Corey LaJoie has seen his fair share of struggles. In nearly four years at Spire Motorsports, the 33-year-old has struggled to make his mark in the NASCAR Cup Series. The North Carolina native has been subjected to plenty of criticism for his performances after not finishing higher than 25th in the driver standings. A switch to Rick Ware Racing for the final seven races of the 2024 season has added to the uncertainty surrounding his future, even though LaJoie is adamant he has options.
However, fans aren’t buying into his claims. With his on-track performances leaving much to be desired, the NASCAR community has criticized the racing driver’s future in the sport, expressing that he would be better suited for a role off the track.
Is Corey LaJoie exploring career options after a lackluster 2024?
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LaJoie had quite a start to his 2024 Cup Series campaign. Driving the No. 7 Chevy for Spire Motorsports, the racer finished fourth at the Daytona 500, his career-best finish at NASCAR’s highest level. However, the season since then hasn’t worked out as planned, with just one top-five and three top-ten finishes in 36 races. The son of two-time Busch Series winner Randy LaJoie eventually lost his seat at Spire Motorsports, resulting in a swap with Justin Haley at Rick Ware Racing.
Despite having seven races to prove himself to potential employers, Corey LaJoie’s struggles continued while behind the wheel of the No. 51 Ford. His highest finish was 14th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, casting a serious doubt about his future. However, the 33-year-old spoke about the opportunities at his disposal in a recent Stacking Pennies episode, saying, “I have so many cool opportunities behind the wheel but also not behind the wheel to take into consideration of the next chapter of life is.”
When the driver-swap announcement was made at Bristol Motor Speedway, Rick Ware Racing president Robby Benton clarified that the deal with Corey LaJoie was only for the 2024 season. With no official announcement made by either party about a contract extension for 2025, the likelihood of the North Carolina native plying his trade away from the No. 51 Ford is getting higher daily. Moreover, RFK Racing has reportedly expanded its Cup Series operations for next year, potentially leasing a charter from team owner Rick Ware. This has cast another doubt about LaJoie’s future.
Despite Robby Benton confirming that two RWR cars will be competing in the 2025 Daytona 500, could one of them be an ‘open’ car while the other competes full-time?
If that is the case, Corey LaJoie could potentially be involved in a part-time capacity with the team, while the owner’s son Cody Ware, Kaz Grala, and Xfinity Series drivers such as Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer will also be fighting for a spot in the one-off races. With LaJoie exploring his options for next year, could his future lie away from the racetrack? Plenty of NASCAR fans seem to think so.
NASCAR fans unconvinced by LaJoie’s claims
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It’s fair to say that Corey LaJoie hasn’t endeared himself in the eyes of NASCAR fans. The racer has been involved in plenty of on-track incidents during the 2024 Cup Series season, resulting in questions being raised about his capability to compete against the best drivers in the sport. Having struggled to make his mark at the highest level, a fan wrote on Reddit, “Honestly, Corey’s a better media figure than a driver. He should keep doing the podcast, become a pit reporter for TV, and race in Xfinity or Trucks 2-3 times a season.”
Corey LaJoie is yet to secure a Cup Series win, despite competing at NASCAR’s highest level for over five seasons. With seats in the sport depending on performances and sponsorships, a motorsports fan questioned the North Carolina driver’s place after reading between the lines following his Stacking Pennies claim. The fan said, “Anytime an athlete mentions “next chapter of my life” it’s an indication of where their head is at. He’s likely not going to be racing for years to come and he knows it.” Echoing that sentiment, another fan went on to say that the 33-year-old’s claim was rooted in pride, writing, “Aka he has no ride for next year and is trying to make it sound like it’s by choice.”
Having been forced to retire early five times in 36 races during the 2024 season, Corey LaJoie’s performances haven’t been convincing enough for a team to place a gamble on the racing driver. Believing that his future lies away from the racetrack, a fan said, “He has way more of a voice outside the car than he does inside the car. Why not go more into the media side, his cup career has been a joke.”
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Taking the responsibility of interpreting LaJoie’s claims from his podcast, another fan expressed that the racer may not have an option but to settle for an off-track role in the future. The Reddit user wrote, “Translation: I have no cool opportunities behind the wheel so I will be forced to choose an opportunity that’s not behind the wheel. And don’t put it in the newspaper that I got mad.”
What are your thoughts about Corey LaJoie’s future? Do you think his future lies in the NASCAR Cup Series?

Kurt Busch, Kyle Larson, and Ross Chastain were all scouted by the same owner! Yes, you read that right. The Spire Motorsports owner has a knack for discovering diamonds in the rough, and in these three alone, there’s a plethora of talent, with two Cup Series champions in Busch and Larson. However, the CEO was a talent scout back in the day when he unearthed the potential of these drivers and persuaded teams to take a punt.
Of course, we are talking about the legendary Jeff Dickerson. Back then, he was the one advising owners to take risks on young drivers who might not bring in immediate funding but had the potential to dominate. At Spire Motorsports, Dickerson’s story has come full circle. His long-standing commitment to nurturing talent combines with his passion for finding the sport’s next stars. A NASCAR Insider talks about how Dickerson found these talents and got them a seat at top-tier racing teams.
Kurt Busch: The 21st-century breakout star scouted by Dickerson
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Dickerson has always believed in patience when it comes to development. Larson and Chastain got opportunities at the top because of him. Under his guidance, young drivers would eventually make it to the NASCAR Cup Series. This is the model that got Busch to the top, where he cemented his legacy by winning the championship in 2004. Dickerson helped Spire Motorsports find talent. The team debuted only a few years ago, but Dickerson has always focused on building a team that can sustain success, rather than just relying on established drivers. While he’s constantly under pressure to win races and prove Spire’s potential in NASCAR, his strategic patience is key.
Joel Edmonds, a prominent insider in NASCAR, captures the essence of Dickerson’s strategy, comparing it to the way Ganassi and Roush once scouted and signed young drivers. “Remember when Chip Ganassi would go out and sign a bunch of young guys? Remember when Roush Racing would go out and sign a bunch of young guys?” he recalls. “That was agents like Jeff Dickerson out there, scouting talent.” Dickerson was known for encouraging top teams to take a chance on lesser-known drivers, urging them to “hire Kyle Larson, hire Ross Chastain — they’re going to make it. One of these four is going to make it.”
Getting to the top of NASCAR is not an easy task. Talent alone won’t get you far in the Cup Series, or so it seems. Over the years, it has taken disciplined growth and structured development. In the past, Jack Roush and others offered long-term contracts to young drivers so they could develop their skills gradually. Drivers might spend three years in trucks and two years in Xfinity, and earn a Cup option if successful. This worked for both Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle, as Joel pointed out, “just like they did with Kurt Busch.”
You don’t just sign a young driver and hope for the best, you create a roadmap for them. Using Busch and Biffle’s contracts as an example, Edmonds highlights the rigorous structure that helped shape NASCAR’s most successful drivers. In NASCAR’s highly competitive world, Spire Motorsports and Dickerson are taking this approach. The focus Dickerson puts on developing future stars in a stable, professional environment reminds us of Kurt Busch’s career trajectory.
It’s ironic that Busch’s current status represents the opposite. The former Cup Series champion pleaded guilty to Driving While Impaired (DWI) after an August incident. Despite his retirement from full-time racing in 2023, this keeps Busch’s personal life in the spotlight.
Court records show Busch was driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .17, which is twice the limit in North Carolina, and speeding in Iredell County. He apologized publicly to NASCAR fans and colleagues, expressing regret and pledging to fix it. The DWI charge was reduced by prosecutors in exchange for a guilty plea, but Busch got a 60-day suspended jail sentence, a year of unsupervised probation, and 24 hours of community service. Busch hasn’t raced much since suffering a concussion at Pocono Raceway in July 2022. During the 2023 Daytona 500, fans, fellow drivers, and his brother Kyle Busch, gathered to celebrate his retirement. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future in racing, Busch’s journey shows the highs and lows of NASCAR racing.
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While Kurt Busch was certainly a great scout from Dickerson, what are his plans as owner of Spire Motorsports?
Jeff Dickerson only smells success at Spire Motorsports
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After Spire Motorsports’ bold moves in NASCAR’s silly season, co-owner Jeff Dickerson shed some light on the urgency and determination it took to succeed in top-tier racing. Making it clear that winning races is their primary goal. The team has made a lot of changes and investments in recent years, including hiring veteran crew chief Rodney Childers for the 2025 season and parting ways with Corey LaJoie. For the 2025 season, Spire Motorsports is reorganizing its driver roster because of a lack of victories.
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Over a two-week Olympic break, Dickerson’s team revealed LaJoie would not return to the #7 Cup car next season. In an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Jeff Dickerson said that these changes are made in order to achieve victory. Dickerson said, “We have to win. Like, you don’t do these moves and not win. You don’t do Rodney. You don’t try to move on from Corey. You don’t bring in some of the guys that we’ve been bringing on behind the scenes, you know, without, you know what I mean?”
For the 2025 season, Rodney Childers will also join Spire Motorsports after SHR’s swan song. In their first season, Spire Motorsports won just one Cup race, with Justin Haley taking the victory at Daytona. According to Dickerson, they have been talking about building a successful team for a long time.

The seventh time’s the charm for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s protégé as he finally secured his elusive Xfinity series title in 2024. The 2024 Xfinity series finale saw tons of adversity thrown at the eventual champion, but his ability to fight through it was inspiring. 38-year-old Justin Allgaier drove himself from all the way at the back of the grid right to the top, in an unforgettable drive.
However, the #7 driver can firmly say that his entire weekend was far from perfect, as he mentioned in a recent interview. One really had to wonder if he broke a mirror, crossed paths with a black cat, and walked under a ladder ahead of that weekend. Right from Friday, it had been setback after setback for Allgaier, with crashes, penalties, and more obstacles.
Nevertheless, he refused to throw in the towel and eventually prevailed. It wasn’t easy because the mistakes kept piling up throughout the race. Admittedly, some of them were self-inflicted, and he was man enough to admit his own shortcomings.
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The Dale Earnhardt Jr. backed driver broke down the recipe for success
Justin Allgaier has been racing for JR Motorsports for his ninth season now and Dale Jr. has been patiently waiting for his success. The #7 had come within inches of the title on multiple occasions. It was only fitting that after multiple 2nd and 3rd place finishes, the #7 finally got that coveted title on his seventh attempt. He reflected on his tumultuous championship weekend and the importance of the right people during times of adversity.
Justin Allgaier told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, “Having the right people around you is one of the most important piece of this sport. Great race cars are just that, but without great people they’re not great. Started off on Friday, put us behind the 8-ball to start with. That changed the mentality of the weekend, significantly. Had we not endured Friday night, I don’t know that we would’ve been able to endure Saturday afternoon. That’s first and foremost.”
Allgaier was an emotional wreck when he exited his #7 car as all the pain and hard work over a 14-year career had finally borne fruit. He was seen embracing his family in tears, as well as his mentor, team owner, and good friend Dale Earnhardt Jr., after his sublime drive. He further elaborated on how he lost all hope after a qualifying disaster saw him start at the back of the grid,
“Second of all, you saw a lot of emotion out of me, Friday when we crashed. I knew the amount of time, effort and energy had gone into that race car. That was a brand new car, literally first time it had ever been on a race track. It made 2 and a half laps and that was it. As a driver and as somebody that has worked on his own race cars for many years, and understands how hard it is to put cars together. That was one of the most deflating moments of my entire career.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (@siriusxmnascar)
As he recounted, the troubles began on Friday when he crashed out. What made matters worse was that it was a brand-new car, so valuable data would have been lost in the crash. Additionally, he acknowledged that his team worked hard to build that car. It took him less than two minutes for him to undo all their efforts. Justin Allgaier sympathized with his team because he had the experience of building his own cars.
Allgaier insisted that his practice shenanigans were beyond his control. Nevertheless, everyone in the JR Motorsports camp elected to put their heads down and focus. Race day on Saturday arrived, and this time he had no excuses. During the race, he made a number of mistakes, including a costly one during the restart. At one point in the race, it seemed like a not-so-lucky attempt #7 for Allgaier.
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How did Justin Allgaier recover from that error?
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In hindsight, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s protege confessed that he should have done his homework and checked out the Truck race earlier. Maybe he would have not made such a silly error that made his championship bid harder. Unfortunately, there was no use crying over spilled milk. A faulty restart, a blown tire, and speeding on pit road, this is what Allgaier fought off in pursuit of the title.
It started off with a blown tire and, of course, his crew chief and spotter were trying to calm him down and get his head in the game. Then more mistakes began to creep in as the race progressed. The next stumbling block was getting penalized for speeding on pit road. Allgaier spent most of the final stage a lap down, but some lucky cautions and an overtime restart allowed him to claw his way back up to the top of the grid and overtake Cole Custer for the championship.
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via Imago BRISTOL, TN – SEPTEMBER 15: Justin Allgaier 7 JR Motorsports BRANDT Chevrolet looks on before the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity Series Playoff Food City 300 on September 15, 2023, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: SEP 15 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff Food City 300 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2309151674 | Image Credits: Imago
Allgaier’s intentions were to retire after the championship win as this was long overdue, however he just couldn’t. The 38-year-old admitted during the trophy presentation that he said he would retire if he finally won it, but the winning feeling just makes him want to come back and do it again. Dale Earnhardt Jr. also mentioned he wanted to see Allgaier race for his team for a little longer, although would not blame him for retiring on a high if he did so. It remains to be seen whether Allgaier will be able to get more championships, but one thing is sure, the proverbial ‘monkey’ is definitely off his back.

Even though the 2024 season for Kyle Busch was one of his worst, there is no denying that the two-time Cup Series champion has had one of the most decorated NASCAR careers so far. And some of his records seem untouchable, like his all-time win record in Xfinity; Mark Martin’s 49 wins in second place are nowhere close to Busch’s 102. Even his 63 wins in the Truck Series are the most ever by a driver in NASCAR history. And speaking of Busch’s records, they aren’t limited to the racetrack. Recently, the veteran dwelled on a personal record, which he set only when he was 12 years old!
In the off-season, Busch is back to racing while many are laying back and relaxing. The Nevada native is exploring the midget racing world, which surprisingly he’s never forayed into. He has set his eyes on the iconic Chili Bowl Nationals 2025. However, Kyle Busch will be a rookie in midget and isn’t jumping straight into the main event. He is first scheduled to race in USAC-sponsored events at Bakersfield Speedway on November 26th and Ventura Raceway on November 30th this year.
In preparation for the Chili Bowl Nationals, the RCR driver tested the #51 Flowracing Lucas Oil car, also his first time in a midget car at the Rockfish Speedway. It was during his testing that he went down memory lane to share an interesting tidbit from his childhood: his personal best at eating the most chili cheese hot dogs. While the number itself is massive, it’s also that Rowdy was only 12.
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Sharing the story on his YouTube channel, Busch said, “Chili Cheese dogs with onions…When I was 12-13 growing boy I would go to Wienerschnitzel with my grandmother for lunch and I think they had three right? I ordered three I said I was still hungry. I ordered three more, I said I’m still hungry. All the way to eleven. I had eleven in one sitting.” That’s a lot of hot dogs! Probably he was gearing up to start his racing career and needed fuel. Busch started racing at the age of 13 in Legends car racing in the year 1998.
While thirteen is young enough, Kyle Busch‘s son, Brexton is only 9 and is already causing waves in the world of motorsport. And one of Busch’s reasons for entering Midgets is also to race alongside his son. Well, unlike his father, Brexton started racing when he was only 5 years old and has since. Taking his father’s success route, young Brexton has already won several races in Legends racing. It wasn’t long ago when he won the Cook Out Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A track that Kyle Busch has dominated several times in the past.
Before debuting in the Chili Bowl, Kyle Busch will be seen racing in the Shootout with his son and is looking forward to having fun in the realm of racing, which is very different from stock cars.
Rowdy is excited about the Chili Bowl 2025
It’s not often you find Kyle Busch being called a rookie, but he is this time and is pumped for the Chili Bowl. On this note, Kyle Busch himself noted, “This year, I decided to go run the Chili Bowl. With all the dirt racing I’ve been doing the last couple of years with Brexton, running in the Tulsa Shootout, I got my feet wet, more and more with the realm of these cars, but this will be the first time really behind the wheel of a midget there, so that’s going to be interesting. But nothing competes or compares with the atmosphere or the size of the event.”
via Imago Kyle Busch
And he won’t be the first one from NASCAR to run the Chili Bowl Nationals. The race has been there since 1987, and over time, many NASCAR drivers have attempted it and also won it, like Christopher Bell, Rico Abreu, Bryan Clauson, Tracy Hines, Tanner Thorson, and Kevin Swindell.
However, Kyle Busch looks to join the long list of NASCAR drivers to have made the crossover. Like only last year, the event had participants like Tanner Berryhill, Chase Briscoe, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and Jesse Love, to name a few. And, it looks like he is eagerly looking forward to racing at the famed event.
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“The Cup season may be over, but the racing season is still in full swing with the biggest events on dirt taking place over the next couple of months. The Chili Bowl is a legendary event and has always been on my wish list. To be able to compete there, and then alongside my son Brexton at the Tulsa Shootout, is making this year one to remember,” he added.
And well, looking at his test runs, Busch could actually join the winner’s list. After the practice session, Busch also dwelled on getting comfortable with the car and how he was ready for the challenges that awaited. “It was fun. Definitely just a whole unique, different learning experience from the micro. I mean just power car weight, all of that, like differences and RPMs of the engine, that sort of stuff. But you know being by yourself is quite easy easier than it is being out in the crowd so I’m sure that there’s going to be a heck of a lot more challenges that present themselves…I felt like there was a point where I got real comfortable with it and was able to put together some good laps and just kind of take it all in.”
What do you think? How would Kyle Busch fare at Chili Bowl Nationals?

