On Lap 67 of the NASCAR Cup race at Michigan International Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman was racing deep in the pack when he found himself in a bad situation. After contact from Cole Custer, he ended up slamming the outside wall in a head-on impact that lifted the rear tires off completely the ground. Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet hit the wall at roughly 150mph, immediately ending his race.

Bowman later described it as perhaps the biggest hit of his career. Unfortunately, the 32-year-old has a history of injuries. He suffered a concussion following a crash at Texas Motor Speedway in 2022, missing five races as a result. In 2023, he suffered a back injury in a sprint car crash that forced him to miss three Cup races.

Thankfully, Bowman has been medically cleared to race this weekend in Mexico City despite some soreness. The road course event is a big opportunity for Bowman as his most recent win in the Cup Series came at the Chicago Street Course last summer.

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

As a precaution, Hendrick will have Anthony Alfredo on standby for Bowman at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Alfredo, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, also works as a simulator driver for HMS. He has 42 starts in the Cup Series, including one start earlier this year at Talladega Superspeedway.

Bowman currently sits 13th in the championship standings after the first 15 races this year and is hoping for some positive momentum. He has finished 27th or worse in seven of the last nine races, including five finishes of 35th or worse in a dismal run for the No. 48 team.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Connor Zilisch, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, has made a significant impact in the NASCAR Xfinity Series by winning his first race at Watkins Glen International in September 2024 and his second at Circuit of The Americas in March 2025.

Zilisch, who previously ran a partial Xfinity Series schedule and part-time in the Craftsman Truck Series, signed a multiyear deal with Trackhouse Racing in 2024 to further his racing development. His success in the Xfinity Series marks him as a rising star in NASCAR.

The CW will broadcast all 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races in 2025, marking the first time the entire series will be available on free, over-the-air television.

This comprehensive coverage will include additional content through The CW’s digital platforms, fully produced by NASCAR Productions.

Adam Alexander, a seasoned NASCAR announcer, will lead the play-by-play coverage for The CW’s NASCAR Xfinity Series broadcasts.

Alexander brings extensive experience from his previous role at FOX Sports, where he covered the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2015.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series is known for featuring up-and-coming drivers alongside established NASCAR stars, providing a platform for future champions to showcase their talents.

The series races at iconic tracks such as Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

With his recent victories and a promising career trajectory, Connor Zilisch is poised to become a key figure in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, while The CW’s comprehensive coverage will bring the excitement of the series to a broader audience in 2025.

NASCAR has paid tribute to former crew chief and team owner Travis Carter, who died on Tuesday. Toby Christie of Sports Illustrated shared NASCAR’s statement which described what Carter meant to the sport.

“From his early days atop the pit box to his years as a respected team owner, Travis Carter embodied the competitive spirit, integrity, and passion that define NASCAR,” the statement read. ” NASCAR extends its heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family and many friends.”

Christie mentioned that Travis Carter was moved into hospice care on Monday. He was 75 years old, and no official cause of death has been announced.

Carter spent more than 30 years in the NASCAR Cup Series garage. In 1973, Carter became a crew chief for Benny Parsons and the No. 72 DeWitt Racing team. Under Carter’s guidance, Parsons earned 15 top-five finishes and 21 top-10s over the 28-race season. The team also won the race at Bristol in July 1973 and claimed the Cup Series title. In 1975, Carter and Parsons won the Daytona 500.

Travis Carter was a crew chief for multiple legendary NASCAR drivers

Carter was also a crew chief for Cale Yarborough, and the pair won the 1978 NASCAR Cup Series championship. In his 17 years as a crew chief, Carter collected more than 30 wins in the Cup series. Along with Parsons and Yarborough, Carter was a crew chief for Bobby Allison, Dave Marcis, Morgan Shepherd, Harry Gant, Darrell Waltrip, Geoff Bodine, Todd Bodine, and Joe Nemechek.

