4 days ago
INDIANAPOLIS – One weekend before NASCAR returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400, IndyCar legend Scott Dixon criticized the length of NASCAR Cup Series races.
The six-time IndyCar champion was asked about the original distance of IndyCar's Music City Grand Prix, which was set to be 300 laps and nearly 400 miles before it was postponed and shortened. Dixon said he didn't know if he'd like more IndyCar races of a similar distance, citing his problem with the length of Cup races.
"I don't know," Dixon said in an interview with Frontstretch.com. "I find it really hard to watch Cup races. It allows for a nap. Maybe that's good. I don't know."
The comments drew the ire of many NASCAR fans and commentators, who disagreed with Dixon's ******* sment. This year, the shortest Cup race on an oval is 267 miles and the longest is 600. The shortest oval races typically take around three hours while longer races can exceed four hours. Last year's Brickyard 400 took three hours and 22 minutes.
While many felt Dixon's comments were out of line, 2024 Brickyard 400 winner Kyle Larson understood Dixon's point.
#races #indycar #know
The six-time IndyCar champion was asked about the original distance of IndyCar's Music City Grand Prix, which was set to be 300 laps and nearly 400 miles before it was postponed and shortened. Dixon said he didn't know if he'd like more IndyCar races of a similar distance, citing his problem with the length of Cup races.
"I don't know," Dixon said in an interview with Frontstretch.com. "I find it really hard to watch Cup races. It allows for a nap. Maybe that's good. I don't know."
The comments drew the ire of many NASCAR fans and commentators, who disagreed with Dixon's ******* sment. This year, the shortest Cup race on an oval is 267 miles and the longest is 600. The shortest oval races typically take around three hours while longer races can exceed four hours. Last year's Brickyard 400 took three hours and 22 minutes.
While many felt Dixon's comments were out of line, 2024 Brickyard 400 winner Kyle Larson understood Dixon's point.
#races #indycar #know
5 days ago
Even though Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson look like potential championship contenders, this has not been an overall banner campaign for Hendrick Motorsports.
Larson is amidst a 39-race winless streakWilliam Byron is 12th in the standings and it's a fight to crack the top-10 every weekAlex Bowman suffered a bout of vertigo earlier this year but hasn't been competitive consistently either
So, all told, Hendrick Motorsports is not in a great place this year and their two wins (both by Elliott) has been matched by their satellite partners, Spire Motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr. spent a decade driving for Rick Hendrick and detailed exactly what happens during team meetings with the boss has seen enough.
He explained Mr. H's process on this week's episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast.
"I've been with HMS when they sort of get into these ruts, or these little phases," said Earnhardt. "I'm not concerned, because what happens is they'll have a competition meeting, which they'll have one this week. They'll have one every week.
#larson #earnhardt #happens
Larson is amidst a 39-race winless streakWilliam Byron is 12th in the standings and it's a fight to crack the top-10 every weekAlex Bowman suffered a bout of vertigo earlier this year but hasn't been competitive consistently either
So, all told, Hendrick Motorsports is not in a great place this year and their two wins (both by Elliott) has been matched by their satellite partners, Spire Motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr. spent a decade driving for Rick Hendrick and detailed exactly what happens during team meetings with the boss has seen enough.
He explained Mr. H's process on this week's episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast.
"I've been with HMS when they sort of get into these ruts, or these little phases," said Earnhardt. "I'm not concerned, because what happens is they'll have a competition meeting, which they'll have one this week. They'll have one every week.
#larson #earnhardt #happens
6 days ago
NASCAR is gearing up for the 24th race weekend of the 2026 season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the Cup Series is bound to put on a show. In 2025, Bubba Wallace beat Kyle Larson for his first win of the year. Now, the sport will head to Indianapolis with a substantial amount of money on the line.
The purse for the Cup Series race at Indianapolis will be $11,233,037 on Sunday afternoon. NASCAR doesn't release the earnings for the winning driver anymore, meaning it's impossible to tell how much of the $11,233,037 will go toward the team in victory lane. Last year, the purse for Indianapolis sat at $11,055,250, which is roughly a $180,000 increase.
