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Hamlin’s Cup title quest begins as antitrust battle with NASCAR heats up

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4 months ago

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By JENNA FRYER

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Denny Hamlin, with three Daytona 500 wins and 58 career victories, is considered the greatest driver to never win a Cup Series championship.

His quest to finally win a title begins Sunday at Darlington Raceway, just four days after he stares down NASCAR in federal court over antitrust claims lodged by the team he co-owns with Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.

Hamlin does not believe that this bitter fight over antitrust claims will factor into what he or the 23XI Racing drivers can do over the next 10 races. Front Row Motorsports and 23XI have lodged antitrust claims against NASCAR surrounding its charter system; they are the only two organizations out of 15 that did not accept NASCAR’s final offer on an extension on charters — the equivalent of a franchise in other sports — and this lawsuit has grown quite contentious.

Hamlin drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, but as one of the most popular and veteran drivers in the sport, the host of a podcast, a media go-to and the face of 23XI, he’s a thorn in NASCAR’s side.

Even so, he believes he will have a fair chance to finally win a Cup title.

Why?

“I think we’re treated fairly by the NASCAR officials that are at the race track, yes,” Hamlin said Wednesday.

That insinuated that he and the 23XI cars driven by playoff drivers Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace get fair treatment from the officials and technical inspectors each week at the track. But it also insinuated he’s receiving pushback from others.

When asked who, he only said, “the others” in a likely reference to NASCAR’s senior leadership. He said none of it affects him on or off the track.

“It just makes me angrier,” said Hamlin, who insisted he’s able to focus on his job despite how bitter its become between NASCAR and 23XI and FRM. ”I want to win the championship. I want to win 60 or more races and so that is my No. 1 goal and so I’m not going to let anyone distract me from that no matter what their motivations might be.”

When Reddick won the regular-season title a year ago, there was grumbling that no NASCAR executive was on hand to present him the trophy. And so began a narrative that NASCAR doesn’t like 23XI Racing because of this lawsuit — and the argument is only bolstered by court filings in which NASCAR has claimed it can’t be forced to do business with those it doesn’t want to do business with.

FRM and 23XI are currently racing as “open” teams after their injunction to be recognized as chartered through the duration of the court case was overturned. They’ve appealed and want the injunction put back in place and have argued that being “open” teams will not only put them out of business but cause irreparable harm in that drivers and sponsors can leave if the cars are not chartered; Reddick has such a clause.

Despite the animosity at the most important time of the season, Wallace agrees with Hamlin that it has always been business as usual by the NASCAR officials at the track. He does not have any concern that NASCAR will try to prevent Hamlin, Reddick or Wallace from winning the championship in November and then going to court Dec. 1 for the start of the trial.

“I don’t see that at all,” Wallace said. “It would be really selfish if that was the case, but no, I feel like when we show up to the track, we have equal opportunities and equal chances, just like the other 38, 40 guys that are out there. All good.”

Reddick, who is expected to be a centerpiece in Thursday’s court hearing because of the clause in his contract that puts 23XI in breach if his Toyota is not chartered, has consistently declined to comment on the lawsuit. Regular-season champ a year ago, he barely slid in this season and only made it as the 15th seed in a so-far winless season.

Reddick said he’s been treated fairly by NASCAR since the suit was filed last fall and he won’t let it distract him from trying to turn his season around at the most important part of the year. Reddick last season made it to the championship finale.

“We’re staying focused on the playoffs and the races that lie ahead, not bothered by it,” he said.

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing





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Motorsports

Greg Biffle’s last NASCAR race in 10 pictures before death – Motorsport – Sports

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4 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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Not many NASCAR drivers can say they retired on a win — but the Late, Great Greg Biffle can. Biffle made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series in 1996, driving part-time before moving to the Truck Series in 1998.

He later progressed to full-time Cup Series competition, building a highly successful career across all three national series. Biffle won titles in the Truck and Xfinity series and nearly completed the Grand Slam in 2005, finishing second in the Cup. The North Carolinian won a total of 56 races across NASCAR’s three national series during his career: 19 in the Cup Series, 20 in the Xfinity (Busch) Series, and 17 in the Craftsman Truck Series.

