Hendrick Motorsports Plans Powerful Talladega Tribute for Beloved NASCAR Icon Dr. Jerry Petty
Just when the NASCAR community was recovering from the loss of Jon Edwards, the sport lost another prominent figure. On Apr. 22, the official Doctor of NASCAR, Dr. Jerry Petty , passed away at the age of 90. Apart from his many contributions to NASCAR as a sport, he touched many lives with his kindness. […]
Just when the NASCAR community was recovering from the loss of Jon Edwards, the sport lost another prominent figure. On Apr. 22, the official Doctor of NASCAR, Dr. Jerry Petty , passed away at the age of 90. Apart from his many contributions to NASCAR as a sport, he touched many lives with his kindness.
Petty was one of the best-practicing neurosurgeons in NASCAR and helped several prominent names in their recoveries. He was often just a call away for medical advice for anyone in NASCAR. He joined NASCAR as a physician and eventually became the sport’s highest-ranking medical professional. Petty was also instrumental in the evolution of NASCAR’s safety protocols, including the inception of the Head and Neck Support Device.
Apart from his medical contributions, Petty also grew close to quite a few prominent NASCAR figures. Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports was one of the many who shared a close personal relationship with Petty. After his demise, Hendrick peid tribute to the iconic doctor.
Hendrick Motorsports’ Tribute to Dr. Jerry Petty
In a press conference, Hendrick revealed being heartbroken after learning about the demise of his dear friend. He said Petty was much more than just a doctor; the neurosurgeon was someone that Hendrick knew he could approach anytime he needed help. He then spoke about his humility and said:
“It didn’t matter if you were a superstar driver or someone behind the scenes. He treated everyone with the same care, compassion, and respect. That’s just who he was.”
Despite holding such a critical position in the NASCAR office, Petty seldom sought recognition or credit and simply wanted to serve the sport to the best of his ability. In 2006, NASCAR honored him with the Bill France Award of Excellence for all his efforts and years of service.
Hendrick also spoke about his family’s close personal ties with Dr. Petty’s family.
“He and his wife Audrey were best friends with my parents – they had breakfast every Saturday morning like clockwork. Jerry was someone I trusted with my life and my family’s lives.”
The HMS owner also mentioned that with Petty’s loss, the world lost an exceptional doctor and a fine and pure-hearted human being. He ended his statement with:
“On behalf of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, our thoughts are with his children, grandchildren, and everyone who loved him. Jerry Petty made the world better and safer for all of us.”
To pay tribute to Jerry’s massive legacy, all Hendrick Motorsports drivers in the Cup Series—Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman—will wear Petty’s tribute decal on their No. 5, No. 9, No. 24, and No. 48 Chevrolets, respectively, in the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Many others in the NASCAR community mourned Petty’s loss and offered condolences to his family, including NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kenny Wallace .
Motorsports: Bachman carrying on family name | Sports
SELINSGROVE — Dalton Bachman was four years old when he was featured in a story in The Daily Item on April 18, 2014, as he turned his first laps in a caged go-kart at Selinsgrove Raceway Park. Now, 12 years later, the multi-time SRP track champion is taking his first laps at Selinsgrove Speedway in […]
SELINSGROVE — Dalton Bachman was four years old when he was featured in a story in The Daily Item on April 18, 2014, as he turned his first laps in a caged go-kart at Selinsgrove Raceway Park.
Now, 12 years later, the multi-time SRP track champion is taking his first laps at Selinsgrove Speedway in the limited late model division.
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IndyCar drivers look to build momentum for May at Sonsio Grand Prix – Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic
SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) — The IndyCar Series has officially moved into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of this weekend’s Sonsio Grand Prix. The drivers start off the month of May in Indy on the IMS Road Course, hoping to build some momentum before the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at the end of the […]
SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) — The IndyCar Series has officially moved into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of this weekend’s Sonsio Grand Prix.
The drivers start off the month of May in Indy on the IMS Road Course, hoping to build some momentum before the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at the end of the month.
The top six drivers in the IndyCar standings — Alex Palou, Christian Lundgaard, Kyle Kirkwood, Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Scott McLaughlin — all talked to media Thursday afternoon about the importance of performing well in this weekend’s race. Even though the Grand Prix runs around the road course, the drivers know that it can set the tone for how the rest of the month goes — all leading up to the Indy 500.
Palou has been dominant with a nearly perfect start to the year. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver has won three of the four races — last weekend sweeping the weekend in Barber with a pole and race win.
He’s still searching for his first Indy 500.
“It’s always special to enter this track even if it’s for testing, but we’re finally racing. It’s finally May,” Palou said with a big smile. “I don’t want to get too excited too early either. It’s going to be a long month. It’s the best time of the year, and it’s super exciting to be here.”
