Sponsored

On Saturday, August 23rd, you’re invited to an unforgettable evening of art, creativity and compassion at the 24th Annual Picasso Pets gala. Held at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Picasso Pets is an annual fundraiser supporting Hand in Paw’s life-changing Animal-Assisted Therapy programs.

Read on to learn all about this unforgettable event and get your tickets today—plus, see how your pet could be the face of next year’s gala!

This unforgettable gala supports life-changing Animal-Assisted Therapy

Now in its 24th year, Picasso Pets is a signature annual gala benefiting Hand in Paw, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing positive distraction, motivation, empathy and compassion to people in need through calming animal-assisted therapy.

The theme of this year’s gala—”Paws of Valor”—honors the extraordinary impact of Hand in Paw’s two- and four-legged heroes while informing the dress code for the evening.

Attendees are encouraged to dress in “Superhero Chic” by blending semi-formal attire with elements like capes, masks and metallic accessories.

What to expect at the 24th Annual Picasso Pets gala

Held for the first time at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, the 24th Annual Picasso Pets gala is an evening of fun, interactive activities such as:

• A themed photo booth
• A wine pull (fun auctions with mystery bottles of wine)
• Opportunities to meet Hand in Paw Therapy Teams
• Silent and live auctions with unique items like luxury getaways and one-of-a-kind art pieces

The evening will include a seated dinner and awards ceremony honoring Hand in Paw’s mission and impact in the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa communities.

Bonus: VIP ticket holders are invited to an exclusive VIP Experience from 5PM to 6PM, featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres, top-shelf cocktails, an early sneak peek at the 2025 Picasso Pets paintings and a self-guided tour of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

At the heart of the Picasso Pets gala is a live auction of the 2025 Picasso Pets paintings, a selection of art pieces created by local artists and inspired by donors and their pets.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the sponsors, artists, volunteers, and supporters who make Picasso Pets possible. Their generosity ensures that we can continue bringing comfort and connection to people who need it most.”

Margaret Stinnett, Executive Director, Hand in Paw

Your four-legged friend could be the face of next year’s Picasso Pets

Each year, the most hotly-contested auction item is the honor of next year’s Face of Picasso Pets. The winner of the coveted award works alongside Hand in Paw staff to choose a theme for the next year’s event, with their pet immortalized in the branding.

This year’s Face of Picasso Pet is “Super Boo,” a gentle giant and Hand in Paw Therapy Dog belonging to Dr. and Mrs. Joe Jolly.

“I would highly encourage anyone who has been touched by animal assisted therapy in their lives or witnessed the good and joy that it brings to consider bidding on the Face of Picasso for themselves and their furry loved one.

Dr. Joe Jolly

Visit Hand in Paw’s website to learn more about the nonprofit’s mission and to get your tickets to this year’s Picasso Pets gala!

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NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson has admitted that while he would love to offer Daniel Suarez a route back into the Cup Series once his time with Trackhouse Racing comes to a close, his team, Legacy Motor Club, isn’t in a position to give him a lifeline.

Suarez, 33, is set to leave Trackhouse and the No. 99 Chevrolet after the conclusion of the 2025 Cup Series season, as was announced by the team back in July. This will mark the end of the Mexican-American star’s five-year stint with the team, which began with him becoming their first-ever full-time Cup Series driver.

Now, without a seat for the upcoming season, and with the outlook far from optimistic with few, if any, seats set to open up, it remains to be seen if Suarez will have a future in the Cup Series.

“First and foremost, Danny is a great friend and somebody I stay in touch with,” seven-time champion Johnson said on Wednesday, via Motorsport. “I kind of knew his situation from a friend standpoint for a while. Great talent. Very popular. Can really perform on any track, has great sponsorship interest. A well-rounded modern-day NASCAR athlete.

“The real opportunity for any team owner. I would love to think about him seriously, but I don’t have a seat, on top of the fact, I’m not sure if and when we’ll get a seat as we’re trying to acquire our third charter.

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“I would look hard at him if we were prepared and ready and moving in that direction. In this instance, I highly doubt timing is going to work out. I think he’s a great talent and should have plenty of options.”

Currently, Legacy has a strong lineup with John Hunter Nemechek at the wheel of the No. 42 Toyota and Erik Jones driving the No. 43. Johnson also continues to participate in races sporadically in the No. 84, including a third-place finish at the Daytona 500 in February.

Since being rebranded as Legacy Motor Club in 2023, the team has yet to reach victory lane, with Jones and Johnson having only cracked the top five three times combined this season.

Legacy is currently embroiled in a lawsuit against Rick Ware Racing, with Johnson’s team looking to acquire their charter. Making the situation that much more tricky is that recently, Legacy also sued T.J. Puchyr, who had agreed to buy RWR, after he had brokered the deal between Legacy and RCR. This latest lawsuit alleged Puchyr used inside knowledge in order to block Johnson’s team from purchasing the aforementioned charter.

