For the longest time, NASCAR had just two road courses on the Cup schedule — Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen.

However, the series has rapidly expanded that number in recent years with Cup races at the Indianapolis Road Course, Daytona Road Course, Road America, Charlotte Roval, Circuit of the Americas, as well as events in Mexico City and on the streets of Chicago. 

Some of these tracks have since fallen off the schedule, but the number of road/street courses is currently at six total. NASCAR officials are also close to securing a new street race in San Diego, but those plans have yet to be finalized.

However, not every driver is excited about the prospect of more road and street course events, suggesting NASCAR actually remove some of them from the schedule.

In the past few days, both 2012 NASCAR Cup champion Brad Keselowski and three-time Daytona 500 Denny Hamlin have called for fewer road courses, but neither indicated that their unfavorable opinion of these events has anything to do with Shane van Gisbergen’s recent dominance.

Too many road courses?

Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford

Photo by: Logan Riely / Getty Images

“We went from 2 to 6 road course races, possibly 7 next year,” Keselowski posted on social media. “NASCAR was successfully built as a primarily oval racing series. IMSA was built as the primary road course series in North America. IMSA will always do road racing better than NASCAR and that’s ok … Yes, TOO many road courses in NASCAR.”

Hamlin made his thoughts known on his weekly podcast, Actions Detrimental. “I’m not a road course fan,” he said. “I still believe we have too many of them on the schedule … Six is a lot, considering that we are NASCAR. We’re short track racing, oval racing, full contact type racing.”

However, Hamlin also threw his support behind the Chicago Street Course, believing the event is important enough to keep on the schedule. As for the rest of them, Hamlin said he could “take it or leave them.”

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

A few weeks ago, NASCAR legend Richard Petty also took aim at road courses, but his opinion seemed more focused on how it impacts the championship after SVG’s Mexico win.

“You got somebody that’s 30th in points that’s going to make the playoffs,” said Petty. “Hey man, what happened to the guy that 15th, 16th, or 18th (that’s) been running good and finished good everywhere? You’re making a championship situation by winning a road course, which is not really NASCAR to begin with. From that standpoint, I think they’re going to have to jockey around and change some of this kind of stuff.”

Mike Forde, NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications, shared details on the governing body’s review of the incident between Ross Chastain and Joey Logano at Chicago. On the Hauler Talk podcast, Forde said NASCAR was still reviewing the incident as of Tuesday afternoon.

“They have done some research into the audio and reviewed some video,” Mike Forde said. “So that conversation is still going on. “We’re taping this on a Tuesday afternoon right now. So, no word just yet as we continue to look into that. We did hear from Logano, both through the interviews, but he did stop in and talk with us about that situation on Sunday afternoon/evening.

“I would be fairly surprised if we don’t have conversations with both those drivers, whether that’s going to be together or separately in Sonoma to let them know to let them know that our eyes will be peeled on the 1 (Chastain) and the 22 (Logano) to make sure nothing unsavory happens at Sonoma and beyond.”

Shortly after Forde recorded the episode of Hauler Talk, NASCAR confirmed no penalties from the Chicago weekend. That can’t sit well with Logano, who asked NASCAR to fine Chastain for hitting him late in the race. Additionally, Logano said that Chastain told him that he intentionally ran into him.

What happens next with Ross Chastain and Joey Logano?

“He admitted he wrecked me on purpose,” Logano told reporters post-race. “He admitted it — which means he should get fined if he admittedly wrecked someone on purpose. That’s not OK. … It’s just typical Ross. He just sees red and does dumb stuff. That’s all. And that’s twice this year on road courses at the end of these things I’ve been cost by Ross. Just over it.”

The incident happened after the Lap 64 restart. Kyle Larson was sent forward into Chastain, who spun just ahead of Logano. Chastain then bumped into Logano, sending him into Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

“Ross better get the f*cking information right before he goes and wrecks somebody. And there’s f*cking six cars behind me wrecking into me, and then he destroys me from four back. That motherf*cker,” Logano said on his radio.

