Motorsports

Ranking the Performance of 2025 New Driver and Crew Chief Partnerships in NASCAR

What’s Happening? This weekend marks the 33% mark for the NASCAR Cup Series Season. One major storyline from this past offseason was major overhauls in the garage area, as several drivers have taken on new Crew Chiefs. So, how have these pairs done so far in 2025? Rodney Childers and Justin Haley Stats Through 11 […]

Published

1 month ago

May 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

What’s Happening?

This weekend marks the 33% mark for the NASCAR Cup Series Season. One major storyline from this past offseason was major overhauls in the garage area, as several drivers have taken on new Crew Chiefs. So, how have these pairs done so far in 2025?

Rodney Childers and Justin Haley

Stats Through 11 Races: 1 Top Ten

Justin Haley and Rodney Childers were expected to be under the spyglass of NASCAR fans throughout the season. Haley only entered seven races with Spire in 2024, taking over for Corey LaJoie after Bristol. Childers, a championship-winning Crew Chief, departed his long-time post at Stewart-Haas Racing to call the shots for the No. 7 in 2025.

Unfortunately, this pair has not blossomed into the force some thought it could, as Childers and Spire Motorsports parted ways just nine races into their deal. During that time, the team had just one top-ten start and finish, but had a better average start and finish than the No. 7 in 2024.

What’s Happening?

Former NASCAR Cup Series Champion Crew Chief Rodney Childers is parting ways with Spire Motorsports. Childers joined Spire this…

Jeremy Bullins and Brad Keselowski

Stats Through 11 Races: Best Finish of 11th

Jeremy Bullins and Brad Keselowski reunited this past offseason. In 2024, Keselowski had a career resurgence, winning his first race since Bullins was on the box for him at Team Penske in 2021. Bullins also won his first race in some time last season with Harrison Burton.

These two only find themselves next to last because they are still together. Otherwise, it has been a miserable year for this reunited duo, who once had a four-win season in 2020. So far, their best finish is 11th, and Brad’s average finish has dropped from 15.6 in 2024 to a shocking 26.3.

What’s Happening?

There’s no pressure like the pressure applied by NASCAR fans to a highly touted driver. Year in and year…

Tyler Allen and Ty Gibbs

Stats Through 11 Races: 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens

Though he had a strong start to the 2024 season and made the playoffs, by the end of the year, Joe Gibbs Racing knew something had to change for the No. 54 team. The team had a major reshuffle that saw Chris Gayle moved off the pit box for Tyler Allen, an eight-time Xfinity Series winner.

Through the first six races of the 2025 season, Ty Gibbs continued his cold streak that capped off his 2024 season, with a best finish of 16th. However, in the past four races, Gibbs has qualified and run better than he has in months. This duo seems to be finally turning a corner.

What’s Happening?

Ty Gibbs had a hot start to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season; however, as the season drew to…

Richard Boswell and Austin Dillon

Stats Through 11 Races: 3 Top Tens

Austin Dillon has had a rotating door of Crew Chiefs in the past two seasons. He started his rocky 2024 season with Keith Rodden before switching back to long-time Crew Chief Justin Alexander. Now, Dillon is paired with former SHR Crew Chief, Xfinity and Cup Series winner, Richard Boswell.

On the surface, this duo may look like another disappointing start for Dillon. However, the underlying stats show that Dillon has improved his 2024 average finish from 22.6 to 18.1, and the No. 3 team has three top-ten finishes (Dillon capped his 2024 total at five). These two are quiet, yet effective; look out for them as the summer rolls on.

Travis Mack and John Hunter Nemechek

Stats Through 11 Races: 1 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens

John Hunter Nemechek and former Crew Chief Ben Beshore parted ways after just one season together. In his place, Legacy Motor Club signed former Trackhouse Racing and Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief Travis Mack.

Mack and Nemechek started off the season with a career-best finish at JHN, fifth place in the Daytona 500. So far, the two have nearly blown JHN’s 2024 stats out of the water, with an improved average finish of 18.9, compared to a defending 25.4 last season. They also already have three top tens, one less than Nemechek’s 2024, and no DNFs.

What’s Happening?

Winning at NASCAR’s top level is an achievement few have earned. As we enter the 2025 season, there are…

Charles Denike and Bubba Wallace

Stats Through 11 Races: 2 Top Fives, Four Top Tens

For 2025, 23XI Racing gave Bubba Wallace, who finds himself in a long losing streak, a new Crew Chief to take over for long-time shot caller Bootie Barker. The team opted for former McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Crew Chief Charles Denike, who led Christian Eckes to 22 top-tens in 23 Truck Series races last season.

If Boswell and Dillon are silent but deadly, Wallace and Denike are on a whole new level. Wallace currently sits eighth in points, has a career-best average starting position of 11.9, and is on pace for an overall improvement. The two have fallen on hard times, however, through the past four races, with just one top-ten and two lead lap finishes, hurting Bubba’s once stellar average finish.

What’s Happening?

Every new NASCAR season brings a new set of interesting streaks to look out for throughout the year. One…

Chris Gayle and Denny Hamlin

Stats Through 11 Races: 2 Wins, 5 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens

On the other side of the Ty Gibbs swap was veteran Denny Hamlin, who seemingly got the shaft when his long-time Crew Chief Chris Gabehart moved to the role of JGR’s Competition Director and Hamlin took on the struggling Chris Gayle.

Despite the adversity, Hamlin has already tapped into his seventh consecutive multi-win season, with two early wins at Martinsville and Darlington. His average finish is up to 13.3 from 2024’s 13.9. Perhaps Gibbs and Gayle were not the right fit, and Hamlin, once again, is set for another long, successful partnership.

