Kyle Larson heads back to dirt racing only days after winning his third NASCAR Cup Series title in Phoenix. The title became official less than two weeks ago. Now Larson is preparing for the Hangtown 100 at Placerville Speedway in California. The event begins a nine-race USAC swing across California and Arizona.
Placerville Speedway shaped Larson during his teenage years. His parents worked at the pit gate. He chased veteran racers and learned aggressive short-track habits. He returns as a two-time Cup champion and also a co-promoter of the Hangtown 100.
“It’s really special to me to be part of an event that means so much to me. Placerville Speedway is a place where my family and I grew up going to, not as fans, but to race. Larson told Floracing. Teaming up with Scott and Kami to continue growing this event is incredibly important to me, and I’m excited to not only help promote, but also to compete.”
Placerville Speedway co-promoter Scott Russell also spoke about the partnership. “We are excited to continue growing the Hangtown 100 and working with Kyle Larson to make that happen,” commented Placerville Speedway Scott Russell. “Matt Wood had the original vision of getting the Hangtown 100 going, and I want to thank him for making it possible, because without Matt, it wouldn’t have even happened. Moving into the future, he is allowing us to take things over by partnering with Kyle.”
The Hangtown 100: A Big Event on a Small Track
The Hangtown 100 follows USAC National Midget rules. The format places a premium on quick reactions. Drivers race on a tight quarter-mile dirt oval. Limited space forces aggressive moves. A hundred laps decide the winner.
Short track dirt racing demands clean entry points, strong exits, and constant focus on grip. The surface changes throughout each run. Ruts form. The cushion beats down. Every lap requires a new decision. A strong start matters. A driver who gains track position early protects tires and stays out of traffic.
The field includes drivers from different backgrounds. Ty Gibbs enters select West Coast events while adding dirt experience during the offseason. Corey Day enters as one of the strongest young sprint car drivers in the region. Each driver studies track changes and commits to quick decisions. USAC midget racing rewards precision and constant movement.
Why Larson Chooses Dirt Racing After a Long NASCAR Season
Kyle Larson runs a heavy race load during each season. His 2025 calendar included 38 NASCAR Cup starts. The approach reflects a trend taken by manufacturers.
Chevrolet and Toyota encourage young drivers to race multiple types of vehicles. More surfaces produce stronger reflexes. Each surface requires a different driving approach.

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series delivered some edge-of-your-seat action, which started from the Daytona 500 and ended in Phoenix. Drivers pushed their limits to complete those 9,580 laps in 36 races amid all kinds of hurdles that came their way, be it wrecks or tire issues. Yet, as the dust settled, a simple stat from NASCAR has added some fresh hate to the already disliked playoff system.
NASCAR Insights dropped a bombshell stat on their X post, which shows a list of drivers with the most laps completed for the 2025 season. The max laps possible to complete were 9580. Tyler Reddick tops that list, completing 9,565 laps of them. But the kicker is, most of these top-10 grinders, like Ryan Preece (9,530) or Michael McDowell (9,425), missed the playoffs entirely, while only three of them even entered the playoffs.
Most laps completed in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season pic.twitter.com/Ex7aQhuaPB
ADVERTISEMENT
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) November 8, 2025
The top-10 order was: Tyler Reddick, Ryan Preece, Michael McDowell, Todd Gilliland, Chris Buescher, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Ty Dillon, Austin Dillon, and Ty Gibbs. Out of these, only Reddick, Logano, and Austin Dillon entered the playoffs. And what’s more, only Reddick and Logano were the two drivers out of these ten who won a race this year.
These facts and numbers reveal how consistency is considered less important than unpredictability in the chase for the title. Veterans like Denny Hamlin snagged six wins but watched others win the title on single-race heroics, fueling debates on fairness.
ADVERTISEMENT
It exposes a troubling trend that the format rewards occasional or random brilliance over steady performance, sidelining reliable runners who avoid trouble all year. It’s no wonder fans are calling for tweaks, especially after the Christopher Bell case, where he was among the top contenders in the playoff 8 but got eliminated from playoff 4 because he could not snag a win in playoff 8, despite three consecutive top-three finishes in Kansas, Charlotte Roval, and Las Vegas.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. nailed it on his podcast, where he shared that he had a quick chat with NASCAR’s Steve O’Donnell post-Xfinity finale: “A lot of people are talking about the Cup stuff; we know that’s probably coming in terms of a change to the format, but nobody ever says a thing about the Xfinity or Truck… whatever happens to Cup, something similar will happen.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Coming from a guy whose JR Motorsports team just missed out on the Xfinity title with three contenders in the final four, this shows the chain reaction that started from the Cup Series Playoff debate. Now, NASCAR fans and even team owners like Dale Jr. crave a system where all-season consistency pays off. Earnhardt’s words echo the garage heartaches, like after Hamlin’s six victories couldn’t overcome a late Phoenix caution, proving one bad moment in a last race could erase a season’s edge.
He added excitement for 2026 tweaks. “I’m excited about next year… we’re going to have four drivers, hopefully, driving for a championship,” hinting at broader access that could fix this playoff pitfall.
ADVERTISEMENT
The fans don’t like this, and they piled up on the X thread, rallying cries for a desperate reform.
Fans’ firestorm unleashed
“None of the Champ 4.” It’s a gut punch since Larson, Hamlin, Briscoe, and Byron logged far fewer clean laps than backmarkers like Todd Gilliland (9,407). Picture Chase Briscoe, who snagged three regular-season wins but wrecked often in the playoffs, versus Gilliland’s quiet consistency at Front Row Motorsports. This mismatch fuels the fire, showing how the “win-and-in” setup ignores the marathon of 36 races.
ADVERTISEMENT
Diving deeper into the thread, another fan cut straight, saying, “Half these guys didn’t even make the playoffs.” Spot on, as seven of the top 10, including Ty Dillon (9,348), could not qualify in the playoff-16 despite near-perfect attendance. Dillon’s effort kept him completing one lap after another, but no victory meant no qualification in the playoffs, unlike van Gisbergen, whose 8,897 laps alone punched his ticket for the playoffs. It’s a system where one win overpowers 9,000+ laps of reliability.
Then came the big-picture burn, “I think this also proves how bad the playoffs are. None of these guys were close to a title. Just win a race and coast to the playoffs. All these guys had to push to try and get wins.” This comment stated the core flaw of this playoff system. As non-playoff aces like Michael McDowell chased points weekly, drivers like Logano with a single win locked their spots early, freeing them from points-chasing pressure.

Back in 2019, Racing Wives was often remembered by fans as NASCAR’s attempt at reality TV stardom. It brought viewers a glimpse of life beyond the track. Airing on CMT, the show followed Samantha Busch, Whitney Dillon, Mariel Swan, and Amber Balcaen as they navigated the chaos of racing life, family, and friendship in the fast-paced NASCAR world. The fans watched it religiously, believing what they saw about the lives of the racing wives. But Samantha has just broken that bubble.
Although it only ran for one season before being quietly canceled, Racing Wives still holds a nostalgic spot for viewers who remember the excitement around NASCAR finally getting its own “reality moment.” Eight years later, the wives have reunited, and they have secrets to spill about it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Staged drama ruled Racing Wives
Samantha Busch did not hold back when reflecting on her experience filming the short-lived CMT series Racing Wives. “I want to talk about this. That was the most staged reality show, and it drove me nuts,” she said on her Certified Oversharer podcast, joined by Whitney Dillon, Mariel Swan, and Amber Balcaen.
Busch recalled how she repeatedly urged producers to focus on the genuine, behind-the-scenes drama that NASCAR families face, such as Kurt Busch’s major team switch and sponsorship uncertainty. However, she said those storylines were ignored in favor of manufactured conflict. “There was real drama in our lives,” she said. “One big thing was Kurt switching teams. That was huge, but all they wanted was the girl drama.”
Busch’s comments echoed earlier frustrations she had shared about how Racing Wives was produced. The show, which aired on CMT in 2019, was marketed as a candid look at the women behind NASCAR’s biggest stars. However, according to Busch, it prioritized scripted tension over authenticity. Reports at the time also noted that scenes were heavily edited to create interpersonal conflict, a hallmark of the “reality TV formula” CMT aimed for.
ADVERTISEMENT
Busch’s husband, two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, was transitioning between major team partnerships around that same period. That offered plenty of natural storylines, but few of them ever made it to air.
Mariel Swan, who co-starred on the show and joined Busch on the podcast, backed up those claims with her own experience of producer manipulation. “They gave us all different times to show up to set,” she explained. “They told you guys to get there around 3:45, but told me to come at 6:00. Then they said I was drunk the night before and late to filming.” Swan said she was stunned to learn how something as simple as staggered call times became the basis for a completely fabricated storyline.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
“I was like, wait, how did we concoct this just from me getting a different call time?” she recalled. Her revelation highlighted how producers often created false narratives by engineering misunderstandings between cast members. It was a classic example of “frankenbiting,” a common reality TV tactic where editing and out-of-context audio clips create drama that never actually happened.
Busch admitted that many of those behind-the-scenes manipulations did not become clear until years later. “Now thinking about that, I bet that’s what happened,” she said. “I went and got yelled at by a producer. But I’ve learned now, especially talking to Trish and Ashley, that they told us all very different things.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Her comments suggested that the cast was not just misled individually but strategically kept apart so producers could build conflicting narratives. This aligns with other accounts from reality TV participants who have since revealed they were given selective or false information to provoke emotional reactions during filming.
At the time, Racing Wives was hyped as NASCAR’s crossover moment into mainstream entertainment. It was seen as a chance to showcase the glamor and grit of life in the sport’s inner circle.
Instead, it delivered a more Real Housewives-style portrayal that, according to Busch and Swan, left out the sport’s real challenges. Those included the constant travel, sponsor negotiations, and emotional toll of supporting their partners in such a high-pressure environment. “We wanted to talk about the real stuff,” Busch said. “But they only cared about the girl drama.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Looking back eight years later, Busch’s candid remarks have reignited debate among NASCAR fans about the authenticity of sports reality television. What was once billed as a window into the lives of racing families now stands as an example of how entertainment priorities can distort the truth.
Is Kyle Busch again behind NASCAR’s series-capping rule?
For a long time, Kyle Busch raced almost everywhere he could, including Cup, Xfinity, and Truck. Even when he was already a top Cup Series driver, he regularly entered the lower series and often won.
By 2017, NASCAR capped the number of races Cup veterans could run, first 10 in Xfinity and seven in Trucks, then gradually cutting it to just five each by 2020. Fans called it the “Kyle Busch rule” since he was the main driver affected.
Busch still made the most of his limited entries, winning at least one Truck Series race every year since 2013. After selling his Kyle Busch Motorsports team in 2023, he kept running five Truck races a year, sticking to that pattern even after his Xfinity exit in 2021, when he reached 102 career wins.
Now, NASCAR plans to ease those limits in 2026. Cup drivers with three or more years of experience will again be allowed up to 10 Xfinity and eight Truck races, though they still can’t race in playoff or championship events.
The change comes as Busch’s participation has dropped, as he has run just one Xfinity race in the last two seasons, and a few others have been taking advantage of the old limits. It’s clear NASCAR’s tougher rules were largely a reaction to Busch’s dominance, and with him scaling back, they’re ready to relax them again.

If you’ve been a NASCAR fan for a while and remember when drivers still smelled faintly of leaded fuel and engine grease, you’ve probably heard of the 1958 film Thunder Road starring Robert Mitchum. Its tie to the sport’s early days is undeniable.
The plot centers on outlaw drivers running moonshine in highly modified Chevys and Fords through the twisting backroads of the South in the 1940s and ’50s. Put someone like Junior Johnson in the lead role, and it would read like a documentary. Those same moonshine runners, half criminal, half folk hero, took their souped-up cars and raw driving talent from the hills to the dirt ovals, and eventually to the paved tracks that gave birth to NASCAR. Johnson himself reportedly served as an unofficial technical advisor for the film, because, frankly, he’d lived it.
Now, a new Thunder Road is being fired up, this time as a scripted series for AMC. Unlike its 1958 predecessor, it won’t focus on just moonshine runners but will instead expand to stock car racing itself and the families who live in it.
This marks another NASCAR attempt at a scripted series, following the short-lived Netflix comedy The Crew starring Kevin James. But this time, it’s not laughs they’re after — it’s legacy. The project will be a long-form drama written and executive produced by John Fusco, whose credits include Young Guns, The Highwaymen, and Netflix’s Marco Polo. He’ll be joined by Cliff Roberts and Mark L. Smith — the latter known for The Revenant, Twisters, and American Primeval — along with NASCAR’s own Tim Clark and John Dahl as executive producers.
MORE FOR YOU
According to Deadline, Thunder Road “follows the multi-generational saga of the Whitlock family, whose legacy in stock car racing is as deep as the family’s ties to the southern hill country roots that shaped them. It features family dynamics, fierce rivalries, and the untold stories behind one of America’s most iconic sports.”
So, imagine Yellowstone with a pit crew — or Days of Thunder reimagined as a family drama where the rivalries don’t end when the engines cool, and everyone still smells faintly of race fuel and barbecue smoke. It’s Sons of Anarchy in NASCAR country, only this time the engines are legal, the grudges are generational, and the names might as well be Petty, Allison, Earnhardt, and Waltrip.
The project is being steered by Dan McDermott, AMC Networks’ President of Entertainment, and Ben Haigh, co-head of domestic programming, as part of AMC’s push into Americana-driven storytelling. Thunder Road is not part of the network’s upcoming Great American Stories franchise; that new anthology will debut separately with an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath — but the two share the same ambition: exploring uniquely American stories rooted in family, conflict, and legacy.
It’s also another sign that NASCAR’s media strategy is evolving. The sport has spent the past few years focusing on unscripted storytelling — from Netflix’s Race and two seasons of Full Speed, to Race for the Championship on USA Network and Peacock. Later this month, NASCAR will debut Rising, a YouTube docuseries spotlighting young drivers Jesse Love, Carson Hocevar, and Rajah Caruth.
If those projects put a human face on today’s garage, Thunder Road looks ready to dig into the mythology — the roots, rivalries, and family dynasties that have powered stock car racing for generations.
For a sport born on the backroads, this might be the most fitting return to its storytelling roots yet.

