The NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, an event traditionally held the week before the Coca-Cola 600, has always been designed as a no-holds-barred, high-stakes spectacle, originally called “The Winston” in 1985 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, the recent change in location of the All-Star Race is a clear sign of NASCAR’s strategy to break with tradition and seek new energy.
For 34 of its first 35 years, the race resided at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This tradition was broken in 2020 when the race moved to Bristol Motor Speedway, then to Texas Motor Speedway for 2 years, and then to the resurrected, historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for 2023 through 2025, marking NASCAR’s 75th anniversary. Now, the official announcement that Dover Motor Speedway will host the 2026 All-Star Race signals NASCAR’s intent to keep the event dynamic and unpredictable.
The constant state of flux within the sport is precisely what the insiders are dissecting, as NASCAR attempts to undo controversial decisions from its past. As Jordan Bianchi noted, “They talk about the All-Star Race next year against Dover, and what that could look like, and I think everybody’s agreed that you have to do something really special for that race. And the expectation is that you’re probably going to see a one-way-to-one kind of thing, to really kind of allow that. And OD said that on the show, like, ‘hey, we give the team more of a runway, get ready for this, we feel like we can do that, so we’ll see.’” He also noted that Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vice president, acknowledged the necessity of providing teams with ample preparation time to execute the vision.
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Denny Hamlin addressed the controversy over NASCAR’s proposed ‘Run What Ya Brung’ All-Star format, explaining that while the idea is exciting in theory, it’s financially impractical for teams. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, the 23XI Racing co-owner said, “I couldn’t imagine what this would cost us. More than likely, 2 million dollars? It just doesn’t make sense, guys. Trust me, as a fan and a driver, I wish we could do it. But under the parameters that were set, it just wasn’t thought out enough. It’s not feasible. No team is going to sign up to voluntarily lose millions of dollars.” He further explained the limitations of satellite teams like 23XI, saying, “I don’t have the CNC machines and all this stuff that the Gibbs, Hendrick, and Penske teams have…we’d have to go to ‘Big Brother.’”
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This suggestion of an “unrestricted” or unique package is a direct response to a legacy of decisions that, as Jeff Gluck stated, “Especially with the tires getting better, and Goodyear has unquestionably made gains with the tires they can fall for. When you combine the tire gains they’ve made with some percentage, who knows what percentage is better, 10% better, 5% better? So to have 750, you know, they’re at 670 right now. So it’s not going from 670 to 900. But O’Donnell on the podcast said, I think he said it would be like $40 or $50 million for the industry.”
This collective move toward more power and a willingness to stage spectacle-driven events at new, challenging tracks signals a strong pivot by NASCAR’s leadership to re-engage with its core audience. But what are fans saying about it?
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Fans speculate on NASCAR’s big changes
One fan playfully remarked, “Haas Factory Team just rolls in with an F1 car.” This sentiment echoed the excitement from a 2022 event where Haas F1 drivers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher took NASCAR hot laps with Stewart-Haas Racing drivers at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While another jokingly added, “Finally a way for Cole Custer to win again.” Custer, returning to the Cup Series with the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse after a successful stint in the Xfinity Series, has been facing a tough season ahead.
Another wrote, “Can’t wait to see 2000 hp Garage 56 with Dodge Daytona wings hybrid looking a– cars drifting through the turns going 230 mph into them. Yeah I think that’s a little too much to ask for lol.” For instance, the Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that races at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, was heavily modified NASCAR Next Gen car featuring a naturally aspirant 5.8-liter V8 engine producing around 650-700 horsepower.
Furthermore, the iconic Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Charger Daytona of 1969-1970 allowed Buddy Baker to break the 200 mph barrier in 1970, which fans think will happen at the All-Star Race too, as one fan stated, “Richard Petty & LMC Pulling up with the Plymouth Superbird Winged Cars.” But the modern Cup Series cars, including the Garage 56 version, use a much smaller, integrated rear spoiler and underwing designed under strict rules. So, while they can exceed 200 mph on superspeedways, a top lap speed at a 1-mile oval is closer to 167 mph for a Cup car.
While one fan further joked, “Watch Justin Marks Pull Up with his Trackhouse Moto GP bikes.” This is a literal realization of Marks’ desire for a globally relevant American vibe motorsport brand, culminating in the bold move to acquire a spot on the MotoGP World Championship grid in 2024 as the first fully American-owned team in over a decade, fielding Aprilia motorcycles for riders like Miguel Oliveira and Raúl Fernándes.
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The satirical fan comment saying, “Brad Keselowski gonna show up with a literal Submarine (reference to his build your submarine sponsor)” is a playful extension of the unusual, high-profile sponsorship RFK Racing secured with an initiative by the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base program via the non-profit BlueForge Alliance.

Emerging from the ashes of Martins Motorsports, which had ceased operations in 2018, Alpha Prime Racing made a triumphant return in 2020. Co-owners Tommy Joe Martins and Rodney Riessen re-entered the Xfinity Series with the No. 44 Chevrolet Camaro SS, purchasing chassis from GMS Racing and JGL Racing to bolster their inventory. Despite early challenges, including a failure to qualify for the season opener at Daytona and the temporary layoff of all employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team persevered.
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season witnessed APR’s continued evolution. Brennan Poole returned to the team, building on his 16th-place finish in the 2024 standings. The No. 45 car, driven by a rotating lineup including Caesar Bacarella, Josh Williams, and Mason Massey, showcased the team’s depth and adaptability. But with the end of this season, the team plans to switch alliances with a long-time manufacturer.
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How manufacturer loyalty yields to technical gain in NASCAR
Alpha Prime Racing’s potential switch from Chevrolet to Ford for the 2026 NASCAR Xfinity Series season has ignited considerable speculation within the motorsport community. While the team has not officially confirmed any manufacturer change, rumors have been circulating, fueled by insiders and fans alike. The rumor, circulating within the NASCAR “Silly Season” mill, posits that APR, currently fielding Chevrolet Camaros, could become a key beneficiary of Ford’s urgent need for a stronger, reliable presence in the Xfinity developmental ladder.
The primary catalyst for this rumor is the dramatic departure of Haas Factory Team (HFT) from the Ford umbrella, as HFT announced a switch to Chevrolet and a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports for the 2026 season. The loss of HFT, which inherited the Xfinity program from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing and was Ford’s flagship Xfinity team, even winning the 2023 championship with Cole Custer, left Ford’s developmental program severely depleted.
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Ford’s remaining Xfinity teams, such as RSS Racing and AM Racing, while capable, do not currently offer the consistent front-running performance or multi-car scale Ford desires for prospect development. This void creates a critical power vacuum and a unique, lucrative opportunity for a solid, multi-car Chevrolet team like APR to step in and immediately become one of Ford’s most resource-supported entries.
An example of a similar switch for an alliance upgrade was SS-GreenLight Racing, which moved from Chevrolet to Ford in 2022 to align with Stewart-Haas Racing, receiving not only Ford Mustangs but also SHR-supplied cars and Roush Yates Engines, a move designed to “raise their competitiveness to the next level,” as owner Bobby Dotter stated. APR would likely be seeking a similarly comprehensive technical alliance, potentially with an existing Ford powerhouse like RFK Racing or a newly incentivized Team Penske, to acquire race cars and a competitive engine program.
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While APR has achieved notable results, such as their first top-5 finish with Sage Karam at Daytona in 2022, they often operate on a tighter budget and utilize customer engine programs that may not be on par with the highest-tier leases enjoyed by organizations like JR Motorsports. By aligning with Ford, APR would likely gain a substantial injection of OEM funding, premium technical support, and potentially a pipeline for developing Ford prospects.
Team owner Tommy Joe Martins has often been praised for his business acumen and passion for the sport, striving to do more with less. This move might just secure APR’s future in the increasingly competitive landscape of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. However, another rumor has been circling the Cup garage.
Sam Hunt Racing eyes NASCAR Cup Series as ambitions grow
Sam Hunt Racing began as DRIVE Technology in 2013, founded by former racer Sam Hunt, who once lived in a van chasing his dreams. The team made its Xfinity Series debut in 2019 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and has steadily grown, expanding operations in Mooresville, North Carolina. Their 2025 season has been pivotal, featuring a rotation of drivers in the No. 24 car, including Ryan Truex, Corey Heim, Patrick Staropoli, and Jeffrey Earnhardt, who also returned for multiple races, notably at Talladega.
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Looking ahead, SHR’s ambitions appear to extend toward NASCAR’s top tier. The team has reportedly acquired Cup Series chassis, signaling preparations for a potential Cup Series entry as early as late 2025 or 2026. Hunt emphasized the team’s competitive goals, saying, “We have one step left to be there consistently. We’ve covered the bingo card all around Victory Lane. I want all of the people who have left bigger, Cup-affiliated teams and have gotten on board with what we’re building to be in victory lane. I won’t say it’ll be the most special day in my life because I am married, but it’ll be close to it.”

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Denny Hamlin has been NASCAR’s main character this season, from his lawsuit against NASCAR and his weekly, opinion-laden podcasts to the defining role he played in setting the final eight drivers in the playoff field.
He could be the busiest driver in the Cup Series; he also welcomed the birth of his third child in June, an occasion that caused him to skip NASCAR’s race in Mexico City.
Through it all, he has prevailed.
At Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, he became the first driver to lock up a berth in the championship-deciding season finale — his first appearance in the winner-take-all race since 2021 — with his series-best sixth win of the season. It was win No. 60 for Hamlin, which was always his career goal, and cemented him as not only the winningest driver in Joe Gibbs Racing history but also for Toyota.
It was the most emotional anyone has ever seen Hamlin in his two-plus decades racing in NASCAR. His 75-year-old father, a Virginia native who mortgaged his home multiple times, signed up for every credit card possible and nearly bankrupted the family trying to get his son to the top level of racing.
Hamlin wanted No. 60 for his father. A three-time Daytona 500 winner, he is considered the greatest driver to never win a championship and now wants to give a Cup title to his dad. He was in tears the final three laps, emotional on his radio on his cool-down lap and needed to compose himself on the frontstretch as he collected his checkered flag.
“I’m probably softer than what I put off. I maybe shed a tear during a love story on a movie or something if it’s a really emotional moment. I’ll never let my kids see it. But I do have feelings. I know it’s hard to believe,” Hamlin said. “I just know how much work it took for this to happen. It didn’t just happen. It wasn’t just luck. It just was so gratifying because of all the things I talked about.
“Maybe y’all played recreational sports as a kid, had that game-winning moment, but it’s just so big for me personally because this is what I do, this is what I’m paid to do,” he continued. “It will take a few days for it all to sink in. I knew there was no chance I was holding it back, no chance. Just let it go.”
It’s been a tough month for Hamlin alongside his father’s health woes:
— He spun JGR teammate Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire in a playoff race when he believed Gibbs, a non-title contender and grandson of the team owner, should not have been racing him so hard.
— He raced Bubba Wallace, who drives for Hamlin at 23XI Racing (the team co-owned by Michael Jordan that is suing NASCAR), too hard in the closing laps at Kansas in pursuit of No. 60. The battle cost Hamlin the win and Wallace a spot in the round of eight of the playoffs.
— Last week at Charlotte, his last-lap pass of Ross Chastain prevented Chastain from eliminating Joey Logano from the round of eight. Logano is the reigning Cup champion and winner of two of the last three titles. Hamlin complained he didn’t know the points picture and NASCAR is now eyeing all playoff drivers for possible race manipulation.
Hamlin has tuned it all out in a remarkable way.
“Probably nobody has more going on in their life than Denny. But he has an amazing ability I think to kind of handle all of it, all the stuff that’s going on in his life right now,” Gibbs said. “Most of us would say how does he handle that? I’m probably one of those.”
Chris Gayle, who is in his first season as crew chief for Hamlin and has never advanced to the championship race, says Hamlin has a remarkable ability to compartmentalize.
“I don’t care what’s going on, whatever controversy last week, lawsuit related, he’ll walk in, ‘OK, it’s time to go to work,’” Gayle said. “Not once do we have conversations about all the other stuff going on in his life. Not once. I think he does a good job of focusing on the task at hand in front of him.”
Hamlin likens all this to three-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, a former Gibbs driver who always thrived when his personal life was at its most disruptive points.
“The cliche things I’ve said is thriving in chaos. The record would show it,” Hamlin said. “There’s absolutely a correlation to the more stuff that goes on, the more that you’re going to get out of me in those moments. It’s really, really hard to do.”
As for the win at Las Vegas that has him back into title contention? “I’m going to take a mental break from racing a little bit,” he said.
It might just be what he needs to finally get that Cup title.
___