No feeling is worse than having a win taken away against your will in sports. Tony Stewart knows what it’s like. Last September, some unapproved ignition parts in his NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster disqualified him from the Carolina Nationals, which proved very costly since Smoke lost the title to Julie Nataas by 21 points. If that hadn’t happened, the 53-year-old racing legend would’ve become the first driver in history with championship trophies in NASCAR, IndyCar, USAC, and NHRA. But alas!
Now, disqualifications aren’t a new fad in auto racing. That’s why rules exist for all those who wish to compete. But how far does the NASCAR rulebook take things to overturn Victory Lane celebrations that put an asterisk in a driver’s win record? Well, self-proclaimed ‘dumb team owner,’ Tony Stewart might have an idea. So, he laid it bare for all of us to hear alongside fellow NASCAR icon Dave Blaney.
Tony Stewart’s ‘dumb mistakes’ and NASCAR’s pricey consequences
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In a profound surprise, Tony Stewart recently sat down for a heart-to-heart with the Blaney racing family on the Racers Roundtable podcast. 2023 NASCAR champ Ryan Blaney, his uncle Dale, and father Dave Blaney, aka the “Buckeye Bullet,” were all present as the conversations evolved. The discussions eventually settled upon a lesser-talked-about topic in the sport of stock car racing: why NASCAR took away wins ‘back in the day,’ unlike what has become the apparent norm at the present moment. And Tony Stewart had quite a coherent explanation for that head-scratcher.
He elaborated, “So back in the day in NASCAR, you didn’t have cell phones, you know… Radios were great but not great. And it was really important to Bill France, that when they saw the end of the race and they left the bleachers, they knew who won the race…. That is why for such a long time in the sport, that tradition never changed.” Smoke then brought forward the justifying case of NASCAR’s most recent results-altering disqualification drama from 2022, which resulted in former Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch both getting scratched off the wins column.
NASCAR had penalized those two after both drivers finished 1-2 at Pocono that year and handed the win to Chase Elliott, the rightful third-place finisher. In the words of the Cup Series’ Managing Director, Brad Moran, NASCAR declared the DQs because ‘there were some issues discovered that affected the aero of [their] vehicles. The part was the front fascia.’ This incident marked the first time since 1960 that the sport overturned a race win.
A decision like that makes Smoke positive “that the sport is finally catching up on.” He believes it is necessary, and so does Ryan Blaney. Ultimately, Stewart laid out his conclusion with a respectable dig at himself, when he said, “Then you got dumb car owners like me that let our guys throw stuff on there that doesn’t even get us in the top 20, and [NASCAR] penalize you $300,000 or $400,000 and a gazillion owner and Driver points. So, that hurt. We obviously aren’t learning from our mistakes.” With Stewart-Haas finally closing shop at the end of the 2024 season, Tony Stewart will, unfortunately, no longer be a team owner in NASCAR.
Regardless, money like that is no laughing matter, although the sport’s sanctioning body has taken away race wins for much less.
When Dave Blaney was a two-time NASCAR winner for four days
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Here’s where Dave Blaney’s account makes its way into the picture. Ryan Blaney’s father is a dirt racing legend in his own right. He has won close to one hundred victories in the World of Outlaws series and even claimed the championship in 1995. Sadly, all his success never translated onto the NASCAR circuit, but he’s got a solitary Busch Series win from 2006 to show for all his commendable advances in the sport. However, what many fans do not know today is that the Buckeye Bullet almost had two.
In 1999, Dave Blaney was enjoying his sophomore year in the Busch Grand National Series. He was winless the season prior, and it looked like things were finally reaching an uptrend in Atlanta. He won the pole in that race—the 1999 Yellow Freight 300—and finished second to future Truck Series veteran, Mike Skinner. But the next day, NASCAR disqualified Skinner’s own debut Busch Series win because post-race inspections determined his truck’s engine sported an unapproved cylinder head. This violation stripped away Skinner’s win at Atlanta, and he got moved to 43rd when the dust settled.
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But four days later, after an appeal from Skinner, NASCAR reinstated their original decision and awarded him the win, placing Blaney back in second. Dave Blaney kept that win on his record, albeit unceremoniously, for only four days. He remembered that moment with Stewart, and said, “I might be the only guy I can remember. I did win a Busch race, at Atlanta. I won it Sunday night and Monday, and then I lost it on Tuesday.”
“That’s probably not happened to many guys in NASCAR,” reminisced Dave Blaney, and he’s probably right. But does any of it mean NASCAR should go back to its old ways and let the results rest as they used to, back in the day? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season hasn’t been ideal for veteran Denny Hamlin. The #11 driver is in his 19th full Cup Season, and while his 54 wins are nothing short of impressive, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is yet to bag a championship. On numerous occasions, he’s come close to it but has failed to finish the job. Many, including Hamlin himself, believed the 2024 season to be the ‘one’ but it rather proved to be disappointing.
Hamlin, in the season, bagged 3 wins and 12 top 5s, but it was only good enough to give him an 8th-place season finish. Which is his worst since 2018. While dealing with the setback, Hamlin’s long-time loyal sponsor FedEx, which has been with the Virginia native since day one, has also left his side. At a time when he would ideally be grieving, Hamlin has left a confusing message on X. This has evoked the inner Sherlock Holmes of fans as they try to decipher it.
What does Denny Hamlin’s message mean?
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FedEx, having a $71.94 billion market cap in 2024, has been with Hamlin since his Cup Series debut in 2005 at Kansas Speedway. The veteran, a proud brand ambassador for the company, decided to part ways with FedEx. This comes as FedEx is re-evaluating its investment in NASCAR and started to cut back from the sport since the 2021 season. Earlier sponsoring the #11 team for 32-36 races a year, FedEx went down to 30 in 2021, followed by only being the primary sponsor for Hamlin’s car in 12-point races in 2023 and 13 in 2024. And after the Phoenix race, the last of the duo, the company is not coming back to Hamlin’s corner.
Naturally, it must be disappointing for Denny Hamlin and JGR after all, out of Hamlin’s 54 wins, 47 came in a FedEx car. Hamlin, sharing the news, had said, “Yeah, just can’t thank them enough for 19 years. It’s been such a great relationship. You’d say at the very beginning would you take 19 years in a row with the presence they’ve had? Absolutely. They’ve been part of my racing career, the whole thing in Cup. Really happy to be able to represent them and all their employees.” Even FedEx shouted out to their long-time partner, “What a ride it’s been! Denny and the entire Joe Gibbs team, it’s been an incredible 20 years of racing with the best. #TeamFedEx will always be cheering you on.”
While a championship would have been a fitting end to the partnership, what’s done is done! However, Hamlin isn’t sobbing over it, rather he’s recently shared a confusing GIF on X. A small snippet from the Wolf of Wall Street movie. It is from a scene where Leonardo DiCaprio, playing Jordan Belfort, gives his iconic ‘I’m not f—in leaving‘ speech in the movie. Here, take a look at Hamlin’s post:
Well, what could it mean? Has Hamlin and JGR roped in another big primary sponsor for 2025? Does Hamlin think 2025 would be ‘the’ year? Your guess is as good as ours. The post has led to fans making some wild and some calculated guesses. But only the #11 driver knows the true reason behind this newfound excitement.
Fans play a guessing game after Denny Hamlin’s post
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Considering the most recent sequence of events, a piece of sponsorship-related news seems most probable. Even after the FedEx exit, Hamlin had hinted at something cooking in that front. He had said, “It’s a work in progress. Certainly, the [Joe] Gibbs team is working really hard. We’ve got some good talks going on, but we’ll see what goes on next year. Obviously, we got some great partners that have been with the team for quite some time now that you’ll see some presence with.” Well, one fan is certain that it is something related to his new sponsor, the fan wrote, “New sponsorship 🙌🏾.”
via Imago Denny Hamlin
When more than one person has guessed it to be sponsorship-related, a fan thinks FedEx is making a return. He guessed, “FedEx signed back up for 8-10 races?” Of course, Hamlin and JGR would love that, but it seems unlikely after the company’s exit statement. Where they said, “Fed Ex is pulling back from long-term sports sponsorships in general. This decision aligns with FedEx’s overall refocus.”
Another probable guess is Hamlin finally tying the knot. Hamlin’s X post had some fans imagine the whole wedding of the JGR driver. A fan wrote, “Maybe a date for the Wedding.” It seems like Hamlin is a firm believer in long-term relationships as he’s been with his girlfriend Jordan Fish since 2009, and the couple also share two children. Maybe it’s about time that they get married. While some fans have their fingers crossed for it to be true, another one has taken a sarcastic route while guessing.
Recently Hamlin had an online banter with SiriusXM NASCAR’s sports analyst, Larry McReynolds. The feud was left on a cliffhanger, with Hamlin getting the last say. A fan believes maybe McReynolds has replied back, rattling the veteran. The fan wrote, “Is this because lil old man (Larry) McReynolds ruffled your feathers?” While there isn’t a public reply by McReynolds yet, maybe he’s said something privately to Hamlin, who knows?
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While we all would love more juicy titbits from the banter, a possibility could also be something regarding the lawsuit between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR. A fan thinks the court has accepted the team’s request for the preliminary injunction. He wrote, “Injunction appeal approved!” The teams have currently appealed the court’s ruling on denying them the injunction, but nothing on that front is yet conclusive. The 23XI faction would be the first to publicly celebrate if this was the case, as it would mean they get the same rights and race purse share as chartered teams in 2025.
We would probably have to wait and watch what is the actual reason behind Hamlin’s post. What do you think about it? Is it something silly or are we getting some big news? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

NASCAR has come a long way. From competing in modified stock cars on dirt ovals after World War 2 to Next-Gen vehicles implementing all the technology the world of motorsports has to offer. The sport has adapted with the tools at its disposal, but what has not changed is its commitment to racing. As part of its core principle, there remains a visual link between what’s seen on the racetrack and the products fans can buy in the showroom. With the world transitioning towards electric and hybrid vehicles in a bid to save the environment and reduce costs, could NASCAR follow suit? Will the next generation of cars usher in a new era of stock car racing, the likes of which have not been seen for years? If rumors are anything to go by, that certainly seems to be the case.
NASCAR’s bold move could change the sport forever
In 2012, NASCAR’s switch from carburetors to electronic fuel injection marked the start of a technological shift unseen in over 50 years. The game-changing ECU, developed by McLaren Applied, became the cornerstone of optimizing engine performance. Now, the possibility of another transformative step—a new ECU designed for hybrid powertrains by 2026—is gaining momentum.
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Such a move could potentially entice manufacturers like Honda and Hyundai to join the sport, aligning NASCAR with Formula 1 and IndyCar, both of which have embraced hybrid technology. However, this leap could challenge teams as they transition from their beloved naturally aspirated V8 engines.
The shift, though daunting, reflects NASCAR’s need to remain competitive in an era of rapid engineering advances. Whether the teams adapt seamlessly or face growing pains, the prospect of a hybrid-powered future might redefine the very core of stock car racing.
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The decision will be met with resistance though, especially from the fans. NASCAR as a sport has always taken pride in being faithful to its roots, having embraced innovations slowly and cautiously in the past. The sanctioning body only embraced fuel injectors just over a decade ago, highlighting an underlying apprehension towards change.
Moreover, NASCAR fans enjoy the roar of the thirsty and loud V8 engines, with rear-mounted manual transmissions and rear-wheel-drive cars. Despite unconfirmed rumors suggesting the introduction of hybrid powertrains, stock car racing enthusiasts couldn’t help but express their disapproval towards the hypothetical scenario on social media.
Fans apprehensive about a switch to hybrid powertrains
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As expected, it didn’t take long for NASCAR fans to express their displeasure at the possibility of a ‘hybrid era’ in NASCAR. There seems to be a conflict between the sanctioning body, which has committed to cutting its carbon footprint to zero by 2035, and a fanbase that is not willing to embrace that monumental shift in approach. Expressing resistance towards the change, one fan wrote on Instagram, “No hybrid or electric allowed,” clearly indicating that the gas-guzzling V8 engines should remain in the sport. Echoing that sentiment, another fan went on to write, “Worst news” when hearing that the new ECU could adapt to hybrid powertrains.
Despite the many technological advancements present in the Next-Gen cars, fuel consumption hasn’t changed over the years. As things stand, Cup Series cars use 5 mpg gas per race, amounting to 2 million gallons a year. To put things into perspective, that’s the equivalent of gasoline used by 5,000 vehicles.
However, with the NASCAR fanbase unwilling to embrace the change, speculation about hybrid powertrains prompted one fan to write, “The xfinity and truck series is looking better and better every year.” The sentiment was echoed by another motorsports enthusiast as well, who indicated that the competition would get boring after the pivot by simply writing, “yawnnnnn.”
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However, one fan went against the norm and took to social media to speak about the benefits of embracing the hybrid era. With the sanctioning body courting new manufacturers, including Dodge, the Instagram user highlighted the change as being the only way for stock cars to go faster than ever before.
The NASCAR fan went on to write, “Hybrids are the only path back to 1000hp and getting more manufacturers in the sport.” With change being inevitable, the sanctioning body will aim to take it slow, mixing the old with the new before ultimately switching to EVs in the distant future.

The NASCAR season might have ended, but the excitement is at an all-time high. After all, it’s not always that the legendary boxer Mike Tyson and Jake Paul go head-to-head in a clash of the titans. While the off-season is usually dominated by headlines about drivers switching teams or taking a vacation at an exotic location, the boxing match seems to be the talk of the town at the moment, prompting Jade Avedisian to open up a question to the motorsport community.
Having raced alongside Kyle Larson briefly in 2020, Avedisian asked her followers about the potential winner between Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul. Her open-ended question sparked a debate on social media ahead of the blockbuster clash between two boxers who have no love or respect for each other.
Jade Avedisian is rooting for Mike Tyson
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Despite being just 18 years old, Jade Avedisian has made quite a name for herself in dirt racing circles. In 2022, she became the first female driver to win the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series. Besides winning the Rookie of the Year award at Chili Bowls Midget Nationals in 2023, she also went on to secure five wins last year, cementing her reputation as one of the brightest prospects in the motorsport world. Having competed for Keith Kunz Motorsports, a team that Kyle Larson has also driven for, it seems like only a matter of time before she breaks into one of NASCAR’s three national series.
Until then, the youngster is enjoying life in the fast lane. With the sporting world buzzing ahead of an iconic boxing match, Avedisian posted a tweet on X that read, “Who you putting your money on tonight?!? I got Mike”. She wasn’t the only prominent figure in the motorsport world to ask that question either, as former racing driver Mark Martin also asked his followers, “Who you think is going to win the fight. Tyson is a scary dude.” The responses for both the questions were polarized, with the NASCAR community sharing their views ahead of the fixture.
With an eye-opening $80 million purse, there is more than just pride on the line when both the boxers enter the ring. The fight has quickly evolved into somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, as it’s a clash between a boxing legend and a rising star. In NASCAR circles, it can almost be described as a matchup between current-day Jeff Gordon and Connor Zilisch, with the result going either way, depending on the circumstances. With the clash between two generations on the horizon, will it lead to a satisfying conclusion for the fans tuning in to the legendary fixture?
As things stand, the tension is already at an all-time high. During the weigh-in, Jake Paul was seen crawling across the floor and stepping on Tyson’s foot before looking Iron Mike in the eye. Despite the veteran boxer refusing to engage in Paul’s provocation during the weeks leading up to the match, the 58-year-old couldn’t stop himself from slapping his opponent, after which security separated the two fighters. Walking out off the stage, Tyson simply said, “Talking’s over”, making NASCAR fans reminisce about the fight between Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Kyle Busch during the All-Star race earlier this year.
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NASCAR fans predict the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul’s outcome
If there’s one thing NASCAR fans are good at doing, it’s predicting results. After all, stock car racing enthusiasts are used to speculating about the winners of 36 races in the Cup Series every year. When Jade Avedisian asked her followers about the outcome of the boxing match, the response she received was enthusiastic. Cheering for the two-time world champion, one fan made his loyalties clear from the get-go, writing, “Hopefully Iron Mike KO’s him first round!!” Echoing a similar sentiment, another loyal fan of the ‘Kid Dynamite’ went on to say, “I’d rather lose with Mike than profit from the JP.”
Despite retiring in 2005, Mike Tyson, at the age of 58, was looking as fit as ever, weighing in at 233lb. Even though 27 years separated him from opponent Jake Paul, who is considered to be in the prime of his boxing career, a fan wasn’t willing to rule out ‘the Baddest Man On The Planet’. Writing on X, the fan said, “I dont care if Iron Mike is eighty billion years old. The brother is NOT someone i’d want to hit me in the face.” Given the limitations that come with his age, another fan devised an ingenious strategy that would help Tyson secure a victory over Paul. The fan wrote, “I feel like Tyson will need a knock out in the first 3 rounds or so. If he has to go the distance, his age could become a factor with stamina.”
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With Jade Avedisian’s question being asked to NASCAR fans, one fan joked by giving a race prediction instead, even though the NASCAR season is already over. Chimed in with a tongue-in-cheek comment, the fan said, “RTJ for me. Oh wait, you meant the fight not the late model race.” Recently, the legendary driver Martin Truex Jr closed the curtains on his full-time racing career, but the expectations are high for his younger brother, who is carrying on the iconic Truex name. However, with all eyes fixed on the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight, will sports fans be tuning in to any other event that will occur at the same time?

