Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports: EchoPark Speedway Race Report – Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith – Speedway Digest

Zane Smith Key Takeaways Stage One: 21st / Stage Two: 9th / Race Result: 7th “It was fun to lead some of those final closing laps. I don’t know where it went wrong. I just feel like we went back and forth. Sometimes just one car was clearing me, and I’d build my run back up and then […]

Published

on


Zane Smith Key Takeaways

  • Stage One: 21st / Stage Two: 9th / Race Result: 7th
  • “It was fun to lead some of those final closing laps. I don’t know where it went wrong. I just feel like we went back and forth. Sometimes just one car was clearing me, and I’d build my run back up and then go make another charge at it, and then it just kind of seemed like two guys got by me and you’re just not able to have as much throttle time. My runs weren’t quite the same, but all in all, it was just a really good and a really fast Aaron’s FRM Ford Mustang. It was really cool to have the Lucky Dog scheme back and run up front with it. I’m just proud of the effort, but I wish it panned out a little bit different there.”

Noah Gragson Key Takeaways

  • Stage One: 18th / Stage Two: 26th / Race Result: 25th
  • “Tough day for this No. 4 team,” said Gragson. “We had solid pace and were making moves but got caught up in the ‘Big One’ and just couldn’t recover the laps. The good news is we’re on to the next round of the challenge, and I’m looking forward to getting to Chicago and hopefully putting together a clean race weekend.”

Todd Gilliland Key Takeaways

  • Stage One: 32nd / Stage Two: 28th / Race Result: 27th
  • “We had a fast Rinnai Ford Mustang Dark Horse and were running pretty well until we got caught up with the No. 35 and broke a toe link,” said Gilliland. “It’s part of it. Overall, I’m happy with the speed we brought, so there is some confidence heading into Chicago.”

FRM PR



Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Motorsports

Audi names Revolut as 2026 F1 team title sponsor

The Audi Formula 1 Team has signed fintech giant Revolut as its title sponsor for when the German marque makes its championship debut in 2026.  Revolut, a British-based online bank that was valued at $45billion last year, has agreed what’s been dubbed as a “landmark” long-term agreement. It comes ahead of Audi’s F1 debut next […]

Published

on


The Audi Formula 1 Team has signed fintech giant Revolut as its title sponsor for when the German marque makes its championship debut in 2026. 

Revolut, a British-based online bank that was valued at $45billion last year, has agreed what’s been dubbed as a “landmark” long-term agreement.

It comes ahead of Audi’s F1 debut next year, as the manufacturer will complete a full takeover of Swiss outfit Sauber.

Revolut will be more than just a traditional sponsor on Audi’s cars and equipment though, as it will also be integrated into the team’s financial operations and support fan offerings. 

Team boss Jonathan Wheatley said: “With Revolut, we have found a partner that shares our core ethos of innovation and relentless ambition.

“This is more than a brand fit; it is a strategic alliance, engineered to challenge conventions in motorsport. 

“From 2026, Revolut’s digital-first solutions will power key areas of our operations while also redefining how fans and communities engage with our team – delivering a seamless and engaging experience on and off the track.”

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

This will be Revolut’s first F1 sponsorship since its founding in 2015 and will replace Sauber’s current deal with sports betting company Stake and its associated streaming platform Kick.

Revolut CEO Nik Storonsky said: “This is a monumental partnership for Revolut and the future Audi F1 Team.

“We’re accelerating towards 100 million customers, and we’ll be bringing them into Formula 1 with unforgettable experiences at a pivotal time for the sport.

“As Revolut continues to challenge the status quo in global finance, the future Audi F1 Team is set to do the same in motorsport.

“With a shared outlook, global ambition and relentless drive for progress, this partnership will define what’s possible in Formula 1.”

Audi will make its F1 debut during the first year of the new technical regulations, which include a bigger focus on electric energy. 

The German manufacturer is operating its power units department out of its Neuburg plant in Germany, with other locations in Hinwil, Switzerland and Oxfordshire, England. 

Read Also:

In this article

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

Looking Back July 30: From The Archives

Editor’s Note: In a nod to our 90 years of history, each week SPEED SPORT will look back at the top stories from 15, 30 and 60 years ago as told in the pages of National Speed Sport News. 15 Years Ago — 2010 News: Once playing with the big boys International Speedway Corp. and […]

Published

on


Editor’s Note: In a nod to our 90 years of history, each week SPEED SPORT will look back at the top stories from 15, 30 and 60 years ago as told in the pages of National Speed Sport News.