He retired from full-time competition after the 2019 season, but won his last-ever NASCAR race, the Truck event in Texas at the SpeedyCash.com 400. It was Biffle’s first Truck win in 15 years. On Thursday, Biffle, his wife Cristina, and two of his children, Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5, were four of seven killed in a tragic plane crash in Statesville, NC.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days from the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. Three of the people on board, including former stock car racer Biffle, had their pilot’s license.

Collection and documentation of the crash will take place, and investigators will begin to piece together what went wrong. A central focus of the investigation will be locating and analyzing the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which captures all sounds inside the cockpit. Once recovered, the device will be sent to a laboratory in Washington, D.C. for examination.

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Greg Biffle raced in his last-ever NASCAR race in 2019, driving the No. 51 in the Truck Series for the June 7 SpeedyCash.com 400.

Greg Biffle raced in his last-ever NASCAR race in 2019, driving the No. 51 in the Truck Series for the June 7 SpeedyCash.com 400.

Biffle, who tragically died on Thursday in a horror plane crash in Statesville, NC, had retired from full-time NASCAR racing in 2016 after two decades in the sport. 

The NASCAR legend won two NASCAR national series Truck and Xfinity titles — but fell short in the Cup, finishing second in 2005. 

Those also killed this week were his wife, Cristina, daughter, Emma, son, Ryder, and three others. 

(Image: Getty)



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BigRock Motorsports Retains Its Championship Title At ISRL Season 2 Grand Finale In Calicut

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5 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 concluded in spectacular fashion with a historic Grand Finale at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut. Megastar and ISRL Brand Ambassador Salman Khan was present on ground, adding star power to an electrifying night of high-octane racing and live entertainment, as per a release. The finale witnessed a record-breaking turnout of over 32,000 fans, marking the highest-ever attendance for a motorsporting event in India and reinforcing Kerala’s strong connection with motorsport and large-scale live sporting experiences, the release said.

Amid roaring crowds and intense on-track action, Team Bigrock Motorsports were crowned ISRL Season 2 Champions, capping off a fiercely competitive championship that unfolded across Pune, Hyderabad and Calicut. The season showcased a compelling blend of international excellence and emerging Indian talent.

The Calicut round delivered thrilling racing across all categories. Matt Moss from team BigRock Motorsports (Australia) claimed victory in the 450cc International class aboard the Kawasaki KX 450, while Calvin Fonvieille from team Apollo Indewheelers (France) dominated the 250cc International category on the Yamaha YZ 250. The 250cc India-Asia Mix class was won by Delvinator Alfarizi (Thailand) riding the KTM 250 SX – F, drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium.

Megastar Salman Khan, Brand Ambassador, ISRL, said, “Watching the Grand Finale in Calicut was truly special. The passion of the fans and the intensity of competition show how far Indian motorsport has come. ISRL is creating a platform where Indian riders can compete confidently alongside the world’s best,” as quoted from a release.

Reflecting on the season, Veer Patel, Managing Director, ISRL, said, “Season 2 reflects the growing belief in Supercross across India. From Pune to Hyderabad and now Calicut, the record-breaking fan response shows the sport has truly found a home here, while we continue building strong pathways for Indian riders alongside world-class racing.”

Over the course of Season 2, 36 international riders from 21 countries, including Australia, France, the USA, Germany, Thailand and South Africa, competed alongside India’s top riders such as Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanath and Shlok Ghorpade, highlighting ISRL’s growing global stature, as per the release.

Beyond the races, the Reise Moto ISRL Fan Park transformed EMS Corporation Stadium into a complete motorsport festival, featuring live music, racing simulators, interactive brand zones, food experiences, merchandise and rider interactions, creating an immersive fan experience for families and enthusiasts alike.

With Season 2 concluding on a historic high, the Indian Supercross Racing League now looks ahead to expanding its footprint, strengthening grassroots development and further positioning India on the global Supercross map.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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BangShift.com Drag Racing with CHRISTMAS TREES! Racing Action From Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025 At Bradenton Motorsports Park

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5 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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Drag Racing with CHRISTMAS TREES! Racing Action From Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025 At Bradenton Motorsports Park

Dec 21, 2025Chad Reynolds1320 Event Coverage, 1320 Spotlight, 1320 Videos, BangShift 1320, RACING & ACTION, Videos

Drag Racing with CHRISTMAS TREES! Racing Action From Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025 At Bradenton Motorsports Park

Cleetus’ Christmas Tree Race 2025 was a very special race. The race has become kind of a big deal since starting a few years ago, and has some pretty simple rules. You must race with a Christmas Tree on or in your vehicle, it must be a minimum of 6 feet tall, it can’t fall off, and you have to have lights on it. Simple right? Well…

Video Description:

We wrapped up Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025, following the entire event from start to finish. This video covers every round from the OG 32-car field all the way through the Elite 8 — the fastest cars on the property — right down to the finals.

