After missing three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race weekends for only the second time in 2025, NY Racing Team returned to the series this past Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway.

J.J. Yeley made his seventh appearance and sixth start of the season behind the wheel of the No. 44 Chevrolet in the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 around the four-turn, 1.0-mile (1.609-kilometer) high-banked Monster Mile oval in Dover, Delaware.

But Yeley was forced to retire from the race after 369 of 400 scheduled laps due to “fatigue”, and neither he nor the team will be back for this coming Sunday afternoon’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

NY Racing Team, J.J. Yeley not competing at Indy

The No. 44 Chevrolet was the only non-chartered (open) car on the entry list at Dover, excluding the six 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports cars which are no longer considered chartered cars amid the teams’ ongoing legal battle against NASCAR.

There are three open cars on the entry list for this weekend’s 160-lap race around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Speedway, Indiana oval, and the No. 44 car isn’t one of them.

Beard Motorsports are set to enter the No. 62 Chevrolet for Jesse Love for the first time since the race at Texas Motor Speedway in early May, and Garage 66 are set to enter the No. 66 Ford for Josh Bilicki for the first time since the race at the Chicago Street Course earlier this month.

Additionally, Live Fast Motorsports are set to enter the No. 78 Chevrolet for Katherine Legge. They took a weekend off at Dover after Legge drove the car at both the Chicago Street Course and Sonoma Raceway.

With 39 cars on the entry list, all cars are locked into Sunday’s race.

As for NY Racing Team, they have no concrete plans to return until the season finale at Phoenix Raceway in November, when Yeley is set to compete at his home track, but that will likely change, given the week-to-week basis by which this team has operated throughout the 2025 season so far.

Two years ago, the NASCAR Cup Series made history with the sport’s inaugural street course race through Chicago. Since the first race in 2023, the course’s been a unique challenge for drivers on the grid.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 24, 2025) – Tristan McKee, the inaugural signee of Spire Motorsports’ driver development program, will make a pair of ARCA Menards Series starts in 2025 behind the wheel of the team’s No. 77 Gainbridge Chevrolet SS.

Five days after turning 15-years-old, the minimum age requirement to compete in an ARCA Menards Series national event, McKee will make his debut at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in the August 8 General Tire 100 at the Glen.

He will return to the Gainbridge Chevy in November for the ARCA Menards Series West season finale at Phoenix Raceway.

“Tristan McKee is one of those rare young drivers who makes you lean in and pay attention,” said Spire Motorsports President Bill Anthony. “He’s shown talent, maturity, and the kind of work ethic that earns respect across our organization.

“We’re excited to get him some seat time in the ARCA Menards Series and let him grow at the right pace. Watkins Glen and Phoenix will be great tests, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in Spire colors.”

McKee is a full-time competitor in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli CUBE 3 Architecture TA 2 Series, where he leads the series’ championship point standings by a handsome 82 points on the strength of one pole position, two wins and six podium finishes.

He has finished the past six events inside the top three, including his first-career win in June at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. In the division’s most recent stop at Watkins Glen International, the Williamsburg, Va., native set a track record en route to his first-career pole position before leading the field from flag to flag to secure his second-career win.

“I’m super excited for my debut to be on a road course,” said McKee. “I’ve been doing a lot of road course stuff through the Trans Am Series. We were just at Watkins Glen a couple weeks ago with the series and got the win, so I feel comfortable with the track.

“I had the opportunity to do some testing in the ARCA car, so it helped get me up to speed with the car, but I still have a lot of preparation to do over the next couple weeks in the simulator and my pre-race routine. I’m super thankful to Spire Motorsports and Gainbridge for making this happen and I’m really excited to get on track.”

McKee is a regular participant in the Josh Wise-led fitness and training program at the GM Technical Center in Concord, N.C. He began turning heads three years ago when, at just 12-years-old, he won a 100-lap CARS Pro Late Model Tour feature event at Dillon (S.C.) Motor Speedway to become the youngest winner in CARS Tour history. The upstart teenager went on to collect series wins at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, Caraway (N.C.) Speedway and Cordele (Ga.) Motor Speedway.

