It was a hot start to summer in Chicago for our legacy sports teams. Up was down, down was up and our downtown streets buckled just in time for the Chicago Street Race.
The first half of the Chicago Cubs season was like a good book you couldn’t put down.
Amazing comebacks, plenty of runs and the daily Pete Crow-Armstrong Show. Wrigley Field was packed, and for the first time since the Theo Epstein rebuild, there was reason to believe in the team’s future.
Whether the second half can match the start depends largely on whether Epstein’s replacement as president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, can fill some rotation holes and shore up the bench. Hoyer fixed a shaky bullpen early in the season with low-key, underrated moves and now faces another obstacle.
When Marquee Sports Network analyst Cliff Floyd pulled out a tiny red flag recently to signal the Cubs had starting pitching concerns, it signaled two things:
The Cubs do have starting pitching concerns, and Floyd has a guaranteed contract.
Through the fog of a team-owned network that often serves as a marketing tool for all things Cubs, Floyd’s flag stood out. It’s obvious to everyone that Hoyer needs to do something. But when Marquee joins in, you know it’s serious.
The return of Shota Imanaga on Thursday in St. Louis after seven weeks rehabbing a hamstring injury was a shot in the arm for the Cubs, who were 12-12 in June entering Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros, slowing to a light jog after sprinting for the first two months.
But it doesn’t bail out the rest of the rotation, which is in a state of flux with Ben Brown back at Triple-A Iowa. Only Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon are assured of keeping their spots behind Imanaga, and Taillon has allowed an MLB-worst 2.08 home runs per nine innings. Rookie Cade Horton was roughed up Friday night in Houston, bluntly saying, “I got my ass kicked.”
Saturday night’s starter, Colin Rea, allowed seven runs on 11 hits against the Seattle Mariners last week, serving up four home runs. True, the wind was blowing out at Wrigley, but it has blown in plenty of times for Rea, whom left-handed hitters are salivating over with a .952 OPS against the right-hander.
If someone told you in March the White Sox would have a better rotation than the Cubs at the midway point, you would’ve laughed or cried, depending on your anxiety level.
Justin Steele’s season-ending elbow surgery and Imanaga’s hamstring injury obviously have factored into the Cubs’ rotation problems, but they were supposed to have starting depth. Instead, their starters ranked 23rd entering Saturday with a 4.31 ERA. Sox starters, meanwhile, were 18th at 4.20.
Thanks in no small part to the offense, Cubs starters were a combined 30-21, while Sox starters, with no run support to speak of, were a combined 13-30. Would you swap rotations if you were a Cubs fan?
White Sox starting pitcher Adrian Houser gestures a greeting to the plate umpire at the start of a game against the Giants on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Rate Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
The Sox likely will deal starter Adrian Houser before the trade deadline, in case Hoyer hasn’t heard lately from his Winnetka Starbucks buddy, Sox general manager Chris Getz.
Houser has a 1.90 ERA in seven starts for the Sox after throwing seven shutout innings in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants. He’s affordable and shouldn’t cost the Cubs more than a prospect.
Lonzo Ball is out, and this time it’s for good.
The Cleveland Cavaliers accepted the challenge of trying to get Ball healthy enough to play in the NBA, acquiring him from the Chicago Bulls for Isaac Okoro, a disappointing top-five pick in the 2020 draft.
When healthy, Ball can be a premier player. He was that player for only 35 games in the 2021-22 season before the knee injury that would sideline him for 2½ seasons. He came back with a new knee in 2024-25, only to be limited to 35 games by a wrist injury and other ailments.
What if Ball had remained healthy? Would the Bulls have been competitive enough to be an annual playoff team the last four years?
Probably not, but it doesn’t matter anyway. Executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas, who reportedly is getting a contract extension for reasons that never will be publicly explained, wouldn’t have made the necessary trade-deadline decisions even if Ball had been healthy on a winning team.
Hopefully Ball can overcome his injuries and become the player many thought he’d be and not the Bulls version of former Cubs pitcher Mark Prior.
Luis Robert Jr. has a 0.0 WAR, which seems almost impossible for a player with his talent. Getz said Monday it’s still possible Robert could remain with the Sox after the trade deadline, which would be a shocking twist for a player who has been on trade-rumor watch for more than a year.
