Motorsports
Motion Motorsport Report for InsideTrackNews.com – May 22, 2025
Dave Mathers This coming weekend is my favourite of the racing year: Monaco in the morning (church), Indy in the afternoon, and Charlotte at night. It just doesn’t get any better than that. Have the wheels already fallen off the all-new and improved International Hot Rod Association (IHRA)? Maryland International Raceway, the track IHRA initially […]
This coming weekend is my favourite of the racing year: Monaco in the morning (church), Indy in the afternoon, and Charlotte at night. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Have the wheels already fallen off the all-new and improved International Hot Rod Association (IHRA)? Maryland International Raceway, the track IHRA initially claimed they intended to purchase (a claim denied by MIR), has announced the cancellation of the President’s Cup Nationals originally scheduled for August 8–9. Hmmm.
After Chris Buescher’s Ford was taken back to NASCAR’s R&D facility following the Kansas race, it was found that “the team exceeded the maximum reinforcement allowed for front bumper covers.” Really? How is that against the rules? Penalties, suspensions, and fines followed. Hopefully a full and clear explanation of this disqualification will be released. Further reports indicated the team used “too much foam” behind the front bumper!
Great news from Indy – all reserved seating at the facility has sold out. That means about 350,000 fans will be enjoying the race this Sunday! You just have to love it.
It was tough deciding whether to watch the All-Star Race or the Leafs game. Once again, the Leafs made that decision easy – as they’ve done for the past 58 years!
CASC-OR is back in action May 31 – June 1 at Shannonville Motorsport Park for its second Road Race Series event of the season, the SMP Cup.
Wasaga Beach Cruisers: They are holding their Cruise Fest on Saturday, June 21 in Klondike Park in Wasaga Beach, ON. Their weekly Monday night cruise events started May 12 at the Stonebridge Gazebo across from the Walmart parking lot. The cruise nights start between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. and run until dusk. Click HERE for more information.
NASCAR Cup – The starting lineup for the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway had Shane van Gisbergen on the pole over Carson Hocevar (both in Chevrolets) and Noah Gragson (Ford). Eighteen cars took the green, with the top three advancing to the All-Star Race. On Lap 8, John Hunter Nemechek executed a textbook “bump and run” on Gragson, who dropped back to ninth but continued. A pre-planned competition caution came out at halfway. On the restart, Hocevar led Michael McDowell and Bubba Wallace – all of whom took two tires only. On Lap 78, McDowell appeared to bump Riley Herbst into the wall, bringing out another caution. The race ran cleanly to the finish, with Hocevar winning over Nemechek and Ty Dillon.
Brad Keselowski qualified on the pole for the All-Star Race, followed by Christopher Bell and Joey Logano. Meanwhile, NASCAR’s AI seemed to be “having a moment.” At Lap 6 of the 75-lap race, it posted: “With just two laps remaining, Christopher Bell holds the lead in the No. 20 Toyota. Bell, who started from the pole, has dominated the event, leading 67 laps and maintaining an average running – ” Huh?
The first yellow came on Lap 56 when Daniel Suarez had a flat right front tire and hit the wall. A competition caution followed on Lap 101. On Lap 112, Ross Chastain spun and made contact with Austin Cindric – the two had previously tangled. On Lap 174, Keselowski got loose in Turn 4 and hit the wall, prompting another caution. Bell went on to win over Logano and Chastain.
Next race: Charlotte, Sunday, 6:00 p.m. on TSN 5.
Barrie Automotive Flea Market: The 41st annual Spring Barrie Automotive Flea Market (BAFM) takes place June 5-8 at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds just off Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte. BAFM offers everything from collectibles and classic cars to those hard-to-find car parts. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you likely can’t find it anywhere. BAFM is a car lover’s dream! Visit www.thebafm.com or call (705) 487-3663 for info.
Xfinity Series next race: Charlotte, Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on USA and CW.
NASCAR Craftsman Trucks – Points leader Corey Heim (Toyota) won the pole at North Wilkesboro over Cup interloper Kyle Busch and Sammy Smith (both in Chevrolets). Canadian Stewart Friesen (Toyota) started sixth. All 34 entries qualified: 18 Chevs, 10 Fords, and 6 Toyotas. Things ran smoothly until Lap 47 when Tyler Tomassi stopped just off Turn 2, bringing out the caution. Giovanni Ruggiero won Stage 1.
