Motorsports

NASCAR’s strange and surreal 2020 All-Star Race

NASCAR has had its fair share of strange and bizarre happenings over the years, and the All-Star Race is no exception. In the past, ‘One Hot Night’ ended with the race winner in the hospital, the first All-Star Race had the winning car (suspiciously) blow its engine just as it crossed the finish line, and […]

Published

4 weeks ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Five years ago, NASCAR hosted another All-Star Race to remember, but not necessarily for the action on the track. The entire world felt strange to begin with, as it was taking place in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this, the event was moved from Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first time in over 30 years, heading to Bristol Motor Speedway in the middle of July.

Oh, and did we mention this particular All-Star race took place on a Wednesday?

With the pandemic forcing NASCAR to alter its schedule on the fly, the sanctioning body was toying with the concept of mid-week races in 2020. So, on a Wednesday night at Bristol on primetime television, they allowed a limited number of fans at the half-mile short track, reaching about 1/4th of its actual capacity. An estimated 22,000+ showed up in what turned out to be the most attended sporting event in the United States since the 2020 pandemic began.

Something is off

Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

As soon as cars rolled out on track, those watching noticed something was visually off with the cars. The numbers were shifted back towards the rear wheels with sponsor logos placed ahead of them on the door. NASCAR was hoping to give more visibility to brands on the cars, but aesthetically, those watching were unimpressed. In fact, most hated it. NASCAR did eventually move the numbers in 2022, but instead chose to move them forward on the car, which still wasn’t popular, but at least it doesn’t look quite as odd.

The cars had more surprises to offer, but that wouldn’t become noticeable until the sun went down.

In the meantime, the event went forward with the ‘Open’ race, which gave those not yet locked into the All-Star Race a chance to race their way in. In this event, a notable incident overshadowed the outcome, involving Bubba Wallace and Michael McDowell.

The two drivers were battling for third place when McDowell grew frustrated with Wallace, and appeared to turn down abruptly, hooking Wallace into the outside wall and crashing him out of the race.

Wallace was furious, giving a fiery interview to FOX. “I don’t even need to see a replay. look at this s***. People say he’s one of the nicest guys in the garage. Can’t wait for the god-fearing text that he’s gonna send me about preaching and praising respect. What a joke he is.”

Wallace ended up walking off with the damaged front bumper of his No. 43 car, dropping it off at McDowell’s hauler in a moment that instantly went viral. McDowell and Front Row Motorsports later auctioned the bumper off for charity and everyone were pretty good sports about it in the end.

Choose rule

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Aric Almirola, William Byron, and Matt DiBenedetto ended up racing their way into the main event, while Clint Bowyer won the fan vote, taking the final spot on the grid.

The Open also debuted the choose rule — a new concept for NASCAR, but commonly used in local races around the country. Drivers throughout the entire field were allowed to choose which lane they wished to restart in for the very first time, and of all the things that were trialed at this particular All-Star Race, this is the one rule change that stuck.

The choose rule remains in use to this very day in all three national divisions.

A literal NASCAR glow-up

The All-Star Race field

Photo by: Getty Images

As the cars rolled onto the concrete half-mile for the main event, the already strange-looking machines looked even odder than before. It was nighttime, and underglow lighting was clearly emanating from beneath the rear bumper of every car.

The Fords were blue, the Toyotas red, and the Chevrolets amber.

And while it looked a bit whacky, you have to applaud NASCAR for its willingness to try new things in the All-Star Race, even if it all feels like strange fever dream a few years later.

As for the race itself, it was fairly straightforward. All 20 starters remained running and on the lead lap at the very end, while the field struggled to put any real challenge to Chase Elliott. NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver claimed victory over Kyle Busch, which the fans certainly loved.

Race winner Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports

In fact, one overly enthusiastic (and likely intoxicated) fan decided to place an exclamation point on the surreal day by scaling the catch-fence in response to Elliott’s win. He was promptly removed by security. Meanwhile, Elliott grabbed his COVID mask, a Roman gladius sword and proceeded to celebrate in Victory Lane.

And that was the end of the Bristol All-Star Race experiment. The event is now hosted by North Wilkesboro, the numbers are closer to the front wheels than the rear wheels, and there are no LED lights under the cars.

The only lasting legacy from this event was the choose rule, while the rest faded away…and maybe that’s for the best.

