Motorsports
Hamlin undeterred by ruling siding with NASCAR in lawsuit filed by Jordan-owned 23XI and Front Row
BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Denny Hamlin is unfazed that a three-judge federal appellate panel vacated an injunction that required NASCAR to recognize 23XI, which he owns with Michael Jordan, and Front Row as chartered teams as part of an antitrust lawsuit. “That’s just such a small part of the entire litigation,” Hamlin said Saturday, a […]

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Denny Hamlin is unfazed that a three-judge federal appellate panel vacated an injunction that required NASCAR to recognize 23XI, which he owns with Michael Jordan, and Front Row as chartered teams as part of an antitrust lawsuit.
“That’s just such a small part of the entire litigation,” Hamlin said Saturday, a day ahead of the FireKeepers Casino 400. “I’m not deterred at all. We’re in good shape.”
Hamlin said Jordan feels the same way.
“He just remains very confident, just like I do,” Hamiln said.
NASCAR has not commented on the latest ruling.
23XI and Front Row sued NASCAR late last year after refusing to sign new agreements on charter renewals. They asked for a temporary injunction that would recognize them as chartered teams for this season, but the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, on Thursday ruled in NASCAR’s favor.
“We’re looking at all options right now,” Hamlin said.
The teams, each winless this year, said they needed the injunction because the current charter agreement prohibits them from suing NASCAR. 23XI also argued it would be harmed because Tyler Reddick’s contract would have made him a free agent if the team could not guarantee him a charter-protected car.
Hamlin insisted he’s not worried about losing drivers because of the uncertainty.
“I’m not focused on that particularly right this second,” he said.
Reddick, who was last year’s regular-season champion and competed for the Cup title in November, enters the race Sunday at Michigan ranked sixth in the Cup Series standings.
The charter system is similar to franchises in other sports, but the charters are revocable by NASCAR and have expiration dates.
The six teams may have to compete as “open” cars and would have to qualify on speed each week to make the race and would receive a fraction of the money.
Without a charter, Hamlin said it would cost the teams “tens of millions,” to run three cars.
“We’re committed to run this season open if we have to,” he said. “We’re going to race and fulfill all of our commitments no matter what. We’re here to race. Our team is going to be here for the long haul and we’re confident of that.”
The antitrust case isn’t scheduled to be heard until December.
NASCAR has not said what it would do with the six charters held by the two organizations if they are returned to the sanctioning body. There are 36 chartered cars for a 40-car field.
“We feel like facts were on our side,” Hamlin said. “I think if you listen to the judges, even they mentioned that we might be in pretty good shape.”
___
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Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Motorsports
JR Motorsports Makes Right Call with SVG in Xfinity Series Win at Chicago Street Course
The Chicago Street Course has made major headlines for the last three years, and Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Race didn’t disappoint. The final battle for the win saw the two biggest names in road racing that NASCAR currently has to offer. The finish to the Loop 110 will have everyone talking for a while. Shane Van […]

The Chicago Street Course has made major headlines for the last three years, and Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Race didn’t disappoint. The final battle for the win saw the two biggest names in road racing that NASCAR currently has to offer. The finish to the Loop 110 will have everyone talking for a while.
Shane Van Gisbergen Outclasses Connor Zilisch for Xfinity Win In Chicago
Shane van Gisbergen has quickly become the driver to beat, no matter what series he’s behind the wheel in, NASCAR, especially on road courses or street courses. That was a theme once again in Chicago. SVG, who famously outclassed other Cup stars to win this event in 2024, was back to defend his crown. He had to take on arguably the best road racer in the Xfinity Series, Connor Zilisch. Funnily enough, his teammate. JR Motorsports was more than ready to carry Red Bull to victory lane in NASCAR once again on Saturday. As it turned out, it was going to be a fight between SVG and Zilisch for the win.

