The Impact of Car Accidents in Motorsports: Safety Innovations and Lessons Learned
Motorsports, by nature, come with high-speed thrills, intense competition, and the risk of accidents. Whether it’s Formula 1, NASCAR, or other racing events, car accidents in these sports are inevitable due to the extreme speeds, complex tracks, and fierce rivalries. In motorsports, even a minor mistake can have catastrophic consequences, both for drivers and crew […]
Motorsports, by nature, come with high-speed thrills, intense competition, and the risk of accidents. Whether it’s Formula 1, NASCAR, or other racing events, car accidents in these sports are inevitable due to the extreme speeds, complex tracks, and fierce rivalries. In motorsports, even a minor mistake can have catastrophic consequences, both for drivers and crew members. This risk factor is intrinsic to the sport, making safety a paramount concern for teams, organizers, and regulators. The risk isn’t just about crashes but also the potential for life-threatening injuries.
However, the increasing number of accidents has pushed the motorsport industry to focus more on improving driver safety. Accidents are no longer seen as an unavoidable part of racing but as a trigger for innovation in safety technologies. Over time, the collective experiences and lessons from these incidents have shaped the way racing vehicles and race tracks are designed to protect those involved. Despite the risks, the efforts to reduce the severity of car accidents have led to safer racing environments.
The Role of Technology in Improving Safety
According to Seva Law Firm, over the years, technology has played a crucial role in enhancing the safety of motorsports. From the introduction of head and neck support (HANS) devices to the development of the Halo cockpit protection system, technological innovations have transformed the landscape of racing safety. These innovations are designed to reduce the impact of crashes on drivers and mitigate the effects of collisions. The use of carbon fiber in the construction of race cars has also contributed to significantly improving the structural integrity of vehicles.
In addition to vehicle safety advancements, the development of advanced crash detection systems and real-time data monitoring has allowed race teams and organizers to assess accident severity immediately. This immediate access to data helps medical teams respond faster and more effectively to on-site injuries, providing a more efficient rescue operation and potentially saving lives. With each new technology introduced, the motorsports industry moves closer to its goal of minimizing the risks involved in racing.
The Influence of Car Accidents on Racing Regulations
Car accidents in motorsports often act as a catalyst for changes in regulations. After major accidents or incidents, racing authorities are quick to review the causes and make adjustments to safety protocols. For example, following a high-profile accident like Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash in 1994, Formula 1 introduced several key safety changes. These included improvements in cockpit design, stricter regulations on car construction, and the introduction of mandatory use of seatbelts and HANS devices.
These regulatory changes are designed not only to prevent accidents but also to improve the overall safety of the driver in the event of a crash. The sport’s governing bodies often consult with engineers, medical professionals, and former drivers to develop new standards that ensure the well-being of all participants. This ongoing evolution of safety regulations has made racing considerably safer today than it was a few decades ago, but it is clear that each accident still leaves an indelible mark on the sport’s safety progress.
The Psychological Impact of Car Accidents on Drivers
While the physical impact of car accidents in motorsports is widely discussed, the psychological toll on drivers is just as significant. Surviving a high-speed crash can leave drivers with lasting emotional and mental health challenges. Anxiety, PTSD, and fear of future accidents can all play a role in a driver’s mental state following a crash. In some cases, these mental hurdles may be more difficult to overcome than the physical recovery.
The support systems in place for drivers, including mental health professionals, play a vital role in helping them recover from traumatic experiences. Drivers who have survived major accidents often seek counseling or psychological support to process their emotions and return to the track. Motorsport teams and organizations are increasingly aware of the psychological aspect of recovery, working to provide both mental and physical care to their drivers. This holistic approach to recovery ensures that drivers are prepared to return to competition safely, both in body and mind.
Learning from Accidents: Key Safety Improvements
Each car accident in motorsports provides valuable lessons that lead to significant safety improvements. One of the most notable improvements has been the introduction of safer race car designs. For example, the concept of the “survival cell,” which is a reinforced cockpit structure, was developed to protect drivers in the event of a crash. Additionally, the use of fire-resistant suits, helmets, and gloves has been made mandatory, significantly reducing the risk of burns and other severe injuries in the event of a fire.
