Why are NASCAR teams suddenly inking massive deals with streetwear and apparel giants? Not too long ago, 23XI Racing unveiled its Jordan Brand firesuit to wild excitement. This marketing route sparked curiosity not only because of its focus on appare… [8702 chars]

Against all odds. That’s the best way to describe Ross Chastain’s win at Charlotte Motor Speedway. After crashing due to a blown tire in practice, the No. 1 Chevy team had to scramble to prepare the backup car ahead of the Coca-Cola 600. The plan was… [4941 chars]

“It’s going to drive viewership that’s probably at least as good as what we’d see on cable.” Steve Phelps’ words about Amazon Prime’s debut in NASCAR are yet to be proven in stats. However, audience reception for the streaming platform’s rise in stoc… [5748 chars]

Kyle Larson simply can’t catch a break. Last year, he attempted ‘the Double’ but the weather thwarted his attempt. This time around, it was crashes, and ‘Yung Money’ can only blame himself for the heartbreak. Larson is a natural risk-taker and a vers… [5913 chars]

Another year, another ruffled Rowdy. Ever since Kyle Busch picked up a win at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2023, his trophy cabinet has gathered dust. In 2024, the two-time Cup Series champion faced his first winless year in 19 years. Fingers wer… [4651 chars]

It was a huge boost to Trackhouse Racing and a bitter disappointment for Byron, the Charlotte native who had signed a four-year contract extension Friday with Hendrick Motorsports.
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Even signing with Prime Video to be one of their analysts, Carl Edwards admitted he was wondering if NASCAR fans would know about the sport’s shift to streaming for five races on Prime Video or if they would know how to access the races.
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Chip Ganassi Racing’s exit from NASCAR wasn’t all flowers and sunshine. Having entered the sport during its heyday in 2001, the team won 15 Cup Series races, which included crown jewel wins like the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400. But the controversy … [4916 chars]

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One of the most glamorous nights of NASCAR, the All-Star race, has had a reputation for its sold-out stands and peak viewership as fans gather around to watch their favorites battle it out to win the $1 million paycheck. But this time, something was … [3707 chars]

CARS Tour, a series that’s been quietly stealing the show and giving NASCAR a run for its money. It all started back in 2015, when Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Justin Marks decided it was time to dust off the old CARS Super Late Model Tour … [5955 chars]

Crossover between NASCAR and the world of Golf isn’t new. Now, for the young fans who’ve followed the sport, know the story about how Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s golf sessions led to the birth of the 23XI Racing. But the world of stock car raci… [4422 chars]

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“It’s feeling really good.” Christopher Bell’s words after winning the second All-Star heat race should have been a warning for Joey Logano. The heat race witnessed the competition caution called during lap 31, when Bell made a two-tire pit stop. Tha… [4810 chars]

“Sorry, I’m just really, really, f—— pissed.” That is the most apt reaction that a driver can have just after losing his seat in a race. Ryan Preece has been a high-flyer in the 2025 season. After a disappointing string of seasons at Stewart-Haas Rac… [4924 chars]

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NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin has been very vocal on social media platforms. He has never shied away from making his point on various burning issues. With his 31-year-long experience in the NASCAR premier series, Martin has often called out some decisions made by the company.
From 1981 to 2013, Martin carved out an incredible career on American tracks. Though a championship title eluded him despite close calls in 1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002, he made a remarkable comeback in 2009 that reignited his legacy. Driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Martin gave one of his best performances.
Martin won five races and finished 14 times in the top 5. One of his most iconic runs was in Michigan when he clinched victory despite starting from 32nd place. However, Martin recently triggered a huge Horsepower debate among fans while reacting to one of his racing clips from the 2009 season.
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The Horsepower debate which often haunts NASCAR
Reacting to one of his qualifying clips from the 2009 season Martin posted on X; “I loved qualifying. And man, that car was fast in 09.” His comments fuelled an already boiling debate about horsepower in NASCAR. Fans pointed out the lack of HPs in today’s car by comparing it with 2009.
Notably, since its inaugural race in 1948, NASCAR has been all about high-performance engines. The team’s hunger to show their dominance mainly focused on the engine performance. In the 50s NASCAR was dominated by Hudson Twin–H which produced up to 200 horsepower.
Soon things changed when the Cammer 427 by Ford took the charge in the 1980s. This legendary engine used to produce up to 600 horsepower. Fast forward to 2014 when the introduction of the electric fuel injection system raised the horsepower limit to 900 HPs. In testing, this engine produced one of the top speeds in NASCAR history, i.e. 217 MpH.
However, in 2015, a controversial decision to make cars more competitive NASCAR capped the engine power limit to 750 horsepower. More shockingly, it was further reduced to 550 horsepower in 2019 before being raised to 670. This decision left fans and drivers alike fuming.
Fan fume at NASCAR as Mark Martin recalls ’09 car
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As soon as Mark Martin called his 2009 Hendrick Motorsports car fast fans started comparing it with modern era cars. Fans slammed NASCAR’s obsession with reduced horsepower as one user said, “Man I miss cup cars having b—-s under the hood.”
Another fan pointed out the sound of pre-next-gen cars by saying, “The Next Gen’s have a nice bass to them, but the high-pitched tone that came from these cars was great.” It’s worth noting that the Next Gen or Gen-7 car was introduced by the sanctioning body in 2022.
Long-time NASCAR fans have often complained about the lack of engine sound, which now has become a bit softer. One user pointed out the same by saying, “One lap qualifying. All out. High HP. The car is loose. High pitch noise. The crowd going crazy. High speed. Man, this was a fun time. Sometimes, simple is better.”
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Despite these comments, NASCAR is in no mood to take a step back. Earlier this year, NASCAR’s Chief Racing Development Officer John Probst revealed that the sanctioning body is in no mood to add horsepower. He pointed out implications, especially with the rise in cost.
“If you add the horsepower, you add the cost, then you see if it is better. There’s no guarantee you get there, and it would be any better. And I think there’s some evidence that shows as we add horsepower, they run further apart. There are some that show it’s better … and there are some other shows no, might not be. So that’s a heck of a gamble to take with the entire industry,” Probst quoted per FoxSports.
However, fans and drivers like Joey Logano have continuously advocated for higher horsepower. Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion had said, “We want more power. It increases tyre wear. It makes the track wider. And it’s more bada–,” He further pointed out that this decision is not coming from the driver’s end. “I don’t know where it all comes from; to be honest with you, I think there’s I don’t know who leads the low horsepower band, but I could promise it was not the drivers because I think every one of us wants to have more power,” Logano had said.
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NASCAR’s bid to reduce overall cost has currently limited the horsepower cap to 670. The demand to increase the horsepower, especially for short tracks, is currently in the back seat for the sanctioning body. However, Mark Martin’s post has once again fuelled the debate and it may turn the tide in upcoming seasons.

