Motorsports
Uncovered
Join us as we delve into the preparation work undertaken by the teams for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and break down all the technical details on display. Be sure to check back throughout the course of the weekend, as we’ll be updating the site with more galleries as they arrive from the circuit. Saudi […]

Join us as we delve into the preparation work undertaken by the teams for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and break down all the technical details on display.
Be sure to check back throughout the course of the weekend, as we’ll be updating the site with more galleries as they arrive from the circuit.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Digging into the details…
An extreme close-up of the front wing from the Williams FW47, showing off the metalwork used for the slot gap separator brackets and the upper flaps pivots, whilst the out-turned flap tips in the endplate juncture are also visible.
A look at the rear brake duct assembly on the Ferrari SF-25, which notably has guards across the inlet in order to reduce the chances of debris being ingested.
A bare Mercedes W16 chassis is left outside the garage in preparation for use by the marshalls for extrication practice and gives us a good impression of how minimalistic the sidepod bodywork is, whilst we’re also treated to an unusual view of the roll hoop too.
Another angle showing the bare chassis outside the Mercedes garage, which provides us with more of an understanding of how the front suspension is mounted.
A mechanic works on the McLaren MCL39’s rear suspension, which also provides us with a view of the Mercedes power unit install, with a saddle-style cooler mounted above it.
Comparatively the Racing Bulls VCARB02 also has a saddle cooler layout above the Honda power unit.
The Ferrari SF-25 on stands in the garage as it’s prepared for action by the mechanics. Notably we can partially see the bib damper, as the bodywork and floor hasn’t been attached.
The Williams FW47 in a slightly different stage of the build than the Ferrari, as they have the floor on the car, which gives us an opportunity to see the floor fences, whilst the outer drum hasn’t been attached to the brake assembly giving us a view of the disc and caliper fairings.
The Mercedes W16 doesn’t have the chassis’ vanity panel attached in this image, which provides us with a view of the Belleville spring arrangement being used as part of their heave damper set up.
The Red Bull RB21 being prepared for action, with the outer brake drums still not installed we can see the disc and caliper fairings.
Similarly we have the McLaren MCL39 without the outer brake drum and the second nest yet installed, which reveals some of the internal ductwork and disc and caliper fairings. Also note the floor has been attached to the car, which provides a view of some of the floor fence detail.
A close up of the nose and front wing assembly on the Red Bull RB21.
The rear brake assembly on the McLaren MCL39 without the outer drum in place reveals the ducting and fairings for the disc and caliper.
A look at the floor fences on the A525 as it’s prepared for action in the Alpine garage.
Peering into the Mercedes garage we can see the torturous route the exhaust’s tailpipe must take over the rear suspension assembly, whilst we’re also able to see how the ancillary cooler is mounted over the rear of the power unit.
Read next: Red Bull investigation leads to discovery over rare pit-stop errors
Motorsports
Carolina Handling Partners With Spire At Talladega Race
Kathy Laughlin | Marketplace Greenville Carolina Handling Partners With Spire At Talladega Race Carolina Handling, a material handling solutions provider and a support center for Raymond Solutions, will partner with Michael McDowell at Talladega (Alabama) Superspeedway on Oct. 19. McDowell drives Spire Motorsports No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1. The race will be the NASCAR Cup Series […]

Carolina Handling Partners With Spire At Talladega Race
Carolina Handling, a material handling solutions provider and a support center for Raymond Solutions, will partner with Michael McDowell at Talladega (Alabama) Superspeedway on Oct. 19.
McDowell drives Spire Motorsports No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1. The race will be the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500.
“Carolina Handling is thrilled to partner with Spire Motorsports, an organization that shares our core values of respect, teamwork and innovation, and aligns with our drive to be elite in service to our customers and our community,” said Brent Hillabrand, President and CEO of Carolina Handling.
“Our affiliation with Spire Motorsports and winning NASCAR driver Michael McDowell gives the Carolina Handling brand significant visibility and offers us the opportunity for dynamic customer, associate and consumer engagement.”
Talladega Superspeedway is known for high-speed, nose-to-tail action where the difference between winning and losing is usually fractions of a second.
McDowell, the 2021 Daytona 500 champion, joined Spire Motorsports for the current season. He has been in NASCAR’s premier division for 18 years.
The crew chief is Travis Peterson.
Carolina Handling started in 1966 as a gas station in North Carolina. The company, headquartered in Charlotte, now provides integrated logistics and warehouse solutions across the Southeast.
McDowell said the pairing makes sense. “I think this is the perfect opportunity to showcase how our industries can continue to integrate technology into our workforce with confidence,” he said.
“Being able to represent a company that has such a strong tie to the Carolinas is important for our industry and our community. It should be a great race at Talladega, and we look forward to having Carolina Handling join the Spire team.”
The YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway is the 34th of 36 points-paying races in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series.
Carolina Handling is the Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and part of Florida. The company provides forklifts, automation solutions, parts, racking, storage, lighting, and dock and door equipment to manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers.
The company has branch offices in Atlanta, Birmingham, Greensboro, Raleigh and Greenville, and an equipment distribution center in Piedmont.
Fair At Heritage Park In Simpsonville Until May 25
The Fair at Heritage Park will showcase new foods, rides and shows in Simpsonville through May 25.
Admission and ride specials are available every day. The Fair at Heritage Park is at 861 S.E. Main St. On-site parking is free.
A new ride is the Cyclops 2.0, the second-generation Cyclops with more flips, dips and heart-pounding swoops. The FireGuy show is new; he holds the Guinness World Record for performing with fire.
For kids, movie characters such as Tinker Bell, Stitch, Ariel and more will roam the fairgrounds daily for photo opportunities. All shows are free to fair guests.
Admission is a flat rate of $10 for ages 11 and up. Fair-goers under age 10 are admitted free. Visitors can pay one price for unlimited rides. Individuals under the age of 17 will not be allowed after 5 p.m. without parents, and a clear bag policy is in place.
The fair is family-owned and family-run.
For information about daily promotions, hours, safety policies and attractions, go to FairAtHeritagePark.com or contact info@trzlive.com. For changes due to weather, go to The Fair at Heritage Park Facebook page.
Lima One Capital Hires Senior Director of Underwriting
Lima One Capital in Greenville, a lender nationwide for real estate investors, has hired Greg Larsen as its new Senior Director of Underwriting.
Larsen will lead the Lima One team that underwrites borrowers and loans. He has nearly two decades of commercial real estate lending and credit experience and a record of building high-performing teams, managing complex loan portfolios, and driving strategic growth, according to a press release.
Most recently, Larsen served as Director of Credit at Builders Capital and led initiatives in underwriting standards, product development and credit strategy. Previously, Larsen spent 17 years with Bank of America, where he held leadership roles in underwriting, credit risk and portfolio management.
“I’m excited to join Lima One. The team’s energy, drive and commitment to making a real impact in the real estate space is inspiring,” Larsen said.
Larsen’s accomplishments include designing and implementing a program that delivered over $800 million in commitments to sponsors in its first five months and managing a team that underwrote and closed $3 billion of real estate transactions in one year.
“Greg is passionate about credit quality, team development and process improvement, and I am confident that he will continue to improve our already talented team,” said Lima One CEO Josh Woodward.
Since its inception in 2010, Lima One Capital has funded over $10 billion in business-purpose real estate loans. With a reach across 46 states, Lima One operates as a capital partner for real estate investors and brokers by financing residential investment strategies including fix and flips and rental and new construction. In 2021, Lima One was acquired by real estate investment trust MFA Financial Inc.
Homes of Hope Celebrates Two Workforce Graduates
As addiction remains a pressing concern, two Upstate men are rewriting their stories.
Cade Cope and Austin Allen recently graduated from the Homes of Hope Men’s Workforce Development program – an initiative designed to help men rebuild their lives as they overcome addiction and homelessness.
The Homes of Hope MWD program pairs safe housing, life skills coaching, and hands-on workforce training that the men need to succeed beyond recovery.
“Addiction shows no favoritism. It can entangle anyone, often trapping them in long, dark, seemingly endless cycles of despair,” said Steve Vicari, Director of Men’s Workforce Development. “But recovery is a fresh start, full of promise.”
Overdose deaths have risen by nearly 60% in recent years, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Cope has been hired by John Norwood, who graduated from the MWD program several years ago and founded Old Timey Electric. He is “paying it forward” by offering Cope a full-time position and mentorship.
Allen secured full-time employment at Viper Services.
“It is truly inspiring to see generational change happen,” said Don Oglesby, President and CEO of Homes of Hope.
The Men’s Workforce Development program has graduated more than 330 men since its inception.
For information about Homes of Hope and the Men’s Workforce Development program, go to homesofhope.org.
Homes of Hope is a nonprofit organization based in Greenville. The organization’s dual mission is to provide affordable housing while helping men in the MWD program find stability. Since its founding in 1998, Homes of Hope has built 704 homes.
AIRSYS Cooling Headquarters Slated For Spartanburg County
AIRSYS Cooling Technologies, a cooling solution provider, announced that it will expand its global headquarters by building in Spartanburg County. The company’s $40 million investment will create 215 jobs.
AIRSYS, celebrating three decades in business, is currently headquartered in Greer. The company develops and manufactures cooling equipment for information and communication technology. The company’s energy-efficient cooling solutions are used in data centers, schools and telecom cabinets worldwide.
