CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Daniel Suarez, the only Mexican driver at NASCAR’s top level, on Wednesday was named Justin Haley’s replacement at Spire Motorsports.
Suarez, the first driver hired by Trackhouse Racing when it launched in 2021, is being replaced after five seasons by 19-year-old Connor Zilisch next year.
Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson said the pairing gives Suarez and the No. 7 Chevrolet team an opportunity to prove both are capable of being weekly contenders. Suarez has not won a race this year and missed the 16-driver playoff field, while Haley has the No. 7 car ranked 31st in the Cup Series standings with just two top-10 finishes.
Haley scored the only Cup win in Spire history with a victory at Daytona International Speedway in the 2019 July race.
“When it came down to it, it’s just a thing where I think we need each other,” Dickerson said. “I think all of us love a good story of redemption and giving people a platform to prove doubters wrong. Daniel needs to show everybody that this year was an outlier, and we want to show everybody that the 7 car’s performance this year was an outlier as well.”
Suarez won both of his Cup Series career wins with Trackhouse and finished a career-best 10th in the standings in 2022. Spire will be the fifth team in 10 years for the 2016 Xfinity Series champion.
This year he is 28th in the standings with two top-five finishes and seven top-10 finishes. He said Dickerson was one of the first calls he made when he learned he was out of a job at Trackhouse.
Dan Towriss, the CEO of TWG Motorsports, became the majority owner of Spire this year as the NASCAR team was added to a racing portfolio that also owns the Cadillac F1 team launching next season as well as Andretti Global in IndyCar.
“If you look at the last three years at how Spire Motorsports has grown, I mentioned this to Jeff, three years ago, I probably wasn’t looking at Spire Motorsports as an option,” Suarez said. “Right now, I believe this is the fastest growing team in NASCAR, and I want to be part of that. I know they’re not even close to be done. They’re just getting started.”
Spire has three Cup cars: Michael McDowell is 21st in points, Carson Hocevar is 23rd and Haley. But the team has three poles, six top fives, 16 top 10s and led 233 laps — all season highs for an organization that only began racing in 2019.
Freeway Insurance, an insurance broker and distributor, will be Suarez’s main sponsor.
Suarez will now be under the same umbrella as fellow Mexican driver Sergio Perez, who will join Valtteri Bottas as the first two drivers for Cadillac. Suarez and Perez typically have significant sponsorship behind them from Mexican entities, but Dickerson said they were not a package deal for TWG.
“There was no decree. We’re a sales-based organization right? And so it’s just like, ‘OK, if Checo is going in the F1 car, then, you know, we have an opportunity here to really tap into a passionate fan base,’ and things come together,” Dickerson said. “But you don’t know that’s how it’s gonna go, right?
“We kind of dragged this out some, because we’re just kind of hoping and waiting for some spark with Justin, and you finally get to a place where you’re just like, ‘Man, I don’t know that we’re doing him any good, and I don’t think we’re doing ourselves any good.’ By that point, Checo was already announced.”
___
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Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Daniel Suarez, the only Mexican driver at NASCAR’s top level, on Wednesday was named Justin Haley’s replacement at Spire Motorsports.
Suarez, the first driver hired by Trackhouse Racing when it launched in 2021, is being replaced after five seasons by 19-year-old Connor Zilisch next year.
Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson said the pairing gives Suarez and the No. 7 Chevrolet team an opportunity to prove both are capable of being weekly contenders. Suarez has not won a race this year and missed the 16-driver playoff field, while Haley has the No. 7 car ranked 31st in the Cup Series standings with just two top-10 finishes.
Haley scored the only Cup win in Spire history with a victory at Daytona International Speedway in the 2019 July race.
“When it came down to it, it’s just a thing where I think we need each other,” Dickerson said. “I think all of us love a good story of redemption and giving people a platform to prove doubters wrong. Daniel needs to show everybody that this year was an outlier, and we want to show everybody that the 7 car’s performance this year was an outlier as well.”
Suarez won both of his Cup Series career wins with Trackhouse and finished a career-best 10th in the standings in 2022. Spire will be the fifth team in 10 years for the 2016 Xfinity Series champion.
This year he is 28th in the standings with two top-five finishes and seven top-10 finishes. He said Dickerson was one of the first calls he made when he learned he was out of a job at Trackhouse.
Dan Towriss, the CEO of TWG Motorsports, became the majority owner of Spire this year as the NASCAR team was added to a racing portfolio that also owns the Cadillac F1 team launching next season as well as Andretti Global in IndyCar.
“If you look at the last three years at how Spire Motorsports has grown, I mentioned this to Jeff, three years ago, I probably wasn’t looking at Spire Motorsports as an option,” Suarez said. “Right now, I believe this is the fastest growing team in NASCAR, and I want to be part of that. I know they’re not even close to be done. They’re just getting started.”
Spire has three Cup cars: Michael McDowell is 21st in points, Carson Hocevar is 23rd and Haley. But the team has three poles, six top fives, 16 top 10s and led 233 laps — all season highs for an organization that only began racing in 2019.
Freeway Insurance, an insurance broker and distributor, will be Suarez’s main sponsor.
Suarez will now be under the same umbrella as fellow Mexican driver Sergio Perez, who will join Valtteri Bottas as the first two drivers for Cadillac. Suarez and Perez typically have significant sponsorship behind them from Mexican entities, but Dickerson said they were not a package deal for TWG.
“There was no decree. We’re a sales-based organization right? And so it’s just like, ‘OK, if Checo is going in the F1 car, then, you know, we have an opportunity here to really tap into a passionate fan base,’ and things come together,” Dickerson said. “But you don’t know that’s how it’s gonna go, right?
“We kind of dragged this out some, because we’re just kind of hoping and waiting for some spark with Justin, and you finally get to a place where you’re just like, ‘Man, I don’t know that we’re doing him any good, and I don’t think we’re doing ourselves any good.’ By that point, Checo was already announced.”
___

Daniel Suarez will have a new home in NASCAR Cup in 2026. It was announced in a press conference Wednesday that the nine-year veteran will move to Spire Motorsports and pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet ZL1, with Freeway Insurance as his primary sponsor.
Suarez, whose contract was not renewed after five years with Trackhouse Racing, will replace Justin Haley, whose own contract was also not renewed for next season after five non-productive seasons with Spire.
“It was a no-brainer,” Suarez said about moving to Spire. “They’ve really been growing the last three years. I’m very excited to see this new chapter and opportunity.”
A native of Monterrey, Mexico, the 33-year-old Suarez is the first Mexican-born driver in NASCAR Cup history. While he’s shown a competitive nature at times, like Haley, the strong results have been few and far between in Suarez’s career: in 321 starts, he’s logged just two wins, 24 top five and 75 top 10 finishes, along with three poles.
And he has only made the NASCAR Cup playoffs just twice: 2022 (finished 10 ) and 2024 (finished 12 ).
He has two races remaining with Trackhouse, this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, and next Sunday’s season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
“I know we have a couple races left but I want to finish strong,” Suarez said.
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Suarez hopes to turn around a dismal 2025 season with his new team in 2026
Suarez has managed just two top fives (finished second in the spring race at Las Vegas and the summer race at Daytona) and seven top 10 finishes in the 34 races he’s competed in this season. He enters Martinsville in 28 position in the Cup standings, the second-worst season of his career (he finished 31 in 2020).
“This year wasn’t the way I wanted it to go with me and my team,” Suarez admitted. “We want to get things back in place and we’re hungry for that. I’ve been excited for this day and to get to work because I know (Spire is) capable of a lot and I can’t wait to get going.”
Spire Motorsports will become the fifth Cup team Suarez has driven for. He was recruited from his native land by Joe Gibbs Racing and won the 2016 Xfinity Series championship, but lasted just two seasons (2017-2018) after being promoted to the Cup ranks.
He moved to Stewart Haas Racing for just one season (2019), spent one season with Gaunt Brothers Racing (2020) and the past five seasons piloting the No. 99 Chevrolet with Trackhouse Racing.
Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson is looking forward to having Suarez join the team’s other two drivers, veteran Michael McDowell and promising youngster Carson Hocevar.
“We have the speed, we just need better execution,” Dickerson said. “We need a veteran steady hand in this organization. I don’t think six months ago we thought we’d be sitting here, but I think there’s a real power here for both of us to show.”
“He’s going to fit in perfect. I don’t think we have to do much of anything different and I don’t want Daniel to do anything different. We don’t need him to be anybody that he’s not. We want to build a good team around him, let him do his thing and he’ll be fine.”
Spire has had a rough season in 2025. All three of its drivers — Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar and Haley — failed to make the playoffs. What’s more, none of the three have won a race this season and combined for a paltry six top five finishes. Since the organization was formed in 2019, it has visited victory lane just once: Haley in 2019.
The length of Suarez’s contract with Spire is unclear
The length of Suarez’s contract with Spire was not announced, so it’s unknown if he signed for one year or multiple years. But there could be a shadow behind him in 2026 if his performance doesn’t significantly improve.
Earlier this week, speculation had centered around Kyle Busch potentially replacing Haley, as Dickerson was Busch’s longtime spotter earlier in his career, as well as was Busch’s business representative. But back in May, Busch signed a one-year extension to remain at Richard Childress Racing for 2026 and it likely would have been costly for Spire to try and buy out that deal from RCR.
However, it would not be a surprise to see the 40-year-0ld Busch eventually finish his career at Spire, given his long association with Dickerson.
While Suarez’s Cup performance has been mediocre, he has become a very popular driver with fans, especially in the Hispanic community, helping to attract countless followers in the U.S., as well as from Mexico and Central and South America who regularly watch him on TV and even travel to races north of the border to watch him in person. His fanbase even calls itself “Daniel’s Amigos!”
Suarez is looking forward to teaming with McDowell, who turns 41 in December, and Hocevar, who turns 23 in January.
“(McDowell and I) became very close after we got into a fight in 2019,” McDowell laughed. “It’s very funny, but it’s true. Before then, we were just two drivers. And after that, we’ve become good friends. I believe we’re going to be able to brainstorm a lot.
“Carson is a raw driver with great speed. I think it’s going to be exciting to have opportunity to work with drivers that are quite different.”
Don’t be surprised if Suarez has another name for Spire, especially when he talks in his native language. Spire translated into Spanish it’s “Aguja.”
“I feel like I’m in my first year in the Cup Series. I have butterflies in my stomach,” Suarez said. “I believe (Spire is) far from their full potential. I mentioned to Jeff (Dickerson), I see this train and I want to jump on it.”
As Suarez embarks on his next chapter with Spire Motorsports, hopefully 2026 could be that defining year that turns his popularity into a long-overdue on-track success.

