Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott’s recent performance has come under the scrutiny of NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic.

Elliott made history by winning the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship as the first rookie and the youngest driver to clinch the title. After moving to the Cup Series with a full-time seat in 2016, Elliott continued to impress and secured his first Cup Series championship at 24 years old in 2020.

In his Cup Series career so far, Elliott has won 19 races in 322 starts. However, some argue that his recent performances, although consistent, are not showing the dominance he previously enjoyed in his championship-winning season.

During the latest episode of The Teardown podcast (below), Bianchi stated:

“We need to have a Chase Elliott conversation.

“Since the start of the 2023 season, the Wood Brothers have more wins than Chase Elliott does. That’s crazy to think about. That’s no disrespect to the Wood Brothers, that’s just the reality of the situation.

“They have two wins. Chase Elliott has one points win since the start of the 2023 season. That’s crazy to think about. This is again becoming a typical, what I would associate with a typical Chase Elliott year. They run just well enough.

“You look at their average finish, you know, that kind of thing, and they grind out these finishes, and that’s good, and it keeps them up in the point standings. He’s fourth in points.

“Okay, that’s good, but that’s not good enough for this team. You look at laps-led this year, Kyle Larson and William Byron are first and second. Alex Bowman is ninth. Chase Elliott, 15th. 45 laps-led this year. This team should be better. It needs to be better.”

Commenting on the race at Texas Motor Speedway, in which Elliott finished in 16th, Bianchi continued:

“On a race track where this is tailor-made for Hendrick Motorsports. We saw that today with the No. 5. Obviously, the No. 24 was up there too, until they had pit road damage. Bowman was in the mix. Elliot, they needed a tire gamble to get that track position. It wasn’t like they had sheer speed. There’s just, fundamentally, something is missing with this team. It’s been missing for a while. Kudos to them for grinding it out and finding a way week after week to get top 10s, and that kind of thing.

“Led the series in average finish last year, and that’s great, but they are not winning enough. They’re not leading enough laps. They’re not getting stage wins enough. This team is falling short of the expectations. Now, that’s a real high bar, but they’re not even close to meeting that.”

May marks a very special time for Forza Motorsport in 2025. Turn 10 is rolling out Update 20 for all console and PC players, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport franchise.

Weighing in at 9GB on PC and 10.42GB on Xbox Series X/S, this is one of the biggest updates by far, adding lots of new content and gameplay features.

There’s a lot to unpack in this update, so let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Fujimi Kaido

The headline news this update is the return of Fujimi Kaido. Since the last appearance of this iconic circuit in Forza Motorsport 4, it has become the most community-requested track of all time. This 10.24-mile (16.5km) mountain pass is one of the longest tracks in the game, behind the Nurburgring Nordschleife, as it winds its way through 144 corners in the spectacular Japanese mountains.

With a peak elevation change of over 2,700ft, players will experience both challenging uphill and exciting downhill sections. The track will be available to drive in single player and multiplayer modes.

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Spotlight/VIP Cars

In line with the 20th anniversary celebrations, each of the Spotlight cars are the cover cars from the previous seven Forza Motorsport titles, from the Honda NSX up to the Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

Each Spotlight car will be available for purchase every week for a limited 30% discount using in-game credits. Players with VIP can also grab their own selection of Forza Motorsport history for a 15% discount.

A pair of Time Attack monsters and a returning drift car are also added to the Showroom for everyone:

Spotlight Cars

• Honda NSX-R ’05 – May 7-14
• Nissan Fairlady Z ’03, Aston Martin DBS ’08 – May 14-21
• Audi R8 5.2 FSI ’10 – May 21-28
• Ferrari 458 Italia ’09, BMW M5 ’12 – May 28 – June 4
• McLaren P1 ’13, Audi RS7 Sportback ’13 – June 4-11
• Ford GT ’17 – June 11-18
• Porsche 911 GT2 RS ’18 – June 18-25