The rest of the drivers are looking to chip away at some of Palou’s dominance — in the points standings and on the track.
O’Ward is hoping for another strong showing during the Month of May after an emotional second-place finish in last year’s 500.
“It’s fantastic to come back every single year, even for testing. You definitely feel like this place means a lot to not just us as drivers, but to everyone that’s involved here,” O’Ward said. “It’s a long month ahead. There’s a lot of time, and you just try to make what you have the best you can, and then when you get on race day, that’s when it really matters.”
Green flag drops for the Sonsio Grand Prix is at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, with the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 coming on Sunday, May 25.
NASCAR refiles counterclaim against 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports
NASCAR requested the opportunity to amend its countersuit against Front Row Motorsports, 23XI Racing and Curtis Polk, received it on Thursday morning and officially filed it in the Western District of North Carolina on Thursday night. Like the previous version, much of the claims are redacted, including whichever new items NASCAR wanted to provide Judge […]
NASCAR requested the opportunity to amend its countersuit against Front Row Motorsports, 23XI Racing and Curtis Polk, received it on Thursday morning and officially filed it in the Western District of North Carolina on Thursday night.
Like the previous version, much of the claims are redacted, including whichever new items NASCAR wanted to provide Judge Kenneth D. Bell.
The basis of the countersuit includes what was filed in March, that the teams themselves violated antitrust laws in how they banded together under Polk to negotiate with the Sanctioning Body, while also tampering with television rights negotiations with FOX Sports in the form of an attempted boycott of the 2023 Daytona 500 qualifying races as planned by the 23XI Racing co-owner.
The key lines, remaining from the March filing is as follows.
“Beginning no later than June 2022, Counterclaim Defendants engaged in a conspiracy and agreement in unreasonable restraint of interstate trade and commerce, constituting a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1. Curtis Polk knowingly and actively orchestrated and participated in this illegal conspiracy, while working as a member of the TNC on behalf of the (Race Team Alliance) and aiding 23XI’s and Front Row’s participation in the scheme, also constituting a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1.”
NASCAR is (still) arguing that ‘23XI, Front Row, and their co-conspirators are horizontal competitors and separate economic actors who agreed to join together to collectively negotiate with NASCAR’ which would be different than a collectively bargained position from entities that are equal participants, like players of a stick and ball sport.
It says that Polk and the two teams pressured the other teams to participate in a boycott of a qualifying race, the 2024 Duel at Daytona, and ‘agreed to a scheme to pressure NASCAR to accept their collusive terms’ and interfered with negotiations with broadcast partners over contract extensions.
“On information and belief, Polk organized this threatened boycott in order to harm NASCAR, including NASCAR’s relationships with its broadcast partners,” the filing stated.
NASCAR also claims that the teams and Polk engaged in ‘active threats and coercive behavior in order to maintain their per se illegal cartel.’ The counter-suit claims that such ‘collusive conduct achievedits goals’ and that horizontal competitors jointly negotiating is a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act.
This is the second time that NASCAR has called someone involved in the suit ‘a cartel,’ making the reference to RTA executive director Jonathan Marshall in court in January as he sat in a proceedings over the preliminary injunction decision that ultimately granted both teams charter status this season.
Even though the teams did not sign the charter extension, federal district judge Kenneth D. Bell sought to maintain the status quo from before suit was filed through a trial that is set for December 1.
The injunction was also granted because the teams successfully argued that they would suffer irreparable harm if they were not recognized as charter teams in 2025 as drivers and sponsors both had opt-out clauses. The judge also waived a provision in the charter agreement that prevented teams from suing NASCAR, deciding that such an inclusion was likely a violation of federal antitrust laws.
That injunction decision has been appealed by NASCAR to the fourth circuit court in Richmond, Virginia. That hearing will take place on Friday morning at 8 a.m.
The complete new document, redacted as it may be, can be found below.