Big news in NASCAR! Daniel Suarez is joining Spire Motorsports to drive the No. 7 Chevrolet next season. He’ll take over from Justin Haley, who helped the team earn their first big win at the 2023 Daytona 500. The announcement came from reporter Jeff Gluck and has everyone talking.
Suárez, from Mexico, has raced for Trackhouse Racing for four years. He made history in 2022 when he became the first Mexican driver to win a Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.
After a tough 2025 season, he and Trackhouse decided to go their separate ways. Now, at 33, Suárez is ready for a fresh start with Spire, a team that’s been growing fast and looking to move up the NASCAR ranks.
A Fresh Start for Daniel Suarez
Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports, had good things to say about Suárez.
“Yeah, I mean, I think his resume speaks for itself,” Dickerson said. “He’s been a mainstay in the garage for several years. And look, I think, when it came down to it, it’s just a thing where I think we need each other.”
He added that both Suárez and the team want to prove people wrong after a rough year. “We all love a story of redemption,” Dickerson said. “Daniel needs to show everybody that this year was an outlier, and we want to show everybody that the No. 7 car’s performance this year was an outlier as well.”
For Suárez, it’s a chance to start fresh. He’s known for his never-give-up attitude and love for racing. Fans see him as one of the most passionate drivers in the sport, always smiling and giving his all.
Why Spire Motorsports?
When asked why he chose Spire, Suárez didn’t hesitate.
“To me, it was a no-brainer,” he said. “If you look at the last three years, how Spire Motorsports has grown. Three years ago, I probably wasn’t looking at Spire as an option. But right now, I believe this is the fastest-growing team in NASCAR, and I want to be part of that.”
He believes the team is only getting started. “They’re not even close to being done,” Suárez said. “They’re just getting started.”
Dickerson agrees that the team has come a long way. “We’re at a different place in our journey,” he explained. “We’ve got the speed; we need the execution. That’s what’s held us back. And I think that’s what Daniel sees with us, a chance to help us reach the next level.”
With Suárez’s experience, nearly 200 Cup starts, and a second-place championship finish in 2022, Spire hopes he’ll bring leadership and calm to the garage.
The Fans and the Future
Cesar Soriano, CEO of Freeway Insurance, Suárez’s long-time sponsor, praised him in a statement. “Daniel has been an incredible ambassador for our brand,” Soriano said. “His determination, authenticity, and connection to fans mirror what Freeway stands for, helping people move forward with confidence.”
Soriano said they’re proud to keep supporting Suárez as he joins Spire.
As for Justin Haley, his exit is bittersweet. The 26-year-old helped Spire reach new heights and proved himself as a talented young driver. Some fans think losing him is a mistake, but others believe bringing in a veteran like Suárez is the right move for the team’s long-term success.
Either way, both drivers have bright futures. Suárez will be looking to lift Spire to new heights, while Haley will look for his next big opportunity.
The 2026 NASCAR season is shaping up to be exciting, and all eyes will be on the No. 7 car. Suárez’s move marks not just a change in teams, but a shot at redemption and growth for both him and Spire Motorsports.

Austin Hill caused a stir after taking the checkered flag at Talladega this weekend, flipping the bird in response to a group of fans doing the same.
NASCAR had no penalties to report on Wednesday, meaning the driver of the RCR No. 21 Chevy is officially in the clear and won’t be fined.
Surprisingly, that result is exactly what the instigating NASCAR fan wanted.
X user Dr. Chimp‘s original post is what kicked off the controversy in the first place, showing Hill firing a middle-finger salute straight to the camera.
In a follow-up post on Oct. 19, the same X user would clarify the Austin Hill situation.
“To clarify some context to the picture:

13 months of wrangling have brought the NASCAR lawsuit to a settlement stage. The legal opponents, NASCAR and 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports, have been through bitter struggles. From revealing questionable text messages to calling out individual entities on either side, the animosity has been no less. Now, as both sides seek peace, the terms of that middle ground may lean toward an old demand.
The NASCAR lawsuit conducted a two-day conference this week, with hopes of reaching an amicable settlement. This was pushed by nine of the 13 non-suing Cup Series teams, whose futures are also connected. Maybe they may get more than just tickets to survival.
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NASCAR could revive a past battle
Before Michael Jordan and Co. filed the NASCAR lawsuit in October 2024, a particular demand stood out among Cup Series teams. As part of the Race Team Alliance, most teams had lobbied for permanent charters, as opposed to the 7-year charter deals that NASCAR has in place. Not only did the sanctioning body ignore that plea, but it also dropped a sudden deal on the Cup Series grid with a timer, which was the main crux of the lawsuit. Now, things may tilt towards the Cup Series garage with both sides agreeing to meet halfway.
According to Adam Stern’s article, one reason why Jim France denied permanent charters was simple. He “said the sport can’t commit to certain financial payouts in perpetuity when fortunes are so dependent on ever-changing media rights deals.” So a possible solution would be “getting a commitment from NASCAR that chartered teams have a permanent status, but while separating the media rights split so that it can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis when new deals are made.” The current charter deal runs through 2031.
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As of Wednesday, the two-day conference had not yielded any results. The two sides failed to settle, and a scheduled session for summary judgment motions is set for Thursday morning. Kenneth D. Bell, the judge who was overseeing the conference, has also indicated he is quite unlikely to render a summary judgment verdict for either party. This is in order not to taint the jury pool in advance of a scheduled trial that begins on December 1. A settlement still could also be reached at any time, including after the trial begins.
Clearly, the matter is at a cliffhanger with no visibility of upcoming events. While we wait for further details, we cannot help but acknowledge 23XI’s formidable presence.
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A glittering legacy based on a rumor
23XI Racing‘s trajectory in NASCAR has been jaw-dropping. While being embroiled in a lawsuit, the team never fails to attract a sizeable crowd. On the day of the South Point 400, spectators gathered around the snazzy No. 23 and No. 45 Toyotas, shining with the Jumpman logos. Since the start of 2021, the team has won nine Cup Series trophies – presenting a formidable challenge to established rivals.
According to President Steve Lauletta, the team has grown to 130 employees from the original staff of 24. In 2023, the Sports Business Journal named 23XI one of the “Best Places to Work in Sports.” In 2024, they opened a state-of-the-art facility called ‘Airspeed’ in Huntersville, North Carolina.
All these achievements happened due to a rumor. Denny Hamlin recently recalled attending a Charlotte Hornets game in 2008 or 2009. That was when he met with Michael Jordan, and the duo became close friends. After over a decade of their friendship, Hamlin noticed a news headline that the NASCAR and NBA legends are purchasing a minority stake in a race team. “I remember reading that and saying, ‘Man, that’s kind of funny. Should I send it to Michael or not?’”
Well, he sent it. Jordan’s response, as per Hamlin’s memory, was simply “haha.’’ “He’s like, ‘not true,’ but if you want to make it true, let me know,” Hamlin recalled. And as we know, the rest is history.
Clearly, despite the ongoing lawsuit, 23XI Racing’s impact on NASCAR will be everlasting. Let’s wait and see where this legal turmoil ends up.

NASCAR and the two teams that it is being sued by failed to reach a settlement after two days of a court-mandated judicial settlement conference.
The parties involved —NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports – left the federal courthouse in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday without comment. Wednesday was the second day of the settlement conference. It was mediated by Jeffrey Mishkin, who had overseen the parties’ mediation meetings during the summer.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed a joint lawsuit against NASCAR on Oct. 2, 2024, alleging antitrust violations. U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Bell is presiding over the case.
Although a settlement was not reached by the end of Wednesday’s conference, it can still happen at any time. The trial is scheduled to begin on December 1.
NASCAR, 23XI, and Front Row will be back in court on Thursday. Judge Bell will hear arguments on the teams’ request for summary judgment and on motions to exclude witnesses.

All Times Eastern
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Xfinity 500
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Martinsville, Virginia.
Track: Martinsville Superspeedway.
Race distance: 500 laps, 263 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, practice 4:40 p.m., qualifying, 5:40 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (NBC).
Last year: Ryan Blaney earned the win and a slot in the Championship 4 after taking the lead from Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go.
Last race: Chase Briscoe locked in a Championship 4 spot for the first time in his career after a last-second pass of Bubba Wallace and a push from teammate Ty Gibbs at Talladega.
Next race: Nov. 2, Avondale, Arizona.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Martinsville, Virginia.
Track: Martinsville Superspeedway.
Race distance: 250 laps, 131.5 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, 1 p.m., qualifying, 2:05 p.m., race, 7:30 p.m. (CW).
Last year: Aric Almirola dominated the final race of Round of 8, leading 150 of 250 laps and clinching a spot in the Championship 4.
Last race: Austin Hill secured his second season win at Talladega while fending off the field with two laps to go in overtime.
Next race: Nov. 1, Avondale, Arizona.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
Slim Jim 200
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Martinsville, Virginia.
Track: Martinsville Superspeedway.
Race distance: 200 laps, 105.2 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 2:05 p.m., qualifying, 3:10 p.m., race, 6 p.m. (FS1).
Last year: After dominating most of the race, Christian Eckes took the lead back late from teammate Ben Rhodes, earning him a spot in the Championship 4.
Last race: Pole-sitter Gio Ruggiero earned his first-ever career win in Talladega while fending off a late surge from teammate Corey Heim in overtime.
Next race: Oct. 31, Avondale, Arizona.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA 1
Mexico City Grand Prix
Site: Mexico City.
Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Race distance: 71 laps, 189.8 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 2:25 p.m., qualifying, 5:55 p.m.; Saturday, sprint race, 1:25 p.m., qualifying, 4:55 p.m.; Sunday, race, 4 p.m. (ABC).
Last year: Carlos Sainz Jr. secured his fourth career win while taking the lead back from Max Verstappen early in a drama-filled race that saw Verstappen penalized twice.
Last race: Pole-sitter Max Verstappen took his third win in the last four races at COTA, closing in on McLaren teammates Norris and Piastri in the standings.
Next race: Nov. 9, Sao Paulo.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
Season Wrap: Alex Palou won his third consecutive series championship, securing the title in four of the last five seasons.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Next race: Nov. 2, Las Vegas.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Wichita Sprint Car Showdown
Jason Johnson Classic presented by FK Rod Ends
Next race: Nov. 5-8.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
___

