NASCAR still wants to expand internationally with its top series, but moving the preseason Clash event will not happen next year. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovation officer, said on Tuesday that it’s“more than likely it will stay domestic” in 2026. The full schedule for 2026 will be released […]
NASCAR still wants to expand internationally with its top series, but moving the preseason Clash event will not happen next year.
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovation officer, said on Tuesday that it’s“more than likely it will stay domestic” in 2026. The full schedule for 2026 will be released in the coming months, including the location of the Clash, which had been rumored to possibly be heading to Brazil.
“I wouldn’t ever rule out international in the future, though,” Kennedy said. “We have thoughts about a lot of it being prior to the season, in the off-season, an exhibition race. It’s a great opportunity for us to bring NASCAR racing to other parts of the world. I think it’s going to be something that we’ll continue to consider, but at least for now, we’ll more than likely keep it domestic.”
Bowman Gray Stadium hosted the Clash in February. It was the first time a NASCAR Cup Series race had been run at the track since 1971.
NASCAR had held the Clash at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum for three years (2022-2024) before bringing it to North Carolina. Prior to L.A., the event had a home in Daytona during Speedweeks from 1979 through 2021.
Regardless of venue or country, NASCAR is aiming to keep the Clash as a season kickoff event.
“I think we’ll continue to have the Clash prior to the (Daytona) 500,” Kennedy said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to build up some momentum in anticipation for our biggest event of the year, the Daytona 500, and the new season ahead. We’ll continue to keep it in that spot.”
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Given his resume, Kurt Busch knew it was a matter of when, not if, he would be selected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Still, getting voted in on the first ballot on Tuesday was a huge relief for Busch, who let out an emotional sigh of relief after hearing his […]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Given his resume, Kurt Busch knew it was a matter of when, not if, he would be selected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Still, getting voted in on the first ballot on Tuesday was a huge relief for Busch, who let out an emotional sigh of relief after hearing his named called at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
“I’m very grateful and thankful that it happened this first time,” Busch said. “You want to have that answer as fast as you can.”
Ray Hendrick and Harry Gant were also voted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Tuesday, while executive Humpy Wheeler was named the Landmark Award winner for his contribution to the sport. A ceremony will be held to officially induct the Class of 2026 into the Hall of Fame in March.
The 46-year-old Busch held off Jimmie Johnson to win the 2004 Cup Series championship and went on to win 34 Cup races, including at least one victory in 19 of his 21 full-time seasons on the premier circuit before he retired in 2023.
His journey to NASCAR stardom began in 2000 with a Truck Series rookie season that foreshadowed greatness. His big breakthrough came in 2004, when he became the first driver to win the title under NASCAR’s “playoff” system – a feat that proved both his excellence and adaptability.
The consistent Busch finished in the top 10 in the Cup Series standings 10 times.
“Things happened fast for me in this sport and I don’t know how or why,” Busch said. “There was no template, there wasn’t the ladder that these days you see the kids that have a system where it is going to be this or that. For me it was being in the right place at the right time and the universe smiled down on me.”
Hendrick, who died in 1990 at age 61, was the original “Mr. Modified.”
He is one of the winningest drivers of all time, with than 700 modified and late model sportsman wins between 1950-88. His success started in his home state of Virginia, where his No. 11 was well know. He won five track championships at South Boston Speedway — four modified and one late model sportsman.
He was known as a driver that was willing to race “anywhere and everywhere,” and did just that. He filled his schedule with modified and late model sportsman races across the East coast. Hendrick was known best for his wins on short tracks, but also produced victories at Talladega, Charlotte and Dover.
Despite never winning a Modified Division championship, Hendrick finished in the top 10 in the standings nine times from 1960-69.
The 85-year-old Gant, known as the “Bandit” for his long-time sponsorship with Skoal Bandits, won 18 Cup Series races, including the Southern 500 in 1984 and 1991. In the five seasons from 1981 through 1985, he finished in the top five in points four times, including a runner-up championship finish to Terry Labonte in 1984.
He also won 21 Xfinity Series races.
Members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met Tuesday in an in-person closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate and vote on the 15 nominees for the induction class of 2026 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.
The 49-person voting panel included representatives from NASCAR, the Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion (Joey Logano).
