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Qualifying washed but starting grid set for Dover race

NASCAR’s Cup qualifying was rained out Saturday, as was practice. So NASCAR turned to its data center and whipped out the “metrics” to set the lineup for Sunday’s race. Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe will start up front, and while we don’t have an early indication of speeds, we’re sure it’ll be fast. Dover is […]

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NASCAR’s Cup qualifying was rained out Saturday, as was practice. So NASCAR turned to its data center and whipped out the “metrics” to set the lineup for Sunday’s race.

Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe will start up front, and while we don’t have an early indication of speeds, we’re sure it’ll be fast. Dover is banked at 24 degrees in the corners, which is rather stout for a 1-mile concrete speedway. And that’s why you see speeds comfortably higher than you get at NASCAR’s other 1-mile track, Phoenix.

Sunday’s race will be the 21st of the 26-race regular season, which ends at Daytona in five weeks with the Coke Zero Sugar 400. The 10-race playoffs begin the following week at Darlington.

Watch NASCAR on Sling TV

Starting lineup for NASCAR race at Dover

  1. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
  2. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
  3. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
  4. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
  5. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
  6. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
  7. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
  8. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
  9. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
  10. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
  11. Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
  12. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
  13. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
  14. Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
  15. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
  16. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
  17. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
  18. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
  19. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
  20. Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
  21. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
  22. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
  23. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
  24. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
  25. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
  26. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
  27. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
  28. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
  29. Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
  30. Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
  31. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
  32. Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
  33. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
  34. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
  35. Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
  36. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
  37. JJ Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet

How to watch the Dover races

Saturday: Xfinity Series, BetRivers 200, 4:30 p.m. (CW).

Sunday: Cup Series, Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, 2 p.m. (TNT).



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Kyle Larson gets top five in Xfinity practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

INDIANAPOLIS – Kyle Larson jumped back into the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet as the Cup and Xfinity Series hit the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This weekend, Larson will be running a special paint scheme on both his Cup and Xfinity car. The special papaya, blue, and white colors on his race car commemorates his attempt at […]

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INDIANAPOLIS – Kyle Larson jumped back into the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet as the Cup and Xfinity Series hit the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This weekend, Larson will be running a special paint scheme on both his Cup and Xfinity car. The special papaya, blue, and white colors on his race car commemorates his attempt at running of the Indianapolis 500 and Coca Cola 600 earlier this May. He put his car on display for all to see setting a lap time of 54.838, placing his car in fifth place.

RELATED: Check out the paint schemes for Indianapolis

There is no rest for the weary however, as he will continue to turn laps at the track during Cup Series practice his No. 5 #H1100 Chevrolet. Stay tuned for updates following the conclusion of Cup practice.

Here is a look at the practice results so far as well as a look at the TV schedule this week:

NASCAR Xfinity Practice results

  1. Connor Zilisch, No. 88
  2. Carson Kvapil, No. 1
  3. Sam Mayer, No. 41
  4. Justin Allgaier, No. 7
  5.  Kyle Larson, No. 17 #H1100 Chevrolet
  6. Taylor Gray, No. 54
  7. Harrison Burton, No. 25
  8. Rayn Sieg, No. 39
  9. Austin Hill, No. 21
  10. Nick Sanchez, No. 48
  11. Aric Almirola, No. 19
  12. Jeb Burton, No. 27
  13. William Sawalich, No. 18
  14. Jesse Love, No. 2
  15. Sammy Smith, No.8 
  16. Brandon Jones, No. 20
  17. Dean Thompson, No. 26
  18. Sheldon Creed, No. 00
  19. Daniel Dye, No. 10
  20. Christian Eckes, No. 16
  21. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42
  22. Jermey Clemments, No. 51
  23. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99
  24. Josh Williams, No. 11
  25. Brennan Poole, No. 44
  26. Leland Honeyman, No. 70
  27. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4
  28. Josh Bilicki, No. 91
  29. Garrett Smithley, No. 14
  30. Baline Perkins, No. 31
  31. Ryan Ellis, No. 71
  32. Kyle Seig, No. 28
  33. Katherine Legge, No. 32
  34. Mason Massey, No. 45
  35. Joey Gase, No. 53
  36. David Starr, No. 35
  37. Logan Bearden, No. 07
  38. Dawson Cram, No. 74

NASCAR on TV this weekend

(All times listed in eastern time)

Friday, July 24
  • 1:05 – Cup Series practice, TruTV
  • 3:05 – CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice, FS1
  • 4:10 – CRAFTSMAN Truck Series qualifying, FS1
  • 5:30 – ARCA race, FS1
  • – CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, FS1
Saturday, July 19
  • 1 p.m. – Xfinity Series qualifying, CW
  • 2:35 – Cup Series qualifying, TruTV
  • 4:30 – Xfinity Series race, CW

Sunday, July 20

  • 2 p.m. – Cup Series race, TNT

RELATED: Highlights from Hendrick Motorsports pit crew minicamp

Where is NASCAR racing this weekend? 

