Kyle Larson did it again at Nashville Superspeedway. No, it was not a foot-meets-throat performance that Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports team could put into action on any given Sunday. Nor was it winning the Cracker Barrel 400.

What it was instead was Larson being one of the stories of the night for the feat of overcoming a car that wanted to do everything but perform the way it needed. Larson and the No. 5 team could have been crowned comeback players of the race, if such an award existed, after starting 28th, falling outside the top 30, and having the hood up on pit road among other things.

But in the end, Larson finished eighth. This means he keeps his box score for Nashville looking better than how it came together.

“It was good,” Larson said of the team’s perseverance. “Every year we come to Nashville in Next Gen, it looks a lot like today where we suck and then somehow get a top 10. Then, on paper, it looks like we’re pretty good here, but we’re not. Gateway would be another track where we typically start off bad and then fight, fight, fight, and get a top 10. So, really, other than Nashville and Gateway, I feel like we’re pretty good everywhere. We’ve just got to get better at these tracks.

“Regardless, I’m happy to recover and rebound. It’s days like this that show the strength of your team, so I’m happy we were able to keep our heads in it: myself, Cliff [Daniels], the team, the pit crew, everybody, and get away with a top 10.”

A 28th-place qualifying effort was the worst for Larason in a Cup Series starting field since March of 2019 at Phoenix Raceway. It was three laps into the race when things started to go sideways, literally, when he got loose in Turn 1 and fell to 35th position.

At the end of the first stage, Larson gave Daniels, his crew chief, a lengthy rundown of the attitude of his Chevrolet, which reminded him of what the team had battled in practice. In describing how unbalanced it felt, Larson said it was loose in the corners, tight in the center, and loose off the corners. There was no rear grip. If he tried to push his luck, Larson felt like he was going to crash.

In other words, “I just don’t feel comfortable at all,” Larson said.

Daniels and the team went to work, telling the driver they were going to do quite a bit under the stage break. Taking two pit stops to do so, the team worked on wedge, the trackbar, and even the front suspension.

In the second stage, Larson was nearly collected in a multi-car crash with Alex Bowman and Noah Gragson in Turn 3. Bowman lost control entering the corner and slid up into Gragson to start the incident, with Larson slowing down within inches of running into Gragson.

There was also the moment in the second stage when he had to come back down pit road to tighten a wheel. Larson was back inside the top 10, which would be for good, on lap 199 of 300.

“It was a bit wild,” Larson said. “I don’t know if TV was probably able to catch everything that went on with my day. But we struggled with our balance and then had some things happen along the way, and got a lot of luck along the way, too.

“So, it was unfortunate to not be as fast and have the balance that we wanted, but once we kind of just gave up on trying to fix it all and just focused on gaining track position, we had some good restarts and then settled in and would have another good restart and settle in. Yeah, it was good to recover to the top 10 but we would like to be better here.”

In five starts at Nashville, Larson has one victory (2021) along with finishes of fourth, fifth, eighth, and eighth again in the four races in the Next Gen era.

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is coming back to the Windy City this summer.

The race itself will take place July 5 and 6, and the city will see traffic pattern effects leading up to the event.

Here’s a rundown of streets that will be closed, according to the City of Chicago.

Pre-race activity in Grant Park

• June 19: Full closure of Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. “No Parking” restrictions will be put in place along southbound and northbound Columbus Drive between Jackson Drive and Balbo Drive
• June 20: Curb lane closure on northbound and southbound Columbus drive between Jackson Drive and Balbo Drive.
• June 23: Full closure on Ida B. Wells Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive, westbound between Congress Plaza Drive and Michigan Avenue will remain open and eastbound will be closed.
• June 23: Temporary closure of northbound Michigan Avenue between Congress Plaza Drive and Jackson Drive until 6 a.m. June 24
• June 25: Temporary closure of northbound Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Jackson Drive until 5 a.m. June 26

