All Times Eastern

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Challenge Round 3 – Toyota / Save Mart 350

Site: Sonoma, California.

Track: Sonoma Raceway.

Race distance: 110 laps, 218.9 miles.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 1:30 p.m., qualifying, 2:35 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3:30 p.m. (TNT and MAX).

Last year: Kyle Larson took his second win at Sonoma and third of the season while taking the lead after a three-car battle with eight laps to go.

Last race: Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen earned his second victory of the weekend and marked a first series sweep from the pole since Kyle Busch’s performance in 2016.

Next race: July 20, Dover, Delaware.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250

Site: Sonoma, California.

Track: Sonoma Raceway.

Race distance: 79 laps, 156.95 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 4 p.m., qualifying, 5:10 p.m.; Saturday, race, 4:30 p.m. (CW).

Last year: Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen secured the win, leading a race-high 32 laps while taking the lead late after contact with Austin Hill.

Last race: Van Gisbergen held off teammate Connor Zilisch after a late-race restart, giving him his first Xfinity victory with JR Motorsports.

Next race: July 19, Dover, Delaware.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

Last race: Pole sitter Corey Heim locked in his fifth win of the season while dominating 99 out of 100 laps at Lime Rock Park.

Next race: July 25, Indianapolis.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Last race: Lando Norris scored his first victory at his home race after capitalizing on teammate Piastri’s 10-second penalty amidst a safety-car restart.

Next race: July 26, Stavelot, Belgium.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR

SYNK 275

Site: Newton, Iowa.

Track: Iowa Speedway.

Race distance: 275 laps, 245.85 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, practice, noon, race 1, 5 p.m. (FOX); Sunday, race 2, 1 p.m. (FOX).

Last year: Will Power earned his 43rd career win after overtaking leader Alex Palou during the final pit stops.

Last race: Relying on a fuel-saving strategy, Scott Dixon capitalized on a mistake made by Palou with five laps to go giving him his first win of the season.

Next race: July 20, Toronto.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING

Next race: July 20, Kent, Washington.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

Deer Creek Clash

Battle at the Border – Night 1

Memorial Badger 40 – Night 1

Battle at the Border – Night 2

Memorial Badger 40 – Night 2

Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by Dac Vitamins and Minerals

Next events: July 18 – 19, Rossburg, Ohio.

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com

_____

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

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Formula 1 drivers are often viewed as the ultimate symbols of coolness and precision, expertly handling incredibly powerful machines at jaw-dropping speeds. However, behind the glitz and glamour of Grand Prix weekends lies an intense commitment to both physical and mental fitness.

To master an F1 car at the edge of its capabilities for nearly two hours demands top-notch athleticism and extraordinary resilience. So, how do these drivers stay in shape, and what does it really take for the twenty competitors in this sport to prepare for and compete at the highest level of motorsport?

Physical Demands: Why Fitness Matters in F1

Driving a Formula 1 car isn’t just about having technical skills, it’s a grueling physical challenge. The G-forces felt during sharp turns, heavy braking, and rapid acceleration put the body through stresses that are on par with what fighter pilots endure. It’s not uncommon for drivers to shed up to 3kg during a race, mostly due to sweating, as the temperatures inside the cockpit can soar above 50°C.

Their heart rates can spike to an impressive 160-180 beats per minute, all while they’re strapped into their seats for long periods. This intense environment means that F1 drivers need to have exceptional cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, and core stability.

The Fitness Regimes of F1 Drivers

To meet the unique challenges of Formula 1, all drivers stick to carefully selected training programs. These routines go way beyond typical gym workouts, they’re tailored specifically for the demands of racing:

• Cardiovascular Conditioning: Endurance is key. Drivers engage in cycling, running, and swimming to build their stamina, simulating the long, steady effort needed during races. Many also include high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to boost recovery and heart health.
• Neck and Core Strength: The neck takes on a lot of lateral G-forces. To prepare, drivers use weighted helmets and resistance bands to mimic these forces, focusing on exercises that strengthen the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and other supporting muscles. Core workouts—like planks, medicine ball tosses, and rotational movements—are just as important, providing the stability needed for quick direction changes.

• Upper and Lower Body: Even though the car’s power steering eases some of the load, drivers still require strong arms, shoulders, and legs. Their training includes resistance exercises, functional movements, and plyometrics to boost strength and agility. Strong legs are crucial for managing brake pressures that can exceed 100kg per press.
• Reaction Training: In F1, split-second decisions are everything. Drivers use light boards, video games, and specialized reflex drills to sharpen their reaction times and hand-eye coordination.