This week, the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series are racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA series visit Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Where is IRP?

Indianapolis Raceway Park is in Brownsburg, Indiana. 

NASCAR playoff standings

Driver Points Wins
1. Denny Hamlin 663 4 (ADV)
2. Kyle Larson 664 3 (ADV)
3. Christopher Bell 635 3 (ADV)
4. Shane van Gisbergen 374 3 (ADV)
5. Chase Elliott 702 1 (ADV)
6. William Byron 686 1 (ADV)
7. Ryan Blaney 576 1 (ADV)
8. Chase Briscoe 570 1 (ADV)
9. Joey Logano 524 1 (ADV)
10. Ross Chastain 517 1 (ADV)
11. Austin Cindric 417 1 (ADV)
12. Josh Berry 399 1 (ADV)
13. Tyler Reddick 640 (+156) 0
14. Alex Bowman 547 (+63) 0
15. Chris Buescher 528 (+44) 0
16. Bubba Wallace 500(+16) 0
————- —–
17. Ryan Preece 484 (-16) 0
18. Kyle Busch 461 (-39) 0
19. Ty Gibbs 448 (-52) 0
20. Michael McDowell 423 (-77) 0



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Athens Rock Lobsters announce NASCAR theme night | Georgia Sports

NASCAR is coming to the Classic City in 2025. The Athens Rock Lobsters announced they are teaming up with NASCAR and Spire Motorsports to present NASCAR Night on Friday, Jan. 10.  The event will feature NASCAR driver appearances, race cars stationed throughout the concourse, specialty jerseys modeled after authentic firesuits and exclusive NASCAR x Rock […]

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NASCAR is coming to the Classic City in 2025. The Athens Rock Lobsters announced they are teaming up with NASCAR and Spire Motorsports to present NASCAR Night on Friday, Jan. 10. 

The event will feature NASCAR driver appearances, race cars stationed throughout the concourse, specialty jerseys modeled after authentic firesuits and exclusive NASCAR x Rock Lobsters merchandise. 

“NASCAR Night will be a landmark event not just for our team but for fans across Georgia. It’s a true celebration of speed, adrenaline, and community,” said Rock Lobsters President Scott Hull.

While NASCAR Night headlines the slate, the full 2025-26 theme night lineup includes 13 unique promotions and returning favorites like Teddy Bear Toss, Military Appreciation, Pucks & Paws, Education Day, Star Wars Night and New Year’s Eve Bash. 

The Rock Lobsters, fresh off a successful debut season where they averaged over 3,700 fans per game and finished second in the Continental Division in attendance, are continuing to position themselves as a leading team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). 

Opening night for the Rock Lobsters is scheduled for October 25, and the season will run through the spring, with 28 home games set to take place here in Athens.

The Red & Black is a 501c3 nonprofit.
Please consider a one-time gift or become a monthly supporter. Cancel anytime.



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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Feels the Pressure as JR Motorsports Closes in on 100 Wins: ‘I Don’t Want to Miss It’

Owning a NASCAR team is like having a child. You want to be there for all the high points of its life. That’s why Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a little nervous right now. He has several family events coming up that he has to attend, he emphasizes. But there’s a family event of another sort […]

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Owning a NASCAR team is like having a child. You want to be there for all the high points of its life. That’s why Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a little nervous right now. He has several family events coming up that he has to attend, he emphasizes.

But there’s a family event of another sort that Junior would absolutely kick himself for missing, namely, the 100th Xfinity Series win in JR Motorsports’ history. JRM also has two prior wins when it fielded a truck in 2015-16.

JRM has 99 Xfinity wins to date heading into Saturday’s big race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Junior plans on being there, but right afterward, he’s off to a one-week family vacation in Florida, which could potentially prevent him from attending the next race on the Xfinity schedule: next Saturday at Iowa.

When Junior and wife Amy were making vacation plans back in early spring, they felt they had a significant cushion to plan a summer week away. But they obviously weren’t planning that their team would rack up 11 wins thus far this season among six drivers. And there’s still 13 races left.

