Ahead of a dramatic battle for the final spot above the playoff cut line that saw two drivers literally go in opposite directions at the finish line, Shane van Gisbergen won the Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval to earn his fifth win of the season and the sixth of his NASCAR Cup Series career. After being eliminated from the playoffs in the Round of 16, SVG was able to put a period on his season as NASCAR’s King of the Road, winning his fifth of the six Cup road course races this season and his fifth in a row.
While Van Gisbergen was able to outlast both Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell after a close and spirited race between the three drivers, the intrigue of Sunday’s race wound up surrounding the cutoff for the Round of 8, which came down to defending Cup Series champion Joey Logano and Ross Chastain.
NASCAR playoffs 2025 race schedule, results: Complete list of Cup Series race dates, winners, tracks
Steven Taranto
Thanks to scoring a good chunk of stage points, Chastain needed to finish only four spots ahead of Logano in order to advance to the next round, but his path towards doing so was complicated by a pair of self-inflicted wounds on pit road. He first cost himself track position by missing the turn at pit exit under caution at the end of stage 1, then put himself in an even worse position when he sped on pit road under green after accidentally leaving his pit box in the wrong gear.
Shortly after being passed by Chastain, Logano elected to come to pit road with 11 laps to go, giving him slightly fresher tires to try and run down enough cars on a three-stop strategy that he could gain enough points, combined with Chastain losing enough positions and points on older tires, that it would get him to the next round. It took until the final lap, but Logano’s strategy would work out, as Denny Hamlin passed Chastain in turn 7 with one lap to go to flip the cut line back in the defending champion’s favor via a tiebreaker that Logano held — and then things got really interesting.
In a desperation move in the final corner, Chastain lunged into the frontstretch chicane from well back of Hamlin to try and move him out of the way, but ended up spinning himself out along with Hamlin. Chastain threw his car into reverse and backed across the finish line, but by that point it was too late: Logano drove past the incident to finish 20th, which was enough to put him in the Round of 8 while Chastain, along with Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace and Austin Cindric, were all eliminated from playoff contention.

Zero wins across 31 starts and 1,033 points behind the race leader? That’s a campaign that can mess up anyone’s motivation, let alone the eight Cup Series race winner. To top that, the No. 48 driver advanced to the playoffs via points after Daytona but exited the Round of 16 after the race at Bristol. Now, while he struggles in 13th place with 2,091 points, his teammates are thriving, and that has resulted in growing chatter regarding his contract. That is bound to take a toll on anyone, and Alex Bowman happens to be experiencing just that.
Speaking to Frontstretch, Alex Bowman opened up about the mental strain of the 2025 season at Charlotte: “For sure. I mean, our schedule just being as long as it is, I think everybody gets to that point, especially, like, the road crews, the hours that they work throughout the week, and then going straight to the racetrack and long hours.”
The Cup Series season runs for a stretch of 36 races with only one week off, and that is Easter. That amounts to 27 weeks of continuous racing! Therefore, fatigue becomes a very real thing for all the parties involved in the process, be it the driver, the crew or the viewer.
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Bowman noted, “So, yeah, it’s a grueling long season, and when things are not going your way, it’s tough to overcome that.” This came after a year marked by inconsistency, including four DNFs and an average finish of 17.23, with only 165 laps led and two poles. However, his season did see some luck when he was on the bubble for the final NASCAR Cup Series Playoff berth before it all came crashing down. The qualifying session for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 was canceled because of inclement weather, which propelled Bowman to start on the outside of the front row next to Ryan Blaney in the race.
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When time trials are canceled, grid positions are determined by NASCAR’s metric formula, composed of owner points position, finishing position from the previous race, and fastest lap rank from the previous race. At the time, Bowman was 60 points above the current elimination line entering the last regular-season race.
Even just last year, he broke an 80-race drought by winning at the Chicago street race on wet tires after a late-race pass on Joey Hand and held off a charge by Tyler Reddick, who was on the faster slicks. But 2025 is a different story.
After Bristol, he shared, “I’m proud of the effort. We’ve never gone out the first round, so that’s frustrating. But after the last two weeks, just being top-10 and being pointed in the right direction feels good.” Entering Bristol was pretty much a do-or-die event for Bowman when it came to advancing to the Round of 12 in the playoffs. After all, there was a mistake-laden 40-second trip to pit road in the playoff opener at Darlington Raceway. Then there were additional pit errors that cost him dearly in the second race at World Wide Technology Raceway, leaving him with a mountain to climb at Bristol.
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Starting 15th on the grid, he soon started making moves up the road. He even led five laps of the race along with a third-place finish in Stage 2, but there was only so much he could do after restarting third with four laps remaining on old tires. As a result, Christopher Bell ended up blowing by him.
The contract situation further amplified the pressure. Signed in 2023 and set to end in 2026, it fueled speculation about his HMS future. Bowman added lightly on shared burnout, “Yeah, they’re not all me. I can’t take credit for all. Yeah. And the guy that runs the shop next door to me, I’d say we’re 50-50 on the burnout parts.”
As Bowman navigates this mental hurdle, voices from the NASCAR community weigh in on his path forward. One veteran analyst offers a clear push for patience.
Kyle Petty backs Alex Bowman for a fresh chance
Kyle Petty stepped up to advocate for Alex Bowman, suggesting Rick Hendrick give him another opportunity to shine at HMS. Petty’s perspective draws from HMS’ history of one car often trailing, a pattern since Jimmie Johnson‘s exit in 2020. He pointed out:
“That’s always been the MO at Hendrick Motorsports. They always have one car that lags behind a little bit. 48 team, seems to be the team since Jimmie Johnson left, that lags behind a little bit.”
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Petty added, “Now should they get rid of him….it’s Rick’s decision, not our decision….The sponsor likes him, Rick likes him, the team likes him, he adds something to the combination, and he helps the whole group move forward. So let’s give him another shot.”
Back in February 2023 when Bowman signed his contract extension, Hendrick also locked in his sponsor, Ally, to a five-year extension through 2028. The financial-services firm has a full-season primary sponsorship with Bowman and the No. 48 Chevrolet. Ally has been the primary sponsor of the No. 48 team for a while now. This substantiates the value Bowman brings, and a new deal might enhance that.

If you have followed the current season, then you know the menace Shane van Gisbergen has been on road courses, all while being a Cup Series rookie. His wins at the inaugural Mexico City, Watkins Glen, and Sonoma, just to name a few, have been impressive to say the least, but as the three-time Supercars champion dominates Sunday afternoon’s Charlotte ROVAL race, he is closer to hitting Jeff Gordon’s record.
The 54-year-old’s six straight road course wins between 1997 and 2000 remain one of NASCAR’s most unbreakable records, with his nine total victories on such tracks still unmatched. Yet, SVG is fast approaching that legacy, with five wins in 11 starts and an average road course finish of 2.0. The Kiwi’s dominance has redefined what consistency looks like in the Next Gen era. And thanks to his Charlotte win, the milestone is closer than before.
The race had a chaotic start, with minor contact between SVG and polesitter Tyler Reddick in the opening corners and a separate incident involving Kyle Busch and Carson Hocevar bringing early tension. But once the field settled, SVG’s pace was unstoppable. He grabbed the lead early. Even when pit stops came calling, SVG stayed cool and calculated, never falling far from the front. And by lap 21, he was back in the lead, like a boomerang with horsepower.
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Speaking post-race, a very happy SVG said, “It just started getting hot and sliding around. What an awesome race. Kyle and Christopher were driving really good. It got a little rough, but man, the battle was awesome. Unbelievable. I really enjoyed that. It was a long time waiting, hoping that the yellow wasn’t going to come out.”
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As the first stage wound down, SVG looked formidable. He had a six-second lead, and he made it official by winning stage one like it was child’s play. However, stage two threw some chaos into the mix, with pit strategies flying everywhere, but the Kiwi kept slicing through traffic.
However, through the middle stages, the 36-year-old briefly lost track position amid pit cycles and handling complaints, even radioing frustration about tire pressures. He said, “I just don’t have the grip early on. I’ve got no grip, man. No grip. My rears are already done.”
Still, his consistency shone through as he regained the top spot after a fierce exchange with Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell in the final laps. Despite Larson’s aggressive challenge, the two even traded bumps at the chicane.
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Even the pit strategy couldn’t hold him back for long. A late-stage two pit stop dropped him briefly, but the No. 88 Chevy driver still finished fifth in the stage and came storming back to the front by lap 54. He nailed every restart, every braking zone, and probably every gearshift, retaking the lead seven laps later.
The final stretch was pure Shane van Gisbergen showtime. While he made his way to the pit road from the late position, he muscled past Kyle Larson to retake control by lap 96. From there, he just pulled away, up to 18 seconds with five laps to go, and didn’t look back.
When the checkered flag dropped, SVG didn’t just win; he conquered. It was equal parts precision, pace, and sheer Kiwi brilliance. And now SVG can tie Jeff Gordon’s record at Circuit of The Americas next March with his Trackhouse Racing team.
And as SVG has found great growth on Ovals, according to Denny Hamlin, this year will be a warm-up for the Kiwi, who will look to extend his time in the playoffs next time around. But as one Trackhouse Racing driver triumphs, another sees his exit…
Ross Chastain misses a spot in the Round of 8 amid SVG brilliance
Ross Chastain ran out of luck and playoff points, making a desperate move at the end that cost him dearly. The Florida native entered the Bank of America Roval 400 with a 13-point deficit to Joey Logano in the playoff standings.
To secure a spot in the Round of 8, Chastain needed to outscore Joey Logano by at least 14 points. He gained ground early by finishing fifth in stage one, earning six stage points while Logano scored none, narrowing the gap to 7 points.
However, Ross Chastain’s race took a turn for the worse due to two pit road errors: overshooting his pit stall after stage one and speeding during a pit stop on lap 87. These mistakes cost him valuable track position and points.
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In the final laps, the No. 1 Chevrolet driver made contact with Denny Hamlin and spun, ultimately reversing across the finish line. Despite his efforts, he finished 21st, four points behind Logano, who secured the last transfer spot to the Round of 8.
Chastain’s elimination from the playoffs overshadowed his earlier, stronger performance. And the better man won at the end. Logano’s strategic pit stop with 11 laps left allowed him to advance. But with no added pressure, Ross Chastain can rest easy while still wanting to end the year with a bang.

While Denny Hamlin is busy defending his 23XI Racing team off the track, Riley Herbst, the Cup Series rookie, had a hellish weekend. After post-race inspection at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR confirmed that Herbst had been disqualified from the Bank of America ROVAL 400 for failing post-race weights.
Herbst, who drives for 23XI Racing, originally crossed the start-finish line with a 30th-place finish in the 109-lap event around the 2.28-mile road course, but with the disqualification, the Las Vegas native will be dropped to 37th. The disqualification costs Herbst 6 Cup Series championship points and does not affect the playoff outcome, which had already eliminated four drivers at the checkered.
Only a few drivers – Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Josh Bilicki, Cody Ware, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Austin Cindric- move up a single position as a result, with Cindric being the only playoff driver impacted. However, the minor gain is insufficient to alter his must-win situation or advance him to the next round, dramatically ending his playoff hopes.
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Herbst’s weekend had already been challenging. During Saturday practice, the 26-year-old driver snapped loose entering Turn 5 and slammed the tire barriers, nearly flipping before being ejected back onto the track.
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Remarkably, the car returned for additional practice laps and a qualifying attempt, where Herbst earned a 33rd-place starting position. In his rookie Cup Series season with 23XI Racing, Herbst has struggled, recording no top 10 finishes in 32 starts and an average finish of 26.3 with a best result of 14th at Texas in the spring.

Having raced through the evolution from the old full-season, 36-point championship to the modern 10-race elimination format, Brad Keselowski certainly knows a thing or two about playoffs. In fact, earlier in the week, he remarked, “The whole playoff thing has to go away. The nuance of having 10 races that are more important than 20-some others is very unhealthy for the sport. It’s demeaning to the other tracks and races.” Now, as the dust settles on the Charlotte Roval race, his anger reached fever pitch.
True to its nature, Bank of America Roval 400 delivered intense playoff drama with Joey Logano and Ross Chastain fighting for every point to advance into the Round of 8. On the final lap, Chastain collided with Denny Hamlin and spun across the finish line in a desperate bid to earn a single point and avoid elimination. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen dominated the race, winning by over 15 seconds and securing his fifth consecutive road course victory of the 2025 season. But that isn’t enough for racing purists like Keselowski.
The 2012 Cup Series champion, who missed the playoffs as RFK Racing fell short of the cutoff, has long voiced concerns about the Series playoff format. Following the chaotic Charlotte Roval race, Keselowski took to X to reiterate his criticism, saying, “Clear as day, not enough talk about winning and winners (star power) but covering 15th for known elimination is easier for media storylines. Fans are voting with their eyeballs and it’s definitively a net loss for the sport vs full season format. Now is the time to fix this.”
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Talks are ongoing about the 2026 championship format, with proposals including a four-race final round featuring up to 6 contenders. Still, some voices push for a return to the traditional season-long point system, including Dale Jr. NASCAR hasn’t used a full-season points format since 2003; the playoff structure has been tweaked several times, most recently ahead of the 2017 season. Keselowski’s comment about fans “ voting with their eyeballs” reflects the noticeable drop in 2025 playoff TV ratings, down roughly 300-400K viewers compared to 2024. These numbers are no joke.
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But as Brad Keselowski supports NASCAR in the midst of the charter legal battle, he definitely calls for changes on the playoff front of things. However, Joey Logano has a contrasting view as he turns into a white knight in defense of the current playoff system. The Team Penske driver, having claimed his titles in 2018, 2022, and 2024 under the system, narrowly advanced into the Round of 8 after a dramatic race at the Charlotte Roval.
Speaking on pit road, Joey Logano defended the system with all his heart, saying, “The playoffs create drama. It creates storylines. It creates awesome moments like that. I don’t understand what people don’t like about it. I really don’t get it. And if you’re one of those people who say the regular season doesn’t matter, playoff points don’t matter — one point would have been the difference there… If you don’t have cutoff races and things like that, what are you even talking about today? How Shane waxed everyone’s b*tt? That’s what you want? I’m just saying, this playoff format is wicked.”
Logano powered past in a tense showdown for a final transfer spot, underscoring the drama the playoff format creates. But NASCAR is adamant about making a change in the format, with Mike Forde dropping the format post the Phoenix race, as all eyes will be squarely on the push for the Chase format.
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Brad Keselowski faces a challenging day at Roval amid playoff rants
Brad Keselowski’s 2025 Bank of America Roval 400 race proved frustrating as mechanical issues forced him to slow on the backstretch on lap 91, ultimately pulling off the track. Starting 22nd, by lap 16, he had climbed to 4th place, running behind his teammate Chris Buescher, Tyler Reddick, and Bubba Wallace, showing strong pace in the early stages of the race.
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However, as the laps progressed, the 41-year-old struggled to maintain his position among the leaders while others like SVG, Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell battled at the front and cycled through pit strategies. Ultimately, the No. 6 Ford driver’s race came to an abrupt halt on lap 91 with no caution called for the incident. He did not return to the lead, and his race ended prematurely, far from the front-running pace he had shown early on.
One thing is certain for sure, the NASCAR veteran may not be in the fight on track, but off-track, he will still be standing tall in the fight for a change in the current playoff format.