Cleetus lined up in both Mullet and Leroy, alongside a stacked field of big-name cars and a few surprise entries we hadn’t seen before. From first-round shakeups to the final matchups, this one delivered nonstop action.

FREE LIVE DRAG RACING: The 4th Annual Christmas On The Coast Jr. Dragster Races From Gulfport Dragway – Saturday

 





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Motorsports

BigRock Motorsports retains its Championship title at ISRL Season 2 Grand Finale in Calicut

Published

5 hours ago

on

December 21, 2025

By


Calicut (Kerala) [India], December 21 (ANI): The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 concluded in spectacular fashion with a historic Grand Finale at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut. Megastar and ISRL Brand Ambassador Salman Khan was present on ground, adding star power to an electrifying night of high-octane racing and live entertainment, as per a release.

The finale witnessed a record-breaking turnout of over 32,000 fans, marking the highest-ever attendance for a motorsporting event in India and reinforcing Kerala’s strong connection with motorsport and large-scale live sporting experiences, the release said.

Amid roaring crowds and intense on-track action, Team Bigrock Motorsports were crowned ISRL Season 2 Champions, capping off a fiercely competitive championship that unfolded across Pune, Hyderabad and Calicut. The season showcased a compelling blend of international excellence and emerging Indian talent.

The Calicut round delivered thrilling racing across all categories. Matt Moss from team BigRock Motorsports (Australia) claimed victory in the 450cc International class aboard the Kawasaki KX 450, while Calvin Fonvieille from team Apollo Indewheelers (France) dominated the 250cc International category on the Yamaha YZ 250. The 250cc India-Asia Mix class was won by Delvinator Alfarizi (Thailand) riding the KTM 250 SX – F, drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium.

Megastar Salman Khan, Brand Ambassador, ISRL, said, “Watching the Grand Finale in Calicut was truly special. The passion of the fans and the intensity of competition show how far Indian motorsport has come. ISRL is creating a platform where Indian riders can compete confidently alongside the world’s best,” as quoted from a release.

Reflecting on the season, Veer Patel, Managing Director, ISRL, said, “Season 2 reflects the growing belief in Supercross across India. From Pune to Hyderabad and now Calicut, the record-breaking fan response shows the sport has truly found a home here, while we continue building strong pathways for Indian riders alongside world-class racing.”

Over the course of Season 2, 36 international riders from 21 countries, including Australia, France, the USA, Germany, Thailand and South Africa, competed alongside India’s top riders such as Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanath and Shlok Ghorpade, highlighting ISRL’s growing global stature, as per the release.

Beyond the races, the Reise Moto ISRL Fan Park transformed EMS Corporation Stadium into a complete motorsport festival, featuring live music, racing simulators, interactive brand zones, food experiences, merchandise and rider interactions, creating an immersive fan experience for families and enthusiasts alike.

With Season 2 concluding on a historic high, the Indian Supercross Racing League now looks ahead to expanding its footprint, strengthening grassroots development and further positioning India on the global Supercross map. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)





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Motorsports

NTSB investigates tragic plane crash involving NASCAR star Greg Biffle: who was flying?

Published

7 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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Tragedy Strikes: NTSB Launches Deep Investigation into Fatal Greg Biffle Plane Crash

In a devastating turn of events, the aviation world was rocked last Thursday when NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, his family, and three others tragically lost their lives in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now on a mission to uncover the harrowing details behind this catastrophic incident, with a press conference held Saturday shedding some light on the ongoing investigation.

NTSB Board Member Michael Graham and Investigator-In-Charge Dan Baker addressed the media, but the information was limited as the investigation is still in its infancy. “We still do not know the circumstances which led the aircraft … to attempt to return to the airport,” Graham stated, emphasizing the urgent need to piece together the events that led to this heart-wrenching disaster.