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Motorsports

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

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

Published

1 hour ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

All Times Eastern

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Viva Mexico 250

Site: Mexico City.

Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Race distance: 100 laps, 241 miles.

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

Last year: Inaugural race.

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

Next race: June 22, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

The Chilango 150

Site: Mexico City.

Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Race distance: 65 laps, 157.3 miles.

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

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

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

Next race: June 21, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

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

Next race: June 20, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada

Site: Montreal.

Track: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Race distance: 70 laps, 189.6 miles.

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

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

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

Next race: June 29, Spielberg, Austria.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR

Bommarito Automotive Grand Prix

Site: Madison, Illinois.

Track: Worldwide Technology Raceway.

Race distance: 260 laps, 310.6 miles.

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

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

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

Next race: June 22, Elkhart, Wisconsin.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING

Next race: June 22, North Dinwiddie, Virginia.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

Premier Chevy Dealers Clash – Night 1

Site: Knoxville, Iowa.

Track: Knoxville Raceway.

Premier Chevy Dealers Clash – Night 2

Site: Knoxville, Iowa.

Track: Knoxville Raceway.

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

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com

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

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Motorsports

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

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

Published

1 hour ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Motorsports

Travis Carter, longtime NASCAR team owner, dies at 75

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

Published

2 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Motorsports

Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Channels A Need for Speed

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

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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

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

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

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

Jordan Heir “Motorsports”

Image via Nike

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

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

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

Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Release Date

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

Image via Nike

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Motorsports

Elite Motorsports’ Richard Freeman Reacts to Points Deduction, $5,000 Fine from NHRA Following Disqualified Run in Bristol: “Ridiculous”

Just days after showing signs of a resurgence at the NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, six-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders finds herself at the center of a brewing controversy in Bristol. On Tuesday, NHRA officials announced a 100-point deduction and a $5,000 fine for Enders and her Elite Motorsports team following a […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

On Tuesday, NHRA officials announced a 100-point deduction and a $5,000 fine for Enders and her Elite Motorsports team following a disqualified qualifying run during the fourth session at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. The penalty stems from the use of rear wheels that allegedly did not meet NHRA’s approved specifications for Pro Stock competition.

Team owner Richard Freeman didn’t hold back in his response to the sanctioning body.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” Freeman told Drag Illustrated. “We spoke with Rick [Dodge, NHRA tech official] the week prior in Epping and asked him about that wheel and his opinion. He checked the rule book—as he did Saturday in Bristol. The wheel is a beadlock, the proper width, and exceeds the SFI specification. We would love an explanation how that warrants a 100-point deduction and $5,000 fine. Whomever made that decision is clearly delusional.”

Freeman also raised concerns over consistency and transparency in the rule enforcement process.

“The rule book does not say a liner is illegal. It is legal in Pro Mod, legal in Alcohol. And it is not a performance advantage—it’s a disadvantage due to the weight.”

The penalty announcement comes as a gut punch for Enders, who was hoping to build on the momentum of a runner-up finish to rival Greg Anderson in Epping just a week ago. Enders, who has 49 national event wins and is the winningest female driver in motorsports history, had expressed confidence that her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Scag Power Equipment Camaro was finally trending in the right direction.

“We made some substantial changes and spent a lot of time on the dyno,” Enders said in a pre-race statement. “Pro Stock is not for the weak. It’s competitive problem-solving and we take a lot of pride in how well we work together. We may be down now, but they will not keep us down forever.”

Enders currently sits ninth in points and had entered the Bristol weekend optimistic about gaining ground in both qualifying and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, where she was slated to face teammate Aaron Stanfield in a highly anticipated rematch.

Instead, the focus now shifts to whether Elite Motorsports will appeal the penalty—a right they retain per NHRA’s official statement. NHRA also confirmed that proceeds from the fine will be used to enhance the Safety Safari’s operational capabilities.

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As the season nears its midpoint, the incident adds more tension to what has already been a turbulent year for one of drag racing’s most dominant dynasties.

This story was originally published on June 10, 2025. Drag Illustrated

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Motorsports

2026 Formula One Race Schedule Released – SportsTravel

A new Madring street circuit in Madrid will debut on the Formula 1 schedule in September 2026, replacing the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy. Spain gets two races in 2026 as Barcelona stays on the calendar for the final year of its contract before Madrid’s race on September 13. F1 has said Madrid’s […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

A new Madring street circuit in Madrid will debut on the Formula 1 schedule in September 2026, replacing the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy.

Spain gets two races in 2026 as Barcelona stays on the calendar for the final year of its contract before Madrid’s race on September 13. F1 has said Madrid’s race will be known as the Spanish Grand Prix; the schedule doesn’t specify a new name for Barcelona’s race, which has been known as the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991.

Spain’s second race means Italy drops back to having one grand prix as Imola leaves the schedule. The historic track returned to the schedule in 2020 as a late addition amid the pandemic and has hosted five races since.

“It promises to be an unforgettable season, where once again we will come together at 24 amazing global venues to watch the best drivers in the world push themselves to the limit and produce incredible wheel to wheel racing for our millions of fans watching around the globe,” said Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and chief executive officer.

The Australian Grand Prix on March 8 starts the season for the second year running because the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia again move to April to avoid clashing with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The season stays at 24 races and concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from Dec. 4-6.

As part of a push to limit intercontinental travel, the Canadian Grand Prix moves forward from June to May 24 so that it follows the Miami Grand Prix, a potential clash with the Indianapolis 500.

Moving Canada in 2026 creates a consolidated European leg of the season across the summer months, beginning in Monaco from June 5-7 and finishing in Madrid. The championship then returns to Asia with the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, ahead of a triple header in the Americas highlighted by Austin on October 25, before Las Vegas on November 21, Qatar and Abu Dhabi close out the season.