Motorsports

NASCAR Xfinity at Dover: Connor Zilisch tames the Monster Mile in the rain

Published

2 months ago

July 19, 2025

DOVER, Del. — Rain tamed the Monster Mile and made Connor Zilisch the winner of Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover Motor Speedway.

Zilisch claimed his fourth career NASCAR Xfinity Series win after rain cut the race short by 66 laps. He led twice for 77 laps and won the second stage before NASCAR called the race after 134 laps due to rain.

NASCAR called the race at 7 p.m. ET with light rain reported all the way around the track. The race had a predetermined finishing time of 8:10 p.m. ET, making it highly unlikely the race was going to get going again before that time.

TOP-10 FINISHERS (LAP 134): Connor Zilisch, Aric Almirola, Brandon Jones, Justin Allgaier, Jesse Love, Ryan Sieg, Taylor Gray, Sheldon Creed, William Sawalich, Christian Eckes.

No cautions for cause fell in the bulk of the race Saturday until the caution for rain ultimately ended the race.

Jake Finch and Lavar Scott finished 17th and 28th, respectively, each on the lead lap for the NASCAR Xfinity Series debut.

Nick Sanchez and Ross Chastain finished 37th and 38th after having mechanical issues in the final stage.

Justin Allgaier leads Connor Zilisch in the points by 56. Here is what the playoff cutline looks like after Dover:

Sam Mayer +162 to the playoff cutline
Carson Kvapil +86
Sheldon Creed +61
Taylor Gray +36
Jeb Burton +7
Harrison Burton -7
Ryan Sieg -30
Dean Thompson -62
Christian Eckes -71

DOVER STAGE ONE WINNER: Taylor Gray

Early on, Nick Sanchez, Connor Zilisch and Ross Chastain had nothing for Taylor Gray from second, third and sixth, as Gray jumped to the lead from the pole. His three Joe Gibbs Racing teammates filled positions four through five and seventh. Brandon Jones and Aric Almirola soon jumped ahead of Sanchez and Zilisch, making it a JGR 1-2-3 as they raced through lap traffic.

Further back, Zilisch and Chastain’s JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier went from the rear of the 38-car field to seventh in the stage.

Still, JRM couldn’t beat JGR in the stage and Almirola couldn’t beat his JGR teammate. Almirola closed to Gray’s bumper but Gray went flag-to-flag in the first stage for his second career Xfinity stage win.

STAGE ONE TOP-10 (LAP 45): Taylor Gray, Aric Almirola, Brandon Jones, Connor Zilisch, Ross Chastain, Nick Sanchez, Justin Allgaier, William Sawalich, Jesse Love, Sheldon Creed.

Creed edged Ryan Sieg for 10th before the stage caution that saw Josh Williams get the free pass from 32nd.

Under caution, Taylor Gray had a 23.3-second pit stop that dropped him from the lead to 15th.

“The [tire] changer had to chase the car a long way so the hose got underneath the car and when the jack dropped, the hose was stuck underneath it,” Gray was told on the radio.

Meanwhile, teammate Brandon Jones beat Zilisch, Almirola, Allgaier, Sawalich, Love, Chastain, Creed, Sanchez and Ryan Sieg off of pit road.

DOVER STAGE TWO WINNER: Connor Zilisch

Connor Zilisch took the lead in the first stage while Jones dropped to third behind Almirola and ahead of Allgaier and Sieg who showed strong long-run speed.

On the long run in the second stage, no one had anything for Zilisch. He won the stage by over a second, continuing a strong seven-race stretch that has seen him accrue an average finish of 2.43.

STAGE TWO TOP-10 (LAP 90): Zilisch, Almirola, Jones, Allgaier, Ryan Sieg, Chastain, Love, Creed, Sawalich, Austin Hill.

The free pass went to Lavar Scott who made his series debut Saturday at Dover with Alpha Prime Racing.

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AT DOVER FINAL STAGE

Saturday marked the 13th stage-era NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover — and the third to not have a caution for cause. The others, in fall of 2018 and spring of 2019, had two cautions and three cautions respectively in the final stage.

The final stage Saturday fit the occasion of chaos. Kyle Sieg stayed out and led but dropped quickly. Then, Nick Sanchez and Ross Chastain had issues that took them out of the top 10 and to the garage in 37th and 38th — second-to-last and last. Sanchez had steering issues while Chastain had driveshaft issues.