Ross Chastain finished 10th, and Joey Logano finished 11th. The two have won races this year, meaning they will battle each other in the playoffs at the end of August.

THORNTON, CO – July 10, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) –  Sun Powersports, Colorado’s largest powersports dealer, announced its “Polaris Factory Authorized Clearance” event, offering unprecedented savings on all remaining 2024 Polaris ATVs and side-by-sides. This limited-time event promises the biggest discounts of the year, including massive rebates of up to $4,000.

“We’re pulling out all the stops for this Polaris Factory Authorized Clearance,” said Mark Kite, Dealer Principal for Sun Powersports. “We know our customers are looking for incredible value, and with rebates up to $4,000 on every remaining 2024 Polaris ATV and side-by-side, this is the perfect opportunity to get the ride of your dreams. Nobody beats a Sun Deal – nobody.”

The clearance event features significant price reductions across the entire 2024 Polaris lineup still in stock, providing adventurers, workers, and enthusiasts alike the chance to own a top-of-the-line off-road vehicle at an unbeatable price. Whether you’re looking for a rugged ATV for solo expeditions or a versatile side-by-side for group adventures and heavy-duty tasks, Sun Powersports has a wide selection to meet every need.

As Colorado’s leading powersports dealer, Sun Powersports is committed to providing not only the best prices but also exceptional customer service and support. Their knowledgeable team is on hand to assist customers in finding the perfect vehicle to fit their lifestyle and adventure aspirations.

Customers are encouraged to visit Sun Powersports at 8877 North Washington Street in Thornton to explore the extensive inventory and take advantage of these significant savings. For those who prefer to browse inventory from home, all available models and deal information can also be found online at sunpowersports.com.

This clearance event is for a limited time only, and interested buyers are advised to act quickly to ensure the best selection.

About Sun Powersports:

Sun Powersports is recognized as Colorado’s largest powersports dealer, offering a vast selection of new and pre-owned ATVs, side-by-sides, motorcycles, and other recreational vehicles. Committed to customer satisfaction, Sun Powersports provides expert sales, service, and parts to support the powersports community across Colorado and beyond.

Contact: 
Mark Kite
Sun Powersports – 8877 N. Washington St. Thornton, CO 80229
(303) 287-7566
[email protected]
www.sunpowersports.com

DISCLOSURE: Terms and conditions apply. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. All riders should take a safety training course.

Source: Sun Powersports

####

Shane van Gisbergen still has half a season left in his first full year of NASCAR Cup Series competition, but the last four weeks have already justified his career change.

Van Gisbergen has won two of the last four races at the Mexico City road course and the Chicago street course. A pair of victories has him clinched in the postseason as a rookie, and one victory shy of being tied for the most in the series. The victory in Chicago made him the winningest foreign-born driver in Cup Series history, and he became the fastest driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2002 to win three races in his first 33 starts.

And all of this because van Gisbergen decided in 2023 to leave a highly-successful career in Australian Supercars to live and compete in the premier stock car series in the United States.

“It justifies, or backs up, why we’ve done it and why Justin [Marks] believes in me,” van Gisbergen said this week. “Justin looks like the smartest guy here after me locking into the playoffs, especially how dismal it looked early in the year. We all kept that belief. 

“Yeah, I feel like I made the best decision ever. I was really hating racing in Australia. I hated driving those cars. Now, I’ve never had so much fun racing, going to the racetrack every single weekend. I really love what I do.”

The success van Gisbergen is having on the road and street courses is to be expected, and it’s where Marks and the sponsors for van Gisbergen are getting their return on investment. But Marks still believes that van Gisbergen, 36, will develop into the complete package of a race car driver who can get the job done on ovals as well as road and street courses. Ovals, of course, make up the majority of the NASCAR schedule, whereas there are six road/street courses. 

