Motorsports

Logano ‘Has Chipper Jones ever driven a race car?’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joey Logano wondered Tuesday if Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones had ever driven a race car at Talladega after the former Atlanta Braves slugger criticized the NASCAR champion in a series of social media posts. Jones was defending Austin Cindric, winner of Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway, after Team Penske […]

Published

2 weeks ago

April 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Jones was defending Austin Cindric, winner of Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway, after Team Penske teammate Logano unleashed an expletive-laden rant about Cindric around the halfway mark of the race. Logano was furious that he did not receive the help he needed from Cindric, which allowed rival Toyota driver Bubba Wallace to win the second stage and earn valuable bonus points.

“Way to go Austin. Way to go. You dumb (expletive). Way to (expletive) go,” Logano said on his team radio. “What a stupid (expletive). He just gave it to him. Gave Toyota a stage win. Nice job. Way to go. What the (expletive).”

Jones was angered by Logano’s rant and in six social media posts congratulated Cindric, called Logano selfish and celebrated Logano being disqualified for failing postrace inspection.

“Good teammates are hard to come by, Boss! Remember that one of urs MFed u on national tv, when in all actuality, u did everything possible to keep from wrecking him,” Jones wrote. “Some people are ‘hooray for our team as long as I’m the star’ as every team has them. Hendrick, RCR, JGR, Penske, etc. Sometimes karma is glorious.”

When told of Jones’ comments on a Tuesday appearance of SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s “The Morning Drive,” Logano said he was unaware of them. Once he was told, Logano asked: “Has Chipper Jones ever driven a race car at Talladega? That would be my first question. I’m pretty certain he hasn’t.

“That’s like me saying something about baseball. I know nothing about baseball. That’s like me saying something that he did something in baseball that was wrong. That doesn’t matter.”

Logano continued by saying that as a former professional athlete, Jones should understand there was more to the situation than what he saw on television. Jones grew up outside Daytona International Speedway and was once the grand marshal for the Daytona 500.

“Chipper Jones, he seems like a cool dude, he’s done a lot, right? He’s a pretty popular, good baseball player, but he’s not a race car driver, and I know he wasn’t in the room with us when we set in place the way things are supposed to go,” Logano said. “You would think somebody that has been in professional sports and has been in meetings like that would probably take a step back and say, ‘Man, there’s probably more to the story here than what there is.’ I’m surprised it went that way. Maybe he was just bored. I don’t know what his situation is. I tell you I don’t care.”

Logano said he and Cindric cleared the air in Penske’s Monday meeting.

“Austin and I talked about it. We’ve got to move forward. That’s what it is,” he said. “I explained my side. He understood. We move on. There’s no sense in airing our dirty laundry and airing out what the actual rules are because that’s private information that doesn’t need to be out to everybody. But the facts are that what we set in place wasn’t happening and that’s why I got frustrated. Like I said, we talked about it and we moved on.”

Logano did acknowledge that he probably should not have hit the radio button and “spouted off so much.”

“Probably blew up into a little bigger situation than it needed to, but the conversation, either way, needed to happen. Just more people are talking about it now,” he added.

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Motorsports

TV channel, schedule from North Wilkesboro

Daytona Motor Mouths: Kyle Larson wins at Kansas. Next up, Indy 500 The guys start with the Indianapolis 500 and Kyle Larson’s double attempt after his win at Kansas. Then, they discuss the NASCAR All-Star Race. As Monty Python would say, “And now for something completely different.” Drivers will practice entering and exiting the pits. […]

Published

39 minutes ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

As Monty Python would say, “And now for something completely different.”

Drivers will practice entering and exiting the pits. Crews will practice, and compete, during what happens between that entrance and exit.

We’ll see heat races as well as something resembling the Last Chance Qualifier you get at the local short-track show.

But there will also be racing, and it’ll look rather familiar. Even the venue is starting to look familiar again. This is Year 3 for ancient North Wilkesboro Speedway to welcome NASCAR’s annual All-Star Race weekend. At five-eighths of a mile with a little bit of banking in the corners (14 degrees), it can be a racy little joint.

There will be plenty of opportunities to showcase that possibility over the next few days.

Friday: North Wilkesboro pit road is host to action

4 p.m.: Pit Road qualifying entry/exit practice (FS2).