AIRSYS will construct its global headquarters at 6228 Hwy. 101 in Woodruff. The existing manufacturing site will be expanded.
The new campus will have one of the world’s largest 3D printing factories and will make customizable spray liquid cooling components for high-density computing servers, according to a press release.
Operations are expected to be online in 2026.
Xoted Biotechnology Establishing Operation In Duncan
Xoted Biotechnology Labs, a research and development center, has announced plans to establish a presence in Spartanburg County.
The $4.2 million investment is a significant advancement in sustainable biotechnology and scientific innovation, according to a press release. The company will create 34 jobs.
Xoted is a subsidiary of DRC Ventures and TRB Holdings. Xoted works in the biotech, nutraceutical and environmental industries.
The new facility, in the Spark Center at 1875 East Main St. in Duncan, will focus on plant-based detoxification, seed research, and next-generation applications in textiles and cleanroom technology. In addition to product development, the operation will serve as a hub for STEM education and scientific research.
Upstate Forever Protects 1,100 Acres In ’24
Upstate Forever protected 1,130 acres in 2024.
Conservation easements were finalized in Abbeville, Greenville and Pickens counties. The permanent protections include forests, farmlands, waterways and green space.
Upstate Forever protects land in partnership with landowners through conservation easements – voluntary contracts that allow landowners to legally restrict certain uses on their property (including residential subdivisions and commercial or industrial operations), while allowing traditional rural uses, such as farming, grazing, hunting and timbering.
The agreement is permanent and remains with the land, even if it is sold or passed to heirs.
Easements are:
Abbeville County
- Morrow Creek Timbers, a 236-acre addition to 429 acres protected by conservation easement in 2021. The protected lands contribute to forest and wildlife habitat and local water quality. The S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funds.
Greenville County
- Fern Springs, a 37-acre recreational and wildlife habitat in northern Greenville and one of the last undeveloped parcels in a private community. The protected property contributes to water quality in the headwater streams of the Saluda River Watershed.
- Hereford Hill Farm, a 101-acre working family-owned ranch in southern Greenville County. In addition to permanently protecting the property’s scenic value and pastureland for 50 cattle, the project contributes to local water quality. The land has more than 6,600 feet of tributary streams in the Saluda River Watershed. The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust, S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funding.
- Horsepen Creek, 45 acres that are part of a neighborhood strategy to protect key wetlands and creek frontage on Horsepen Creek in southern Greenville County. It is adjacent to 34 acres of Horsepen Creek property protected in 2023. The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust, S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funding.
- Pearl Bottoms, a 60-acre cattle farm in the Tigerville community. The property is at the confluence of three tributaries that serve as a headwater source of the South Tyger River. The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust, S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funding, with a reimbursement grant from S.C. Department of Environmental Services.
- White Tract, 512 acres near the boundary with North Carolina. It expands an existing network of public and private protections along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The perpetual protection of the natural area will help preserve access to the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and its ecological biodiversity. Partners and funders include Naturaland Trust, S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and Upstate Land Conservation Fund.
Pickens County
- Horse Gap Forest, 69 acres of fields, forests, seeps, bogs, and a pond along the Wadakoe Mountain Ridge that separates Hwy. 11 from the Eastatoe Valley. The property is bordered by tributary streams of Little Eastatoe Creek and 534 acres maintained by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources as a Wildlife Management Area. The S.C. Conservation Bank, S.C. Conservation Bank, Upstate Land Conservation Fund and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provided funding, with a reimbursement grant from S.C. Department of Environmental Services.
- Keowee Ridge, a 66-acre organic hobby farm on a peninsula of Lake Keowee. The farm produces free-range eggs, apples, honey and goat byproducts, distributed through the Clemson Area Food Exchange. The easement protects scenic views, agricultural potential, and natural habitat amid rapid lakefront development. The S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funding, with a reimbursement grant from S.C. Department of Environmental Services.
Upstate Forever’s stewardship team will support the landowners and monitor each tract to ensure the terms of the easement are upheld. Currently, the team monitors 219 stewardship sites.
In addition to enacting and stewarding conservation easements, Upstate Forever supports conservation partners on projects that benefit the Upstate.
Upstate Forever partnered to protect an additional 1,900 acres in the Upstate. Partners were Conserving Carolina, The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina, State of South Carolina, Spartanburg County Parks Department, Spartanburg Area Conservancy and The Tyger River Foundation.
Since Upstate Forever’s founding by Greenville attorney Brad Wyche in 1998, the organization has permanently protected more than 44,000 acres through conservation easements and partner efforts across the 10-county Upstate.
Casting Cleaning Resources Expands In Greenwood County
Casting Cleaning Resources, a provider of casting cleaning services, is expanding its Greenwood County operations with a $5 million investment that will create 42 additional jobs.
