As temperatures heat up this summer, so does melin’s collection of creative collaborations, this time teaming up once again with NASCAR Cup Series driver John Hunter Nemechek for a patriotic summer edition of the Odyssey Mindset HYDRO. Known for his no-nonsense approach on and off the track, Nemechek is back with another signature release following his “Strictly Business” design, only now trading a blacked-out colorway for a red, white, and blue style that’s all about summertime motorsport spirit.

It’s a fitting nod to Nemechek’s roots and his current ride behind the wheel of the #42 Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club. With 11 Xfinity Series wins and 13 in the Truck Series, the 27-year-old racer brings serious momentum and style to his growing collection of melin models. Built to handle everything from pit lane to poolside, the new Odyssey Mindset HYDRO is wrapped in a water-resistant exterior, sweat-proof interior, and that same comfort-first fit melin is known for.

On the inside, Nemechek’s racing influence shines through with hand-drawn details like personal JH logos, while the outside sports a fresh patriotic colorway and the words “All Throttle, All The Time, Chasin’ Clear Air” front and center. Every hat comes with a matching drawstring sack, perfect for stashing on race day or during a long weekend getaway. Casual race fans and collectors can shop the new limited-edition melin x John Hunter Nemechek hat by clicking the link below.

Source: melin

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. took a closer look at what the 2026 NASCAR schedule could look like. On Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt first talked about NASCAR potentially returning to Chicago since its contract is up with the city.

“I can’t even imagine how much of a spiderweb the agreement or any future agreement or how to even get down that path is for NASCAR in the city and all that s**t,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. “You don’t know who’s telling the truth about whether they really want to do this again or not. If they said tomorrow, ‘Yeah, there’s a new two-year deal or three-year deal, I wouldn’t be mad about it. The race itself is entertaining as s**t.”

Earnhardt went on to talk about what he likes about the Chicago Street race. He also revealed how NASCAR could add it to the 2026 schedule as it looks to have a road course race in San Diego.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares more rumors on 2026 NASCAR schedule

“I don’t know if they’ll go back. I hear that San Diego is going to take its place,” Earnahrdt stated. “There will be a street course in San Diego of some type. That is what will take Chicago’s place. It doesn’t mean that Chicago can’t still exist. Maybe Mexico City goes away, and Chicago shifts to a different part of the schedule, I don’t know. I think there’s a potential where you could see us racing at Chicago and San Diego, for sure. There’s a world where that exists.”

Earnhardt then shared something about what NASCAR won’t do in 2026 and which international city could host a race down the road. “I don’t think that they’re adding another road course,” he said. “Whatever the number is today, that will be the number next year, but I don’t know which race tracks it’s going to be. I’m feeling like the San Diego deal is done. People will say it’s not done, but I feel like it’s done.

“And then it’s like 50/50 between going back to Chicago or going back to Mexico City. Then you always have the hope that we get to Montreal again, and I think it’s NASCAR’s intention to get there. That might not happen next year.”

Earnhardt’s comments came as NASCAR announced news about the 2026 schedule. It was revealed on Wednesday that the Clash is set to return to Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

Sonoma Raceway
Sunday, July 13, 2025
1.99-Mile Road Course
3:30 PM ET
Location: Sonoma, California
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (Race 20 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 13th (Chicago Street Course)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 3rd

No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet

• Kyle Larson comes home to race at Sonoma Raceway. The Elk Grove, California, native grew up approximately 80 miles from the raceway.
• Larson ranks second among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series road course wins (six). Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott is the only driver with more (seven).
• The 32-year-old is tied for the most road course wins in the Next Gen era with three.
• Larson is tied for the second-most poles at Sonoma (four), trailing only Jeff Gordon (five)
• The driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy has the best average all-time starting position (3.8) at Sonoma in 10 starts.
• Larson and Denny Hamlin lead all drivers with nine top-five finishes in 2025.
• Larson is ranked third in the points standings just 19 points behind teammate William Byron. He is projected first in the playoff standings.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 29 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 16th (Chicago Street Course)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 2nd