On Lap 138, Conner Jones blew a right front tire and hit the wall exiting Turn 2. Grant Enfinger took Stage 2. On Lap 211, Tomassi again blew a right front tire and scraped the wall. On Lap 246, sixth-place Brent Crews was bumped by Ben Rhodes and spun, bringing out another caution and forcing NASCAR overtime. At the flag, it was Chandler Smith over Layne Riggs (who moved Heim on the last lap – both in Fords), with Tyler Ankrum (Chevy) third. Friesen finished 14th.
Points: Heim leads Chandler Smith by 47 and Daniel Hemric by 87.
Next race: Charlotte, Friday at 8:30 p.m. on CTV Speed.
Formula One – Oscar Piastri (McLaren) was fastest in FP1 and FP2, while teammate Lando Norris topped FP3. Piastri reclaimed the advantage and earned pole at Imola. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) started second, with George Russell (Mercedes) third. Qualifying saw Yuki Tsunoda crash his Red Bull, while Franco Colapinto spun his Alpine. Is Red Bull missing Checo? Unclear who made that call.
Verstappen made a brilliant move at the green, passing Piastri in a masterclass. That was essentially the race. On Lap 29, a virtual safety car was called for Esteban Ocon (Haas) going off track. At halfway, it was Verstappen leading Norris and a surprising Alexander Albon (Williams). On Lap 46, a full safety car was deployed when Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) stopped on course. At the flag: Verstappen over Norris and Piastri. The surprise? Hamilton, starting 12th in his Ferrari, finished a strong fourth. Stroll was 15th.
Drivers’ standings: Piastri leads Norris by 13 and Verstappen by 22. Stroll sits 10th.
Constructors’ standings: McLaren nearly doubles Mercedes, leading them by 132 and Red Bull by 148.
Next race: Monaco, Sunday at 8:55 a.m. on TSN 5.
IndyCar – Drama at Indy. After two days of qualifying and delays, the fast 12 ran Sunday afternoon. Two cars owned by the track – and series – owner Roger Penske ran afoul of tech inspection after making apparently unapproved changes. They were sent to the back of the starting field for the Indy 500. And just days before the race, Roger Penske issued a statement announcing that he’d fired team president Tim Cindric, IndyCar managing director Ron Ruzewski and IndyCar general manager Kyle Moyer. The Captain obviously wasn’t pleased to have his team caught up in another cheating scandal.
As for the Indy 500 itself, Rookie Robert Shwartzman won the pole over Takuma Sato and Pato O’Ward.
Next race: Indy 500, Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on TSN 4 & 5 and Fox.
IMSA – Next race: Detroit Street Course, Sunday, May 31.
24 Hours of Le Mans – June 14–15.
NHRA – The series visited the very cool Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. The cars exit from under the tower, there’s a dirt track beside it, and Chicagoland Speedway just next door.
Top Fuel: Shawn Langdon won the Top Fuel Challenge with a 3.704 at 332.10 over Tony Stewart. Doug Kalitta topped qualifying with a 3.661 at 335.23. Canadian Dan Mercer qualified 10th. Stewart later won the final with a 3.777 at 329.10 over Justin Ashley. Three upsets and eight “smokers.” Points: Langdon leads Stewart by 60 and Antron Brown by 63.
Funny Car: Matt Hagan won the Challenge with a 3.880 at 331.85 over Ron Capps. Jack Beckman topped qualifying with a 3.859 at 332.75. In an all-John Force Racing final, Beckman beat Austin Prock with a 3.935. Four upsets, five smokers. Prock leads the points by 59 over Paul Lee and by 70 over Hagan.
Pro Mod: Mason Wright qualified first with a 5.676. Canadians Justin Bond was 6th; Jordan Lazic, 19th. Wright won the final over JR Gray. Points: Michael Stavrinos leads Gray by 16 and Rickie Smith by 26.
