RICHMOND, Va. (Aug. 12, 2025) – As NASCAR returns to Richmond Raceway Aug. 14-16, the track and the sport will band together to make a difference within the community. Race week events include:

• Tuesday, August 12 – Track Laps for Charity featuring Chase Briscoe: From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., motorists can drive their personal vehicles five laps around the ¾-mile D-shaped oval for just a $20 donation. The event will feature an appearance from Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry XSE. All proceeds will benefit Victory Junction Camp and Richmond Raceway Cares. To register, visit https://www.richmondraceway.com/tracklaps/.
• Wednesday, August 13 – Finish Line Party at Q-Rooftop Bar at Quirk Hotel: Kick off NASCAR Weekend in Richmond at Q-Rooftop Bar at Quirk Hotel (201 W Broad Street, Richmond VA 23220) with themed cocktails and rooftop vibes. Join us for all the fun as we get revved up to race. This event is FREE to attend, with drinks and food for purchase. Street parking is limited. Paid surface lot and valet parking are available.  Rideshare is encouraged.
• Friday, August 15 – The NASCAR Foundation Speediatrics Fun Day Festival: On Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, The NASCAR Foundation will host kids from the Peter Paul Development Center at the Richmond Raceway Fan Zone for the Speediatrics Fun Day Festival. The NASCAR-themed field day inside the NASCAR Experience display promotes healthy lifestyle habits for children in local racing communities through racing-themed lifestyle programming.
• Friday, August 15 – Who’s Your Driver? Tailgate w/ Ross Chastain: On Friday at 2 p.m., meet Ross Chastain, driver of the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, for a fun filled tailgate in Lot D parking area, just outside the Fan Zone entrance and sign up to make your safe driving pledge. Who’s Your Driver? is a sober and safe driving initiative from DRIVE SMART Virginia, a non-profit organization with a mission to eliminate alcohol-related crashes and to educate citizens on safe driving practices.
• Friday & Saturday, August 15 & 16 – NASC’Art & Car Show: New this year as part of the free race weekend Fan Zone, Richmond Raceway has partnered with Crossroads Gallery for a juror art show themed around speed and racing.  Come see one-of-a-kind works from 34 nationally selected artists on exhibit alongside classic, vintage and other racing automobiles. The show can also be viewed online at https://www.crossroadsartcenter.com/collections/nasc-art-the-art-of-speed-and-racing-exhibition-2025-at-richmond-raceway.
• Saturday, August 16 – Brittany Anderson Celebrity Guest Chef Appearance in Torque Club: Brittanny Anderson, Food Network’s Triple Threat winner who defeated Bobby Flay’s Titans, will be cooking up some small bites to share along with some of her culinary wisdom with Torque Club guests from 3– 6p.m., prior to the green flag dropping for the Cook Out 400. You may also remember Brittanny from other Food Network competitions, Tournament of Champions, Iron Chef America, Last Bite Hotel, 24 in 24; as well as Bravo TV’s Top Chef Season 18. She is the Chef and Owner of several renowned local restaurants including Metzger Bar and Butchery, Brenner Pass, Black Lodge and The Pink Room.

The NASCAR Weekend at Richmond Raceway presented by Who’s Your Driver will fire off with the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 on Thursday, Aug. 14, followed by the epic finale to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series regular season in the eero 250 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 15. The action will conclude with the awaited return of Saturday night racing in Richmond as the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series look to secure a playoff berth in the Cook Out 400 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 16.

Fans are advised to secure their tickets now at www.richmondraceway.com.

About Richmond Raceway

Richmond Raceway will host its NASCAR weekend on the iconic ¾-mile D-shaped oval Aug.14-16, 2025. Richmond Raceway is a regional leader for events including sports, live music and consumer trade shows. The Richmond Raceway Complex hosts more than 200 live events over 280 event days annually including concerts with top national recording artists at Virginia Credit Union LIVE!, the region’s only covered amphitheater.

For more information, visit richmondraceway.com, richmondracewaycomplex.com, or vaculive.com.

About The NASCAR Foundation

The NASCAR Foundation is a leading charity that works to improve the lives of children who need it most in NASCAR® racing communities through the Speediatrics® Children’s Fund and the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. The NASCAR Foundation, designated as a 4-Star Charity by Charity Navigator® for its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency, has contributed more than $46 Million to impact the lives of more than 1.7 million children across the country since 2006.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.

Source: Richmond Raceway | NASCAR Wire Service

Shane van Gisbergen, center right, poses fort pictures with his team after finishing first during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Shane van Gisbergen’s latest victory in NASCAR’s premier series was as historical as it was emotional.