All Times Eastern
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Xfinity 500
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Martinsville, Virginia.
Track: Martinsville Superspeedway.
Race distance: 500 laps, 263 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, practice 4:40 p.m., qualifying, 5:40 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (NBC).
Last year: Ryan Blaney earned the win and a slot in the Championship 4 after taking the lead from Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go.
Last race: Chase Briscoe locked in a Championship 4 spot for the first time in his career after a last-second pass of Bubba Wallace and a push from teammate Ty Gibbs at Talladega.
Next race: Nov. 2, Avondale, Arizona.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Martinsville, Virginia.
Track: Martinsville Superspeedway.
Race distance: 250 laps, 131.5 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, 1 p.m., qualifying, 2:05 p.m., race, 7:30 p.m. (CW).
Last year: Aric Almirola dominated the final race of Round of 8, leading 150 of 250 laps and clinching a spot in the Championship 4.
Last race: Austin Hill secured his second season win at Talladega while fending off the field with two laps to go in overtime.
Next race: Nov. 1, Avondale, Arizona.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
Slim Jim 200
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Martinsville, Virginia.
Track: Martinsville Superspeedway.
Race distance: 200 laps, 105.2 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 2:05 p.m., qualifying, 3:10 p.m., race, 6 p.m. (FS1).
Last year: After dominating most of the race, Christian Eckes took the lead back late from teammate Ben Rhodes, earning him a spot in the Championship 4.
Last race: Pole-sitter Gio Ruggiero earned his first-ever career win in Talladega while fending off a late surge from teammate Corey Heim in overtime.
Next race: Oct. 31, Avondale, Arizona.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA 1
Mexico City Grand Prix
Site: Mexico City.
Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Race distance: 71 laps, 189.8 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 2:25 p.m., qualifying, 5:55 p.m.; Saturday, sprint race, 1:25 p.m., qualifying, 4:55 p.m.; Sunday, race, 4 p.m. (ABC).
Last year: Carlos Sainz Jr. secured his fourth career win while taking the lead back from Max Verstappen early in a drama-filled race that saw Verstappen penalized twice.
Last race: Pole-sitter Max Verstappen took his third win in the last four races at COTA, closing in on McLaren teammates Norris and Piastri in the standings.
Next race: Nov. 9, Sao Paulo.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
Season Wrap: Alex Palou won his third consecutive series championship, securing the title in four of the last five seasons.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Next race: Nov. 2, Las Vegas.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Wichita Sprint Car Showdown
Jason Johnson Classic presented by FK Rod Ends
Next race: Nov. 5-8.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Jimmy Spencer has never been one to hold back with NASCAR’s shifting landscape. He has lately been firing off shots at the sport’s leadership, calling out how greed has watered down the raw edge since Bill France’s days. He sees today’s drivers as products of polished programs rather than gritty proving grounds like dirt tracks, and that frustration boiled over in his latest Door Bumper Clear appearance.
“We need to get the talent from the dirt cars, the Flo racing. You know, I mean, the other thing that I believe in is that that shows the talent. I mean, who’s that Riley Herbst? That poor son of a bi–h can’t drive nothing,” Spencer vented on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, his voice as bold as ever as only a 1990s Cup vet could muster.
The “son of a bi–h can’t drive” line shocked fans as Spencer laid his unfiltered doubts about Herbst’s fit in the Cup Series. Fans lit up social media, some cheering the old-school honesty while others pushed back hard.
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[DBC 30:00] Jimmy Spencer on @rileyherbst: “That poor SOB can’t drive nothing” (via u/LBHMS) https://t.co/9jWpoepCH7 https://t.co/BGJIyl6fHK #NASCAR
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— r/NASCAR on Reddit (@NASCARonReddit) October 21, 2025
Spencer is throwing shade because Herbst‘s 2025 rookie season has been rough. Think of a disqualification at the Charlotte Roval for failing post-race weight inspection, dropping him from 16th to last after a solid run. Then came Talladega, where he rolled to the back alongside John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones after inspection snags.
For Spencer, the core gripe is simple: drivers like Herbst skip the dirt-track grind that builds real instincts, jumping straight from Xfinity flash to Cup pressure without the scars. “I think that they really did a lot to subdue the drivers. And in turn, I think that the last few years, the drivers have become so freaking boring,” he added later, hammering how sanitized paths filter out safe bets over bold talents.
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Back in his ARCA days, Spencer scrapped for every inch; now, he watches Herbst struggle in a #71 Toyota, averaging outside the top 25 through 34 starts, and it feels like the sport’s lost its hunger for raw talent.
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That frustration ties straight to 23XI’s call to snag Herbst over Corey Heim for their third car in 2025, despite Heim’s edge in consistency—three Truck Series wins and stronger Xfinity showings against tougher fields. Hamlin’s crew bet on Herbst’s three Xfinity victories and his Vegas roots to draw crowds, even as legal battles with NASCAR over charters dragged on.
Spencer’s words landed like a checkered flag on a divided field, igniting debates that echo through the garages and grandstands.
Fans are split on Jimmy Spencer’s take
Not everyone’s buying Spencer’s hot take, with one fan pointing out the bigger picture: “There have been many worse drivers than Riley come into the Cup Series.” It’s true; look at drivers like Derrike Cope, who stumbled through 1990s seasons with sub-30 averages before a surprise Daytona win.
Herbst, at 23, mirrors that raw entry; his Xfinity title chase with a win at Phoenix in 2024 showed poise, and fans see echoes of those underdogs who eventually clicked, reminding everyone Cup’s a brutal classroom and demands time for even being a good contender.
Some praise rolled in for Herbst’s cool head under fire. “I will give Riley props for this past weekend; he could’ve junked the whole field but held onto the car, and everyone was able to get around,” a commenter noted after Talladega chaos.
That pack-style save kept the playoff showdown clean. In a sport where one small move can become a disaster, Herbst’s restraint earned nods, proving even shaky rookies can step up when it’s needed.
Yet doubt lingers for some, “Dude was a decent Xfinity driver but is nowhere close to being Cup-level talent.” Herbst’s 2024 Xfinity stats with just two wins and seven top-5s don’t fully translate yet, and his Cup average hovers at 26th. It’s reminiscent of Ty Dillon‘s early Cup stints, who was solid in trucks but lost in the big leagues.
Defenders pushed deeper into context, one writing: “Herbst is the punching bag this year but he’s a rookie with a rookie CC and is a rookie in a series where the cars are very different from the ones he has driven (and won in) in the Xfinity series. 23XI being embroiled in litigation all year also can’t have helped things. His results haven’t been good, but I think people are just piling on at this point.”
Spot on, 23XI’s charter fight distracted resources, and Herbst’s crew chief Davin Restivo is inexperienced too, echoing rookie teams like the 2010s Furniture Row setup that took laps to gel before Truex’s rise. With just 34 starts under his belt, the pile-up of criticism feels premature against his prior 88 Xfinity top-10s.
Wrapping the buzz, excitement bubbled over the episode itself. “This was the best DBC episode of the year. Jimmy is a total wild card, and you never know what he’ll say. He should be on the show every week. His donkey laugh is maddening and fantastic,” gushed a listener.
Spencer’s unfiltered and raw takes, like his Austin Hill callout after Talladega—“stupid son of a bi–h” for post-win antics—keep the podcast electric, much like his 1994 Bristol brawl days that hooked fans on the human side of racing. That chaos? Pure NASCAR gold.

The Drivers Advisory Council filed a brief in federal court on Tuesday in the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR that offers the position of the drivers as the future of the sport hangs in the balance.
The biggest issue, per the brief, is “The DAC is concerned that its drivers’ rights and interests may be materially impacted by any resolution in this case.”
A voluntary group, the Driver Advisory Council, was formed in 2022 to have a singular, organized voice for the drivers in collaboration with NASCAR. Among its work, the DAC negotiated the Driver Ambassador Program, implemented this season, which rewards drivers for promoting the sport. The program is tied into the charter agreement, “whose structure is being challenged in this lawsuit,” explains the brief.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed a joint antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR on Oct. 2, 2024. They were the only two teams of 15 charter holders who did not sign the 2025 charter agreement when given a final deadline in September of 2024.
The parties are participating in a court-ordered judicial settlement conference on Tuesday, which prompted the DAC’s brief on the drivers’ interests. There is also a hearing scheduled for Thursday regarding summary judgment requests and motions to exclude witnesses. The trial date is scheduled for December 1.
“The drivers have always been the focal point for the fans,” the brief states. “To have any discussion or negotiation about the future of the sport without the drivers having an independent voice and being heard is unproductive. The DAC submits this amicus brief to provide the unique perspective and position of the drivers.”
With the resolution of the lawsuit the drivers are seeking three overall objectives: (1) protect the long-term interest for existing and future drivers in the sport; (2) provide a permanent and meaningful position for drivers collectively to have an independent voice on important issues in the sport; and (3) for all parties to act in the best interest for the fans to provide the best experience possible.
“The drivers seek to have a sport that is unified, healthy and protects the interests of all the parties involved while giving the fans the best experience possible,” the brief states.
“The reality is that the drivers in many ways share the concerns of the parties in this case, but in other ways have their own unique perspective and experiences. The drivers quite literally drive the popularity of the sport. While this case may concern NASCAR and defendant team owners fighting over the future of the sport and TV revenue, without the drivers and the fans there is no future for NASCAR.”