15 Years Ago — 2010

News: Once playing with the big boys International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports, Inc., Dover Motorsports continued to fade away this past week with the announcement it would no longer hold auto races at the 1.25-mile oval at Gateway lnt’l Raceway and that it would seek a buyer for the facility.

A final decision has not been made regarding the adjacent drag strip, which hosts an annual NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event, but it seems likely based on Dover’s woes the past few years that it would attempt to make a clean break from the facility.

The first sign of trouble for Dover Motorsports came in late May 2008 when Marathon Partners, the largest outside stockholder in Dover Motorsports, asked the company to explore selling all of the company’s properties, even going as far to suggest it sell to ISC or SMI. The letter to Dover Motorsports also stated that “Dover Motorsports must finally divest itself of its money-losing Midwest motorsports facilities,” which no doubt included Gateway lnt’l Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway and Memphis Motorsports Park.

Last fall, Dover Motorsports, a publicly traded company, closed Memphis Motorsports Park, giving up NHRA and NASCAR dates at the multi-purpose facility which has not been sold and remains shuttered.

Dover sold its rights to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2005, thus its signature Dover (Del.) lnt’l Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway and GIR are the only tracks remaining it its portfolio.

On July 28, Dover Motorsports, Inc. officials informed NASCAR that they would not be asking for sanction for Gateway next season.

Winners: Roush Fenway Racing crew chief Greg Irwin knew early that strategy would play a role in their finishing position Sunday at the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. He just didn’t know how much.

When the 3M Ford team took two tires for the second time in the 500-mile race, exiting the pits in second, Greg Biffie felt confident that he would have a shot at the victory.

And with just six green-flag laps on his left side tires, both Biffle and Irwin knew their call would provide the right mix of track position and handling. After all, he watched the two-tire strategy beat him at Indianapolis Motor Speedway the previous week.

But he also knew clearing Penske Racing’s Sam Hornish Jr., who chose not to pit, would be the key. He needed to separate himself from the drivers back in the field that elected to take four tires.

He did.

Just after the restart, Biffle cleared Hornish and set sail en route to a 3.598-second victory over Tony Stewart, who took four tires on the final stop.

The victory capped an emotional week for the Roush Fenway Racing team after co-owner

Jack Roush suffered injuries in a plane crash at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis.

It also was the first non-restrictor plate victory for Ford since February 2009 and the first Sprint Cup Series triumph for the manufacturer this season.

Stewart was second in a Chevrolet with Carl Edwards third in another Roush Fenway Ford. Point-leader Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin completed the top five.

“It’s been a hell of a day,” Biffle said. “Hitting the wall on the first turn of the first lap, coming off turn one I just scraped it and I knew it was gonna be a long day from there … Late in the race, I don’t know if it was the cool weather or the mist or what, but when it started cooling off, to me, that thing was like a completely different race car. I don’t know what happened to it, but it simply took off.”

30 Years Ago — 1995

News: The .555-mile, high-banked Salem Speedway will reopen next week after sitting idle 3 months.

New owners Owen and Beverly Thompson have set Aug. 20 as the opening date as owners. The first event held under the Thompsons’ aegis will be the Joe James/Pat O’Connor ‘Memorial for Loctite/USAC sprint cars.

Owen Thompson, who also owns Sigma Six, a mechanical engineering firm in nearby Louisville, said the first priority for the new ownership team replacement of a 400-foot section of guardrail along the backstretch. Several accidents have occurred at that point on the track, and one was fatal.

“We want to bite off at least that chunk before we start back up,” Thompson told the Louisville Courier·Journal last week. He also indicated another 1,000 feet of turn guardrail will be replaced with concrete.

The Thompsons bought the facility June 30 in a sealed-bid auction conducted by the Internal Revenue Service. The previous owners, the Gettelfinger family, filed for bankruptcy after the IRS had seized the family trucking business and, eventually, the race track.

“Everything’s ours now,” Thompson told the Courier·Journal. “The town (of Salem) has pitched in like we were raising a barn. People have come out every day with their lawnmowers, weed eaters and paint brushes.”

Thompson also plans to add more security fencing both inside and outside the track and repaint everything.

Don Gettelfinger Jr., who promoted races at Salem since 1987, will continue to run programs at the track for Thompson this season.

“I’ll try to point him in the right direction,” he told the paper. “And, I’d like to stay involved.”

Winners: Dale Earnhardt let it be known he wasn’t about to concede NASCAR’s top spot to the younger generation.

After a four-hour rain delay, the 44-year old Earnhardt fought off a tight race car and the rest of the field to claim victory in Saturday’s second NASCAR Winston Cup Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I guess I’m not too old to win the Brickyard after all,” he told his crew after roaring past starter Doyle Ford’s checkered flag.

