NASCAR co-owner Jim France looked to fund a Cup Series entry in the upcoming race at Sonoma on July 13 – a move that was met with a huge backlash leading to him withdrawing from the plan

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has spoken out after news leaked that NASCAR co-owner Jim France was considering funding a Cup Series entry for the upcoming Sonoma race on July 13.

NASCAR CEO Jim France, who is involved in a legal tussle involving 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports, faced intense criticism when it was revealed he intended to support a Spire Motorsports entry for Jack Aitken, who drives for the IMSA sports car team France owns, Action Express Racing.

The Athletic reported that the controversy surrounding the potential conflict of interest prompted France, the son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., to perform a U-turn and withdraw from the deal.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his perspective on his podcast, the Dale Jr. Download, remarking: “At this point, it just doesn’t seem like it’s very productive to do it now, and Jim doesn’t need to do it.

“It’s not like a viable business proposition or opportunity that I think that’s necessary for him as a businessman to do it, right?”

“It’s kind of one of them fun things that you kind of want to do with your buddies, but it’s not necessary because dude owns a sport.

“Jim’s not out here trying to fool anybody…Thought it’d be cool, but he probably doesn’t need to be in the same conversation around ownership of an actual physical car on the racetrack as the owner of NASCAR.

“I think that would probably be my preference. I’m not upset about it because I do it on the CARS Tour.”

In his podcast, ‘Actions Detrimental,’ Denny Hamlin admits he fought vehemently against a contentious decision, being 23XI Racing’s co-owner.

“I can tell you as a car owner, I fought very, very hard and opposed the fact that the France family could own charters. I think that’s just wildly conflict of interest,” Hamlin commented.

The Trackhouse Racing development driver is competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports in 2025. He is currently fifth in series standings, including a win at COTA and three pole positions.

The young star stormed onto the scene last year with a range of accomplishments. The Charlotte, North Carolina native won in his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen, claimed two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series pole positions, and won four ARCA Menards Series races as well as a zMAX CARS Tour race.

There’s little debate about the burgeoning popularity of Formula 1 racing — the upcoming “F1 The Movie” stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris and is slated to be a summer blockbuster, attendance at races is extremely high, and series offerings such as “Drive to Survive” and “F1: The Academy” only reinforce the strength of motorsports audiences at this current point in time.

Now, as Forbes detailed, a fashion icon is set to enter the mix alongside the launch of a new F1 racing team.

Tommy Hilfiger is set to partner with the new Cadillac F1 team as its official apparel label, with branding appearing both in press kits for the race team as well as in news related to a slew of fanwear that will drop March 2026, coinciding with that racing season and the introduction of Cadillac on the track.

“Tommy Hilfiger logo placement will grace technical gear such as the driver’s suit, helmet and race car for the new Cadillac Formula 1 team, which was created by TWG Motorsports and General Motors,” Forbes reported.

In advance of the F1 movie hitting theaters June 27, Tommy Hilfiger has launched its “F1 The Movie” APXGP Collection in its stores across the globe, in tandem with wholesale partners as well as its website. Idris already serves as a Tommy Hilfiger brand ambassador and is heavily featured in the collection’s marketing campaign.

Tommy Hilfiger and Cadillac Team Principal Believe Partnership Will Drive Success

Tommy Hilfiger has a history with motorsport, with previous partnerships including those with Team Lotus in 1991, as well as a more recent 2018 team-up under the banner of the Mercedes-AMG team via the stewardship of Lewis Hamilton, per NSS Sports. Hilfiger himself has made no secret of his lifelong love of motorsports, as the outlet noted.

In advance of the race season to come, both Hilfiger and his counterpart on the front line of the newest F1 team’s entry into the sport, Cadillac Formula 1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, appear enthusiastic about the prospects of their partnership.

“These two iconic American brands come together with a colorful history in visual culture. I love racing’s iconic graphics. The uniforms are very cool with patches, logos, and team names. It’s rich in design territory. We had insight into the Cadillac team’s design direction; it will look incredible across the collections,” Hilfiger said.

