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Zane Smith takes Pole, Hendrick Motorsports slow in Cup Series Qualifying at Talladega

What’s Happening? After a one-week Easter break, the NASCAR Cup Series returns at Talladega. With much of the discussion focused on fuel saving and the aero package, it’s time to shift attention to the action ahead at the world’s fastest speedway. On Saturday, Zane Smith captured his first-ever Cup Series pole, with two multi-time champions […]

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What’s Happening?

After a one-week Easter break, the NASCAR Cup Series returns at Talladega. With much of the discussion focused on fuel saving and the aero package, it’s time to shift attention to the action ahead at the world’s fastest speedway. On Saturday, Zane Smith captured his first-ever Cup Series pole, with two multi-time champions starting right behind him.

While qualifying does not ultimately determine the winner at Talladega, it does separate those expected to run up front from those who will need strategy and fortune to contend. Per NASCAR policy, there was no practice session for this superspeedway race, and teams went straight into qualifying. Now, let’s preview today’s Jack Link’s 500.

Starting Lineup – Key Notes

  • Zane Smith secures his first career Cup Series pole.
  • Seven Fords will start in the top 10, including all four Penske-affiliated cars.
  • Joey Logano starts P3, improving his series-best average start (7.8) at Talladega with the Next-Gen car.
  • Hendrick Motorsports lacked single-car qualifying speed.

Ones to Watch

  • Team Penske: Historically strong on superspeedways, Penske drivers should be contenders all day. Their teamwork is exceptional, but despite the best stats, a superspeedway win has yet to come their way this season. Talladega could be their breakthrough.
  • Denny Hamlin: Widely considered the best superspeedway driver in the field, Hamlin has yet to win at a drafting track with the Next Gen car. Despite a lower Toyota count compared to Ford and Chevrolet, he remains a major threat.
  • William Byron: Byron has scored the most points at Talladega in the Next Gen era (tied with Chase Elliott, 240 points) in addition to holding the best average finish (7.7). He consistently finds a way to the front late.
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: Winner of last year’s playoff race at Talladega, Stenhouse is one of the most aggressive and successful superspeedway racers. This race represents his best chance for a regular-season win.
  • Kyle Busch: Busch is overdue for a victory, and superspeedways should provide some of his best chances this season. Despite starting without many teammates nearby, expect him to stay up front when Chevrolet goes forward.

Race Information

Start Time: 3:20 PM EST
Broadcast: FOX
Race Distance: 188 laps | 500 miles
Stage Lengths: 60 | 60 | 68 laps
Fuel Window: 45 – 48 Laps
Tire Allotment: 7 sets
Chance of Rain: 15%
Pole Position: Zane Smith – 52.565
Outside Pole: Kyle Busch – 52.697s (-0.132s)
Did Not Qualify: None

Pit Stall Selections

Who’s your pick? Let us know who you think will win at Talladega on Discord or X, and remember to follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube for more updates.





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Fuel the Fire: Why Live Football News Feeds Your Competitive Edge

For anyone who lives for the roar of engines and the blur of speed, being a sports fan is about more than watching—it’s about knowing. Whether it’s race times, weather forecasts, or pit stop strategies, motorsports fans are always tuned into the next data point. That same instinct—the need to be first, the craving to […]

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For anyone who lives for the roar of engines and the blur of speed, being a sports fan is about more than watching—it’s about knowing. Whether it’s race times, weather forecasts, or pit stop strategies, motorsports fans are always tuned into the next data point. That same instinct—the need to be first, the craving to stay sharp—has fueled another obsession: live football news.

Platforms like thsport.live are feeding this demand, delivering real-time football coverage that mirrors the urgency and precision motorsports fans already love. And just like a well-timed overtake or a split-second tire change, catching the right football update at the right time can change everything.

In fact, checking up on ข่าวกีฬาฟุตบอล isn’t just something fans do out of habit—it’s how they stay mentally in the game.