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Denny Hamlin has been NASCAR’s main character this season, from his lawsuit against NASCAR and his weekly, opinion-laden podcasts to the defining role he played in setting the final eight drivers in the playoff field.
He could be the busiest driver in the Cup Series; he also welcomed the birth of his third child in June, an occasion that caused him to skip NASCAR’s race in Mexico City.
Through it all, he has prevailed.
At Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, he became the first driver to lock up a berth in the championship-deciding season finale — his first appearance in the winner-take-all race since 2021 — with his series-best sixth win of the season. It was win No. 60 for Hamlin, which was always his career goal, and cemented him as not only the winningest driver in Joe Gibbs Racing history but also for Toyota.
It was the most emotional anyone has ever seen Hamlin in his two-plus decades racing in NASCAR. His 75-year-old father, a Virginia native who mortgaged his home multiple times, signed up for every credit card possible and nearly bankrupted the family trying to get his son to the top level of racing.
Hamlin wanted No. 60 for his father. A three-time Daytona 500 winner, he is considered the greatest driver to never win a championship and now wants to give a Cup title to his dad. He was in tears the final three laps, emotional on his radio on his cool-down lap and needed to compose himself on the frontstretch as he collected his checkered flag.
“I’m probably softer than what I put off. I maybe shed a tear during a love story on a movie or something if it’s a really emotional moment. I’ll never let my kids see it. But I do have feelings. I know it’s hard to believe,” Hamlin said. “I just know how much work it took for this to happen. It didn’t just happen. It wasn’t just luck. It just was so gratifying because of all the things I talked about.
“Maybe y’all played recreational sports as a kid, had that game-winning moment, but it’s just so big for me personally because this is what I do, this is what I’m paid to do,” he continued. “It will take a few days for it all to sink in. I knew there was no chance I was holding it back, no chance. Just let it go.”
It’s been a tough month for Hamlin alongside his father’s health woes:
— He spun JGR teammate Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire in a playoff race when he believed Gibbs, a non-title contender and grandson of the team owner, should not have been racing him so hard.
— He raced Bubba Wallace, who drives for Hamlin at 23XI Racing (the team co-owned by Michael Jordan that is suing NASCAR), too hard in the closing laps at Kansas in pursuit of No. 60. The battle cost Hamlin the win and Wallace a spot in the round of eight of the playoffs.
— Last week at Charlotte, his last-lap pass of Ross Chastain prevented Chastain from eliminating Joey Logano from the round of eight. Logano is the reigning Cup champion and winner of two of the last three titles. Hamlin complained he didn’t know the points picture and NASCAR is now eyeing all playoff drivers for possible race manipulation.
Hamlin has tuned it all out in a remarkable way.
“Probably nobody has more going on in their life than Denny. But he has an amazing ability I think to kind of handle all of it, all the stuff that’s going on in his life right now,” Gibbs said. “Most of us would say how does he handle that? I’m probably one of those.”
Chris Gayle, who is in his first season as crew chief for Hamlin and has never advanced to the championship race, says Hamlin has a remarkable ability to compartmentalize.
“I don’t care what’s going on, whatever controversy last week, lawsuit related, he’ll walk in, ‘OK, it’s time to go to work,’” Gayle said. “Not once do we have conversations about all the other stuff going on in his life. Not once. I think he does a good job of focusing on the task at hand in front of him.”
Hamlin likens all this to three-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, a former Gibbs driver who always thrived when his personal life was at its most disruptive points.
“The cliche things I’ve said is thriving in chaos. The record would show it,” Hamlin said. “There’s absolutely a correlation to the more stuff that goes on, the more that you’re going to get out of me in those moments. It’s really, really hard to do.”
As for the win at Las Vegas that has him back into title contention? “I’m going to take a mental break from racing a little bit,” he said.
It might just be what he needs to finally get that Cup title.
___
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Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin tops the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings after the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He secured victory after leading the race for nine laps, elevating him to the Championship 4.
Hamlin did not expect to go home with this 60th win before the race, but the right calls made by his team at the right time placed him in a position to win. The 44-year-old driver even faced gearbox problems early in the race, but it all came together in the final stage when he overtook Kyle Larson and his JGR teammate Chase Briscoe to make it first to the checkered flag.
Larson is placed second in the standings after securing the runner-up spot in the race, followed by Christopher Bell in third, and Briscoe in fourth. Hamlin holds a significant advantage to win his maiden title going into Talladega and Martinsville. He is now tenth on the list of the top ten NASCAR drivers who have won the most Cup Series races. Speaking after an emotional victory, Hamlin said:
“This win means a lot, this is the point where I kind of give the fans some [expletive], but not today, I appreciate you all so much.
“Obviously, just want to say ‘hi’ to my dad and family back at home. We were hoping to get 60 [wins] today, but I didn’t think we were. Just put the pedal down those last 10 laps and made it happen.”
Hamlin credited his crew chief, Chris Gayle, for turning the situation around on the final stop. He added:

The build-up to his 60th career win in the NASCAR Cup Series led Denny Hamlin to admit that Sunday was the most emotional he had ever been in his career.
“When I moved the bar from 50 to 60, I had to stew on that for a few years,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin hit the 50-win mark in 2023. He entered this season at 54 and was reluctant to say 60 would happen sooner rather than later, given the number of wins he was averaging per season. Las Vegas Motor Speedway was Hamlin’s sixth win of the year, the most he’s had since a seven-win season in 2020.
“When I won the Daytona 500, I had always hoped to win the Daytona 500,” Hamlin said. “There’s a letter that I wrote when I was eight years old that’s in my garage that my mom kept that says, ‘My wish is to win the Daytona 500. I hope that this comes true on February 18th, 1998.’ I thought when I was 18 years old, I was going to be in Cup for some reason. There’s something about manifesting, because I’ve won it twice on February 18th. Some things are kind of meant to be.
“So, while that took 30 years to happen, that was just one race. There were no other implications to it, right? The reason this one is more is because of all the things. I got the home things, we got the lawsuit things, we’ve got just the Final 4, the 60. There were just so many other factors that played into today, which is why I think that it’s my biggest win. Certainly, one that I was absolutely the most excited about.”
The home life includes Hamlin wanting his father, Dennis, to see him win his 60th race. Dennis, who is 75 years old, has not been doing well health-wise, although Denny did not elaborate on specifics. Hamlin says he owes his racing career to his father and mother, Mary Lou, for their sacrifices in getting him to the point where he was discovered by J.D. Gibbs and signed to Joe Gibbs Racing.
On the legal front, Hamlin could potentially win the Cup Series championship on Nov. 2 and then be in court on Dec. 1 as the antitrust lawsuit brought by 23XI Racing and Front Row against NASCAR begins. Sunday’s win clinched Hamlin a spot in the championship race for the first time since 2021.
And when it comes to 60 wins, Hamlin is now tied with Kevin Harvick for 10th on the all-time wins list.
All of which came together to show Hamlin in tears on the in-car camera after taking the checkered flag. By the time Hamlin came around to the frontstretch for his celebration and television interview, he was still visibly emotional and got choked up when talking to NBC Sports.
“I’m probably softer than what I put off,” Hamlin said. “I maybe shed a tear during a love story in a movie or something if it’s a really emotional moment. I’ll never let my kids see it. But I do have feelings. I know it’s hard to believe.”
Hamlin has never been as emotional, certainly with tears, as he was Sunday. There have been races that brought joy, disappointment, and frustration, but Las Vegas was a different side of Hamlin. And he wasn’t going to try to suppress it when the cameras were there for his interview.
The victory came down to a 14-lap sprint to the finish. Hamlin lined up sixth on the restart and took the lead with four laps to go by driving around the outside of teammate Chase Briscoe with four tires.
“I just know how much work it took for this to happen,” Hamlin said. “It didn’t just happen. It wasn’t just luck. It was just so gratifying because of all the things I talked about. Then I had the ball at the very end and made it. Maybe y’all played recreational sports as a kid, had that game-winning moment, but it’s just so big for me personally because this is what I do, this is what I’m paid to do.
“I don’t know. It will take a few days for it all to sink in. I knew there was no chance I was holding it back, no chance. Just let it go.”

Frankie Muniz has confirmed his return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with No. 33 Reaume Brothers Racing Ford after an injury saw him out of the championship since the end of August.
The actor-turned-racing driver, known for playing the title character in Malcom in the Middle, announced on August 28, 2025, that he would be out of the driver’s seat for six to eight weeks after suffering a distal radius fracture. But he has now confirmed that he will return to Talladega.

Denny Hamlin, who won Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race in Las Vegas, was described by our Rod Mullins as downright “humble” post-race, which leads to the question: did somebody do something to our Denny Hamlin?
Rod joins the show to discuss.
We also go in depth on the latest development in the NASCAR charter lawsuit, which appears to be headed to trial in December – though I wonder if NASCAR might be better advised to settle ahead of time, instead of allowing a judge to decide how the series does its business going forward.

8 months ago, a harrowing yet bizarre crash unfolded. It happened in the Xfinity Series race in Daytona, with 30 laps remaining. A group of Chevrolets was coming to pit road when Kris Wright missed a braking cue. As a result, the former Our Motorsports driver barrelled into the pit row traffic ahead of him. Wright blamed it on “super bad miscommunication with the spotter.” Yet he bore the brunt of the blame, as Richard Childress’ grandson, Ty Dillon, is doing at present.
The Kaulig Racing driver had entered the South Point 400 with an ill-handling car anyway. Yet the No. 10 Chevrolet had a bigger misfortune awaiting, as Ty Dillon wrecked with William Byron. The No. 10 left the race in an absolutely battered shape. However, a rival team’s spotter figures that Dillon could have done more.
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Ty Dillon’s nerve-racking fiasco explained
Well, most fans raised their eyebrows at William Byron. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was one of the top contenders in Las Vegas, as he led for 55 laps. He was also running second with 31 laps to go, just before the chaos unfolded. With no sign of warning, the No. 24 Chevrolet rammed straight into the rear bumper of Ty Dillon’s No. 10. That left jaw-dropped fans wondering why Byron undertook this bizarre mishap. However, the issue of communication, both between the spotters and the drivers of the rival teams, tilts the blame more towards Dillon. “Ty would be the one I put the most fault on just because he didn’t execute his entry very well,” said Freddie Kraft, spotter for the No. 23 Toyota.
The 23XI Racing spotter shared his own dissection of the incident. While Ty Dillon claimed he tried to wave and his spotter also tried to communicate that the No. 10 was pitting, William Byron’s fold denied it. On a recent episode of ‘Door, Bumper, Clear’, Freddie Kraft narrowed down that confusion to hand signals. “My hand signals for pitting and I’m going to the bottom are the same,” Kraft explained. “Miscommunication is the best term for it because I don’t know. Obviously, nothing was done maliciously.”
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He continued how William Byron may have misinterpreted the messages from Ty Dillon‘s team. “Usually, if they’re right behind me or whatever, they’ll know, especially if we’re battling for position. But it’s possible that the spotter of the 10 did like pitting…and you hear the spotter of the 24 tell William that the 10’s going to run the second or third lane. Because I think that maybe if he did see a hand signal saying down, he might have thought that he was going to give him the bottom… And that was the message that got relayed…that can be easily confused with I’m pitting or you’re going to you go to the bottom.”
At the end of the day, both drivers’ days ended in a confused mess. While Ty Dillon’s day was not going very well from the beginning, William Byron’s disappointment may have been worse.
The first sign of heartbreak
William Byron has been on a glorious ride during the regular season. Between clinching his second Daytona 500 victory in a row and winning at Iowa Speedway, Byron fetched 10 top fives and 15 top tens. He topped off this spectacular run with a regular-season championship in Daytona. However, as soon as the playoffs began, the No. 24 Chevrolet went for a spiraling ride. Darlington presented a pan-HMS disaster, as three drivers somehow persisted until the Round of 12. Twin top ten finishes perked up Byron’s hopes for the Round of 8, as he entered Las Vegas with a good advantage.
With 31 laps to go, Byron was in good shape, being 22 points above the cutline. However, the accident with Ty Dillon crippled the championship hopeful, as Byron left the race 15 points below the elimination line. And Talladega’s carnage has yet to arrive on the Round of 8 schedule. So maybe the Las Vegas debacle was the first sign of heartbreak in Byron’s 2025 title run. So Byron’s disappointment hit home for fans: “Yeah, I mean, just as good as we were, and just as good as the race was going, for random s— to happen like that, it just sucks. So, I don’t know, I can’t believe it. I obviously would never do that. During the cycle, you’re anticipating guys pitting, and it just sucks.”
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The concerning debacle in Las Vegas left both Ty Dillon and William Byron in dire straits. Let’s see if the latter can retrieve his pace for the playoffs.