Despite his youth, McKee has a resume dotted with wins that would offer even the most seasoned veteran with justifiable bragging rights. In addition to his historic 2023 win, he recorded multiple late model stock car victories in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

McKee also collected the checkered flag in the limited late model feature at the 2023 Fall Brawl at Hickory (N.C) Motor Speedway. The season prior, McKee claimed both Rookie of the Year and championship honors at Orange County (N.C.) Speedway as an 11-year-old.

Prior to his ascent to the late-model ranks, McKee cut his teeth racing Bandoleros where he won the 2020 national championship, a Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Summer Shootout championship and a Thursday Night Thunder Championship at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He began his four-wheel journey in karting where he collected 44 wins and six class championships.

In addition to his full slate of Trans Am racing, McKee has made 13 late model starts in 2025. After finishing second in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour season opener, he captured the checkered flag at the series’ first appearance at Cordele Motor Speedway. He has tallied four top fives in seven CARS Late Model Stock Tour starts, highlighted by a second-place result at North Wilkesboro, a race that was part of NASCAR’s All-Star festivities in May.

McKee made his Super Late Model debut last weekend during the Summer Showdown 200 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash., where he battled the best of the Northwest Super Late Model Series to earn a runner-up finish at “The Superspeedway of the West.”

“The season has definitely gone really, really good so far,” added McKee. “We have a couple Trans Am wins, lead the points and have a podium in each of the last six races. We haven’t been at all the CARS Tour races, but we have put together a lot of good runs.

“It has been one of the best years of my career, so far. It is all preparing me to drive different cars because I am doing something nearly every weekend. This is just another discipline for me to learn, grow and become the driver I want to be. I think we will be really strong.”

Spire Motorsports has fielded an ARCA Menards Series entry three times this season with Corey Day at the controls. After Day was involved in a race-ending incident in the team’s inaugural appearance in the season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, he collected back-to-back ARCA West Series top-10 finishes at Phoenix Raceway (10th) and Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway (seventh).

The General Tire 100 at the Glen from Watkins Glen International will be televised live on FS2, Friday, August 8, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 13th of 20 races on the 2025 ARCA Menards Series schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and ARCARacing.com.

About Gainbridge …

Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge.

Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.io or follow and connect with Gainbridge on X and LinkedIn.

About Spire Motorsports …

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019.

Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

The team’s most recent win came on May 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team will also field the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.

Source: Spire Motorsports

After three years of taking place in Chicago’s Grant Park during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, NASCAR is moving to a new city.

Both NASCAR officials and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office confirmed the race wouldn’t return to the city in 2026, but on Wednesday, NASCAR announced where it was heading instead: San Diego.

The group said it plans to “make history” June 19-21, 2026, with a race at Naval Base Coronado.

“San Diego will host just the second street course in NASCAR’s modern era. The Chicago Street Course hosted Cup and Xfinity action for each of the past three seasons. The race weekend will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy,” a release stated.

More details are set to be released at a later date and tickets are slated to become available this fall.

“What a special way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Navy, 250th anniversary of our country and put on what is going to be undoubtedly the most anticipated event of 2026,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s executive vice president, chief venue & racing innovation officer. “And I’m bullish on it being the best sporting event of the year.”

Still, NASCAR and Chicago officials both pledged to work towards bringing the race back to Chicago in 2027 — under a few changes.

The three-year deal for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race was reached during former mayor Lori Lightfoot’s term, with the deal including a two-year renewal option, according to the Chicago Tribune.

A letter from NASCAR sent to Johnson’s office attributed the decision to needing more time to reschedule the event and further reduce the buildup and breakdown times associated with the race.

“Following a successful three years, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race will hit pause in 2026 to allow NASCAR to be responsive to residents’ and elected officials’ feedback. We will continue to work together toward a new potential date and develop a plan to further optimize operational efficiencies with the goal of the event’s return in 2027,” a statement from a NASCAR spokesperson said.

Julia Giese, the president of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, said NASCAR aims to return to Chicago in 2027 with a new date and shorter build schedule, according to the Tribune.

Giese added that NASCAR will remain active in community engagement efforts in Chicago next year despite the race’s hiatus.

In a statement, Johnson iterated a desire to move the race away from Independence Day weekend in an effort to reduce strain on law enforcement, adding that the city will explore new potential dates for a 2027 race.

