The Goodwood Festival of Speed returns July 10-13, and Subaru Motorsports USA says that it is set to make its mark at the annual event once again. With a proven track record and fan-favorite drivers at the helm, the team is coming back to the South of England with eyes on the podium and to continue a lineage that helped shape rally history, stated company officials in a press release.

At his debut at the 2024 Festival, Scott Speed and the WRX: Project Midnight recorded the fastest internal combustion engine (ICE) time and ran neck-and-neck with electric competitors with triple the power. The duo is back for 2025, and Speed says, “Project Midnight is an amazing car. And Goodwood is a special event. I can’t wait to run it up that hill again.”

The car is brutally loud, shooting flames out of the hood as it charges toward its nearly 10,000 rpm redline—an unmistakable presence on the hill, noted the release.

Extreme Sports Icon Travis Pastrana Will Also Be Driving for Subaru Motorsports USA

Subaru Motorsports USA driver and extreme sports icon Travis Pastrana will also return to this year’s Festival of Speed. He will be behind the wheel of the class-leading WRX ARA25 on the gravel of Goodwood’s storied rally stage. With his characteristic energy and flair, Pastrana is set to thrill in the American Rally Association (ARA) Open 4WD class car.

“I’m stoked to be in the O4WD car again,” Pastrana says. “It’ll take a second to get used to it, but I always have fun driving for that crowd. We’re gonna have a great time.”

Celebrating Racing Legends & Anniversaries

As Goodwood celebrates 30 years since Colin McRae’s title-winning season, Subaru says its presence on the rally stage carries added weight. With several of McRae’s own cars running alongside the WRX ARA25, the moment is both a tribute and a reminder: the spirit that defined an era continues today—loud, fast, and still wearing the same iconic colors.

From classic motorsport icons and rare hypercars to experimental hybrids and full-electric mobility platforms, the 2025 Festival promises a diverse lineup. And with Formula 1’s 75th anniversary as a central theme, fans can expect to see legends of speed from every corner of the racing world.

If you’ve noticed more shopping centers where burnout boxes used to be, you’re not hallucinating. Across the U.S., drag strips, dirt ovals, and road courses are quietly vanishing—not because fans stopped showing up, but because developers showed up with fatter wallets. American motorsports is being squeezed out by a monster far more ruthless than any top-fueler: real estate.

The Profit Behind the Pavement

Let’s cut the nostalgia for a second and talk hard numbers. Many tracks sit on massive plots of flat, conveniently zoned land near suburban growth corridors. To a developer, that’s not a venue—it’s a blank check. In cities where housing is in “crisis,” any large plot of land not being used to cram in condos or strip malls is a missed opportunity.

Take Atlanta Dragway. NHRA sold the 318-acre facility in 2021 after more than 60 years of operation. The buyer? A development firm reportedly planning an industrial complex. “It’s just business,” said NHRA brass, likely while swimming through a pool of cash like Scrooge McDuck.

Noise Complaints: The Convenient Excuse

Every time a racetrack closes, you’ll hear the same refrain: “residential complaints.” And sure, there’s some truth there. Nobody likes sleeping next to a nitro-methane symphony. But let’s be honest—those complaints don’t usually surface until after the developer builds a neighborhood right next to the track.

In some cases, this is strategic. Develop the land, build the homes, let the homeowners complain, and pressure the local government to revoke permits or restrict operations. Then the track gets strangled by noise ordinances, and guess who’s waiting with a “fair market value” offer?

Local Governments: Partners in Crime

You’d think local officials might protect venues that bring tourism, revenue, and culture to a community. Think again. Politicians love ribbon cuttings. It’s a lot more glamorous to announce a new distribution center or suburban tech campus than to stand next to a tire wall and talk about heritage.

Motorsports rarely gets tax breaks or incentives. Developers do. So when it comes time to “revitalize” an area, the track is the first thing on the chopping block.

Who Wins? Not You

The big winners? Developers, obviously. National chains. Corporate landlords. Maybe the town gets some new property tax revenue, maybe not. The racers? They get nothing but a longer drive to the next legal track—if there even is one.

And the fans? We’re just supposed to get over it. Trade the scent of burnt rubber for faux artisan coffee and yet another Planet Fitness.

The Bigger Consequence: Nowhere Left to Race

This isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about infrastructure. Take away legal venues, and people will find alternatives. Uncontrolled ones. Street takeovers are skyrocketing, and media outlets love to lump every car enthusiast into the same crowd. But they’re not the same—and part of the reason chaos is winning is because structure is losing.

Can It Be Stopped?

Kind of. Maybe. But it requires effort. Tracks need to own their land, rally their communities, and make themselves politically valuable. Fans need to show up, not just comment angrily when a closure is announced. And local governments? They need to stop chasing every shiny development deal like it’s the last golden ticket.

Until then, the real race isn’t on the quarter mile. It’s between bulldozers and burnout boxes—and we’re losing.

The lawsuit between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR is set for December 1st, but another legal battle between the parties has been raging in the meantime. Here’s how we all got to this point:

Prior to the start of the 2025 season, the teams were granted a preliminary injunction to keep their charters while the lawsuit was ongoing in order to avoid irreparable harm. However, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, recently overturned that decision.

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On May 9th, Judge Paul Victor Niemeyer, Judge Steven Agee, and Judge Stephanie Thacker heard arguments from both NASCAR’s lead attorney, Chris Yates, as well as the team’s lead attorney, Jeffrey Kessler.

On June 5th, this trio of judges decided to revoke the injunction, claiming the teams cannot agree to parts of the 2025 Charter Agreement and benefit from it while suing NASCAR for the parts they disagree with. The courts told Kessler, “you can’t have your cake and eat it too” before making the decision.