For those wondering otherwise, Joey Logano’s third championship was not a lucky break. Sure, his path to the title might have been a little sketchy. But there’s no denying the amount of preparation and strategic planning it took for the #22 team to get so far was unfathomable.
Theirs was a battle of relentless attrition, fought carefully throughout an entire season. And it wasn’t just the #22. All three Team Penske cars worked like clockwork to make their way into the 2024 NASCAR Playoffs. That speaks volumes about the levels of coordination they displayed en route to capping off a stellar year for Roger Penske. But the most glistening example of their unity wouldn’t come until the final, pressure-packed moment. In fairness, Joey Logano probably would not have lifted his third championship if an unlikely savior had not stepped in for an ailing crewmate.
A jack bearer’s championship redemption
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After the #22 Ford finished first in Stage 1, something felt off when Joey Logano rolled the car into his designated pit stall. He lost four spots after service during the ensuing stage break, but a much bigger issue was plaguing their brigade. Turned out, the delay wasn’t a mistake. Instead, the #22 team jackman, Graham Stoddard, appeared to be battling an undisclosed illness that put them on the back foot.
As the on-track cameras panned to show Stoddard in his moment of weakness, somewhere in the Team Penske garage pit crew, coaches Ray Gallahan and Danny Kincaid realized they were dealing with an unforeseen dilemma. Stoddard’s condition was deteriorating, and he needed immediate medical attention. This meant the #22 team needed a new jackman. So, they called upon Austin Cindric’s jack bearer, Patrick Gray, to emerge as their organization’s hero for the day.
By this point, Cindric’s championship chase ended a few weeks earlier at the end of the Round of 12 cutoff race in Charlotte. Hence, there was no problem for the #2 team in making this sudden switch mid-race. Filling in the absence, Harrison Burton’s jackman at Wood Brothers Racing, Courtney Edmonds, took Gray’s place in the #2 pit stall—no pressure. But all the pressure now lay on the new one-off jack bearer for Joey Logano’s #22 team. Gray explained his rush of emotions at that exact moment to SiriusXM NASCAR: “I think we did about one or two stops. And then our pit crew coach came out… He came on and told me that Graham was not doing too well.”
“Once he told me that, I ran down. Got my stuff together. Made sure the tires were taped correctly, asked them about how the setup was, you know, the fellow pit crew members on the #22,” reminisced the Monmouth University graduate. “Because we have to look at fender clearances, how the jack pegs are, stuff like that. So, once I kind of figured that out, I am like, ‘Okay, here we go. This is business.’” Indeed, it was ‘business’ for Gray. He’s been at Roger Penske’s NASCAR team for eight years now and has seen it all.
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“We ran for a championship with my pit crew, the #2 car with Brad (Keselowski) four years ago,” noted Gray. “We finished second, which is the worst place to finish for a championship. I have wanted this opportunity for a long time. Your first championship when you run for it, you tend to have a little bit of butterflies.” It sounds like the jackman had a chip on his shoulder which only bettered the #22 team’s pit road performance for the rest of the race. He affirmed that notion to conclude, “To me, it was redemption from 2020. I need to get this done.”
That kind of drive from his employees has made Roger Penske successful in every auto racing discipline he’s ventured into. In 2024, he also won the IMSA Sportscar Series and FIA World Endurance Championship as team owner. And guys like Paul Gray, working tirelessly every week, have made it all happen for Team Penske. The 87-year-old racing legend knows that. After the Phoenix championship race, he told the media, “My name might be on the door, but it’s all about the people who make the difference and we sure have them on this team.” Regardless, he must be proud to know that the people in his organization are more than well aware of the bigger picture.
One goal, one team: The Penske formula for success
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From the #22 team crew chief, Paul Wolfe, to their rear-tire changer, Jake Seminara, and the driver, Joey Logano himself, everyone plays their part in making Team Penske one of the best teams to watch year after year. They’ve held a stranglehold over the NASCAR Cup Series championship for three straight seasons. And by the looks of things, their dominance has only begun. Paul Gray’s flexibility in moving teams when necessary was a prime example of how different Penske’s approach has been in the Next-Gen era.
Seminara explained it best to NASCAR.com, “For Pat to step in and be able to just not miss a beat, that’s a testament to Penske and the culture and the teams that we’ve built. We practice with this 2 car every day, and they challenge us. They push us to be better. We didn’t miss a beat. We actually did the fastest pit stop that we did all day on the last pit stop.” He further asserted, “We built a great culture at Penske, so anyone could swap around, be on any team, and we feel like we’re confident that we can go out there and succeed.”
USA Today via Reuters Apr 29, 2023; Dover, Delaware, USA; The car of NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) sits on pit road during practice and qualifying for the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Even Wolfe is all-in on that mindset. “I think that just shows, obviously, how well we work together as a company and how there’s always one common goal,” said the #22 team crew chief. “And this weekend it was about making sure the #22 and the #12 had the best chance they could at racing for this championship. I don’t think it was a hard decision for anyone to be able to grab Pat and come on over, and it was really seamless.”
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In the end, Joey Logano claimed the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship—his third driving for Team Penske. His teammate Ryan Blaney finished runner-up in the championship standings. However, the title would eventually end up the fifth for Penske in the highest tier of NASCAR racing. In every sense, their organization nearly completed the script this year across various motorsport disciplines. And with people as dedicated as Paul Gray working hard for the organization, they could make this success a recurring phenomenon.

The age-old debate of NASCAR vs. Formula 1 heated up like never before. Recently, Kyle Larson, one of NASCAR’s brightest stars, boldly claimed that he’s a better all-around driver than the soon-to-be four-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen. While we’re still waiting for a head-to-head showdown between Larson and Verstappen, Red Bull gave fans a taste of that rivalry by pitting their F1 drivers against some of NASCAR’s finest. The stage was set: Shane Van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch teamed up to give Red Bull Racing’s Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson a crash course in NASCAR stock car racing.
In a special feature video on Red Bull Motorsports’ YouTube channel, the Visa CashApp RB duo was introduced to the rough-and-tumble world of NASCAR dirt racing just outside Austin, Texas, ahead of the U.S. Grand Prix. Their challenge? Mastering 500-horsepower V8 stock cars on a dirt oval track with the expert guidance of Van Gisbergen and Zilisch. The event was all about seeing if F1’s rising stars can handle the rugged demands of American stock car racing. And boy, it did not disappoint.
Tsunoda and Lawson Tackle the Dirt with SVG and Connor Zilisch
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First things first: Shane Van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch had to break down the basics for their F1 pupils. Stock cars, especially on dirt, are a whole different beast compared to the high-tech F1 machines that Tsunoda and Lawson are accustomed to. The NASCAR coaches set up cones on the track to guide the F1 drivers through different racing lines. The challenge? Learning when to run high on the outside or dive down low on the inside while controlling these heavy, rear-wheel-drive monsters.
Yuki Tsunoda, known for his fearless driving and explosive radio messages in F1, was the first to take on the challenge in his #22 car. Despite the new terrain, the 24-year-old Japanese driver adapted quickly, nailing his lines on the first attempt. It was an impressive display from Tsunoda, who looked surprisingly at ease sliding through the turns. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson, who just completed his eighth start in Formula 1 usurping the beloved Daniel Ricciardo, had a bit more of a learning curve. The Kiwi clipped a cone while trying to master the outside line, putting him on the back foot early on. With Tsunoda taking round one, the score was 1-0.
Next up was the speed trap test, where the F1 drivers had to find the sweet spot in terms of speed and angle. Shane Van Gisbergen and Zilisch advised them to keep their entry speed between 65 to 75 mph to maximize their exit momentum. Going too slow would kill their lap times while going too fast could send them into a spin. Tsunoda started strong but pushed a bit too hard on his second run, spinning out spectacularly. Lawson, however, seemed to find his rhythm, putting together a series of smooth runs at around 73 mph. That performance leveled the playing field at 1-1.
With one challenge each under their belts, it was time for a showdown. A short 5-lap race was set up to see who could truly master these stock cars. Qualifying saw Tsunoda edge out Lawson with a blistering lap time of 21.1993 seconds, just fractions quicker than Lawson’s 21.2453-second effort. The competitive spirit between the two teammates was palpable as they lined up for a rolling start. Tsunoda got the jump, and despite Lawson’s best efforts to find a way past it, Yuki held his nerve to take the win. Final score? Tsunoda 3 – Lawson 1. Afterward, the two drivers embraced the challenge with a handshake, showcasing the camaraderie despite the fierce competition.
F1 Meets NASCAR: A Growing Trend
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This isn’t the first time modern F1 drivers have dabbled in NASCAR, and it certainly won’t be the last. The crossover between these two worlds is becoming increasingly popular, with drivers like Kimi Räikkönen and Jenson Button testing their skills in the unpredictable and high-octane environment of American stock car racing.
Kimi Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion, dipped his toes into NASCAR back in 2011. He made his debut in the Truck Series with Kyle Busch Motorsports, followed by a brief stint in the Xfinity Series. After an 11-year hiatus, the Iceman returned in 2022 as part of Trackhouse Racing‘s “Project 91,” aiming to bring international talent into NASCAR. At Watkins Glen, Räikkönen showed promise but was caught in a mid-race collision. He returned in 2023 for another Cup Series run at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), finishing 29th.
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Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 Champion, also joined the NASCAR ranks in 2023, partnering with Rick Ware Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing. Button’s debut came at COTA, where he impressively finished 18th despite battling extreme heat and the physical toll of handling stock cars. He went on to compete in the Chicago Street Race and the Indy road course, finishing 21st and 28th, respectively. But perhaps the most headline-grabbing moment was Button’s venture into the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In 2023, Button teamed up with NASCAR legends like Jimmie Johnson and endurance ace Mike Rockenfeller to take a modified NASCAR Next Gen Cup car to the Le Mans circuit as part of the Garage 56 project. The unique entry, a collaboration between NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, and Chevrolet, was a tribute to stock car racing’s potential to compete on the world stage. The team not only completed the grueling endurance race but also earned praise for their adaptability and spirit.
The exchange between F1 and NASCAR is proving to be more than just a novelty. As drivers like Button, Räikkönen, Tsunoda, and Lawson continue to embrace the challenge of stock car racing, it’s clear that the lines between these two motorsport worlds are starting to blur. And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll get that much-anticipated showdown between Max Verstappen and Kyle Larson. But until then, fans can enjoy the spectacle of F1 stars learning the ropes of NASCAR, one dirt track at a time.
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Whether it’s ripping through dirt ovals or taking on the curves of Suzuka, these drivers are proving that great racers can thrive in any environment.