Motorsports

ARCA Berlin Entry List

After competing at Michigan International Speedway, the ARCA Menards Series stays in the state, heading to the short track Berlin Raceway. Twenty-four drivers are entered for the 200-lap race so all will make the show. Three full-time entries are not on the list: Sigma Performance Services’ No. 23, Andy Jankowiak in the KLAS Motorsports No. […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

After competing at Michigan International Speedway, the ARCA Menards Series stays in the state, heading to the short track Berlin Raceway.

Twenty-four drivers are entered for the 200-lap race so all will make the show.

Three full-time entries are not on the list: Sigma Performance Services’ No. 23, Andy Jankowiak in the KLAS Motorsports No. 73, and Nitro Motorsports’ No. 46. Treyten Lapcevich is entered in the No. 70 Toyota for Nitro as the organization announced he will replace Thad Moffitt, who has dropped to part-time status due to a partner withdrawal.

Treyten Lapcevich Joins Nitro, Thad Moffitt Moving to Part Time

Max Reaves makes his national series debut in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18. Reaves has won his first three ARCA Menards Series East races in 2025, tying the series record.

Mason Mitchell will make his second start of the season in the Venturini Motorsports No. 25.

Fast Track Racing will field five entries at Berlin: Don Thompson in the No. 9, Matt Kemp in the No. 10, Tony Cosentino in the No. 11, Trevor Ward in the No. 12 and Jeff Smith in the No. 01.

Other notables include City Garage Motorsports fielding Becca Monopoli in her No. 85 and Michael Clayton in a second entry, the No. 5. Mullins Racing returns with team owner Willie Mullins in the No. 3. Also, Dale Shearer will make his second start of the year in his No. 98.

Rise Motorsports team owner Tim Goulet will pilot the No. 31, Mandy Chick will drive the Maples Motorsports No. 67 and Chris Golden will drive the No. 86 for Clubb Racing Inc.

The 24 drivers will take the green flag on Saturday, June 14 at 7 p.m. ET with TV coverage provided by FOX Sports 1.

Mark Kristl joined Frontstretch at the beginning of the 2019 NASCAR season. He is the site’s ARCA Menards Series editor. Kristl is also an Eagle Scout and a proud University of Dayton alum.

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Motorsports

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing unveils liquid hydrogen-fueled “GR LH2 Racing Concept” at Le Mans

As part of its efforts to make ever-better cars through motorsports as the starting point, and to realize a carbon-neutral society, Toyota has advanced its technologies in the challenging environment of motorsports, including the Super Taikyu series in Japan. It has also accelerated its efforts to expand the production, transportation, and use of hydrogen together […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

GR LH2 Racing Concept As part of its efforts to make ever-better cars through motorsports as the starting point, and to realize a carbon-neutral society, Toyota has advanced its technologies in the challenging environment of motorsports, including the Super Taikyu series in Japan. It has also accelerated its efforts to expand the production, transportation, and use of hydrogen together with partners inside and outside the industry, towards the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

Toyota has taken on the challenge of hydrogen engine development in motorsports, initially through Rookie Racing’s participation in the Japanese Super Taikyu series with the hydrogen-engine Corolla, which initially used gaseous hydrogen from 2021, before the introduction of a liquid hydrogen-powered car from 2023. The potential of hydrogen engines in rallying was showcased in 2022 when the GR Yaris H2 completed demonstration runs on Ypres Rally, a round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

In 2023, the hydrogen-engine Corolla completed a demonstration lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe, while a hydrogen engine concept car, the GR H2 Racing Concept, was presented to preview a potential future hydrogen category at Le Mans. Since then, development of the technology intensified, reaching a new milestone with the unveiling of the liquid hydrogen-powered GR LH2 Racing Concept. It is based on the GR010 HYBRID Hypercar which currently participates in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Through future track testing, the GR LH2 Racing Concept will support Toyota’s continuous development of hydrogen technology and infrastructure, as well as helping build relationships to expand the possibilities of hydrogen through the challenge of motorsports.

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Motorsports

AUTO RACING: Denny Hamlin earns 57th career win in Michigan and NASCAR heads to Mexico | Auto Racing

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Viva Mexico 250 Site: Mexico City. Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Race distance: 100 laps, 241 miles. Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:05 p.m., practice, 3 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, noon; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (Prime Video and MAX). Last year: Inaugural race. Last race: After passing Byron with three to go, Denny […]

Published

5 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

All Times Eastern

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Viva Mexico 250

Site: Mexico City.

Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Race distance: 100 laps, 241 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:05 p.m., practice, 3 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, noon; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (Prime Video and MAX).

Last year: Inaugural race.

Last race: After passing Byron with three to go, Denny Hamlin earned his third series victory alongside his 57th career win in Michigan.

Next race: June 22, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

The Chilango 150

Site: Mexico City.

Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Race distance: 65 laps, 157.3 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 2:05 p.m., practice, 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 10:30 a.m., race, 4:30 p.m. (CW).

Last year: The previous race, which was held in 2008 and named the Corona Mexico 200, saw Kyle Busch earn the victory after passing Scott Pruett with 7 laps to go.

Last race: Justin Allgaier took the his third series win of the season in Nashville while holding off a late surge from rookie teammate Connor Zilisch.

Next race: June 21, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

Last race: Stewart Friesen held off Enfinger late to secure the victory in Michigan, breaking a 72-race losing streak and grabbing his first win since 2022.

Next race: June 20, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada

Site: Montreal.

Track: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Race distance: 70 laps, 189.6 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:25 p.m., practice, 4:55 p.m.; Saturday, practice, 12:25 p.m., qualifying, 3:55 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (ABC).

Last year: Verstappen secured his 60th career win, taking the lead after a restart in a thrilling race that saw rain showers and a string of safety car appearances.

Last race: Oscar Piastri secured the victory and held off teammate Lando Norris in Spain to take back momentum after Norris’s previous win at Monaco.

Next race: June 29, Spielberg, Austria.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR

Bommarito Automotive Grand Prix

Site: Madison, Illinois.

Track: Worldwide Technology Raceway.

Race distance: 260 laps, 310.6 miles.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 11:30 a.m., qualifying, 3 p.m. high line & final practice, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, race, 8 p.m. (FOX).

Last year: Josef Newgarden took his fifth win out of nine visits to the Madison track, holding off teammate McLaughlin after a late restart with six laps to go.

Last race: Kyle Kirkwood surged ahead on a late restart in Detroit to take his second win of the season.

Next race: June 22, Elkhart, Wisconsin.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING

Next race: June 22, North Dinwiddie, Virginia.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

Premier Chevy Dealers Clash – Night 1

Site: Knoxville, Iowa.

Track: Knoxville Raceway.

Premier Chevy Dealers Clash – Night 2

Site: Knoxville, Iowa.

Track: Knoxville Raceway.

Next events: June 18-23, Brandon, South Dakota, Pevely, Missouri, Independence, Iowa.

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing

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Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr. pays tribute to former NASCAR crew chief, team owner Travis Carter

Former championship-winning crew chief Travis Carter has died at age 75, leaving the NASCAR world in mourning. He was a staple in the sport for multiple decades, serving in various capacities over the years. Following his death, Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on social media. He wrote on Twitter: “Sad news. Travis added a lot […]

Published

6 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Former championship-winning crew chief Travis Carter has died at age 75, leaving the NASCAR world in mourning. He was a staple in the sport for multiple decades, serving in various capacities over the years.

Following his death, Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on social media. He wrote on Twitter:

“Sad news. Travis added a lot to NASCAR,” Earnhardt wrote. “It was really nice to get to talk with him in recent months. I’m in awe of the men like him that shaped the NASCAR I grew up in.”

Carter, who was born in 1949, was previously a car owner and crew chief in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. He won championships with multiple drivers there, first with Benny Parsons in 1973 and then with Cale Yarborough in 1978. Notably, he split crew chief duties with Tim Brewer during the 1978 title run.

Additionally, he owned Travis Carter Motorsports from 1970 to 2003. He’s also the father of NASCAR driver Matt Carter.

But Carter’s legacy touched many. Dozens in the sport reached out following his death, including Earnhardt and other drivers.

“Just heard about Travis Carter passing away,” wrote Brian Keselowski on Twitter. “If you didn’t know him, you missed out on a great guy. When we first moved to NC in 2010 we rented a shop from him. He was so happy for us when we made Daytona in 2011, I’ll never forget it. Rest easy my friend.”