It will be fascinating to see which NASCAR driver will earn the most money at Indianapolis this weekend. Wallace is looking to go back-to-back in the race at Indianapolis, but Larson and Denny Hamlin had good cars in 2025. Indianapolis always puts on a show, and this weekend should be no different.
More: How to watch NASCAR live at Indianapolis in July 2026, full schedule
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR purse for Cup Series race at Indianapolis in July 2026
#indianapolis #nascar #purse #larson
The purse for the Cup Series race at Indianapolis will be $11,233,037 on Sunday afternoon. NASCAR doesn't release the earnings for the winning driver anymore, meaning it's impossible to tell how much of the $11,233,037 will go toward the team in victory lane. Last year, the purse for Indianapolis sat at $11,055,250, which is roughly a $180,000 increase.
It will be fascinating to see which NASCAR driver will earn the most money at Indianapolis this weekend. Wallace is looking to go back-to-back in the race at Indianapolis, but Larson and Denny Hamlin had good cars in 2025. Indianapolis always puts on a show, and this weekend should be no different.
More: How to watch NASCAR live at Indianapolis in July 2026, full schedule
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR purse for Cup Series race at Indianapolis in July 2026
#indianapolis #nascar #purse #larson
6 days ago
US-based accounting and professional services company CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) is set to use Digits' AI-native accounting platform to develop and train a "proprietary firm model".
Under the arrangement, Digits will supply its platform and model-training technology while CLA will contribute the technical expertise needed to shape and train the model.
Both companies plan to roll out CLA-trained AI capabilities to current and future clients over the next three years.
Digits founder and CEO Jeff Seibert said: "Business owners depend on their accountants for financial judgment, guidance, and peace of mind.
"And few firms deliver on that with the scale, tenure, and client empathy that CLA brings.
#platform #cliftonlarsonallen #business #based
Under the arrangement, Digits will supply its platform and model-training technology while CLA will contribute the technical expertise needed to shape and train the model.
Both companies plan to roll out CLA-trained AI capabilities to current and future clients over the next three years.
Digits founder and CEO Jeff Seibert said: "Business owners depend on their accountants for financial judgment, guidance, and peace of mind.
"And few firms deliver on that with the scale, tenure, and client empathy that CLA brings.
#platform #cliftonlarsonallen #business #based
16 days ago
About halfway through Stage 2, a lightning strike within eight miles of EchoPark Speedway forced NASCAR to red flag the race, bringing the field of 38 cars down pit road.
There were no incidents in the first 109 laps of the race and all cars were still running. The race needs to reach Lap 131 to be official as that is the halfway point of the event.
There are thunderstorms in the area, and rain began to fall after the cars were stopped on pit road.
Ryan Blaney was leading the race at the time of the stoppage, with Bubba Wallace second, Tyler Reddick third, Christopher Bell fourth, and Chase Elliott fifth.
Erik Jones, Kyle Larson, Carson Hocevar, Joey Logano, and Ty Gibbs fill out the remainder of the top ten.
There were no incidents in the first 109 laps of the race and all cars were still running. The race needs to reach Lap 131 to be official as that is the halfway point of the event.
There are thunderstorms in the area, and rain began to fall after the cars were stopped on pit road.
Ryan Blaney was leading the race at the time of the stoppage, with Bubba Wallace second, Tyler Reddick third, Christopher Bell fourth, and Chase Elliott fifth.
Erik Jones, Kyle Larson, Carson Hocevar, Joey Logano, and Ty Gibbs fill out the remainder of the top ten.
18 days ago
Jul. 10—LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Anders Larson's run in his first PGA Tour event as a professional golfer has come to a close.
But it ended here Friday with Larson — a Pine Island native — shooting his best round ever in a PGA Tour event.
The former state champion with Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa fired a 2-under-par 69 in the second round of the ISCO Championship, at Hurstbourne Country Club. He finished the event at 2-over par for 36 holes, missing the cut for the weekend.
The par-70 course plays to 7,056 yards.
Larson's two previous PGA Tour events were actually the same tournament — he qualified for the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., in 2023 and 2024. He missed the cut both times, but gained valuable experience as an amateur while retaining his eligibility to play college golf.
But it ended here Friday with Larson — a Pine Island native — shooting his best round ever in a PGA Tour event.
The former state champion with Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa fired a 2-under-par 69 in the second round of the ISCO Championship, at Hurstbourne Country Club. He finished the event at 2-over par for 36 holes, missing the cut for the weekend.