White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Rate Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
“We’ve never been out there making phone calls about Luis Robert,” Getz said. “It’s teams calling us and we have conversations. And (we’ve stuck) to the plan that we’ve been working (on) so far in which, if we feel like we can help the long-term health of the organization, so be it.
“We like having Luis Robert and I enjoy having him in the lineup on a nightly basis.”
Three days later, Robert was out with hamstring tightness. The wait goes on … and on.
Anton Frondell, the No. 3 pick in the NHL draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, could provide the organization with a much-needed personality boost, along with what he can do on the ice. His draft-day story of starting out as a 5-year-old wearing pink figure skates showed his sense of humor.
Frondell compared himself to Florida Panthers star Aleksander Barkov, another 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward who can score goals and doesn’t get pushed around. When the Hawks asked him whether he’d prefer to be a center or winger, Frondell replied, “Whatever Connor (Bedard) doesn’t play, I’ll play.”
Look for the Hawks marketing machine to put these two on billboards soon. It’s what they do best.
Our pick to click in next week’s Chicago Street Race is Katherine Legge, the eighth woman in modern history to compete in NASCAR and the first since Danica Patrick in 2018 to race in the Cup Series. In its third year, Chicago’s NASCAR race could use a nice storyline like a woman outdueling a field of men — and less rain.
Buckling pavement on the pop-up course from the recent heat wave provided a realistic, Chicago-style driving obstacle. But crews quickly repaired the pavement, which of course never would happen to a normal Chicago street.
Another day and another Nitro Motorsports signing. Toyota development driver Jade Avedisian is the latest to sign on. Avedisian is a rising star in motorsports. She has done things on dirt that no other woman has ever done. Now, she’s running part-time in ARCA.
In 2023, she became the youngest female to make the Chili Bowl Nationals A-Main and the first female to ever make the podium in the prestigious event. She claimed the Xtreme Outlaw Series Midget championship in the same year. Avedisian also has a win in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model division from earlier this year.
Jade Avedisian made a few ARCA starts this year with varying success. Now, she is back for another part-time schedule as she continues to develop her skills as a driver. Nitro Motorsports has a deep and diverse group of drivers already signed on for next year.
There are many in NASCAR who believe Jade Avedisian is going to pan out as a legitimate talent. She is one of a handful of women who have come up through the ranks in recent years with aspirations of making a real career out of the sport. Isabella Robusto is running full-time with Nitro and is another young woman who is going to be competitive in 2026.
As Nitro Motorsports fills out its roster of drivers, we get a clearer picture of who will be on track next year. Taking over the Venturini Motorsports operation is going to be tough. It appears that they are going to field a healthy number of cars. Will one of their drivers win the ARCA Menards Series championship in 2026, and keep the Venturini winning tradition alive?
Jade Avedisian has already impressed so many
You will find that Jade Avedisian has earned herself plenty of fans already. She wins races, is a great role model for girls younger than her in racing, and is someone who is pretty easy to root for. With Toyota and Nitro Motorsports, she should be able to develop and take her time adapting to stock cars.
She’s already won and been competitive in Pro Late Models. The CARS Tour is as good a series as any to develop racecraft and talent in a stock car. It is interesting that Avedisian is going to a part-time schedule. With her dirt background, I’m surprised she isn’t racing more in stock cars for 2026. Still, it is a new challenge, and that’s exciting for the young driver.
“I’m really excited to take the next step in my career with Nitro Motorsports,” Avedisian said in a press release. “Nitro Motorsports has been a huge part of my growth and transition into asphalt competition. Each level has taught me something new, and now getting the opportunity to move into ARCA is something I’ve worked hard for. I know there’s a lot to learn with these cars and these tracks, but I’m ready for the challenge and grateful to have Mobil 1, Yahoo, and Toyota supporting this next chapter.”
Nitro Motorsports is positioning itself as the Toyota development ladder team. That is their purpose now that they have taken over the Venturini organization. Joe Gibbs Racing will have the 18 car with a young and talented driver, or multiple drivers. But Nitro has a full operation.
Nitro has karts, Toyota GR Cup, Trans AM A2, and now ARCA. From the ground up, essentially. Jade Avedisian is taking her next step in 2026 with Nitro. It could be an audition for a full-time ride in 2027.