5 p.m.: All-Star practice (FS2).

6 p.m.: Qualifying/All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (FS1).

$100,000 on the line.
The NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear returns to North Wilkesboro Friday, May 16!

Top crews battle for:
• $100K & the trophy
• All-Star/Open starting spots
• Bragging rights under the lights

Tickets: https://t.co/hzpDM1JsMH pic.twitter.com/KjUjLDUlGp

— RCW Sports (@RoCoWXSports) May 12, 2025

Saturday: NASCAR Truck Series race, All-Star heats take over

9:35 a.m.: Truck Series practice (FS2).

10:35 a.m.: Truck Series qualifying (FS2).

1:30 p.m.: Truck Series, Window World 250 (FS1).

5:10 p.m.: All-Star Race, Heat 1 (FS2).

6:15 p.m.: All-Star Race, Heat 2 (FS2).

Sunday: NASCAR at North Wilkesboro gets All-Star treatment

5 p.m.: All-Star Open (FS1).

8 p.m.: Cup Series All-Star Race (FS1).

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Motorsports

Guess who tops our list. Yes, Kyle Larson

Daytona Beach News-Journal Daytona Motor Mouths: Kyle Larson wins at Kansas. Next up, Indy 500 The guys start with the Indianapolis 500 and Kyle Larson’s double attempt after his win at Kansas. Then, they discuss the NASCAR All-Star Race. The top of this list is a pretty easy slot to fill. The rest? Not so […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Daytona Beach News-Journal

The top of this list is a pretty easy slot to fill. The rest? Not so much.

Let’s take a look at our updated NASCAR Power Rankings as we head into All-Star weekend with one-third of the 2025 Cup Series season behind us.

1. Kyle Larson

Kind of a no-brainer, wouldn’t you say? About all he can’t do right now is control the Indy weather, and boy does he wish he could.

2. Christopher Bell

A strong second at Kansas, but second. Don’t count the superspeedways, and a 29th at Homestead is his only misstep of the year.

3. Ryan Blaney

Gaining on a trophy. Had back-to-back podium finishes at Texas and Kansas.

4. William Byron

Had a rare bad finish last week. Lost official points lead to Larson.

5. Chase Elliott

Might win All-Star Race. Might not. Billy Clyde needs to win somewhere, though.

6. Joey Logano

Won last year’s All-Star Race. He won’t repeat.

7. Denny Hamlin

Last three finishes: 21st, 38th, 36th.

8. Ross Chastain

Middle name is Lee. Some literally think it’s “The Boss”.

9. Chase Briscoe

Here’s a guy with TWO middle names: Chase David Wayne Briscoe.

10. Chris Buescher

After three weeks in the wilderness, returned to top 10 at Kansas.

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Motorsports

NASCAR Night and Blowfish Baseball will feature a Pelion youngster who has dreams of one day racing against the best

Racing and baseball are on the Lexington County Baseball schedule on June 7 as NASCAR Night will feature 11-year-old racer Kenneth Blevins, Jr. from Pelion. LEXINGTON, S.C. — Opening Night for the Lexington County Blowfish is Friday, May 30 and that will be the first game of the 20th season of Blowfish Baseball. Part of […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Racing and baseball are on the Lexington County Baseball schedule on June 7 as NASCAR Night will feature 11-year-old racer Kenneth Blevins, Jr. from Pelion.

LEXINGTON, S.C. — Opening Night for the Lexington County Blowfish is Friday, May 30 and that will be the first game of the 20th season of Blowfish Baseball.

Part of the 20th anniversary season is a special NASCAR Night on June 7 and it will feature a local youngster who has dreams of competing in Formula One.

Kenneth Blevins, Jr, an 11-year-old from Pelion, has had quite the start to his racing career.

The Pelion Elementary fifth-grader has a pair of championship trophies which he won a couple of weeks ago. In late April, Kenneth was in Concord, N.C. where he finished first in the K1 Speed United States Junior Division. That was followed by a trip to California where he won the K1 Speed E-World Championship in the Junior Division, claiming the $8,000 1st place prize.

Kenneth is interested in two very different forms of racing, He has grown up in a NASCAR state but his goal is to one day, compete in Formula One. But he says his favorite driver is Chase Elliott who drives on the NASCAR tour for Rick Hendrick Motorsports.