Why Fast Updates Matter to Fast-Minded Fans

Football fans and motorsports enthusiasts have more in common than you might think. They both follow fast-paced sports with evolving strategies, passionate fanbases, and live events where momentum can swing instantly. So it’s no surprise that the football audience is leaning into platforms that offer second-by-second insights, lineup leaks, transfer rumors, and in-match analytics.

Gone are the days when waiting for the morning paper or the evening news was good enough. Just like F1 fans check live timing screens, football followers want updates that refresh in real-time—especially during transfer windows, injury alerts, or VAR drama.

It’s More Than a Score—It’s the Story Behind It

Sure, the final score still matters. But what draws people in these days is everything surrounding the game: pre-match buildup, player drama, tactical previews, even the psychological state of a star striker. News platforms now serve not just facts but context—who’s injured, who’s benched, who’s making noise in training camp.

Much like how a race broadcast gives us insights on tire degradation or team radio chatter, live football coverage gives us access to player interviews, coach reactions, and instant fan feedback. This makes watching the match feel richer and more personal. You’re no longer just a viewer; you’re involved.

Betting and Bragging Rights Depend on Speed

Let’s talk about the obvious: football betting. For fans who dabble in odds, speed isn’t just preferred—it’s essential.

Bookmakers adjust lines in real-time based on breaking news. If you find out a star forward is out just 10 minutes before the odds change, that knowledge gives you an edge. It’s no different than predicting an undercut in F1 or spotting tire wear before a pit call. Timing is everything.

But even outside betting, being “in the know” is part of sports culture. The group chats, the forums, the comment sections—there’s an unspoken race to drop the latest info first. With platforms like thsport.live updating every few seconds, you don’t just follow the game—you set the pace of the conversation.

The Rise of Second-Screen Sports Culture

Back in the day, fans watched games and waited for halftime analysis. Now? They’re watching with one eye on the match and one on their phone.

This second-screen habit has completely reshaped the fan experience. Live stat trackers, social media threads, group chats, memes—these all build on top of the match to create an interactive layer of engagement. And the faster your news feed is, the more connected you feel.

That’s why sites like thsport.live are seeing such a boom. Their value isn’t just in what they report—it’s in when they report it. A good football news site doesn’t just tell you what happened. It tells you before your friends can.

Adrenaline Is a Language Both Sports Speak

There’s a special kind of adrenaline that comes from watching your team score—or seeing your driver make a last-lap pass. But that adrenaline doesn’t only come from what’s happening live. It’s also built through anticipation: reading injury reports, tracking weather updates, or watching lineups shift last minute.

Just like how motorsports fans love pre-race buildup—engine notes, tire talk, track temperatures—football fans crave those few hours before kickoff. Every new detail shapes your prediction, your mood, and even how you celebrate (or cope with) the result.

Live football news feeds that feeling. They make every hour leading up to the match feel alive with possibility.

Staying Ahead of the Curve (and the Algorithm)

Let’s be real: you don’t just want the news—you want it before the algorithm does.

Social platforms often throttle what you see. By the time a key headline lands on your feed, it might already be old news. That’s where direct news platforms come in. They cut through the noise, keeping football fans several steps ahead.

You see the starting XI before it trends on Twitter. You catch the manager’s pre-match quote before it gets quoted a thousand times. That head start changes how you engage, how you comment, how you talk trash in your fantasy league.

Even in the off-season, fans want updates. Who’s transferring? Who’s clashing with the coach? What did that cryptic Instagram post really mean?

The modern football news cycle never sleeps. There’s always a scoop, a scandal, or a stat worth knowing. And for fans used to the rhythm of qualifying Fridays and race day Sundays, the daily drip-feed of football news hits the same dopamine receptors.

Whether it’s late-night match recaps or early-morning lineup predictions, it’s clear: live football coverage is no longer optional—it’s how fans stay fueled between kickoffs.