VIP Discount Cars

• Cadillac V-Series.R #01 Cadillac Racing ’23, Cadillac V-Series.R #2 Cadillac Racing ’23, Cadillac V-Series.R #31 Whelen Engineering ’23 – May 7 – June 25
• Nissan R390 ’98 – May 7-14
• Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale ’03 – May 14-21
• Aston Martin DBS ’08, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ’09, Ferrari 430 Scuderia ’07, Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 ’11, Porsche 911 GT3 ’07 – May 21-28
• Bugatti Veyron Super Sport ’11, Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 ’11 – May 28 – June 4
• Bugatti Veyron Super Sport ’11, Mazda 787B ’91, Shelby Cobra 427 S/C ’65 – June 4-11
• Ferrari 458 Speciale ’13, Ford Shelby GT-350R ’16, Lamborghini Veneno ’13, McLaren F1 GT ’97 – June 11-18
• Acura NSX ’17, BMW M4 Coupé ’14, Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport Coupe ’69, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 ’17, Ford Escort RS Cosworth ’92 – June 18-25

Showroom Additions

• Toyota Starlet #25 Horsepower Techs Time Attack ’84
• Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MkIV ’95
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution #1 Sierra Enterprises Time Attack ’05

One of the big additions is the addition of an extreme 1984 Toyota Starlet. This particular version bares very little resemblance to the road car thanks to a widebody kit, a huge rear wing, and a colossal rear diffuser for maximum downforce in Time Attack.

The engine is a 2.0-liter F20C lifted from a Honda S2000, but fitted with a massive turbocharger and converted to run on ethanol. The engine produces 650hp, giving this pocket rocket insane performance.

Another Time Attack car comes in the shape of the Sierra Enterprises Mitsubishi Lancer, crossing over from Forza Horizon 5. This Evo has undergone a plethora of extreme upgrades to take part in the top Unlimited class of Time Attack, with a fully stripped interior, carbon body panels and insane aerodynamic changes.

The Evo runs a 2.2-liter turbocharged engine tuned to produce 950hp and channeled through a beefed up four-wheel drive system.

Racing Heroes Car Pack

Turn 10 has also revealed the first paid DLC car pack, dubbed “Racing Heroes”. Featuring five famous machines from past and present, this pack has a broad appeal to racing fans

The big news is the return of the 2008 Mazda Furai. This LMP2-based car never raced, but quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its wild styling and rotary engine noise. The rotary engine in question is a 2.0-liter three-rotor unit making 450hp on ethanol. Unfortunately, the real car met a tragic end during a test by Top Gear, where a suspected mechanical failure saw the car destroyed in a fire.

One of the other headline cars making its debut is the 2024 Ford Mustang GT3. Marking Ford’s return to GT racing in the ultra competitive GT3 category, the Mustang is now racing across the globe in the hands of various customer teams. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 5.4 liter V8 making around 550hp before Balance of Performance rules.

This particular Mustang was run by Ford’s factory Multimatic Motorsports team in the IMSA GTD Pro class in 2024. Its special “Champion Spirit” livery also honors Ford’s victories in IMSA to celebrate 60 years of the Mustang.

The three other cars in the pack are the 2001 Formula Drift Nissan Silvia, 1997 Toyota Chaser MkII and 1984 De Tomaso Pantera GT5. The Racing Heroes pack is available now on the Microsoft Store and Steam for $4.99/€4.99/£3.99.

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Public Meetups

One of the big new gameplay additions is Public Meetups. Here, you can gather with your friends and other players on a variety of tracks to drive and drift. Four different types of meetups will be available at any time:

• Fujimi Kaido Drift Meetup
• Cycled Track Drift Meetup
• Nurburgring Nordschleife Track Day Meetup
• Cycled Track Day Meetup

The newest tour is a history lesson taking you through all seven Forza Motorsport titles, with the Spotlight cars front and center.

• Spirit of Forza Motorsport – Honda NSX-R ’05
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 2 – Nissan Fairlady Z ’03
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 3 – Audi R8 5.2 FSI ’10
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 4 – Ferrari 458 Italia ’09
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 5 – McLaren P1 ’13
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 6 – Ford GT ’17
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 7 – Porsche 911 GT2 RS ’18

The 20th Anniversary Tour will put you behind the wheel of each of the seven previous cover cars over the last 20 years.

Even though the update is now live, the 20th Anniversary Tour will kick off on May 7 with Spirit of Forza Motorsport. Each of the following series will then be unlocked after a seven day period. Your prize for completing the tour is the 2022 Acura NSX Type S for the final showcase. Alternatively, you can acquire the NSX by completing 20 races in the 20th Anniversary Series in Featured Multiplayer.