Founded in Indiana in 1992, CCR provides cleaning services for industrial applications. The company’s Greenwood County operation, established in 2019, specializes in casting finishing services and other post-mold services for foundries.
CCR will operate in a standalone building at 104 Stoneridge Court in Greenwood.
Agent Joins BrownStone
Kem Swenson has joined BrownStone Real Estate agency.
A Greenville native with over two decades in real estate, Swenson began her career in 1999 at a firm specializing in custom-built neighborhoods. Later, she helped agents with listings, contracts and buyer relations.
“Kem embodies our mission of personalized service and community connection,” said Rhett Brown, broker and owner of BrownStone.
Founded by Brown and Kirby Stone, Greenville-based BrownStone Real Estate carries forward a family legacy of real estate sales and development. BrownStone’s services include customizable pre-listing concierge assistance to help sellers maximize the value of their homes.
First Presbyterian Church Presents Fine Art Exhibit
First Presbyterian Church, in partnership with the Galleries at First Presbyterian, will hold an art exhibition, “Looking Up,” through Aug. 31. The exhibit will feature the works of George Stone, Joe Craighead and Mark Baral.
The exhibit is free and open to the public. The works will be displayed on the first and second floors of the Galleries at First Presbyterian, 200 W. Washington St.
Stone is known for representational oil paintings; Craighead focuses on plein-air oil landscapes; Baral specializes in landscape and representational oil paintings.
For information, go to firstpresgreenville.org/events/signature-events.
Book Explores Beach Music
McBryde Publishing of New Bern, North Carolina, has released “The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story,” an account of one of Carolina’s most iconic bands.
The biography – written by McBryde CEO Bill Benners, Chris Jones and journalist Skip Crayton – explores Tomlinson, founding drummer of The Embers, and the band’s 60 years as pioneers of beach music.
Founded in 1958 by Bobby Tomlinson and Jackie Gore, The Embers made their debut in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a signature sound that blended blending rhythm and blues, soul, and the swing of beach music.
“The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story” is available in eBook, hardcover and paperback at major online retailers, including Amazon, and at BuyBeachMusic.com., off Church Street.
Motorsports
Ford Performance NASCAR: Mustang Mach-E NASCAR Prototype Takes First Laps in Front of Fans – Speedway Digest
Earlier this afternoon, David Ragan made a demonstration run for fans at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the Ford Mustang Mach-E NASCAR Prototype. It marked the first time this demonstrator vehicle appeared on an oval in front of fans. Ragan completed a handful of laps that included a standstill start using the car’s ‘launch mode and […]

Earlier this afternoon, David Ragan made a demonstration run for fans at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the Ford Mustang Mach-E NASCAR Prototype. It marked the first time this demonstrator vehicle appeared on an oval in front of fans. Ragan completed a handful of laps that included a standstill start using the car’s ‘launch mode and a brief pause with braking to help recharge the battery. He ended the session with a burnout down the frontstretch.
This is the ninth vehicle in the Ford Performance EV Demonstrator portfolio, which includes the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck that won last year’s Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The Ford Mustang Mach-E NASCAR Prototype has the same chassis and safety components as the current NASCAR Cup Series Mustang. It’s equipped with three motors, one in the front and two in the rear, and is capable of producing 1360 horsepower.
DAVID RAGAN, Driver, Ford Mustang Mach-E NASCAR Prototype – HOW DID THAT DEMONSTRATION RUN GO? “It was really a quick test session for this Ford Mach-E NASCAR Prototype. The first time here at North Wilkesboro Speedway and this thing has over 1000 horsepower, so it’s incredible the amount of power that this car has. It stops really well. I was trying to get a good burnout at the end without shredding the tires all the way, so that was fun.”
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOW THIS CAR DRIVES VERSUS A CUP CAR? “The cars really drive similarly in the middle of the corner. This is the same chassis that the current Cup cars are running with in the Next Gen race car, so the steering, the side force, the handling feels very similar. Where the Mach-E just outperforms the other car is that pure acceleration. The amount of torque that it has is incredible and it’s instant torque because being an all-wheel drive car, you’ve got a lot of torque when you’re on the throttle. When you hit the brakes, it stops on a dime and it’s quiet. I can hear myself thinking and it’s really weird to hear some of the rubber banging off the inside of the car. You can hear the tires squealing a little bit, so you don’t have that loud noise to drown yourself out.”
YOU STARTED THE RUN IN SOMETHING CALLED ‘LAUNCH MODE’. HOW DOES THAT WORK? “You need to take a look inside the car at the steering wheel. There are a lot more buttons than I even know what to do with, but there’s a launch mode that revs the electric motor up to a really high RPM and when I release that button the car just instantly goes. With this being an all-wheel drive Mach-E that has traction control, it sets you back in the seat so you better make sure you’re pointed and you’re going exactly where you want to go. There’s a lot of acceleration and a lot of bells and whistles on the steering wheel that the driver can play with.”