With his father, Robert, on hand for the first time this year, the Auckland, New Zealand, native set a Cup Series rookie record with his fourth victory, blowing out the competition again at Watkins Glen International.

“It’s just amazing to have him here,” said van Gisbergen, who last saw his father while visiting home over the Christmas break. “It’s been a very tough, tough year for dad, and he hasn’t been able to travel, so to have him here for the next three weeks and share this with him, it’s amazing.”

As amazing as van Gisbergen’s rookie season in the Cup series.

The Trackhouse Racing driver joined 2020 champion Chase Elliott and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon as the only drivers to win four consecutive Cup races on road or street courses.

Unlike his prior wins at Mexico City, Chicago and Sonoma, van Gisbergen was unable to start from the pole position after being edged by Ryan Blaney. After qualifying second, van Gisbergen bided his time and took his first lead on the 25th of the 90-lap race. He then settled into a typically flawless and smooth rhythm on the 2.45-mile road course.

“I’m just a very lucky guy to get to drive for an amazing bunch of people and just execute,” van Gisbergen said. “The day went flawlessly.”

The 36-year-old rookie made his final pit stop with 27 laps remaining and cycled into first place on Lap 74 of a clean race with only three yellow flags. Cruising to a big lead while leading the final 17 laps, van Gisbergen beat Christopher Bell by 11.116 seconds.

“I’m thrilled because we’ve been struggling a little bit,” Bell said. “Just trying to execute the races has been tough for us, so really awesome to have a good day. Frustrated to get our butts kicked by (van Gisbergen). He’s doing such a really good job.”

With five victories in only 38 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series, van Gisbergen trails only Elliott (seven wins) and Kyle Larson (six) among active drivers on street or road courses. He also is the fastest to five wins in Cup since the legendary Dan Gurney, who won his fifth race in his 13th start in January 1968.

The win validated the decision by Trackhouse to sign van Gisbergen to a multiyear contract extension last week. Tied with Denny Hamlin for the series lead in victories, van Gisbergen holds the No. 2 seed in the playoffs with two races remaining in the regular season.

The first round will be held at three oval tracks, where the inexperienced van Gisbergen, who raced exclusively on road and street courses while winning three championships in the Australia-based Supercars, has an average finish of 26.9 this year.

“It ain’t going to be easy, that’s for sure,” van Gisbergen said of his playoff outlook. “The first round, it’s some very difficult left-handed tracks for me, but I’m getting better at it, and I’m enjoying myself, and it’s a challenge. That’s why we’re here, and we’ll have a proper crack at it.”

Playoff watch

Third-place finisher Chris Buescher improved to 34 points ahead of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing teammate Ryan Preece in the battle for the final playoff spot.

Buescher outdueled van Gisbergen on the final lap to win at Watkins Glen last year. His team tailored its strategy Sunday toward amassing stage points instead of following the win-oriented strategy used by van Gisbergen.

“Last year, we didn’t have to deal with the points side of things, so we brought a fast race car and made it happen,” Buescher said. “We had a really fast race car again, just definitely took the opportunity to capitalize on some big stage points early.”

Feisty Gibbs

It was another frustrating race for Ty Gibbs, who spun John Hunter Nemechek late in Stage 2 and then complained about the handling and strategy of his No. 54 Toyota. Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart, who recently began working as a strategist and consultant to Gibbs’ team, radioed the driver to “stay in the game” after the Nemechek wreck and later took issue after Gibbs questioned his team’s strategy.

“I’m sure you’ve got a real good understanding from inside the car,” Gabehart told Gibbs on the radio. “So you can call the strategy if you want, or we can keep rolling.”

Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, finished 33rd and remained winless since moving into Cup after winning the 2022 Xfinity Series championship. Teammates Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell have qualified for the playoffs with victories this season.

Up next

The Cup Series will race Saturday at Richmond Raceway, which will play host to its only NASCAR race weekend this season. The 0.75-mile oval had two annual races on the Cup schedule from 1959-2024.

(GMM) As Ferrari’s focus this season has often been on Lewis Hamilton’s difficult transition, Christian Danner believes the team’s consistent top performer – Charles Leclerc (pictured) – could himself be in the midst of a career crisis.

Danner, a former F1 driver turned German television pundit, told motorsport-magazin.com: “Of course, Leclerc is thinking about whether his life as a driver, his career at Ferrari, will take him where he wants to go: the championship. He’s definitely questioning that. I’m convinced he’s also asked himself this year: my God, what am I even doing here? It’s going to be nothing again.”

The Monegasque has often shown visible frustration, but remains loyal to Ferrari as the Italian team again looks set to end the season second-best – with another title shot slipping away.

