Setting a fast time of 28.174s, Carson Hocevar was able to hang on for his first career pole in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet on Saturday. It’s a front row lockout for Team Chevy with William Byron putting the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in second, just 0.014s behind Hocevar’s pole lap. Hocevar was also the fastest driver in the practice session that immediately preceded qualifying.

“It’s really big,” smiled Hocevar. “It’s really big for these guys. It’s super impressive for what they’ve been able to do. This is the same group on pit road, off pit road, at the shop — everyone working on the No. 77 is exactly the same as when I started here. It’s just huge where we’ve been able to bring this team.”

Hocevar admitted that he can be hard on himself at times, and didn’t think he “nailed that lap,” despite going to the top of the board. “Super proud of this team,” he continued. “I’ve never been number one pit stall and I’ve had a lot of issue s on pit road. We’ve had a lot of bad luck, so I finally get the number one pit stall and I’m pumped about that.”

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

Last weekend’s Talladega race winner Austin Cindric timed in third, leading the Ford camp. Kyle Larson was fourth and Hocevar’s Spire Motorsports teammate Michael McDowell was fifth. Ty Gibbs led the Toyotas in sixth, followed by Josh Berry, Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, and AJ Allmendinger. 

Defending Texas winner Chase Elliott will start deep in the field, only going fast enough for 29th. The good news is that he came from 24th on the grid to win here last year. He’s not the only notable driver with some work to do on Sunday either with Ryan Blaney 24th, Kyle Busch 26th, Joey Logano 27th, Brad Keselowski 30th, and Ross Chastain 31st.

There were no incidents during the qualifying session. History shows that the pole-sitter has not been able to translate that into a Cup win at Texas in three years of the Nex Gen era, which is something Hocevar will surely be hoping to change tomorrow. Perhaps the practice here is paying off: Hocevar has already been on track racing this weekend, as the only Cup driver to also run the Truck race on Friday night. He was solidly in second place when a battery issue derailed his night.

After dabbling in motorsports in 2024, Texas A&M University returned to the NASCAR world in 2025, striking a deal to serve as a primary and associate sponsor for Haas Factory Team and Cole Custer . Last season, Texas A&M teamed up with Stewart-Haas Racing for a couple of races, and now they’re back for more.

Not only will the Aggies sponsor Cole Custer in the NASCAR Cup Series, but they’re also sponsoring Felix Rosenqvist in the NTT IndyCar Series. Specifically, Texas A&M will be doing the “Double” on Memorial Day weekend, adorning both vehicles later this month.

To start Sunday, May 25, Rosenqvist will take on the Indianapolis 500 with the maroon and camo onboard. They will then be represented on the No. 41 Ford Mustang of Custer, as the NASCAR Cup Series brings the Coca-Cola 600 to the masses.

It is clear that Texas A&M sees a lot of value in motorsports. Both IndyCar and NASCAR are getting love with this sponsorship, and the amount the university is paying has been revealed. According to Eben Novy Williams of Sportico , “Texas A&M University has agreed to pay $335,000 this year to continue advertising in motorsports.

“The school recently signed a $275,000 commitment to NASCAR’s Haas Factory Team and a $60,000 commitment to IndyCar’s Felix Rosenqvist, according to documents obtained by Sportico via open records request. In return, the College Station university will receive a wide range of deliverables, including advertising on cars and driver apparel, VIP hospitality, and social media promotion.

“Last October the school agreed to pay $160,000 to be the primary sponsor of Stewart-Haas Racing cars at two NASCAR tracks.”

As you can tell, Texas A&M must’ve liked what they got out of their first season in motorsports, as they’ve doubled down on sponsorship opportunities in the NASCAR and IndyCar world. Additionally, Custer and Rosenqvist were excited about the news as well, with the former providing a statement on the development.

“I’m proud to carry the Texas A&M branding on our No. 41 Ford Mustang this season,” Custer said, via a press release . “It was a productive partnership in 2024, so we look forward to expanding the relationship and raising awareness around Texas A&M’s commitment to our country’s military personnel. The Aggie Core Values align well with our philosophy at Haas and resonate with the NASCAR fanbase.”

