Motorsports
Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Channels A Need for Speed
The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” taps into a long-standing tradition of MJ’s love for speed and style. This colorway blends performance-ready construction with a visual edge, making it one of the flashier looks from the new silhouette. While the Jordan Heir is still a fresh addition to the lineup, it’s clearly rooted in the legacy of […]

The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” taps into a long-standing tradition of MJ’s love for speed and style. This colorway blends performance-ready construction with a visual edge, making it one of the flashier looks from the new silhouette.
While the Jordan Heir is still a fresh addition to the lineup, it’s clearly rooted in the legacy of innovation that defines the brand. Jordan Brand has always pushed boundaries, and the Heir carries that energy forward.
It’s not a retro, it’s a new lane. Inspired by the futuristic design language of early 2000s performance models, this sneaker bridges the gap between court-ready function and lifestyle versatility. The “Motorsports” name isn’t just for show either.
MJ’s passion for motorsports dates back to his post-retirement days, and the color blocking on this pair echoes some of the team gear from that era. It’s sleek, aggressive, and built like something meant to move.
Official images show off the white base with black and varsity royal overlays, plus a mix of materials and sculpted lines that give the shoe serious presence. Whether or not you’re burning rubber, this one’s all gas, no brakes.
Jordan Heir “Motorsports”

Image via Nike
The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” features a white synthetic base with breathable mesh zones and bold black leather overlays. Further, a translucent varsity royal cage wraps around the midfoot for structure and contrast.
Black laces and a knit tongue add texture, while the blue pull tab and Jumpman logos complete the look. Also, a rubber outsole in varsity royal rounds out the design with aggressive tread. The foam midsole offers comfort without extra bulk.
This modern silhouette leans into dynamic lines, mixed materials, and color blocking that gives it an unmistakable motorsport vibe.
Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Release Date
Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Jordan Heir “Motorsports” will be released in the summer of 2025. Also, these sneakers will have a retail price of $110 when they are released.

Image via Nike

Image via Nike
Motorsports
Nitro Motorsports Charges to Watkins Glen
July 9, 2025 July 9, 2025 – Nitro Motorsports heads to the iconic Watkins Glen International (WGI) this weekend for Round 8 of the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli and CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series. Fielding another impressive eight-car lineup, Nitro Motorsports is ready to take on the 3.4-mile, 11-turn road course steeped in American motorsport […]

July 9, 2025
July 9, 2025 – Nitro Motorsports heads to the iconic Watkins Glen International (WGI) this weekend for Round 8 of the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli and CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series. Fielding another impressive eight-car lineup, Nitro Motorsports is ready to take on the 3.4-mile, 11-turn road course steeped in American motorsport history.
Leading the charge for the team will be Thomas Annunziata, who currently sits second in the National Driver’s Championship following a strong point haul at Road America. With multiple wins to his credit, Annunziata is one of the favorites heading into the weekend. He’ll be joined by Sam Corry and Julian DaCosta, who hold fourth and fifth in the TA2 championship standings, as both drivers have been at the front of the field in 2025. In the Rookie Championship, Corry, DaCosta, and Gian Buffomante are all in the hunt, sitting third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, and they look to climb the leaderboard this weekend.
The Nitro Motorsports driver roster for Watkins Glen also includes Cale Phillips, Seamus McKendree, and Boris Said Sr., a formidable group determined to make an impact at one of North America’s most legendary circuits. Veteran Cale Phillips, who has scored multiple TA2 Pro/Am podiums in 2025, will be searching for another trip to the podium steps in 2025 and continue to add to Nitro Motorsports results resume.
Team owner Nick Tucker shared his excitement for the event. “Watkins Glen is a classic on the schedule and an important round for the team. We’ve had strong results so far this season, and with eight talented drivers pushing hard, I’m confident we’ll be fighting up front all weekend. It’s fantastic to see so many of our drivers in the championship hunt, and we can’t wait to get rolling.”
