Motorsports

Texas Motor Speedway presents a unique challenge to NASCAR Cup drivers – Speedway Digest

NASCAR Cup Series drivers will face what is arguably the sport’s most challenging 1.5-mile track when they head to Texas Motor Speedway for Sunday’s WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY (3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Last year’s race at Texas, contested over 400 miles, produced a track-record-tying 16 cautions, equaling […]

Published

1 month ago

May 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Last year’s race at Texas, contested over 400 miles, produced a track-record-tying 16 cautions, equaling a mark established over 500 miles in 2022. In fact, 16 yellows constitute a NASCAR record for cautions in a 400-mile race on a 1.5-mile speedway.

The treachery at Texas lies in the distinctly different ends of the track. Turns 1 and 2 are flatter and slower, while Turns 3 and 4 are higher-banker and faster. Negotiating both sets of corners while maintaining pace can be a daunting task.

“It’s a huge compromise,” said Denny Hamlin, a three-time winner at Texas. “It’s essentially kind of what we felt caused me to wreck in that green-white-checker situation last year when we had the lead.

“We were really good on one end, aggressive on the other, and when I needed to push it, just spun out. Certainly, it’s a really, really tough balance to have.”

Hamlin and Kyle Busch (four victories) are the only multiple winners at the track in the field for Sunday’s race, the first of three straight points events on 1.5-mile intermediate speedways (followed by Kansas Speedway on May 11 and Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25).

For Austin Cindric, last Sunday’s winner at Talladega Superspeedway, the string of intermediates represents an opportunity to continue the momentum he established at NASCAR’s largest oval track.

“Yeah, I think they’re all opportunities to win races, all opportunities to gain points,” Cindric said. “I think our intermediate races at the beginning of this year were strong, ‘cause I feel like we picked up where we left off in the Playoffs last year, which was a key detail for me.

“So I think the team is pretty energized to go to those races and try and contend and continue to learn.”

Interestingly, in three of the last four years, Cindric has been the first race winner for Team Penske, while his teammates, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, have combined to win the last three series championships.

Nine different drivers have won the last nine races at Texas, but Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won three of the last four. Kyle Larson won from the pole in 2021, William Byron claimed victory in the Playoff race of 2023, and Chase Elliott broke a 42-race drought with his win at Texas last year.

“I had lost the lead to Denny (Hamlin) on that (late) run that went green there for a little bit,” Elliott said of last year’s race. “He was certainly outpacing me and was able to get by. Then had a caution, lined up on the front row and had a good restart, good push into Turn 1…

“He was going to end up winning, I think, the drag race down the back, but the caution came out, and we were ahead and ended up getting the spot. So I had control for the next (restart) and ended up getting the lead into (Turn) 3. Had some good fortune there, the way the caution fell.”

Elliott could use some more good luck on Sunday. He hasn’t won since that race, and his winless streak has now reached 37 races.

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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.