No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet

• Heading to Sonoma Raceway this weekend, Chase Elliott is second in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season points standings, 13 markers behind teammate William Byron.
• Making his 341st Cup Series start last weekend at the Chicago Street Course, Elliott surpassed Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the driver with the fourth-most starts for Hendrick Motorsports.
• Elliott’s average finish of 10.58 in 2025 leads the series and is also his second best all-time through a season’s first 19 races. He is the only driver to finish in the top 20 in every event so far. It’s the second straight season he’s headed into the 20th event having completed all but one lap.
• The Dawsonville, Georgia, native has scored more points (155) than any other driver over the last four races. His average finish of 6.3 in that span is also tops.
• Elliott has four consecutive top-10 finishes at Sonoma, tied for the longest active streak. He’s won at five road courses in his career, most of all drivers, but is still looking for his first win on the Napa Valley road course. He’s led laps in each of the last five Sonoma Cup Series events, tied for the record.
• The 2020 Cup Series champion has the most road course wins among active drivers (seven) and the third all-time behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon (nine) and Tony Stewart (eight). His average finish of 9.03 leads active drivers (minimum four starts).
• In the Next Gen era on road courses, Elliott leads the series in top-five finishes (10), and his 12 top 10s are third most. His 147 laps led rank third and 610 points earned rank second.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 27 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Week: 40th (Chicago Street Course)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 1st

No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet

• William Byron is in the midst of a career year, leading the NASCAR Cup Series points standings for 16 out of 19 weeks, including presently by 13 markers.
• Through the same stretch of 19 races, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native has paced the field for 769 laps across 13 events, the most races with a lap led by a driver and second most laps total.
• In the Next Gen era on road courses, Byron has two wins (fifth most), 138 laps led (fourth most) and has collected 542 points.
• In the last 10 road course races, the 27-year-old has two wins, five top-five finishes and seven top 10s, all tied for the most. He also has led 110 laps in that same span, tied for the second most.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 32 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Week: 8th (Chicago Street Course)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 10th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet

• Alex Bowman sits 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff standings, holding a 39-point cushion above the elimination point.
• The Tucson, Arizona, native has finished inside the top 10 in each of the last three road course races in 2025, making him one of only two drivers to do so.
• Bowman’s average finish on road courses in 2025 is seventh, which ranks second among full-time drivers.
• Bowman’s best finish across eight starts at Sonoma Raceway is ninth, achieved twice (2018, 2021).
• In the Next Gen era, Bowman has accumulated six top-five finishes and nine top 10s on road courses.
• With his eighth-place finish at Chicago, Bowman advanced to the third round of the NASCAR In-Season Tournament and will compete against Ty Dillon.
• For this weekend’s Sonoma race, the Best Friends Animal shelter partner Friends of Upland Animal Shelter, in Sonoma, California.
• Ally and HendrickCars.com are teaming up again to give fans the chance to win prizes with this year’s “Open Road Sweepstakes.” Fans can win VIP experiences at various races throughout the season and one lucky winner will hit the open road in a Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss with an Airstream camper. Fans can stop by the Ally Fan Zone to enter the sweepstakes in-person and check out the camper. Fans can also enter at ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar.

Hendrick Motorsports
 

*Most all time
**Tied for most all time

• With Alex Bowman’s eighth-place run at the Chicago Street Course on Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports remains the only organization to place at least one car in the top 10 of every event in 2025. That streak goes back 27 events to last season, the longest such run of any team in the Next Gen era.
• The Hendrick Motorsports engine shop has won 15 combined poles (seven in the NASCAR Cup Series and eight in the Xfinity Series) and 16 combined races (five in the Cup Series, 10 in the Xfinity Series and the preseason Clash) this year. Its 39 victories in regular season Cup Series events are the most in the Next Gen era.
• Hendrick Motorsports has led 1,913 laps through 19 events this year, accounting for 40% of all circuits completed in the Cup Series and more than any other team by 953.
• Hendrick Motorsports enters this weekend’s race at Sonoma Raceway as the all-time leader in wins (eight), poles (10), top fives (36), top 10s (63) laps led (830) and stage wins (five).
• Five of the last 10 road course races have gone to Hendrick Motorsports with Bowman, Kyle Larson (twice) and William Byron (twice) all winning in that span. Larson is the defending winner at Sonoma Raceway.
•  