Darian Boesch wins 6 times in 10 finals to lead the DragChamp TD/TS Top 10 List, presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance
12/17/25 – Welcome to the 2025 DragChamp Top Dragster / Top Sportsman Racer of the Year Top 10 List presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance. We ranked the best racers of the year from the fastest sportsman classes. Read below to see which racers made the biggest impact over the 2025 season.
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Want to check out previous Top 10 Lists, click here.
DragChamp Top 10 List
1 – Darian Boesch
Darian Boesch wins six times in ten final round appearances to earn the 2025 DragChamp TD/TS Racer of the Year title. Boesch went to five finals in both his Top Sportsman Camaro and his Top Dragster winning three times in each category. His 2025 Top Sportsman campaign ended with him earning his second Top Sportsman world championship.
2 – Casey Plaizier
Casey Plaizier captured the 2025 Top Dragster championship in dramatic fashion by winning the NHRA World Finals to claim the championship. Casey was a perfect three for three in final rounds in his championship run which also earned him the Division 6 championship.
3 – Michael Chitty
Michael Chitty drove to six final rounds on the season winning four times to earn the #3 spot. Chitty finished #6 nationally and won the Division 5 championship.
4 – Dan Lafferty
Dan Lafferty made a run at the Top Sportsman championship but ended up 2nd in the world. Lafferty won four times in four finals on his way to the Division 6 championship.
5 – Jessica Eastburn
Jessica Eastburn led the Top Dragster standings on the last day of the season but ultimately finished in second place when Casey Plaizier won the final round at the World Finals. Eastburn had a great season winning four times in four finals on her way to the Division 1 championship.
6 – David Cook
David Cook made a run at the Top Sportsman title but finished third nationally after winning three times in four finals. Cook also won the Division 7 championship.
7 – Doug Crumlich
Doug Crumlich won three times in four finals on the season to finish 4th nationally and 5th in the Division 2 standings.
8 – Jeff Brooks
Jeff Brooks won the Division 1 championship and finished 5th nationally after winning three times in four final round appearances.
9 – Jeff Strickland
Jeff Strickland earned the Division 1 title after winning twice in 2025. He also finished 5th in the national standings to earn a Top 10 List spot.
10 – Jim Prevo
Jim Prevo closes out the TD/TS Top 10 List. Prevo won two of his three finals which helped him finish 4th in the national standings and third in the Division 3.
Let us know what you think about the DragChamp Top 10 List. We want to hear from you. Check us out on Facebook and share it with your friends.
And remember, look for our DragChamp Top 10 List nominations Facebook post every Monday evening. You can nominate your favorites in the comments of the post for consideration on the list.
DragChamp is your online source for sportsman drag race results, news, and updates.
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 02: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, reacts after the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin is again at the center of NASCAR’s charter debate, this time after a major legal settlement. Following the end of the federal antitrust lawsuit between NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports, Hamlin publicly called for an apology from SiriusXM NASCAR Radio hosts. His comments came days after the case was settled in the U.S. District Court.
The lawsuit focused on NASCAR’s charter system and how teams share revenue and gain entry into races. Denny Hamlin, a co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan, said earlier criticism from media voices now looks misplaced based on the evidence presented during the trial. The dispute has added another chapter to the ongoing tension between team owners, NASCAR leadership, and media voices tied closely to the sport.
Lawsuit settlement restores charters
The antitrust lawsuit ended on December 11, 2025, after nine days in federal court. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports challenged NASCAR’s charter system after refusing to sign. Trial testimony included claims that NASCAR owed the teams $364.7 million and underpaid all chartered teams by $20.3 billion. The case settled before a verdict, restoring six charters to 23XI and Front Row Motorsports under undisclosed terms.
Denny Hamlin challenges the NASCAR media
After the settlement, Denny Hamlin posted on social media and addressed SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, including Larry McReynolds. Responding to a promotional post for McReynolds’ show “On Track,” He wrote, “Good morning. Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out, will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?”
Hamlin followed up with another post, listing examples of remarks he believed were unfair. “I believe it was ‘how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough, and FRM wasn’t good enough. Also, how about ‘I don’t know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it’? Just to name a few examples.”