Shane van Gisbergen had not survived the Round of 16. The Kiwi speedster left a trailblazing record in 2025, clinching four road course wins. He could not replicate these stunning stats on oval tracks, however. His string of poor finishes eventually shunned him from the title run. Yet SVG’s road course prowess remained intact nonetheless. And despite Tyler Reddick’s pole-winning event, SVG got ahead.
Unlike SVG’s lost hopes, Tyler Reddick still had a fighting chance at the Charlotte Roval. He had a history of three road course wins, all achieved after the Next-Gen’s car rollout in 2022. And after finishing 0.032 seconds ahead of SVG to earn his second Busch Light Pole Award of 2025, Reddick seemed to be in a good spot. But his 2025 misfortunes caught up with him eventually.
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Tyler Reddick lists the missed goals
2024 and 2025 are two seasons of stark contrast for the No. 45 Toyota team. Last season, Tyler Reddick was on fire, clinching three race trophies and paving a path to the Championship 4 race. This year, he entered a winless slump, missing the trophy by marginal gaps several times. Reddick’s consistency in terms of 6 top fives and 12 top tens pushed him ahead, and he desperately sought his winning form in a last pitch at the Charlotte Roval. Starting from the pole, Reddick radioed his team, “Clock in.” But SVG stole all the passion from the message, snatching the lead from Reddick twice and winning Stage 1. “We wanted to prioritize setting up to win the race,” Reddick lamented after the race, as winning would have advanced Reddick into the Round of 8.
For the rest of the race, Tyler Reddick could not regain the lead and instead kept pushing in the top five and the top ten. Eventually, SVG had to contend with other rivals like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell before winning the race with a 15-second margin. Reddick revealed why his team lost pace for the latter portion: “Just as the race unfolded, our long run was not where it needed to be with the top guys. In stage three there, we just didn’t make the progress that we needed to. We kind of went long, hoping for a caution there and lost a lot of spots…We were trying to set up for a caution late…we were only out by 14, maybe we could have chased points a little bit harder today.” Reddick finished 10th.
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Tyler Reddick had been dealing with multiple issues off-track. 23XI Racing is at a crucial stage of the NASCAR lawsuit, which could make or break its future. Upon being asked if the legal proceedings affected his run, Reddick answered, “I don’t think so.” He instead highlighted the more technical reasons, like Goodyear’s experimental tire at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “When you look at the three races, we certainly missed the mark as a company at New Hampshire…that was a different tire that we didn’t have before.”
Meanwhile, the dire health condition of Tyler Reddick’s 4-month-old son, Rookie, is a far more concerning issue. Reddick is receiving all the help he needs from people, including his team owner.
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Prioritizing the family crisis over the racetrack
Indeed, the past few weeks have been unsettling for 23XI Racing. Both Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace got eliminated at the Roval, and this cast a darker cloud on their team’s legal future. Yet at the same time, all these issues took a backseat to Reddick’s family crisis. The child remains in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. Alexa DeLeon, Reddick’s wife, said that he “has a tumor that’s ‘choking’ the renal vein & renal artery, telling the heart, ‘hey I’m not getting enough blood… pump harder,’ causing the enlarged heart. He will need the entire kidney removed as it is not believed to be functioning any longer. He will undergo open surgery to remove his right kidney. We’re just not sure when.”
Although DeLeon added that Rookie is looking healthier, Tyler Reddick is still worried. Rookie was spending time blowing bubbles, cheerfully interacting with doctors and nurses. He has gained weight and color as well. Yet despite the good signs, Reddick was clear about his priorities at the moment. He said, “For me, this week, the elimination, everything that is happening in the racing world is taking a back seat as it should.”
And Denny Hamlin, co-owner of Reddick’s car, also supports him. He said, “We’ve tried to do everything we could as a company to tap into all the resources that we possibly can, to get him second, third opinions, all the things, get him in contact with specialists. We feel not a relief, but it is a little relief that they kind of understand now what the path is forward, versus, kind of not knowing. I could not imagine being in their places. He’s got enough to think about.”
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Clearly, Tyler Reddick already has a lot on his plate besides the Round of 12 elimination. Here’s to hoping that things are brighter for him and his family in the future!

The conflict between 23XI Racing and NASCAR’s charter issue has been simmering for over a year now. Earlier this year, 23XI, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports refused to sign the agreements for 2025–2031, arguing the system’s unfair, giving too much control to NASCAR. Then came the preliminary injunction, which was eventually overturned. But while everyone, inside and outside the case, cannot wait for the December trial to finally end this drama for good, the resolution could take even longer.
Over time, the legal fight has grown increasingly complicated, where the teams and NASCAR fighting left and right, each trying to pull the other down and justify their side. The tension highlights how much is at stake. But while all these moves point toward the December trial, veteran reporter Bob Pockrass explains it could be delayed further.
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Why December might not see the end of the charter lawsuit drama
The trial, set to start on December 1, 2025, will finally put the teams’ claims to the test. Bob Pockrass recently said on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, “Well, that’s up to the judge to decide. There will be a trial, assuming they get to trial, and it’ll be in front of a jury in December. The jury can award monetary damages, I believe, but anything that would break up the monopoly is the judge’s decision. So both sides would propose options.”
In other words, the jury might decide if 23XI is owed money. Barring that, any bigger shake-ups to the charter system would come from the judge. The December trial is where theory meets reality for 23XI and FRM, and even NASCAR in some ways. But even after a verdict, the story isn’t over.
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Pockrass mentioned that such cases have a habit of extending longer. “If 23XI wins, the judge would then make that decision after recommendations from both sides, and at that point…there will be appeals, and it will probably take at least another six months to a year.”
While both teams are expected to appeal the verdict, Pockrass mentioned that there would be clear favorites in that case. “If NASCAR wins, I think it’ll be a lot harder for 23XI to win, probably on appeal, but you would assume they will try.” The case could easily stretch into 2026, leaving the teams, fans, and sponsors in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
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A win for 23XI Racing could change how charters are awarded and how revenue is split among teams. A NASCAR victory would reinforce the current system. This would see guaranteed entry spots and rules in place. Either way, the outcome will affect not just the two teams but also the competitive and financial landscape of the sport.
For now, though, alongside Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing, their drivers’ fates also hang in the balance. In fact, a lot could happen to these star drivers depending on how the verdict goes.
Pockrass discusses the future of Denny Hamlin’s drivers
The drama around 23XI Racing isn’t just about courts and charters. It’s playing out in the garage as well. Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace are driving under a cloud of uncertainty. Reddick, who won the regular-season title last year, is seen as a hot commodity. Meanwhile, Wallace has shown frustration on the track as the off-track situation drags on.
Reddick has options, but timing is everything. Other teams know what he can do, and the question is whether he wants to wait out 23XI’s fate or jump ship. Wallace, on the other hand, has fewer clear paths forward. His talent is obvious, but the combination of limited seats and the timing of 23XI’s trial means his choices might be more constrained.
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On the podcast, Bob Pockrass laid out the scenario perfectly. “I think Tyler Reddick certainly has opportunities. People see a lot of potential. If it doesn’t go 23XI’s way, he still would have suitors who would bump up his salary.” According to Pockrass, the choice isn’t simple. Staying loyal could pay off, but there’s a real chance Reddick might consider other opportunities given the demand for him.
Wallace’s situation is murkier. Pockrass was far less optimistic when talking about the Crown Jewel winner’s future. “Bubba? I’m not so sure about him. I think he could find a place, but I don’t know that he’d have the options Tyler Reddick does.” It was clear that the spotlight sines a lot brighter on one of 23XI’s star drivers. With the legal fight likely extending into 2026, both drivers face months of uncertainty. Their team structure could look very different once the court finally rules.

John Hunter Nemechek is set to drive an OLIPOP-sponsored car themed after The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, hitting theaters December 19, 2025. It’s a wild mashup of Hollywood and NASCAR, blending cartoon nostalgia with high-octane racing.
NASCAR’s no stranger to themed paint schemes, think Cars or Furious 7 tie-ins, but this SpongeBob design, with its bright yellow livery and iconic square face, is pure family-friendly marketing gold. It’s a chance to hook new fans while giving OLIPOP and the movie a spotlight on Cup Series weekends.
The story goes deeper for Nemechek. Back in 2020, he was spotted at a press conference with SpongeBob playing on a TV in the background, a nod to his childhood love for the cartoon. Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time champ and co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, made this dream real, putting Nemechek in the SpongeBob car. It’s a full-circle moment for the 28-year-old, whose boyish charm and social media vibe make him the perfect fit for this playful promo.
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OLIPOP’s no rookie in NASCAR, with Xfinity and Truck Series deals under its belt, but teaming up with SpongeBob cranks the exposure to eleven. Past movie tie-ins like Jeff Gordon’s Cars 2 scheme in 2011 proved these stunts drive buzz, from diecast sales to social media hype. With the movie dropping in December, Nemechek’s car will run select races to build momentum, a strategy that’s worked for blockbusters like Fast & Furious.
The car’s expected to pop up on TV, with SpongeBob’s face screaming for attention. Unique designs, like Ryan Blaney’s 2022 Paw Patrol Xfinity car, have a knack for stealing the show and boosting merch sales. For Nemechek, it’s not just business, it’s personal. He’s leaned into his cartoon-loving roots, much like Kyle Busch with his cereal-themed cars or Dale Jr.’s patriotic schemes, showing off his personality in a sport that thrives on individuality.
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NASCAR’s pushing hard to stay fresh, and this deal with OLIPOP and a global icon like SpongeBob shows it. It’s not just about racing, it’s about connecting with fans beyond the track, from kids watching cartoons to adults buying soda. The timing’s perfect, aligning with the movie’s release to maximize hype. Johnson’s role in making it happen ties his legacy to a new generation, and Nemechek’s living proof that dreams, even goofy ones, can hit the big stage.
Reddit’s been a riot over this news, with fans cracking up at the idea of SpongeBob speeding around Daytona.
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Fans on Reddit are losing it
“So this is how I learn of a new SpongeBob movie. Hopefully it doesn’t flop at the box office,” one fan quipped. The paint scheme doubles as a movie trailer, just like Cars and Furious 7 did, pulling in fans who might miss a theater ad. With OLIPOP’s push and NASCAR’s reach, it’s a savvy way to hype the December 19, 2025, release, and fans are loving the crossover chaos.
“It’s going to wreck most hilariously,” another joked, picturing the bright yellow car in a classic NASCAR pile-up. Themed cars like Jimmie Johnson’s 2015 Minions ride always spark crash memes, but they’re fan magnets, even if they don’t win. The SpongeBob livery’s bold design is built for attention, not just speed, and fans know it’ll light up broadcasts and social media.
“He actually looks like the one driver that watches SpongeBob,” a user laughed, nailing Nemechek’s youthful vibe. At 28, he’s got the energy to pull off a cartoon car, much like his brother or other young guns connecting with new fans. His 2020 presser with SpongeBob on the TV seals the deal; he is the guy for this gig.
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“Remember Jimmie Johnson driving a paint scheme promoting the first movie?” one fan recalled, tying it to Johnson’s 2004 Shrek 2 car. Movie tie-ins are NASCAR staples, churning out collectibles and buzz. Johnson’s role in Nemechek’s deal feels like a nod to that history, and fans are geeking out over the connection.
“If Erik Jones doesn’t have a Patrick version, what are we even doing?” another teased, dreaming of a Patrick Star-themed car for another driver. Multi-car promos, like Stewart-Haas’ 2021 Star Wars schemes, create mini-rivalries and merch goldmines. Fans see this as a chance to double down on the SpongeBob hype, and they’re all in for the laughs.

I t was action-packed racing for the first ever NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the Charlotte Roval, including a first lap wreck involving two Playoff contenders. Then, a caution came out with two laps remaining forcing a Green White Checkered finish that forced the leader to pit road.
When the dust settled, tire smoke cleared and crunched up Trucks took the checkered flag, it was points leader Corey Heim and the No. 11 Toyota team overcoming adversity and adversaries to claim their record 10th win of the season. With the victory, he unseats former NCTS champion Greg Biffle from his 1999 record of nine wins in a season.
Heim will also go into the record books as the first NCTS driver to win on the Charlotte Roval. With the win, he’s also locked into the championship finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Late Race Caution Helps Heim to Victory
After getting pushed into the outside wall on Lap 1 (see details below), Heim fell from the top-spot having to work his way back to the front after pitting several times for repairs. By lap 20, he was back into the top 10 and then top five by lap 31.
Ahead of him was Tricon Garage teammate Brent Crews in the No. 1 Toyota who held onto a commanding lead for 55 laps. That all came to an end when Tricon teammate Toni Breidinger’s No. 5 Toyota stopped on the track with two laps remaining.
The caution waved and Crews was called to pit road for tires and fuel, putting Heim back in first for the first time since Lap 1. As trucks raced two and three-wide behind him, Heim took off to claim victory by 1.33 seconds. Crews managed to race his way back to second place, for his best-career finish in eight starts.
“It was not easy, it was probably the toughest win of the year,” Heim said. “It just shows the reliance of this Tricon team. They fixed it up so good for me after the first lap incident. It was out of our control and I thought we were done.
“The right front completely folded when we hit the wall. I’m out of breath right now from screaming after we took the checkered flag.
“A record breaking 10 wins, that’s just phenomenal accomplishment.”
Pole Sitter Heim Wrecked on First Lap
After the initial green flag flew, pole sitter Heim was pushed into the wall in Turn 1. His No. 11 Toyota received heavy right front damage and developed a tire rub that required him to pit under green.
The wreck began when fellow Playoff contender Grant Enfinger, who started fourth in his No. 9 Chevrolet, ran into the back of outside pole sitter Layne Riggs. As a result, Riggs’ No. 34 Ford pushed up into Heim sending the points leader into the outside wall causing the damage.
A caution on Lap 2 for the spun No. 99 Ford of Ben Rhodes brought out the yellow flag, which allowed Heim, Riggs and Enfinger to pit and make repairs to continue racing.
“We were certainly not quite as good as we were in practice and qualifying after that damage,” Heim said. “My steering wheel was 45 degrees to the left and we came down pit road six times trying to get it back to at least somewhat what is was.
“We got it close, just not as good as practice.”
Honeycutt Hogs Stage Win Points
Kaden Honeycutt and the No. 52 Toyota made the best of valuable stage points by leading seven laps and winning the first and second segments. For their efforts, the Halmar Friesen Racing team picked up 20 points, 10 for each stage win, to help them in their quest to remain in the Playoffs.
In the closing laps while running in the top 10, Honeycutt was spun around costing him valuable positions and relegating him to a 14th place finish.
“Definitely sucks not having that good finish there, for sure,” Honeycutt said. “My guys gave me an amazing Truck today. This is probably the best preparation I’ve ever had going into a road course.
“It’s so hard to hold my tongue about this. I just don’t understand why stuff like this happens. I mean, we’ve ran good and have no results. It’s just something not of our doing. Thankfully, we’re only four points under right now.”
Heading to the NCTS race at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 17, Honeycutt sits eighth in points, just four markers below the cut line.

Recovering from a first-lap crash in “Calamity Corner,” Corey Heim rallied to win Friday’s EcoSave 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, setting a single-season NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series record with his 10th win of the 2025 campaign.
Driving a heavily taped No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota, Heim took the lead by staying out for an overtime restart while teammate Brent Crews, who had led a race-high 56 laps, pitted for fuel and tires.
Heim drove away on the restart and beat runner-up Crews to the finish line by 1.338s, leading the first-ever 1-2-3 finish for TRICON, with rookie Gio Ruggiero coming home third.
“It was not easy today – I think it was probably the toughest one of the year so far,” said Heim, who secured a spot in the Oct. 31 Championship 4 finale at Phoenix Raceway. “Just shows the resilience of this TRICON team. They fixed it up so good for me after that incident on the first lap – just kind of out of our control.
“Thought we were done, honestly. The right front completely folded when it hit the wall over there.”
In fact, the race was just a few seconds old when three Playoff drivers tangled in Turn 1, nicknamed “Calamity Corner” as the frequent scene of accidents at the 2.28-mile, 17-turn circuit.
Contact from Grant Enfinger sent second-place starter Layne Riggs spinning in a collision that knocked the No. 11 Toyota of Heim, the pole winner and runaway series leader, into the Turn 1 barrier. All three trucks sustained damage, with Heim suffering a left-rear tire rub that required multiple pit stops to correct.
“We were not as good as we were in practice and qualifying after that damage,” said the 23-year-old Heim, who earned his first victory at the Roval and the 21st of his career, seventh all-time. “My steering wheel was about 45 degrees to the left, and we came down pit road like six times to try to get it back to at least somewhat where it was.”
As Heim worked his way back to the front after the accident, Crews dominated, though he short-pitted in both the first and second stages to set up track position after the breaks.
Crews appeared bound for his first victory in the series before another TRICON teammate, Toni Breidinger, stalled in Turn 5 to cause the fourth and final caution, sending the race to overtime. He came to pit road from the lead with third-place Connor Zilisch, as Heim stayed on track with Connor Mosack, Riggs and Chandler Smith.
Riggs, who had been racing without a sway bar since the early crash, suffered clutch issues on the restart and held up the outside lane. With trucks spinning behind him, Heim opened a gap and maintained it throughout the two-lap extra period.
“We had a super-fast truck, as you got to see,” Crews said philosophically. “I’m out there leading the race today – I had a blast. Really happy for TRICON today to go 1-2-3, and congrats to the whole No. 11 team. They did a great job all day as well.
“I was happy to see them get back up there, but I definitely didn’t want to see stay out there (for the overtime).”
With Heim advancing to the Championship 4, the other seven Playoff drivers left the opening race in the Round of 8 clustered together around the elimination line. Daniel Hemric (11th Friday after starting from the rear) and Tyler Ankrum (ninth) are second and third in the standings, two points above the cut line.
Fourth-place finisher Rajah Caruth is fourth in the standings, just one point to the good over Riggs, two clear of defending series champion Ty Majeski and four ahead of Enfinger and Kaden Honeycutt, who won the first and second stages before finishing 14th.
Zilisch came home fifth in Friday’s race, followed by Josh Bilicki, Enfinger, Majeski, Ankrum and Mosack. Riggs finished 21st to drop below the cut line and was still steamed about the first-lap incident after the race.
“We just got wrecked by the No. 9 (Enfinger),” Riggs said. “I don’t really understand what his thought process is. People say you’re supposed to take advice from the veterans and learn from them of how to race, and they race the worst out of anybody.
“That’s twice this year we’ve gotten wrecked by the No. 9 truck – at Watkins Glen and here, both road courses, two separate incidents, two blatantly wrong on his part. We drug a sway bar arm off after that contact and just had a terrible handling truck the rest of the day.
“At the end, we were just going to try to salvage something, but something in the rear end housing broke, or a clutch started slipping, but I had no power there at the end.”