You just knew Shane was going to be the one to beat, as he put the same No. 9 Chevrolet that Daniel Suarez took to victory lane in Mexico City on the pole. Once he won the pole, the story pretty much told itself.
Shane brought the smoke.
pic.twitter.com/SWDgjKB6Cw
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) July 5, 2025
Read More: Daniel Suarez Delivers in Homecoming Race in Mexico City
Trouble for Playoff Contenders
When you’re racing at an unpredictable track such as the Chicago Street Course, anything can happen. It was a rough day for several Xfinity Series playoff contenders. Ryan Sieg, who has been on a very strong run as of late, saw his day end five laps into the race. It certainly didn’t help his standing with so many other tougher races ahead. Sieg wasn’t the only driver who had a rough afternoon in downtown Chicago.
Rookie William Sawalich, who was seeing the track for the very first time, joined Sieg in the garage just a handful of laps later, as he suffered an electrical issue. It also ended up being a costly day for Sawalich’s teammates as well as the No. 19 of Jack Perkins wrecked out, as did Taylor Gray, who certainly looked like a contender for much of the race.
JR Motorsports Had It’s Highs and Lows on Saturday
While SVG and Zilisch were taking care of business out front on Saturday. Defending Xfinity Series Champion Justin Allgaier was just trying to nurse his car home. Some sort of mechanical issue derailed what looked like was going to be a strong points day for Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevy. Despite all that, the fun at the front of the field was picking up in the closing laps of the race.
Read More: Justin Allgaier Scores Big in Nashville Xfinity Series Race
Zilisch had the lead late in the running when a caution with five to go set up one heck of a restart. With Zilisch and SVG door to door on the restart, Shane was able to outfox the 18-year-old Zilisch, as he put his No. 9 back out front for good. Though a bit of a questionable move at best to pass his teammate, which saw Zilisch make contact with the wall, it certainly left some puzzled.
The restart that sealed the deal. pic.twitter.com/jfcI3HPtT8
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) July 5, 2025
Fair or Foul on SVG’s Move?
It’s racing bumps are going to happen, but was what van Gisbergen did fair or foul? Zilisch was asked about it following the race by SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
” I understand he’s racing for the win, but yeah, I didn’t even have a chance there,” Zilisch said. ” He just stuffed me into the wall… I’ll remember the way he raced me. I didn’t expect him to do that. But I get it, we’re racing for the win.”
It was a moment for sure, but at this point, SVG is undeniable, especially in Chicago.
Read Next: SVG Proves He’s Road Course King in Mexico City, Shakes Up Playoffs
Main Photo: James Gilbert, Getty Images
Recording Date: 7/5/2025
Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. warns Connor Zilisch after putting driver ‘in the wall’ during Chicago Street Race
While Connor Zilisch charged from last to P8 in the first stage, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had to warn him for his on-track actions. Chicago can be an intense NASCAR race. To make passes, at times, you have to get aggressive and physical. Zilisch got a little too physical. During the first stage in Chicago, Connor […]

While Connor Zilisch charged from last to P8 in the first stage, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had to warn him for his on-track actions. Chicago can be an intense NASCAR race. To make passes, at times, you have to get aggressive and physical. Zilisch got a little too physical.
During the first stage in Chicago, Connor Zilisch had to be very aggressive. He wrecked in practice and started in the back of the field. To his credit, he made his way to the top-10 before the stage ended under caution.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. issued a warning to Zilisch at one point. The 88 got into Thomas Annunziata in the 70. Dale Jr. doesn’t want any problems.
“Did you put somebody in the wall in Turn 8?” Earnhardt asked Zilisch, via Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic. That would be Annunziata.
“I don’t think he hit the wall, but I moved him,” Zilisch said on the radio. “He tried to pas sme back after I passed him.”
“I think he hit the wall,” Dale Jr. replied. “I’m in the pit stall next to him and I don’t want him coming over here.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t wrong for his warning. Best not to make anyone too upset. But Thomas Annunziata is a big dude; things could get ugly quick on pit road. Also, you don’t want to bring any unwanted drama onto your team owner and crew chief who got you your first oval win, right?
Connor Zilisch racing through the field in Chicago
For now, all is going well for Connor Zilisch and his team. They have moved up through the field considerably since the start of the race. As the final stage is set to begin, Zilisch is in really good position to contend for the win in this race.
Zilisch is the best road course racer in NASCAR. That includes against Shane van Gisbergen. The way he hits his braking zones and gets back to the gas is just on another level. The fact that he’s only 18 makes it all the more impressive.
We might be setting things up for a Connor Zilisch vs. SVG battle to end this race. SVG had to give up track position with a poorly placed caution to end Stage 2. Let’s see how he rebounds after racing in traffic for the first time today.
Motorsports
Hauger pulls away late at Mid-Ohio for fifth Indy NXT win of the year
Dennis Hauger stayed calm after an unexpected break Sunday and expanded his Indy NXT by Firestone championship lead with a victory in the Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio. The Norwegian earned his fifth win in eight starts this season in the IndyCar development series. His lead over fellow Andretti Global rookie Lochie Hughes grew to 47 […]