NASCAR’s journey since its birth in 1948 has been nothing short of a thrilling evolution. From bold decisions to structural overhauls, the sport has constantly redefined itself. Yet, through every twist and turn, fan loyalty has remained an enduring cornerstone, though not without moments of doubt.
Exactly eight years ago, NASCAR shattered expectations by unveiling a reimagined brand identity. This bold move initially divided opinions, sparking debates across the fan base. Fast forward to today, and what once seemed controversial is now celebrated as a groundbreaking masterpiece in the sport’s rich history.
The changes that defined Motorsports new era
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19th December 2024 marked eight years of NASCAR’s modern era, fans took to social media forums to applaud the 2016 rebranding efforts. Many describe the changes as a bold yet respectful nod to the sport’s history while embracing modernity. In a Reddit post, one fan remarked, “Compared to most logo redesigns, this is a masterpiece.” This sentiment reveals how fans have changed their character to praise one of the biggest decisions in the sport’s history.
However, it all started in early 2014 when NASCAR opened a Pandora’s Box. After a consistent decline in viewership and a lack of connection with fans, the organization decided to make serious changes in its playoff format. They decided to award a direct playoff place to race winners from the Regular season. NASCAR also came up with a new aero package and increased the number of teams in playoffs.
Although 2014 changes were new, NASCAR continued to explore new segments to make a comeback. In early 2016, the league onboarded Monster Energy as the title sponsor which led to the sport’s complete overhaul. As fans used to complain about the monotonous nature of the NASCAR races, the 2016 rebranding wasn’t limited to logo and name.
It included changes like a new charter system. This system guarantees 36 teams a spot in every race with conditions to meet minimum performance standards. In another significant change, NASCAR introduced a new points system. It reduced the points awarded to the winner from 43 to 40.
They also changed the name of its premium series from the Sprint Cup Series to NASCAR Cup Series. Other changes included Overtime Line, Digital Dash and Week-offs, which were targeted to keep races interesting and unpredictable. It’s worth noting that all these efforts were made to regain the lost place in the American market. Now, with these positive sentiments, it feels like NASCAR is once again making its way into the hearts of the young audiences.
The unwavering support of fans keeps NASCAR alive!
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As the organization completes eight years of its iconic rebranding, fans rally behind it. In today’s era, when rebranding often attracts negative reactions, social media platforms are buzzing with praise for NASCAR. This rebranding has changed some hearts as one user said, “I hate most decisions NASCAR makes, but honestly, it’s pretty good for a modern logo change. It doesn’t remove the iconic elements of the old logo. It merely updates it for a more modern era.”
It’s worth noting that NASCAR has often faced scrutiny for its decisions. From the Car of Tomorrow controversy to the 2016 charter model, there have been moments when fans rattled NASCAR due to disappointment. Despite being a demanding fan base, NASCAR’s decision to change their logo after 40 years went well with them.
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When NASCAR revealed its new logo in 2016, some fans were unsure about it due to their nostalgic bias. One user shared the same sentiment: “I grew up on the old one—but honestly, I think the rebrand went better than most companies’ Redesigns—I like the newer one better.” Another user echoed the same by saying, “I have a bit of nostalgia for the old one but the current one is pretty good too.”
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It’s worth noting that NASCAR has changed its logo on five different occasions since 1948. From 1948 to 1955 it used a logo with two cars positioned head-to-head. From 1956 to 1963, NASCAR changed its colour scheme to red by making those cars red. It also painted the surrounding Oval shape in Yellow and White colour. In 1964 company went back to a more greyish blue colour while in 1976 it incorporated its iconic purple strap logo.
The new logo maintained the essence of its traditional design and ensured long-time fans felt a sense of continuity. It also introduced sleeker, modern aesthetics that resonate with contemporary design trends. This helped NASCAR to maintain its iconic nature in this competitive era.

As whispers of rebranding circulate in Jimmie Johnson’s team, you can almost hear the collective raise of eyebrows and the clattering keyboards of social media enthusiasts. Amidst the backdrop of tireless engines and the scent of burning rubber, the team finds itself navigating not just the asphalt but also the expectations riding on its shoulders. With fresh decisions on the horizon and a history that echoes through the lanes, the story of this team is about to take another twist.
However, like fans, Dale Jr. has hopped on the roasting bandwagon. Read on to know all about it.
Legacy Motor Club and new non-racing revamps
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After a slew of changes this year, Legacy Motorclup has come with one more. Well, the news is that Legacy Motor Club’s new logo is out, and fans are not having it. Some went as far as to say the change in logo is not gonna get them speed.
But the worst burn might have come from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Replying to a comment that said, “Definite Piston Cup vibes,” he said, “I see it too.” Jimmie Johnson is the co-owner of the team and operates full time at NASCAR. It has two cars marked for the races. However, the team has a long history. It started in 2000 as Evernham Motorsports and became Petty GMS Racing in 2022. However, last year, it was taken over by Jimmie Johnson, and it was then rebranded as Legacy Motor Club.
The North Carolina-based team has not performed well over the last few seasons. However, the organization is undergoing various changes to improve its situation.
It might be worth noting here, though, that this year, the team has brought in a new crew chief, Travis Mack, for number 42, driven by John Hunter Nemechek. The 41-year-old crew chief will complete the crew chief lineup for the two full-time Legacy Motor Club teams in 2025. He will team up with Ben Beshore, who will keep his role as crew chief for Erik Jones and the No. 43 team.
Mack has a strong track record in his roles within the Clement Racing team in the ARCA Menards Series, where he secured three championships alongside Frank Kimmel. His career continued to flourish at Hendrick Motorsports, where he contributed to numerous successes from 2004 until he took on the position of crew chief for Daniel Suarez at Trackhouse Racing in 2021. Notably, over his 156 races as a crew chief in the NASCAR Cup Series, Mack has achieved one victory, 11 top-five finishes, and 31 top-10 finishes.
Additionally, as far as race engineering goes, the team has hired a new manager, Chad Johnston. He will work alongside Brian Campe, the technical director, and Jacob Canter from the competition team. The new hires might be able to inject more speed into the cars, as Johnston has worked with Kyle Larson, Tony Stewart, and Martin Truex Jr. in the past. He has been behind 400 races in 13 seasons.
There is also some ongoing speculation regarding Martin Truex Jr. himself joining the team to drive its number 84.
Fans demand more from the team
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Though this update isn’t a dramatic overhaul, fans are kind of tired of another non-racing-related announcement. Essentially, the new Legacy Motor Club logo looks like the team pressed CTRL+B on the words.
Additionally, they’ve made adjustments to the shadows on the number fonts, ensuring they align properly rather than staying off-centered as they have for many years under the Petty branding.
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So, when the logo was shared, a fan said sarcastically on Reddit, “That’s it. They’ve done it. They’ve cracked the code and found the secret to more speed.” Another didn’t mince words, echoing the same sentiment: “This feels like a pointless rebrand from last year, and I hope this turns out differently.”
It might be that people are wondering about the purpose of the move from Legacy Motor Club, which has the sound effect of a car swiftly passing by when clearly the team needs faster cars. One fan wrote, “Well, that’s an extra 5 MPH right there. Glad they’re addressing the big issues,” displaying his frustration with the move. Furthermore, there’s a need to preserve the legacy of Richard Petty, which some feel is being diluted with moves such as this. As one fan aptly said, “They threw away the legacy of the Petty name for this? I mean, this is an improvement in terms of the logo, but not by much.”
Adding to the frustration regarding the logo is the fact that this rebranding was heavily promoted for an entire day despite the team’s struggles in the past two seasons. When a fan pointed out that it’s been just a year since the last rebrand, another noted, “Two years, really? They announced the rebrand 1 year, 11 months, and 8 days ago.” And, as far as a logo is concerned, this was just year 3 with a new logo.
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Do you think Jimmie Johnson and Co are doing everything they can to improve performance and move ahead in the right direction? If fans are to believed: It’s not enough!

Richard Petty, the record holder for 200 NASCAR Cup Series wins, recently shared his joy with fans. At 87, he is welcoming two new additions to the family. Petty’s influence extends off the track through his ever-growing family. Among his grandsons, Thad Moffitt, son of Rebecca Petty Moffitt, is continuing the family’s racing heritage. The identical twin grandsons were also born to his daughter, Rebecca Petty Moffitt.
‘The King’ shared this heartwarming news through an Instagram story. He is now a proud grandfather to seven grandsons, which is surely a blessing that undoubtedly brings immense joy to any grandparent.
Welcoming new members to the Petty lineage
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Richard Petty, a name that resonates greatness both on and off the track, is widely known as the King of NASCAR for his records on the track holding a record of 200 Cup Series wins and seven NASCAR Cup Series Championships. He is also the first driver to win the Daytona 500 seven times.
His recent Instagram story resonated with family and fans alike, which he captioned, “The King spent the day with his TWO newest great grandsons. Identical Twins! 💙💙”. This not only celebrates the arrival of the twins but also shows how much the moment means to him. Cheerfully smiling in the story, Petty holds one grandson in each arm. The twins look fast asleep without any worries in the warmth of their grandpa’s embrace. Besides welcoming new family members, Petty’s latest contributions off the track are also commendable.
The NASCAR legend recently made a huge donation to the Victoria Junction, a camp dedicated to children with serious illness, and chronic medical conditions. Petty donated approximately 403 acres of land to the camp. He expressed, “My family and I are dedicated to leaving a legacy. By donating an additional 403 acres, we hope to ensure the camp can continue serving even more children”. This shows the Petty family’s long-standing dedication to supporting children in need.
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Richard Petty’s growing legacy
The Petty family has its roots in NASCAR from way back. Richard’s father, Lee Petty, was one of the pioneers in the sport. Lee was the first driver to win the Daytona 500 three times. After him, his son Richard Petty dominated the sport, achieving unmatched records and being widely known as ‘The King.’ Kyle Petty, son of Richard Petty, won eight races in NASCAR during his career and contributed to the family legacy.
As if that wasn’t all, Adam Petty, son of Kyle Petty, was a promising young driver and the first fourth-generation driver in NASCAR’s history. Adam sadly passed away at the age of 19 in 2000, during a practice session for the Busch 200 race. However, Richard’s grandson, Thad Moffitt, is aiming to make his own mark in the racing world as he works toward a future in NASCAR.
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Looking at the family history, one can see how deeply rooted his legacy is on and off the racetrack. The fans who have seen the family’s legacy passing on are very happy with this recent joyous news. Undoubtedly, the Petty Family’s legacy will be a long-lasting one.