“The man was a genius… He could figure fuel mileage, tire stagger, anything, while he was driving the race car. He was a very calculating individual. He had an unbelievable mind and memory.” This is what Ray Evernham once said about Alan Kulwicki. Back in 1991, veteran broadcaster Mike Joy lined up Evernham with Alan Kulwicki’s AK Racing team. Kulwicki, a rare driver-engineer hybrid, quickly butted heads with his new hire. However, the story behind it has remained untold from Evernham’s perspective… until now.
Just six weeks of working with Alan Kulwicki, tensions boiled over during Daytona, and the two went their separate ways. Speaking to Kenny Wallace on the Kenny Conversations podcast, Evernham recalled those days: “I wear my feelings on my sleeve. I don’t like being yelled at. I don’t like being cussed at. I don’t like being talked down to. And Alan (Kulwicki) and I did things differently, which is OK, but I don’t know that he really respected kind of the way I did things, and I didn’t like the way he talked to me. So by, I don’t know, by the 3rd or 4th day, we were literally throwing stuff at one another in the shop.”
The tensions flared when Kulwicki, famous for his meticulous eye, asked Paul Gibson to recheck Evernham’s frame height measurements while prepping for the Daytona 500. Gibson hesitated, knowing full well that the 68-year-old wouldn’t take kindly to the implication that Kulwicki didn’t trust his work. If anything, Kulwicki was the team owner at the end of the day, and Gibson reluctantly had to do what was asked, which essentially dropped a lit match into a pit of gasoline.
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Evernham remembered the instance that really set him over the edge, adding, “And when people go, oh, that’s you know, you always say, no, I’m telling you, he got mad and threw a tape measure across the shop, and it flew and it hit and he was mad at something else. Wasn’t mad at me, but it hit me in the hand and I just picked it up and threw it back, you know, right? You know, and yeah. And we just didn’t click.”
And then came the turning point: the run-in with the Fords. Miller and Morse, a pair of Ford engineers, had been keeping tabs on Evernham’s work. Impressed, they invited him to join one of Ford’s teams outside the Winston Cup series. Around the same time, Jeff Gordon signed on with Busch Series outfit Bill Davis Racing and voiced his interest in reuniting with Evernham, with whom he had briefly worked back in 1990.
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The present consultant for Hendrick Companies said, “And A. J. Foyt’s looking over the top of his hauler right at us because we’re bouncing off the side of his truck. And that’s it. You know, I grabbed my stuff, and I stormed out the gate, and I bumped straight into Preston Miller and Lee Morse from Ford. And they said, ‘Where are you going?’ I’m going back to sell frozen yogurt in New Jersey. I’m going.”
Soon enough, everything aligned, and Evernham struck a deal with Bill Davis Racing and Gordon, setting in motion a partnership that would soon become a legendary chapter in NASCAR history. Over 216 starts with Jeff Gordon in the Cup Series, Evernham scored 47 wins, 116 top fives, and 140 top tens. And earlier this year, Tony Gibson—longtime NASCAR crew member for Alan Kulwicki—revealed that he had seen the cracks between Ray and Alan way before.
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Well, as things in the past remain in the past, Evernham and Kulwicki moved on to better things. And now, as the co-principal of IROC Holdings, Ray Evernham has managed to land one of the biggest deals for the sport.
How Ray Evernham changes the game for IROC in 2025
IROC just cranked up the nostalgia dial to 11. On Wednesday, IROC Holdings, LLC, and General Motorsports dropped the news that Chevrolet is officially sliding back into the spotlight as the presenting sponsor of IROC. The revival began in 2024 when NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham teamed up with venture capitalist Rob Kauffman to bring the long-dormant brand roaring back to life.
It is a reunion decades in the making. GM and IROC have been involved since the series’ 1974 debut, when the Camaro became an icon of the International Race of Champions. After a seven-year breather, GM made its return in 1996 with the Pontiac Firebird, and now, in IROC’s reboot era, Chevy is once again back where it belongs.
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Evernham was more than delighted: “We are thrilled to welcome Chevrolet as our presenting sponsor for IROC. Chevrolet has not only played a key role in my own personal career, but they’ve been a vital part of IROC’s history, too. Rob [Kauffman, co-principal] and I have had a lot of fun bringing the IROC brand back to life, and to now have our friends at Chevrolet and General Motors involved makes it even more exciting.”
Chevrolet’s return has already been stamped with some serious track action. IROC staged its first reunion event at Lime Rock Park in July 2024, then fired up its first real competition since 2006 at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in August 2025. With momentum building and Chevy firm in the mix, Evernham believes the foundation is now set for IROC to thrive well into the future.

Last weekend in Kansas, 23XI Racing suffered a blow. Its team owner, Denny Hamlin, locked horns with its driver, Bubba Wallace, on the final laps of the playoff race. The door-to-door contact stole Wallace’s pace, and Hamlin could not win, relinquishing the trophy to Chase Elliott. This on-track display of fireworks is faintly reminiscent of 23XI’s off-track struggle, which is approaching a dire climax.
The NASCAR lawsuit is raging with no respite for Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s team. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have lost their charters and are currently racing as open teams. As the final courtroom date looms ahead on December 1st, a NASCAR insider speculates about the crumbling future that 23XI faces.
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A skeletal future for 23XI Racing?
Several teams have shuttered in the NASCAR Cup Series in the recent past. They include Michael Waltrip Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Chip Ganassi Racing – significant for the manner of its exit. Chip Ganassi accumulated 14 Cup race trophies and 20 Xfinity trophies since 2001. In 2021, CGR shut down, and Justin Marks’ newly formed Trackhouse Racing acquired all its assets. Marks interviewed all of CGR’s employees and considered the team’s two drivers, Ross Chastain and Kurt Busch, for his own team. As we all know, Chastain joined soon after. Now, a repetition of Chip Ganassi’s exit seems to be on the cards for 23XI Racing.
Little optimistic signs float on the horizon for 23XI Racing in the NASCAR lawsuit. So journalist Bob Pockrass envisioned a Ganassi-like departure. 23XI’s assets, like Airspeed and racetrack equipment, may attract a potential buyer. Pockrass said in a ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour’ episode, “They won’t have charters, right? So how many teams would they want to operate, if they wanted to operate? Or would they just sell the building, hopefully to someone who has the charter? And all the equipment and everything, I hope that they do something like what Trackhouse did with Ganassi several years ago.”
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This, unfortunately, could be the climax of the long-drawn-out battle between 23XI Racing and NASCAR. Although the Cup Series team is racing as an open team right now, there is a curious fact about its charters. According to Bob Pockrass, one charter may be more legitimate than the others. He said, “The one charter that they bought from Stewart-Haas is kind of looked at a little bit differently than the two charters that they had…(which) NASCAR believes that they forfeited. They didn’t sign the deal, so they’ve given those up. The ones that they bought from Stewart-Haas, who had originally signed the deal, seemed to be a little bit different.” This dispute may extend into 2026, as Pockrass reported.
Nevertheless, NASCAR is not ceasing its offensive against the suing teams. The recent move involved compiling comments from other team owners.
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Watering down 23XI’s argument
Back in October 2024, Michael Jordan and Co.’s lawsuit had a focal aspect. That was NASCAR and the France family’s monopoly that suppresses competition and economic opportunities in stock car racing. In that regard, both 23XI and FRM recently sought federal judgment on the relevant market, trying to observe that they would not be able to race anywhere outside NASCAR. In response, however, the sanctioning body motioned for summary judgment in its litigation. It claimed that pretrial discovery has undermined core factors of the lawsuit, which involves criticizing the binding charters.
As part of the discovery, NASCAR included comments from other Cup Series team owners. They praised the charter system, which fuels the monopoly as according to Hamlin and Jordan. For instance, Rick Hendrick described the charter system as “critical to the stability of the NASCAR ecosystem,” including for teams and “the businesses that support us and NASCAR itself.” Roger Penske believes “the Charter system has been beneficial because it delivered on the race teams’ goal of creating long-term equity value.” Then, even Joe Gibbs, the team owner of JGR for which Denny Hamlin drives, also claimed that charters preserve “the long-term viability of our incredible sport.”
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Clearly, 23XI Racing has a rocky road ahead in the NASCAR lawsuit. If they lost it, then the Cup Series would lose a highly competent team yet again in recent years.

Stating that the lawsuit presented by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports “should come to an end (as the garage wants),” NASCAR filed a motion late Friday with the U.S. District Court for summary judgment.
Doing so, NASCAR stated would mean “that the focus can return to exciting racing on the track for the remainder of 2025 and planning can begin for a pivotal 2026 season” instead of a Dec. 1 trial date.
“Today’s filing demonstrates that NASCAR’s charter system has the support of race teams throughout the garage, and that the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports lawsuit is not in the best interests of the sport,” NASCAR stated. “This lawsuit is not about antitrust; it is merely an attempt to renegotiate an agreement that was signed and is being honored by all other race teams.
“Together with our race team partners, we remain committed to delivering the best of stock car racing to our fans every weekend through our championship on Nov. 2, including this Sunday on the Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway. ”
NASCAR included declarations from some Cup car owners, including Rick Hendrick, Roger Penske, Richard Childress and Joe Gibbs, who want the charter system to continue.
“The most important thing to me is that this lawsuit is resolved amicably, quickly, and in a manner that preserves the Charter system and the long-term viability of our incredible sport,” Gibbs stated in his declaration. “That must happen to ensure the health, happiness and prosperity of our many hundreds of employees and their families. Nothing matters more to me.”
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell, who has repeatedly suggested to both sides that they settle, stated in court in August that a victory by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports could allow the court to issue significant changes to NASCAR.
“Well, if the plaintiffs prevail at trial, there are a whole host of equitable remedies available to the Court,” Bell said in August.
“And, you know, a lot of them have been discussed in your papers. There’s likely to be sales of tracks. There will be non-exclusivity provisions that will be erased. There will be noncompete provisions that will be erased. There will be changes to what use can be made of the cars. The whole charter system itself may be looked at. Even though nobody’s asked the Court to look at it, but the Court’s not limited to remedies suggested by the parties.
“And the charters are going to look different even if the charter system survives. There will be changes to the charter. But until the jury comes back and we start talking — and only if they find for the plaintiffs, and we start talking about equitable remedies, nobody knows what ’26 is going to look like.
“Sponsors don’t know, drivers don’t know, broadcasters don’t know. Because if plaintiffs prevail, NASCAR is going to look very different. And that’s a lot of uncertainty for everybody. If plaintiffs don’t prevail, everybody’s got certainty. You ain’t racing with a charter. Nothing about their business is going to change. But nobody knows that until sometime mid-December.”
Said Hendrick in his declaration: “The Charter Agreement is critical to the stability of the NASCAR ecosystem – the teams, the businesses that support us and NASCAR itself. Without this framework in place, I question the long-term viability of the teams, including Hendrick Motorsports, and do not believe we would be able to survive. Undoing what we have collectively negotiated will not only result in immeasurable damage to our sport and our respective businesses, it will, most importantly, hurt the people and families that depend on us for their livelihoods.”
Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports issued a statement Friday night after NASCAR’s filing:
“The declarations submitted by the various teams are supportive of my clients’ position. My clients are not, and never have been, seeking to eliminate the charter system. They have supported charters because teams cannot survive without them.
“The declarations from team owners and executives acknowledge this same economic reality. Nor do they excuse NASCAR’s anticompetitive conduct or its unlawful monopoly, points 23XI and Front Row have maintained from the start.
“Many teams have expressed a desire to resolve this matter, a goal my clients share, but NASCAR has yet to demonstrate a similar willingness to engage in meaningful resolution.
“We are confident NASCAR’s summary judgment motion is not going to succeed. This lawsuit has always been about making NASCAR more competitive and fair for the benefit of drivers, sponsors, teams, and fans who love the sport. NASCAR’S new motion changes nothing and we look forward to presenting our case at trial on December 1.”

In 2020, Jimmie Johnson let go of an ambition. When he clinched his Cup Series title in 2016, the former Hendrick Motorsports driver tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt’s 7 championships. After that, he created a hashtag for his social media – #Chasing8, as he wanted to topple even Petty and Earnhardt. Yet he could not do so, and subsequently made peace with it. Presently, however, Johnson’s battles with his fellow record-holders continue in different ways.
Jimmie Johnson is currently deeply involved with managing Legacy Motor Club. With a string of encouraging finishes in 2025, the former champion has high hopes for his Toyota team. But while enjoying his time as a team owner, Johnson still harbors regret about his past life as a driver – as Kevin Harvick revealed recently.
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Jimmie Johnson feels left out
Granted, all three among Jimmie Johnson, Richard Petty, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. were GOATS in their respective eras. But Johnson’s 7-title glory had a few extra layers of achievement. Johnson won those titles in the shortest time of all three drivers’ seven crowns, in just 11 seasons, from 2006 through 2016. He won them under four different title formats and clinched a championship with the most points in 2006. What is more, Johnson’s five-title consecutive streak remains untouchable, with the previous record being three straight by Cale Yarborough from 1976-1978. Despite holding these laurels over his fellow record holders, Johnson feels left out.
Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, divulged evidence of the same. “In his words, they look at him almost like a no-time champion,” Harvick said about Jimmie Johnson in a ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour’ episode. Harvick continued, “It was really interesting to hear him say that…he went out to the front of the racetrack and they were selling seven-time Richard Petty merchandise and they were selling seven-time Dale Earnhardt merchandise and they both had merchandise lines…and he’s like, ‘I don’t have anything out there.’ I just find it so bizarre.”
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After winning in the 12-driver format between 2006 and 2010, Jimmie Johnson seamlessly adjusted to a new 10-driver format, winning again in 2013. Then, the current elimination playoff format also could not escape his domination, as Johnson won in 2016. Hence, journalist Bob Pockrass reminded people of the incredible feats of Johnson. “Jimmie Johnson, I feel won most of his championships in the hardest format around, right? Winning those 10 race chases was, I thought, one of the most difficult things to do…you had to be so good at all different types of tracks.”
After retiring from full-time NASCAR competition in 2020, Jimmie Johnson tried his hand at other disciplines. Bob Pockrass also shed light on that: “When Jimmie went IndyCar racing, when we asked him, ‘Why would you do it?’ It was almost because I can, right? And like, how many people can just do what they want, right, after having such a career?”
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Although Jimmie Johnson’s merchandise is not in high demand like Petty’s or Earnhardt’s, his achievements are not forgotten. What is more, the veteran still keeps achieving in Legacy Motor Club‘s garage.
Keeping a youthful mindset
Jimmie Johnson has been known for his athletic endeavors. Outside of stock car racing, Johnson has enrolled in marathon runs. In 2019, he completed the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon in 3 hours, 9 minutes, and 7 seconds. Thus, he proved that he can be fast off the racetrack as well. Presently, Johnson keeps proving that he is younger than his age, having turned 50 last month. From handling a lawsuit with Rick Ware Racing to preparing for LMC’s expansion, Johnson keeps himself very busy. With NASCAR racing San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado in 2026, Johnson has expressed interest in running that race.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Johnson shed light on his youthful work. “I don’t feel 50 mentally, and part of that is I still have so much to learn. Being an athlete, you’re exposed to a lot. As athletes, we’re highly focused on a few areas, but not as well-rounded as others. This journey on the ownership side — running a company, operations, all the different layers to it — has been a crash course.” Yet Johnson also admitted to a disconnect: “I don’t know what half the acronyms mean when I sit in a meeting. There are things I’ve never experienced: having an HR person to talk to or report to, all these basics for the business world that are brand new to me at 50.”
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Nevertheless, Jimmie Johnson keeps pushing himself like no other. The Legacy Motor Club owner is an exemplar in terms of his star-studded career and continued passion.