The weekend kicks off Friday with optional testing and official practice sessions. Saturday will feature split-group qualifying, setting the grid for the 30-lap feature race scheduled to go green at 1:05 PM ET. Fans can catch all the action live on speedsport1.com.
For more information on Nitro Motorsports, please visit them online or contact Nick Tucker via email HERE or visit them online at www.RaceNitro.com.
Motorsports
23XI and Front Row Denied Rehearing, Clash Returning to Bowman Gray and More: NASCAR News Flash
It has already been a hectic week in the NASCAR world. From a wild racing weekend on the streets of Chicago, to some major breaking news stories. This is the NASCAR News Flash for July 7th through the 12th. 23XI and Front Row Denied Rehearing, Clash Returning to Bowman Gray and More: NASCAR News Flash […]

It has already been a hectic week in the NASCAR world. From a wild racing weekend on the streets of Chicago, to some major breaking news stories. This is the NASCAR News Flash for July 7th through the 12th.
23XI and Front Row Denied Rehearing, Clash Returning to Bowman Gray and More: NASCAR News Flash
There were plenty of crazy moments in the closing moments in Chicago. You had quite the drama between several different drivers. Including a heated exchange between Joey Logano and Ross Chastain. That, however, might not be the biggest news of the week. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports received some not-so-great news. Not to mention, the Clash will return to the ‘Madhouse’ for 2026.

23XI and Front Row Motorsports Rehearing Denied, Won’t Be Chartered Teams Come Dover
While there have been plenty of headlines surrounding 23XI and FRM’s standing as chartered race teams this season. They will have to face a real reality come next week at Dover. A massive bombshell dropped for both teams this week. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the teams’ request for a rehearing in their lawsuit against the Sport.
That now means, as early as the Dover Race Weekend, both teams’ three cars will have to qualify their way into the races as open cars. Affecting drivers Bubba Wallace (No. 23), Tyler Reddick (No. 45), and Riley Herbst (No. 35) from 23XI. Noah Gragson (No. 4), Todd Gilliland (No. 34), and Zane Smith (No. 38) from FRM are also in a tough situation.
It would also mean that FRM and the 23XI team, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, would make less money than the chartered teams. It also begs the question of what becomes of those six charters in the future.
In a statement from Jeffery Kessler, Attorney for both teams in this case, cited the disappointment in the lack of a full rehearing, and that the teams are still committed to competing every week.
#NASCAR … Statement from Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for 23XI Racing and Front Roe Motorsports l, on decision by 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to deny rehearing for those teams to keep chartered status …
“We are disappointed by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to…
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) July 9, 2025
” We are disappointed by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to deny our request for a full rehearing,” Kessler said. ” This decision has no bearing on the strength of our antitrust case, which we look forward to presenting at trial. We are committed to racing this season as we continue to fight for more competitive and fair terms for all teams to ensure the future of the sport, and remain fully confident in our case.”
At this point, it pretty much makes all six drivers expendable in a way. Each has proven to be a very capable driver, so it will be interesting to see what happens over the next several weeks. It certainly makes things much more difficult for all who are battling for the 2025 NASCAR playoffs at this rate.
Clash Returns to Bowman Gray for 2026
In a statement shared on Wednesday, NASCAR officials announced that the return of the Cook Out Clash exhibition race. The first race of the 2026 NASCAR season will once again be at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium. Joey Dennewitz, the NASCAR Regional’s Managing Director was happy to announce the return of the event for the second-straight year.
” We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year,” Dennewitz said. ” As NASCAR’s first weekly race track, we are proud to bring the 2026 Cook Out Clash back to the original home to grassroots racing. Thanks to the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University for their continued partnership at ‘The Madhouse.’”
The first run their this season did not disappoint, and it saw NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver, Chase Elliott, emerge victorious. Which made him a perfect way for NASCAR to promote the return in a promotional video on Social Media.
At a place that remembers everything, we’re writing history you can’t forget.