Jimmy Spencer’s sharp tongue hasn’t dulled with time. As the sport continues to evolve with changing sponsor dynamics, corporate priorities, and TV influence, Spencer’s no‑nonsense contrast between “then and now” lands with the kind of grit that once defined NASCAR’s personality.
He’s not measured behind the microphone; his words, shaped by decades of firsthand experience, cut deep into how racing feels from the garage to the grandstands. The passion is raw, the critique unscripted, and the comparison to one towering name from the sport’s past hits hardest of all.
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For Jimmy the old man balanced the competition
When Jimmy Spencer recounted his memories of Bill France Sr., his voice reflected both reverence and frustration. He recalled a moment on the Door Bumper Clear podcast when Ford dominated the field, winning close to ten consecutive races with its Taurus program. France’s response, according to Spencer, showed why he was the architect of NASCAR’s competitive DNA.
“I remember the one time Ford was leap one hell like eight or nine, ten races with the Taurus,” Spencer said. “France called Earnhardt and me in, shut the door, and asked, ‘What’s going on?’… The following week, he gave the Chevys help. The one thing the old man knew was how to balance the competition.”
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That story crystallized the grassroots leadership that defined France’s tenure. There wasn’t a committee or corporate department mediating parity; it was the founder himself who read the room, addressed rivalries, and acted decisively.
Spencer went on to contrast that hands‑on oversight with the modern era. “You could go into the trailer, close the door, the old man would chew your a– out, or not,” he said. “I get that it’s a little more corporate today, but it’s a lot different.”
His comments drove home a sentiment rarely expressed from within today’s media circles. To Spencer, NASCAR’s contemporary decision-making feels distant, filtered through partnerships, PR sensitivities, and an endless pursuit of brand compatibility. It was never polished under France. It was principled, often brash, but unmistakably human.
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Tommy Baldwin, co‑host and longtime team owner, punctuated the segment by adding, “The only thing that is unbalanced in the competition now is money.” Spencer agreed without hesitation: “Yeah, that’s true.” The exchange painted a vivid picture. What France saw as a sporting obligation to give every manufacturer and driver a fighting chance has, in Spencer’s view, become an economic equation dictated by budget size and sponsor leverage.
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That transformation, he implied, has drained much of NASCAR’s edge and unpredictability. Once, the show revolved around personalities and rivalries; now, it is data sheets and corporate commitments guiding race-day narratives. For a man who built his career on aggression, emotion, and risk, Spencer’s frustration was both nostalgic and prophetic.
NASCAR has lost much of the thrill
Jimmy Spencer, once nicknamed “Mr. Excitement,” believes NASCAR has lost much of the thrill that defined its golden era. The former Cup Series driver reflected on the sport’s past leadership and transformation, comparing Bill France Jr.’s firm but colorful management style with today’s more restrained approach. According to Spencer, the sport’s modern leadership has produced what he calls “boring drivers.”
Spencer recalled how Bill France handled fiery personalities and controversies in a way that fueled fan engagement instead of suppressing it. He shared an anecdote from his Busch Series days when France scolded him for criticizing officials, warning he’d be sent back to local tracks if he didn’t straighten up.
Another memory involved France’s response to Tony Stewart’s 2012 Bristol helmet-throwing incident. France jokingly reimbursed Stewart for the thrown helmet and encouraged the drama to continue.
To Spencer, such leadership embodied passion, allowing rivalries to thrive while preserving the sport’s authenticity. By contrast, Spencer argued that NASCAR’s current focus on political correctness and image management has muted driver personalities. “They really did a lot to subdue the drivers,” he said, lamenting how racers today seem overly cautious both on and off the track.
His friend, former driver Kenny Wallace, echoed the sentiment years ago, saying that NASCAR drivers were no longer “water cooler talk” on Mondays like they once were. Points racing systems, which reward consistency over daring moves, have also contributed to a more calculated and less emotional style of competition.
As a result, Spencer believes NASCAR has lost the spark that made personalities like Dale Earnhardt, Tony Stewart, and himself household names. However, it’s not all bleak. Recent fan reactions hint that excitement can still return to the sport.
Denny Hamlin’s win at Las Vegas, greeted with uncharacteristic cheers even from fans who once booed him, showed that passion and connection remain possible. For Spencer, such moments keep hope alive that NASCAR can recapture the energy of the Bill France era, a time when tempers, rivalries, and emotion made every race unforgettable.

Chevrolet has showcased a strong presence in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, with several drivers delivering impressive performances throughout the season. Kyle Larson, piloting the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, has been a standout, securing multiple top-10 finishes and leading the series in laps led, underscoring his skill on the track.
Rookie Shane van Gisbergen, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, has made a remarkable impact, clinching three wins and earning the 2025 NASCAR Rookie of the Year title. But not all has been smooth sailing for the Chevrolet teams, like how Kyle Busch has faced his own challenges this season. And now they might’ve revealed, or lack a better word, leaked their new weapon.
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Camaro’s Next-Gen glow-up?
General Motors has once again stirred the pot with new speculation over the future of the Chevy Camaro, this time with a new design sketch from the GM Design team. Recently posted to social media as part of the GM Design Tomorrow’s Vision Today exhibit, the rendering shows a futuristic sports coupe that unmistakably channels the design DNA of the Chevrolet Camaro, giving fans renewed hope over the future of the iconic Bow Tie brand nameplate.
Though a little grainy and tucked away in the corner of the frame, the image clearly depicts a low-slung, aggressively sculpted two-door sports car. Its proportions are pure muscle, with a short rear deck, long hood, and a cab-rearward stance.
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The design shows muscular rear haunches and a wide track, while the rear fascia integrates slim taillights and a pronounced shoulder line. One of the most telling cues is the sharp vent, or “fish gill,” positioned aft of the front wheel arch, a styling signature also seen on the Chevy Blazer EV. The side surfacing is taut and technical, while oversized wheels and a steeply raked windshield add to the look.
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It’s unclear if this sketch represents an actual proposal for a next-generation Camaro, or if it’s simply an internal design exploration. Production of the sixth-generation Chevy Camaro ended after the 2024 model year, and while rumors previously suggested the Camaro nameplate could evolve into an EV sedan or crossover, GM’s renewed focus on internal combustion has reignited hope for a more traditional successor.
According to previous GM Authority coverage, a proposal for a seventh-generation Camaro was “blown apart” by management as a weak business case. Nevertheless, insiders maintain the project may still be “in play,” hinting that GM isn’t ready to let go of its legendary muscle car. Even GM President Mark Reuss is keen on the idea, saying that the next-gen model could bring a “formula of beauty and a little bit of functionality and fun.”
Adding fuel to the fire is a recent trademark filing for the Chevy Camaro nameplate, making us hopeful that we may indeed see this GM icon make its return in the not-so-distant future. While the design sketch has not been officially confirmed as a glimpse at the next-generation Camaro, its striking resemblance to the iconic muscle car has enthusiasts buzzing. Whether this is a hint at what’s to come or just an internal exercise, it has certainly reignited interest in the future of the Chevrolet Camaro.
The Camaro’s potential revival revs up talk of GM’s muscle in motorsports, but NASCAR’s own horsepower battle, the 23XI and Front Row antitrust suit, hits a high-stakes turn this week, a last-lap lunge for settlement before the December 1 jury trial in Charlotte.
NASCAR’s antitrust showdown
Judge Kenneth D. Bell’s call for good-faith mediation, blending NASCAR’s motion with the teams’ pushback, crams the parties into a room with him and mediator Jeffrey Mishkin, the August New York huddle that fizzled now forced to flare under Bell’s glare. It’s been 13 months since October 2, 2024, when 23XI and Front Row sued NASCAR and Jim France, claiming anticompetitive charter terms choked teams’ cash and clout.
The “take it or leave it” charter extension, signed by 13 of 15 teams after two years of haggling, left these two out, alleging monopoly moves like NASCAR snapping up ARCA and ISC, plus a lawsuit-waiver clause that gagged gripes. NASCAR fired back with a countersuit, slamming the teams for collusion via 23XI’s Curtis Polk and the Teams Negotiating Committee, even accusing a 2024 Daytona 500 qualifier boycott plot to rattle broadcast deals.
Discovery’s dug up dirt, texts from NASCAR brass fearing a PGA-LIV split if charters cratered, contingency plots to race sans teams, NextGen usage quirks, all ammo for the antitrust arsenal. Teams cry slant; NASCAR calls it a contract squabble, not a cartel.
Thursday’s summary judgment hearing looms, NASCAR gunning to nix claims on statute limits, teams countering with Rascher and Snyder’s market mastery. Bell’s hinted he’s loath to toss the case pre-jury, but the push could prune parts, echoing the teams’ antitrust waiver war and SHR charter snags.
This mediation crunch, sparked by NASCAR’s October 6 plea after August’s dud, might be the off-ramp before the autumn avalanche to trial, a jury verdict that could reshape Cup’s cash flow and charter clout. Teams want worth; NASCAR wants wrap.
If no deal drops Tuesday or Wednesday, Thursday’s hearing could carve the case, but Bell’s vibe says it’s headed to the box, a verdict that could vault or vault NASCAR’s velvet rope. The Camaro’s sleek sketch dreams of revival; this suit’s a survival sprint, the kind where one ruling rewrites the rules.

NASCAR on Tuesday announced a fast and demanding 3.4-mile, 16-turn street/road course on Naval Base Coronado for next June’s tripleheader celebrating both the 250th anniversary of the nation and U.S. Navy.
The course will be the longest on NASCAR’s 2026 schedule and the longest in the Cup Series since the premier tour ran on the 4.066-mile Road America road course in Wisconsin in 2021 and 2022. The longest circuit in NASCAR history was the fabled 4.2-mile Daytona Beach Road Course that predated the opening of Daytona International Speedway.
Nine of the turns at Coronado are in the neighborhood of 90 degrees, with two, tight 90-degree left-handers within a quarter-mile of the start-finish line. The featured turn on the course is turn five, a left-handed turn between the two docking sites for aircraft carriers along San Diego Bay.
The featured Cup race on June 21 will be named the Anduril 250 in honor of the 250th anniversaries and not the race distance, which is common for NASCAR race titles. The distance and lap counts for the June 19 Craftsman Truck Series race, the June 20 Xfinity Series race and the featured June 21 Cup race have not been determined.
A ticket presale begins Thursday, with remaining available general public tickets going on sale Nov. 7.
NASCAR announced Tuesday that tickets for the events of Friday, June 19 — including the Craftsman Truck race and Cup and Xfinity practice sessions — will be limited to personnel of Naval Base Coronado and select Coronado residents. The base will be open to the general public on June 20 and 21.
A closer look at the 3.4-mile, counter-clockwise circuit on Naval Base Coronado:
The Ellyson start-finish line is on the west side of the base along the Pacific Ocean. The start-finishing area is named in honor of Commander Theodore Ellyson, Naval Aviator No. 1, whose training at North Island in 1917 led to its eventual title as the “birthplace of Naval aviation.”
NASCAR coming to San Diego for the first time
From the starting line, the course goes through the right-handed dogleg turn one into a short straight leading to the 90-degree, left-handed turn two. Another short straight leads into the 90-degree left-handed turn two followed by the sweeping right-handed turn that opens into a straight heading toward the left-handed turn five Carrier Corner.
Coming out of the Carrier Corner is a long straight along San Diego Bay with downtown San Diego as the backdrop. Turn six is a sharp right-hander followed almost immediately by the sweeping left-handed turn seven that opens onto a straight along north San Diego Bay. Turn eight is a sweeping, 90-degree left-hander followed quickly by the sharper, right-handed turn nine that creates the Coronado Chicane toward the interior of the base and the tarmacs and runways used by the air wing.
The quick left-right turns 10/11 combination ends the Coronado Chicane complex and leads to a straight ending at the northwestern end of the air base. The sharp right-handed 12th turn leads to another high-speed straight ending in the sweeping left-handed 13th turn.
Then it’s another short straight leading to the sharp right/sweeping left Runway Road complex of turns 14 and 15 at the end of Runway 18/36 at Halsey Field. Turn 16 is a left-hander taking the field back to the start/finish line.
“Every driver is going to be excited about next Father’s Day Weekend,” driver Ross Chastain said during a recent visit to the base and sections of the course. “We’re going to be racing with aircraft carriers, fighter jets and helicopters in the background, plus San Diego on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.
“This is a new level of cool. I think this is going to be very emotional for all of us. It’s kind of surreal.”

