Two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t pull any punches on the latest episode of his “Dale Jr. Download” podcast.

Earnhardt’s passion for the Xfinity Series isn’t just due to his past, he obviously has a clear rooting interest due to his work with JR Motorsports. That being said, he’s not afraid to be honest about NASCAR’s second-tier circuit.

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Just a week ago, Earnhardt admit that he’s worried about Xfinity’s future due to NASCAR’s focus on the Cup Series Next Gen car.

“I believe that the parts and pieces that we’re all using to race Trucks or Xfinity are a bit obsolete and I wish they weren’t. I wish there were companies still out there making these parts,” Earnhardt said, via On3. “When the Cup car moved away from the rear-end housing and suspension — all these type things that we currently run — it’s put things in question in terms of physically, what’s the future of the Xfinity car.”

One potential way Xfinity can improve its product is by changing up its schedule. During this week’s “Dale Jr. Download” episode, he made it clear that he wants to see more races at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

“There’s been a lot of conversation about the Xfinity Series racing at North Wilkesboro. There’s not much to that,” Earnhardt said. “If they put a race there, I’ll run it. I said that years ago, I said that when Wilkesboro came back. I said it every year. That’s not a new bit of information.”

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Earnhardt then made it clear that he’s fed up with Xfinity races at Martinsville Speedway.

“I’d rather have an Xfinity race there than Martinsville. That [expletive] we’re doing at Martinsville is for the birds. I don’t love taking my cars over there and watching them get destroyed and watching our drivers destroy each other. So I’d love them to not go to Martinsville and go to Wilkesboro. That’d be better.”

Ouch.

Martinsville Speedway has been around since 1947. There have been Xfinity races there for the past five years.

Do you agree with Dale Jr.’s stance on Martinsville?

Related: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Makes Big Return Announcement Thursday

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Calls For NASCAR To Get Rid Of Historic Speedway first appeared on The Spun on May 23, 2025

600 Miles of Remembrance

CONCORD, N.C. – Hendrick Motorsports has signed William Byron to a four-year contract extension that will keep him behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet through the 2029 NASCAR Cup Series season. At just 27 years old, Byron has emerged as one of the sport’s most competitive drivers, having already earned 14 Cup-level race wins – including two in the DAYTONA 500 – and six consecutive playoff appearances. 

Byron opened the 2025 season with his second straight DAYTONA 500 victory, becoming the youngest multi-time winner in the event’s storied history, and currently ranks second in the Cup standings after 12 points-paying races. Since being paired with crew chief Rudy Fugle in 2021, he has tallied 13 wins – the second-highest total in the series over that span. 

RELATED: See Byron’s paint scheme for the Coca-Cola 600

“We’ve built something special with the No. 24 team,” said Byron, who is in his eighth full-time season in the Cup Series. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue working with amazing people at Hendrick Motorsports who believe in me, especially Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick. We’ve accomplished some great things that we’re really proud of, but we have even bigger goals ahead. I’m excited to go after them with this team and this organization.” 

Byron, who Hendrick Motorsports signed in 2016 at age 18, earned Cup Series rookie of the year honors in 2018 and has become a perennial playoff contender, including back-to-back Championship 4 appearances in 2023 and 2024. He is the only driver other than NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon to win for Hendrick Motorsports in the iconic No. 24 Chevrolet. 

“William is the real deal,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “What makes him so special is that he combines natural ability with an unrivaled work ethic. You see it in the great ones – the drivers who could get by on talent alone but choose to outwork everyone anyway. That’s William. On top of it all, he’s a person of high character and embraces his role as a leader. We’re proud to have him in our lineup and look forward to many more wins together.”  

RELATED: NASCAR driver averages: Charlotte

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Byron will compete at his home track this weekend with double-duty at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Saturday in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (CW Network at 4:30 p.m. ET) and Sunday in the crown jewel Coca-Cola 600 (Prime Video at 6 p.m. ET).

Piloti, the high-performance footwear brand, announced its official team sponsorship of Prema Racing and its endorsement partnership with Robert Shwartzman for the 2025 Indianapolis 500, taking place on Sunday.

The collaboration marks Piloti’s presence on the global motorsport stage as it supports one of the most talked about entries in this year’s “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” As Prema Racing makes its highly anticipated two-car debut to the Indy 500 grid, Piloti joins as an official sponsor, outfitting the team with its latest performance driving products designed for both track precision and paddock comfort.

