Motorsports
NASCAR Chicago Street Course changes made at request of drivers – Motorsport – Sports
NASCAR will be embarking on the third running of the Grant Park 165, and drivers are an important resource in helping the street course evolve over time.
Stock car racing will return to Chicago, and former Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose was announced as the Grand Marshal for the street race in his hometown. In preparation for the race, the city of Chicago has closed some of its roads to repair damage sustained from the heat, while NASCAR found a replacement sponsor in Arby’s after losing McDonald’s sponsorship earlier in 2025.
And as NASCAR continues to prepare for the upcoming street race, it received valuable feedback from its drivers on how to make the Grant Park 165 more palatable for those competing. Ahead of last year’s iteration of the Chicago street race, NASCAR adjusted the choose zone to before Turn 6.
In the first iteration of the race in 2023, the choose zone came at Turn 9. The restart zone remains the same, just before Turn 12 and those changes were made at the request of drivers who experienced the track for the first time, with Shane van Gisbergen notching his first Cup Series race in 2023.
Interestingly, the two most recent winners at Chicago had entirely different fates from when they won. After Van Gisbergen’s win in 2023, the New Zealander finished the next year’s race. Meanwhile, Alex Bowman finished last in 2023 and won the race the next year.
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While what happens on the streets should be the focus of the weekend, having someone of Rose’s stature as the Grand Marshal could distract from the race itself. Rose, who hails from Chicago, is a former NBA MVP and had arguably the best years of his career donning the Bulls jersey.
He led the Bulls to their most successful era of basketball since Michael Jordan retired in 1998 and was named a three-time All-Star, an All-NBA First Team selection, the Rookie of the Year, and an All-Rookie First Team selection. The formerly explosive guard helped lead the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010-2011 season, the first time Chicago advanced that far into the playoffs since Jordan.
The Bulls have not gotten to that point since then, with the front office determining whether or not it should rebuild or retool. In a statement, Rose expressed his excitement to be part of the biggest motorsports event of the year in his city.
“It’s an honor to be part of such an incredible event in my hometown,” his statement read. “Chicago has always supported me throughout my career, and I’m excited to give back to the fans and be part of this amazing racing weekend in Grant Park.”
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Along with the 36-year-old being the Grand Marshal, the Grant Park 165 will also host the second round of NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge. A massive 18-car wreck in Atlanta saw Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and top seed Denny Hamlin lose their respective matchups.
After Chicago, races in Sonoma, Dover and Indianapolis will determine the winner of the $1 million prize when the dust settles. Before that point, however, the streets had to be repaired after excessive heat damaged the circuit.
Having a proper track is important, especially considering Chicago has become one of the “highlights” of the city’s summer calendar.
“We look forward to continuing to build on the tremendous success of 2023 and 2024 to deliver one of the most unique sporting events in the country and continuing to help drive tourism to Chicago,” Julie Giese, the Chicago Street Race President, said.
Motorsports
Patrick Emerling Announces GOAT Power Bikes as First Partner for 2025 Season
MOORESVILLE, NC, January 17, 2025 – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Patrick Emerling today announced he is partnering with GOAT Power Bikes for the The LiUNA! NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2025.
“GOAT Power Bikes is thrilled to partner with Snow Belt MGMT to sponsor Patrick Emerling for the NASCAR Xfinity Series as the primary sponsor at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and as an associate sponsor for the 2025 season,” said GOAT Power Bikes owner Bryson Goodman. Patrick embodies the drive, precision, and passion that align perfectly with our brand values, and we’re excited to support him as he races to success this season. Together, we’re charging ahead, both on the track and beyond.”
Frequently described as “The Harley Davidson of E-Bike Brands,” GOAT Power Bikes leads the charge for building powerful, affordable, and reliable e-bikes that empower riders to conquer any terrain. GOAT’s base model bikes have a 48MPH top speed with a price point of under $2,800, making them the best bang for your buck for anything in its class.
Based in San Diego, California, GOAT Power Bikes are designed with cutting-edge technology and built for adventure. Whether navigating city streets, exploring rugged trails, or cruising along the coast, GOAT Power Bikes inspires riders to embrace the freedom of the open road and redefine their limits.