 QUOTABLE /
 
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on racing in his home state of California: “It’s always special to go back home. I love having friends and family at the track, especially the friends that don’t typically get to go to the track. We have dominated there in the past – hopefully we’ll be just as good and catch Jeff Gordon (on Sonoma Raceway’s all-time wins list). It will feel hotter in Sonoma with the race being in July. The pavement will be a little bit slicker. I personally prefer the race to be in July, more enjoyable for everyone that comes into town and experience Napa (California).”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on Sonoma Raceway: “Sonoma is a track I always enjoy going to. Last year, I thought that we had really good pace, and our road course program this season has been strong, so that gives me confidence heading into this weekend. This entire stretch of races coming up, really, I think could be good for us. We’re within reach of the regular season championship, so running well and maximizing points is going to be really important.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on the team as it heads to Sonoma Raceway: “It’s been a rough couple weeks for our No. 24 team. We can’t get down though. We’ve been fast at every track and just had something, both in and out of our control, happen. Hopefully this weekend can just be a smooth one so we can get back in the groove we were in. I know everyone on the team has the same mindset, and no one is giving up.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on Sonoma Raceway: “Sonoma’s one of those places that really challenges you as a driver. It’s technical, it’s physical, and every lap you’re just trying to stay mistake-free. We are coming off of a solid race from Chicago. I feel like we got our bad luck out of the way and need to be consistent here on out to make sure that we stay off the cutoff line. We’re a team capable of winning it just hasn’t been in the cards for us yet.”

Photo Credit: Richard Prince for Corvette Racing

Corvettes look to extend strong history of success at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

DETROIT (July 9, 2025) – In the long and storied history of Corvette Racing, no single racetrack has witnessed more success for the program than venerable Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The track just to the east of Toronto has been the backdrop for 13 Corvette class victories dating back to 2001.

The 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit – formerly Mosport International Raceway – is the backdrop for what Corvette Z06 GT3.R teams hope is another winning weekend during the Chevrolet Grand Prix. This year’s race – in which the Corvette GT3 car scored its first win in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – features four Corvette entries across the two GT classes: Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports in GTD PRO along with AWA and DXDT Racing in GTD.

All 13 victories for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing at CTMP have come from the Pratt Miller-run team, including last year’s dominating weekend for Garcia – now a three-time winner there – and Sims. The pair led a 1-2 finish as Sims claimed pole position and set the fastest race lap along the way. Garcia and Sims also come into this weekend with additional momentum from four podium finishes in five races and the GTD PRO championship lead.

Along with a runner-up finish at Watkins Glen for the No. 3 Corvette, Milner and Catsburg recorded their best finish of the season in the No. 4 Z06 GT3.R – fourth place in class and just missing the podium. The duo was the closest challenger to the sister car at CTMP a year ago. Milner is a past class-winner at the track with Corvette Racing, and Catsburg made his first start at the circuit last year.

AWA (GTD)

• No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Matt Bell, Orey Fidani

AWA’s Fidani and Bell aim to make up for last year’s race at CTMP, where a collision forced the No. 13 Corvette out of last year’s Chevrolet Grand Prix. This time around, the team will contest its home race in the special Canadian-themed livery that proved immensely popular last month at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In addition to posting a solid result in its home race, AWA hopes to use the CTMP round to bolster its chances in claiming a second consecutive Bob Akin Award for Fidani. The honor goes to the highest points-scoring Bronze driver in GTD and was AWA’s ticket to Le Mans after winning the season-long championship in 2024. AWA also has given the Corvette Z06 GT3.R its only IMSA win this year at the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

DXDT Racing (GTD)

• No. 36 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Alec Udell, Robert Wickens

The Chevrolet Grand Prix marks Robert Wickens’ return to DXDT Racing’s No. 36 Corvette that is equipped with the newest generation of Bosch’s electronic braking system. Wickens made his high-profile debut in the Corvette and in the WeatherTech Championship at Long Beach and also competed at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

A two-time winner at CTMP in Michelin Pilot Challenge, Wickens rejoins Alec Udell in the DXDT Corvette following a near-miss at Watkins Glen. Udell qualified on the GTD front row for the second year in a row, and the team challenged for the class win until a mechanical issue sidelined the No. 36 Corvette with 10 minutes to go.