Nutrition: Fuel for the Body and Mind

Diet plays a crucial role in how an F1 driver prepares for the track, with Lewis Hamilton known for choosing a plant-based diet to help him achieve better results on and off the track. He spoke with Men’sHealth magazine four years ago and said: “I have more energy; I’m so much more productive.” He added: “I wake up feeling way better, clearer in thought and fresher in my body. I recover quicker.” Furthermore, as F1 drivers need to keep a precise power-to-weight ratio, each driver has a nutrition plan that’s customized to fit their body type, metabolism, and race schedule.

• Balanced Macros: Meals are thoughtfully portioned to strike a balance between carbohydrates for energy, lean proteins for muscle recovery, and healthy fats for lasting fuel.
• Hydration: Staying hydrated is key, as dehydration can mess with focus and slow down reflexes. Drivers make it a point to hydrate consistently, especially before and during race weekends, often adding electrolytes to replenish what they lose through sweat.
• Supplements and Timing: Some drivers incorporate supplements like omega-3, magnesium, and multivitamins, always under professional supervision. The timing of meals—particularly on race day—is carefully planned to ensure optimal digestion and energy release.

Mental Fitness: The Psychological Edge

When it comes to F1, just having physical strength isn’t enough to tackle the challenges. Mental sharpness is just as important. The psychological strain from making split-second decisions, dealing with media attention, and facing the inherent risks of motorsport can really take a toll.

• Mindfulness and Focus: Many drivers turn to meditation, breathing exercises, or yoga to enhance their focus and keep stress in check.
• Visualization: Before hitting the track, drivers often visualize their laps and different scenarios, mentally rehearsing to boost their confidence and prepare themselves.
• Sports Psychology: Many collaborate with specialists to create routines that help them stay calm, build resilience, and keep their motivation high, even when things get tough.

The Importance of Recovery

High-intensity training and demanding travel schedules make recovery absolutely crucial to fend off fatigue and injuries. Drivers focus on getting enough sleep, engaging in physiotherapy, stretching, and enjoying massages. They often turn to ice baths and compression gear, which help minimize inflammation and get their muscles back in shape.

Dedication to Health

While many view F1 drivers as thrill-seekers, their achievements are rooted in a strong commitment to discipline, science, and health. Behind every race lies a relentless cycle of training, recovery, mindful eating, and mental preparation. It’s this holistic approach that allows the elite twenty men and women of Formula 1 to reach speeds—and handle pressures—that most of us can hardly fathom.

Ever since NASCAR made the ridiculous decision to let Katherine Legge make her NASCAR Cup Series debut at Phoenix Raceway in March, less than one month after veteran Mike Wallace wasn’t allowed to compete in the Daytona 500, there has been a boatload of criticism and even vitriol directed at Legge.

Legge did not help matters by spinning and then wrecking Daniel Suarez in that race, eliminating his bid for a potential much-needed top five finish.

She has not had the smoothest time in the Xfinity Series or ARCA Menards Series this year so far, either, posting five DNFs, two DNQs, and a single finish of 32nd place.

But the accomplished sports car driver had a career weekend on the streets of Chicago.

She was the pick of many, including myself, to miss the Grant Park 165, as for the first time since November 2018, the entry list for a non-Daytona 500 race featured more cars than available spots in the field.

Without debate, I think we can all accept the fact that, had 23XI Racing’s Corey Heim not made contact with the wall during qualifying, Legge would have been the driver left out. But the cold, hard reality that Legge’s critics need to face is the fact that Heim made a mistake while Legge didn’t.

Hem is a driver whom many believe deserves a promotion to the Cup Series next year, given his success over the past four seasons in the Truck Series and the fact that he is this year’s runaway points leader and clear championship favorite.

And he got straight-up beaten by a driver who supposedly can’t drive.

Legge did have one minor issue in Sunday’s race, but she was able to overcome it and walk away in 19th place, a 13-place improvement from her 32nd place finish in another relatively (and pleasantly) uneventful race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez three weeks prior. It was her best NASCAR finish of any kind since her 14th place effort in the 2018 Xfinity Series race at Road America.