Driving a new Chevrolet Monte Carlo built expressly for Indianapolis, Earnhardt passed Rusty Wallace just after their last green-flag pit stops, then dodged a spinning Jeff Burton on lap 132 to claim his third victory of the season and 66th of his career.

Earnhardt’s winning speed of 155.218 mph was a race record, erasing Jeff Gordon’s 131.977 of the inaugural last year.

“I just basically ran a consistent race all day and stayed in the hunt,” Earnhardt said. “The last pit stop was the key. The crew got us off pit road and got us in front.”

Earnhardt, who pitted on lap 129, was aided by Wallace’s near-miss on pit road a lap later to catch the accelerating Miller Genuine Draft Ford on the backstretch.

Wallace got caught behind Joe Nemechek and Rich Bickle, who collided at the end of pit road. “Dale just got by me and that was all,” Wallace said. “Track position was everything.”

Four Fords separated Earnhardt and defending champion Jeff Gordon at the finish. Behind Wallace, Dale Jarrett was third in the Texaco Havoline entry, Bill Elliott was fourth in the McDonald’s car and Mark Martin, who passed Gordon late in the race, was fifth in the Valvoline-Cummins car.

60 Years Ago— 1965

News: It was “thanks for putting us on the map” day Friday in Nazareth, Pa.

That was the theme as Mario Andretti, rookie of the year, was honored at a massive parade attended by more than 20,000 proud natives of this fair borough.

Riding in a convertible, Andretti headed the parade. His Indianapolis car, plus several stock cars, midgets and motorcycles, were displayed on trailers.

Mayor Wainwright Diehl, during brief ceremonies at the parade reviewing stand, thanked Mario for putting Nazareth on the map. On Saturday night the racing hero was honored at a banquet and presented with a gold wristwatch “from the people of Nazareth.”

William Kraemer, longtime friend of Andretti, was chairman of the programs which were sponsored by the Borough Service Group.

Winners: Richard Petty won the eighth annual Western North Carolina 500 Sweepstakes at Ashville-Weaverville Speedway in a 1965 hemi-powered Plymouth that was so swift it left the nearest competition more than a mile behind.

Two of Petty’s closest competitors-In fact, the only two to share the lead with him after the eighth lap-were removed from competition in accidents.

Junior Johnson’s 1965 Ford blew a right front tire on the 193rd lap and smashed the wall in the fourth turn and David Pearson’s 1965 Dodge fell out with a broken axle on the 398th lap.

Ned Jarrett, who led the first seven laps, finished second in a 1965 Ford, two laps behind Petty.

Dick Hutcherson was third in a 1965 Ford three laps behind. Then came Buddy Baker 12 laps behind in a 1965 Plymouth and Cale Yarborough in a ’65 Ford, a lap to the rear of Baker.

Ironically, in this age of Ford dominance of NASCAR racing, the only carried that really worried Petty after Johnson’s wreck was Pearson’s Dodge.

“As soon as Pearson fell out, I slowed up,” Petty said. “I knew I had a couple of laps on the others so I just backed off and paced myself the rest of the way.”

A crowd of 10,000 watched Petty maneuver skillfully through traffic on the steeply banked, half-mile track, running the 250 miles in three hours, 21 minutes and 45 seconds at an average speed of 74.349 mph.



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

Governor McMaster, NASCAR star make stop in Greenville to promote sober driving

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Governor Henry McMaster is expected to hold a press conference in Greenville on Wednesday to promote the upcoming Cook Out Southern 500 and Sober or Slammer 200 races. The governor will be joined by NASCAR Cup Series star Ross Chastain and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety along the […]

Published

on


GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Governor Henry McMaster is expected to hold a press conference in Greenville on Wednesday to promote the upcoming Cook Out Southern 500 and Sober or Slammer 200 races.

The governor will be joined by NASCAR Cup Series star Ross Chastain and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety along the Reedy River in Falls Park at 10:30 a.m.

Officials say the conclusion of the Darlington Raceway’s 75th season will take place Labor Day Weekend with the opening race of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Playoffs, the Sober or Slammer 200 on Aug. 30. The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs begin with the Cook Out Southern 500 on Aug. 31.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety says its Sober or Slammer campaign is an enforcement and education initiative focused on curbing impaired driving on South Carolina roads.

Since 2022, the SCDPS has partnered with Chastain to promote the Sober or Slammer message during the Labor Day race weekend at Darlington Raceway.