As Cole Custer looks to return to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Cup Series, he’ll be hoping to do it with a Texas A&M paint scheme on his ride. Time will tell if he’s able to, but it’s evident the Aggies are believers in this strategy. We’ll see if it yields the results they’re looking for.

— On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this article.

The post Amount Texas A&M to pay NASCAR, IndyCar for car sponsorships in 2025 revealed appeared first on On3 .

Fresh off gaining the commitment of four-star offensive lineman Graham Houston on Thursday, the Georgia Bulldogs are not done trying to extend the Buford to Athens pipeline.

One of the top remaining prospects on Georgia’s board is Buford defensive back Nascar McCoy. You may know him as Nassir, but following a recent change to his government name, the four-star defensive back now goes by Nascar.

But being the in-state school isn’t the only inside track that Georgia has in the recruitment of McCoy. They also have his former teammate and cousin, KJ Bolden.

“We talk about it all the time,” McCoy said. “I was just with him in Athens this weekend. We were just talking about the game. I was training with him up there and stuff like that. He was just giving me a feel for the college ways and everything, how that goes, and stuff like that.”

That “feel” also included the warning about what it takes to play at Georgia.

“But he always tells me, like, if you want to come to Georgia, you just got to ball,” McCoy said. “Be a dog. It’s a dog-eat-dog world up there.”

McCoy and Bolden are in communication so much that McCoy said Bolden is tied with Georgia’s safeties coach, Travaris Robinson, as the Bulldogs’ most effective recruiter.

“Right now, I mean, T-Rob and KJ are a tie,” McCoy said. “KJ, being my family member, he calls me a lot to check up on me. But T-Rob is like family, too.”

Yet, even with two recruiters from Georgia working on McCoy, the Dawgs are facing stiff competition. Ohio State, the defending national champions, are one of the biggest threats.

“They still have two safeties committed, but they still want me as a guy to come be an impact first for them,” McCoy said of the Buckeyes. “You know, they want me to play the high safety position. They have two strong guys who they feel can play the strong and the nickel position, so they still want me in a good spot.”

McCoy was wearing an Ohio State wristband during Thursday’s practice, but also had on a Georgia headcap.

“I look good in red, so we’ll see,” McCoy said of whether his next school will wear red.

As for other contenders, McCoy named Miami, Michigan, Miami, Michigan, Texas A&M, USC, Auburn, and Alabama. A wide range of schools, but they are all similar in their defensive scheme.

“The 4-2-5 scheme is a great scheme to be in,” McCoy said. “It’s a very developing scheme. It just shows the way you can be a versatile player. It shows how you can be all over the field because you’re just not solidified in one position with 4-2-5.”

Aside from scheme, McCoy is looking for the school that will develop him the best.

“My recruiting process is about being developed. It’s really nothing more than that,” McCoy said. “It’s not about any money. I say it’s about how they treat my family also. My family is a big thing to me, and I feel like me going away and being by myself in college, I just have to feel a connection between that relationship with my mom and trust me away.”

Buckle up. We’re heading back to Texas — the land of horsepower, heartbreak, and high-speed chaos.

The Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway is a unique beast. It’s a 1.5-mile track with minimal tire wear, a ton of late-race cautions, and just enough banking to turn strategy on its head. In the Next Gen era, this place has been anything but predictable.

But that’s where we thrive. We dive into the stats, analyze the odds, and find the value the books missed. From sneaky long shots to props that could cash early, here’s how we’re betting Sunday’s race in Fort Worth.

Würth 400 at Texas Best Bets: Winner Predictions

Ryan Blaney (+950 FanDuel Sportsbook)

The 2022 All-Star winner at Texas. Blaney was running third at the end of…

The NASCAR Euro Series continues to expand its international appeal, and in 2025, a unique transatlantic exchange will be back on the stage: Canadian racing talent Raphael Lessard will join the EuroNASCAR grid for the June round at Raceway Venray, while the EuroNASCAR PRO championship leader after the EuroNASCAR oval race will head to Canada for a one-off at the legendary Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres (GP3R) in the NASCAR Canada Series. This landmark exchange not only connects the two NASCAR-sanctioned series in a unique way, but also brings top-tier talent into the spotlight on both continents.