“I’m stoked to partner with GOAT,” said Emerling. “I love anything with a motor and grew up riding dirt bikes, so these e-bikes are perfect for me. I usually race on four wheels, but I’ll do it on two. GOAT’s e-bikes are incredible, and I can’t wait to introduce them to the NASCAR fanbase.”
GOAT is offering fans a 5% discount on purchases with code NASCAR.
Visit https://www.goatpowerbikes.com to see their full lineup of e-bikes.
Emerling will make an announcement on his full 2025 season plans shortly.
The LiUNA! NASCAR Xfinity Series Race (200 laps | 300 miles) is the fifth of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2025 schedule. Practice starts on Friday, March 14 at 3:05 p.m. immediately followed by qualifying. The field is set to take the green flag the next day at 1:30 p.m. with live coverage on The CW, the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are Eastern Standard Time.
For more information on Patrick Emerling, visit https://www.patrickemerlingracing.com or follow him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PatrickEmerling07), X (https://twitter.com/PatrickEmerling) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/patrickemerling).
Source: Snow Belt MGMT
Motorsports
Denny Hamlin is looking for an apology from NASCAR Channel 90 after lawsuit settlement
“Animosity ends with accountability.”
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports recently settled their lawsuit against NASCAR. Post settlement, all teams will be offered to sign a new evergreen charter agreement. This will make charters permanent.
Charters are now franchises with teams sharing a portion of revenue. They also guarantee a starting position in every race for the 36 charter holders.
NASCAR lawsuit settled; Comments from both sides
Back in October 2024, Hamlin stated via X, “While censorship is a big topic in today’s media world, Channel 90 might be the poster child.”
He added, “An interview didn’t go the way they hoped after our attorney continued to state fact after fact even tho they tried their best to refute, they have since edited/deleted that interview off of their channels because the narrative doesn’t fit their beliefs. If that doesn’t convince you of the bias then nothing will.”
The settlement is a win for the sport as a whole. But, Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing is circling back…
Fast forward to 2025: Hamlin now expects an apology
Hamlin hasn’t forgotten about that moment from last year…
Hamlin asked Larry Mcreynolds on Tuesday, “Good morning. Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?”
“I believe it was ‘how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough and FRM wasn’t good enough.’ Also how about ‘I dont know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it.’ Just to name a few examples.”
“Well because I believe that once the actual facts and documents were released it was contradictory to the narrative that was being pushed. Larry is a very hard working analyst. Hopefully he took the time to analyze the situation post settlement and revise his thoughts.”
“Animosity ends with accountability.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr predicts a surge in the cost of NASCAR charters
Links
NASCAR | 23XI Racing | Front Row Motorsports
Motorsports
Liberty Scales Back Sponsorship of No. 24 for Second Straight Year
Liberty University (LibertyU), one of the founding partners of William Byron’s career in NASCAR, is significantly scaling back its sponsorship of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for a second consecutive year.
The educational institution, along with Hendrick Motorsports, confirmed on Wednesday that it would be sponsoring the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 of Byron in three NASCAR Cup Series events for the upcoming season — slashing in half the six-race program the school occupied in 2025.
Hey LibertyU and @TeamHendrick fans! 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season champion and two-time DAYTONA 500 winner @WilliamByron will be racing the LU24 Chevrolet for three races in 2026 – check out the schedule now! https://t.co/yIn7qcr2hQ pic.twitter.com/iSW6QMGa7V
— Liberty University (@LibertyU) December 17, 2025
This marks the second straight campaign that LibertyU has cut its primary sponsorship program for Byron in half, slashing its presence on the No. 24 Chevrolet to six races for 2025, after sponsoring 12 races in 2024.
Byron, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season champion, will be carrying the colors of his long-time partner, LibertyU, at Watkins Glen International (May 10), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 26), and Martinsville Speedway (November 1).
Liberty University has been a major sponsorship partner of William Byron for more than a decade, adorning his racecars as he climbed through the ranks of Late Models, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and into the NASCAR Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports, the winningest team in the history of the sport.
In his eight seasons competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, William Byron has been to Victory Lane 16 times — thrice with Liberty University on board the No. 24 Chevrolet (Daytona 2020, Atlanta 2022, Texas 2023).
Between the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and K&N Pro Series East (now ARCA Menards Series East), Byron has been to Victory Lane a total of 13 times with Liberty University serving as the primary sponsor of his racecar.