Rick Hendrick, a name synonymous with NASCAR’s success, is a veteran of the sport and the sharpest tool in the garage. When he speaks, the NASCAR community listens. Hendrick shared his perspective on a few things about the sport recently, revealing not only the dark side of the industry but also its cut-throat reality. However, Hendrick’s critique carries a potential upside.
If his observations are taken as constructive feedback and applied practically, they could reshape NASCAR’s future. His words may serve as the catalyst for the transformative change the sport has been seeking for so long.
Rick Hendrick: ‘Evolution’ is necessary
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An interview was dropped by Dirty Mo Media three days ago with NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s wife, Kelly Earnhardt, interviewing the 14-time NASCAR Cup Champion owner. They discussed many issues and topics regarding NASCAR, leadership, and business. But one specific reel from the interview has been making the rounds. In the reel, Kelly Earnhardt questioned Hendrick on the issue of expanding NASCAR’s viewership to a new generation of fans while protecting the sport’s core audience.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dirty Mo Media (@dirtymomedia)
In reply to the question, Rick Hendrick gave a mixed bag of both optimistic and pessimistic answers. Talking about taking the sport to the next level, Hendrick shed light on the slow, fragile process of natural selection and the gradual evolution of NASCAR. Experimenting is necessary for the sport’s eventual survival battle, but at the same time, it requires a sense of balance, according to him.
“You have to evolve, bring in young talent that has that desire to resist the status quo,” Hendrick explained. He implied that it’s a necessity for young blood to replace the old guard, as it will only lead to NASCAR’s growth.
The 75-year-old has been there for decades as a team owner and has witnessed NASCAR go through multiple rebuilds and constant changes in its executive branch. He pointed out the importance of some of the old guard to maintain balance. Having veterans like him is crucial to guide the young blood in a new direction while maintaining the fundamental fabric of the sport. “I think you have to have the balance—you have to have the old guys like me,” he insisted. “Let’s do a pilot; let’s don’t jump in all the way.”
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“I have an old saying—you don’t want to be the pioneer, cause they get arrows in their a**,” he complained. This is a huge part of the problem: experimenting at such a high level is usually costly, and the saying “pioneers die on the very hill they trek” is very fitting to what Hendrick is trying to say here. But then again, his veteran philosophy emphasizes a much more calculated approach, taking into account the concerns and needs of both the old guard and the new generation to create change that both can agree upon.
What’s Ahead For NASCAR?
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NASCAR is longing for a new global viewership, something that only F1 has been able to do so far in motorsports. Hendrick emphasized the need for a young strategy team to cater to the interests of new fans, while the old guard works to preserve NASCAR’s roots. “The older you get, the more reserved you get,” Hendrick admitted, while pointing out the flaws in the old guard. “If you have a good balance of experience and youth, then usually you can stay abreast.” Going forward, this hybrid approach, according to Hendrick, is very crucial to moving NASCAR forward without abandoning its loyal core fans.
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One of the examples that he pointed to was of Ben Kennedy, who has been deciding on the Strategy to take NASCAR forward. Kennedy had a major role in reforming the sport to ensure modernization. He pushed the idea of ‘Next Gen Cars‘ and introduced a more interesting race format. Friction is part of the of the process when challenging the status quo, he acknowledged. But in most cases, it’s ultimately for the greater good. “When you step back and see it, most of the time, it was the right thing to do,” he said in context to retrospection of every change
Globalization of NASCAR would be an inevitability if NASCAR wants to survive and, in Rick Hendrick’s view, the sport’s ability to evolve successfully lies in striking the right balance: embracing innovation without forgetting the traditions that made NASCAR the iconic sport it is today.

Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing had a major breakthrough in their legal battle against NASCAR. On Wednesday, Judge Kenneth D. Bell handed both FRM and 23XI their long-awaited preliminary injunction. With this order, NASCAR now had no choice but to recognize both teams with chartered status for the 2025 season. Not only that, Bell also approved the transfer of Stewart Haas Racing charters to the two teams.
Naturally, NASCAR wasn’t going down without a fight, and they made their intention clear by stating that they would appeal this decision in the Fourth Circuit Court in Richmond, Virginia. On Thursday, NASCAR requested the court delay the injunction ruling. This means that both teams will not be able to transfer the SHR charters until Monday.
Tony Stewart still awaiting for a return on his investment
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With the announcement of SHR’s departure, Smoke was set to part ways with NASCAR and focus on his new adventures. His partner Gene Haas retained a charter for himself to set up Haas Factory Team, but the two owners decided to sell the remaining three charters. The estimated value of the Cup Series charter is between $20-25 million, and the successful sale of the three charters will leave Stewart with a bucket load of cash.
However, Stewart hasn’t been able to cash in despite Michael Jordan and Bob Jenkins breaking their banks to expand their teams. The ongoing legal tussle between the two teams and NASCAR has made the future of the two SHR charters murky. Moreover, the sanctioning body playing hardball, trying to revoke the injunction, has only made matters worse.
FOX reporter Bob Pockrass shared an update regarding the court’s decision to delay the transfer of SHR charters to 23XI and FRM. “Judge said he will rule Monday on whether to delay enforcement of his order (pending appeal) that NASCAR approve the transfers of the SHR charters to 23XI/FRM. He ordered that if the sales have not been completed, that they don’t close on them until he rules Monday.”
Although the dispute is between the two teams and NASCAR, Tony Stewart and Gene Haas are also being massively affected, and their charters are unclear. Despite the injunction, 23XI Racing and FRM will only be able to retain the charters for the 2025 season. There’s no clarity on what will happen to the charters if the two teams lose their antitrust case against NASCAR.
Adding to the confusion was this statement by the court, which stated that the teams would be able to sell the charters back to NASCAR or other teams. “The Court clearly retains the equitable power to in the future effectively “unwind” those transactions through an order requiring Plaintiffs to transfer/sell the charters back to NASCAR or another team approved by NASCAR.”
However, the judge did lambast NASCAR for filing a late request to delay the injunction when they could’ve made the arguments in the initial filing itself. Not only that, it seems like the court has already made plans to get this dispute settled by the end of 2025.
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The timelines have been set
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It is indeed hard to put a timeline on how long the legal tussle between Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and NASCAR will last. However, it seems like the court will take this antitrust case on priority and try to settle the dispute by the end of 2025. January 8 is the date set by the court on NASCAR’s motions to dismiss other pending motions. September 19 is the deadline for the discovery to be completed, and December 1 is set as the date for the trial.
“In 23XI/FRM-NASCAR case, a Jan. 8 hearing date has been set on NASCAR’s motion to dismiss and other pending motions. Judge has set a September 19 deadline for discovery to be completed and a December 1 date for trial.” Bob Pockrass shared this update on X. Well, the roadmap has been laid down and it’s fair to say there will be more twists and turns in this legal saga.
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Although the dates for the antitrust lawsuit have been revealed, the fate of the two SHR charters is yet to be decided. In case NASCAR manages to block the transfer of the charters, Stewart will be forced to spring back into action to offload his charters to other potential buyers.