RELATED: Simpsonville hit-and-run victims honored at ‘Sober or Slammer’ campaign



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

White Mountain Prepares for Biggest Showdown of the Year with Milton…

While the Milton CAT American-Canadian Tour challengers are ready to take on the highbanks of White Mountain Motorsports Park, so too are an enterprising few who have competed in the Wall’s Ford Platinum Series events in 2025. The pair of 100-lap showdowns have both been contested as Midsummer Classic Qualifiers, meaning all drivers who competed […]

Published

on


While the Milton CAT American-Canadian Tour challengers are ready to take on the highbanks of White Mountain Motorsports Park, so too are an enterprising few who have competed in the Wall’s Ford Platinum Series events in 2025. The pair of 100-lap showdowns have both been contested as Midsummer Classic Qualifiers, meaning all drivers who competed in those events are eligible for the pair of provisional starting spots. The highest finisher in the Spring Board 100 and the highest finisher in the New Hampshire Governors Cup who have not earned their starting spot in the Milton CAT Midsummer Classic by the end of all qualifying events will be awarded a provisional spot for the 250 lap main event.

While not a weekly point counting event, the provisional starting spots coupled with the strong purse monies available could entice the weekly warriors to take on the big cats! Both Wall’s Ford Platinum Series winners, Justin Prescott and Gabe Brown, have officially filed their entries for the 250-lap affair along with Brandon Lambert, former 250 winner Jesse Switser and former track champions D.J. Shaw, Kasey Beattie and Tanner Woodard are all joining the fun among the invading stars.



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

NASCAR National Series News & Notes – Iowa Speedway – Speedway Digest

NASCAR Cup Series Next Race: Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol The Place: Iowa Speedway Track Length: 0.875 Mile Asphalt Oval The Date: Sunday, August 3 The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET The Purse: $9,797,935 TV: USA Network, 3 p.m. ET Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90) Distance: 306.25 miles (350 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on […]

Published

on


NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol

The Place: Iowa Speedway

Track Length: 0.875 Mile Asphalt Oval

The Date: Sunday, August 3

The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

The Purse: $9,797,935

TV: USA Network, 3 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 306.25 miles (350 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 70),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 210), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 350)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: Hy-Vee Perks 250

The Place: Iowa Speedway

Track Length: 0.875 Mile Asphalt Oval

The Date: Saturday, August 2

The Time: 4:30 p.m. ET

The Purse: $1,651,939

TV: CW, 4 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 218.75 miles (250 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 60),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 120), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 250)

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Next Race: NCTS Race at Watkins Glen

The Place: Watkins Glen International

Track Length: 2.45 Mile Asphalt Road Course

The Date: Friday, August 8

The Time: 5 p.m. ET

The Purse: $782,900

TV: FS1, 5 p.m. ET

Radio: NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 176.4 miles (72 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 40), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 72)

Where To Watch NASCAR This Weekend:

Friday, August 1

ARCA Race: Atlas 150 (FS1, MRN at 7 p.m. ET)

Saturday, August 2

NXS Practice & Kennametal Pole Qualifying (CW App at 11 a.m. ET)

NCS Practice & Busch Light Pole Qualifying (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM at 1:30 p.m. ET)

NXS Race: Hy-Vee Perks 250(CW Network, MRN, SiriusXM at 4:30 p.m. ET)

Sunday, August 3

NCS Race: Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol(USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM at 3:30 p.m. ET)

NASCAR Cup Series

Iowa Storylines and Insights:

·       This weekend marks the second running of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway (2024-2025).

·        There are four races left in the NCS regular season: Iowa, Watkins Glen, Richmond and Daytona.

·       Chase Elliott leads the regular season point standings by four points over William Byron; Chase Elliott won the 2022 Regular Season Championship.

·       The top four in the regular season points standings are separated by 20 points, the closest after 22 races since 2012 (17 points).

·       A Hendrick Motorsports driver led the regular season point standings following each of the last 20 races (Ryan Blaney led the points following the first two race of the year).

·       The top-three drivers in 2025 regular season standings are all Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers (Chase Elliott-first, William Byron-second and Kyle Larson-third), it’s the seventh race this year that the top-three in regular season standings were all Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers (2025 is the most races Hendrick held each of the top-three positions in points).

·       The Playoff bubble is 42 points between Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece, the largest bubble of the season.

·       A driver pointed their way into the Playoffs from below the cutline this late into the season once in series history under the current points format (2017-2024) – Clint Bowyer was two points back after race 24 in 2019

·       In every season of the Next Gen car (2022-2025), at least one driver won into the Playoffs from below the cutline in the final four races of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season.

·       Last year, three drivers that were above the cutline at this point or later in the regular season ended up missing the Playoffs (Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace).

·       Five of the last seven races on ovals in 2025 were won by drivers getting their first win of the season.