Corey LaJoie, known for his unfiltered thoughts on Stacking Pennies, recently sparked a heated debate in NASCAR fandom when he offered a hot take on Kyle Busch’s legacy—all while putting Joey Logano on a pedestal. While LaJoie’s appreciation for Logano’s racecraft and leadership is understandable, his comments about comparing Logano to Busch haven’t gone down well with everyone. Here’s how LaJoie broke down his perspective.
Right off the bat, LaJoie gave props to Joey Logano, marveling at what he’s accomplished and calling him the kind of guy he’d want to work with. “If I’m working in the sport, right? I want to be on that team,” he said, explaining that Logano’s presence in the garage and on the track makes him someone to admire and, to LaJoie, a teammate of choice. His comments painted a picture of Logano as an ideal driver to align with—but then came the take that’s now lit up social media.
For LaJoie, comparing Busch and Logano means looking only at Cup Series performances, and in doing so, he’s got no hesitation in putting Logano ahead of Busch. “If you took away all of Kyle Busch’s Xfinity and Truck wins and just looked at his case study on Sundays, I’m putting Joey Logano ahead of Kyle Busch on the list,” LaJoie stated. This part is where fans took a step back. Kyle Busch has two Cup championships, and recently Logano achieved his third, but when it comes to his combined stats across NASCAR’s top series, Busch’s wins in Xfinity and Truck arguably set him apart as one of the sport’s biggest names. LaJoie’s suggestion to disregard these records strikes a nerve, especially with Busch’s fans, who feel this downplays his impact on NASCAR.
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Corey LaJoie didn’t stop there, though. Reflecting on where he’d rank Logano among the sport’s all-time greats, LaJoie put him “like seventh grade on the list” but followed up with even more praise, calling Logano “one of the greatest” of the current era. LaJoie argued that even if Logano doesn’t have the outright speed of, say, Kyle Larson, he still stands out in “racecraft” and consistency.
USA Today via Reuters Feb 14, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) reacts after winning the pole award during qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
“Does he have Kyle Larson’s speed? No,” LaJoie admitted, “but does he have better racecraft than everybody? Probably the best racecraft in the sport.” LaJoie even commended Logano’s leadership and skills in keeping sponsors and teammates satisfied. But he also pointed out one glaring flaw: Logano’s unpopularity with competitors, a reputation that’s stuck around throughout his career.
In the end, LaJoie finished with a striking personal impression of Joey Logano: “There’s nobody more competitive I’ve met in my entire life.” Corey’s admiration for Logano’s grit and tenacity is real. But with Kyle Busch’s fiercely loyal fanbase, Corey’s take felt like a shot at Busch’s career. To them, Busch’s full legacy—Xfinity, Truck, and all—is what makes him an undeniable force in the sport, which they made extremely clear on Reddit. And to dismiss that is, well, something NASCAR fans aren’t going to let slide anytime soon.
Fans upset about Corey LaJoie’s comparison of Kyle Busch and Joey Logano
After Corey LaJoie’s bold comments on Stacking Pennies, NASCAR fans didn’t hold back, taking to social media to call out his take on Joey Logano versus Kyle Busch. First up, some fans saw LaJoie’s comments as nothing more than a friendly bias. “He’s one of Joey’s best friends. I wouldn’t look too deep into this,” one fan commented. This take got a lot of traction because, let’s face it, friendships in the garage can make drivers say things they might not otherwise. But others didn’t see friendship as an excuse, and one person shot back, “Being best friends with someone doesn’t just give you a free pass to say stupid things.” To them, loyalty doesn’t mean putting down a legend like Kyle Busch just to hype up your buddy.
Another fan, clearly more of a Logano fan than a Kyle Busch one, admitted they couldn’t agree with LaJoie’s ranking either. “Joey is one of my top 5 favorites, and I’ve never liked Kyle Busch. I still rank Busch ahead,” they shared. They backed it up, pointing out, “Kyle had 27 wins in a five-year period from ’15 to ’19. That’s insanely good.” Fans like this seem to feel that Busch’s consistency and sheer volume of wins speak for themselves — you can’t just ignore what he’s done in the sport, even if you’re not a fan of his personality. In terms of his stats, Busch goes through a lengthy win drought, ending 2024 without a win.
Then there were those who brought up some on-track history between LaJoie and Busch, like one fan who noted, “Considering how many times he decided to wipe Kyle out this season, it’s no surprise he’d make a comment this stupid.” Ouch. The bumps and scrapes on the track have left a few lingering resentments, and fans don’t think LaJoie’s comments came out of nowhere. Back at the Pocono Raceway in July 2024, Kyle Busch and Corie LaJoie were involved in an incident. It even prompted a threat of sorts from Kyle Busch, who said, “Payback’s coming.”
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But perhaps one of the best reactions nailed the debate with a simple analogy. “If you took Richard Petty’s 200 wins away, I think I would put Terry Labonte above him. See how dumb that sounds?” This fan turned LaJoie’s argument on its head to show just how odd it is to dismiss Busch’s Xfinity and Truck wins when considering his legacy. His performances in both series defined the career that followed for Rowdy. For many fans, it’s about the whole body of work, and leaving out certain parts feels like cherry-picking.
What do you think of Corey LaJoie’s take on Joey Logano being a better driver than Kyle Busch? Do you agree with the Rick Ware Racing driver? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The 2024 NASCAR Cup season is finally over, and all eyes are shifting towards 2025. Of course, in the build-up to the new campaign, silly season is in full swing. Almost all Cup seats are filled, barring the two Rick Ware Racing berths. However, there are plenty of other bits and pieces of news and rumors floating around the paddock. Recently, Kevin Harvick addressed one such rumor of NASCAR potentially adding a fourth new manufacturer.
Most of the signs are pointing to the Japanese giant, Honda. Admittedly, this is unlikely to happen in 2025, as the timeline is far too soon for such an event. However, it is clear that NASCAR wants to include another manufacturer to the Cup Series grid.
Kevin Harvick compared the Honda rumours to Toyota’s NASCAR debut
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For several years, Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota have ruled the roost, though the latter was a newer addition. Now, another manufacturer might join the party very soon. NASCAR higher-ups confirmed that talks are in place to add a fourth manufacturer, but played coy on the identity. However, it doesn’t seem to have worked, because speculation is rife about the new manufacturer’s identity.
Harvick said on his podcast, “Yeah, I mean we’ve heard a lot of rumours about Honda coming into the sport. Whether it’s them or not, I don’t know that to be true. They keep bringing up the fact that there’s a new manufacturer coming into the sport. I want to see it, I want to think that if we can get another manufacturer to come into the sport. It just opens up opportunities for so many different teams. When Toyota came into the sport, the CEO of General Motors was talking at a group. Somebody asked, ‘What are we going to do about Toyota coming into Truck racing.’”
Again, while NASCAR has been cagey about the new manufacturer’s identity, many believe that it will be Honda. The Japanese giants are no strangers to the American motorsport arena, having competed in IndyCar. However, NASCAR is a completely different kettle of fish. In IndyCar, Honda simply has to contribute engines, while NASCAR requires a car in production along with the engine. This practice isn’t completely strange to Honda, since it follows a similar model of partnership when it came to its Formula 1 project.
If Honda does join the premier stock-racing league, they go up against their decades-old rivals Toyota. Both Japanese giants competed with each other over the last few decades. Honda could field the Civic or the Accord to go up against Chevy, Toyota, and Ford. The entry of a fourth manufacturer may just be the change NASCAR needs after the Martinsville weekend.
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Then, Harvick compared it to how Toyota entered the sport. Truthfully, NASCAR primarily caters to American manufacturers, like Chevrolet and Ford. Even in the past, there were the likes of Dodge, Hudson, Chrysler, Plymouth, Buick, Cadillac and many more. However, the stock car racing series was no stranger to foreign manufacturers. Top manufacturers like Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Citroen, Jaguar, Porsche, Renault and Volkswagen also competed. Toyota is just the latest foreign manufacturer to join the fray, but may not be the youngest manufacturer for long.
When Toyota entered, the other manufacturers declared war
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Harvick narrated, “He said, ‘Well, we’re going to make them see our back bumper.’ On the flip side of that, they had to go out and start finding Truck teams. I wound up with a Truck team that General Motors started with us. To go out and compete against the Toyotas, and that’s how full-time KHI Truck racing started. Bringing another manufacturer in, opens up the competition between the manufacturers. It also opens the pocket book between the manufacturers to spend more money. Maybe with less teams. Then you have a new manufacturer coming in, it’s going to change the scope of that particular team that they choose to be their lead team. We saw what it did with Joe Gibbs Racing when Toyota came in. You had Bill Davis Racing on the Truck side. It changed a lot for KHI, just because Chevrolet didn’t want to get beat by Toyota.”
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It was natural that when Toyota came in, the existing manufacturer would see them as a threat. Chevrolet was among the first to declare that they would take the fight to the Japanese giants. Kevin Harvick was right in the thick of it, as his Truck team Kevin Harvick Inc, was involved. Back then, they used to race for Chevrolet and tried their hardest to give Toyota a trial by fire. Chevy had their pride that they did not want to get shown up by an upstart manufacturer like Toyota.
All that being said, Harvick insisted that if a new manufacturer entered the sport, it would change everything. Existing manufacturers would lose some teams to the newcomers. On the other end of the scale is that they have more money to spend with less number of teams, so those teams would be funded better. The positive would be that the teams would be much more competitive.

$100,000 was the fine the driver and the team owner received after the blatant race manipulation tactics used by teams at Martinsville Speedway. Out of the three teams that were reprimanded by NASCAR, two of them were from the Chevrolet camp. The #1 of Ross Chastain and the #3 of Austin Dillon, so the total fine Chevy Camp incurred was $400,000.
Although NASCAR chose not to penalize drivers in this instance, they were clear in their message ahead of the championship race in Phoenix. And NASCAR stuck by its words and put the drivers in a tough spot with a threat. According to Joey Logano’s admission, NASCAR informed the drivers they would not feature in the 2025 Daytona 500 race if they had any hand in manipulating the race.
Drivers are always on the bitter end of the deal, says Joey Logano
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NASCAR had to step in and get its house in order before the championship race in Phoenix. And the way they governed this situation was by penalizing the leadership group of the teams. Crew chiefs, spotters, and team management members. They believed the drivers acted the way they did on the racetrack based on team instructions on the radio.
Meanwhile, they were even open to making changes to the rulebook wherein they could penalize the OEMs as well. They sent a clear message ahead of the big race in Phoenix. “We’re not going to let people, drivers, teams, or OEMs challenge the integrity of the sport,” NASCAR’s COO, Steve O’Donnell, said in a press conference. Well, they certainly weren’t bluffing, as the teams and drivers could’ve lost their spot in the Daytona 500 race next year if found to be cahooting like Martinsville.
But what if NASCAR never had the evidence of radio messages? Would they reach a similar conclusion? This was Joey Logano’s question on the Happy Hour podcast. “It’s a tricky place for NASCAR to be in. I don’t know exactly the answer. They threaten us before the race that if anyone manipulates the race somehow, you’re not racing in the Daytona 500 next year. Is that a threat? Is that real? I didn’t see anything happen yesterday.”
via Getty DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 16: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Pennzoil Team Penske Ford Mustang Shell, fields questions from the media during Daytona 500 Media Day on February 16, 2022 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin perfectly explained why the sister OEM teams try to go out of their way to help the big teams like HMS and JGR. He believed the teams dependent on technical alliances are bound to help the Big Brother organization. This comes with the threat of not being able to draw in from the pool of resources and data that OEM partners develop to run faster on the racetrack. But it seems like there’s more to this theory than just technical alliance.
Joey Logano shared a similar sentiment, stating why the manufacturers will have a big say in how teams run on the racetrack. “That’s the question you have to ask. Whoever’s signed your paycheck is who you answer to. If Chevy or Ford or Toyota are stroking these big checks, they say, hey, it’s very important to have our car in the championship 4, and we fund a lot of your stuff. You better do the right thing; you’re backed up against the wall, and it backs NASCAR up against the wall. I don’t know how to fix it,” he added.
But, before the driver’s meeting, the Chevy drivers did try their best to tilt the championship battle in their favor.
Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar nearly wrecked the Penske drivers in practice
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Now, the message by NASCAR was indeed clear with the fines and suspension. The drivers knew NASCAR had strong punishments ready for drivers who make extreme maneuvers like Martinsville. However, if an accident or wreck happens during the practice run, no one would raise any doubts. While the teams do have the option of backup cars, they would be dealt a significant blow if something of the sort happened in the practice runs. And this is where the likes of Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar tried to derail Team Penske and Ford’s championship dreams.
“We all unload for the practice; the #1 is racing the dog crap out of the 12, in practice. The #77 unloads backs up to me, had a straightaway gap, backed up to me with dirty air, and killed my run. So we’re doing this in practice. The week after you got dinked for that stuff. So you know how the weekend’s going to go; they are not backing off.” Logano said during the podcast.
Logano even drew parallels with Formula 1 and how he didn’t want NASCAR to look like F1 racing through the use of radio messaging. “If they didn’t say it on the radio, were they gonna make that call? I don’t know, but we have to do something or else we’re gonna look like F1, and that ain’t what we are, that’s not what we’re gonna be. So we have to do something, but what makes that stop?” he added.
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NASCAR will need to make tweaks to their rule book because, as things stand, the OEMs are in the power to pull the strings.

Who would’ve thought that Tony Stewart, at 53, would be competing as a rookie in a motorsports series? Well, he certainly didn’t plan to compete in the NHRA Top Fuel season, but rather had to serve as a backup for his wife Leah Pruett. She decided to take a break from her racing pursuits and start a family with Smoke. And this is how Stewart finds himself competing against the championship at the NHRA level.
Having won races and championships at USAC, IndyCar, and NASCAR levels, there was a lot of excitement and anticipation surrounding Tony Stewart’s debut run. But his first season has been far from the dream run that everyone was expecting. It’s one thing to run multiple laps on the ovals or the street course at NASCAR, but piloting an 11,000 horsepower Nitromethane-guzzling dragster is a different ball game. And with the championship weekend coming up, Stewart’s chances of clinching the championship depend on the points system.
Is Tony Stewart still in the hunt for the NHRA Top Fuel title?
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The first year competing in the Top Fuel division has been about learning for Tony Stewart and his team. While he’s hit a few bumps along the way, he’s slowly but steadily honed his craft to compete in a race that lasts at most for 4-5 seconds. That’s a big adjustment for a driver coming from a background of stock car racing.
Despite the struggles this year, Stewart managed to make it to the Countdown to the Championship. Similar to that of a NASCAR playoff where the top 10 drivers across the six races try to clinch the championship. Like NASCAR, the points also get reset once the driver makes the cut, but they are seeded based on performances throughout the season. And without any wins this year, Tony Stewart just wasn’t able to close the gap on his rivals.
The NHRA Top Fuel is now headed into this weekend’s 59th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at the legendary In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. While many NASCAR fans would’ve liked to see Stewart in contention for the title, he isn’t a part of the championship conversation this weekend. And it all trickles down to his standing in the points table.
After the conclusion of five weeks of racing in the playoffs, Smoke finds himself on the tail end of the point’s standing. With a total of 2215 points, he is placed 10th going into the championship weekend. And for context, he is 260 points adrift of title favorite Justin Ashley. It is going to be a three-way battle between Justin Ashley, Antron Brown, and Shawn Langdon.
However, Stewart can certainly finish his season on a high thanks to the points system that’s designed for the playoffs and the final race in Pomona. The winner of the race at Pomona is rewarded with 150 points, while the runner-up gets 120. Similarly, the third-round loser bags 90 points, and this comes down to 60 for those who made it to the second round. Even the first-round loser gets 30 points to show up and race at the final event. Not to forget, there are special bonus points for performances and qualifying runs as well.
Things can change for Stewart in his second attempt next year as he will be able to focus on his racing project with TSR having left NASCAR for good.
Tony Stewart reveals the reason behind his NASCAR exit
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Stewart Haas Racing is not the powerhouse team that once competed for title wins every year in the last decade. Having won the first championship as the driver/owner, Stewart saw Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childress in the #4 team repeat the same in 2014. Along the way, they cemented them as the championship-contending organization. However, the turn of the new decade and the changing landscape in NASCAR ultimately forced Gene Haas and Tony Stewart to make the tough call of closing the team by the end of 2024.
Gene Haas decided to stick around by retaining a charter and started a new team, the Haas Factory Team. But, for Stewart, the current business model just wasn’t appealing enough, and the current legal battle between 23XI Racing and NASCAR was a signal for him to call it quits on his involvement. “This is a time where things are drastically changing in sport. You look at what’s going on with 23XI and Front Row Motorsports and their battle with NASCAR and the direction the things are going; it’s not the direction I want to be a part of.”
“This is the right time; this was never a part of a master plan, but this is, and as this year has gone on, it has become very clear that this is the right time for me to get out of sport. And I’m happy doing the stuff I’m doing now. I’ve always been somebody that’s run all kinds of different series,” Stewart said to Kevin Harvick on Happy Hour.
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2024 has been an eventful year for Tony Stewart, and he will be hoping to turn the tides in his favor in 2025, especially with his racing in NHRA.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Joey Logano has raised concerns about race manipulation during the Phoenix race weekend, despite NASCAR’s explicit warnings against such activity.
During an episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast (below), Logano described race manipulation affecting the Phoenix practice sessions.
Logano’s comments come shortly after NASCAR’s decisive measures to combat race manipulation following controversies at Martinsville Speedway, where allegations of interference by Chevrolet teams resulted in hefty fines. Amid efforts by NASCAR to maintain fairness, Logano revealed his concerns about how these practices took root during Phoenix practice sessions.
Logano explained:

Whispers are stirring in the NASCAR world as rumors surface about a seasoned crew chief’s potential transfer amid the swirling complexities of an antitrust lawsuit. While Drew Blickensderfer, the renowned Daytona-winning strategist known for his strong rapport with drivers, has recently been in the spotlight, the situation grows complicated due to a lawsuit that’s shaking up NASCAR’s power dynamics. Filed by Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing against NASCAR and its chairman, Jim France, the suit alleges monopolistic practices that hinder team independence and competition.
This legal issue adds an intriguing backdrop to rumors about Drew’s next career move. As fans speculate on his potential transfer, many wonder whether his familiar, steady hand could bring a strategic edge amid all the off-track drama. While the lawsuit casts a long shadow, one thing’s for sure: a transfer by Drew would be sure to spark excitement across the paddock, and his next move might just shake up more than the pit wall.
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Tony Stewart’s veteran crew chief looking to move to Front Row Motorsports
Could we see a familiar face switching teams once again? NASCAR fans were buzzing today after an Instagram post from the account ‘nascarrumornostalgia’ sparked chatter about Drew Blickensderfer, affectionately known as “Blick,” possibly joining Front Row Motorsports to reunite with driver Noah Gragson. The rumor mill got a fresh spin with a simple message: “Sounds like Drew Blickensderfer will follow Gragson over to the 4,” stirring excitement and speculation about the potential move.
Drew Blickensderfer, the seasoned crew chief who’s spent years carving out a name in the NASCAR Cup Series, has seen success across multiple teams, including Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Bill Davis Racing, Roush Racing, and most recently, Stewart-Haas Racing. His career boasts some high-profile victories, notably his two Daytona 500 wins: first in 2009 with Matt Kenseth and again in 2021 with Michael McDowell.
Now with Gragson taking the wheel of the No. 4 Ford for Front Row Motorsports, some fans believe Drew might be the perfect fit to accompany him, especially given their shared history at SHR. However, there are a few hurdles. Drew’s potential move is clouded by recent legal disputes between Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR, which may complicate any immediate change in scenery. Given the intricate legal dynamics in NASCAR, switching teams under such circumstances could require contractual negotiations or clearances that could take time.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASCAR Rumors & Nostalgia (@nascarrumornostalgia)
Drew’s passion for the sport started with his uncle and grandfather, who introduced him to the world of racing. Although he initially dreamed of being behind the wheel himself, Drew found his calling in the garage, where his meticulous preparation and eye for strategy became his hallmark. Over the years, he’s earned a reputation as a crew chief who not only knows how to win but also knows how to foster strong bonds with his drivers.
For now, it’s all speculation—but in the world of NASCAR, where driver and crew chief pairings can make or break a season, it’s certainly a move that would have everyone watching. Will Drew “Blick” Blickensderfer make his way over to FRM with Noah Gragson? Only time will tell.
Noah Gragson leading the way for Drew Blickensderfer
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Noah Gragson is all set to start a new chapter with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) in 2025, as he takes on a multiyear deal with the team. Gragson, currently driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, will make the move just as SHR shutters its doors at the end of the 2024 season. This transition keeps Gragson within Ford’s lineup, marking an exciting time for both FRM and Gragson as they join forces to build on recent successes.
During the announcement at the NASCAR Productions Facility, Gragson shared how this deal feels like the stability he’s been searching for after several team switches. Gragson’s career has seen him hopping between JR Motorsports, Legacy Motor Club, and Stewart-Haas in recent years, but now he’s set to grow as a steady presence within FRM.
As FRM expands to a three-car lineup for the 2025 season, Gragson will team up with Todd Gilliland, rekindling a partnership that dates back to their time together at Kyle Busch Motorsports. Gragson’s passion for leadership and loyalty to FRM’s vision is already building excitement within the team.
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USA Today via Reuters Feb 15, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Noah Gragson (10) before the Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
With FRM embracing a younger roster and aiming to become a solid contender across all races, Gragson’s energy and talent could be the spark they need to make a lasting impact. As FRM prepares to announce its third driver, Gragson’s addition marks a forward-focused direction for the team, and fans are eager to see how this talented driver will shape FRM’s future on the track.

