Is it all right to point out when something doesn’t happen?
OK, good.
The Boys in the Booth did not throw a caution flag during Sunday’s closing laps in Mexico City.
Shane van Gisbergen was so far ahead, he’d win the race and be done with his donuts and burnout while many drivers were still completing the final lap.
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If a situation ever called for a visit from good ol’ Jacques Debris, that was it. We’ve all made fun of NASCAR over the years for those mysterious debris cautions that spring up when a rout is unfolding in the later laps, but this time, the yellow flag remained holstered.
Shane van Gisbergen made it look easy Sunday in Mexico City.
Best guess: They were ready to get outta there. From a marketing standpoint, NASCAR’s first Cup Series visit to Mexico City appears to have succeeded. But logistically, what a pain. It didn’t help when one of the chartered jets blew an engine before leaving the Charlotte runway.
A lot of personnel, including a good chunk of van Gisbergen’s crew, arrived late for the weekend. And then it rained.
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And finally, SVG “stunk up the show,” to borrow (and tweak) an old Bill France Jr. term.
Thankfully, he didn’t stink up the cockpit.
Huh? We’ll get to that, and more, as we throttle up.
First Gear: SVG plugs the leaks with a checkered flag in Mexico City
Compared to crediting Goodyear and the pit crew, professing love for the wife and kids back home, and thanking the ticket buyers, this wasn’t your typical winner’s interview from SVG.
“I felt pretty rubbish today,” he began, “leaking out both holes.”
He wasn’t talking about his Chevy. It was a short-lived illness that came on suddenly Saturday night and departed in time-honored fashion.
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But for a few hours Sunday afternoon, the exit ramps were closed and Shane did what he’s been hired to do — show off on the road courses while hopefully improving enough on ovals to become a threat instead of an accessory in the playoffs.
After races at Pocono and Atlanta the next two weeks, NASCAR has back-to-back road races at Chicago and Sonoma. The odds boards had SVG heavily favored entering Mexico, so how much of a favorite will he be when Chicago rolls around?
It’s a good time to remind everyone that he still loses more road-course races than he wins. Including his part-time work the previous two seasons, he’s now 2-for-8 on road courses, though he did win three of six in last year’s Xfinity season.
Second Gear: So SVG has no shot in the NASCAR playoffs?
Probably not. Barring a serious uptick in oval-track performance, he’d need to thread some needles to go deep in the playoffs.
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Step 1 was Sunday’s win and the automatic playoff entry it brings — along with the five-point bonus for the win and another bonus point for winning a stage. Those bonus points transfer to the playoffs, and if he piles up a bunch in the three remaining regular-season road races, it will obviously help.
If he gets through the Round of 16 (Darlington, St. Louis, Bristol), the Round of 12 includes the Charlotte Roval. And the Round of 12 includes Talladega.
It’s tempting to say “stranger things have happened,” but frankly, it’d be shocking to see SVG ride into Phoenix in November as one of the Championship 4.
Third Gear: Ricky Stenhouse prefers north-of-border retribution for Carson Hocevar
The next two tracks on the schedule — Pocono and Atlanta — are fast ones. In normal times, growing a third eyeball would be beneficial to any driver.
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Consider Carson Hocevar. Along with the heavy traffic at high speeds, it’s gonna be pure head-on-a-swivel time as he keeps tabs on the whereabouts of a ticked-off Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who delivered a warning which, you have to assume, has never been uttered before in the nearly eight decades of NASCAR racing.
“I told him I was going to beat his ass once we got back in the states.”
It’s a weird dynamic and probably not rooted in any type of science, but in stock-racing particularly, when two guys develop a history of not playing well together, they find themselves near each other quite often.
Hocevar got into Ricky’s left-rear two weeks earlier in Nashville, which seemed avoidable. Sunday in Mexico, he simply lost his car and, wouldn’t you know it, Ricky was nearby, took the brunt, and later delivered his version of diplomacy to Hocevar.
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Yes, there’s some irony here. It wasn’t all that long ago, Ricky Stenhouse was the driver who went through a period of igniting caution flags and anger. In racing, what goes around will eventually come around. Barring trouble in Turn 2.
Fourth Gear: One more week, and Amazon delivers its Prime product to TNT
Grandma’s NASCAR blackout has just one more Sunday to go. Pocono will be the fifth and final installment of Amazon Prime’s midseason takeover of the Cup Series.