Pre-race weekend street closures

• June 26 (10 p.m.): Closure of Jackson Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive
• June 27 (12:01 a.m.): Closure of Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue
• June 28 (10 p.m.): Closure of Congress Plaza Drive
• June 30 (12:01 a.m.): Closure of Columbus Drive from Jackson Drive to Roosevelt Road
• July 2 (10 p.m.): Closure of westbound and eastbound Roosevelt Road, from Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive
• July 3 (12:01 a.m.): Closure of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Randolph Street and McFetridge Road
• July 3 (10 p.m.): Closure of northbound and southbound Michigan Avenue from Roosevelt Road to Jackson Drive and northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Randolph Street and McFetridge Road

Race weekend street closures: July 5 and 6

• Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive from Randolph Street to McFetridge Drive
• Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive from McFetridge Drive to Randolph Street
• Northbound Michigan Avenue from Roosevelt Road to Monroe Street
• Southbound Michigan Avenue from south of Monroe Street to 8^th Street
• Monroe Street from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive
• Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Monroe Street
• Roosevelt Road from DuSable Lake Shore Drive to Michigan Avenue
• Jackson Drive from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive
• Balbo Drive from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive
• Ida B. Wells Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive
• Congress Plaza Drive from Harrison Street to Van Buren Street
• Northbound Indiana Avenue from Roosevelt Road to 13th Street
• Post Place: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Drive
• Garvey Court: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Drive

For more information, including possible alternative routes, see the City of Chicago website.

LEBANON, Tenn. — (AP) — Bubba Wallace sees NASCAR having all the momentum possible right now with different media partners.

Perfect timing then for NASCAR’s “In-season Challenge” to debut, right?

Well, Wallace forgot that was about to debut.

“For me to forget about it and remember how exciting it was when they announced, I think it’s going to be big for the fans to tune in and and give them a little bit more … you’re just invested more,” Wallace said.

Kyle Larson just tried his latest attempt at “the Double” of the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. Count him among those who didn’t realize NASCAR’s new in-season competition had its field of 32 set after Sunday night’s Cup Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway.

“I just really haven’t seen anything promoted about it, so I think it’s easy to forget about it,” Larson said.

NASCAR announced this new in-season competition in May 2024, so drivers can be forgiven for being focused on the second half of the season.

The format is simple: 32 drivers race for seeding over the next three races starting at Michigan on Sunday and concluding at Pocono on June 22. Drivers are seeded by their best finish for the five-race competition starting at Atlanta.

Then it goes to single elimination with the field cut to 16 at Chicago, eight at Sonoma, four at Dover and the final two at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The winner gets $1 million, and that does get drivers’ attention as part of the new media rights deal that includes TNT.

“It’s going to be something fun that you pay attention to, and there’s good money on the line,” said Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champ. “So, you’ve just got to be really consistent throughout.”

Chris Buescher of RFK Racing is among those who didn’t realize this challenge is starting. He needs race victories after losing points for a penalty at Kansas in May. The prize is nice.

“That’s real money,” Buescher said. “But I don’t want that to change how we go to the race track. We need to figure out how to win races. There’s a lot more than that on the line at the end of the year.”

Three-time Cup Series champ Joey Logano compared this event’s prize to the money up for grabs in the All-Star Race and this new competition like a stage win.

“This is a little longer thing, but it’s a race within the race,” Logano said. “So you’re not willing to give up a lot to do that, right?”

Denny Hamlin was excited when the In-season Challenge was first announced. Then he saw the courses for this competition, and his enthusiasm dimmed with the number of road courses included.

“Truthfully, we’re going to get pretty lucky or have such a good draw that just things kind of work out,” Hamlin said. “I wish it was more conventional ovals, but I think that’s just the way the schedule works out. And it’s unfortunately not probably my prime part of the season.”

Brad Keselowski and his No. 6 Ford for RFK Racing went into Nashville at 32 — right on the line to be included in that chase for seeding. He hadn’t given the competition much thought focused on this season. But he thinks it will be fun once it starts.

“It’s good for the sport, good for our fans and it’s a competition,” Keselowski said. “If there’s competition, we want to win it. But that said, I think our heads down on one week at a time, in some ways one day at a time. … And it’s hard to look further ahead than that.”