With this third seat up in the air, this seemingly leaves Suarez without any realistic options at this time as 2026 rapidly approaches. With nine Cup Series seasons under his belt, Suarez has 71 top 10 finishes and two wins, most recently at Atlanta in February 2024.

This season, Suarez finished a high of second in Las Vegas, failing to reach the top 10 in any of his last 10 races. However, he did win his sole Xfinity race of this season, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in Mexico City.

After three weeks off, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is back in action. For the fifteenth time this season, they are racing at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Here is everything you need to know for Friday night’s Truck Series action.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series TSport 200 at Indy Raceway Park Preview

With only three races until the 2025 Truck Series playoffs begin, it is a mad dash for all those below the cut line to solidify their spot in the running for the championship. Last time at IRP in 2024, it was Ty Majeski securing his first of three wins en route to his 2024 series championship. Can Majeski make it three in a row in Indy and make a bid for another championship in ’25? Or will Corey Heim pick up another win in his already dominant season?

Race Preview:

The TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a 200-lap, 137-mile race around the 0.686-mile oval track. Stage cautions will be on laps 60 and 120, and the final lap on lap 200. The prize purse for this race is a total of 782,900 dollars. Teams will have 4 sets of tires for the race, 3 fresh and 1 from qualifying. In case of weather, Goodyear is bringing the wet-weather oval tires, and teams will have 3 sets. The tires being used are the tires previously used at North Wilkesboro.

Read More: Heim-Riggs Incident Paves Way for Chandler Smith Victory at North Wilkesboro

The Track- Indianapolis Raceway Park:

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, opened in 1960, is located just outside of Indianapolis, Indiana. It is a multi-motorsport facility with a quarter-mile dragstrip, 0.686-mile oval track, and a road course. The oval features 12 degrees of banking in the four corners, flat compared to other tracks on the schedule. It has hosted 20 races since 1995, with the series taking a break between 2011 and 2022.

Mike Skinner won the first Truck Series race in 1995, driving a Chevrolet. Ron Hornaday Jr. has the most wins at IRP, with 4 wins. Ty Majeski has the most out of active drivers with two. John Hunter Nemechek set the Truck Series lap record in 2022, running a 22.583-second lap.

Read More: NASCAR Truck Series: Championship Contender, Ty Majeski, Hit with L2 Penalty

Truck Series Point Standings:

Here are the point standings following the previous race at Pocono Raceway:

1. Corey Heim: 629
2. Chandler Smith: 505
3. Daniel Hemric: 486
4. Layne Riggs: 483
5. Grant Enfinger: 461
6. Kaden Honeycutt: 456
7. Tyler Ankrum: 441
8. Ty Majeski: 421
9. Jake Garcia: 411
10. Stewart Friesen: 381

Read More: Layne Riggs Takes Advantage of Mistakes to Win Truck Series Race at Pocono

Here is the battle for the final spots in the Truck Series playoffs:

10. Ty Majeski: +38 above

——- Playoff Cut Line——

11. Jake Garcia: -38 below

12. Giovanni Ruggiero: -65 below

13. Ben Rhodes: -68 below

Drivers To Watch:

There are 35 trucks entering this race with 36 spots available. These are the drivers joining the field for this race:

• Brent Crews, #1 Toyota, TRICON Garage
• Jason Alexander, #02 Chevy, Youngs Motorsport
• Corey Day, #7 Chevy, Spire Motorsports
• Jordan Anderson, #20 Chevy, Youngs Motorsports
• Alan Waller, #22 Ford, Reaume Brothers Racing
• Greg Van Alst, #35 Chevy, Greg Van Alst Racing
• Ross Chastain, #44 Chevy, Niece Motorsports
• Luke Fenhaus, #66 Ford, Thorsport

When I think IRP, Ty Majeski is the driver who immiediately comes to mind. Short-track star, he has made this track his playground the last two years. While Thorsport has struggled this year, heading to a track a two-time defending winner, can bring about a new attitude within a race team. I think he is still the favorite Ford for this race.

This season has been all Heim-time. Cannot count out that No. 11 Tundra at all this season. But IRP has not been his been his best track. While he has a great average start, he has a average finish of 10th compared to a 5.3 average start. Be cautious about Heim on Friday, but know he has the truck to win.

For the Chevy’s, don’t count out Cup talent Ross Chastain in the #44 Niece truck. Cup talent can always get it done. As for who can get it done for the series regulars, I look to Grant Enfinger to win it. He won this race in ’22, so he can wheel a truck around this track. While he is win-less so far in 2025, he is solidly in the playoffs, sitting fifth in points. Look for that yellow-and-black No. 9 Chevy on Friday.