The Chevrolet Grand Prix is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 13. The race will air live on USA from 2 to 5 p.m. with full streaming coverage on Peacock inside the U.S. and IMSA.com outside the U.S. IMSA Radio will air all on-track sessions at IMSA.com along XM 206, SiriusXM Online 996.

CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R DRIVER PRE-EVENT QUOTES

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:

“I think we can challenge for the win at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. I don’t know if we will have enough or not but we will definitely go for it. We just need to wait and see what we actually have. We’ll do what we always do and go as fast as we can with whatever we have. We’ll try to find our weak spots and especially where we might be ahead of our competition so we can take advantage of that. We just need to play things smart again and see what this race brings.”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:

“Honestly I enjoy every single event in IMSA, but this is really the sweet spot in terms of hitting awesome tracks week after week. Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is up there with the absolute best of the tracks in North America for me personally. I love it there. It’s where we were able to put it on pole and win last year, and it would be amazing if we could do the same again this time around. We’ll just have to wait and see if that’s realistic or not.

“These are the standout tracks and why I want to come and race in IMSA. It’s a really nice part of the year. CTMP also is important in this phase to maximize each race and keep the championship challenge going. But from that point of view it’s about focusing on every single race. We’ll focus on the moment and enjoy what we’re doing.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:

“This is the real meat of our schedule. Watkins Glen obviously set off a nice sequence of just classic North American road courses. Next for us is Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, which is consistently my answer for whenever I’m asked what is my favorite racetrack. It just has all the right characteristics, all the right rhythm and flow and challenge and everything that you want in a racetrack. It’s a lot of fun, especially these days in these GT3 cars. We’ve been successful there. I think it really suits the Corvette. It’s a place where the fast-flowing, high-speed nature of the track really is this car’s sweet spot. I’m hoping that that continues to stay true. We’ve seen all last year and still this year that we struggle a little bit in straight-line speed but hopefully we have just enough to keep anybody behind us if we are toward the front. But yeah… just love racing there. The fans there are great, as always, real diehard sports car racing fans. It’s just a big challenge – one that I think every lap, you kind of hold your breath in a couple places, and that’s what makes it fun.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:

“I got to discover CTMP for the first time last year, and the track is just incredible. It’s another of the classic North American tracks that I really enjoy. I would say that it lived up to my expectations last year with the fast corners, elevation changes and a really nice flow. Certainly we were fast there last year in the Corvette which is encouraging. The team obviously knows the track really well and has a lot of wins and experience. So all that makes me pretty confident going into the weekend. We had what I would say was a decent result at Watkins Glen so let’s see if we can make the improvements we need to be higher up the order.”

MATT BELL, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:

“Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is one of my favorite tracks from anywhere in the world, and we’ve been eagerly waiting to race there again! I’m really looking forward to the team’s home race and to bringing back the fan-favorite livery from Le Mans. We felt we had a very strong car at CTMP last year, so I’m confident we’ll be competitive. Hopefully we’ll be able to bring the Canadian-flagged Corvette Z06 GT3.R over the line with a strong result in front of a great crowd.”

OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:

“This race means so much to the whole team. CTMP is an extremely special place for me, it’s where this whole journey began and it’s very sentimental to be able to compete at my home track in front of friends and family. After seeing the massive amount of support we received in Le Mans, we knew we had to bring back the red livery for the Canadian crowd. I’m really looking forward to getting back in the car and we’ll be doing everything we can to put on a good show and get a great result here.”