“Tommy has known Formula 1 for a long time. It’s the pinnacle of motorsport, like Cadillac is for luxury automobiles. Cadillac’s brand values are bold, sophisticated, and optimistic. That was a natural fit with the Tommy Hilfiger brand. Combining this offers an ambitious, confident outlook. The chemistry, vision, and passion felt right from the start. Racing is about passion and desire to win,” Lowden added.

Real American Beer is back on the NASCAR track this weekend, teaming up with Hyak Motorsports to bring its 200% American energy to Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400 on June 8.

The No. 47 Chevrolet, driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr, will debut a refreshed Real American Beer paint scheme—marking the second time this season Hyak Motorsports and the fast-growing beer brand have joined forces.

This latest collaboration builds on Real American Beer’s momentum as a disruptive new name in the premium light beer space. With Real American Beer now in 27 states and growing support across national retail, the brand has quickly become a fan-favorite among beer drinkers who live for race days, tailgates and flag-flying weekends.

“We didn’t get the result we were after in Nashville, and that’s frustrating for sure,” said Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Driver of the No. 47Chevrolet for Hyak Motorsports. “But this team’s got heart. We’ve put in the work this week, and we’re heading to Michigan with a clean state and a fast Real American Beer Chevy.”

The FireKeepers 400 paint scheme brings Real American Beer’s signature 200% American aesthetic to one of the fastest tracks in the series—giving fans on the ground and watching at home a taste of the brand’s trademark energy.

“Brother, Michigan knows how to go full throttle—and so does Real American Beer,” said Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer and co-founder of Real American Beer. “We’re back on the track, back in the fight, and there’s no better time to crack one open and let it rip.”

The partnership with Hyak Motorsports underscores Real American Beer’s commitment to the NASCAR community, especially in markets where beer drinkers are seeking alternatives with real identity and American-made values.

“Motorsports fans have been some of our loudest supporters from day one,” said Terri Francis, CEO of Real American Beer. “This partnership is part of our strategy to meet them where they are—on the road, in the stands and in the beer aisle.”

Jimmy Hart, aka The Mouth of the South, will be trackside bringing the heat—and handing out the cold ones. He’ll be repping Real American Beer all weekend long with meet-and-greets, media hits, and a megaphone in hand. If you’re in the infield, you’ll hear him before you see him.

Fans can catch the FireKeepers Casino 400 live from Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, June 8 at 2PM EDT, broadcast on PRIME, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

And now, for fans who want to skip the beer run, Real American Beer is also available online. With just a few clicks, RAB can be delivered straight to your door—just in time for race day. Visit the Real American Beer Finder to order.

Hyak Motorsports PR

Michigan Next Gen Top Ten via Average Finishes

1. Denny Hamlin – 5.0
2. Zane Smith – 7.0 (One race)
3. Chris Buescher – 7.7
4. Ty Gibbs – 8.0
5. Brad Keselowski – 8.0 (Tied for 4th)
6. Carson Hocevar – 10.0 (One race)
7. Ryan Blaney – 10.7
8. Erik Jones – 11.3
9. Daniel Suarez – 13.0
10. Kyle Larson / Bubba Wallace – 15.3

Michigan Next Gen Top Ten Average Finishes Heat Chart 

Michigan Next Gen Top Ten via Total Speed Rankings

1. Kyle Larson
2. Denny Hamlin
3. William Byron
4. Chase Elliott (Tied for 3rd)
5. Kyle Busch
6. Chris Buescher (Tied for 5th)
7. Bubba Wallace
8. Ross Chastain
9. Ryan Blaney
10. Ty Gibbs

Michigan Next Gen Top Ten Total Speed Rankings Heat Chart

Michigan Next Gen Top Ten via Driver Rating

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kyle Larson
3. Chris Buescher
4. Bubba Wallace
5. Tyler Reddick
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Ty Gibbs
8. Ryan Blaney
9. Ross Chastain
10. Daniel Suarez

Michigan Next Gen Top Ten via Average Running Position

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Bubba Wallace (Tied for 1st)
3. Ryan Blaney
4. Ross Chastain
5. Chris Buescher
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Kyle Larson
8. Daniel Suarez
9. Ty Gibbs
10. Erik Jones

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