Motorsports
Kyle Larson preps to run Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 after last year’s washout
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Larson is doubling down on “The Double.” Larson is set to run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, a task he set out to accomplish last year but never had a chance to complete after weather disrupted the NASCAR star’s plans. A year ago rain delayed […]

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Larson is doubling down on “The Double.”
Larson is set to run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, a task he set out to accomplish last year but never had a chance to complete after weather disrupted the NASCAR star’s plans.
A year ago rain delayed the start of the Indianapolis 500, putting Larson well behind schedule in his quest. He finished 18th in Indianapolis, and didn’t make it to Charlotte Motor Speedway until 249 laps had been completed. He was set to jump in the No. 5 Chevrolet and take over for replacement driver Justin Allgaier, but lightning and heavy rains forced NASCAR to call the race.
Larson never turned a lap at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Last year wasn’t as fun and exciting as people might think,” Larson said. “I was super bummed because I knew I wasn’t going to be able to race in both. I didn’t get to enjoy the pre-race stuff or anything, but hopefully this year it goes better with the weather and I can just enjoy the whole experience.”
The forecast for Sunday in both cities looks a little more promising, although there’s still a small chance of rain.
If rain were to delay the start of the Indianapolis 500 again, Larson could face a tough decision. If he doesn’t make it back for the Coca-Cola 600 his playoff chances would be in jeopardy. Larson is considered one of the favorites to win the Cup Championship, having won three Cup Series races this year.
Hendrick Motorsports vice president Jeff Gordon said the team has a “concrete plan” to have Larson in Charlotte in time for driver introductions, about 45 minutes before the race.
“He will be here (at CMS) by 5:45 p.m.,” Gordon said emphatically.
Only a handful of elite drivers have dared to take on the epic motorsports crossover. Tony Stewart set the standard for “The Double” in 2001 when he finished sixth at the Indy 500 and third at the Coca-Cola 600, becoming the first driver to ever complete all 1,100 miles.
“I love to race,” Larson said of the challenge. “I love to compete in big events and I love to try new things to challenge myself,” said Larson. “I try to stay focused on making this the best experience I can and getting my car to drive the best it can while also enjoying the moment.”
Other things to watch at the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night:
Christopher Bell and Brad Keselowski will have new spotters at the Coca-Cola 600.
Joe Gibbs Racing said Matt Philpott has replaced Stevie Reeves as Bell’s spotter. Reeves had been the spotter for Bell, last week’s All-Star Race winner and the defending Coca-Cola 600 champion, since he made his series debut in 2020.
“I was surprised as well,” Bell said of Reeves’ decision to leave the team. “It was all Stevie’s decision. He made the decision on his own to quit.”
Todd Brewer replaces T.J. Majors as Keselowski’s spotter. Majors will be out a month due to a medical procedure.
William Byron called it a “relief” to receive a four-year contract extension on Friday from Hendrick Motorsports.
The two-time defending Daytona 500 champion said negotiations were “amicable” and he anticipated they would eventually get done.
“I definitely wanted to be here and focus on winning races,” Byron said. “That’s what it’s all about at Hendrick Motorsports and what I want to do. … I felt like Hendrick was always my home.”
Gordon said “we think it’s a no-brainer. It’s worked and he has been a great fit. … We were going to make it happen one way or another.”
Seven-time Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club part-owner Jimmie Johnson will hit a career milestone at the Charlotte Motor Speedway with his 700th career Cup Series start.
For the 49-year-old Johnson it’s a poignant moment, returning to the venue where he began his Cup Series journey in 2001. Johnson’s first start came on Oct. 7, 2001 at Charlotte. He went on to dominate at Charlotte, winning the Coca-Cola 600 four times (2003, 2004, 2005, 2014), the Bank of America 500 four times (2004, 2005, 2009, 2016), and the All-Star Race four times (2003, 2006, 2012, 2013).
“This is my 700th start, but let’s be clear — it’s not my last start,” Johnson said.
The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race on the NASCAR circuit, and it can often take five hours to complete the 400 laps on a 1 1/2-mile track. Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet formerly run by Dale Earnhardt, called it one of the most grueling races on the NASCAR circuit.
“The track’s not smooth. … It’s rough, so I think you prep your seat well for this race too,” said Dillon, who won the race in 2017. “I changed that two years ago when we went to this car. I remember the first time in the Next Gen car here, it was awful under caution, even just your head rattling around in there. So I tried to make our foam a little different around our head rest, which helps.”
Charlotte Motor Speedway has a long tradition of honoring the military on Memorial Day weekend as part of their “Salute to service.” There are flyovers, numerous military members on site, the playing of “Taps” and each driver carries the name of a fallen soldier’s name on their racecar.
“To have a name on the side of a race car, to share that with their family, it means more than motorsports,” said AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 car for Kaulig Racing. “I’ll be 100% honest, I get lost. You know what our job is, you’re out there to win, and that’s all you focus on, but there’s a brief moment there of all the pre-race stuff at the (Coca-Cola) 600 where racing doesn’t mean anything.”
NASCAR on Prime is set to make its debut on Sunday.
Prime Video will exclusively stream five consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races to conclude the first half of the season. Adam Alexander serves as race announcer alongside analysts Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte in the booth, with Trevor Bayne, Kim Coon, and Marty Snider patrolling pit road. Danielle Trotta hosts Prime Video’s on-site studio coverage, joined by analysts Carl Edwards and Corey LaJoie.
Fans can watch NASCAR live at home or on the go, and across hundreds of compatible devices, streaming from the web, or using the Prime Video app on smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, game consoles, and connected TVs.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Motorsports
Hendrick rising star makes brave promise after scary crash over wall – Motorsport – Sports
Rising Hendrick Motorsports star Corey Day promised that he will never change his aggressive driving style after suffering a terrifying crash in the Eagle Nationals on the High Limit Racing circuit. Last December, Day inked a multi-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports that will see him run in the NASCAR Xfinity, Craftsman Truck, ARCA Menards and […]