In an effort to promote Kenneth and his racing endeavors, Kenneth will be a part of NASCAR Night with the Blowfish as he will be signing autographs on that June 7 evening of celebrating baseball and racing.

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Motorsports

All-Star Race North Wilkesboro weekend schedule, TV info for NASCAR Cup and Truck

The NASCAR All-Star Race returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third consecutive year with a few new wrinkles in the race format and schedule at the 0.625-mile oval in North Carolina. Cup cars will be on track for practice and qualifying Friday, two heat races to set the main event field Saturday and then […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The NASCAR All-Star Race returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third consecutive year with a few new wrinkles in the race format and schedule at the 0.625-mile oval in North Carolina.

Cup cars will be on track for practice and qualifying Friday, two heat races to set the main event field Saturday and then the Open and All-Star Race will be Sunday night.

The main event will feature a “promoter’s caution” that can be thrown ahead of Lap 220 of 250. A new “Manufacturer Showdown” will pit Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota in a battle for the best combined overall finish in the All-Star Race.

The Pit Crew Challenge also will be held during qualifying Friday and determine pit selection for Sunday’s 250-lap main event.

A ‘Manufacturer Showdown’ also will be featured in the annual exhibition race.

Joey Logano is the defending winner of the All-Star Race. Kyle Larson won the 2023 inaugural All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro.

The CARS Tour, Camping World Truck Series and Whelen Modified Tour also will be racing at North Wilkesboro this weekend.

Joey Logano won last year’s All-Star Race, leading 199 of 200 laps.

All-Star Race schedule at North Wilkesboro

(All Times Eastern)

Friday, May 16

Garage open

10:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. — Cup
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Truck Series

Track activity

5:05 – 5:50 p.m. — Cup practice (FS2, MRN)
6:10 – 6:50 p.m. — Cup Open qualifying (FS1, MRN)
7:05 – 8 p.m. — Cup All-Star Race qualifying/Pit Crew Challenge (FS1, MRN)
8:15 p.m. — CARS Tour race (100 laps, FS1, Flo Racing)

Saturday, May 17

Garage open

8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. — Truck Series
1:30 – 7:30 p.m. — Cup

Track activity

9:35 – 10:30 a.m. — Truck practice (FS2)
10:35 – 11:30 a.m. — Truck qualifying (FS2)
1:30 p.m. — Truck race (250 laps, 156.25 miles, Stage 1 at Lap 70, Stage 2 at Lap 140; FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
5:10 p.m. — All-Star Race Heat 1 (75 laps, 46.875 miles, FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
6:15 p.m. — All-Star Race Heat 2 (75 laps, 46.875 miles, FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Sunday, May 18

Garage open

7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. — Whelen Modified Tour
2 – 11:55 p.m. — Cup

Track activity

10:15 – 10:45 a.m. — Whelen Modified Tour practice
10:55 – 11:25 a.m. — Whelen Modified Tour practice
12:45 – 1:15 p.m. — Whelen Modified Tour qualifying
2 p.m. — Whelen Modified Tour race (150 laps, 93.75 miles, Flo Racing, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR)
5:30 p.m. — All-Star Open (100 laps, 62.5 miles, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR)
8 p.m. — All-Star Race (250 laps, 156.25 miles, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR)

Weekend weather

Friday: Cloudy with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. A high of 86 degrees and winds from the west-southwest at 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Cloudy with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. A high of 85 degrees and winds from the west-southwest at 10 to 20 mph. It’s expected to be 82 degrees with a 15% chance of rain at the start of the Truck race. It’s expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 82 degrees and a 15% chance of rain at the start of the first of the two Cup heat races.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a high of 84 degrees and winds from the west at 5 to 10 mph. It’s expected to be 75 degrees with a 1% chance of rain at the start of the All-Star Race.

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Motorsports

FIA announces significant changes to controversial driver misconduct regulations

Entering the 2025 world motorsport season, there was a substantial talking point that dominated discussion, including in Formula 1. Driver misconduct. Last winter, the FIA introduced a controversial “Appendix B,” instituting new penalties for driver misconduct, including swearing. With penalties accelerating based on the number of violations and the series involved — with the most […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Entering the 2025 world motorsport season, there was a substantial talking point that dominated discussion, including in Formula 1.