Busch and Gant both received 61% of the “modern era” ballot votes. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton.
Hendrick received 31% of the “pioneer” ballot votes. Bob Welborn finished second.
Gant raced into his 50s, and still holds premier series records for oldest driver to win a race (52 years old) and a pole (54). He drove the first race car with a telemetry system installed in it at Talladega in 1985 and relayed the data to CBS during its coverage of the event.
This was the Gant’s seventh time on the ballot. He did not attend the announcement ceremony on Tuesday and was not available for comment.
All three were among NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers and one of NASCAR Modified’s All-Time Top 10 Drivers.
Wheeler became synonymous with promotion and innovation.
He spent 33 years as the president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway and played a pivotal role in transforming the venue into a world-class facility.
Wheeler added a new dynamic to the sport, a visionary whose leadership and creativity helped shape today’s fan experience with the introduction of dramatic prerace ceremonies and the development of night racing at superspeedways.
He was known for his innovative promotions and stunts.
NASCAR 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Race-Day Excitement | News | Media
New to NASCAR? You’re in the right place. With the NASCAR Playoffs storming into New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) this September, there’s no better time to experience the high-octane thrill for the first time. Whether you’re a college student looking for a fun weekend or a curious sports fan, this beginner’s guide will get you […]
New to NASCAR? You’re in the right place. With the NASCAR Playoffs storming into New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) this September, there’s no better time to experience the high-octane thrill for the first time. Whether you’re a college student looking for a fun weekend or a curious sports fan, this beginner’s guide will get you race-day ready.
What is NASCAR?
NASCAR, short for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is America’s favorite motorsport, packed with high speeds, fierce rivalries and plenty of strategy. The NASCAR Cup Series is where the best of the best compete, and at NHMS, drivers will be fighting to be the first to secure a spot in the Round of 8 in the Playoffs as they continue their pursuit of the championship.
NHMS, known as “The Magic Mile,” is a challenging one-mile, flat oval track. It’s a race of precision – every corner, every pit stop and every pass counts. The race is broken into stages, and drivers earn points as they go, so it’s not just about who finishes first. It’s all about mastering the track and outsmarting opponents along the way.
If you’re never seen a NASCAR race, the Playoffs at NHMS are the perfect introduction. You’ll feel the excitement, the energy and the drama unfold right in front of you.
The Magic of Race Day at NHMS
At “The Magic Mile,” fans get more than just racing. NHMS is New England’s largest sports and entertainment facility, and race weekend feels like a festival with concerts, camping, food and non-stop action. The vibe is electric from start to finish – it’s New England’s biggest party weekend!
Race-Day Tips for First-Timers
Arrive early to beat traffic and explore the Fan Zone.
Bring a cooler packed with your favorite snacks and drinks (alcohol is allowed, but no glass!).
Dress smart. Think sunscreen, comfy shoes and a hat.
Download the NHMS mobile app for maps, schedules and updates.
Expect loud engines. Bring ear protection!
Don’t just watch – wander. Explore displays, games and more throughout the day.
Who to Watch
Keep an eye on NASCAR Playoff contenders like Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson, who thrive under pressure. Plus, the return of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series adds even more high-stakes racing to the weekend. Don’t miss the fan-favorite Mohegan Sun 100, featuring the always-entertaining NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Don’t Miss These Experiences
The Groove: NHMS’s official party zone with live entertainment and a full bar.
Fan Zone: Attend driver Q&A sessions, visit with NHMS partners, play games, win prizes and get hyped all weekend in the Fan Zone.
Camping: Stay the weekend, and enjoy the after-hours party atmosphere with fellow race fans.
NASCAR is more than just a race. It’s an all-out experience. Once you feel the engines roar and the crowd erupt, you’ll be hooked.
NASCAR paint schemes preview: A special night, four special looks for Hendrick Motorsports
CONCORD, N.C. – A special NASCAR Cup Series race on a special holiday weekend calls for some special paint. In what has become a Memorial Day Weekend tradition, the Coca-Cola 600, one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, will be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday evening. The longest endurance race on the sport’s yearly schedule, the […]
CONCORD, N.C. – A special NASCAR Cup Series race on a special holiday weekend calls for some special paint.
