NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has an eye for talent; Look no further than his O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series Team JR Motorsports’ four driver championships as proof of that.

The current NASCAR field contains a plethora of talent of all ages and backgrounds, some of whom are arguably underappreciated by fans and perhaps even the paddock alike. Some may also be overrated, but that’s a different story entirely.

Quizzed on the current field, and which drivers he believes don’t get the recognition they deserve, Earnhardt Jr singled out a veteran of the sport, who had to wait until he was well into his 30s to get his shot in the Cup Series. It came after Earnhardt Jr shared a grim prediction for a star who ‘overachieved’ in 2025.

Former JRM driver and current Wood Brothers Racing star, Josh Berry, has only driven full-time in the Cup Series for two seasons, with the first being with the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing. Prior to 2024, he had only made 12 appearances for Hendrick Motorsports, Legacy Motor Club, and Spire Motorsports between 2021 and 2023.

This past season, Berry set a new benchmark for himself, reaching the Playoffs and winning his first race, the Pennzoil 400, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, while also cracking the top five two further times and the top 10 on another five occasions.

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“I don’t know how people feel about Josh Berry now. I still feel like his talent is not as appreciated as I think [it should be],” Earnhardt said on his ‘Dale Jr. Download’ podcast. “He’s won now. He’s driving for the Wood Brothers. He’s established. He’s good to go, right. But I still feel that people don’t really know how good he is.”

The 51-year-old went on to note that he feels the same about Berrry as he did back in the day about Martin Truex Jr. Earnhardt recalled how early in Truex’s career, which saw him drive for his late dad’s team, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., followed by Michael Waltrip Racing, he approached his then boss, Rick Hendrick, and suggested Hendrick Motorsports “consider Truex.”

“And they were like, ‘Really?’ And that’s as far as it went,” Earnhardt recalled. “And then he got in the [Furniture Row Racing] 78 car and won a championship in a bunch of races with (crew chief) Cole [Pearn]. But I knew Truex had that ability, and he was super talented. Just a really great race car. I feel the same way about Josh. I think Josh is incredibly good.”

Truex ultimately ran full-time between 2006 and 2024, picking up 34 wins, 291 top 10 finishes, and the 2017 Cup Series crown with FRR.

Whether or not there is still time in Berry’s career to clinch that first Cup Series title and a “bunch” more wins remains to be seen. That being said, set to return behind the wheel of the No. 21 WBR Ford next season, he will at the very least be looking to improve upon his 16th-place driver standings finish when the new season begins in a matter of months, starting with the Daytona 500.

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Kyle Larson ferociously came out of a late restart during the 2025 NACAR Cup Series championship in Phoenix to claim a second-overall crown. 

Now, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is planning on heading to Australia to defend his High Limit Racing series title from a year ago in a flex of the NASCAR star’s racing versatility.

Speaking on The Drivers’ Project podcast, Larson played the humble card when speaking about his Australian experience after being asked if he could excel in any racing competition.

“I wouldn’t agree with that because like, I go to Australia,” he said. “The only time I’ve had success in Australia now is when I brought Trevor [Bayne] with me, who’s probably has Paul [Dumbrell’s] notebook.

“When I’ve gone to Australia any other time, I’ve been terrible, like really bad… Like, yeah, I had my moments of being really fast or being competitive, but I also had way more nights of not being competitive.”

Larson will head back to the land down under alongside 10 under American drivers in a lucrative $110,000 AUD race, the most expensive in Australian history.

The 33-year-old has 32 career wins in the NASCAR Cup Series to go along with his two season-long triumphs. In the newly remodeled NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Larson boasts 17 wins.

He has four wins in the Craftsman Truck Series, a competition he continues to compete in as he hunts for a weekend triple (he came close last year). Larson also has a handful of wins in the ARCA Menards Series.

“I think I’ve just been sure I’ve got talent,” he added. “Sure, you know, I can a lot of times carry a car, but I think as the sport has gotten tougher, like I’ve definitely realized you have to have a good team in place… being a Hendrick Motorsports, like anybody can be fast there.”

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In the past, Larson has been compared to four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen. “I know in my mind I am better than him as an all-around driver,” the NASCAR man said, not playing the humble card.

Did this letter from Johnny Morris spark a settlement in the NASCAR lawsuit?