Rising Hendrick Motorsports star Corey Day promised that he will never change his aggressive driving style after suffering a terrifying crash in the Eagle Nationals on the High Limit Racing circuit.
Last December, Day inked a multi-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports that will see him run in the NASCAR Xfinity, Craftsman Truck, ARCA Menards and TransAm Series this season. The 19-year-old has been dubbed the “next Kyle Larson” after beating the No. 5 Chevrolet driver in the High Limit Racing sprint car opener, but conceded that he still feels out of place as the youngest wheelman on the team.
With five laps remaining in Tuesday’s race, Corey was battling Buddy Kofoid for the lead when his right front tire got into the wall in the backstretch on Turn 3. His No. 14 Sander Engineering car swiftly cleared the guardrail and went barrelling into the outside catch fence following several violent flips.
Safety crews promptly rushed to Day’s aid and removed him from the overturned car. He miraculously emerged from the harrowing incident unscathed, telling a reporter afterwards: “Yeah, I’m all good.
“I was trying really hard there. I think when I got into Buddy, my front end was messed up and got high off of 2 and felt like I couldn’t turn as good as I could have the whole race before that. So, you know, I wasn’t lifting. It’s 55 grand to win, so, yeah, I’d go redo that one, but I was trying.”
Taking to social media on the heels of the race, Day insisted that the massive wreck would not stop him from taking risks on the racetrack in the future. “First off, I sit here thanking the man above for keeping me safe, and allowing me to be able to race another day,” he wrote on X. “Second, I apologize to the @JMRacing14 boys for creating more work than necessary.
“With that being said, some people love how I drive, and some people hate it, but I can promise one thing, I’ll never change. Thank you to everyone who supports me, we will have a fresh one ready for Knoxville on Friday.”
In the early stages of Day’s tenure with Hendrick Motorsports, the young phenom has shown several flashes of brilliance. Over three Xfinity Series races, he’s amassed 66 points — most recently placing 11th at Nashville Superspeedway.
DON’T MISS:
While racing for Spire Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series, Day has run six races with his best finish (fifth) additionally coming at Nashville.
“It’s just a dream come true, really,” Day told Express U.S. Sports of representing Hendrick Motorsports. “It’s something that I never thought would happen for me — I thought I was just going to be a dirt sprint car racer my whole life.
“So to say that I am signed to the top NASCAR team, in my opinion, at 19 years old is unreal. Been super busy, more busy than I’ve ever been in my 19 years of living, but I’m loving it.”
Motorsports
Diez: NASCAR leaves U.S.; F1 in North America
This weekend, NASCAR travels south of the border for the Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, its first race outside the U.S. in decades. Formula 1 is back in North America for the Canadian Grand Prix, and IndyCar races in the heartland at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis. ••• Last weekend, it […]