THIS IS ANOTHER IN A LONG LINE OF EV DEMONSTRATORS FOR FORD PERFORMANCE. HOW DOES THIS COMPARE? “We’re really scratching the surface with the power and the potential with these full EV demonstrators at Ford Performance. I’ve been a big fan of some of the Pikes Peak Hill Climbs with the SuperVan and F-150 Lightning SuperTruck, so there’s always a lot of new technology rolling out and it’s changing really fast. I’m really thrilled to see the Mach-E as a part of this because that’s my daily driver. I love driving it around town, so to see the power on a NASCAR style race car is exciting. Keep in touch because over the next several months, and certainly later this year, I think we’ve got some really cool things up our sleeves.”
Ford Performance PR
Motorsports
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour At North Wilkesboro Speedway Results
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour kicked off the final day of NASCAR All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday afternoon with 150 laps of racing at the historic oval. A race filled with attrition ended with Craig Lutz in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory lane for the fifth time in his career. 2025 NASCAR […]

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour kicked off the final day of NASCAR All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday afternoon with 150 laps of racing at the historic oval. A race filled with attrition ended with Craig Lutz in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory lane for the fifth time in his career.
2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at North Wilkesboro Speedway
The race was slowed by 10 different cautions, many of which collected multiple contenders, and ended with Lutz fending off Luke Baldwin and riding the elevator to victory lane. The win was Lutz’s first tour victory since August 17, 2022.
Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Justin Bonsignore, who was one of many drivers collected in an incident. rebounded to finish third. Jacob Lutz and Austin Beers completed the top five.
Patrick Emerling, who entered the race atop the championship standings, was involved in an incident and finished 28th.
Next up for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a trip to Seekonk Speedway on May 31.
To watch every NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race this season, including a replay of Sunday’s race at North Wilkesboro, sign up for a FloRacing subscription today.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at North Wilkesboro Speedway Results
Position |
Driver |
1 |
Craig Lutz |
2 |
Luke Baldwin |
3 |
Justin Bonsignore |
4 |
Jacob Lutz |
5 |
Austin Beers |
6 |
Stephen Kopcik |
7 |
Tommy Catalano |
8 |
Joey Braun |
9 |
Jeremy Gerstner |
10 |
Luke Fleming |
11 |
Ken Heagy |
12 |
Teddy Hodgdon |
13 |
Ryan Newman |
14 |
Corey LaJoie |
15 |
Trevor Catalano |
16 |
John-Michael Shenette |
17 |
Mike Marshall |
18 |
Tyler Barry |
19 |
Tyler Rypkema |
20 |
Joey Coulter |
21 |
Jake Crum |
22 |
Matt Hirschman |
23 |
Joey Cipriano III |
24 |
Kyle Bonsignore |
25 |
Kyle Ebersole |
26 |
Brian Sones |
27 |
Carson Loftin |
28 |
Patrick Emerling |
29 |
Bobby Labonte |
30 |
Dave Sapienza |
31 |
Eric Goodale |
Motorsports
Christopher Bell crowned 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race winner
Christopher Bell passed Joey Logano with nine laps remaining and cruised to victory in an action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night.In a slam-bang affair that set a record for lead changes, Bell won by 0.829 seconds over Logano to earn his first All-Star Race victory. Ross Chastain finished third, followed […]

Christopher Bell passed Joey Logano with nine laps remaining and cruised to victory in an action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night.In a slam-bang affair that set a record for lead changes, Bell won by 0.829 seconds over Logano to earn his first All-Star Race victory. Ross Chastain finished third, followed by Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott.Logano elected to stay on track rather than pit during the final yellow. The decision proved to be costly while trying to hold off Bell, who had pitted for two fresh tires.The field was bunched for the final time on Lap 216 with the “ Promoter’s Caution,” thrown by two-time Daytona 500 winner and Fox Sports personality Michael Waltrip, who dropped the yellow flag on the track. The gimmick to guarantee a late restart was a sidebar to an eventful race.After lackluster showings in the first two outings on the 0.625-mile oval (including Logano leading 199 of 200 laps to win last year ), the All-Star Race delivered much more action in its third year at North Wilkesboro Speedway. There were 17 lead changes, breaking the mark of 13 (set in 2016) for the most in the event’s 41-year history.Pole-sitter Brad Keselowski and Logano traded the lead twice in the first 10 laps and often ran side by side for the lead. There were six leaders and 10 lead changes in the first half of the race, which topped the total number of leaders (four) and lead changes (five) in the past two All-Star Races combined.After leading 62 laps, Keselowski’s bid for his first All-Star Race victory ended with a crash on Lap 177.All-Star Open resultsCapitalizing on pit strategy, Carson Hocevar led the final 46 laps to win the All-Star Open and advance into the NASCAR All-Star Race.Runner-up John Hunter Nemechek also advanced to the main event by finishing second in the 100-lap warmup race. Noah Gragson won an online fan vote to earn the final transfer spot to the All-Star Race, whose field will include 20 other drivers competing for $1 million over 250 laps Sunday night.Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen finished 13th after leading the first 54 laps on the 0.625-mile oval. The New Zealand native, who is in his first full Cup Series season after winning three Supercar championships in Australia, fell from first to sixth on a four-tire pit stop during the halfway caution.“I don’t know whether to smile or cry,” said van Gisbergen, who is ranked 35th in the points standings with one top 10 this season. “It’s been a dismal year for us, but I feel like we’re getting better every week. This shows it.”Costly penaltyRyan Preece finished 11th in the Open after being sent to the rear from second place on a restart with 17 laps remaining. Preece said he unintentionally ran over the commitment line before which drivers must choose whether they are restarting on the inside or outside lane.“It’s really nonexistent from inside the car,” Preece said. “You can’t see it. I’m frustrated because if you have a situation like that, put a cone out there so we can see it. Our Ford Mustang was super fast, and I think we were the only one that was making some waves. It’s heartbreaking to have a run like that taken away.”NASCAR repainted the restart commitment line before the start of the All-Star Race.More moneyThe All-Star Race winner’s share has been $1 million since the 2003 event, and some drivers have grumbled that an increase for inflation is well overdue.“I definitely think it should get raised,” 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney said this week. “That’s the only thing about the All-Star Race I’d probably change. I don’t want to get greedy, but I think you can raise it to $3 million.”Bubba Wallace said he’d suggest $5 million but would be good for a bump to $3 million.“They’ve got more TV money, so why not,” Wallace said, referring to NASCAR’s media rights raising to $1.1 billion annually in a deal starting this year.Up nextThe Cup Series will race May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the season. Christopher Bell won last year’s race, which was shortened from 600 to 374 miles by rain.Kyle Larson missed the 2024 race after arriving late because the Indianapolis 500 was delayed by rain. The Hendrick Motorsports star again will attempt to become the fifth driver to race the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Christopher Bell passed Joey Logano with nine laps remaining and cruised to victory in an action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night.
In a slam-bang affair that set a record for lead changes, Bell won by 0.829 seconds over Logano to earn his first All-Star Race victory. Ross Chastain finished third, followed by Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott.
Logano elected to stay on track rather than pit during the final yellow. The decision proved to be costly while trying to hold off Bell, who had pitted for two fresh tires.
The field was bunched for the final time on Lap 216 with the “ Promoter’s Caution,” thrown by two-time Daytona 500 winner and Fox Sports personality Michael Waltrip, who dropped the yellow flag on the track. The gimmick to guarantee a late restart was a sidebar to an eventful race.
After lackluster showings in the first two outings on the 0.625-mile oval (including Logano leading 199 of 200 laps to win last year ), the All-Star Race delivered much more action in its third year at North Wilkesboro Speedway. There were 17 lead changes, breaking the mark of 13 (set in 2016) for the most in the event’s 41-year history.
Pole-sitter Brad Keselowski and Logano traded the lead twice in the first 10 laps and often ran side by side for the lead. There were six leaders and 10 lead changes in the first half of the race, which topped the total number of leaders (four) and lead changes (five) in the past two All-Star Races combined.
After leading 62 laps, Keselowski’s bid for his first All-Star Race victory ended with a crash on Lap 177.
All-Star Open results
Capitalizing on pit strategy, Carson Hocevar led the final 46 laps to win the All-Star Open and advance into the NASCAR All-Star Race.
Runner-up John Hunter Nemechek also advanced to the main event by finishing second in the 100-lap warmup race. Noah Gragson won an online fan vote to earn the final transfer spot to the All-Star Race, whose field will include 20 other drivers competing for $1 million over 250 laps Sunday night.
Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen finished 13th after leading the first 54 laps on the 0.625-mile oval. The New Zealand native, who is in his first full Cup Series season after winning three Supercar championships in Australia, fell from first to sixth on a four-tire pit stop during the halfway caution.
“I don’t know whether to smile or cry,” said van Gisbergen, who is ranked 35th in the points standings with one top 10 this season. “It’s been a dismal year for us, but I feel like we’re getting better every week. This shows it.”
Costly penalty
Ryan Preece finished 11th in the Open after being sent to the rear from second place on a restart with 17 laps remaining. Preece said he unintentionally ran over the commitment line before which drivers must choose whether they are restarting on the inside or outside lane.
