We’ve got live drag racing coming to you from Division 2! It’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing at it’s finest and every pair that goes down the race track is right here live. If you like Sportsman Drag Racing, where wheels-up action is the norm, then this is the racing for you. We’re talking Stock, Super Stock, Comp, Alcohol classes, and more right here from South Georgia Motorsports Park.

Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko vowed to keep fighting for the Formula One title as long as it remains mathematically possible for Max Verstappen, despite Christian Horner’s recent dismissal as team principal.

Following Horner’s 20-year tenure and the appointment of Laurent Mekies, Marko quickly shut down speculation that the team is already shifting focus to 2026.

“With 12 races left, we will continue to push for the drivers’ championship as long as it’s mathematically within reach,” Marko said in a statement.

This comes after Verstappen, currently third and 69 points behind the leader, appeared pessimistic about his title defense. Just last month, Marko told Austrian TV the team might have to “write off” the championship if performance didn’t improve.

There was no mention Thursday of the constructors’ standings, where Red Bull is far adrift of McLaren.

Turning around a disappointing season is just one of many urgent demands facing Mekies on his first full day as Red Bull’s new team principal.

The defending champion last week refused to commit to staying with Red Bull for 2026, even while Horner claimed Verstappen’s “intention is that he will be there.”

It likely will become clearer in the coming weeks whether Horner’s departure has made Verstappen more willing to stay.

If Verstappen leaves, it would likely be for rival Mercedes. Losing its star driver relatively late in 2025 could hamper Red Bull’s development work for next year, and few experienced options are available.

The two sides of the Red Bull garage seem like different teams.

Verstappen has scored 165 of Red Bull’s 172 points this year despite frequent complaints about the car.

For anyone else, it seems undriveable.

The last Red Bull podium for a driver other than Verstappen was in April 2024. The last win came in April 2023.

Last week, Horner said Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda would be given the rest of the season to show what he can do. Whatever happens, Mekies has to choose who will fill that seat for 2026.

One option is Isack Hadjar, the impressive rookie at Red Bull’s junior team, Red Bull Racing Bulls. However, Mekies was at Racing Bulls when Liam Lawson was first promoted, then sent back down with shattered confidence.

Getting the best out of Red Bull means dealing with its internal politics.

In his previous role with Racing Bulls, Mekies worked with 82-year-old Marko, who is employed by Red Bull’s parent company and oversees both of its F1 teams. The Austrian is influential, but his authority and position are vaguely defined.

Another influential figure who isn’t a team employee is Jos Verstappen. The star driver’s father is a regular presence in the paddock and wasn’t afraid to criticize Horner in public.

Since Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz’s death in 2022, the parent company’s shareholders in Thailand have shaped the team’s direction. They’re rarely seen at races and avoid commenting publicly.

The most sweeping changes to F1 cars in a generation could reshape the sport.

Red Bull aced the last big regulation change in 2022 with a car designed by Adrian Newey. He left last year for Aston Martin, an ambitious team that has been planning for this moment for years. It’s just one of several rivals with their eyes on Red Bull’s place as a title challenger.

Mekies will need to quickly grasp Red Bull’s plans for 2026 and a major expansion of its in-house engine production program, which includes Ford returning to F1 next year as Red Bull’s partner.

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QUALIFYING FORMAT:Two consecutive qualifying laps.STARTING LINEUP PROCEDURES:Starting Positions 1st through 11th will be determined from qualifying.12th and 13th have been established for up to two additional starting positions which will be available to the highest ranking of the Top 30 car owners in the current 2025 NASCAR Canada Series Championship car owner point standings who has not qualified for one of the original 11 starting positions14th and 15th have been established for up to two additional starting positions which will be available to the highest ranking of the Top 30 drivers in the current 2025 NASCAR Canada Series Championship driver point standings who has not qualified for one of the original 11 starting positions16th has been established for up to one additional starting position which will be available to any past NASCAR Canada Series Champion driver who participated as a driver in the 2024 NASCAR Canada Series and who did not qualify for one of the original 11 starting positionsRACE PROCEDURE:The NAPA 300 will use a Modified Live Pit Stop Procedure. When pitting, cars will not lose their position relative to the other car(s) they pit with, unless losing a lap in the pits. Cars that pit will restart behind the car(s) that remain on the racetrack. TIRE ALLOTMENT:The maximum tire allotment available for this event is as follows: One (1) tire for practice, four (4) tires for qualifying and to begin the race and four (4) additional tires for use during the race for a total of nine (9) tires. If this is your first event o an oval, the maximum tire allotment available is as follows: Four (4) tires from practice, four (4) tires for qualifying and to begin the race and four (4) additional tires for use during the race for a total of twelve (12) tires. *If purchasing additional tires for the race, there is a maximum of two (2) left and two (2) right side tires allowed.

In response to the appeals court decision this week, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are making another move in the NASCAR lawsuit. The teams intend to file a motion for a temporary restraining order and a new preliminary injunction in order to save their charter status. However, they have asked the courts to keep certain documents confidential.