Every time the NASCAR lawsuit debate supposedly reaches its fever pitch, something much bigger shows up. In the most recent NASCAR lawsuit update, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports had decided to put their foot down and ask the law to side with them, in a desire to avoid the December 1 trial. However, NASCAR has a mind of its own and has clapped back with its own summary judgment.
In a sharp-tongued counter, the sanctioning body filed its own motion, throwing some serious shade. The statement said, “Neither greed, nor an individual’s bruised ego over his inability to deliver on some promises he made to other teams, justifies trying to destroy an institution.”
Including the sharp line about greed and bruised ego, NASCAR is sending a clear message that it views the lawsuit as more about personal frustration than legitimate antitrust claims. This statement defends the organization’s legitimacy, portrays the teams’ motives as emotional rather than strategic, and reinforces NASCAR’s argument that the relevant market extends beyond its charters toward the motorsport opportunities.
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And here’s why 23XI and FRM argue that premier stock car racing is the only game in town, and NASCAR has acknowledged their concerns regarding charters and team participation. NASCAR, however, fires back, saying that the market is way bigger; there is a whole world of racing out there, and owning one slice of pie doesn’t make you the king of the motorsport castle.
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With the market power in play, NASCAR is setting a confident, assertive tone for the public, fans, and courts, signaling that it will aggressively protect the sport. Over the past few months, tensions between the two teams and NASCAR have been hard to ignore. Both teams had declined to sign extension and charter agreements and ended up suing NASCAR, accusing the series of bullying and monopolistic behavior.
The dispute has been simmering all year, with both teams warning that they could risk going out of business if NASCAR sold their charters from under them. But nothing grabbed headlines quite like the explosive details that emerged when discovery documents were made public for the first time in late August.
Steve Laulette, President of 23XI Racing, at one point wrote, “Jim (France) dying is probably the answer,” referring to teams securing better charter terms, while Denny Hamlin added, “My despise for the France family runs deep… (but) please let’s not sabotage our own business.” Given this context, it is completely understandable why NASCAR would feel that the initiation of a summary judgment seems personal.
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However, the two teams have been at odds with NASCAR over the signing of a new charter agreement for over a year. Both teams refuse to sign the 2025-2031 contract, arguing that other terms disproportionately favor NASCAR and limit team influence. And with the core case being scheduled for December 1, 2025, both parties will do whatever it takes to win; however, the timeline may be delayed…
The NASCAR lawsuit troubles may extend to 2026
While fans and industry insiders hoped for a swift resolution, seasoned reporter Bob Pockrass cast doubt on the timeline during a recent appearance on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast.
Reflecting on the complex litigation, Bob explained, “Well, that’s up to the judge to decide. There will be a trial, assuming they get to trial, and it’ll be in front of a jury in December. The jury can award monetary damages, I believe, but anything that would break up the monopoly is the judge’s decision. So both sides would propose options.”
Essentially, the jury will likely only decide on potential financial compensation for both teams. Any structural changes to the NASCAR charter system would fall to the presiding judge. The outcome of this courtroom battle could determine whether the teams walk away with damages or whether the entire system sees major reforms.
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Even after the December trial, Pockrass warned that resolution could remain far off due to likely appeals, noting, “If 23XI wins, the judge would then make that decision after recommendations from both sides, and at that point…there will be appeals, and it will probably take at least another six months to a year. If NASCAR wins, I think it’ll be a lot harder for 23XI to win, probably on appeal, but you would assume they will try.”
If the case stretches into 2026 from our teams, sponsors, and fans could face prolonged uncertainty, with a potential impact on the competitive and financial landscape of NASCAR for the foreseeable future.

Before the NASCAR lawsuit was launched, race teams had a common demand. For 2+ years, the Race Team Alliance clamored for permanent charters for the sake of economic stability and sponsor trust. But NASCAR abruptly dropped a new charter deal with a short deadline while ignoring those demands. That is when Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin decided to go into beast mode, refusing to sign the deal and launching a lawsuit.
From the beginning, Denny Hamlin and Co. stressed that their primary goal was to improve the sport. 23XI Racing’s co-owners, Michael Jordan and Curtis Polk, professed they want to reform the sport and cut down the ‘monopolistic’ practices of the sanctioning body. However, NASCAR is now trying to prove their bad intentions for the sport, inviting a rebuttal from Hamlin.
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Denny Hamlin snaps at NASCAR’s accusation
Earlier in August, U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell issued a warning to both parties in the lawsuit. In case 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports prevailed, the sport could be changed drastically. He said that charters would “look different even if the charter system survives.” This may have caused panic among existing Cup Series teams, as charters fuel their economic stability in the sport. That is why nine team owners came forward recently, demanding an urgent resolution of the lawsuit. NASCAR took this bait to accuse Denny Hamlin and Co. of trying to destroy the sport, of which other teams are afraid.
NASCAR stated in its motion for a summary judgment: “Neither greed, nor an individual’s bruised ego over his inability to deliver on some promises he made to other teams, justifies trying to destroy an institution.” This motion was in response to the teams’ filing for a summary judgment, which aims to prove that NASCAR dominates the market for premier stock car racing. Yet Denny Hamlin had a savage response lined up on social media. He posted a line by NASCAR attorney Christopher Yates: “NASCAR would be perfectly fine going back to that pre-charter model.” And Hamlin wrote, “In case you’re wondering who threatened the system.”
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What is more, Michael Jordan and Co.’s attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, deflated NASCAR’s claims about ‘destroying’ the sport. He showed how 23XI is on the same boat as other teams and never intended to eliminate the charter system. “They have supported charters because teams cannot survive without them,” Kessler said. “The declarations from team owners and executives acknowledge this same economic reality. Nor do they excuse NASCAR’s anticompetitive conduct or its unlawful monopoly, points 23XI and Front Row have maintained from the start.”
Jeffrey Kessler is also optimistic about the recent motions for summary judgments. He said, “We are confident NASCAR’s summary judgment motion is not going to succeed. This lawsuit has always been about making NASCAR more competitive and fair for the benefit of drivers, sponsors, teams, and fans who love the sport.”
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While Denny Hamlin is ferociously fighting for his team in the court, he is batting for his other team on the racetrack.
Keeping track of his allegiances
While NASCAR keeps fanning the fires of the lawsuit, Denny Hamlin is managing fires in a separate issue. In last weekend’s Cup Series playoff race in Kansas, Hamlin tangled with Bubba Wallace. The No. 11 Toyota had led for 159 laps and was not willing to concede the race lead to the No. 23 Toyota driver. In doing so, neither Hamlin nor the 23XI Racing driver could succeed. His aggression induced critical voices in the community, especially because Hamlin deprived his own team’s driver of a win. Even Dale Earnhardt Jr. said, “I just hate it because Bubba was in a good spot and did everything all day long to sort of put himself in a great spot.”
However, Denny Hamlin was adamant about his opinion. As a Joe Gibbs Racing driver, he remains loyal to Gibbs on the racetrack no matter what. Even though he defends 23XI Racing in the courtroom, he does not do so as a rival in races. “If they’re wanting an apology, they can turn [it] off now,” Hamlin said bluntly. “On Sunday, I am the driver… People expect me to be the guy with the 23XI shirt on when I’m in the No. 11 car, and that’s just not possible…My responsibility as a team owner comes Monday through Saturday. It is not up to me to get 23XI Racing into the Round of 8. That’s not my responsibility. My responsibility is to get the No. 11 [team] into the Round of 8.”
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Evidently, Denny Hamlin is clear about his boundaries in duties. Let’s see if his courtroom efforts for 23XI Racing result in a positive outcome or not.

One storyline dominated fans’ minds this week. The race in Kansas looked like it was in Toyota’s hands, with Denny Hamlin sweeping both stages and leading a race-high 159 laps. In the closing laps, Bubba Wallace held the lead and had a sure-fire shot to victory. However, a tangle with Hamlin did not let that happen, and Chase Elliott grabbed the win instead. But wait, that is not all to the story, as Hamlin’s day was longer than outwardly visible.
The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran is on a mission – to tie Kevin Harvick’s 60-race winning streak and to clinch an elusive championship. So Denny Hamlin’s drive is equally unstoppable. What is more, glimmers of this passion for NASCAR were visible in a grueling driving experience, which NASCAR officials recently broached.
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Denny Hamlin was all alone
Well, the JGR veteran has a penchant for navigating problems as a loner. Denny Hamlin’s comfort with his black hat reputation in the sport provides ample evidence of that. Yet at Kansas Speedway, Hamlin had to steer through his troubles alone, whether he liked it or not. After dominating most of the race, he lost power steering on Lap 214. He had to muscle out a runner-up finish with 10-20% power steering remaining over the final 50 laps. It not only added more postseason peril but also complicated his attack in the waning laps. Yet NASCAR could not do anything, as Amanda Ellis, Senior Director of Racing Communications, admitted in a ‘Hauler Talk’ episode.
Denny Hamlin reported the issue to the No. 11 JGR team, and Ellis emphasized that it is all in the pit crew’s hands. She clarified NASCAR’s stance in such a tough situation: “During the race, if this occurs, most of the managing of that goes through the team. We don’t have a sensor on any of the power steering that we would monitor other than the radio communication that you mentioned. Additionally, after the race…if there’s something that we need further information on, we’ll connect with the team to kind of learn what that could be.”
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Upon being asked if a pit stop is necessary to relieve the driver’s distress, Amanda Ellis said, “No. Not anything that I can think of, unless there are concerns from a safety issue.” She added that Denny Hamlin had to deal with most of the problem himself, as even his team was helpless. She continued, “It requires the car to be more manual; the driver has a lot more on them…The 11 team, at one point the crew chief or the spotter came on the radio and said that there’s nothing we can do to help you right now. It’s not fixable…Considering where Denny was running at the time, I’m sure they were hoping to motivate him to stay in that position versus falling back…’Cause if you came down pit road, you were gonna put yourself back in traffic.”
“He was able to still hang on to it after his arms were mushed,” Chris Gayle saluted Denny Hamlin at the end of the race. Indeed, the No. 11 crew chief’s words are true as Hamlin held on to finish in the runner-up spot even after his trouble with Bubba Wallace.
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And the second misadventure, which was the hot topic, elicited a strong reaction from Denny Hamlin.
Scrutinizing the public eye
As we all know, Denny Hamlin already has a well-established group of detractors. His past brush-ups with more popular racers like Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson had lent him this ‘villain’ status. Hence, many people jumped to criticize Hamlin for running down Bubba Wallace in Kansas. Considering that the latter drives for the team Hamlin co-owns, many thought it was poor judgment. Yet Denny Hamlin pointed out the reverse situation, where he lets Wallace retain the race lead and win.
And the consequences of that would have been far worse. Fans may have accused Denny Hamlin of not giving it 100% and manipulating the race outcome so that Wallace could advance to the round of 8. “Could you imagine the outrage if I had just backed off and let him have it?” Hamlin asked on his Actions Detrimental podcast. “Holy ****. People would lose their minds. But instead, I think Bubba said it very accurately: we were going for the win. Both guys were going for the win.”
Granted, Wallace openly expressed his anger, calling his boss a ‘f—— douche’ and flipping him the bird. However, even the 23XI Racing driver eventually took it in stride. He said, “No matter who you are, what it is — we race hard…You know, I was excited to race Denny for the win, and we ended up fifth and gave the 9 (Elliott) a win. So that’s what’s frustrating the most. We couldn’t get Toyota to Victory Lane.”
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Despite the swathe of problems in Kansas, Denny Hamlin powered through. Let’s wait and watch where his championship run goes in the future races.

The official NASCAR season is about to move towards its climax, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval is expected to provide one of the most important weekends aimed at the end of 2025. As the Cup, the Xfinity, and the Craftsman Truck Series will all hit the 2.32-mile, 17-turning hybrid road/oval in early October, the prize accounts have been announced- and they are huge. With the NASCAR playoffs, not only do drivers chase playoff glory, but they also get serious money.
NASCAR Cup Series: Bank of America Roval 400
The headliner of the weekend is the Bank of America Roval 400, which is a seminal Round of 12 NASCAR playoff race. It is one of the richest on the schedule with a total purse that is eye-popping of $9,386,054.
Although NASCAR does not release the official amount a driver will receive upon winning the race, the victor at the end of the race is likely to get between 8-10 percent of the entire jackpot, between 783,834 to 979,793 of the overall purse. That comes with a virtual million-dollar prize, winning one of the most capricious tracks in the show.
In the case of other competitors such as Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Joey Logano, the Roval is not just the way to the Round of 8. It is about making it through a madman elimination race where there is almost ten million dollars at stake.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 250 Prize Money: What Is the Purse?
The Xfinity’s Sin Tax establishes its own change into the weekend and the Drive for the Cure 250. The race is an excellent chance to give a boost to the Playoff drivers, coupled with a purse of $1,801,278.
Known for its unpredictable action on the Roval’s tight corners and sudden elevation changes, the race is often a proving ground for rising stars.
Drivers like Cole Custer and Justin Allgaier will be fighting not only for playoff position but also for their share of the purse. Cup Series veterans who dip into Xfinity competition also see the Roval as the perfect place to sharpen their road-course skills.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Charlotte Roval Prize Money: What Is the Purse?
Topping up the weekend is the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, which will have a purse amounting to $736,214. Although the Cup and Xfinity payouts are larger, the stakes are equally big on these drivers, some of whom are cutting their initial large breaks in NASCAR.
The Roval Truck race is known to also be a restart that ends wildly, and also aggressive racing. Such names as Corey Heim and Ty Majeski are likely to be in the line, demanding every inch of racing strips and every dollar of prize money. To the young talent, the proceeds of the winner might be more than cash, but it might be a step toward being on a full-time Cup mount.
The Bigger Picture: Money Meets Mayhem
The Charlotte Roval is more than just another stop on the schedule. For the Cup Series, it’s a NASCAR playoff elimination race, cutting four drivers from championship contention. For the Xfinity and Truck Series, it’s a chance to prove mettle on one of the sport’s trickiest layouts.
The multi-million dollar purses together are just fuel for the fire. Money, promotion to the playoffs, and bragging rights are all on the line, and the weekend of the Roval in October of 2025 will not be short of any close races, bold action, or thrills.
By visiting the Charlotte Motor Speedway website and watching official channels of NASCAR, fans are able to track schedules and changes to tickets, among other information.

Are you among those who feel the NASCAR Playoffs might just be the sport’s biggest misstep? By 2014, NASCAR unveiled the elimination-style playoff format, a bold gamble designed to keep fans hooked. On paper, it checked all the boxes: the high drama of a “win and you’re in” system, stage points up for grabs, elimination battles at every cut-off. Then came the grand finale, a one-race, winner-takes-all championship showdown. This recipe sounded like a sure-fire hit, but it came with a few bumps in the road.
Yes, the final 10 races often bring jaw-dropping storylines, photo finishes, Cinderella runs, and shocking upsets. But peel back the drama, and cracks start to show. The format is tangled in its own complexity: resets, point shuffles, and do-or-die moments that feel more manufactured than organic. Worst of all, it punishes season-long dominance. One unlucky night, one crash outside your control, and months of hard-earned work vanish in an instant. Little wonder, then, that a veteran crew chief has now taken aim at the NASCAR Playoffs.
Just hours ago, multimedia sports journalist Davey Segal took to X, stirring the pot by sharing a clip of his sit-down with veteran crew chief Scott Zipadelli. He captioned it, “Count veteran crew chief @SZipadelli as someone who is not a fan of the playoffs.” In the clip, Segal put Zipadelli on the spot, asking, “As somebody who’s been in the sport for as long as you have, seen all these iterations, won all these races, how do you feel about it and how does it all sit with you?”
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Scott Zipadelli then bluntly stated, “If we were racing the old format, I would have three truck championships and Carson Hocevar would have never wrecked us for a championship at Phoenix. I think it was the worst thing NASCAR ever did to me. This is, these are my views and my views only.”
The incident Zipadelli is referring to happened in 2023 Craftsman 150 Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway. During that race, Corey Heim, Zipadelli’s driver, and Carson Hocevar were involved in a dual exchange. First, Hocevar had spun Heim around, and then, in retaliation, when Heim got the chance, he ran Hocevar into the wall, ending his race. Zipadelli feels that had it not been the elimination race, this stint wouldn’t have affected them.
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He is clearly drawing a line in the sand as he believes the playoff format not only cost him titles but also tilts the sport away from rewarding season-long consistency. To him, the old system gave hard work its due, while the current one feels like a gamble where even strong performances don’t guarantee the crown. And he didn’t stop there.
Continuing his criticism, Zipadelli added, “I think all it does is promote mediocrity… You could have a truck win five or six races and not win the championship and the champion be, somebody who didn’t win a race all year. How is that promoting equality?
What he’s getting at here is the heart of his frustration: the playoff system, in his eyes, waters down excellence. It creates a situation where a dominant team can be left empty-handed, while someone who has never tasted victory might walk away with the championship.
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This is exactly why he also touched upon parity. “‘Parity.’ That was the word for a long time. ‘We’re going to make all the vehicles the same and all trucks the same.’ We’re not the same. Some people just work harder than others, right? Some people are just better than others. So how can you make everybody equal? It would be a shame if we didn’t win the championship, but I understand there’s a 75% chance that we don’t and a 25% chance that we do.”
Zipadelli’s point is as simple as this: You can’t make a sport exciting if you make the players in it equal. His “We’re not the same” clearly reminds us how every competitor and car is naturally different, and that difference is what makes the results exciting and improbable, as opposed to leveling the playing field and then seeing who wins in those conditions.
With this, he’s essentially pointing out a fundamental truth of competition: equality on paper doesn’t translate to equality on the track. You see, NASCAR’s goal was simple – bring back unpredictability to a sport that had grown stagnant. And they knew, a driver wrapping up the title in September would hurt the excitement, so the playoff format was introduced to keep the championship alive until the final race. The move ultimately pleased TV networks and gave mid-pack drivers a chance through smart strategy and timing. But the downside was clear – it stopped rewarding consistency across the season.
Dale Jr. questions NASCAR playoffs
Last week, news broke that more members of NASCAR’s Playoff Committee than before had voiced support for bringing back the traditional full-season points system. While a return still seems unlikely, the timing of this discussion coincided with yet another sharp year-over-year drop in playoff race viewership.
The disappointing numbers quickly sparked debate among fans and insiders, with many questioning if declining ratings could push NASCAR to rethink its format. Among those backing the idea is Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., who raised the same question yesterday, on the latest episode of the Dale Jr Download.
Earnhardt admitted that when the playoff committee first began its discussions, he believed a return to the full-season format was highly unlikely. However, with growing support for the system and viewership numbers continuing to slide, he’s beginning to wonder if such a dramatic shift could be the “Hail Mary” NASCAR needs. As he put it, “Is it possible that the decline in ratings has been something that’s convinced NASCAR that maybe that Hail Mary is worth it?”
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At the same time, Earnhardt Jr acknowledged the risks. He explained that his initial hesitation came from the “risky” prospect of switching back to a 36-race season-long format after more than two decades with playoffs, even though he personally favors the old system. But now, as he compares the Cup Series playoff viewership at New Hampshire to “Xfinity numbers,” his stance is clear. “It’s a risky, risky big shift,” he said. “But what are we risking now? We have nothing to lose… A couple of weeks ago in New Hampshire, we had nearly Xfinity numbers in terms of viewership.”
That said, do you think NASCAR should scrap the playoffs and return to the traditional full-season points system? Let us know in the comments.

