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Lando Norris returns to Miami Grand Prix, site of breakthrough win in 2024

Two-Minute Drill: Miami Grand Prix and longtime columnist retires The Miami Grand Prix will take place Sunday, May 4, at 4 p.m. at the Miami International Autodrome; Florida Times-Union columnist Gene Frenette retires. Lando Norris reflects on his first F1 victory at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix. Norris aims to recapture his winning form at […]

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  • Lando Norris reflects on his first F1 victory at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.
  • Norris aims to recapture his winning form at the Miami Grand Prix after a “reset” period.

MIAMI GARDENS — For a couple of guys who make a living — for that matter, stay among the living — by making split-second decisions, these Formula 1 drivers were temporarily stumped.

They were asked what they would change about the Miami Grand Prix, now entering its fourth year, and it wasn’t until Yuki Tsunoda scanned the Rolodex in his head that he came up with something that actually has little to do with the Grand Prix itself.

“I mean, traffic is a bit of an issue,” Tsunoda said.

After Pierre Gasly chastised Tsunoda by reminding him that drivers get police escorts and can’t have much to complain about, Lando Norris jumped to Tsunoda’s defense.

“The traffic’s terrible,” Norris said. “Is it worst than Mexico? It might be, because in Mexico there’s kind of no roads. Here, I’ve never seen so many roads, yet there’s still so much traffic.”

You’re tempted to say “welcome to South Florida, Lando,” but you don’t. Because this is Lando Norris, the guy who navigated South Florida traffic about as deftly as anyone a year ago.

Lando Norris upsets Max Verstappen in 2024 Miami Grand Prix

You may recall the 2024 edition of the Miami Grand Prix, the race everyone showed up for certain that Max Verstappen was going to win, probably because Max Verstappen was winning everything at the time.

Verstappen was on course to win before nailing a plastic pole before the race’s midpoint. He soon pitted but wished he hadn’t because Kevin Magnussen was then involved in an incident with South Florida’s Logan Sargeant, bringing out a caution that afforded Norris a free pit stop. When Norris managed to exit the pits ahead of the safety car — and more importantly, ahead of Verstappen — there were still miles to go, but the race was essentially decided.

Verstappen was left in the dust — and so was F1’s most undesirable nickname.

Lando “No Wins” Norris would never be called that again. After 110 career races and 1,876 days, Norris finally had his first win. Such was Norris’ popularity with rival drivers that at times during the champagne celebration it was almost difficult to tell the winner from the conquered rivals. Daniel Riccardo said, “It will forever be one of the happiest days of his life. I’m happy to see that smile on him.”

Fast-forward one year and the sentiment remains.

“I kind of envy Lando for getting his first race win here, because I’m sure Sunday night was definitely a cool one and one he’s going to remember,” Gasly said.

“I don’t remember,” Norris joked.

Maybe memories of Sunday evening in Miami have become a “Hot Tub Time Machine”-like blur, but he’ll always have that Sunday afternoon around Hard Rock Stadium.

“It’s stuff I dreamed of as a kid — winning and standing on the top step — and I managed to do it here, which was a cool place to do it,” Norris said. “So just good memories, good times. Thinking back to the race, checkered flag, seeing the team celebrations — a lot of things that always bring a smile to my face.”

McLaren Mercedes teammate Oscar Piastri has hot hand now

Call him Lando “Five Wins” Norris now, including taking the season-opener in Australia. But the four events since have been a mixed bag for him. On one hand, he hasn’t won. On the other hand, McLaren Mercedes teammate Oscar Piastri has won three times, including the most recent events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Norris is clearly happy for the team’s success even though it has left him answering questions about what has gone wrong with his car.

“There are just certain things which don’t allow me to feel what I need to feel and those things are what allow me to drive to the level that I can drive at — to get pole positions and to drive at the highest level in racing,” he said. “We’re talking about small things. It’s not like it’s impossible to drive all of a sudden. It’s just when we’re talking about qualifying split by hundredths of a second, thousandths of a second, that’s what I’m complaining of and nothing more than that.”