Unlike previous tours, the 20th Anniversary Tour is available permanently, so you will have no issues trying to finish it on time.

You can choose to run through 20 years of Forza Motorsport hero cars or build your own for the Open Class Tour. Work your way from D Class to R Class in each three-race series to claim the prize of the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo. You can also claim the Z by doing 10 races in the Open Series in Featured Multiplayer

You’ll need to keep an eye on your schedule as the tour will run until June 18.

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Challenge Hub

The Challenge Hub features lots of rewards for the 20th anniversary update, including cars, cosmetics and credits. Each of the challenges can be completed in single player or multiplayer.

Featured Challenges

• 20th Anniversary Tour Challenge – Complete all series in the 20th Anniversary Tour in Career OR Complete 20 races in the 20th Anniversary Series in Featured Multiplayer
• Open Class Challenge – Complete all series in the Open Class Tour in Career OR Complete 10 races in any Open Series in Featured Multiplayer
• Drift Champion – Get a Drift Score of 20,000 in the ‘Super Supra’ Drift Rivals event
• Downhill Daredevil – Complete 1 clean lap in the ‘Fujimi Kaido Touge’ Rivals Event
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport’ series
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 2 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 2’ series
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 3 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 3’ series
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 4 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 4’ series
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 5 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 5’ series
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 6 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 6’ series
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport 7 Challenge – Complete the ‘Spirit of Forza Motorsport 7’ series
• Spirit of Forza Motorsport (2023) Challenge – Complete 15 total races in any game mode
• Forza Motorsport 1 Rival Celebration Reward – Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Where Dreams Are Driven’ Rivals event
• Forza Motorsport 2 Rival Celebration Reward – Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Jump Ahead on Road Atlanta’ Featured Rivals event
• Forza Motorsport 3 Rival Celebration Reward – Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘A Love Letter to Car Fans’ Rivals event

Rewards: Acura NSX Type S ’22, Nissan Z Nismo ’24, Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MkIV ’95, Toyota #25 Horsepower Techs Starlet Time Attack ’84, Forza Motorsport Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 2 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 3 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 4 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 5 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 6 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport 7 Racing Suit, Forza Motorsport (2023) Racing Suit, Livery for Nissan Fairlady Z ’03, 50,000 credits

Weekly Challenges

May 7-14

• Spotlight Challenge: Get on the podium in the 2005 Honda NSX-R in a race with at least 10 opponents
• Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 3 clean laps on Fujimi Kaido
• Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete 5 races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
• Weekly Rivals Challenge: Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Spotlight – 2005 Honda NSX-R’ Rivals Event
• Weekly Track Challenge: Complete 10 laps on any Fujimi Kaido layout

May 14-21

• Spotlight Challenge: Reach Car Level 5 or higher in the 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z
• Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 3 clean laps in Qualifying in Featured Multiplayer
• Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
• Weekly Rivals Challenge: Beat a rival in the 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z
• Weekly Track Challenge: Get on the Podium on any Suzuka layout

May 21-28

• Spotlight Challenge: Complete 5 clean laps in the 2010 R8 Coupe 5.2 FSI Quattro
• Weekly Skills Challenge: Get on the Podium in any Featured Multiplayer race OR Get on the Podium 3 times in Career races
• Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
• Weekly Rivals Challenge: Get a Drift Score of 10,000 in any Drift Rivals event
• Weekly Track Challenge: Get a Segment Score of 8 or higher at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – National Circuit

May 28 – June 4

• Spotlight Challenge: Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Spotlight – 2009 Ferrari 458 Italia’ Rivals event
• Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 5 clean laps
• Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
• Weekly Rivals Challenge: Complete 10 clean laps in any Rivals Event
• Weekly Track Challenge: Complete 10 laps on any Sunset Peninsula layout

June 4-11

• Spotlight Challenge: Complete 5 races in the 2013 McLaren P1
• Weekly Skills Challenge: Get a Segment Score of 9 or higher on any track
• Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
• Weekly Rivals Challenge: Beat 5 Rivals in the ‘Spotlight – McLaren P1 ’13’ Rivals Event
• Weekly Track Challenge: Get on the Podium on any Yas Marina Circuit layout