Denny Hamlin won Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, clinching a berth in the Championship 4. Here’s what the Cup Series playoff grid looks like after the first race of the Round of 8.
What playoff standings look like after Las Vegas
1. Denny Hamlin (win)
Hamlin and the No. 11 team can spend the next two weeks preparing for Phoenix. The veteran driver won’t have anything to worry about at Talladega or Martinsville with his playoff fate secured for the time being.
2. Kyle Larson (+35)
Larson won Stage 2 at LVMS on Sunday and has a solid points cushion headed to Talladega, where it may come in very handy.
3. Christopher Bell (+20)
Bell didn’t get the win he so badly wanted, but he finished third and has two stages’ worth of a gap to the cut line.
4. Chase Briscoe (+15)
All things considered, being above the cut line — especially by double digits — is a great spot to be in for Briscoe, who finished fourth.
5. William Byron (-15)
Byron is now below the cut line by double digits after he was involved in a bizarre late-race incident with Ty Dillon.
6. Chase Elliott (-23)
A pit road mistake from Elliott during the race’s middle stages put the 2020 champion behind the eight ball. Elliott finished 18th and needs a big day at Talladega.
7. Joey Logano (-24)
Despite a strong sixth-place effort, Logano is still in need of a pair of very strong races if he is to get back to the Championship 4.
8. Ryan Blaney (-31)

The 2025 Charlotte Roval had everything NASCAR fans could ask for. Chaos, comebacks, and championship heartbreaks. Shane van Gisbergen scored his fifth win of the season after surviving a wild, fender-banging showdown that left even veteran fans holding their breath. Joey Logano barely snuck into the Round of 8 thanks to a late-race pileup involving Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin, while tire strategies and door-to-door battles kept the tension sky-high.
On paper, it was the kind of race that should’ve lit up TV screens across the country. But surprisingly, the Roval numbers told a different story. Viewership dropped by nearly a third compared to last year. 2025 drew in 1.544 million fans while 2024 had delivered 2.419. With ratings slipping during one of NASCAR’s most thrilling playoff races, fans have started raising an important question that goes beyond tire compounds and stage wins.
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NASCAR ratings slide continues even in playoff season
NASCAR has struggled with declining TV ratings in recent years, and the trend has only worsened during the 2025 season. Overall, average viewership for Cup races is down 15-17%, with this year’s race average slipping to about 2.45 million viewers compared to nearly 3 million in 2024. While declines in regular-season numbers are concerning, the more alarming drop is happening mid-playoffs—a time traditionally expected to draw bigger audiences as championship drama ramps up.
Playoff races in 2025 average just 1.54 million viewers, a steep 29% fall from last year’s 2.17 million. Key events like the Charlotte Roval drew just 1.54 million viewers (down from 2.4 million), and New Hampshire dipped to 1.29 million, a full 31% drop year-over-year.
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Multiple factors play a role, but one persistent narrative is NASCAR’s direct competition with the NFL. The NFL season dominates US television from September through winter—every Sunday and Monday, where high-profile pro football games take the spotlight, including marquee matchups and flexible scheduling across networks like NBC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN.
With massive ratings (sometimes triple or quadruple NASCAR’s), football reliably draws attention away from racing, especially during crucial playoff weekends in October and November. This disconnect between playoff expectations and ratings has not escaped fans.
On Reddit, one user recently asked, “Does NASCAR take a back seat during football season?” The replies highlight just how layered the viewership conversation has become. The next section will explore those responses and what fans see as the path forward.
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Fans weigh in on viewership decline debate
Fan reactions to NASCAR’s viewership decline, especially during the NFL season, reveal a range of perspectives rooted in regional interests, technology, and sports loyalty. One Reddit user quipped, “For some, yeah, I don’t really get into football until the playoffs so Nascar is wrapped up by then.”
Indeed, the NASCAR Cup season typically ends at Phoenix in the first week of November, while the NFL regular season runs September through late December and the playoffs stretch into mid-January. That way, fans are lucky to finish the NASCAR season and then jump into the NFL.
Others pointed out, “For die-hard fans, no. For the masses, absolutely. The TV ratings for NASCAR plummet once the NFL season kicks off.” Recent stats show NASCAR playoff ratings dropping by 29% year-over-year. However, loyal fans still tune in to watch every NASCAR playoff race, even sacrificing headline NFL matchups for their favorite drivers.
Another response: “I mean yeah for some people but at the same time it is 2025 so watching both via flipping through the channels or multiview or watching on multiple devices is a lot easier now so i gotta imagine racing and football are able to still watch both.”
Streaming services and cable apps allow viewers to watch races and games side-by-side on phones, tablets, or smart TVs. Thus, people who want to tune in to the action of both concurrent sports can do so easily without any sacrifices.
A fourth fan explained, “College football is the priority for me on Saturdays, but NASCAR is the priority for me on Sundays. So other than the Bristol night race, it normally works out that Xfinity/Trucks take a back seat but Cup doesn’t.” This comment highlights how scheduling quirks impact viewing habits.
NASCAR Cup Series playoff races are typically held on Sunday afternoons, whereas the NFL Sunday games are lined up for afternoon, late afternoon, and late evening slots. Thus, viewers can easily choose to watch an NFL game, depending on the schedule and teams that are playing, without sacrificing their favorite NASCAR races.
Still, not everyone’s convinced by NASCAR’s playoff format, which can be a reason for a decline in viewership. “Yes, for me. There are 36 race weekends, but only half as many NFL Sundays… and the Chase/Playoffs have never really interested me anyway.”
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The NASCAR playoff format has received backlash since its inception, with many arguing that the format is unfair. A single race can decide the champion, often ignoring season-long consistency and rewarding luck rather than overall excellence.
With shifting schedules, streaming options, and playoff fatigue all in play, fans continue debating whether football truly overshadows NASCAR. But the question arises: what can NASCAR do to recapture broader support going forward?

At the end of a charge from third to first in the closing laps, Denny Hamlin drove away to a milestone victory that may serve as one of the most important of his entire career, winning the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to earn his sixth win of the 2025 season and the 60th win of his Cup Series career. Hamlin’s 60th win ties him with Kevin Harvick for 10th on NASCAR’s all-time wins list, and it also secures him a spot in the Championship 4, ensuring him the opportunity to race for the Cup title that has long eluded him in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Sunday’s race, and the complexion of the championship picture, swung dramatically in a sequence of events that began with 32 laps to go. Only a few laps after losing the lead to Kyle Larson on a bobble in turns 1 and 2, William Byron was running second and trying to run Larson back down for the lead, only to be caught completely unaware of the lapped car of Ty Dillon peeling off to come to pit road in front of him. Byron ended up slamming into the back of DIllon’s car at nearly full speed, taking him out in a grinding crash and bringing out the caution.
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Two playoff drivers, Chase Briscoe and Joey Logano, elected to gamble on the ensuing round of pit stops by taking two tires, and a multi-car crash on the restart helped their gambit by creating just a 14-lap run to the finish. But the four tires that Hamlin took would eventually win out: After taking second at the end of several laps battling with Kyle Larson, Hamlin quickly drove down Briscoe and powered around his outside with four laps to go, driving away to earn a win with many different layers to it.
Normally a driver who relishes the role of heel and instigator, Hamlin was noticeably emotional over his team radio and then on the frontstretch after the checkered flag. Emotion which came out, in part, given that his father Dennis has been ill.

Denny Hamlin scored an emotional victory and claimed a significant career milestone with a dramatic win in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ South Point 400 Playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Hamlin passed two cars in the final 10 laps, ultimately taking the lead from his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe with four laps remaining then holding off the day’s most dominant driver Kyle Larson by 1.533s to claim his series’ best sixth win of the season and 60th win of his career.
The win secures the first of four positions in the Nov. 2 Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway – landing Hamlin his first title shot since 2021.
Hamlin was notably moved in the moments after climbing out of his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Instead of the typical playful banter the veteran normally delivers to the crowd after a win, the 44-year-old Virginian spoke more solemnly, mentioning his father Dennis, who has been ill.
“This win means a lot. This is the point where I kind of give the fans some [grief] but not today. I appreciate you all so much,

After a wild Stage 3 with several cautions and multiple-car wrecks, NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The victory was monumental for the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver for several reasons. It was his 60th career win, tying him with Kevin Harvick on the all-time list, his sixth of the season and it he once again rolls his way into the Championship Four.
This One is for Dad
Hamlin broke down during his Victory Lane interview sharing “this one was for his dad,” who is battling health problems. After starting on the pole, the JGR driver led only twice for eight laps, doing so for the final four to earn the win.
“This one really means a lot,” Hamlin said at the Start/Finish Line. “This is the part where I usually give the fans some sh#t, but not today. I appreciate all of you so much.”
As he wiped tears from his eyes, the usual boos from the crowed turned to cheers. He was also visibly emotional during the cool down lap as the team radioed him saying “we know this one is for your dad.”
“Obviously, I want to say hi to my dad and family back at home,” he continued. “I was hoping we were going to get win No. 60, but I didn’t think we were. I just put the pedal down on those last 10 laps and made it happen.
“Chris (Gayle, crew chief) did an amazing job on that final stop to get the car just right and I just held it down. That’s all I could do, just go for it. I felt like I had nothing to lose.
“We’ve punched our ticket now, and it just feels great. I’m super proud of this team for making the adjustments they did and the pit crew for doing a great job. In those last 15 laps, I didn’t think we were going to win but I knew I was going to give it all I had.”
Playoff Contenders Come Close, Others Crash Out
During the final Stage 3, it looked the race could have been won by Playoff contenders William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson or Joey Logano.
Briscoe was leading in his No. 19 Toyota before getting passed by his JGR teammate of Hamlin with nine laps to go. After that happened, Briscoe had to battle with former champion and Las Vegas winner Kyle Larson. Then, it was fellow Playoff contender and JGR teammate Christopher Bell in the No. 20 who got by to finish third as Briscoe took fourth.
Larson led four times for a race high 129 laps.
“I thought we did everything that we could do,” Larson said. “The Toyota’s were really fast for the short run there. I saw the No. 11 (Hamlin) line up behind me and I knew he’d be difficult to hold off. If any one of the Toyota’s got clear and could get rolling, I knew it would be tough.
“He did a great job, though. He still had to make the right moves, which he did. I felt like I was doing all I could to stay in front of him, while also trying to track down the No. 19 (Chase Briscoe).”
William Byron had a stout day going in his No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. After starting fifth, he led four times for 55 laps. However, his bid for a good finish came to an end on lap 237.
As he was coming through Turns 3&4, he didn’t see the No. 10 of Ty Dillon that had slowed down to hit pit road. Byron was also running low and plowed into the back of Dillon ending his race with heavy damage in 36th place.
“Yeah, I never saw him (Ty Dillon) wave,” Byron said. “I didn’t see any indication that he was pitting. It was probably 12 to 15 laps after we had pitted, so I thought the cycle was fully over. Nobody said anything to my spotter, from what I know. I had zero idea
“With as good as we were and as good as the race was going, for random things like that to happen, it just sucks. I can’t believe it.
“Obviously I would never do that. During the cycle, you’re anticipating guys pitting. It just sucks.”