And in the next breath, he’s not even complaining.

“I also think it’s a driver’s job to adapt to whatever car they get given,” he said.

The frustrating part for Norris is he feels things have gone well in the first two qualifying periods on some weekends.

“Always when I’ve got to Q3, then it’s not gone to plan,” he said. “So yeah, there’s stuff from the driving side and the car side where things haven’t clicked. But I’m working on it and hopefully this weekend I can put it into practice.”

Could Miami show Norris’ ‘reset’ is working?

The Saudi race was two weekends ago, affording both McLaren and Norris time to “reset,” as he called it.

“That doesn’t mean a lot of stuff has changed for this weekend,” he said. “It’s not like things are going to magically work as I would love. But I think there’s been a lot more understanding over the last couple of weeks of certain things.”

If nothing else, he’ll step into his car knowing this course has been kind to him before in ways no other circuit had been to that point.

“So hopefully the plan is to try and do it again,” he said.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.





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THIS WEEK: iRacing Coke 600 Special Event – iRacing.com

iRacing’s Special Event calendar features a selection of the world’s most compelling races across numerous disciplines. Whether you’re interested in stock cars or sports cars, open-wheel formula cars or sprint cars, sticking to pavement or playing in the dirt, running solo or racing with a team of your closest friends, our Special Events have something […]

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iRacing’s Special Event calendar features a selection of the world’s most compelling races across numerous disciplines. Whether you’re interested in stock cars or sports cars, open-wheel formula cars or sprint cars, sticking to pavement or playing in the dirt, running solo or racing with a team of your closest friends, our Special Events have something for everyone!

The final marquee motorsport event of Memorial Day weekend and a longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway tradition, the iRacing Coke 600 serves as part of the NASCAR iRacing Series schedule. It’s the second of four full-length events in the championship, which mirrors the real-world NASCAR Cup Series campaign with 36 events throughout the year.

Cars Competing

NASCAR Cup Series

To learn more about the event, its time slots, the latest information on the cars that will be competing, and everything else you need to know, visit our Special Events page or the iRacing Forums.

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NASCAR Charlotte Entry Lists

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, which means all three of NASCAR’s national series will be in action at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The three-race weekend will culminate with one of the NASCAR Cup Series’ crown-jewel events, the Coca-Cola 600. Here’s who’s entered this weekend. The Coca-Cola 600 will be held on Sunday, May 25, at […]

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Memorial Day weekend is upon us, which means all three of NASCAR’s national series will be in action at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The three-race weekend will culminate with one of the NASCAR Cup Series’ crown-jewel events, the Coca-Cola 600.

Here’s who’s entered this weekend.

The Coca-Cola 600 will be held on Sunday, May 25, at 6 p.m. ET. Amazon Prime will handle the TV coverage for NASCAR’s longest night.

Forty teams are entered, meaning that everyone will make the show, barring any entry list changes.

The NY Racing Team No. 44 will make the trip to Charlotte, but the driver has yet to be announced.

Josh Bilicki makes his return to Cup action in the No. 66 for Garage 66.

Jimmie Johnson will make his 700th Cup start in the No. 84 for Legacy Motor Club.

  • Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Mobil 1 Toyota, poses with the one million dollar check in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18, 2025 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Trackhouse Racing’s No. 87 makes a return with Connor Zilisch behind the wheel. This will be his second start in the series.

After a two-week hiatus, the NASCAR Xfinity Series is back in action. The BetMGM 300 will run on Saturday, May 24, at 4:30 p.m. ET via The CW.

There are 40 entries listed, meaning two teams will head home following qualifying, unless there are any entry list changes.

The Richard Childress Racing No. 3 returns to the Xinifty Series with Austin Dillon behind the wheel. This is Dillon’s first start in the series this year if he makes the show.

William Byron will drive the No. 17 for Hendrick Motorsports.