In what has become a Memorial Day Weekend tradition, the Coca-Cola 600, one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, will be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday evening. The longest endurance race on the sport’s yearly schedule, the event also serves as an occasion to remember and pay homage to the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the military.
To that point, each car will bear the name of a fallen service member.
A mix of speed and a little patriotism, all four schemes will look a little different this week when it comes to the Hendrick Motorsports contingent. That includes Kyle Larson’s. His No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy will again sport papaya accents as he makes his second attempt at the #H1100 by running the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day.
Here’s a preview of how all four cars will look when they hit the 1.5-mile quad-oval this weekend:
RELATED: Hendrick Motorsports Fan Fest schedule, details
Pagenaud easing back into motorsports after serious injury in 2023. Finding a new career outside car – Boston 25 News
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — Simon Pagenaud’s career was cut short eight races into the 2023 season when he was badly injured in a crash that caused concussion-related symptoms he’s still battling nearly two years later. He wants no sympathy, no pity, and looks back fondly on a career in which he won the Indianapolis 500, […]
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — Simon Pagenaud’s career was cut short eight races into the 2023 season when he was badly injured in a crash that caused concussion-related symptoms he’s still battling nearly two years later.
He wants no sympathy, no pity, and looks back fondly on a career in which he won the Indianapolis 500, an IndyCar championship, 15 races and the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
He also doesn’t want to dwell on his personal health, which has been a frustrating rollercoaster of improvements, setbacks, and constant rehabilitation to return to some normalcy and enjoy life with his wife and two young children.
But the Frenchman will never be able to shake the motorsports bug — and he has a goal of one day returning to some form of racing because without goals, what does a racer even have?
For now, though, he’s adjusting to a slow comeback that began last year when Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin asked Pagenaud to be his driver coach at the Indianapolis 500. It wasn’t as easy as he’d hoped because everything from his vision to the noise at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the vibration he felt as cars whizzed past the Team Penske timing stand disrupted his recovery.
Even so, McLaughlin has him back this year as Pagenaud attempts to find a career outside the racecar.
“Last year he didn’t know how he was going to feel with the noises, but he definitely feels a lot better,” McLaughlin said. “I really enjoy working with him and bringing him back to the speedway, brought him back to something he loves. He’s really intense, too. His preparation is next level.”
It’s just the start for Pagenaud’s transition: Théo Pourchaire, a fellow Frenchman, announced Tuesday that Pagenaud will be his representation as Pourchaire tries to make a full-time move to racing in the United States.
“I don’t want to be involved with the management of 30 drivers, but I want to be involved with the best,” Pagenaud said. “I want to go to teams with a guy I know can perform. I don’t want to put my name on someone and then have a team come back to me and say he didn’t perform, the guy wasn’t good enough. I’ve got to be selective and to me, I think Theo can be one of the best.”
But that’s not all for Pagenaud, who was contacted by Chevrolet and asked to help do simulator work for the manufacturer in a true case of “just what the doctor ordered.”
“I had no idea if I was going to be of use, but I was very attracted by the idea and my doctors were very enthused by the chance to test myself on a moving simulator,” he said. ”I’m not going to lie — it was a big challenge personally — but it was awesome to have a reference, a new reference, of where I was at and how much I was struggling for different things.
“And we decided that we would do this a bit more frequently. It was very useful for my recovery. It’s probably been the most useful therapy I’ve had, and when I’m talking about therapies, physical therapy, eye coordination, reconnecting the bridges in the brain, things that were not as seamless as they used to be.”
Pagenaud is also open to a more formal role with former team Team Penske, where he spent seven seasons and time with their sports car program. Team President Tim Cindric didn’t rule out a role within the organization for the driver who contributed one of Roger Penske’s record 20 Indy 500 wins.
McLaughlin has raved about what Pagenaud has brought him at Indy.
“I’m probably a detriment to my own career throughout the years — I haven’t been as intricate with looking at little details, and I think Simon is the professor in that regard,” McLaughlin said. “He strives for perfection in a lot of ways in how he sets up his car and what he feels. He’s probably allowing me to look into more details and just the way I look at myself and the driving, the lines and what I’m doing with weight jacker and bars. It’s really helped sort of accelerate my progress here, and really am enjoying working with a friend, as well.”
That knowledge could be welcome inside Team Penske as a whole at some point, Cindric said.