Lawsuit timeline
23XI Racing, Front Row decline to sign NASCAR’s final 2025-2031 charter document Why 23XI, Front Row filed a lawsuit against NASCAR 23XI, Front Row makes his case in antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR Richard Childress says he had ‘no choice’ but to sign charter document How drivers feel about the lawsuit Michael Jordan comments on his team’s lawsuit against NASCAR Meet NASCAR’s antitrust defense lawyer NASCAR files injunction to be included in charter system through lawsuit NASCAR motions against team’s preliminary injunction request NASCAR, teams consent to redacting charter details in filings Teams make case for injunctive relief, expedited discovery NASCAR’s lengthy rebuttal to injunction, lawsuit Teams respond to NASCAR response over injunction 23XI, Front Row and NASCAR go to court over injunctions Judge rules against teams preliminary injunction request Denny Hamlin says 23XI may not race next year What preliminary injunction denial means for lawsuit NASCAR drops ‘lawsuit release clause’ in open agreement Appeal timeline rebuttal filed by NASCAR Why 23XI may not have to race in the Clash without charters Teams drop appeal, may re-file in district court 23XI, Front Row re-file injunction request NASCAR opposes expedited timeline France, NASCAR motion to dismiss, deny SHR charter transfer request NASCAR says injunctive request still fails to show irreparable harm Teams say NASCAR went back on its word over SHR charters 23XI, Front Row respond to NASCAR’s motion to dismiss Judge orders NASCAR to issue charters to 23XI, Front Row NASCAR plans to appeal injunction ruling; other details Judge grants partial stay of injunction in blunt response to NASCAR Teams accuse NASCAR of petulance in response to delay request Why Judge Bell did not delay his injunction order NASCAR wants 23XI, FRM to post bond covering 2025 charter pay Both sides meet in court to argue motion to dismiss, bond payment Judge rules against NASCAR’s motion to dismiss, trial on schedule Injunction appeal formally filed by NASCAR NASCAR files counterclaim Why NASCAR is counter-suing the teams Denny Hamlin responds to NASCAR countersuit 23XI, Front Row file for NASCAR counterclaim dismissal NASCAR accuses district judge of faulty legal ruling 23XI, Front Row subpoena F1 financial documents
NASCAR drivers, local teachers rappel 10 stories for fundraiser
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The NASCAR Hall of Fame took on a different kind of extreme event Thursday to support the organization’s scholarship program. The “Over the Edge” event saw NASCAR drivers and local teachers rappelling 10 stories down the side of the Embassy Suites in Uptown. Advertisement The funds for the scholarship […]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The NASCAR Hall of Fame took on a different kind of extreme event Thursday to support the organization’s scholarship program.
The “Over the Edge” event saw NASCAR drivers and local teachers rappelling 10 stories down the side of the Embassy Suites in Uptown.
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The funds for the scholarship program go towards the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s STREAM-based educational program.
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Daytona Motor Mouths: NASCAR to rotate championship race host sites The guys talk about NASCAR changing its championship race location, Joey Logano’s win at slippery Texas, the upcoming weekend at Kansas and more. Even though Kansas Speedway is next on the Cup Series schedule for Sunday, May 11, followed by the special non-points All-Star event […]
Daytona Motor Mouths: NASCAR to rotate championship race host sites
The guys talk about NASCAR changing its championship race location, Joey Logano’s win at slippery Texas, the upcoming weekend at Kansas and more.
Even though Kansas Speedway is next on the Cup Series schedule for Sunday, May 11, followed by the special non-points All-Star event scheduled for May 17, NASCAR’s longest Cup Series event is set for May 25. Drivers are already talking about the Coca-Cola 600, the 400-lap event held at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway. It’s been a part of NASCAR since the track opened in June of 1960.
The Memorial Day weekend tradition honors our nation’s heroes and delivers one of the most iconic races in NASCAR.
“Memorial Day Weekend is always special because you’re racing for so much more than just racing, and it’s to honor and remember all the people who have given and who are currently giving to our great country,” said Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell, the defending winner of the race. “Memorial Day Weekend is always special because you’re racing for so much more than just racing, and it’s to honor and remember all the people who have given and who are currently giving to our great country.”
A lot of preparation goes into making sure the team’s Chevrolets, Fords and Toyotas hold up for the full 600-mile distance. It’s a grueling event that has tested the mental and physical strength of all competitors that will make up the highly competitive field.
Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, is a past winner of the 600. The native of Welcome, North Carolina, shows a great deal of appreciation when talking about the service men and service women who defend our country.
“Well, to me, it’s probably one of the most special weekends of the year,” Dillon said. “The patriotism that we show at the Coke 600, there’s no bigger weekend in our sport, getting to honor all of our military men and women out there who pay the ultimate sacrifice.”
Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, feels the 600 offers the perfect stage of appreciation.
“It’s honoring our troops and our service members, which I think NASCAR’s done a great job of over the years. It’s really become a great tradition of that race and that whole race weekend. I’ve always felt like NASCAR and Charlotte (Motor Speedway) and everyone there has done a great job of honoring them and I hope we continue to do that.”
Every car in the starting lineup will once again carry the names of those who have died while in service of our country. They are honored with every lap completed from the green flag to the checkered flag when the race starts in the late afternoon and ends at night.