The @nascarclash returns to The Madhouse in 2026! pic.twitter.com/AmV20IxdMA
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 9, 2025
Logano vs Chastain Rivalry Should Be Fun
A very heated exchange occurred following Sunday’s race in Chicago. Ross Chastain and Joey Logano had a bit of a run-in in the closing laps of the race, and the pair exchanged words after the event. Though you couldn’t make out exactly what was said, during their moment of talking to each other. After Logano walked away, he claimed Chastain admitted to wrecking him on purpose and called for Ross to be fined, to the media that was walking with him.
Joey Logano not happy with Chastain#NASCAR #GrantPark165 pic.twitter.com/lwXMu6LKuy
— Dalton Hopkins (@PitLaneCPT) July 6, 2025
It also appears that Chastain’s onboard camera and audio caught him admitting he did it on purpose. NASCAR did announce there will be no penalties for rough driving from Chicago, so Joey will just have to get even with Ross. It just seems like stubborn drivers butting heads in all reality. Which should make for a fun rest of the season for the pair.
“He admitted it! He admitted he wrecked me! Which means he should get fined if he wrecked me on purpose!”@joeylogano talked about his convo with Ross Chastain #NASCAR #GrantPark165 pic.twitter.com/syQ9vpBd45
— Dalton Hopkins (@PitLaneCPT) July 6, 2025
Plenty of storylines as NASCAR heads to Wine Country and Sonoma Raceway.
Read Next: What Future Do Street Courses Have In NASCAR?
Main Photo: Sean Gardner, Getty Images
Recording Date: 2/2/2025
Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Sonoma – Speedway Digest
5 KYLE LARSON Age: 32 (July 31, 1992) Hometown: Elk Grove, California Last Week: 13th (Chicago Street Course) Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels Standings: 3rd Twitter Instagram Facebook No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet 2025 Cup Career Sonoma Races 19 385 10 Wins 3 32 2 Poles 1 22 4 […]

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 13th (Chicago Street Course)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 3rd
Twitter Instagram Facebook
No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet
2025
Cup Career
Sonoma
Races
19
385
10
Wins
3
32
2
Poles
1
22
4
Top 5
9
128
2
Top 10
12
194
4
Laps Led
851
10,107
113
Stage Wins
8
70
3
Average Finish
12.7
14.0
13.0
Kyle Larson comes home to race at Sonoma Raceway. The Elk Grove, California, native grew up approximately 80 miles from the raceway.
Larson ranks second among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series road course wins (six). Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott is the only driver with more (seven).
The 32-year-old is tied for the most road course wins in the Next Gen era with three.
Larson is tied for the second-most poles at Sonoma (four), trailing only Jeff Gordon (five)
The driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy has the best average all-time starting position (3.8) at Sonoma in 10 starts.
Larson and Denny Hamlin lead all drivers with nine top-five finishes in 2025.
Larson is ranked third in the points standings just 19 points behind teammate William Byron. He is projected first in the playoff standings.
9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 29 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 16th (Chicago Street Course)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 2nd
Twitter Instagram Facebook
No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet
2025
Cup Career
Sonoma
Races
19
341
8
Wins
1
19
0
Poles
0
12
0
Top 5
6
110
4
Top 10
10
181
6
Laps Led
136
5,662
52
Stage Wins
0
38
0
Average Finish
10.6
12.8
11.1
Heading to Sonoma Raceway this weekend, Chase Elliott is second in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season points standings, 13 markers behind teammate William Byron.
Making his 341st Cup Series start last weekend at the Chicago Street Course, Elliott surpassed Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the driver with the fourth-most starts for Hendrick Motorsports.
Elliott’s average finish of 10.58 in 2025 leads the series and is also his second best all-time through a season’s first 19 races. He is the only driver to finish in the top 20 in every event so far. It’s the second straight season he’s headed into the 20th event having completed all but one lap.
The Dawsonville, Georgia, native has scored more points (155) than any other driver over the last four races. His average finish of 6.3 in that span is also tops.
