3 days ago
Two races into NASCAR's new Chase, the championship standings are already showing how quickly things can change.
Kyle Larson left Darlington 49 points behind Denny Hamlin. One win at Gateway later, he sits second, just nine points back.
Ryan Blaney experienced the opposite. He entered Gateway 16 points behind Hamlin before a brake failure ended his race in 35th. Now he trails by 33.
Next comes Bristol Motor Speedway, and there is no reset waiting on the other side.
Under NASCAR's previous playoff format, drivers raced through elimination rounds with points resets along the way. The 2026 Chase is different. After the initial reseeding, all 10 races count toward the same championship total.
#points #championship
Kyle Larson left Darlington 49 points behind Denny Hamlin. One win at Gateway later, he sits second, just nine points back.
Ryan Blaney experienced the opposite. He entered Gateway 16 points behind Hamlin before a brake failure ended his race in 35th. Now he trails by 33.
Next comes Bristol Motor Speedway, and there is no reset waiting on the other side.
Under NASCAR's previous playoff format, drivers raced through elimination rounds with points resets along the way. The 2026 Chase is different. After the initial reseeding, all 10 races count toward the same championship total.
#points #championship
10 days ago
Natalie Decker is scheduled to return to the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 18, driving the No. 35 Chevrolet. Her own website lists Bristol as her next race.
And look, we're not going to pretend this is the second coming of Dale Earnhardt.
Decker has struggled to find consistent results throughout her NASCAR career. She has 16 career O'Reilly Series starts without a top-10 finish, according to available career records.
But that's exactly why Bristol is going to be interesting.
Because if there is one thing Decker has never lacked, it's willingness to keep coming back for another shot.
#o 'reilly #going
And look, we're not going to pretend this is the second coming of Dale Earnhardt.
Decker has struggled to find consistent results throughout her NASCAR career. She has 16 career O'Reilly Series starts without a top-10 finish, according to available career records.
But that's exactly why Bristol is going to be interesting.
Because if there is one thing Decker has never lacked, it's willingness to keep coming back for another shot.
#o 'reilly #going
11 days ago
During the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota pit crew of Bubba Wallace set a new pit stop record while changing four tires during the race.
The crew completed the stop in 7.86 seconds, beating the previous record of 7.98, which was held by the pit crew for the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Christopher Bell and took place as Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March of the year. Those are the only two known four-tire pit stops under eight seconds.
Wallace's blistering fast pit crew responsible for the stop included front tire changer Austin **** ey, rear tire changer Adam Hartman, tire carrier Joe Crossen, jackman Nathan Ricketts, and fueler Joshua Pech.
You can see the complete pit stop video in the post video:
A new NASCAR pit stop record has been set by the No. 23 pit crew of Bubba Wallace. That 23XI Racing pit crew completed a four tire change in just 7.86 seconds at Darlington Raceway and beat the previous record set by the No. 20 crew. This is the first recorded four tire pit stop… pic.twitter.com/wJ9XUIort2
#seconds
The crew completed the stop in 7.86 seconds, beating the previous record of 7.98, which was held by the pit crew for the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Christopher Bell and took place as Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March of the year. Those are the only two known four-tire pit stops under eight seconds.
Wallace's blistering fast pit crew responsible for the stop included front tire changer Austin **** ey, rear tire changer Adam Hartman, tire carrier Joe Crossen, jackman Nathan Ricketts, and fueler Joshua Pech.
You can see the complete pit stop video in the post video:
A new NASCAR pit stop record has been set by the No. 23 pit crew of Bubba Wallace. That 23XI Racing pit crew completed a four tire change in just 7.86 seconds at Darlington Raceway and beat the previous record set by the No. 20 crew. This is the first recorded four tire pit stop… pic.twitter.com/wJ9XUIort2
#seconds
12 days ago
The NASCAR O'Reilly Series competed at Darlington Raceway, and it marked the first race of the 2026 Chase. Justin Allgaier entered the event with a 25-point advantage over Carson Kvapil; however, that has disintegrated. Following a victory at Darlington, a Haas Factory Team driver has shrunk the gap.
Sheldon Creed and the No. 00 team for Haas Factory Team won Saturday's Chase race at Darlington, earning their second victory of the 2026 O'Reilly Series season. Creed, who won his first O'Reilly Series race at EchoPark Speedway in the spring, beat Corey Day and Brent Crews with a dominant final green-flag run.
The driver of the No. 00 car for Haas Factory Team is now seven points behind Allgaier, who finished in 17th place at Darlington. The Chase is back and Creed is the first driver to take advantage of the 20 points in a victory. The top 8 drivers in points after seperated by 58 points with eight races left in 2026.
No. 00 Sheldon Creed
No. 17 Corey Day
#factory #points
Sheldon Creed and the No. 00 team for Haas Factory Team won Saturday's Chase race at Darlington, earning their second victory of the 2026 O'Reilly Series season. Creed, who won his first O'Reilly Series race at EchoPark Speedway in the spring, beat Corey Day and Brent Crews with a dominant final green-flag run.
