Motorsports
Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins NASCAR national series debut as crew chief at Pocono – Action News Jax
LONG POND, Pa. — (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. might already be NASCAR’s most popular crew chief. He’s certainly an undefeated one. Pressed into unexpected service, Earnhardt called the shots for 18-year-old prospect Connor Zilisch in the No. 88 Chevrolet and they landed in victory lane Saturday in the second-tier Xfinity Series race at Pocono […]

LONG POND, Pa. — (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. might already be NASCAR’s most popular crew chief.
He’s certainly an undefeated one.
Pressed into unexpected service, Earnhardt called the shots for 18-year-old prospect Connor Zilisch in the No. 88 Chevrolet and they landed in victory lane Saturday in the second-tier Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway.
“It felt good to have some input and decision-making power,” Earnhardt said. “And then helping Connor understand what our plan was so he knew when to push and what he was expected to do.”
Earnhardt — who won NASCAR’s most-popular driver award 15 times — made a pit stop from his day job as team owner at JR Motorsports with normal crew chief Mardy Lindley suspended one race because of a lug nut infraction this month at Nashville.
Aside from his duties as team owner, Earnhardt also was at Pocono for his role on the Prime broadcast for the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday.
“Lot of fun for me today,” Earnhardt said. “I missed the thrill of competition. I love broadcast, don’t get me wrong. But nothing compares to driving or just being part of the team. Being an owner doesn’t really deliver like this. This is a lot of fun.”
Earnhardt had his wife and two young daughters in tow with him as he made the celebratory walk to victory lane. Oldest daughter Isla Rose clutched the checkered flag while youngest Nicole Lorraine soaked in the scene from her dad’s arms.
“I love that they just get to experience things about NASCAR,” Earnhardt said. “I had such a great time growing up as a kid in this sport, just running around here. I want them to have that opportunity and understand that this is a place where they could create opportunities for themselves down the road.”
The win continued a banner season for the NASCAR Hall of Fame driver — who swept two races at Pocono as a driver in 2014 — after JR Motorsports and reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier qualified for the season-opening Daytona 500 and secured their Cup Series debut.
Earnhardt won two Daytona 500s, in 2004 and 2014, and 26 races overall.
His side hustle Saturday was made a bit easier with Zilisch behind the wheel. Zilisch, who turns 19 in July, raced to his second Xfinity victory of the season and third of his young career. He won his Xfinity debut last year at Watkins Glen International.
Earnhardt even pitched in during the race and tossed tires over the wall during pit stops.
“Midway through the race man, I was feeling it,” Earnhardt said.
Zilisch took the win down to the wire and finally passed Jesse Love with five laps left in the race. Love finished second.
“Dale Junior, not too bad on the box,” Zilisch said. “Pretty cool to have him up there. Getting him a 1-for-1 win as crew chief is pretty awesome.”
Even with the victory, it just might be one-and-done on the pit box for Earnhardt.
“I don’t know that I see myself doing it again,” he said.
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Motorsports
‘NASCAR 25’ video game release date announced
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Developers finally have a release date for the highly-anticipated “NASCAR 25” console video game. “NASCAR 25′ will come out Oct. 14, 2025, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The PC version, via Steam, will be released soon afterward. Courtesy of NASCAR25.com “NASCAR 25” is the first standalone NASCAR console title iRacing has […]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Developers finally have a release date for the highly-anticipated “NASCAR 25” console video game.
“NASCAR 25′ will come out Oct. 14, 2025, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The PC version, via Steam, will be released soon afterward.

“NASCAR 25” is the first standalone NASCAR console title iRacing has produced. iRacing is bringing “decades of racing expertise” to “NASCAR 25”, including developers who worked on fan-favorite NASCAR games like “NASCAR Racing 2003 Season”, “NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona”, and the “NASCAR Thunder” series.
“NASCAR 25” will feature the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series plus the ARCA Menards Series. The game will feature all four series with real drivers from each — and a career mode. The career mode will allow you to customize your own driver and vehicles, manage contracts, money, facility and staff.
“You can also make strategic choices on and off the track that play a pivotal role in your journey to becoming a NASCAR Cup Series champion,” developers stated in a press release.
Other gameplay modes include quick races, seasons and online multiplayer.
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
Motorsports
Six Drivers Still Alive in Fight for Regular Season Championship
There’s been a change atop the NASCAR Cup Series point standings. For the first time since May, and just the fourth time in 21 NASCAR Cup Series events this season, the point standings are led by somebody other than DAYTONA 500 winner William Byron. After a poor finish at Dover Motor Speedway, the driver of […]