Chase Briscoe will make his first Xfinity start of the year in the No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Carson Ware will drive the No. 35 for Joey Gase Motorsports. The team’s No. 53 is also entered, but a driver has not yet been announced.

Brad Perez will drive the No. 45 for Alpha Prime Racing.

Zilisch returns from injury to pilot the No. 88 for JR Motorsports.

CJ McLaughlin will drive the No. 91 for DGM Racing.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will contest the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 on Friday, May 23, at 8:30 p.m. ET, on FOX Sports 1.

There are 34 trucks entered, meaning everyone makes the show after qualifying, barring any entry list changes.

Brandon Jones is back in the No. 1 for Tricon Garage.

Stefan Parsons will drive the No. 02 for Young’s Motorsports.

The No. 2 for Reaume Brothers Racing will be driven by Cody Dennison, while Mason Maggio will pilot the No. 22.

BJ McLeod will make his first truck start this season in the No. 07 for Spire Motorsports, while Kyle Busch is back in the team’s No. 7.

Niece Motorsports’ No. 44 will have Ross Chastain at the helm.

Timmy Hill will make his 500th NASCAR start in the No. 56 for Hill Motorsports.

Luke Fenhaus takes over the No. 66 for ThorSport Racing.

Justin Carroll will drive the No. 90 for Terry Carroll Motorsports.




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Joey Logano takes back critical comments of how Christopher Bell raced him in All-Star Race

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A day after finishing second in the All-Star Race and being critical of how Christopher Bell raced him for the win, Joey Logano told NBC Sports that how Bell drove him “wasn’t as bad as I thought it was.” Bell and Logano dueled much of the final 20 laps Sunday night at […]

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MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A day after finishing second in the All-Star Race and being critical of how Christopher Bell raced him for the win, Joey Logano told NBC Sports that how Bell drove him “wasn’t as bad as I thought it was.”

Bell and Logano dueled much of the final 20 laps Sunday night at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Logano blocked Bell and tried to take his lane away while Bell worked to get by. Bell made a second attempt and eventually moved Logano up the track and took the lead with 10 laps to go. Bell went on to win his first All-Star Race.

After the race, Logano expressed his displeasure with Bell’s move.

“I did all I could do to hold him off and he got under me and released the brake and gave me no option,” Logano told FS1. “Kind of just ran me up into the wall, and if I could’ve got to him, he was going around after a move like that, I just couldn’t get back to him.”

NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race

Christopher Bell has won five points races and the All-Star Race since last year’s Coca-Cola 600.

Monday, before a ceremony by the mayor of Mooresville and Town Board honoring the teams of Logano and Ryan Blaney for winning the last three Cup titles, Logano admitted he had a different take on how Bell raced him in those final laps.

“When I went back and re-watched it, I was like, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it was,” Logano told NBC Sports. “If he did that (move Logano up the track) the first time he got to me, I’d be like, ‘Dude, why would you do that?’

“But he made solid attempts to pass me. I ran him all up and down the racetrack. So I opened the door. Like at that point, I opened the door (to more aggressive racing). I had to do that to try to maintain the lead.

“But it also to me, it was like, OK, well, if you’re willing to do that, you should be able to move that person up the racetrack. Then I should have been able to get back at him.

“I set the tone that we’re going to race like assholes. It’s OK that he did that to me. But in the moment you’re just pissed, right? You’re just like, ‘He ran me up the track.’ Then when I watched it, I was like, ‘Nah, it’s probably warranted.’

“So, I shouldn’t have said that (after the race). You’re mad. It is what it is. He knocked me up and then moved me up. Would I have done the same? Probably. Especially after someone ran me all over the racetrack like I did, I probably would have done the same.

“I’m a really bad loser. I’m a sore loser. I can’t help it. It is who I am, but I think that’s also what makes us winners.”