Eight years ago, NASCAR made various changes to its operations and brand identity. From adopting a new logo to changing the charter system it ushered in a new era, adding to the playoff format only two years before that, in 2014. However, one thing that fans often miss is the details of prize money distributed among teams after each race.
Until 2015, NASCAR used to reveal every bit of their prize money distribution in race summaries. It kept things transparent and clear. But In 2016 sanctioning body stopped disclosing monetary benefits and left fans fuming over it. However, recently Joe Gibbs Racing president Dave Alpern revealed key details of NASCAR’s financial structure.
Does NASCAR pay teams per week?
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In a latest Instagram post, Dave Alpern revealed how NASCAR pays teams and how it is distributed among drivers and others. Answering a fan question, Alpern said, “There’s a weekly purse that’s paid out based on our finish in each race. We get that paid monthly by NASCAR and so we pay our drivers and any bonuses out for those.” This incentivizes each driver to finish in a top position every race, even if playoff implications are existent or not. When you see two drivers, who are out of playoff contention, battling hard for the 10th spot to secure a ‘top-10’ finish, it is likely to get a better payout from the race.
It’s worth noting that weekly purse is determined by the popularity of the track. For example, in 2015, when prize details were last officially published, the Daytona 500 had a whopping $1,586,503 for the race winner – Joey Logano. On the other hand, races like the STP 500 at Martinsville had $166,760 for the race winner, Denny Hamlin. Currently, monetary benefits are not unveiled per week, but one can get a glimpse from yearly filings.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe Gibbs Racing (@joegibbsracing)
Joe Gibbs Racing president further explained other means by which NASCAR pays to teams. He said, “We also get a bonus at the end of the year based on our end-of-the-season finishing and on the other buckets which are historical and fixed. Those get paid out once a year and get distributed at the end of the season.” Fixed revenue is a consistent amount paid to every chartered team, regardless of their finish. Charters cost a lot and therefore teams need a guaranteed income source for participating in the race. Consistency is rewarded with historical payments that are based on a team’s past performance, primarily calculated over three years.
Besides these, media deals are one of the biggest sources of earnings for racetracks. According to the latest TV rights deal, NASCAR will make $1.1 billion every year. They will distribute its large part to tracks, then to teams. Notably, Fox, NBC, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon will air 38 races each year for the next seven years after securing a whopping $7.7 billion deal with NASCAR.
With so much money flowing into the sport, it’s no surprise that the rich teams keep getting richer. Joe Gibbs Racing’s video succinctly summarized the financial situation of NASCAR drivers. With driver performance indicative of the end-of-season purse, let’s take a look at how JGR drivers fared in 2024.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s 2024 season recap
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In the 2024 season, Joe Gibbs Racing fielded four charters and earned some great performances. Drivers like Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell won multiple races and made a deep playoff run, while Ty Gibbs and Martin Truex Jr. failed to do so. Hamlin won three races and finished in the top 10 on 12 occasions. Despite having a great start to the season Veteran no.11 driver failed to get his hands on the championship. A string of poor performances in the second half of the season pushed him out of the race.
Meanwhile, Christopher Bell also won three races and finished strong fifth in the final standings. He was an absolute beast in terms of consistency with 23 top-10 finishes in the season. A poor move in season finale turned the table for Bell as he finished fifth and failed to grab the coveted title. The #20 JGR driver needed a last-lap overtake on Bubba Wallace to pip William Byron to the Championship 4. However, as Wallace controversially slowed down, Bell passed him but got stuck in the track and skidded into the wall, riding it in true Ross Chastain fashion. Despite it being accidental, Bell was penalized for a safety violation and docked positions as Byron went through.
Denny Hamlin’s playoff misery was on full display yet again in 2024. It all seemed set when the #11 was leading the race with two laps to go at Homestead-Miami Speedway. However, fate played its tricks with Hamlin and saw him get overtaken by Blaney with one lap to go and then Tyler Reddick overtook both of them to win the race. Hamlin went from championship 4 spot to p3 at Homestead in the blink of an eye. Yet another season without his elusive championship.
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However, going ahead Bell and Hamlin will be keen to continue their dominant run. Hamlin will get a new crew chief as Chris Gayle will replace Hamlin’s long-time partner Chris Gabehart. This will make a lot of changes within the squad as Gayle was currently with Ty Gibbs who finished this season with zero wins and a 15th-place finish in the standings. How do you think JGR will fare in 2025?

NASCAR has never been shy about trying new things to keep fans engaged and improve its racing product. That’s why, in 2023, they took the bold step of bringing racing to the streets of Chicago. Street racing is common in open-wheel racing, like Formula 1, but it’s a major departure for NASCAR, which usually sticks to ovals and a few select road courses. The Chicago Street Course, with its blocked-off roads and big-city backdrop, was certainly a spectacle—but was it worth the investment?
At first, there were plenty of critics questioning whether NASCAR was straying too far from its roots. Shouldn’t they just stick to what works? The goal of the Chicago race wasn’t necessarily to create the “best” street race, but rather to make it a unique, must-see event that fans would want to attend. Fast forward to 2025, and it seems like NASCAR might be ready to move on from the Chicago Street Circuit. So far, the race hasn’t lived up to expectations, and NASCAR is looking at other options for its future.
NASCAR is exploring replacement options
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The 2023 Chicago Street Race kicked off with grand ambitions—live music, pre-race events, and a full-on festival vibe. But Mother Nature had other plans, bringing rain and forcing the cancellation of concerts, and shortening some of the races. Despite those challenges, the event managed to draw 79,299 fans from 15 countries and all 50 states. And while the crowd was a bit smaller in 2024, it still had a major impact on the city, generating $128 million in economic activity—17% more than the previous year.
On the track, things were exciting too. Shane van Gisbergen made a splash by winning the inaugural ‘Grant Park 165’ in his NASCAR debut. But even with a strong TV viewership and economic boost to Chicago, NASCAR hasn’t been able to turn a profit on the race. NASCAR reportedly spent around $50 million on the event in 2023, with a similar investment in 2024. NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Adam Stern of SBJ that while the France family still believes in the street race concept, it’s been a tough road financially.
As Phelps put it, “If it’s the right thing to do to grow the sport, I think NASCAR and the France family have shown that they’re going to invest.” But as the weather challenges mount and profits remain elusive, NASCAR might be ready to cut ties with Chicago in favor of a new venue.
NASCAR has already started exploring alternative options, including potential international venues. One possibility? Saudi Arabia. The country’s ambitious plans for the Qiddiya entertainment city, which will feature a state-of-the-art Speed Park, have opened the door for NASCAR to potentially bring a race to the region. The Speed Park is set to open in 2028, and NASCAR might be in talks about adding it to the calendar.
However, NASCAR’s Chief Operating Officer, Steve O’Donnell, says they’re not locked into any one international location just yet. “I wouldn’t put it specifically on Saudi. We’ve got a finite amount of content we can bring, but I think as you look at NASCAR from an international standpoint, it’ll be more around that Mexico model,” O’Donnell said. That means NASCAR isn’t just interested in one-off races but aims to build a grassroots presence in new markets.
NASCAR’s biggest competitor in motorsports is undoubtedly Formula 1. With the open-wheel racing sport having a global format, venturing into the Middle East was inevitable and in 2004, they had the first Bahrain Grand Prix. Since then, F1 has expanded to multiple locations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. According to Nielsen data, the figures showed female interest increased by 11% compared to last year in Saudi Arabia, and 10% among men, with the biggest growth in the 50-69 year age bracket. It’s no surprise as to why NASCAR is targeting a high-income market like the Middle East, with the booming success its competitors have seen.
While an international street race would make a lot of sense it doesn’t seem to be an immediate plan in NASCAR’s books. However, NASCAR could probably look to try a different venue in Southern California.
Southern California is also a possible venue
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NASCAR has also been eyeing Southern California, a region known for its motorsports culture. Could a street race in places like Long Beach or San Diego be the next big thing? While Long Beach has been a successful venue for IndyCar, San Diego has hosted events like the GT World Challenge America, so it’s certainly not out of the question.
O’Donnell confirmed that California is very much on NASCAR’s radar. “We are certainly interested in California and the Southern California market, and that will continue to be a focus for us, but nothing to confirm at this point,” he said. If NASCAR does go in this direction, a Southern California street race could be a perfect fit, especially with the region’s passionate fanbase.
As NASCAR gears up for 2025—its third and final year of the Chicago Street Race contract—the organization is focused on building on the momentum they’ve gained while learning from the challenges they’ve faced. From weather issues to event tweaks, NASCAR is taking it one race at a time. “We’ve learned things each and every year,” O’Donnell said. “It’s our first street race, a lot of learnings came from that. A lot of weather challenges as well. … We’ve made some tweaks to the event format and continuing to evolve that as well.”
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It’s clear that NASCAR is committed to pushing the envelope and exploring new venues, whether that’s in the U.S. or internationally. But with the high price tag of these events, the future of the street race still hangs in the balance.
What do you think about NASCAR’s street race experiment? Do you want to see more street races, or should NASCAR stick to its roots? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