There’s been a change atop the NASCAR Cup Series point standings.
For the first time since May, and just the fourth time in 21 NASCAR Cup Series events this season, the point standings are led by somebody other than DAYTONA 500 winner William Byron. After a poor finish at Dover Motor Speedway, the driver of the No. 24 has dropped to second-place.
The new points leader? Byron’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, Chase Elliott. The Dawsonville, Georgia-native takes over the lead in the regular-season point standings after five top-six finishes in the last six events, including a victory at EchoPark Speedway.
This battle isn’t over, either. It’s just getting started. With five races until the end of the regular season, there are still six drivers who could realistically hoist the regular-season championship trophy once the checkered flag drops at Daytona International Speedway.
There’s a reason why Chase Elliott leads the points in the NASCAR Cup Series.
In an era of unpredictability and parity, Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team have managed to record 21 consecutive top-20s to start the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, which has come in handy as his teammate William Byron has struggled throughout the first part of the Summer.
Elliott leads the series in average finish by a significant amount (10.0 versus second-best 12.6 for Christopher Bell) and provided the Dawsonville, Georgia-native doesn’t hit any major snags in the next five weeks, might just be able to nickel and dime his way to the regular-season title.
William Byron has one problem, right now: and it’s not speed.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver has shown tons of raw speed throughout the regular-season, and while he has also parked it in Victory Lane once in 2025 (the DAYTONA 500), the Charlotte, North Carolina-native has arguably been among the best of the best all season.
However, luck has really not been on the side of Byron and the No. 24 Chevrolet. Finishes outside of the top-25 at Michigan and Pocono were one thing, but then to be followed by an early wreck at EchoPark Speedway, and a first-lap clutch issue at the Chicago Street Course, hurt the team significantly.
Byron recovered with a solid top-10 at Sonoma and was looking to continue building on that with a top-six run at Dover Motor Speedway before getting caught up in a multi-car accident on a late-race restart. That dropkicked him to 31st and lost him the points lead.
It’s time to get back on track for Byron. A lack of victories will come back to bite the 27-year-old when the post-season starts if he can’t accumulate some nice Playoff Points from his position in regular-season standings.
At this point in his career, Denny Hamlin is laser-focused on hoisting the Bill France Cup.
Granted, the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver certainly won’t be opposed to hoisting a regular-season championship trophy at Daytona International Speedway, seeing as that distinction would give him an additional 15 Playoff Points.
Hamlin comes off of his fourth victory of 2025 at Dover Motor Speedway sitting third-place in NASCAR Cup Series point standings. As the Chesterfield, Virginia-native looks for his first Brickyard 400 victory, he is tied with Kyle Larson in standings, and only 39 markers behind Chase Elliott.
There’s no question that Hamlin is among the strongest drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, right now, and will certainly have something to say about the regular-season title in the next five weeks.
If Kyle Larson is going to win the regular-season championship, the mid-season skid has to end.
The Elk Grove, California-native finished fourth in last Sunday’s 400-lapper at Dover Motor Speedway, but that was his first top-five result since Michigan in June, and his best finish in the NASCAR Cup Series since he won at Kansas in May.
After being a force to be reckoned with in the first-half of the season, the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet faded massively, and since the Coca-Cola 600 and a dismal bid at running ‘The Double’, Larson just hasn’t looked the same.
If the 32-year-old driver is going to make up a 39-point deficit on his ultra-consistent teammate Chase Elliott, he’s going to have to revert back to his previous Superman-like form. It all starts with the Brickyard 400, an even he won last season.
There are five races until the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs commence at Darlington Raceway, and there is a scenario – albeit an unlikely one – where Tyler Reddick, who sits fourth in NASCAR Cup Series point standings doesn’t make the post-season.
Reddick is one of three drivers inside the top-10 in regular-season points that haven’t been to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Cup Series this season, putting together a stat line that only includes five top-five and eight top-10 finishes – including a season-best runner-up result in the DAYTONA 500.
The 23XI Racing driver has hovered around third to seventh in points throughout the entire season, so the consistency is there, but Reddick is going to have to make up some significant points on Chase Elliott and the drivers in front of him if he wants to win a second straight regular-season title.
This is the point in the season where Reddick came on strong last year, en route to the regular-season championship and a Championship 4 berth, so, can the No. 45 team do it again? It’s a 62-point deficit, and there are two wildcard races in the last five regular-season races, so only time will tell.
Christopher Bell is without a doubt a contender for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship.
It’s been a while (since he finished off three consecutive victories with a win at Phoenix) that Bell has been to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Cup Series, and that has definitely cooled off his favor heading into the summer months.
There hasn’t been one overwhelming factor as to why Bell hasn’t been back in the winner’s circle this season. Sometimes it’s a lack of race-winning pace, while other times it’s just bad luck, or an incident that will happen while the No. 20 is in contention.
Take last weekend’s event at Dover Motor Speedway, for example. Bell had a fast racecar, one that definitely could have competed with his teammate for the victory, but the Norman, Oklahoma-native spun from the lead… TWICE.
It’s going to take a lot for Bell to get back into contention for the regular-season championship, seeing as he’s more than a full race (67 points) behind Chase Elliott, but with some fast racecars and luck falling his way, there’s no reason to believe that Christopher Bell can’t give it a shot.
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Motorsports
Verstappen says Horner’s exit has no impact on future plans | Motorsports News
Christian Horner’s departure as Red Bull boss will not affect Max Verstappen’s future with Mercedes move rumoured. Max Verstappen has insisted that Christian Horner’s shock departure as team boss of Red Bull will have no impact on his future plans. The four-time world champion, who has been linked with a move to Mercedes next year, […]