Van Gisbergen isn’t exaggerating when he uses the word “dismal” to describe how his season started on the ovals. In the first nine oval races of the season (through Talladega in April), van Gisbergen had an average finish of 30.44 with a best finish of 20th at Darlington Raceway.

In the last seven oval races, however, van Gisbergen has improved his average finish to 22nd. His best finish is now a 14th in the Coca-Cola 600. 

“[Marks is] obviously very patient with me and knows that I’ll get there,” van Gisbergen said. “Obviously, I’ve had to deliver road course results to offset that a little bit, but he’s done what I’m doing. He was a NASCAR driver himself after being a sports car racer, and he knows how difficult this sport is. So he knows what I’m going through, and when I talk with him about my struggles, he knows what I’m talking about. It’s pretty cool to have a boss like that.”

Ovals are a work in progress for van Gisbergen, and that does include feeling like he’s doing a little more work than usual to try and get up to speed at those tracks. 

“Yes and no,” he said. “It’s just comfort. New experiences are always hard. When I went back to Darlington this year for the second time, I struggled there in the Southern 500 (in 2024), but in the race this year, I bent the car in practice, so we qualified badly. But in the race, we just got better and better as we went. It’s just when something is not new to you anymore, you’re more comfortable in that environment. I’m driving the same car every week with the same people, whereas last year I was chugging and changing. 

“This year is comfortable and I’m learning so much more.” 

Van Gisbergen will go for a season-tying third victory Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. A triumph would be a back-to-back feat for him and the No. 88 team.

Martinsville Speedway is one of the oldest tracks on the NASCAR schedule, and it was part of the original eight-race season in 1949. The historic half-mile hosts two Cup races every year and is part of the Round of 8 playoff round.

Since 1964, the track known as the ‘paperclip’ has given out a very special trophy to the winner — a grandfather clock. The first recipient was Fred Lorenzen, who won the 1964 race from pole position. He actually swept the Martinsville races that year, leading an astonishing 980 out of 1,000 laps between the two races.

The Ridgeway Clock brand that produced the iconic prize was later sold to Howard Miller in 2004, which has continued making the clocks, as well as cabinets and other pieces of furniture. 

Daniel Hemric, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

However, the company that supplies these grandfather clocks is set to close, per a recent report. President and CEO Howard J. Miller, the grandson of the 100-year-old company’s founder, claims it was “unsustainable” to carry on. 

He went on to say that they have been hurt by the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, making it far more expensive for them to purchase some essential components for the clocks. 

“Our business has been directly impacted by tariffs that have increased the cost of essential components unavailable domestically and driven specialty suppliers out of business, making it unsustainable for us to continue our operations,” he said in a statement.

While Miller would still entertain offers, he has yet to find a new buyer for the company. It’s unclear what this means for the Martinsville clock tradition on NASCAR race weekends, but they can of course look for a new supplier if needed.

Public reaction

Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacted to the closure with the following social media post: “Whomever makes the next version better make them exactly like the previous versions. Don’t get cute and f*** this up.”

Mike Joy, who is the lead commentator for NASCAR on FOX, also responded to the news, including a bit of history:

“When we first visited Ridgeway Clocks for TNN (early ’90s) the clocks were made there, and a star employee was chosen to present the special “Speedway Clock” to the race winner … When we returned for FOX (early ’00’s) the clocks were still assembled and finished in Ridgheway, using components made in China … When ISC (NASCAR) bought the track, they dissolved the association with Ridgeway Clocks. Drivers were mad, so ISC started buying finished clocks from stores to present to race winners … Howard Miller Co in Michigan bought the Ridgeway Clock brand and closed the factory in Ridgeway. The building is still abandoned … Today, Howard Miller announced (unless a buyer is found), it will shut down at the end of this year. Their brands, including Howard Miller, Ridgeway and Hekman will disappear. Very sad.”

Sonoma Raceway qualifying orders and practice groups for NASCAR weekend

NASCAR is rolling into the hills of California. The 2.52-mile road course of Sonoma Raceway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series West.