And perhaps most significantly, it marked only the ninth time in the five-year history of Live Fast Motorsports that the No. 78 car has finished in the top 20, and she did it in only her third career start (and second career finish).

Like it or not, the former IMSA winner is the very type of driver this team needs for these kinds of races. Live Fast Motorsports have been a backmarker team since they entered the series in 2021, and now for the first time in team history, they have recorded back-to-back top 20 finishes, as team co-owner B.J. McLeod finished in 16th at Atlanta Motor Speedway the prior weekend.

Legge is set to return to the No. 78 Chevrolet for this coming Sunday afternoon’s road course race at Sonoma Raceway as well, and she is set to return for the August races at Watkins Glen International (road course) and Richmond Raceway (short oval).

Will she continue her upward trajectory and manage to avoid more trouble?

All Times Eastern

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Challenge Round 3 – Toyota / Save Mart 350

Site: Sonoma, California.

Track: Sonoma Raceway.

Race distance: 110 laps, 218.9 miles.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 1:30 p.m., qualifying, 2:35 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3:30 p.m. (TNT and MAX).

Last year: Kyle Larson took his second win at Sonoma and third of the season while taking the lead after a three-car battle with eight laps to go.

Last race: Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen earned his second victory of the weekend and marked a first series sweep from the pole since Kyle Busch’s performance in 2016.

Next race: July 20, Dover, Delaware.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250

Site: Sonoma, California.

Track: Sonoma Raceway.

Race distance: 79 laps, 156.95 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 4 p.m., qualifying, 5:10 p.m.; Saturday, race, 4:30 p.m. (CW).

Last year: Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen secured the win, leading a race-high 32 laps while taking the lead late after contact with Austin Hill.

Last race: Van Gisbergen held off teammate Connor Zilisch after a late-race restart, giving him his first Xfinity victory with JR Motorsports.

Next race: July 19, Dover, Delaware.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

Last race: Pole sitter Corey Heim locked in his fifth win of the season while dominating 99 out of 100 laps at Lime Rock Park.

Next race: July 25, Indianapolis.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Last race: Lando Norris scored his first victory at his home race after capitalizing on teammate Piastri’s 10-second penalty amidst a safety-car restart.

Next race: July 26, Stavelot, Belgium.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR

SYNK 275

Site: Newton, Iowa.

Track: Iowa Speedway.

Race distance: 275 laps, 245.85 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, practice, noon, race 1, 5 p.m. (FOX); Sunday, race 2, 1 p.m. (FOX).

Last year: Will Power earned his 43rd career win after overtaking leader Alex Palou during the final pit stops.

Last race: Relying on a fuel-saving strategy, Scott Dixon capitalized on a mistake made by Palou with five laps to go giving him his first win of the season.

Next race: July 20, Toronto.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING

Next race: July 20, Kent, Washington.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

Deer Creek Clash

Battle at the Border – Night 1

Memorial Badger 40 – Night 1

Battle at the Border – Night 2

Memorial Badger 40 – Night 2

Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by Dac Vitamins and Minerals

Next events: July 18 – 19, Rossburg, Ohio.

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com

_____

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

Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is open to NASCAR returning to Chicago, but hinted Tuesday the city may need a better deal before stock car drivers again race through its streets.

NASCAR has 90 days to request a contract extension with the Chicago Park District. If the racing authority wants to win city leaders over, it could need to change race dates, the mayor said Tuesday.

“The Fourth of July is already, quite frankly, it is a heavier burden for our law enforcement because of so much activity,” Johnson said at a City Hall news conference. “It’s something that will be part of the larger discussion if, in fact, NASCAR returns, what is the optimal time.”

Pressed on what else the city might need to approve another race, Johnson stayed tight-lipped, promising only that “there will be a lot of things that we will discuss.”

Whether the city and NASCAR can find dates that fit into both schedules is a key question. A NASCAR spokesperson declined comment Tuesday.

The 2026 and 2027 races, the prior contract negotiated by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, would be held on mutually agreeable dates. But the park district did confirm in the original contract that the 2023 event and staging window — July 4th weekend — “is acceptable for potential 2026 or 2027 events.”

NASCAR is reportedly in separate negotiations with officials in San Diego to host a street race there in 2026. The potential San Diego race may be in addition to Chicago, or supplant it. A negotiation window with Chicago officials could be narrow: NASCAR announced last year’s cup schedule last August. It featured 38 races between February and November, breaking briefly in May and June.