After a couple of late cautions, pole sitter Denny Hamlin made the winning move around Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe with four laps to go to win at Las Vegas and secure his spot in the Championship 4 at Phoenix in three weeks.
Here are three takeaways from the Round of 8 opener in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs:
Denny Hamlin notches milestone win at Las Vegas
Some two-tire calls gave Briscoe and Joey Logano the track position after the race’s final caution with 28 laps to go, but Hamlin utilized his four fresh tires to run them down and win his 60th Cup Series race to tie him with Kevin Harvick for 10th-most all-time.
Hamlin dedicated his series-leading sixth win of the season to his father, who has been battling some health issues. He was solid the entire race despite only leading nine laps, but it looked like the win would go through the Hendrick Motorsports duo of William Byron and Kyle Larson, who combined to lead 154 of the 267 laps.
A few late restarts were all that Hamlin needed, though, to insert himself back into the picture and take the pressure off his shoulders for the next two weeks while the rest of the drivers fight for the other three positions that await at Phoenix.
William Byron’s strong day ends in disaster
It was no secret coming into the Round of 8 that Byron’s playoff run up to this point had been disappointing. The regular-season champion only had a pair of top-10s in the last six races and zero laps led, but claimed the Stage 1 win, paced the field for 55 laps and appeared to be on his way to a long overdue win at LVMS.
That was not meant to be, however, after Byron ran into the back of Ty Dillon at full speed with 31 laps remaining as Dillon tried to make his way to pit road. Byron had just lost the lead to Larson five laps earlier, but scored 18 stage points and was in an excellent position to come out of

Team Penske donned a formidable look for the Round of 8 playoff opener. After the Toyotas dominated the Round of 16, the Ford drivers of Penske made a spectacle in the Round of 12. Ryan Blaney won the New Hampshire race, while Joey Logano dramatically ousted Ross Chastain to clinch the final playoff spot at the Charlotte Roval. What is more, Logano is the defending winner at Las Vegas, a track where Penske racers are renowned.
However, things did not go according to Roger Penske’s plan. Penske’s rivals – Rick Hendrick and Joe Gibbs – were in equally hot forms in Las Vegas. Although a collaboration between OEMs is not a possibility, an unexpected move saw Hendrick’s driver favoring one rival OEM over another.
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Joey Logano boils down to the turning point
Well, the South Point 400 focused a lot of the spotlight on Joey Logano. The No. 22 Ford driver started from the 9th position. However, Logano’s four victories, 8 top fives, and 16 top tens made fans believe that the Team Penske driver would be a formidable presence. Remember the 2024 playoffs? Alex Bowman’s shock disqualification at the Roval vaulted Logano back into the playoffs, and then the latter won in Vegas en route to his third title. This time, however, Bowman did not make things easy for Penske’s champion.
After lingering around P9 and slipping into the top 15 in the first two stages, Joey Logano gained ground in the final stage. Within the final 20 laps, he climbed into the top five, running for some time. However, Alex Bowman made a decision with his lapped car, choosing to push a Toyota car. So Logano took shots at Rick Hendrick’s driver in the post-race interview: “(Alex Bowman) had an option of going three-wide or push (Briscoe). Dang it, he pushed (Briscoe). Kind of shoved him ahead to get distance into the corner and three and clear me. Put us in a bad spot.”
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Joey Logano had an average day, which was not expected from the defending South Point 400 winner. Besides blaming Alex Bowman’s moves, Logano observed some internal trouble as well: “We were good on the long haul, couldn’t quite get to cleaner air towards the front because our restarts weren’t good up in. At the start of the third stage, we lost balance on the car, got way loose, lost all our track position. Paul (Wolfe) made a great call again to put two on it, put us on the front row.”
Overall, the three-time Cup Series champion focused on the ultimate goal, a fourth title. All that matters to Joey Logano now is surviving until the Championship 4 round. He said, “Overall, a good battle, but not good enough. … I think it’s pretty clear what we got to do looking at the points. I mean, one spot’s already taken up. I think we’re 24 out. Yeah, it’s possible. You have to be pretty special the next two weeks without winning the race.”
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Meanwhile, Joey Logano’s teammate was in dire straits. After rocking the previous round, dark clouds are indeed hovering over Team Penske.
An unforeseen disaster
Like Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney heralded high hopes for Team Penske. The No. 12 Ford driver had clinched 6 top fives and 10 top tens earlier in Las Vegas. Moreover, he entered the race with 19 points above the cutline. However, disaster unfolded for the 2023 Cup Series champion on lap 72, shortly after the first stage. The left front tire of his No. 12 Ford blew up in Turn 3, sending his car into the wall. This marked Blaney’s eighth DNF of the 2025 season, but his first during the playoffs. The last time he failed to finish a race was at Sonoma Raceway in mid-July. “Nope, no warning,” Blaney said after the wreck.
Yet the good news for Joey Logano’s teammate is on the next tracks. Blaney has multiple wins at both Talladega Superspeedway (three) and Martinsville Speedway (two). So he said, “Maybe we can look forward to those — obviously, we have to look forward to them. Not the spot you want to be in. We actually got our car feeling decent there. Was looking forward to keep going, but never got it, so yeah, it’s pretty simple. We got to win one of the next two weeks. Hopefully, we can rebound and do it.”
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Clearly, Team Penske needs to step up to continue excelling in their championship push. Let’s wait and see what they can accomplish in the following weeks.

It is no secret that Kyle Larson’s reaction to NASCAR’s horsepower increase has left the racing world a bit stunned. “I would encourage everybody to temper their expectations; it’s not way different,” Larson said, downplaying the 80-HP boost on top of the current 670 hp. The 2021 cup series champion tested the change at Kershaw earlier this year and admitted he barely noticed it. And while Larson remains skeptical about its impact, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell sees it differently.
Interestingly, Larson wasn’t informed about the power boost beforehand and only realized it after the test. However, the No. 5 driver didn’t feel the difference, but he acknowledges that the adjustment is a step in the right direction, even though it is not a drastic overhaul. However, Bell is warming up to the idea of more horsepower under his hood.
Speaking in a media availability before the Las Vegas Round of 8 opener, he said, “ I mean, I’m super excited about it and I’m glad that you know NASCAR and the team that engine builders have taken a step in the right direction. I think it will it’s definitely going to play a role in the races. You know, we especially with the tires Goodyears have been Goodyear has been bringing.”
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And Bell is right in bringing up the tires. With this power boost, tire performance becomes a critical factor. Goodyear is actively developing new tire compounds to accommodate this increased power. For instance, during a recent tire test at Iowa Speedway, Goodyear introduced new left- and right-side tire compounds to handle the sustained load and equal challenges of the track.
These developments suggest that Goodyear is prepping to provide tires that can withstand the added stresses of higher horsepower, ensuring safety and performance on the track.
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The Joe Gibbs Racing driver added, ” You know, a couple years ago we were talking about the road courses, the cars were just locked down, and I can promise you last week at Charlotte Road Course, those things were anything but locked down. And you add us you give us more horsepower. It’s what we had last week. We’re going to, it’s going to be, you know, a big deal. So, I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
But amid Larson’s warning to the NASCAR community to keep their expectations low, the No. 5 driver’s teammate, Chase Elliott, called it a “good effort” and said that he just wants to see what direction it takes the car.
And not every track will see more horsepower under its hood. The 750 hp is only reserved for certain road courses and oval tracks less than 1.5 miles. Five of the first eight races of the 2026 series are scheduled to use the new 750 hp package, and it’ll provide an early test for its performance and a glimpse at expanding on larger ovals.
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But as the #20 JGR driver rallies behind the 750 hp, Bell‘s mind is preoccupied with something far more serious amid the discussions of the recent race manipulations.
Last weekend, the community witnessed an incident that once again caught the attention of race officials: Denny Hamlin’s late pass on Ross Chastain at Charlotte. However, the 44-year-old’s admission that he may have acted differently if he had known what Joey Logano’s points situation may have been raised sirens for NASCAR, and Bell is well aware of the culprit.
Christopher Bell blames NASCAR’s playoff system for festering race manipulations
NASCAR recently put its foot down by stating that actions will be taken against teams that discuss playoff points or positions over the radio, as that can fall under race manipulation. This sparked a firestorm of debate among drivers, and Christopher Bell knows that it is all because of the current elimination-style playoff system that encourages race manipulation.
Speaking in a media availability on Saturday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the 31-year-old said, ” I mean, it is. You know, I, but it’s a product of the format that we’re, you know, racing under right now. So, it’s been happening a lot longer than I think most people realize, and people are just, you know, finally starting to talk about it. Uh, but yeah, I think everything that happens, uh, is a product of the, you know, the format that we’re racing under.”
Bell, who has never been fond of the current playoff system and is backing the traditional full-season points format, is very clear that the need to advance into the next round is what is causing the problem.
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This elimination-style system, where drivers are cut off after each round based on points, has dialled up the pressure on teams by 100 to employ aggressive strategies to secure a spot to advance. This high-stakes scenario can lead to actions that will prioritize short-term gains over the integrity of the race, as many teams will be tempted to resort to tactics and manipulate outcomes to their benefit in the playoff positioning.
But with NASCAR being hopeful about the revised playoff system that is going to be announced after the showdown at Phoenix, the officials will definitely keep tabs on the teams

Kyle Larson rolled into Las Vegas sitting third in the playoff standings, carrying a solid resume in Next-Gen cars at this track. His average Vegas finish of 8.7 ranks third-best among current contenders. Larson’s weekend began with a sixth-place qualifying spot, putting him in a prime position for another top result at the venue. His Hendrick Motorsports crew approached the South Point 400 with confidence, knowing Larson’s Vegas adaptability and sharp tire management gave him every chance for a big points day.
As the pre-race buzz centered on playoff scenarios and Hamlin’s pole-winning performance, Larson fans and pundits alike speculated whether the No. 5 Chevy could translate statistical strength into a much-needed Round of 8 victory. Little did anyone know that this year’s Vegas race would demand more than numbers. Ultimately, it delivered a finish that would leave Larson both awestruck and agonizingly close to glory.
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Kyle Larson dominates, but falls short of a win
Kyle Larson delivered a strong performance at the South Point 400, finishing second after dominating much of the race. He was second in the first stage, won the second stage, and led a race-high 129 laps, showcasing his Next Gen car mastery on the Vegas oval. Larson was poised for victory, controlling the pace and holding off challengers for nearly two-thirds of the event.
However, Denny Hamlin’s late-race charge reshaped the outcome. Larson explained, “I thought I had a big enough gap down the backstretch to go to the top, get momentum. His car, the Toyotas in general, were really, really, really fast on a short run, had a lot of speed. He must have nailed the bottom behind me, got inside. It was over from there.”
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Hamlin executed a rare outside pass in turns three and four, a move Larson notes is unusual for Hamlin’s racing style. “I tried to take his line away in three and four. He got to my outside. Rarely do you see Denny do that. He did a great job. Hats off to them,” Larson reflected.
In NASCAR, “taking the line away” means strategically positioning your car to block or prevent a rival from using their preferred racing path through a corner. Drivers (including Hamlin) often run the inside line, which is typically the fastest and safest route around an oval track. Passing from the outside is less common and considered riskier because it requires carrying more speed on a less optimal line and exposes a driver to greater chances of losing grip or being pushed wide (and into the wall).
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When Hamlin executed a move from the outside in turns three and four to pass Larson, it caught him by surprise. It’s a high-risk, high-reward move that requires precise timing and confidence in car control.
Despite the tough loss, Larson praised his team’s overall effort. “Hats off to my team, too. We had an awesome day, as well. I think we were second maybe in the first stage, won the next stage, and second in the race. Good points day obviously.” The point haul moved Larson up to second in the playoff standings, positioning him virtually locked in for the Championship 4 race next month at Phoenix.
Though victory slipped away, Larson’s performance confirmed his elite status in the playoffs. Hamlin’s bold late move reminded everyone that in NASCAR, races aren’t won until the checkered flag waves. On the other hand, Larson and his team remain optimistic as they prepare for the next thrilling round at Talladega against tough competition.
Denny Hamlin’s emotional victory
Denny Hamlin’s drive to victory at the South Point 400 was a masterclass in late-race execution, marking his 60th career NASCAR Cup Series win and tying him with Kevin Harvick for the 10th most all-time victories. The win also locked Hamlin into the Championship 4 race at Phoenix, making it the first time for the JGR veteran in the Gen 7 car era.
Reflecting on his win, Hamlin said, “Definitely means a lot. This is the point where I usually give the fans some (grief) but not today. I appreciate all of you so much. I felt like I had nothing to lose. Just go for it, try to punch a ticket now. Man, this one feels great.”
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Hamlin’s path to victory wasn’t smooth; he battled through the field after briefly losing the lead due to a gear issue in Stage 1 itself. Yet, with just four laps remaining, Hamlin passed Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson to seize the lead and the checkered flag. “Just super proud of this team for making the adjustments they did. Pit crew for doing a great job all day,” Hamlin thanked his team members.