13 months have passed since Michael Jordan launched the NASCAR lawsuit. Since then, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have been in legal turmoil, with both teams losing their charters earlier this season. Recently, that turmoil reached a boiling point and threatened to spill over, affecting the entire Cup Series garage. Hence, the bells of alarm woke up Jordan’s peers, who urged for a settlement.
That is why the two plaintive teams and NASCAR embarked on a mediation. The goals of this conference are simple: to achieve common ground or to risk undermining one side’s defense. Yet details of this ongoing conference are still a mystery.
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Tight-lipped about the NASCAR lawsuit meeting
This is an important week for the NASCAR lawsuit. Before preparation began for a trial by jury in a Charlotte courtroom on December 1st, both parties engaged in mediation. Judge Kenneth D. Bell was present at the conference on Tuesday to ensure that the opposing sides engage in good faith. Both NASCAR and Michael Jordan’s faction are now seeking settlement terms, leaving the rest of the sport jittery with anxiety. However, no information is available yet.
Journalist Adam Stern posted a video of the 23XI/FRM group leaving the NASCAR lawsuit’s conference venue on X. Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney of Michael Jordan, chose to divulge nothing at the moment. He simply said, “We’ve agreed to resume the discussions tomorrow, and we have no other comments.” This may set off ripples of tension in the sport. If nothing materializes on Wednesday, there is a hearing scheduled for Thursday. Both sides have asked Judge Bell to issue a summary judgment against the other.
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In October 2024, thirteen teams had signed the charter deal that 23XI and FRM refused to sign and used as the basis for the lawsuit. Recently, nine of those 13 charter teams were worried about the NASCAR lawsuit permanently changing the complexion of the sport and stock car racing. Hence, they drove the parties to try and reach a settlement.
Stay tuned for more updates!

In NASCAR, champions are supposed to be the torchbearers of the sport — the faces that define eras, inspire fans, and set the standard for excellence. Yet, strangely enough, they’re often the ones fans love to hate the most. From Dale Earnhardt to Jimmie Johnson, dominance on the track has always come with a chorus of boos in the stands. And if you ask today’s fans who the most hated champion is currently, odds are Joey Logano’s name comes up first.
But when the topic recently resurfaced on Reddit, the discussion took an unexpected turn. Fans dug deeper into the sport’s history and started naming champions whose unpopularity once rivaled their success. The NASCAR community revealed that being great in NASCAR often means being polarizing, too.
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Joey Logano’s greatness and the hatred that comes with it
Joey Logano’s NASCAR career reads like the script of a modern dynasty. Debuting in 2008 as one of the youngest prospects in Cup Series history, Logano has since become a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, claiming titles in 2018, 2022, and 2024. With 37 career wins, a Daytona 500 victory, and multiple Championship 4 appearances, he stands among elite company alongside Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, and Jimmie Johnson.
Now in his 17th full-time season and 13th with Team Penske, Joey Logano remains NASCAR’s youngest-ever winner in two of NASCAR’s three top divisions and one of the most durable title contenders in the main Cup Series. Yet, for all his achievements, Logano might be one of NASCAR’s most polarizing stars. Since his early clashes with veterans like Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth, he has carried the “villain” tag that’s never quite faded.
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Fans recall iconic controversies: Kenseth’s 2015 Martinsville retaliation, the crowd’s emphatic boos after his 2018 championship win, and the countless “Logano blocks” that made headlines ever since. His unapologetic confidence and aggressive driving style keep him at the center of post-race debates, even as his trophy collection expands.
But perhaps what defines Logano most isn’t the boos, it’s that he thrives on them. Each jeer at driver intros seems to energize his performance, making him the ultimate “love to hate” racer of the modern era. Now, NASCAR fans are asking a surprising question in 2025: Is Logano the most hated champion ever? The conversation has turned toward older rivals and legendary stars who may have held that controversial mantle, way before Logano even came into the picture.
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NASCAR fans clash over “Most hated champion” debate
One fan kicked off the discussion with, “Ever hear of a guy named Jimmie Johnson?” a name synonymous with greatness and frustration for many NASCAR fans. As a seven-time Cup Series champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner, Johnson dominated an entire era from 2006 to 2016, his five consecutive titles (seven in total) becoming both legendary and divisive.
Most NASCAR fans often accused Johnson of “making NASCAR boring,” while others admired the precision and calm that defined his reign. His professionalism off-track and relentless consistency on-track led to inevitable fatigue among fans. Not because he was disliked personally, but because he rarely lost.
Another fan wrote, “He’s not even the most hated active champion. People despised Kyle Busch.” Few would disagree. Busch’s fiery temper, post-race interviews, and habit of taunting fans (we can see glimpses of it even today) made him NASCAR’s go-to villain for years. His “Rowdy” persona thrived on chaos, and his dominance often came with drama. Yet, as Busch mellowed in recent seasons, that vitriol has waned.​
Meanwhile, another fan confession, “Not for me. I love Joey. I hate Blaney. Don’t ask me why, idk” highlights NASCAR’s emotional unpredictability. Ryan Blaney’s clean-cut personality, calm demeanor, and championship success in 2023 have ironically bred resentment from fans who find him “too polished” compared to old-school grit, which NASCAR fans usually look for in a driver.
A more reasoned voice chimed in. “Is he hated at all? People don’t like the playoffs. The hate is for the system.” Indeed, while the NASCAR community hates the playoff format, Logano’s timing, thriving in NASCAR’s elimination-style system, makes him a target for systemic frustration rather than personal fault. He plays the format masterfully, often peaking when it matters most. This has led him to win championships with just a few wins in a season, whereas dominant drivers have lost out.
In the end, one observation summed up the debate perfectly. “You look at he past champions and a lot of them were hated. Petty, Earnhardt, Waltrip, Yardbrough, Johnson, Busch, Harvick. But the difference is the reason why people hated those drivers is because they kept winning a lot. It just felt like the fans were bored with seeing the same drivers win all the time.”

Remember the Las Vegas race just a few weeks ago? Denny Hamlin won, and the renowned ‘NASCAR villain’ elicited cheers instead of boos from the grandstand. It marked his 60th Cup race trophy, and punched his ticket to the Championship 4 for the first time since 2021. Despite these factors, NHRA was more popular that weekend – beating the Las Vegas race’s 1.717 million viewers with 1.872 million.
This marked only the latest evidence of NASCAR’s problem with viewership in 2025. Waves of criticism have hit the sport and its broadcast partners, emanating from both the garage and the fan community. Now, the sport may have taken a detrimental step for its already dire TV state.
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NASCAR just made it more difficult for fans
At the end of 2023, NASCAR signed a $7.7 billion media rights deal. It involved a partnership with eclectic partners – Warner Bros. Discovery, Amazon Prime, FOX Sports, and NBC. As part of the bond with Warner Bros., $50.2 billion giant HBO Max provided streaming options for fans. According to a February 2025 update, all Standard and Premium subscribers had access to live sports, including in-car camera and audio action from NASCAR races. Only the cheapest tier, the Basic subscription plan, was barred from this exclusive access.
Now, however, access to NASCAR drivers’ in-car activity just got harder. The fans now need to pay more for the Standard plan, the lowest plan for access to in-car cameras. The new rates are $18.49 monthly, a $1.50 increase, and $184.99 yearly, or a $15 hike. Jeff Gluck updated on X, “It will now cost $185 a year to get the NASCAR in-car cameras. It’s worth it for me since I need those for covering races, but certainly a pricey add-on. 🫠”
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NASCAR fans were already distressed due to NASCAR’s billion-dollar rights deal. As a result of collaborating with so many broadcast partners, viewing races became a tedious activity. This resulted in a drastic fall in views in races like New Hampshire. The 2025 Cup Series averages just 2.52 million viewers per race, down 13% from 2024’s 2.916 million.
With HBO Max’s new hike, it marks the third time the streaming service has raised prices since its launch. The company’s last increase for ad-free plans took place in June 2024, following its first-ever increase in January 2023. Max is not alone; in January, Netflix hiked its ad-free streaming from $15.49 to $17.49. Starting October 21st, Disney also raised the monthly price of its Disney+ plan with ads by $2 to $11.99 per month. The no-ads Disney Plus Premium plan will increase by $3 to $18.99.
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As NASCAR follows this trend of hiked prices, fans are far from happy.
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Strong echoes of disapproval
Well, NASCAR fans have already been disadvantaged. By having to switch from one platform to another due to four broadcast partners, fans were overwhelmed. Now, a price hike left them even more disillusioned, so somebody declared, “Good Bye Max.” Besides, reporters like Jeff Gluck, Bob Pockrass, and others provide live updates on X and write detailed articles. So one fan fell back on that option instead of spending more money. “I canceled mine. The only pay wall im paying is the $1 deal for the athletic 😂”
All was not bad in 2025 – Amazon Prime’s 5-race debut particularly caught the attention of fans. From its double-box commercial format to comprehensive post-race coverage, the media partner introduced many attractive features. So one fan wants Prime to cover for HBO Max’s impending doom. “Tired of companies clearly making poor financial decisions and relying on their customers to bail them out. I hope it fails so Amazon Prime can pick them up.”
Some other people suggested ways to ameliorate the situation. However, that would require an active participation on NASCAR’s part. BSI, or Broadcast Sports International, could provide cheaper options to view drivers’ in-car cameras. “Should NASCAR move that in car option to another service? BSI provides the broadcasting infrastructure for the main camera feeds and in-car. They could simply….move it to a cheaper pay wall for the fans?” Earlier, the camera access was nothing extraordinary, as it was included in the NASCAR app. So one fan lamented, “🐂 💩…. These cameras use to be included in the NASCAR app subscription… money grab. Thanks NASCAR .”
Clearly, HBO Max’s latest move is eliciting nothing but boos from NASCAR fans. Let’s wait and see if there are further updates, positive or negative, in the new rates.