Track design has also evolved over the years, with many tracks now incorporating safety features like safer barriers, runoff zones, and improved crash barriers. These innovations help reduce the risk of injury during high-speed collisions. For instance, the addition of a “soft wall” barrier, which compresses upon impact, dissipates energy more effectively and reduces the force of the crash. These changes have made motorsports much safer today than in the past, and the lessons learned from each accident continue to shape the safety standards of the sport.
Conclusion: Continuing the Push for Safety in Motorsports
In conclusion, car accidents in motorsports will always be a part of the sport’s high-speed nature, but the constant drive for innovation and safety has made racing significantly safer over the years. From advanced technologies to stringent regulations and psychological support for drivers, the motorsport industry continues to evolve in its approach to safety. While no technology or regulation can eliminate the risks entirely, the lessons learned from past accidents have paved the way for a safer future for all participants. Moving forward, motorsports organizations will likely continue to push for even higher safety standards, ensuring that accidents are met with immediate responses and the best possible outcomes.
The drive for safety is an ongoing journey in motorsports. With each new development, from vehicle designs to race track modifications, the sport continues to become safer for drivers, teams, and spectators alike. By learning from the past and adapting to new challenges, the motorsports community remains committed to reducing the risks associated with racing and making the sport as safe as possible.
NASCAR All-Star Open Results: May 18, 2025 (North Wilkesboro)
Results from LCQ race at North Wilkesboro Speedway complete the lineup for the NASCAR All-Star Race Tonight, North Wilkesboro Speedway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series for a $1M payout. 20 drivers are currently locked into the All-Star Race. Now, the results from the All-Star Open will see two more transfer into the main event. View […]
Results from LCQ race at North Wilkesboro Speedway complete the lineup for the NASCAR All-Star Race
Tonight, North Wilkesboro Speedway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series for a $1M payout. 20 drivers are currently locked into the All-Star Race. Now, the results from the All-Star Open will see two more transfer into the main event.
View the NASCAR All-Star Open results below.
North Wilkesboro Menu CARS (PLM): Prac/Qual | Race CARS (LMSC): Prac/Qual | Race Trucks: : Prac/Qual | Race Modified: Race Cup : Prac/Qual | Heats | Lineup | Open | All-Star Race
North Wilkesboro TV Schedule
Only the top 2 finishers from this race transfer into the All-Star Race and earn a chance at the $1M payout. Additionally, one car that doesn’t transfer will be voted into the race based on the Fan Vote.
Shane van Gisbergen and Carson Hocevar set the front row for the LCQ. 100 laps of stock car racing are up next…
All-Star Open Race Report
Green flag, Shane van Gisbergen and Carson Hocevar rub doors in turn two. Van Gisbergen clears him off turn two.
96 to go, John Hunter Nemechek puts the bumper to Noah Gragson for 5th. Gragson falls to 8th, no caution.
85 to go, Hocevar and Michael McDowell rub doors for 2nd. After several laps, Hocevar holds him off.
50 to go, the competition caution is out.
Shane van Gisbergen leads the field to the pit lane. Hocevar wins the race to the pit exit with only two new tires. Shane Va Gisbergen restarts 6th, the first car with four fresh tires.
Green, Hocevar clears McDowell off turn two.
41 to go
41 to go, Ty Gibbs clears McDowell for 2nd via the outside lane.
38 to go, Van Gisbergen and Ryan Preece are coming through the field on new tires. They split Zane Smith and form three wide for 5th. Preece wins the battle on the outside as they all rub doors.
35 to go, Preece slides McDowell for 4th. On the same lap, he slides Wallace for 3rd! Preece is coming after taking four tires on the last stop.
28 to go, Preece rubs doors with Ty Gibbs. Preece clears him and takes the final transfer spot away. Hocevar leads by 1 second.
23 to go, Michael McDowell shoves the bumper of Riley Herbst and Herbst bounces off the wall, caution.
Half of the field dives for the pit lane. Preece drops to the rear of the field after clipping the cone.
Green, Hocevar leads Bubba Wallace off turn two!
14 to go, John Hunter Nemechek runs side by side with Wallace for 2nd. They run four wide behind them for 4th!
11 to go, Erik Jones works to the right rear of Wallace. Wallace runs him wide and into the wall, no caution. John Hunter Nemechek takes 2nd away.
9 to go, Jones rubs on Wallace and shoves him out of the way. Jones also clears Ty Dillon for 3rd.