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports took NASCAR to court. The lawsuit made headlines weekly and toward the end, it was getting into the weeds with the documents that surfaced in court.

Messages from NASCAR management surfaced from years ago, during peak charter negotiations with the teams. Among them, Steve Phelps, who at the time was the NASCAR President, called team owner Richard Childress a ‘redneck’. Today, Phelps is the commissioner of the sport.

The message from Phelps read, “Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.”

NASCAR President calls Richard Childress a redneck in latest court filings

Also in court, it was revealed that Richard Childress attempted to sell a portion of his team. He currently owns 60%. However, that information was never suppose to surface as an NDA was involved in the sale that never went through.

Richard Childress Racing has been involved in NASCAR since 1969. Dale Earnhardt raced for the team during six of his seven championships.

On Thursday, the teams and NASCAR abruptly settled the lawsuit. And just one day before, Johnny Morris, the owner of Bass Pro Shops and longtime sponsor of Richard Childress released the following scathing letter…

Richard Childress attempted to sell a portion of his NASCAR team

Johnny Morris statement

This was published on Wednesday, the day before the court settlement:

“I’ve been a NASCAR fan since I was 7 years old when I started going to races at the fairgrounds speedway in my hometown, Springfield, MO with my Granpa Will, who was a lineman for the Frisco Railroad,” Johnny Morris opened.

“We watched Willie Crane, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, the Wallace brothers and others try to beat our local hero, Larry Phillips.”

“In the years that followed, our company, Bass Pro Shops, has become a proud sponsor of NASCAR, a sport that resonates deeply not only with our own Outfitters, but with our core customer base – America’s 180 million outdoor enthusiasts and 60 million hunters and anglers.”

“I speak up today on behalf of the wonderful people in our company who consider it an honor and a great source of pride to have sponsored NASCAR and our friend Richard Childress and his grandson Austin Dillon, for a very long time.”

“Since Dale Earnhardt Sr and Richard Childress welcomed us to the sport 28 years ago, Richard has become a special friend in life. He’s a great leader, a fierce competitor and a passionate advocate for outdoor enthusiasts, and conservatives, he is a true American patriot.”

NASCAR lawsuit settled; Comments from both sides

Morris isn’t happy with NASCAR leadership

“Most of all, to us, Richard is a long time admired and respected member of our Bass Pro Shops family! As I write this today, way too many of my fellow teammates, our valued customers, our independent dealers and respected members of the conservation and military communities… are outraged by how Richard and his family have been treated by some senior NASCAR leaders.”

“We are extremely upset by the recent disclosure of shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR Steve Phelps. For the Commissioner and his allies, to attack one of the pillars of the sport is incredibly irresponsible and a disservice to everyone involved in NASCAR and its partners, sponsors and fans.”

On commissioner Steve Phelps

“What Mr. Phelps may of may not be aware of is the fact that in attacking Richard Childress, the racing legend, he is also attacking one of the most respected leaders in America’s conservation community.”

“The commissioner has repeatedly labeled Richard as ‘an idiot,’ a ‘dinosaur,’ a ‘stupid redneck’ and a ‘clown.’ The fact is Richard Childress has done as much to build and promote NASCAR as anyone in the history of the sport! The commissioner, in all his rant, has only managed to bring discredit to himself and the sport.”

View the direct quotes of what Steve Phelps said about Richard Childress

“Many of our teammates have validly expressed corner that the commissioner’s recently revealed contempt to Richard Childress makes it abundantly clear that he and his lieutenants are not capable of being fair and objective when it comes to impartially enforcing the rules and regulations that govern the sport, including the objective assessment of fines and penalties. This is a threat to the very integrity of the sport.”

“We can’t help but wonder what would happen if Major League Baseball brought in a new commissioner and he or she trash talked one of the true legends who built the game like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth?”

“Such blatant disrespect would probably not sit well with the fans – such a commissioner most likely wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, keep his or her job for very long!”

Speaking on the lawsuit

“We write this letter with genuine respect for the family who gave birth to the great All-American sporting tradition of NASCAR. The France Family has always celebrated the beginning of every race with faith and prayer and saluted patriotism, with the singing of the national anthem, and reminding steadfast in going above and beyond to honor our veterans and active-duty military. They have built a sport celebrated by hardworking American families.”

