Central Ohio once had a thriving auto racing scene, sparking curiosity from a Curious Cbus viewer about Columbus’ rich motorsports history. Legendary racer and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal shares how Columbus became home to vibrant grassroots racing, the Columbus 500 and helped launch national talent.

“The history of motor racing in the state of Ohio goes way back,” said racing legend Bobby Rahal. “Really probably as far back as Indiana and Indianapolis in itself.”

Ohio once hosted numerous dirt tracks and road circuits, including the famed Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, which opened in the early 1960s and the Put-in-Bay races of the 1950s.

“It truly was grassroots,” Rahal recalled. “Every car dealer had a team…every auto parts store had a car or was involved in it.”

Columbus itself was home to the Columbus Motor Speedway and the Columbus 500, a street race that brought international attention to the city.

“The Columbus 500 was a significant race because it brought IMSA European-style racing into the streets of Columbus, Ohio,” Rahal explained. “Some of the best drivers in the world came to the streets in Columbus and competed for a trophy that was highly sought after.”

The area also nurtured local talent. Drivers like Bob Johnson, Don Sessler, and Chuck Dietrich found national success, helping to cement Ohio’s place in American motorsports.

Though many of the local tracks have since closed, the spirit of racing remains strong.

“The passion, the fervor for racing is as strong today in the Columbus area as it ever was,” Rahal said. “I don’t see that going away.”

• Dover Motor Speedway will transform into “Miles Beach” from July 17-20.
• Here are some fun events from “Miles Beach.”
• This year, NASCAR weekend collides with the Delaware State Fair.

“Flip-flops and freedom” might become the unofficial theme when NASCAR fans meet boardwalk bliss at Dover Motor Speedway’s new “Miles Beach” makeover during race weekend. 

MONTEREY, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2025 / DJ Dillon Francis will be the first headline act to ever appear at Monterey Car Week when he plays a live set at the Monterey Motorsports Festival on August 16. He’ll play a 75min set to close out the show on the Monterey Arena Stage from 9:45PM during the event that runs from 5-11PM on Saturday night.

As its name suggests, Monterey Motorsports Festival is about cars, music and culture. For car enthusiasts, the 22-acre Monterey Fairgrounds – located just three miles from Cannery Row – will be packed with vehicles from every genre. Standout attractions announced to date include the exclusive Car Week appearance of New Zealand drifter and Red Bull athlete, Mad Mike with his MADMAC P1 – a 1000hp Rotary-engined McLaren. Plus the Giugiaro-designed Peralta S will make its US debut and first public appearance since it was unveiled to its owner earlier this year. We’ll have many more automotive announcements in the weeks leading up to the show itself.

For music fans, the Monterey Motorsports Festival will be headlined by platinum-selling superstar DJ, producer and entertainer Dillon Francis. He’s known both for his unique sound – combining EDM, Latin, Trap, and even pop influences into dance anthems – as well as unforgettable live performances, allowing him to carve out a unique position in the world of electronic dance music.

Francis burst onto the scene in 2010 and soon became a founding member of the Moombahton movement before releasing hits such as Get Low (with DJ Snake), Coming Over (with Kygo), and Anywhere . He’s since become a staple at the world’s biggest music festivals, playing everywhere from Coachella and Lollapalooza to EDC and Ultra Music Festival. Francis has also collaborated with a wide range of artists including Diplo, Calvin Harris, Brendon Urie, BabyJake, Yung Gravy, and more.

You can catch Dillon Francis live at Monterey Motorsports Festival 2025, where he’ll headline the Arena Stage on Saturday, August 16, 2025, closing out a night of music, motors, and high-octane celebration during Monterey Car Week.

Supporting him will be musical acts including The Outlaw Mariachi ( @theoutlawmariachi ) with their own brand of Mariachi-style cover-band rock as well as Don’t Stop Believing ( @DSBband ), rated as the best Journey cover band in the world. There will also be local bands Latin Jazz Collective and Sensory Tribe to keep the party rolling.

Anybody who doesn’t want to miss the only appearance of Dillon Francis, Mad Mike, the Peralta S, and many more attractions can obtain tickets now from montereymotorsportsfestival.com .

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There are at least five different lawsuits going on at the moment in relation to charter disputes in NASCAR, and three of them involve Legacy Motor Club as either the plaintiff or defendant.

After suing Rick Ware Racing for allegedly backtracking on a signed contract to sell a charter to Legacy for 2026, RWR has since countersued Legacy. While Legacy claims they have a signed Charter Purchase Agreement for a 2026 charter, RWR claims they are trying to take a charter other than the one originally agreed upon. 

And while this is unfolding, a report from the Associated Press has emerged, saying that T.J. Puchyr had entered into an agreement to purchase all of Rick Ware Racing.

In this latest suit, they claim Puchyr is wrongfully interfering with Legacy’s attempt to purchase a charter from RWR. This comes after Judge Daniel A. Kuehnert warned RWR that they could face “serious ramifications” if they tried to sell, despite previously indicating in court that they had no such plans.

Puchyr was working with Legacy?

John Hunter Nemechek, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota

Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Legacy revealed in a filing this week that Puchyr was actually working with the team as an “Independent Contractor Agreement” through his consulting firm, Rucus. They also say he had direct knowledge of their purchase agreement with RWR as he helped to broker it before making his own offer to buy the race team in the midst of this charter dispute. 