Considered the city’s front lawn, Grant Park already has a packed schedule in the warmer months, including Lollapalooza, Suenos, Blues and Jazz fests, Taste of Chicago, the half marathon, and various other festivals.

Downtown aldermen say moving the race is critical to winning their approval. The Fourth of July is a “family-oriented” weekend when Chicagoans should have free access to Grant Park, Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, said.

“If you’re going to have it again, please don’t have it on July 4th weekend,” Conway said. “We should choose to do it a different weekend if we choose to do it at all.”

Conway also said the city should recoup costs tied to the event “at a minimum” and added that he hopes construction and tear-down times continue to improve. The racing authority has become more efficient in its set-up and communicated well with residents to resolve initial concerns, he added.

“If we can get those things ironed out, I think it would be good to have NASCAR back. Chicago shines on the world stage, and it’s clear Chicago gives NASCAR that platform,” he said.

Conway said Johnson previously told him a city decision on the event’s future would come after this year’s race. The mayor on Tuesday promised “far more people are going to be involved” as future races are considered.

“We should have input, we should be involved in this process,” Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, said.

Hopkins argued Lightfoot failed to bring in others when she landed the deal to bring the race to Chicago. He declined to cast judgement on whether the race should continue. It seems the city comes out slightly ahead financially, but weeks-long street closures still make the race hard to justify, he said.

The city’s cut has long been a point of contention with NASCAR skeptics. The 2025 payment includes a $605,000 base permit fee, plus $2 per ticket sold and 25% of net commissions on food, drinks and merchandise sold at the event. NASCAR must pay the non-permit cut within a 90-day window after the event.

In the fall of 2023, Johnson and NASCAR also memorialized an additional $2 million payment for 2024 and 2025. That payment was supposed to help compensate the city for public safety and other costs. NASCAR also agreed to continually slim down its setup and takedown window to reduce inconvenience to drivers and downtown residents.

The city came out slightly ahead last year, thanks in large part to that $2 million payment and fewer roadwork improvement costs.

NASCAR officials point to the broader economic impact as a point in their favor — plus added amusement taxes that flow to the city and county.

Leslie Recht, who leads the Grant Park Advisory Council, said she’s urged Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez Rosa, a close Johnson ally, to push for more money from the company and an even quicker set-up and takedown.

“For me, it’s still too long,” Recht said, stipulating that other advisory council members don’t mind it. “All the disruption in Grant Park, if you compare it to Lollapalooza or Suenos or some of the other events, they come, they go. They’re a much less impactful situation in Grant Park than NASCAR and they don’t pay enough… Lolla and Suenos together pay $12 million. It’s ridiculous.”

The city must be careful with how it uses Grant Park, because “it is for everyone,” Ald. Lamont Robinson, 4th, said. But NASCAR has so far been a “good neighbor,” he added.

“I think we need as much revenue as we can get in the city of Chicago,” Robinson said.

Originally Published: July 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM CDT

Big Game Motorsports enjoyed a rare weekend off during a busy World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series calendar.

Focus now shifts back to action, which resumes this Thursday at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., during the Deer Creek Clash followed by races on Friday and Saturday at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis., during the Larry Hillerud Memorial Badger 40.

“Once we get back we’re absolutely wide open so I don’t mind it,” David Gravel said of the weekend off. “Just a little bit of a reset. Once we get back Thursday it’s like 8 races in 10 days so it’ll be good to be fresh and ready to go for the big stretch. It’ll be Knoxville Nationals before you know it.”

Gravel set the track record at Deer Creek Speedway in 2014, when he produced his best outing at the track with a runner-up result.

“Deer Creek is a track that is really cool with a lot of banking,” he said. “We haven’t been there in several years so it’s a track I’m excited to get back to.”

Gravel has won a series-best four of the 13 World of Outlaws races at Wilmot Raceway with trips to Victory Lane in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2020.

“Wilmot is a track I’ve had a lot of success at,” he said. “We’ve been good there lately so I’d love to get a win in the No. 2 car.”

Gravel enters the weekend leading the World of Outlaws championship standings by 184 points.

SEASON STATS –

39 races, 10 wins, 33 top fives, 38 top 10s, 38 top 15s, 38 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Thursday at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., for the Deer Creek Clash and Friday and Saturday at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis., for the Larry Hillerud Memorial Badger 40 with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series

ILP PR