Motorsports

Josh Berry All-Star Media Availability – Speedway Digest

Josh Berry, driver of the No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Wood Brothers Racing, secured his spot in the All-Star Race earlier this year with his first career victory, taking the checkered flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Berry spoke about being part of the main event earlier today at North Wilkesboro Speedway. […]

Published

3 weeks ago

May 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

JOSH BERRY, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford Mustang Dark Horse – DOES NORTH WILKESBORO STILL FEEL AS IMPORTANT TODAY AS 2023 AND WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE WITH THIS TRACK? “Yeah, I think so. It’s been a lot of fun the last couple of years coming back here. They’ve done an amazing job with the facility. It’s probably one of the, if not the nicest short track in this area now, at least that you can take late model cars and race at, so a super good job. It’s been fun. I think all I’m looking for is as the track ages some and hopefully continues to widen out and creates more grooves and just races better.”

YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PAINT SCHEME. DOES THE GOOD RUN LAST NIGHT HELP AS FAR AS MOMENTUM FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND? “I don’t think I take a lot of momentum necessarily from last night, but I think we have a lot of momentum from how we’ve been running. Obviously, a couple missed opportunities here or there, but we’ve been really fast and that’s what it takes to win these races. We’ve just got to work on the execution things a little bit better. That starts today and if we can do that, I feel like there’s no reason why we can’t contend for this thing.”

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK THIS TIRE WILL HAVE ON THE RACING, AND HOW SIMILAR DOES THE MARTINSVILLE TIRE FEEL FROM A STANDARD SHORT TRACK TIRE YOU’RE USED TO? “It’s hard to say. I think hopefully the Martinsville tire has more fall off. That’s really what we’re after. It’s gonna be hard to say if that’s the case. We’re racing at night time with cooler track temps and that will help tire wear, but I really don’t know what to expect. I don’t think it really compares much to last night. I mean, racing those cars at a place like this they tend to bring harder tires than what you would run at the average short track, just because of the speed, so it’s not really a direct comparison, but hopefully the Martinsville tire adds a little bit of fall off to it and creates some more strategy.”

DOES THIS TRACK STILL HAVE A LOT OF GRIP OR IS IT STARTING TO AGE A BIT? “It’s still got a lot of grip. I think it came in quicker. You tend to see with repaves with no rubber down they can be really kind of sketchy the first couple of laps until rubber gets put down, but it seemed like that was a little better, so I think it will be pretty normal. I don’t think the surface has changed a whole lot.”

WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES THE COCA-COLA 600 SUCH A COMPETITIVE RACE? “It’s the longest race in our sport and that opens up a lot of opportunities for comers and goers. You obviously have to have a good balance to start the race, but then it cools off and you’ve got to stay up with the track. It’s just a grind. For us, I’m really excited to get there with the speed we’ve had on the intermediates. I finished 10th there last year. Obviously, I would have liked to run the full 600 miles to get the full experience, but I think it’s a fun one. It’s a crown jewel. The prerace is a lot of fun and really special. We’re excited to get there.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE SPORT TO BE AROUND CHARLOTTE? “It’s home for nearly all of us, so to get to race at home and bring your friends and family, there’s always a good crowd. The pits are always packed, so that just makes it a little extra special.”

IT’S BEEN NEARLY A YEAR SINCE SHR ANNOUNCED ITS PLANS TO GO AWAY. WHAT GOES THROUGH OUR MIND AS YOU REFLECT ON YOUR JOURNEY THIS PAST YEAR SINCE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT? “It’s been a lot. A lot happened in 12 months from that point. The biggest thing is I’m just really thankful for this opportunity that I’ve been in with the 21 team. It’s been such a great fit for all of us and whenever you go through that transition you wonder how it’s gonna work and how it’s gonna be. Last year was hard. We went through this stretch through the summer and had some good runs, showed some potential. There were races we were in contention and then towards the end it got super hard just to be competitive and then you leave your season wondering how good you are at this stuff. To come into the 21 team and put in the work we did in the offseason just getting to know each other and to come out with the speed like we’ve had, it’s been a big deal. I’m just super proud of that and thankful for the opportunity to go drive for them. It’s been a lot of fun this season. It’s just crazy how quickly things can change, I guess.”