Former NASCAR driver Kurt Busch has broken his silence with an honest video message following his guilty plea for driving while intoxicated. The celebrated former NASCAR champion now seeks to move past his legal challenges and embrace future opportunities. Busch’s recent social media post and video to his fans reflect this intention, as he reveals his gratitude for the support he’s received during an undeniably difficult time.
Busch, once a prominent figure within the sport, pled guilty to a DWI charge in North Carolina, culminating in the forfeiture of his driver’s license and a 60-day suspended sentence.
Resulting from the arrest, he will spend the next 12 months on unsupervised probation while performing community service. With his legal troubles now addressed, Busch has taken to social media to reconnect with his fans. In a message shared on the platform X, he stated:

Do NASCAR manufacturers have too much of a say in how teams run on the racetrack? This was the question that popped up after the Martinsville race show blatant show of race manipulation tactics by Chevy and Toyota drivers. Well, with the championship 4 on the line, the OEMs want to see their race car in the finale event. This is why we saw Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain build a blockade that allowed William Byron to make it through.
But, going by the latest development, it seems like this is perhaps a norm in the NASCAR garage to obey the OEM orders. And Parker Retzlaff from the Chevrolet camp seemed to have faced the brunt of it. The Xfinity Series race car driver is without a ride after running two full-time runs with Jordan Anderson Racing. He also made two Cup Series appearances; out of the two, he finished inside the top 10 at the Daytona race in the fall.
“As my sophomore season in the Xfinity Series comes to an end, I am announcing that I will not be returning to Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport in 2025. I can’t thank Jordan Anderson and John Bammarito for giving me my first full-time opportunity to race in the Xfinity Series and for allowing me to chase my dream. Thank you to all my sponsors, team members, and supporters for all the encouragement while driving the 31 these three years.” Parker Retzlaff shared this update via Instagram.
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Now, there’s a reason his P7 finish at Daytona has been highlighted here. Retzlaff was involved in a last-lap chaos that might have caused Kyle Busch a spot in the playoffs. Driving the No. 62 Bear Motorsports Chevy car, a team that has an alliance with RCR, he wasn’t able to help out Busch on the final few laps of the Daytona race. Instead, he decided to give a good push to the No. 21 Ford driven by Harrison Burton, who eventually dramatically won the race.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Parker (@parkerretzlaff)
Given the atmosphere after the race manipulation target, fans couldn’t help but link this race with Retzlaff’s situation. Many of them were convinced that his decision to help out #21 Ford in Daytona is the reason behind his uncertain NASCAR career.
Fans react to Parker Retzalff’s exit from Jordan Anderson Motorsports
“Find that No. 62 [Retzlaff] spotter. Talk to him… If he can push us, push.” This was RCR team owner Richard Childress on the team radio. Desperate for the win, he was banking on the #62 to push Kyle Busch on the final restart. But Retzlaff was lined up on the high line, whereas Busch was out front, leading the charge of the field. Without the support, Busch lost the momentum, and Burton had a massive run coming on Turns 3 and 4, winning the race. However, this move by Retzlaff just might have cost him his seat in the Xfinity Series, according to this race fan. “I’m willing to bet this is exactly because of what happened at Daytona. You don’t mess with Chevrolet. You don’t go against them. They will come after you and everyone you love.”
Retzalff did clear out his position after the race, stating that he wanted to give his sponsor a good finish and didn’t intend to push the Ford instead of a Chevy car. “The end of the race isn’t how I wanted it to work with pushing a Ford, but I also didn’t want to give up everything with how much FunkAway has done for me.” But, this didn’t help his case as he is now without a ride for the next year, and Chevy team order certainly played a role in this decision, according to this user on Reddit. “With all the talk about Manufacturer collusion, and how publicized it was that Retzlaff disobeyed Chevrolet orders at Daytona, they couldn’t have picked a worse time to do this.”
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The driver did tip his hat to his team owners for standing by him and allowing him to race full-time. However, a small team doesn’t have a big say in the driver’s future at the team, and this is what led to this fan believing that Chevrolet played a part in Retzlaff’s exit for JAR. “This reeks of Manufacturer influence. Jordan Anderson is a gracious owner and really supported Parker.”
Having survived over 400 laps of superspeedway racing in the Cup Series is indeed a big deal for a driver like Parker Retzlaff. If anything, he showcased his talent to the team in the garage on how he can get the job done in high-octane races. He certainly seems to be a superspeedway specialist, as he has had three top 5 and a top 10 finish during his tenure at Jordan Anderson Racing. But unfortunately, a single split-second call at Daytona just might have put his NASCAR career in serious jeopardy. “Such a shame, he’s certainly got the talent, hope he gets a better seat.”
Another fan even went on to suggest that Ford should get hold of Parker Retzlfaff for next year. But again, finding teams and getting sponsorship support will be an uphill task for the young driver. “If Ford were smart, they stick this guy in one of their seats. He’s shown some pretty good promise the past couple seasons.”
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Kyle Busch is lucky to have survived the tough 2024 season, but the same cannot be said for Parker Retzlaff, who seems to have been targeted by Chevrolet. Did the OEM really play a role behind Retzlaff’s exit from the team, or was it a team decision? What is your take on this situation?

When the 2025 NASCAR season rolls around, Stewart-Haas Racing’s absence will be a heavy feeling. Maybe, Gene Haas staying back with his Haas Factory Team (HFT) will provide some solace for longtime SHR fans. But even then, the void they’re about to leave will be hard to fill.
Now, we await a new beginning for the HFT phoenix, waiting to rise from the ashes of what once was a two-time Cup championship-winning organization. Led by Cole Custer at the highest level, alongside Sheldon Creed & Sam Mayer in the Xfinity Series, this new experiment will be one to watch out for in 2025. But amidst their new brigade, Creed, who is gearing up for his third straight year at a different race team, stands out as someone who’s received a much-needed lifeline. Coming off a bittersweet season with Joe Gibbs Racing, the 27-year-old now finds himself with everything to prove—and even more to lose.
New team, new track, new Sheldon Creed
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Sheldon Creed went winless for an entire year, yet again in 2024. But that didn’t stop him from making it to the second round of the Xfinity Series Playoffs. Creed was impressive regardless, even making himself the proud record-holder for most second-place finishes in NASCAR Xfinity Series history, with thirteen runner-up results, as of 2024. Things got so extreme that commentator Rick Allen even christened the guy “Silver Creed,” a nod to his uncanny knack for being the perpetual bridesmaid in Victory Lane this season.
But 2025 signals new beginnings for the Alpine, CA native. Topping his list of firsts, Creed will finally represent Ford Performance in a top-3 National Touring Series. With that, he will have driven for all three OEMs currently serving NASCAR. When HFT announced mid-August that Creed would be the guy to wheel their #00 Xfinity car next year, there was a lot of excitement for the journeyman driver inside the NASCAR community. Especially those fans who believe that a brand-new team will help Creed get that deserved shot in the arm he needed to break through in his stock-car racing advances.
Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. It’s hard to make predictions this early in their association. But after Creed got his first chance to wheel an HFT car at the Xfinity tire test in Rockingham this week, he certainly held a positive outlook. During media availability, journalist Matt Weaver asked the guy how well the opportunity of working with “a new team” was panning out. Creed answered, “There were a few things this morning. Obviously, I drove the JGR car four days ago. So, there was a few things right away that were different… Getting used to that and then, yeah, just getting a lot of laps today, it got us really nice…”
He continued, “So, I really enjoyed working with everyone today, and a lot of people here that I had never met… Just good to kind of hit the ground running before we have some time off.” Creed was one of three drivers at the Rockingham tire test on Wednesday, November 13. The other two included 2024 Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier, and new Joe Gibbs Racing recruit, Brandon Jones. For those unaware, 18-year-old William Sawalich will replace Creed in the #18 JGR Xfinity Toyota next season.
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Regardless, there are plenty of changes to look forward to in the second tier in 2025. After all, Creed and his colleagues were testing the conditions for NASCAR’s return to Rockingham the following year, which will take place following a near-decade-long hiatus.
A rockin’ test for the 2025 Xfinity Series field
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Mark your calendars for April 18-19, 2025. The Rock will finally return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series schedules. The fan-favorite 1.017-mile oval in the heart of NASCAR country has been dormant for the longest time, and this week Goodyear took their radials for a spin on the newly reinstated racetrack. For the Xfinity Series, it marked the first time in two decades that its cars had the chance to grace The Rock’s hallowed pavement.
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Justin Allgaier has already raced at Rockingham in the past, with a 27th-place finish at the racetrack still vivid in memory from his ARCA Series-winning season in 2008. Brandon Jones also has experience here, running a Late Model Stock car race in 2013. However, Sheldon Creed was unbeknownst to The Rock’s magic before Wednesday. He told the media after the tire test, “Honestly, I thought it probably had been torn down… And then I’d seen something about it getting repaved a couple of years ago and thought ‘Maybe there’s a chance.’”
Displaying a lot of excitement for Rockingham’s return, Creed noted, “I feel like I was driving in a scene of ‘Days of Thunder’ this morning when I drove in.” But by day’s end, all three drivers seemed to have had a splendid time at the brand-new Rockingham. Regardless, the question remains: can a new racetrack, a new race team, and a fresh opportunity finally drive Sheldon Creed to Victory Lane next year? That is a tough question to answer. And Sheldon Creed is the only one who could even remotely imagine answering that question.

All good things must come to an end eventually, but if you ask Denny Hamlin, he’s not ready to throw in the towel just yet. After nearly two decades of racing at the highest level, Hamlin remains one of NASCAR’s fiercest competitors. Given the moniker of the “greatest driver to have never won the championship”, his 54 Cup Series wins speak for themself. But with every season that passes, and his role as co-owner of 23XI Racing growing, the big question on everyone’s mind is: when will Denny Hamlin hang up his helmet for good?
On the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, together with commentator Steve Letarte and co-host Jared Allen, Hamlin shared some revealing insights into his mindset on retirement, and let’s just say he didn’t sugarcoat it.
“I feel like sh*t on Mondays”
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Despite the grueling schedule, the long flights, and the aches and pains, Hamlin’s drive to win is as strong as ever. “I still feel like I can win every week, and that’s what drives me,” he said. Whether it’s on the racetrack, the golf course, or even a pickup basketball game, Hamlin’s love for competition is what keeps him going.
But it’s not like the thought doesn’t cross his mind from time to time. The conversation came about as a result of the trio discussing fellow veteran Martin Truex Jr’s final outing as a full-time driver in Phoenix, when co-host Jared Allen aimed the question at Denny Hamlin.
“Do I think about retirement? Only on Mondays when I feel like sh–,” Hamlin admitted, laughing but also being brutally honest about the physical toll racing takes on his body. “After a bad race, when my body hurts, it’s like, ‘Oh man, why am I still doing this?’” But as soon as Sunday rolls around, Hamlin’s competitive fire reignites. “Every Sunday, I get in that car, and I’m like, ‘I’ve got a chance to win,’ and that’s something that’s really hard for me to give up.”
via Getty CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 04: Denny Hamlin speaks with the media during NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Media Day at the Charlotte Convention Center on September 04, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
But he’s also aware that one day, the switch might flip, and he’ll know it’s time to step away. “Surely one day there’ll be a light switch that flips on, where I’m no longer as quick as I was. But right now, I still feel like I can win.” As for whether his future lies solely in team ownership, Hamlin’s not quite ready to make that leap just yet. The competitive itch is still there, and the thrill of victory is something he’s not ready to give up. “Ownership is great, but it’s still different from doing it yourself,” he reiterated.
So, what’s next for Denny Hamlin? For now, he’s content juggling both worlds—chasing wins on Sundays while building a championship-caliber team at 23XI. Until that “light switch” moment happens, don’t expect to see Hamlin slowing down anytime soon. He’s still got that fire, that drive, and that belief that he can be the best on the track. In the end, Denny Hamlin is just like the rest of us: trying to figure out when it’s time to let go of something he loves. But for now, he’s having too much fun to stop.
Racing vs. Running the show: Denny Hamlin’s balancing act
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Denny Hamlin’s journey isn’t just about being a driver anymore. As co-owner of 23XI Racing, the team he launched with NBA legend Michael Jordan, he’s taken on a whole new set of responsibilities. And while he loves the challenge, it’s clear that being a team owner, and a driver is no easy task.
When asked if he could ever get the same thrill from ownership as he does from racing, Hamlin didn’t hesitate. “People ask me if owning a team would fill my competitive bucket if I stopped racing,” he said. “I say, partially. It’s still different when you go out and do it yourself.” There’s something about being in the driver’s seat that just can’t be replicated, no matter how much he enjoys pushing his team to new heights.
Hamlin’s pride in 23XI is undeniable. He’s been hands-on in every aspect of the team’s growth, from competition strategies to coaching his drivers like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. “I take a ton of pride in being the owner of 23XI,” Hamlin shared. “I had my hands in all parts of building this team from scratch, challenging the crew chiefs, the engineers, and the drivers on their techniques.”
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But here’s the catch: as rewarding as ownership is, it’s still not the same as being the one behind the wheel, feeling the rush of speed and the thrill of battling it out on the track. “It’s different than, you know, doing it yourself,” Hamlin confessed. “I think I’d struggle with that part of it if I ever stopped racing.”
Denny Hamlin’s passion for racing is infectious. It’s clear that the thought of stepping away from something he’s loved for so long isn’t easy to swallow. But he’s not blind to reality. He knows that one day, Father Time will catch up. “I’ve always heard people say that when it’s time to retire, they just ‘know,’” Hamlin said. “Right now, I’m not in the ‘know.’”