Christian Horner’s departure as Red Bull boss will not affect Max Verstappen’s future with Mercedes move rumoured.
Max Verstappen has insisted that Christian Horner’s shock departure as team boss of Red Bull will have no impact on his future plans.
The four-time world champion, who has been linked with a move to Mercedes next year, suggested on Thursday that he expects to stay with Red Bull until the conclusion of his current contract in 2028.
Speaking to reporters in the paddock before this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, one of his “home” races as he was born in Belgium and his mother is Belgian, the 27-year-old Dutchman said he was concerned only with improving the speed and performance of his car.
The rest, he said, was not of great interest to him, adding that past tensions between Horner and his father, Jos Verstappen, had no bearing on decisions about his future.
Asked if Horner’s exit after 20 years as team boss made it more probable that he would stay at Red Bull next year, Verstappen said, “No, it doesn’t. Not really.”
He said the well-publicised discord between his father and Horner was never a problem.
“People can have a difference of opinion, and I expect that to happen because if everyone agrees, there is a problem.
“You need to have differences in opinion. Now, we will work in a different direction, and I am excited about it, and I don’t think it will matter at all for the decision over my future.
“The only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can and try and be more competitive this year, a little bit, but for sure with the new regulations next year.”
Verstappen had earlier welcomed the appointment of Frenchman Laurent Mekies, promoted from junior team Racing Bulls, as Horner’s successor and clearly sensed that it could usher in a stronger technical and engineering focus at the team.
He gave an oblique response when asked if he had a decision to make about his future.
“There is also the possibility of not waking up tomorrow, and so there is no driving.
“Life is unpredictable and, in general, I am happy with where I am at.”
He added, “The target was that when I signed my deal, I would drive here until the end of my career.”
Verstappen will be hoping to end the speculation and give both the team and new boss Mekies a boost with a convincing performance this weekend on his favourite circuit.
The Dutchman finds himself in the unaccustomed position of third in the drivers’ standings, behind leader Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, both of McLaren.
Motorsports
Ferrucci ready to go for Laguna
Santino Ferrucci says his injured right hand has mostly healed from the morning warmup crash on Sunday at Toronto and he’ll be ready to race this weekend at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey – once he completes just over 1,500 miles of highway travel through the Southwest. “The swelling of my hand has […]

Santino Ferrucci says his injured right hand has mostly healed from the morning warmup crash on Sunday at Toronto and he’ll be ready to race this weekend at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey – once he completes just over 1,500 miles of highway travel through the Southwest.
“The swelling of my hand has actually almost gone down by 100 percent,” the AJ Foyt Racing driver told RACER. “I have probably 90-percent grip strength, which is good. I’m hoping by the time we get to the race, or at least get to California, we’re good and all the way back. Yeah, my knuckle still has a nice blood-colored look on it but could be worse.”
The trip to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca marks the end of a four-week, five-race sprint for the IndyCar Series. Where most participants would want to get in and out of Monterey as quickly as possible to maximize their downtime before racing resumes on August 10 in Portland, Ferrucci went in the opposite direction.
The Connecticut native chose to skip another round of flights and rental cars and the rest by climbing into his motorcoach with a friend and take Interstate 40 due west from his home in Dallas, Texas. Spending a few days on the road ahead of the intense July IndyCar racing finish line in California felt like the best way to recharge his battery.
“It’s just nice to do a road trip and mentally reset and put everything behind,” he said. “We’ve been having an amazing season. You have something like that at Toronto, you don’t want to let it get to you, and you just carry on.
“My dad, back in the day, we had the karting team and we just spent a lot of time on the open road. I’ve done the cross-country trek, but I’ve never done one from Dallas. Always started in the Northeast and driven across the top of the country. So driving through New Mexico and Arizona, it’s new territory for me. It’s beautiful out here.”
Motorsports
Jimmie Johnson praises Daniel Suarez, but says “I don’t have a seat”
Could Legacy Motor Club be a destination for Daniel Suarez in 2026? Suarez is set to depart Trackhouse Racing after five seasons, and questions are swirling as to where he could end up next year. There aren’t many options, but Legacy Motor Club was considered a potential path for the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. Legacy […]