When the lawsuit was filed, 13 other teams signed the charter agreement. SiriusXM hosts, including McReynolds, questioned why 23XI and Front Row Motorsports did not follow the same path.
Fan reactions follow Hamlin’s comments
Hamlin’s posts sparked reaction from fans online, including listeners of SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Some echoed his call for accountability and pointed to past coverage of the lawsuit.
“I’m waiting for Moody’s apology for the shitty way he was when he interviewed Mr. Kessler at the very beginning. I’m sure you realize how many hours of On Track have been entirely devoted to you for the last year. Figdets said.”
Another fan expressed doubt that any apology would come. “Why would they! They don’t have the decency. But don’t worry, we all know all the B.S they spewed and how bad it makes them look. Greg said.”
The lawsuit itself arose from broader concerns among team owners regarding NASCAR’s control over revenue, intellectual property, and barriers to new teams. With the legal case resolved, attention now turns to how the charter system operates moving forward. NASCAR has said the agreement strengthens partnerships and focuses on long-term growth.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy Earnhardt do not shy away from sharing stories about life at home with their daughters, Isla and Nicole. Over time, on their podcast Bless Your Hardt, they have revealed that their daughters have two very different personalities. However, it has been a while since the NASCAR icon last spoke about Amy’s pregnancy.
Junior has admitted that parenting often tests his patience, joking about how challenging the girls can be for both him and Amy. Still, those everyday frustrations never overshadow the memory of the moment his life shifted in a way no racetrack ever could.
That moment dates back to 2017, when Dale Jr. appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and reflected on how Amy revealed her first pregnancy. At the time, Amy was expecting Isla. Junior recalled that the day had already felt special long before he stepped through the front door. A lifelong Washington Redskins fan, he had been invited to a luncheon that served as the team’s season kickoff. The invitation alone thrilled him.
The event turned out to be better than he could have imagined, as Junior took the stage for a Q&A session in front of the entire team, soaking in an atmosphere he described as unforgettable. In his words, it felt like the greatest day. Riding that high, he returned home eager to tell Amy every detail, unaware that something far more significant awaited him.
The Earnhardts shared a household rule shaped by their shared addiction to Amazon shopping. Packages arrived frequently, but neither opened the other’s deliveries. That routine held firm until that day. Amy casually mentioned that she had opened one of his packages, a detail that barely registered with him at first. As Junior moved toward the parcel, Amy quietly started recording him.
What happened next was something surreal to Dale Jr. “So I reach into this little pouch, and I pull out a onesie. And I’m like, I don’t, I mean, I know right away what that means. And I’m like, just weird words are coming out of my mouth. I don’t even know what I said. It made zero sense.”
Before he could gather himself, Amy urged him to keep going. “And then she’s like, ‘Well, there’s more in the bag.’ So I reach in there. I pull out the pregnancy test. And so we’re crying. She’s crying, I’m crying.”
The shock gave way to emotion. Junior described how overwhelming the moment felt because of the big news itself. He later explained that he wanted to preserve that instant forever. He planned to place the onesie and the pregnancy test inside a Ziploc bag and store them safely downstairs.
To him, those items were the first tangible proof of his child’s existence. He wanted to keep them intact so that one day he could show his daughter the very test that confirmed she was on the way.
Now, as Bless Your ‘Hardt prepares for its next episode, the story might come full circle. Viewers might be eager to learn whether Junior followed through on that intention and ever showed Isla the onesie and pregnancy test.
The Comeback with a Backbone: Single-Mom Alli Owens Charges into ARCA to Champion Blue-Collar America and Empower the Next Generation of Women – Speedway Digest
Alli Owens is no stranger to grit. As a sole-custody single mother of three, a lifelong racer, and a woman carved from the blue-collar foundation of grassroots America, she is officially announcing her return to the ARCA Menards Series — and she’s coming back with purpose, conviction, and a message the sport needs to hear.
The Daytona Beach, Fla. native will make her official return in next month’s open practice session at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, before arriving for her return to series competition at the “World Center of Racing” for the season-opening race on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
She will pilot a car for Kimmel Racing, a mainstay organization in the ARCA Menards Series.