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“We have worked hard to find authentic automotive brands like Piloti to partner with Prema at the Indy 500,” said Prema Racing CEO Piers Phillips. “Piloti understands the deep desire to race and win, and Prema appreciates the high-quality products that Piloti brings to the team.”

Piloti is also unveling a personal sponsorship of driver Robert Shwartzman, 2025 Indianapolis 500 pole winner, who will be piloting the No. 83 Prema Racing car at the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. Shwartzman is a rising star in international motorsport and a former Ferrari F1 test driver and AF Corse Ferrari hypercar winner.

Shwartzman will also debut a custom-designed pair of Piloti driving shoes for race day. “I’m thrilled to be working with Piloti this year,” said Shwartzman. “Their owners are racers and understand the deep desire to win! I’m excited to be part of the brand and its rich heritage in racing.”

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“Robert is the real deal and represents the next generation of motorsport excellence,” said Bill Sweedler, chairman of Piloti. “Our partnership with him—and our collaboration with Prema—showcases Piloti’s commitment to innovation, performance, and supporting events, teams, and drivers at the pinnacle of competition.”

The partnership will be highlighted through exclusive Piloti x Prema content, a limited-edition collaboration, and brand activations during the race weekend. The collaboration ushers in a new chapter in Piloti’s motorsport legacy, that includes footwear, apparel and accessories.

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Even signing with Prime Video to be one of their analysts, Carl Edwards admitted he was wondering if NASCAR fans would know about the sport’s shift to streaming for five races on Prime Video or if they would know how to access the races.

That was, until he talked to one of his neighbors.

“We’re talking about other things and he said, ‘Hey, you’re doing some sort of TV thing.’ And I was thinking, you know, this guy’s 85 years old, and I’m gonna have to explain this to him,” Edwards said. “And I started and he’s like, ‘Oh, yeah. I’ve got Prime. I’ll be watching.’”

Prime Video’s first race on Sunday is the Coca-Cola 600. Not only is it NASCAR’s longest race, it comes on motorsports’ biggest day with Formula One’s Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 taking place before the green flag drops at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Prime Video has a seven-year deal with NASCAR.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be starting with a crown jewel (race). It’s a huge responsibility and we’re excited to bring it to fans,” said Alex Strand, Prime Video’s senior coordinating producer for live sports. “What we saw when we brought ‘Thursday Night Football’ to Prime is we spent a lot of time making sure that we’re delivering on expectations. There’s trust the viewers are putting in you to bring them the sport that they love.”

Prime Video is hoping to do that by getting some production help from NBC Sports, which has had NASCAR since 2015. Prime’s relationship with NBC goes back to 2022 when it launched “Sunday Night Football.”

In the booth, Adam Alexander is the play-by-play announcer for the Xfinity Series on The CW along with doing Cup Series races on TNT.

Analysts Steve Letarte and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are reunited. Earnhardt Jr. was with NBC for six seasons (2018 through ’23) while Letarte has been with NBC since 2015.

Alexander said his approach to calling the races has been the same, no matter the network.

“Just be a setup guy for two analysts that obviously know it inside and out, and be able to relay the message to the fans of what’s happening on track,” he said. “I think it would be easy for someone when you look at new partners coming into the sport, that everything is going to be changed. It jumped off the board with me right away that Prime has the balance of new, but also the respect to traditions that we’re used to in the TV world and how that matches up with NASCAR.”

The only new faces are Edwards and Corey LaJoie, who will be on pre- and post-race coverage.

Many thought Edwards would become an analyst after retiring in 2017, but he resisted overtures from various networks until Prime Video approached him earlier this year.

“The timing just feels right. I’m shocked at the way the sport has welcomed me back personally,” said Edwards, a 28-time winner in the Cup series. “I wasn’t sure about this, but Prime came to visit me in Missouri and we sat around at my kitchen table talking with my family. I’m glad they came out. It’s going to be an adventure.”

Prime Video will be bringing its own touches to the races. Green flag racing will include a double-box commercial format, ensuring viewers won’t miss any action. There will also be highlights of key moments allowing viewers to catch up to action.

As far as in-race strategy innovations, Prime is still testing some things as they try to continue what they have done during NFL coverage, which is explain complex matters in a simple way.

“I believe people are going to find it. They’re going to enjoy it. And, you know, hopefully it just becomes, something that that all the fans feel good about and don’t have any hiccups,” Edwards said.

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing