ANDERSON — The festival season kicks off in Madison County with the 77th running of the Unified Group Services Little 500 and the annual Little 500 Festival.

The festival, started in 1988, has generated more than $4 million for local nonprofit organizations.

During a press conference Wednesday at Anderson Speedway, Clayton Whitson, president and CEO of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, said the week of the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway is expected to have an economic impact of more than $2 million on the county.

“This is a special track and environment,” Whitson said. “It feels like family.”

Tim Lanane, representing the city of Anderson, said the city wants to welcome people to all the events during the festival and race.

“This is a great tradition at the speedway,” he said. “It places Anderson within the motorsports industry in Indiana.”

Patty Lovins, chairperson of the festival, said events are scheduled throughout the month of May.

“We have a good time and raise money for the not-for profit organizations,” she said.

Rick Dawson, owner of Anderson Speedway for the past 29 years, said his first Little 500 was intimidating.

“The race brings the world to Anderson and promotes our community,” he said.

Dawson said ticket sales are up by 13% over a year ago and seats are still available.

“This event is more like a family reunion, people you only see once a year,” he said. “We want to showcase our community and make everyone want to come to our city.”

NASCAR star Ryan Newman is looking to make his third start in the Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by the Ed Martin Automotive Group.

Newman said he witnessed his first Little 500 in 1986 and has been a fan of the race before he first raced at Anderson Speedway in 2022.

“It’s the Little 500 at Anderson,” he said. “It’s a really big deal. I would rather race the Little 500 than the Indianapolis 500. This is a really big deal for me.

“We’re here to win,” Newman said. “I’ve been fortunate to race a lot of different race cars at different tracks.”

Newman said he won an Emge 50 race at Anderson Speedway 25 years ago and likes to compete against his friends.

“We love sprint cars,” he said. “Anderson is significant to the pavement sprint car world, like Knoxville (Iowa) to dirt track racing.”

Newman said Indiana has always been about open wheel racing, unlike the southern U.S. that is stock car country.

“People need to experience the race in person and get the opportunity to meet the drivers,” he said.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (“NASCAR”) and TelevisaUnivision, Mexico’s leading media company, today announced an exclusive broadcast agreement for free-to-air coverage of the sanctioning body’s Mexico City race.

Under this new agreement, TelevisaUnivision will serve as the exclusive free-to-air (FTA) broadcaster in Mexico for the highly anticipated 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City, scheduled for Sunday, June 15 at 3 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. local time. The race will be broadcast live on TelevisaUnivision’s ‘Canal 5’ with full spanish-language commentary.

In addition to live race coverage, TelevisaUnivision will also deliver weekly NASCAR highlights, including 52-minute race cutdowns and short-form clips from the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. These will be distributed across TelevisaUnivision’s linear and digital platforms, including ViX, its streaming service and official social media channels.

“We are thrilled to partner with TelevisaUnivision to bring the NASCAR Cup Series to passionate sports fans in Mexico,” said Nicholas Skipper, NASCAR Managing Director, Media Strategy. “The upcoming race in Mexico City is a significant milestone for our company, and this agreement reflects our commitment to providing the most comprehensive coverage of the event, as we continue to grow our sport internationally.”

Marco Liceaga, TelevisaUnivision Senior Vice President of Sports Rights Acquisitions and Commercial Partnerships, stated: “We are delighted to partner with NASCAR to bring fans of the motorsports world in Mexico closer to the Mexico City race, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, its teams and drivers. The above demonstrates TelevisaUnivision’s commitment to continuing to have the most robust sports portfolio, for the benefit of our audiences and commercial partners”.

TelevisaUnivision will also provide robust marketing and promotional support for the Mexico City race to help build excitement for the event.

NASCAR PR

Name: Camaelia Barnes
Age: 18 years old
Location: California – USA

I’m a graphic designer with a deep passion for motorsport.