The 28-year-old driver has proven himself as a perennial championship contender in the NASCAR Cup Series, putting his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team into the Championship 4 in each of the last three seasons. Byron has three four top-six points finishes and five top-10 points finishes.
In addition to the three-race sponsorship for Liberty University on the No. 24 Chevrolet in 2026, William Byron will also have backing from Raptor Coatings, Valvoline, Anduril, All-Pro Auto Reconditioning, Phorm Energy, Cincinnati Inc, and Z by HP.
Motorsports
How F1-Themed Slots Appeal to Racing Fans
Formula 1 runs deeper than just Sundays at the track. For plenty of fans, the sport’s rush, fast laps, razor-edge gambles, and glitz pour into other pastimes. Lately, digital casinos have jumped in, and now F1-inspired slots are everywhere. The quick-fire spins feel like speeding laps.
Flashing car symbols, turbo bonuses, the roar of imaginary engines, developers lace it all together, aiming right at racing die-hards who want a taste of race day off the asphalt. If you ask Car Throttle, close to 40% of racing lovers say these immersive F1 themes actually make them more likely to play. Marrying speed and stakes has carved out its place among motorsport’s most passionate.
F1 Emotion Meets Slot Mechanics
Rush. Heart-thumping risk. A winner or a wipeout in seconds. Formula 1 delivers that, but so do the best slot games. A spin around the reels almost echoes a grand prix lap: anticipation, a jolt of hope, abrupt wins or letdowns. Pro Hockey News notes how F1 fans gravitate to games that channel motorsport chaos.
Suddenly, a slot’s win feels like a daring overtake, a crushing loss like a blown engine. None of it happens accidentally; game designers ramp up volatility to mirror F1’s on-the-edge energy. Most F1 slots set their risk high, reflecting not just the pace but the unpredictability that racing fans are hooked on. Every spin cranks up the tension, serving up a fresh slice of that high-stakes drama familiar from the grid.
Immersive Racing Design Attracts New Players
Design teams aren’t subtle; their aim is instant recognition. Online slots featuring stylized cars, helmets, or racetrack symbols aim for instant recognition. They drop players onto circuits that look suspiciously like Monaco, toss them bonus pit stop rounds, and dress up the audio in engines and cheers, like you’re trackside, but with a mouse click. Monaco backdrops. Helmets gleaming. Crowds roaring.
Even “Nitro Boost” or “Race Spin” features boost the fever, reminding fans of sudden on-track drama. F1 fans, spotting these cues, grasp the theme quickly. Now, entering the world of online slots doesn’t feel alien, especially next to games with no familiar landmarks. For those who already live for Sundays, stepping into the F1 slot lane is way less daunting than facing roulette wheels or endless columns of numbers.
Bonus Rounds Channel Race Strategy
What makes F1 slots stand out isn’t just the paintwork or the sound; they don’t just look and sound like racing; they play that way, too. Bonus rounds become mini-races. Maybe you’re asked to pick a car for a jackpot “shootout.” Possibly you gamble for multipliers, risking it all for a bigger score.
Car Throttle points out that strategic rounds, think “Pit Stops,” force you to make real choices under pressure. Some rounds crank up the risk for massive rewards, tossing in wild cards like a “Final Lap” boost. The structure starts to feel eerily familiar. It’s F1, but with every bet, the drama of the final corner is only ever one spin away.
Glamour, Volatility, and Tech Innovation
Race day glitz, velvet ropes, fancy paddocks, and champagne sprays, those luxury notes slip easily into the casino vibe. F1 slot promos often push that angle: big jackpots, slick graphics, Monaco’s neon glow. Pro Hockey News draws the parallel, Monaco as racing’s crown jewel and a gambling mecca.
Developers now push things further; new AR and VR game versions park you right on the circuit, put dashboards in your hands, and let you wander pit lane. This seems just the start. The next chapter for F1 slots is even more immersive, meant to hold fans in the fast lane well past the checkered flag.
Responsible Play for Racing Enthusiasts
All that excitement can cloud judgment. It’s easy to keep pressing for just one more spin, especially when racing thrills blend with betting. Setting limits and seeing slots strictly as a way to unwind matters. There are plenty of tools and agencies offering support if it gets overwhelming. Stay aware, and remember, the real victory is making sure the fun never slips out of control.