Lessard, 22 years old, is no stranger to NASCAR fans. He made his name in the United States competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where in 2020 he became the first Canadian to win a race for Kyle Busch Motorsports. His triumph at Talladega Superspeedway cemented his reputation as a strong driver with serious oval skills. The native of Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec has since remained a prominent figure in the Canadian racing scene and is now ready for a new challenge on European soil.

Lessard’s NASCAR Euro Series debut will take place at one of the most unique venues on the calendar: the high-banked Raceway Venray in the Netherlands — the only oval circuit in the EuroNASCAR schedule. A natural fit for a driver with his background, Venray offers the perfect playground for Lessard to showcase his raw pace and oval craft.

“I’ll be heading to the Netherlands in June to represent Canada in the NASCAR Euro Series,” Lessard announced on social media. “I’ll be the second Canadian after Jacques Villeneuve [sic] to start in this championship, and I’m honored to do so at the only oval in the series.” Besides Villeneuve, JF Dumoulin from Canada already raced in EuroNASCAR in 2018 when he was part of the first leg of the exchange program between NASCAR in Europe and Canada.

Lessard’s presence in the EuroNASCAR field is more than a guest start — it’s a symbolic and strategic moment that reflects NASCAR’s growing global presence and the strong ties between North American and European stock car racing.

In return, the leader of the EuroNASCAR PRO championship standings after the Venray round will earn the opportunity to race in front of thousands of passionate fans at GP3R in August — one of the crown jewels of the NASCAR Canada Series. This event, held on the tight street circuit of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, is a staple in Canadian motorsport culture and a proving ground for aggressive, technical racing.

The exchange will offer European drivers a taste of the North American NASCAR atmosphere, while giving Canadian fans a look at the best Europe has to offer. This driver swap is more than just a promotional stunt — it’s a celebration of NASCAR’s international reach and the shared spirit of competition that binds racers across continents. Raphael Lessard’s run at Raceway Venray is expected to draw increased attention to the event, with Canadian media and fans already expressing excitement over the news.

At the same time, the EuroNASCAR championship leader will have the rare chance to measure themselves against Canada’s best in one of the most challenging events on the NASCAR Canada calendar. 2025 is shaping up to be a milestone season for global NASCAR cooperation — and it starts with a Canadian star lighting up a Dutch oval.

NWES PR

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The roar of engines is set to captivate Birmingham this weekend as the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix returns to Barber Motorsports Park. This event not only brings excitement but also places the Magic City on the global racing stage.

Race fans from near and far are flocking to the venue. Tommy Means, a race fan from Louisiana, said, “We’re coming to come to the auction and there happened to be an Indy Car Race and we’ve never been to an Indy Car Race so, Never been to Barber Motor Speed but, it’s fantastic, beautiful!”

Charles Cowner, another race fan, praised the venue, saying, “I like this race venue because you can get more up close with the teams, it’s a little more personal, a friendly environment.”

Last year, more than 80,000 fans attended the event throughout the weekend, and that number is expected to be even greater this year. The Motorsports Park, complete with the Vintage Motorsports Museum, is a hidden gem for Indy lovers. Cowner added, “It’s a great venue, we enjoy racing and to get this type of racing right here in Alabama.”

Chris Venus, a race fan, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, saying, “We like, the open wheel. We like formula one and Indy cars — to us that is pure racing.”

The event is not just for the biggest race fans but also offers a great experience for the youngest attendees. John Cho, a race fan, shared, “This is Jaden’s first time to the Indy Car Race weekend. We’re big F1 fans but I wanted to get him started on this to be a future race driver.” He added, “Everything is great so far, it’s very family friendly. I was a little hesitant because you know we’ve got a young one. But, it’s very easy the fans are great.”

The excitement is just beginning with the first round of practice already underway. A second round of practice is scheduled for tomorrow morning, followed by qualifying at 2:30 p.m. The main event is set for Sunday at 1 p.m., and tickets are still available.

This weekend’s event is dedicated to raising money for Children’s of Alabama, the only free-standing pediatric hospital in the state. A portion of all race ticket sales will benefit the hospital. Additionally, a Ferris wheel ride for $5 offers views of the entire park, with all proceeds going to Children’s. A 5K race, starting shortly, will also donate 100% of its proceeds to the hospital.