The par-70 course plays to 7,056 yards.
Larson's two previous PGA Tour events were actually the same tournament — he qualified for the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., in 2023 and 2024. He missed the cut both times, but gained valuable experience as an amateur while retaining his eligibility to play college golf.
19 days ago
Michigan State athletics has new temporary leadership.
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz named Jon Palumbo as interim athletic director on Friday, July 10. He will replace outgoing AD J Batt to run the department until a permanent replacement can be hired. The move is effective immediately, according to Matt Larson, MSU's senior vice president of communications.
"Jon has been an integral part of the innovation of MSU Athletics over the past year, and I have every confidence in his ability to maintain its positive trajectory as interim athletic director," Guskiewicz said in a statement. "This will be a seamless transition for MSU Athletics, and we look forward to a successful start of the upcoming season for our programs and student-athletes."
Batt, whose hiring was approved by MSU's Board of Trustees on June 13, 2025 and whose first day of work was four days later, took the job at Kentucky on Monday, June 15 and will officially begin his new position July 28 in Lexington, Kentucky. MSU will receive a $3.95 million contract buyout from Kentucky for Batt leaving.
Guskiewicz lured Batt away from Georgia Tech last spring, but Batt quickly found a new home less than three weeks after Guskiewicz announced May 27 he would be leaving MSU to take the president position at Clemson. However, Guskiewicz announced Monday he would remain as MSU's president.
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz named Jon Palumbo as interim athletic director on Friday, July 10. He will replace outgoing AD J Batt to run the department until a permanent replacement can be hired. The move is effective immediately, according to Matt Larson, MSU's senior vice president of communications.
"Jon has been an integral part of the innovation of MSU Athletics over the past year, and I have every confidence in his ability to maintain its positive trajectory as interim athletic director," Guskiewicz said in a statement. "This will be a seamless transition for MSU Athletics, and we look forward to a successful start of the upcoming season for our programs and student-athletes."
Batt, whose hiring was approved by MSU's Board of Trustees on June 13, 2025 and whose first day of work was four days later, took the job at Kentucky on Monday, June 15 and will officially begin his new position July 28 in Lexington, Kentucky. MSU will receive a $3.95 million contract buyout from Kentucky for Batt leaving.
Guskiewicz lured Batt away from Georgia Tech last spring, but Batt quickly found a new home less than three weeks after Guskiewicz announced May 27 he would be leaving MSU to take the president position at Clemson. However, Guskiewicz announced Monday he would remain as MSU's president.
19 days ago
Michigan State athletics has new temporary leadership.
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz named Jon Palumbo as interim athletic director on Friday, July 10. He will replace outgoing AD J Batt to run the department until a permanent replacement can be hired. The move is effective immediately, according to Matt Larson, MSU's senior vice president of communications.
"Jon has been an integral part of the innovation of MSU Athletics over the past year, and I have every confidence in his ability to maintain its positive trajectory as interim athletic director," Guskiewicz said in a statement. "This will be a seamless transition for MSU Athletics, and we look forward to a successful start of the upcoming season for our programs and student-athletes."
Batt, whose hiring was approved by MSU's Board of Trustees on June 13, 2025 and whose first day of work was four days later, took the job at Kentucky on Monday, June 15 and will officially begin his new position July 28 in Lexington, Kentucky. MSU will receive a $3.95 million contract buyout from Kentucky for Batt leaving.
Guskiewicz lured Batt away from Georgia Tech last spring, but Batt quickly found a new home less than three weeks after Guskiewicz announced May 27 he would be leaving MSU to take the president position at Clemson. However, Guskiewicz announced Monday he would remain as MSU's president.
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz named Jon Palumbo as interim athletic director on Friday, July 10. He will replace outgoing AD J Batt to run the department until a permanent replacement can be hired. The move is effective immediately, according to Matt Larson, MSU's senior vice president of communications.
"Jon has been an integral part of the innovation of MSU Athletics over the past year, and I have every confidence in his ability to maintain its positive trajectory as interim athletic director," Guskiewicz said in a statement. "This will be a seamless transition for MSU Athletics, and we look forward to a successful start of the upcoming season for our programs and student-athletes."