·       In the Playoff era (2014-2025), 40 of 45 races at short tracks were won by drivers above the Playoff cutline, the last driver to win from below the cut was Austin Dillon at Richmond last year.

·       Hendrick Motorsports is the only team with at least one car finishing in the top-10 in all 22 races in 2025.

·       Hendrick Motorsports had at least one car finish inside the top-10 in the last 30 races, the longest streak by a team in the Next Gen car.

·       Kyle Larson (four), Denny Hamlin (four) and Ryan Blaney (three) combined won 11 of the last 14 short-track races.

·       Denny Hamlin finished top-five in the last five races on short-tracks including a win at Martinsville and a second at Bristol in the two short-track races this year.

·       Denny Hamlin’s last finish outside the top-five on a short track was his 24th-place finish at Iowa last year, he started 12th but was running 34th by lap 32 and spent over 100 laps off the lead lap.

·       Kyle Larson finished in the top-10 in the last five short-track races, tied for his longest top-10 streak on short-tracks.

·       The last time the pole winner won a short track race was Denny Hamlin in August 2019 at Bristol.

·       A different manufacturer won the last three short track races.

·       The last six short track winners were all over 30 years old.

·       The leader of the most laps went on to win six of the last nine short track races.

·       The last four short track races ended with a green flag run of at least 75 laps, the longest streak on short tracks since at least 1978.

·       Hendrick Motorsports (five) and Joe Gibbs Racing (three) combined have won the pole for the last eight short track races.

·       Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing lead all teams with six wins each on short-tracks in the Next Gen car (19 Next Gen short track races)

·       William Byron has led a lap in 13 of the first 16 races of the season but hasn’t led in the last six.

·       Chase Elliott is the only driver without a DNF in 2025.

·       2025 is the second straight season that Elliott completed all but one lap raced in the season entering the 23rd race of the year.

·       Chase Elliott’s 726 points scored in 2025 is the fewest ever by the points leader after 22 races under the current points format (since 2011).

·       The eventual winner has not led before lap 124 in 16 of the last 20 short track races.

·       John Hunter Nemechek will make his 100th Cup start this weekend.  Five drivers have won in their 100th start, most recently Erik Jones at Darlington in September 2019.

NCS Clinch Scenarios Following Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Already Clinched

·       The following six drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Chase Elliott, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Shane Van Gisbergen.

Can Clinch Via Previous Wins

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Chase Elliott, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric or Shane Van Gisbergen:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 23 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 40 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

•        Joey Logano: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs or Josh Berry:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 48 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Could only clinch with help

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by AJ Allmendinger:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 41 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 55 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Michael McDowell:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 38 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 54 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by John Hunter Nemechek:

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 36 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 52 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Erik Jones (or another winless driver lower in the standings):

•        Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 23 points

•        Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 40 points

•        Bubba Wallace: Could only clinch with help

•        Joey Logano: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

·       The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

•        Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Josh Berry

·        The following drivers could clinch with a win and help:

•        Alex Bowman: Could only clinch with help

•        Chris Buescher: Could only clinch with help

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Iowa Storylines and Insights:

·       This weekend marks the 22nd running of a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway (2009-2019, 2024-2025).

·       Austin Hill suspended one race for intentionally wrecking Aric Almirola at Indianapolis; if granted a waiver, he will remain Playoff eligible but will enter the Playoffs with zero Playoff points.

·       Austin Dillon will drive the Richard Childress Racing #21 at Iowa in place of Austin Hill.

·       Iowa Speedway will be the third of five short track races this season.

·       Neither of the two short track winners this season will be racing at Iowa: Austin Hill suspended, Kyle Larson not on the entry list.

·       There are five races left in the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season and five Playoff spots remain open.

·       Cousins Jeb Burton and Harrison Burton are separated by 10 points at the Playoff cut line, Jeb is in while Harrison is out.

·       Harrison Burton has been within 16 points of the Playoff cutoff after every race this season; his high was +16 after Atlanta-1 and his low was -16 after Sonoma.

·       The drivers from 12th-15th in the NXS Playoff standings are separated by 57 points, less than one race.

·       Sheldon Creed gained 67 points to the cut in the last four races and is now 67 points ahead.

·       Taylor Gray gained 51 points to the cut in the last three races and is now 59 points ahead.

·       Ryan Sieg gained 30 points to the cut in the last two races after losing 68 points in the previous three and is now 20 points out of a Playoff spot.

·       Connor Zilisch won the last three races, the first driver to win three straight since Noah Gragson won four straight in 2022.

·       Connor Zilisch can become third driver in series history to win four consecutive races – Sam Ard in 1983 and Noah Gragson in 2022.