NASCAR has done a lot of experiments in the last decade to engage with a wider audience. From changes in the points system to the introduction of street races NASCAR has been exploring various options to stay in competition. However, street races have been something that attracted a lot of eyeballs.
In 2023 NASCAR signed a deal with Chicago City to hold a race on the 2.2-mile-long streets of Grant Park, Chicago. NASCAR had signed a three-year deal with authorities to hold the race. The inaugural race was won by Trackhouse Racing’s driver Shane van Gisbergen in his Cup Series debut, while the rain-hit 2024 race was won by Alex Bowman.
As NASCAR will complete its first cycle of a three-year deal in 2025 fans are eager to know more about the future of street racing. Now, NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell has broken his silence by revealing key details about their plans. He spoke about the brand’s plans to continue with the street race in Chicago and explore other options.
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Will the Chicago Street Race continue after the 2025 season?
As the 2025 season approaches O’Donnell revealed that NASCAR is focused on its third run in Chicago. However, he refrained from making any comments about a contract extension with the city of Chicago for upcoming seasons.
In a conversation with Sports Business Journal, O’Donnell said, “For us, we’re just looking at 2025. It’ll be the third year of a three-year run and each year we’ve wanted to build upon the momentum that we have. We’ve learned things each and every year — it’s our first street race, a lot of learnings came from that. A lot of weather challenges as well.”
It’s worth noting that this year’s race at The Grant Park circuit has been very hectic for the sanctioning body. The race was delayed due to rain and other weather-related issues. This caused a lot of operational difficulties for both teams and broadcasters. However, O’Donnell acknowledged the challenge and revealed that it has been a lesson.
“We’ve made some tweaks to the event format and continuing to evolve that as well, so we’ll get through the event, see where things are, but concentrating on 2025 and making that event as successful as it can be,” he said, remaining right lipped on the possibility of a contract extension. This might not fill fans of the track with much hope as NASCAR also has plans to expand its host cities while this race’s future hangs in the balance.
Apart from Chicago, San Diego is another city that can host street races in the future for NASCAR. However, O’Donnell didn’t confirm this either as he said, “We are certainly interested in California and the Southern California market, and that will continue to be a focus for us, but nothing to confirm at this point.” As of now, NASCAR has only one race in California in the 2025 schedule and that is in Sonoma Raceway in July.
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Notably, there have been reports that NASCAR failed to make profits from Chicago Street races in the last two years. NASCAR president Steve Phelps revealed that the brand was not able to recover its $50 million investment from the track. “We’re willing to invest in Chicago financially. It’s a difficult race for us. It cost $50 million to put that race on and we, unfortunately, didn’t sell $50 million worth of tickets and sponsorship. Was it a smart decision for us? I believe it was”, he said earlier this month.
What are the future plans for NASCAR?
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Amid these uncertainties, NASCAR aspires to tap the international market in upcoming years. NASCAR is set to race in Mexico City in 2025 with the aspiration to tap the international market. It will be the first points-worthy NASCAR Cup Series race outside the USA in 67 years of the sport. Apart from that, there have been talks in the industry about a race in Saudi Arabia.
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While speaking about bringing a race to the Speed Park circuit, Saudi Arabia’s NASCAR COO said that his team is not specifically looking at Saudi. However, he revealed that Mexico could be NASCAR’s launching pad for the international market. He said, “I wouldn’t put it specifically on Saudi… I think as you look at NASCAR from an international standpoint, it’ll be more around that Mexico model where we want to look to grow the overall sport and build it within the culture wherever we go.”
With a lot of talks around NASCAR’s future races, the sanctioning body will be keen to attract more viewers. Despite uncertainties over Chicago Street race cities like San Diego remain an option for the brand. However, the 2025 Chicago Street Race will play a key role in determining the future of street races in NASCAR.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’s attempt to secure a foothold in NASCAR’s charter system has hit a roadblock as NASCAR appeals a court ruling which approved the preliminary injunction request from the teams.
The lawsuit, initiated by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, targets what they refer to as monopolistic practices by NASCAR, specifically focusing on NASCAR’s charter system, implemented in 2016, which guarantees teams a spot in races and promises financial stability.
The controversy began after negotiations over the 2025 agreements failed, prompting the teams to file their legal dispute on October 2, 2024, in the Western District of North Carolina. This action was taken against NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France, accusing them of using the charter system to enrich themselves at the expense of competitive fairness.
At the heart of the lawsuit is a preliminary injunction that was granted, allowing the teams the ability to acquire charters from Stewart-Haas Racing to compete in the 2025 season as chartered teams.
Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 The Beast Unleashed Toyota, Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Delaware Life Chevrolet, and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Busch Light Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series… Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 The Beast Unleashed Toyota, Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Delaware Life Chevrolet, and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Busch Light Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on November 10, 2024 in Avondale, Arizona. NASCAR files appeal in legal battle with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. More James Gilbert/Getty Images
However, NASCAR has responded by filing an emergency appeal to stay this injunction, citing severe consequences. In NASCAR’s emergency motion, the organization argued that the injunction would bind them into a lasting contractual relationship, stating:

Although NASCAR might have spread its wings and adopted a modern approach to its brand of racing, the traditional roots of short-track racing have remained relevant. We are accustomed to seeing the racers drive their hearts out on the half-mile tracks. Bristol, Richmond, Iowa, and the Clash at the Coliseum have kept the short-track racing roots alive in the modern era of stock car racing. And going by the latest updates, NASCAR is set to revive another short track.
Dells Raceway Park, a 0.333-mile asphalt track located in Wisconsin, will host the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series from 2025. Well, this wouldn’t have been possible without the intervention of track owner Jerry Aubrey. The motive behind this partnership for Aubrey is simple: to promote more regional racers and help them reach the top level of stock car racing.
What’s so special about the Dells Raceway Park?
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Now short track racing is more than just going round in circles, notching up the best lap times. Many believe that the Dells Raceway Park is “what a short track should be.” Dick Trickle, a renowned short-track racer from Wisconsin, has a perfect summary that defines the short oval. “You drop low in the corners and then drift high on the straights. You try to make the track into the roundest oval possible.”
Over the years, Dells Raceway has been home to local late-model racing drivers. From 1975 to 1998, the track hosted the ARTGO Challenge Series, which was seen as a gateway for ARCA and NASCAR series. In recent history, the track has undergone frequent ownership changes, but Jerry Auby is determined to put the Dell Raceway Park back on the racing map after acquiring the ownership in 2021.
Auby, while speaking to NASCAR, shared his thoughts on this new partnership that will promote grassroots-level racing. “It’s about strengthening the growth of short-track racing in Wisconsin. We can’t lose any more tracks, and we need to have fan-friendly entertainment that people can tie into what they see on TV and see the growth of the sport from the grassroots level and get to NASCAR.”
His efforts have reignited the charm the Dell Raceway once enjoyed. The famous Alive for 5 Series championship, which sees the Super Late Model cars compete in a 5-race mini-series, is a testament to Auby’s efforts. This event also lures in more racers due to its lucrative race and championship purses. “Just having one-off events wasn’t drawing the cars, wasn’t drawing the fans, wasn’t drawing the support that it needed to survive. So we had to make something work, and that’s where the five-race series came from.” Auby explained.
USA Today via Reuters Feb 5, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Drivers race during the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The 2025 season looked packed for the Dell Raceway Park Speedway with the addition of NASCAR weekly races. The festivities will kick start on April 12 with the IceBreaker 100, the first event of the Alive for 5 Series, and this will be followed by the NASCAR weekly race opener on May 3. This trend isn’t just restricted to the root level; the NASCAR Cup Series will also return to its iconic short track to get the ball rolling for the 2025 season. the
NASCAR returns to Bowman Gray Stadium
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For the first time since 1971, NASCAR will return to the iconic Bowman Gray Stadium with its special event, Clash. The non-points race was hosted at the L.A. Coliseum for the last two years, but the governing body decided to return to its traditional roots. This race is scheduled for Feb 2, 2025, and will broadcast live on FOX Sports.
The Bowman Gray holds a special place in the heart of the France family. The short track has held weekly races since 1949, the same year NASCAR launched its own stock car racing series. Former NASCAR President Bill France Jr. met his future wife, Betty Jane Zachary, at the stadium in 1957. So you see, there’s a lot of history and cultural significance attached to this racing venue.
“Bringing our Cup Series back there for the first time since the 1970s, it’s going to be another historic event. I’d say in a lot of ways, this is going to be an opportunity to celebrate our roots, our history, and celebrate our NASCAR regional series.” Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive vice president, said in a press release. However, not everything is jolly when it comes to short-track racing, right from struggling with the short-track package and loss of dates from venues like Richmond Raceway.
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Hopefully, NASCAR doesn’t get tunnel-vision in their drive to expand and go international. While the exhibition events and weekly races on short tracks are good initiatives, the same approach can be adopted for the Cup Series as well.