Chase Briscoe secured his place in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 with a dramatic overtime victory in the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver executed a thrilling last-lap pass to claim his first career superspeedway win and punch his ticket to the Championship 4 season finale.
Briscoe, the 29-year-old Indiana native, will join JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, who won last week at Las Vegas, leaving the final two championship spots to be decided this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
Briscoe credited another JGR teammate, 23-year-old Ty Gibbs, for the final-lap push that propelled his No. 19 Toyota past the frantic pack. Briscoe crossed the finish line 0.145 seconds ahead of Front Row Motorsports driver Todd Gilliland, with Gibbs close behind. Neither Gilliland nor Gibbs is currently in the eight-driver Playoff field.
“Ty Gibbs, just an incredible teammate there,” an emotional Briscoe said, waving to the cheering crowd. “I honestly would not have won that race without Ty. I can’t believe I won a superspeedway race. I’ve never done it at any level.”
Briscoe led only 16 laps, but the final one was all that mattered.
“It’s not hit me, we’re going to Phoenix,” Briscoe said, smiling about the title opportunity. “So thankful that the Lord’s blessed me, opening doors… Even today I just had such a peace, and normally I’m scared to death, nervous around this place, but today, [I] just had such a peace.”
Christopher Bell was the only other Playoff competitor to finish in the Top 10, crossing the line eighth for JGR. With two JGR cars locked in by virtue of victory, Bell currently holds the top points position, 37 points above the elimination line heading into Martinsville.
While the day was a massive success for Joe Gibbs Racing, it proved disappointing for the Playoff contenders from Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske.
Hendrick Motorsports had two cars running in the Top 5 for the overtime restart before disaster struck. Kyle Larson dropped back from the lead after running out of fuel, while regular-season champion William Byron was spun out just yards from the finish line. They finished 26th (Larson) and 25th (Byron), respectively.
Larson is currently ranked fourth, 36 points above the cutoff line, while Byron is fifth, 36 points below the line.
Team Penske’s Playoff drivers also experienced late-race frustration. Reigning series champion Joey Logano and 2023 series champ Ryan Blaney positioned themselves up front in the closing laps, but both had to pit during the overtime caution to top off on fuel. Logano’s No. 22 Ford led a race-high 35 laps in a day that featured 77 lead changes among 27 drivers.
Logano finished 16th and Blaney 23rd.
“Really, really frustrating because you’re so close and you see in front of you what you’ve got to do, and you can’t do anything about it,” Logano said. “It’s frustrating but we know what we’ve got to do now, it’s pretty simple.”
Logano is ranked sixth, 38 points below the cutoff line. Blaney is seventh, 47 points back. Both now need a victory at Martinsville, where Blaney has won the last two Playoff races.
NASCAR’s perennial Most Popular Driver, Chase Elliott, was the first Playoff contender to find trouble, collected in an eight-car accident near the front of the field just 51 laps into the race. The incident resulted in a last-place finish in the 40-car field.
Elliott had started the day ranked sixth in the standings. He now sits eighth among the eight drivers, 62 points out of contention, and must win next Sunday at Martinsville to advance.
“We just did not execute that well as a group and put ourselves in the back of the pack unfortunately and got caught up in the mess,” Elliott said. “Unless we won today, we were already likely in a very similar situation next week. We’ve got one more shot at it.”
Rounding out the top five were Gilliland, Gibbs, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace, and Haas Factory Team’s Cole Custer. Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar, 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick, Bell, Front Row Motorsports’ Zane Smith, and Roush-Fenway-Keselowski owner-driver Brad Keselowski completed the top 10.
The final race to set the 2025 Championship 4 field is the Xfinity 500 next Sunday afternoon at Martinsville Speedway.
YellaWood 500
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega, Alabama
Sunday, October 19, 2025
1. (2) Chase Briscoe (P), Toyota, 193.
2. (27) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 193.
3. (18) Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 193.
4. (10) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 193.
5. (12) Cole Custer, Ford, 193.
6. (32) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 193.
7. (15) Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 193.
8. (7) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota, 193.
9. (23) Zane Smith, Ford, 193.
10. (20) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 193.
11. (31) Shane Van Gisbergen #, Chevrolet, 193.
12. (26) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 193.
13. (24) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 193.
14. (28) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota, 193.
15. (5) Ryan Preece, Ford, 193.
16. (16) Joey Logano (P), Ford, 193.
17. (1) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 193.
18. (40) Casey Mears, Ford, 193.
19. (3) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 193.
20. (29) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 193.
21. (38) Anthony Alfredo(i), Chevrolet, 193.
22. (33) Austin Hill(i), Chevrolet, 193.
23. (8) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford, 193.
24. (17) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota, 193.
25. (13) William Byron (P), Chevrolet, 193.
26. (19) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet, 193.
27. (21) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 191.
28. (39) BJ McLeod(i), Chevrolet, 187.
29. (11) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 187.
30. (14) Chris Buescher, Ford, Accident, 186.
31. (35) Cody Ware, Ford, Engine, 165.
32. (9) Riley Herbst #, Toyota, Engine, 141.
33. (6) Josh Berry, Ford, Drivetrain, 133.
34. (4) Austin Cindric, Ford, 77.
35. (30) Erik Jones, Toyota, Accident, 55.
36. (36) Noah Gragson, Ford, Accident, 51.
37. (34) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, Accident, 51.
38. (37) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, Accident, 51.
39. (22) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, Accident, 51.
40. (25) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet, Accident, 51.

Steve O’Donnell, President of NASCAR, has joined the lineup of featured speakers for the 6th Annual Race Industry Week, taking place Monday through Thursday, December 1–4, 2025. No charge to attend. Click here to register.
Race Industry Week is brought to you by EPARTRADE and RACER. For more information, please click here.
Steve O’Donnell was appointed President of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in March of 2025, only the sixth individual to hold this position since the organization’s founding in 1948. Based in Daytona Beach, FL, O’Donnell is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of all three NASCAR National Series and all NASCAR commercial, media and track operations, as well as its four international series and multiple local and grassroots properties.
Prior to being appointed President, O’Donnell most recently held the role of Chief Operating Officer. In that role, he oversaw multiple departments within the company related to Competition with an emphasis on positioning NASCAR and its state-of-the-art Research & Development Center as a leader in innovation, technology and product relevance. In addition, he also led all NASCAR-owned track properties, track presidents and respective events, as well as International development, medical, security, membership and registration areas of the business.
Under his purview, O’Donnell has helped elevate the fan event experience at NASCAR’s race tracks, which include some of the world’s top venues such as Daytona International Speedway.
O’Donnell has directed or guided vital innovative advancements, including the introduction of the Gen-6 NASCAR Cup Series race car, the current Next Gen car, the implementation of the Playoff format for all three of NASCAR’s national series and the Air Titan track-drying technology.
He is also a member of the company’s Executive Council and holds positions on the NASCAR Hall of Fame nominating committee and voting panel.
A true example of rising through the ranks, O’Donnell has worked in various areas in the company since joining NASCAR in 1996 as a marketing services representative. After being promoted to manage that group – including work on NASCAR’s 50th Anniversary project – he was elevated to Director of Series Marketing. From there, he moved to Competition as Managing Director of Events and Operations to head the All-American Series and Touring Series before being promoted to Vice President of Racing Operations in charge of the national series. In 2008, he was named to Sports Business Journal’s prestigious ‘Forty Under 40’ list.

Joe Gibbs Racing has gone from locker-room turmoil to the brink of a NASCAR Cup championship — a turnaround its three-time Super Bowl champion namesake should appreciate.
In September, JGR was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons: Veteran driver Denny Hamlin, who was in the second round of the playoffs, spun Gibbs’ grandson and fellow JGR driver Ty Gibbs during a playoff race at New Hampshire. No specific details emerged on the Monday morning competition meeting at the JGR shop, but it likely wasn’t the most pleasant one in NASCAR history.
Suddenly, an on-track conflict in the middle of the postseason threatened to derail JGR’s championship run. That was especially true after Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney won the aforementioned New Hampshire race and seemed to cement himself as title favorite.
But Gibbs — who won three Super Bowls as Washington head coach — is also a five-time NASCAR Cup Series champion car owner because his drivers and teams can execute when the lights are brightest, and can do so without looking in the rearview mirror. That’s what Hamlin and Chase Briscoe have done over the past two weeks, with the former winning at Las Vegas and the latter winning at Talladega to clinch spots in the Championship 4.
JGR Toyotas will make up at least half of the Championship 4 and could make up 3/4 of it by next week. Christopher Bell enters the penultimate race of the season at Martinsville 37 points above the cut line as he searches for his third Championship 4 berth in four seasons.
With veteran Hamlin, rookie JGR driver Briscoe and rising star Bell in the title hunt — and Ty Gibbs pushing Briscoe to a Talladega win — the dark clouds over JGR just weeks ago have given way to sunshine and momentum.
Teamwork comes back around for Joe Gibbs Racing
Said Gibbs on Sunday during a post-race news conference:

By JENNA FRYER
Associated Press
TALLADEGA, Ala. — When he fired the engine on his race car before last year’s NASCAR finale, Chase Briscoe sat inside the cockpit and cried like a baby.
As an Indiana native aspiring to make it to the top levels of motorsports, he gravitated to Tony Stewart, a fellow Hoosier, three-time Cup champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer. It was a dream come true when Briscoe, couch-surfing in North Carolina while trying to crack his way into NASCAR, got a seat in 2020 at the team co-owned by Stewart.
But come the 2024 season finale, Stewart-Haas Racing was closing after the race and Briscoe’s full circle career moment would end.
“I remember sitting on the grid after we fired engines and just crying for my whole childhood. I idolized Tony, he was my hero,” Briscoe said.
Briscoe had already lined up a new job at Joe Gibbs Racing, where Stewart had won two of his titles in the first part of his NASCAR career, but after four seasons driving Stewart’s No. 14, he was unsure of what life would be like inside a totally different organization.
He was picked to replace Martin Truex Jr., who was retiring, moving from Ford to Toyota and wouldn’t have his hero around for guidance. It was an emotional moment, part reflection and part fear, for Briscoe.
“Just knowing that chapter of my life was ending, not knowing what the JGR chapter was really going to look like,” Briscoe said. “You never know going to a new place. If I don’t go win, I’m never going to get hired again because the expectation is you have to go to JGR and win.
“If you can’t win in a JGR car, why would anybody hire you for another team?”
Briscoe has nothing to worry about for the foreseeable future. His victory Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway locked him into the championship four and he will return to Phoenix Raceway a year after splitting with Stewart with his first chance to win a Cup title.
Briscoe joined teammate Denny Hamlin in the championship field, with the final two slots to be filled this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Christopher Bell, the final JGR driver still eligible to race for the title, holds a one-point edge over Kyle Larson for the final two spots in the winner-take-all decider.
It would be the first Cup title for any of the three Gibbs drivers — assuming Bell advances — but Briscoe is the only one making his championship debut. His chance at the Cup comes at the same Phoenix track where he won his first Cup Series race, in 2022 driving for SHR. A recent return trip back to the track caused him to reflect on how his career has developed and what is now at stake.
“I stood on the front straightaway, I hadn’t done that since I won there. I kind of thought how that day felt, winning my first Cup race,” Briscoe said. “Next time you stand here, you might be a champion.”
Briscoe has thrived in his move to JGR, where Talladega gave him his career-best third win of the season. He leads the Cup Series with seven poles this season as qualifying has been his strong suit and contributed to 15 top-5 finishes through 34 races.
Briscoe has been in the thick of this title race all season, even if he is overshadowed at JGR by his teammates. He’s admitted that he feels every week driving for Gibbs is an audition to keep his job, a notion Gibbs himself dismissed after the victory when he said “I think right now he can get anything he wants. I’ll put it that way.”
Perfect timing because Briscoe’s wife, three children and his extended family in Indiana now all need to find transportation to the Nov. 2 finale in Phoenix.
“I’m going to call him real quick,” Briscoe said when he heard of Gibbs’ vow. “I need to see if one of them will fly my whole family to Phoenix. Because me and (wife) Marissa, we’re already talking about how chaotic that’s going to be, flying commercial with three toddlers. Maybe I can get lucky and see if they can let me go on one of their planes.”
___