Carson Hocevar wins the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway! John Hunter Nemechek finish 2nd and he also transfers into the All-Star Race
All-Star Open Results May 18, 2025 NASCAR Cup Series
Pos | Driver
1. Carson Hocevar
2. John Hunter Nemechek
3. Ty Dillon
4. Erik Jones
5. Michael McDowell
6. Zane Smith
7. AJ Allmendinger
8. Bubba Wallace
9. Cole Custer
10. Riley Herbst
11. Ryan Preece
12. Todd Gilliland
13. Shane van Gisbergen
14. Justin Haley
15. Ty Gibbs
16. Cody Ware
17. Noah Gragson
18. Chad Finchum
NASCAR All-Star Race Starting Lineup North Wilkesboro Speedway May 18, 2025
Note: Heat race results from Saturday have set the lineup for positions 1-20. Results from the Open race on Sunday set positions 21 and 22. One additional driver transfers in from the Fan Vote.
Pos | Driver
1. Brad Keselowski
2. Christopher Bell
3. Ross Chastain
4. Joey Logano
5. William Byron
6. Chase Elliott
7. Ryan Blaney
8. Kyle Busch
9. Alex Bowman
10. Chris Buescher
11. Josh Berry
12. Daniel Suarez
13. Tyler Reddick
14. Chase Briscoe
15. Austin Dillon
16. Austin Cindric
17. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
18. Harrison Burton
19. Kyle Larson
20. Denny Hamlin
21. Carson Hocevar All-Star Open (Winner)
22. John Hunter Nemechek All-Star Open (2nd Place)
Friday night’s NASCAR qualifying session set the starting lineup for three races at North Wilkesboro Speedway: the two heat races on Saturday night, featuring the drivers already locked into the All-Star Race, and the All-Star Open on Sunday night, featuring the drivers not already locked into the All-Star Race. The heat races are scheduled to […]
Friday night’s NASCAR qualifying session set the starting lineup for three races at North Wilkesboro Speedway: the two heat races on Saturday night, featuring the drivers already locked into the All-Star Race, and the All-Star Open on Sunday night, featuring the drivers not already locked into the All-Star Race.
The heat races are scheduled to be 75-lap races around the four-turn, 0.625-mile (1.006-kilometer) North Wilkesboro, North Carolina oval, and their results are set to determine the full starting lineup for the 250-lap All-Star Race.
Here are the starting lineups for both heat races.
Heat one lineup
1st – Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
2nd – Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
3rd – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
4th – Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
5th – Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
6th – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
7th – Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
8th – Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
9th – Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Heat two lineup
1st – Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
2nd – Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
3rd – Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
4th – Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
5th – Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
6th – Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
7th – Harrison Burton, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
8th – Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
9th – Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
10th – Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Justin Allgaier had qualified eighth for the first heat race in place of Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, who remains at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Indy 500 qualifying, but he will not compete. Larson is set to start the All-Star Race from the rear on Sunday night.
Regardless of how the results of the two heat races turn out, RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski is locked into the pole position for the main event.
The top two finishers in the 100-lap All-Star Open, plus the winner of the Fan Vote, are also set to join the All-Star Race, creating a 23-car event.
Heat one results
1st – Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
2nd – Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
4rd – Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
5th – Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
5th – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
6th – Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
7th – Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
8th – Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
9th – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
Heat two results
1st – Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
2nd – Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
3rd – Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
4th – Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
5th – Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
6th – Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
7th – Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
8th – Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
9th – Harrison Burton, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
10th – Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Full NASCAR All-Star Race starting lineup
1st – Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
2nd – Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
3rd – Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
4th – Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
5th – Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
6th – Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
7th – Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
8th – Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
9th – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
10th – Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
11th – Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
12th – Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
13th – Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
14th – Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
15th – Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
16th – Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
17th – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
18th – Harrison Burton, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
19th – Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
20th – Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (to the rear) 21st – All-Star Open winner 22nd – All Star-Open runner-up 23rd – All-Star Fan Vote winner
Tune in to Fox Sports 1 at 5:30 p.m. ET tomorrow for the live broadcast of the All-Star Open from North Wilkesboro Speedway, and stay tuned in at 8:00 p.m. ET for the live broadcast of the All-Star Race. Start a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss any of the action!