After that comes five weeks on TNT, which Grandma can find because that’s where she goes to watch “Charmed” every morning. And guess what: The broadcast changes from Prime to TNT, but TNT keeps the Prime roster of on-air talent, which includes Junior and Cousin Carl — Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards.
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Not sure if TNT will also keep Prime’s strategy of negating full commercial breaks during green-flag racing. We’ll find out soon enough, but not soon enough for the Prime boycotters.
— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR race in Mexico City ends in rainy rout as SVG plugs leaks
Not many NASCAR drivers can say they retired on a win — but the Late, Great Greg Biffle can. Biffle made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series in 1996, driving part-time before moving to the Truck Series in 1998.
He later progressed to full-time Cup Series competition, building a highly successful career across all three national series. Biffle won titles in the Truck and Xfinity series and nearly completed the Grand Slam in 2005, finishing second in the Cup. The North Carolinian won a total of 56 races across NASCAR’s three national series during his career: 19 in the Cup Series, 20 in the Xfinity (Busch) Series, and 17 in the Craftsman Truck Series.
He retired from full-time competition after the 2019 season, but won his last-ever NASCAR race, the Truck event in Texas at the SpeedyCash.com 400. It was Biffle’s first Truck win in 15 years. On Thursday, Biffle, his wife Cristina, and two of his children, Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5, were four of seven killed in a tragic plane crash in Statesville, NC.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days from the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. Three of the people on board, including former stock car racer Biffle, had their pilot’s license.
Collection and documentation of the crash will take place, and investigators will begin to piece together what went wrong. A central focus of the investigation will be locating and analyzing the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which captures all sounds inside the cockpit. Once recovered, the device will be sent to a laboratory in Washington, D.C. for examination.
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Greg Biffle raced in his last-ever NASCAR race in 2019, driving the No. 51 in the Truck Series for the June 7 SpeedyCash.com 400.
Biffle, who tragically died on Thursday in a horror plane crash in Statesville, NC, had retired from full-time NASCAR racing in 2016 after two decades in the sport.
The NASCAR legend won two NASCAR national series Truck and Xfinity titles — but fell short in the Cup, finishing second in 2005.
Those also killed this week were his wife, Cristina, daughter, Emma, son, Ryder, and three others.
The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 concluded in spectacular fashion with a historic Grand Finale at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut. Megastar and ISRL Brand Ambassador Salman Khan was present on ground, adding star power to an electrifying night of high-octane racing and live entertainment, as per a release. The finale witnessed a record-breaking turnout of over 32,000 fans, marking the highest-ever attendance for a motorsporting event in India and reinforcing Kerala’s strong connection with motorsport and large-scale live sporting experiences, the release said.
Amid roaring crowds and intense on-track action, Team Bigrock Motorsports were crowned ISRL Season 2 Champions, capping off a fiercely competitive championship that unfolded across Pune, Hyderabad and Calicut. The season showcased a compelling blend of international excellence and emerging Indian talent.
The Calicut round delivered thrilling racing across all categories. Matt Moss from team BigRock Motorsports (Australia) claimed victory in the 450cc International class aboard the Kawasaki KX 450, while Calvin Fonvieille from team Apollo Indewheelers (France) dominated the 250cc International category on the Yamaha YZ 250. The 250cc India-Asia Mix class was won by Delvinator Alfarizi (Thailand) riding the KTM 250 SX – F, drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium.
Megastar Salman Khan, Brand Ambassador, ISRL, said, “Watching the Grand Finale in Calicut was truly special. The passion of the fans and the intensity of competition show how far Indian motorsport has come. ISRL is creating a platform where Indian riders can compete confidently alongside the world’s best,” as quoted from a release.
Reflecting on the season, Veer Patel, Managing Director, ISRL, said, “Season 2 reflects the growing belief in Supercross across India. From Pune to Hyderabad and now Calicut, the record-breaking fan response shows the sport has truly found a home here, while we continue building strong pathways for Indian riders alongside world-class racing.”
Over the course of Season 2, 36 international riders from 21 countries, including Australia, France, the USA, Germany, Thailand and South Africa, competed alongside India’s top riders such as Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanath and Shlok Ghorpade, highlighting ISRL’s growing global stature, as per the release.
Beyond the races, the Reise Moto ISRL Fan Park transformed EMS Corporation Stadium into a complete motorsport festival, featuring live music, racing simulators, interactive brand zones, food experiences, merchandise and rider interactions, creating an immersive fan experience for families and enthusiasts alike.
With Season 2 concluding on a historic high, the Indian Supercross Racing League now looks ahead to expanding its footprint, strengthening grassroots development and further positioning India on the global Supercross map.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Drag Racing with CHRISTMAS TREES! Racing Action From Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025 At Bradenton Motorsports Park
Dec 21, 2025Chad Reynolds1320 Event Coverage, 1320 Spotlight, 1320 Videos, BangShift 1320, RACING & ACTION, Videos
Cleetus’ Christmas Tree Race 2025 was a very special race. The race has become kind of a big deal since starting a few years ago, and has some pretty simple rules. You must race with a Christmas Tree on or in your vehicle, it must be a minimum of 6 feet tall, it can’t fall off, and you have to have lights on it. Simple right? Well…
Video Description:
We wrapped up Cleetus McFarland’s XMAS Tree Drags 2025, following the entire event from start to finish. This video covers every round from the OG 32-car field all the way through the Elite 8 — the fastest cars on the property — right down to the finals.
Cleetus lined up in both Mullet and Leroy, alongside a stacked field of big-name cars and a few surprise entries we hadn’t seen before. From first-round shakeups to the final matchups, this one delivered nonstop action.
FREE LIVE DRAG RACING: The 4th Annual Christmas On The Coast Jr. Dragster Races From Gulfport Dragway – Saturday
Calicut (Kerala) [India], December 21 (ANI): The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 concluded in spectacular fashion with a historic Grand Finale at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut. Megastar and ISRL Brand Ambassador Salman Khan was present on ground, adding star power to an electrifying night of high-octane racing and live entertainment, as per a release.
The finale witnessed a record-breaking turnout of over 32,000 fans, marking the highest-ever attendance for a motorsporting event in India and reinforcing Kerala’s strong connection with motorsport and large-scale live sporting experiences, the release said.
Amid roaring crowds and intense on-track action, Team Bigrock Motorsports were crowned ISRL Season 2 Champions, capping off a fiercely competitive championship that unfolded across Pune, Hyderabad and Calicut. The season showcased a compelling blend of international excellence and emerging Indian talent.
The Calicut round delivered thrilling racing across all categories. Matt Moss from team BigRock Motorsports (Australia) claimed victory in the 450cc International class aboard the Kawasaki KX 450, while Calvin Fonvieille from team Apollo Indewheelers (France) dominated the 250cc International category on the Yamaha YZ 250. The 250cc India-Asia Mix class was won by Delvinator Alfarizi (Thailand) riding the KTM 250 SX – F, drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium.
Megastar Salman Khan, Brand Ambassador, ISRL, said, “Watching the Grand Finale in Calicut was truly special. The passion of the fans and the intensity of competition show how far Indian motorsport has come. ISRL is creating a platform where Indian riders can compete confidently alongside the world’s best,” as quoted from a release.
Reflecting on the season, Veer Patel, Managing Director, ISRL, said, “Season 2 reflects the growing belief in Supercross across India. From Pune to Hyderabad and now Calicut, the record-breaking fan response shows the sport has truly found a home here, while we continue building strong pathways for Indian riders alongside world-class racing.”
Over the course of Season 2, 36 international riders from 21 countries, including Australia, France, the USA, Germany, Thailand and South Africa, competed alongside India’s top riders such as Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanath and Shlok Ghorpade, highlighting ISRL’s growing global stature, as per the release.
Beyond the races, the Reise Moto ISRL Fan Park transformed EMS Corporation Stadium into a complete motorsport festival, featuring live music, racing simulators, interactive brand zones, food experiences, merchandise and rider interactions, creating an immersive fan experience for families and enthusiasts alike.
With Season 2 concluding on a historic high, the Indian Supercross Racing League now looks ahead to expanding its footprint, strengthening grassroots development and further positioning India on the global Supercross map. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
Tragedy Strikes: NTSB Launches Deep Investigation into Fatal Greg Biffle Plane Crash
In a devastating turn of events, the aviation world was rocked last Thursday when NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, his family, and three others tragically lost their lives in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now on a mission to uncover the harrowing details behind this catastrophic incident, with a press conference held Saturday shedding some light on the ongoing investigation.