Connor Zilisch picked up where he left off, showing why his ARCA Menards Series East win in 2024 wasn’t a fluke and how he isn’t just a road course ace. Zilisch took the lead by over a second until a caution for rain on lap 132.

NEXT: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, July 26

Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.

A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.

Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick’s final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers’ stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.

Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com

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Motorsports

Inaugural Harden Off-Road Yankee Fork Rendezvous

Published

3 minutes ago

September 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

| September 23, 2025

The inaugural Harden Off-Road Yankee Fork Rendezvous, presented by Red Line Oil, concluded after three days of riding, storytelling and community support that left participants calling the event “epic.” Held September 5-7 and based in Challis, Idaho, the event, co-promoted by AMA Hall of Famers Scot Harden and Rodney Smith, brought together 120 riders from across the United States for a weekend that combined challenging trails, motorsports history and local philanthropy.

Riders covered roughly 135 miles of Idaho backcountry across three days. Friday’s 40-mile loop included a stop at the historic Skylark Mine and a climb to Ramshorn Mountain. Saturday delivered the event’s marquee 72-mile ride, featuring pristine single-track, technical two-track, and a lakeside lunch at Big Bayhorse Lake. Sunday’s rain-soaked run closed the weekend in style with a dust-free, super memorable finale.

Routes were created to attract both experienced single-track riders and casual enthusiasts, ensuring inclusivity without sacrificing challenge.

Beyond the riding, the event featured a star-studded “Ultimate Bench-Racing Session” at the Challis Community Center. 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz and motocross legend Bob Hannah entertained the crowd with candid stories and insights, while industry icons John Gregory and Eddie Cole added to the atmosphere of motorsports royalty. Altogether, five AMA Hall of Famers were in attendance, giving the event an air of credibility that participants appreciated immensely.

Schwantz also joined participants on the trail, bridging the gap between professional legacy and grassroots camaraderie.

Participants traveled from as far as New York, Hawaii, Florida and Texas, highlighting the event’s national reach. Limiting entries to 120 ensured smooth logistics and a close-knit atmosphere. Meals, receptions and evening banquets offered opportunities for friendships to form as easily as they did on the trail.

Harden Off-Road worked closely with the Challis Chamber of Commerce, local officials, the Salmon-Challis Forest Service, and the BLM to coordinate logistics and minimize impact on public lands. Local volunteers and the Challis Community Trails Alliance played key roles in execution.

The Rendezvous raised more than $4000, $1000 of which was donated to the Challis High School sports programs, while the balance was divided among local Idaho trail organizations, reinforcing its commitment to leaving a positive footprint.

From Schwantz and Hannah’s stories to the lakeside lunch at Big Bayhorse Lake, participants shared a variety of memorable moments. Riders praised Idaho’s diverse terrain—alpine meadows, mining roads, and technical descents—while everyone agreed the camaraderie was the true highlight.

“When we first started contemplating doing this event two years ago, we could not have imagined just how special it would be,” said Harden. “With strong reviews and online buzz already building, the Yankee Fork Rendezvous is poised to become a fixture on our 2026 Harden Off-Road trail ride and rally series. By combining world-class riding with motorsports heritage and community benefit, our event delivered an experience that resonated well beyond the trails. We’ve landed on a pretty good formula for putting on entertaining events. We will be back!” CN

For more information, visit https://harden-offroad.com

Click here for all the latest Off-Road Racing news.

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Motorsports

Injured Stewart Friesen inspired by NASCAR return

Published

1 hour ago

September 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

For the first time since a debilitating crash in a Big Block Dirt Modified at Autodrome Drummond in July, Stewart Friesen returned to a NASCAR Truck Series race on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Friesen has been sidelined for the past two months with a shattered pelvis, a fractured right leg (tibia and fibula), a fractured C7 vertebra and a fractured left hip that required plates, screws, rods, and pins.

He was still on crutches this past weekend, not remotely cleared to compete, but actually wants to get back into his Modified by the World Finals at Charlotte Motor Speedway in November.

The road to recovery

Stewart Friesen, Halmar-Friesen Racing Toyota

With that said, it’s going to require a really intense rehabilitation and recovery timeline.