There has been a lot of buzz lately among the car-obsessed crowd in GTA Online. The newly released Tampa GT muscle car dropped with a striking package called “The Monarch,” and what makes it really stand out is the homage built into its livery.
Designers at Rockstar Games created the scheme with clear nods to stock-car legend Richard Petty’s No. 43 car, adding a fun piece of motorsport history to the virtual streets of Los Santos. According to the GTA Wiki, the “Monarch” paint job pays homage to Richard Petty’s #43 stock car, with hood stripes based on the original factory model.
The Tampa GT itself is already one of the most sought-after rides in the game. The Wiki entry notes that it was introduced in the Money Fronts update for GTA Online on June 26, 2025, and sells for about $1,311,000 through Southern San Andreas Super Autos.
ADVERTISEMENT
Its design blends muscle-car styling cues from the 1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX and the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu, giving it an unmistakably retro feel. That makes the “Monarch” livery even more fitting. When players put that Petty-inspired scheme on a vintage-styled muscle car, it becomes a layered tribute that blends racing nostalgia, classic design, and gaming speed.
The homage to Richard Petty makes sense. Petty is one of the most celebrated figures in NASCAR history, and his No. 43 car, its iconic blue-and-red STP paint scheme, and his larger-than-life persona as “The King” make him a cornerstone of American motorsport culture. In GTA Online, adopting an aesthetic inspired by his car creates a bridge between virtual customization and real-world racing heritage.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
What also excites players is how these custom vehicles integrate into gameplay. The Tampa GT, complete with the “Monarch” livery, joins an expanding catalogue of vehicles that can be purchased, customized, and used in races or free-roam sessions. Because of its throwback styling, it appeals not only as a performance machine but also as a statement piece.
For players who love blending aesthetics with performance, this release stands out as something special. It encourages creativity while paying respect to motorsport history. Ultimately, the story of the Tampa GT’s “Monarch” livery in GTA Online is a fascinating mix of gaming innovation and real-world racing iconography.
It’s a muscle car built for virtual high performance, dressed in a paint scheme that nods to NASCAR royalty. Whether players are into car mods, racing scenes, or simply want a show-stopping ride in Los Santos, this addition hits multiple notes. For fans of racing history, it serves as a respectful wink to Richard Petty and the golden age of stock-car racing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fans on Reddit have taken the conversation even further, coming up with creative and sometimes hilarious ideas inspired by the release.
NASCAR in GTA before GTA 6
One fan imagined, “They should have a side mission in GTA 6 where you get along with a mafia boss to prop up a new team to run in NASCAR, but all of that is just a cover-up to run a moonshine or drug cartel for the owners.”
ADVERTISEMENT
While that type of two-layer narrative has not been confirmed, it perfectly matches the GTA tradition of blending criminal enterprise with real-world cultural references. Given Petty’s legacy as a “legit” racer and NASCAR’s early ties to bootlegging, the idea of combining racing heritage with underground crime storylines in a future game feels like a clever and authentic fit.
Another fan wrote, “I hope the theories of GTA 6 featuring Homestead or Daytona are true. A GTA version of the Gen 6 or Next-Gen would be amazing.” That sentiment reflects the hopes of many players who want the next GTA installment to include real motorsport-inspired locations.
Daytona International Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway are both deeply connected to NASCAR’s history, with Petty’s 1966 Daytona 500 victory still regarded as one of his most famous wins. If GTA 6 were to incorporate real tracks and authentic racing physics, it could blur the line between arcade fun and serious simulation.
The third comment gets more tongue-in-cheek: “That 48 isn’t the real 48, the 5 is the real 48. Ally wanted 48 because that is the exact percentage of Ally auto-loans that are in default.” While the financial jab is clearly a joke, it shows how seriously fans take the symbolism of car numbers and liveries. In NASCAR, a number like 43 or 48 carries legacy, and the same holds in GTA Online’s car community.
The “Monarch” livery’s respectful nod to Petty’s history has sparked conversation about brand authenticity and creative licensing. Everything about the design seems legally safe and intentionally reverent, even if some fans jokingly call it a “war-crime level” homage.
One player summed it up by saying, “Time to add this to the list of things we got before GTA 6.” That comment reflects how fans often treat every new update in GTA Online as a sneak peek at what the next major release might bring. Each new vehicle, mission, or livery serves as fuel for speculation about what GTA 6 will include. The Tampa GT’s release, with its nostalgic roots and meticulous detail, fits perfectly into that trend.
Finally, one of the most creative fan comments reads, “My pipe dream racing game is basically just the RDR2 online moonshiner missions, but you’re in a car and eventually you start racing.” This comment captures the same spirit as the earlier mafia storyline.
The fantasy of merging Red Dead Redemption 2’s narrative-driven missions with high-stakes street racing connects directly to NASCAR’s bootlegging origins and modern-day outlaw culture. With Rockstar continuing to blur the lines between narrative and gameplay, a future that combines those elements does not feel too far-fetched.
In all, the “Monarch” livery on the Tampa GT represents more than just a stylish addition to GTA Online. It’s a small but meaningful tribute to Richard Petty’s enduring legacy, one that shows how video games continue to celebrate and reinterpret real-world icons in imaginative ways.

Yet, a law expert recently examined the case and deduced that a recent courtroom mistake from NASCAR might have turned the tide against itself.
NASCAR’s counterclaim trap can backfire
On a recent episode of Bloomberg Law, NYU Law professor Harry First unpacked how a bold move by NASCAR has shot them back, handing 23XI and Front Row a critical edge just weeks before trial. First zeroed in on the counterclaim NASCAR filed, accusing the teams of price-fixing during charter talks.
“They (NASCAR) define a market, which was pretty much the same as the market that Michael Jordan defined… So they basically define the same markets,” First explained. “And the judge says, sorry, you’ve already admitted it… I mean, I think it’s pretty supportable on appeal, and there would have been ways to handle the complaint that didn’t fall into this trap, but they were sort of too clever by half.”
This admission sealed NASCAR‘s fate on market definition, with Judge Bell ruling the relevant space is strictly “premier stock car racing” with no room for IndyCar or F1 as substitutes. Back in 2024, charter negotiations between NASCAR and teams were not happening smoothly, and it got even more bitter when NASCAR arrogantly offered a “take it or leave it” offer, which eventually resulted in the October 2024 suit.
The counterclaim by NASCAR was meant to flip the script, but it proved that NASCAR is a 100% single buyer who dominates and has significant power over other sellers’ shares. In simple words, NASCAR itself agrees that it has a monopoly over the sport.
First noted the fallout, “It was a very clever counterclaim, but there was no requirement that they even needed to file it.” Now, with the monopoly power debate off the table, the matter shifts to anticompetitive acts like purchases and exclusive deals, which potentially maximize damages and pressure a pre-trial deal.
Michael Jordan doubled down in an August 2025 hearing, stating his stand as a supporter of the betterment of the sport. “Look, I’ve been a fan of the game for a long period of time. I’ve always said that I want to fight for the betterment of the sport… The point is that the sport itself needs to continually change for the better, for the fans as well as for the teams, as well as for NASCAR, too.”
These words echo Jordan’s entry into NASCAR in 2020, aiming to elevate the sport’s diversity and Black people’s representation in the sport. But now it’s a battle over revenue splits, where teams claim that the revenue they are getting now is not enough to maintain cars amid soaring costs.
First added on power dynamics, saying, “You have to have a monopoly power… as the sole buyer, and there have to be high barriers to entry… The judge found all of those things… It’s very hard to have a competing league.” A jury verdict could reshape charters, boost team payouts, or even invite appeals that drag into 2026, leaving the series in an unknown future.
As the trial date comes closer, these twists underscore the fragile balance between control and collaboration.
Teams trim suit to sharpen trial focus
As the trial date approaches, 23XI and Front Row dropped one of their claims (Section 1) so they can focus just on accusing NASCAR of monopolizing the sport. This clears the way for arguments about NASCAR’s market control.
The original lawsuit came from the 2024 charter talks, where 13 of 15 teams signed deals under pressure. It originally included complaints about NASCAR abusing its power and buying teams or tracks. Now, the case is simplified to focus mainly on NASCAR’s acquisitions, like the 2019 International Speedway purchase, which gave the France family more control over tracks and the sport.
Attorney Jeffrey Kessler acknowledged the shift, saying it keeps the jury laser-focused, “We are very pleased with the court’s decision today, ruling in our favor… This means that the trial can now be focused on whether NASCAR has maintained that power through anticompetitive acts and used that power to harm teams.”
This echoes the team’s running uncharted since July 2025, which was reversed post-appeals court, where drivers like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick raced without the safety nets of revenue. Dropping Section 1 avoids legal debates over whether NASCAR has a monopoly and lets courtrooms save time and debate directly over how the monopoly power of NASCAR damages the sport from a fair split of revenues and charters.

For years, Young’s Motorsports has carved out its place in NASCAR’s national series, steadily growing its footprint and reputation. Known for its truck-series efforts and smaller-team grit, the organization has built up experience, partnerships, and infrastructure that suggest it may be ready to take a step up.
On X, the team recently teased that they’re considering a second car in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, and this signals its ambition. On Reddit, fans picked this up, stating, “Young’s Motorsports teasing a second entry in the NASCAR O’Reillys Series for 2026. Number will be 02.”
What makes the potential move especially interesting is the timing and the environment in which NASCAR’s development ecosystem is evolving. With the series rebranding from Xfinity to O’Reilly Auto Parts in 2026, the grid and team landscape are going to change, likely opening space for entry-level teams with strong resources and partnerships to make bold moves.
Secondly, Kaulig Racing is also exiting its Xfinity program. This gives them the perfect chance to fill that gap.
Young’s positioning itself for exactly that kind of expansion. If the No. 02 car becomes reality, it could mark a turning point for the team, from part-time or supportive roles to a full-fledged second entry, maybe even vying for its own championship path.
Of course, starting a second car at the national level isn’t just about throwing a number on a door; it means securing sponsorship, building a competitive crew, acquiring equipment, and ensuring performance doesn’t suffer. The No. 02 would have to operate in sync with the team’s existing efforts so that both cars can perform well.
Young’s will likely lean on its existing experience in the lower-series ranks, but this move will test whether the team can scale successfully. Observers will watch closely to see how they allocate resources, manage two programs, and whether they expand engineering, strategy, and sponsor relationships accordingly.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Beyond the team itself, this news adds to a growing broader narrative in NASCAR: smaller teams gaining ground, new sponsorship models, and more opportunity for up-and-coming drivers. Suppose Young’s Motorsports launches the No. 02.
In that case, it might also open a pathway for young talent or developmental drivers to step into a national series ride without having to join the largest powerhouse teams. For fans of grassroots racing, this type of expansion is encouraging; it means the field may get deeper and the stories more diverse. Fans on Reddit have all their theories lined up.
Fan reactions
“It’s wild how Ellis has more money behind him than dudes like Heim.” This comment reflects a common frustration among fans. It’s the perception that some drivers have stronger financial backing than others, which can influence seats and opportunities.
Although this particular claim (“Ellis has more money…”) isn’t directly documented in team announcements, NASCAR’s financial realities are well-known, like driver funding and sponsorship often determine who gets opportunities. Smaller teams, like Young’s, sometimes rely on pay drivers or funded drivers to facilitate expansion, especially when transitioning into a new series or launching a second car. Given Young’s hint at a new No. 02 entry, speculation that funding played a key role is in line with the industry model.
“Makes sense, there is a huge inventory of Kaulig cars on the market. Will probably see a few teams pop up.” Here, the fan connects two trends. First is the availability of former Kaulig Racing equipment, and second is the rise of smaller teams expanding.
Kaulig is indeed shifting its focus, with recent news showing the team pausing its Xfinity program in 2026 while focusing on Trucks and Cup. This creates the possibility that used Kaulig-spec cars and chassis will make their way into the market, allowing emerging teams like Young’s to step in. The fan’s prediction of “a few teams pop up” aligns with this cadence of technical realignment and asset availability.
“Not surprised. Wouldn’t be shocked if they’re getting out of Trucks completely.” Young’s Motorsports has been a mainstay in the Truck Series for years, but the suggestion that they might pivot or reduce their Truck Series commitment gains plausibility if they plan a new national-series car for 2026.
“Why? Focus on making the 42 better first.” This comment questions the logic of fielding a second car before improving the primary car, likely the team’s existing No. 42 truck or entry. For fans, it’s a sound demand: make your main entry competitive before spreading resources.
This echoes a recurring theme in NASCAR, that depth requires strength at the core. If Young’s is indeed launching a No. 02 entry, the comment underscores a strategic viewpoint: prioritize quality over quantity.
“Probably went down something like this: Mario says, ‘Hey Ryan, I need $4M. Tyler Young comes along and says, ‘Why are you paying him 4 mil when I can run you 30th for 3?’ Ryan says, ‘Deal.’ That’s not a move one makes for performance, lol.”
This speculative quote paints a vivid scenario about how drivers’ deals and team budgets might work behind the scenes. It implies that financial decisions, choosing a less expensive driver to free up resources, drive team strategy more than performance ambition.
While there’s no public evidence of this exact negotiation, the comment reflects the capitalist realities of racing: budget limits, sponsor expectations, and performance trade-offs all factor in. With Young hinting at a new entry, the fan simply translates those mechanics into a hypothetical conversation that resonates with many.

“I am not going to own a team in NASCAR ever again.” Those were the words of Tony Stewart, who recently shuttered down Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024 because of increased operational costs and a difficult economic landscape. The news sent shockwaves through the stock car racing community, with many believing ‘Smoke’ was gone for good, diverting his energy and resources to the NHRA and other ventures. But now, it seems like the 54-year-old might make a sensational return, but fans aren’t buying it just yet.
According to the latest rumors, several legends are being linked to Ram’s return in the NASCAR world, with Tony Stewart leading the list. But for a driver who made his last Cup Series appearance in 2016, the prospect of the Hall of Famer returning is hard to believe, and fans aren’t being shy about expressing their skepticism on social media.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reports claim that Tony Stewart is interested in running a Truck
Even though Ram’s return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has been officially confirmed for 2026, there has been plenty of speculation about which teams and drivers will be involved in the operation. According to rumors, the reported plan includes a potential legends setup featuring familiar names such as Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, and Kasey Kahne sharing driving duties. According to the report on SiriusXM, Mike Skinner and Angie also mentioned hearing that Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne might be interested in running races in the All-Star truck, adding more fuel to the fire
RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis recently addressed Tony Stewart’s rumored involvement, saying that there are no formal talks about acknowledging that Tony’s name continues to come up. In fact, earlier in the year, Kuniskis had said, “People said when I was at MIS and made this announcement, ‘Are you just fishing for a team to see who stands up?’ I didn’t hear anything from Tony, but we’ll see where this all ends up.” His comment suggests RAM is open to working with recognizable veterans rather than the current drivers already tied to other manufacturers.
ADVERTISEMENT
The idea wouldn’t be out of place. After stepping away from NASCAR following the 2024 season, ‘Smoke’ is focused on his NHRA and sprint car operations, both of which are connected to Dodge. Earlier this year, he told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that he still plans to attend NASCAR events, saying he misses the people and the environment.
Tony Stewart said, “I’m definitely planning on coming back to NASCAR races. As a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, I get a hard card. I don’t know if NASCAR has the ability to revoke that or not, but until they do revoke it, I’m going to take advantage of having a hard card, and I definitely want to come back and see everybody. I miss a lot of things about NASCAR, and most of all the people. The people are what I enjoyed about it and the relationships I had there. Definitely looking forward to coming back and seeing everybody.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
With his wife, Leah Pruett, making a comeback to full-time NHRA competition next year, Stewart could have more flexibility to make occasional NASCAR appearances. Kasey Kahne has also been back in the mix, running the Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway in April 2025, his first national start since 2018. He qualified fourth and finished after an early setback, showing he still has the competitive speed. With all these reasons in place, the rumors are only growing stronger, and now the fans are more than excited to see it play out.
Fans are split over a possible Tony Stewart Truck run
When the rumors first broke, fans could hardly contain themselves. “Kasey Kahne Fridays have never been more back,” one wrote, echoing the collective joy of longtime supporters who had waited years for this kind of news. Another added, ” Kasey Kahne in a Dodge(RAM) again? Things are looking right in the Motorsports world. If this works out, I hope Kasey will use some old Evernham/Dodge Throwbacks!” The idea of Kasey Kahne in a Dodge Ram sent waves of nostalgia through the sports community; it felt like the world of racing was aligning again.
ADVERTISEMENT
But then came the second half of the rumor mill, Tony Stewart. The Internet split almost instantly. Some fans were stunned: “⁠⁠⁠I’d really be shocked if Tony is gonna run some truck races, he’s been so distant from NASCAR and has been having a good time with NHRA,” one admitted, pointing out how far away he’s been from NASCAR lately by thriving in NHRA. Another refused to buy into the prospect of Smoke’s sensational return, saying, “I will believe Tony gets in a truck when I see it.”
Others sharply noted with instant skepticism, with one fan writing, “⁠⁠I’m gonna need a better source than ‘I’ve heard.’ Tony has been very clear that he hates plate racing.” The train of shock followed with one fan writing, “No shot Tony Stewart races a truck. None.” The prospect of Kahne or Stewart behind the wheel is sending ripples of excitement within the NASCAR community, and with the off-season well and truly underway, it gives stock car racing enthusiasts something to look forward to in the coming months.