“Leclerc is intelligent and a calm, analytical type,” Danner said. “What are the alternatives? Well, under certain circumstances, Mercedes. What Russell can do, Leclerc can do.

“Red Bull is in the midst of an ultimate technical fiasco, and of course, he has to deal with Max Verstappen, at least in the short term. At McLaren, it’s clear everyone would want to go there, but is he needed there? I’d say no. That means the alternatives simply aren’t there. Leclerc needs to focus on what he has.”

After pole in Hungary, Leclerc admitted a race win in 2025 is unlikely. “I don’t think there’s one track at the moment where we think we are stronger than McLaren,” he said. “For now, I don’t think there’s any tracks where I go to and think we will be the favorites, but I hope I’ll be surprised.”

Editor’s Note: Designer Rob Marshall made the Red Bull unbeatable, and when he was poached away by McLaren, he has now made the McLaren unbeatable.

There are now even suggestions Ferrari could be better off finishing third this season to secure more wind tunnel time for the 2026 rules reset.

But Leclerc says that’s not how he approaches racing. “I’m pretty sure it’s better to finish second than third,” he insisted.

“However, as you said, there’s also the wind tunnel time. This is not something we think of too much. When we are on track, we just want to finish as high up as possible and then we’ll deal with whatever amount of hours in the wind tunnel we have.

“We want to target the highest possible. Second place in the constructors’ is one of our targets, but the biggest target is to come back to winning races as soon as possible. Wherever we finish, we’ll work from there and see how many hours we have next year.”

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced that Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, the nation’s largest full-service and fully integrated fire protection, life safety, and security services provider, has extended its partnership with the CLUB for the 2026 season.

The renewed agreement builds upon a successful 2025 season and reflects the partners’ shared commitment to performance, reliability, and safety.

Pye-Barker’s impressive progression has earned it consecutive annual recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States. In recent years, Pye-Barker has achieved substantial revenue growth while remaining committed to exceptional care of its customers and team, made up of 8,000 members nationwide, operating across more than 250 locations.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety will continue its presence on LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s No. 42 Toyota Camry of John Hunter Nemechek in the NASCAR Cup Series and will maintain its status as the Official Fire Safety Partner of the CLUB. The brand will also expand its involvement in hospitality, employee engagement programs, and community outreach through the partnership. Pye-Barker will be the primary paint scheme on the No. 42 for 14 races in 2026.

“We are thrilled to have Pye-Barker Fire & Safety renew for next season,” said LEGACY MC co-owner Jimmie Johnson. “John Hunter and the No. 42 team are great representatives of the brand, and our collective goal is to put Pye-Barker back in victory lane.”

“This partnership with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB reflects the same values that guide our business every day – putting people first and building lasting relationships built on trust,” said Bart Proctor, CEO of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety. “We look for partners who genuinely care about their people and their community. LEGACY shares our commitment to excellence and appreciates the family culture that makes both our organizations successful. Together, we’re able to connect with our team members, customers, and communities in ways that go far beyond business.”

The extended partnership includes expanded branding on team assets, enhanced activations at select NASCAR Cup Series events, and continued collaboration on content, employee and safety initiatives. Pye-Barker’s commitment to safety aligns naturally with the high-performance, high-stakes world of NASCAR.

“Having Pye-Barker Fire & Safety back with us for another year is a huge win for our team,” said Nemechek, driver of the No. 42 Pye-Barker Toyota Camry XSE. “Their values of service, trust, and care for their team and communities line up perfectly with what we’re building here. We’re looking forward to another year of growing together both on and off the track. I’m looking forward to representing them in 14 races next year and hopefully taking them to Victory Lane again.”

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety first joined LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in 2024 and has since become a valued part of the team’s fabric, appearing in multiple races and fan activations.

Legacy Motor Club PR

Penske IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin will race a Chevrolet Corvette at Suzuka next month to tick off what he is calling a “bucket list” ambition.

The New Zealander will drive a Corvette Z06 GT3.R for the Malaysian Johore Motorsports Racing team in the Suzuka 1000Km round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge on 14 September to fulfil his dream.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the JMR team heading to Suzuka for the 1000Km,” said McLaughlin, who races a Chevrolet-powered Dallara DW12 for Team Penske in the IndyCar Series.

“I’ve always wanted to race Suzuka, and it’s a bucket list track for me.”

McLaughlin will share the JMR Pro class entry with Chevrolet factory drivers Alexander Sims and Nicky Catsburg, who he described as his “General Motors friends” and “two amazing Corvette racers”.

