Ram to return to NASCAR Truck Series: ‘The way we’re going to do it is unlike anyone else’
NASCAR will welcome a new manufacturer at the national level for the first time since 2007, as Stellantis announced Sunday it would begin competing in NASCAR’s Truck Series through its Ram brand next year. The addition of Ram gives NASCAR four manufacturers participating in its third-tier Truck Series, joining Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota (all three […]
NASCAR will welcome a new manufacturer at the national level for the first time since 2007, as Stellantis announced Sunday it would begin competing in NASCAR’s Truck Series through its Ram brand next year.
The addition of Ram gives NASCAR four manufacturers participating in its third-tier Truck Series, joining Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota (all three of which also race in NASCAR’s premier Cup Series and second-tier Xfinity Series). Ram’s announcement marks a return for the brand, which competed in the Truck Series from 1995 through 2016 under the “Dodge Ram” banner, winning three manufacturers’ championships (2001, 2003 and 2004) and two driver championships.
“The way we’re going to do it is unlike anyone else,” Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis said. “The reason that we’ve been out of NASCAR for 12 years is a very tough (return on investment); it is a very tough business decision to make. But when we say we’re back, when we say nothing stops Ram, when we bring the Hemi (engine) back, when we bring some of the other stuff that we haven’t shown you, it makes perfect sense to be back in the (NASCAR) space and back up we’re saying. But again, we’re going to do it differently than everybody else.”
Ram did not reveal which team(s) it will support next year. The expectation is it will have multiple entries on the track when the 2026 season begins in February at Daytona International Speedway.
“I’m really flying with no parachute here,” Kuniskis said. “We don’t have a team. I got a truck. I got the intention. I’m writing a deal with NASCAR. I’m going to Daytona. How I’m going to actually do that? What’s my team going to be? How I’m going to do it? I don’t know. We’re looking for a date to the prom right now.”
Ram’s return has created buzz that Stellantis is eying a bigger involvement in NASCAR, as it once did to great fanfare.
Dodge previously competed in the Cup Series from 2001 to 2012, winning the driver championship with Brad Keselowski in its final year. It exited NASCAR due to financial difficulties at the corporate level and a lack of viable teams. After Dodge departed NASCAR, Stellantis purchased the company and later split Dodge and Ram into separate entities, with Dodge focused on production street cars and Ram on production trucks.
Ram’s reentry certainly opens the door for Dodge to return to the Cup Series. The last time Dodge raced in Cup, it first raced in the Truck Series before eventually expanding into NASCAR’s premier series.
Kuniskis specifically noted plans to expand in the announcement. But Dodge’s return to Cup likely won’t occur before NASCAR finalizes and settles on a timeline to implement its next engine rules package. That rollout is expected to be a few years away, people with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told The Athletic.
Until then, Kuniskis is focusing on Ram’s re-debut next year.
“How am I going to get to Cup? That’s going to depend on how I get to Truck,” Kuniskis said. “So, however we get to Truck is going to obviously weigh heavily on ‘do I have a path to Cup?’ My intention is to not do a one-hit wonder and go to Truck and not Cup. That’s not our plan.”
Securing Ram’s return (and potentially Dodge, too) is a coup for NASCAR, which has worked feverishly for a decade-plus to land a fourth manufacturer. Both league executives and those with Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota have spoken openly about their desire to have additional original equipment manufacturers (OEM) competing in the sport, believing it would further raise NASCAR’s overall profile and increase on-track competitiveness.
“This is something that we have been talking about for a long time, and it’s something that we don’t get to do very often,” said John Probst, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “This is something that is a big moment for our entire sport and our existing competitors, potential new competitors, our OEMs. It’s certainly something that when we work with our existing OEMs, they have made it loud and clear that they would welcome a new OEM into our sport with open arms.”
When Probst was asked what compelled Stellantis to return, he cited many reasons, including an increased interest in the sport that has been reflected in higher television ratings and other metrics, plus the introduction of a more standardized Cup car designed to limit costs and induce greater parity. Probst also said NASCAR is continuing to hold serious conversations with other manufacturers, expressing optimism that a fifth manufacturer will eventually sign on.
