Seattle — Hall of Fame driver Jimmie Johnson usually travels at 250-300 feet per second, but the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion from El Cajon, Calif., will fulfill a childhood dream and complete a 46-year journey of just 14 feet when he enters the cockpit of the fabled Atlas® Van Lines “Blue Blaster” of Unlimited hydroplane legend Bill Muncey at the Seafair Weekend Festival, August 1st.

Johnson’s journey began in San Diego in September 1979, while celebrating his fourth birthday at the Unlimited hydroplane races on Mission Bay. His favorite boat, the two-time national champion and three-time Gold Cup-winning Blue Blaster, owned by the legendary hometown driver Bill Muncey, broke down mid-race near the Fiesta Island beach.

Twists and Turns
Following Muncey’s death aboard the Blue Blaster two years later at the 1981 UIM World Championships in Acapulco, the boat was cosmetically, but not operationally, restored and presented to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C. as an early example of a marine surface effects vehicle. 

His widow, Fran, continued the Atlas Van Lines team with a new boat and driver, Chip Hanauer.  They would combine to win the APBA Gold Cup for the next seven consecutive (1982-88) years.  Today, all four — Johnson, Hanauer and Bill and Fran Muncey — are inductees in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) in Daytona Beach.

The Restoration
When the Blue Blaster rotated out of the Smithsonian collection, it headed to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in suburban Seattle, where museum director David Williams and their amazing volunteer crew, led by the late Don Mock, undertook a fully operational restoration.

When the stunning restoration was complete, the Muncey family returned to Lake Washington to rechristen the boat with Hanauer driving.

The 40-year Mystery is Solved
A few years later, Hanauer, Williams, and Mock learned from a Johnson crewmember that the driver was a Unlimited hydroplane fan. He provided Johnson’s contacts.

When Hanauer reached out and described the opportunity to possibly drive the Blue Blaster, Johnson got very excited.

Johnson explained that growing up in San Diego, his birthday was the week of the big boat races. The Blue Blaster was his favorite boat!  His dad, Gary, would take him to the pits early in the week and they would watch the races from the beach on Fiesta Island.

Jimmie recalled that one year (1979), the Blue Blaster had broken down in the race and was drifting near the beach. Fans were wading out to the boat. His dad, Gary, carried Jimmie out and, with a nod from Bill Muncey, sat his son on the deck of the boat.

When Hanauer described the call, Mock recalled a photo from that San Diego race with Muncey on the bow and a little kid in a yellow hat near the back. He quickly located the photo. Bingo! For 40 years, no one knew that little kid was Jimmie Johnson!

Johnson was unaware of the photo, but at the Museum’s request had his mom confirm that indeed that was young Jimmie on the boat.  

The Invitation
As part of Johnson’s 2024 induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, the Muncey family and Hanauer told the story of the little boy in the photo and extended a formal invitation on behalf of the Hydroplane Museum for Jimmie to drive the Blue Blaster.

Earlier this year, Johnson cleared his calendar to accept the invitation, and plans are now in place for him to drive the Blue Blaster on Seattle’s Lake Washington on Friday, August 1stas part of the Seafair Festival. On that morning, almost 46 years to the day from when he sat on its rear deck, he’ll travel the roughly 14 feet to its cockpit.

Williams and the Hydroplane Museum team will join the Muncey family, and MSHFA president George Levy to welcome Johnson. Hanauer, a Seattle native and 11-time winner of the APBA Gold Cup and seven-time series champion will serve as Johnson’s Blue Blaster driving coach.

LMC PR

Del Worsham, one of drag racing’s most gifted drivers and tuners of 330 mile per hour nitromethane vehicles, is the 2025 inductee for the prestigious Legends of Thunder Valley, historic Bristol Dragway’s Hall of Fame.

Worsham is one of only three NHRA drivers in history to win world championship crowns in both the Top Fuel (2011) and Funny Car (2015) categories, the top two divisions in the sport. The Southern California native, who in 1990 became the youngest driver to win an NHRA race in Funny Car at age 21, earned 33 career victories in NHRA competition, including 25 in Funny Car and eight in Top Fuel. In IHRA competition, Worsham’s Bristol IHRA victory in a tough final over Whit Bazemore helped him clinch the IHRA crown in the 1992 season.

Worsham, who raced in many competitive races at Bristol Dragway and competed at the track under both NHRA and IHRA sanction, will be inducted during the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, June 6-8.