The Intimidator didn’t just compete in NASCAR—he dominated it. With an aggressive driving style, Dale Earnhardt Sr became a legend, earning seven NASCAR Cup Series championships and a place in the sport’s Hall of Fame. His journey from a part-time driver in the mid-’70s to one of NASCAR’s most iconic figures is filled with triumphs and fierce competition. Whether it was his first championship in 1980 or his unforgettable win at the 1998 Daytona 500, Earnhardt’s legacy cemented itself in racing history.
But the road to success wasn’t easy. Behind the scenes, key partnerships were crucial in shaping his career, especially in the early years when his future wasn’t guaranteed. What many don’t realize is how important certain figures were in giving Earnhardt the support he needed to rise to the top of the sport. In this exclusive conversation, you’ll hear firsthand from a man who played a crucial role in making sure Dale Sr found his place in NASCAR.
Mike Curb shares how Dale Earnhardt Sr benefitted from Bill France Jr’s governing
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In a recent sit-down on the Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. dives into racing history with a man who saw it unfold up close: Mike Curb. As they chat, Curb shares a fascinating story about the legendary Bill France Jr.’s role in giving Dale Earnhardt Sr. his big break—one that turned “The Intimidator” into a NASCAR superstar.
According to Curb on the Dale Jr Download, back in 1980, Bill France Jr. approached Dale Sr with an irresistible proposition. France had a knack for putting the right people in the right places, and he wasn’t taking no for an answer. As Curb recalls, “Les Richter and Bill France Jr. called me and said, ‘We want you to get involved with a car.” It wasn’t just any car—they wanted him to work with Dale Earnhardt Sr., who was fighting for his future in the sport.
Dale Earnhardt had faced a tough season the year before, including an injury that sidelined him in 1979. Despite this, Bill France Jr. believed Earnhardt had something special and wanted Curb’s support to ensure the young driver could run a full season. “Bill France Jr. was a genius; you couldn’t say no to him,” Curb laughs. France knew that Earnhardt needed stability and backing to make his mark, so he pulled strings to make it happen.
via Imago Dale Earnhardt Sr | Image Credits: Imago
France’s influence didn’t stop with convincing Curb to step up as a sponsor. He had an ingenious solution to Curb’s concerns over branding. Since Curb was a political figure, he couldn’t put “Curb Records” on the car due to restrictions. But France didn’t see this as a roadblock. “They said, ‘Put Curb Productions on the side… Southern politicians put their names on cars anyway,” Curb explains. With that little tweak, France turned a potential barrier into a creative branding solution, showcasing his knack for keeping talent where it belonged: on the track.
Once everything was in place, Curb met Earnhardt, and they clicked immediately. Curb remembers Earnhardt’s drive and determination, even if he hadn’t yet achieved full recognition. “I knew he was a genius, finding grooves on the track no one else could,” Curb recalls. But he hadn’t quite realized just how big this partnership would become.
Dale Jr had a lot to celebrate in the latest episode of the Download as his driver Justin Allgaier won the Xfinity Series title. Let’s dive into the victory of the new Xfinity star.
Justin Allgaier wins Xfinity Series title for JR Motorsports
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. couldn’t have been prouder when Justin Allgaier finally clinched the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix. Allgaier, a longtime driver for Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports team, had been working tirelessly for this moment, and it was clear to everyone, especially Dale Jr., that he deserved it.
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“He’s worked so hard. He’s given so much to our team,” Dale Jr. said, beaming with pride. “If there’s an image in a dictionary of a model racecar driver, it’s him.” Earnhardt’s excitement was palpable, as he described Allgaier as not only a hardworking and dedicated driver but someone who always went above and beyond for the team and its partners.
But the road to the championship wasn’t without its hurdles. Allgaier faced a tough weekend, dealing with car damage during practice and penalties on the track. However he fought back, pushing through the field to secure the victory. Dale Jr. reflected on the emotional weight of the win, especially considering how close they had come in previous seasons.
via Imago Dale Earnhardt Jr
When Allgaier mentioned retirement in his victory speech, Dale Jr. laughed, acknowledging that the idea of going out on top was tempting, but he knew his driver still had plenty of miles left. “We’re going to win some more races,” Earnhardt said, already looking ahead to the future with excitement.
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Did you predict a JR Motorsports victory at Phoenix for the Xfinity Series title? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The lack of sponsorship was touted as a big reason behind Stewart Haas Racing’s exit from NASCAR. With the departure of their star driver Kevin Harvick in 2023, they lost Busch Light Beer and Smithfield. This was a big hit for the team as the two companies covered the major costs in sponsorship money. And this is why the team had to hustle to find sponsors to run their race cars in 2024.
While Stewart Haas Racing is a renowned name, their on-track performance and dwindling sponsorship money in general made it tough for them to find partners. But they did seem to get hold of Texas A&M University in a deal that would see them feature twice in 2024. Chase Briscoe’s No. 14 car had the maroon Texas A&M wrap for the fall Las Vegas race. They also featured in the championship race on the No. 4 SHR car with Josh Berry at Phoenix Raceway.
However, Texas A&M University only shelled out $160,000 to be the primary sponsor for the two events. This came out of their endowment fund that’s worth $19.2 billion. Of course, there are sponsor obligations that the teams have to deliver, but going by the list of perks and demands, it certainly looked like SHR went overboard to secure partners for the races. A report by Sportico laid out the fine details of the agreement the two parties signed, along with the list of deliverables on SHR’s end.
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Apart from featuring on the race car, the contract included a minimum of four Texas A&M-specific social media posts during the race weekends. This came along with the promise of tagging the school socials in all the race-related posts. The university also received access to 20 complimentary VIP full-access credentials, a race day tour followed by a meet and greet with the drivers, the report added.
USA Today via Reuters Mar 13, 2022; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe (14) celebrates his victory of the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
These demands aren’t something that caught the attention of the race fans. But rather, the deal that was made by Texas A&M University. They certainly had deep pockets but were able to strike a bargain deal to be featured on a Cup Series team. Fans were baffled to see a premier team like Stewart Haas Racing settling for such a deal, and they took to social media to share their opinion on the same.
Did Stewart Haas Racing settle for less in their sponsorship deal with Texas A&M?
Although Busch Beer and Smithfield left the team for good, one of their key partners, Mahindra, stuck by the team. They continued to be the primary sponsor of the No. 14 car for 2024. However, with the details of the new discounted deal between the two parties, it makes you wonder if Mahindra also cut a deal that favored them. “I wonder how that impacted their existing sponsors. Now that this info is out there, does someone like Mahindra make a stink if they paid their “full” price or did they get a discount this year to stick around?”
According to a report by SBJ, the top-tier team bags sponsorship deals worth up to $10-20 million per year. And when the amount is spread across the entirety of the season, it ranges from $250,000 to half a million per race. So you see, the offer the SHR agreed on was far from the industry standard. And this was pointed out by a fan on Reddit: “Shows how cheap that sponsorship model went for SHR. An upper midpack xfinity team is charging 100k a race. So for a cup car for 2 races at that price is insane.”
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Not long ago, Stewart Haas Racing was part of the Big 4 equation. Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Team Penske are the other three. However, since the turn of the new decade and the launch of the Next Gen car, SHR has become a shadow of its former self. While the top teams do get better sponsorships, this fan was quick to throw shade on the team and questioned their top-tier team status. “One of the top teams In NASCAR lol.”
SHR didn’t hang around with the announcement of shutting down for the end of the season. They dropped the news early in the season, in May. Now, this could’ve been the reason why Texas A&M got a bargain of a sponsorship deal. The reason cited for this early announcement was to allow the employees and drivers to look for a new home, but it certainly worked out for the two parties. “They were going out of business though, perhaps Texas A&M got a deal!” another fan shared via Reddit.
An insightful fan chimed in with his suggestion stating that Texas A&M should’ve invested in the lower series. Xfinity and Truck Series attract viewers who are young and are looking for future studies compared to the Cup Series. “That’s crazy! SHR was obviously giving a discount, but it makes sense for colleges to sponsor more Xfinity and Truck teams. Hopefully team marketing executives realize this.”
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SHR certainly made the most of the situation that they were in to close out their NASCAR chapter. Even if that came at the cost of being low-balled by a sponsor to help them get out of a rough spot.

The playoff race at Martinsville Speedway has to be one of the darkest chapters of this year’s NASCAR season. OEMs were involved with the teams in relaying the message to spotters, which then got passed down to the drivers. Ross Chastain, Austin, Dillon and Bubba Wallace were all part of the act that shaped the result of the race. While the Toyota camp wasn’t able to get their driver Christopher Bell through, the Chevy drivers got the job done for William Byron.
Now we all know what happened in the aftermath of these events on the racetrack. NASCAR dropped the hammer on the team’s leadership group with suspensions, whereas the teams and the drivers were fined heavily. But, if we are to go by Denny Hamlin’s latest admission, it seems like NASCAR did warn the drivers about potential race manipulation. Yet, the drivers stuck to their plans and eventually faced the consequences of their actions.
Denny Hamlin was surprised to hear NASCAR on the team radio
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Manufacturer partnership plays a key role in helping teams make progress on the racetrack. Now the field is divided into three parties, with one team leading the charge for that particular manufacturer. Joe Gibbs Racing for Toyota, Hendrick Motorsports for Chevy, and Team Penske for Ford. The rest of the field depends on their big brother teams in terms of technical alliance to build their race program and progress in the field.
So in short, the manufacturers do have a big say in how the team’s races, especially in the clutch races. Perhaps this was the reason why they stuck to their tasks despite the callout from NASCAR on the radio. While the Chevy group and the #23 were busy trying to plot the race, Denny Hamlin was baffled to hear that NASCAR was clearly stating the teams and drivers to stray away from race manipulation tactics.
“I don’t know whether it was publicly stated or not. At the end of the Martinsville race, they came on the radio and told the spotters, if it is not your day, get out of the way and let the cars through. I just found it very interesting. I said, wait a minute NASCAR said what? They said, If it’s not your day, get out of the way and let the cars through, and I wonder who are they speaking to?” Hamlin said this on the Actions Detrimental podcast.
However, he didn’t think that NASCAR should be schooling the drivers or the teams at all. Irrespective of the status of the race, be it a normal regular season event or cutoff race, this forces other drivers in the field to restrict themselves. “It’s just a tough spot to be in when you’re having a bad day because your crew chief puts you out on fresh tires, and it’s like I can’t use them because I don’t want to get in the middle of all these races going on,” he added.
USA Today via Reuters Apr 29, 2023; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin stands with his crew chief Chris Gabehart (left) during practice and qualifying for the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Well, when you’ve instilled a racing product that promotes parity, these are the sorts of tactics teams are going to implement. While the racing has been good on a few select tracks, Hamlin highlighted that NASCAR has a car problem that they are trying to solve with other means.
Hamlin takes a dig at the Next Gen car again
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The veteran driver might sound like a broken record when talking about Next Gen cars and how it could be better. But, if you look at the championship race, it has everything but a product that would leave fans fulfilled. After Joey Logano won the race last Sunday, there was this feeling that this is as good as racing can get at Phoenix Raceway. And, while the problem is evident that the spec car doesn’t give the drivers too many options, NASCAR is hesitant to make any changes.
We’ve seen the Xfinity car getting loose when side-drafted, and that, in turn, allows the aggressor to make the pass, right? Although the same was applicable to the Gen 6 car, the rigid body and aerodynamic design of the Next Gen car negate traditional passing moves that drivers are used to making in NASCAR.
Explaining how the overall racing product can be better, Denny Hamlin further added, “We have a car problem, right? And we’re trying to fix it through some other things. But I believe in my heart of hearts, we gotta get the back of the cars up so the rear car can manipulate the spoiler of the front car, like the Xfinity car. Right now we plant the back, and there’s no affect the rear car has on the front car. That’s how passes get made.”
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It is indeed tough to see NASCAR listen to the argument by Hamlin or the experts on this matter. But a change to the Next Gen car could lead to favorable racing product not only for drivers but also for the fans.

Ty Majeski has been on quite a journey in his motorsport career. In a results-oriented industry, the Wisconsin native has learned about the cutthroat nature of NASCAR the hard way, only to come back stronger with every hardship. Despite his topsy-turvy career, the 30-year-old had the perfect fairytale ending to his Truck Series season by clinching the championship at Phoenix Raceway. However, behind the glory and the celebration are unspoken struggles that have shaped him into a more resilient and wise racing driver.
Taking a trip down memory lane, the reigning champion reflected on losing his seat a few years ago, only for Chase Briscoe to come to the rescue. Thus began his journey at ThorSport Racing, where Majeski has become a force to be reckoned with in the Truck Series.
Ty Majeski’s fortunes changed with a simple text message
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Ty Majeski has been on a roller coaster ride throughout his NASCAR career. The Wisconsin native’s career got off to a strong start after being hired by Roush Fenway Racing in 2017 as a part-time Xfinity Series driver. However, lady luck wasn’t on his side, as the team was forced to shut down operations soon after, with the driver only making 15 starts. Another opportunity came knocking soon after, as Majeski secured a Truck Series seat with Niece Motorsports, competing in 16 races before being fired from his job.
Having lost his No. 45 seat just two days after the race in Darlington, Ty Majeski’s future was looking increasingly uncertain. As they say, ‘It’s always darkest before dawn’ and a solution presented itself from an unlikely source. Recalling a turning point in his career, the Truck Series winner wrote on X, “I was fired in the AM on Sept 8th 2020, texted @ChaseBriscoe_14 for David Peppers number that day. I drove up to Sandusky and met with Duke and Rhonda. A few months later won the 2020 Snowball derby. Got a call shortly after that race with a job offer. Now we’re 2024 CHAMPS🏆❤️”
In 2021, Majeski took on the role of an engineer at ThorSport Racing, with the promise of competing in a select few Truck Series races during the season. Driving the No. 66 Chevy, the Wisconsin native secured two top-ten finishes in four appearances, doing enough to convince his employers for a full-time seat in the prestigious team. Despite the slight detour that was taken in his motorsport journey, the driver felt it benefitted him in the end by saying, “Obviously I wanted to be full-time in 2021, but looking back now and the experience that I gained by touching every single part that went into the race truck, I feel like helped my progression and happened earlier.”
The rest, as they say, is history. Ty Majeski cemented his place in the Truck Series, winning twice in his first full-time role and ending the season in fourth place. With progress not being linear, 2023 proved to be a valuable learning experience for the racing driver, as he was forced to settle for a place four points lower than his first year. However, all his hardships finally paid off this time around, as the No. 98 Ford racer won his first Truck Series championship and his team’s sixth with a dominant display at Phoenix Raceway.
Majeski gives credit to those who helped him along the way
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Having reached the pinnacle of Truck Series racing, Ty Majeski hasn’t forgotten his struggles or those who helped him when times were tough. After losing his seat at Niece Motorsports, the Wisconsin native continued racing on his super late model, and victory at the Snowball Derby in Pensacola, Florida, proved to be the catalyst that changed the trajectory of his racing career. His short-track crew chief, Toby Nuttleman, was present at Phoenix Raceway, joining in the celebrations alongside the ThorSport Racing crew, despite not being directly involved in the result.
via Imago Ty Majeski wins the NASCAR Truck Series Playoff Opener
Like a true champion, Majeski acknowledged that he wouldn’t have achieved such success without getting help along the way. He said in the post-race interview, “Even though he (Nuttleman) wasn’t a part of this specific championship, he’s a huge reason why I’m here talking to you right now as 2024 NASCAR Truck Series champion. You surround yourself with good people and stay grounded and never think you’re the best. That’s exactly when you are going to get beat. So just keeping grounded. Always keeping your head down. Always trying to get better each and every race.”
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Having been a top finisher at the Kulwicki Driver Development Program, Ty Majeski was seen performing a Polish Victory Lap as a tribute to the late racing driver. The role Alan Kulwicki has played in shaping the driver’s career is immense, with the 31-year-old saying, “Their program was really a jump-start to my career.” Having received $54,000 because of his performances in 2015, Majeski reinvested it into building a new racecar, which helped him win more races. The ThorSport Racing driver hasn’t forgotten his roots, and his humble attitude will go a long way in helping him achieve new heights in his NASCAR career.

When drivers incur NASCAR’s wrath, the consequences are usually not amiable. Last weekend in Martinsville, Austin Dillon was among three drivers who were slapped with penalties. They attempted to slow down in order to let their OEM playoff teammates secure a Championship 4 spot. However, Dillon’s previous penalty marks a change in the sport – officials’ tolerance of overly aggressive driving tactics is dwindling.
When Dale Earnhardt Sr executed a bump-and-run on Terry Labonte on the last lap in a 1999 Bristol race, NASCAR did not take notice. In fact, the move was regarded as iconic – although Earnhardt only meant “to rattle his cage.” Officials also did not mind Denny Hamlin nudging Kyle Larson for the win in 2023. Pocono. So a controversial insider of the sport fires shots at NASCAR for its increasing vigilance.
NASCAR’s judicial arm may be too long
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The aggressive moves that Austin Dillon undertook in Richmond were thrilling, to say the least. One fan watching the Cook Out 400 race live blurted out – “He is back!” – Dillon’s move closely mimicked Dale Earnhardt’s. As he was driving the same No. 3 car, the Intimidator’s spirit seemed revived. On the final lap of the race, Dillon spun out both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin and charged fiercely to seize the victory. However, NASCAR was not so thrilled. Despite letting him keep the win, Dillon’s playoff eligibility and 25 driver and owner points were stripped.
A similar incident played out in the Xfinity Series championship finale in Phoenix. On lap 62, Stefan Parsons got a little loose and hurtled his car to the side of Anthony Alfredo’s car, the latter pinning him to the wall. In retaliation, the Our Motorsports driver hooked into his rival’s right-reared and sent him violently to the outside wall. In a ‘Door, Bumper, Clear’ episode, spotter Brett Griffin did not like NASCAR’s 2-lap rough driving penalty to Alfredo. “‘Boys have at it’ is dead. They penalized Joel’s buddy, Anthony Alfredo…they should have parked him. They put him on pit road for two laps and held him for aggressive driving, for right-rearing a guy on purpose. They’ve clearly taken away what we’ve beat on this show for however many years we’ve been doing it – 7,8.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dirty Mo Media (@dirtymomedia)
Griffin’s argument upholds the essence of NASCAR racing – driving within inches of your rivals and doing all you can to clinch a race win. He dejectedly continued about Austin Dillon, “‘Win at all costs’ is dead. Austin Dillon won at all costs and he got destroyed. He got to keep the win but he didn’t get in the playoffs – which is the most hypocritical bulls—t I’ve ever seen…NASCAR is drawing a line in the sand and they’re telling you they don’t have an officiating problem. But everything else they’re telling us is, ‘We’re gonna do more officiating than we’ve been doing.’ They just did it last week suspending 9 people.”
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Brett Griffin’s passion for focusing on a win and nothing else has been alive for years.
A historic achievement fuels his passion
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Clint Bowyer is currently a Fox Sports broadcaster alongside Kevin Harvick. Earlier, he competed in the Cup Series for Stewart-Haas Racing – and 2018 was a memorable year for him. In Martinsville Speedway, Bowyer shattered a 190-race winless skid – he had not won since 2012. Bowyer led 215 laps after snatching the lead from 3rd-place finisher Ryan Blaney. Then he did a fabulous job avoiding any misstep over the final 200 laps that would have allowed Kyle Busch to close in. After clinching the victory, he was so ecstatic that he started his celebratory burnout at the entrance to Turn 3 of the Paperclip. However, Bowyer’s “Eye in the Sky” was behind this massive achievement.
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Brett Griffin was spotting the No. 14 SHR car back then, having worked with Bowyer since 2012. He confessed in an interview about the most rewarding part of his job. “Hands down, it’s winning. You don’t do what we do for as long as we have without the desire to win races. I used to want to win for me…but now I think more about the win for all the people back at the shop working their tails off each week, the crew guys at the track and for our families who support us back home and watch races on TV.” He added, “Last week’s win was really special because I got to see Clint celebrate the win with his kids.”
Evidently, Brett Griffin’s passion is infuriating him more about NASCAR’s judicial decisions. Although he is against aggression, a little scope should exist for drivers to have their way.