“It is painful for all fans to watch the current conflict and division occurring within the sport we love. We hope the France family and team owners will reflect carefully on the damage that’s being done to NASCAR in the ongoing dispute and dig deep and strive hard for compromise. We’re cheering for a prompt and fair resolution that creates a positive panther to a happy and long-term future for the founding family, team owners and most importantly, the fans.”

“One thing is for certain, as the leaders of NASCAR seek to grow the sport and attract new generations of fans, they must never turn their back on, or abandon, the true pioneers and especially fans who form the foundation of the sport we love.”

Richard Childress is considering legal action against NASCAR

Links

NASCAR | Richard Childress Racing

Mohammed Ben Sulayem was re-elected Friday to a second four-year term as president of motorsports’ governing body, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, despite claims by rivals that they were unfairly kept off the ballot by election rules.

“Thank you to all our FIA Members for voting in remarkable numbers and placing your trust in me once again,” Ben Sulayem said after the election results. “We have overcome many obstacles but here today, together, we are stronger than ever.”

The election was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, at the body’s general assembly.

Although Ben Sulayem is taking a victory lap, legal proceedings are expected to continue in French courts over filings against the FIA by Laura Villars, a Swiss driver who on Sept. 18 launched her own bid for the presidency.

Due to a quirk in complicated election rules, Ben Sulayem, 64, essentially ran unopposed.

Rules require candidates to name vice-presidents from all global regions. When only one eligible South American candidate, Fabiana Ecclestone, was available, and she backed Ben Sulayem, other candidates like Villars and former Formula One steward Tim Mayer were unable to complete their “presidential lists,” leading to legal challenges that were filed in Paris.

Villars said last week a hearing is set for February and that the election could be “reviewed, challenged or annulled by the court,” depending on the outcome of the case.

Mayer had stepped up as a potential candidate in the months leading up to Friday’s election but dropped out in October, saying the election was “no longer a democratic process,” and adding, “When elections are decided before ballots are cast, that’s not democracy — that’s theater. And when member clubs are left with no real choice, they become spectators, not participants.”

Ben Sulayem’s first term has been beset by controversy.

Under Ben Sulayem’s leadership, FIA has experienced a bevy of contentious situations. Robert Reid, the deputy president for sport, resigned in April, claiming “a fundamental breakdown in governance standards.” That led former FIA CEO Natalie Robyn, who was forced out in the summer of 2024, to break her silence and concur with Reid’s sentiments.

Drivers have also been critical of Ben Sulayem’s ban on swearing. Moreover, Susie Wolff, the chief executive of F1 Academy for aspiring female drivers, filed a legal complaint against the FIA after a conflict of interest inquiry was lodged against her and husband Toto Wolff, president of Mercedes Motosport, but FIA closed it two days later.

–Field Level Media

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US President Donald Trump began his war against offshore wind turbines with a bang in January, but the writing of defeat is already on the wall. Despite his efforts here in the US, the domestic offshore wind industry is not an entirely lost cause, and activity continues apace overseas. Additionally, the global shipping industry is beginning to rediscover wind power, a trend with significant potential to help push fossil fuels out of the maritime transportation picture.

The Strange New World Of Maritime Wind Power

New fuel and propulsion technologies are providing the global shipping industry with a growing menu of decarbonization alternatives, and old traditions are also at work. Wind power has been making a comeback. The options include modern but relatively conventional sails and sail-like structures, as well as next-generation devices that leverage wind power in new and different forms (see more hard sail background here).

The UK firm GT Wings (formerly Green Energy Technologies) falls into the latter category. GT Wings surfaced on the CleanTechnica radar in 2023, when it proposed the “AirWing,” a compact, space-saving, wind-harvesting device based on aerodynamic principles adapted from Formula 1 racing, aerospace engineering, and high-tech racing racing yachts. To emphasize the cross-industry inspiration, GT describes the general approach as “Jet Sail Technology,” with the AirWing model being the first Jet Sail available commercially.