“We’re getting there,” Friesen told Motorsport.com on Saturday. “It’s been a slow road. I have lost a lot of weight this last month and a half laying in bed so it feels good to start crutching around a little bit these last couple of days and to get back to the race track.”

Friesen was able to attend a race on Saturday that saw Kaden Honeycutt advance in the Truck Series Playoffs in the No. 52 he has co-owned with Chris Larsen and driven since the 2017 season.

Honeycutt, a playoff driver needed a playoff truck since he was forced to leave Niece Motorsports last month due to an impending deal with TRICON Garage. The No. 52 needed a playoff driver to steer the truck through the owners’ playoffs and it was just a perfect match.

Giving up a playoff spot

Stewart Friesen, Halmar-Friesen Racing Toyota

This also required Friesen to forfeit his own playoff spot and a 10th-place championship finish. It wasn’t his first choice as he really wanted the record books to reflect that he won a race and was a top 10 driver — even after missing the final nine races of the season.

NASCAR, however, would have been forced to fine him for missing numerous playoff responsibilities, offsetting whatever the team makes in chasing an owner’s championship with Honeycutt.

“That was our first idea but we just decided it wouldn’t have been the best look for us to do that,” Friesen said. “Sometimes, you just have to accept your lumps and move on. This was one of those times.”

Thus, the team hired Honeycutt and has even fielded a second part-time truck through an alliance with Bruce Cook Performance for drivers like Cole Butcher and Wesley Slimp.

“This is a small group of guys to field two trucks so I want to thank Bruce and a couple of guys from his team that came over to work on our No. 62 because they’ve done a great job,” Friesen said. “The goal was to get Kaden into the next round, which we barely did by the skin of our teeth with the bad luck we had at Darlington, so we just need to keep getting better so it’s not so close next time.

“We’re always building a notebook, and expect to keep building better trucks, and keep moving forward.”

Determined to go back racing

Stewart Friesen, Halmar-Friesen Racing Toyota

This doesn’t sound like a 42-year-old plotting a NASCAR retirement, does it?

“I thought all sorts of things when I was in bed, being away from the race track all this time, but being back here reminded me of how much I still do love this,” he said. “It makes me want to be back out there racing all the other guys and working directly with our team.

“And another thing, I’m really proud of (wife) Jess too because she has stepped up on the administration side. She’s had to take care of some of the work I haven’t been able to get to while taking care of me too.

“It’s a lot of work and it’s been a lot but we’re here and looking forward to what’s next.”

That includes taking the green flag at the Daytona Truck Series opener in 2026.

“I hope so,” Friesen said. “That is our ultimate goal but it just depends on how my nerves react and if I can get some feeling back in the lower part of my leg and foot.”

Motorsports

Joe Gibbs Racing Sorts Out No. 11 Team Following Suspensions

Published

1 hour ago

September 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

What’s Happening?

Joe Gibbs Racing has found its replacements for two suspended crew members after deferring their suspensions for one week.

Denny Hamlin will get two over-the-wall pit crew members from the JGR crew that is leased to Front Row for the Noah Gragson car … Thomas Hatcher (front changer) and Nate McBride (jack man) on the Hamlin car this week. @NASCARONFOX

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 23, 2025

During the Round of 16 cutoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin lost a right front tire on track, resulting in a two-race suspension of two crew members. This left JGR in need of substitutes for tire changer Austin Maloney and jackman Joel Bouagnon.
Tuesday, JGR confirmed that they will pull their replacements from Front Row Motorsports, one of the two teams they lease pit crews to. The replacements come from FRM’s No. 4 team, with Thomas Hatcher substituting for Maloney and Nate McBride substituting for Bouagnon.
While this situation has come at an inconvenient time, Hamlin, who sat first in points when the penalty was dulled out, approached the issue in a rather relaxed manner. Saying on last week’s episode of Action’s Detremental, “I have no idea who’s sitting on the bench, who’s ready, and it’s not even my concern.”
Pit road was not an issue for the No. 11 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway as JGR deferred the penalty for one week. However, that does not mean the team left NHMS without issue, with an on-track run with teammate Ty Gibbs being the storyline of the race weekend.

What’s Happening?