Stellantis has announced that Kevin Kidd will lead the motorsports divisions for NHRA and Ram’s return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in his new role of North American Motorsports Competition Director.
Kidd enters the role with over 25 years of experience in motorsports, including stints as a race engineer, crew chief, and director. In his role of NASCAR Xfinity Series crew chief, he worked with drivers such as Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano. He also worked in the NASCAR Cup Series in the same role for one race with Elliott Sadler.
“The intersection of engineering and competition has always been my passion,” Kidd explained. “Stellantis’ innovative approach to motorsports, especially in partnership with Kaulig Racing, presents a unique opportunity to push boundaries. I’m looking forward to contributing fresh ideas to help drive these efforts forward.”
Tom Sacoman, Senior Vice President of SRT Performance Division Operations added: “Our unconventional approach to competition demands a leader who can think differently, and Kevin is exactly that. His reputation in racing, combined with the capabilities of our teams, will help deliver on our ‘Last Tenth’ performance philosophy.”
In his new role, Kidd will work with Kaulig Racing, Tony Stewart Racing and Direct Connection Engineering.
This comes after Stellantis confirmed the return of the Ram brand to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026, after a 13-year break from the sport. CEO of Ram brand Tim Kuniskis confirmed at the time of the June 2025 announcement: “For more than a decade, customers and our dealer network asked about getting back into NASCAR. The desire was always there, but we didn’t have a plan that delivered the last tenth and following just didn’t fit our DNA. Now we have a solid plan that will set us apart from the field and will bring fresh new interest and engagement to America’s motorsport.
“There will be more details on our NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program later this year. We are undoubtedly having fun with this project, and I truly look forward to sharing information on our team and how getting back on track relates to the future of Ram performance.”
John Probst, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, added: “Ram returning to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is a major moment for the sport, and a sign that NASCAR remains a strong platform for blue chip brand partners. We are excited to welcome Ram back to the sport. Its identity includes high performance, durability and innovation – characteristics that embody NASCAR and, specifically, the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.”

NASCAR has released video footage of the incident that led to Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar’s $50,000 fine.
The 22-year-old driver was hit with the hefty fine for putting safety personnel at risk during the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
After spinning the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet on the 260th lap, Hocevar came to a stop on the backstretch with multiple flat tires. NASCAR stated that,

In NASCAR, fans are often limited to knowing the professional journeys of their favorite entities. Let’s take Rodney Childers for example. Fans know how the veteran crew chief has had a storied career that began with driving late models, to becoming a crew chief for Kevin Harvick and winning the championship with him and Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. But little do they get to know about the hidden backstories that they live behind the scenes. One such refreshing, rare tale about Childers was shared by Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself.
Next year, Childers is all set to take over the crew chief duties for the No. 1 car with Dale Jr’s JR Motorsports for Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. “It was just a dream scenario,” Childers had said a few days ago. But few know that Dale Jr and Childers share a connection that goes way back to their childhood. And more than this update, Dale Jr’s interesting revelation of the backstory behind it tells us how there’s so much that goes behind these actual events that the fans never get to see.
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Dale Jr reveals his childhood connection to Rodney Childers
On the latest episode of the Dale Jr Download, Dale Jr surprised many when he revealed the depth of their old bond, “Me and Rodney have grown up together, his brother and I were in the same class, in the same grade.” Since both have worked in different teams and have always stayed on their own different paths, news like this reminds us about the small world we live in.
“I would go over to Rodney’s house, he’s pop in some VHS tapes of his go kart racing and we’d sit there and watch him race go karts. He’d be like, he won everything, hell of a driver. When he started racing Late Models, I’d go over to his shop, check out his sh-t, see what is going on. He got into crew chiefing, we stayed connected. He used to ride around in my pickup truck when I was 16-17 years old, being goofballs.”
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This recollection by Dale Jr tells the actual depth of their bond, long before they both achieved their own fame in NASCAR. From watching Childers dominate in go-karts to following his transition into Late Models and eventually crew chiefing, their friendship has spanned decades and countless racing milestones.
And it’s especially those personal moments, like Junior hanging out at Childers’ shop, or Childers riding Junior’s pickup truck, these moments truly show that side of the sport which is rarely seen by fans.
A connection so strong like this naturally aided Dale Jr. in signing Childers for his team. And why would he not do it? For two childhood friends who’ve shared such a deep bond in life, it was inevitable that their paths would cross someday, making them professionally collaborate with each other after all this time.
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As Dale Jr added, “So this is also an opportunity to bring him in to a place where I think he’ll fit in perfectly. He’s a racer, we know each other well, he’s going to come in here and want to do an amazing job. So I think he’ll be a great asset to us.”
This confidence in Dale Jr about Childers naturally comes from decades of knowing his work ethic, racing insight, and competitive mindset. And their long-personal bond means Junior knows how Childers approaches challenges, prepares for races, and leads a team.
This reflects in Childers’ excitement, too, as he cannot wait to begin this new journey, as he said, “This is basically the old car that we had a lot of success with, Sundays at church with Katrina and the boys, racing with two really exceptional young drivers and I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.”
Apart from the experience he carries, Dale Jr. also brings him because of the trust and the familiarity factor that could surely work as an added advantage for their team. The move not only strengthens JRM on the track but also highlights how lasting personal bonds can shape the future of NASCAR teams.
Meanwhile, amidst the playoff discussions in the garage at their peak, Dale Jr also shed some light on how TV deals play a role in this.
Dale Jr on how TV influences the playoffs
The playoff format has been facing all the heat right now about fairness and whether the system rewards the credit to the drivers who deserve it. Amidst this, NASCAR formed its Playoff Format Committee, which also includes Dale Jr., and the latter gave a take on how the TV deals quietly shape these discussions.
Right now, the TV deals are being handled by FOX and NBC. These aren’t just broadcasters; they’re major business partners, bringing in millions through media rights. So while NASCAR says the networks don’t make decisions for the sport, the financial stakes involved in the whole process definitely carry influence. As Dale Jr. explained, “If I’m NASCAR and you wrote me that check, I’m calling you, ‘Hey man, I’ve not made a decision yet, but this is kind of where we’re headed.’”
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He further clarified how networks maintain the appearance of staying neutral, “TV can say that and they can actually believe that. But if I’m NASCAR and you wrote me a check, I’m calling you.” This dynamic shows that even minor financial influences can impact all the talk that goes around in the town.
This insight from Dale Jr gives fans a rare glimpse into how decisions are made behind the scenes. No process is simple. Every small or big rule change, especially a giant like the playoff tweaks, naturally involves multiple parties and their interests. And TV networks, though neural on paper, are inevitably part of that conversation.

Richard Childress Racing has been making tons of headlines this season. Remember the NASCAR’s $1 Million In-Season Championship? It was Richard Childress’ grandson, Ty Dillon, who gave the NASCAR community a glimpse of his personality. After edging out the No. 1 seed, Denny Hamlin, and the rest of the field to reach the finale, Dillon really put his best foot forward. Even though he did not bag the $1 million, Dillon definitely made quite the impression. And this would not be possible without one of his primary sponsors, who have fueled his racing on track.
For Mark Frisch, it didn’t take years of watching from the sidelines to fall for NASCAR, just a single weekend. One race, one walk through Road and the garage, and he was hooked. Frisch, executive vice president of Jacksonville’s family-owned Beaver Street Fisheries, took his toes into the sport last year by backing Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 entry with their Sea Best brand at Texas Motor Speedway.
That one turned into something more. Frisch admitted, “I got the bug. There is something about going to the race. I meet a lot of people who aren’t NASCAR fans, but are sports fans, and what I tell them is, ‘Come to a race and get an appreciation for the sport itself. It’s not just cars going in a circle.’ And then when you’re lucky enough to be in the garage and hauler, you get the bug. Texas was a big (bug) bite.”
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Mark didn’t just nibble on the bug bite; he went all in, signing a 20-race deal for this season, with the last races at Charlotte and Phoenix this year. Behind the wheel, Ty Dillon sits 32nd in points with top 15 finishes across 31 starts.
What began as casual talks with Kaulig Racing in March 2024 for a single race balloon turned into something much bigger by fall, a 20-race campaign. Sea Best’s name has since ridden Dillon’s car through some of NASCAR’s biggest stages – Darlington, Talladega, Chicago, Indianapolis, and the same showdown at Daytona.
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It’s not all business, though. The day before the Daytona, Dillon stopped by Beaver Street Fisheries’ headquarters, where employees posed for selfies and sat down for a Q&A session led by Mark Frisch himself.
For Frisch, that moment captured the spirit of the partnership. He said, “To have Ty meet our entire team and have them see the person behind the race car who drives our Sea Best car around the track, it lets them be a part of this. Ty resembles our company: Tenacious, gritty, going out and fighting hard every single weekend.”
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Kaulig Racing alone lists 29 partners on its roster, and for Beaver Street Fisheries, that presence came with a seven-figure price tag for the 20 races. Looking ahead, Frisch expects Sea Best’s 2026 schedule to slim down, but with more muscle behind fan and customer engagement, thinks an on-site food truck rolling out Sea Best samples at the track.
That visibility matters. Frisch admitted just hours before Dillon paced the field for nine laps at Daytona before coming home 22nd. He said, “Anytime there is good TV time. Ty has gotten a lot of that for sure. If he’s in the top half of the field, that’s very good.”
But amid all the sponsorship deals, Ty Dillon’s grandfather has been making headlines recently. The 80-year-old NASCAR team owner and NASCAR veteran has been rumored to hang up his helmet. With his other grandson, Austin Dillon, taking over some responsibilities within the RCR team, many assume that he will be next in line.
However, that rumor hasn’t turned out to be true; Richard Childress is still in the race, and the NASCAR community is fuming as the rumors get shut down. But currently, as the Cup garage heads to its Round of 12 finale, Sea Best and Ty Dillon have something up their sleeve.
Sea Best and Ty Dillon are set to put their best foot forward at Charlotte ROVAL
Sea Best is diving into the NASCAR action in a big way this weekend, serving as the primary sponsor for Ty Dillon’s No. 10 Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. Partnering with Kaulig Racing, Sea Best isn’t just bringing bold branding to the track; they are bringing heart.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the No. 10 car will sport a striking pink paint scheme designed to spark awareness and celebrate those affected by the disease. The car’s decklid will be covered with the names of Sea Best employees and their loved ones who have battled breast cancer in a moving tribute ride at high speed.
And Sea Best is backing up its commitment with action. They will be donating $10,000 to the Donna Deegan Foundation to support breast cancer education and awareness. Even better, they will match any donations made by employees, doubling down on the impact.
Behind the wheel, Ty Dillon is ready to tackle the ROVAL for his sixth career NASCAR Cup Series start at Charlotte’s hybrid road course. He has already led five laps there and earned a best finish of 15th in 2019. With a strong team behind him, including road course expert AJ Allmendinger, Dillon is looking to push for a breakthrough performance.
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Dillon said, “I loved being in our backyard in Charlotte. My teammate, AJ, I think this is one of his best tracks, and he dominates every time we go to the ROVAL. He’s been a huge help to me. He made a huge list of notes trying to help me up my game for this track. Even before being a teammate with AJ, I felt this was a track I had confidence. I’ve had some solid runs, and I think working with AJ and trying to improve on the road courses is something I look forward to. I always look forward to challenges. Hopefully, we can carry the momentum from Kansas into Charlotte this weekend at home and have a great weekend at the ROVAL.”
Carrying momentum from Kansas and fueled by purpose, Dillon and Sea Best are set for a meaningful and memorable run at the ROVAL.

It all changed on September 17, 2025. NASCAR‘s playoff committee had dropped the bomb off making changes to the sport’s postseason format. The main topic of discussion was the possibility of reverting to a full-season points-based championship, a structure that NASCAR utilised until 2004. The outcry may have sparked change, but now Ryan Blaney’s words could fuel the fire even further.
Earlier this week, Ryan Blaney voiced his dislike for the win-and-you’re-in system. At present, drivers receive only a modest bonus for a regular-season win, which Blaney feels undervalues the importance of the victory itself. He has floated the idea of increasing these bonus points substantially to widen the gaps among top performers, making each win carry more weight throughout the season.
Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion had his own vision for the playoff changes: “I would like to see whether it’s your playoff start, if you do that, and it’s your 16 guys, and it goes 10 weeks straight. Then, if you win a lot in the regular season, you have a bunch of bonus points to start it, and then it’s a 10-week sprint where you have to have some consistency.”
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He has also offered creative ideas for narrowing the playoff field. One of his concepts involved eliminating the bottom half of contenders after 10 races, with the remaining drivers carrying over their points to continue competing for the title. While he has acknowledged that there are numerous ways to structure it, Ryan Blaney has emphasized his openness to change and experimentation.
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Blaney added, “I’ve also thought about if you have 10 races to the end, you have five, and then you cut off the bottom eight, and then you have five to the end, and those eight guys will race, and you just kind of carry over your points from the regular season and the first part of the playoffs, and then that goes on.”
As the Team Penske driver continues to elaborate on his master plan, he has also expressed interest in a playoff structure reminiscent of NASCAR’s 2004-2013 system, where a set number of drivers qualified based on points and competed in a series of final races. He sees an appeal in this approach. It rewards both wins and consistent performance over an extended stretch while reducing the championship dependence on a single race finale.
In anticipation of potential reforms, at the most recent meeting on September 17, one widely discussed option is a return to the 36th race point system used before 2004. As committee deliberation unfolds and paddock voices like Dale Jr. are game for this change, momentum appears to be building for a more traditional, season-long championship format.
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Blaney ensured to sound more adaptable to change by saying, “I don’t know. There’s a lot of different scenarios out there, but I would be game for a change, some kind of a change. But I think my biggest things are get out of the win in your end if you do a playoff format, and then, again, if you do a playoff format, have more races to the end to determine your champion. Or if they want to go to 36 races, that’s fine with me, too.”
NASCAR is grappling with a cocktail of challenges this season, including declining TV ratings, criticism of its playoff format, and doubts about its ability to produce superstars, as noted by Bubba Wallace. That spotlight has recently shifted towards Ryan Blaney, as insiders and officials debate how to recapture the excitement by building up new heroes within the sport.
Ryan Blaney’s bold persona sparks talk across NASCAR
At the Axios Media Trends Live Summit, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps stressed the importance of showcasing the personalities that fuel the series. Phelps believes that by shining a light on the risk, grit, and commitment of each driver, fans and media alike will begin to see them as legends in the making.
He admitted, “To answer your question with respect to what we would call driver star power, I think that we need to do a better job of it, frankly, we need to make heroes of these drivers, and then the relationships that we have with our media partners, they need to help us do that as well, because you strap into a 3,500lb car, it’s dangerous, and these guys are heroes in their own right.”
That sentiment was echoed by NBC Sports’ NASCAR voice, Leigh Diffey. For Diffey, building a driver means that the power goes beyond race-day results. It is about storytelling, capturing who drivers are away from the track as much as what they do behind the wheel. He pointed directly at Ryan Blaney as a prime example.
Diffey said, “I think you just try and highlight for the viewing audience, maybe dig a little bit deeper on the star’s personality, the driver’s personality, maybe away from the track. I think one guy who carries himself in a certain way and has that swagger in a superstar way is very much Ryan Blaney.”
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The whole “Be Ryan F —— Blaney” slogan had taken the NASCAR community by storm. The NASCAR: Full Speed docuseries caught a candid moment at Phoenix 2024 before the Cup Series championship, where Blaney’s wife dropped this million-dollar line. This shows the type of impact Blaney has on the sport.