Worsham, 55, is the 22nd inductee in the Legends of Thunder Valley and joins the exclusive club that also includes Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, NHRA founder Wally Parks, John Force, Don Schumacher, last year’s inductee Shirley Muldowney, Tony “The Sarge” Schumacher and Scotty Cannon, to name a few. He will be presented with the customary Legends of Thunder Valley plaque by Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway president and general manager Jerry Caldwell during pre-race ceremonies, which begin at 11 a.m. The accompanying signage showcasing his name in brilliant red will be installed upon the grandstand suite fascia as part of the ceremony.

In his career, Worsham claimed three victories at Bristol Dragway as a driver, including two in NHRA (2003 and 2009) and one in IHRA (1992). He also scored one win and one runner-up finish as a crew chief at Bristol, tuning Alexis DeJoria to victory in 2021 and a runner-up finish in 2012. He also tuned DeJoria to the No. 1 qualifying position at Bristol in 2021. In 2019, Worsham also had success as a crew chief guiding Funny Car rookie Shawn Langdon to the No. 2 qualifying position and a quarterfinal finish.

Worsham was always fast at Bristol. He set low ET in 2009 and 2014 and top speed in 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2016. He claimed No. 1 qualifying awards in 2013 and 2014 in Funny Car. Both of his No. 1 qualifying performances in 2013 (4.008 seconds) and 2014 (3.992 seconds) were certified official Bristol Dragway Track Records at the time.

In his lone NHRA season in Top Fuel he won the world championship, which included a quarterfinal finish at Bristol to Spencer Massey and leaving the event as the series points leader.

“Del is one of those rare individuals who can do it all in the drag racing arena,” Caldwell said. “In addition to his superlatives on the national stage including world championship titles in both Top Fuel and Funny Car, Del really performed great at Bristol Dragway during his career, earning multiple victories, No. 1 qualifying performances and posting track record times and speeds. He did it as both a driver inside the cockpit and a crew chief turning the wrenches in the pits. We are thrilled to induct Del into Bristol Dragway’s Legends of Thunder Valley, in recognition of all that he has accomplished over the years at Thunder Valley and in NHRA competition.”

Guests are invited to come out and celebrate with Worsham June 6-8 at Thunder Valley. He will be featured in several autograph sessions, including Saturday night’s popular Fan Fest in the Pits. Worsham is entered in the race as a team owner and crew chief for the Funny Car being driven by Julie Nataas, the 2023 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world champion.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans will get to see plenty of NHRA stars during the weekend, like recent Bristol winners Austin Prock, Ron Capps, Justin Ashley, Doug Kalitta, a three-time Bristol winner, motorsports icon Tony Stewart, who is making his second Bristol Dragway start, four-time Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence, three-time champ Antron Brown,  Virginia cattle rancher and four-time world champ Matt Hagan.

The high-revving Pro Stock category returns to action at Bristol with some new faces leading the way including Dallas Glenn, Aaron Stanfield, Christian Cuadra and Troy Coughlin Jr. Meanwhile, series veterans and multi-time champs Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders are ready to return to their winning ways. Enders and Coughlin are three-time Pro Stock winners at Bristol.

The 200-mph Pro Stock Motorcycle class also returns this season and Bristol has produced three winners in three seasons: Gaige Herrera, Steve Johnson and Angelle Sampey. Matt Smith, Angie Smith, Chase Van Sant and Richard Gadson.

The Congruity Pro Mod Drag Racing Series also will return to Bristol Dragway along with the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, Mountain Motor Pro Stocks and the Factory Stock Showdown.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

There are three major events that fans definitely won’t want to miss, including Friday’s Nitro at Night qualifying session where the Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars “light their candles” and power down the drag strip at more than 330-mph as flames erupt out of their header pipes. That session is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. A brilliant fireworks show will complete the racing on Friday.

On Saturday, race officials will host the popular Fan Fest in the Pits, where many of the top drivers are available to meet with fans and sign autographs. This event begins 30 minutes after the final pro qualifying session and is held in the large Guest Welcome Center tent in the pro pit area.

The other is the Sealmaster TrackWalk on Sunday morning prior to pre-race ceremonies. Join NHRA drivers and NHRA officials as they walk the famed Bristol Dragway quarter-mile strip before racing begins.

Qualifying for the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals begins Friday, June 6 with a pair of pro sessions, the first at 5 p.m. and the second under the lights at 7:30 p.m. The final two rounds of qualifying are set for Saturday, June 7, at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. and will include the new bonus program Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, June 8.

