’s strong connection with motorsport and large-scale live sporting experiences, the release said.

Amid roaring crowds and intense on-track action, Team Bigrock Motorsports were crowned ISRL Season 2 Champions, capping off a fiercely competitive championship that unfolded across Pune, Hyderabad and Calicut. The season showcased a compelling blend of international excellence and emerging Indian talent.

The Calicut round delivered thrilling racing across all categories. Matt Moss from team BigRock Motorsports (Australia) claimed victory in the 450cc International class aboard the Kawasaki KX 450, while Calvin Fonvieille from team Apollo Indewheelers (France) dominated the 250cc International category on the Yamaha YZ 250. The 250cc India-Asia Mix class was won by Delvinator Alfarizi (Thailand) riding the KTM 250 SX – F, drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium.

Megastar Salman Khan, Brand Ambassador, ISRL, said, “Watching the Grand Finale in Calicut was truly special. The passion of the fans and the intensity of competition show how far Indian motorsport has come. ISRL is creating a platform where Indian riders can compete confidently alongside the world’s best,” as quoted from a release.

Reflecting on the season, Veer Patel, Managing Director, ISRL, said, “Season 2 reflects the growing belief in Supercross across India. From Pune to Hyderabad and now Calicut, the record-breaking fan response shows the sport has truly found a home here, while we continue building strong pathways for Indian riders alongside world-class racing.”

Over the course of Season 2, 36 international riders from 21 countries, including Australia, France, the USA, Germany, Thailand and South Africa, competed alongside India’s top riders such as Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanath and Shlok Ghorpade, highlighting ISRL’s growing global stature, as per the release.

Beyond the races, the Reise Moto ISRL Fan Park transformed EMS Corporation Stadium into a complete motorsport festival, featuring live music, racing simulators, interactive brand zones, food experiences, merchandise and rider interactions, creating an immersive fan experience for families and enthusiasts alike.

With Season 2 concluding on a historic high, the Indian Supercross Racing League now looks ahead to expanding its footprint, strengthening grassroots development and further positioning India on the global Supercross map.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Topics mentioned in this article



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BangShift.com Drag Racing with CHRISTMAS TREES! Racing Action From Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025 At Bradenton Motorsports Park

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2 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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Drag Racing with CHRISTMAS TREES! Racing Action From Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025 At Bradenton Motorsports Park

Dec 21, 2025Chad Reynolds1320 Event Coverage, 1320 Spotlight, 1320 Videos, BangShift 1320, RACING & ACTION, Videos

Drag Racing with CHRISTMAS TREES! Racing Action From Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025 At Bradenton Motorsports Park

Cleetus’ Christmas Tree Race 2025 was a very special race. The race has become kind of a big deal since starting a few years ago, and has some pretty simple rules. You must race with a Christmas Tree on or in your vehicle, it must be a minimum of 6 feet tall, it can’t fall off, and you have to have lights on it. Simple right? Well…

Video Description:

We wrapped up Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025, following the entire event from start to finish. This video covers every round from the OG 32-car field all the way through the Elite 8 — the fastest cars on the property — right down to the finals.

Cleetus lined up in both Mullet and Leroy, alongside a stacked field of big-name cars and a few surprise entries we hadn’t seen before. From first-round shakeups to the final matchups, this one delivered nonstop action.

FREE LIVE DRAG RACING: The 4th Annual Christmas On The Coast Jr. Dragster Races From Gulfport Dragway – Saturday

 





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Motorsports

BigRock Motorsports retains its Championship title at ISRL Season 2 Grand Finale in Calicut

Published

3 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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Calicut (Kerala) [India], December 21 (ANI): The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 concluded in spectacular fashion with a historic Grand Finale at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut. Megastar and ISRL Brand Ambassador Salman Khan was present on ground, adding star power to an electrifying night of high-octane racing and live entertainment, as per a release.

The finale witnessed a record-breaking turnout of over 32,000 fans, marking the highest-ever attendance for a motorsporting event in India and reinforcing Kerala’s strong connection with motorsport and large-scale live sporting experiences, the release said.

Amid roaring crowds and intense on-track action, Team Bigrock Motorsports were crowned ISRL Season 2 Champions, capping off a fiercely competitive championship that unfolded across Pune, Hyderabad and Calicut. The season showcased a compelling blend of international excellence and emerging Indian talent.

The Calicut round delivered thrilling racing across all categories. Matt Moss from team BigRock Motorsports (Australia) claimed victory in the 450cc International class aboard the Kawasaki KX 450, while Calvin Fonvieille from team Apollo Indewheelers (France) dominated the 250cc International category on the Yamaha YZ 250. The 250cc India-Asia Mix class was won by Delvinator Alfarizi (Thailand) riding the KTM 250 SX – F, drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium.

Megastar Salman Khan, Brand Ambassador, ISRL, said, “Watching the Grand Finale in Calicut was truly special. The passion of the fans and the intensity of competition show how far Indian motorsport has come. ISRL is creating a platform where Indian riders can compete confidently alongside the world’s best,” as quoted from a release.

Reflecting on the season, Veer Patel, Managing Director, ISRL, said, “Season 2 reflects the growing belief in Supercross across India. From Pune to Hyderabad and now Calicut, the record-breaking fan response shows the sport has truly found a home here, while we continue building strong pathways for Indian riders alongside world-class racing.”

Over the course of Season 2, 36 international riders from 21 countries, including Australia, France, the USA, Germany, Thailand and South Africa, competed alongside India’s top riders such as Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanath and Shlok Ghorpade, highlighting ISRL’s growing global stature, as per the release.