Team Penske all set for the playoffs

With Ryan Blaney’s first victory of the season at Nashville Superspeedway, Team Penske now has its three drivers qualified for the NASCAR Cup playoffs even with Nashville the first race of the second half of this year.

Blaney, who hadn’t won since November, joined Austin Cindric, who won at Talladega, and three-time Cup Series champ Joey Logano, a winner at Texas. Josh Berry, whose Wood Brothers Racing team has a relationship with Team Penske, also won at Las Vegas.

Michael Nelson, president of Team Penske’s NASCAR operations, said it was nice to have that pressure off all the teams.

“It’s obviously pretty awesome to have a little bit of that pressure off for the guys,” Nelson said. “And again … it gives you a chance to go out and take some chances here and there and try to rack up a bunch of wins. So now we’re grateful to be at this point with our cars this time of year.”

Careful there Hocevar

Carson Hocevar matched his career-best finish driving from 26th to second at Nashville. The 22-year-old driver in his second Cup Series season with Spire Motorsports ticked off Ricky Stenhouse Jr. with his aggressive style.

Hocevar clipped Stenhouse on Lap 106 of 300, sending him into the wall and out of the race. Stenhouse said Hocevar was overly aggressive and will talk to the young driver. Just not after the race.

“No,” Stenhouse said, “that costs too much money.”

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Buckle up as the Cook Out Summer Shootout returns to America’s Home for Racing for its 32nd thrilling season. This summer tradition is back and more jam-packed than ever, delivering high-speed racing, outrageous theme nights and interactive family fun every week for two straight months.

Each week, watch as more than 175 of the nation’s top grassroots racers hit the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway quarter-mile, putting on an adrenaline-pumping show under the lights. From bumper-to-bumper battles on the track to games, giveaways and surprises in the stands, every night offers something new for fans of all ages.

From rising young talents chasing their racing dreams to appearances from motorsports stars like Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin and more, this summer’s action on the frontstretch quarter-mile is shaping up to be unforgettable.

The season’s green flag drops with a doubleheader on Monday, June 9, and Tuesday, June 10. Kick off the season right on Monday with the Cook Out Kickoff, presented by Cook Out. Swing by your nearest Cook Out, grab a fancy milkshake or a giant tea, and bring your cup to the gate for FREE admission to a full-throttle night of racing fun.

Then don’t miss Tuesday’s Media Mayhem, presented by DSM Luxury Motorsports, where local media personalities trade their microphones for helmets in a high-stakes school bus slobberknocker. Will your favorite newscaster cross the finish line first? Come find out — get the inside scoop live from the track!

Whether it’s dressing up in your best cowboy hat or watching fireworks burst over the track, each night brings a one-of-a-kind experience. Here’s the full lineup for this season’s Cook Out Summer Shootout:

Monday, June 9: Cook Out Kickoff presented by Cook Out

• FREE entry with a Cook Out cup

Tuesday, June 10: Media Mayhem presented by DSM Luxury Motorsports

• Local media personalities face off in a school bus scramble

Tuesday, June 17: Laps and Lassos presented by DSM Luxury Motorsports

• Dress up in your best western gear, get $5 off

Tuesday, June 24: NASCAR Night presented by NASCAR Hall of Fame

• Wear your favorite NASCAR driver gear, get $5 off

Tuesday, June 30: Night of Games presented by Bojangles

• The 100th person through the gate gets a BIG prize

Monday, July 1: Red, White and Vrooms presented by Pro FABrication Headers & Exhaust

• First responders and military personnel get in FREE
• $15 ticket – includes post-race firework show & driver autograph session

Tuesday, July 8: Lug Nut’s Birthday Party

• Bring a toy donation for Lug Nut, and get in FREE

Tuesday, July 15: Camping Night presented by DSM Luxury Motorsports

• Boys & Girls Scouts in uniform get in FREE

Tuesday, July 22: Speedway Sports Night presented by DSM Luxury Motorsports

• Rep your favorite team, get $5 off

Tuesday, July 29: Champions Night presented by DSM Luxury Motorsports

• Round 2 of the school bus smackdown
• Buy a Round 10 ticket for a chance to win four FREE tickets to the Cook Out Monster Truck Bash!
• $15 ticket – includes post-race firework show & driver autograph session

DRIVE OUT HUNGER:

All summer long, fans who bring a canned food donation to the gate will receive $2 off their ticket. Donations will directly benefit local Blessing Boxes.