Under the bright lights of Phoenix Raceway, what was meant to be Connor Zilisch’s coronation turned into a cruel twist of fate. The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity finale had all the makings of a perfect ending. It had a rookie phenom leading the charge, a season stacked with ten victories, and a car that looked untouchable for most of the night. But as the laps wound down, Zilisch’s tires began to fade, his grip slipping away just as Jesse Love closed in.
With 25 laps to go, the championship slipped through his fingers. Zilisch crossed the line third, and while his face was calm, his heart shattered. Yet, amid that heartbreak, one moment of unexpected sportsmanship would leave an impression far deeper than the trophy itself.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jesse Love praises Connor Zilisch’s class and composure
In the heat of a championship battle, emotions often run high. But for Jesse Love, what stood out most wasn’t the win; it was Connor Zilisch’s grace in defeat. Moments after the checkered flag waved at Phoenix, Zilisch walked over to Victory Lane to congratulate the new champion. “He got to see me in Victory Lane after the race, and that was very cool,” Love revealed on the NASCAR Live podcast.
“It’s something I did not expect out of him. I thought he was gonna come see me, but I wasn’t gonna expect it,” he added further. And Love is right. Zilisch had a dream 2025 season. Ten victories. The most top fives, the most poles, the most laps led. The 2025 season was almost perfect.
To lose the championship in the final moments was surely heartbreaking. Zilisch was visibly emotional after the race. Tears welled as he whispered on the radio, “I’m sorry,” as the chequered flag fell. He was later seen slouching by his car, tears still rolling down his face. And then to go talk to Love to congratulate him after all this showed maturity beyond his years. At that moment, he wasn’t a 19-year-old in his first full-time season.
ADVERTISEMENT
That mutual respect deepened later that weekend. “I can imagine the emotions he was going through, must be really tough. We had a good conversation at the AirBnB on Sunday night after the Cup race,” Love revealed. “Had a good talk about it. I wanted to hear what he had to say, and he wanted to hear what I wanted to say…I am really proud of the way he handled it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Well, this shouldn’t come as a surprise as their friendship goes back years, long before the championship stage. Jesse Love and Zilisch first crossed paths in 2021 through Toyota’s development program at Trackhouse Motorplex, where Zilisch was coaching young go-kart drivers, including Love. At first, Love admits he wasn’t sure what to make of him.
But once he saw Connor Zilisch’s lightning pace on the karting circuit, that skepticism turned into respect. From there, their connection only grew stronger. Off-track, they’re genuine friends; on-track, fierce rivals. Whether pushing each other to be faster or checking in after tough moments, like when Love reached out after Zilisch’s crash at Talladega, their relationship is built on mutual admiration.
Love believes Zilisch’s maturity will carry him far. “I’m proud of the season he had and the seasons he’s going to have in the future in the Cup deal,” Love said. With Zilisch set to move full-time into the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse in 2026, his story is far from over. In fact, it’s just entering its next chapter.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s heartfelt send-off to Connor Zilisch
After a season spent under Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports banner, Zilisch is moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series. And he’ll do so behind the wheel of the iconic No. 88 car for Trackhouse Racing. But before he could officially begin that new chapter, his former boss made sure the handoff meant something.
Dale Jr. sent Zilisch a personal letter – a gesture filled with pride, nostalgia, and symbolism. Shared by reporter Taylor Kitchen on X, the message captured the depth of Earnhardt’s connection to the number and his admiration for Zilisch’s growth. “Dear Connor,” the letter began, “The #88 has always carried a little extra meaning for me. It’s not just a number. It’s a legacy, defined by guys like Darrell Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, and most recently, SVG. I had a lot of great years driving that number. You ignited a new chapter with the 88, one written in your own style.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The entire NASCAR community knows that for Earnhardt Jr., the #88 represents far more than digits on a car. It’s the number he carried through some of his proudest moments, from his 2014 Daytona 500 win to his farewell victory at Phoenix in 2015. After Alex Bowman switched to the No. 48 in 2021, the number went dormant until Trackhouse revived it in 2025 for Shane van Gisbergen.
SVG honored it with five wins before switching to the No. 97 for 2026, a nod to his father, Robert, who raced with the same number 97. The announcement featured a voiceover from Robert himself, which made SVG quite emotional. Even Kurt Busch, who once drove the iconic number, sent a heartfelt message to SVG. Now the 88’s legacy is ready for its next torchbearer.
That torch now belongs to Zilisch. After a breakout Xfinity season with 10 wins and a heartbreaking near-miss at the title, he’ll definitely carry the No. 88 into NASCAR’s top ranks. For fans, it’s the return of an iconic number; for Dale Jr., it’s watching the future of his legacy hit full throttle.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Shane Van Gisbergen might just be the exception. At 36, the three-time Supercars champion has taken the NASCAR world by storm in his first full-time Cup season. The Kiwi already matched Jeff Gordon’s record for consecutive road course wins. But for the longest time, one thing stood in his way: the ovals.
They were his kryptonite. Yet true to his word, SVG let it take its own course. He said, “It will take time, and I’m not trying to force it or get desperate. Just going to keep working and building.” Fast forward to September, and the Trackhouse racer finally broke through with his first top-10 on an oval at Kansas Speedway. It was a moment that showed fans across NASCAR that SVG’s persistence is paying off and that his climb is only just the beginning.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shane van Gisbergen’s upward oval learning curve
Shane van Gisbergen came into NASCAR with a sterling résumé on road and street courses, but the oval tracks proved to be a steep learning curve. The Auckland-native has time and again admitted that the ovals were a major weakness, and after his win in Mexico City, he said, “I’m not here to run last on the oval either.” The transition from dominating road layouts to mastering the continuous left turns, traffic, tire wear, and unique discipline of ovals was proving tougher than expected.
But things changed for the 36-year-old driver mid-season. His oval game started to improve. In the last seven oval races in July, his average finish had improved to about 22nd. He acknowledged the team was making progress and that the Oval results would need to catch up to his stellar road form. Then came a landmark moment. On September 28 at Kansas Speedway, SVG recorded 10th place, his first top 10 finish on a true oval in the Cup Series. That result marked a turning point. The kryptonite of the ovals was no longer entirely invincible.
Moreover, even Bubba Wallace was more than impressed by SVG’s oval growths. The wager was cemented in a lighthearted text exchange that Wallace later shared publicly. Wallace had jokingly told SVG something along the lines of, “If you ever out qualify me on an oval, I’m retiring.” Fast forward to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and SVG set up a blazing 10th-place starting position, while Wallace qualified 14th. Wallace then posted a screenshot of their exchange with the caption, “Ole bloke outqualified me; now I gotta retire @shanevang97.”
ADVERTISEMENT
One can’t mention SVG’s oval growth without mentioning his first-ever pavement oval at the grassroots level. SVG participated in the Pro Legends, a feature at the Summer Shootout event in 2025 at Charlotte Motor Speedway late in July, and Bubba Wallace was left stunned. He said, “Not the ending to the shootout that we wanted, but it was cool to see SVG get this first Oval win. He had to go down a couple levels to Legend Car to get it, but all in all, it’s been fun racing with him and Scotty, and Keelan this year. Hope for better results, but all in all, it was good.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Although his results haven’t been extremely consistent, Shane van Gisbergen has shown significant improvement. He finished 33rd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but wrapped up a 14th-place finish at Martinsville on October 26th. Earning Rookie of the Year wasn’t just a fluke. His 5 road course wins, coupled with strong performances on ovals and short tracks, despite not making a deep playoff run but fighting valiantly in the Round of 16, are what make him worthy of the accolade.
Given his pace, skill, and adaptive mindset, many expect his next breakthrough on a short or intermediate oval to come sooner rather than later. He may still be positioned as NASCAR’s king of the road, but the oval race book is increasingly looking like a field he can conquer as well. Recently, amid Trackhouse surprising SVG in the best possible way, NASCAR fans are more than ready to see the Kiwi fire off his jets in 2026.
ADVERTISEMENT
NASCAR fans are hopeful for SVG’s first oval Cup win
Reddit fans have been buzzing about SVG’s rapid growth on ovals, and the reactions paint a clear picture of admiration mixed with cautious optimism. One fan summed up the general sentiment perfectly, saying, “I think it goes without saying based on the last half of this past season, absolutely, yes.” That confidence didn’t come out of nowhere; it’s been building steadily as the three-time supercar champion transitioned from road courses to ovals with an unexpected sharpness.
Another fan pointed out the obvious but important truth, “Have you not watched the races? Will he win on those tracks? Probably not. But he has VASTLY improved on ovals. It’s just unrealistic to expect him to compete for wins on those tracks, especially consistently.”
Still, optimism remains strong among the NASCAR faithful. Several fans have noticed his progress firsthand, especially in the latter half of the season. “Well, he improved at Martinsville between the first race and the second race this year. And got a top 10 in the second half of the season so it’s not like he’s been stagnant,” one viewer wrote.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, another echoed that belief, “SVG has already shown significant improvement; I think he could potentially contend at 1-2 oval races this next season.” The Kiwi isn’t just learning; he is adapting fast, gaining ground with each lap, and steadily proving that his road course brilliance can extend into America’s toughest ovals.
However, progress is never linear, and there will always be setbacks with such a drastic transition in racing styles. That’s why one fan said, “Shane seems to be improving slowly on ovals, if his results are to look at. Kinda unfortunate that he sometimes becomes a victim of crashes there, though.”
Yet even that realism doesn’t overshadow the optimism of another fan confidently predicted, “I think he will. He’s always learned on an exponential scale when getting in a new series.” The overall tone is clear from the fans. Shane van Gisbergen’s story in NASCAR is still being written, and the next chapter might just feature his first oval win.

Hendrick Motorsports is calling upon development driver Corey Day to compete on a full-time basis in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, driving the team’s No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet.
The native of Clovis, California, signed a development contract with Hendrick Motorsports, the winningest organization in NASCAR Cup Series history, last December, and after running significant part-time schedules in both the NASCAR Xfinity (O’Reilly Auto Parts) Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2025, has impressed enough to get a full-season run.
“The opportunity to race full time for Mr. Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports is something I’ve been working toward and feel I’m ready for,” Day said. “I’ve learned so much from everyone here this past year, and I’m grateful for the chance to represent HendrickCars.com every week in 2026. Adam and the No. 17 team have shown the ability to win races, and I can’t wait to build on that foundation and compete for a championship.”
Adam Wall will continue in his position as crew chief of the No. 17 Chevrolet in 2026, after joining Hendrick Motorsports at the start of 2025 from JR Motorsports. Wall served as the shot-caller of the HendrickCars.com-sponsored entry in the 21 events that it contested last season, between several drivers of varying experience levels, including Day.
In 11 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts behind the wheel of the blue and white No. 17, Day collected a single top-five result – finishing an impressive fourth-place in the October event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Day also earned another top-10 finish at World Wide Technology Raceway.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was also a place where Day found some success throughout the year, with a runner-up finish at Indianapolis Raceway Park, and another top-five at Nashville Superspeedway.
“Corey impressed us with how quickly he adapted this year,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “He’ll go into 2026 with less pavement experience than anyone in the field, but you’d never know it by watching him drive. The instincts and raw talent are off the charts, and he’s going to keep getting better with more seat time. Corey has a tremendous future, and we’re proud to have him represent HendrickCars.com.”
The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign will mark the first time since 2007 that Hendrick Motorsports has fielded a full-time entry in NASCAR’s second-tier series. The organization has a total of 27 victories in the series in 380 total starts.
Recommended Articles:

Shane van Gisbergen’s 2025 season in the No. 88 Cup car of Trackhouse Racing was nothing short of remarkable. Despite being a rookie in the series, he claimed five wins, led over 300 laps, and emerged as arguably the sport’s dominant road-course force. Notably, he swept the weekend at Chicago, powered through the inaugural Mexico City event with a dominant 16-second margin, and followed that with a thrilling win at Sonoma from pole, which made him the quickest driver since the 1960s to win four Cup races.
Alongside his speed came a learning curve on ovals, where he admitted the transition was challenging. Overall, with wins, poles, and top-10s in hand, van Gisbergen demonstrated his elite talent while building the foundation for an even more explosive 2026. And now SVG shifts to his family’s heritage, the 97 car, but Trackhouse did not make a simple announcement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shane van Gisbergen’s emotional homecoming
In an emotional announcement that blended legacy, pride, and family history, Trackhouse Racing revealed its full 2026 NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup with a touching video tribute that left Shane van Gisbergen visibly moved.
Each Trackhouse driver read a heartfelt letter written by someone significant in their journey, but for Shane van Gisbergen, it wasn’t just a team update; it was a homecoming. The New Zealander will leave behind the No. 88 and return to his family’s beloved No. 97, a number that has defined generations of van Gisbergen racers.
The team confirmed that Ross Chastain will continue driving the No. 1 Chevrolet, Connor Zilisch will make his Cup debut in the No. 88, and Shane van Gisbergen will take over the No. 97, a number deeply intertwined with his family’s motorsport story. In the video, each Trackhouse driver read a heartfelt letter written by someone significant in their journey. For Chastain, it was Justin Marks, Trackhouse owner. For Zilisch, it was Dale Jr. But for Shane van Gisbergen, it was his father, Robert van Gisbergen, whose heartfelt words couldn’t stop his tears.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Hello mate, I hear you’re going to run the #97 Cup Series next year. It means so much to our family. Both of us ran 97 in motocross, we both ran it in Speedway, and Mum would have been absolutely proud. Over the years, #97 has had a legacy in New Zealand and Australia across all forms of motorsport. So proud of you for running it in the USA. Even when you won national titles, we are obliged to run #1. You still carried on #97. So proud, mate.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
The other drivers read their letter aloud, but SVG couldn’t. The emotional weight of that writing kept him mute and teary for some time before he explained why the car was so important in his life.
The number 97 is far more than a decal on a car door. In New Zealand, it’s a number steeped in van Gisbergen family tradition, dating back to SVG’s early days racing karts and dirt tracks alongside his father. It became iconic when SVG carried it into the Australian Supercars Championship, where he won three titles (2016, 2021, 2022) and established himself as one of the most dominant racers of the modern era. Even when he earned the right to run the champion’s No. 1, he kept 97 in honor of his family, a nod to the roots that shaped his career.
For fans who have followed his NASCAR journey, this move feels like a full-circle moment. After making history in 2023 by becoming the first driver in more than 60 years to win in his NASCAR Cup Series debut, capturing the checkered flag on the streets of Chicago, van Gisbergen has continued to adapt brilliantly to American stock car racing. His transition from the No. 88 to 97 isn’t just a change of livery; it’s a reconnection to his identity. When he read his father’s message on camera, his voice cracked slightly. The emotion wasn’t for the cameras; it was for home.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, Ross Chastain and Connor Zilisch also received heartfelt messages that reflected their own milestones within Trackhouse. Team co-owner Justin Marks praised Chastain for his trailblazing accomplishments, reminding him:
“You delivered the first win in Trackhouse history and the first driver to win the Coke 600 from the rear in a backup car. And of course, the first to pull off that wall ride at Martinsville.” Chastain’s relationship with the No. 1 car remains a symbol of Trackhouse’s foundation and grit, from the viral “Hail Melon” at Martinsville in 2022 to his continued championship pursuits.
ADVERTISEMENT
As for Zilisch, the youngest of the trio, his letter came from Dale Earnhardt Jr., a man whose name is practically synonymous with the No. 88. Junior said,
“You ignited a new chapter with the 88, one written in your own style, from breaking records to delivering JR Motorsports’ 100th win as an organization.” Zilisch, just 19 years old, has already made waves in the Xfinity Series and is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in NASCAR’s next generation.
Altogether, the 2026 Trackhouse Racing reveal wasn’t just an announcement; it was a celebration of heritage, mentorship, and growth. The team that has always prided itself on blending performance with personality delivered a message of continuity and culture.
For van Gisbergen, especially, the return to 97 marks a deeply personal chapter, a way of keeping his family’s legacy alive while chasing new victories on American soil. As the video faded out, SVG smiled through tears, whispering, “For Mum.” It was a moment that transcended racing, a reminder that behind every number, every decal, and every win lies a story worth telling.
Trackhouse hearts warm with family ties, Zilisch eyes new horizons. NASCAR Xfinity runner-up Connor Zilisch will drive an LMDh prototype for the first time in the IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona.
Zilisch eyes endurance
The 19-year-old will share the #31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R with Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, and Frederik Vesti at the Daytona International Speedway on 14-16 November. The American, who has already scored two LMP2 class victories in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, is being evaluated for a GTP drive with the factory Cadillac squad for next year’s season-opening Daytona 24 Hours.
“Hopefully, we’re going to make the most of it and see if this can lead to more opportunities for me in the Cadillac, because it would be super cool for me to be able to race at the highest levels of endurance racing,” he said. “That’s always been a dream of mine.”
The announcement of the Daytona test comes just days after it emerged that Zilisch was denied a chance to drive the Cadillac LMDh in the World Endurance Championship’s Bahrain rookie test due to a lack of ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee for the United States) license points.
Zilisch was the favorite for this year’s Xfinity title but was denied the top prize by Jesse Love due to NASCAR’s increasingly controversial playoff system. The title loss also led to him failing to accumulate the necessary ACCUS license points required for the Bahrain test.
The teenager is set to move up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, where he is tipped to replace Daniel Suarez. Cadillac Formula 1 reserve Colton Herta, who is switching to F2 next year to pursue his ambitions in grand prix racing, will also be driving the V-Series.R for the first time in the Daytona test.