Not that they’re complaining, mind you. This has been the second-most successful season wins-wise for JRM since its founding back in 2005. Their record is 15 wins in 2022.

With their daughters preparing for school, the Earnhardts have only a few off weeks left. That’s why they have no choice but to go to Florida next week. While sister and JRM co-owner Kelley Earnhardt Miller will be on hand for No. 100, Dale Jr. is starting to sweat that he’ll miss the milestone victory.

I’m nervous ’cause there’s some weekends I can’t be there,” Junior said on this week’s Bless Your ‘Hardt podcast. “Don’t know how to feel about that.”

Amy replied, “I feel like you should be fine in the next few weeks to be there. The chances are high it’ll happen in the next few weeks.”

To which Junior replied, “I mean, Indy’s this weekend. If we do it there, if we do it this weekend, I’m there. Next weekend, we’re out of town. And then it’s like out of town, out of town, out of town. So, we’ll see.

“I think Watkins Glen (9th August), we’ve got a great shot with Connor (Zilisch) and we should have some firepower in the team that weekend. I can get there. We’re spending that week here at the beach, but I could shoot up there for the day to see that race.”

Amy replied that she doesn’t want her husband to miss No. 100, but Junior quipped, “No, I don’t want to miss it, but some of the stuff, I ain’t got a choice but to be at these other things. Not sure how to handle that. They’re going to be like, ‘Where’s he at? Why ain’t he here?’”





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Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The NASCAR Cup Series is back racing the Brickyard 400 once again. It is so great to have this event back on the schedule. One of the Crown Jewel races of the sport, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, awaits its stock car weekend. Kyle Larson is racing in both the Xfinity Series and Cup Series races. […]

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The NASCAR Cup Series is back racing the Brickyard 400 once again. It is so great to have this event back on the schedule. One of the Crown Jewel races of the sport, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, awaits its stock car weekend.

Kyle Larson is racing in both the Xfinity Series and Cup Series races. That is going to be exciting to watch, but now he won’t be on The CW broadcast like originally planned. You can’t help but think that this is likely a way to exorcise the demons from the Indy 500.

Let’s get into the best-looking cars of the weekend. A few special looks for the Brickyard 400. Do you prefer Lime or Cherry?

Ross Chastain No. 1 Busch Light Lime Chevy

Image via NASCAR.com

Busch Light Lime is back. Another fruit for Ross Chastain to make funny watermelon-jealousy jokes with.

This car is great. It looks awesome and is going to be very easy to see at Indy. Chastain hasn’t done much recently, it would be nice to see Trackhouse give him a quality ride for the Brickyard 400. 9.5/10.

Image via NASCAR.com

Back again, this paint scheme is from the infamous Double attempt Kyle Larson made at Indianapolis and Charlotte earlier this season. Larson won the 400 last NASCAR season. He’s not had much to celebrate lately, either.

An intermediate track is right where Larson would like to be right now. He can have a great weekend in the Xfinity and Cup Series races if everything works out. Larson’s Xfinity car will match his Cup car as well. 8.5/10.

Justin Haley No. 7 Gainbridge/TED Sports Indy Chevy

Image via NASCAR.com

A fun black and red paint scheme for Justin Haley this weekend. Haley has perhaps been the biggest letdown this season.

Remember last year, everyone was talking about Haley possibly replacing Alex Bowman in 2026. If he isn’t careful, he might not have the No. 7 car here soon. 8/10.

Chris Buescher No. 17 Kroger/Diet Cherry Coke Ford

Image via NASCAR.com

Sort of a throwback? Chris Buescher and this Diet Cherry Coke Ford look like something out of the 1980s.

Coke is putting this throwback flavor in stores again. And again, Buescher brings a fresh and fun look to the track that fans are going to love. 9/10.

Josh Berry No. 21 PPG Ford

Image via NASCAR.com

This is a great looking car. Josh Berry is getting ready for his first trip to the NASCAR Playoffs. His win at Las Vegas shows how dangerous he can be. However, Berry has not had many exceptional performances lately.

In fact, Berry hasn’t had a top-10 finish since Kansas this season. His best finish since then was a trio of P12 results at Charlotte, Michigan, and Pocono. So, at least that shows he should have speed at Indianapolis? 7.5/10.

John Hunter Nemechek No. 42 Pye Barker Toyota

Image via NASCAR.com

I really like this Pye Barker paint scheme. I’m not sure if it is new or if I just have missed it before. Flames, the red outline on the 42 – perfection.