Everyone knows how much of a frustrating ride Kyle Busch’s 2025 season has been. Through 31 races, he has recorded just two top-five finishes, eight top-10s, and has only led 62 laps. Inconsistency and mechanical issues have continued to hamper the momentum of the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Still, with a fresh contract extension through 2026 with Richard Childress Racing, Busch faced another issue of losing his crew chief, and now, as the NASCAR community reflects on his journey with RCR, one NASCAR insider has a different trajectory for Rowdy.
Earlier this week, Danielle Trotta thought that it was time for Denny Hamlin to play the white knight to save Kyle Busch’s slump. She recommended Hamlin make some changes to his 23XI Racing team, co-owned with Michael Jordan, by swapping out Riley Herbst for Kyle Busch. However, Bob Pockrass believes he can make Kyle Busch a better deal.
Speaking to 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick on the Happy Hour, Pockrass carved out Busch’s path with a new team: ” I mean, I think Kyle Busch wins again. I just don’t know whether it’s at RCR or not. And look, I think Spire would like to have him and see what they could do with him. It’s, you know, sounds like he’s, you know, as they’ve all said, staying for next year, but I mean, you know, he can’t be happy. And, you know, if they continue to run the way they’ve been running, uh, he’ll want to leave.”
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Spire Motorsports seems to be another name added to the 40-year-old’s next potential ventures in NASCAR. But for next year at least, Spire Motorsports will need to sit on the sidelines. Busch’s contract with RCR is set through the 2026 NASCAR Cup season. This extension was confirmed in May of this year, ensuring that he remains behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet.
However, Kyle Busch‘s winless streak has dragged on to 852 days as of today! The veteran’s most recent NASCAR Cup Series victory came at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, on June 4, 2023. This extended drought marks the longest winless period of Busch’s career, which included 36 races in 2017.
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And since joining RCR in 2023, he has recorded 3 wins, and despite having a challenging season, Busch is adamant about making a comeback to victory lane. However, Spire Motorsports isn’t a bad idea after all.
Even though Spire Motorsports hasn’t logged a win yet in 2025, the trio of Carson Hocevar, Michael McDowell, and Justin Haley has done considerably well. With Hocevar leading the pack, ranking 22 in the standings with two top-fives and eight top-10s, matching Busch’s results. Michael McDowell follows in 23rd with two top-fives and four top-tens, and Justin Haley parked his Chevrolet in 29th with one top-five and two top-10 finishes.
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And Kyle Busch leads Carson Hocevar while 21st in the standings. Even though they are elusive of a win, their recent surge in the playoff seasons is something to keep an eye out for. However, it is not all downhill for Rowdy. A recent news about his new crew chief in 2026 can lift up his spirits and maybe even push Busch to get back to the front.
Now, fans have picked up on this, making it a rumor, and have weighed in on Busch’s hypothetical move to Spire Motorsports amid Denny Hamlin’s potential to save Busch’s career.
NASCAR fans rally behind Kyle Busch’s imagined move to Spire Motorsports
As Kyle Busch’s winless streak stretches on, speculation about his next move has intensified, with fans and insiders weighing his potential landing spots. Many see Spire Motorsports as the only viable alternative outside of Richard Childress Racing, noting that the property teams do not have room for a veteran like Busch.
One fan summed up plainly, saying, “Yeah, Spire is the only other option Busch really has. The top teams don’t really have room and they wouldn’t make room for a past-his-prime Busch. So his only options are other playoff/top 20 teams like RCR and Spire has shown some potential.
The chatter has only grown louder, and some fans have even floated the idea of pairing Busch and Carson Hocevar, imagining the two aggressive driving styles and the headstrong personalities together, noting, “Ya know what? Busch and Hocevar on the same team actually sounds like fun. I’m all for it.” Others suggested he could chase a win but in the lower NASCAR series, saying, “Like winning a truck championship for Spire, perhaps?”
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Not everyone is convinced that a switch would revive Busch’s fortunes. Critics argue that he is simply on the downswing of his career and that the Next-Gen cars do not suit his driving style. One fan commented bluntly, “To be honest I don’t think it will make a difference. Kyle is on the downswing of his career driving a car that doesn’t fit his driving style. Even at RCR he has races that he has shown some speed only to piss it away trying to overdrive the car.”
Still, the risk-versus-rewards scenario intrigues many: “At this point what’s KB got to lose?!? I’d like to see him try Spire.” For some, it is about seeing a legend shake up the scope, testing new machinery, and perhaps finding a spark that could remind everyone why Kyle Busch remains one of NASCAR’s most formidable talents.

Corey Heim is dominating the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The Toyota driver has clinched a record-tying nine victories in 2025, with no signs of stopping his streak of glory. This presents golden possibilities in the run towards the championship. However, up next is an intimidating racetrack, and Heim possesses no prior experience on it. His rival, or Bubba Wallace’s mentee, is in a better position – and also carries optimism.
The Craftsman Truck Series is entering its Round of 8 opener this weekend. And it is doing so grandly, heading to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval for the first time. In preparation, teams are getting 50 minutes of practice – something that Bubba Wallace’s junior is sure to capitalize on.
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Rose-tinted glasses for Bubba Wallace’s mentee
Well, Bubba Wallace is in a tight spot, as the Cup Series is heading to its Round of 12 elimination race at the Charlotte Roval. Meanwhile, however, Wallace’s mentee, Rajah Caruth, is in a far more optimistic place. In New Hampshire, the Spire Motorsports racer collected 11 stage points and a 10th-place result to stay above the playoff cutline and advance to the Round of 8. Now, Caruth and his rivals will get ready for the Roval, whose 17 turns make for surgical braking, an easy recipe for wrecks. Caruth said, “Oh, it’s straight chaos! I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but it’ll be entertaining for sure. They knew what they were doing with the schedule.”
However, Rajah Caruth is not intimidated. Bubba Wallace‘s mentee wheeled the No. 44 Chevy in a 2023 race, finishing 19th after dodging mishaps. What is more, some of Caruth’s first race car experiences came in U.S. Legend Cars International competition on the Concord, N.C., venue’s infield road course. So Caruth boldly declared to Bob Pockrass, “I feel confident there.” He continued, “I ran Xfinity, got some great experience with Alpha Prime Racing…Last year, I ran in ’23, so didn’t like the new hairpin turn 8, Turn 7. But I’ve run it in a Legend car. So the end of another course is pretty much the same as in 2023. So I feel A little bit leg up getting prepared for that race.”
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Furthermore, Bubba Wallace’s mentee is prepared to tackle the chaos of the Roval. The complex turns and high-speed oval section make it a tricky venue for drivers. In the October 2024 Cup race, for example, a stack-up in Turn 7 sent Tyler Reddick flying through the air after Austin Dillon spun ahead of him. Yet Rajah Caruth welcomes that with a daredevil attitude. He said, “I love the chaos, I love the lights, I love for intensity to pick up and those moments where you gotta elevate and put it all on a line, put in your shoulders. So I love getting ready for moments like that…Our sport is different than others, obviously. But I guess that’s the quirk, right? You got everybody else racing, only a handful of guys are racing for something greater.”
Hence, the determination is shining brightly for Rajah Caruth. To add to his motivation, Bubba Wallace’s junior has a special teammate for this weekend.
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Driving with a generational talent
While no driver dominates the star power in the Cup Series right now, both Xfinity and Trucks have their own stars. Corey Heim, as we know, is the leader in Trucks. In Xfinity, on the other hand, it is Connor Zilisch. The rookie JR Motorsports driver has clinched nine victories already in 2025, with solid chances of grabbing the Xfinity Series championship. Yet his signature talents are at road courses – in 7 starts on these tracks, Zilisch has grabbed 5 wins, 7 top fives, and 7 top tens. Hence, Truck drivers are in for a challenge as Zilisch will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in Friday’s EcoSave 250 race.
Bubba Wallace’s mentee, Rajah Caruth, will be more motivated to finish well, given his new teammate’s dazzling stats. What is more, even Truck Series leader Corey Heim is rolling up his sleeves to face Connor Zilisch. The Tricon Garage driver said, “I’ve always been a believer in ‘if you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best,’ right? So, Connor coming down is definitely a challenge. He ran well at Watkins Glen, especially for coming in last-second for Kaden (Honeycutt). I’m sure that was pretty tough to kind of prepare for. So, definitely going to probably have my hands full with him this weekend.”
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Evidently, Rajah Caruth has many reasons to be optimistic about the Charlotte Roval. Let’s wait and see how Bubba Wallace’s mentee fares.

The Round of 8 is only one race away, and Cup Series drivers are worried about one racetrack. That is Talladega Superspeedway, the 2.66-mile tri-oval superspeedway in Alabama, notorious for its ‘Big Ones’. For the past 25 years, however, a warm and friendly presence uplifted drooping spirits at the fearful track. That individual could be seen roaming the Talladega in-field or garage area, trading tales of past drivers with fans and racers.
That was none other than Grant Lynch, past chairman of Talladega Superspeedway. His impact on NASCAR and its core base of fans in the Southeastern heartland was exemplary. The ripples of his aura reached people across many folds in the sport. And the NASCAR community is remembering Lynch’s tenure, especially at this tough time.
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The heartbreaking loss of a NASCAR jewel
Talladega Superspeedway may have been established in 1969. However, Grant Lynch’s presidential tenure from 1993 onwards ushered in a new era for the racetrack. Lynch went from working as a mover and shaker at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which sponsored the Winston Series for many years, to a top sports management role in NASCAR. His marketing genius landed him a dual role as vice president of International Speedway Corporation. From several renovation programs and efforts to elevate fans’ experience, Lynch has done wonders for Talladega. He retired as the chairman of ‘Dega back in 2019.
And on October 2nd, 2025, Grant Lynch passed away at the age of 71, leaving behind golden memories. This emotional loss sent ripples of heartbreak across the sport, with NASCAR acknowledging Lynch’s invaluable efforts. An official statement read, “As the track’s longtime president and later chairman, he guided Talladega through more than two decades of growth and transformation while building lasting relationships with fans, competitors, and colleagues across the industry. From his time with R.J. Reynolds, Talladega, and even into retirement, Grant was not only a trusted leader but also a cherished friend to so many in the NASCAR family.”
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The current President of Talladega Superspeedway, Brian Crichton, also highlighted the core parts of Grant Lynch’s towering personality. He stated, “To Grant, nothing was more important than the fans, the team he led, and the surrounding communities. His vision, leadership, and big personality shaped so much of what makes Talladega special, and his influence will continue to be felt every race weekend for generations to come.” Crichton also recalled Lynch’s evergreen rallying cry: “This is more than a race… this is Talladega!”
In addition to guiding Talladega to some of its most successful seasons, Grant Lynch also worked on other tracks. He was a key figure in the development of Kansas Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway. Lynch was also an individual whom NASCAR leadership called to douse fires. According to Darlington Raceway executive Russell Branham, “He was sort of like a Mr. Fix-It. He got involved in various aspects of the business and was able to find ways to climb mountains and get things accomplished.”
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Now, NASCAR drivers will keep Grant Lynch close to their hearts. Cup Series drivers face a grueling Talladega race, with one driver facing serious problems.
Juggling several stressful situations
The absence of Grant Lynch’s friendly voice will be dearly missed. One Cup Series driver who may miss it a little more than his rivals is Tyler Reddick, who won the April 2024 Talladega race. The 23XI Racing playoff contender is winless in 2025, having led only 156 laps. He cracked the playoffs based on consistency, fetching 6 top fives and 11 top tens. Now, however, Reddick is 29 points below the cutline. So he needs to win the Charlotte Roval elimination race if he hopes to contend in Talladega in the Round of 8.
To make things worse, Tyler Reddick is facing a tough family problem. His 4-month-old son, Rookie, was hospitalized in an intensive care unit. He showed signs of “heart failure,” according to a post by Reddick’s wife, Alexa DeLeon, before the Kansas race on Sept 29th. DeLeon wrote, “After a run around for months with the pediatrician office, I knew what was going on was something bigger. Always trust your mom gut. Our sweet Rookie was showing signs of heart failure that were being missed. Please please pray for this sweet guy that God heals his heart. With God, Rookie, and his amazing doctors here at Levine’s I believe He can.”
On the other hand, Tyler Reddick is also in an unstable situation career-wise. 23XI Racing looks to be on the brink of losing the NASCAR lawsuit, following which Reddick’s future would be uncertain. For now, however, Reddick can bank on his road course brilliance for the Roval. He is second among playoff drivers in points (166) on road courses in 2025. Reddick clinched 3rd at Circuit of the Americas and Chicago, 6th at Sonoma, and 9th at Watkins Glen.
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Well, it is a tough time for Tyler Reddick and also his rivals amidst the tension-filled playoffs. They may harness motivation from the sweet memories of Grant Lynch – may he rest in peace!

Kyle Busch’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has been a turbulent journey, marked by challenges and a notable incident during the Kansas playoff race. At the Hollywood Casino 400, the Richard Childress Racing star finished 19th, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the No. 8 team, as Busch and his crew grappled with car setup issues and inconsistent performances.
The team’s challenges were further underscored by a tense moment when Busch’s spotter, Derek Kneeland, passionately urged the crew to maintain morale, stating, “I know you guys are trying your as—s off and I know we’re struggling but we’ve gotta try to keep him and everybody upbeat. We are not going home 35th tonight. If we do I’m gonna jump of this f—g spotter’s stand.” This outburst reflected what many, including veteran driver Kevin Harvick, have been vocal about: Kyle Busch and RCR need a fresh start.
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Kevin Harvick stresses RCR’s team dynamics and Kyle Busch’s rocky run
On his Happy Hour podcast, Harvick expressed his belief that a fresh start could be beneficial for Busch, suggesting that a change in environment might reignite the competitive fire that has defined Busch’s illustrious career. “It was interesting to see his comments this weekend just about how everybody needed a fresh start. When he’s talking about himself and Kyle Busch,” he said.
Randall Burnett, former crew chief for Kyle Busch at Richard Childress Racing, openly discussed the need for a fresh start, both for himself and the team. “I’m excited about my opportunity over there, and you know, obviously, something’s got to change on this 8 car,” said Burnett in an interview. “We haven’t been performing the way we needed to. I think everybody needs a fresh start. I got a really good opportunity with where I’m going. Obviously, Connor’s a great young talent. I miss working with the younger guys. So, you know, just kind of all worked out.”
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Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with 63 career victories, has encountered a series of challenges in recent seasons. Despite his impressive track record, Busch has been experiencing a prolonged winless streak, with his last Cup Series victory dating back to 2023. The 2025 season has been particularly tough, with Busch ranking 21st in the standings and struggling to secure consistent top-10 finishes. His best result this season was a 5th-place finish at the Circuit of the Americas, but such performances have been rare.
“Kyle Busch had another miserable weekend. But I think he’s right. I think that Kyle needs a fresh start, too, with somebody else to just kind of reset. The way that I took Randall’s comments where it was just time for everybody to just start over in a new situation,” Harvick continued. Along with Busch, RCR has also been under scrutiny. Team officials have acknowledged that while the car has potential for competitive performance, there are areas in need of improvement.
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Earlier this week, Harvick made a comment that resonated with the broader theme of evolution in NASCAR. He noted, “We all want to see Kyle Busch win,” highlighting the collective desire for the sport’s icons to reclaim their former glory. Harvick’s acknowledgement of past rivalries and current camaraderie with Busch further emphasizes the importance of adaptability and the potential for resurgence through change.
While Busch navigates the complexities of a challenging season, Kevin Harvick‘s own experience in RCR illustrates a similar pattern of disappointments.
The move that changed Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR career
Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR journey began with RCR in 2001, following the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Stepping into the iconic No. 29 car, Harvick quickly made a name for himself, winning in just his 3rd Cup Series start at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Over the next 13 seasons, he secured 23 victories and consistently contended for championships, finishing as high as 3rd in the standings.
However, despite individual successes, Harvick’s tenure at RCR was marked by challenges, including a lack of consistent championship contention and internal tensions, such as the infamous incident at Martinsville in 2013 involving Ty Dillon. “Just like everybody else’s job, sometimes you need a change to get going again,” Harvick said in 2013, as he announced his leave from RCR.
Joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, Harvick was paired with crew chief Rodney Childers, forming a formidable duo. The move was seen as a strategic decision to rejuvenate his career and align with a team that had shown promise but had yet to secure a championship. The transition was smooth, with Harvick adapting quickly to SHR’s culture and resources, setting the stage for a successful partnership.
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“The biggest difference with Rodney is he’s a guy who wants to win practice, qualify on the pole, lead every lap, run the fastest lap of the race and that’s what he expected as a driver,” Harvick once said of why he wanted to work with Childers. “A lot of times, you just don’t know how relationships are going to go. Sometimes, you hit it. Sometimes, you don’t. For us, he’s very low-key, but he’s very competitive.” And 2014 then proved to be a turning point in Harvick’s career.