In the 2025 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet entries, the team delivered again as a dominant force in the NASCAR Cup Series. At mid-season, they recorded four wins (three by Kyle Larson and one by William Byron), secured 19 top-5 finishes, and five pole positions. They also stood atop the regular-season standings with Byron, Larson, and Chase Elliott all inside the top four heading into the final stretch. But while they did their job, the car didn’t always.
The HMS drivers drive the Camaro ZL1/1LE, and it’s not been flawless with its issues. In recent times, it has seen suspension problems, rubbing noises, and overheating of the transmission, among other things. As their parent brand, GM, has been working in the back end on a new model for 2026, Rick Hendrick didn’t reveal much but hinted enough about the exciting developments in store.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hendrick hints big
When Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick hinted recently that Chevy’s 2026 NASCAR Cup Series car will be “better than what we’ve got … closer to what Toyota and Ford have.” It wasn’t just team pride talking. It was a signal of major change.
According to Hendrick, the organization and General Motors have been working on a new body design for the 2026 season to catch up with the Ford Mustang Dark Horse and Toyota Camry XSE, which both underwent redesigns ahead of the 2024–25 seasons.
Rick Hendrick also put focus on power and downforce. He said he is “super excited about the power, more power … and … a new car … that’s got a little more downforce.”
ADVERTISEMENT
This aligns with an announcement by Hendrick’s powertrain director, Scott Maxim, that NASCAR Cup cars will increase horsepower from 670 to 750 at many tracks in 2026. Last month, he had said, “I think more horsepower, as builders, we certainly love being able to hone our craft and have it be something our drivers are challenged with on the race track, so we’re looking forward to that.” This was especially for road courses and tracks under 1.5 miles, which gives teams like Hendrick a chance to leverage their engine-building strength.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Plus, according to other reports, GM is also planning to make multiple variants of new passenger cars built on the Alpha 2-2 platform. Though the identity is still a mystery, the car could be a brand-new Chevy sedan, a next-generation Camaro coup or convertible.
The background is critical here. Chevy has been relatively behind Ford and Toyota in recent Cup car redesigns, and Hendrick’s quote that “they had a shot at the apple … taking our car and getting their car better” shows a competitive edge creeping into manufacturer wars. According to reporting by On3, this new Chevy body will be revealed soon and is designed to close that gap.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hendrick was candid about the challenge ahead: “We’ve got to learn the car … it won’t be perfect right out of the gate.” That tracks with how NASCAR introduced the Next Gen car in 2022, which sparked a variety of performance and parity issues early on. With this upcoming body redesign and rules changes, teams are bracing for a learning curve, but Hendrick is betting on his organization’s deep technical resources and experience to shorten it.
A Chevy body and powertrain upgrade that brings increased downforce and engine output could shift the competitive balance in the Cup Series. If Hendrick Motorsports gets this right, it could restore Chevy’s dominance and give their drivers a runway to challenge the reigning Ford and Toyota squads more consistently.
With the horsepower bump and body redesign set for 2026, all eyes will be on how quickly the changes translate on track. Bottom line is that Rick Hendrick’s comments show that this isn’t just a refresh, it’s a strategic reset.
ADVERTISEMENT
By emphasizing more power, more downforce, and a revamped car architecture, Hendrick is positioning his team (and Chevy) for a bold new chapter. If the competitive numbers back the hype, 2026 may mark the beginning of a new era in NASCAR manufacturer rivalry.
Meanwhile, as the Chevy car evolves, another Hendrick youth rises.
Day steps up
Hendrick Motorsports is promoting prospect Corey Day to a full-time ride for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Day will drive the team’s No. 17 car, with crew chief Adam Wall at the top of the pit box for the coming season. Day made 11 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this past season, scoring a best finish of fourth at Las Vegas last month.
This announcement marks Day’s first full-time effort in NASCAR, with the dirt racing prodigy entering 24 races across the Craftsman Truck, OAP, and ARCA Menards Series this season.
Rick Hendrick was all praise for the 19-year-old, saying, “Corey impressed us with how quickly he adapted this year. He’ll go into 2026 with less pavement experience than anyone in the field, but you’d never know it by watching him drive. The instincts and raw talent are off the charts.”0
His entry next season will also be the first time HMS has entered a full-time car in the OAP Series since 2006. Day made his name racing on dirt in sprint cars, competing at a high level throughout his young career. Though he has struggled on asphalt, the 19-year-old has shown potential in his limited starts.
“The opportunity to race full time for Mr. Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports is something I’ve been working toward and feel I’m ready for…I’m grateful for the chance to represent HendrickCars.com every week in 2026. Adam and the No. 17 team have shown the ability to win races, and I can’t wait to build on that foundation and compete for a championship,” said the youngster on this opportunity.
This past season, the No. 17 made 21 starts in the Xfinity Series, with Day and six other drivers, including the four HMS Cup Series drivers, sharing the starts. In total, the No. 17 had two wins, nine top fives, and 10 top tens.

Over the past few years, NASCAR has faced mounting pressure from teams, drivers, and fans about whether the current playoff format truly rewards season-long consistency or just helps deliver spectacle. Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself has openly called the existing format “the hardest, most difficult way to win a championship.”
Meanwhile, rumors have floated about the sport testing changes in its lower tiers before deploying anything at the top Cup level. According to media tracking, the sanctioning body is indeed exploring options for 2026, but cautioned that no formal changes will be confirmed for the Cup Series until later.
And amid all this, Dale Jr has intrigued the fans further, as he stepped onto his podcast recently and revealed that the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series are slated for “new championship formats” next year. The twist? He also hinted that the much-rumored “3-3-4” playoff structure, three races in Round 1, three in Round 2, then four in a final stretch, may not be on the table.
That indicates a shift away from the elimination rounds many associate with NASCAR’s modern playoff era. Whether that means a longer final round, more emphasis on cumulative points, or a hybrid model remains to be officially confirmed.
Adding to the story: NASCAR’s own communications echo similar signals. A recent report shows NASCAR has formed a working group including drivers, media, and OEMs to review the playoff/ championship format for 2026 and beyond. And in the schedule release for the O’Reilly Series, while the playoff setup stays “largely the same” for now, it’s noted that the finale returns to Homestead-Miami in 2026 and that tweaks are “not an indication the current system will stay forever.”
But why does it matter? These changes affect how the season flows from Daytona to the finale and how drivers approach strategy. The hint that 3-3-4 is unlikely suggests NASCAR might be testing formats progressively in the lower series before touching the top tier.
In short, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s revelation signals more than just tweaks; it suggests a potential directional shift in how NASCAR crowns champions, starting in the lower national series in 2026. While we wait for formal announcements, one thing is clear: the format conversation isn’t over, and the sport may be inching toward one of its most significant changes in decades. And fans on Reddit are already cooking up their theory.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Reddit unsold with format rumbles
One vocal fan wrote, “Don’t celebrate too fast. The new championship format doesn’t mean 36 races. It just means NASCAR could throw something even worse out there. Let’s wait until it’s confirmed.”
Earnhardt Jr. recently stated that he believes the current playoff setup is “the hardest, most difficult way to win a championship,” and acknowledged that a conversation about format change is happening. Meanwhile, NASCAR confirmed they’re forming a working group to evaluate potential changes for 2026.
Another comment focused on terminology: “While we’re at it, scrap the name playoffs, nobody’s playing anything, they are Chasing the Cup though.” The fan’s point echoes what Earnhardt Jr. articulated when he lamented the loss of season-long narrative, that under the elimination-style system, the regular season loses some meaning.
Whether NASCAR will rename or restructure the playoffs remains unconfirmed, and this fan’s skepticism reflects a broader unease about cosmetic changes masking deeper issues.
A third fan observed, “Hopefully I am overthinking this, but the fact that he only confirmed these two makes this a little odd. Almost sounds like they’re going to try it down there, then bring it to the Cup. Hope that this is more JR confirming that all the series will be changing formats.”
Indeed, Earnhardt Jr. discussed possible format changes in just Trucks and Xfinity for now, but suggested the conversation could affect how championships are determined across NASCAR’s national series. As of now, no formal announcements have been made regarding the Cup series.
A fourth fan took a more cynical view: “Whatever it is, I am sure it will be stupid and the worst outcome of it will happen immediately, like Cody Ware winning the title somehow.” While hyperbolic, the comment points to real concerns among fans that format reforms could lead to unintended consequences or perceived unfairness.
The frustration stems in part from past championships where consistency took a backseat and elimination luck played a significant role. Earnhardt Jr. referenced those frustrations when he discussed the current system.
Finally, a fan looking ahead predicted: “It will be a 10-race chase. Hopefully they get rid of win-and-in, but I’m not hopeful.” The current Cup Series format features 16 drivers, four rounds, and a final race to decide the champion, a structure in place since 2017.
As NASCAR weighs its options, fans speculate the “chase” could become shorter or more compressed. Earnhardt Jr. himself noted that a season-long points battle remains in the conversation, though he said its chances are “near zero.”
In short, with Earnhardt Jr. opening the door to format change, the discussions are real, but fans remain wary. Until NASCAR reveals specifics, the hope for improvement is real, but confidence is tempered by years of format tweaks and the potential for unexpected consequences.

Over the past few weeks, the rumor mill around Ram’s next move in NASCAR has found fresh fuel. The truck brand recently confirmed a full return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026 via a partnership with Kaulig Racing. With that backdrop, fans and insiders have begun speculating that Ram might go one step further: launching a reality-style competition show tied to driver selection for its upcoming NASCAR program.
Reports indicate Ram “is considering a reality television show on a search to discover brand new drivers” in connection with its re-entry. Now, the buzz has “names on the list” status. On Instagram and Reddit posts, a set of drivers is being floated as potential participants: Landon Huffman, Mini Tyrell, Carson Ferguson, Carson Brown, and Conner Jones.
An IG post stated, “Some names I’ve heard that could be included in the Ram competition show include Landon Huffman, Mini Tyrell, Carson Ferguson, Carson Brown, and Conner Jones.” The inclusion of “rising stars” alongside drivers who have short-track or dirt credentials points to a broad strategy of mixing youth, talent, and storyline appeal.
Conner Jones has become one of the standout young names in the CARS Tour, the Late Model Stock series now co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks. Competing regularly against some of the best short-track racers in the Southeast, Jones has earned attention not just for his speed, but for his composure and steady growth as a driver.
With the CARS Tour now under Dale Jr’s leadership group, Jones’s presence in the series has positioned him as one of Earnhardt’s rising stars. Dale Jr. has repeatedly said the goal of his involvement in the Tour is to “build a bridge for the next generation” of racers, and Jones fits that mold perfectly. He’s young, talented, and already gaining experience that could lead to bigger opportunities.
Whether he’s contending for wins in Late Models or gaining experience in national series like ARCA and Trucks, Conner Jones is emerging as a key name to watch in the next wave of drivers connected to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s developmental vision.
Of course, skepticism remains strong. Some fans point out how quickly the rumors emerged, the vague nature of listings, and the potential for “driver show” fatigue. After all, the sport has tried similar concepts in the past, like Roush Racing: Driver X, which also mixed selection shows with driver opportunities.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
That said, the fact that the platform is tied to a brand revival (Ram’s return to NASCAR) makes this rumor more compelling than most. If true, it means Ram isn’t just entering the sport. It’s trying to engage fans at the intersection of sport, media, and entertainment.
The rumor hints at something more than a sponsorship or manufacturer announcement. It suggests Ram may be looking to reshape how drivers are discovered and how brands connect with NASCAR’s younger fanbase. With names like Huffman, Tyrell, Ferguson, Brown, and Jones already circulating and the backdrop of Earnhardt Jr.’s star power and Ram’s return, this story is one to watch. Whether it becomes reality remains to be seen, but the garage chatter is unmistakable.
Fans on Reddit have already begun sharing their opinions.
Reddit roars with return rips
“If Kyle Larson is ‘Young Money,’ is Conner Jones ‘Just Money’?” one fan joked on Reddit after NASCAR Rumors & Nostalgia claimed that Conner Jones, along with Landon Huffman, Mini Tyrell, Carson Ferguson, and Carson Brown, could appear in a new Ram-sponsored NASCAR driver competition show.
The post quickly gained traction among short-track fans, especially since Ram has been linked to a potential return to NASCAR through a Truck Series program with Kaulig Racing in 2026. Sports Business Journal reported in July 2025 that Ram and NASCAR were discussing a “driver discovery and engagement project” to mark the brand’s first major motorsports push since 2008, potentially including a reality-style driver showcase.
“Huffman and Tyrell would be great picks, but Conner Jones? Not so much,” another fan argued, reflecting the divided perception surrounding Jones’ rapid rise through the ranks. Still, Jones has become one of the standout young names in the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series, now co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks since January 2023.
Competing regularly against elite short-track racers in the Southeast, Jones has earned attention not just for his resources but for his consistency and composure. In 2024, he recorded multiple top-fives and a top-five finish in the overall standings. Earnhardt Jr. has said his involvement in the CARS Tour is meant to “build a bridge for the next generation of racers,” and Jones fits that mission perfectly.
“Conner Jones is a perfect representation of the average brodozer-driving rageaholic douchebag. He’ll do Ram proud,” one fan quipped sarcastically. It is a reflection of how Jones’ confident, sometimes brash personality has drawn both fans and detractors.
While that comment was tongue-in-cheek, Jones’ hard-nosed driving and polished marketing presence have made him an intriguing figure for a brand like Ram, which thrives on blue-collar Americana and competitive grit. His resume includes CARS Tour success, ARCA Menards Series starts, and select Truck Series entries for ThorSport Racing, where he logged a best finish of 14th in limited action.
“This would explain Landon’s cryptic comment about having to miss an upcoming race, certainly,” one follower noted, connecting dots that Landon Huffman, another rumored participant, might have schedule conflicts hinting at filming. Huffman, a fan favorite in the CARS Tour, has built one of the most popular grassroots brands in racing through his YouTube channel documenting his family-run Late Model team.
“Carson Ferguson, whoa, that’s a wild one! Never expected him to leave the dirt,” wrote another commenter, reacting to the inclusion of the 24-year-old dirt late model racer. Ferguson has made his name on the World of Outlaws and XR Super Series circuits, winning marquee regional events and recently testing asphalt stock cars.
His crossover potential mirrors that of Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, both dirt aces turned NASCAR winners. Meanwhile, Carson Brown has competed in everything from ARCA to TA2 Trans-Am, reflecting an ambitious “run-anything” mentality that aligns with Ram’s tough, versatile image.
“Mini is Butterbean 2.0 — more talent than money. I really like him getting a shot,” another fan commented, referring to Mini Tyrell, the 19-year-old CARS Tour racer from Virginia. Tyrell, nicknamed “Mini” since childhood, has become one of the most consistent finishers in Late Model racing. His connection to Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen, another breakout grassroots name, makes him a sentimental favorite among fans who want to see underfunded, high-talent drivers shine on a bigger stage.
If this Ram-backed NASCAR driver reality project materializes, it would mark a refreshing return to showcasing grassroots talent, something NASCAR hasn’t done since the Roush Racing: Driver X series in 2005.
This rumored cast Huffman’s authenticity, Tyrell’s grit, Ferguson’s dirt pedigree, Brown’s versatility, and Dale Jr.’s protégé Conner Jones represents a cross-section of the sport’s evolving identity.
It’s a lineup that blends traditional short-track heart with modern marketing savvy. Whether or not the show hits production, the fan buzz alone shows that NASCAR’s next generation of personalities is already captivating attention both on and off the track.