The driver of the No. 00 car for Haas Factory Team is now seven points behind Allgaier, who finished in 17th place at Darlington. The Chase is back and Creed is the first driver to take advantage of the 20 points in a victory. The top 8 drivers in points after seperated by 58 points with eight races left in 2026.
No. 00 Sheldon Creed
No. 17 Corey Day
#factory #points
12 days ago
There is one more race of the 2026 NTT IndyCar season, and everything is still at stake. As they take on Laguna Seca for the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey, drivers look to go out with a bang, whether they'll be returning to the series or not.
Alex Palou has nothing to lose, however. After placing higher than Kyle Kirkwood in both races at the Milwaukee Mile, his fifth championship was secured. This was his fourth consecutive championship, and despite not winning both races, he proved why he deserved it.
Since he didn't get the results he may have wanted, Palou is likely to give it his all this race. He's shown dominance at Laguna Seca before, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he did once again.
The two runner-ups have the most to prove in this season finale. Christian Lundgaard and Kirkwood are only separated by two points. For Lundgaard, this race can help secure a seat for the 2027 season, as he is still unsigned. There's a chance he can take Scott Dixon's Chip Ganassi seat, and this is the best chance for him to prove that he's earned it.
Lundgaard is known for his dominance on road courses. He won the Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America. Lundgaard is a potential winner at Laguna Seca with his road course abilities.
#lundgaard #seca #prix #race
Alex Palou has nothing to lose, however. After placing higher than Kyle Kirkwood in both races at the Milwaukee Mile, his fifth championship was secured. This was his fourth consecutive championship, and despite not winning both races, he proved why he deserved it.
Since he didn't get the results he may have wanted, Palou is likely to give it his all this race. He's shown dominance at Laguna Seca before, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he did once again.
The two runner-ups have the most to prove in this season finale. Christian Lundgaard and Kirkwood are only separated by two points. For Lundgaard, this race can help secure a seat for the 2027 season, as he is still unsigned. There's a chance he can take Scott Dixon's Chip Ganassi seat, and this is the best chance for him to prove that he's earned it.
Lundgaard is known for his dominance on road courses. He won the Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America. Lundgaard is a potential winner at Laguna Seca with his road course abilities.
#lundgaard #seca #prix #race
14 days ago
Two years after his last CARS Tour start, NASCAR Cup Series driver Connor Zilisch returns to Late Model Stock racing at Florence Motor Speedway with JR Motorsports.
The last time Connor Zilisch raced in the CARS Tour, he was still trying to prove he belonged on an oval.
When he returns Friday night at Florence Motor Speedway, he'll do it as a NASCAR Cup Series driver.
Zilisch will make his first CARS Tour start since 2024 in the No. 8 Red Bull-backed Late Model Stock for JR Motorsports. It will be his first CARS Tour appearance with JRM, adding another layer to a return that looks much different than his first trips through the series.
Before Zilisch became one of NASCAR's rising stars, Late Model Stock racing was part of his education.
#cars
The last time Connor Zilisch raced in the CARS Tour, he was still trying to prove he belonged on an oval.
When he returns Friday night at Florence Motor Speedway, he'll do it as a NASCAR Cup Series driver.
Zilisch will make his first CARS Tour start since 2024 in the No. 8 Red Bull-backed Late Model Stock for JR Motorsports. It will be his first CARS Tour appearance with JRM, adding another layer to a return that looks much different than his first trips through the series.
Before Zilisch became one of NASCAR's rising stars, Late Model Stock racing was part of his education.
#cars
14 days ago
A win at Darlington counts the same in the standings as any other NASCAR Cup Series victory. But the Southern 500 has never been just another race.
First run in 1950, the Southern 500 has grown into one of NASCAR's crown-jewel races, combining more than 75 years of history with a Labor Day tradition and a winner's list filled with some of the sport's biggest names.
Why the Southern 500 Is One of NASCAR's Crown-Jewel Races
Darlington Raceway opened in 1950 as NASCAR's first paved superspeedway and hosted the inaugural Southern 500. Seventy-five cars entered and roughly 25,000 fans showed up to watch, but it was Johnny Mantz, the slowest qualifier in the entire field, who ultimately won. While other drivers spent the race battling tire failures, Mantz used hard-compound truck tires to outlast the field and drive his way into NASCAR history. Darlington Raceway
Over the decades, the Southern 500 became closely tied to Labor Day weekend and established itself among NASCAR's biggest events. Its status was reinforced in 1985 when the race became one of four included in the Winston Million, a $1 million bonus available to a driver who could win three of NASCAR's major races. Bill Elliott secured the bonus by winning the Southern 500 that year, and Jeff Gordon repeated the accomplishment in 1997. NASCAR
#southern #race
First run in 1950, the Southern 500 has grown into one of NASCAR's crown-jewel races, combining more than 75 years of history with a Labor Day tradition and a winner's list filled with some of the sport's biggest names.