How To Watch The Truck Series at IRP:

Here is the schedule for the TSport 200 at Indy Raceway Park:

• Friday, July 25th:
  • Practice:
    • 3:05 PM Eastern
    • Coverage is on Fox Sports 1
  • Qualifying:
    • 4:10 PM Eastern
    • Coverage continues on FS1
  • The TSport 200:
    • 8:00 PM Eastern
    • Coverage is on Fox Sports 1, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Stay connected with Last Word On Motorsports for all the news from NASCAR’s Indianapolis weekend

Main Photo: Justin Casterline, Getty Images

Recording Date: July 19, 2024

CORONADO, Calif. — As Ben Kennedy described the roughly three-mile course where NASCAR Cup Series cars will weave through Naval Base Coronado next year, he mentioned elements that don’t sound typical of a NASCAR course.

There will be a turn by the aircraft carrier. Maybe some by helicopters and F-18s.

Another turn onto the tarmac of the naval base, a tarmac area that could include a chicane or some esses (quick, multiple turns). 

Kennedy, NASCAR’s chief venue officer, doesn’t have the course finalized yet. He’s having drivers work through a variety of elements on iRacing, the racing game simulator that has helped NASCAR work on designs for street courses and other track reconfigurations.

The June 19-21 race weekend next year will be NASCAR’s first on a military base and will coincide with the 250th anniversary celebration of the U.S. Navy. 

“You have the tarmac, which is as wide as you want to make it,” Kennedy said while standing near the top of the base’s control tower. “And then a lot of the roads and streets that we drove in this morning, they’re five or six lanes wide. So this is going to create for some really good passing zones.”

Kennedy says there will probably be 10 to 15 turns on what will be a relatively flat course, with a slight decline on the frontstretch and a slight incline when they get to the road by the bay.

“I don’t know all the challenges they’re going to face with the location,” said seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who will possibly compete in the event, as he grew up in the San Diego area.

“I’m highly confident we’re going to have an incredible venue, incredible backdrop and great racing.”

Drivers who visited the base on Wednesday didn’t seem too concerned about the design of the track.

“I have heard a rumor that on one of the straightaways, we will be going by a couple aircraft carriers, so that’s going to be hard not to pay attention to going by those on the sea,” said 2023 Cup champion Ryan Blaney. “I don’t have any expectations. I know it’s going to be a great layout and a great course and just a special place to be able to go run here at such a famous base.

“I’m honestly really honored that they are having us and letting us do what we’re going to do. And I think it’s going to be a heck of a time. I’m incredibly excited about it.”

All three NASCAR national series will compete on the track, with the course finalized sometime this fall.

“I have no clue,” said 2021 Cup champion Kyle Larson. “I haven’t seen any drawing or anything of anything yet. But I don’t really care what the course is. I’m just happy that we’re doing this.

“It’s going to be a fun event no matter what. It’s a beautiful part of the country. You’re racing on a Navy base. This is pretty surreal.”

Larson indicated that they won’t know how the track will race until they race.

“A lot of times, the weirder and crazier the tracks are, the better racing we have,” Larson said. “When we think things aren’t going to be right, it creates chaos and whatnot. … We could build an oval right here. We can build a road course. I don’t care.

“I’m just glad that we’re here racing on this base, and it should be fun.”

One thing that probably won’t be possible (and won’t be a goal) is to design a course that could limit the dominance of Shane van Gisbergen, who has won the last three road courses this year.

The three-time Supercars champion has won at Mexico (where he battled stomach issues), the Chicago street course and Sonoma in the last couple of months.

“Food poisoning still won’t get the job done so we’ve just all got to get better,” Blaney quipped. 

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.

What’s Happening?

NASCAR 25, the long-awaited NASCAR console game developed by iRacing, will be released on Oct. 14, with a later release on Steam for PC users.

Mike Harmon Racing asked fans for help en route to Indianapolis

NASCAR teams are currently en route to Indianapolis, Indiana. NASCAR events are taking place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the short track of IRP.

For Mike Harmon Racing, their NASCAR Truck Series team is heading to IRP from the shop in Denver, NC. They ran into major hauler issues along the way.

The fire department was on the scene as the team sat on the side of the highway. They requested help from race fans as they needed a new truck to hook up the hauler.

The team fields the No. 74 truck.

Mike Harmon Racing shared the following URGENT update:

“Does anyone have a dually with a 2 5/16th ball in the bed to help transport to Indy….”

“They are at approx mile marker 70 on Black Mountain near Asheville.”

“There are NO rentals so if someone has a personal truck willing to help trailer to Indy”

They added, “The team members are fine, Mike is fine! We need help ASAP.”

Updates

“We are all set, thank you to everyone who reached out, it’s greatly appreciated.”

The team added, “Thank you to everyone who has commented and messaged us, we are all set!!!”

Indianapolis TV Schedule: July 2025 (NASCAR)

Mike Harmon Racing
Hauler Issues

Links

Mike Harmon Racing | Indianapolis Raceway Park | NASCAR