Whispers have been circulating through the motorsport world that RAM is mounting a major international push, and now one Brazilian city has taken a bold step to support that ambition. Located on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, the city of Cidreira has approved the transfer of the land of the formerly abandoned Estádio Antônio Braz Sessim stadium (nicknamed ‘Sessinzão’) to a private concession.
The plan is to convert the old soccer stadium into an oval racetrack. Councilors voted unanimously for the transfer under a 30-year loan concession, signaling serious intent. The magnitude of the project is not trivial. The rebuild is estimated at R$50 million (roughly US $9.5 million) and could take up to 10 years to complete fully. The responsibility for leading the project falls to the Federação Gaúcha de Automobilismo (FGA), which will seek investors and manage the conversion.
The site’s history adds texture. The Sessinzão opened in 1996 at a cost of around R$2 million (that time 1 BRL=1 USD) and was meant to elevate Cidreira’s profile on the soccer map, yet has sat neglected since 2010 due to lack of use and prohibitive demolition costs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Why does this matter for RAM and global NASCAR ambitions? The oval conversion suggests Brazil is preparing to host more stock-car events and possibly a NASCAR-sanctioned showpiece. With the South American market growing and the existence of the NASCAR Brasil Series already established, a purpose-built oval in Brazil would give technical and promotional leverage for manufacturers like RAM seeking to expand in NASCAR’s international footprint. The announcement from Cidreira indicates that the infrastructure is beginning to follow the talk.
For the local community in Cidreira, the impact could extend far beyond motorsports. Converting the stadium into a racetrack has the potential to inject economic activity into the region, attract tourism, and repurpose an abandoned asset into something dynamic. One councilor noted that the stadium “has been abandoned since 2010” and the transfer to a concession model offers a chance to remove the public burden and deliver a private-sector-driven revitalization. The 30-year concession period underscores that this is a long-term project, not merely a short-term event fix.
ADVERTISEMENT
That said, the road ahead isn’t without hurdles. The 10-year timeline means any NASCAR-style event in Brazil may be several years away, and as with many such projects, financing, regulatory approvals, and construction logistics remain critical variables.
Moreover, while Brazil has already seen the introduction of oval tracks for NASCAR Brasil (for instance, at the Circuito dos Cristais in Minas Gerais), which debuted for the 2024 season, the Cidreira project is distinct in converting an old stadium rather than building new ground up, which introduces both creative opportunity and unique constraints.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Fans on Reddit have ideas
Reddit Dreams Big on Brazil Oval “It’s Bowman Gray sized, about a quarter mile all the way around. It’s in rough shape, you can Google Street View on the dirt roads next to it.” The scale fits tight. Sessinzão started as a modest soccer ground, Bowman Gray style quarter-mile vibe rings true for the rebuild. Abandoned since 2010, the neglect shows. There are unpaved roads, crumbling stands seen. Street view shows all the proof that it’s ready for the revamp.
The stadium footprint measures compact, perfect for a high-banked, door-to-door short track. Council documents describe the oval conversion as utilizing the existing bowl structure, preserving the steep seating angles that already mimic Bowman Gray’s intimate, raucous atmosphere.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dirt access paths and overgrown lots surround the site, confirming the “rough shape” claim—years of zero maintenance have left concrete cracked, grass overtaking the field, and rust claiming metalwork. Yet that very decay fuels the vision of a purpose-built NASCAR-style oval in South America.
“A little Bristol in Brazil?” Cidreira Oval could aim for that same Bristol energy, short and loud. The half-mile Bristol Motor Speedway is legendary for its coliseum feel, 36-degree banking, 100,000 seats, and night races under the lights.
Cidreira’s plan scales that intensity down to quarter-mile proportions but keeps the stadium walls and steep sightlines. FGA officials have hinted at concrete surfacing and progressive banking to replicate the “Bristol bump and run” style.
ADVERTISEMENT
With NASCAR Brasil already running ovals, a true short-track bullring would give the series a signature venue, drawing U.S. drivers for exhibition races and giving RAM a showcase for its Truck Series return.
“They turned Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, for a little while, into a third mile. And there was 16th Street Speedway in Indianapolis, a former AAA ballpark.” History supports this. The Toronto Exhibition flipped to a third-mile temp track, and Indianapolis 16th Street rose from ballpark bones. It proved that stadium swaps work. Cidreira could also follow that same book and turn soccer into speed. Both places prove that existing infrastructure can be adapted rather than demolished.
“Here’s an idea for a future site of the Clash. NASCAR is planning on putting on the Clash race in Brazil.” As NASCAR eyes global ambitions, Brazil brings good news for them. Sessinzão’s rebuild fits perfectly in the plan. The Busch Clash (now simply The Clash) has traveled, Daytona, LA Coliseum, and Bowman Gray. A Clash-style event in Brazil could headline the calendar, broadcast on U.S. networks, and showcase RAM trucks on a global stage.
Cidreira’s coastal location, two hours from Porto Alegre’s international airport, adds logistics appeal. Councilors have publicly tied the project to “international motorsport tourism,” leaving little doubt the target includes NASCAR’s pre-season spectacle.
“..10 years to complete…Good luck.” The timeline surely hurts. The work will be done in phases. The official concession agreement splits the build into three phases. First phase will see things like clearing the debris, putting in foundations, and installing basic paving. Second will add banking, barriers, lighting, and grandstand repairs. Third one will finish hospitality suites, media center, and FIA/NASCAR homologation.

If you’re a NASCAR junkie and find yourself already needing a fix now that the 2025 season is over and you’ll be in withdrawal for nearly the next three months, we have prepared a list of five of the season’s most memorable races and the highlight moments contained within.
Obviously, such a list is very subjective. What I pick may be totally opposite of what you may choose. That’s why my five choices should be taken with a grain of salt; I based my picks not so much on the best races overall, but also the most emotional races as well. If I chose against one or more of your personal highlight races, that doesn’t mean my choices were better or yours were.
Regardless, to kick things off, here are five races from this past season – including some of the key moments that made each event so memorable (click on the link for each race name to get the full replay) that will hopefully quench your hunger for speed, crazy passing … and yes, wrecks, sometimes lots of them.
Until next weekend at least, right? And with that, let’s look at some of the most emotional and memorable races from this recently completed season:
NASCAR Cup Championship Race:
We really hate to start with this one because it still hurts – and likely is going to continue to hurt for a long time – but Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin was three laps away from finally winning his first NASCAR Cup championship in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, only to have William Byron blow a tire and wreck, the race went an additional nine laps into overtime, and Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson snuck by to steal the championship away from Hamlin.
Race fans are going to talk about how this one ultimately played out for years. Hamlin dominated with 204 laps led and had it not been for a decision to go with four tires in the final pit stop in overtime – rather than matching Larson taking just two tires, which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two drivers to win the title – he woulda, coulda and shoulda won this one.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Not to make Denny or his rabid fan base feel any worse than they already are, but the most telling part of the race actually came after it, when, while an ebullient Larson celebrated on the frontstretch, Hamlin meanwhile sat virtually motionless in his car on pit road in shock and disbelief for what seemed like hours, but was only for about two minutes.
With a series high six wins, including a milestone 60 of his lengthy Cup career, what was arguably the best chance Hamlin has ever had to finally break the championship jinx ended like every other time he’s come close: essentially, once again, close but no cigar.
Is it any wonder that he said after the race he doesn’t ever want to touch a race car again? But of course, we know he’ll be back next year to try again.
Coca-Cola 600:
Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron had the car to win, led a race-high 283 of 400 laps, and was just six laps away from taking the checkered flag.
But Ross Chastain had other ideas. Even though he started last in the 40-car field of NASCAR’s longest race each season, Chastain passed Byron with those six remaining laps, and then the Florida watermelon farmer held off a last-lap charge by Byron to earn his first and only win of the season
It was Chastain’s sole win of the season, but it was crucially important as it qualified the TrackHouse Racing driver for the Cup playoffs. Unfortunately, Chastain would fail to advance past the Round of 8, ultimately ending 10 in the final standings.
One other key point is that this race was the first ever aired by Prime Sports – part of the streaming service’s five-race part of the overall NASCAR broadcast rights package – and it drew rave reviews for great camera and announcing work. It was indeed a nice job for a NASCAR “rookie.”
Brickyard 400:
From a technical standpoint, this wasn’t necessarily the most exciting race of the season.
But it stood out for a number of reasons, including being Bubba Wallace’s first win of the season (and first since the 2022 season), his third career Cup triumph, and punched his ticket into the playoffs.
Winning one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races showed that the 23XI Racing driver, who had a terrible first two-thirds of the season (finished 19 or worse in 13 of the first 22 races), was able to beat the best of the best in one of the biggest races each season.
Wallace, who started on the outside pole (tied for his best start of the season with his start at Austin), passed best friend Ryan Blaney with 26 laps remaining and then held on to win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the most renowned racetrack in the world.
Perhaps the most fitting and emotional ending was when Wallace, with tears of joy in his eyes, lifted his 10-month-old son, Becks, above his head in triumph.
Viva Mexico 250 (and “Mas”, which is Spanish for “more”):
This was not only the first Cup race ever to be contested in Mexico, but how winner Shane Van Gisbergen won it was a textbook lesson for all of his fellow Cup competitors on how to win on a road course.
In his first full NASCAR Cup season, the man known with the simple nickname of “SVG” naturally qualified first and led five different times in the 100-lap race, including the final 32 laps around the 2.420-mile Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course in Mexico City.
Van Gisbergen dominated this race like none other that he’s won thus far in his Cup career, winning by an unheard of 16.5 seconds over runner-up Christopher Bell.
But there’s more to the tale of SVG than just this race. In the six road course events on the NASCAR Cup schedule this season, the New Zealand native and former three-time Australian Supercars champ won five of them and also qualified either No. 1 or 2, also in five of them. Even when he failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs, Van Gisbergen still won the second round playoff race on the Charlotte Roval.
One other point to make: had it not been for a poor pit stop late in the Austin race (which ultimately led to a sixth-place finish), there’s a good likelihood that the driver of TrackHouse Racing’s No. 88 Chevrolet would have made it six-for-six wins on road courses this season.
There’s always next season to run a perfect slate – and to come even closer, if not surpass, NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon’s record of most road course races in the Cup Series: nine. But SVG is in good company with six career Cup wins thus far, as there are only a few others ahead of him with more (or at least he’s tied with six) wins on road courses: in addition to Gordon’s nine, there’s Tony Stewart (eight), Chase Elliott (seven), and six each by Ricky Rudd, Rusty Wallace, Bobby Allison, Kyle Larson and Richard Petty.
We might point out that, aside from Larson, Elliott, and now SVG, all of whom are still active, all the other drivers with six or more career road-course wins are NASCAR Hall of Famers.
South Point 400:
Yes, I concede there likely are several other races that were more competitive or action-packed that could – and perhaps should – be in this top five list, including Atlanta 2, Bristol 2, Daytona 2, and Richmond, among others.
But the second Las Vegas race (and the first one earlier in the year gave Josh Berry his first Cup win and short-lived playoff berth) was among the other most emotional finishes of the season. Normally very measured and even grizzled at times, race winner Denny Hamlin broke down in tears of joy and happiness after taking the checkered flag.
The reasons for Hamlin’s emotional display were several. First, it was his milestone 60 career Cup win (earned from the pole). Kyle Busch (63 wins) is the only other active full-time driver to achieve or exceed the 60-win mark. And given that the next closest behind Busch and Hamlin is three-time Cup champ Joey Logano with just 37 career wins, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see another driver reach 60 wins.
It was also the third time in Hamlin’s career that he earned six or more wins in a season and appeared to finally be on the precipice of earning his first career Cup championship.
Unfortunately, it would ultimately prove not to be in the season finale at Phoenix.
Perhaps the most touching aspect of Hamlin’s win several weeks ago at Las Vegas was how he dedicated the win to his seriously ill 75-year-old father, Dennis. It was Hamlin’s parents who took out a second mortgage and did other things to ensure that their very talented son would not only financially be able to continue racing but also that he’d ultimately become a success, which he definitely has been and will unquestionably be a future first-ballot NASCAR Hall of Famer.