Last year, I had the opportunity to take part in the FIA Girls on Track event in Portland, Oregon, where I met women from all walks of life working in various roles within the world of motorsport. It was there that I realised I could combine my love for the arts with my enthusiasm for racing. Inspired by that experience, I reached out to some of the incredible women I met, all of whom were incredibly supportive and encouraging as I explored ways to find my place in the industry.

Through the connections I made via FIA Girls on Track, I was given the chance to attend events hosted by Women in Motorsports North America – including their annual conference in Indianapolis, where I was awarded a scholarship to further pursue my art.

Most recently, I’ve had the amazing privilege of working closely with the Formula E design team to create a colouring book that highlights several inspiring women making an impact within the world of Formula E – women who, like me, have combined their passion for motorsport with another skill or interest. This colouring book was gifted to FIA Girls on Track participants at the 2025 Miami event. As part of this, I was invited to speak to the group and introduce myself, the project, and what it represents. It’s been an incredible journey – from participant to presenter – and one I’m truly grateful for.

Over the course of the race weekend, I also spent time with Formula E’s digital team, where I had the opportunity to meet some of the women featured in the book and personally present them with a copy. Their enthusiasm for my work, and their joy at being recognised as positive role models for the next generation, was incredibly moving. The encouragement I received reassured me that my passion for art and design absolutely has a place in the world of motorsport.

My journey from a FIA Girls on Track participant to a presenter and published designer has been nothing short of transformative. I’ve successfully merged my creative passions with my love of racing, producing a piece that celebrates and empowers women across the sport. The recognition and encouragement from those I’ve met along the way have only strengthened my belief that I belong here – and I’m excited to continue contributing to the motorsports community through my art.

FIA Girls on Track is a great opportunity for girls between the age of 12 and 18 to get an insight into the world of Formula E. This season, Formula E have taken the programme to every race. The project aims to increase the number of participants racing in Motorsport but also gives young women the chance to explore career prospects in this traditionally male-dominated field by giving behind the scenes access and opportunities to talk to women who are working within the sport.

“A year ago, I would have got fined for what I just said.”

Tony Stewart is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. At the end of the 2024 season, he sold his race team and left the sport as a car owner.

These days, the 53-year-old has a long list of issues with NASCAR. That includes everything from the car itself to tech inspection as well as the engine and even the tires.

Currently, NASCAR Cup Series cars use an engine package at 670hp. That’s significantly lower than years prior.

The cars are a spec chassis, identical from team to team. And, everything is inspected to the thousandths of an inch to make sure teams stay within the lengthy rulebook.

A meeting between the drivers and NASCAR could have pointed the sport in a very different direction…

NASCAR told 20 drivers they were wrong

“Just look at Talladega, Joey Logano ran 2nd. One screw [out of his spoiler], lost 2nd place,” Tony Stewart stated on the Rubbin is Racing podcast. “Preece had one extra shim or something.”

Today, fans are calling for softer tires and more horsepower. And, that’s not a new request.

“Where do you think the fans got this? The fans aren’t even smart enough to know that’s what we need. It’s not their fault, they don’t drive the cars.”

“We came up with that shit, years ago and went to NASCAR with it. They were so ignorant. The guy that was in charge of it, that vetoed it. He looked at 20 of us drivers, half the field, we all agreed on five things that would make the racing better.”

“One guy told us, all five things we said, were the opposite. He goes, ‘Our data shows the other way.’ “

“The guy that said that had never driven a racecar, never worked on a racecar but tells 20 drivers that had been doing this their entire lives told us we were all wrong.”

“Not only were we wrong. Everything that we said was the polar opposite of what was right.”

Tony Stewart says NASCAR industry, “Shot ourselves in our foot”

A meeting over 10 years ago

“In 2013 or 2014, we went to NASCAR and said, ‘Give us tires that wear out.’ So drivers have to manage the tire wear.”

“Now, it’s the race off pit road and nobody can pass because they’ve made them so even, the tires are so hard that nobody can pass anybody.”

“But, 20 of us drivers didn’t know what we were talking about. Because he had bullshit data that was inaccurate.”