John Hunter Nemechek has been impressive this season. Legacy Motor Club is making small improvements, and I think that Nemechek is a big part of that. 8.5/10.

Ryan Preece No. 60 Castrol ‘The Engine’ Ford

Image via NASCAR.com

Another WNBA paint scheme in NASCAR? The crossover has been really special this season. Ryan Preece is back with his Alyssa “The Engine” Thomas paint scheme for this weekend.

Preece is so close to breaking through and getting a win. Can he do it before the playoffs start? 8/10.

Josh Bilicki No. 66 Sherfick Companies Ford

Image via NASCAR.com

Josh Bilicki is going to look good in this No. 66 paint scheme. Sherfick Companies is a local business in Indiana. Bilicki is hoping to find a bit of magic on the track in Indianapolis with this paint scheme.

This weekend is going to be a ton of fun for these drivers. Racing at Indy is a privilege not many get to have. To do it in a stock car is a particularly special moment. 7.5/10.



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This Honda Is the Perfect Fit for Easygoing Track Days

A few years ago, I took a step back from racing. I’d gotten a little burned out on the cost, the intensity, and the fact that fun seemed more and more difficult to find. I have been accused of taking things too seriously before… However, after a few months away from the track, I realized […]

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A few years ago, I took a step back from racing. I’d gotten a little burned out on the cost, the intensity, and the fact that fun seemed more and more difficult to find. I have been accused of taking things too seriously before… However, after a few months away from the track, I realized I couldn’t leave it alone entirely, and I started to think about what was eluding me. 

I wondered if I toned things down a bit, I’d be able to reignite that spark that got me started 15 years ago. Maybe drive something that wasn’t serious, or expensive, or even quick—a car that seemed lively, communicative, and low-stress. So I picked up a secondhand Honda Fit, which turned out to be all of those things and more.

Honda Fit off road dirt action
The Fit’s former owner had enjoyed the car on track (and off …) several times.Tommy Parry

It was only fitting that I tested the Fit’s bonafides over a pleasant, low-stakes afternoon at Thunderhill Raceway Park, about 90 minutes north of Sacramento, as part of a track day with the Sports Car Club of America’s Track Night in America (TNIA).

Track days can wreak havoc on your schedule, with big time commitments often baked in, and a large part of why I only go to track days in bursts now is the timeframe they force me into. Fortunately, TNIA fits with a schedule that is easier for people with day jobs, and many events begin mid-afternoon. That allows for several hours of work before making the trek to the host track.

Honda Fit unpacked paddock track
Shortly after buying it and driving a thousand miles north to Washington, I unpacked my car in the paddock at Ridge Motorsports Park and enjoyed my first few laps on track.Tommy Parry

Because, let’s face it, not everyone can take the whole day off for this sort of thing. And casual track drivers, who aren’t hellbent on bettering their personal records every time they visit the track, have little need for the chilly air of early mornings, when engines and tires are happiest. Some of us are just looking for the lowest-stress, lowest-cost way to get a clean jolt of adrenaline. TNIA is just that.

Honda Fit vertical
The straightaways at Thunderhill are very long in the Fit, but the flow and tighter corners are a great way to test some of its strengths.Dito Milian

Subdued Speedfreak

The Fit was never going to be a world-beater, but it comes with a range of abilities that help sell it to the pragmatic thrill seeker. If overnighting is necessary, the Fit also doubles as a camper. It has the interior space of a small SUV and will hold a couple sets of wheels, a toolbox, and a suitcase or two. Headroom is ample, visibility is fine, and the fact that it’s pretty short inspires you to squeeze into that questionable parking space.

This real-world versatility is a large part of the Fit’s singular charm, but it’s only one aspect. Few cars will run laps in the 90-degree heat without fail, then carry you a thousand miles in relative comfort, all for about a hundred dollars in gas.

Honda Fit cornering action
At some of the first track days in the car, I felt it was always lacking a little front-end bite in long, constant-radius corners.Kirk Myhre

It’s cheap, and the interior feels that way, but fun hatchbacks have always had some budget constraints baked into their formula. The Fit’s exterior has that quasi-rally styling, especially when complemented by a buzzy exhaust note and an athletic stance. The short overhangs, tasteful winglet, and 15-inch wheels mine rolls on give off a sort of understated look that appeals to the incognito car fan. I’m fairly sure of this, because a serious cyclist wrapped in Lycra once raised a thumb and chirped, “Cool car, man.” It’s not often you get any car-related compliment from cyclists, much less after you’ve just buzzed by them.