ALEC UDELL, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:

“I’m excited to return to a sprint format together with Robert in the DXDT Corvette Z06 GT3.R. It’s a race on home turf for him, and it’s been a good place for the Corvettes in the past. It feels like we’ve got a lot of positive momentum coming into the race, so I can’t wait to get on track and give all Robert’s supporters up there, and our DXDT team, an effort to root for!”

ROBERT WICKENS, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:

“I couldn’t be more excited about being a part of the headline race, driving a Corvette Z06 GT3.R at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. It’s a big race for myself, as well as my team, DXDT Racing. We feel like a podium is just around the corner, and there is no place I would rather achieve that than at home at CTMP. The Corvette has always been a fan favorite. Ron Fellows put Corvette Racing on the map in Canada with all of his success with Pratt Miller. Ron has had a huge influence on CTMP and on my career. He’s someone I’ve always looked up to from a very young age, and he’s helped me, and other Canadian drivers progress from karts to cars. Now to return and drive a Corvette just like Ron has done for so many years holds a special place for me.”

2025 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Points

GTD PRO Drivers Standings

1. Alexander Sims/Antonio Garcia – 1632

2. Klaus Bachler/Laurin Heinrich – 1580

3. Albert Costa – 1518

4. Mike Rockenfeller/Sebastian Priaulx – 1517

5. Dan Harper/Max Hesse – 1510

7. Nicky Catsburg/Tommy Milner – 1372

GTD PRO Teams Standings

1. No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 1632

2. No. 77 AO Racing – 1580

3. No. 81 DragonSpeed – 1518

4. No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports – 1517

5. No. 48 Paul Miller Racing – 1510

7. No. 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 1372

GTD PRO Manufacturers Standings

1. Chevrolet – 1668

2. BMW – 1638

3. Porsche – 1626

4. Ford – 1624

5. Ferrari – 1565

GTD Drivers Standings

1. Philip Ellis/Russell Ward – 1550

2. Casper Stevenson – 1490

3. Jack Hawksworth/Parker Thompson – 1474

4. Adam Adelson/Elliott Skeer – 1362

5. Patrick Gallagher/Robby Foley – 1329

8. Matthew Bell/Orey Fidani – 1220

20. Alec Udell – 816

GTD Teams Standings

1. No. 57 Windward Racing – 1550

2. No. 27 Heart of Racing Team – 1490

3. No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Racing – 1474

4. No. 120 Wright Motorsports – 1362

5. No. 96 Turner Motorsport – 1329

7. No. 13 AWA – 1220

13. No. 36 DXDT Racing – 999

GTD Manufacturers Standings

1. Mercedes-AMG – 1734

2. Lexus – 1577

3. Aston Martin – 1571

4. Porsche – 1558

5. Ferrari – 1554

6. Chevrolet – 1434

Source:

CorvetteRacing.com

Related:

Corvette Racing at Watkins Glen: Points Lead for No. 3 Corvette

Corvette Racing at Detroit: A Drive Back to Second

Corvette Racing at Laguna Seca: Podium for Garcia, Sims

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With the future of Chicago’s Street Course in limbo and a potential San Diego race in the works, the future of NASCAR’s street courses is at a crossroads. Could both cities be on the schedule in 2026? Or is it a battle for one spot for next year?

NASCAR’s Street Course Future: Chicago? San Diego? Or Both?

NASCAR is relishing in the successes and failures of its street course attempt in Chicago. But as we head away from Chicago and towards Sonoma, we are still talking about street courses. As Chicago’s future hangs in the hands of its officials and a future race in San Diego is in final talks, could we see more than one on the schedule? Or are we at the beginning of a duel between two cities to get a NASCAR street course race?

We finally got to see Chicago’s Street Course in the dry — and it delivered again. From Shane van Gisbergen’s shocking debut win in 2023 to his dominating return in 2024, the Chicago Street Course has quickly become a marquee event. But while the racing has been electric, the future of the event is uncertain as the city of Chicago is reportedly seeking changes to its current deal with NASCAR.