Prior to the announcement of yesterday’s pit crew suspensions, Denny Hamlin spoke about how he will handle suspensions in…

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Motorsports

NASCAR Formats: The Ongoing Playoffs Controversy

Published

2 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The NASCAR playoffs remain a divisive topic, with fans, drivers, and analysts frequently criticizing the format, even as NASCAR defends its entertainment value. Amid the ongoing debate, The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck has shed light on how TV broadcasters are responding to the controversy.

TV Networks Steer Clear of NASCAR Playoff Debate

In the latest episode of *The Teardown* podcast, Gluck and co-host Jordan Bianchi discussed Ryan Blaney’s thrilling victory at New Hampshire, but the conversation also turned to the polarizing playoff system. Many fans argue that the current format undervalues season-long consistency, offering drivers too many opportunities to recover from poor performances. NASCAR, however, maintains that the playoffs heighten excitement and unpredictability.

Gluck revealed that NASCAR has formed a playoffs committee, led by Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Tim Clark, to gather feedback. While the committee lacks decision-making power, its input could shape potential changes. Initially, only one member strongly supported returning to the traditional, non-playoff format, but Gluck noted growing sentiment among committee members for reverting to the old 36-race structure.

A common narrative suggests NASCAR retains the playoffs to please broadcasters. However, Gluck clarified that one broadcast partner, NBC, has explicitly distanced itself from the debate. “I think [NBC] caught wind of the conversation and didn’t like being part of it,” Gluck told Bianchi. “They don’t want people saying, ‘TV wants this.’”

Gluck shared that NASCAR recently met with NBC, which emphasized that NASCAR should make decisions in the sport’s best interest. “NBC essentially told them, ‘You guys do what’s best for the sport. We’re not making this decision,’” Gluck explained, paraphrasing the network’s stance. This hands-off approach reflects broadcasters’ desire to avoid fan backlash and further declines in viewership, already a concern for NASCAR.

Why It Matters

The playoff debate is a hot-button issue, and broadcasters like NBC are wary of being seen as influencing NASCAR’s choices. As the committee continues to evaluate the format, NASCAR faces pressure to balance fan sentiment with the sport’s appeal. For now, the broadcasters are staying out of the fray, leaving NASCAR to navigate the controversy on its own.

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Motorsports

Elizabethton’s Edens repeats as Super Pro champion | Motor Sports

Published

2 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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Motorsports

Dale Coyne Racing signs Hauger, Enters Technical Partnership with Andretti Global

Published

2 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dale Coyne Racing announced today that reigning INDY NXT by Firestone Champion Dennis Hauger (pictured) will pilot one of the Dale Coyne Racing Honda’s for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. In addition to adding Hauger to the team’s driver lineup, Dale Coyne Racing has entered into a technical partnership with Andretti Global for the upcoming season.

Coming off a championship-winning rookie INDY NXT season, 22-year-old Norwegian driver Hauger secured six wins, five additional podiums, seven poles, 13 top-10 finishes and 301 laps led across 14 races. Additionally, Hauger set multiple qualifying records in 2025, recording the fastest laps in track history on the Streets of Detroit, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Milwaukee Mile. Hauger’s on-track success allowed him to clinch the 2025 INDY NXT Championship at the penultimate race of the season at The Milwaukee Mile.

Prior to making his debut in North American open-wheel racing, Hauger advanced through the European racing ranks, capturing the Italian F4 Championship (2019), the FIA Formula 3 Championship (2021) and earning five wins and 13 podiums over three seasons competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship (2022-2024).

Hauger will take his first INDYCAR laps in offseason testing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with Dale Coyne Racing and will make his official on-track debut at the 2026 INDYCAR season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg, February 27 – March 1.

DALE COYNE, OWNER, DALE COYNE RACING

“This is a great opportunity for us here at DCR to bring on a talented driver and gain a strong technical partner in Andretti Global, Thanks to Dan and his belief in our sport and his dedication to elevating Dennis to the top of the ladder.”

DENNIS HAUGER, DRIVER, DALE COYNE RACING

“I’m excited to be joining Dale Coyne Racing for my rookie INDYCAR season. The progress the team has shown this year is really impressive, and it’s an honor to take my place on the grid with them in 2026. I want to thank Dale Coyne and everyone at the team for putting their trust in me. It’ll also be nice to see some familiar faces through the team’s technical partnership with Andretti Global. They’ve been a big part of my success since making the switch, so having their involvement in another rookie season for me will be great. I’m looking forward to contributing and starting this next chapter together.”

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