Batt, whose hiring was approved by MSU's Board of Trustees on June 13, 2025 and whose first day of work was four days later, took the job at Kentucky on Monday, June 15 and will officially begin his new position July 28 in Lexington, Kentucky. MSU will receive a $3.95 million contract buyout from Kentucky for Batt leaving.
Guskiewicz lured Batt away from Georgia Tech last spring, but Batt quickly found a new home less than three weeks after Guskiewicz announced May 27 he would be leaving MSU to take the president position at Clemson. However, Guskiewicz announced Monday he would remain as MSU's president.
19 days ago
J Batt’s new job start date and the terms of his contract buyout are set. His departure from Michigan State’s athletic department remains unclear.
Batt will take over officially as Kentucky athletic director on July 28. According to his new school, UK will pay MSU a $3.95 million buyout for breaking the six-year, $12.6 million-plus contract Batt signed last year when he was hired by MSU.
A source with knowledge of the situation told the Free Press the terms of the buyout were negotiated down from the $5 million MSU was owed with Batt’s contract. MSU spokesman Matt Larson later confirmed the terms. That deal had an escape clause that cut his buyout in half if MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz were to depart, but Guskiewicz announced Monday that he would remain in East Lansing rather than taking the job at Clemson he initially accepted May 27.
READY FOR THE FALL: Michigan State basketball will face Marquette in exhibition game
Emily Gerkin Guerrant, MSU’s vice president and chief communications officer, told the Free Press on Monday that Batt remains an employee and is reporting to work at the school. No departure date has been determined, she said, but she expected that to be finalized soon.
Batt will take over officially as Kentucky athletic director on July 28. According to his new school, UK will pay MSU a $3.95 million buyout for breaking the six-year, $12.6 million-plus contract Batt signed last year when he was hired by MSU.
A source with knowledge of the situation told the Free Press the terms of the buyout were negotiated down from the $5 million MSU was owed with Batt’s contract. MSU spokesman Matt Larson later confirmed the terms. That deal had an escape clause that cut his buyout in half if MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz were to depart, but Guskiewicz announced Monday that he would remain in East Lansing rather than taking the job at Clemson he initially accepted May 27.
READY FOR THE FALL: Michigan State basketball will face Marquette in exhibition game
Emily Gerkin Guerrant, MSU’s vice president and chief communications officer, told the Free Press on Monday that Batt remains an employee and is reporting to work at the school. No departure date has been determined, she said, but she expected that to be finalized soon.
23 days ago
Sunday night’s eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway demonstrated why NASCAR made the right decision to return to this track. We got a few surprises in the NASCAR race tonight, with Tyler Reddick and Kyle Larson finishing near the back of the field, and some standouts delivering great finishes under the lights with Chase Briscoe getting the win.
Let’s dive into our winners and losers from the NASCAR race today at Chicagoland.
Pitting a few laps after Chase Briscoe in the final stage didn’t quite work out for the No. 20 team, but Christopher Bell should still feel good about the outcome tonight. Still racing with a fractured wrist that is essentially making him drive left-handed, Bell finished second on Sunday night at Chicagoland and that gives him consecutive top-five finishes. Pulling that off seemed impossible a few weeks ago when many ***** umed the wrist injury might keep him out of action. With 90 total points in the last two races, Bell has given himself a 101-point advantage above the cutline.
Related: NASCAR Standings Right Now, The Chase Cutline after Chicago
Connor Zilisch is the unluckiest driver in NASCAR, perhaps ever. It had already been a disastrous rookie season for Zilisch coming into Chicagoland. At a minimum, the No. 88 team just wanted him to get laps in so he could gain a lot more experience after picking up six DNFs this season. Seconds into the eero 400, still on Lap 1, Ryan Preece got turned down the track after contact, collected the No. 88, and sent Zilisch’s car skidding into the inside wall with race-ending damage. Another last-place finish for the 19-year-old, who might need to hire an Etsy witch at this point.
Let’s dive into our winners and losers from the NASCAR race today at Chicagoland.
Pitting a few laps after Chase Briscoe in the final stage didn’t quite work out for the No. 20 team, but Christopher Bell should still feel good about the outcome tonight. Still racing with a fractured wrist that is essentially making him drive left-handed, Bell finished second on Sunday night at Chicagoland and that gives him consecutive top-five finishes. Pulling that off seemed impossible a few weeks ago when many ***** umed the wrist injury might keep him out of action. With 90 total points in the last two races, Bell has given himself a 101-point advantage above the cutline.
Related: NASCAR Standings Right Now, The Chase Cutline after Chicago
Connor Zilisch is the unluckiest driver in NASCAR, perhaps ever. It had already been a disastrous rookie season for Zilisch coming into Chicagoland. At a minimum, the No. 88 team just wanted him to get laps in so he could gain a lot more experience after picking up six DNFs this season. Seconds into the eero 400, still on Lap 1, Ryan Preece got turned down the track after contact, collected the No. 88, and sent Zilisch’s car skidding into the inside wall with race-ending damage. Another last-place finish for the 19-year-old, who might need to hire an Etsy witch at this point.
24 days ago
The starting lineup is officially set for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, and teams now know where they'll be making every pit stop during the eero 400.
Following Saturday's qualifying session, NASCAR released the official pit stall ***** ignments for all 38 drivers. While qualifying determines the starting grid, pit selection is another critical advantage, especially at a 1.5-mile intermediate track where green-flag pit cycles often shape the outcome of the race.
Drivers who qualified near the front earned the first opportunity to choose their preferred pit stalls, with teams weighing factors such as opening availability, clear entry and exit lanes, and proximity to pit road traffic.
Not every team had the chance to choose its ideal pit stall.
The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Kyle Larson failed pre-race inspection twice before passing on its third attempt. As a result, the team lost pit stall selection, and car chief Jesse Saunders was ejected for the remainder of the race weekend.
Following Saturday's qualifying session, NASCAR released the official pit stall ***** ignments for all 38 drivers. While qualifying determines the starting grid, pit selection is another critical advantage, especially at a 1.5-mile intermediate track where green-flag pit cycles often shape the outcome of the race.
Drivers who qualified near the front earned the first opportunity to choose their preferred pit stalls, with teams weighing factors such as opening availability, clear entry and exit lanes, and proximity to pit road traffic.
Not every team had the chance to choose its ideal pit stall.
The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Kyle Larson failed pre-race inspection twice before passing on its third attempt. As a result, the team lost pit stall selection, and car chief Jesse Saunders was ejected for the remainder of the race weekend.
24 days ago
Saturday qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway wasn't the end of NASCAR's workday.
Following pre-race inspection, NASCAR penalized the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of Kyle Larson and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Michael McDowell after both teams failed inspection multiple times.
While both teams lost key personnel for the remainder of the weekend, the consequences were far more severe for McDowell, whose qualifying session never even began.
McDowell's No. 71 Chevrolet failed inspection three times before finally passing on its fourth attempt.
Because of the repeated failures, NASCAR ruled that McDowell would not be allowed to make a qualifying lap. Instead, he'll start Sunday's Cup Series race from 38th, forfeit pit stall selection and serve a pass-through penalty under green after the race begins.
Following pre-race inspection, NASCAR penalized the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of Kyle Larson and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Michael McDowell after both teams failed inspection multiple times.
While both teams lost key personnel for the remainder of the weekend, the consequences were far more severe for McDowell, whose qualifying session never even began.
McDowell's No. 71 Chevrolet failed inspection three times before finally passing on its fourth attempt.
Because of the repeated failures, NASCAR ruled that McDowell would not be allowed to make a qualifying lap. Instead, he'll start Sunday's Cup Series race from 38th, forfeit pit stall selection and serve a pass-through penalty under green after the race begins.
24 days ago
Denny Hamlin will lead the field to the green flag Sunday after winning the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in one of the closest qualifying sessions of the 2026 season.
Hamlin turned a lap of 30.296 seconds (178.241 mph), edging Kyle Larson by just 0.001 seconds. Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski continued RFK Racing's strong weekend by qualifying third and fourth, while Ty Gibbs completed the top five.
Toyota placed five drivers inside the top eight, while reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano will have plenty of work to do after qualifying 31st.
Here's the complete starting lineup for Sunday's Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.
Denny Hamlin
Hamlin turned a lap of 30.296 seconds (178.241 mph), edging Kyle Larson by just 0.001 seconds. Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski continued RFK Racing's strong weekend by qualifying third and fourth, while Ty Gibbs completed the top five.
Toyota placed five drivers inside the top eight, while reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano will have plenty of work to do after qualifying 31st.
Here's the complete starting lineup for Sunday's Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.
Denny Hamlin
24 days ago
JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Denny Hamlin has the pole position for a NASCAR Cup Series race. Again.
Hamlin had a lap time of 30.296 seconds and a best speed of 178.241 mph on Saturday in qualifying for the first Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway in seven years. It was just enough to edge Kyle Larson in second at 30.297 seconds and 178.235 mph in his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
It was Hamlin's third straight pole on an oval track. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has four poles this season in his No. 11 Toyota and 52 for his career, snapping a tie with Ryan Newman for ninth on the NASCAR list.
Larson was followed by RFK Racing drivers Chris Buescher (178.153 mph) and Brad Keselowski (178.089 mph). Ty Gibbs (178.083 mph) rounded out the top five for Sunday's race.
___
Hamlin had a lap time of 30.296 seconds and a best speed of 178.241 mph on Saturday in qualifying for the first Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway in seven years. It was just enough to edge Kyle Larson in second at 30.297 seconds and 178.235 mph in his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
It was Hamlin's third straight pole on an oval track. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has four poles this season in his No. 11 Toyota and 52 for his career, snapping a tie with Ryan Newman for ninth on the NASCAR list.
Larson was followed by RFK Racing drivers Chris Buescher (178.153 mph) and Brad Keselowski (178.089 mph). Ty Gibbs (178.083 mph) rounded out the top five for Sunday's race.
___
28 days ago
Ahead of what’s anticipated to be an above average success for the Longhorns throughout the 2026 college football season, five Texas football players were among those listed as a preseason All-Americans, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced earlier today. On the foundation’s first-team list were Texas roster members such as quarterback Arch Manning, ffensive lineman Trevor Goosby, defensive lineman Colin Simmons, and linebacker Rasheem Biles, while on the second-team, there was receiver Cam Coleman.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: What Arch Manning learned from Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, others at quarterback camp
Austin American-Statesman: What 3 things stood out about Arch Manning at Manning Passing Academy?
247Sports: Texas baseball loses first baseman Ashton Larson to transfer portal
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: What Arch Manning learned from Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, others at quarterback camp
Austin American-Statesman: What 3 things stood out about Arch Manning at Manning Passing Academy?
247Sports: Texas baseball loses first baseman Ashton Larson to transfer portal
1 month ago
SONOMA, Calif. (AP) — Shane van Gisbergen became the winningest active NASCAR Cup Series driver on road and street courses, dominating at Sonoma Raceway for the second consecutive year.
The Trackhouse Racing driver earned his second win this season on Sunday and the eighth of his career on the tracks that require left and right turns, breaking a tie with Chase Elliott. Four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon is the all-time leader with nine road course victories in NASCAR’s premier series, and van Gisbergen is tied with three-time champion Tony Stewart for second.
Working his way through the field after starting sixth in his No. 97 Chevrolet, van Gisbergen led 74 of the final 83 laps on the 1.99-mile road course north of San Francisco.
Chase Briscoe made a charge in the closing laps but came up 0.357 seconds behind in second, his second consecutive runner-up showing at Sonoma.
Pole-sitter Ty Gibbs, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell rounded out the top five.
The Trackhouse Racing driver earned his second win this season on Sunday and the eighth of his career on the tracks that require left and right turns, breaking a tie with Chase Elliott. Four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon is the all-time leader with nine road course victories in NASCAR’s premier series, and van Gisbergen is tied with three-time champion Tony Stewart for second.
Working his way through the field after starting sixth in his No. 97 Chevrolet, van Gisbergen led 74 of the final 83 laps on the 1.99-mile road course north of San Francisco.
Chase Briscoe made a charge in the closing laps but came up 0.357 seconds behind in second, his second consecutive runner-up showing at Sonoma.
Pole-sitter Ty Gibbs, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell rounded out the top five.
1 month ago
William Byron's nightmarish 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season continued at San Diego. Byron hit the wall and went multiple laps down after damage repair, ruining his day. Now, the Hendrick Motorsports driver sits 13th in the point standings behind Christopher Bell, who has earned very few points after breaking his wrist three weeks ago.