ABOUT COOK OUT SUMMER SHOOTOUT:

Celebrating its 32nd season, the Cook Out Summer Shootout is a 10-race showcase of speed, featuring eight racing divisions of Legend Cars and Bandoleros. Races are held each Tuesday night under the lights with championship points on the line all summer long.

TICKETS:

Tickets are $10; kids 12 and under get in FREE. For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit www.charlottemotorspeedeay.com/tickets.

KEEP TRACK:

Follow all the thrilling Cook Out Summer Shootout action at Charlotte Motor Speedway on X, Facebook and Instagram.

CMS PR

 Public ticket sales began today (June 2) at 10 a.m. PT for all multi-day tickets for two major August race events at Portland International Raceway (PIR) – the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland, featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and Pacific Office Automation 147, headlined by the NASCAR Xfinity Series. 

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, featuring the stars and cars of the Indianapolis 500, returns to the Rose City on Aug. 8-10, followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ fourth annual event at PIR on Aug. 29-30 over Labor Day weekend. With both major motorsport events slated to bring high-speed thrills to Pacific Northwest race fans in the same month, August is ‘Speed Month’ at the historic 12-turn permanent road course. 

As of this morning, multi-day Grandstand seats, General Admission tickets and parking passes are available for purchase for both action-packed weekends. Single-day tickets will be released later in the summer for both events. 

“Portland International Raceway is the place to be for race fans in the Pacific Northwest this August. ‘Speed Month’ will be action-packed in Portland with the thrilling NTT INDYCAR SERIES, fender-bending NASCAR Xfinity Series and much more,” said Jerry Jensen, vice president and general manager of Green Savoree Portland, LLC, which owns and operates the event at PIR. “Now is the time for fans to select their preferred spots at PIR with multi-day tickets available for both exciting weekends!” 

Grandstand seats are available at multiple price points for both events with 3-Day Grandstand seats at the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland starting at $85 and 2-Day Grandstand tickets starting at $80 for the Pacific Office Automation 147. Both events offer weekend General Admission tickets for $75.

For the NTT INDYCAR SERIES weekend only, fans can also purchase Pit and Paddock passes, plus Champions Club and Champions Club+ options to further enhance the race weekend experience. For a limited time while supplies last, the Champions Club membership includes an NTT INDYCAR SERIES Paddock Pass and offers premium access and exclusive benefits such as a personalized event credential, pre-race grid walk and more. Champions Club+ includes all the above benefits plus a Pit Pass which provides access to pitlane during practice and qualifying sessions. A Paddock Pass offers entry to “the locker room of motorsports” to get up close to the drivers, cars and teams throughout the weekend.

Both events offer a tremendous family value. Children 12 and under receive free General Admission when attending either event with a ticketed adult. Additionally, Rookie Racers memberships are on sale offering unique, behind-the-scenes experiences for kids ages 5-12. 

All ticket pricing and options, including parking passes and RV Club spaces, are posted online at RacePortland.com. Both events feature no fees on order processing for online orders. Stay up to speed on these premier Portland events on social media all year long by following #PortlandGP and #NASCARPortland or by signing up for the E-Club on the website. 

PIR PR

Atlanta Motor Speedway looks to be setting up for something big. According to Joseph Srigley of TobyChristie.com, the racetrack will be making a “major news announcement” at 11:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday.

Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith, track general manager Brandon Hutchinson and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will be present for the announcement. Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing and Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing will also be in attendance.

While the official reveal will come in less than 24 hours, the expectation is that Atlanta will be undergoing a name change. This past weekend, a fan on Reddit (u/Positive_Action_7539) posted a picture of the grandstands. Where it would normally say “Atlanta Motor Speedway,” it now says “EchoPark Speedway.”