“It’s really nonexistent from inside the car,” Preece said. “You can’t see it. I’m frustrated because if you have a situation like that, put a cone out there so we can see it. Our Ford Mustang was super fast, and I think we were the only one that was making some waves. It’s heartbreaking to have a run like that taken away.”
NASCAR repainted the restart commitment line before the start of the All-Star Race.
More money
The All-Star Race winner’s share has been $1 million since the 2003 event, and some drivers have grumbled that an increase for inflation is well overdue.
“I definitely think it should get raised,” 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney said this week. “That’s the only thing about the All-Star Race I’d probably change. I don’t want to get greedy, but I think you can raise it to $3 million.”
Bubba Wallace said he’d suggest $5 million but would be good for a bump to $3 million.
“They’ve got more TV money, so why not,” Wallace said, referring to NASCAR’s media rights raising to $1.1 billion annually in a deal starting this year.
Up next
The Cup Series will race May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the season. Christopher Bell won last year’s race, which was shortened from 600 to 374 miles by rain.
Kyle Larson missed the 2024 race after arriving late because the Indianapolis 500 was delayed by rain. The Hendrick Motorsports star again will attempt to become the fifth driver to race the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Motorsports
Norman Native Christopher Bell beats Joey Logano in action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race
Christopher Bell passed Joey Logano with nine laps remaining and cruised to victory in an action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night. In a slam-bang affair that set a record for lead changes, Bell won by 0.829 seconds over Logano to earn his first All-Star Race victory. Ross Chastain finished third, […]

Christopher Bell passed Joey Logano with nine laps remaining and cruised to victory in an action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night.
In a slam-bang affair that set a record for lead changes, Bell won by 0.829 seconds over Logano to earn his first All-Star Race victory. Ross Chastain finished third, followed by Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott.
Logano elected to stay on track rather than pit during the final yellow. The decision proved to be costly while trying to hold off Bell, who had pitted for two fresh tires.
The field was bunched for the final time on Lap 216 with the “ Promoter’s Caution,” thrown by two-time Daytona 500 winner and Fox Sports personality Michael Waltrip, who dropped the yellow flag on the track. The gimmick to guarantee a late restart was a sidebar to an eventful race.
After lackluster showings in the first two outings on the 0.625-mile oval (including Logano leading 199 of 200 laps to win last year ), the All-Star Race delivered much more action in its third year at North Wilkesboro Speedway. There were 17 lead changes, breaking the mark of 13 (set in 2016) for the most in the event’s 41-year history.
Pole-sitter Brad Keselowski and Logano traded the lead twice in the first 10 laps and often ran side by side for the lead. There were six leaders and 10 lead changes in the first half of the race, which topped the total number of leaders (four) and lead changes (five) in the past two All-Star Races combined.
After leading 62 laps, Keselowski’s bid for his first All-Star Race victory ended with a crash on Lap 177.
All-Star Open results
Capitalizing on pit strategy, Carson Hocevar led the final 46 laps to win the All-Star Open and advance into the NASCAR All-Star Race.
Runner-up John Hunter Nemechek also advanced to the main event by finishing second in the 100-lap warmup race. Noah Gragson won an online fan vote to earn the final transfer spot to the All-Star Race, whose field will include 20 other drivers competing for $1 million over 250 laps Sunday night.
Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen finished 13th after leading the first 54 laps on the 0.625-mile oval. The New Zealand native, who is in his first full Cup Series season after winning three Supercar championships in Australia, fell from first to sixth on a four-tire pit stop during the halfway caution.
“I don’t know whether to smile or cry,” said van Gisbergen, who is ranked 35th in the points standings with one top 10 this season. “It’s been a dismal year for us, but I feel like we’re getting better every week. This shows it.”
Costly penalty
Ryan Preece finished 11th in the Open after being sent to the rear from second place on a restart with 17 laps remaining. Preece said he unintentionally ran over the commitment line before which drivers must choose whether they are restarting on the inside or outside lane.
“It’s really nonexistent from inside the car,” Preece said. “You can’t see it. I’m frustrated because if you have a situation like that, put a cone out there so we can see it. Our Ford Mustang was super fast, and I think we were the only one that was making some waves. It’s heartbreaking to have a run like that taken away.”
NASCAR repainted the restart commitment line before the start of the All-Star Race.
More money
The All-Star Race winner’s share has been $1 million since the 2003 event, and some drivers have grumbled that an increase for inflation is well overdue.
“I definitely think it should get raised,” 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney said this week. “That’s the only thing about the All-Star Race I’d probably change. I don’t want to get greedy, but I think you can raise it to $3 million.”