Could Legacy Motor Club be a destination for Daniel Suarez in 2026? Suarez is set to depart Trackhouse Racing after five seasons, and questions are swirling as to where he could end up next year.
There aren’t many options, but Legacy Motor Club was considered a potential path for the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. Legacy is actively trying to secure a third charter, but the team is also in the middle of a contentious lawsuit with Rick Ware Racing, who they tried to purchase a charter from.
They already field too full-time entries with John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 42 and Erik Jones No. 43, while team co-owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson competes part-time in the No. 84 car.
Johnson responds

Jimmie Johnson, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Speaking in a Wednesday media availability, Johnson responded to the possibility of bringing Suarez into the organization.
“First and foremost, Danny is a great friend and somebody I stay in touch with,” said Johnson. I kind of knew his situation from a friend standpoint for a while. Great talent. Very popular. Can really perform on any track, has great sponsorship interest. A well-rounded modern-day NASCAR athlete.
“The real opportunity for any team owner. I would love to think about him seriously, but I don’t have a seat, on top of the fact I’m not sure if and when we’ll get a seat as we’re trying to acquire our third charter.
“I would look hard at him if we were prepared and ready and moving in that direction. In this instance, I highly doubt timing is going to work out. I think he’s a great talent and should have plenty of options.”
So, at the time, the answer appears to be ‘I would if I could’ from Legacy Motor Club. Johnson also guaranteed that they are not giving up their pursuit of a third charter, but no timetable has been set for when that could happen.
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Motorsports
Support animal-assisted therapy at this superhero-themed gala, August 23
Sponsored Spot adorable pets at the 24th annual Picasso Pets gala. (Hand in Paw) On Saturday, August 23rd, you’re invited to an unforgettable evening of art, creativity and compassion at the 24th Annual Picasso Pets gala. Held at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Picasso Pets is an annual fundraiser supporting Hand in Paw’s life-changing Animal-Assisted […]

Sponsored
On Saturday, August 23rd, you’re invited to an unforgettable evening of art, creativity and compassion at the 24th Annual Picasso Pets gala. Held at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Picasso Pets is an annual fundraiser supporting Hand in Paw’s life-changing Animal-Assisted Therapy programs.
Read on to learn all about this unforgettable event and get your tickets today—plus, see how your pet could be the face of next year’s gala!
This unforgettable gala supports life-changing Animal-Assisted Therapy
Now in its 24th year, Picasso Pets is a signature annual gala benefiting Hand in Paw, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing positive distraction, motivation, empathy and compassion to people in need through calming animal-assisted therapy.
The theme of this year’s gala—”Paws of Valor”—honors the extraordinary impact of Hand in Paw’s two- and four-legged heroes while informing the dress code for the evening.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in “Superhero Chic” by blending semi-formal attire with elements like capes, masks and metallic accessories.
What to expect at the 24th Annual Picasso Pets gala
Held for the first time at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, the 24th Annual Picasso Pets gala is an evening of fun, interactive activities such as:
- A themed photo booth
- A wine pull (fun auctions with mystery bottles of wine)
- Opportunities to meet Hand in Paw Therapy Teams
- Silent and live auctions with unique items like luxury getaways and one-of-a-kind art pieces
The evening will include a seated dinner and awards ceremony honoring Hand in Paw’s mission and impact in the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa communities.
Bonus: VIP ticket holders are invited to an exclusive VIP Experience from 5PM to 6PM, featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres, top-shelf cocktails, an early sneak peek at the 2025 Picasso Pets paintings and a self-guided tour of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.
At the heart of the Picasso Pets gala is a live auction of the 2025 Picasso Pets paintings, a selection of art pieces created by local artists and inspired by donors and their pets.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the sponsors, artists, volunteers, and supporters who make Picasso Pets possible. Their generosity ensures that we can continue bringing comfort and connection to people who need it most.”
Margaret Stinnett, Executive Director, Hand in Paw
Your four-legged friend could be the face of next year’s Picasso Pets
Each year, the most hotly-contested auction item is the honor of next year’s Face of Picasso Pets. The winner of the coveted award works alongside Hand in Paw staff to choose a theme for the next year’s event, with their pet immortalized in the branding.
This year’s Face of Picasso Pet is “Super Boo,” a gentle giant and Hand in Paw Therapy Dog belonging to Dr. and Mrs. Joe Jolly.
“I would highly encourage anyone who has been touched by animal assisted therapy in their lives or witnessed the good and joy that it brings to consider bidding on the Face of Picasso for themselves and their furry loved one.
Dr. Joe Jolly
Visit Hand in Paw’s website to learn more about the nonprofit’s mission and to get your tickets to this year’s Picasso Pets gala!
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