In the suit, Legacy claims, “As part of that agreement, Mr. Puchyr was given access to confidential and sensitive business information so that he could promote Legacy and its principals in order to help Legacy secure (a) sponsorship deal. Legacy trusted Mr. Puchyr. By engaging Mr. Puchyr, Legacy expected him to act with integrity and to refrain from actions that would undermine Legacy’s operations, reputation, or competitive standing. It further expected Mr. Puchyr to avoid any conflicts of interest, disclose any circumstances that might compromise his impartiality, and comply with ethical standards that reinforce Legacy’s trust in his services.”

They go on to say that he has betrayed their trust and is now interfering in their ongoing legal battle with RWR as he aims to buy the entire organization. They make serious accusations against Puchyr,  saying he has “worked behind the scenes to upend Legacy’s deal with RWR,” adding: “He has openly and proudly boasted about his malfeasance, criticizing Legacy and its principals, while touting his underhanded attempt to strip Legacy of its bargained-for right to Charter from RWR.”

Legacy also claims Puchyr made “personal attacks” against Legacy’s co-owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson. Per the filing, Puchyr said he didn’t think Johnson “‘has all the facts, doesn’t understand the deal we had’ and ‘tried to humiliate Rick publicly.'”

After switching race teams this offseason but retaining the same loyal backing he’s had for the past four years, Myles Rowe made history last weekend by becoming the first Black driver to win an INDY NXT by Firestone race.

Rowe drove his No. 99 Abel Motorsports/Force Indy entry to victory lane at Iowa Speedway, claiming his maiden win in his 23rd career start.

“I have such a good support system,” Rowe said. “I wouldn’t ask for it any other way, from my family to my friends to the team. Even within the series, the support just never ends. I’m super grateful for that, and I use it as energy every time I’m at the track. When I win, I feel like a lot of other people win too. That’s something really special to be a part of.”

Rowe emphasized the importance of representation in motorsports.

“I think it’s crucial to see someone who looks like you doing well, someone to look up to, especially when you’re young and everything feels so big and out of reach,” he said. “That’s even more true in motorsports, where the costs can keep people out before they even get started.

“A lot of things had to fall into place, but with enough passion and desire, here I am. I’m just glad I can be a face that represents what’s possible. I was one of those kids who believed in the impossible and now I’m watching it unfold. I hope other kids will believe in that too — that belief is what will shape the world to come.”

Rowe’s journey began in karting, eventually leading to the Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series in 2017 and 2018. But a lack of funding forced him to step away from racing in 2019. The 2020 pandemic made finding sponsorship even more difficult. At that point, Rowe turned to photography while attending New York City’s Pace University, fearing that his racing days were over.

Then, in July 2020, Penske Entertainment launched the Race for Equality & Change initiative aimed at creating opportunities for minorities and women in motorsports. From that initiative, Force Indy was born. In 2021, Rod Reid, founder of NXG Youth Motorsports, offered Rowe a shot in the USF2000 Championship.

Rowe seized the opportunity, becoming the first Black driver to win in the series with a victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

In 2022, he stayed in USF2000 with Pabst Racing while Force Indy moved up to INDY NXT. That season, Rowe scored five wins and finished just six points behind champion Michael d’Orlando.

Row advanced to USF Pro 2000 in 2023 while still with Pabst and continued support from Force Indy. Another five-win season earned him the championship title, making him the first Black driver to win a North American open-wheel championship.

That title came with a scholarship to compete in INDY NXT, where Force Indy partnered with HMD Motorsports. Rowe struggled through the season and finished 11th in the standings.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Rowe made the move to Abel Motorsports, a decision that’s already paying dividends.

In addition to his historic Iowa victory, Rowe has recorded seven top-five finishes in nine starts and currently sits fourth in the championship standings.

“Switching teams was definitely a big help,” he said. “The whole package we have now has allowed me to fight at the front more consistently. I’m very happy with the decision we made.

“My support system has only gotten stronger. I’m really proud to be doing this with Abel Motorsports. I love that team. They mean so much to me, just like Pabst Racing did. I’m thrilled to be part of this.”

Despite having a week to celebrate before the next race: a doubleheader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on July 26–27. Rowe isn’t resting on his laurels. The Georgia native is already focused on building momentum.

“I’m obviously just looking for more,” he said. “Racing drivers, we’re never satisfied. I want more of this, and I want to carry it into INDYCAR.

“This win is great, but I’m already thinking about Laguna.”

NASCAR is headed for San Diego next season.

RACER has learned a deal has been reached for NASCAR to return to Southern California next year, and the announcement of the event could come as soon as next week. San Diego has been a rumored destination of the sport for the last few months, and RACER noted last week that Coronado has recently floated as the potential destination.

It is unclear where the exact location of next year’s race will be, or where it will fit onto the schedule. NASCAR is still working through potential returns to Mexico City and Chicago (pictured above), with the latter interested in extending its deal past the three year contract that recently concluded but at a different date on the schedule. NASCAR raced in Chicago in early July the last three years.

San Diego will fill the void of NASCAR not having run a points race in Southern Californian since 2023. Fontana, the site of the facility formerly known as Auto Club Speedway, fell off the schedule amid plans to turn the 2-mile oval into a short track. Those plans, however, were officially acknowledged as “paused” earlier this year by NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps.

The full 2026 schedule is not expected until the end of the summer or early fall.