“I think this is proof positive of the strength that NASCAR has when it comes to attracting those blue-chip brands to come in and participate in our sport,” Probst said. “We are very excited to welcome them to the NASCAR family — or welcome them back to the NASCAR family. And hopefully that creates a lot of momentum for us to have some more exciting announcements regarding OEMs in the future.”
(GMM) One of Ferrari’s top bosses is “discussing” the future with endangered Formula 1 team boss Frederic Vasseur. Speculation is still raging that Ferrari’s chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna (pictured) are so disappointed with progress that they are considering not extending Vasseur’s expiring three-year contract. So far, Vasseur’s superiors have stayed conspicuously quiet […]
(GMM) One of Ferrari’s top bosses is “discussing” the future with endangered Formula 1 team boss Frederic Vasseur.
Speculation is still raging that Ferrari’s chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna (pictured) are so disappointed with progress that they are considering not extending Vasseur’s expiring three-year contract.
So far, Vasseur’s superiors have stayed conspicuously quiet about the Vasseur topic – but Vigna was a notable attendee at the British GP.
“I like coming here and seeing the team united,” the Maranello based marque’s CEO told Sky Italia at Silverstone.
“I love being with the people because they are the ones who always make the difference.”
Vigna doesn’t hide that Ferrari has had various issues so far in 2025.
“Teams grow with difficulties,” he insisted. “Unity is strength and we have that at Ferrari – and I can breathe it in here.”
As for the intense uncertainty surrounding Vasseur’s place on the Ferrari pit wall for 2026, however, Vigna admitted he has no answer yet.
“He is the team principal,” he said. “It is July and we are discussing.
“We just had lunch together,” Vigna smiled.
Ferrari Formula 1 team boss Frederic Vasseur and CEO Benedetto Vigna in 2023. Photo supplied by Ferrari
NASCAR Chicago Street Race” with contract over, will race return to Grant Park next year?
3rd annual race weekend is currently final year of contract with city; electric vehicles showcased Monday, July 7, 2025 10:54AM The 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race is over and fans are wondering if it will return to Grant Park next year. CHICAGO (WLS) — Roads are reopening Monday morning around Grant Park after this weekend’s […]
3rd annual race weekend is currently final year of contract with city; electric vehicles showcased
Monday, July 7, 2025 10:54AM
The 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race is over and fans are wondering if it will return to Grant Park next year.
CHICAGO (WLS) — Roads are reopening Monday morning around Grant Park after this weekend’s NASCAR races and many fans are wondering if NASCAR will return to Chicago.
People came in from all over the country to watch Shane Van Gisbergen cross the finish line.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
This now marks an end to the final year of the three-year NASCAR contract in Chicago. But there are options included to possibly extend the race to 2026 and 2027.
RELATED: Street closures for Chicago NASCAR race
Over the past few years, Chicagoans have complained about the traffic caused due to the race. But this year the traffic changes that were made by the city has people wanting to see the race here again.
“It’s worth it, absolutely,” Chicago resident Kashif Charania said. “I love being in Chicago for all of these types of events, just the culture, everything is great.”
Discussions between NASCAR and the city are expected to begin now that race weekend is over.
Danica Patrick shares her lower back tattoo with unique meaning
Danica Patrick has been celebrating the July 4th weekend with friends and family, and she took the opportunity to share the meaning behind her unique tattoo on her lower back Danica Patrick enjoyed a successful career in motorsports(Image: Getty Images) Former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick has opened up about the personal significance of […]
Danica Patrick has been celebrating the July 4th weekend with friends and family, and she took the opportunity to share the meaning behind her unique tattoo on her lower back
Danica Patrick enjoyed a successful career in motorsports(Image: Getty Images)
Former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick has opened up about the personal significance of her American and racing checkered flag tattoo located on her lower back as she celebrated Independence Day.
The 43-year-old, who is a huge fan of United States President Donald Trump and recently visited the White House, posted an intimate snapshot of the ink that pays tribute to both her homeland and racing career.
After spending three years as a teenager in the United Kingdom, Patrick returned to the United States and commemorated her homecoming with the tattoo. She revealed the ink just days after making her feelings clear about being a “sex symbol” in NASCAR.
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“I got that American / checkered flag tattoo (no Picasso) when I came back from living in the uk for 3 years from 16-19… Because I was proud and grateful to be home. Thank you to those who make safe and free,” Patrick shared on Instagram.
Though she hung up her racing helmet in 2018, Patrick hasn’t completely left the world of motorsports. She engages in various pursuits and business endeavors. As a pioneering figure for women in motorsport, she joined FOX’s broadcast team for this year’s Indy 500.
Patrick’s decision to step away from racing seven years ago was driven by a sense of fulfillment.
Patrick got the tattoo as a teenager after living in the United Kingdom(Image: Instagram/Danica Patrick)
“It just wasn’t in my heart anymore,” she told Nightline. “What I loved about racing was the chance to improve, to get better, to finish higher, and ultimately to win.
“But over time, I felt like that was becoming less and less within my control.
“I choose to focus on the positive. And I’ve had a really great career and I’m really thankful for it.”
With an amazing driving career behind her, Patrick’s financial situation is nothing short of spectacular, as Celebrity Net Worth flags her fortune at a cool $80 million.
During the pinnacle of her vrooming ventures, she was pocketing a reported $10 million a year, combining prize money and sponsorships.
Her branding partnerships boast heavy hitters like Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Nationwide Insurance, and Tissot.
Showing off her entrepreneurial spirit, Patrick has sped ahead with her wine venture, Somnium, which possesses a sprawling 24-acre vineyard nestled in St. Helena, California, known for its varied altitude, taking you between 1,000 to 1,375 feet off the ground.
Further showcasing her savvy, Patrick has dived into the fashion world with an athleisure brand named Warrior by Danica Patrick, thanks to a partnership with G-III Apparel Group.
NASCAR Chicago Street Race’s fate uncertain after third year – NBC Chicago
The 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race wrapped up Sunday, with Shane van Gisbergen dominating both events: the Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series races. For the last three years, the event has taken over the streets of downtown Chicago. But as the two-day spectacle wrapped up this weekend, the future of the race remained unclear. This […]
The 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race wrapped up Sunday, with Shane van Gisbergen dominating both events: the Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series races.
For the last three years, the event has taken over the streets of downtown Chicago. But as the two-day spectacle wrapped up this weekend, the future of the race remained unclear. This summer marked the final year of the three-year agreement, which NASCAR and the city of Chicago reached prior to the 2023 edition of the event.
According to the terms of the contract the two sides signed, NASCAR would have to request a date for the 2026 race within 90 days of the conclusion of this week’s events. While the race’s future is uncertain, at least one official is calling on the city to move the date from the Fourth of July weekend if they were to bring it back next year.
The race costs about $5 million to put on annually.
“July 4th is a very family-friendly weekend and we want families to be able to use the park july 4th, and this prevents that from happening a bit…” said Ald. Bill Conway, of Chicago’s 34th Ward. “But not only do we have to make sure that we are making this as convenient as possible for the constituents, but also make sure the city is recouping its cost of putting on the race.”
Businesses directly across from the tracks said they have seen a huge boost to their bottom line over the past three years.
“Between the races, it was pretty busy. Even during the race, there was people like lining up outside. Even just to get the sound of the race, it was really really cool to see, and there was a lot of foot traffic,” said Anthony Guida, manager of Fontanos Italian Café.
Why Tyler Reddick passing 15 cars in 12 laps wasn’t enough for a Chicago win
When the caution flew late in the NASCAR Cup race at Chicago, Tyler Reddick and the 23XI Racing team made the bold decision to pit from third on track in favor of fresh tires and some extra fuel. He restarted 18th with just 12 laps left, evading several spinning cars as he began his rapid […]
When the caution flew late in the NASCAR Cup race at Chicago, Tyler Reddick and the 23XI Racing team made the bold decision to pit from third on track in favor of fresh tires and some extra fuel.
He restarted 18th with just 12 laps left, evading several spinning cars as he began his rapid march forward. Reddick was up to 14th by the time the final caution of the race flew, leaving him nine laps to get to the front of the pack.
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After that, it was all precision from Reddick as he drove his way all the way up to third. If not for the race-ending caution, he likely would have gotten around Ty Gibbs for second place as well.
“Shane was just a little too far ahead,” said Reddick, who remains the highest driver in points without a win this year.
“When we did pit and put those tires, a couple cars got spun on the restart and we were just in the wrong lane and stacked up .. Lost time trying to pass them and then passing those cars on the older tires. Just part of it. Chaos on a street course at the end there, but I was really proud of our whole 23XI Racing team.