North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC — May 17, 2025 NASCAR’s All-Star Race is set to run tomorrow night at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. Friday night, the Cup Series featured the incredible talents of the pit crews that keep these race cars on the track every week of the season. In a unique qualifying […]
North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC — May 17, 2025
NASCAR’s All-Star Race is set to run tomorrow night at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. Friday night, the Cup Series featured the incredible talents of the pit crews that keep these race cars on the track every week of the season. In a unique qualifying event, each Cup driver took to the track to run three laps. Twice around for speed and one lap that included a pit stop with a four-tire change.
Every team took a shot at the $100,000 Pit Crew Challenge prize money regardless of whether they were to start in the Featured All-Star Race or were trying to make the field out of the All-Star Open. In fact, Kyle Larson had to miss the All-Star qualifying session as he was in Indianapolis for practice and qualifying for the Indianapolis 500.
While Larson was wrecking for the second time this month at Indy, Justin Allgaier drove Larson’s Cup Series Car to give the Hendrick Motorsports crew a chance to capture the Pit Crew Challenge portion of the afternoon. The crew did not win and Allgaier’s time will not be allowed to stand for Larson. He must start at the rear of the field in Sunday’s All-Star race.
The Pit Crew Challenge went to Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Spire Motorsports crew with a lightning fast pit road time of 12.587 seconds. Just edging out the Trackhouse racing crew of Daniel Suarez (12.600 seconds) by 0.013 of a second.
Michael McDowell / Lasco Press Photo
Driving the No. 6, Team Penske, Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry, Brad Keselowski won the pole for his heat race and the All-Star race with a three-lap time of 1:27.362.
Brad Keselowski / Lasco Press Photo
Shane Van Gisbergen will sit on the pole for the All-Star Open after posting a time of 1:28.685 seconds.
Shane Van Gisbergen / Lasco Press Photo
All-Star Heats and All-Star Open Lineups
Who races when and where? Drivers qualify for the NASCAR All-Star Race based on past results. Winners of NASCAR Cup Series points paying races within the last two years are given a spot in the field. Previous All-Star Race winners and NASCAR Cup Series Champions are also guaranteed a starting position.
Those 20 drivers race tonight to determine All-Star Race starting positions in the 75-lap Heat Races. Brad Keselowski is guaranteed the pole based on his top qualifying time. Kyle Larson will receive a provisional starting spot at the rear of the field.
Heat #1
START
CAR #
DRIVER
1
No. 6
Brad Keselowski
2
No. 48
Alex Bowman
3
No. 24
William Byron
4
No. 3
Austin Dillon
5
No. 45
Tyler Reddick
6
No. 47
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
7
No. 21
Josh Berry
8
No. 5
Justin Allgaier*
9
No. 1
Ross Chastain
10
No. 12
Ryan Blaney
*Justin Allgaier will not start, Kyle Larson will drive the car in the All-Star Race starting at the rear of the field
Heat #2
START
CAR
DRIVER
1
No. 20
Christopher Bell
2
No. 19
Chase Briscoe
3
No. 22
Joey Logano
4
No. 11
Denny Hamlin
5
No. 9
Chase Elliott
6
No. 8
Kyle Busch
7
No. 51
Harrison Burton
8
No. 17
Chris Buescher
9
No. 2
Austin Cindric
10
No. 99
Daniel Suárez
Drivers not receiving an automatic invitation into the All-Star Race will run Sunday afternoon in the NASCAR All-Star Open. The top two finishers will transfer into the main event along with the winner of the fan vote for the most popular driver not earning a spot in the main event.
Toyota GAZOO Racing USAC Belleville May 17 Post-Race Recap – Speedway Digest
Cannon McIntosh led teammates Kale Drake, Gavin Miller and Jacob Denney as Keith Kunz Motorsports Toyota drivers swept the top four positions in winning the 40-lap USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series’ feature at the Belleville Short Track Saturday night. McIntosh’s win is his first in USAC competition this season and the fourth consecutive […]
Cannon McIntosh led teammates Kale Drake, Gavin Miller and Jacob Denney as Keith Kunz Motorsports Toyota drivers swept the top four positions in winning the 40-lap USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series’ feature at the Belleville Short Track Saturday night.
McIntosh’s win is his first in USAC competition this season and the fourth consecutive victory for a Toyota driver in the series. Overall, it’s the 47th national midget feature win for McIntosh with Toyota, behind only Christopher Bell’s 59.
Logan Seavey led the early portion of the race as Gavin Miller charged through the field behind him, moving from eighth to second by lap 16, with McIntosh moving from ninth to fifth.