June 11-18

• Spotlight Challenge: Get on the podium in the 2017 Ford GT in a race with at least 10 opponents
• Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 5 clean laps in the 2017 Ford GT
• Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
• Weekly Rivals Challenge: Beat a rival in the 2017 Ford GT
• Weekly Track Challenge: Get a Segment Score of 8 or higher on Lime Rock Park – Full Circuit

June 18-25

• Spotlight Challenge: Reach Car Level 5 or higher in the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS
• Weekly Skills Challenge: Complete 5 clean laps in the rain
• Weekly Safety Challenge: Complete five races without receiving a penalty in Featured Multiplayer
• Weekly Rivals Challenge: Complete 10 clean laps in any Rivals Event
• Weekly Track Challenge: Get a Segment Score of 9 or higher on any track

Rewards: 10,000-25,000 Cr.

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Multiplayer Events

Featured Multiplayer is stacked with events for the 20th anniversary. Like in the new tour, race your favorite Forza Motorsport cover car in the 20th Anniversary Series.

Ferrari and Lamborghini also get their own featured one-make series with the 488 Challenge and Huracan Super Trofeo.

Forza Proto-H and Daily Racers also return to the Featured Series list.

Featured Series

• 20th Anniversary Series, Modern Factory Racecar Series, BMW Procar Spec Series – May 7-14
• 20th Anniversary Series, The Challenge Series, Lotus 3-Eleven Spec Series – May 14-21
• 20th Anniversary Series, Forza Proto-H Series, Subaru BRZ Spec Series – May 21-28
• 20th Anniversary Series, Lamborghini Series, Mazda Miata Spec Series – May 28 – June 4
• 20th Anniversary Series, Community Choice Series, VW Golf GTI Spec Series – June 4-11
• 20th Anniversary Series, Daily Racers Series, Ferrari FXX Series – June 11-18

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Rivals

Theres a big selection of Rivals events for Update 20, with both Time Trial and Drift events for players to attempt. Fujimi Kaido gets its own event throughout the whole of the update.

Players with VIP will get to relive the first time driving in the current Forza Motorsport and get behind the wheel of the Cadillac V-Series.R on Hakone GP Circuit.

Drifters should prepare their best A, B and C Class cars to do battle at Catalunya, Suzuka and Maple Valley.

McLaren’s Logitech G Challenge returns, putting you behind the wheel of the legendary MP4/4 at Spa and Hakone.

The latest Rivals list is below;

• Fujimi Kaido Touge – Toyota Starlet #25 Horsepower Techs Time Attack ’84 – Fujimi Kaido – Full Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
• VIP – Cadillac Throwback – Cadillac Racing V-Series.R ’23 – Hakone – GP Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
• Where Dreams Are Driven – Honda NSX-R ’05 – Laguna Seca – Full Circuit (May 7-21)
• Jump Ahead on Road Atlanta – Nissan Fairlady Z ’03 – Road Atlanta – Grand Prix Course (May 21 – June 4)
• A Love Letter to Car Fans – Audi R8 5.2 FSI ’10 – Nürburgring – Grand Prix Circuit (June 4-18)
• Forza Ferrari on Mugello – Ferrari 458 Italia ’09 – Mugello – Full Circuit (June 18 – July 2)
• Ghost of Fujimi – Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT Apex ’85 – Fujimi Kaido – Full Circuit Reverse (May 7- June 25)
• Super Supra – Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MkIV ’95 – Grand Oak Raceway – Full Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
• Open Class Drift – A Class – A Class, RWD – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – National Circuit (May 7 – June 25
• Open Class Drift – B Class – B Class, RWD – Suzuka – East Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
• Open Class Drift – C Class – C Class, RWD – Maple Valley – Short Circuit (May 7 – June 25)
• Logitech McLaren G Challenge Qualifier #1 – McLaren MP4/4 ’88 – Spa Francorchamps – Full Circuit (May 14 – June 11)
• Logitech McLaren G Challenge Qualifier #2 – McLaren MP4/4 ’88 – Hakone – GP Circuit (June 11 – July 9)
• Spotlight – Honda NSX-R ’05 – Silverstone – International Circuit (May 7-14)
• Spotlight – Nissan Fairlady Z ’03 – Sebring – Short Circuit (May 14-21)
• Spotlight – Audi R8 5.2 FSI ’10 – Hockenheimring – Full Circuit (May 21-28)
• Spotlight – Ferrari 458 Italia ’09 – Le Mans – Full Circuit (May 28 – June 4)
• Spotlight – McLaren P1 ’13 – Bathurst – Mount Panorama Circuit (June 4-11)
• Spotlight – Ford GT ’17 – Watkins Glen – Full Circuit (June 11-18)
• Spotlight – Porsche 911 GT2 RS – Maple Valley – Full Circuit (June 18-25)