Honda Fit side
Tommy Parry

The Fit is more than a cost-effective hatch with sporting pretensions, however, and its surprising surefootedness will impress anyone who likes hustling through a corner. If you don’t care about commanding an audience with the car you drive, even better. I’d presume that the underdog racer’s spirit runs through a lot of the Fit fanatics out there. The field of Fit drivers in Gridlife’s Sundae Cup would suggest as much.

Honda Fit tracking at Laguna Seca
Even at Laguna Seca, where some power goes a long way, the anemic motor was easy to ignore when the handling was so good.Trevor Ryan/Purpose Built Media

In capable hands, the Fit can carry impressive cornering speeds and stop over fairly short distances. Coupled with renowned reliability and low running costs, the cars have created a sizable following of fans who emphasize maximum seat time at the track. I’ve tracked this car about a half-dozen times now, and I’ve never had to do anything other than check the oil halfway through the day.

Tommy Parry Honda Fit Track side
Kirk Myhre

When you can cruise to the track while sipping a gallon every 37 miles, unload, and rip around a racetrack without a worry, the track day becomes a casual affair. In a worst-case situation, the motors cost a few hundred bucks, and the car’s history in rollovers is encouraging.

On the Pace, off the Pace: It’s Peace That Counts

Those qualities allow for an unusual peace of mind prior to a track event. I slept well, breezed through an unrushed morning, and with a set of track wheels keeping me company on the two-hour drive north, I watched the economy bar beneath the tach; adjusting my foot a few millimeters to hit that sweet spot between nearing 40 mpg and losing all forward drive. This is a way to keep the long drives challenging, incidentally.

After pulling off I-5, I took in the rolling golden hills between the highway and the track. The scenery put me at ease, yet I felt some of the competitive juices start to flow once I saw that big billboard for Thunderhill’s sponsors appear after I crested the last hill. I suppose some of that was inevitable.

Tommy Parry Honda Fit Track profile
Dito Milian

I arrived 10 minutes before my session began, and event lead Rob Luis went over the basic passing procedures before ushering me into the clubhouse to sign the relevant releases. After jogging back to my car, I flung the few things from the trunk out into my pit stall, fitted my track wheels, double-checked the fluids, and torque-checked the lug nuts. Even with the time crunch, I can’t say I was stressed.

Tommy Parry Honda Fit Track lean
Track Night in America makes it so you can get a half-day’s work done, go have fun, and have something to tell your coworkers about the next day.Dito Milian/gotbluemilk

On the track, I could place the car where I wanted it, expect a specific response with every input, and feel the car was in stride with me. That’s the most any honest driver wants from a car—a machine that dances happily with its human. And all it took to transform the Fit from frumpy econobox to hot hatch was the right set of mid-range shocks, sticky tires, and a few other minor mods—let’s say about $3000 in total.

The basic idea behind modifying the Fit was to see, if possible, what a small assortment of moderately priced parts could do to help sharpen it without compromising too much of its comfort. The problem I’d identified with the car on track was its persistent understeer. The street-oriented coilovers it was fitted with were just too soft, and so the car struggled to hold the ideal line in long, constant-radius corners. I learned that by increasing the rear spring rate and adding a hefty rear sway bar, I could encourage more rotation. The footage below demonstrates some of this mild push in steady-state corners.

The first order of business had been replacing the old Silvers Neomax coilovers that featured 6K (6 kilograms of force required to compress the spring 1 mm) and 3K springs front and rear, respectively, for a new set of Neomaxes with 8K springs front and rear. It made a world of difference. The torsion-beam rear end was always going to ride roughly, but the increased spring rate at the rear didn’t compromise ride quality as much as I imagined it would. In conjunction with a chunky Progress 21-mm swaybar, these balanced spring rates are all the car needed to feel easy to place, eager to rotate, and generally lively. It didn’t need to be manhandled to turn—it just did what I hoped it would. And the consistent grip from the fantastic Nankang CRS tires courtesy of Elite Performance made it the little workhorse I knew it could be. The Fit was willing to take the abuse all session—even when track temperatures topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit—and I never felt much of a drop in performance.

Finding My Feet with the Fast Ones

Even though I hadn’t been on Thunderhill East in a while, I didn’t feel out of place in the advanced group. I was off the pace, sure, but the drivers weren’t out there with the bit between their teeth.