Beyond the races, the Reise Moto ISRL Fan Park transformed EMS Corporation Stadium into a complete motorsport festival, featuring live music, racing simulators, interactive brand zones, food experiences, merchandise and rider interactions, creating an immersive fan experience for families and enthusiasts alike.

With Season 2 concluding on a historic high, the Indian Supercross Racing League now looks ahead to expanding its footprint, strengthening grassroots development and further positioning India on the global Supercross map. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)





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NTSB investigates tragic plane crash involving NASCAR star Greg Biffle: who was flying?

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4 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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Tragedy Strikes: NTSB Launches Deep Investigation into Fatal Greg Biffle Plane Crash

In a devastating turn of events, the aviation world was rocked last Thursday when NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, his family, and three others tragically lost their lives in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now on a mission to uncover the harrowing details behind this catastrophic incident, with a press conference held Saturday shedding some light on the ongoing investigation.

NTSB Board Member Michael Graham and Investigator-In-Charge Dan Baker addressed the media, but the information was limited as the investigation is still in its infancy. “We still do not know the circumstances which led the aircraft … to attempt to return to the airport,” Graham stated, emphasizing the urgent need to piece together the events that led to this heart-wrenching disaster.

One chilling revelation from the conference was a text message exchange between Biffle’s wife, Cristian Grossu Biffle, and her mother, Cathy Grossu. Cathy recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the crash: “Then she said something like ‘We’re in trouble, emergency landing.’ And I texted back, ‘What’s wrong with the plane?’” The gravity of the situation escalated when Cathy received an SOS alert, signaling a dire emergency. Graham confirmed that the NTSB is aware of this critical communication, stating, “We are not aware of any other communications from passengers on board the aircraft to those on the ground.”

As investigators delve deeper, the question of who was at the controls during the crucial moments of the flight remains unanswered. Both Greg Biffle and his companions, Dennis and Jack Dutton, were licensed pilots. Graham noted, “We do anticipate that all the information about all the pilot-rated occupants will be included in our preliminary report.” This report is expected within 30 days, but the agency’s final analysis could take up to 18 months.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pilot’s identity, Graham revealed that the NTSB has a “degree of confidence” about the individual in the left seat, although verification is still required. He stressed the importance of accuracy in the investigation: “We want to know where everyone was sitting, and that is a little more difficult in a crash like this.”

In a shocking update, Graham shared that early indications from multiple sources suggest the aircraft was stable and configured for landing with its lights on. However, it was flying dangerously low. This crucial information aligns with the physical evidence found at the crash site, including debris located approximately 1800 feet from the runway threshold.

The investigation is ramping up as the NTSB meticulously documents the wreckage, evaluates the flight voice recorder, and analyzes various components. “All of these are being sent to NTSB recorders labs in Washington, D.C.,” Graham explained, highlighting the importance of recovering critical data to determine the probable cause of this tragedy.

Amidst the chaos, a drone was deployed to assist in the investigation, although high winds initially hampered its operations. As conditions improved on Saturday, the team was able to resume their efforts to gather evidence from the crash site.

With so many unanswered questions and the clock ticking, the NTSB is committed to uncovering the truth behind the demise of Greg Biffle and his companions. As the agency continues its exhaustive investigation, the families and fans of those lost are left grappling with the profound loss and searching for closure in this heartbreaking saga.



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NASCAR, IndyCar, and F1 Share These Race Days in 2026

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4 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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What’s Happening?

Throughout the racing year, now and then, race fans are blessed with a handful of special days in which NASCAR, IndyCar, and F1 all race on one calendar date. In 2026, this will occur eight separate times. Here’s a look at those race days.

  • Of course, these are all subject to time and date, and, in some cases, these races could realistically happen with 12 hours of one another.
  • The first date that all three series race on is March 15, with Formula One racing at Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix, IndyCar racing on the streets of Arlington, Texas, for the first time, and NASCAR racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
  • On May 24, all three series will race on U.S. soil on the same day. Formula One will race in the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, with IndyCar hosting the 110th Indianapolis 500 that same afternoon, and NASCAR kicking off the 67th Coca-Cola 600 later that evening.
  • The final triple header will be on September 6, with Formula One racing at Monza, IndyCar racing in their season finale at Laguna Seca, and NASCAR hosting, what is at press-time, a playoff race in the 77th Southern 500.

March 15

  • NASCAR: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
  • IndyCar: Grand Prix of Arlington
  • Formula One: Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai)

March 29

  • NASCAR: Martinsville Speedway
  • IndyCar: Barber Motorsports Park
  • Formula One: Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)

April 19

  • NASCAR: Kansas Speedway
  • IndyCar: Grand Prix of Long Beach
  • Formula One: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Jeddah)

May 24

  • NASCAR: Charlotte Motor Speedway
  • IndyCar: Indianapolis 500
  • Formula One: Canadian Grand Prix (Montréal)

June 7

  • NASCAR: Michigan International Speedway
  • IndyCar: World Wide Technology Raceway
  • Formula One: Monaco Grand Prix (Monaco)

July 5

  • NASCAR: Chicagoland Speedway
  • IndyCar: Mid‑Ohio Sports Car Course
  • Formula One: British Grand Prix (Silverstone)

July 19

  • NASCAR: North Wilkesboro Speedway
  • IndyCar: Nashville Superspeedway
  • Formula One: Belgian Grand Prix (Spa‑Francorchamps)

September 6

  • NASCAR: Darlington Raceway
  • IndyCar: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
  • Formula One: Italian Grand Prix (Monza)

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinions on Discord or X, and don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.





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