On paper, the NASCAR Cup Series boasts 15 full-time organizations. Now, this makes it look like a seemingly competitive landscape brimming with opportunity. But, if you look beneath that polished surface, it’s the same trio that continues to dictate the pace: Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Team Penske. These powerhouses carry decades of legacy, technical depth, and, most importantly, financial muscle, setting them apart from the rest of the grid.
That imbalance is exactly what NASCAR hopes to address with its ongoing parity push. By tightening rules, standardizing parts, and exploring cost-controlling measures, the sanctioning body aims to level the playing field. All to give smaller teams a fighting chance. Yet, not everyone is convinced that parity can be truly achieved. Dale Earnhardt Jr, in particular, believes the sport’s DNA might be too complex to cap or equalize. Here’s why.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s skepticism
While on one hand, NASCAR is pushing aggressively for parity in the sport, Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes true parity in NASCAR is an illusion, arguing it’s impossible to achieve equal competitiveness for every team. He said on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, “There’s, you know, eight teams that are level or ten teams, right? That everybody that has a charter has an equal opportunity to go win a championship, I just don’t know that you will ever have that. You’re always going to have disparity in talent throughout the entire building,” he said.
He points out that each manufacturer, Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, already has its own “A team.” For example, Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, and Joe Gibbs Racing. Even if a fourth manufacturer joins (like Dodge in 2026), it will simply add another “A team,” not elevate all charter holders to championship contention.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. insists there will always be a hierarchy determined by differences in talent on the pit box, behind the wheel, and within every staff member, down to the janitor. For him, parity in people and resources is unattainable; there’s a natural disparity that influences outcomes.
ADVERTISEMENT
He is also critical of plans to introduce a cost cap, referencing Formula 1’s model to show how easily teams bend the rules. “And there’s this other idea, too, of a cost cap. How do you place that? You can’t do that.” He went on to say, “I believe there’ll be some shady behind-the-scenes things going on, and it’s just going to make it feel ickier and dirtier,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
And, he is not wrong. We’ve already seen that happen in Formula 1. Teams like Red Bull and Aston Martin have exploited accounting loopholes and gray areas (such as creative interpretations of allowable expense categories) to continue gaining advantages even after the cap’s implementation. These actions prompted both controversy and regulatory tweaks. Thus, Dale Earnhardt Jr. feels that introducing a cost cap will also make NASCAR “ickier and dirtier,” rather than reducing inequality.
Dale Jr. warns NASCAR (and other motorsports) doesn’t need rigid guidelines, arguing that innovation and investment have always fueled the sport’s progress and identity. He believes that authentic performance will always outpace artificial rules, and the pursuit of parity could undermine the natural drama that defines NASCAR’s appeal. “[Motorsports] doesn’t need these guidelines. It just kind of needs to be it. It’s always been about creativity, money buys speed, um, you know, all those things,” he concluded.
ADVERTISEMENT
A look at parity in the Next-Gen era
If NASCAR’s goal with the Next-Gen car was to level the playing field, the numbers from the 2025 season certainly make a strong case. A total of thirty-four drivers (thirty-three of them full-time) scored at least one top-five finish, the highest number since 2001. It was one more than last year’s 33 and only the third time since 1972 that the series has seen such a spread of top-tier performances.
The wins were just as evenly distributed. Denny Hamlin led the pack with six victories, while road course sensation Shane van Gisbergen followed with five. Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell also collected four wins each, with 2025 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, Chase Briscoe, and William Byron each grabbing three. NASCAR Insights posted a season recap on X that perfectly summed up the balance across the grid.
Looking back, the 2024 season featured eighteen different race winners. This tied for the third most in the modern era. For comparison, 2022 saw nineteen unique winners, while 2023 had fifteen. Since the Next-Gen car’s introduction, no driver has managed to win more than six races in a single season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Contrast that with the pre–Next-Gen years: in 2021, there were sixteen different winners, but Kyle Larson alone took ten checkered flags. And in 2018, just twelve drivers won all year, with Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr. combining for a staggering twenty-two of thirty-six race victories. Over 60% of the season.
So, has the Next-Gen car brought parity? Absolutely! At least in terms of weekly competition. But when it comes to championships, the same powerhouse organizations continue to reign supreme. From 2000 to 2021, every title went to a Tier 1, manufacturer-backed team, with 2017 standing as the lone exception, when Martin Truex Jr. clinched the championship with Furniture Row Racing.

Change has always been part of NASCAR’s DNA. However, lately (since the Next-Gen era), it’s felt more like a full-blown identity makeover. The schedule has turned into a living experiment. New venues are popping up in flashy cityscapes, street circuits are winding through skyscrapers, and fresh audiences are filling grandstands that didn’t exist a few years ago. It’s all part of NASCAR’s mission to modernize, to expand beyond its traditional roots and bring the roar of V8 engines to new corners of America.
Yet, in the process of adding the new, something old (and deeply beloved) has been slipping away. As the sport pushes toward the future, a wave of nostalgia has swept through the fanbase after a recent poll, reigniting emotional debates about what’s being lost in this era of change.
Poll reveals love for abandoned NASCAR race track
It all started with a tweet. A simple chart was shared by veteran journalist Jeff Gluck. “Another cool chart via @Steub_: Four years into the Next Gen car, here’s how every track’s poll average ranks.” What stood out wasn’t the data itself, but what it revealed. Sitting at the very top of the list was Fontana’s Auto Club Speedway, earning a staggering 90.7% positive vote, even though NASCAR no longer races there.
Just below it is Michigan, an active track, with 87.2%. That statistic hit fans hard. How could a demolished track still be rated higher than nearly every modern venue NASCAR still visits? For many, Fontana wasn’t just another stop on the schedule. The two-mile oval carved out its own legacy in Southern California, hosting NASCAR races from 1997 to 2023.
Over those 26 years, it saw the roar of all three national series (the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck), though the Trucks made their final laps back in 2009. The track delivered its share of unforgettable moments, including Jimmie Johnson’s emotional hometown victories and even one of the most dramatic finishes of the Next Gen era in 2023. Remember how Kyle Busch triumphed for his first win for RCR in what would unknowingly become Fontana’s farewell race?
After that final checkered flag, Auto Club Speedway closed its gates for good, slated for a long-discussed transformation into a half-mile short track. But as the years passed, the bulldozers came. But the promises stalled. The iconic two-mile layout is now nothing more than dirt and memory, its future uncertain.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
And as Jeff Gluck’s tweet made its rounds, fans couldn’t help but voice what everyone was thinking: NASCAR’s best racing venue might just be the one it tore down.
Fan outcry as Auto Club Speedway steals the spotlight
The fact that Fontana (Auto Club Speedway) is gone but still ranks as the number one fan-favorite track has left many NASCAR enthusiasts feeling appalled. One fan commented, “The fact Fontana is gone and it’s P1 is sickening.” The Next Gen California project sought to transform the site by building a new half-mile short track. However, as 2025 ends, little progress has been made.
Only a few suites, grandstands, and pit road remnants remain. Since its last NASCAR race in February 2023, redevelopment has been slow. This has, naturally, fueled frustration among longtime fans who remember the thrills the 2-mile, D-shaped oval delivered for decades.
One vocal fan lamented, “It’s crazy how the top track here was sold because the offer was ‘too good to pass up,’ and the replacement short track probably will never be built.” Another echoed the sentiment, saying,“Very telling that the best track we had according to the fans Nascar decided to sell.”
Indeed, NASCAR sold 433 of the 522-acre site for around $544 million, paving the way for warehouses and an industrial park now occupying the land. The replacement track was nowhere to be seen. This has fueled fresh anger among the fans. But now, the long straightaways, high banking, and technical corners, remain just a memory.
Some even claim this move violated NASCAR’s rulebook. “Killing Fontana was a violation of NASCAR rulebook Section 12.1,” one fan said. Section 12.1 pertains to actions detrimental to stock car racing. And the fans feel NASCAR did exactly that by abandoning their beloved track. The growing discontent reflects deep feelings about NASCAR prioritizing financial gains over maintaining cherished racing venues, leaving fans to debate what sacrifices modernizing the sport should entail.
Finally, one fan offered a solution. “Solution? Fontana Street Course, who says no?” However, back in April this year, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps indicated the status of the project (including building the street course) is uncertain, given the cost of the project. “Do I think creating a short track out there would be a cool thing for us? Yes,” Phelps explained. “With that said, it’s $300 million to build that facility. Is that the best use of that money? That is the big question. The cost of capital right now is still really high, so for us to just press pause right now is essentially what we’re doing.”
As 2025 draws to a close, Auto Club Speedway’s ghost still looms large over NASCAR’s “modern” era. The fans’ unwavering nostalgia proves one thing. Progress may bring new venues and opportunities, but it can’t replace history. For now, Fontana remains both a wound and a reminder: sometimes, the heart of racing beats loudest in the past.

“Them having this number they identify with is, I think, fair and important.” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said these words ahead of the 2025 Cup Series Daytona 500. It marked a historic moment, as his Xfinity Series team, JR Motorsports, was embarking on its first Cup Series race. Justin Allgaier was at the wheel, and Stapleton’s whiskey label, Traveller Whiskey, was the sponsor. So everything had to be perfect – including the car number.
Since the inception of NASCAR, the numbers on cars have been associated with drivers’ glory and fame. Every legendary driver, from 200-time Cup race winner Richard Petty to 7-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, has special bonds with their numbers. However, Ken Schrader does not think a number is important, and Dale Jr. aggressively refutes him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dale Earnhardt Jr. asserts his numerical love
Ken Schrader, a 4-time Cup Series veteran, is like family to Dale Earnhardt Jr. However, the latter chose to digress from Schrader’s recent comments. Dale Jr. said in a Dale Jr Download episode, “Hey, my casual buddy at the racetrack, there goes Number f—— 88, there goes number 7, that’s my guy. You don’t go, ‘the yellow car with the blah blah blah on it.’ There’s three yellow cars out there. It’s an identifier, and it needs to be in the middle of the f—— door, or wherever you want to put it. You know, this f—— frustrates me. The number’s important. What are we doing?”
Kenny Wallace had been on the podcast with Ken Schrader, and the Xfinity Series veteran also disagreed. Wallace continues to race a No. 36 Toyota dirt car, the same number that has appeared in his Late Model Stock starts and Xfinity Series career in the past. Wallace told Schrader, “I have this emotional tie with my No. 36. I’m 36 for so many reasons. And it kind of hurt me when you said that a number doesn’t mean anything.”
And Dale Earnhardt Jr. wanted to amplify Wallace’s opinion. The 26-time Cup Series race winner has donned many numbers throughout his career, like the No. 8 under Dale Earnhardt Inc. or the No. 88 under Hendrick Motorsports. There is also the No. 3, which his father, the legendary Dale Earnhardt, wore right until his tragic passing in 2001. Dale Jr. said, “Kenny ought to have this personal connection to 36. I got a connection to 8, 88, 03, 31. And I’m gonna f—— keep them. I feel like the number doesn’t matter because it’s an identifier. You go, my guy’s Number 88, I wanna wear that f—— number. I want to wear that jersey.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite this heated debate, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares a fuzzy bond with Ken Schrader. The latter was one of the first witnesses to Dale Sr.’s tragic death at the 2001 Daytona 500. And out of respect for the Earnhardt family, he never publicly addressed the accident. Dale Jr. penned an emotional note to Schrader. A part of it read, “You’ve been a great friend to me. You’re one of only a few to see the darkest moment for my dad. Though you have intimate knowledge of those moments, you are a keeper of that delicate information. It makes me feel close to you, Kenny.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
This friendly battle keeps the duo’s spirited bond alive. Meanwhile, Dale Jr.’s opinion has just found reinforcement elsewhere.
An emotional and familial attachment
In 2025, Shane van Gisbergen left a trail of brilliance in the No. 88. The Trackhouse Racing driver picked up a record 5 road course victories in the Cup Series. That would lead most people to believe that the Kiwi would stick to this car number. However, SVG will be driving the No. 97 for next year. And a letter from his father, Robert van Gisbergen, informed him about the change. It talked about the importance of that car number to their family. Both Robert and Shane drove it throughout their careers, and SVG won all three of his Supercars titles with it. He also used it in the Xfinity Series during the 2024 season.
ADVERTISEMENT
And SVG got emotional while reading it; his mother had passed away in early 2024. SVG’s father wrote these words, “That means so much to our family. Right from the beginning, both of us ran #97 in motocross, we both ran it in speedway. Mom would have been absolutely proud.” This will also be the fifth different number van Gisbergen has driven in his brief NASCAR Cup career. He started in the No. 91 with that incredible win on debut, drove both the No. 13 and No. 16 for Kaulig in Cup, and then the No. 88 for Trackhouse this past season.
Clearly, Dale Earnhardt Jr. just won another point over Ken Schrader in the number debate. With 2026 rolling into view, let’s wait and see which car numbers soar to glory.

“Sesame Street” launches its 56th season on Nov. 10 with NASCAR champion Bubba Wallace as a guest, a slightly tweaked format and a new way to watch — via Netflix.
“There you are, hi,” Elmo invites viewers at the top of the show. “Elmo so happy to see you.”
The popular children’s staple will be offering an 11-minute main story at the top — up from 9 minutes last year — and a few new segments mixed with favorite returning ones.
“In the history of ‘Sesame Street,’ we’ve always reinvented in some sort of way over our last 56 years,” says Sal Perez, the executive producer. “We’re always looking for ways to modernize — have the look and feel of the show feel really engaging for kids today.”
The 11-minute main story in the first episode involves Elmo, Abby and Zoe having three kinds of races in the neighborhood, joined by an alarming amount of puppet chickens and Wallace offering sideline commentary.
First up is a sprint with a chicken on each of their backs — “poultry in motion,” Wallace offers — then a race with a chicken on a spoon and, last, a sack race with chickens also in the sack. Elmo gets discouraged when he doesn’t win initially but soon realizes that he didn’t have lunch so is low on fuel, the lesson of the day.
“I just love when we get to bring celebrities to ‘Sesame Street’ because they bring their own flavor, they bring their own point of view and experience. And so much of that Elmo racing episode was just heightened by Bubba being there,” says head writer Halcyon Person. (Miley Cyrus is also an upcoming guest.)
Person says expanding the main story even by a few minutes gives her and her team more runway to add elements she thinks connects with kids.
“That extra two minutes may not seem like much for our audience, but it allows us to have a song in every episode which we know our audience loves,” says Person, whose credits include “Dee & Friends in Oz” and “Karma’s World.”
“We get to have even more animation, even more comedy, more time for physical humor. We know when kids are laughing, they’re learning. So, we just love when we can get them laughing so that our salient messaging can come through loud and clear, too.”
Netflix and the fourth wall
The deal with Netflix is a game-changer for “Sesame Street” since the streamer gives it a worldwide reach — the new season will be streamed in 30 languages — while keeping it on its long-standing home, PBS Kids and the PBS Kids Video app, at the same time. Episodes will be available on both Netflix and PBS on the same day.
“The partners themselves have been amazing and really supportive and allowing us to do what ‘Sesame Street’ does,” says Perez. “They know that we’ve got a history of knowing how to produce content. So, they’ve really just been supportive and elevating the brand.”
“Sesame Street” will also lean into breaking the fourth wall, with creatures turning to the viewer and perhaps confessing their feelings or asking for advice.
“I think this season, we wanted to just play that up and make it really an expected feature of the show — the characters are not just talking to you, but they’re really pulling you in,” says Person.
“This is just another way to really build that relationship and make children feel like they’re a part of the action, that none of what’s happening in the story could happen without them and that our characters really need them.”
Segments like “Cookie’s Foodie Truck” and “Abby’s Magic Beasties” will make the transition, and there’s the introduction of a new one — the animated “Tales from 123,” which takes viewers into the apartment building where the furry monsters live.
“This gave us an opportunity to get a peek inside. You have our amazing cast of characters living in an apartment building, with Elmo and Tango having really physical comedy adventures throughout, really zany adventures,” says Perez.
In the inaugural “Tales from 123,” Elmo wants to meet Grover for a playdate, but both get mixed up, so they go in elevators and race up staircases until Tango saves the day. Finally reunited, they naturally play hide-and-seek.
It’s like a backstage pass to “Sesame Street” and, of course, one gruff monster will be complaining. “No New York apartment could be complete without Oscar as the superintendent,” says Perez.