Elliott has four consecutive top-10 finishes at Sonoma, tied for the longest active streak. He’s won at five road courses in his career, most of all drivers, but is still looking for his first win on the Napa Valley road course. He’s led laps in each of the last five Sonoma Cup Series events, tied for the record.
The 2020 Cup Series champion has the most road course wins among active drivers (seven) and the third all-time behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon (nine) and Tony Stewart (eight). His average finish of 9.03 leads active drivers (minimum four starts).
In the Next Gen era on road courses, Elliott leads the series in top-five finishes (10), and his 12 top 10s are third most. His 147 laps led rank third and 610 points earned rank second.
24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 27 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Week: 40th (Chicago Street Course)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 1st
Twitter Instagram Facebook
No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet
2025
Cup Career
Sonoma
Races
19
271
6
Wins
1
14
0
Poles
2
15
0
Top 5
7
61
0
Top 10
10
114
1
Laps Led
769
3,747
26
Stage Wins
7
30
1
Average Finish
14.2
15.1
22.0
William Byron is in the midst of a career year, leading the NASCAR Cup Series points standings for 16 out of 19 weeks, including presently by 13 markers.
Through the same stretch of 19 races, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native has paced the field for 769 laps across 13 events, the most races with a lap led by a driver and second most laps total.
In the Next Gen era on road courses, Byron has two wins (fifth most), 138 laps led (fourth most) and has collected 542 points.
In the last 10 road course races, the 27-year-old has two wins, five top-five finishes and seven top 10s, all tied for the most. He also has led 110 laps in that same span, tied for the second most.
48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 32 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Week: 8th (Chicago Street Course)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 10th
Twitter Instagram Facebook
No. 48 Ally Chevrolet
2025
Cup Career
Sonoma
Races
19
344
8
Wins
0
8
0
Poles
2
7
0
Top 5
4
44
0
Top 10
10
106
2
Laps Led
157
1,525
0
Stage Wins
0
7
0
Average Finish
17.4
19.2
17.3
Alex Bowman sits 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff standings, holding a 39-point cushion above the elimination point.
The Tucson, Arizona, native has finished inside the top 10 in each of the last three road course races in 2025, making him one of only two drivers to do so.
Bowman’s average finish on road courses in 2025 is seventh, which ranks second among full-time drivers.
Bowman’s best finish across eight starts at Sonoma Raceway is ninth, achieved twice (2018, 2021).
In the Next Gen era, Bowman has accumulated six top-five finishes and nine top 10s on road courses.
With his eighth-place finish at Chicago, Bowman advanced to the third round of the NASCAR In-Season Tournament and will compete against Ty Dillon.
For this weekend’s Sonoma race, the Best Friends Animal shelter partner Friends of Upland Animal Shelter, in Sonoma, California.
Ally and HendrickCars.com are teaming up again to give fans the chance to win prizes with this year’s “Open Road Sweepstakes.” Fans can win VIP experiences at various races throughout the season and one lucky winner will hit the open road in a Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss with an Airstream camper. Fans can stop by the Ally Fan Zone to enter the sweepstakes in-person and check out the camper. Fans can also enter at ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar.
HENDRICK
MOTORSPORTS /
Hendrick Motorsports
2025
All-Time
Sonoma
Races
18
1,400
35
Wins
5
317*
8*
Poles
5
258*
10*
Top 5
26*
1,305*
36*
Top 10
42*
2,229*
63*
Laps Led
1,913*
84,225*
830*
Stage Wins
15*
130
5*
*Most all time
**Tied for most all time
With Alex Bowman’s eighth-place run at the Chicago Street Course on Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports remains the only organization to place at least one car in the top 10 of every event in 2025. That streak goes back 27 events to last season, the longest such run of any team in the Next Gen era.
The Hendrick Motorsports engine shop has won 15 combined poles (seven in the NASCAR Cup Series and eight in the Xfinity Series) and 16 combined races (five in the Cup Series, 10 in the Xfinity Series and the preseason Clash) this year. Its 39 victories in regular season Cup Series events are the most in the Next Gen era.