Pro Stock Bike: Gaige Herrera won the Challenge and final over Matt Smith. Top qualifier with a 6.717. Fifteen entries. Points: Smith leads Herrera by 15 and Richard Gadson by 64.
Top Fuel Motorcycle: Larry “Spiderman” McBride qualified first and won the final over a no-show Bob Mallot. Five entries. Points unchanged.
Factory Stock Showdown: Lee Hartman topped qualifying. Jason Dietsch won the final. Five upsets.
Factory X: Conner Statler led qualifying. Jesse Alexandra won the final. Points: Jonathan Allegrucci leads Pawuk by 37; Lottig leads Alexandra by 21.
PEAK Street Car Shootout: Tom Bailey was quickest and won the final. Canadian David Schroeder qualified 8th. No upsets.
Next race: New England, Sunday, June 1.
NASCAR Canada Series – Kyle Steckly nabbed the pole at CTMP ahead of Kevin Lacroix and Alex Tagliani. Tagliani quickly took the lead. Cautions on Lap 6 (Scannell) and Lap 14 (Steckley). At halfway: Malcolm Strachan led Guenette and Charbonneau. On the last lap, Marc-Antoine Camirand moved Gary Klutt off track for the win. Strachan’s third-place finish was the first podium result for longtime team owner Jim Bray! The REV TV video could use some tuning although Treyten Lapcevich did a good job joining the broadcast crew!
Next race: Chaudière, May 31.
APC Series – Due to rain, Sunset’s race was rescheduled to Sunday. Josh Stade took pole over Connor Pritiko and Dale Shaw. Kyle Steckly and Glenn Styres appeared after racing earlier in the day in the NASCAR race at CTMP. At the flag: Stade over Shaw and Shawn Chenoweth.
Next race: Flamboro, June 7.
Ontario Sportsman Series – 19 cars at Delaware Speedway for the opener. Connor James set fast time at 19.860. Spins on Laps 41, 43, and 59. Brendan Patrick passed James on Lap 67. Final: McGlynn, Patrick, James. Three of the top six cars came from the McGlynn stable.
Points unavailable. Next race: Full Throttle, May 31.
Delaware Speedway – Ontario Sportsman results above. 37 Bone Stocks: Colin Willems won the feature. V8 Stocks: Barry Watson took the feature.
Points: Bone Stocks – Jo Lawrence leads by 3. V8 Stocks – Morris and Watson tied.
Next race: L/M, S/S, Mods, King of the Hill, Friday.
Ohsweken Speedway – Huge success as the World of Outlaws returned to Canada for the first time since 2017. David Gravel swept both races. Dylan Westbrook led early on Thursday before finishing third. Stewart Friesen spun on Lap 13. Gravel leads series points.
Late Model winner: Glenn Styres… UMP vs CDN Mods winner: Greg Belyea… Next race: Brock Leonard Memorial, Friday.
UPCOMING LOCAL RACES
Edmonton International Raceway: Western Canada’s only NASCAR-sanctioned track kicks off its season May 31 with Fan Appreciation Night, featuring Thunder Cars, Pure Stocks, Future Stocks, IMCA and Mini Cups.
Flamboro Speedway: Steel City Rumble, Saturday
Buxton Speedway: Saturday
Full Throttle Motor Speedway: Terry Pardy Street Stock Memorial, Saturday
Sunset Speedway: L/M, HR, B/S, Saturday
Grand Bend Speedway: Season Opener, Sunday
Grand Bend Motorplex: CanAm Stock/Super Stock, May 31–June 1
St. Thomas Dragway: ONDR and Points, this weekend
Toronto Motorsports Park: No Prep, Olds, Mitsubishi, this weekend
Maritime Pro Stock Tour: This long-running stock car tour is celebrating its 25th anniversary season in 2025. The series takes the green light this Saturday at Scotia Speedworld.
Speed Promotions Racing: July 12
Can Am Stock/Super Stock: TMP, June 1
Quick 32, PBSS, 5.50 Series: June 21, Empire Dragway
660 Sportsman Nationals: October 5, Grand Bend
John Scotti NHRA Series: June 15, Luskville
Shannonville Drags: June 7–8
Comments welcome: Dave Mathers – motionman@rogers.com or via Facebook Messenger