Joey Logano may have just created the biggest debate in NASCAR at the moment. It’s not about his title, but about the format NASCAR follows. The playoffs system remained mired in controversy this season. It wasn’t because Logano came back from being eliminated. Rather, what fans are upset about is drivers who dominate all season long are forced to sit out of the Top 4 because of the current playoffs format. NASCAR legend Richard Petty agrees with the community on this one, going as far as to bring a potential solution.
Following a fan question about the playoffs, Richard Petty suggested a tweak to the playoffs system, bringing the focus to getting wins, rather than just points.
Petty Suggests the Winner-Take-It-All Approach
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While Joey Logano’s victory brought a wave of happiness for a lot of drivers, it also sparked a consensus of doubts and criticisms about the current playoff structures. Logano is a driver with one of the least number of victories and the stats for his top five or top 10 runnings aren’t very promising. However, given the complex point system structure that NASCAR follows, it can become tedious to maintain parity.
Currently, the drivers accumulate points. These are dependent on a season-based performance. Usually, the winners will earn higher points, but the ones who do not will also have a chance of making it to the top depending on how well they perform throughout. Two drivers already faced damage from the existing system. These were the drivers with the most wins this year, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. Both were favorites going into the playoffs. Larson even set expectations high
While this could seem to be a good option, sometimes it is possible for non-winning drivers as well to accumulate points and topple winners to the Top 4 run. Cutting to the criticism and the controversy regarding the current NASCAR playoff structure, Richard Petty made his stance very clear. He has always been an advocate of clear and transparent rules that favor drivers who win.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richard Petty (@therichardpetty)
According to Petty, it is the number of victories that a driver has that should be the deciding factor in their Top 4 run. Suggesting this structure, Petty said, “I guess what I would do, look at the deal and say, okay we’ve had, this guy has won, that guy has won, this guy ain’t won, forget the points. Let the winners run for the championship, I mean if the guy’s won one race or 10 races, they get into the championship. Looks to me in the long run, that would be the best way because you got some guys up there that almost run for the championship that didn’t win any of the races. They didn’t quite make it but there’s a possibility and it has happened in the past”.
One of the primary reasons why this could be a good model is because it would elevate the importance of every race. For example, the driver who wins at Las Vegas Speedway would still have to make it to Miami and Martinsville so that they could bag the most victories. Rather than focusing on earning just steady points, drivers are prone to exhibit risky driving strategies, which is the crux of any motorsport. Although the model that Petty suggested might foster a lot of aggression, it would help one to witness the real nature of motorsport racing. After all, why choose to depend on risk-free driving for the sake of just points when winning is at stake?
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When Richard Petty placed his bets on Joey Logano
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It seems as though the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion has a very good idea about the current drivers and placed his picks on the right person. It was not long ago that Richard Petty had picked Joey Logano as one of his top picks from the current standing of drivers. Petty was highly impressed with the kind of speed that Logano exhibits and the way he has made it to the standings.
The King said, “Yeah, he’s the top car everywhere he goes. A lot of times he’s maybe not the fastest, but he is always in the Top 8 or Top 10. No matter where they run. Yeah, and this is what they have run the third race this year. He definitely needs to be in the champion run.” It was evident from the way Logano was driving throughout the season that he might not be able to bag a lot of victories. But he was in complete hustler mode which ensured he climbed his way back.
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One of the most effective factors that has helped him in this run and maintaining his position throughout is the current NASCAR playoff structure. Although he comes second to Kyle Larson who has won the most number of races throughout the season, Larson was nowhere in the final standings. Yet Logano, who was almost on the verge of elimination, made his way back and positioned himself in the Top 4.
Logano was able to make sure that he kept up to his reputation and marked a solid victory at Phoenix on Sunday. While he did have a close call with teammate Ryan Blaney, he was still able to manage his run and claim the NASCAR Cup Series trophy for the third time.

NASCAR’s foundations rest on privilege. Since the France family established the stock car racing series in 1948, the sport has catered to an elite faction. Independent contractors doled out their own money to put a car on the racetrack – and sitting in the 21st century, nothing has changed. The reason why the Race Team Alliance clamored for change lies with the bucks. Even top-tiered teams like Hendrick Motorsports confessed to not breaking even on their profits for years.
Now, the dire reality is dawning upon people. We all know the young talents in the lower series like Connor Zilisch. The 18-year-old phenom made fans’ jaws drop by winning at Watkins Glen on his Xfinity debut. However, several drivers of equal caliber are trying to get into NASCAR – but in vain, as a few insiders lament.
Money fights with talent in NASCAR
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Chandler Smith can be regarded as the cream of the Xfinity Series. Previously, he competed for Kyle Busch Motorsports and picked Craftsman Truck Series race wins. Then in 2023, he joined Joe Gibbs Racing for Xfinity – starting with a Richmond victory. This year, his run has been phenomenal – 2 wins, 22 top-tens, and 17 top-fives. Yet you will be surprised to learn that this prodigy’s NASCAR career screeched to an early end this year. JGR has confirmed its 2025 Xfinity line-up and it excludes the 22-year-old – because he lacks sponsorships. “You got to bring a big, big, big pocketbook with you,” Smith admitted.
In a recent episode of ‘Door, Bumper, Clear,’ co-host and spotter Brett Griffin pointed out the influx of fresh talent. “Between the ages of 17 and 22 in this sport right now, we’ve had the most talent we’ve ever had.” But he also highlighted the bitter reality that Smith is facing. “It worries me…I hate to say this out loud, but if you don’t have $3-4 million a year behind you either in sponsorship or family money, you’re not going to get there.” Freddie Kraft also chimed in, underlining JGR’s situation. “The money’s getting the ride over the talent. You’ve got guys like Chandler Smith, Ryan Truex that are race-winning drivers at Gibbs right now that are out – because of guys coming in with money.”
Ryan Truex had a breakthrough year, winning in Daytona and Dover. Yet due to lack of sponsorship, he will need to drop to a part-time Xfinity role under JGR next year. Kraft continued about how money defeats talent in NASCAR. “Unless you have that kind of money which you’d like to set on fire…then by all means do it, because that’s what you’re doing. Even if you win the race – you go out there and dominate, lead every lap in a subpar truck. Somebody’s going to call you, ‘Man we would like you to drive our truck. Do you have a $100,000? …or do you have $2 Million.’ So it doesn’t matter how much talent (you have).” Griffin ominously added, “If we don’t fix this in 10 years, we’re in deep, deep s**t.”
These costs are meant for different factors. Just running the car during the week takes up nearly $400,000. Apart from this, there are travel expenses and entry fees. Drivers also need access to proper training setups, and racing simulators as well.
Despite the already bitter situation, money is not the only thorn in talent’s path.
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The number of eyes matter
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Since NASCAR drivers rely heavily on sponsorships to survive, they differ from other sports athletes. Instead of just focusing on how to drive, they also focus on their image. This showbiz side of the sport makes it compulsory for drivers to maintain popularity and good standing among fans. Even there, NASCAR is a competition for them – it has 3,1 Million followers on Instagram.
Hendrick Motorsports, the most popular Cup Series team, has only 501,000 fans on the same platform. So Chase Briscoe, one of the outgoing Stewart-Haas Racing drivers, agrees that without a solid social media foundation, your future in NASCAR is limited. Briscoe faced a career scare soon after Tony Stewart announced shuttering his team in May. For 2025, he will replace Martin Truex Jr in the JGR No. 19 entry. Although his future is secure, he frankly stated the marketing side of NASCAR.
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“How many followers you have is a big thing on how sellable you are and how attracted people are to you,” Briscoe said. “I think 15 years ago, nobody cared how many Twitter followers or Instagram followers you had, but now certainly they do and, for sure, the sponsors do. Just the landscape of how we do things has evolved.” He also added, “Essentially, we’re race car drivers, but we’re also a marketing company and to be a marketing company you have to be good on social media, so that’s kind of what we’ve turned into.”
Evidently, talent is not all that will get you into a NASCAR team. Money and popularity accompany it – unless a driver has all three, the journey is tough.