·       Connor Zilisch became the youngest driver to win three straight races in NXS history – 19y, 00m, 04d (previous was Austin Cindric).

·       Connor Zilisch became the youngest driver to win six NXS races – 19y, 00m, 04d (previous was Joey Logano).

·       Connor Zilisch’s nine straight top fives since returning from back injury is the longest top-five finish streak of the season; Zilisch is the youngest driver with more than five straight top-five finishes.

·       Rookie Connor Zilisch leads the Xfinity Series with five wins this season and a 10.2 average finish.

·       JR Motorsports reached win #100 at Indianapolis, only three other teams won at least 100 NXS races (Joe Gibbs Racing-217, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing-138, Richard Childress Racing-100).

·       JR Motorsports had at least one car finish inside the top-five in a record 23 straight races.

·       JR Motorsports had at least one car finish Top 2 in 10 straight races; a Top 2 finish at Iowa would tie the all-time record.

·       JR Motorsports won 12 races this season with a series-record six different drivers, all six drivers won in the last 12 races.

·       JR Motorsports won seven of the last eight races this season.

·       Ross Chastain will drive JR Motorsports’ #9 car this weekend at Iowa Speedway. Ross Chastain and Carson Kvapil could become JR Motorsports’ seventh different winner this season.

·       JR Motorsports is the third team all-time to win 12 or more times in the first 21 races of a season.

·       JR Motorsports’ #88 won six races with three different driver/crew chief combos this season.

·       Chevrolet won the last 13 races this season, the longest winning streak by a manufacturer all-time.

·       Chevrolet led 2,504 of 3,327 laps this season.

·       Chevrolet won 19 of 21 races, the most all time by a manufacturer through 21 races in series history.

·       The most wins by a manufacturer in NXS history is 24 by Chevrolet in 1999 and 2022.

·        Toyota is winless in the last 13 races, their longest winless streak since the first NXS win in 2007.

·       The last 12 Iowa races were won by 11 different drivers; Christopher Bell is the only repeat winner, winning in 07/2018 and 06/2019.

·       There are only two previous Iowa Xfinity Series winners on the entry list: Justin Allgaier – 2018 & Sam Mayer – 2024.

·       Four other drivers won in Trucks or ARCA at Iowa: Austin Dillon – Trucks 2010, Sheldon Creed – ARCA 2018, Brandon Jones – ARCA 2022, and Connor Zilisch – ARCA 2024.

·       Jeremy Clements started 20 of 21 Xfinity Series races at Iowa all-time.

·       Joe Gibbs Racing leads all teams at Iowa with eight poles, seven wins, 24 top fives, 2,114 laps led and nine stage wins.

·       Joe Gibbs Racing and JR Motorsports have won eight of the last nine Iowa races.

·       The last four Iowa winners were under the age of 25.

·       Eighteen of 21 Iowa races were won by drivers starting inside the Top 8.

·       Eleven drivers on the entry list are making first Xfinity Series start at Iowa; five drivers have never raced at Iowa.

·       Justin Allgaier leads active drivers with six short track wins.

·       Justin Allgaier’s 28 career wins are ninth on the all-time wins list and one away from tying Matt Kenseth.

·       Justin Allgaier leads all drivers with 11 top-five finishes and 685 laps led in 2025; both are his most in a season through 21 races.

·       Justin Allgaier won the Fastest Lap Award five times this season, no other driver has more than two.

·       Five crew chiefs got their first NXS win in 2025: Chad Haney at Atlanta, Sam McAulay at Darlington, Adam Wall at Bristol, Cory Shea at Mexico City & Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Pocono.

·       Five of the last 11 Iowa races went to overtime.

·       Seven of the 21 races this season went to overtime. There hasn’t been an overtime finish in the last eight races, the longest streak without an OT since Aug- Oct 2020.

·       Five races this year ended with a last lap pass. Seven of the last 11 races this season had a pass for the win in the final six laps.

Rule regarding suspension and loss of Playoff points

·       If competition officials grant a waiver for Playoff eligibility, in some circumstances that driver will forfeit any Playoff points accumulated in the regular season. Such a driver would start the Playoffs with a baseline maximum of 2,000 points in the re-set standings.

·       Playoff points would be forfeited if a waiver is granted after a suspension or if a driver chooses to skip a race. Playoff points would not be forfeited in the event of a medical absence, missing a race for the birth of a child or a family emergency, or if age restrictions prevent a driver from racing a full season.

NXS Clinch Scenarios Following Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Already Clinched

·       The following three drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver postseason field: Justin Allgaier, Connor Zilisch, Austin Hill.