In 1990 Carter formed his own NASCAR Cup Series team, Travis Carter Enterprises. He never won a race in 493 starts, but he recorded 17 top-five finishes, 58 top-10s and six poles.

“Sad news. Travis added a lot to NASCAR,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote on X/Twitter. “It was really nice to get to talk with him in recent months. I’m in awe of the men like him that shaped the NASCAR I grew up in.”

“Travis Carter has passed away,” Kenny Wallace posted on his X/Twitter account. “I will always remember Travis changing tires for Junior Johnson’s cars in a VERY calm demeanor. Travis never got on his knees. TRAVIS WAS A LEGEND. My prayers to the family.”

Ferrari may be struggling in Formula One, but the Italian marque heads into this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans as the favorite, eyeing a third straight victory in endurance racing’s crown jewel.

Tennis legend Roger Federer will serve as the celebrity starter, waving the flag to kick off the 93rd edition of the legendary race at 4 p.m. local time (2:00 p.m. GMT) on Saturday.

Over the next 24 hours, 21 elite hypercars will battle through daylight, darkness and dawn, covering more than 300 laps – over 4,000 kilometers – in front of a sellout crowd of 320,000 fans fueled by caffeine and beer.

Ferrari ended a 50-year hiatus with a stunning win in the centenary race in 2023 and successfully defended its title last year.

The Prancing Horse stable ended Toyota’s run of five consecutive wins from 2018 to 2022. The Japanese manufacturer now seeks to reclaim its crown 40 years after its first Le Mans appearance.

A shake-up in regulations for 2023 sparked renewed interest in the premier class. This year, Ferrari, Toyota and Porsche face stiff competition from Aston Martin, Cadillac, BMW, Alpine and Peugeot.

Ferrari’s position as the team to beat is bolstered by a strong start to the season, reeling off wins in the first three World Endurance Championship races in Qatar, Imola and Belgium.

But Antonio Fuoco, who took the checkered flag last year alongside Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen, is taking nothing for granted.

“Compared to last year, everyone is closer to the other. It’s going to be a tough battle,” said the 29-year-old Italian driver.

Ferrari team manager Batti Pregliasco is wary of the threat posed by Toyota.

“The idea of winning a third Le Mans in a row would be magnificent,” he said.

“But the Toyotas are very strong here because they have the experience, the ability and the means to win.”

Bittersweet memories drive De Vries

Nyck de Vries, who shared driving duties in the Toyota that finished second in 2024, is hungry for redemption.

“Finishing second last year was a great result, but after such a long race with so many different emotions, it felt bitter-sweet. We want to put that right this year,” said De Vries, who was summarily dropped by Red Bull’s then-AlphaTauri sister team midway through the 2023 Formula One season.

De Vries is one of several former F1 drivers – including 2009 world champion Jenson Button – lured by the chance to etch their name onto Le Mans’ roll of honor, as Fernando Alonso did for Toyota in 2018 and 2019. The veteran Spaniard joined a prestigious group that includes Graham Hill, Phil Hill and Jochen Rindt.

Joining the 21 hypercars are 17 entries in the LMP2 class and 24 in the LMGT3 category in an event that has not been without tragedy – 22 drivers have died in its history.

Le Mans, where cars have hit eye-watering speeds of up to 400 kph on the Sarthe circuit’s Mulsanne Straight, also marks the 70th anniversary of the 1955 disaster. That year, debris from Pierre Levegh’s car rained down on the crowd, killing 81 spectators – although the exact toll was never definitively established.

It serves as a somber reminder of the dangers facing the 186 drivers competing this weekend – including the all-women Iron Dames LMGT3 team of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Celia Martin.

The encouraging news for this brave bunch is that the French national weather service forecasts a dry and calm weekend, with no rain or storms expected as qualifying for pole position begins Thursday night.

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The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Mexico this weekend for the Viva Mexico 250.

And when it comes to the odds, bettors can dive into that action and place wagers on which driver they think has what it takes to win outright.