Team 23XI and Front Row are the two torchbearers who have taken up the onus to make sure that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The lawsuit is now reaching new heights with every passing day and it might be implying a tougher impact on the team and its future monetary standing. Michael Jordan, the NBA legend has been the forerunner of this role, one cannot help but be concerned about the potential loss he might have to face.
While Jordan aims to disrupt NASCAR supremacy and opt-in for a system that could be beneficial for teams, the pursuit is getting tougher with every passing day. NASCAR insiders do predict that this could have an impact on the sponsorship dynamics as well which could lead to major repercussions.
Michael Jordan might have to shell out millions of dollars in the fight against NASCAR
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The lawsuit against NASCAR is not in favor of Team 23XI as of now. Although the teams were eligible to run for the season, it put them in a precarious situation. Team 23XI and FRM filed an injunction where the aim was to maintain their pre-existing charter until the end of the lawsuit. However, the court ruled out this possibility, dining the injunction. It opened up an array of speculations regarding the status of the team. The court stated that the teams did not meet their burden of proof in an eight-page-long release. It also failed to prove how the teams would have to face major problems if the charter was evoked.
The court ruled, “At this time, Plaintiffs have not met their burden as required for a preliminary injunction. Should circumstances change, Plaintiffs may file a renewed motion for preliminary injunction”. The team had argued in court that the open status of the team could lead to possible loss of sponsors. This will indeed become a reality if the team loses its charter and chooses to battle on the tracks as an open team. Not only that, this can severely impact the revenue generation of the team, keeping in mind that the sponsor agreements always mention that the teams have to run all the races.
Reacting to this, NASCAR insider Brett Griffin stated, “As of right now, it’s going to happen at 23XI next year because if they don’t have these charters, somebody’s going to have to come up with three or four per car to compete, and it’s fortunate that they have a guy like Michael Jordan that allows them to do that. I just, I just hope they run good all year next year”. Things started to go downhill when the injunction did not go in favor of the plaintiffs and instead put their position at risk.
via Imago DARLINGTON, SC – MAY 13: Tyler Reddick 45 23XI Racing Forward Together Toyota enters turn 4 during qualifying for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Goodyear 400 on May 13, 2023 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SCPhoto by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 13 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon230513442400
If Team 23XI is reduced to an open team and they eventually lose out on the sponsors it will become imperative for Michael Jordan to shell out his money and invest in the sport. Given his monetary success, it might not be a very hard thing to do and it can also bring more new drivers. But it can impact the financial standing of the team in the long run because every money has to come through from the owners themselves. Additionally, they receive no money from NASCAR since they won’t be a chartered team.
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Till now, both Team 23XI and Front Row Motorsports have not signed the take-it-or-leave-it charter agreement that had been presented to teams just 48 hours before the playoffs. It seems as though Michael Jordan is all set to topple the format of the charter and the NASCAR system, even if it means investing millions of dollars from his pocket.
Kenny Wallace warns Michael Jordan and Team 23XI
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It seems the warnings from NASCAR insiders are piling in. Even Kenny Wallace is wary of the situation and chimed in. Speaking of how this might be a fatal move and Team 23XI might fail miserably from the lawsuit, Wallace took to his X account. The post read, “I hate it for them, but I said, man, be careful. NASCAR’s got friends in Washington DC; they know what they’re up to, Richard Petty and the gang; they tried to do this stuff years ago, but the injunction failed. The judge ruled yesterday on Friday, so right now Michael Jordan, 23XI, and Front Row are O and 3. It means they have tried to go against NASCAR three times and they have lost all three times”.
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Wallace has pointed out that this has happened in the past as well. A similar situation occurred when Kentucky Speedway brought an antitrust lawsuit, arguing that they were unfairly excluded from hosting races. However, the court sided with NASCAR. It stated that, as the governing body, NASCAR has the authority to choose the venues and locations where they hold their events. This decision underscored NASCAR’s right to control race scheduling and venue selection as part of its regulatory powers.
Given that NASCAR is already in the upper hand and the ruling has been in their favor till now carves a detrimental image for Team 23XI. The current situation is indeed precarious for Team 23XI, and this could potentially indicate that in the upcoming 2025 season, they will run as “open teams”.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have just hit a major legal roadblock in their fight against NASCAR. The teams, who are challenging NASCAR’s 2025 charter agreement and its negotiation practices, were dealt a tough blow in court. Despite their push for a more equitable system in the sport, a recent ruling didn’t go in their favor, and it’s looking like they’re not ready to accept this outcome quietly.
The legal battle has been heating up, and now it seems like the teams are gearing up for their next move. With everything on the line, including the future of chartered and unchartered entries, the stakes couldn’t be higher. NASCAR’s system could face major scrutiny depending on how things play out, and the teams aren’t backing down just yet. They’ve made it clear—they plan to keep fighting. But what’s their next step?
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports find themselves fighting back against NASCAR with full force
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23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are not giving up on their legal fight against NASCAR, despite facing a major setback in court. Bob Pockrass has been closely following the case, and the latest development is that the teams have filed to appeal a key ruling. Legal battle over NASCAR’s charter system hits new phase as 23XI and Front Row Motorsports fight on
A U.S. District Judge recently denied their request for a preliminary injunction, which would have allowed them to race as unchartered teams in the 2025 season while the case was still ongoing. This decision is a big blow to the teams, who are accusing NASCAR of anticompetitive practices tied to the 2025 charter agreement.
Even though the teams didn’t get the win they hoped for in this round, they’re not backing down. The two teams are backed up against a wall and are now moving forward with plans to challenge the ruling in the Court of Appeals.
The lawsuit itself is focused on NASCAR’s negotiation tactics and how they believe those tactics are unfairly limiting competition in the sport. If the teams succeed in their appeal, it could have a huge impact on how NASCAR runs its business moving forward. With the lawsuit being such a big situation that will continue into the next year, many NASCAR critics are coming forward to talk it and recently it was Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi who summed their thoughts on the fight against the governing body.
NASCAR insiders discuss the controversial charter deal lawsuit
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NASCAR insiders Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic recently discussed the ongoing lawsuit involving NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports on The Teardown podcast. The legal battle stems from 23XI and Front Row’s struggle to secure their charters, which NASCAR had initially issued to them in early September.
The latest update in the case is that both teams lost their bid for a preliminary injunction. Jeff Gluck explained that the charter agreements NASCAR provides come with a clause that prevents teams from taking legal action against the organization once they sign them. In a twist, 23XI Racing and Front Row are now asking the judge to waive this clause, allowing them to move forward with the charters that were offered to them.
However, the judge has pushed back, telling the teams they need to show proof of actual harm rather than just speculation. As a result, NASCAR has pulled back the charter agreements for both teams, making things even more complicated.
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via Getty NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 24: 23Xi co-owner Michael Jordan talks with Denny Hamlin (#11 Joe Gibbs Racing FedEx Ground Toyota) during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 on June 24, 2023 at Nashville SuperSpeedway in Lebanon, TN. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“This is not going to end anytime soon,” Gluck noted, hinting that the drama will stretch well into the offseason. With all the legal back-and-forth, it’s clear this issue will keep NASCAR insiders busy for a while. What do you think will be the outcome of this case? Will 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsport change how the sport handles its charter deals forever, or will NASCAR penalize the teams for picking a fight and have the teams’ charters revoked? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Brad Keselowski knows a thing or two about defying expectations. As fans and analysts dissect Martin Truex Jr.’s recent retirement announcement, Keselowski finds himself lumped into speculations about NASCAR’s “elder statesmen” calling it quits. At 40, Keselowski knows these whispers are inevitable, but he’s not quite ready to take his foot off the gas. While retirement chatter swirls around him, Keselowski is more focused than ever on something else — something far from the idea of slowing down.
With Truex stepping away, Denny Hamlin and Keselowski will become the elder statesmen of the NASCAR garage. But rather than view his age as a countdown clock, Keselowski seems to draw energy from his veteran pursuits. Inspired by none other than the legendary Mark Martin, who raced well into his 50s, Keselowski hints he may still have plenty of laps ahead. However, if you think he’s slowing down, his fiery, three-word response says it all.
Brad Keselowski has time before retiring from NASCAR
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When asked about his future in NASCAR, Keselowski didn’t hold back. “I’ve got time,” he said, declaring his intent to continue in NASCAR. While some drivers may see their 40s as the twilight of their careers, Keselowski sees it as the perfect moment to carve out a legacy comparable to Mark Martin’s. He reflects, “I just think about Mark Martin driving until he was 50. If he can do it, I can do it. That’s still like another 10 years from now.”
Keselowski wants to follow the footsteps of the NASCAR legend Mark Martin who did not retire until he was 54. Following a career that spun decades driving cars on the race track, Martin even came back as a consultant. Martin’s legacy is all Keselowski needs to continue to race in NASCAR and not step away from the sport he loves so much. As co-owner of RFK Racing, Keselowski feels the weight of balancing driver and owner roles but finds the partnership invigorating. Recently, he’s been hitting a stride, with strong finishes at Darlington and Charlotte giving him a new burst of confidence. “I left the Coke 600 saying, ‘Oh, I’ve got 10 years left in me.’”
Brad Keselowski isn’t holding back when it comes to setting the record straight for his future in NASCAR. Recently, he took to X (formerly Twitter) with a message that left no room for doubt about his intentions. Wrapping up his gratitude to fans and sponsors for their support this year, Keselowski didn’t miss the chance to address the retirement rumors head-on.
“And anyone who thinks I’m ready to retire can kiss my tail,” he declared, making it crystal clear he’s nowhere near done. Keselowski emphasized he’s still got “a lot of fight left” and made a bold statement to cap it off: “Already can’t wait for 2025. Cya then.”
For a driver like Brad Keselowski, who’s spent years competing at the highest level, this fiery response underscores just how much he’s looking forward, not back. For the driver/team co-owner, these achievements only reaffirm what he’s known all along: “They don’t make a drug that good as being able to win races.” And as long as he feels that rush, retirement is the last thing on his mind. Now that Keselowski is planning on staying in NASCAR for longer, he has a few changes in his mind that he would like to see the sport implement. Start off with the playoff format.
Brad Keselowski wants the playoff format to change
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Brad Keselowski is no stranger to voicing his opinion on NASCAR’s playoff format after this season’s championship weekend. With Ty Majeski, Justin Allgaier, and Joey Logano emerging as champions in the Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series, respectively, Keselowski had a moment of reflection on his flight home.
He took to social media to make a post on X to express a lingering feeling he couldn’t shake: while Joey Logano’s title was well-earned, Keselowski felt the playoff format itself still leaves something to be desired.
In his post, Keselowski shared that he believes Logano’s championship was justified but argued that the current system doesn’t truly represent what a season-long fight for the Cup Series should be about. “Two things can be true at the same time,” he wrote. “Joey Logano deserved to win the championship; this format doesn’t feel ideal for rewarding the NASCAR Cup championship.”
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via Getty SONOMA, CALIFORNIA, JUNE 07: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 King’s Hawaiian/Despicable Me 4 Ford, looks on in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 07, 2024, in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
This wasn’t just an off-the-cuff remark, either. Keselowski has expressed similar sentiments before. Whether his comments will spark any change remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: Keselowski isn’t backing down from this debate anytime soon. Do you think that NASCAR will make changes to the controversial playoff format for 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In NASCAR, there are few things that are as closely watched as team dynamics and ownership decisions. While we often see the stars, the cars, and the headlines, the behind-the-scenes action can be just as dramatic—if not more so. But when it comes to Tony Stewart, how does his leadership style impact the people around him? What’s the real story behind Stewart-Haas Racing’s rise—and perhaps, some of its internal struggles?
Joel Edmonds, a familiar voice for fans of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, just dropped a bombshell during his recent appearance in Phoenix. As the conversation turned toward SHR and Tony Stewart’s influence, Edmonds didn’t hold back. His reflections on his time working under Stewart, give a rare glimpse into the challenges within the team that fans don’t usually get to see.
The reality of Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Ownership
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Edmonds has been in NASCAR for a long time. He started in the sport back in 1991 and hasn’t looked back since. After leaving Roush Fenway Racing in 2015, he teamed up with Stewart-Haas Racing, working as a spotter for Aric Almirola. His duties as a spotter saw him work with drivers such as Cole Custer as well as Chase Briscoe, both big names in the SHR camp.
During the podcast, Edmonds shared his perspective on the leadership shift at SHR, reflecting on his eight years with the team. He pointed out that while many of his colleagues were transitioning to different teams, a lot of people were still hanging on to the Custer deal. But it was his comments about Tony Stewart that really got attention. “I saw Tony was there. Like, as soon as they won, he was hugging the crew guys and all that, which is kind of—a—I mean, I’m not taking a shot at him, but it’s kind of a slap in the face, you know? I was there six years. I don’t know how many times I saw the guy,” Edmonds said.
For Edmonds, there was a clear frustration that goes beyond just the wins and losses as he shared on the Door Bumper Clear podcast. “You’ve got to be present to win, and it’s not his fault for shutting down, probably,” he continued. It’s an insight that shows just how critical presence is in a sport that demands so much from its teams, and how Tony Stewart’s occasional absence left an impact on those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
via Imago NASCAR legend Tony Stewart | Image Credits: Imago
Edmonds continued, recalling a poignant moment when Stewart was actually present for a race: “My first year, he was around a lot. The day my mom was having hip surgery in Charlotte, we were at the Roval, and he stood beside me that whole race at the Roval on the spotter stand.” Despite this rare moment of connection, Edmonds emphasized that, ultimately, it was the absence that weighed heavier. “I think you got there when he got sick of it. Yeah, well, and I understand the getting sick of it part because there are so many things that are not like they’re supposed to be.”
In the last few years, Tony Stewart gradually reduced involvement in NASCAR. While he continued as team-owner after retirement, Stewart found an interest in the NHRA, a league where his wife Leah Pruett races in a team the couple owns. When Pruett announced her pregnancy, she revealed it would be Tony Stewart taking over the reins of her drag car as he competed in a different motorsport. It meant Stewart had less time to give to SHR, especially with the prospect of starting a family and taking on a new role in racing.
This rare, unfiltered take from a former SHR employee offers a look at the complicated dynamics of Tony Stewart’s role at SHR. While fans might see the victories and the headlines, the reality behind the curtain is far more layered. It’s a story of leadership, challenges, and, perhaps, a few missed opportunities.
Why Stewart Haas Racing did not work out
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Stewart-Haas Racing, once a powerhouse in NASCAR, is calling it quits after the 2024 season. After nearly 15 years, the organization is facing a tough decision. Stewart and Haas announced that the team would shut down, citing the intense commitment required for success in NASCAR and the challenges they’re facing in the Next Gen era.
SHR has struggled to keep up with the giants like Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports in recent years. After the retirements of key figures like Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Clint Bowyer, the team has been working through a rough patch. Last year only one SHR driver made the playoffs, and there’s been a noticeable lack of on-track success. This slump has been paired with dwindling off-track support, as corporate sponsors have shifted their allegiances, with Smithfield pulling out of NASCAR entirely and Anheuser-Busch backing Trackhouse Racing instead.
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On top of that, SHR’s partnership with Ford is coming to an end, further complicating things. As for Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, both have their focus elsewhere. Haas has been heavily invested in Formula One, while Tony Stewart has spent more time with his NHRA team, where his wife even drove for him last year. With the demands of running SHR weighing on them and their personal and business interests shifting, they decided it was time to step away and let someone else take the reins.
Are you a Stewart Haas Racing fan who is saddened by the news of them disbanding? Share your thoughts on this in the comments below.

It’s the age-old debate that never quite leaves the NASCAR community: What should the true path to a championship look like? Fans are constantly questioning if the playoff format captures the essence of racing or if it’s a chaotic scramble that favors certain drivers. It’s not just a debate about points or wins, but a deep-rooted argument about fairness, legacy, and what NASCAR is supposed to represent. And after every season, these debates only grow louder, especially when it feels like an “undeserving” driver has snatched the title.
So, when recent fan polls revealed a dramatic shift in opinion about the best playoff format, many immediately took notice. Comparing the current results to a similar poll from 2020, it seems that preferences have changed drastically in just a few years. Now, instead of the current elimination-style playoff leading the poll, a whopping 45.4% of fans prefer the original Chase format, with 38.6% leaning toward a full-season format, leaving only 16% in favor of the current elimination format. It’s an eye-opening reversal that has led to one surprising conclusion within the NASCAR community: the so-called “Chase Elliott Effect.”
The “Elliott Effect” Exposes NASCAR’s Championship Format Debate
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This “Chase Elliott Effect” is a theory buzzing through fan discussions, suggesting that Elliott’s 2020 championship victory under the elimination format may have swayed public opinion, giving a false sense of support to a system that fans no longer seem to want. Some argue that Chase Elliott’s massive popularity skewed the 2020 poll results, pushing the elimination format to the top at a time when people were simply thrilled to see NASCAR’s most beloved driver clinch a title. The “effect” implies that fan bias for Elliott temporarily overshadowed any real dissatisfaction with the playoff format.
According to poll comparisons, the elimination format received 48.2% support in 2020 but has now plummeted to a mere 16%. Fans are looking back on the last few years, where controversial champions have emerged, and wondering if Elliott’s win created a short-lived favor for a system that’s more divisive than it seemed at the time. The elimination format, which pits drivers in a high-stakes knockout system, brings excitement, but many now argue it can lead to “undeserving” champions, overshadowing drivers with a consistent, strong season.
NASCAR’s original Chase format, a simpler system with a 10-race stretch for a handful of top drivers, seems to be regaining favor, capturing nearly half of the fan vote in the latest poll. This format represents a balanced middle ground that many feel preserves the integrity of the season without the “winner-take-all” drama of the current elimination-style playoffs. And then there’s the full-season format, a nostalgic nod to NASCAR’s roots, where consistency over 36 races determined the champion, bringing in a solid 38.6% of fan support this year.
Mixed Views on the “Chase Elliott Effect” and Format Preferences
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The discussion wouldn’t be complete without passionate fan comments dissecting every angle. One fan noted, “If the 2020 poll was done after the last race of the season like this one, then it was simply the Chase Elliott effect.” This comment reflects the belief that Chase Elliott’s win under the elimination format made the structure more popular for the moment, creating an artificial “bump” in support when, in reality, many fans were just caught up in the excitement of his victory.
Others chimed in, pointing to the perceived unpredictability of recent champions. “People’s tastes changed after seeing three champions that should’ve never been in the discussion,” said one fan, adding that Elliott’s 2020 win may have indeed skewed the results. This perspective suggests that fan frustration with recent champions—who may not have had the most consistent season performance—is influencing today’s call for a format change.
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Some fans speculate that the increase in betting on NASCAR races has intensified emotions, especially when people feel their bets are upended by a format they see as unfair. “Because ‘their guy’ didn’t win,” one fan wrote, suggesting that frustration, particularly among Elliott supporters, has sparked a shift in preference now that the stakes feel personal and financial for many.
via Getty DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: Chase Elliott, driver of the #17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, prepares to practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2024 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
And, of course, there are the Hendrick loyalists, who some believe may have distorted poll results in 2020 just to see their driver succeed. “Because Chase Elliott won the championship, so Hendrick fanboys inflated the poll,” argued one fan, highlighting that Elliott’s dedicated fan base may have momentarily rallied around a system that would ensure his victory.
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Still, others caution against blaming it all on the “Chase Elliott Effect,” saying, “People can say it was the ‘Chase Elliott factor,’ but I remember seeing a chart showing he’d have won the 2020 Championship under every format since 2004.” This fan believes Elliott’s success was legitimate, suggesting that the criticism may stem more from discontent with recent champions rather than Elliott himself.
What championship format is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you shut off the noisy criticism for a bit, you will realize what Joey Logano has achieved in his NASCAR career. He clinched his third Cup Series title – also the third in a row for team owner Roger Penske. Nobody has achieved that under the modern-day playoff format since 2014. What is more, Logano now stands way above all of his active competitors – including 2-time champion Kyle Busch whose 231 wins across three NASCAR series are the highest of all time. Wait, there’s more!
What is more striking is Joey Logano’s snuggling with the very best in the sport. He is one of only five drivers to win three championships before the age of 35. That elite group includes Jimmie Johnson, Richard Petty, David Pearson, and Jeff Gordon. Yet he has more than just stats resonating with one of these stars, according to a Hendrick Motorsports veteran.
Joey Logano may have a legendary sheen
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“We just have to put our foot on their throats.” Although Joey Logano’s pre-race comment was not so pleasant, it accurately depicts how he has mastered the playoff format. For a decade, Cup Series drivers have competed ferociously in a 10-race elimination format. Here, whatever you have achieved in the regular season does not matter. Logano’s 13 top-ten and 7 top-five finishes may be middling. His P11 finish in total points and average finish of 17.1 is also an all-time low for a Cup Series champion. However, the 22 team worked their hardest when NASCAR takes notice the most – in the postseason. Three of Logano’s four wins came during these hard-fought 10 races.
Steve Letarte, a veteran HMS crew chief from 1995 to 2014, marvels at that achievement. In a recent episode of ‘Actions Detrimental’, Letarte compared Joey Logano’s success to 7-time champion Jimmie Johnson. “Logano and Paul Wolfe’s numbers are like postseason…Logano has 35 wins, I wanna say 15 are in the playoffs. He won 4 races this year, 3 were in the playoffs. I don’t think they sit down and say, okay, we’re gonna be great here…But there’s something about Paul Wolfe and Joey…however they operate, however, they prepare…they are without a doubt Jimmie Johnson-esque when it comes to playoff numbers.” Indeed, 15 of Logano’s 36 career Cup wins — 41.7% — have come in the playoffs.
And Jimmie Johnson himself has acknowledged Logano’s achievement. During the Phoenix finale, expectations ran low about his victory, especially after a pre-race penalty. But after starting 5th with 54 laps to go, Joey Logano seized the story. He toppled all his rivals – teammates Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, and William Byron. And as Logano celebrated on Victory Lane, Johnson watched about half a mile away.
The legend tipped his hat to the consistency showcased by Logano and Team Penske, saying, “We see it year in and year out. His abilities, his drive, his focus. And a lot of it has to do with timing, timing of your manufacturer, timing of your team, a track that is strong for you.”
Denny Hamlin also took note of this Penske consistency – but he would like no part of it.
The path does not align for Hamlin
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We all know that Joey Logano was a hazy metaphor during the early phase of this season. While the No. 22 driver grappled with finishes – he ended four out of five races outside the top 20 – Denny Hamlin was a shooting star. Besides clinching three victories, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver cashed in on consistent finishes. For example, he posted a 6-week streak of top-five finishes between Dover and Gateway.
Yet Roger Penske boasts consistency in another regard – three years of mastering the playoffs. Hamlin reflected on Joey Logano’s 2018 championship, “They said at Homestead…we’re gonna build the fastest car for 10 laps and then let’s just see how it all works out. They had a short run at the end, they won the race.”
Then his 2022 championship also showed a late emergence. “2-3 years ago…the regular season was not good – there were races you didn’t even know he was in…But then they find the path to Phoenix – they get there, show up, and they’re great.” Hamlin even harped on Ryan Blaney following the same approach last year. “We ran off all his finishes that were 12 in a row of 11th or worse. It was a lot of really poor finishes…They were just not good, not fast. And then won the championship.”
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Despite Penske’s proven method of winning Cup championships, Hamlin wants none of it. He boldly declared his verdict in spite of his own lack of a championship. “Okay, I understand the formula – but I don’t know how to do that and nor would I want to. I want to get as many bonus points as I can through the regular season.”
Evidently, Joey Logano’s 2024 title has drawn a mixed bag of responses. It is going to remain the talk of the town for a long time – at least until the 2025 season commences.