One chilling revelation from the conference was a text message exchange between Biffle’s wife, Cristian Grossu Biffle, and her mother, Cathy Grossu. Cathy recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the crash: “Then she said something like ‘We’re in trouble, emergency landing.’ And I texted back, ‘What’s wrong with the plane?’” The gravity of the situation escalated when Cathy received an SOS alert, signaling a dire emergency. Graham confirmed that the NTSB is aware of this critical communication, stating, “We are not aware of any other communications from passengers on board the aircraft to those on the ground.”

As investigators delve deeper, the question of who was at the controls during the crucial moments of the flight remains unanswered. Both Greg Biffle and his companions, Dennis and Jack Dutton, were licensed pilots. Graham noted, “We do anticipate that all the information about all the pilot-rated occupants will be included in our preliminary report.” This report is expected within 30 days, but the agency’s final analysis could take up to 18 months.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pilot’s identity, Graham revealed that the NTSB has a “degree of confidence” about the individual in the left seat, although verification is still required. He stressed the importance of accuracy in the investigation: “We want to know where everyone was sitting, and that is a little more difficult in a crash like this.”

In a shocking update, Graham shared that early indications from multiple sources suggest the aircraft was stable and configured for landing with its lights on. However, it was flying dangerously low. This crucial information aligns with the physical evidence found at the crash site, including debris located approximately 1800 feet from the runway threshold.

The investigation is ramping up as the NTSB meticulously documents the wreckage, evaluates the flight voice recorder, and analyzes various components. “All of these are being sent to NTSB recorders labs in Washington, D.C.,” Graham explained, highlighting the importance of recovering critical data to determine the probable cause of this tragedy.

Amidst the chaos, a drone was deployed to assist in the investigation, although high winds initially hampered its operations. As conditions improved on Saturday, the team was able to resume their efforts to gather evidence from the crash site.

With so many unanswered questions and the clock ticking, the NTSB is committed to uncovering the truth behind the demise of Greg Biffle and his companions. As the agency continues its exhaustive investigation, the families and fans of those lost are left grappling with the profound loss and searching for closure in this heartbreaking saga.



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NASCAR, IndyCar, and F1 Share These Race Days in 2026

Published

7 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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What’s Happening?

Throughout the racing year, now and then, race fans are blessed with a handful of special days in which NASCAR, IndyCar, and F1 all race on one calendar date. In 2026, this will occur eight separate times. Here’s a look at those race days.

  • Of course, these are all subject to time and date, and, in some cases, these races could realistically happen with 12 hours of one another.
  • The first date that all three series race on is March 15, with Formula One racing at Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix, IndyCar racing on the streets of Arlington, Texas, for the first time, and NASCAR racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
  • On May 24, all three series will race on U.S. soil on the same day. Formula One will race in the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, with IndyCar hosting the 110th Indianapolis 500 that same afternoon, and NASCAR kicking off the 67th Coca-Cola 600 later that evening.
  • The final triple header will be on September 6, with Formula One racing at Monza, IndyCar racing in their season finale at Laguna Seca, and NASCAR hosting, what is at press-time, a playoff race in the 77th Southern 500.

March 15

  • NASCAR: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
  • IndyCar: Grand Prix of Arlington
  • Formula One: Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai)

March 29

  • NASCAR: Martinsville Speedway
  • IndyCar: Barber Motorsports Park
  • Formula One: Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)

April 19

  • NASCAR: Kansas Speedway
  • IndyCar: Grand Prix of Long Beach
  • Formula One: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Jeddah)

May 24

  • NASCAR: Charlotte Motor Speedway
  • IndyCar: Indianapolis 500
  • Formula One: Canadian Grand Prix (Montréal)

June 7

  • NASCAR: Michigan International Speedway
  • IndyCar: World Wide Technology Raceway
  • Formula One: Monaco Grand Prix (Monaco)

July 5

  • NASCAR: Chicagoland Speedway
  • IndyCar: Mid‑Ohio Sports Car Course
  • Formula One: British Grand Prix (Silverstone)

July 19

  • NASCAR: North Wilkesboro Speedway
  • IndyCar: Nashville Superspeedway
  • Formula One: Belgian Grand Prix (Spa‑Francorchamps)

September 6

  • NASCAR: Darlington Raceway
  • IndyCar: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
  • Formula One: Italian Grand Prix (Monza)

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinions on Discord or X, and don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.





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