ESPN personality Ryan McGee, who has covered NASCAR at various points, also weighed in on Carter’s death. The two were fond of each other.

“Godspeed Travis Carter. He used to greet me with ‘Hey, Cousin McGee’ because I was from Rockingham, NC and he was from Ellerbe, NC and ‘that’s close enough,’” McGee wrote. “What a NASCAR legend and what a damn nice guy.”

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Motorsports

Travis Carter, longtime NASCAR team owner, dies at 75

RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. — Travis Carter, a longtime NASCAR team owner and championship-winning crew chief, died on Tuesday, according to various racing personalities. He was 75. Carter was a native of Ellerbe, North Carolina, in Richmond County, a short drive from Rockingham Speedway. He owned Travis Carter Enterprises, a team that competed from 1990 to […]

Published

6 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. — Travis Carter, a longtime NASCAR team owner and championship-winning crew chief, died on Tuesday, according to various racing personalities. He was 75.

Carter was a native of Ellerbe, North Carolina, in Richmond County, a short drive from Rockingham Speedway. He owned Travis Carter Enterprises, a team that competed from 1990 to 2004 and was based in Statesville.

As the crew chief for Benny Parsons, he won the 1973 NASCAR Cup Series championship. It was the lone title for Parsons, a NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee.

Carter won 11 races as the crew chief for Parsons and Harry Gant, most notably the 1975 Daytona 500 with Parsons and the 1984 Southern 500 with Gant.

In 1990, Carter left the pit box to start up his own team. Carter Enterprises never won a race but was a mainstay on the NASCAR scene in the 1990s and early 2000s. Jimmy Spencer, Todd Bodine, and Joe Nemechek were some of the most notable drivers to race for Carter. Darrell Waltrip’s final two seasons were behind the wheel of Carter’s No. 66 K-Mart Ford in 1999 and 2000.

Carter left the Cup Series in 2004 and made a brief return in 2007 before dipping out for good.

Several NASCAR personalities offered their condolences and memories on social media.

“Travis added a lot to NASCAR,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on X. “It was really nice to get to talk with him in recent months. I’m in awe of the men like him that shaped the NASCAR I grew up in.”

“He is one of the reasons I exist as a NASCAR team owner,” Carl Long, owner of MBM Motorsports, said. “If it was not for Travis Carter, I am not sure how my path would have developed. I will always be grateful for his assistance.”

Ryan McGee, a NASCAR reporter for ESPN, noted that Carter would call him “Cousin McGee” for being from Rockingham, which is about nine miles from Ellerbe.

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Motorsports

Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Channels A Need for Speed

The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” taps into a long-standing tradition of MJ’s love for speed and style. This colorway blends performance-ready construction with a visual edge, making it one of the flashier looks from the new silhouette. While the Jordan Heir is still a fresh addition to the lineup, it’s clearly rooted in the legacy of […]

Published

8 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

While the Jordan Heir is still a fresh addition to the lineup, it’s clearly rooted in the legacy of innovation that defines the brand. Jordan Brand has always pushed boundaries, and the Heir carries that energy forward.

It’s not a retro, it’s a new lane. Inspired by the futuristic design language of early 2000s performance models, this sneaker bridges the gap between court-ready function and lifestyle versatility. The “Motorsports” name isn’t just for show either.

MJ’s passion for motorsports dates back to his post-retirement days, and the color blocking on this pair echoes some of the team gear from that era. It’s sleek, aggressive, and built like something meant to move.

Official images show off the white base with black and varsity royal overlays, plus a mix of materials and sculpted lines that give the shoe serious presence. Whether or not you’re burning rubber, this one’s all gas, no brakes.

Jordan Heir “Motorsports”

Image via Nike

The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” features a white synthetic base with breathable mesh zones and bold black leather overlays. Further, a translucent varsity royal cage wraps around the midfoot for structure and contrast.

Black laces and a knit tongue add texture, while the blue pull tab and Jumpman logos complete the look. Also, a rubber outsole in varsity royal rounds out the design with aggressive tread. The foam midsole offers comfort without extra bulk.

This modern silhouette leans into dynamic lines, mixed materials, and color blocking that gives it an unmistakable motorsport vibe.

Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Release Date

Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Jordan Heir “Motorsports” will be released in the summer of 2025. Also, these sneakers will have a retail price of $110 when they are released.