Last week at Michigan, Denny Hamlin closed as the favorite at +550 and ultimately, the driver of the No. 11 car got into victory lane. This week, Shane van Gisbergen has opened as the clear favorite at +330, while Mexican-born Daniel Suarez sits at +1400.

Who takes the checkered flag this weekend as the Cup Series races in Mexico for the very first time? 

Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 11.

Viva Mexico 250 2025

Shane van Gisbergen: +330 (bet $10 to win $43 total)
Christopher Bell: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
William Byron: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Tyler Reddick: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Kyle Larson: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Chase Elliott: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
AJ Allmendinger: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Daniel Suarez: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Kyle Busch: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Chris Buescher: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total) 
Ross Chastain: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Michael McDowell: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Alex Bowman: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Carson Hocevar: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Chase Briscoe: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Ty Gibbs: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Austin Cindric: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Denny Hamlin: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Ryan Blaney: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Joey Logano: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Bubba Wallace: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Brad Keselowski: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Todd Gilliland: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Justin Haley: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Austin Dillon: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Ryan Preece: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Noah Gragson: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Cole Custer: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)
Zane Smith: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)
Josh Berry: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)
Erik Jones: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)
Riley Herbst: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)
John Hunter Nemechek: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Cody Ware: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Ty Dillon: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Katherine Legge: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)

Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
 

MEXICO CITY — Hearing the news that NASCAR would be racing in Mexico City, Lance Scott’s initial reaction was similar to many within the Cup Series garage. The Hendrick Motorsports hauler driver, tasked with transporting the equipment necessary to put a car on the track for Kyle Larson each week, was admittedly skeptical.

How would the NASCAR traveling circus be able to haul everything essential to stage the sport’s first international Cup Series race since 1958 and the first-ever in Mexico? The tractor-trailers would be traveling directly from Brooklyn, Mich., site of last Sunday’s race, to Laredo, Texas, where they would then cross the border in a highly coordinated convoy to make their way to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in the Mexican capital.

The whole plan had a lot of moving parts, with an itinerary scheduled to the minute. And it’s why Scott, and others, raised eyebrows about whether NASCAR could successfully pull it off.

“At first, no, I didn’t want to do it. Absolutely, I did not want to,” Scott said. “The not-knowing (of) going to Mexico was big. I’ve been to Mexico a couple times, but sitting on the beach drinking beer is a whole lot different than driving 14 hours across there.”

Before long, though, a different attitude took hold — confidence that NASCAR knew the scope of the massive undertaking and had an effective plan in place.

“(The meetings) made you feel really comfortable,” Scott said. “It put (aside) all the anxiousness that I had — and I know I’ve talked to a few of the other (hauler drivers) too. Yeah, I feel a lot better now.”

The Cup haulers went from Brooklyn to Laredo, a 24-hour drive without stops, where they met the tractor-trailers for the second-tier Xfinity Series teams also racing in Mexico but departing from North Carolina. Each hauler then crossed through customs before making the 700-mile trek to Mexico City.

Letting our hauler drivers play admin on their trip to Mexico City.@GarnerTrucking | @NASCARMexico_ pic.twitter.com/fCktmZHEgJ

— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) June 10, 2025

The task of pulling all that off fell to Tom Bryant, NASCAR’s vice president of racing operations, who oversees the logistics of putting on a race weekend, from membership and credentialing to overall operations and safety. But for a task of this magnitude, Bryant’s previous experience is just as important — he served for 21 years in the U.S. Army and helped manage the relocation of troops in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

“Every one of those deployments was with different units, and every one of those appointments had a kind of slightly different mission set,” Bryant said. “… We had to move from place to place over the course of the months that we were there, so you get pretty good at understanding how to plan for and resource and execute a large movement of people and equipment through a denied area safely and effectively.

“Just in general, you have to be comfortable when you approach something like this knowing that you don’t know everything you need to know. You have to be comfortable with ambiguity.”