Hendrick Motorsports has led 1,913 laps through 19 events this year, accounting for 40% of all circuits completed in the Cup Series and more than any other team by 953.
Hendrick Motorsports enters this weekend’s race at Sonoma Raceway as the all-time leader in wins (eight), poles (10), top fives (36), top 10s (63) laps led (830) and stage wins (five).
Five of the last 10 road course races have gone to Hendrick Motorsports with Bowman, Kyle Larson (twice) and William Byron (twice) all winning in that span. Larson is the defending winner at Sonoma Raceway.
QUOTABLE /
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on racing in his home state of California: “It’s always special to go back home. I love having friends and family at the track, especially the friends that don’t typically get to go to the track. We have dominated there in the past – hopefully we’ll be just as good and catch Jeff Gordon (on Sonoma Raceway’s all-time wins list). It will feel hotter in Sonoma with the race being in July. The pavement will be a little bit slicker. I personally prefer the race to be in July, more enjoyable for everyone that comes into town and experience Napa (California).”
Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on Sonoma Raceway: “Sonoma is a track I always enjoy going to. Last year, I thought that we had really good pace, and our road course program this season has been strong, so that gives me confidence heading into this weekend. This entire stretch of races coming up, really, I think could be good for us. We’re within reach of the regular season championship, so running well and maximizing points is going to be really important.”
William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on the team as it heads to Sonoma Raceway: “It’s been a rough couple weeks for our No. 24 team. We can’t get down though. We’ve been fast at every track and just had something, both in and out of our control, happen. Hopefully this weekend can just be a smooth one so we can get back in the groove we were in. I know everyone on the team has the same mindset, and no one is giving up.”
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on Sonoma Raceway: “Sonoma’s one of those places that really challenges you as a driver. It’s technical, it’s physical, and every lap you’re just trying to stay mistake-free. We are coming off of a solid race from Chicago. I feel like we got our bad luck out of the way and need to be consistent here on out to make sure that we stay off the cutoff line. We’re a team capable of winning it just hasn’t been in the cards for us yet.”
HMS PR
Motorsports
Chase Elliott replacement confirmed at Hendrick Motorsports for Sonoma
After finishing in second place at Darlington Raceway back in April, Chase Elliott returned to the NASCAR Xfinity Series behind the wheel of the No. 17 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, the team for which he competes full-time in the Cup Series, at Pocono Raceway a few weeks ago. He finished in fourth place after trouble […]

After finishing in second place at Darlington Raceway back in April, Chase Elliott returned to the NASCAR Xfinity Series behind the wheel of the No. 17 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, the team for which he competes full-time in the Cup Series, at Pocono Raceway a few weeks ago.
He finished in fourth place after trouble and contact with Justin Allgaier on a late restart ultimately knocked him from the lead. As it turns out, the No. 17 car was taken back to the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, North Carolina, and Rick Hendrick’s team ended up being slapped with several hefty penalties due to a technical infraction.
The No. 17 Chevrolet hasn’t been back since, and Elliott does not have any plans to drive it throughout the remainder of the 2025 season. But this weekend, it is set to return, and it’s the driver with the most starts behind the wheel of the car so far this year who is set to drive it once again.
Corey Day is set to replace Elliott for this Saturday afternoon’s Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 at Sonoma Raceway.
The 19-year-old Clovis, California native has made three starts so far this season. He made his Xfinity Series debut at Martinsville Speedway and finished in 21st place, and he added finishes of 16th at Texas Motor Speedway and 11th at Nashville Superspeedway.
Day is effectively set to become the car’s primary driver moving forward, even though he won’t compete every weekend.
In addition to this weekend’s 79-lap race around the 12-turn, 1.99-mile (3.203-kilometer) Sonoma, California road course, he is set to drive the No. 17 entry in the upcoming race at Iowa Speedway, plus the playoff races at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway.
Rajah Caruth and Jake Finch are expected to drive the car at some point before the season ends as well, but schedules have not yet been confirmed for either one of them.