The new issue of RACER magazine arrives this week, packed with unmissable stories and features and the very best in motorsports photography. As a taster, enjoy the “director’s cut” of four-time NASCAR Cup Series champ and three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon’s Best/Worst.
Best career decision?
The game-changer for me was the opportunity that came along thanks to Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports. At that time I was driving for a good team in what was then called the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series, Bill Davis Racing, and we were racing Fords. I had built a good relationship with both the brand and the team, and it looked like if I was going to move up to the top, NASCAR Cup, it was going to be with them. And then Rick came along… It was a tough decision because I knew there were going to be hurt feelings, and there were still going to be challenges. But I also knew already that it couldn’t be a bad decision because the resources that Hendrick Motorsports had, the type of person Rick is, the commitment I saw there, all made me confident. And it worked out.
Worst career decision?
Unfortunately, it goes hand-in-hand with the best decision: it was how I told Bill Davis that I was joining Hendrick. Bill was getting ready to move up to Cup, and we were having a good season in the Busch Series and yet I knew I’d made this decision to change teams. But we flew up to Chicago together to meet with Target, and I was thinking that this is the right way to do it – help Bill land the big sponsor, and then on I go to Hendrick. The meeting went really well, and as Bill and I came down on the elevator, he was really excited: he said, “Hey, this is it, we’re rolling!” And I said, “Er, Bill, I gotta tell you something…” Well, there was never going to be a good time to tell him this, but that was a really bad time. So yeah, I think that’s my worst decision. I should have told him long before then.
Greatest race?
There was one race at Dover in 1999 where I thought I drove pretty great and led a significant number of laps and we ended up losing. But I think the Brickyard 400 in 1994 was a career-changer for my path because it was only my second win, and for the sport’s path, too, because it was the first time that Cup had raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I’d like to have had my battle against Ernie Irvan play out because unfortunately he got a puncture with five laps to go, but it was still a great race.
Most disappointing race?
Oh, there’s a much longer list for this! One I particularly remember is at Pocono in ’95, when we’d led more than half the race, there’s a late yellow, we came to the restart with seven to go, and I missed the shift from second to third. Terry Labonte just led this freight train of cars past me down that long front straight. It was a terrible feeling, especially for my team who’d given me such a good car.
Actually, there’s another Pocono one where I was disappointed in myself, in 2013. I came up from the middle of the grid and was leading for the final restart, and I was so desperate to not overcook it at Turn 1 that Kasey Kahne got past me. So that’s another one where one of my teammates beat me at Pocono.
But I think maybe worst of all was Texas Motor Speedway in 2014. It felt like we had that race won several times, but then there was a bunch of caution periods near the end. Then on a late restart, Brad Keselowski and I made contact, and it cut down a tire on my car, so I spun and had to pit. After the race, there was a big debacle on pit lane, but I was so disappointed because that result [29th] with just two more races to go took us out of the running for the championship in a year where I thought we had a strong chance of getting it done.
Most significant win?
Again, you could look at the win at the Brickyard in ’94, or my first ever Cup win earlier that year, at Charlotte. But actually maybe my most significant win is my final one [of 93!] at Martinsville in 2015: that holds a lot of sentimental value for me, because my wife and kids were there. They had never gotten to see the years when I was dominating, but that Martinsville win was great because it kept us in the running for the championship in what we knew was my final season. We ended up third in points, but that final win was very special to me.
What race win would you love to have on your resume?
Hmm, there’s a bunch: I could say Pikes Peak… but honestly, I would have to say the Indy 500. I grew up watching Indy cars, and the 500 was amazing. My heroes were Rick Mears, the Unsers and A.J. Foyt, so that race was one I dreamt about racing in. Fortunately, the Brickyard 400 allowed me to at least race at the same venue, and winning it a few times [five] helped – somewhat – make up for not getting a chance to compete in the 500.
Who was your best teammate?
One of my first teammates, Ken Schrader, was my best teammate. He had been in the series for about 10 years by the time I got there, and he was a fun-loving good guy, great driver, and an all-around help for a rookie like me. I think he was important to getting me to Cup in the first place because I raced him in open-wheel series, and seeing his talent made me interested in NASCAR and wanting to know more about it. Then when I got there and we ended up as teammates, I could see Ken was supportive of the whole Hendrick organization and open to sharing ideas and information, but also someone who always kept us laughing. We’re still great friends to this day; I love that man.
Who was your worst teammate?
Two answers to this. The first is Ricky Rudd – and we have joked about this recently, by the way. We were only teammates for one season, my first season of 1993, and he did not like me at all. Well, I don’t know if it was personal, or maybe it was the situation, because he’d been with the team three years already and could see it building up momentum and saw himself as the guy who could bring Hendrick its first championship. Having me arrive in a third Hendrick car was probably something he regarded as disrupting that momentum. But then when he left and started his own team for ’94, he and I still got into it. Thankfully, we can laugh about it now.
But the second answer to this question is Jimmie Johnson! Of course, we’re great friends and I had a lot to do with him coming to NASCAR Cup… but damn, the guy just won too much! His arrival slowed my win rate and probably prevented me from getting two or three more championships. I say this in jest, of course.
Best racecar?
Without doubt, the best car I ever drove was the Williams-BMW F1 car in 2003, around the Indianapolis road course. It was amazing. But the best one I raced was the Cadillac DPi-V.R with Wayne Taylor Racing for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. I was with Ricky and Jordan Taylor and Max Angelelli, and that car was just the coolest car I ever raced – amazing grip, in the dry and wet.
My favorite NASCAR car was 2014, and when I say that, I know it hurts the feelings of Ray Evernham [Gordon’s engineer at Bill Davis Racing and then at Hendrick from ’92 to ’99]. But if you look at the 2014 cars in terms of aerodynamics, horsepower, tires and overall raceability, I think the Hendrick Chevys were just great, and they set track records that I think still haven’t been broken.
Worst racecar?
When I first started getting into stock cars and I wanted all the experience I could get, I discovered in USAC midget and sprint cars that I loved the half-mile super-high-banked Winchester Speedway. Well, in ’92, I was invited by the chassis builder Mike Laughlin to drive a Super Late Model at the Winchester 400. Oh my God, it was just a horrific experience! Things were breaking, the car wasn’t fast, I wasn’t fast, nothing went well, and it ended with me crashing out of the race when something broke. Terrible.
Best track you ever raced on?
It’s hard to beat Bristol, because it’s the ultimate exhilaration for a NASCAR driver, to experience the acceleration and cornering ability of a stock car, and for the challenges it offers. The car gets light at the rear as you get into the corner and then loads up heavy on the banking, but you can run the bottom or the top, and you have to manage your tires. Even now, coming to it as a commentator or visitor, I watch it as just a pure fan. And funnily enough, Mark Webber reached out to me and for the second time he’s saying, “Mate, I want to come to Bristol!” I met him at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix and he was asking me about Knoxville, Eldora, the Chili Bowl, and so on. I had no idea he loved short ovals.
So anyway, I’ve taken him to Knoxville – he loved it – and now he’s reached out again and I’m taking him to Bristol. I think for people who’ve watched NASCAR but not necessarily experienced it, when you see all our races on television, Bristol becomes the bucket-list venue.
If you’d asked me which is the best track I’ve experienced, then hands-down, it’s the Nürburgring. Chevrolet graciously took me there last year when they were testing the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X so I went through the normal industry pool training and then I got to tool around in the Z06 for a couple of days. And I’ve gotta say, it is the ultimate track: there’s just no other place like it.
Track you wish you’d raced on?
Hmm, as a track to drive on and experience, the Nürburgring, but that would also be my answer to “What’s the most dangerous track you could race on?”! So I think the track I’d have most loved to race on is Spa-Francorchamps. I’ve always loved it and then because my wife is Belgian, I’ve visited there quite a few times and gotten the chance to drive around it. I think it’s a spectacular venue but it’s also really good for racing.
What car from history would you like to have raced?
Having tried out the Williams, I’d have to say F1, but if I was asked which era, that’s a bit more difficult. I think I’d definitely like it to have a V10 naturally-aspirated engine, and rev-matching and heel-and-toeing was never my thing, so I’d definitely go for a paddle-shift. So I guess we’re talking mid- to late 1990s, first half of the next decade.
Advice for someone who wants to start racing?
Like the other guys who’ve done your Q&A, it seems like I’ve been asked this a million times, by parents and kids, and it’s a tough one to answer because you know the number of failures out there versus the number of success stories. But I would say start young and get into the best and safest equipment you can afford, and then try to find the fun in it, because the complication and cost of turning pro can become a grind and it can drain you. If that effort doesn’t feel like work and instead feels like a passion that you want to do for the rest of your life, then you can probably endure the hardships.

Celtics training camp was off and running Tuesday — literally.
According to two players who participated, Boston’s first camp practice featured a noticeable uptick in pace, offering a preview of how head coach Joe Mazzulla’s new-look squad plans to play this season.
“Think of, like, a NASCAR pit stop,” forward Xavier Tillman said. “You just don’t stop moving. As soon as you go in, the guys are like, exchange, exchange, and we’re out. That’s what it is. As soon as we cross halfcourt, we’re on.”
The Celtics were one of the NBA’s slowest offensive teams last season, ranking second-to-last in the league in multiple pace metrics. Only the plodding, defensive-focused Orlando Magic averaged fewer possessions per game and fewer seconds per possession than the 2024-25 Celtics, per analytics site Dunks & Threes. The Celtics also ranked 29th in fast-break points per game, ahead of only Charlotte.
More than a half-dozen players have said this week that Boston plans to play much faster after turning over its roster through trades and free agent additions. That was one of the main themes of Celtics media day on Monday — and a stated goal for players since early in the offseason.
“You could tell right since I got here that that’s the focus this year,” Luka Garza, one of five newcomers on the Celtics’ 15-man roster, said after Tuesday’s practice. “That what we want to do is get up and down and push the pace and get into actions early and be able to move the ball around and score and kind of use all sides of the floor while doing that. I think Coach said today, we’re not just going to play like that, we’re going to practice like that. So, that was evident from the structure of the practice.”
The goal, Garza said, will be to push the tempo without playing recklessly.
“It’s playing fast and playing smart at the same time, and seeing the action,” the fifth-year big man said. “It’s not just chuck it and shoot it with 20 seconds on the shot clock. It’s trying to get into actions early so we can get looks early, and if it’s not there, you go to the second or third action. It’s just, everything you do is with a fast pace. You see a lot of teams that get the ball and walk it up. I’ve been on teams like that before, and that’s not what we’re trying to do.”
Tillman added: “The frontcourt, we’re going to have to run a lot. For sure.”
Mazzulla, who is coaching a roster that lost Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet and will not have rehabbing superstar Jayson Tatum for the foreseeable future, said it’s his job to accentuate what his players do well.
“I think you’re always looking at building the strengths of your roster,” Mazzulla said. “Just take advantage of the strengths that you have. And with that, what makes the most sense and gives us the best chance to play? Playing fast, I think, is an overused term. I think it’s more of a mindset and overall approach to the way you execute, the way you move the ball, the way also you defend. So we’ll just take a look at our roster and see what gives us the best chance to put us in position to win every night, and we’ll do that.”
Celtics training camp practices are closed to fans and the media, so the public will get its first look at this shift in philosophy when Boston opens its preseason against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 8.

In the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series, JR Motorsports has redefined excellence, setting a new benchmark with 16 wins across 121 races, a significant leap from their 2024 tally of 7 wins in 149 races. The team’s dominance is underscored by an average finish of 12.3 and 2169 laps led, reflecting their strategic prowess and consistent performance. Veteran Justin Allgaier, the defending series champion, secured 3 victories, while Connor Zilisch emerged as a sensation, clinching 9 wins and the regular season championship.
But as JR Motorsports celebrates this unprecedented success, internal shifts are underway to ensure sustained excellence. The organization announced a partnership with Roto-Rooter, marking a significant sponsorship deal for the 2025 season. Additionally, the team is focusing on refining their technical operations and driver development programs to maintain their competitive edge. And among these changes, a rumor emerges that has fans wondering what’s next for JRM
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The NASCAR rumor that could change JRM’s Xfinity future
AJ Allmendinger is rumored to join JR Motorsports for a part-time schedule in the Xfinity Series. Although the sources remain scarce, a recent quip by spotter Freddie Kraft in the Door Bumper Clear podcast, saying, “We walked in with one of them this morning,” referring to part-time drivers who will drive for JRM next year, hints at a possible shift.
Although Allmendinger is set to return to full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition in 2026 with Kaulig Racing, the possibility of going part-time with JRM remains strong. Kaulig team president, Chris Rice, confirmed the Cup Series news, stating, “100 percent,” Allmendinger will remain as the driver of Kaulig’s No. 16 Cup entry. This move comes after a successful 2025 season where Allmendinger contributed to Kaulig Racing’s growth and performance.
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In just 2 races of the 2025 Xfinity Series, running full-time for Kaulig Racing, Allmendinger secured a victory and added 2 top-5 finishes, leading a total of 43 laps. His average finishing position stood at an impressive 1.5, underscoring his dominance on these specialized tracks. He clinched his first win of the season at the Charlotte ROVAL, a track where he has consistently excelled, boasting an average finish of 1.5 over his last two races there.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. commended both Allmendinger and teammate Ty Dillon for their resilience and performance, stating, “Fast-forward to right now, they bring AJ back to the Cup car, they hire Ty Dillon, which I didn’t know how that was going to work out because Ty’s kinda been MIA for a while and just piecing things together and struggling. But both cars have overachieved in my opinion. Just looking at the statistics, you can see a huge improvement. AJ’s been running great.”
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Looking back at the 2024 season, Allmendinger continued to be a consistent contender for Kaulig Racing. He participated in 33 races, securing 1 win, 7 top-5 finishes, and 18 top-10 finishes. His performance was marked by an average starting position of 8.1 and an average finishing position of 13.4. Throughout the season, he led a total of 258 laps, demonstrating his ability to compete at the front of the field.
Allmendinger himself has shared his passion for racing, stating, “I just love the punishment man. I just really do. I’ve been very fortunate. We’re in the final four we have a chance to win a championship. It might change a lot of people’s lives in Kaulig Racing.” Despite his efforts, he did not capture the championship, but his consistent performances solidified his reputation as a road course specialist.
In the 2023 season, Allmendinger’s schedule was more limited, with participation in 5 races. During this period, he achieved 2 wins and 4 top-5 finishes, highlighting his efficiency and competitiveness even with fewer opportunities. His average starting position was 3.2, and he maintained an average finishing of 3.8, leading 81 laps in total.
With each season becoming a proving ground for Allmendinger, the rumor might just turn out to be true and refreshing for fans.
Rodney Childers’ perfect fit at JR Motorsports
This summer has been a whirlwind for Rodney Childers, who parted ways with Spire Motorsports and Justin Haley just 9 races into the 2025 Cup Series season. Returning to his roots, Childers took charge in the CARS Tour with Kevin Harvick and young standout Landen Lewis. The duo dominated, claiming 4 victories and leading the championship, while Childers also cherished more time with his wife, Katrina, and sons, Brody and Gavin.
“For me, the last couple of months, I just started to look at things differently,” Childers said. “I always felt like I needed to prove something and needed to win more Cup championships or the Daytona 500 but then I realized there is more to life than that.” Childers’ shift in perspective opened the door to a new chapter at JR Motorsports, where he will serve as crew chief of the No. 1 Xfinity Series car, working with young talents Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch.
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“I opened myself up to talking to some Truck Series teams about some opportunities and that caught Dale by surprise. He asked me, ‘Do you really not have anything lined up, yet?’ and I told him where I was at, and then he told me about Connor and Carson and it was just a dream scenario,” he reminisced. For Childers, this role blends family, mentorship, and competition perfectly.
“This is basically the old car that we had a lot of success with, Sundays at church with Katrina and the boys, racing with two really exceptional young drivers and I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.” He added, “When I raced with Kevin, if we didn’t win, it was my fault. This car is my responsibility. That means getting the most out of it, finding the right people, and making it go fast. It needs to win.” At 49, Childers sees this as the ideal opportunity to shape the next generation of racing stars while continuing to build his legacy.