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Adventure Golf & Sports designs and installs new 18-hole mini golf course near Louisiana motorsports park

An 18-hole Bunkers & Bumps-style course was recently designed and installed by Adventure Golf & Sports (AGS) on property owned by the NOLA Motorsports Park on the outskirts of New Orleans in Avondale, Louisiana. The park plans to brand the mini golf course along with oversized yard games, arcade games, a future craft pizza kitchen […]

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An 18-hole Bunkers & Bumps-style course was recently designed and installed by Adventure Golf & Sports (AGS) on property owned by the NOLA Motorsports Park on the outskirts of New Orleans in Avondale, Louisiana. The park plans to brand the mini golf course along with oversized yard games, arcade games, a future craft pizza kitchen and sports bar + coffee bar along with existing Go-Karting as “Throttle & Swing” – and promote it as a new FEC adjacent to the automotive racetrack.

When David Pace, CEO of NOLA Motorsports, arrived in 2020, there was a Go Kart track on a piece of property that added some value to the racetrack and was doing well financially. “But it needed something else to add to it,” says Pace. “Driving 20 minutes to half an hour just to spend eight minutes on Go Karts and then you’re done and you’re like ‘what else is there to do?’ I had to figure out what was the best piece to add to it. After spending some time doing a lot of research, visiting a lot of places, going to IAAPA [Expo] and also spending some time with the locals doing surveys, ‘mini golf’ came up more than one time. So that’s what drove me down this route and I knew from my research, seeing what PopStroke has done with Tiger Woods, that that was the new fad.

“The newest, hottest site out there is a mini golf course that looks like a real course, not something with windmills and animation. So that’s kind of why we went this route. And after meeting with AGS at IAAPA and talking to a couple different places, I realized they had the ability and seemed like the best group for us to head down this path.”

According to AGS, the Bunkers & Bumps-style mini golf course they designed and installed over the top of a portion of a huge asphalt parking lot adjacent to the motorsports park is an eco-friendly, miniaturized professional-looking golf course using interlocking, patented, permeable panels. “We had to do some site work prior to them getting here,” says Pace. “We just had to create a drainage field underneath and cover it with a layer of sand. Then we turned it over to them.” AGS used various layers and permeable turf to cover the panels, creating slopes, rolling terrain and faux sand bunkers. Unlike traditional mini golf that often uses bricks, walls, obstacles and theme elements for boundaries, Bunkers & Bumps relies on various terrain designs and rough turf to shape holes.

AGS used 75,000 pounds of recycled rubber to create elevation changes on the course, with some of the hole elevations changing three to five feet. “It’s quite a challenging course,” says Dustin Tandy, the AGS crew supervisor of the installation. “Players really need skill to read the greens.”

“It’s an 18-hole miniature golf course offering families a fun experience,” says Pace. “It’s larger than most 18-hole miniature golf courses and it’s got two cups per hole and one of them is always plugged, so we’re able to make it so that the experience is never the same. We can rotate the holes that are plugged or unplugged anytime we want.

“[AGS] did a really good job. There was a lot of ad-lib where we had to move away from the actual drawing and use the landscaping as it falls and be creative. They did a good job with that. My sales contact and all the office staff were great to work with as well.”





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Claremont Motorsports Park returns to action Friday Night, May 23 – eagletimes.com

CLAREMONT, N.H. ― After a stretch of challenging weather conditions across the Northeast, Claremont Motorsports Park is thrilled to kick off the action on Memorial Day weekend, Friday night, May 23. Racers and fans alike have been eagerly anticipating the return of high-speed excitement, and the upcoming event promises to deliver just that. Headlining the […]

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CLAREMONT, N.H. ― After a stretch of challenging weather conditions across the Northeast, Claremont Motorsports Park is thrilled to kick off the action on Memorial Day weekend, Friday night, May 23. Racers and fans alike have been eagerly anticipating the return of high-speed excitement, and the upcoming event promises to deliver just that.

Headlining the night’s racing card is the NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series, showcasing thrilling competition in multiple divisions. Fans can look forward to the Asetex Tire and Auto 604 Modifieds, the R. E, Hinkley Super Streets, and the much-anticipated return of the Outlaw Late Models. Additionally, the Lavalley Building Supply Pure Stocks, JP’s Trucking Ridge Runners and a special Appearance by the Jr Champs Karts form the Claremont Karting Series, promising more wheel-to-wheel action and intense battles for position.