Can Clinch Via Previous Wins

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Justin Allgaier, Connor Zilisch, Jesse Love, Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Nicholas Sanchez:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Would clinch regardless of finish

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Daniel Dye:

•        Jesse Love: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Brennan Poole:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch with 29 points

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Josh Williams:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch with 8 points

•        Brandon Jones: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Jeremy Clements:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch with 1 point

•        Brandon Jones: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by William Sawalich:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch with 39 points

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Matt DiBenedetto:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch with 28 points

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Anthony Alfredo:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch with 20 points

•        Sammy Smith: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Parker Retzlaff:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch with 34 points

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Could only clinch with help

·        The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Kyle Sieg:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch with 25 points

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Would clinch with 53 points

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Blaine Perkins:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch with 24 points

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Would clinch with 52 points

·       The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Ryan Ellis:

•        Jesse Love: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Sammy Smith: Would clinch with 5 points

•        Nicholas Sanchez: Would clinch with 33 points

Can Clinch Via Win

·       The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

•        Jesse Love, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Nicholas Sanchez

·        The following drivers could clinch with a win:

•        Sam Mayer: Could only clinch with help

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Looking Ahead – Watkins Glen Storylines and Insights:

·       Next weekend will mark the seventh running of a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International (1996-1999, 2000, 2021). The second of three road courses on the schedule this season.

·       The event will be the 17th race of the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule, two races to go until the Playoffs (Richmond and Watkins Glen).

·       Corey Heim clinched the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Regular Season Championship with his third-place finish at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Heim has won the NCTS Regular Season Championship twice in his career (2023, 2025).

·       Seven of 10 Playoff positions are now held by race winners with three to go in the regular season, every driver with a win is locked into the Playoffs. ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski currently holds the 10th and final Playoff transfer spot on points, up +61 points on his teammate Jake Garcia in 11th. 

·       Corey Heim has won six Xfinity Fastest Lap Awards this season; no other driver has more than two.

·       Austin Hill is the most recent Truck Series winner at WGI (2021).

·       Four of the six previous NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Watkins Glen International have been from the pole or first starting position (66.7%); the most recent driver to win from the pole or first starting position was Austin Hill (8/7/2021).

NCTS Clinch Scenarios Following Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park:

Already Clinched

·       The following seven drivers have clinched a spot in the 10-driver postseason field: Corey Heim, Chandler Smith, Layne Riggs, Daniel Hemric, Tyler Ankrum, Stewart Friesen, Rajah Caruth.

Can Clinch Via Points

·       If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the third winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from Grant Enfinger or Kaden Honeycutt.

•        Grant Enfinger: Could only clinch with help

•        Kaden Honeycutt: Could only clinch with help

·       If there is a new winner from Ty Majeski or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the second winless driver in the standings.

•        Grant Enfinger: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

·       The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

•        Grant Enfinger, Kaden Honeycutt, Ty Majeski, Jake Garcia, Ben Rhodes, Giovanni Ruggiero, Tanner Gray, Connor Mosack, Matt Crafton, Andres Perez De Lara, Jack Wood, Matt Mills, Dawson Sutton, Spencer Boyd, Toni Breidinger, Frankie Muniz.

NASCAR & Iowa, Etc.

Historical and Significant Events at Iowa Speedway:

  • Iowa Speedway is a state-of-the-art 7/8 mile asphalt paved tri-oval race track and motorsports facility located in Newton, Iowa, 30 miles east of Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa Speedway also features a 1.3 mile road course.
  • Conrad Clement and his family (former president of Featherlite Trailer company) recently bought US Motorsports Corp. which was the primary ownership group of the speedway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace designed and was a minority owner of the track.
  • Iowa Speedway is modeled after Richmond Raceway and designed for year-round use and includes 25,000 permanent grandstand seats with a multi-tiered RV viewing area along the backstretch. 
  • Iowa Speedway was designed as the first track in the world to protect fans and drivers through the use of SAFER barrier technology surrounding the entire perimeter of the track. 
  • NASCAR announced in November 2013 that they purchased the speedway, one month later they named Jimmy Small track president. 
  • David Hyatt, former president of MRN was named track president at the beginning of 2018. 
  • Eric Peterson, NASCAR and Kansas Speedway executive, was appointed Iowa track president at the start of 2024.