Driver misconduct.

Last winter, the FIA introduced a controversial “Appendix B,” instituting new penalties for driver misconduct, including swearing. With penalties accelerating based on the number of violations and the series involved — with the most significant financial penalties reserved for F1 drivers — and potential suspensions and sporting penalties on the table, many wondered if Appendix B would impact the future of motorsport.

However, the FIA is taking a step back.

The governing body unveiled a series of changes to Appendix B on Wednesday, changes that not only reduce the maximum financial penalties but also give race officials the option to suspend penalties fully for certain breaches.

In a statement released by the FIA, the motorsport governing body outlined that the “base maximum penalty has been reduced generally from €10,000 to €5,000. This is a reduction of 50%. However, for FIA World Championships, where multipliers were involved, the reductions will be even more significant.”

Race stewards not only can fully suspend penalties for a driver’s first infraction, but can “differentiate between controlled and non-controlled environments.” While driver conduct will be governed in “controlled” environments such as press conferences, comments made in the heat of the moment — such as on the track or during a rally stage — will fall under the “non-controlled” category.

The FIA also stated that “[m]itigating circumstances will continue to be considered” under the revised Appendix B.

You can read the fully revised Appendix B here.

“As a former rally driver, I know firsthand the range of emotions that are faced during competition. I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships, FIA Member Clubs and other motor sports organisations,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“The improvements the FIA has announced today to Appendix B will ensure we continue to promote the best of sportsmanship in motor sport, while also giving Stewards effective guidelines to act against individuals who may bring the sport into disrepute. The FIA will always be committed to ensuring motor sport is accessible for all our sporting family.”

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Motorsports

Motorsport’s world governing body dials back driver cursing penalties after major outcry

By Ben Morse, CNN (CNN) — The FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, announced on Wednesday a major dialing back of the penalties issued to drivers for cursing after a groundswell of opposition towards the new regulations. In rules introduced by the FIA ahead of the season, F1 drivers could be penalized – with monetary fines […]

Published

3 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By Ben Morse, CNN

(CNN) — The FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, announced on Wednesday a major dialing back of the penalties issued to drivers for cursing after a groundswell of opposition towards the new regulations.

In rules introduced by the FIA ahead of the season, F1 drivers could be penalized – with monetary fines or loss of championship points – for cursing in press conferences.

Fines started at €40,000 ($41,600) for a driver’s first offense, with it doubling for a second breach of the rules as well as a suspended one-month ban. A third offense would potentially bring about a €120,000 ($125,000) fine, a one-month ban and the loss of championship points.

But the FIA scaled back those regulations on Wednesday after continued complaints from high-level F1 drivers.

Following the amendment of Appendix B in FIA International Sporting Code, the base maximum penalties for drivers will be reduced generally from €10,000 ($11,210) to €5,000 ($5,600) – a reduction of 50% – although “for FIA World Championships, where multipliers were involved, the reductions will be even more significant,” the governing body said.

The FIA also said that stewards can suspend a penalty in certain cases if it’s a first offense by a driver or team. Stewards will also be permitted to adjudge whether language was used in “controlled” or “uncontrolled” environments to assess whether a penalty is deemed necessary – a “controlled” environment is defined as a press conferences and an “uncontrolled” environment is a “spontaneous comments made by drivers or teams when on track or during a rally stage.”

The new guidelines also state that “abuse of officials will now result in sporting penalties rather than fines, aligning motor sport with other major global sports organizations.”

“As a former rally driver, I know firsthand the range of emotions that are faced during competition. I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships, FIA Member Clubs and other motor sports organizations,” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said.

The original penalties implemented before this season were criticized by many F1 drivers who thought they were excessive. Drivers, including reigning world champion Max Verstappen, also complained about the lack of dialogue between them and the FIA around addressing any issues.

Ronan Morgan, president of the drivers’ committee, said that the changing of the rules around cursing “further strengthen the FIA’s International Sporting Code supporting our drivers by understanding the pressures they face during the heat of competition.”

“Drivers are looked up to as role models by young fans and are rightly seen as ambassadors for the wider world of motor sport, how they act really does matter but it is important to recognize that there is a difference between what is said during a race and in a press conference,” Morgan said.

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