“Simon is always welcome within our team,” Cindric said. “But Simon has a lot going on on his own, beyond our team. I know Simon has been offered some really good things to do, but there’s only so much that Simon really wants to do.
“I think he can be a benefit for anybody around this place. I don’t think there’s any limit in terms of what he does, but at the same time, he wants to be productive. Just hanging around probably isn’t what he wants to do, either. I think we have a pretty good balance, and we’re always open to him within our team.”
___
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Kurt Busch, Hendrick, Gant voted into NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Given his resume, Kurt Busch knew it was a matter of when, not if, he would be selected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Still, getting voted in on the first ballot Tuesday was a huge relief for Busch, who let out an emotional sigh of relief after hearing his named called […]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Given his resume, Kurt Busch knew it was a matter of when, not if, he would be selected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Still, getting voted in on the first ballot Tuesday was a huge relief for Busch, who let out an emotional sigh of relief after hearing his named called at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
“I’m very grateful and thankful that it happened this first time,” Busch said. “You want to have that answer as fast as you can.”
Ray Hendrick and Harry Gant were also voted Tuesday into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, while executive Humpy Wheeler was named the Landmark Award winner for his contribution to the sport. A ceremony will be held to officially induct the Class of 2026 into the Hall of Fame in March.
The 46-year-old Busch held off Jimmie Johnson to win the 2004 Cup Series championship and went on to win 34 Cup races, including at least one victory in 19 of his 21 full-time seasons on the premier circuit before he retired in 2023.
His journey to NASCAR stardom began in 2000 with a Truck Series rookie season that foreshadowed greatness. His big breakthrough came in 2004, when he became the first driver to win the title under NASCAR’s “playoff” system — a feat that proved both his excellence and adaptability.
The consistent Busch finished in the top 10 in the Cup Series standings 10 times.
“Things happened fast for me in this sport and I don’t know how or why,” Busch said. “There was no template, there wasn’t the ladder that these days you see the kids that have a system where it is going to be this or that. For me it was being in the right place at the right time and the universe smiled down on me.”
Hendrick, who died in 1990 at age 61, was the original “Mr. Modified.”
He is one of the winningest drivers of all time, with than 700 modified and late model sportsman wins between 1950-88. His success started in his home state of Virginia, where his No. 11 was well know. He won five track championships at South Boston Speedway — four modified and one late model sportsman.
He was known as a driver that was willing to race “anywhere and everywhere,” and did just that. He filled his schedule with modified and late model sportsman races across the East coast. Hendrick was known best for his wins on short tracks, but also produced victories at Talladega, Charlotte and Dover.
Despite never winning a Modified Division championship, Hendrick finished in the top 10 in the standings nine times from 1960-69.
The 85-year-old Gant, known as the “Bandit” for his long-time sponsorship with Skoal Bandits, won 18 Cup Series races, including the Southern 500 in 1984 and 1991. In the five seasons from 1981 through 1985, he finished in the top five in points four times, including a runner-up championship finish to Terry Labonte in 1984.
He also won 21 Xfinity Series races.
Members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met Tuesday in an in-person closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate and vote on the 15 nominees for the induction class of 2026 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.
The 49-person voting panel included representatives from NASCAR, the Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion (Joey Logano).
Busch and Gant both received 61 percent of the “modern era” ballot votes. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton.
Hendrick received 31 percent of the “pioneer” ballot votes. Bob Welborn finished second.
Gant raced into his 50s, and still holds premier series records for oldest driver to win a race (52 years old) and a pole (54). He drove the first race car with a telemetry system installed in it at Talladega in 1985 and relayed the data to CBS during its coverage of the event.
This was the Gant’s seventh time on the ballot. He did not attend the announcement ceremony on Tuesday and was not available for comment.
All three were among NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers and one of NASCAR Modified’s All-Time Top 10 Drivers.
Wheeler became synonymous with promotion and innovation.
He spent 33 years as the president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway and played a pivotal role in transforming the venue into a world-class facility.
Wheeler added a new dynamic to the sport, a visionary whose leadership and creativity helped shape today’s fan experience with the introduction of dramatic prerace ceremonies and the development of night racing at superspeedways.
He was known for his innovative promotions and stunts.