Christian Horner’s departure as Red Bull boss will not affect Max Verstappen’s future with Mercedes move rumoured.

Max Verstappen has insisted that Christian Horner’s shock departure as team boss of Red Bull will have no impact on his future plans.

The four-time world champion, who has been linked with a move to Mercedes next year, suggested on Thursday that he expects to stay with Red Bull until the conclusion of his current contract in 2028.

Speaking to reporters in the paddock before this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, one of his “home” races as he was born in Belgium and his mother is Belgian, the 27-year-old Dutchman said he was concerned only with improving the speed and performance of his car.

The rest, he said, was not of great interest to him, adding that past tensions between Horner and his father, Jos Verstappen, had no bearing on decisions about his future.

Asked if Horner’s exit after 20 years as team boss made it more probable that he would stay at Red Bull next year, Verstappen said, “No, it doesn’t. Not really.”

He said the well-publicised discord between his father and Horner was never a problem.

“People can have a difference of opinion, and I expect that to happen because if everyone agrees, there is a problem.

“You need to have differences in opinion. Now, we will work in a different direction, and I am excited about it, and I don’t think it will matter at all for the decision over my future.

“The only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can and try and be more competitive this year, a little bit, but for sure with the new regulations next year.”

Verstappen had earlier welcomed the appointment of Frenchman Laurent Mekies, promoted from junior team Racing Bulls, as Horner’s successor and clearly sensed that it could usher in a stronger technical and engineering focus at the team.

He gave an oblique response when asked if he had a decision to make about his future.

“There is also the possibility of not waking up tomorrow, and so there is no driving.

“Life is unpredictable and, in general, I am happy with where I am at.”

He added, “The target was that when I signed my deal, I would drive here until the end of my career.”

Verstappen will be hoping to end the speculation and give both the team and new boss Mekies a boost with a convincing performance this weekend on his favourite circuit.

The Dutchman finds himself in the unaccustomed position of third in the drivers’ standings, behind leader Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, both of McLaren.

NASCAR will replace its downtown Chicago street race in 2026 with a new event at Naval Base Coronado in Southern California, marking a historic first for the sport and the U.S. Navy.

This move marks a strategic move for the motorsport series, leveraging a unique venue to celebrate the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary and engage new audiences.

The three-day event, scheduled for 19-21 June, will feature all three of NASCAR’s national series on what is expected to be a temporary 3-mile street course. This will be NASCAR’s second street race in its history, and the first ever on an active military base.

Strategy and Brand Alignment

The decision positions NASCAR alongside patriotic values, tapping into the symbolic power of military partnership and the broader celebration of America’s semiquincentennial.

“As part of our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are honoured for NASCAR to join the celebration as we host our first street race at a military base,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief of Venue and Racing Innovations.

U.S. Navy Secretary John C. Phelan added: “Hosting a race aboard Naval Air Station North Island is not just a historic first—it’s a powerful tribute to the values we share: grit, teamwork and love of country.”

This collaboration offers both entities important brand reinforcement and a platform for engaging the military community.

Commercial and Operational Implications

By bringing all three national series: the Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series together over one weekend, NASCAR is increasing the commercial value and broadcast reach of the event. The Cup Series race will be streamed live on Prime Video, the Xfinity Series on The CW, and the Truck Series on FOX Sports.

This broadcast diversification reflects NASCAR’s strategy to capture wider audiences across digital and traditional platforms.

The move also reflects NASCAR’s operational agility. While the Chicago street race garnered solid viewership in its debut, local concerns over noise and street closures created friction. The shift to Coronado allows NASCAR to maintain the street race format in a more controlled and symbolic setting.

Although a return to Chicago remains possible in 2027, the Coronado event presents an immediate opportunity to test a new high-impact format.

Leadership and Legacy

Amy Lupo, who previously led the launch of NASCAR’s Coliseum event, has been appointed president of the San Diego race. Her leadership signals a focused approach to delivering a landmark event.

Ultimately, the move reinforces NASCAR’s push to differentiate its brand in a competitive sports entertainment landscape. By merging motorsport with military celebration, the series aims to engage new fans, create broadcast buzz, and build long-term brand equity through bold, experiential events.

NASCAR promotional video can be viewed on tiktok. 

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