The U.S. Court of Appeals vacated the preliminary injunctions from last December. That puts 23XI and Front Row at risk of losing their charters for all six of their Cup Series teams.

This NASCAR lawsuit has continued to be a back-and-forth between the two sides. Losing charters for the rest of the season would be a major hit to 23XI and FRM monetarily.

In today’s filing, the teams are asking the District Court to “file certain materials under seal.” The teams are submitting more evidence to support their case that they require charter status for this season in order to avoid “irreparable harm.”

As part of the filing, certain documents will be redacted from the public’s view. However, a redacted version of the motion for the restraining order and preliminary injunction will be made available for the public. The redacted documents include business information, confidential communications, as well as “documents relating to sponsors, drivers, and other partners and contracts…”

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reports that he believes this injunction will be to keep their charters. The U.S. Court of Appeals denied 23XI and FRM’s motion for a hearing in front of the full seven-judge panel. So, it appears they have gone back to the drawing board with a tight deadline to do so. The charters will be taken away the week of the Dover race. That is, without further intervention.

NASCAR lawsuit: Teams attempting to keep charter status

When Judge Niemeyer of the U.S. Court of Appeals struck down the District Court’s injunctions from December, he called into question the claim that 23XI and FRM had made in order to receive the injunctions. In other words, he felt they lacked evidence for what they were claiming.

In early June, Niemeyer ruled: “In entering a preliminary injunctionin this case, the district court held that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits of their antitrust action against the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR), and it’s CEO, James France, because NASCAR, as an alleged monopolist, required the plaintiffs, as a condition of doing business with them, to enter into a release for past conduct. Because that theory of antitrust law is not supported by any case of which we are aware, we conclude that it was not a likely basis for success on the merits and vacate the injunction.”

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have had their fair share of wins in this lawsuit against NASCAR. However, losing charter status would be a big loss. Both sides seem intent on going to trial in December. So, we will be along for the ride until then.

The results of this lawsuit could change the sport. Whatever that looks like remains to be seen. And there are a lot of people not involved in the lawsuit who will be impacted.

The 48th Annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire will dazzle and delight fans of all ages, Aug. 1-2, 2025, at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

The substantial signature event known as The Greatest Show in Drag Racing® will feature more than 82 performers, which is the most in the history of the event, and they will be ready to put on an outstanding show.

“We have been thinking about and dreaming about this event for the past year, and we have a striking show planned that will appeal to all senses,” said Bill Bader, Summit Motorsports Park president. “We urge you to get your tickets now as we are expecting a sell-out.”

NHRA Funny Car standouts Ron Capps, Daniel Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon and Dave Richards will soar side-by-side, and talented Top Fuel racers Antron Brown, Justin Ashley, Clay Millican and Josh Hart will rocket down the racetrack.

Powerful NHRA Pro Stock drivers Greg Anderson, Dallas Glenn, Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. will add to the adrenaline, as will twelve Top Alcohol Funny Cars, twelve Top Alcohol Dragsters and twelve Pro Mods.

Hayden Proffitt will bump into the beams and blast off with afterburners all aglow in his Hot Streak II jet engine-powered truck, and Ernie Bogue, Scott Holdridge, Dawn Perdue and Neil Esposito will gun for a North American Jet Car Championship in their 300-mph vehicles.

R&R Auto Body Top Sportsman, Factory Stock, Pro Outlaw Drag Sleds and ScottRods Gassers will also be in action.

There will be a fantastic flyover by the Hooligans Flight Team featuring historic military airplanes, as well as skydivers. The Bader Family Signature $150,000 Fireworks Show presented by R&R Auto Body will be shot from multiple locations over the park.

The Edelbrock Super Series Elite presented by Red Line Oil and Rocko Machine will feature the top 16 racers in Summit Motorsports Park’s Edelbrock Super Pro, Edelbrock Pro, Wiseco/CycleTech Super Bike and Edelbrock Sportsman Delivered on Time by TFC Transportation programs as of Aug. 1, and they will race for a share of $64,400 on Aug. 2.

Additionally, the Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster Shootout will put the spotlight on the top eight racers in Summit Motorsports Park’s Bear Motorsports Advanced, Intermediate and Novice Junior Dragster presented by Wiseco programs as of June 1, and they will race for cash, trophies and gift cards on Aug. 2.

As always, the Bader Family Guarantee, which promises the best show possible at the best price possible, is in place and offers an unconditional money-back guarantee.

Fans who want to elevate their experience even more can join the John Force Winner’s Circle, which offers VIP parking, premium starting line seating, patio viewing, pit area access, souvenir goody bag, chalet access, catered meals, complementary soft drinks and bottled water, two alcohol beverages for those 21 and older, cash bar, snacks, private restrooms and more.

Tickets are selling quickly. For tickets or more information, visit summitmotorsportspark.com or call 419-668-5555. Summit Motorsports Park is at 1300 State Route 18, Norwalk, Ohio.

This story was originally published on July 11, 2025.