THREE OF THE FOUR OF YOU GUYS ARE IN A PLAYOFF SPOT RIGHT NOW. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN WITH THE JOURNEY ALL OF YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH? “It’s hard to say. Obviously, we’re faster and I don’t know why. There was tons of amazing people there. I don’t really know why it’s been so different, but we’re just more competitive. I think last year a lot of people looked at us as underperforming and now we’re overperforming. It changes just like that. The perception has changed completely. Like I said, I think we’ve all fallen into really good positions with great teams and I’m thankful for that. Thankfully, we all did enough last year to find those opportunities and come out on the other side of it.”

HOW MUCH PRIDE TO YOU TAKE IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE LATE MODEL STOCK CAR SERIES AS THE ALL-TIME WINNER, AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO CUP SERIES FANS AS TO WHY THEY SHOULD WATCH TONIGHT ON FS1? “It’s obviously really cool to get them on FS1. The biggest thing, to me, is just the racing is good. Hopefully, tonight puts on a good show, but they go to tons of different tracks around here that put on really good racing, so the biggest thing is I just hope it draws a good audience and gets people excited about it to where they can do it more often. I’ll be honest. I watch ARCA races and they’re horrible. CARS Tour puts a way better product on to be on TV and they deserve a spot like that. I think hopefully tonight they do that. Hopefully, they don’t get too crazy – everybody getting wild on television. Hopefully, we can get the races started and stay on time, but I’m excited to see how it does. I think it’s a great product. The series is obviously really competitive. It’s more competitive then ever and way more competitive than even when I was a part of it, so it’s a lot of positives for that deal. Hopefully, they knock it out of the ball park.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE IDENTITY FOR THIS ALL-STAR RACE SHOULD BE MOVING FORWARD? “I think most of us would have liked to have seen something to change it up a little bit. I think the run what you brung deal was way far out of expectation. I think it was too far out, but I’m sure teams would have been interested in doing some sort of change to just see what happens. I feel like they’ve done that in year’s past to get a data point for how to improve the racing, so I don’t know. Obviously, it was on their radar if they were considering to do that kind of race. It was on their radar to do something different, but maybe the timetable just didn’t work out to get it all figured out. I think this race should be an opportunity for us to maybe try things under a race setting, whatever that is – whether it’s tires or aero or horsepower or anything along those lines, just to see if we can help the product. We’re all still gonna be just as competitive and race just as hard and all the teams are gonna work just as hard. There’s a million dollars on the line. It’s not like it’s gonna change anything. We’ll just see if something sticks, I guess.”

WHAT’S THE FRUSTRATION LEVEL NOW AND HOW DIFFERENT IS IT HAVING TOUGH FINISHES WHEN YOU’RE RUNNING WELL? “The frustration is considerably less compared to last year. Being competitive is the biggest thing. That’s the hardest thing to figure out is how to be fast and lead these races and get yourself in contention, and we’ve done that a lot. It’s frustrating to make mistakes and those mistakes fall on me, but all we can do is just continue to put me in that position and keep working on those things and getting better and the finishes will come. We’re fortunate to have that win in the bank and, like I said, I’m not very frustrating with how it’s been going. To be leading the race at Texas. We see when you hit that bump I wrecked, but it was a learning thing to learn what we need to do better the next time. Last week stings more because I think we had a chance at that one if I didn’t speed on pit road, so that one stung a little bit more, but, all in all, our whole team is doing a great job. Our cars are fast and we’ve just got to do the little things a little bit better and we’ll be up there.”

IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE IN THE TOP 16 IN POINTS WHEN THE PLAYOFFS START EVEN THOUGH YOU ALREADY HAVE A SPOT CLINCHED? “Yeah. It’s a different point system from what we’ve had in year’s past, but it’s still a way to rank your season. We want to be up there as high as we can and be more consistent being there. That’s the way you take the next step into being a championship contender or championship favorite. It’s the speed and the consistency, so if we’re able to keep clawing up the standings, I think that’s another sign that we’re continuing to progress and we’re gonna try to do the best that we can each and every week and score as many points as we can.”

Ford Performance PR

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Motorsports

NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway Preview

It is time to go racing in the Irish Hills of Michigan, at Michigan International Speedway and the Firekeeper’s Casino 400. Here is everything you need to know before cars hit the track in Michigan. Christopher Bell and Bubba Wallace race during the NASCAR Cup Series Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August […]

Published

8 minutes ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Christopher Bell and Bubba Wallace race during the NASCAR Cup Series Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 18, 2024. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway Preview

Last August, it was Tyler Reddick winning his second of three victories on a Monday. The Sunday race was delayed due to rain and pushed to the next day. Will the rain return? Or will it be all sunshine for Sunday’s race? Can Tyler Reddick get win number one in 2025? Or can Ford or Chevy win in their backyard?

Race Preview:

The Firekeepers Casino 400 is the fifteenth race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. It is a 400-mile, 200-lap race around the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway. Stage cautions will be thrown on laps 45 and 120, with the checkered flag on lap 200. There is $11,055,250 in prize money available for those in the race. Teams will have 7 sets of Goodyear tires for practice and qualifying. The Goodyear tires are the same at Daytona and Talladega earlier in the season.

The Track: Michigan International Raceway

Built and opened in 1968, Michigan International Speedway is located in Brooklyn, Michigan, the heartland for Chevrolet and Ford. 2 miles in length, it is known for its record-setting speeds, with speeds being reported as high as 220 mph on the straightaway. With 18 degrees of banking in the turns, 12 on the front stretch, and 5 on the back, it is the perfect setting for high top speeds.

Michigan 2018: 220 mph entering turn one. Speeds so fast, they literally blew small children off their feet pic.twitter.com/spPteTPlwe

— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) June 2, 2025

The Cup Series has raced here 107 previous times. Cale Yarborough won the first race in 1969. David Pearson has the most wins at the track, with 9 wins. Kyle Larson and Joey Logano are tied for wins amongst active drivers, both with three. Kevin Harvick set the lap record in 2018, turning a 36.093-second lap around the track.

Cup Series Point Standings:

Here are the standings following the race at Nashville:

1. William Byron: 547
2. Kyle Larson: 499
3. Christopher Bell: 459
4. Denny Hamlin: 443
5. Chase Elliott: 442
6. Tyler Reddick: 429
7. Ryan Blaney: 417
8. Joey Logano: 380
9. Ross Chastain: 377
10. Bubba Wallace: 343

Read More: Penske Power Shows Out as Ryan Blaney Wins in Music City

Drivers To Watch:

Brad Keselowski, a native Michigander, has steadily improved his finishing positions at Michigan in the Next-Gen era. Fourth and fifth in the previous two races at Michigan. Ford has won 2 of the 3 Next-Gen races at the track. I think it would only be fitting for Keselowski to get that elusive win at Michigan and win for the blue ovals.

For the Toyotas, you have to look at the 23XI crew and their boss, Denny Hamlin. Wallace ran second to Harvick in 2022 with Hamlin running in third. Hamlin ran third to Truex and Buescher in 2023, and Reddick won the race last year. Look out for the Nos. 45, 23, and 11 Camrys on Sunday.

Chevrolet has been the weakest manufacturer in the Next Gen era. No wins and only three top-five finishes. While Kyle Larson is the flagship of the Chevy program at the moment, I think eyes should be on one of the younger drivers in the camp. Carson Hocevar has had a string of good runs and a second-place finish at Nashville. If he can avoid being junked into the wall by Ricky Stenhouse, I think Carson can win his first race at his home track.

Read More: Carson Hocevar Faces Heavy Criticism After Wrecking Stenhouse At Nashville

How To Watch The Cup Series at Michigan:

Here is the schedule for the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan:

Saturday, June 7th:
Sunday, June 8th:
- The Firekeepers Casino 400

Stay connected to Last Word on Motorsports for all the exciting action from Michigan International Speedway

Main Photo: Logan Riely, Getty Images

Recording Date: 8/19/2024

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TVS Motor Company Begins A New Era In Indian Motorsport As Official Supplier Of Race-Tuned Machines For INMRC 2025

Bengaluru, June 6, 2025: In a landmark moment for Indian motorsports, TVS Motor Company has become the official race machine provider for the National Championship Pro Stock 200 class at the 2025 Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC), which is scheduled from 6-8th June at MIC, Chennai. This marks the first time in the history […]

Published

47 minutes ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Bengaluru, June 6, 2025: In a landmark moment for Indian motorsports, TVS Motor Company has become the official race machine provider for the National Championship Pro Stock 200 class at the 2025 Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC), which is scheduled from 6-8th June at MIC, Chennai. This marks the first time in the history of Indian motorsports that a brand has been entrusted to design, develop, and supply race-tuned motorcycles specifically for the National Championship, reaffirming TVS Motor’s leadership and commitment to racing excellence. This breakthrough paves the way to democratize two-wheeler racing, making it easier and more affordable for independent racers to participate, reflecting FMSCI and MMSC’s vision of expanding competitive motorsport.

The National Championship Pro Stock 200 at INMRC 2025 is a new and exciting format introduced by the MIC to elevate competition and support independent racing teams. As part of this development, TVSM will provide race-tuned TVS Apache GP200R motorcycles to independent teams, who will engage their racers to compete in this championship class. Additionally, PETRONAS TVS Racing team will provide complete technical support and machine service and maintenance to ensure peak performance throughout the season. With 20 years of TVS Apache’s racing heritage behind it, this milestone marks a powerful step forward in Indian motorsports. The selection process for participating teams and racers was recently concluded at the Madras International Circuit on May 28, 2025. Seven teams and twelve racers have been selected for this dynamic new class.

Vimal Sumbly, Head – Premium Business, TVS Motor Company said, “At TVS Motor Company, our racing DNA drives us to innovate and lead from the front. We are proud to be the first two-wheeler manufacturer in Indian motorsport history to supply race-tuned machines for the National Championship. This landmark development, supported by the vision of the Madras International Circuit makes it easier and more affordable for independent teams to participate and compete at the highest level. This year holds even greater significance as we mark two decades of our flagship performance brand, the TVS Apache – a true embodiment of our ‘Track to Road’ philosophy. As we charge into the new season, we aim not just to race, but to raise the bar for motorsports in India once again.”

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE RACE-TUNED TVS APACHE GP200R

The race-tuned TVS Apache GP200R is engineered for performance and agility, delivering significantly enhanced output and handling. It features:

- Cubic Capacity: 200 cc
- Bike Weight: 105 kg
- Maximum Power: 40% increase over stock engine
- Top Speed: 155+ kph

Key highlights of the race-tuned TVS Apache GP200R include:

- Modified cylinder head for higher volumetric efficiency, high lift camshaft, high compression ratio, advanced ECU with closed-loop control, quickshifter and data logging capabilities, fine-tuned induction and exhaust system.
- Adjustable front and rear suspension, aerodynamic bodywork, lighter racing wheels, aluminum subframe, and higher braking power.

PETRONAS TVS RACING TEAM FOR INMRC 2025 PRO STOCK 300-400CC CLASS

With legendary 11-time national champion Jagan Kumar retired from competitive racing, he will continue to serve as a rider coach for the PETRONAS TVS Racing team. Joining the team this year are two young and skilled racers, Rakshith Dave and Alwin Sundar. They will be joined by ARRC ace rider Sarthak Chavan, along with top performer, Chirant V and the first ever Indian rider to participate as a wildcard entry in world Moto3, KY Ahamed. The team is focused on achieving peak performance and continuing TVS Racing’s legacy of excellence in this competitive class.

BIKE MODIFICATIONS FOR THE 300-400CC CLASS

For the 2025 season, the Pro Stock 300-400cc race bikes will benefit from several enhancements, including engine refinement based on the 2024 season learnings, planned new aerodynamic bodywork from mid-season, and modifications to the rear suspension to enhance handling and performance.

OVER FOUR DECADES OF RACING DNA

For over 43 years, TVS Racing has been at the forefront of Indian motorsports, continuously pushing the boundaries of racing excellence. This commitment to innovation and performance extends beyond the racetrack into TVS Motor Company’s flagship motorcycle brand—TVS Apache, which celebrates 20 years of engineering excellence this year. The TVS Apache series embodies TVS Racing’s ‘Track to Road’ philosophy, integrating race-derived technology into high-performance motorcycles. Spanning 160cc, 180cc, 200cc, and 310cc models, the lineup features segment-first innovations, from ride-by-wire technology to race-tuned fuel injection.

With over 400,000 riders in the Apache Owners Group (AOG), TVS Apache has built a passionate global community, bringing the thrill of racing to streets and track enthusiasts alike. As it enters its next chapter, TVS Apache remains dedicated to offering cutting-edge performance, redefining what it means to ride with power and precision.

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O’Reilly Auto Parts 4 Hours of Mid-Ohio Friday Practice Notebook – Speedway Digest

Although rain threatened to interrupt proceedings Friday at the 2.258-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, three IMSA-sanctioned series completed five largely clean practice sessions Friday to kick off the O’Reilly Auto Parts 4 Hours of Mid-Ohio weekend. The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge headlines the weekend with its second four-hour race of the schedule. Practice Notes BMW […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Practice Notes

BMW entries went 1-2 in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport (GS) class practice, with the No. 39 CarBahn with Peregrine racing BMW M4 GT4 EVO of Jeff Westphal ahead of the No. 95 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 EVO of Francis Selldorff. Westphal’s best time was 1 minute, 26.471 seconds (94.005 mph) and a full 0.343 of a second clear of Selldorff. The No. 44 Ibiza Farm Motorsports McLaren Artura GT4 was third.

The No. 93 MMG Honda Civic FL5 TCR paced the Touring Car (TCR) class with LP Montour driving. The Honda set a best time of 1 minute, 27.017 seconds (93.416 mph) and ranked seventh among all 38 cars competing this weekend.

One red flag flew for the No. 2 GS class entry in the session, off course at Turn 5. For causing the red flag, that car will lose its fastest lap turned during qualifying on Saturday.

In IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, Corey Lewis was fastest in P3 in Practice 1 with Oscar Tunjo leading Practice 2. Lewis, substituting for an injured Matthew Dicken, topped Practice 1 at 1 minute, 19.287 seconds (102.523 mph) in the No. 36 RAFA Racing Ligier JS P320. Tunjo beat that in the No. 31 Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsports Duqueine D08 at a quicker 1 minute, 18.028 seconds (104.177 mph) that stood as the fastest lap of the day.

AJ Muss (No. 66 Af Corse Ferrari 296 GT3) and Jake Walker (No. 6 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3) led the two GTDX sessions while Kiko Porto (No. 8 RAFA Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2) topped both GSX sessions.

Grant West (No. 50 Spark Performance) and Tyler Gonzalez (No. 57 BSI Racing) led the two Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin practice sessions.

Ohio’s Hometown Drivers and Teams

The standalone IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge O’Reilly Auto Parts 4 Hours of Mid-Ohio serves as a home race for several drivers in the 38-car field.

In GS, Zach Veach (No. 16 CSM Porsche 718 GT4 RS CS) and Patrick Gallagher (No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 EVO) get to compete not far from their hometowns of Stockdale and Thornville, respectively.

Veach has raced at Mid-Ohio in a plethora of series, from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (he finished second in GTD in a Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3 in 2021) to several open-wheel junior series on the way up to the IndyCar series. He’s known CSM team co-owner Stephen Simpson for well over a decade; in fact, Veach made his WeatherTech Championship debut standing in for Simpson at the 2015 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca event, co-driving with Misha Goikhberg in the Prototype Challenge class.

For Gallagher, an Ohio State University graduate with an engineering degree who got to watch his hometown Buckeyes capture the college football national championship in January in Atlanta in-between the Roar Before the Rolex 24 and Rolex 24 At Daytona, it’s an extra special venue to compete at.

“Excited to be racing here at Mid-Ohio, my home race,” Gallagher reflected. “I’m an instructor at The Mid-Ohio School. Have done some teen schools, racing schools and other programs they offer. I have a lot of family and friends from just down the road in Thornville. Grew up and been coming here my whole life. Always love racing at home.”

They’re not alone among Ohio locals racing here. In TCR, the father-daughter duo of Larry and Riley Pegram hail from Hebron, Ohio; they’ll race in the No. 72 Pegram Racing Hyundai Elantra N TCR.

Honda’s manufacturing facility in Marysville, Ohio isn’t far from here either, and this track serves as a home race for longtime competitors HART – or Honda of America Racing Team – and drivers Chad Gilsinger (Marysville) and Tyler Chambers (Columbus). Gilsinger noted more than 20 people from HART will be here this weekend, a handful of whom are experiencing an IMSA weekend for a first time within the team’s internal development ladder.

Wright Motorsports, a multi-time IMSA champion which races this weekend in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, is also based in Batavia, Ohio, a Cincinnati suburb. This marks the first time that Adam Adelson, who acquired the team from John Wright in late 2024 before it was formally announced in April 2025, gets to race a Wright car at the team’s home track since the purchase was announced.

Le Mans-Bound from Mid-Ohio

Five IMSA drivers racing this weekend will head straight from Ohio to Le Mans, France to compete at the Circuit de la Sarthe, although none will be in the 24 Hours of Le Mans itself.

Ford Performance Junior Team drivers Jenson Altzman and Sam Paley will compete as part of the Mustang Invitational, which has a pair of races. Altzman and Paley continue their Michelin Pilot Challenge GS season in the No. 13 McCumbee McAleer Racing with Aerosport Ford Mustang GT4; Altzman’s year has also included his first two IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship starts in Ford’s GT3 car, the No. 66 Gradient Racing Ford Mustang GT3.

As noted a little over a month ago, there’s also a handful of IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge drivers competing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup’s Road to Le Mans race. The Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsports duo of Valentino Catalano and Oscar Tunjo will race separately in a pair of Duqueine D08 chassis this weekend (Nos. 30 and 31, respectively), then share the team’s No. 70 Duqueine D09 Toyota in France. Samantha Tan will be in the No. 38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3 in Mid-Ohio, then will race the No. 38 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 in the Road to Le Mans with Gustav Bergstrom.

Saturday Schedule

VP Racing Challenge teams qualify Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m., with GSX out first and then GTDX and P3 combined at 9:50 a.m. Race 1 is at 2 p.m., streaming on Peacock and IMSA’s Official YouTube channel.

Michelin Pilot Challenge teams go out for a one-hour Practice 2 at 10:55 a.m. with Qualifying later Saturday afternoon. TCR is out first at 4:10 p.m. with GS following at 4:30 p.m.

IMSA Wire Service PR

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Samantha Busch, wife of NASCAR champion driver Kyle Busch, in images

Published

1 hour ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Kyle Busch is on his way to a Hall of Fame career in NASCAR. He has won numerous races at every level, Craftsman Truck, Xfinity and, of course, Cup Series. Wherever Kyle Busch goes his wife Samantha has been seen for years. She is a familiar presence cheering on her husband as he looks to notch victories. Television cameras gravitate to Samantha Busch as she sits atop the box hoping her husband captures checkered flags.

Samantha Busch

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha before the start of the 1000Bulbs.com at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Samantha Busch

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch poses with the winner's trophy in victory lane with wife Samantha and son Brexton after winning the O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. — Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch poses with the winner’s trophy in victory lane with wife Samantha and son Brexton after winning the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Samantha Busch

Fiance of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (not pictured) Samantha Sarcinella before the Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway.

Samantha Busch

Nascar Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch with girlfriend Samantha Sarcinella before the Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway.

Samantha Busch

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch, along with his wife Samantha and son Brexton pose for a photo on Broadway with the Championship Trophy on December 04, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Samantha Busch

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota along with his wife Samantha and son Brexton pose with the trophy after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019, in Homestead, Florida. — Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota along with his wife Samantha and son Brexton pose with the trophy after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019, in Homestead, Florida.

Samantha Busch

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 iK9 Toyota, poses with his wife, Samantha, and son, Brexton, after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on March 30, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Samantha Busch

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Photos of Samantha Busch, wife of NASCAR champion driver Kyle Busch

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NASCAR racing at Michigan International Speedway boosts the economies of nearby communities

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, capping off a weekend of racing at the Brooklyn track and pumping a lot of money into the surrounding communities. Experience Jackson is the convention and visitors bureau for Jackson County. President and CEO Ryan Tarrant says NASCAR fans from around the Midwest flock […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, capping off a weekend of racing at the Brooklyn track and pumping a lot of money into the surrounding communities.

Experience Jackson is the convention and visitors bureau for Jackson County.

President and CEO Ryan Tarrant says NASCAR fans from around the Midwest flock to MIS for the auto racing.

“They’re here, you know, filling hotel rooms. They’re spending money at local restaurants, shops,” said Tarrant. “So, it’s a huge economic impact for the local economy.”

Amber Nace, manager of the Comfort Inn and Suites in Jackson, says her hotel was fully booked for the weekend.

“Everybody goes to NASCAR, everybody loves this,” she said. “We also get really busy even right before the weekend, so we’ve been sold out for a while.”

Tarrant says the weekend event is just part of what Michigan International Speedway brings to the area.

“You’re talking like almost 400,000 annual visitors,” said Tarrant. “That economic impact is well north of $100 million a year.”

This year’s NASCAR weekend at MIS was moved to early June, after several years of holding the event in August.

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Jimmie Johnson to Drive Bill Muncey’s Atlas Van Lines “Blue Blaster” – Speedway Digest

Seattle — Hall of Fame driver Jimmie Johnson usually travels at 250-300 feet per second, but the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion from El Cajon, Calif., will fulfill a childhood dream and complete a 46-year journey of just 14 feet when he enters the cockpit of the fabled Atlas® Van Lines “Blue Blaster” of Unlimited hydroplane legend Bill Muncey […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Seattle — Hall of Fame driver Jimmie Johnson usually travels at 250-300 feet per second, but the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion from El Cajon, Calif., will fulfill a childhood dream and complete a 46-year journey of just 14 feet when he enters the cockpit of the fabled Atlas® Van Lines “Blue Blaster” of Unlimited hydroplane legend Bill Muncey at the Seafair Weekend Festival, August 1st.

Johnson’s journey began in San Diego in September 1979, while celebrating his fourth birthday at the Unlimited hydroplane races on Mission Bay. His favorite boat, the two-time national champion and three-time Gold Cup-winning Blue Blaster, owned by the legendary hometown driver Bill Muncey, broke down mid-race near the Fiesta Island beach.

Twists and Turns
Following Muncey’s death aboard the Blue Blaster two years later at the 1981 UIM World Championships in Acapulco, the boat was cosmetically, but not operationally, restored and presented to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C. as an early example of a marine surface effects vehicle.

His widow, Fran, continued the Atlas Van Lines team with a new boat and driver, Chip Hanauer. They would combine to win the APBA Gold Cup for the next seven consecutive (1982-88) years. Today, all four — Johnson, Hanauer and Bill and Fran Muncey — are inductees in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) in Daytona Beach.

The Restoration
When the Blue Blaster rotated out of the Smithsonian collection, it headed to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in suburban Seattle, where museum director David Williams and their amazing volunteer crew, led by the late Don Mock, undertook a fully operational restoration.

When the stunning restoration was complete, the Muncey family returned to Lake Washington to rechristen the boat with Hanauer driving.

The 40-year Mystery is Solved
A few years later, Hanauer, Williams, and Mock learned from a Johnson crewmember that the driver was a Unlimited hydroplane fan. He provided Johnson’s contacts.

When Hanauer reached out and described the opportunity to possibly drive the Blue Blaster, Johnson got very excited.

Johnson explained that growing up in San Diego, his birthday was the week of the big boat races. The Blue Blaster was his favorite boat! His dad, Gary, would take him to the pits early in the week and they would watch the races from the beach on Fiesta Island.

Jimmie recalled that one year (1979), the Blue Blaster had broken down in the race and was drifting near the beach. Fans were wading out to the boat. His dad, Gary, carried Jimmie out and, with a nod from Bill Muncey, sat his son on the deck of the boat.

When Hanauer described the call, Mock recalled a photo from that San Diego race with Muncey on the bow and a little kid in a yellow hat near the back. He quickly located the photo. Bingo! For 40 years, no one knew that little kid was Jimmie Johnson!

Johnson was unaware of the photo, but at the Museum’s request had his mom confirm that indeed that was young Jimmie on the boat.

The Invitation
As part of Johnson’s 2024 induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, the Muncey family and Hanauer told the story of the little boy in the photo and extended a formal invitation on behalf of the Hydroplane Museum for Jimmie to drive the Blue Blaster.

Earlier this year, Johnson cleared his calendar to accept the invitation, and plans are now in place for him to drive the Blue Blaster on Seattle’s Lake Washington on Friday, August 1stas part of the Seafair Festival. On that morning, almost 46 years to the day from when he sat on its rear deck, he’ll travel the roughly 14 feet to its cockpit.

Williams and the Hydroplane Museum team will join the Muncey family, and MSHFA president George Levy to welcome Johnson. Hanauer, a Seattle native and 11-time winner of the APBA Gold Cup and seven-time series champion will serve as Johnson’s Blue Blaster driving coach.

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