“So, they’ve built their own coffin. I sit at drag races every weekend and talk to NASCAR fans, they’re mad at NASCAR. NASCAR’s not smart enough to want to listen to them.”

“A year ago, I would have got fined for what I just said. I don’t work for them anymore, I can say whatever the hell I want.”

“They care more about how much money they’re going to put in their pockets than they are at making sure the teams are healthy and can bring competitive racecars to the track. And what’s best for the fans.”

“The only thing that’s going to change NASCAR’s mind is if people stop watching and stop going to a race.”

Tony Stewart still races. He recently won his first ever NHRA event as a driver/owner.

Tony Stewart says NASCAR charter agreements are ‘a joke’

Tony Stewart on Rubbin is Racing

Links

Tony Stewart | NASCARs.”

HAMPTON, Ga. (May 7, 2025) – Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Henry County Library system are teaming up to incentivize kids to read and reward bookworms with tickets to the speedway’s upcoming NASCAR weekend.

Since 2023 AMS has supported the Henry County Library System’s Summer Reading Program. This year’s program runs from May 15 to August 15 and each reader ages 0-18 who reaches their quarter milestone in reading will receive two complimentary tickets to the upcoming Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on Saturday night, June 28.

Today NASCAR Cup Series driver Erik Jones, whose foundation works year-round to support children’s reading causes across the country, visited the Fortson Library in Hampton to highlight the initiative. While at the library, the racing star also took the time to read to kids at the library.

“I grew up a big reader and I’m still a big reader. As I got older and learned a little bit more about literacy rates in the country it really made me want to get involved and hopefully get kids interested and excited about reading,” said Jones. “Atlanta (Motor Speedway) giving out a couple of tickets for reading is a pretty neat thing. Having a track that’s promoting literacy along with the Erik Jones Foundation is a pretty special cause.”

“We’re excited to be a part of the Summer Reading Program in Henry County,” said AMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison. “We’re in this community 365 days a year and we want to make sure that we’re pillars of the community. Literacy is a big part of that and this reading program is something that we can do to not only reward kids for reading, but also help cultivate the next generation of race fans.”

Jones’ visit to Fortson Library was preceded by a follow-up visit to Rocky Creek Elementary School in Hampton where the Erik Jones Foundation installed a book vending machine in 2023. With nearly two years of utilizing the book vending machine and thousands of books provided to students at the school, Jones returned to re-stock the machine and deliver a check to keep it stocked. Jones’ foundation and Speedway Children’s Charities Atlanta presented a check for $2,500 to Rocky Creek Elementary principal Sonya Ayannuga Wednesday morning.

While visiting Rocky Creek Elementary, Jones also met an assembly of 1st and 3rd grade students at the school and read to them and interact with them during a Q&A at the school.

Jones will be back in Hampton next month to compete in the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on Saturday night, June 28 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tickets and camping accommodations are available now at www.AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com.

“At Team Penske, we strive for best-in-class performance both on and off the track,” comments Bill Combs, Vice President of Sustainability at Penske.

“The data hub we’ve built with Capgemini will supercharge our existing sustainability programs by enabling us to make data-driven decisions as we continue to find ways to reduce our environmental impact across multiple motorsport series.”

A legacy of green innovation

Team Penske is the racing division of Penske Corporation, a transportation giant with more than 3,300 global locations and a workforce exceeding 73,000. 

Its commitment to sustainability spans across vehicle decarbonisation, facility upgrades, supply chain optimisation and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

In 2023, Team Penske became the first major motorsports team to power all tractors and support equipment for headline races, including NASCAR, INDYCAR and the SportsCar series, with renewable diesel (R99). 

From emissions reporting and auditability to strategic sustainability planning, SDH offers a scalable solution tailored to Team Penske’s complex operations. 

The real-time visibility across carbon, water and waste metrics will allow the team to continuously measure its progress and adjust initiatives accordingly.

“These are the kinds of efforts that have enabled NASCAR’s Next Gen car to be created entirely of composite material,” comments Ben Atkins, Operations Director at Team Penske.