Once Miller moved into second, he began to close on Seavey and would take the lead on lap 20 after Seavey spun off the track bringing out a caution flag. As Miller led the field back to green, Friday’s Belleville winner Justin Grant ran second with McIntosh third and Denney in fourth, but McIntosh would move into the second position by lap 22.
Another yellow would force a restart on lap 29 and McIntosh would use it to his advantage driving underneath Miller for the lead through turns one and two. Miller would come right back on lap 30 and retake the lead by sliding McIntosh in turn three, but McIntosh would race back past Miller for the lead on lap 31.
McIntosh extended his lead to 1.153 seconds before a late race yellow would create a three-lap dash to the finish, but he would retain the lead with a strong restart on the way to the win. Further back, Drake would pass Denney and then Miller on lap 39 to earn runner-up honors. Miller would finish third and Denney placed fourth.
In addition, three more Toyota-powered drivers captured top-10 finishes as Steven Snyder was sixth, Grant was eighth and Drake Edwards brought it home in ninth.
The USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series closes out the weekend at the Sweet Springs (Mo.) Motorsports Complex on Sunday.
Quotes:
Cannon McIntosh, Keith Kunz Motorsports Mobil 1 Toyota: “I feel like we had the best piece last night as well, the cards just didn’t fall our way after having to go to the back early and fight our way back into a top five. Tonight, we didn’t start as far forward as we wanted to, but once we got going, I knew I had the car and had to win it for the guys. Once we got the lead everything was flowing really well, and things were going smooth. Even with the late yellow, I wasn’t worried too much. I felt I had such a good car that I just needed to execute the restart. Huge thanks to Beau Binder and everyone on this KKM Mobil 1 Toyota team.”
Promoter’s Caution could add random layer of chaos in NASCAR All-Star Race
The fate of the NASCAR All-Star Race largely rests on the whims of Marcus Smith, who is giving few hints about how he’ll deploy a new “Promoter’s Caution.” It’s the latest goofy gimmick in an event defined by annual format changes designed to goose the competition in the name of fender-banging fireworks. At a randomly […]
The fate of the NASCAR All-Star Race largely rests on the whims of Marcus Smith, who is giving few hints about how he’ll deploy a new “Promoter’s Caution.”
It’s the latest goofy gimmick in an event defined by annual format changes designed to goose the competition in the name of fender-banging fireworks. At a randomly selected point Sunday night during the first 220 of 250 laps at North Wilkesboro Speedway, a yellow flag will fly and possibly wipe out a big lead while bunching the field for a race-altering restart.
The decision on when to throw the yellow rests solely with Smith, the president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, which owns the 0.625-mile track in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
“I’ll have a very special mystery guest with a little All-Star Race history of his own to help me out when it’s time to drop the yellow,” Smith said. “Hopefully, we’ll create a little chaos for the teams and some fun for the fans at the same time.”
It’s an attempt to restore some luster to the All-Star Race, which has lost touch with its no-holds-barred origins. The past two events at North Wilkesboro produced runaway victories for Kyle Larson and Joey Logano, who led 199 of 200 laps in 2024.
The most memorable event last year came after the race when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch engaged in fisticuffs after tangling for a mid-pack position. It was a far cry from the furious last-lap battles that once sent an All-Star Race winner to the emergency room (Davey Allison sustained a concussion in 1992 after crashing from contact with Kyle Petty at the checkered flag).
The Promoter’s Caution won’t guarantee a slam-bang ending, but it’s in the vein of an exhibition race with $1 million but no points at stake. While other pro sports have struggled to keep all-star events relevant, Cup Series drivers pride themselves on competing as hard as they would in a race with championship implications — and sometimes harder.
“The All Star Race is not just another race,” Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell said. “Everybody is more aggressive than a normal Sunday Cup race. Everyone has that win it or wear it attitude, and it races differently because of that.”
A sense of resignation from the All-Star Race’s annual format overhauls also makes it easier to accept the inanity of a random yellow.
“I have a hard enough time keeping up with all of the different format stuff,” Team Penske’s Austin Cindric said. “It doesn’t really bother me that much that we’re going to have a Promoter’s Caution because, unless I’m the caution, I can’t control it in any way. It’s just the racing gods, but maybe they’re on earth this time.”
Though its timing could cost him a win, Logano is fine with the Promoter’s Caution because “the All-Star Race presents the opportunity to try things outside of the box.