Trusted Platforms Keep the Edge Sharp

With so much content flying around, knowing where to go for reliable, timely football news is key. That’s why platforms like thsport.live are gaining loyal followings. They understand that fans want updates that are:

  • Immediate – No lag, no delay.
  • Accurate – No clickbait or half-baked rumors.
  • Concise – Just the facts, without the fluff.

When speed and trust intersect, fans win. Whether you’re managing a fantasy lineup, placing a smart bet, or just trying to win the group chat debate, being backed by a solid live news source gives you the edge.

If football is a 90-minute game, then the coverage is a 24-hour race. Every piece of information—who’s starting, who’s suspended, what system a team is switching to—is part of the larger strategy that fuels how fans prepare, engage, and react.

And just like motorsports fans obsess over telemetry and tire temps, football followers are now parsing xG stats and lineup heatmaps in real time.

This isn’t just a shift in reporting. It’s a shift in how fans watch the game. It’s active. Analytical. Fast-paced. Competitive. In short: it’s a sport within the sport.

And when you’re always chasing that edge, keeping tabs on ข่าวกีฬา ล่าสุด becomes part of your personal playbook.

Final Thoughts: Stay Fast or Fall Behind

In sports, hesitation costs. Whether it’s a delayed pit stop or missing a late-game substitution that swings the score, timing matters. That’s why live football news has become essential—not just entertainment, but a competitive advantage for fans who take the game seriously.

If you’re already wired to think fast and act faster, real-time football news is the perfect addition to your sports routine. It feeds your instincts, sharpens your insights, and makes every match a little more electric—even if your boots never hit the pitch.

So the next time you’re checking live lap times, consider pulling up the latest football update too. Who knows—your next winning prediction might be just a push notification away.



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Verstappen the king of Imola – Speedway Digest

Max Verstappen added another gem to his already extensive collection. The four-time world champion took a brilliant win, his fourth in a row in Imola, something no other driver has managed at this track. The Dutchman’s 65th win was the ideal way for his Red Bull Racing team to celebrate its 400th Grand Prix, to […]

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Max Verstappen added another gem to his already extensive collection. The four-time world champion took a brilliant win, his fourth in a row in Imola, something no other driver has managed at this track. The Dutchman’s 65th win was the ideal way for his Red Bull Racing team to celebrate its 400th Grand Prix, to which Max also added the team’s 100th fastest race lap.

Joining him on the podium were the McLaren duo of Lando Norris, second and pole sitter Oscar Piastri in third spot.
THE DAY ON TRACK

As expected, the Hard and Medium tyres were the only two compounds used in the race. For the start, five drivers – Hamilton (Ferrari), Tsunoda (Red Bull), Antonelli (Mercedes), Bearman (Haas) and Hulkenberg (Sauber) – chose the C4 for the opening stint, with all the others going with the C5.

The Hard completed 812 laps (67.39%) and the Medium did 393 (32.61%). The longest stint on both compounds was 34 laps with Russell, Alonso, Gasly, Leclerc, Lawson and Sainz doing so on the C4, while Tsunoda and Hulkenberg went the same distance on the C5.

Of the drivers who finished, two made just one stop – Tsunoda and Hulkenberg, while Bortoleto pitted three times. The others all stopped twice, on at least one occasion making the most of a Safety Car period.
MARIO ISOLA – PIRELLI DIRECTOR OF MOTORSPORT

“An exciting incident-packed race brought a very busy weekend to a close, which for us featured the outright debut of the new C6 compound. Now, it will be important to analyse all the data from these three days thoroughly, as it should provide useful insights for coming races, especially in terms of tyre compound allocation for races in the second half of the season.