Gaining prominence from Malcolm in the Middle, Frankie Muniz has left Hollywood’s glitz and glamor to embrace the adrenaline-pumping world of motorsport. At 39, Muniz is gearing up for his first full-time NASCAR Truck Series season in 2025, a move that has left fans both surprised and excited. Amidst his high-octane career shift, Muniz recently revealed an amusingly relatable gripe – his biggest pet peeve. And to say the least, this might surprise you.
In a candid tweet that caught the internet’s attention, Frankie Muniz didn’t hold back about one of his biggest irritations. “Maybe one of my biggest pet peeves on the planet is heart hands. I literally gag,” he wrote. Notably, heart hands are a gesture in which people form a heart shape using their fingers. Fans relating to his sentiment or amused by his honesty found his declaration rather odd, with many of them boldly dropping the same emoji in response to his tweet.
As reported by The Talko previously, there is another one of his pet peeves he has talked about. However, most of us would find this relatable, as it is largely concerned with slow drivers. And how does he plan on countering this? Well, he is looking to purchase a motorcycle so he can ride it fast on the L.A. freeway in order to avoid his pet peeve altogether. More than that, it also appears that his frustration is quite genuine. As per a study conducted in Texas A&M, an average person in Los Angeles spends $1,300 a year from lost productivity and shelling out for gas. But he is not alone in having pet peeves.
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Celebrities such as Mike Tyson and Jamie Kennedy also have some unique pet peeves. While Kennedy has an issue with the Mexican fast-food chain Baja Fresh as they don’t give guacamole, Tyson doesn’t like coffee breath.
As Frankie Muniz’s tweet provided a glimpse into his quirky personality, he continues to focus on his burgeoning racing career. Let’s have at look at what all this sitcom star has accomplished in his racing career.
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Frankie Muniz’s motorsports journey
Frankie Muniz is not new to NASCAR and the world of racing. His connection to NASCAR dates back to 2001 when he drove the pace car at the Daytona 500. Notably, that race is remembered for legendary driver Dale Earnhardt who tragically lost his life after a horrific crash.
Muniz has also competed in the Formula BMW USA series in 2006 and in the Champ Car Atlantic Series in 2007. And now, Muniz is going to make a comeback on the racetrack as a full-time driver. The 39-year-old actor-turned-driver will take on the reigns of a No. 33 Ford for Reaume Brothers Racing in the 2025 season.
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Before he decided to make a pivot, Muniz participated in leagues like NASCAR Truck Series and ARCA Menards. In 2023, he participated in the ARCA Menards Series. Muniz shocked fans and critics with his performance as he secured a commendable fourth-place finish in the standings. However, in his four NASCAR Truck Series races in the 2024 season, he struggled to make a mark. His best finish was 29th at Kansas.
Despite these struggles and mixed success in the last two years, Muniz is set to turn heads in the 2025 season as a full-time driver. Do you think he will be able to give better results? Let us know in the comments.

Driving for Hendrick Motorsports means you get an abundance of resources, the best crews, and a platform to shine on the NASCAR stage. But, with this glamorous opportunity comes the demand to win races and championships. This is something HMS star Chase Elliott learned the hard way after making his Cup debut in 2016.
Although Elliott had proven his mettle by advancing to the playoffs in his first and second-year stints, he was yet to notch up a victory. He enjoyed a good phase winning races and championships at the Xfinity level, but once he made the big leap, he hit a dry patch. In 2018, the pressure within the No. 9 team camp was palpable, and nothing less than a win would settle the nerves.
Given Elliott’s strengths, his first Cup win was expected to come at the traditional ovals. He did come close to breaking that winless duck at Richmond Raceway but had to settle for a runner-up finish. 20 races into the season, Elliott had collected five top 5 finishes, and it was only a matter of time before he took the checkered flag. But nobody expected him to kickstart his winning chapter with Hendrick Motorsports with a road course race triumph.
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Here’s how Chase Elliott pulled off the win at Watkins Glen International
Coming in 2018, the winless streak had now climbed to 98 races with the road course race at Watkins Glen on the horizon. At a time when rival camps like Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart Haas Racing were notching up wins, HMS needed to match their strides. Jimmie Johnson was past his peak, and the team needed one of their young stars to step up.
Chase Elliott was a champion in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports, so it was evident all eyes were on the #9 team. Crew chief Alan Gustafson recalls what it was like to be in that pressure situation with Elliott, “It just got to the point where it was like, ‘What do we have to do?’ It started to become so big that it was a distraction, and it was something you thought about.” Gustafson revealed this via Hendrick Motorsports.
But Elliott stepped up his game and finally snagged his first win at the Watkins Glen International. It wasn’t a lucky break, but rather a carefully executed strategy that was tailor-made for Elliott to kickstart his winning run. Unwrapping the inside story on Elliott’s debut win at Watkins Glen, Gustafson stated, “I knew the year before. I think the year before we tested Watkins Glen and it was a repave, and we were doing a tire test and running through the motions and testing all the parts and pieces.”
Even Gustafson couldn’t have imagined that this win was only the start of Elliott’s domination on the road courses. In a stretch of eleven races on the road course, Elliott emerged victorious in seven races. This notched his average finish to 9th, which is the best among the active Cup Series drivers. However, the win at Watkins Glen could’ve gone sideways as the #9 team was on a tightrope with the fuel-saving strategy and Martin Truex Jr. charging down on the #9 HMS Chevy.
USA Today via Reuters Feb 16, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) signs autographs during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Before Truex Jr. could make his move on the final lap, the #78 car ran out of fuel, and Elliott was in the clear. The highlight of the victory was Jimmie Johnson helping out his teammate Elliott, who was stalled on the racetrack after running out of gas on his cool-down lap. Johnson guided the #9 Chevy to the start-finish line in what felt like a ‘passing of the torch’ moment. Elliott went on to secure his first Cup Series Championship two years later, in 2020 and cemented himself amongst the grid’s elite drivers.
The 2024 season was indeed somewhat similar to 2018, where the #9 team had to do some soul-searching. While this year’s outcome, when compared to the 2023 run, looks to be on the bright side, Elliott didn’t hit his strides when it mattered the most.
The #9 team failed to switch gears during the 2024 season
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Recovering from the snowboarding debacle and missing the playoffs for the first time in 2023, Chase Elliott and his team registered an early win at Texas Motor Speedway in 2024. Apart from the race win, he had collected six top 5 results going into the playoffs. Consistency wasn’t an issue for the driver, but the lack of race wins certainly proved costly at the clutch moments.
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A runner-up finish at Bristol was enough to see him through to the Round of 12 in the playoffs. Then again he had to rely on points to advance further in the knockout stages; a P5 finish at Charlotte Roval helped him reach the Round of 8. Elliott was unlucky as he was caught up in a wreck at Vegas, and he had to settle for a P33 finish. Now, with Homestead and Martinsville up next, he was in a situation where he needed to win.
He wasn’t the only driver who was up against the odds; Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney were also eyeing that one win that would seal their spot in the Championship 4. Now, we all know that Reddick made that last-lap slingshot move hugging the wall to get past Blaney for the win at Homestead. In reply, the Penske star repeated his winning exploits at the Martinsville race, which was mired by race manipulation tactics.
The race saw three drivers, Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, and Austin Dillon, fined $100,000 for race manipulation and their crew chief was subsequently suspended for the Phoenix finale. Chastain and Dillon held up a Chevy blockade to allow fellow Chevy, William Byron, to maintain his position and qualify for the championship 4. Meanwhile, Bubba Wallace was caught slowing down in his Toyota to aid fellow Toyota driver Christopher Bell. Unfortunately, Bell got loose and rode the wall at Martinsville, which saw him get docked positions and Byron went through. Meanwhile, Elliott was chasing Ryan Blaney for the lead.
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Within this chaos and nail-biting finish, Elliott’s hopes of making the final 4 were slowly fading away. He was in contention with a P5 finish at Homestead, but despite trading paints and some beating and banging at Martinsville, he wasn’t able to get past Blaney. It’s clear that lack of wins certainly cost Elliott a shot at the championship. Hopefully, the 2025 season will be a new beginning for the #9 team with the hopes of overturning their misfortunes.