Friday’s two-hour qualifying show will air on FS1 at 7:30 p.m. (ET), and be followed by another 90-minute qualifying show on Saturday at 8 p.m. (ET), also on FS1. Sunday’s three-hour final eliminations show will air at 3 p.m. (ET) on FS1.

Single-day Friday tickets start as low as $35 for adults. Saturday adult tickets start at $52 and Sunday’s tickets start at $42. All grandstand tickets for kids 12 and under are free on Friday and $10 each day on the weekend with a paid adult. Discounted weekend packages and limited premium seating are also available.

To purchase your reserved seats, call Bristol Dragway at (866) 415-4158. Tickets also are available online by visiting the BMS website.

BMS PR

Earlier this year just before the start of the 2025 season, Corey LaJoie faced backlash for some comments he made regarding the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series. LaJoie had lost his full-time ride in the Cup Series and was committing to a part-time schedule in Cup, turning down full-time opportunities in the lower divisions. 

Speaking to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass in January, he was asked about drivers who willingly choose to step down from the Cup Series. “Those guys that say they want to try to win, they win one or two truck races a year, and then they’re lifelong truck guys, and they never get to race on Sunday,” he said. “It’s all about Sunday. I don’t wanna go run F3, I wanna be a Formula 1 driver.

“Do you wanna go pump the ego up and hold a trophy on a Friday when there’s 12 people in the grandstands? … I can’t also justify to my partners that have been invested in me to go down to the lower divisions cause they don’t get return for their money. They want to bring their people to the big show, not to a Friday or Saturday show.”

Those comments were not received well and in hindsight, they’ve aged quite badly. LaJoie recently announced a deal with Spire Motorsports to run nine of the final 13 Truck Series races as he helps them in their mission to secure the owner’s championship. So, what changed?

LaJoie regrets comments he made during five-day fast

Corey LaJoie

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

Ahead of the Truck race at Michigan, LaJoie took part in a Friday press conference where he addressed that very subject.

“I’ve said a lot of dumb things on camera, so that was just another one … So just to clear context up for everybody, I said that on the morning of a five-day fast,” revealed LaJoie. “I wish I wouldn’t have added that ’12 (fans)’ comment bit, right, because then people within the Truck garage took offense to it. Then … there’s so many things that it came out of, and it’s such a negative light for just a couple comments that I said when I was ‘hangry’”.

LaJoie went on to say that there was “no hesitation” in taking this Truck deal with Spire Motorsports

“I try to run as much as I can. Especially, you know, there are hundreds, if not 1000s of kids/drivers that would love this nine-race opportunity … I’m going to take it seriously. This is my shot, and l’ve been making a living at this for 10 years. But I don’t want to just be an also-ran and not take it seriously and be in the way for somebody who might deserve it more than I do. So I take all that into consideration. I’m gonna try all I’ve got.”

The goal is still to be a Cup driver

Corey LaJoie, No. 01 Rick Ware Racing Ford

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

LaJoie further explained what prompted his fiery comments, adding: “My only focus in my entire life was to be a Cup Series driver. No, that’s all I want to do. That’s all that I cared to work for since I was 12 years old, right? I was really pissed off and hungry, but that was my focus is to try to get back to Sunday with the right group.

“But now, this is like, fun. I’ve been running some modified races, some late model races. I want to have fun because the Cup garage takes a lot of the fun out of it. It really does, because it’s just a grind, and especially when you’re not running as good as you want to run, it legitimately sucks the life out of you if you’re not getting any sort of external validation from it.”

Feeling motivated and excited about the opportunity in front of him, this weekend LaJoie has a fresh perspective.

“I was sitting in this in the truck today during practice,” said LaJoie. “And I just thought, like, I get to drive this thing. Somebody else owns it, somebody’s paying me to drive it. This is the best job ever. And I haven’t had that thought in like six years. So, just the perspective of going there and enjoying and really embracing it is what I’m excited for.”

LaJoie is also an analyst for Prime Video and is a central part of the streaming service’s post-race show for the five Cup races they are broadcasting this summer.

A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals has cast uncertainty over the future of 23XI Racing and its driver, Bubba Wallace, in the NASCAR Cup Series

A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals has thrown a wrench into the future plans of 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR Cup Series. The bombshell news comes after Wallace gave a confident assurance to Jordan and his team after a recent “jinx”, moments after the team suffered a separate $1 million blow.

The court has reversed an earlier injunction that had given 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) the green light to compete as chartered teams for the 2025 season. This ruling implies that unless further legal steps are taken, both teams might have to function as open entries, missing out on the guaranteed race spots and revenue sharing that come with a charter.