Forza Motorsport Update 20: Other Changes

Drivatar AI receives one of its biggest updates to improve the raceability of computer opponents. T10 has released a new multi-line system to allow AI opponents greater options for their optimised racing lines. This also aims to improve side-by-side racing when AI is forced off its optimum line and reduce erratic driving behavior.

New plug-and-play updates for steering wheel users bring new calibrations and more authentic lock-to-lock turns. With these changes, Steering Lock Range and Steering Sensitivity have been reset. Default force feedback settings have also been reset. Those who have already tweaked their FFB settings should not be affected.

Selected music from Forza Motorsport 3-6 have been added to the music playlist, along with three new sequences from Lance Hayes, composor for Forza Motorsport 3-5.

The seven featured Spotlight cars also receive audio updates to concide with their new events as well. The 2005 Honda NSX-R also receives a Mugen bodykit and all players will receive a special 20th Anniversary livery for the car.

Forza Proto-H, GT2 and GT3 all receive a complete rebalancing in Multiplayer.

As part of celebrating the previous seven titles, Update 20 will run for seven weeks until mid-June. T10 hasn’t provided clues to the next update, but we’ll bring them to you when details are released.

You can read all the patch notes right here. You can also swing by our Forza Motorsport forums for community discussion and discovering possible undocumented changes.

See more articles on Forza Motorsport Game Updates.

What’s Happening?

Two NASCAR National Series are headed to Kansas Speedway this weekend for the track’s Spring doubleheader weekend. Whether you are at the track or home, what does the forecast look like for this weekend in Kansas City?

• Kansas Speedway opened in 2001 and serves as the Great Plains representative on the NASCAR schedule. The 1.5-mile track, located in Kansas City, Kansas, has the honor of hosting all three NASCAR National Series each year and a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff date.
• The NASCAR Cup Series has raced in Kansas every year since 2001 and twice a year since 2011. The Craftsman Truck Series, which has also raced in Kansas every year since its opening, does not return in the fall but did so from 2020 to 2024.
• Kansas has a solid history of good race-day weather; however, last year, the track’s long-running streak of non-weather-affected racing ended in the Spring.

Weekend Weather Forecast via the National Weather Service (All Listed Times CDT)

Saturday, May 10: Truck Series Heart of Health Care 200 on FS1 [TV] & NRN [Radio] – 6:30 PM

Before the Race (12:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 76°F at 4:00 PM
• Precipitation: 4% Chance From 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Wind: 5 to 6 mph

During the Race (6:30 PM – 9:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 76°F at 6:00 PM
• Precipitation: 4% Chance From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Wind: 6 mph

After the Race (9:00 PM – 11:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 68°F at 9:00 PM
• Precipitation: 2% Chance From 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Wind: 3 to 5 mph

Sunday, May 11: Cup Series AdventHealth 400 on FS1 [TV] & MRN [Radio] – 2:00 PM

Before the Race (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 75°F at 1:00 PM
• Precipitation: 1% Chance From 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
• Wind: 5 to 6 mph

During the Race (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 79°F at 4:00 PM
• Precipitation: 4% Chance From 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Wind: 6 to 7 mph

After the Race (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 78°F at 6:00 PM
• Precipitation: 4% Chance From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Wind: 6 to 7 mph

Recent Weather Events at Kansas Speedway

2024 – Spring Rain Delay Goes Viral

Every NASCAR fan remembers the amazing finish between Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher at Kansas Speedway last spring.

After all, fans will likely hear about it endlessly in podcasts, during the pre-race show, and the race. However, what came before is not as well remembered.