Iowa Speedway Important Dates:

  • Broke Ground: June 2005
  • Opened: September 2006         
  • First Race: September 2006 – USAR Hooters Pro Cup won by Woody Howard
  • First ARCA Race: October 2006 – won by Steve Wallace
  • First NASCAR Race:  May 2007 – K&N East –West race (now ARCA) won by Joey Logano
  • First Indy Car Race:  June 2007 – Won by Dario Franchitti
  • First Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Race: July 2007
  • First Xfinity Series Race: August 2009 won by Brad Keselowski
  • First Truck Race: September 2009 won by Mike Skinner
  • NASCAR purchases the speedway in November 2013
  • October 2023 NASCAR announces that Iowa Speedway will host a Cup series race in 2024
  • All four turns at Iowa were partially repaved in May 2024

Latest Track News at Iowa Speedway:

  • Country music sensation Corey Kent will bring high-octane energy to Iowa Speedway on Sunday, August 3, as part of the Busch Light Summer Music Series. The red dirt hitmaker will perform just before the green flag drops for the highly anticipated Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol NASCAR Cup Series race. Known for his dynamic performances and chart-topping hits such as “Wild As Her” and “This Heart,” Kent will deliver an electrifying show on the frontstretch that blends modern country with southern rock grit.
  • NASCAR and Iowa Speedway announced that tickets are sold out for the NASCAR Cup Series’ Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol race on Sunday, Aug. 3. It also announced that Iowa Corn will continue as the entitlement partner through a multi-year extension with The Fastest Short Track on the Planet.
  • NASCAR is bringing high-octane excitement to the heart of downtown Des Moines with NASCAR’s Iowa Fan Fest on Thursday July 31. This free community celebration will be held from 4-7:30 p.m. at Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309. Fans of all ages are invited to enjoy an evening packed with racing-themed fun, local flavor, and exclusive experiences, including NASCAR driver appearances and free Deardorff Sweet Corn for the first 500 guests, provided by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Hy-Vee.
  • Other Fan Fest highlights will include Show Cars by Chevrolet, Iowa Corn Trailer, Live DJ spinning music all evening, KIX 101.1 Horsepower Hour live radio broadcast, Interactive kids activities, Local food vendors.

NASCAR PR



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

Rockingham Speedway Is Up For Sale

Rockingham Speedway, known as “The Rock,” is now available for acquisition—a rare opportunity to own one of North Carolina’s most iconic motorsports and entertainment properties. Spanning 250 acres in Richmond County, the property is ideally located within 90 miles of over 12 million people across Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, and just 20 miles from Pinehurst […]

Published

on


Rockingham Speedway, known as “The Rock,” is now available for acquisition—a rare opportunity to own one of North Carolina’s most iconic motorsports and entertainment properties. Spanning 250 acres in Richmond County, the property is ideally located within 90 miles of over 12 million people across Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, and just 20 miles from Pinehurst Golf Course. Fully equipped to host high-capacity events, the facility includes seating for over 25,000 spectators and parking for more than 10,000 vehicles. Complete sitewide ABC permits allow for alcohol sales across the entire venue, making it ideal for both motorsport and festival use. With more than $12 million invested in infrastructure upgrades over the last three years, Rockingham recently returned to the national stage by hosting its first major NASCAR event in two decades.

Significant recent improvements make this a turnkey property for race series, large-scale events, or entertainment investors. The Big Rock oval has been fully repaved, the infield road course expanded and resurfaced, and the core infrastructure—including suites, pit garages, media center, fiber optics, lighting, and audio/video systems—extensively modernized. The property features 18 permanent buildings with several hundred thousand square feet of operational space, including core suites, wing suites, a hospital, garages, and a media center. With efforts underway to secure NASCAR races for 2026 and 2027, the property is well-positioned to reemerge as a premier destination on the national racing circuit.

Unique to The Rock is its exemption from all noise ordinances, 24/7/365—making it the ideal venue for music festivals, endurance racing, and overnight events. The site has already proven itself as a festival powerhouse, having hosted 100,000 attendees during the 2019 Epicenter Festival weekend. Additionally, the property now qualifies to partner with a licensed Sports Wagering Operator, creating a path to secure North Carolina’s ninth wagering license. In 2024 alone, the eight approved wagering licensees generated over $6 billion in paid revenue. Between its prime location, updated facilities, revenue potential, and future event prospects, Rockingham Speedway presents a one-of-a-kind investment opportunity for those ready to take the wheel.

The property includes 4 different racing surfaces:

Big Rock – 1 mile NASCAR racetrack
Little Rock – 1⁄2 mile racetrack
Little Rock – 1⁄4 mile racetrack
Road Course – 3⁄4 mile infield road course


A modern building with large windows reflects the sunset sky. The word "ROCKINGHAM" is prominently displayed on the side, highlighting its close proximity to Rockingham Speedway—an ultimate playground for racing enthusiasts.



Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending