By JOE REEDY

NASCAR fans have grown accustomed to seeing speed, throttle and braking on broadcasts for years. There has been one measurement, though, that has eluded networks and viewers for years.

Until now.

Viewers of the Prime Video races have been able to see fuel usage with the introduction of the Burn Bar. Race teams have measured burn rates and fuel levels down to the last ounce for years, but the methodology has been kept secret for competitive reasons.

Prime Video, though, developed an AI tool using car data available to broadcasters and teams that can measure miles per gallon. The Burn Bar made a brief appearance during Prime’s first broadcast, the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25. It has been used more frequently the past two weeks and will be deployed again on June 15 during the race in Mexico City.

NASCAR on Prime analyst Steve Letarte, a former crew chief for Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., contributed to the development of the Burn Bar and sees it as the first step in taking race analysis to a new level.

“It’s the first true tool that is taking information off the car, making calculations and then displaying to the fan a calculation or measurement that is being used in the garage. And it does affect the team,” he said. “There’s not a sensor on the car giving us miles per gallon. It’s a mathematical calculation of other cars performances.”

The AI model analyzes thousands of performance data per second, including a range of in-car telemetry signals, RPMs, throttle and optical tracking of each car’s position. The model then evaluates each driver’s fuel consumption and efficiency throughout the race.

Letarte worked with Prime Video “Thursday Night Football Prime Vision” analyst Sam Schwartzstein and Amazon Web Services during the process. They came up with four methodologies that were tested during the first part of the season, which was broadcast by Fox. Schwartzstein and Letarte would then get the data from teams after races to see how close they were until they picked one that worked the best.

The Burn Bar received its toughest test during last week’s race at Michigan as the final 48 laps were run without a caution flag. Most teams made their final pit stops with 50 laps to go, meaning teams were going to be down to the end of their fuel runs at the checkered flag.

“We projected William Byron to run out, which he did, and then we were on the razor’s edge for Denny Hamlin. And then watching the truck push him back into victory lane at the end, knowing he was as close as we thought he was. What a cool way to see this feature come to life and elevate NASCAR broadcasts,” Schwartzstein said.

Alex Strand, Prime Video’s senior coordinating producer for live sports, also sees the Burn Bar as the first tool of many that Amazon and Prime Video can develop for its coverage. Prime Video is in the first year of a seven-year agreement to carry five races per season.

“It’s really cool to live in a world where it shows us that anything is possible. We’re starting with something that we’re really excited about, but it’s setting us down a path that will open up new doors for us,” he said. “I think that’s what we’re really excited about is to say, ‘OK, we’ve had success in Year 1 on a feature that’s resonated with fans right out of the gate.’ It raises the table for our offseason.”

After the June 15 race in Mexico City, Prime Video’s coverage for this season wraps up with the race at Pocono on June 22.

Originally Published: June 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM EDT

After seventeen years, the NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Chilango 150. Who can master the 15 turns in Mexico City? Read all about this Saturday’s race before the cars hit the track.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Chilango 150 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Preview

Last time we saw Xfinity Series cars on track in Mexico City, Kyle Busch had just joined Joe Gibbs Racing. He only had 13 previous victories in the series. He won his fourteenth race the last year, the Series raced in Mexico City.

Today, as the Xfinity Series makes its return seventeen years later, Kyle Busch has 102 victories and drives for Richard Childress Racing.

Who can add their names to the list of winners at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with Kyle Busch, Martin Truex, Denny Hamlin, and Juan Pablo Montoya?

Race Preview:

The Chilango 150 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is a 158-mile, 65-lap race around the 15-turn, 2.42-mile road course in Mexico City. There will be stage cautions on laps 20 and 40, with the checkered flag flying on lap 65. A total of $2,151,939 is available to finishers of the race.

Teams will have 6 sets of tires to use in qualifying and during the race. The tires are the same road-course tires used at previous tracks this season. In addition to the normal racing slick tires, Goodyear has brought the wet-weather racing tires. Teams will have 4 sets of wets, 3 sets being for the race.

Mexico City poses a new challenge to the Xfinity Cars: altitude. Charlotte, where most of the teams are based, is at 750 feet above sea level. Mexico City is at 7,300 feet above sea level. Air is thinner, putting strain on the drivers and cars. Can they physically handle the race? And could the new performance characteristics of the car become a factor in the race?

The Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez broke ground in 1959 as a Formula 1 track. It has hosted F1 24 times in the past. The NASCAR Xfinity Series first raced at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in 2005, the first race outside of the United States for Xfinity. The track and its altitude created unique challenges for the teams, allowing for only the best to conquer it. From 2005 to 2008, it hosted Xfinity, until the logistics and cost of racing in Mexico City became too much for teams.

The four previous winners are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Martin Truex Jr. The 2025 race will be held on a different layout than what was previously run, so the track record is up for grabs.

Xfinity Series Point Standings:

Here are the Xfinity Series points following the Nashville Race:

1. Justin Allgaier: 583
2. Austin Hill: 491
3. Sam Mayer: 473
4. Jesse Love: 432
5. Connor Zilisch *: 395
6. Sheldon Creed: 381
7. Carson Kvapil *: 380
8. Brandon Jones: 379
9. Jeb Burton: 365
10. Ryan Sieg: 365

Read More: Justin Allgaier Scores Big in Nashville Xfinity Series Race

Drivers Joining The Xfinity Series This Weekend:

With this race being so big, many drivers are joining the field. Daniel Suarez will drive the #9 for Junior Motorsports. Ty Gibbs will pilot the #19, and Christopher Bell will be in the #20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. NASCAR Mexico Series champion Ruben Rovelo will drive the #35 Chevy for Joey Gase Motorsports. Brad Perez, crew member for Alpha Prime Racing with tons of road racing experience, will drive the #45 Chevy for that team. Andres Perez, who graduated from the Mexico Series into the Truck Series, will drive the #91 for DGM Racing.

Who Will Win?

When I look at who wins this race, I am looking at several factors. Experience on this road course, physicality, and equipment. I think Daniel Suarez has the best shot at winning this race. He is familiar with this track, the altitude, and has a great ride in the #9 Camaro from JRM. He is the lone Mexican driver in the Cup, and I think this weekend will be a huge moment for Suarez. It is for sure Suarez’s race to lose.

Ty Gibbs is in the field for this race. He won his first-ever Xfinity race on the Daytona road-course and beat Kyle Larson at Road America. I think the small factor that he has never raced here before won’t turn me away from picking Gibbs as a potential winner this Saturday.

Connor Zilisch has been the talk of the road courses all season. Won on debut at Watkins Glen, and another victory on the road-course at Circuit Of The Americas. He has raced all over the world and I think we could see another Zilisch win on Saturday.

Read More: Connor Zilisch Overcomes Penalty to Win COTA Xfinity Series Race

How To Watch The Xfinity Series at Mexico City:

Here is the schedule for Saturday’s Chilango 150 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez:

Saturday, June 13th:

• Practice
  • 11:05 AM Eastern
  • Coverage is on the CW App
• Qualifying
  • 12:10 AM Eastern
  • Coverage continues on the CW App
• The Chilango 150 
  • 4:30 PM Eastern
  • Coverage switches to the CW, alongside radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Stay Connected to Last Word on Motorsports for NASCAR’s Exciting Weekend in Mexico City

Main Photo: IMAGO, Icon Sportswire

Recording Date: 03/04/2007

Shane van Gisbergen scored his second career NASCAR Cup Series pole position, and his first pole of the 2025 season, on Saturday as he narrowly defeated Ryan Preece for the top qualifying spot for Sunday’s Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Ross Chastain, Ty Gibbs, and Michael McDowell locked down the remainder of the top-five starting spots.

Here is the official starting lineup for Sunday’s Viva Mexico 250 in Mexico City:

Danica Patrick had a stellar career in motorsport, but that hasn’t stopped the cruel trolls from trying to tear her down – and her dad, T.J., has the perfect response

Danica Patrick’s dad, T.J., has reacted to the harsh words aimed at his legendary motorsport daughter.

With a distinguished career in both IndyCar and NASCAR, Patrick made history in 2008 by winning the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first female to triumph in an IndyCar event and nabbing the title of the first woman with a pole position in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The racing icon has recently opened up about her personal life, including her relationship status, following spicy revelations, and revisited her previous stance on being considered a sports sex symbol. She also recently slammed Olympic icon Simone Biles.

READ MORE: Phil Mickelson lodges complaint against U.S. Open staff just hours before majorREAD MORE: Rory McIlroy’s behavior at U.S. Open speaks volumes after concerns raised

Since hanging up her helmet in 2018, the 43-year-old remains a staple in the racing world, dishing out expert commentary for Sky Sports’ F1 broadcasts in the UK and supporting FOX Sports at last month’s Indy500.

Sharing insights into his daughter’s skills and resilience, T.J. highlighted her competitive edge in conversation with racing pundit Kenny Wallace: “I just kind of giggle, but I know and the right people know that if you put her in a race car, she’s going to be almost, if not quicker than any guy in a car.

“I mean, in the right circumstances, she can do it. Just like most drivers that make it to the top level, you don’t make it to the top level by being average.”

He added: “You know, she’s never had an easy pass in her life. Nobody’s let her by. Everybody that races with Danica races harder than they do any other guy.

“So I was very hard on her. I mean, she claims it was too hard at times, but then again I’d like to ask, would you have made it if I wasn’t?

“I mean you look at Tiger Woods’ dad; he was the same way with him. So I wanted her to be the best that she could be, and I didn’t want her to slack off a bit.”

In the fast lane of family talent, Patrick’s sister, Brooke, also showcased her motorsport prowess. T.J. has even suggested that Brooke had an edge over Patrick, saying: “Brooke was faster.

“So we started go-kart racing. Brooke was so tiny that her feet were in the front of the staring rods.

“Brooke was faster by herself, but she didn’t like the bumping and grinding and all that. So she bailed out, and then it was basically Danica, so we started going after it.”

Away from the tracks, Patrick’s personal life has been no secret. Her romance with fellow Cup Series star Ricky Stenhouse Jr. concluded in 2017.

She later opened up about her relationship with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, acknowledging the turmoil they faced.

MEXICO CITY — In the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ return to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Connor Zilisch zipped to the pole.

Zilisch will lead the field to the green flag for Saturday’s Chilango 150. It is Zilisch’s fourth pole of the 2025 Xfinity Series season. He paced the Mexico City course in 92.372 seconds, beating Ty Gibbs by 0.102 seconds

Gibbs, Christopher Bell, Carson Kvapil, Sammy Smith, Sam Mayer, Austin Hill, Taylor Gray, Nick Sanchez and Jesse Love rounded out the top-10 starters.

In practice, Gibbs was quickest with a lap of 92.979 seconds, averaging 93.699 MPH. Zilisch’s fastest lap was about a tenth off of Gibbs’ fastest.

Here is the full lineup and practice results:

Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.

A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.

Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick’s final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers’ stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.

Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com

Charlie Henderson, owner of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team Henderson Motorsports, has died, the team announced via X.

Henderson’s involvement in NASCAR began in 1982 and his team fieled part-time cars in all of the top three divisions of NASCAR throughout his time as an owner. He entered 24 Cup Series races, 298 Xfinity Series races and 108 Truck Series races.

He won two Truck Series races as an owner with The CW color commentator Parker Kligerman as the driver of his No. 75 Chevrolet Silverado. Kligerman and the team nearly captured a third win at Daytona International Speedway this season before a ride height penalty disqualified them from the race.

Connor Zilisch Hangs On for Xfinity Pole in Mexico City

“We are grateful for the many years of leadership, friendship, and memories that Charlie gave to Henderson Motorsports and the entire NASCAR community,” Henderson Motorsports said in a statement. “We ask that you keep the Henderson family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Wyatt Watson has followed motorsports closely since 2007. He joined Frontstretch as a journalist in February 2023 after serving in the United States Navy for five years as an Electronic Technician Navigation working on submarines. Wyatt is one of Frontstretch‘s primary IndyCar correspondents, providing exclusive video content on site. He hosts Frontstretch‘s Through the Gears podcast and occasionally The Pit Straight.You can find Wyatt’s written work in columns such as Friday Faceoff and 2-Headed Monsteras well as exclusive IndyCar features. Wyatt also contributes to Frontstretch’s social media team, posting unique and engaging content for Frontstretch.

Wyatt Watson can be found on X @WyattWRacing