The 2023 proposal earned GT Wings a thumbs-up from the cleantech funding agency Innovate UK, attracted by the potential for 10–30% fuel savings for retrofitted ships and up to 50% for new ships. The Innovate UK award of £155,000 enabled GT to conduct feasibility and commercialization studies. “Among partners in the project is the aerodynamics firm SABE Fluid Dynamics, which launched in 2019 and soon became known for its work in the Americas Cup sailing race,” CleanTechnica noted.

Not letting the grass grow under its feet, last year GT began work on the first major real-world tryout for the AirWing, involving a 124-meter cargo ship. Though not nearly as long as the biggest ships of today, the relatively modest size of the ship helps support GT’s case for a compact, energy dense system that takes up as little deck space as possible, making it an economical option for smaller ships as well as larger ones.

Next Steps For The AirWing Jet Sail

At the beginning of this year, GT Wings’ CEO, George Thompson, set the stage for the mass adoption of wind power during an interview with BBC News, in which he estimated that about 40,000 vessels, equal to about half the existing global fleet, could be retrofitted with AirWing devices.

In July, the UK government validated GT’s business plan with an award of £1 million through its CMDC6 program, earmarked for accelerating the development and integration of key AirWing systems including adaptive control, self-learning trim automation, weather routing, and propeller pitch control. The new £1 million award is the latest in a series of grants earned by GT, bringing the total to more than £5 million.

Last week, GT nailed down another round of funding, this time from the private sector. The effort — which yielded an undisclosed amount — was spearheaded by the firm Grieg Kapital, a branch of the family owned Norwegian firm Grieg Group. The parent company traces its roots in maritime industries back to the 1880s. Blackfinch Ventures and One Planet Capital are also investors in GT, among others.

“GT Wings is preparing for large-scale installation volumes over the coming years, driven by strong demand signals and a rapidly expanding order pipeline,” GT explained in a press announcement about the new cash infusion dated December 11.

“The investment will enable GT Wings’ growth plans, support the broader commercial deployment of AirWing™, and accelerate the company’s global supply-chain and manufacturing readiness, as demand for wind propulsion increases with an evolving regulatory framework,” GT Wings emphasized.

“Wind-assisted propulsion is one of the most cost-effective and immediate levers available to drive adoption across multiple vessel segments,” the company emphasized again for good measure.

The Significance Of New-Build Ships

Grieg family member Stian Grieg also chipped in his two cents for the press. “Wind-propulsion is emerging as a transformative technology for decarbonising global shipping, and GT Wings has developed a practical, scalable solution that addresses real operational constraints for shipowners,” Grieg said.

As evidence of the potential for a rapid transition, GT Wings drew attention to a census of wind-enabled propulsion devices on ships undertaken by the leading global certification organization DNV. According to DNV, a fleet of 52 ships is already operating with wind power on board, primarily consisting of retrofits. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but DNV also takes note of approximately 100 more new-build ships on order, twice as many as the existing fleet.

“With most installations so far focusing on retrofits, this surge in newbuild commitments signals both integration from the design stage and a faster pace of adoption ahead,” GT explains, referring to advanced materials and ship design strategies that can optimize wind power from beginning stages of ship-building.

What’s Behind The Demand For Wind Power

In addition to the cost-shaving potential of wind power, government policy can also motivate the adoption of new, fuel-saving propulsion systems. President Trump is not inclined to support efforts to decarbonize the shipping industry, but the rest of the world has sailed on, so to speak.

Front and center in the minds of GT and shipping stakeholders is the decarbonization schedule stipulated by the European Commission’s FuelEU Maritime regulations, which went into force on January 1, 2025. The schedule calls for an initial decrease of 2% in the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of the energy used by ships calling at EU ports, ramping up to 80% by 2050. FuelEU also covers methane and nitrous oxide emissions along with carbon dioxide.

The limit applies to all ships above 5,000 gross tonnage regardless of their flag, the European Commission emphasizes, meaning that US-flagged ships will have to obey the same rules as everyone else.

So much for American Exceptionalism. The only thing exceptional about the US today is the exceptional venality, malevolence, and outright criminality on display at the White House, or rather, what’s left of the White House. If you have any thoughts about that, drop a note in the comment thread. Better yet, find your representatives in Congress and let them know what you think.

Photo: Wind power is making a comeback in the global shipping industry, with an assist from the aerospace, motorsports, and yacht racing industries (cropped, courtesy of GT Wings).