Owens’ comeback to the high banks isn’t just about racing again; it’s about reshaping the narrative of who belongs in motorsports.
Raised on hard work, built by real American families, and strengthened by the battles she’s faced off the track, Owens is stepping back into the driver’s seat to represent those who rarely get the spotlight — the working moms, the dreamers, the underdogs and the girls who need someone in the arena showing them what strength looks like.
“This comeback isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about responsibility,” said Owens.
“I’m returning to ARCA to carry the stories of the families who built this sport. The blue-collar men and women who passed racing down through generations.
“And I’m doing it to show young girls — including my daughters — that even when life hits hard, you can still rise, rebuild and lead.”
Her return also aligns with the community-focused nonprofit Raising Hearts Building Futures Foundation (RHBFF), run by Owens and founded by Terri Lynn Brearey, which works directly with middle – and high-school students, single parents and struggling families.
Together, the mission is simple: bring heart, history, mentorship, and human connection back into communities that feel overlooked.
Owens plans to bridge the world of motorsports with real-life impact by integrating career-driven programs, school engagement, youth sports empowerment, and storytelling rooted in lived experience.
Through the ARCA Menards Series, she aims to give a platform to the families and kids who deserve to be seen, heard and believed in.
Her presence in ARCA marks a refreshing shift at a time when NASCAR’s grassroots audience craves authenticity.
Owens isn’t returning quiet, polished or packaged — she’s returning real, driven by the people who built the sport: blue-collar, hardworking Americans who understand grit better than anyone.
“Women aren’t here just to fill a quota, we’re here to lead,” explained Owens. “My journey has been messy, painful, beautiful and brave — and I’m stepping back into ARCA to prove that motherhood doesn’t end dreams; it multiplies the purpose behind them.”
As anticipation builds for her Daytona return, Owens is inviting partners, brands and organizations who share her passion for impact, authenticity and community storytelling to join her mission.
Her comeback isn’t about getting back in the game. It’s about changing it.
Jade Avedisian, who continues to see her star rise in the stock car racing world, will take another step forward in her trajectory in 2026. The 19-year-old racer has signed with Nitro Motorsports and will compete part-time in the ARCA Menards Series in 2026.
Avedisian will pilot a Toyota Camry for the race team with Mobil 1 and Yahoo serving as the partners for the effort. The California native says she is ready for the challenge in 2026.
“I’m really excited to take the next step in my career with Nitro Motorsports,” said Avedisian in a press release. “Nitro Motorsports has been a huge part of my growth and transition into asphalt competition. Each level has taught me something new, and now getting the opportunity to move into ARCA is something I’ve worked hard for. I know there’s a lot to learn with these cars and these tracks, but I’m ready for the challenge and grateful to have Mobil 1, Yahoo, and Toyota supporting this next chapter.”
Nitro Motorsports, which teamed with Avedisian in the 2025 Toyota GR Cup North America Series, feels that the young driver is perfect for its lineup as she has proven to be quite adaptable.
“Jade is exactly the kind of talent our program is designed to support,” added Nick Tucker, co-owner of Nitro Motorsports. “Her professionalism and her ability to adapt across different platforms make her an exciting young driver. She’s been impressive at every step, and now we’re looking forward to helping her succeed in ARCA. With the support of Mobil 1, Yahoo, and Toyota, we believe Jade will turn heads in 2026.”
The team has not revealed the full 2026 part-time schedule for Avedisian in the ARCA Menards Series, but will do so at a later date. The team will also have additional sponsorship announcements coming.
In 2025, Avedisian became the first-ever female race winner in the zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model division as she took the win on March 1 in the National Dodge 225 at New River All-American Speedway. Avedisian came home ahead of Spire Motorsports development driver Tristan McKee, who had led 96 of the race’s 100 laps, to score the milestone win.
Avedisian was initially credited with a runner-up finish to T.J. DeCaire in that event, but in post-race inspection, DeCaire’s car was deemed illegal, and he was disqualified as a result.
Avedisian got her feet wet in the ARCA Menards Series-level of competition as she competed in the ARCA Menards Series event on the dirt at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, where she finished 17th, and two ARCA West events in 2025. She finished 12th in her West series debut at the LVMS Bullring, and followed that up with a 19th-place result in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