“I don’t think we should have a Promoter’s Caution in points-paying events,” he said. “But in this case, we do something different. It’s something everyone can talk about. And I just don’t know what they’re going to do. Are they going to put Marcus in the flag stand, and he’s just going to throw a yellow flag?”
The son of late NASCAR Hall of Famer Bruton Smith, who once lobbied for random yellows as the most bombastic promoter in Cup history, is coy about how the Promoter’s Caution will be unveiled.
“I’ve had no shortage of NASCAR experts from inside and outside of the garage giving me advice on what to do,” Marcus Smith said. “I’ve got a couple of scenarios in mind depending on what’s happening with the race. Or I could just go spur of the moment with my gut.”
Christopher Bell (+350) is the BetMGM Sportsbook favorite, followed by pole-sitter Brad Keselowski (+600), Logano (+650), two-time defending Daytona 500 winner William Byron (+700) and Denny Hamlin (+800). Kyle Larson, who will start last after missing practice and qualifying while attempting to make the Indy 500, is listed at +1000. … Keselowski and Bell were the winners Saturday of the two 75-lap heat races that set the starting lineup for the All-Star Race. Keselowski already was guaranteed the top starting spot for Sunday night’s main event after qualifying on the pole position Friday. Bell will start second Sunday, followed by Ross Chastain, Logano and Byron. … After sitting essentially dormant for more than 35 years, North Wilkesboro Speedway is playing host to its third consecutive All-Star Race since a $20 million makeover. Keselowski wants to move a points race from Charlotte Motor Speedway’s “Roval” layout to North Wilkesboro Speedway and shift the All-Star Race back to Charlotte’s 1.5-mile oval (the host from 1987-2019). “This needs to be a points racetrack,” Keselowski said of North Wilkesboro. “I’m very strong about the Roval has got to go.”
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AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer in Indianapolis contributed to this report.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Koch, De Phillippi Sweep Sebring Weekend – Sportscar365
Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO Random Vandals Racing’s Kenton Koch and Connor De Phillippi completed a sweep of the GT World Challenge America powered by AWS weekend at Sebring International Raceway with another controlling win in Race 2. Koch drove the No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO to a 2.104-second victory over the No. 18 RS1 Porsche […]
Random Vandals Racing’s Kenton Koch and Connor De Phillippi completed a sweep of the GT World Challenge America powered by AWS weekend at Sebring International Raceway with another controlling win in Race 2.
Koch drove the No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO to a 2.104-second victory over the No. 18 RS1 Porsche 911 GT3 R of Alex Sedgwick following a late-race caution and restart.
It marked a perfect weekend for Koch, who also swept the weekend in Pirelli GT4 America as well.
Michai Stephens drove to a third place overall and Pro class result in the No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo that he shared with Mikael Grenier, while Bill Auberlen and Varun Choksey finished fourth in the No. 51 Random Vandals BMW.
The No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW of Robby Foley led from the pole overall and went long into the opening stint prior to Foley’s pit stop and driver change to Justin Rothberg.
Rothberg emerged from the pits third overall and came under heavy attack from the No. 11 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Blake McDonald prior to the yellow for an accident by Jean-Frederic Laberge’s No. 92 LAB Motorsport by GT Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R with 20 minutes to go.
It led to a 15-minute shootout to the finish that saw Rothberg narrowly hold on for the Pro-Am class win to a hard-charging Philip Ellis.
Ellis, who came from 12th overall on the restart after his No. 91 Regulator Racing Mercedes-AMG was on an alternate driver strategy, charged past McDonald for second on the final lap and came up less than a half-second short of the Pro-Am win.
It came after Ellis’ co-driver Jeff Burton spun twice on the opening lap.
Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent teamed to finish fourth in Pro-Am.
The No. 88 Archangel Motorsports McLaren 720S GT3 Evo of Todd Coleman, which faced a five-second post-race penalty for a pit stop infringement, ran wide into the grass while second in Pro-Am in the closing ten minutes.
Coleman was classified in fifth in class at the checkered flag, ahead of the No. 2 Racers Edge Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT3 of Jason Bell and Michael Cooper.
The Am class No. 6 Dollahite Racing Ford Mustang GT3 of Scott Dollahite and Stefano Gattuso, meanwhile, finished 12th overall.
RESULTS: Race 2
John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John