The South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was a nail-biter down to the wire. Around Lap 260, Chase Briscoe clung to a half-second lead over Kyle Larson, with Denny Hamlin charging hard on the outside. By Lap 263, Hamlin’s fresher tires powered him past Briscoe, snatching the lead with just four laps to go.
It was a gutsy move that locked Hamlin into the Championship 4, leaving Larson to settle for second, 1.533 seconds back, and Christopher Bell grabbing third after a late pass on Briscoe. The Vegas showdown reshaped the playoff picture, and Larson’s post-race words showed a driver who knows the title fight’s slipping away.
Kyle Larson hands Denny Hamlin the Edge
In the post-race presser, Kyle Larson didn’t mince words: “Yeah, I mean, I think you know the 12 had a bad day. The other 22 didn’t win. So right now, as long as the Team Penske car doesn’t win the next two races or I wouldn’t say that they’re not in must-win. But you know, obviously, we don’t want to see them win because they will be crazy fast at Phoenix.”
Larson’s sizing up the field like a chess master. Ryan Blaney’s early Vegas tire blowout, crashing out for a single point, tanked his title hopes, dropping him 34 points below the cutline. Joey Logano’s sixth kept him alive but 24 points back. Hamlin’s win, though, punched his Phoenix ticket, making him the man to beat.
“So if they don’t make it, then yeah, I think it’s wide open. I think the 11 is the only one guaranteed right now, so he would be the favorite, but you know, hopefully we can get in there because I do feel like you know,” Larson added.
He’s got a point. Hamlin’s Vegas masterclass, leading late and holding off Larson’s No. 5, makes JGR’s No. 11 the title favorite. Larson’s second-place finish, leading 129 laps, locked his own Championship 4 spot, but he’s giving props to Hamlin’s execution. The Hendrick driver knows Phoenix is JGR’s playground. Hamlin’s got three wins there and a 10.2 average finish.
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“That’s an area where we have closed the gap a lot with them and maybe surpassed JGR on our flat track program. You know Iowa as well. New Hampshire was good. Richmond was better than we typically are. So yeah, I think I think we’re getting better,” Larson said.
His confidence in Hendrick’s flat-track game and tracks like Vegas, Iowa, and Richmond shows his Vegas performance. Leading the most laps with killer long-run speed, Larson proved his No. 5 is peaking. But Hamlin’s late-race tire advantage and bold pass stole the show, leaving Larson to tip his cap to a rival who’s now the one to chase in Phoenix.
Larson’s Vegas loss ties straight into the chaos awaiting at Talladega, where he knows anything can happen.
Talladega’s wild card looms
“We’ll just try and go and execute like we have been this year at those places. Hopefully, we can have another good points day, and maybe Martinsville will be a little bit easier. I know right now it shows plus 35; somebody below the cut line wins. It’s a lot less. Playoff is crazy,” he said.
Sitting third with a 35-point cushion, Larson’s in decent shape, but Talladega’s a beast. His 21.0 average finish in 21 starts, with just three top-fives, screams volatility. A wreck could slash his buffer, especially if a desperate Blaney or Logano steals a win.
Larson’s banking on his team’s superspeedway gains in 2025. Hendrick’s draft game has levelled up, with strong runs at Daytona and Atlanta. But Talladega’s pack racing is a crapshoot; one bad move, and you’re collecting a single point like Blaney in Vegas.
Larson’s eyeing a clean run to set up Martinsville, where he’s golden: a 15.5 average finish, seven top-fives, and a 2023 win. “Hopefully, we can have another good points day,” he said, knowing a solid Talladega could make Martinsville his ticket to Phoenix.
The Vegas sting hurts, but Larson’s not out. Hamlin’s win puts him ahead, but Larson’s flat-track gains and playoff savvy keep him in the fight. Talladega’s wild card could flip the script. Blaney’s got to win, Logano’s clawing, and Larson’s just trying to survive the chaos.
If he can dodge the wrecks and bank points, Martinsville’s his shot to lock in and challenge Hamlin’s title grip. For now, Larson’s conceding the favorite’s role to the No. 11, but his eyes are on Phoenix, where he’s got one win and a hunger to even the score.

Ross Chastain’s aggressive racing against Denny Hamlin, with the veteran pushing back, could have been avoided altogether if Hamlin had known what the stakes were. Chastain’s car passed the line in reverse, and thanks to Joey Logano’s crew chief’s genius, the three-time NASCAR champion made it through. While Hamlin clarified his stance after the race, it’s his crew chief now who is clearing the air.
This has led to Chris Gayle, Denny Hamlin’s right-hand man in the car, talking about NASCAR setting what can be said over the radio. Speaking on the NASCAR SiriusXM Radio, he said, “In some areas, yes. And in others, no, I think it’s still a little grey, specifically related to, I thought maybe we knew…And I think that NASCAR will give some clarity on that this week. I think, you know, you’ve alluded to a few tweets and podcast notes where people have talked about this and NASCAR saying they’re going to talk to the team. So, you know, I think that’ll be what’s needed. We’ll see what’s said in those meetings and hopefully walk away from there with a clear understanding of what can and can’t be said.”
NASCAR needs to spell it out to the teams in order to avoid such incidents. In the final laps, Ross Chastain and Joey Logano were virtually locked in a tie for the final transfer spot, swapping positions lap after lap. Then Denny Hamlin, unaware of the tiebreaker stakes, took over Chastain on the last lap, which pushed them into a point where Joey held the tiebreaker. Chastain’s desperate countermove ended in both his and Hamlin’s spin at the finish, plus handing Joey the spot in the Round of 8.
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But NASCAR holds strong to the belief that any communication over the radio about the playoff situation can lead to race manipulation, essentially outlining the outcome before it even happens. This doesn’t make things interesting for the audience at all. Moreover, Cole Custer was caught in the mix as well. And Mike Forde, NASCAR’s communication director, laid it down thick, saying, “If we do see something or hear something we don’t like, we are going to step in, which we have done now several times.”
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And Gayle’s call for clarity stems from his regret at not telling Denny Hamlin. He added, “I wish I had warned him a little more that, like, you know, the one’s going to be desperate here and he might come and wreck you. But outside of that, I’m not sure what I could and shouldn’t have said necessarily, whether I would have gone over the line on something or not, or if I could have just told him that point situation of the one specifically, you know, in the last couple laps. So I just kind of moved on from that and, you know, wish I had warned him so he would have known not to get wrecked, but that’s about it. One is allowed under NASCAR’s rules.”
And with Steve O’Donnell laying down the process on how NASCAR picks up on “controversial radio communications,” the teams had best be warned heading into Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but before that, Hamlin wants to clear the air on any type of race manipulation.
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Denny Hamlin downplays any race manipulation at the Roval and insists that it naturally played out
Joe Gibbs Racing‘s star didn’t mince words on this week’s Actions Detrimental podcast; he flat-out shut down any talk of race manipulation during Sunday’s Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte. Then he laid it all out, point by point, making it hard to argue otherwise.
He said, “If these guys are battling, it would give me a much better understanding to prepare if I’m going to attack the No. 1 [Chastain]. I need to know that he’s going to be really aggressive blocking him. That could have been a simple message.
Hamlin admitted he was mentally crunching the numbers in the closing laps, weighing who he’d rather see move on. Sure, it was a little self-serving, but that is race strategy. Plus, he also admitted that it wasn’t his main goal to wreck Chastain and has settled it with him.
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He added, “It then allows me to say to myself, ‘Who do I want to race?’ And it’s not race manipulation if I’m trying to get the best result for me. I’ve got no allegiance to Ford or Chevy or Joey or Ross, but I have interest in myself winning a championship.”
With Logano still in the mix and very capable of playing spoiler at Phoenix, if he makes it, every title contender is on alert. And all eyes now turned to Hamlin, chasing both his 60th win and his elusive 1st Cup Series title.

Carson Kvapil’s rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series has been understandably overshadowed by that of his rookie teammate at JR Motorsports in Connor Zilisch.
Zilisch’s 10-win campaign has quieted the noise surrounding Kvapil, who has put together a solid, albeit winless, rookie campaign in his own right.
Thirteen top-10 finishes and six top-fives in 29 races have propelled Kvapil to the penultimate round of the 2025 Xfinity Series playoffs, where he enters Saturday’s Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway 11 points below the cut line.
Carson Kvapil looking to add to family trophy case
Should Kvapil advance to the Championship 4 and bring home the title in Phoenix on Nov. 1, he’ll become the second member of the Kvapil family to win a championship in one of NASCAR’s top-three series.
Carson’s father, Travis Kvapil, won the 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship before building a career in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The younger Kvapil is facing an uphill climb to the 2025 Xfinity Series championship. He’ll have to face three of his JRM teammates, including the aforementioned rookie phenom in Zilisch and the defending series champion in Justin Allgaier.
He’ll also be dealing with a relative lack of experience at all three Round of 8 tracks in Las Vegas, Talladega and Martinsville.
Kvapil’s lone start at Las Vegas ended with a 17th-place finish. He has a best finish of 17th in two Talladega starts.
The final Round of the 8 race at Martinsville could be Kvapil’s opportunity to strike. He finished fourth in Martinsville in the spring of 2024, and as a short-track ace, he’ll likely be near the front again.
It could take a heroic effort from Kvapil at ‘The Paperclip’ for the No. 1 team to get to Phoenix and battle for a championship.

“What you’re actually doing is handcuffing all the drivers and all the teams into an execution battle.” Joey Logano uttered these words of criticism a month after clinching the 2024 Cup Series title. The Team Penske driver is usually known for defending the NASCAR playoff format. He advocated for the drama each elimination round creates. This opinion has landed him in the bad books of veterans like Dale Jr. However, Joey Logano can agree with others about one thing.
The Next-Gen car, introduced in 2022, has been the subject of controversy. From unexpected crashes to aerodynamic challenges, the car’s faults have left drivers scratching their heads in confusion. And Joey Logano stands by the majority of the Cup Series garage in this regard. And he recently expressed his opinion amidst the building playoff tensions.
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The NASCAR playoffs are ‘harder’ now
Shane van Gisbergen, who got eliminated after the Round of 16, won last weekend. He left 12 playoff drivers desperately trying to secure a Round of 8 berth. The tension was particularly high in the lower end, which comprised Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano, and Ross Chastain. Yet Briscoe, from Joe Gibbs Racing, and Logano, from Team Penske, managed to outsmart Chastain, from Trackhouse Racing. This shows that the ‘Big Three’ – Gibbs, Penske, and Hendrick – are reigning the playoffs. Hendrick and Gibbs are dominating the front row of the Round of 8 anyway. Nevertheless, Logano doubts this dominance.
In a recent interview with Rubbin’ Is Racing, Joey Logano reminisced about earlier times. Before the Next-Gen car’s spec parts flooded into the garage, teams could work on individual cars and raise their speeds. Now, none of that is possible, making the NASCAR playoffs formidable. Logano said, “There’s more parity than ever, is what I’m saying. Like when they went to the next-gen car, I mean, that’s brought everybody a lot closer together. All you gotta do is stats to see the parity. There used to be drivers that would win nine races a year and have 20-something top-five finishes.”
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There is a peculiar aspect of the Next-Gen – fuel mileage. Since cars cannot pass each other easily, they optimize on fuel and run half-throttle through long races. Joey Logano himself has taken advantage of it during his wins at Nashville and Las Vegas in 2024. Yet he denounces that method: “The next-gen era, especially as we’ve all been racing the same car now for a few years, the fuel just keeps getting tighter and tighter…It’s harder to get a top-five finish. It’s harder to win a race because you can’t. We used to have enough speed in our car that we can go out there and make a mistake and still drive through the field and get back into the top five, no problem. Now you make a mistake and you put us back in 20th, you’re probably going to finish 20th, maybe 15th, right?”
Joey Logano declared his opinion, saying that “the best racing is when cars have different speeds. And the tire fall-off lately has been helping that piece a lot.” With NASCAR ramping up the horsepower from 670 to 750, maybe Logano and his peers would feel a bit at peace.
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While criticizing NASCAR’s speed-disabling innovation, Joey Logano also felt grateful. For that, he went back to his childhood.
Gratitude for the primary mentors
Long before Joey Logano fell into controversy with the NASCAR playoffs, he was a much-loved upcoming racer. Known as ‘Sliced Bread’, Logano’s skills as a young speedster received accolades from veterans like Mark Martin. A part of the Team Penske star’s early career involved racing in the ARCA Series for Venturini Motorsports. Bill and Cathy kicked off their enterprise in their native Chicago in 1982, and the Venturinis gave countless young drivers a break, primarily in ARCA. The couple served as great teachers and cheerleaders, imparting their wisdom and knowledge to young speedsters to make them better on and off the racetrack.
Now, Bill and Cathy Venturini are preparing to retire. This elicited heartfelt messages from their former mentees, including Joey Logano. “Hey, Bill and Cathy, congratulations, what an incredible career, what an incredible business you built, and what an incredible legacy you built in the motorsports industry,” he said. “I hope you guys enjoy your retirement and have fun for a change, just have fun.” Logano dug up a bit of his past: “The funniest thing I remember most was the kiss from Big Bill in victory lane. I’m not a real kissy kind of guy, so I was like ‘Ahhhh!!’ …It was always fun going to the shop because they were always trying to look for the next thing, working on their cars, working on what was next.”
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While saluting his former mentors, Joey Logano is gearing up for the tough NASCAR playoffs. And he will need all the luck he can get due to the Next-Gen parity.