Tyler Ankrum, who snagged his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win in six seasons and advanced to the Championship 4 in 2025, will officially return to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing as the driver of the organization’s No. 18 Chevrolet Silverado in 2026.
Ankrum, 24, is elated to run it back for another season with MHR.
“I am super pumped to return to MHR, especially after the 2025 season we just said,” said Ankrum in a press release. “This No. 18 team has come such a long way, and to have the opportunity to make it to the Final Four and run for a truck series championship title was just a dream come true, and I am ready to do it again.”
The team announced on Thursday that the Laborers’ International Union of North Amerrica (LiUNA!) will return as the anchor sponsorship partner for Ankrum and the No. 18 team next season, as the organization will have its colors plastered on the truck in 23 of the 25 events in 2026.
“We’re thrilled to be riding with Tyler Ankrum for the 2026 season once again,” said Brent Booker, General President of LiUNA!. “Tyler exemplifies everything LiUNA! members bring to the job every day — strength, hard work, solidarity, and passion. His determination and success on the track reflect the same drive and commitment that LiUNA! members show in building stronger communities across North America. We’re proud to continue this partnership and look forward to another great year together.”
Ankrum, a native of California, admits that without the support of LiUNA!, his dreams of competing in the NASCAR National Series ranks would have likely burned out by now.
“LiUNA! has been such a big part of my racing career, and I would not have made it this far without the support our Union has provided me,” Ankrum added. “I admire LiUNA’s goals and vision as a Union, and we have really proven this to be such a great partnership. I am very excited to have LiUNA on board again for another run, and I hope we can achieve even more milestones together in 2026.”
The 2026 season will mark Ankrum’s seventh in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and over the course of 161 starts, the driver has collected two wins, 24 top-five finishes, and 65 top-10s. The driver’s 102 laps led, 10.8 average finish, and fourth-place ranking in the championship standings were all career-best numbers that Ankrum achieved this past season.
Recommended Articles

While last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race ended devastatingly for Denny Hamlin, who was three laps away from hoisting the Bill France Cup before a late-race caution changed everything, the 44-year-old driver took part in an uplifting ceremony on Thursday.
As part of Progressive’s Keys to Progress Program, which is celebrating its 13th year, Hamlin, along with Coach Joe Gibbs, handed keys to brand-new cars to Joseph Campbell and Martavius Woods, two veterans of the United States Army.

Over the past season, Kasey Kahne has slowly been reintroducing himself to stock-car racing. He made a notable appearance at Rockingham Speedway in the Xfinity Series in April of 2025, his first national tour start since 2018. He qualified fourth, ran strong until a Stage 1 crash damaged his car, and ultimately salvaged a 14th-place finish.
On the Tony Stewart side, things are a bit different. Stewart stepped away from the full-time Cup Series grind after the 2024 season when his team, Stewart-Haas Racing, announced it would shut its NASCAR operations. Yet, in recent months, Stewart has openly said he “misses a lot of things about NASCAR” and that he’s “definitely planning on coming back to NASCAR races.” So while he may not be focused on a full-season drive, he retains interest in being involved again in some capacity.
Now to the main news: recent rumors suggest that Ram Trucks (and associated brands, including Dodge) are planning a grand return to the NASCAR scene, specifically the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for 2026. In doing so, they might leverage legacy drivers like Stewart, Kahne, Greg Biffle, and Clint Bowyer to share driving duties in a “legends”-style program.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ram’s CEO Tim Kuniskis recently addressed the possibility of Stewart’s involvement, saying that while they had no firm commitments, Stewart remains a name in the conversation. This aligns with chatter in the garage that the manufacturer wants to make a splash by bringing back recognizable names, rather than focusing solely on current active drivers who are tied to other manufacturers. Why is this generating such chatter?
First, fan nostalgia is a powerful force, and seeing drivers like Kahne or Stewart back behind the wheel (even if only part-time) awakens a lot of excitement. Second, from a marketing and brand perspective, Ram wants attention. Choosing a group of retired drivers to share that truck seems to be part of the blueprint.
The logic is simple: many current active drivers are locked into manufacturer deals, so the easiest path for Ram is to tap into past stars who can drive under the Ram or Dodge umbrella without conflicting current ties. The rumor that Tony Stewart and Kahne might be part of that program gives credibility to the notion, and the buzz is growing.
ADVERTISEMENT
How would we feel seeing legends like these return for a couple of select races? Most fans would love it. It’s a mix of nostalgia, spectacle, and uncertainty, all ingredients for good racing theatre. Whether it’s a one-off cameo or the start of a fuller “throwback” program, the fact that the names, the manufacturer, and the truck series are all aligning makes this a story worth watching.
Fans on Reddit are already cooking up their theories.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Reddit roars with return rips for Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart
“I don’t want Kasey Kahne to come back because I want his truck record to be immortalized.” Kahne’s record in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is indeed remarkable. Over six career starts in the Truck Series, he has posted five wins, an average finish of just 1.2, led 328 laps, and never had a finish worse than second in those starts. That kind of dominance creates a mythic status; his statistics sheet in the Truck Series looks almost flawless.
So the fan’s point holds weight: if he were to return and race again, there’s a risk (however small) of altering or complicating that perfect-from-a-certain-angle ledger. Having that untouched legacy can have emotional value for fans. On the flip side, Kahne himself may or may not have an interest in returning full-time, so preserving the record might be moot, but the sentiment is understandable.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Tony has his ties to Dodge, but I don’t see him coming back to race NASCAR.” Tony Stewart certainly has longstanding ties to the brand side of things. Dodge, and more recently Ram, has flirted with NASCAR entries, and Stewart has been linked in rumors.
For example, the Ram Trucks CEO recently acknowledged Stewart’s name when discussing potential drivers for a 2026 Truck Series program. The combination makes sense: while his relationship with the manufacturer makes him a credible candidate for return discussions, either driving or as a brand ambassador, his own statements suggest he’s not itching to line up in a NASCAR Cup or full Truck schedule. So the fan’s skepticism appears to match the evidence.
“Kahne could run a throwback to the Evernham days.” This is an interesting idea rooted in nostalgia. Kahne rose to prominence with Evernham Motorsports, piloting the No. 9 Dodge early in his Cup career. For example, his first Cup win came at Richmond in 2005, driving the No. 9 Dodge under Evernham.
ADVERTISEMENT
A throwback run could mean Kahne stepping into a special one-off race, perhaps with an old livery referencing the Evernham era. Fans of that era would likely enjoy that. The manufacturer ties, Dodge and Ram, make the concept more plausible, though there’s as yet no public announcement of such a specific move. But the notion of reviving a special-event feel is valid.
“I think if the money is right, he’d come back tbh. And remember, it would be for a one-off. These guys won’t be doing more than one race, maybe two at best.” This is a realistic assessment of how veteran drivers often approach returns.
A full-season comeback is rare; more common is a one-off special event for promotional, nostalgic, or brand-activation reasons. Given Kahne’s top Truck stats and Stewart’s status, both are more likely candidates for selective appearances rather than full-season programs.
The brand side, for example, Ram, likely views a legends-style program as high ROI: bring in recognizable names for limited engagement to generate media and fan buzz. The “money is right” element is always relevant, as drivers will weigh compensation, sponsorship, personal schedule, and physical readiness before re-entering a nationally televised event.
“Get Michael Mayfield in it.” Assuming the comment refers to Michael Mayfield (or another “Mayfield” in the NASCAR context), the idea speaks to mixing legacy names with other recognized drivers for a promotional splash.

The 1998 UAW-GM Quality 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway brought a wild twist to NASCAR’s fall lineup. It was a big race in the Winston Cup Series, full of high speed and hard hits. But the promo side added extra fun. Batman and The Joker crashed the party in style.
The program cover showed the Dark Knight facing off against the clown prince right on the track. It mixed comic book chaos with stock car grit, a perfect match for the fans. This wasn’t just a sticker or logo.
ADVERTISEMENT
The artwork had Batman ready to race, with the Joker scheming in the shadows. It sparked talk of a full showdown, the Joker and his crew trying to take over the speedway, while Batman rolled in the Batmobile for a high-speed chase through the turns. While that might be fun more than fact, the core is real. The promo gear turned heads, blending superheroes with superspeed under the North Carolina lights.
NASCAR in the late 90s was booming. Fans packed stands, TV ratings soared. Events like Charlotte needed big hooks to stand out. The Batman tie-in did just that, pulling in kids, comic lovers, and casual watchers. It kept the energy high before the green flag.
Gearheads grabbed the keepsakes. T-shirts, programs, and die-casts flew off shelves. The Batman vs Joker showdown became a collector’s dream. Years later, those items still pop up, pulling smiles from old fans.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now, 27 years on, the story bubbles back. A fresh post digs up the promo art, and the garage lights up. Forgotten fun resurfaces, reminding us how NASCAR mixed pop culture with pure speed. It’s a time capsule from when the sport felt like a comic book adventure, bold, bright, and full of surprises.
Fans on X are losing it over the nostalgia.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
X explodes with Batman X NASCAR buzz
After fans unearthed the epic promo, they couldn’t contain their excitement. “They did something similar that year with the Joker at the Bristol night race. He just rode around in the back of a car yelling ‘Joker Rules!!’ People were getting annoyed until the Joker announced he was seeing a lot of obscene gestures in the crowd, which got a good laugh.”
The Joker, in a car at the Bristol night race, mixed real promo with fan memory. The 1998 Charlotte program set the stage with Batman and Joker art. Fans blend it with live fun, a costumed clown cruising, yelling rules, and spotting rude signs for laughs. It’s the kind of crowd play that kept energy high. The literal ride might be a tall tale, but the vibe fits the era’s bold hooks.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The greatest showman, Humpy Wheeler.” H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler led Charlotte Motor Speedway from 1975 on. He loved big ideas, pre-race stunts, re-enactments, and special shows. The Batman Joker tie-in screams his style: mix comics with cars for maximum buzz. Wheeler made tracks feel like events, not just races. That showman touch turned good races into great memories.
“This was my first ever NASCAR race, and I still remember it vividly. Somewhere still have the Dale Jarrett Batman and Kenny Irwin Jr Joker diecasts.”
The 1998 Charlotte race stuck deep. First time at the track, Batman and Joker on the cover, unforgettable for a kid. Dale Jarrett’s car rocked Batman gear, Kenny Irwin Jr.’s Joker flair. Die-casts keep the memory alive, yellowed programs on shelves. That promo made the day magic, blending heroes with heroes on wheels.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This is what’s been missing. This is why the numbers are down.”
Naturally, fans miss the fun. Late 90s promos like Batman and Joker kept crowds buzzing. Now, coverage feels flat, and fans are adrift. The comic tie-in sparked talk and pulled new eyes. Bold hooks build brands, quiet ones fade. Coverage notes the era’s energy, TV boom, and packed stands. Nostalgia calls for more.
“This is freaking insane, crazy how I’ve never seen this before.”
The Batman Joker cover hits fresh. Literally, wild superheroes in Charlotte? Listings show the gear: action racing die-casts and program art. It’s niche lore, not mainstream. Fans blink and wonder how it slipped by. The surprise keeps the story spinning 27 years on.

EXCLUSIVE: AMC is getting into the world of NASCAR.
The network is developing a high-profile project set in the world of stock car racing with John Fusco, the screenwriter behind movies such as Young Guns and The Highwaymen and creator of Netflix series Marco Polo.
Fusco has created Thunder Road, a drama series set in the “high-octane world” of NASCAR racing that sources say is being “fast-tracked” at the network.
Thunder Road is being produced in association with NASCAR, otherwise known as National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, and while there have been movies such as Tom Cruise’s Days of Thunder and docuseries such as Netflix’s Full Speed set in this world, it marks one of the first long-form dramatic series to partner with the racing body.
Thunder Road follows the multi-generational saga of the Whitlock family, whose legacy in stock car racing is as deep as the family’s ties to the southern hill country roots that shaped them. It features family dynamics, fierce rivalries, and the untold stories behind one of America’s most iconic sports.
NASCAR, which has around 1,500 races over 100 tracks per year, traces its roots back to moonshine runners during Prohibition. Bootleggers realized that when they ran booze made in the Appalachian region, they needed a small, fast car that could go faster than police cars, leading to these modified cars being raced.
Fusco is exec producing alongside Cliff Roberts, who exec produced Netflix’s Eric Bana drama series Untamed, and Mark L. Smith, who wrote The Revenant, Twisters and Netflix series American Primeval. Tim Clark and John Dahl will exec produce for NASCAR with Gladys Cheng as producer.
The project is being spearheaded by Dan McDermott, President of Entertainment at AMC Networks, and Ben Haigh, co-head of domestic programming.
AMC is clearly ramping up its interest in Americana; Thunder Road joins its next big franchise, Great American Stories, an anthology series that will begin with an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath.
It is the latest project for Fusco, whose The Rescue, a modern-day western starring 1923’s Brandon Sklenar that is currently in pre-production, is expected to be the first movie to go into production for the new Skydance-owned Paramount. He also just sold his spec Singing River, a drama about the Muscle Shoals music phenomenon to Teton Ridge.
“Thunder Road is about the Whitlock racing dynasty, a family bound by legacy, love, and the weight of their name.” said Fusco. “Set against the high-stakes world of NASCAR and the mythic outlaw roots of a sport born on the whiskey-running backroads of the south, you might call it Succession with stock cars. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this dramatic, action-packed, uniquely American story to life with AMC and NASCAR.”
Fusco is repped by Syndicate Entertainment and UTA.