William Byron and Kyle Larson have each driven the No. 17 Chevrolet twice this year, like Elliott, and Alex Bowman has driven it once. Nobody else is currently lined up to drive it later this year.
As for this weekend’s race, tune in to the CW Network at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 12 for the live broadcast of the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 from Sonoma Raceway. Start a free trial of FuboTV now if you have not already had the chance to do so!
Motorsports
F1 movie seems familiar. Brackets ain’t for NASCAR. Bad losses linger
It’s been a while since we virtually dipped into the virtual mail bag. Not sure what we’ll accomplish, but I assure you this is the only place you’ll find Robert Redford, Ty Dillon and either of those golfing Molinari brothers in the same dispatch. F1 movie review HEY, WILLIE! I enjoyed your column about Brad […]

It’s been a while since we virtually dipped into the virtual mail bag.
Not sure what we’ll accomplish, but I assure you this is the only place you’ll find Robert Redford, Ty Dillon and either of those golfing Molinari brothers in the same dispatch.
F1 movie review
HEY, WILLIE!
I enjoyed your column about Brad Pitt’s F1 movie, but didn’t really get your personal review.
BRADLEY
HEY, BRAD!
I’ve been tossing around the term “entertainingly formulaic.”
I’m not big on show-folk, so I don’t see a lot of modern movies, but I recognized that story line: Aging hero returns, wins the day, wins the girl, hits the road again — it was a vagabond racer this time, but it also works with aging gunfighter, ballplayer, detective, whatever.
It was an hour or two later when I realized, “I just watched the four-wheeled version of ‘The Natural,’ ” including the similarity between Brad Pitt and long-ago Robert Redford. Those two were put on Earth to humble the rest of us and our merely handsome selves.
Here’s a NASCAR In-Season Challenge idea
HEY, WILLIE!
NASCAR’s bracket event has turned into a dud. I believe you said that was highly possible because of everything that can happen to ruin a driver’s race. I agree.
Ty Dillon knocks out Denny Hamlin just because Hamlin got wrecked while Dillon didn’t. If the two drivers went head-to-head without interference, there’s no way Hamlin would lose.
So I started thinking. Why not set aside a day and race them all, one-on-one?
STEVE
HEY, STEVE!
Not the worst idea I’ve heard today. If Hamlin and Dillon lined up for a few laps at, say, Darlington or Richmond, Hamlin would win every time he didn’t blow a Goodyear or miss a shift.
Have the next two ready to roll as soon as they’re done, and so on, and we could blow through a 32-car tournament bracket in a couple hours.
The more I think about it, the more I like it. I’ll pass along the idea, but, meanwhile, I’m gonna keep lobbying to move the preseason Clash to the Seekonk Figure 8 track in lower Mass.
My Mount Rushmore of most depressing sports outcomes
HEY, WILLIE!
Long-time reader here from Indianapolis.
What would be your Mount Rushmore of the most depressing sport outcomes you’ve witnessed/experienced?
Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA finals got me thinking about that, and I would like to know yours since you’re a seasoned vet of sports watching.
KYLE IN INDY
HEY, KYLE!
That’s a good one but a tough one. I have to break mine up into two mountains, one for personal rooting interest and another for personal financial interest.
First, rooting interest …
∎ The memory is hazy because my cerebral cortex was still forming, but anyone with the fuzziest memory would list the 1972 Gold Medal basketball game between our Yanks and the cheating Soviets.
∎ Also a bit fuzzy, but the Raiders’ “Sea of Hands” win over the Dolphins in the 1974 playoffs. A possible three-peat was gone for the Fins, who were our state’s only big-league team at the time.
∎ The history books and highlight reels are still in love with Tom Watson’s miracle chip that won him the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. But if you were a Jack Nicklaus fan, you still cringe.
∎ Magic Johnson’s mini-sky hook to beat the Celtics in Game 4 of the ’87 finals.