“When you recognise that you’ve got that in a package, you have to run with it. We’ve seen it. I mean, Max to happen and there’s been other drivers that have gotten sort of thrown into the top level at a young age and all of those guys kind of demonstrate the same thing.” It was Trackhouse Racing’s Justin Marks who couldn’t help but compare his future employee and racing star Connor Zilisch to the four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen. And it is no secret that Zilisch is enamored by the world of F1, even expressing that one day he would like to race in the open-wheel series.
Verstappen made his F1 debut in 2015 at the age of 17. He won the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix at the age of 18 years, 228 days, becoming the youngest ever F1 race winner. And Zilisch seems to have the same recording DNA with his 10 wins this season alone. But amid Texas dinners with RedBull’s F1 champion, the jump to the Cup series will be harder than expected for the Xfinity ace as he hesitates to lean on the Verstappen parallel.
With a background in open-wheel racing, Connor recognizes the difference in the cars and believes that F1 is more reliant on car feedback than the driver’s ability. He said, “Obviously, Max Verstappen is a once-in-a-generation talent, and it’s hard to say, yeah, I’m going to be like him and have as successful as a jump to the highest level as he did, but obviously I know the jump to the Cup Series is nothing easy, and it’s going to be tough no matter what and no matter who you are, and I feel like just the way he was brought up, it might be a little bit easier for him, and especially in F1 with how car-dependent it is, I feel like it’s easier to rise to the occasion.”
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By the age of 28, Verstappen‘s dominance has shone through, with him winning titles from 2021 to 2024. But Zilisch is sounding weary of his Cup dominance as he constantly gets compared to his hero. Justin Marks wasted no breath in signing Connor for the vacant Trackhouse Racing seat, amid Daniel Suarez’s departure, for the 2026 season. And the 19-year-old’s relationship with Shane Van Gisbergen only strengthens their bond as they become full-time teammates next year. And maybe SVG can play a leader and help out Zilisch when it is needed.
And Zilisch has already gotten a taste of the Cup car this year. Zilisch made his Cup Series debut in March at the Circuit of The Americas, driving the No. 87 Chevrolet for Trackhouse. He was involved in a crash mid-race and finished 37th. However, his run at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte proved to be better. He finished 23rd after being caught in a multi-car wreck on lap 113.
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Zilisch is used to finishing at the front of the grid, but the reality of the Cup cars and racing against NASCAR veterans only made Zilisch realize that the Cup series is a different ballgame altogether. But with Connor Zilisch’s road course mastery, many can see the clash amid the team, with SVG already breaking records this year. The three-time Supercars champion has also recently sounded off on his road course plans amid Zislich’s joining next year.
He added, “In NASCAR, I feel like, you know, when you go from XFINITY to Cup, the car completely changes, and the way you drive it, and everything out at the, you know, independent rear suspension, the gearbox, there’s just a lot of differences, so I think it is going to be a bit of a harder jump than, you know, maybe a guy like Max Verstappen going to F1, but, you know, it’s definitely possible, and I get confidence from a guy like him who was able to do it at my age. I feel like there have been guys in the past who, at the jump, really struggled, but I just hope that I’m able to kind of adapt quicker, and I feel like my background and all the different cars help with that transition.”
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Moving to the Cup Series is definitely no joke. Take Joe Gibbs Racing‘s No. 54 driver, Ty Gibbs, for example. Fresh off an Xfinity Series title in his first full season in 2022, he jumped full-time into the Cup Series the following year. He hasn’t yet translated the dominance into a cup. As of the 2025 season, he may have taken home $1M, courtesy of the in-season challenge, but he has yet to win a point-paying Cup race despite multiple top tens and flashes of competitiveness.
But with new rules and regulations regarding an increase in horsepower and the playoff format changes, next year could easily become Zilisch’s playground amid seasoned veterans. However, for now, Zilisch has a more important ambition weighing on his shoulders.
Connor Zilisch’s Xfinity championship hunt gets real
The playoffs are a whole different beast, and Zilisch understands that better than anyone. A 57-point cushion above the cut line heading into Las Vegas Motor Speedway might look reassuring on paper, but seasoned NASCAR fans know how fast that kind of safety net can vanish.
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One flat tire, one small collision, or a single pit call gone wrong can turn a comfortable advantage into a nightmare, leaving your title hopes fading in the rearview. What adds to the intrigue is that Zilisch’s limited track time at the venue is ahead. Back in March in Las Vegas, he started third and came home ninth. At Talladega, he was a lap away from victory lane before a blue crash nearly ended his season.

Highlights
First PS5 patch arrives before NASCAR 25’s full launch
Fixes last-lap cautions, crash bugs, and wheel feedback
Xbox updates to be announced soon
If there’s one thing NASCAR fans know, it’s that no race starts perfectly—especially when there’s fresh asphalt and new engines in play. NASCAR 25’s early access rollout proves the same point: the Gold Edition players are already on track, but a few dents in the fender showed up early. Thankfully, the dev team is working like a pit crew under pressure to tighten every bolt before the green flag drops.
It’s been a long wait, but the green flag has officially waved — NASCAR 25 is finally here. Early access is now live for players who purchased the Gold Edition, giving fans a first lap with the new iRacing-powered experience. But like any debut on a freshly paved track, it hasn’t been without a few bumps and bruises along the way.
After nearly four years since the last NASCAR console release, this new entry marks a major comeback for the franchise. With iRacing at the wheel of development, expectations are high for a more authentic, competitive experience built for the long run. From enhanced physics and updated visuals to a revamped career mode, the groundwork has been laid for what could be the most complete NASCAR title yet.
Still, it’s launch week — and even the best pit crews need adjustments. To their credit, the developers are already making mid-race corrections. The official NASCAR 25 X account posted a message confirming that a PS5 patch is being deployed ahead of the October 14 worldwide release.
A Patch for PS5 will soon be available that will address the following:
▪️Force Feedback Improvement for Wheels
▪️Crash Fix: Paint Kit
▪️Fix for cautions on the last lap. Race ends instead of GWC
▪️Fix to ghost player car immediately when cutting track in Online Races
▪️Other minor fixes and improvements
Additional updates for Xbox will be communicated in the coming days.
This update focuses on quality-of-life improvements — the kind of tuning that matters most to early adopters logging laps during the Gold Edition period. Wheel users should immediately notice more responsive force feedback, while online racers will appreciate fixes to track-cutting detection and ghosting behavior. The patch also addresses a paint kit crash issue that caused frustration among creative players trying to design custom rides.
The most notable fix may be the last-lap caution bug, which previously caused races to extend unnecessarily instead of ending under yellow. That’s now corrected, restoring a more realistic race finish structure and avoiding those unplanned overtime surprises.
The early release window gives the iRacing and Motorsport Games teams a crucial opportunity to gather player feedback before the game’s full retail rollout. By addressing these key fixes early, they’re signaling a commitment to polishing NASCAR 25 into a stable, community-driven racer ready for the long season ahead.
With more updates on the way for Xbox players and likely future tweaks across platforms, the developers are putting in work before the lights officially go green on October 14. If this first patch is any indication, NASCAR 25 may finally be steering the series back in the right direction.

The NASCAR Cup Series grid is set for the Round of 8 playoffs. The 2025 regular season saw many thrilling moments, like Ross Chastain’s victory at the Coca-Cola 600 crown jewel race or Chase Briscoe’s steady rise in a new team and a new OEM. Now, the thrill will dial up a notch with heartbroken drivers trimmed out and hopeful rivals en route to a title battle. All this excitement has been showcased by the sport’s unique TV deal.
NASCAR signed a $7.7 billion media rights deal in late 2023, stirring a buzz among fans. What resulted was a mixed result, featuring both notable highs and lows. Despite the varied reception and consequences, a top executive highlighted the camaraderie that made it all happen.
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NASCAR’s partners thrived on cooperation
Diehard NASCAR fans experienced novel experiments in 2025. For instance, the sport’s collaboration with Amazon Prime introduced streaming to NASCAR fans. Despite initial forecasts downplaying Prime’s impact, the media giant had a phenomenal reception. The reasons lie in unique features like a double-box commercial format or a comprehensive post-race coverage. In contrast to the major cable ecosystem of Fox Sports 1 and USA Network, NASCAR wanted to diversify its content distribution strategy. And the secret to success in implementing this was good teamwork.
NASCAR joined hands with five media partners – Fox, Amazon Prime, Warner Bros., TNT Sports, and NBC. This medley of different media giants initially seemed tricky in handling a 38-race Cup Series schedule. Brian Herbst, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Media & Revenue Officer, broached this topic recently. “It’s been pretty rewarding to see it come together, frankly,” he said. “2023 was the rights negotiation itself. 2024 was all the parts and pieces on the production side, divisional responsibilities, like how do these five partners work together from a marketing and promotion perspective?”
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At the end of the day, what resulted was a meticulous collaboration that led to cool moments. Like the wildly popular Coke 600 or the In-Season Tournament, where Ty Dillon stole the spotlight. Herbst continued, “I think seeing it come together this year, with handouts to Fox to Amazon, Amazon to TNT, and now TNT to NBC and USA – a lot of choreography and details behind the scenes to get that right. When you get cool moments like the Amazon launch at the Coca-Cola 600, for instance. That set right behind the fans…The In-Season challenge from Atlanta…was pretty rewarding from the fans’ perspective. So it’s been fun.”
Yet frankly, the sport has not fared very well in terms of viewership this season. One reason for that also lies in the diversity of options that NASCAR had.
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Looking forward to a solution
Granted, the availability of unique TV options can be exciting. For instance, Amazon Prime roped in younger fans – the average age of Prime watchers was 56.1, nearly 7 years younger than audiences who watched the first 12 races of 2025. However, the downside of having too many options for viewers is also heavy. The move to split races among broadcast partners led to an average viewership of 2.445 million viewers across 32 points races. That is a 17.6% decrease from the 2.966 million average through the first 32 points races of 2024. Significant low points were the Pocono race, which saw a 22% drop, and the New Hampshire event, which registered a 28% drop.
Hence, fans have severely criticized NASCAR’s eclectic media deal featuring multiple partners. And Jessica Forrest, Group VP of Nielsen Sports, was candid about this situation. “Today’s sports are more accessible than they’ve ever been, but it’s also harder to watch sports than it’s ever been – bouncing back and forth between the apps and the subscriptions, regional networks, streaming, linear. I think what I’m anxious to see is how does the industry adapt to that and how does the industry alleviate some of that frustration for the viewer, and make it easier to watch sports and know where to go to find sports?”
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Evidently, all is not hunky dory with NASCAR’s media rights deal. With criticism ramping up among fans, let’s see if any moves are on the way for the next season.