Hendrick Motorsports’ 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season was another powerhouse year defined by speed, teamwork, and resurgence. Kyle Larson and William Byron led the charge, with both advancing to the Championship 4. At the same time, Chase Elliott reclaimed top form with multiple victories after his injury comeback. Alex Bowman also found renewed consistency late in the year, delivering several top-10s despite midseason struggles.
Collectively, Hendrick drivers earned more than 30 top-five finishes and maintained an average team finish inside the top 12, making it one of the organization’s most balanced campaigns since 2021. Rick Hendrick seems quite happy with it, but believes that he has the fire to win more.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rick Hendrick eyes more
When you’ve built an empire like Hendrick Motorsports, with 15 NASCAR Cup Series championships and more than 300 wins, it’s natural for people to wonder how long the fire keeps burning. But Rick Hendrick made it clear during his 2025 season address that his competitive spirit hasn’t faded one bit. “I still have the fire to go out and perform,” Hendrick said to the media at the NASCAR awards, reflecting on his team’s strong campaign.
Mr. H’s assessment of the 2025 season started with Chase Elliott’s resurgence. “I think Chase Elliott’s been running the best he’s run in a while. He’s been super competitive at every racetrack, and we were one, two, three in the points there for a long time,” Hendrick said. Elliott’s rebound has been one of the year’s biggest storylines. After a winless 2023 and a rough injury comeback in 2024, the 2020 champion returned to form in 2025 with multiple victories and a top-ten points finish.
The team owner also spotlighted Alex Bowman’s late-season surge. “Alex had a rough summer, but then he’s been running really good and, in some cases, one of our fastest cars,” Hendrick noted. Bowman, who endured midseason struggles after mechanical setbacks and DNFs at Richmond and Pocono, bounced back with multiple top-10 finishes in the fall stretch.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bowman’s playoff performance at Texas and Martinsville underscored his speed, even if Victory Lane eluded him. The No. 48 driver’s three-year contract, signed in 2023, keeps him in Rick Hendrick’s team for the near future. And as Mr. H implied, it’s his ability to finish strong that restored confidence heading into next season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Hendrick reflected on the organization’s collective success, emphasizing that the winning culture extended well beyond the Cup garage. “This year, in the shop, we won 28 races,” he said. Those victories spanned Hendrick’s footprint across NASCAR, including Cup, Xfinity, and development programs, marking one of the team’s most productive years since 2021.
Kyle Larson and William Byron carried the Cup banner with multiple wins and Championship 4 appearances, while Elliott and Bowman contributed top-tier consistency. The dominance reaffirmed Hendrick Motorsports’ position as NASCAR’s most successful modern organization.
Still, Hendrick made it clear that what excites him most isn’t just trophies. “Keeping the people together and learning together, the young people coming in, but keeping the core and the culture there,” he said. That “Hendrick culture” has produced NASCAR’s brightest minds, from Chad Knaus and Cliff Daniels to engineers now leading manufacturer initiatives.
ADVERTISEMENT
Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon has been instrumental in maintaining that leadership pipeline, with Hendrick crediting Gordon’s hands-on mentorship for ensuring continuity at the top. As Hendrick told FOX Sports earlier this year, “You can’t build a legacy on cars alone. It’s the people that keep it running.”
“But I really love to see the people, all the crew chiefs and engineers that grow up in your organization.” His message reflected what’s long defined Hendrick’s approach: building not just race cars, but people. That philosophy has been central to his success since launching Hendrick Motorsports in 1984, a team that has since become NASCAR’s gold standard.
Looking ahead to 2026, Hendrick’s words carried both confidence and renewal. With NASCAR’s horsepower increase set to test every team’s adaptability, Hendrick says his group is ready for the challenge. “We’ve got a great group, and I think next year’s gonna be even better,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
His statement aligns with the team’s investment in engineering advancements, from improved data analytics to mechanical grip optimization under the new rules package. For a man approaching his fifth decade in the sport, Hendrick’s message is simple but powerful: passion never retires. The fire that built a dynasty still burns, and he’s not stepping back anytime soon.
Hendrick’s fire fuels the team, and Larson’s family feels the glow.
Larson shares joy as kids get the win
The 2025 Cup Series champion, Kyle Larson, is the proud father of three children. One of the most significant parts of his championship celebrations after lifting the trophy at the Phoenix Raceway last Sunday was getting the chance to share the moment with them.
Talking on the Stacking Pennies podcast this week, he detailed how the experience was and how the kids took his achievement. Owen Larson, his eldest, is just 10 years old. Audrey, the second child, is seven. And the youngest, Cooper, is just two. All three were present at the track with their father.
Larson said that they don’t really get to watch him race since they have their own activities to focus on. So, it was extra special and memorable for him that they were there when he won his second championship.
He said, “I don’t think I’ll ever forget Audrey. I could tell that Owen was shocked. He got it. He understood how shocking of a win that was. I could see it in his face. And then Audrey, you know, she ran down to me. She’s like, ‘Dad, finally you won again.’ And I was like, ‘Well, kind of. Not really. I still didn’t win, but yeah.’ Cooper wasn’t even born yet the last time we won the championship.”

The NASCAR lawsuit takes an unexpected twist. Just when the drama between 23XI, Front Row Motorsports, and the sanctioning body was heating up, it turns out that a new entity is entering the fray. Only this time, it’s Liberty Media Corporation, the owners of Formula 1, who were forced to scramble to protect their interests.
But why did they get involved in an antitrust lawsuit concerning the NASCAR world? Let’s rewind a bit. Earlier this year, Michael Jordan and Co. asked Liberty Media to share information they thought was relevant to the ongoing case, which the corporation obliged, albeit reluctantly. They gave a written statement called the Wendling Declaration.
That declaration provides confidential information about the Concord Agreement, Formula 1’s ‘top secret’ trade contract that governs how the sport’s money is ruled and managed. It’s fair to say that it contains some pretty sensitive financial and commercial information that is protected by confidentiality agreements.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a motion to a Charlotte court, Liberty Media wrote, “Liberty Media takes all reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the Concorde Agreement and to protect its sensitive commercial terms from disclosure. (Id.). Unsealing of the Wendling Declaration and related expert reports without redacting information regarding the Concorde Agreement would thus cause substantial competitive and commercial harm to Liberty Media and its affiliates.”
But here’s where things take a turn. Recently, the judge ruled on summary judgment motions and then ordered that all the related filings be unsealed and made public. But Liberty Media isn’t having it.
ADVERTISEMENT
They’ve asked the court for permission to enter a “limited appearance”, just so that they can step into the case and protect its confidential information. The objective is to file a motion to seal (or redact parts of) the Wendling Declaration so that sensitive information doesn’t become public.
This is a developing story! Stay tuned for more updates.
ADVERTISEMENT

Denny Hamlin shed visible tears at Phoenix Raceway. And that was due to a plethora of reasons, ranging from missing a dangerously good chance of a Cup Series title to failing to present his prize to an ailing father. Yet another reason was the ongoing NASCAR lawsuit, which has consumed 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports since October 2024. However, the skies seem to be clearing up a little bit for Hamlin, Michael Jordan, and Co.
Soon after Denny Hamlin missed the 2025 Cup Series championship, Lady Luck made it up to him partially in the courtroom. 23XI, of which Hamlin is a co-owner, and FRM scored a significant win over Jim France and Co. in a hearing by Judge Kenneth D. Bell. And the teams are proceeding accordingly.
ADVERTISEMENT
NASCAR lawsuit narrows down its aim
When Michael Jordan first launched the NASCAR lawsuit, it had some key features. One of them was the claim that NASCAR was indulging in ‘monopolistic practices’. Although Jordan and Co. rounded up reasons, they had to prove that the sanctioning body was indeed monopolistic. And they did so last week, with Judge Kenneth D. Bell granting summary judgment, defining the relevant market of “Premier Stock-Car Racing.” So now, the plaintiffs have dropped a part of the lawsuit. As Bob Pockrass wrote, “Trial will be focused on whether NASCAR unlawfully exercised its power in that market.”
The Athletic’s reporter, Jeff Gluck, explained the situation in detail. He wrote, “They originally claimed NASCAR violated both Section 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, but now the teams are going to focus only on Section 2. Section 1 is more along the lines of whether NASCAR has monopoly power, and Section 2 is about using that monopoly power illegally. Since the judge already ruled this week that NASCAR has monopoly power, the teams are focusing their case on if NASCAR is using that power illegally.”
ADVERTISEMENT
This issue was a sequel to an October 23 summary judgment hearing, during which the teams requested that the market in which NASCAR operates be considered “Premier Stock-Car Racing.” NASCAR pushed back, calling it narrow and suggesting it should be expanded to include other professionally recognized racing series. Now, however, the court has sided with Michael Jordan and Co. in this part of the NASCAR lawsuit. Now, they can focus on the next step or finding out if NASCAR has been using its monopolistic clout illegally.
Stay tuned for more updates!
ADVERTISEMENT

In mid-June this year, Denny Hamlin was halfway through. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran won his season’s 3rd Cup race trophy in Michigan, and in style. Despite William Byron’s lead on lap 197, Denny Hamlin displayed speed and prowess by going low and passing Byron. And that is how he claimed the victory – restoring fans’ faith in Michigan’s penchant for last-lap excitement.
Presently, Denny Hamlin is nursing a heartbreak after missing the championship despite a 6-win season. However, NASCAR fans are already looking forward to 2026 and to Hamlin showing his magic again. The evidence is now available in Michigan’s booking receipts.
ADVERTISEMENT
A full house way ahead of schedule
Michigan International Speedway rolled out an endearing piece of news for NASCAR recently. The MISCamping.com infield for the June 2026 race has officially sold out for the fifth year in a row. Journalist Jeff Gluck updated this news on X. He wrote, “It’s Nov. 6 and Michigan International Speedway just sent out a news release saying its infield camping — for June — is already sold out for the fifth straight year. Pretty impressive.”
Joe Fowler, President of the two-mile track that has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series for over 50 years, congratulated this achievement. “It’s truly remarkable to sell out our MISCamping.com Infield for the fifth year in a row and to do so before the New Year,” he said. “Our fans made this possible as their desire to see NASCAR at MIS only continues to increase. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for an unforgettable weekend of racing, reunions, and adrenaline in the Irish Hills.”
Notably, general camping, grandstand tickets, and hospitality are still available for NASCAR fans. Campsite areas still up for grabs include Brooklyn Trails located on Brooklyn Highway across the track, Brookfest Acres outside of Turn 4, M50 Creekside behind Turn 3, Graves Family Campground on US12, High Banks outside Turn 3, and Tree Farm outside of Turns 3 and 4.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 2026 festivities will notably commence with a special partnership between MIS and Kettering University. As part of the sponsorship, Kettering University’s “For the Driven” brand message and identity will be in the fast lane. These updates are sure to produce as energetic a race as the FireKeepers Casino 400 race earlier this year. Fans’ eyes will be locked on Denny Hamlin’s car as the latter may pursue another star-studded attempt at the Cup Series title.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
For now, the NASCAR fans are going gaga about Michigan’s popularity.
NASCAR fans evoke Michigan’s specialty
In the Next-Gen era, few racetracks can allow drivers to achieve the full potential of speed. Michigan is one of them – its sweeping 18-degree turns create ideal conditions for cars to build and sustain speed. What’s more, its average pole-winning lap of 192.04 miles per hour is easily the fastest of any track on the 2025 schedule. So one fan wrote, “NASCAR’s fastest track. (Top speed)…I don’t think I’ve ever heard a driver say they don’t like Michigan.” Another fan agreed, adding how these characteristics make MIS thrilling for the public. “MIS is a great track, with great fans. Finally being rewarded with some great racing there too. I wish it got more love.”
ADVERTISEMENT
At present, the ongoing NASCAR lawsuit has exposed deep conflicts within the sport. Michael Jordan and Co. are waging a battle against the sanctioning body over alleged wrongdoing stemming from its ‘monopolistic’ power. However, one fan asserted that the fanbase is concerned with race thrill instead of such politics. “Fans that go to races don’t care about NASCAR politics. They go to have a good time, smell the smells, and feel the thunder.” Somebody else claimed that NASCAR may have gone ahead with Brazil’s plans if Michigan did not prove its popularity. “If it wasn’t sold out, Nascar might have moved it to Brazil.”
And the excitement is the most for people who reside in Michigan. That is what a fan implied, even though they reside in Indiana. Despite the distance, they still feel at home in MIS: “Michigan is my home track even though I live in Indiana. Its closer than Indy. Anyways, it’s truly a remarkable experience up there. Ive been to tons of tracks but Michigan has this charm. Its simple. No new track updates, no fancy fan zone. Its just NASCAR.”
Clearly, the 2026 NASCAR festivities are showing glimmers of success already. All we can do now is count the days until the start of the next season.

NASCAR fans have been pretty spoiled when it comes to video games. From Richard Petty’s Talladega for the Commodore 64 in 1984 to the NASCAR Thunder 2004 and everything in between, the world of stock car racing has been a favorite for fans to dive into. However, technology has evolved from the good ol’ days, and pixelated race tracks have turned into full-fledged racing simulators.
That’s where NASCAR 25 comes in. The game was released on October 14, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and fans rushed to the stores to get their copy. And despite mixed reviews early on, the game seems to have won over fans, if their social media comments are anything to go by.
The numbers paint a pretty picture for NASCAR 25
iRacing couldn’t have asked for more. Even though NASCAR 25 hasn’t even been released on PCs yet, the game has already sold over 100,000 units since its release midway through October. According to GameDiscoverCo, the game has already made the Top 10 best-seller list for both Xbox and PlayStation, even though plenty of reviews indicated that it lacks depth, leaving fans wanting more.
“It’s this crazy, full-circle deal,” said Matt Lewis, the director of production for iRacing. He went on to say, “If you ask anybody what their favorite NASCAR game in history was, you’re going to get one of those three (referring to NASCAR 2003, Dirt to Daytona, and NASCAR Thunder 2004). And now we have the teams that worked on all of those games building NASCAR ’25.”
Fast forward two decades, and in Lewis’ own words, “We are finally doing it.” The game does make some controversial calls, though, like William Byron being the highest-rated driver, at a time when the likes of Denny Hamlin have arguably had a better season. But despite the buzz on social media, fans are speaking louder with their pockets.
According to GameDiscoverCo’s estimate, 52,200 PlayStation copies were purchased, while 60,200 units were sold on Xbox. As for PC players, NASCAR 25 will be available on Steam from November 11th, which will further help increase the sales numbers. A reason for the game’s success might be down to how easy it is to play, with Chase Briscoe saying, “The average person would probably have trouble getting around the track in iRacing. This is a game I can play with (wife) Marissa.”
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
NASCAR 25 features all four racing series, allowing players to compete in the Cup, Xfinity, Truck, and the ARCA Menards. Going by the numbers, it’s fair to say that the first standalone console game released by iRacing and developer Matt Lewis has been a resounding success, and fans can’t help but rave about it on social media.
Fans share their positive reviews about NASCAR 25
As expected, NASCAR fans made their voices heard on Reddit after the game sold over 100,000 units in less than a month. One fan praised iRacing’s latest release, but also offered constructive feedback, hoping it will be implemented in the next iteration. The netizen wrote, “It’s pretty solid. I hope in the future I can drive for other teams in the career mode rather than be an owner/driver.”
Meanwhile, another Reddit user was eagerly looking forward to NASCAR 25’s PC release, especially after the glowing reviews on the internet. The fan said, “That rocks! I’m patiently waiting for the PC version to drop on the 11th before I buy it.” Ultimately, the numbers don’t lie, and one stock car racing enthusiast couldn’t help but write, “$6mil+ in one month sales isn’t bad at all,” especially for a game that is primarily popular in the United States.
Considering this was iRacing’s first console release, there were bound to be some aspects that didn’t hit the mark, and one particular NASCAR fan couldn’t help but point it out. Despite the critical assessment, the Reddit user wrote, “It is fairly bare bones, but what is in is done quite well.”
Meanwhile, another fan saw NASCAR 25 as a step in the right direction, something both iRacing and developer Matt Lewis can use as a foundation to build on for the future. Perhaps that’s why the stock car racing enthusiast wrote, “That was the plan with the game all along. Get a strong base to build on in the future. Seems like step one is complete. Excited to see where the franchise goes. They have already been adding a ton of quality of life adjustments so it’s nice to see someone give a shit about a nascar game.”
What are your thoughts about NASCAR 25? Let us know in the comments!