The ongoing lawsuit has taken yet another unexpected turn. NASCAR isn’t happy with the court’s verdict after a judge ruled the preliminary injunction in 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ favor and is expected to appeal. With the 2025 season on the horizon, the plaintiffs need time to prepare, especially after purchasing their new charters from Stewart-Haas Racing. However, it seems like the sanctioning body is determined to delay the enforcement of the injunction as much as possible, despite making a few rare concessions.
Could the court grant NASCAR’s request to delay the charter transfer until an appeal on the injunction is heard? Time will tell. The organization seems to be making a compelling case for itself, despite being found ‘guilty’ of being somewhat of a monopoly.
Stewart-Haas Racing’s charters face uncertain future
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23XI and Front Row Motorsports have won the battle, but not the war (yet). The preliminary injunction going in their favor was a big win for the plaintiffs, who won’t have to compete as ‘open’ teams for the 2025 season. This means they will have guaranteed spots in each of NASCAR’s 36 points-paying races while not risking losing its sponsors such as Monster Energy, Love’s Travel Stops, and their drivers such as Tyler Reddick and Noah Gragson. However, even though both teams want to expand their Cup Series operations, it seems like NASCAR isn’t willing to give in without a fight.
In recent developments, FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass wrote, “NASCAR is asking for the enforcement of preliminary injunction be delayed pending appeal except that NASCAR will guarantee entry of two cars each from Front Row and 23XI in each 2025 Cup race. They ask to delay SHR charter transfers and other benefits of charter membership.” The reason to ask for a delay is simple. As per the filing, the sanctioning body believes that it will “suffer irreparable harm,” if it approves the charter sale, which won’t be limited to just the 2025 season.
Considering that both 23XI and Front Row Motorsports have “not met multiple required conditions for the Charters assignment”, it’s easy to understand why NASCAR is unwilling to approve the sale of Stewart-Haas Racing’s charters. By doing so, they will effectively be tied to the plaintiffs for the next seven to fourteen years in a contractual relationship, and it will be difficult to get the court-ordered transfers overturned once they have occurred. Given the strained relationships with the plaintiffs, NASCAR’s reluctance and decision to appeal was the natural course of action.
The new twist in the ongoing lawsuit will bring more uncertainty about Riley Herbst and Zane Smith’s Cup Series future. Even though Front Row Motorsports has not officially announced a third driver for its team, Smith is likely to take over the role, as long as the SHR charter sale goes through. Even though the preliminary injunction is separate from the anti-trust lawsuit, U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Bell has found the sanctioning body ‘guilty’ of being a monopoly. According to Adam Stern. Bell said, “The Court finds that NASCAR possesses monopoly/monopsony power in the relevant market which is the market for premier stock car racing teams in the United States.”
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NASCAR makes further demands after losing the preliminary injunction
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The court’s verdict regarding the preliminary injunction has caught NASCAR off-guard. The sanctioning body isn’t one to ‘compromise’, but has been put in a position where they are forced to make concessions amidst the ongoing anti-trust lawsuit. In all likelihood, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Todd Gilliland, and Noah Gragson are guaranteed a place in the 2025 Cup Series campaign as NASCAR is only looking for a “partial stay of injunction pending appeal”. However, the organization is also taking measures to protect its finances, should it win the anti-trust lawsuit in 2026.
According to FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass, “NASCAR also is asking, b/c it’s not requesting delay in enforcement of the injunction as far as guaranteeing a spot in every race for two cars from 23XI and FRM, for the teams to post a bond (specific amount redacted) to cover any payouts they might have to return if lose case.” With 23XI and Front Row Motorsports competing with at least two charters, the plaintiffs will enjoy the financial benefits as per the new agreement, despite not putting pen to paper while the court case goes on.
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Even though the France family has maintained control of NASCAR with an iron fist in the past, the ongoing lawsuit could potentially alter the sport’s landscape forever. It will be interesting to see the court’s decision after the sanctioning body’s partial appeal of the preliminary injunction, which has only added to the drama during the off-season. Meanwhile, the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing is caught up in the crossfire in the battle between the plaintiffs and the sanctioning body, despite shutting operations at the end of the 2024 season.

Fred Lorenzen, one of the most iconic figures in NASCAR history, has died at the age of 89. His passing was announced on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, by Jim France, NASCAR’s Chairman and CEO.
Lorenzen, a celebrated Hall of Fame driver, leaves behind a legacy as one of the sport’s first superstars. He was celebrated for his remarkable achievements, including 26 NASCAR Cup Series race wins, which encompass his triumphs at the Dayton 500 and Coca-Cola 600. Lorenzen’s influence extended far beyond individual victories, as his charisma and drive helped bring NASCAR into the national spotlight.
Born in Elmhurst, Illinois, Lorenzen began racing professionally from 1956 to 1972 and he was initially one of the few racers who came from outside the Southern United States, breaking regional barriers and attracting fans from across the country.
Over his career, Lorenzen participated in 158 NASCAR Cup Series races, clinching victory at some of the sport’s most prestigious events. His dominance was especially pronounced in the mid-1960s when he won eight of the 16 races he entered in 1964, during which he impressively led 1,679 out of 1,953 possible laps.
(L-R, back row) NASCAR Hall of Famers Ned Jarrett, Leonard Wood, Glenn Wood, Darrell Waltrip, Bud Moore, Junior Johnson, Dale Inman, Rex White, Richard Petty, Bill Elliott, Jack Ingram, Bobby Allison, (L-R front row) Maurice… (L-R, back row) NASCAR Hall of Famers Ned Jarrett, Leonard Wood, Glenn Wood, Darrell Waltrip, Bud Moore, Junior Johnson, Dale Inman, Rex White, Richard Petty, Bill Elliott, Jack Ingram, Bobby Allison, (L-R front row) Maurice Petty, and Fred Lorenzen pose for a photo opportunity after the 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 30, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fred Lorenzen sadly passes away. More Lance King/Getty Images
Lorenzen was twice voted as NASCAR’s most popular driver. His contributions were instrumental in propelling NASCAR from a regional phenomenon into a nationally recognized sport.
His efforts weren’t only confined to NASCAR. He excelled in the USAC Stock Car Series, winning championships in consecutive years, 1958 and 1959. His career milestones include being the first driver in NASCAR history to earn more than $100,000 in a single season, which he achieved in 1963.
Jim France, reflecting on Lorenzen’s passing, shared the deep respect the NASCAR community holds for him. He explained:

Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing could potentially change the landscape of NASCAR. The 6-time NBA Champion is no stranger to revolutionizing a sport, however, this time he is doing it by suing the governing body. After two tumultuous months, filled with the prospect of running as an open team, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports finally got some respite, and it may just create a ripple effect in the sport.
On December 18th, the court granted the preliminary injunction requested by the plaintiffs in their lawsuit against NASCAR. This allows them to run as chartered teams while still pursuing their antitrust lawsuit. Since this whole dispute stemmed from the two teams refusing to sign the charter deal citing ‘monopolistic practices’, the resolution would be a new deal, in an ideal scenario. How would this new deal affect the rest of the grid? Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass explains.
A rising tide lifts all boats
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Charters were an inevitability after the eventual corporatization of NASCAR in the late 90s. To increase the contracts and streamline the revenues, they started revamping the entire system, making it much more structured. Charters, when first introduced in 2016, ignited major heated debates on NASCAR’s authoritative nature. Those debates are still going on. Many question the authority that NASCAR has over all the chartered teams, ripping them away from their deserved autonomy. But there seems to be a new ray of hope to end this regulated ‘tyranny’.
Replying to a fan on X (formerly Twitter), Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass wrote, “Changes to the charter agreement as a result of the lawsuit, that most likely would be for all teams,” suggesting that if Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Bob Jenkin’s FRM won the lawsuit, it would open new opportunities for the other 13 teams on the grid.
Throughout the course of NASCAR, the France family has always had their stronghold on the sport. However, this deal could change everything in that aspect. With all the teams potentially gaining from this verdict, this will mark a turning point in the relationship between NASCAR and its teams. With 13 teams unwilling to fight back against the charter agreement, with Rick Hendrick, himself saying, “I was just tired, not everybody was happy. But in any negotiation, you’re not going to get everything you want.” Now, NASCAR will have to comply with 23XI and FRM’s requests which could prompt teams not to roll over easily in front of the governing body and stand up for themselves.
Some of the possible new avenues that will open up from the lawsuit include better team autonomy, direct charter deals without NASCAR’s mediation, freer trade of charters, and motivation for other teams to follow their footsteps and challenge NASCAR’s authority on different levels. The ripple effect this could create might have grave consequences for NASCAR, such as losing control over the charter market, and one thing NASCAR hates is losing control over any aspect of its sport. This is why they have chosen to respond to the verdict by requesting a hearing to stop some of the charter deals going through.
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NASCAR fights back
To no one’s surprise, NASCAR isn’t taking the granting of the injunction lightly. The governing body has requested to the court that their injunction be delayed pending an appeal. However, this is focused on the sale of the third Stewart Haas Racing charters. Bob Pockrass explained the situation on X. “NASCAR is asking for the enforcement of preliminary injunction be delayed pending appeal except that NASCAR will guarantee entry of two cars each from Front Row and 23XI in each 2025 Cup race. They ask to delay SHR charter transfers and other benefits of charter membership.”
In a twist of events, NASCAR is now claiming ‘irreparable harm’ if the SHR charters are sold. The governing body claims that selling SHR charters would lock them in financially with the teams for 7-14 years. This is not something they want, as these charters have not been through due processes and according to NASCAR’s filing, “Plaintiffs have not met multiple conditions for this charter assignment.”
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Well, now only time will tell whether NASCAR will get its way here, but their request does seem to be genuine. They initially tried to wield their sledgehammer by taking away all the charters and making the teams run as open ones for 2025. However, that backfired as it showed irreparable harm on the plaintiffs’ end with a financial loss of sponsors are loss of star drivers. Now, accepting their current charters but denying the SHR’s ones seems like a middle ground. What do you think of the charter situation? Let us know in the comments below!

Kyle Larson had quite a 2024 Cup Series season, didn’t he? The Hendrick Motorsports driver may not have made it to the Championship 4, but he was by far the most consistent driver at NASCAR’s highest level. The 32-year-old showed his dominance across 36 races and even attempted ‘The Double’ by competing in the Coca-Cola 600 and the Indianapolis 500 on the same day. Despite a memorable campaign that ended with a disappointing finish, it seems like Larson isn’t being given the respect he deserves.
Autosport recently revealed its ‘Top 50 drivers of 2024’ and Larson was ranked a lowly 16th, while Joey Logano and several Formula 1 drivers were placed higher. The ranking didn’t go down well with several NASCAR fans, and many took to social media to express their disappointment.
Reflecting on Kyle Larson’s bittersweet 2024
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Kyle Larson is widely regarded as one of NASCAR’s most talented drivers and rightly so. The 32-year-old may only have one Cup Series championship to his name, but few racers are as consistent or dominant on the racetrack as the California native. Driving the No. 5 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports, Larson secured six wins during the 2024 season, more than any other driver at the sport’s highest level.
It’s not just about how many Kyle Larson won, but also how he did it as well. At the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the racer broke a longstanding record, held by Dale Earnhardt (1987), Matt Kenseth (2005), and Kyle Busch (2008) by leading 462 laps out of 500, the most at the 0.533-mile short-track in three decades. Despite it all, the California native was only ranked 16th in the standings, prompting The Athletic journalist Jeff Gluck to write, “Autosport’s world driver rankings do quite a disservice to Kyle Larson here.”
Kyle Larson’s sixth-place finish in the driver’s standing doesn’t paint an accurate picture of the season he has had. Such is the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s versatility that he was a constant threat on short, intermediate, road courses and superspeedway tracks, but ultimately fell victim to the playoff format. The No. 5 Chevy driver led a staggering 1700 laps in the Cup Series, more than any other driver in the competition, and could have won the regular series championship had he not missed out on the Coca-Cola 600 while attempting ‘The Double’.
Larson won the 2024 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when the iconic oval was revived for the first time since 2020 and his triumph at the Charlotte Roval made him a title favorite. However, he narrowly missed out on a spot in the Championship 4 after failing to win any of the Round of 8 playoff races, which may go on to explain why Joey Logano is ranked one spot higher in Autosports’ rankings.
Larson reflected on his season during an appearance on Race Industry Week. “It was a great year. Yeah, I was super, super happy with the performance of our race team all year long. We had a ton of speed from race one to race 38. Obviously, you want to make the final four and have a shot at the championship, but I also understand the format and know kind of how crazy it can be.” The HMS driver showed maturity and pride while dissecting his season. Larson was indeed head and shoulders above his competition but accepts that the playoff format is a different game altogether. The 2021 Champion is also aiming to attempt ‘The Double’ once again this year, but his main goal will be getting back to the pinnacle of NASCAR.
The decision to rank the HMS driver a lowly 16th didn’t sit well with NASCAR fans, many of whom didn’t hesitate to make their disapproval known.
NASCAR fans dissatisfied by Autosports’ rankings
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Trending
As expected, it didn’t take long for NASCAR fans to defend Kyle Larson on social media after the No. 5 Chevy driver was placed below eventual-winner Joey Logano, who won four times in the 2024 Cup Series season. Citing the win-and-in playoff system as the reason for the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s disappointing ranking, a fan wrote on X, “Another problem with the playoffs … third parties can’t understand how good a year 5 had, because your champion isn’t indicative of your most successful driver.”
Echoing that sentiment, another fan questioned Autosports’ ranking choices by claiming that Larson is a far superior driver than Team Penske’s Logano, even though the latter won his third championship trophy in seven years. The X user wrote, “I’m sorry but Logano ahead of Larson? No disrespect to Joey but this is just comical. Larson would drive circles around most of the guys ahead of him.” Taking note of several Formula 1 drivers such as Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Carlos Sainz, and Charles Leclerc being ranked higher than the HMS star, a motorsports enthusiast couldn’t help but make a subtle dig at them by saying, “Larson is the best guy on the list at driving a racecar that isn’t a high-performance computer.”
Having made a name for himself on dirt tracks, Kyle Larson is known for his versatility, not just in stock cars but across other motorsports disciplines as well, including open-wheel racing. Hailing his talent across different formats and track types, a fan went on to write, “I will go on record in saying that Larson is a top-5 driver overall in motorsports. He can drive anything with four wheels.” Sharing a conspiracy theory about the logic behind Autosports’ ranking system, a fan wrote on X, “The rankings are heavily biased (intentionally or unintentionally) to F1 and Euro-centric racing.”
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Do you think Kyle Larson should have been ranked higher by Autosport? Let us know in the comments!