View the NASCAR qualifying order for Sonoma Raceway below.

Sonoma TV Schedule: July 2025 (NASCAR)

NASCAR Cup Series
Qualifying Order

Pos | Driver | Metric Score

1. Todd Gilliland
35.600

2. Brad Keselowski
34.300

3. Cole Custer
33.300

4. Austin Dillon
33.000

5. Noah Gragson
30.900

6. Carson Hocevar
30.800

7. Josh Berry
30.400

8. Michael McDowell
29.300

9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
29.200

10. Cody Ware
29.000

11. Daniel Suarez
29.000

12. William Byron
28.300

13. Justin Haley
24.700

14. Katherine Legge
24.400

15. Ty Dillon
23.600

16. Bubba Wallace
23.500

17. Austin Cindric
23.400

18. Erik Jones
22.900

19. Riley Herbst
22.400

Group 2

20. Chase Briscoe
18.800

21. Christopher Bell
18.600

22. Zane Smith
17.000

23. John Hunter Nemechek
16.500

24. Chris Buescher
15.900

25. Chase Eliott
11.800

26. Joey Logano
11.300

27. Ryan Blaney
10.500

28. Kyle Larson
10.000

29. Ross Chastain
9.400

30. Ryan Preece
9.100

31. AJ Allmendinger
9.000

32. Shane van Gisbergen
8.800

33. Kyle Busch
8.600

34. Alex Bowman
8.600

35. Ty Gibbs
7.100

36. Denny Hamlin
4.000

37. Tyler Reddick
3.600

NASCAR Xfinity Series
Qualifying Order

Pos | Driver | Metric Score

1. Sage Karam
39.800

2. Kris Wright
39.500

3. Austin J Hill
35.100

4. Corey Day
34.400

5. Josh Bilicki
34.100

6. William Sawalich
34.000

7. Anthony Alfredo
32.100

8. Ryan Sieg
31.100

9. Brad Perez
30.900

10. Connor Mosack
28.400

11. Jeremy Clements
28.300

12. Taylor Gray
27.400

13. Matt DiBenedetto
26.800

14. Riley Herbst
26.600

15. Ryan Ellis
26.500

16. Parker Retzlaff
25.200

17. Jeb Burton
22.200

18. Kyle Sieg
21.500

19. Blaine Perkins
21.300

20. Will Rogers
21.200

Group 2

21. Daniel Dye
18.700

22. Austin Green
18.000

23. Brandon Jones
17.100

24. Justin Allgaier
16.400

25. Alex Labbe
16.200

26. Christian Eckes
15.300

27. Dean Thompson
14.900

28. Josh Williams
14.000

29. Brennan Poole
13.000

30. Harrison Burton
13.000

31. Carson Kvapil
13.000

32. Shane van Gisbergen
11.200

33. Sammy Smith
7.000

34. Sam Mayer
6.800

35. Nick Sanchez
6.500

36. Jesse Love
5.700

37. Sheldon Creed
4.800

38. Austin Hill
3.700

39. Connor Zilisch
2.000

ARCA Menards Series West
Entry List

#1
Robbie Kennealy

#3
Todd Souza

#4
Eric Nascimento

#5
Eric Johnson Jr

#6
Caleb Shrader

#7
Corey Day

#8
Jeff Anton

#13
Tanner Reif

#14
Davey Magras

#16
Jack Wood

#17
Kaylee Bryson

#18
William Sawalich

#19
Christian Eckes

#23
Spencer Gallagher

#24
Tyler Reif

#25
Alon Day

#32
Dale Quarterley

#50
Trevor Huddleston

#51
Blake Lothian

#52
Ryan Philpott

#68
Rodd Kneeland

#71
Kyle Keller

#72
Jonathan Reaume

#77
Nick Joanides

#88
Will Rodgers

#05
David Smith

Sonoma TV Schedule: July 2025 (NASCAR)

Links

Sonoma Raceway | NASCAR | ARCA Menards Series