All Times Eastern
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Bank of America ROVAL 400
Playoffs — Round of 12
Site: Concord, North Carolina.
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
Race distance: 109 laps, 248.52 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, 2 p.m., qualifying, 3:10 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (USA).
Last year: Kyle Larson dominated late, leading 62 of the final 82 laps securing the win in the conclusion of 2024’s Round of 12.
Last race: Chase Elliott clinched a spot in the Round of 8 after a thrilling last-second pass of Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin in double overtime.
Next race: Oct. 12, Las Vegas.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Blue Cross NC 250
Playoffs — Round of 12
Site: Concord, North Carolina.
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
Race distance: 109 laps, 248.52 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, 11:30 a.m., qualifying, 12:40 p.m., race, 5 p.m. (CW).
Last year: Sam Mayer locked in a spot in the Round of 8 after a late-race pass of Parker Kligerman in overtime.
Last race: Brandon Jones punched a ticket to the Round of 8 in a dominant performance in Kansas City, beating a second place Zilisch by nearly three seconds in the second race of Round of 12.
Next race: Oct. 11, Las Vegas.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Race at Charlotte ROVAL
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Concord, North Carolina.
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
Race distance: 67 laps, 152.76 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 11:05 a.m., qualifying, 12:10 p.m., race, 3:30 p.m. (FS1).
Last year: Grant Enfinger secured a trip to the Championship 4 after a wild finish that saw multiple trucks wreck in the Round of 8 opener.
Last race: Pole-sitter Corey Heim tied the series record with his ninth win of the season, leading 124 of 175 laps at New Hampshire.
Next race: Oct. 17, Talladega Superspeedway.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA 1
Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix
Site: Marina Bay, Singapore.
Track: Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Race distance: 62 laps, 190 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 5:25 a.m., practice, 8:55 a.m.; Saturday, practice, 5:25 a.m., qualifying, 8:55 a.m.; Sunday, race, 7:55 a.m. (ESPN).
Last year: Pole-sitter Lando Norris secured his third victory of the season, leading the entire race and narrowing the championship gap behind Max Verstappen.
Last race: Claiming back-to-back victories, Max Verstappen holds on as a contender for the Formula 1 title after leading every single lap in a dominant win at Baku.
Next race: Oct. 19, Del Valle, Texas.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
Season Wrap: Alex Palou won his third consecutive series championship, securing the title in four of the last five seasons.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Next race: October 12, Ennis, Texas.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Humboldt Showdown
J&S Classics National Open
Ed Gressel Tribute
Next race: Oct. 10-11.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
_____
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

It has been a long time coming. Austin Dillon has often fueled speculation about Richard Childress’ eventual retirement by candidly admitting that his grandfather is beginning to slow down and spend more time away from the grind of NASCAR. While praising Childress as “the rock” of the team, Dillon admitted on the Dale Junior Download that family conversations about RCR’s future leaders are happening more often. So, is the 80-year-old’s time as the NASCAR owner coming to an end faster than expected?
Richard Childress entered NASCAR as a driver in 1969, never imagining he’d build a powerhouse team that would claim six Cup Series championships. His journey from independent racer to RCR founder created a lasting family legacy. Now, attention turns to his grandson, Austin Dillon, who could steer the team forward. And one NASCAR fan just dropped the hammer on RC’s retirement.
Taking to NASCARonReddit, one user didn’t shy away from announcing his source: “I have insider knowledge that he is, in fact, retiring and an event will be held this weekend. I have family attending. Family member used to work for a company that supplied items for RCR. We used to get garage passes for Dover all the time from his company.”
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Richard Childress built his empire with a relentless mindset, working late at night in garages, personally overseeing car setups, and embodying the owner-driver ethos. Even today, at age 80, he is often seen trackside, clipboard in hand, actively steering the team. That presence sets the tone for RCR’s work ethic, but it also becomes a testament to how heavily the team still leans on his leadership and values.
In 2025, Dillon has expanded his role beyond just driving. He is involved in crew chief selection, technical partnerships, and mentoring younger engineers and mechanics, especially with new figures like Richard Boswell stepping into leadership. This evolution comes on the heels of a lean 2024, when RCR failed to score a Cup victory and finished uncharacteristically low in the standings.
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Austin Dillon’s dual role, evangelizing RCR’s legacy while coaxing it toward innovation, positions the team at a crossroads: honor what made them legendary while racing smart in a sport that has never been this competitive. And now, with this rumor underway, many believe that Dillon will slip in next.
While speculation is mounting that the 2026 season could mark the 35-year-old’s final full-time run behind the wheel, there are growing beliefs that he will transition into a leadership role at RCR. His recent comments about RCR slowing down and the family prepping for the future have only added fuel to the narrative, especially as rumors continue to swell about a potential Dodge return to NASCAR in 2027.
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Many in the garage see Dillon positioning himself as the natural successor to guide RCR through that manufacturer shift and the next phase of the team’s legacy. But he stressed his current focus on driving, saying, “Yeah, I think. Right now, I can be- I have to brag lot of the team, but we’re the best team that I’ve been a part of. I feel that way. So if we can’t go out and compete, you know, the rest of the, the next year, we got to think about you; we have to think about that direction for me.”
However, Dillon will surely need to turn things around for RCR after a lackluster season. If there is one way to sum up Richard Childress Racing’s 2025 journey, it is performance inconsistencies and mounting challenges. Austin Dillon delivered a standout victory at Richmond Raceway, leading 107 laps and repeating his win from the previous year. This made him the first-ever driver to do so after Denny Hamlin’s feat in 2009 and 2010.
On the other hand, despite the ongoing winless streak, Kyle Busch also had brief flashes of powerful form early in 2025. He notched impressive results, including a seventh-place finish at Atlanta, 5th fifth-place finish at COTA, and a solid eighth-place finish at Phoenix. However, with Dillon knocked out in the Round of 16, his recent performance at Kansas hasn’t made it any better…
Austin Dillon endures a frustrating Kansas race as Childress rumors grow
Austin Dillon was left absolutely stunned as his Richard Childress Racing team completely missed the mark with their setup at Kansas Speedway last weekend.
Dillon, who has been vocal about the tough love situation he faces with RC, faced yet another tough situation this race—rolling off the grid in 16th for the Hollywood Casino 400. But it wasn’t long before things unraveled; he tumbled all the way back to 30th in the early stages. And he wasn’t alone in his frustration. Bubba Wallace also aired his grievances after a radio message from his crew chief ignited a response.
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With his disbelief going through the team radio, Dillon said, “Unbelievable that we can miss it this bad, guys.” Meanwhile, teammate Kyle Busch, who is generating buzz over plans to extend his racing career, also struggled to find a footing in the early going. Still, he showed resilience with a solid 13th-place rebound last week at New Hampshire.
Do you think he can deliver better results in the coming races? Let us know in the comments.

Crowning a NASCAR Champion used to be simple in the Golden Era. Remember the time Dale Earnhardt Sr. clinched the 1987 Winston Cup championship with two races remaining? He had secured the title with a 515-point lead, becoming the third-ever driver in NASCAR history to clinch the championships with two races to go. But with massive changes over the decades to the playoff systems, the winner-takes-all finale has been deeply scrutinized. And now, NASCAR is weighing a major shakeup for 2026 that could return to a full-season point system after over 20 years.
At the most recent meeting of the NASCAR Playoff committee on September 17, that idea had gained considerable support. The brain trust, drivers, team owners, track officials, and media folks tossed around ideas that could shake up the sport. Mike Forde, NASCAR director of communications, hinted that some committee members were giddy at the thought, arguing it would reward consistency and truly crown the most deserving driver over the long haul.
Speaking on the most recent Dale Junior’s DJD podcast, the veteran is more than convinced that the 36-championship is set to make a comeback. He said, “Yes, it’s happening. Yes, I’m seeing it. Yes, some people are talking about it. Yes, there’s a Reddit conversation around it. But is it really a big deal? Is it really something that’s happening in the industry? …And this is one of those things. We don’t really know how serious NASCAR themselves are about truly contemplating the change, but now that this has been teased as having some—even a sliver—of hope, have we not seen a very large majority of people excited about that?”
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Dale Jr. also opened up about how the mood inside NASCAR’s Playoff Format Committee has gradually shifted. Recalling the early conversations, he admitted, “At the beginning of the year, the mere mention of a full-season points deal was pretty taboo, kind of early on that.”
At the time, bringing back the old pre-2003 format felt almost impossible. But as the season wore on, frustrations with the playoff system began to mount. The committee ran several polls to gauge opinion, and as Earnhardt Jr. explained, “Basically, the results that we took in February in the first poll that we took saying yes, think a multiple would be good, you know, saying no, and then very few 36 race full season that was saying full season is best.”
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But Junior isn’t alone on this. NASCAR driver Christopher Bell has urged NASCAR to return to the Golden Era. Bell has voiced a strong preference for a championship format that rewards consistency throughout the entire racing season rather than a single decisive race.
He said, “I think there’s only one true, legitimate champion crowning format and that’s to count every race. I think that is how you get a legitimate champion. I’m hopeful that there is compromise on what we have now. You know, I’ve been very vocal about taking as many we can get. I think that 36 races are full points for the entire year and that is the best way to go.”
As the smoke cleared, NASCAR’s top brass, including the board of directors, will now weigh the committee’s musings before signing off on any changes. Forde stressed no official announcements will drop until after the 2025 season finale on November 2 at Phoenix raceway, keeping the Spotlight on the current championship battle.
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Forde also emphasized, “I would be very surprised if the one-race championship is still around. That was a big talking point of we need a bigger sample size if we’re going to keep the playoffs, and the championship needs to be more than one race.”
But amid talks about the NASCAR playoffs returning to a full-season championship and Junior ripping off the current playoff system, the NASCAR Hall of Famer is set to return to racing…
Dale Jr. is set to return to racing at Tri-County Motor Speedway
The Dale Earnhardt Jr. CARS Tour races into Tri-County Motor Speedway this Saturday for a high-stakes doubleheader, just ahead of the season championship showdown. With intense points battles heating up on the return of Dale Jr. in Sun Drop colors, Hudson, North Carolina, is set for a weekend full of nostalgia.
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NASCAR Hall of Famer and CARS Tour co-owner Dale Junior will make his fourth and final Late Model Stock Car start of 2025 behind the wheel of the Sun Drop No. 8 Chevrolet. Sun Drop has revived its partnership with Junior, harking back to his memorable 2022 debut at North Wilkesboro Speedway, where he staged a late-race surge to finish third.
While that remains his only top-five finish in six CARS Tour LMSC outings, Junior has consistently run near the front, including two 10th-place finishes at Florence and Anderson Speedways. This weekend also marks Junior’s first appearance at Tri-County since the track underwent major repaving, adding a new layer of challenge for the seasoned driver.

The Jury is out on NASCAR viewership; it’s down and falling. From fans criticizing the current playoff format to heated driver feuds and even team owners clashing with the series itself, like NASCAR versus 23XI Racing lawsuit, challenges keep popping up. But when fans start pulling away, now that’s a real red flag because no sport thrives without them. And from recent times, viewership has been dipping in NASCAR, sparking debates on reasons like the playoff format, the average fan’s age, track choices, and race scheduling. But what went wrong? The numbers show a significant dip, and fans might have the answer.
One factor keeps coming up in these talks: the broadcasters’ handling of NASCAR’s massive media deal. As races get split across FOX, NBC, Warner Bros., Discovery, and Amazon, these broadcasters decide how fans access the action and what it costs them. Take the recent Kansas race—Jeff Gluck’s poll showed about 91% of fans rated it as good, yet viewership fell. Similar dips hit other playoff races, like the round of 12 opener at New Hampshire, with only 1.29 million viewers. So let’s try to find out if these billion-dollar partners are really responsible and how the fans’ anger is justified.
The media partners of NASCAR are the source of its problems with viewership in the 2025 playoffs because they have a considerable influence on the distribution of races to viewers, which they spend billions of dollars on. The 7-year contract is over a total of $7.7 billion, with an average of $1.1 billion per year, divided between FOX, NBC, Amazon Prime, and TNT Sports; still, this has resulted in accessibility problems and a drop in numbers.
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In an example, as an X post of Jeff Gluck shows, the Kansas playoff race on USA Network only reached 1.49 million viewers, compared to 1.79 million in 2024, and the New Hampshire opener was also only 1.29 million, compared to 1.88 million the previous year. In-house rivalries, such as the current contract war between NBCUniversal and YouTube TV, are at risk of causing blackouts to major races, forcing fans to scramble and damaging engagement.
NASCAR got 1.49 million viewers for the Kansas Cup Series race on Sunday.
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Last year: 1.79 million.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) September 30, 2025
Jeff Gluck, in a chat with Jordan Bianchi on The Teardown podcast, pointed out the networks’ influence, saying, “They have a huge seat at the table. They’re paying a billion-plus dollars.” This underscores how broadcasters, while funding the sport heavily, often defer big decisions back to NASCAR.
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Gluck added, paraphrasing NBC’s stance: “And NBC, I’m paraphrasing from what I understand, essentially told them, ‘Hey, you guys do what’s best for the sport.’ Okay?” This hands-off approach stems from networks prioritizing their bottom lines amid shifting viewer habits, but it leaves NASCAR to fix issues like poor scheduling against NFL games. Danielle Trotta echoed this on the Stacking Pennies podcast, noting, “Well, I think going up against the NFL is really tough. You know, I think they were down what year over year was a 19 to a one.”
Her comment highlights the brutal competition, where NASCAR’s 1.0 rating pales against NFL juggernauts, a problem amplified by broadcasters slotting races on cable like USA instead of over-the-air channels. These insights show how the partners’ strategies, from divided rights to minimal input on fixes, contribute to the slide. But fans aren’t staying quiet about it.
What fans are saying about the viewership crisis
One fan summed up the confusion perfectly: “Nobody that watches the NFL has to look up or keep track of what network/s are broadcasting the games. The need to clean this up, a lot.” This frustration stems from NASCAR’s scattered schedule across multiple platforms, unlike the NFL‘s consistent spots on major networks like CBS and FOX. In 2025, only a handful of Cup races aired on broadcast TV, forcing viewers to juggle subscriptions for USA, TNT, and streaming services.
This setup, born from the $7.7 billion deal aiming to modernize reach, instead alienates casual fans who miss races due to the hassle, as seen in Reddit threads where users report giving up mid-season.
Shifting focus to promotion efforts, another viewer highlighted a key shortfall. They said, “I again am going to point at the lacking of marketing by NBC into these dips as a major factor. For all the crap we give FOX for their broadcasting, and rightfully so imo, they at least try to market their sporting events way more than NBC ever has.”
NBC’s minimal ads during non-racing programming contrast with FOX’s aggressive pushes, like cross-promos in NFL broadcasts, raised questions. This lack, tied to NBC’s focus on broader content like the Olympics, has a real impact—playoff races on USA saw drops partly because potential viewers weren’t aware, echoing complaints after the Kansas event where hype fell flat despite the race’s quality.
“There have been two races on network TV since March. If this sport continues to be used as nothing more than a crutch for the dying medium that is cable, there is no playoff change, horsepower increase, or branding initiative that will matter in terms of sustaining an audience. There’s no upward path in a room where the ceiling is collapsing,” one commenter noted.
With 23 races on cable and five on streaming in 2025, accessibility suffers, especially as cord-cutting rises. This mirrors broader trends where sports like MLB see boosts from broadcast shifts, but NASCAR’s reliance on USA and TNT has led to historic lows, like New Hampshire’s numbers, pushing loyal fans to illegal streams or simply tuning out.
Compare that to other series, and the contrast stings even more. A fan observed, “So IndyCar saw an uptick for almost all their broadcasts after having every race on FOX, whereas NASCAR is bleeding viewers after having 2/3s of its schedule on cable/streaming. Gee, I wonder why nobody is watching races on USA Network or TNT?”
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IndyCar’s 2025 move to all-FOX coverage lifted averages by 27%, drawing in broader audiences without paywalls. NASCAR’s split, meant to tap new demographics via Amazon and TNT, backfired amid low awareness, as evidenced by fan forums decrying hidden gems like the dramatic Kansas finish that fewer saw live.