Request denied

Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports Ford; Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota

The teams pushed back, attempting to appeal the decision by requesting a rehearing with the entire Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. As of Wednesday, July 9th, that request has been denied.

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It’s unclear what other options (if any) the teams have at this point, which means they are likely going to lose their charters within seven days. If that happens, then 23XI and FRM will each bring three cars to Dover Motor Speedway as open entries.

Along with having to qualify on time, the teams will suffer significant financial losses and certain contracts will be voided. No one knows what will become of the six charters they currently hold, including two that they purchased from Stewart-Haas Racing (with help from the courts) last year.

23XI fielded a fourth, part-time entry as an open car at Chicago last weekend with Corey Heim, and he ultimately missed the race. While DNQs are uncommon in modern NASCAR as entry lists rarely exceed the 40-car maximum, it’s still an uncomfortable position to be in.

23XI’s full-time entries include the No. 23 of Bubba Wallace, the No. 35 of Riley Herbst, and the No. 45 of Tyler Reddick. FRM fields the No. 4 of Noah Gragson, the No. 34 of Todd Gilliland, and the No. 38 of Zane Smith.

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Read Also:

23XI and FRM make final effort to save charters, claim ruling sets “dangerous precedent”

Without charters, what would happen to 23XI and FRM as open teams?

Judge warns 23XI and FRM “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”

23XI and FRM likely to lose NASCAR charters after major loss in U.S. Court of Appeals

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Highlights inside and outside the World’s Fastest One-Mile Oval abound when the BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race hits the concrete on Saturday, July 19.

The BetRivers 200 is the 79th NASCAR Xfinity Series race held at The Monster Mile, with past winners including current NASCAR Cup Series stars Kyle Busch (five wins), Christopher Bell (two wins), Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano (four wins) and Kyle Larson. Dover Motor Speedway has hosted at least one NASCAR Xfinity Series race every year since 1982.

See below for highlights fans can look forward to on Saturday, July 19:

• Grand Marshal: NXT Superstar Ethan Page is scheduled to be the grand marshal for the BetRivers 200, giving the command for all drivers to start their engines. Page, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound Stony Creek, Ontario, Canada, native, recently won the NXT North American Championship.
• Top Contenders: NASCAR Xfinity Series points leader Justin Allgaier has collected two Dover Xfinity Series wins (2018, 2020) and is a top contender for a third Monster Trophy. Driving the No. 7 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, Allgaier, the defending NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, already has three wins this season and 11 top-10 finishes (through Chicago). Sam Mayer, tied for second in NASCAR Xfinity Series points, is a two-time Dover winner in the ARCA Menards Series East (2019, 2020). Austin Hill, tied for second in NASCAR Xfinity Series points, is also a two-time Dover winner in the ARCA Menards Series East (2013, 2014) and also has three NASCAR Xfinity Series victories this season.
• Saturday, July 19 BetRivers 200 Daily Schedule
  • 9 a.m. Fan Zone/Miles Beach, presented by Visit Delaware open
  • 11 a.m. Grandstand Gates 3, 11, 19/20 & Suite Gate open
  • 11 a.m. BetRivers 200 Practice
  • 12:05 p.m. BetRivers 200 Qualifying
  • 4 p.m. BetRivers 200 Driver Introductions
  • 4:30 p.m. BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Race
  • 6 p.m. Mike Hines & The Look Concert, Crown Royal Stage at Miles Beach
  • 6 p.m. Monster Mile Bash, presented by THOR, at Miles Beach, presented by Visit Delaware
  • 9 p.m. Fireworks, presented by Visit Central Delaware
• WHITE LIGHTNING Bar + Arcade, presented by BetRivers: An indoor/outdoor hangout for campers and fans to enjoy all weekend, featuring a full bar with Anheuser-Busch and Crown Royal products as well as more than a dozen classic arcade favorites is named for the original nickname of Dover Motor Speedway’s concrete track.
• 50/50 Raffle, presented by BetRivers: Try your luck throughout the weekend and help area children with this Speedway Children’s Charities, Dover Motor Speedway chapter The winning ticket will be drawn and announced on Monday, July 21.
  • Rules:
    • You must claim prize within 30 days of draw date.
    • 50 percent of the proceeds will go to help local children; the other 50 percent will be YOURS!
  • Purchase Options:
    • 2 tickets for $10
    • 20 tickets for $20
    • 80 tickets for $40
    • BONUS BUY: 400 tickets for $100

Purchase near the Track Treasures trailer near the Monster Monument, or from teams selling raffle tickets in BetRivers gear, who will be positioned throughout the Speedway on race weekend.

BetRivers is operated by Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI).

NASCAR TICKETS:

Dover Motor Speedway’s full 2025 race schedule includes:

• Friday, July 18: General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series race (5 p.m., FS1)
• Saturday, July 19: BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race (4:30 p.m., The CW, Performance Racing Network)
• Sunday, July 20: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race (2 p.m., TNT, Performance Racing Network)

2025 marks 56 consecutive years that Dover Motor Speedway has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series event. The Monster Mile is one of only 10 tracks in the country to host 100 or more NASCAR Cup Series races.

The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race is race No. 4 in NASCAR on TNT’s debut five-race in-season tournament, which runs through July 27 (Indianapolis).

Visit DoverMotorSpeedway.com to buy tickets or register for the Speedway’s email list to receive updates and announcements.

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Keep track of all of Dover Motor Speedway’s events by following on Facebook, X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok (@MonsterMile). Keep up with all the latest information on DoverMotorSpeedway.com and our mobile app.

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