TALLADEGA, Ala. — When he fired the engine on his race car before last year’s NASCAR finale, Chase Briscoe sat inside the cockpit and cried like a baby.
As an Indiana native aspiring to make it to the top levels of motorsports, he gravitated to Tony Stewart, a fellow Hoosier, three-time Cup champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer. It was a dream come true when Briscoe, couch-surfing in North Carolina while trying to crack his way into NASCAR, got a seat in 2020 at the team co-owned by Stewart.
But come the 2024 season finale, Stewart-Haas Racing was closing after the race and Briscoe’s full circle career moment would end.
“I remember sitting on the grid after we fired engines and just crying for my whole childhood. I idolized Tony, he was my hero,” Briscoe said.
Briscoe had already lined up a new job at Joe Gibbs Racing, where Stewart had won two of his titles in the first part of his NASCAR career, but after four seasons driving Stewart’s No. 14, he was unsure of what life would be like inside a totally different organization.
He was picked to replace Martin Truex Jr., who was retiring, moving from Ford to Toyota and wouldn’t have his hero around for guidance. It was an emotional moment, part reflection and part fear, for Briscoe.
“Just knowing that chapter of my life was ending, not knowing what the JGR chapter was really going to look like,” Briscoe said. “You never know going to a new place. If I don’t go win, I’m never going to get hired again because the expectation is you have to go to JGR and win.
“If you can’t win in a JGR car, why would anybody hire you for another team?”
Briscoe has nothing to worry about for the foreseeable future. His victory Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway locked him into the championship four and he will return to Phoenix Raceway a year after splitting with Stewart with his first chance to win a Cup title.
Briscoe joined teammate Denny Hamlin in the championship field, with the final two slots to be filled this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Christopher Bell, the final JGR driver still eligible to race for the title, holds a one-point edge over Kyle Larson for the final two spots in the winner-take-all decider.
It would be the first Cup title for any of the three Gibbs drivers — assuming Bell advances — but Briscoe is the only one making his championship debut. His chance at the Cup comes at the same Phoenix track where he won his first Cup Series race, in 2022 driving for SHR. A recent return trip back to the track caused him to reflect on how his career has developed and what is now at stake.
“I stood on the front straightaway, I hadn’t done that since I won there. I kind of thought how that day felt, winning my first Cup race,” Briscoe said. “Next time you stand here, you might be a champion.”
Briscoe has thrived in his move to JGR, where Talladega gave him his career-best third win of the season. He leads the Cup Series with seven poles this season as qualifying has been his strong suit and contributed to 15 top-5 finishes through 34 races.
Briscoe has been in the thick of this title race all season, even if he is overshadowed at JGR by his teammates. He’s admitted that he feels every week driving for Gibbs is an audition to keep his job, a notion Gibbs himself dismissed after the victory when he said “I think right now he can get anything he wants. I’ll put it that way.”
Perfect timing because Briscoe’s wife, three children and his extended family in Indiana now all need to find transportation to the Nov. 2 finale in Phoenix.
“I’m going to call him real quick,” Briscoe said when he heard of Gibbs’ vow. “I need to see if one of them will fly my whole family to Phoenix. Because me and (wife) Marissa, we’re already talking about how chaotic that’s going to be, flying commercial with three toddlers. Maybe I can get lucky and see if they can let me go on one of their planes.”

The ongoing legal battle between NASCAR and teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports is only getting messier as the December 1 jury trial for the NASCAR lawsuit looms closer. Both sides are gearing up for what could be one of the most consequential court cases in the sport’s modern era. NASCAR has now requested a judicial settlement conference with the U.S. District Court, admitting that prior mediation efforts have been “exhausted.”
The court responded by setting a new conference for October 21 in a last-ditch effort to find common ground. But according to recent filings, the two teams aren’t convinced a compromise is possible. This has set up a fierce legal showdown that could reshape the power structure and financial future of NASCAR team ownership.
NASCAR Counters 23XI, FRM Ahead of Key Legal Week
This week marks a decisive turn in NASCAR’s high-stakes legal clash with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. Both sides are headed into mediation before Thursday’s federal hearing, where a summary judgment motion could reshape the sport’s business model and charter system.
The mediation offers one final chance for compromise, but the arguments set to play out in court may determine how much control NASCAR retains over its top-tier teams. With millions in revenue and competitive rights at stake, industry insiders view the outcome as one of the sport’s most consequential legal battles in decades.
In their latest reply on motions for summary judgment, 23XI and FRM sharply disputed NASCAR’s economic framing, rejecting its claim that the “relevant input market” includes other motorsports and lower stock racing levels. They argued that NASCAR’s analysis misapplies core antitrust principles, noting that a handful of organizations, such as Team Penske, may operate in multiple series, but that does not make IndyCar or other leagues substitutes for premier stock car racing.
Citing multiple federal precedents, the teams asserted that cross-series participation shows complementarity, not interchangeability, between racing markets. NASCAR, they pointed out, offered no expert data proving that Cup teams’ ventures in other series dilute Cup participation.
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They further dismissed NASCAR’s argument that lower series like Xfinity compete in the same market, comparing that notion to an MLB star leaving the Yankees for a minor-league club, an implausible substitution under any competitive analysis. It will be interesting to see how the court interprets these contrasting definitions of competition. That decision could ultimately determine not just the outcome of this case, but how future teams negotiate, operate, and challenge NASCAR’s control over the sport’s financial ecosystem.
NASCAR goes for statue of limitations
NASCAR’s legal standoff with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports shows no signs of slowing down. In its latest filing in the NASCAR lawsuit, the sanctioning body is pushing for a summary judgment on the antitrust claims brought forward by the two teams and it’s leaning heavily on the statute of limitations to strengthen its case.
According to NASCAR’s argument, any alleged conduct before October 2, 2020, should be dismissed from consideration. The filing claims that the plaintiffs “admit they cannot recover damages for pre-October 2020 conduct,” effectively cutting off a major portion of their complaint. NASCAR’s attorneys further contend that the “Plaintiffs’ damages model fails because there were no overt acts in 2021,” and that “the law bars plaintiffs’ damages theory for 2022–2024,” suggesting that the entire damages claim lacks legal footing.
Additionally, NASCAR maintains that there are no material factual disputes preventing a summary judgment in its favor. The filing emphasizes that “Plaintiffs identify no disputes of material fact that preclude summary judgment for NASCAR on other issues,” and goes on to argue that “Plaintiffs’ opposition confirms they are not entitled to a jury trial on their Section 1 claim.”
In short, both sides are still deeply entrenched, showing little sign of compromise. With the court scheduled to hold a hearing this Thursday, tensions are rising as each side tries to shape the narrative before the December 1 trial date. While NASCAR is seeking to limit the scope of the case, 23XI and Front Row are focused on getting key facts established before heading to trial.
The ongoing mediation process has also seen a shake-up, with Judge Bell now set to oversee discussions between the parties. But given the tone of the latest filings, a last-minute settlement seems increasingly unlikely. As the Cup Series wraps up its season with Martinsville and Phoenix, the NASCAR lawsuit battle off the track may soon take center stage.