October 21 couldn’t come sooner. After nearly a year of legal back-and-forth, the NASCAR lawsuit is edging toward resolution. What began as a dispute over alleged monopolistic practices has highlighted internal tensions over the charter system, with emails and texts revealing disagreements within NASCAR. But now 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are going to make a run for it, using every trick up their sleeves to get the best deal out.
Earlier this week, NASCAR was ready to swap the gavel for a handshake. Judge Kenneth Bell scheduled a judicial settlement conference 10 days from now. While NASCAR initially sought a new mediator, the court has decided to proceed with the current mediator, Jeffrey Mishkin, who is ready to help everyone find some common ground. However, the two teams against NASCAR couldn’t help but point out the finances of the charters.
NASCAR insider Adam Stern confirmed 23XI and FRM’s filing, stating, “What NASCAR bizarrely calls a ‘massive’ increase in payments to the teams will barely keep up with inflation over the life of the 2025 Charter Agreement and is less than the average per charter payments that NASCAR offered the teams in October 2022.”
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NASCAR’s recent adjustments to charter payments have sparked discussions among teams, particularly 23XI and FRM. Last month, NASCAR paid the two teams a combined total of $25,146,300 in fixed owners’ and performance payouts for the first 20 races of the 2025 season.
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If the court rules against the two teams, NASCAR plans to redistribute these payments to the remaining 30 charter teams. This would result in an average additional payment of approximately $1.5 million per charter. And the NASCAR charter agreement initially stipulates an average payment of $12 per team over the season, equating to about $333,000 per race.
And the teams against NASCAR are arguing that the purported “massive” increase in payments will barely keep pace with inflation that fails to enhance the teams’ real purchasing power. Moreover, they believe that the jump isn’t massive. However, earlier in August, NASCAR announced that charter payments had increased by 62% under the latest agreement, which was introduced in September 2024. This contract is set to run through 2029 and has become the focal point of the ongoing dispute.
A year ago, after more than two years of stalled negotiations, 13 of the 15 teams chose to resign rather than gamble on a potentially worse outcome. The other two, 23XI Racing and FRM, opted for a courtroom battle instead.
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For months now, the 13 teams that started the course, quietly raised concerns that the lawsuit was casting a shadow over NASCAR’s future. That silence finally ended last week as several of the biggest organizations issued public statements, urging both sides to find common ground while reaffirming their support for the charter system that keeps the business of racing running smoothly.
But as the NASCAR president dropped the hammer on why he isn’t on team ‘Trial,’ one of NASCAR’s most respected drivers is done with the entire debate that has turned ugly in the course of this year.
Dale Jr. feels that the legal dispute has been “detrimental” to NASCAR’s success
While Dale Junior has his doubts about NASCAR’s settlement statement, he expressed a clear desire for the lawsuit drama to end before reaching trials. The Hall of Famer has never been a fan of the litigation, and this week, both he and fans saw a potential light at the end of the tunnel.
On the broader impact of the lawsuit, Dale Junior believes it has cast a negative light on the sport. A year of legal wrangling without a trial has fatigued everyone involved, and the potential consequences of a trial remain a concern.
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Junior said, “I think there is some concern that this is actively, as we speak, been detrimental to the success of NASCAR. It’s turned a bunch of people off; I think it’s turned a bunch of people away. It has not done NASCAR, or, it’s not done either side any favors. It’s kind of got a little ugly and personal at times. It’s not been a great look at certain times for both sides. I’m on the boat that absolutely wishes this would get settled soon. Everybody’s tired of this, and I don’t know what it would take to get both sides happy. I think everybody’s got their heels dug in and there’s some pride, some ego involved.”
It is clear that the lawsuit is wearing thin on everyone involved, and the fans. Talk of a settlement is gaining traction, and perhaps, where there is smoke, there might be fire soon.

For years now, the NASCAR playoff format has been the sport’s favorite argument starter. Whether it’s fans debating “true champions” or former drivers calling for a return to the old full-season points system, the chatter never really stops. And with NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell confirming that a new playoff format is officially in the works (to be revealed after the 2025 season), the speculation has only ramped up.
A playoff committee featuring insiders and ex-drivers has already weighed in, and let’s just say the “back to basics” crowd is feeling hopeful. But while everyone’s busy predicting what comes next, three-time champion Joey Logano isn’t losing sleep over it. In fact, his four-word response to the entire debate might just end the argument altogether.
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Joey Logano shrugs off format drama with simple truth
Joey Logano has spent much of his career fending off criticism over his championship wins, with detractors often noting that his titles came after winning just a handful of races each season. “I know everyone’s going to say, ‘Well, that’s because you won them all this way.’ I know. I know. I hear it all the time,” Logano remarked, fully aware of the doubters questioning the playoff format’s legitimacy. His 2018, 2022, and 2024 championships, achieved with a smaller win tally than some rivals, remain hot-button topics among purists who favor a season-long points approach.
The scrutiny Logano receives stands in contrast to drivers like Ryan Blaney, whose championship run in 2023 drew praise and excitement rather than skepticism. Even though Blaney won just three races that season. This disparity only fuels his resolve to prove his consistency and value as a champion in any environment.
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Asked whether winning under a new playoff system would change his feelings about a title, Logano didn’t hesitate. “If you change the format next year, would it be great to win it? Absolutely. Wouldn’t it be any less great than winning it this year, though, or more great, you know, it’s still the same. It’s still a championship.” This bold, clear-eyed response encapsulates his mindset. A championship is a championship, regardless of the process.
Logano’s career numbers speak for themselves. With three NASCAR Cup Series championships (2018, 2022, 2024), he’s one of only 10 drivers to claim three or more titles, joining names like Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. His 37 Cup Series wins, Daytona 500 triumph, and ongoing streak of playoff berths underline his status as an elite, credible competitor. For Logano, debate or not, his legacy is built on results, not asterisks.
As Joey Logano himself summed it up when he asked the reporters: “You guys watch a lot of other sports, obviously. What’s the question people always bring up? – How many rings you got.” And with that, Logano made it clear. No matter how the rules evolve or how loud the critics get, the only number that truly matters is the one etched next to his name in NASCAR’s record books.
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Joey Logano fires back at critics
Joey Logano isn’t backing down. Not from the boos, not from the critics, and definitely not from the playoff pressure. After snagging last year’s Cup Series title, the Team Penske driver is heading into Las Vegas this weekend with one goal in mind: to remind everyone exactly why he’s a champion.
On the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast, Logano opened up about the loud reaction he got after the Charlotte ROVAL race. Denny Hamlin’s last-lap move on Ross Chastain had indirectly helped Logano advance to the Round of 8, and fans weren’t too thrilled about it. “I’m like, ‘That’s for me?’ People hate me. And I thought, ‘What did I do?’ I was confused. And then I was like, ‘Well, screw you. I’m still in. If you hate me now, watch this,’” he said with a grin.
That confidence isn’t misplaced. After all, it was this very race at Las Vegas that sent him to the Championship 4 in 2024. You can bet he’s thinking about another encore performance. But beyond the tough exterior, Logano admits he’s tried to understand the hate.
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“I look at comments on social media to try to figure out why, and people say, ‘Oh, it’s just your smile.’ I’m like, ‘What do you want me to do? Not smile? Not be me?’” he joked. For Logano, it’s simple. The opinions that matter come from his family, his team, and the people who actually know him. “If you’ve never really met me, I hate to say I don’t care, but I care less,” he added.
Unlike Denny Hamlin, who happily claps back at haters, Logano’s not about to feed the negativity. “I’m just not that guy,” he said (smiling again, of course) before sending a quiet message to his doubters: his answers come on the racetrack. And this Sunday, the No. 22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is ready to roar.

When Tyler Reddick rolled into the Charlotte Roval, he knew that the No. 45 Toyota had to win. It was 29 points below the cutline, and this was his final chance to break into the Round of 8. So Billy Scott, Reddick’s crew chief, prepared with an aggressive car set-up and pitted midway through the opening 25-lap stint. Sadly, none of the strategies fell in place for the polesitter. That was due to the Goodyear tires. And race winner Shane van Gisbergen also dealt with them.
The Kiwi speedster was eliminated from the playoffs after the Round of 16. And yet Shane van Gisbergen roared back at the Roval, clinching a five-win streak on consecutive road courses. He finished 15 seconds ahead of his nearest rival. Yet despite this dominance, SVG recently divulged a point of difficulty.
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Shane van Gisbergen tones down Goodyear’s impact
Ever since the tire management Bristol race in spring 2024, NASCAR has relied on Goodyear. The brand’s heavily worn tires acted as band-aids for the Next-Gen car’s monotonous racing. However, the 2025 Bank of America Roval race did not look so promising. Teams saw a lap-time fall-off of roughly four seconds over the course of the tire life. And this dramatic slowdown shuffled previously laid strategies wildly. Some teams chose to pit twice during the final stage, and some opted for three stops. Who chose what was dependent on car strength and track position, in which Shane van Gisbergen emerged most powerful.
Nevertheless, the Trackhouse Racing star highlighted the difficulty of having drastic tire wear. In a recent Dale Jr Download episode, Shane van Gisbergen said that too much attention went into the tires. “You don’t want to make it too much of a tire conservation where everyone’s just, you know, moping around at half speed trying to save tires,” he said. “I think the amount of tires we had and how much falloff there was. There was two stoppers, three stoppers, and stuff like that. I think that keeps it interesting.” He added, “Yeah, it’s funny. You know, you’re driving and we’d start a stint doing a 28 128, you know. And you could do a 26 if you wanted, but you’d be in the 30s pretty quick.”
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Nevertheless, SVG beat his rivals. The two biggest competitors whom Shane van Gisbergen faced were Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell. And both of them fought a long battle with tires. The Kiwi continued, “I felt like you could still push and make moves. At the start of stage three, those guys went way harder and passed me, and then they paid for the price for it later.”
Adam Stevens, crew chief of Bell’s No. 20 Toyota, said the tire falloff “certainly us off guard.” He also observed how the tires could have lasted if teams had been allowed more flexibility in car setups. “Most of the setup decisions are made before you leave for the track. And the car’s impounded after inspection, and the list of things you can change is pretty small. So if you feel like you’re way off, there’s just not a lot you can do to remedy it.”
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Evidently, the tire wear presented challenges to most teams at the Roval. But the Next-Gen car’s challenges are greater – and Dale Jr. wanted a clear-cut solution.
Dale Jr. is not satisfied
NASCAR recently rolled out a heartwarming piece of news for fans. It will raise the horsepower from 670 to 750 for short tracks and road courses in the Cup Series in 2026. This comes after long, drawn-out demands on the part of fans and drivers to increase the horsepower and thus improve the racing. The new change is similar to the final years of the previous generation of cars. They had utilized a 550-horsepower package on intermediate tracks and a 750-horsepower package on short tracks and road courses. However, Dale Jr. is not satisfied.
In order to get rid of the Next-Gen car’s faults, he boldly demanded tearing apart the car. Teams used to get really creative in trying to maximize downforce beneath their cars. But in the interest of parity, NASCAR sealed the underbody of the Next-Gen. So Dale Jr. suggested, “The underbody and all of that stuff. I would really tear this car apart and strip it down, get rid of some shit. I would not touch it in its current form for the mile-and-a-half and stuff.” He continued that he wants to strip it of the rear diffuser as well. “But for the car I’m gonna take to Martinsville, it would be like the unplugged version instead of the full band…You don’t need all that shit. It’d be so basic and dull, you’d beat the shit out of it.”
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Clearly, problems exist both in the Next-Gen car’s body and Goodyear’s tires. Hopefully, the following season can be an upgrade from the 2025 challenges.