NTSB Board Member Michael Graham and Investigator-In-Charge Dan Baker addressed the media, but the information was limited as the investigation is still in its infancy. “We still do not know the circumstances which led the aircraft … to attempt to return to the airport,” Graham stated, emphasizing the urgent need to piece together the events that led to this heart-wrenching disaster.
One chilling revelation from the conference was a text message exchange between Biffle’s wife, Cristian Grossu Biffle, and her mother, Cathy Grossu. Cathy recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the crash: “Then she said something like ‘We’re in trouble, emergency landing.’ And I texted back, ‘What’s wrong with the plane?’” The gravity of the situation escalated when Cathy received an SOS alert, signaling a dire emergency. Graham confirmed that the NTSB is aware of this critical communication, stating, “We are not aware of any other communications from passengers on board the aircraft to those on the ground.”
As investigators delve deeper, the question of who was at the controls during the crucial moments of the flight remains unanswered. Both Greg Biffle and his companions, Dennis and Jack Dutton, were licensed pilots. Graham noted, “We do anticipate that all the information about all the pilot-rated occupants will be included in our preliminary report.” This report is expected within 30 days, but the agency’s final analysis could take up to 18 months.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pilot’s identity, Graham revealed that the NTSB has a “degree of confidence” about the individual in the left seat, although verification is still required. He stressed the importance of accuracy in the investigation: “We want to know where everyone was sitting, and that is a little more difficult in a crash like this.”
In a shocking update, Graham shared that early indications from multiple sources suggest the aircraft was stable and configured for landing with its lights on. However, it was flying dangerously low. This crucial information aligns with the physical evidence found at the crash site, including debris located approximately 1800 feet from the runway threshold.
The investigation is ramping up as the NTSB meticulously documents the wreckage, evaluates the flight voice recorder, and analyzes various components. “All of these are being sent to NTSB recorders labs in Washington, D.C.,” Graham explained, highlighting the importance of recovering critical data to determine the probable cause of this tragedy.
Amidst the chaos, a drone was deployed to assist in the investigation, although high winds initially hampered its operations. As conditions improved on Saturday, the team was able to resume their efforts to gather evidence from the crash site.
With so many unanswered questions and the clock ticking, the NTSB is committed to uncovering the truth behind the demise of Greg Biffle and his companions. As the agency continues its exhaustive investigation, the families and fans of those lost are left grappling with the profound loss and searching for closure in this heartbreaking saga.
Throughout the racing year, now and then, race fans are blessed with a handful of special days in which NASCAR, IndyCar, and F1 all race on one calendar date. In 2026, this will occur eight separate times. Here’s a look at those race days.
Of course, these are all subject to time and date, and, in some cases, these races could realistically happen with 12 hours of one another.
The first date that all three series race on is March 15, with Formula One racing at Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix, IndyCar racing on the streets of Arlington, Texas, for the first time, and NASCAR racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
On May 24, all three series will race on U.S. soil on the same day. Formula One will race in the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, with IndyCar hosting the 110th Indianapolis 500 that same afternoon, and NASCAR kicking off the 67th Coca-Cola 600 later that evening.
The final triple header will be on September 6, with Formula One racing at Monza, IndyCar racing in their season finale at Laguna Seca, and NASCAR hosting, what is at press-time, a playoff race in the 77th Southern 500.
March 15
NASCAR: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
IndyCar: Grand Prix of Arlington
Formula One: Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai)
March 29
NASCAR: Martinsville Speedway
IndyCar: Barber Motorsports Park
Formula One: Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka)
April 19
NASCAR: Kansas Speedway
IndyCar: Grand Prix of Long Beach
Formula One: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Jeddah)
May 24
NASCAR: Charlotte Motor Speedway
IndyCar: Indianapolis 500
Formula One: Canadian Grand Prix (Montréal)
June 7
NASCAR: Michigan International Speedway
IndyCar: World Wide Technology Raceway
Formula One: Monaco Grand Prix (Monaco)
July 5
NASCAR: Chicagoland Speedway
IndyCar: Mid‑Ohio Sports Car Course
Formula One: British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
July 19
NASCAR: North Wilkesboro Speedway
IndyCar: Nashville Superspeedway
Formula One: Belgian Grand Prix (Spa‑Francorchamps)
September 6
NASCAR: Darlington Raceway
IndyCar: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Formula One: Italian Grand Prix (Monza)
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