This weekend, NASCAR travels south of the border for the Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, its first race outside the U.S. in decades. Formula 1 is back in North America for the Canadian Grand Prix, and IndyCar races in the heartland at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis.
•••
Last weekend, it was NASCAR and NHRA on the calendar. The Cup race at Michigan saw speeds of over 200 mph but it came down to fuel mileage at the end. Wily veteran Denny Hamlin stretched his mileage, while those ahead of him pitted for fuel, and took his third victory of the season. Chase Briscoe took his third consecutive pole on Saturday but finished 23rd. Carson Hocevar showed a remarkable turn of speed but had to pit for gas a few laps from the checker and wound up 29th.
•••
No one in the field (except Daniel Suarez) has any experience at the Mexico City track, so teams got two practices Friday and will qualify Saturday at 9 a.m., broadcast on Prime. The CW will air Xfinity qualifying at 7 a.m. and the Chilango 150 at 1:30 p.m. Sunday’s Viva Mexico 250 on Prime starts at noon. A couple of notes: depending on the timing of his new baby’s arrival, Hamlin might not race this weekend. Ryan Truex is standing by to substitute in the No. 11 Toyota. And Katherine Legge will make her second Cup start of the season. Watch for road course experts A.J. Allmendinger and Shane van Gisbergen to run at the front. It is also the second of three seeding races for the In-Season Challenge, a new NASCAR gimmick. Visit NASCAR.com for details.
•••
Team Penske has ruled World Wide Technology Raceway since IndyCar’s return to the facility in 2017. In nine races, Penske drivers have taken seven poles and six wins. Josef Newgarden leads active drivers with five wins, one pole, and the track record with a lap of 24.6317 seconds or 182.69 mph. Will Power has one win for Penske while Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon has won twice. Takuma Sato won in 2019 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. The track is a 1.25-mile egg-shaped oval with progressive banking and completely different turns at either end, providing setup challenges and compromises. Practice airs at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with qualifying at noon, both on FS1. FS2 will air final practice at 2:30 p.m. Sunday’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 will air on FOX at 5 p.m.
•••
Going into the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, four-time champion Max Verstappen faces the possibility of missing the next race. After his altercation with George Russell in Spain, Verstappen only has one point left on his license before a suspension will take effect. So, he needs to keep his temper in check this weekend or two drivers are facing the possibility of being absent for Red Bull’s home race in Austria in two weeks. Verstappen has won the Canadian GP the last three years but is still far short of Lewis Hamilton’s seven Montreal victories. They are the only two drivers on the grid who have won in Canada, but that could change this year. McLaren has been on a tear, and I expect that Sunday’s race will be another fight for the win between teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Free practice airs at 9:30 a.m., followed by qualifying at 1 p.m., both on ESPN2. Sunday’s race is on ABC beginning at 11 a.m.
Motorsports
ALEX LABBÉ PARTNERS WITH BELLA SUN LUCI FOR NASCAR’S RETURN TO MEXICO CITY
Alex Labbé will drive the No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro for SS-GreenLight Racing at the Chilango 150, marking NASCAR’s return to Mexico City. The race represents a significant moment for the Xfinity Series and Mexican motorsports, aimed at engaging passionate local fans. Labbé expressed his excitement for the event, highlighting its importance for national pride and […]

Alex Labbé will drive the No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro for SS-GreenLight Racing at the Chilango 150, marking NASCAR’s return to Mexico City. The race represents a significant moment for the Xfinity Series and Mexican motorsports, aimed at engaging passionate local fans. Labbé expressed his excitement for the event, highlighting its importance for national pride and the opportunity to represent both his team and Bella Sun Luci, the primary sponsor. Bella Sun Luci, a brand specializing in sun-dried tomatoes, emphasizes its commitment to Mexican culinary traditions and expanding its market presence. This race is set to take place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on June 15, 2025.
By the Numbers
- The Chilango 150 is 157.3 miles long, consisting of 65 laps on a modified 2.42-mile circuit.
- Labbé’s Chevrolet will feature Bella Sun Luci branding for the entire race.
State of Play
- Two practice sessions for drivers are scheduled for June 13, ahead of the race.
- Qualifying will take place on June 14 at 8:30 a.m., with the race starting on June 15 at 2:30 p.m. CST.
What’s Next
The Chilango 150 will be closely watched as the Xfinity Series returns to Mexico, and Labbé aims to perform well to honor the local fanbase. Following this race, potential increased engagement and sponsorship opportunities for NASCAR in Mexico may arise, impacting future schedules.
Bottom Line
This NASCAR event not only marks a return to Mexico but serves as a platform for brands like Bella Sun Luci to connect with Mexican consumers, potentially reshaping NASCAR’s presence in the region. Success in this race could pave the way for more NASCAR events in Latin America, enhancing its global footprint.
Motorsports
NHRA’s License Transfer Program Features “Summer Kickoff” Discount for Racers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – June 11, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – NHRA announced its “Summer Kickoff” license transfer program today, which offers racers a chance to transfer their license to NHRA from other sanctioning bodies with a limited-time discount during June on one and two-year licenses. Transferring a license to NHRA allows races to compete […]