Bubba Wallace said he’d suggest $5 million but would be good for a bump to $3 million.
“They’ve got more TV money, so why not,” Wallace said, referring to NASCAR’s media rights raising to $1.1 billion annually in a deal starting this year.
Up next
The Cup Series will race May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the season. Christopher Bell won last year’s race, which was shortened from 600 to 374 miles by rain.
Kyle Larson missed the 2024 race after arriving late because the Indianapolis 500 was delayed by rain. The Hendrick Motorsports star again will attempt to become the fifth driver to race the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Motorsports
Christopher Bell beats Joey Logano to win NASCAR All-Star Race
May 18, 2025, 10:57 PM ET Christopher Bell loves North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Joey Logano hates the “Promoter’s Caution.” Those were the main takeaways from the top two finishers in an action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race at the 0.625-mile oval in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on Sunday. In a slam-bang affair that set a record for […]

Christopher Bell loves North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Joey Logano hates the “Promoter’s Caution.”
Those were the main takeaways from the top two finishers in an action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race at the 0.625-mile oval in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on Sunday.
In a slam-bang affair that set a record for lead changes, Bell beat Logano by 0.829 seconds to earn his first All-Star Race victory. Bell, who won three consecutive Cup Series races earlier this season but had a previous best All-Star finish of 10th, delivered the third All-Star Race win for Joe Gibbs Racing.
“That right there is absolutely incredible,” Bell said. “North Wilkesboro, best short track on the schedule.”
He also is a fan of Marcus Smith, the president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports that owns North Wilkesboro Speedway. In a new All-Star Race wrinkle, Smith was allowed to choose when to throw a “Promoter’s Caution” that would bunch the field for a late restart.
Smith sent two-time Daytona 500 winner and Fox Sports personality Michael Waltrip to the flag stand to display the random yellow flag on Lap 217 with Logano leading by about a half-second over Bell.
Logano, who was trying to win his second consecutive All-Star Race, elected to stay on track rather than pit during the caution, and the decision proved costly. Bell pitted for two fresh tires, restarted in sixth and needed only five laps to catch Logano. After a battle for first that lasted a dozen laps, Bell took the lead for good on Lap 241 of 250.
“I’m pissed off right now,” said Logano, who led a race-high 139 laps. “Just dang it, we had the fastest car. I’m trying to choose my words correctly on the caution situation. Obviously, I got bit by it, so I am the one frustrated.”
It was a stark turnaround for the defending Cup Series champion, who recently said he supported the “Promoter’s Caution” because “the All-Star Race presents the opportunity to try things outside of the box.” But he was questioning its validity after Sunday’s race.
“Yeah, I’m all about no gimmicks with the caution,” Logano said. “I am all about that. Me and Marcus Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye right now, OK? I’ve got to have a word with him.”
Ross Chastain finished third, followed by Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott.
The “Promoter’s Caution” was introduced to guarantee an exciting finish, but the All-Star Race hardly needed much help this year.
After lackluster showings in the first two outings, the All-Star Race delivered much more action in its third year at North Wilkesboro Speedway. There were 18 lead changes, breaking the mark of 13 (set in 2016) for the most in the event’s 41-year history.
Pole-sitter Brad Keselowski and Logano traded the lead twice in the first 10 laps and often ran side by side for the lead. There were six leaders and 10 lead changes in the first half of the race, which topped the total number of leaders (four) and lead changes (five) in the past two All-Star Races combined.
After leading 62 laps, Keselowski’s bid for his first All-Star Race victory ended with a crash on Lap 177.
Runner-up John Hunter Nemechek also advanced to the main event by finishing second in the 100-lap warmup race. Noah Gragson won an online fan vote to earn the final transfer spot to the All-Star Race, whose field included 20 other drivers competing for $1 million.
Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen finished 13th after leading the first 54 laps on the 0.625-mile oval. The New Zealand native, who is in his first full Cup Series season after winning three Supercar championships in Australia, fell from first to sixth on a four-tire pit stop during the halfway caution.
“I don’t know whether to smile or cry,” said van Gisbergen, who is ranked 35th in the points standings with one top 10 this season. “It’s been a dismal year for us, but I feel like we’re getting better every week. This shows it.”
“I definitely think it should get raised,” 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney said this week. “That’s the only thing about the All-Star Race I’d probably change. I don’t want to get greedy, but I think you can raise it to $3 million.”
Bubba Wallace said he’d suggest $5 million but would be good for a bump to $3 million.
“They’ve got more TV money, so why not,” Wallace said, referring to NASCAR’s media rights raising to $1.1 billion annually in a deal starting this year.
Kyle Larson missed the 2024 race after arriving late because the Indianapolis 500 was delayed by rain. The Hendrick Motorsports star again will attempt to become the fifth driver to race the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
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