San Diego Street Course: The Next Big Thing?

Enter San Diego. According to Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, a deal for a street race in the Southern California city is currently in the works. With the possibility of a new event on the table, speculation is swirling: Is San Diego a potential replacement for Chicago, or could NASCAR be planning to run two street races in the future?

The Southern California market has been all but abandoned by NASCAR in recent years. Auto Club Speedway’s closure and stalled short track plans, combined with the Clash’s move from the L.A. Coliseum back to NASCAR’s roots in Winston-Salem, have left the region without a major stock car race since 2023. That’s a huge gap in one of the country’s largest and most diverse markets.

IndyCar’s success with the Long Beach Grand Prix proves there’s demand for street racing in Southern California. NASCAR reportedly even tried to purchase the rights to Long Beach — a bold move that didn’t pan out. Instead, San Diego may offer a clean slate and a chance for NASCAR to build its legacy.

Read More: Kyle Kirkwood Dominates the Streets of Long Beach

San Diego is a beautiful city with a strong military presence and vibrant downtown — a compelling setting for a street race. But with both Chicago and San Diego reportedly negotiating with NASCAR, fans are left to wonder: Will we see two street races on the schedule? Or is San Diego simply leverage to get Chicago to re-sign for 2026? What exactly is NASCAR’s play here?

What do I think? I think Chicago re-signs for the future. The city has finally adjusted to the event, and it seems like the locals are embracing it. Even the mayor recently said the race is starting to feel like a real Chicago tradition. Why put out a fire that’s still burning?

But if NASCAR adds a street course in San Diego, that could pull a significant portion of the traveling fan base away from Chicago. Suddenly, you’re splitting the hype and the novelty that makes street courses special.

This is a two-fold problem for NASCAR. On one hand, you have an underserved Southern California market that’s been without a Cup race since 2023 and is hungry for the sport’s return. On the other hand, Chicago is finally warming up to the disruption and excitement of NASCAR in the streets. So what do you do?

How To Blend The Streets With NASCAR’s Identity:

As a bit of a NASCAR purist, I’ll admit, I like my ovals. But I can appreciate what street courses bring to the table. They take the racing to the people. Cities offer density, young audiences, and photogenic backdrops. It’s smart marketing and a unique fan experience.

That said, I think we’ve lost the plot a little. NASCAR is, and always has been, an oval series at heart. There is a place for street and road courses, but it should be intentional. We should be racing at COTA because it’s world-class, and at Watkins Glen and Sonoma because of history. Add in an international road course like Mexico City or Montreal, and one well-executed street race. That’s all you need.

Read More: NASCAR Cup Series at COTA Highlighted by Rules Inconsistency, Bell Victory

Denny Hamlin recently floated a brilliant idea: a street oval. Find two parallel streets and design a temporary oval around them. That way, you bring NASCAR to the cities without abandoning what makes the series unique — turning left.

You could realistically do this in both Chicago and San Diego. Embrace the excitement of the street course, but keep the oval DNA alive. Best of both worlds.

Wherever NASCAR decides to move the street race, I am sure it will be a success, but let us not compromise our identity as a series to bring the sport to new markets.

CONCORD, N.C. – Kyle Larson returns to his familiar HendrickCars.com paint scheme on his No. 5 Chevrolet this weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Sonoma Raceway. 

Now, to park it somewhere familiar as well. 

Larson will look to reach victory lane at his de facto home track for the third time in his career, notching his second win at the 1.99-mile road course a year ago. 

Meanwhile, despite his illustrious career at serpentine circuits, Chase Elliott is still knocking on the door of his first victory at Sonoma. He’ll chase that coveted checkered flag with a white livery on his No. 9 Chevy that will hit the track for the first time since the preseason Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, coincidentally won by Elliott. 

Points leader William Byron is back in his No. 24 Valvoline ride while Alex Bowman brings the No. 48 Ally scheme to Wine Country. 

The Hendrick Motorsports paint scheme preview is sponsored by Kelley Blue Book. 

Here’s how the cars will look when they hit the race track this weekend!