Prior to this finish under the lights of Kansas Speedway, rain showers bumped what was originally going to be a normal 2 p.m. start time, pushing the race’s green flag to almost 6 p.m.

Had NASCAR delayed the race rather than going ahead as planned, perhaps fans would not have gotten to see this now viral piece of NASCAR history.

Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.

Joey Logano is playoff-bound once again, leading a trio of drivers who started 24th or worse but ended the day with podium finishes at Texas. The pole-sitter wrecked, the outside pole-sitter had an incident on pit road, and the race really flew off the rails in the final stage. It was caution after caution with Michael McDowell nearly securing a big win for the underdogs in a dramatic showdown for the win before finding the wall.

So, who came out on top as winners and the losers from the roller coaster ride that was NASCAR Cup at Texas…

WINNER: Logano shows how a win changes everything in modern NASCAR

Logano ecstatic after his ‘methodical’ win at Texas

Matt Pearce Icon Sportswire Getty Images

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It ended in tears, but we have to give praise to veteran driver Michael McDowell. He drove his heart out at Texas, taking the lead with a tire disadvantage and then holding on for the several restarts that followed. He was just four laps away from securing Spire Motorsports its first Cup win in nearly six years and only lost the lead after blocking Logano all the way to the apron. He literally did everything he could and even after losing the lead, he didn’t give up. He kept pushing, which led to him crashing into the outside wall while running third, ending his inspiring run. It was almost one for the underdogs, but even in defeat, he put on a show that made him a ‘winner’ this weekend.

LOSER: Hamlin as his impressive lead lap streak ‘burns’ away

Denny Hamlin

FOX Sports

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Denny Hamlin entered Talladega with zero DNFs this year and a series-leading streak of 21 consecutive races where he finished on the lead lap. That is extremely impressive with how chaotic these races can be, but that all came to an end on Sunday and by no fault of his own. The race started with some miscommunication over code words, which left him mired deep in the pack, but that had no impact on what came later. Hamlin suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure as his car went up in flames before the end of Stage 1, leaving him with a last-place finish and Toyota scratching their heads over what happened.

WINNER: Chastain, who remains NASCAR’s restart king

Chastain comments on his ‘working-class day’ to finish second

Sean Gardner / Getty Images

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Carson Hocevar’s weekend started on a high note with the first pole position of his career. But after leading early, he lost out on the Stage 1 win when some cars on a two-tire strategy snatched the lead away. From that point onward, he never led again. It was still a strong showing, but a caution in the middle of a green-flag pit cycle left him deep in the pack. And while trying to make something happen, Hocevar triggered a multi-car crash as he pushed Ryan Preece into the wall. Certainly not the end he was hoping for, finishing 24th and clearly angering Preece

WINNER: Legacy Motor Club leads the way for Toyota with a double T10

Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota

Sean Gardner / Getty Images

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LMC already has a double top ten this year, but that came at the Daytona 500. Sunday’s result is the team’s first-ever double top ten at a non-drafting track with Erik Jones finishing fifth and John Hunter Nemechek in eighth. They also led the way for team Toyota with the highest Joe Gibbs Racing driver in ninth and the highest 23XI Racing driver in 14th. That’s something we rarely — if ever — see, so good on them for surviving the chaos.

LOSER: That annoying bump in Turn 4

Perhaps more frustrating than the PJ1-stained track and unusable upper grooves at Texas Motor Speedway is the evil bump in Turn 4. And yes, I call it evil because it doesn’t play by any rules. Sometimes drivers can run over it and be completely fine, while other times the cars immediately spin out from under them. That bump claimed a few more drivers on Sunday. The first was Josh Berry, who was leading the race and went up there simply trying to find a way around a slower, lapped car when his own machine snapped around and slammed the way. But later on, it ruined the day of Kyle Busch, who was battling for second at the time and having his best run of the year with his new 7-Eleven colors. He was confused on the radio when the team asked what happened, failing to understand why the car snapped around then but not in previous laps.

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Read Also:

Ryan Blaney blames his “dumb decisions” for Texas loss

How Michael McDowell’s underdog run for the win ended in the wall

Joey Logano survives Texas wreck-fest for first NASCAR Cup win of 2025

Dramatic fire ends Denny Hamlin’s Texas NASCAR Cup race

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