INDIANAPOLIS, IN – June 11, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – NHRA announced its “Summer Kickoff” license transfer program today, which offers racers a chance to transfer their license to NHRA from other sanctioning bodies with a limited-time discount during June on one and two-year licenses.
Transferring a license to NHRA allows races to compete at more than 110 NHRA Member Tracks across North America, as well as compete in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and Summit Racing E.T. Series.
A NHRA license also gives competitors a comprehensive list of perks, including:
- Excess medical insurance coverage of $600,000 at your NHRA Member Track.
- An Official NHRA Competition License Card.
- Exclusive discounts with NHRA partners like Summit Racing Equipment and others.
- A 25% off discount for NHRA.tv, which streams live championship drag racing action at NHRA national events and divisional events across the country.
- NHRA National Dragster Magazine online.
After announcing a significant purse increase for the upcoming Summit Racing Series World Championship later this year in Las Vegas, now marks an ideal time for racers to get involved at their local NHRA track.
The discount license transfer program in June also allows a great opportunity for racers to join the largest sanctioning body in drag racing, with the NHRA set to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026, and one offering competitors industry-leading benefits and the most racing options.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for racers to experience NHRA Drag Racing, compete against the best racers in the world and take advantage of the resources, benefits and support that comes from a sanctioning body with more than seven decades of experience,” NHRA Sportsman Manager Jason Galvin said. “We’re excited to welcome new racers and build on what is already the strongest group of sportsman racers in drag racing.”
Racers can click here to download the license transfer coupon. To locate an NHRA Member Track, please click here. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.
About NHRA
NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Source: National Hot Rod Association
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Motorsports
NASCAR TV schedule for Mexico City: NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and México Series travel to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
CONCORD, N.C. – For the first time in recent memory, the NASCAR Cup Series will go international as stock car racing’s premier touring series travels to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. While many attribute the 1998 race in Motegi, Japan as the last time the Cup Series ventured beyond the borders of the United States, the most recent points paying […]

CONCORD, N.C. – For the first time in recent memory, the NASCAR Cup Series will go international as stock car racing’s premier touring series travels to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
While many attribute the 1998 race in Motegi, Japan as the last time the Cup Series ventured beyond the borders of the United States, the most recent points paying international event dates all the way back to 1958 in Toronto, Canada at the now demolished Canadian National Exhibition Stadium. This means that the Cup Series has not seen a points-paying event outside the United States in over 50 years.
That’s all about to change with Sunday’s race.
With the course being over 7,000 feet above sea level, thin air pressure is going to have a major effect on the car’s engines and tires. The tight 14-turn track will create a lot of hurdles for the teams to navigate through as they try and tackle this new behemoth.
The Xfinity Series has more knowledge about the modified 2.417-mile circuit, but much has changed since the last time the lower division turned laps at the track in the 2008 season, namely the cars aero package and race format.
To compensate for the many curveballs ahead of the teams, NASCAR is allowing both touring series two practice sessions on Friday, a rare occurrence in modern regulations.
With the intensity of the regular season’s latter half beginning to ramp up, anything can happen, especially on a track with a lot of unknowns.
Make sure to check out the full schedule below!
RELATED: Cup Series race results from Michigan International Speedway
Where is NASCAR racing this weekend?
NASCAR will race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City this weekend.
What time is the NASCAR race?
(All times listed in eastern time)
Friday, June 13
- 11 a.m. – México Series practice and qualifying, no TV
- 1:05 p.m. – Cup Series practice, Prime Video
- 2:05 – Xfinity practice, CW
- 3 – Cup Series practice, Prime Video
- 3:30 – Xfinity practice, CW
- 4:30 – México Series race one, no TV
Saturday, June 14
- 10:30 a.m. – Xfinity Series qualifying, CW
- Noon – Cup Series qualifying, Prime Video
- 1:45 p.m.- México Series race two, no TV
- 4:30 – Xfinity Series race, CW
Sunday, June 15
Motorsports
Chicago Street Race Adds Arby’s As Major Sponsor Of NASCAR Event
NASCAR is adding another major sponsor to next month’s Chicago Street race in Grant Park. Arby’s will join Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Xfinity as backers of the third annual race during the Fourth of July weekend. The fast food chain will replace Chicago-based McDonald’s as a sponsor. Arby’s is offering chances through […]


NASCAR is adding another major sponsor to next month’s Chicago Street race in Grant Park. Arby’s will join Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Xfinity as backers of the third annual race during the Fourth of July weekend. The fast food chain will replace Chicago-based McDonald’s as a sponsor. Arby’s is offering chances through June 22nd to win tickets to the Chicago Street Race at 47 restaurants in the city and suburbs.
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