Dennis Hauger stayed calm after an unexpected break Sunday and expanded his Indy NXT by Firestone championship lead with a victory in the Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio.
The Norwegian earned his fifth win in eight starts this season in the IndyCar development series. His lead over fellow Andretti Global rookie Lochie Hughes grew to 47 points in the standings with six races remaining this season.
Pole-sitter Hauger led every lap to beat Caio Collet’s No. 76 HMD Motorsports car to the finish by 3.322s to earn the 300th overall win across all series in Andretti Global’s rich history. Hughes placed third in the No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship car.
“The team did an amazing job getting the balance for the race,” Hauger said. “Huge congrats on the 300th win – really cool to be a part of that history.”
Salvador de Alba placed fourth in the No. 27 Grupo Indi machine, the third Andretti Global car in the top four. Josh Pierson rounded out the top five in the No. 14 HMD Motorsports entry.
The race, originally scheduled for 35 laps, ended up being a timed race due to a massive crash between Andretti – Cape Motorsports teammates Ricardo Escotto and Sebastian Murray that triggered a red flag on lap 5 for repairs of barrier damage caused by the impact.
Hauger pulled away from Collet on the start, building a gap of around one-half second. Then, Murray and Escotto were racing side-by-side on lap 4 through the fast kink section of the track between Turns 3 and 4 on the 13-turn, 2.258-mile circuit when their wheels touched, hurling the No. 2 DREAM RACING DUBAI entry of Murray and the No. 3 Frank’s Red Hot car of Escotto into the barrier, with Murray going airborne.
Both cars suffered heavy damage, but neither driver was hurt. The remaining field returned to pit lane and climbed from their cars as facility crews and the AMR Safety Team needed approximately 37 minutes to make the major repairs.
Once the race resumed, Hauger again held off Collet. With 20 minutes remaining, Hauger led by seven-tenths of a second.
That margin grew to more than a second over the next few laps. Then with about six minutes remaining, Hauger dropped the hammer and padded his lead to two seconds. He kept the pace high until nearly the very end of the race, turning his quickest lap of the event on the third-to-last trip around the track.
“It was not easy; the first couple of laps were not the easiest,” Hauger said of the resumption of the race. “Once we got into a rhythm, it was just spot on. We just had a perfect race, so we’re happy about that.”
The next Indy NXT by Firestone race is Saturday, July 12 at Iowa Speedway, the second of four oval races on the 2025 schedule.
RESULTS
Motorsports
“I’m just an idiot” for wrecking out of Chicago Cup practice
In NASCAR Cup Series practice at Chicago, things were looking promising for William Byron. He was faster than Shane van Gisbergen, setting the pace in the first practice group. He lapped the street circuit in 1:31.008s, over three tenths quicker than SVG. However, after completing eight laps, the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet returned to the […]

In NASCAR Cup Series practice at Chicago, things were looking promising for William Byron. He was faster than Shane van Gisbergen, setting the pace in the first practice group. He lapped the street circuit in 1:31.008s, over three tenths quicker than SVG.
However, after completing eight laps, the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet returned to the track for the closing moments of the session. That ended up being a mistake, as Byron lost it on entry into Turn 10. The car slid out and hit the wall, breaking the left-rear toe-link and damaging the side of the car. He crab-walked the car back to the pits, but the damage was done.
Byron will have to start from the rear of the field as a result of the costly mistake. He will join Denny Hamlin on the back row, who lost an engine at the very beginning of the practice session.
“I’m an idiot,” Byron told TNT Sports. “I just took a lot through there and (had) a lot of speed. I was just getting my tires cleaned back off from leaving pit road.”
He continued: “I had just pitted, so my tires were probably just coming up to temp again. I took it easy the first half of the lap and I was starting to push, being close to the alternate start/finish (line) and just lost traction.”
As for the battle ahead of him, Byron was confident in his ability to get the No. 24 back through the field, but admitted: “Just sucks starting from the back … just don’t like crashing.”
Byron ended up second overall in practice. Unfortunately, his Hendrick Motorsports teammates also found the wall, just not as severely. Chase Elliott pancaked the wall at Turn 4 and Alex Bowman was forced to replace a bent toe-link. Like Byron, Elliott won’t make a qualifying attempt either. In the end, repairs meant that all four Hendrick drivers — including Kyle Larson — will start from the rear of the field.
Photos from Chicago – Practice & Qualifying
In this article
Nick DeGroot
NASCAR Cup
William Byron
Hendrick Motorsports
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Motorsports
Project Motor Racing Confirms Late-November Release
Posted in: Games, GIANTS Software, Video Games | Tagged: Project Motor Racing, Straight4 Studios Project Motor Racing has confirmed its release date, as the new racing title will arrive on PC and consoles this November Article Summary Project Motor Racing launches in late November for PC and consoles, bringing high-octane racing action. Supports […]