”This Jumpman Toyota Camry was really fast, it just – we needed that restart to go a little differently. I definitely think we had the pace to get to Shane. It was hard to say how much he was saving or not, but it felt good to have a shot of it.”
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Losing valuable time
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
Reddick ended up losing some time avoiding the late-race wrecks, which could have been the difference between catching SVG and ultimately finishing third.
“I can’t name them all, but unfortunately, we kind of just got stuck in the wrong lane where I had to check up,” said Reddick. “Those cars that we were on the same tire strategy as I got behind, so we just lost a bit of time there passing those cars back.”
Reddick is now fifth in the regular season standings, but due to his lack of race wins, he sits an uncomfortable 13th in the playoff standings.
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He’s an impressive 142 points above the cut-line, but four new winners in the final two months of the regular season could still push him out of the playoff picture.
Photos from Chicago – Race
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Chris Graythen – Getty Images
Nascar electric cars
Nascar electric cars
Chris Graythen – Getty Images
Nascar electric cars
Nascar electric cars
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Nascar electric car
Nascar electric car
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Nascar electric cars
Nascar electric cars
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
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Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
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Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
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Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
General view
General view
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Fans
Fans
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Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
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Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Logan Riely / Getty Images
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet
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Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford
Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford
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Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
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Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
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General view
General view
Logan Riely / Getty Images
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Logan Riely / Getty Images
Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
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Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
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Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
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Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
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Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
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Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
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Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
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Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
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Katherine Legge, Chevrolet
Katherine Legge, Chevrolet
Logan Riely / Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
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Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Logan Riely / Getty Images
Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford
Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford
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Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
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Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
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Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Logan Riely / Getty Images
Fans
Fans
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Logan Riely / Getty Images
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Katherine Legge, Chevrolet
Katherine Legge, Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
Logan Riely / Getty Images
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
Logan Riely / Getty Images
General view
General view
Logan Riely / Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Chris Graythen – Getty Images
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Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Chris Graythen – Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Chris Graythen – Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Chris Graythen – Getty Images
Read Also:
Bubba Wallace “ran me into the fence” says Alex Bowman after intense battle
Joey Logano confronts Ross Chastain after Chicago smash-up
Shane van Gisbergen sweeps Chicago weekend with chaotic NASCAR Cup race win
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Bubba Wallace “ran me into the fence” says Alex Bowman
In the closing laps of the NASCAR Cup race at Chicago, a tense battle unfolded at the backend of the top ten. Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace were trading paint and slamming fenders in a dramatic battle for position. However, it wasn’t just a top ten on the line in this situation. Bowman and Wallace […]
In the closing laps of the NASCAR Cup race at Chicago, a tense battle unfolded at the backend of the top ten. Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace were trading paint and slamming fenders in a dramatic battle for position.
However, it wasn’t just a top ten on the line in this situation. Bowman and Wallace were also matched up in Round 2 of NASCAR’s new in-season challenge, and the driver who finished higher would advance into the next round. The prize for winning this tournament is $1 million, equal to a victory in the All-Star Race.
As the two drivers battled, there was a lot of contact that ended with Wallace spinning off the nose of Bowman. While the Hendrick Motorsports driver went on to finish eighth, Wallace ended the day in 28th as he was eliminated from the in-season challenge.
The two drivers shared a cordial conversation after the race as they talked through what happened on the track.
“I didn’t really expect it when I passed him [Wallace] and we got into (Turn) 12 and he just shipped me, and then he ran me into the fence in (Turn) 1, and ran us into the fence off of (Turn) 2,” said Bowman after the race.
“He’s just not clear. I don’t have anywhere to go. We’re going straight and we just got hooked together and he ends up crashing. I didn’t really feel like it was necessary.”
The impact of the $1 million challenge
Bowman later added: “I guess the in-season tournament is more important than I expected.”
In the end, Bowman is now one of the final eight drivers in a tournament that began with 32, and the last representative for Hendrick Motorsports. Bowman noted that the challenge wasn’t even on his mind at the time, and wondered if that’s what caused Wallace to race him as hard as he did.
“I don’t know if that’s worth driving into the corner and clearing the guy out and then driving him into the fence and doing all the things that happened there,” concluded Bowman.
Photos from Chicago – Race
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In this article
Nick DeGroot
NASCAR Cup
Alex Bowman
Bubba Wallace
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