“What we can say right now is that the decision to go with a trio of compounds one step softer than last year proved to be the right one. If we look at the first part of the race, as the second was affected by neutralisations, we saw that in a situation where all the drivers were managing their pace in the opening stint, it only required one of them to make an unexpected move – in this case Leclerc pitting early on lap 10 – to trigger changes in strategy. Some chose to extend the first stint as much as possible, obviously going for a one-stop race, while others realised that the Ferrari driver’s undercut worked very well and were forced to react. In fact, on fresh tyres and with a clear track ahead of him, Leclerc made up a lot of places.

“Of course, what happened in the second part of the race makes it hard to know for certain to what extent such an early pit stop would have paid off, or if the move would have forced those who did so into switching to a two-stop strategy. It means that, in general, the decision to go with softer tyres still opened the door to more choices, both in terms of the number of stops and the length of the stints.”

FORMULA 2

Alexander Dunne won the Feature Race. Rodin Motorsport’s Irish drivers thus secured his second success of the season thanks to the way the pit stops played out, along with some overtaking moves in the crucial stages. Behind him across the line came the two Hitech TGR drivers, Englishman Luke Browning second ahead of Sweden’s Dino Beganovic. The win means Dunne also now leads the championship with 64 points, six more than Browning.

As regards the tyres, the majority of drivers (13) chose to start on the Supersoft to pit at the earliest opportunity to change to Softs. Whereas those who decided to start on the harder compound ran the risk of having a Safety Car period after half-distance. This duly happened which meant some drivers had to make an additional stop. As is often the case, the variety of strategies led to plenty of duels and overtaking on track.

FORMULA 3

Mexico’s Santiago Ramos won the Feature Race. He was the protagonist of a long fight, swapping places several times with Brazil’s Rafael Camara (Trident). The key move came with three laps to go when Ramos made the decisive pass. The Brazilian then lost second place to his team-mate, Denmark’s Noah Stromstedt. However, Camara still leads the championship on 73 points, 21 more than Stromstedt.

As for the tyres, managing degradation was the key to the final result. Those who did a good job of it in the early stages and were able to run clear of traffic, had the upper hand in the end.

Pirelli PR



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Team Penske’s Power and Newgarden to start last for technical violations – Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — NTT IndyCar’s investigation into Team Penske’s modified attenuators found that the team is in violation of IndyCar rules. Attenuators are a rear crash structure designed to crush to reduce the force of the impact and are not allowed to be modified after inspection under IndyCar rule 14.7.8.16. IndyCar says Team Penske filled […]

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — NTT IndyCar’s investigation into Team Penske’s modified attenuators found that the team is in violation of IndyCar rules.

Attenuators are a rear crash structure designed to crush to reduce the force of the impact and are not allowed to be modified after inspection under IndyCar rule 14.7.8.16. IndyCar says Team Penske filled in a lip on the attenuator in the pit to make it more aerodynamic.

Cars No. 2 and 12, Will Power and Josef Newgarden, will be moved to 32nd and 33rd starting positions of the Indianapolis 500. The order they start in will be based on their qualifying times from Saturday.

Both cars’ qualification points are forfeit and both have been fined $100,000. They will also lose their pit positions and will select their pit boxes after the rest of the field has the chance to adjust.

“The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and this violation of the INDYCAR rule against modification to this part and using it ‘as supplied’ is clear,” IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles said in the announcement. “The penalty should be more than simply starting where the cars might have qualified anyway, if given the opportunity. The cars belong in the field as two of the fastest 33; however, starting on the tail of the field is the appropriate penalty in this instance.”

As race day gets closer, it is too dangerous to risk losing the Indy 500’s momentum through poor officiating integrity, Boles said. “As we look to the remainder of the week and the race this weekend, we will do everything we can to make it clear that this is not only the best racing on the planet but racing where the best win under completely fair conditions.”

Team Penske’s No. 3, which did not attempt to qualify Sunday due to an earlier accident, did not have a modified attenuator. No. 3 will start in the 10th spot for the Indy 500, the final spot for those in the Top 12.

In addition, IndyCar is suspending the team’s strategists for No. 2 and 12. for the rest of the Indy 500.