The initial injunction, granted in December 2024, allowed 23XI and FRM to race with charters while they contested NASCAR’s charter system on antitrust grounds. The teams contended that NASCAR’s demand for a release of past claims as a prerequisite for charter agreements was anti-competitive.

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Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney representing the teams, had previously cautioned that operating without charters would be financially unsustainable, potentially putting sponsorships and driver contracts at risk. The loss of charter status could significantly affect 23XI Racing’s operations and its ability to keep key personnel, including Wallace.

A court document from December revealed that before 23XI Racing secured the now-reversed injunction, Wallace had told the team he would contemplate leaving if the situation wasn’t resolved.

The court document said: “23XI’s contract with driver Riley Herbst similarly requires that Herbst be provided with a chartered car, as does Front Row’s contract with driver Noah Gragson. Other drivers have expressed similarly urgent concerns. Driver Bubba Wallace informed 23XI that he needs to know how it intends to compete ‘immediately’ so that he can explore seats with other teams.”

Wallace, a standout in the racing circuit, notched an impressive six top-ten finishes in the 2024 season, landing in 18th place for the series standings, notching his second-highest finish ever in the Cup Series. Yet, as 23XI Racing considers a move to become an open team, doubts are swirling about Wallace’s future with the outfit.

Moreover, the appeals court ruling has tossed a wrench into the works regarding the teams’ acquisition of charters from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing, which saw them each expand to an entry pool of three cars for the 2025 season. The lifting of the injunction throws a shadow of uncertainty over these additional entries.

Caught in a legal tussle with NASCAR, a trial is set for December 2025, leaving 23XI Racing and FRM to grapple with the challenge of competing without charter guarantees, complete with their attendant financial perks.

The verdict of this litigation promises to send ripples across NASCAR’s charter system’s organization and control, potentially altering the destinies of squads like 23XI Racing.

Public sales for all 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto multi-day tickets began today (June 6) online at hondaindy.com. The 37th edition of the legendary motorsport festival headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto on July 18-20.

The longstanding, iconic summer event will again bring high-speed racing action to Toronto’s downtown streets alongside a festival atmosphere full of family fun with interactive displays and diverse food and beverage options. The weekend offers great value for families as children 12 and under receive free general admission every day when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

On track, the stars and cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will take on the 2.874-kilometre (1.786-mile), 11-turn temporary street circuit built on Exhibition Place near the Lake Ontario shoreline. Exciting sports car action from Emzone Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin, plus open-wheel competition from the sport’s rising stars at USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire and USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire add to the weekend schedule.

“World-class racing, food and fun for all ages returns to the Exhibition Place grounds in just six weeks!” said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. “Fans should act now to secure their preferred spots for another exciting edition of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto.”

On Friday, July 18, Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Free Fan Friday which offers general admission courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association through a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada. Since 2010, Toronto Indy fundraising has raised over $1 million for the charity.

Fans can further enhance their Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto experience by purchasing a Paddock Pass which grants access to the “locker room of motorsports,” and spectators looking to get even closer to the action can add a Pit Pass. For children ages 5-12, the Rookie Racers program offers behind-the-scenes experiences including access to the drivers and race cars.

Pricing starts at $85 for 2-Day General Admission for Saturday and Sunday. Fans planning on using public transportation can purchase a GO Combo ticket that includes a 2-Day General Admission ticket and two round trip GO Transit fares to and from the event for $90 at hondaindy.com/promotions. Bronze-level 2-Day Grandstand seating is available for $110. Silver and Gold levels are priced at $170 and $235, respectively. The Gold 2-Day Grandstand seat also includes a Paddock Pass ($80 value). For full ticket pricing and 2025 event information and news, visit hondaindy.com or follow Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto on social media using #indyTO.

Honda Ontario Indycar PR

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Tanner Gray ran the fastest lap in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice Friday at Michigan International Speedway.

Gray paced the 2-mile, D-shaped oval in 38.726 seconds, averaging 185.922 MPH. The TRICON Garage also ranked second to Nashville winner Rajah Caruth on the best 10-consecutive-lap-average charts.

Caruth averaged 182.578 MPH from his second lap to his 11th lap in practice. Gray averaged 181.811 MPH from his first lap to his 10th lap.

Qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Michigan is scheduled for 8 a.m. ET with the race at Noon.

MORE: NASCAR TV schedule this weekend: Michigan 2025

Here is the full practice sheet:

More from the racing experts

Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.

A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.

Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick’s final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers’ stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.

Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com