With the weather finally cooperating, Claremont Motorsports Park is ready to welcome back its dedicated community of fans and drivers. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the first green flag waves at 7. Be sure to join us for an unforgettable night of racing and help us kick off Memorial Day weekend in high gear.

For more information, visit claremontmotorsportspark.com or on social media. 


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Long: Is it time for North Wilkesboro to host a NASCAR Cup points race? Here’s an idea

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — Talk started this weekend and grew after 250 laps of the best racing on a short track that NASCAR Cup fans have seen this year. Is it time for North Wilkesboro to host a points race and move the All-Star Race to another venue? Brad Keselowski suggested this weekend that NASCAR […]

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NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — Talk started this weekend and grew after 250 laps of the best racing on a short track that NASCAR Cup fans have seen this year.

Is it time for North Wilkesboro to host a points race and move the All-Star Race to another venue?

Brad Keselowski suggested this weekend that NASCAR do so. He said the All-Star Race should move to Charlotte Motor Speedway. And then, he said, get rid of the Roval race.

Ryan Blaney said after Sunday night’s All-Star Race that he liked Keselowski’s idea.

NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race

Brad Keselowski made his comments after winning the pole for Sunday’s All-Star Race.

But let’s hold off just yet on moving the All-Star Race.

This was the second year since a repave. The track widened Sunday and the racing showed with an All-Star record 18 lead changes. The track should continue to get better.

“I thought the race tonight was really, really good,” Kyle Busch told NBC Sports. “Put on a good show. There was actually a pass for the lead in the final 30 laps.”

Busch would like to see the All-Star Race remain at North Wilkesboro.

“I think it’s good right now,” he said. “Let’s leave it good for as long as it is.”

NASCAR: NASCAR All-Star Race

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver earned his first All-Star Race victory.

So, here’s a thought.

Keep the All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro another year. NASCAR can then give this historic track in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains a points race in 2027.

That could allow NASCAR to move the All-Star Race to Bowman Gray Stadium, giving that track an event in May the week before the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR then could move the season-opening Clash to another location, possibly an international destination. With no races before the Clash and a weekend off between it and the Daytona 500, NASCAR would have the flexibility to move the Clash outside the United States, a concept series officials want to do.

Also, making this change in 2027 gives NASCAR an additional year to figure out what track would lose a points race to North Wilkesboro. Much work has already gone into next year’s schedule at this point.

Let’s be honest, a short track should host the All-Star Race. The fans are close to the track and provide an energy and vibe that is harder for bigger tracks to replicate even with more people in the stands.

The All-Star Race is about energy. Drivers are introduced to fans while a DJ plays music and flames shoot skyward. At North Wilkesboro, drivers and their pit crews walk to the stands, high-fiving fans and throwing hats into the crowd.

North Wilkesboro is legendary for its fan interaction, whether it was fans tossing chicken bones after they finished eating to cheering local hero Junior Johnson’s drivers.

NASCAR: NASCAR All-Star Race

What NASCAR Cup Series drivers were talking about after Sunday’s All-Star Race extravaganza at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

“Man, they show up, and it’s just absolutely incredible,” All-Star Race winner Christopher Bell said of the North Wilkesboro crowd.

“We go out for driver intros and the place was packed. … We need more events like this, more races like this. I love that we revived this racetrack, and now with Rockingham getting revived and had an amazing Xfinity race. I think just continuing to go to different racetracks, that’s the key for success.

“You can’t just beat the same racetracks up over and over and go to them twice a year. I think continuing to diversify the schedule, get to where we’re going to every venue one time a year, and I think you’re going to see the crowds engage and have awesome electricity throughout the races. And yeah, it really is awesome to be a part of.”

Imagine what it could be like for a points race.





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