Austin Hill just can’t seem to lose when it comes to the superspeedways. Talladega, Daytona, you name it, he owns it! The Richard Childress Racing star once again showed why he’s the king of the draft, muscling his No. 21 Chevy through a chaotic overtime restart to capture the United Rentals 250 at Talladega. Leading 48 of 100 laps, sweeping both stages, and edging Carson Kvapil by a razor-thin margin, Hill turned the 2.66-mile beast into his personal playground. Again!
The win not only gave him a season sweep at ’Dega but also pushed his record to 10 victories on drafting-style tracks. But while Hill was busy celebrating in victory lane, not everyone in the NASCAR world was thrilled with how the post-race scenes unfolded – particularly the one and only – Mr. Excitement, Jimmy Spencer.
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Jimmy Spencer isn’t amused by Austin Hill’s victory celebrations
Austin Hill’s victory celebration at Talladega after his October 2025 Xfinity Series win didn’t just light up Victory Lane, it stirred up controversy. Right after the race, Hill was seen making a finger gesture toward the crowd, an action that didn’t sit well with veteran racer turned analyst Jimmy Spencer (and many others in the NASCAR community).
“I never done that in my life. That’s a stupid son of a b—-. Oh my god! He’ll never make it. I don’t give a damn. I don’t care,” Spencer exclaimed, demanding NASCAR take disciplinary action. Freddie Kraft, offering context, explained the gesture wasn’t aimed at fans but rather a specific troll who had been persistently provoking Austin Hill.
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“The backstory that I got was there’s been somebody that’s been particularly trolling him and trying to get under his skin and I think he was flipping that person off but he flipped the crowd off,” Kraft said. Despite the backstory, Spencer remains firm. “The fan’s always right. He should be fined for that.” He underscored that while drivers may frustrate fans with their actions or racing tactics, they must never show outright disrespect.
And Jimmy Spencer isn’t wrong. Just take a look at Denny Hamlin – probably the most-hated driver in NASCAR history (or atleast in current times). Despite often triggering strong fan emotions through his rivalry-driven racing and occasional controversial moves, he never crosses the line into disrespecting his audience. Hamlin’s professionalism sets an example of how to handle fan passion without alienating the crowd.
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Another classic example of respecting fans while still being fiercely competitive comes from Dale Earnhardt Sr. His aggressive driving style and relentless pursuit of victory made him a legend (and hated by many) in NASCAR, but he maintained a deep respect for fans. He understood the importance of balancing fiery competition and fan respect. A line that, when crossed, can damage a driver’s legacy. Ultimately, both Earnhardt and Hamlin managed to win over the crowd through their on-track performances.
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The current debate highlights the fine line NASCAR drivers walk between competitive aggression and fan respect. While Hill’s win was undeniable, his post-race antics opened a wider conversation about the importance of maintaining decorum in interactions with fans, reflecting the sport’s enduring need to balance rivalry and respect.
Freddie Kraft explains why Austin Hill faces fan backlash
Freddie Kraft sheds light on why Austin Hill receives so much hate from fans, placing it in context beyond just race wins. Kraft referenced a tweet he recently came across. “I think it was the Loose is Fast podcast had a tweet out this morning… you want to be the villain or whatever and you think you said f-you to the haters but it’s not like you’re Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. They don’t hate you because you win too much. They hate you because some of the dumb shit you do on the racetrack and some of the dumb way you react to it after it happens,” he explained.
Hill’s aggressive racing style and volatile reactions have often drawn criticism. A key example was his wreck with Aric Almirola at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July 2025. During a late-race battle, Hill turned hard into Almirola’s right rear, sending him crashing into the wall.
Hill vehemently denied intentional wrecking. “I know that when I go to my grave way down the road that it wasn’t done on purpose,” Hill told NASCAR.com. However, first, NASCAR penalized Austin Hill with a five-lap hold for reckless driving during the race. Later, after NASCAR’s investigation, Hill received a suspension for one race due to the incident. This, ultimately, cost him 27 playoff points, including 21 playoff points and 6 regular season points.
This penalty, combined with earlier misfortunes like an engine issue at the Charlotte Roval and a poor race setup at Bristol, left him 21 points short of advancing to the Round of Eight in the playoffs. Speaking on the incident, Jimmy Spencer harshly condemned Hill’s move at Indianapolis. “What he did at Indianapolis, that’s just f—— plain dirty.”
Hill’s on-track antics coupled with unfiltered post-incident reactions have made him a divisive figure. Hill’s challenge lies in balancing competitiveness with composure if he wants to win over more fans and sustain championship momentum.

“The car behind me was saving gas,” Joey Logano said in Talladega. His teammate, Ryan Blaney, fumed, “We had the control of this f—ing race and somehow gave it away.” Yet neither of them directly blamed Brad Keselowski, a fellow Ford driver who did not give the required push to the NASCAR playoff drivers. Even Denny Hamlin, a Toyota rival, empathized with Logano. However, the lack of confrontation may be a sign of the times, according to Jimmy Spencer.
It has been a long time since the former NASCAR driver sat behind the wheel. Over 30 years, Jimmy Spencer collected 2 wins and 80 top tens in the Cup Series, and 12 wins and 93 top tens in the Xfinity Series. During that time, Spencer interacted with Bill France Jr. – whose absence is a factor in NASCAR’s changed landscape.
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Jimmy Spencer reminisces about an ‘exciting’ past
In his heyday, Jimmy Spencer was nicknamed ‘Mr. Excitment.’ When his trophies were piping hot in the Busch Series, Spencer “made some comments to the media about some officiating.” Former NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. called him to his hauler. And he uniquely chided him. On a piece of paper, he sketched Stafford Speedway, a track where Spencer raced in his early days. And France told him, “You keep (expletive) around with me and you’ll be back there racing.’”
That is why Jimmy Spencer remembered Bill France the most in a recent ‘Door, Bumper, Clear’ episode. He recalled another incident during a 2012 Bristol night race, where Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth wrecked. “Tony stood at the end of pit road with his helmet and he threw it at Matt. The fans went freaking crazy. They fined him like 50 grand.” But the way Bill France handled it was again unique: “He said, “Tony, how much was that helmet?” ‘Two grand.’ ‘Here’s the two grand. Do that again next week.’”
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Jimmy Spencer continued that this allowance of racetrack rivalry is missing today. He continued, “That’s the difference between how the old man ran the sport and how politically correct they trying to make the sport today…I think that they really did a lot to subdue the drivers. And in turn, I think that the last few years, the drivers have become so freaking boring. My buddy Kenny Wallace used to say it best. We are not the water cooler talk anymore. Monday morning, we’re not the water cooler talk. And I think that the drivers need to learn a lot.”
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Besides the strict supervision of authorities, the nature of NASCAR racing has also affected the drama. Since winning the title is a game of points rather than driving fast, drivers avoid conflicts. They instead focus on collecting stage points and on advancing in the playoffs. Even Humpy Wheeler, the promoter of Charlotte Motor Speedway, had a similar opinion as Jimmy Spencer. He said in a 2012 interview, “The problem we have right now, and every circuit has it, is that we’re trying to get people to pay to watch a points race. And there’s nothing more boring than a points race.”
Clearly, the old guard are not satisfied with today’s NASCAR racing. Yet while there is a lack of negative drama, there was recently an upswell of positivity.
The heartwarming reception of NASCAR fans
It is a spectacle to see NASCAR fans cheering for their favorite driver. However, when they cheer for a driver widely known as the sport’s villain, the feeling is something else. Denny Hamlin punched his ticket to the Championship 4 for the first time since 2021, winning in Las Vegas. The final 10 laps of the South Point 400 were jaw-dropping; Hamlin climbed from the 10th spot and was running first with 4 laps to go. After watching his seamless passing of Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson, fans could not help but hail him.
When Denny Hamlin stepped outside his car, instead of the usual boos, the grandstands rang out with cheers and applause. This dramatic positive reception may be something to Jimmy Spencer’s liking, as it was far from boring. Hamlin, who won his 60th Cup race trophy, also saluted the fans. “What I loved about the Las Vegas fans is, I certainly got a lot of boos pre-race, but when I got out of the car and it was all cheers, I’m like, ‘Wow, they’re giving me my moment.’ Like they understand the significance of it for me and I just was very grateful for that.”
So maybe all is not boring in today’s NASCAR. Yet we are far off from Jimmy Spencer’s heyday when rivalries burst out fiercely. As the playoffs draw to a close, let’s see if we can see a few sparks in the final two races.

Chase Briscoe captured a dramatic overtime victory at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2025, securing his spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4. With a last-lap pass on Bubba Wallace, Briscoe earned his first career superspeedway win, a breakthrough moment in his career. The victory not only showcased his racing skill and cool composure under pressure but also guaranteed him a chance to compete for the title at Phoenix Raceway.
But, Briscoe’s focus isn’t just on the car or the track. Behind the scenes, there’s a support system quietly shaping how he handles the intensity of championship racing. Family, distractions, and keeping his mind right. It’s all part of the game, and Briscoe has some unique strategies that might surprise fans who only see the race-day heroics.
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Chase Briscoe on racing for the big stage
During a recent episode of the Happy Hour podcast, Kevin Harvick asked Chase Briscoe if he had ever been in a position where racing for a championship forced him to abandon all his usual race plans. Briscoe replied, “Not really… even in Xfinity, you know, it was 2020, so it was COVID year, so it was different… people weren’t even really allowed in the garages still.”
In 2020, Briscoe had a breakthrough season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He secured four wins and finished fourth in points, despite challenges posed by a pandemic-restricted atmosphere and limited team presence. “I didn’t have a lot of people there, even when I raced for that,” Briscoe explained Harvick.
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Briscoe also spoke candidly about the challenges of balancing family life with racing, especially with his upcoming championship race at Phoenix next month. “I gotta leave Wednesday versus leaving on a Friday or Saturday and… just even the flight going out there with three little ones is gonna be stressful in itself.”
Chase Briscoe is married to his wife, Marissa, since November 2019. The couple has three children: their son Brooks, born in 2021, and twin boy and girl Cooper and Collins, born in October 2024. The pressures of being a family man add another layer to his race preparations, especially given Marissa’s health recovery journey after delivery.
Yet, Briscoe remains optimistic and grateful for the opportunity of having friends and family around for major events that racing offers: “It’ll be different, you know, truthfully, I’m glad that it’s gonna be chaos, you know, and have all those people there… that means you’re at an incredible opportunity… So I’m thankful for that.”
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Even amid the intensity of championship battles and family demands, Briscoe embraces the energy and support from them as a motivator to perform at his best. His gratitude and focus highlight the maturity he brings as he competes for the sport’s biggest prize. As Briscoe summed it up perfectly, “I think I would rather have it that way.”
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James Small reflects on milestone achieved with Chase Briscoe
James Small, crew chief for Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team, expressed deep pride and satisfaction after guiding Briscoe to milestones he never reached during his time with Martin Truex Jr.– winning a superspeedway race. Small, an accomplished engineer and strategist, spent years working alongside Truex, including during his championship runs.
However, the breakthrough for Small came with Briscoe, with whom he has developed a strong rapport marked by trust and shared ambition. “To do it in the Round of 8, check our ticket to Phoenix, is just amazing. We’ve had fast cars in the past, but usually luck has evaded us. Today everything kind of came together. Kind of stepped on our pee-pees there at the end of stage one. Bounced back and won that stage, and just amazing,” he said in a press conference.
James Small was also asked to compare Chase Briscoe with Martin Truex Jr., and his response was both candid and telling. “They couldn’t be more different if they tried. Just very, very different people. Very different demeanors.” Small said with a smile. While their personalities and demeanors contrast sharply, the crew chief noted a rare similarity: both share a love for fishing and hunting.
Beyond hobbies, their paths to success couldn’t be more different either. After Stewart-Haas Racing closed shop in 2024, Briscoe found himself without a ride, while Truex’s retirement created the opening for Briscoe to step into the Joe Gibbs Racing lineup. Small reflected on his time working with Briscoe, emphasizing that he never wavered in his belief in the driver’s talent and potential.
Briscoe, for his part, has always viewed JGR as the perfect platform to showcase his skills and prove himself at the highest level. Heading into the Championship 4 finale at Phoenix, the 30-year-old will benefit from an extra week of preparation. After a disappointing result at the track in his last outing, that additional time could prove invaluable as he looks to maximize his performance and secure a title run.