Graphic showing IndyCar attenuator 2023 changes. (Provided photo/NTT IndyCar)



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Michael Waltrip throws, drops caution flag at NASCAR All-Star race

Ross Chastain unveils Cracker Barrel 400 guitar trophy NASCAR Cup driver Ross Chastain was in Nashville to unveil the 2025 Cracker Barrel 400 guitar trophy at Gibson Garage. A planned caution flag was waved on Lap 215 of the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Former NASCAR Cup driver Michael Waltrip was given the […]

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play

  • A planned caution flag was waved on Lap 215 of the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
  • Former NASCAR Cup driver Michael Waltrip was given the authority to decide when to throw the caution.

As expected by many, the promoter’s caution flag came during the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro on May 18.

It came on Lap 215. The special rule for the 250-lap non-points race is allowed anytime from Lap 100 to 220 for the race, which does not have stages.

Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith made the decision to throw the caution and left it up to former NASCAR Cup driver Michael Waltrip, who won the 1996 All-Star race for Wood Brothers Racing, to decide when.

Waltrip, now an NASCAR personality for NBC, threw the yellow flag with 35 laps to go and accidently dropped it on the track. Shortly after he waved the flag, a huge fireworks display erupted.

Joey Logano, winner of the 2024 All-Star race, was in the lead when Waltrip threw the caution.

The restart came with 28 laps to go.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.



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Nascar star linked with Cadillac F1 seat

MAY 19, 2025 Another name can be added to the growing list of candidates for Cadillac’s two new Formula 1 race seats in 2026. Atmosphere, Emilio Romagna GP 2025© Red Bull Already strongly linked with the American outfit, strongly backed by General Motors, are established F1 names Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou, and Mick […]

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MAY 19, 2025

Another name can be added to the growing list of candidates for Cadillac’s two new Formula 1 race seats in 2026.

Atmosphere, Emilio Romagna GP 2025
© Red Bull

Already strongly linked with the American outfit, strongly backed by General Motors, are established F1 names Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou, and Mick Schumacher.

Earlier, the clear idea was that Cadillac would likely pair American Indycar star Colton Herta – despite not yet having an F1 super license – with an experienced F1 driver.

There’s a lot of interest in this team and we’re very appreciative of that, Dan Towriss, a key figure at the team, told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

He doesn’t hide the desire to centre the team around an American driver, but acknowledges that a different approach might be needed initially.

We want that person set up for success, and want that seat respected when that American driver does come in for the team, said Towriss.

We’ll find the right way and the right time to bring the right driver into Formula 1.

A growing feeling in the paddock is that Cadillac’s strategy might be to leave Herta, 25, in Indycar for now, and instead pique the interest of the American market in another way.

Mexican Pato O’Ward, for example, is another Indycar star constantly linked with F1. When asked about the Cadillac rumours, McLaren CEO Zak Brown – who runs O’Ward in the brand’s Indycar team with a firm contract – did not deny the link.

I wouldn’t like it, Brown said, but I wouldn’t stop him.

Yet another name to add to the mix is Nascar driver Kyle Larson – who according to the aforementioned newspaper is often compared in terms of talent to Max Verstappen.

When the Associated Press asked General Motors president Mark Reuss about Larson, he answered: Let’s focus on Indianapolis first.

Indeed, 32-year-old Larson is contesting the Indy 500 for the second time this year – also for McLaren.

Finally, Reuss denied that Donald Trump’s controversial tariff regime will affect the Cadillac F1 project. There’s about $5 billion of impact for us, he said. But it’s not going to affect this (F1) project.

(GMM)



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Christopher Bell beats Joey Logano in action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race

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. In a slam-bang affair that set a record for lead changes, Bell beat Logano by 0.829 seconds […]

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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.

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, okay? 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.

Capitalizing on pit strategy, Carson Hocevar led the final 46 laps to win the All-Star Open earlier Sunday and advanced 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 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.”

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.

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.

___

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



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