NASCAR thrives when its marketing hits the right notes, drawing crowds to the edge-of-your-seat action that defines stock car racing. The playoffs, with their elimination drama, depend on strong promotion to pull in viewers year after year. Yet 2025 has seen a sharp slide in those numbers, leaving many to scratch their heads. Efforts like the fresh Driver Ambassador Program, where drivers earn points for media gigs and fan meet-ups, aim to spark more buzz.
Still, the massive $7.7 billion media rights deal through 2031 promised big exposure, but playoff races tell another tale. Take the Charlotte Roval event; it pulled in 1.544 million viewers on USA Network, a 36% drop from 2.419 million on NBC last year. New Hampshire’s playoff stop fared worse at 1.29 million, down 31% from 1.88 million in 2024. These stats highlight how even bold moves, from network partnerships to driver-led outreach, haven’t stemmed the tide.
Fans are calling out NASCAR’s playoff marketing push, frustrated that glossy campaigns and big promises haven’t reversed the viewership freefall. Just take the Driver Ambassador Program for example, where Joey Logano topped the program’s first term, pocketing $1 million for his media and appearance efforts, yet overall playoff averages sit at 1.544 million viewers, a 29% plunge from 2024’s 2.173 million. This gap stems from shifts like fewer races on major networks, down to just eight in 2025 from 20 last year, forcing more onto cable and streaming, where audiences fragment.
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Digging deeper, the decline ties to broader woes, including fierce competition from the NFL, which dominates Sundays with games drawing over 25 million eyes while NASCAR scrapes below 1.3 million. An aging fan base, among the oldest in U.S. sports, compounds this as cord-cutting hits cable hard; subscriptions fell to 68.7 million households in 2024 from 105 million in 2010.
Denny Hamlin nailed this in a critique of past TV deals: “In each one of the TV deals that we’ve signed over the last few years or the past few agreements that we’ve had, we’ve always just taken the most amount of money. It’s not been about ‘What’s going to put us on in the most households.’ We were the guinea pigs to get Channel X off the ground, Channel Y off the ground. And you’re asking so much of your fans to just keep chasing you around all these different networks.”
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His words spotlight how prioritizing cash over accessibility has left races buried on lesser channels, eroding casual interest built during the early 2000s boom when consistent network slots fueled growth.
Insiders echo these gripes, pointing to format tweaks that dilute the playoffs’ appeal. Eric Estepp, a key voice in the community, summed it up: “Fans often blame the car or playoff format, but the issues run deeper.” This reflects a “perfect storm” of structural hurdles, from three-hour race lengths causing burnout to the playoffs’ artificial resets, which started in 2004 amid fan polls that overwhelmingly rejected them.
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NASCAR ignored that feedback, alienating loyal supporters who cherished season-long consistency, much like the backlash to venue shifts from gritty Southeast tracks to uniform speedways that prioritized expansion over excitement. These choices, rooted in Brian France’s era, have fueled a steady slide, with 2025’s 17.6% overall viewership drop underscoring the need for real fixes beyond surface-level hype.
With tensions running high, the conversation spills over to social media, where every day, fans share raw takes on what’s gone wrong. Their voices cut through the noise, offering a ground-level view of the frustrations.
Fan reactions unleashed
One voice cuts straight to the chase: “Because they’re not equivalent, they know it, everyone knows it, and it would just make them look even dumber if they tried.” The playoffs draw stretched comparisons to sports like the NFL, stemming from the 2004 format that abandoned fan votes in favor of a gimmick that resets the season. Cases like Harrison Burton qualifying 34th in points after one win dilute the Chase, fueling the 29% playoff ratings fall as loyal fans tune out artificial drama.
Another fan added, “Because there is no auto racing and stick n’ ball comparison. Brian France’s c*ked-out brain couldn’t comprehend that NASCAR fans didn’t need NASCAR to be something it wasn’t.” France’s mid-2000s push copied team sports, swapping Southeast tracks for cookie-cutter speedways by 2004 that favored big teams and dropped on-track action, sparking the slide from 2005 peaks when broadcasts broke for endless ads.
Spotting local misses adds to the pile. Take this from a race-goer: “I am in Vegas for the race, and there is zero marketing along the Strip. I have seen 3 shops selling F1 merchandise. If NASCAR can’t figure out how to market one race in that market, how can they figure out how to market a playoff system?”
Las Vegas, a playoff staple, highlights missed chances against rivals like F1, which surged with 1.4 million average viewers in 2025, up from prior years. NASCAR’s lack of street-level push there mirrors broader trends, with only five races on Amazon Prime this season scattering visibility, while F1’s consistent ESPN slots drew 24% more for events like Azerbaijan, underscoring how poor on-site and broadcast strategies let competitors steal the spotlight.
Shifting to sponsor woes, another fan spells it out: “NASCAR can’t figure out how to market. That’s been the problem for years. There is a reason why Lowe’s, Home Depot, Havoline, FedEx, and all these sponsors left. From big-time drivers too. It’s funny, and so fans won’t like it; NASCAR is slavery, similar to pro wrestling. Heck, its rise and fall in popularity are damn near identical.” The wrestling parallel fits the 2008 Indy tire mess that tanked trust, with sponsorships dipping as races hit three-hour burns, turning off viewers, unlike shorter Trucks or Xfinity events.
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This reaction sums it up: “They are not equal; there’s 6 weeks of di—ingaround involved in the NASCAR system vs. 1-2 weeks for an MLB championship.” The 10-race stretch, with resets every third race, breeds fatigue against baseball’s tight series, rooted in 2014’s elimination shift that overlooked consistency, like Jeff Gordon‘s top points in 2004, 2007, and 2014 without titles—leading to 17.6% overall drops.

Shane van Gisbergen’s mastery of road courses just hit legendary status. The Kiwi sensation extended his incredible streak to five straight road course wins after dominating the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Behind the wheel of the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, SVG led 57 laps, won by over 15 seconds, and made the Roval look more like his personal playground than one of NASCAR’s trickiest tracks. But while his dominance on road courses seems effortless, SVG knows there’s still one area he’s playing catch-up in – short tracks.
And instead of waiting for experience to come to him, he’s been out there earning it the old-fashioned way. Yes, it was by going back to the grassroots level and getting his basics right.
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Shane van Gisbergen sharpens short track craft
With the Round of 8 looming and a pivotal showdown at Martinsville on the horizon, short-track skills couldn’t matter more for NASCAR drivers. Martinsville, though known for its chaos, is not just another stop in a pressure-packed playoff round; it is going to be a decider.
For Shane van Gisbergen, adapting to American-style ovals (especially short tracks) has been an ongoing trial by fire, reflected in steady but modest stats. His finishes average around 29th at short tracks in 2025, underscoring the challenge. Determined to close the learning gap, SVG jumped into Tuesday night’s Legends car races at Charlotte. On the PRNLive podcast, he was asked, “Was that just for fun or was that for working on turning left a little more?”
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The Kiwi explained, “It’s a bit of everything. It’s just more experience and all these guys, they did this when they were kids.” The grassroots interest, fueled partly by Bubba Wallace, gave SVG the chance to hone car control, left-foot braking, and close-quarters racing. In July, Shane van Gisbergen celebrated his first oval victory at the Charlotte Summer Shootout in the Pro Legends A-Feature, a testament to the practical value of these midweek sessions.
“They came and raced those Legends cars when they were 10-12 years old. So, I’m just so far behind on that stuff. I need experience and plus it was a lot of fun doing it every Tuesday,” he further explained. Shane van Gisbergen’s late start stands in contrast to the backgrounds of many NASCAR stars. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch, William Byron, and others all cut their teeth in the Legends series from a young age, shaping racecraft that still pays off at the Cup level.
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As October’s playoff grind intensifies, SVG’s commitment to grassroots racing helps sharpen the edge he needs to stay competitive on ovals while being hailed as one of NASCAR’s greatest road course racers. His journey proves that it’s never too late to embrace the basics, and it’s authentic practice (not just big-race glory) that forges NASCAR’s most adaptable competitors. And with thought, he enters Las Vegas.
Shane van Gisbergen’s livery for Las Vegas revealed
Shane van Gisbergen is turning heads with his striking New Zealand-inspired livery for the upcoming Las Vegas NASCAR Cup Series race. The #88 Trackhouse Chevrolet will don a sleek black base, adorned with silver ferns and red stars. These are symbols that are deeply rooted in the New Zealand sporting tradition. The Silver Fern, carried by iconic teams like the All Blacks and Silver Ferns, serves as a proud badge of Kiwi identity.
“It’s an awesome paint scheme, so special to have some influence on the design,” SVG shared, visibly moved. “It’s super cool to be able to show some of my Kiwi heritage on the track this weekend in Las Vegas. To have the Southern Cross, Silver Fern, and the colours of New Zealand on my car. I was speechless when I first saw it. Just really special to me, and I’m excited to be carrying huge momentum with my team into the weekend.”
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While the oval at Las Vegas presents fresh challenges, SVG’s attitude has been relentlessly positive. His progression on mile-and-a-half ovals reflects a steady learning curve, starting the year near the back, but now regularly competing for top-ten finishes, as he said, “Vegas is a pretty tough one with the speed and the bumps… Every week I’m out there, I learn something and have thoughts on how to be better again. I know I have a long way to go, that’s for sure, but I’m enjoying that process.”
The new livery is more than cosmetic. In fact, it’s a statement of pride and international ambition, making SVG a symbol of NASCAR’s global reach. As the engine roars at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Kiwi colors of van Gisbergen’s car offer a fresh burst of national pride for fans at home and a reminder of how far SVG has come in his rookie season.

Del Merritt admitted that it was “emotional” at first when he decided to sell Hermon’s Speedway 95 to former NASCAR Cup Series winner Ricky Craven this summer.
He knew it was bringing an end to a 57-year relationship with the auto track, which began when friend Dana Crockett invited him to be an assistant flagman there in 1968.
Merritt had never even attended a race but said he liked being involved with the sport “right away” and still has passion for it.
“If someone had told me 57 years ago that I would still be doing it, I would have told them they were nuts,” said Merritt.
He has come to terms with his decision to sell to Craven.
“I feel more comfortable with it now,” said Merritt. “I’ve seen what he has done out there. I see his interest in it so I’ve relaxed some.”
Merritt will be involved in his final race weekend as the owner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the annual Paul Bunyan Speed Weekend.
“We’re going to have a super weekend. We always do,” said Merritt. “I think I’ll go out with a bang. Rick will do a great job.”
He has nothing but positive thoughts about the ownership change.
“If I thought something different, I never would have sold it,” said the 80-year-old Merritt, a 1964 graduate of Bangor High School.
“Did I want to sell it? No. Did I have to sell it? No. But I think it’s time. Everything has its time,” he said.
After serving as flagman and working in the pit area, Merritt eventually became a part-owner when he, Maynard (Red) Baker Sr. and wife Alice Baker, John Michaels and some minor investors bought the track for $200,000.
Michaels would eventually sell his share to the Bakers and Merritt and, when Red Baker died in 1991, Merritt and Alice Baker co-owned it until she sold her share to him in 2011.
“It has been fun. If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t have stayed in it as long as I have,” said Merritt, a Maine Motorsports Hall of Famer. “I enjoy the people and the racing.”
Merritt also owns two restaurants, Judy’s in Bangor and Cap’s Tavern in Brewer, along with several apartments.
“For me, it has never been a big profit item,” Merritt said about the track. “I have other businesses that do far better.
“It’s a hobby,” he added.
And he knows he will miss it.
“But I will be able to go there any time until Ricky throws me out. And I don’t think he’s going to,” Merritt said about Craven. “We talk every day. I’m just going to try to keep him out of trouble. Or get him in trouble.”
Craven, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner from nearby Newburgh, has a long history with the track.
“Del is a wonderful human being,” said Craven, who raced at Speedway 95 as did his mother, Nancy, and late father, Alan. “He has been a tremendous guardian and asset to me. We talk every morning.”
Alan Craven raced in the track’s debut on July 3, 1966.
“He is 100 percent behind me,” Ricky Craven said about Merritt.
Craven said the most enjoyable part of making the purchase has been getting to know Merritt and confiding in him.
Kim Baker Allen, Red and Alice’s daughter and the track’s long-time office manager, said Merritt has put “blood, sweat and tears into this thing. Literally.”
Baker Allen called Merritt “an amazing guy.”
Unity Raceway owner Ralph Nason, who is the only driver to ever win three consecutive Oxford 250s (1998-2000), said Merritt has done an “excellent job” running Speedway 95 and pointed out that he had several offers from construction companies who wanted to buy the track to use the land.
“But he was adamant that he wanted it to remain as a race track and he stuck to that,” Nason said about Merritt.
Craven has promised to keep it as a track for at least the next 10 years.
Baker Allen said drivers and other people who enjoy Speedway 95 “have come out of the woodwork” to thank Merritt for keeping it a race track by selling it to Craven.
“It has been amazing,” Baker Allen said. “He cares deeply about the track.”
Nason said Merritt has always been reputable to deal with.
“He has always done what he said he was going to do,” Nason said. “He’s a good guy. I’m glad for him and I’m glad for Rick.”
Racing is a passionate sport and tempers can flare.
When Merritt was inducted into the hall of fame in 2022, Baker Allen said that he has taken his share of abuse from drivers, but never holds a grudge and will always welcome them back if they leave.
“If we don’t have employees and drivers, we’re nobody,” Merritt said at the time. “You have to have thick skin. Everybody loses their temper once in a while.”
Merritt admitted this week that the track has “had its ups and downs,” with both bad years and good years along the way.
But he said he has no regrets.
“Not one,” said Merritt.