We are driving nearly 12 laps around the earth at the equator to get to #NASCARMexico! pic.twitter.com/iRgDK8hIf3

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 11, 2025

Last summer, when NASCAR moved toward finalizing a deal to race in Mexico City, Bryant was effectively named the point person. It was his team’s job to figure out how to get every piece of equipment needed to Mexico City and coordinate the transportation of drivers, team members, NASCAR officials, and essential staff. This required numerous meetings with American and Mexican government officials, league executives, the teams, and many other entities.

After nine months of meetings, a plan took shape. This included requiring each hauler, 132 in total, to document its contents in a manifest, a time-consuming endeavor required by customs officials. If a team brings a part across the border, that item must come back. No exceptions.

“Every single thing in those haulers crossing the border has to be accounted for and has to be listed on the manifest,” Bryant said. “All that information has to be submitted to customs authorities for both governments, U.S. and Mexico. And particularly for Mexico, there’s permits associated with it so that all of the equipment is accounted for, all the permits and things that we needed to cross the border and operate in Mexico have been done.”

NASCAR has done something like this before, though on a smaller scale. From 2005 to 2008, the Xfinity Series raced in Mexico City, and some of the plans from that venture were also implemented this time. Some aspects, though, needed an overhaul. For instance, this time, NASCAR arranged all the travel for its Cup and Xfinity teams, whereas last time, each team was responsible for handling its own travel.

“Super, super easy. Different from what we normally do, but well organized. Super well organized,” Front Row Motorsports crew chief Drew Blickensderfer, who served as crew chief in three Xfinity races in Mexico City, said of NASCAR’s previous stint in Mexico. “You knew what was going on. And once you got into the garage area, it felt like any other race weekend. It felt like you were at a race, and the only difference was a lot more people. There were a ton of people there.”

Ready or not here we come Mexico City pic.twitter.com/Xuuj2hNIIp

— Stoney Greene (@StoneySGreene) June 10, 2025

To help manage everything, NASCAR partnered with Private Jet Services, which has worked with various leagues that have held games outside the U.S., and Rock-It Cargo, a global logistics company whose credits include several major events, such as when it moved 200 18-wheeler haulers to Mexico City as part of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour.

Team personnel began making their way to Mexico City midweek. With Xfinity off this past weekend, teams from that series had a relatively straightforward path to get their haulers to Laredo — they left directly from their respective shops. For the Cup teams, the process was more complex.

On Sunday morning at Michigan International Speedway, the garage was a hive of activity — and nothing related to the race later that afternoon. Part of the Mexico City plan called for every team to have a backup hauler carrying its Mexico City racecars arrive at the track from North Carolina. Those cars were then loaded onto the teams’ primary haulers. The U.S. Border Patrol supervised the operation.

Once the race finished, the haulers left for Laredo, each with two drivers. They arrived late Monday, and the hauler drivers then went to a nearby hotel to sleep. The next morning, the border crossing procedure began. Before being permitted into Mexico, every hauler had to drive through an X-ray machine — essentially, the truck equivalent of security screening at an airport.

After crossing, the haulers were divided into 12 packs that left in 20-minute intervals to begin the drive to Mexico City. Accompanying each convoy was a heavy security detail that included the Mexican National Guard. And in case a tractor-trailer suffered a breakdown, the final pack included a tow vehicle.

Multiple rest stops were allotted for each hauler. And because Mexico City officials wanted to avoid a large contingent of trucks driving through the city during rush hour, further clogging the already heavily congested traffic in a city with 21 million people, the schedule was laid out so the haulers would enter the city at off-peak hours. Every hauler was also equipped with a toll responder to help keep things moving.

On Tuesday, the Xfinity haulers rolled into Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. On Wednesday, the Cup haulers followed. They will remain at the track through the weekend, then they’ll begin the voyage back to the United States. The following weekend, both series race at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania, 2,500 miles away.

“Who the hell would want to do it if it was easy?” Bryant said. “If you want it easy, then it’d be no fun.”

(Top photo of NASCAR haulers during a parade before a March race in Las Vegas: Christopher Trim / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)