Suzuka, round four of a series that incorporates the 24-hour classics at Spa and the Nurburgring, will be McLaughlin’s second race appearance at the wheel of Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

#91 Trackhouse by TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Ben Keating, Connor Zilisch, Scott McLaughlin, Shane van Gisbergen

Photo by: Courtesy of IMSA

He drove one of Pratt & Miller-developed racers at the Daytona 24 Hours in January, the opening round of the IMSA SportsCar Championship, fielded by NASCAR Cup entrant Trackhouse Racing and run by TF Sport.

McLaughlin’s CV has encompassed sportscar appearances in LMP2 in IMSA since he switched to IndyCars from the V8 Supercars Series in Australia at the end of 2020.

He won LMP2 and finished third overall at the 2023 Sebring 12 Hours driving a Tower Motorsports ORECA-Gibson 07.

His sportscar credits also include a victory at the Bathurst 12 Hours at the wheel of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in 2016.

JMR, a regular in the GT World Challenge Asia, will field a pair of Corvettes at the Suzuka IGTC fixture.

A car is being fielded in Pro-Am for Malaysian princes Jefri Ibrahim and Abu Bakar Ibrahim, who will share with Finn GT specialist Konsta Lappalainen.

The IGTC is returning to Suzuka this year for the first time since 2019 after which the fixture fell victim to the COVID pandemic.

In its previous two editions, 2018 and ’19, the Suzuka round was a 10-hour race but this year the late summer endurance fixture dating back to 1966 is returning to its traditional 1000km format.

The maximum duration of the race has been extended from six to six-and-a-half hours in an attempt to ensure the full distance is achieved. A 30-car entry has been received for the event.

The Chinese Phantom Global Racing Porsche is reviving the ‘pink pig’ livery for Suzuka.

Its Porsche 911 GT3-R shared by factory drivers Klaus Bachler and Patric Niederhauser, along with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific-contracted Dorian Boccolacci, will race in the colours first seen on a 917/20 at the 1971 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The factory revived a livery that features the names in German of the different butcher’s cuts of pork for one of the four entries that made up its 2018 Le Mans GTE Pro assault.

Phantom Global Racing Porsche livery

Photo by: Porsche

New England’s only NASCAR Playoffs weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) isn’t just for hardcore race fans – it’s a full-on family entertainment destination. From Sept. 17-21, “The Magic Mile” transforms into a hub of kid-friendly fun, interactive experiences and fall festival vibes, making it the perfect getaway for families in New England.

Wednesday: Camper Appreciation Musical Bingo presented by THOR Industries

Start the weekend on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. with Camper Appreciation Musical Bingo presented by THOR Industries. Win cool prizes and enjoy opening evening at The Groove. We’ll supply the BINGO cards, dobbers and prizes – you bring the fun!

Thursday: Family Movie Night

On Thursday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m., enjoy Family Movie Night. Spread a blanket on the grassy backstretch hill or grab a grandstand seat to enjoy “Captain America: Brave New World” on massive infield screens. Savor popcorn under the stars with this ultimate outdoor cinema experience.

Friday Through Sunday: Fan Zone Fun and Carnival Thrills

From Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19-21, the Fan Zone delivers non-stop excitement for all ages. Test your skills at the Synergy SpeedLab: Mobile Sim Racing Experience, featuring retro racing simulators, a custom 1937 Legend Car sim and giant screens showing the action from a driver’s view. Just steps away, enjoy carnival-style fun with bumper cars, a glass firehouse maze and water gun races – complete with flashing lights, cheering crowds and prizes worth bragging about.

Friday Through Sunday: Explore the NASCAR Kids Zone

Perfect for younger fans, the NASCAR Kids Zone offers an interactive play space designed to keep children engaged and entertained all weekend long. From pint-sized racing challenges to colorful inflatables, hands-on crafts and photo ops with NASCAR-themed backdrops, it’s a safe and fun spot for kids to burn off energy while parents enjoy the event. The NASCAR Kids Zone is included with your race weekend admission, making it a must-visit stop for families.

Saturday and Sunday: Meet Your NASCAR Heroes

One of the most unforgettable experiences of race weekend is the chance to meet NASCAR’s biggest stars up close. Throughout the event, scheduled driver appearances and autograph sessions give fans of all ages the opportunity to shake hands, snap photos and collect one-of-a-kind keepsakes. For young fans, it’s a dream come true standing face-to-face with the drivers they cheer for on the track. These sessions are the perfect way to create lasting memories and bring home a personal connection to the sport.

High-Speed Action and Lasting Memories

Between the roar of playoff racing, free live music, pop-up entertainment and endless food options, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re here for the engines, the games, the food or simply a weekend of shared memories, NHMS delivers a full-throttle family experience you’ll talk about long after the checkered flag waves.

Get Tickets and Info: NHMS.com