“My favorite thing about the Coca-Cola 600 is the Honor and Remember Program and remembering all the soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Ty Dillon, driver of the No. 10, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet. “That whole weekend is so special. We always carry fallen soldiers’ names on our cars and get to interact with their families, and that race is so much bigger than just about us, also the pageantry. The longest race of our year, it’s one of the special ones. Also, it’s in my backyard where I grew up here in North Carolina.”
Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and teammate to Bell, looks at the race from a very personal viewpoint.
“Every weekend I always look up in the stands and I kind of have this pinch-me moment, but there are certain races throughout the year that have a little bit more extra significance and the Coke 600 is certainly one of those races that every single year I’m just like, ‘I cannot believe I’m racing in the Coke 600.’
“As a kid, we would always watch the Indy 500 and watch the Coke 600. So, for me now to know that I’m part of this iconic race on this huge day of motorsports, but then also on Memorial Day Weekend, is the significance of that. It’s really, really special. It’s a race that every driver dreams of winning and even just competing in it is always a super special privilege. I’m honored to get to do it every single year.
Reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, cites Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Mission 600 annual campaign that pairs drivers and regional military bases as a build-up to the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend.
“The Mission 600 appearances are my favorite appearances of the year,” Logano said. “Where you get to go to a military base and see, boots on the ground, what these men and women are doing for our country, for our freedom. People who are making the ultimate sacrifice. Not only them but their families too, for complete strangers, like you and I, that is the most incredible thing. So, for us to say thank you is really neat to build a relationship. Those days that I spent there were awesome.
“Last year, we went to fly in an F-16, and that was really cool. I became friends with the whole squadron and our tagline this year is ‘Double Down’, that’s their squadron name and that’s what our tagline is going to be this year. So, we got kind of a thing going together and it’s really neat because they all came from Mission 600.”
AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, feels the race is one of NASCAR’s greatest events of the year and has been for over 60 years.
“I think it’s unique because it’s obviously the longest race we have in our sport,” Allmendinger said. “it’s one of the Crown Jewels, but it goes back to what it represents and with Memorial Day Weekend and everything that it represents and everything. To me, it’s the one event that is bigger than the race and the 600 (miles) is secondary to that.”
Previewing the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend for the AdventHealth 400. Here’s a look at this Sunday’s race in Kansas City, Kansas. Date: May 11, 2025Track: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kansas)Time: 3:00 p.m. ETTV: FS1Stages: 80/165/267Defending Winner: Kyle Larson Date Time Session TV Sat., May 10 4:30 p.m. ET Practice Prime Video […]
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend for the AdventHealth 400. Here’s a look at this Sunday’s race in Kansas City, Kansas.
Date: May 11, 2025 Track: Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, Kansas) Time: 3:00 p.m. ET TV: FS1 Stages: 80/165/267 Defending Winner: Kyle Larson
Date
Time
Session
TV
Sat., May 10
4:30 p.m. ET
Practice
Prime Video
Sat., May 10
5:40 p.m. ET
Qualifying
Prime Video
Sun., May 11
3 p.m. ET
AdventHealth 400
FS1
VIEWING GUIDE: How to Watch the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas
One Year Away From 0.001 Seconds
Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
Last year’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway saw the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history. Kyle Larson edged out Chris Buescher by just one-thousandth of a second to score the victory.
It’s unlikely we’ll see a repeat of that this year, but Kansas has seen some close finishes over its time. That includes the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series race won by Joe Nemechek, as well as a 2014 race won by Jeff Gordon.
The final lead change has come in the final two laps in three of the last four NASCAR Cup Series events at Kansas Speedway. Two of those have come on the final lap.
Rising Stars Part of This Week’s Lineup
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Corey Heim and Jesse Love are part of this Sunday’s entry list for the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas.
Heim is making his first NASCAR Cup Series start of 2025 after three appearances one year ago. The 14-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race winner will pilot the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing.
Jesse Love makes his third NASCAR Cup Series start of the year, climbing back into the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing after making his debut with the team at Bristol. Love won the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener this year at Daytona International Speedway.
Can Penske Run Continue?
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Through the first nine races of the 2025 season, Team Penske was winless despite a plethora of strong performances. Now, they roll into Kansas on back-to-back wins.
Austin Cindric took the team to victory lane at Talladega Superspeedway in the 10th race of the season. One week ago, Joey Logano made it two in a row with a win at Texas Motor Speedway.
Interestingly, Ford hasn’t won at Kansas Speedway in the last eight NASCAR Cup Series events at the track. Logano won there in the fall of 2020, the most recent victory at Kansas for the blue oval brigade. Can they keep their winning streak alive and snap Ford’s Kansas drought?
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