Some World Series games that make my honorable mention: Game 4 in ’79, Game 6 in ’86, and Game 7 in ’91, though I’ve forgiven Lonnie Smith for that one. Oh, and the rained-out Game 1 of the ’82 NLCS. Do your own research.
Now, those that hurt the wallet more than the heart …
∎ Ross Chastain punting AJ Allmendinger at the COTA road course three years ago on the final lap (AJ, NASCAR’s best road-racer at that time, went off at shockingly tall odds that some of us couldn’t resist).
∎ Francesco Molinari joining the line of guys drowning their 2019 Masters hopes in Rae’s Creek.
∎ Also in 2019, and to show you my willingness to shop far and wide for a “sure thing:” Morgan State 34, Delaware State 3. This one can’t be forgotten because I dragged others down with me and therefore, as I said, it can’t be forgotten because they won’t let it.
∎ Does the entire 1980s at the old Daytona dog track count as one heartbreak?
— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
Motorsports
Second life for used tires from NASCAR Chicago race
During a weekend of hot, high-speed friction against the asphalt of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race course, thousands of tires burn out and wear down. After a few dozen laps, they lose their grip and become obsolete. But their life cycle doesn’t end there. Each NASCAR race weekend, most of the 3,000 tires provided by […]

During a weekend of hot, high-speed friction against the asphalt of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race course, thousands of tires burn out and wear down. After a few dozen laps, they lose their grip and become obsolete.
But their life cycle doesn’t end there. Each NASCAR race weekend, most of the 3,000 tires provided by Goodyear Racing become a fraction of the tens of thousands recycled annually by Liberty Tire Recycling. Before state laws prohibited it, used tires would be landfilled or stored in stockpiles, said Rick Heinrich, Goodyear’s product manager for NASCAR.
“And at a certain point, that’s got to be dealt with. We came to the realization that there had to be a new use for these tires, and that’s where we’re at today,” he said. “When they’re not usable anymore on the street, they’re very suitable when they’re turned into a different type of product to make other things, things that are all around us.”

In 2024, a total of 215 million tires — including 92,588 from NASCAR — were recycled by Liberty, a company based in North Carolina that collects and processes racing, as well as auto and truck tires, from all across North America, according to spokesperson John Dowdy.
The ideal would be to reuse a tire for the rest of its life, Dowdy said, which is possible when retailers resell gently used auto or truck tires for less than new ones. But, after being used, racing tires don’t usually have any more life left in them, at least in their original form.
At a Liberty facility in Concord, a suburb of Charlotte in North Carolina, NASCAR racing tires are shredded into quarter-sized chips that can be used as aggregate in roadbeds, landfill liners and landscaping products.
“It’s a perfect example of sustainability,” Heinrich said. “You’re taking stuff that’s worn out, you can’t use it again for what it was originally built for, but it goes into something else. Nothing is wasted.”
The shredded tires can also be used as a more efficient fuel to power kilns and boilers in concrete factories, electric plants and pulp and paper mills. However, while burning so-called tire-derived fuel is cleaner than using other fossil fuels, the process still releases some greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Pet fitness and wellness trends for a healthier and happier dog
-
College Sports2 weeks ago
WAC to Rebrand to UAC, Add Five New Members in 2026
-
College Sports3 weeks ago
Women's Basketball Thanks Shannon LeBeauf for 14 Seasons
-
Motorsports1 week ago
Why Cosmetics are Making Up for Lost Time in Women’s Sports
-
Professional Sports3 weeks ago
Alex Pereira responds to rumors of UFC heavyweight title fight with threatening message
-
College Sports3 weeks ago
Alabama Basketball
-
Professional Sports3 weeks ago
Francis Ngannou sends Dana White a message following Jon Jones' shock UFC retirement
-
College Sports2 weeks ago
A new era of Dickinson hockey begins behind the bench – The Dickinson Press
-
Motorsports2 weeks ago
NASCAR This Week – Patriot Publishing LLC
-
Sports3 weeks ago
SEC Conference imposing a fine will create the opposite effect.