The advanced group’s drivers are quick, competent, and often bring some big-dollar cars, but their competitiveness doesn’t run rampant. They’re not there as if they’re qualifying for a big-money race. They leave room, they watch their mirrors, and they still have to abide by point-by rules, however minimal they may be.

Even in the fastest run group, there is no open passing at TNIA. The aim of these events is to provide driving enthusiasts a place to explore the limits of their cars safely and comfortably, and without having to worry about someone dive-bombing them. Being able to focus almost entirely on what is ahead without watching your mirrors eases the pressure, especially when you’re struggling to recall the finer points of a particular track. The beauty of TNIA is that you’re able to drive in relative comfort, without being hassled, and still enjoy yourself at 8/10ths.

Tommy Parry Honda Fit track day cornering
I doubt anyone who’s been to a track day will feel worried when running with any group at TNIA.Dito Milian/gotbluemilk

Once back in the pits after my first session, I wandered around to study the selection of cars present. Some mid-range Mustangs, a few modified Miatas, a smattering of BMWs, and a few oddballs, like a conspicuously large and pedestrian Hyundai Ioniq 5N. Then I spotted a familiar face beside it. Steve Martegani, a friend I’d met at a track day earlier this year, was reclining in his foldable chair and looking fresher than I think I’d ever seen him before. I asked if he’d switched to decaf. “I didn’t wake up at five,” he said with a laugh. “I’m usually exhausted by lunch on track days, so I don’t always stay until the end.” Like me, he appreciates the easy-going schedule of TNIA and the freshness that comes with it.

Before my next session, I freshened up on some of the subtler points of Thunderhill, hoping I might find a few tenths in the Fit. I sat in on the intermediate group debriefing to see if a coach might answer a few questions. With a few pointers to put into action on track, I stiffened my shocks slightly and set out to get a better feel for this sharper version of my silly hatchback.

After my evening session came to an end, the combination of sweat, endorphins, and a low-stress track day filled me with euphoria, without the sense of relief I often feel at the end of a race day. All was well in the world, and judging by the way so many seemed to be enjoying casual post-drive banter in the pits, I figured I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.

Finally, I’d gotten this miniature minivan to handle like the little athlete in hiding I always knew it was. And I’d argue its lack of outright speed helps one focus more on having fun. I mean, not many cars that handle this well allow you to mat the throttle basically everywhere. Combined with quick steering and an agility that belies its shape, the Fit is a thoroughly enjoyable car on track, with only minor modifications.

Tommy Parry

Then I hopped on I-5 and headed south to Monterey, with Tom Waits’ Small Change coming through the speakers. In a few hours, I stopped at a hotel and slept soundly after such a low-stress, enjoyable afternoon. The next morning, I arrived at Laguna Seca to run another casual lapping day. The straights at that gorgeous track felt long, but at least I got 36 miles per gallon on the way there.

Tommy Parry Honda Fit track action
Trevor Ryan/Purpose Built Media



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Denny Hamlin Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension With Joe Gibbs Racing – Speedway Digest

Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that Denny Hamlin has signed a multi-year contract extension to continue driving the organization’s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE in the NASCAR Cup Series. Hamlin, who ranks 11th all-time with 58 Cup Series victories, has already won four times this season and ranks fourth in the overall points standings. He […]

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Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that Denny Hamlin has signed a multi-year contract extension to continue driving the organization’s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Hamlin, who ranks 11th all-time with 58 Cup Series victories, has already won four times this season and ranks fourth in the overall points standings. He is the longest-tenured driver in the team’s history with all 706 of his career starts coming behind the wheel of JGR’s No. 11 entry.

“Joe and everyone at JGR are family to me and have done so much for me over the last 20 years,” said Hamlin. “We’ve had a solid start to this season and we have been able to welcome some great new partners this year, so there are a lot of exciting things happening with our team not only now, but also into the future.”

Hamlin’s resume includes three Daytona 500 victories (2016, 2019, 2020), three Southern 500 wins (2010, 2017, 2021), and one in the Coca-Cola 600 (2022). He has qualified for the playoffs a record 18 times and advanced to the Championship 4 on four occasions (2014, 2019, 2020, 2021). Over his career, Hamlin has tallied 244 top-five finishes, 369 top-10s, 44 pole awards, and 15,849 laps led all while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I really appreciate Denny and everything he has meant to our organization,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “It is just really special when you think about everything we’ve experienced over the past 20 years, from that first moment when J.D. (Gibbs) recognized his talent at a test session, until now. It is remarkable in any sport to compete at the level Denny has for this long and we are thrilled he has been able to spend his entire career with us.”

JGR PR



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