Motorsports
$2.3 Trillion Giant Makes Stunning NASCAR Power Play With Chase Elliott for 2026
The most popular driver in NASCAR is about to carry the colors of the most powerful streamer on the planet in a bold new way. For three races in the 2026 season, Amazon Prime Video will sponsor Chase Elliot, flashing a new color scheme for his car.
Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet will unveil a dramatically revised paint scheme for the 2026 season, a visual declaration of Amazon Prime Video’s deepening and aggressive stake in the sport’s future.
Which Races Will Chase Elliott Run With the Amazon Prime Livery in 2026?
Elliott is about to get a new color scheme for his car as Amazon Prime Video is sponsoring Chase Elliot for three races in the 2026 season. We will see the Amazon Prime Video on Elliott’s car next year at the Talladega, Texas, and the Dover All-Star Race.
The 2026 design shifts away from the brighter blues of the 2025 car, opting for darker, more aggressive tones. Added black accents and stronger contrast to give it a sharper, more authoritative look on track. The update deliberately distances the car from other blue-hued competitors, ensuring the $2.3 trillion tech behemoth’s rolling billboard stands utterly alone.
Amazon joined Hendrick Motorsports as a primary sponsor for Chase Elliott starting in 2025. It also became the sport’s first direct-to-consumer media partner this year. Holding roles as a team sponsor and a broadcaster at the same time raised eyebrows in the NASCAR community.
This time, on-car promotions directly precede Prime Video’s second season of broadcasting five exclusive Cup Series races, which begin with the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24. For 2026, Prime Video will again serve as a primary sponsor for Elliott in three select races, continuing a partnership that runs firmly through 2027.
The No. 9 car will first wear the updated livery at Talladega Superspeedway in late April, then at Texas Motor Speedway, with a final primary appearance at the All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway in mid-May.
MORE: Chase Elliott’s Long-Ignored Warning Forces NASCAR To Reconsider the Next Gen Car
Prime’s broadcast schedule also features the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31, the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 7, and the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on June 14.
Prime Video first sponsored Chase Elliott in 2025 for races at Talladega and Kansas Speedway. Like last year, these races kick off Prime Video’s five-race stretch of NASCAR Cup Series broadcasts.
The Prime broadcast schedule wraps up with the Anduril 250 during NASCAR San Diego Weekend on June 21. The event brings all three of NASCAR’s national series to Naval Base Coronado, where the drivers will tackle a unique 16-turn, 3.4-mile street circuit.
Motorsports
Ironton Auto Body Challenge Set For Indoor Auto Racing
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When the Indoor Auto Racing Series returns to the PPL Center on January 9-10 for the ninth annual Ironton Global Allentown Indoor Races, TQ Midget drivers will once again have a chance to capture the $10,000 Ironton Auto Body Challenge by sweeping the weekend and winning both features.
In 2024, young driver Tanner VanDoren and Ryan Flores split the TQ Midget mains on the tenth-mile concrete oval. Flores won the Friday opener in 2025, but finished second Saturday to Andy Jankowiak. Although both enjoyed a successful weekend, the $10,000 sweep slipped away in Allentown.
Three weeks later, Flores got a second chance at the Ironton Auto Body bonus and redeemed himself by winning the series finale NAPA Auto Parts Gambler’s Classic inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
Thanks to renewed support from Ironton Auto Body, the possibility of a $10,000 weekend inside the PPL Center returns for a third straight year. To complete the challenge, Friday’s winner will be offered a guaranteed starting spot in Saturday’s main event — with one caveat: they must start 10th.
As a bonus for accepting the challenge, Friday’s winner will receive $1,000. Should they advance from 10th and win again on Saturday, another $4,000 bonus will be awarded. Combining the $5,000 in bonus money with Saturday’s purse will bring their total to $10,000.
If the weekend sweep isn’t accomplished, Ironton Auto Body will once again roll over a portion of the challenge to the Atlantic City Indoor Race.
With his victory in last year’s NAPA Gambler’s Classic, Flores collected $10,000, including Ironton Auto Body Challenge bonus money as well as support from the AC Sports Commission and Visit Atlantic City.
The headline TQ Midget division will be joined by Slingshots and Champ Karts, with full programs and feature events for all three classes.
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