Byron only has one top-15 finish in the last four races, with two results of 30th place or worse. The driver of the No. 24 car has lacked speed compared to Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, which wasn't expected this season. Byron has been one of NASCAR's most successful drivers over the last few years.
There is another chance for Byron to turn around his luck at Sonoma Raceway this weekend. Byron needs to have a good run so he can put himself in a better spot for the Chase. If Byron won a few races in the Chase, everything would change, but he hasn't shown the speed to accomplish that goal yet.
More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: William Byron's rough 2026 continues after issues at San Diego
Byron only has one top-15 finish in the last four races, with two results of 30th place or worse. The driver of the No. 24 car has lacked speed compared to Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, which wasn't expected this season. Byron has been one of NASCAR's most successful drivers over the last few years.
There is another chance for Byron to turn around his luck at Sonoma Raceway this weekend. Byron needs to have a good run so he can put himself in a better spot for the Chase. If Byron won a few races in the Chase, everything would change, but he hasn't shown the speed to accomplish that goal yet.
More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: William Byron's rough 2026 continues after issues at San Diego
1 month ago
Jun. 25—Wednesday's results
GRA 010 100 000 — 2 14 1
BEM 101 000 001 — 3 8 2
WP — Brodina; LP — Korynta
Highlights — GF: Tostenson 2x5, 2B, Richau 2x5, 2B, Larson 2x5, 2B, Seaver 2x4, Widstrup 1x2, 2B; B: Ganske 2x4, 2 RBI, Berg 1x4, 2B
GRA 010 100 000 — 2 14 1
BEM 101 000 001 — 3 8 2
WP — Brodina; LP — Korynta
Highlights — GF: Tostenson 2x5, 2B, Richau 2x5, 2B, Larson 2x5, 2B, Seaver 2x4, Widstrup 1x2, 2B; B: Ganske 2x4, 2 RBI, Berg 1x4, 2B
1 month ago
For weeks, Kyle Larson felt like the forgotten championship contender. Not because the speed disappeared. Not because Hendrick Motorsports suddenly lost its edge.
And certainly not because Larson stopped looking like one of NASCAR's most talented drivers. The results simply weren't matching the performance.
While Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin and a handful of Toyota drivers dominated headlines throughout the spring, Larson quietly endured one of the strangest stretches of his Cup Series career. The speed was there. The finishes often weren't.
That's why Sunday's race at Naval Base Coronado felt bigger than a fourth-place finish. It felt like confirmation.
After another strong run in San Diego, Larson climbed back into fourth place in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, his highest position in more than a month. More importantly, he's suddenly driving like a championship threat again.
And certainly not because Larson stopped looking like one of NASCAR's most talented drivers. The results simply weren't matching the performance.
While Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin and a handful of Toyota drivers dominated headlines throughout the spring, Larson quietly endured one of the strangest stretches of his Cup Series career. The speed was there. The finishes often weren't.
That's why Sunday's race at Naval Base Coronado felt bigger than a fourth-place finish. It felt like confirmation.
After another strong run in San Diego, Larson climbed back into fourth place in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, his highest position in more than a month. More importantly, he's suddenly driving like a championship threat again.
1 month ago
Red-hot Toyota driver Denny Hamlin ran down and passed Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell to win his career-best third straight race Sunday, taking the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
With Bell's No. 20 Toyota in full fuel-conservation mode, Hamlin found checkers for the third straight Sunday by chasing down his teammate and beating points leader Tyler Reddick by 1.678 seconds for his eighth career Pocono victory and the 64th of his career.
Hamlin chopped his standings points deficit to 19 behind Reddick.
More: Denny Hamlin continues to dominate at MIS, rallies for victory
William Byron, John Hunter Nemechek and Kyle Larson completed the top five.
With Bell's No. 20 Toyota in full fuel-conservation mode, Hamlin found checkers for the third straight Sunday by chasing down his teammate and beating points leader Tyler Reddick by 1.678 seconds for his eighth career Pocono victory and the 64th of his career.
Hamlin chopped his standings points deficit to 19 behind Reddick.
More: Denny Hamlin continues to dominate at MIS, rallies for victory
William Byron, John Hunter Nemechek and Kyle Larson completed the top five.