Posted in: Games, GIANTS Software, Video Games | Tagged: Project Motor Racing, Straight4 Studios
Project Motor Racing has confirmed its release date, as the new racing title will arrive on PC and consoles this November
Article Summary
- Project Motor Racing launches in late November for PC and consoles, bringing high-octane racing action.
- Supports full modding at release, with easy in-game submission and developer-tested user-generated content.
- Features 70+ cars across 10 racing classes, 27 laser-scanned tracks, dynamic weather, and day/night cycles.
- Single Player Career Mode and Online Racing deliver deep simulation with advanced 720 Hz driving physics.
GIANTS Software and Straight4 Studios confirmed the official release date for Project Motor Racing, as the game arrives this November. The team revealed the news along with their latest trailer, which you can watch here, showing off the career mode in the game. As well as providing details for modding and submitting user-generated content. Enjoy the info as the game will be released on November 25, 2025.


Project Motor Racing
Thanks to the proven GIANTS Engine, the team confirms full mod support from day one, across all platforms. Using the official GIANTS Editor, all user-generated content can be submitted through the in-game UGC-Portal, where every mod is tested by the developers before being made available for download. With over 4.5 billion downloads via the existing ModHub and a decade-long reputation for fostering creative communities, GIANTS Software brings its unrivaled modding heritage to the racing world, allowing racers to supercharge their experience in Project Motor Racing through user-generated content.
Even without mods, the team at Straight4 aims for a full-throttle feature-set to satisfy the most demanding sim-racers, whether they prefer a challenging Single Player Career Mode or adrenaline-boosted Online Racing. “The driving physics are key, of course, but the sim is built around racing,” says Straight4’s Game Design Director, Austin Ogonoski. In Project Motor Racing’s Single Player Career Mode, racers will need to negotiate their way through the cutthroat world of pro motorsports where the pressure not only to perform but to survive from one race to the next is key. Will they risk their car for a shot at glory, or will they play it safe and race another day?
Racers can look forward to 70+ meticulously recreated cars across 10 iconic racing classes, including LMDh, GT3, and historic legends, 27 scanned track layouts for pinpoint realism (including dynamic weather and full day/night cycles), and unmatched driving physics powered by a blistering 720 Hz simulation engine, and more.

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Motorsports
Results, winner of Chicago Street Race
Jeff Gordon reflects on how to grow NASCAR’s popularity Jeff Gordon discusses the popularity of NASCAR and how the sport can continue to grow. Sports Seriously Shane van Gisbergen won the 2025 Chicago Street Race, his second Cup Series victory at the venue. Shane van Gisbergen is the king of the Chicago Street Race. In […]


Jeff Gordon reflects on how to grow NASCAR’s popularity
Jeff Gordon discusses the popularity of NASCAR and how the sport can continue to grow.
Sports Seriously
- Shane van Gisbergen won the 2025 Chicago Street Race, his second Cup Series victory at the venue.
Shane van Gisbergen is the king of the Chicago Street Race.
In the third edition of the NASCAR Cup Series event through the downtown Windy City course, SVG reigned for the second time. He took the lead with 16 laps to go on July 6, streaking past Chase Briscoe seconds before a caution flag came out. Van Gisbergen held on after the green flag returned.
He also won the first Chicago Street Race, which was his NASCAR debut, in 2023. Alex Bowman claimed it in 2024.
Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch rounded out the top five Sunday.
Let’s check out the results.
NASCAR standings: Results from Cup Series race in Chicago today
- Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88
- Ty Gibbs, No. 54
- Tyler Reddick, No. 45
- Denny Hamlin, No. 11
- Kyle Busch, No. 8
- AJ Allmendinger, No. 16
- Ryan Preece, No. 60
- Alex Bowman, No. 48
- Austin Hill, No. 33
- Ross Chastain, No. 1
- Joey Logano, No. 22
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12
- Kyle Larson, No. 5
- Zane Smith, No. 38
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42
- Chase Elliott, No. 9
- Riley Herbst, No. 35
- Chris Buescher, No. 17
- Katherine Legge, No. 78
- Ty Dillon, No. 10
- Josh Bilicki, No. 66
- Justin Haley, No. 7
- Chase Briscoe, No. 19
- Christopher Bell, No. 20
- Erik Jones, No. 43
- Cody Ware, No. 51
- Austin Cindric, No. 2
- Bubba Wallace, No. 23
- Daniel Suarez, No. 99
- Noah Gragson, No. 4
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47
- Michael McDowell, No. 71
- Cole Custer, No. 41
- Josh Berry, No. 21
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77
- Austin Dillon, No. 3
- Brad Keselowski, No. 6
- Todd Gilliland, No. 34
- Will Brown, No. 13
- William Byron, No. 24
(This story was updated to add more information.)
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