Why the Southern 500 Is One of NASCAR's Crown-Jewel Races
Darlington Raceway opened in 1950 as NASCAR's first paved superspeedway and hosted the inaugural Southern 500. Seventy-five cars entered and roughly 25,000 fans showed up to watch, but it was Johnny Mantz, the slowest qualifier in the entire field, who ultimately won. While other drivers spent the race battling tire failures, Mantz used hard-compound truck tires to outlast the field and drive his way into NASCAR history. Darlington Raceway
Over the decades, the Southern 500 became closely tied to Labor Day weekend and established itself among NASCAR's biggest events. Its status was reinforced in 1985 when the race became one of four included in the Winston Million, a $1 million bonus available to a driver who could win three of NASCAR's major races. Bill Elliott secured the bonus by winning the Southern 500 that year, and Jeff Gordon repeated the accomplishment in 1997. NASCAR
#southern #race
16 days ago
NASCAR's new superspeedway package didn't completely transform the racing at Daytona, but it showed enough improvement to deserve another opportunity.
The package debuted during Saturday's ******* e Zero Sugar 400 with the rear spoiler reduced from seven inches to four and horsepower lowered from 510 to 465. NASCAR's goal was to reduce drag and give drivers a better opportunity to move through the field instead of relying so heavily on fuel-saving strategies to gain track position. NASCAR
From a viewer's perspective, there were encouraging signs.
The field still raced three-wide, but the cars didn't appear permanently locked into place. After approximately 10 to 15 laps, the bottom and top lanes began separating as handling became more important. Denny Hamlin noticed the same development, explaining on his podcast, Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin, that the field could run three-wide for roughly 10 to 15 laps before the middle lane disappeared. The bottom lane would then move down the track while the top lane moved higher as drivers searched for clean air and additional room to move side to side. Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin
That separation created more room for drivers to search for clean air and attempt moves. Bubba Wallace said the runs felt slightly larger and that drivers could make some passes. Chase Briscoe and runner-up Daniel Suárez went further, saying the package allowed drivers to create runs and make moves that were more difficult under the previous configuration. Postrace driver reactions
#drivers #move
The package debuted during Saturday's ******* e Zero Sugar 400 with the rear spoiler reduced from seven inches to four and horsepower lowered from 510 to 465. NASCAR's goal was to reduce drag and give drivers a better opportunity to move through the field instead of relying so heavily on fuel-saving strategies to gain track position. NASCAR
From a viewer's perspective, there were encouraging signs.
The field still raced three-wide, but the cars didn't appear permanently locked into place. After approximately 10 to 15 laps, the bottom and top lanes began separating as handling became more important. Denny Hamlin noticed the same development, explaining on his podcast, Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin, that the field could run three-wide for roughly 10 to 15 laps before the middle lane disappeared. The bottom lane would then move down the track while the top lane moved higher as drivers searched for clean air and additional room to move side to side. Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin
That separation created more room for drivers to search for clean air and attempt moves. Bubba Wallace said the runs felt slightly larger and that drivers could make some passes. Chase Briscoe and runner-up Daniel Suárez went further, saying the package allowed drivers to create runs and make moves that were more difficult under the previous configuration. Postrace driver reactions
#drivers #move
18 days ago
Denny Hamlin is entering the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase with one of the best opportunities of his career to finally capture his first championship.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver will lead the 16 driver postseason field as the No. 1 seed after putting together a dominant regular season. Hamlin officially clinched the top seed following his seventh place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He enters the Chase with a 25 point advantage over Ryan Blaney.
Hamlin's regular season was highlighted by an impressive three-race winning streak. He picked up victories at Nashville Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway and Pocono Raceway, establishing himself as one of the strongest drivers in the series heading into the postseason.
Consistency has also been a major reason for Hamlin's success. After 26 regular-season races, he finished with 1,027 points before the championship reset. That reset puts him at 2,100 points to begin the Chase, giving him the largest starting advantage in the 16 driver field.
Now, Hamlin will try to turn that regular-season success into a championship.
#championship
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver will lead the 16 driver postseason field as the No. 1 seed after putting together a dominant regular season. Hamlin officially clinched the top seed following his seventh place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He enters the Chase with a 25 point advantage over Ryan Blaney.
Hamlin's regular season was highlighted by an impressive three-race winning streak. He picked up victories at Nashville Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway and Pocono Raceway, establishing himself as one of the strongest drivers in the series heading into the postseason.
Consistency has also been a major reason for Hamlin's success. After 26 regular-season races, he finished with 1,027 points before the championship reset. That reset puts him at 2,100 points to begin the Chase, giving him the largest starting advantage in the 16 driver field.
Now, Hamlin will try to turn that regular-season success into a championship.
#championship
19 days ago
DAYTONA BEACH — As an observer, Austin Cindric enjoyed watching Ryan Preece punch his own ticket into NASCAR's Cup Series playoffs. That doesn't mean it came without a little bit of stress, and a lot of communication, before the two-lap overtime period began.
Cindric had all the information he needed as it pertained to fuel and, more importantly, how it pertained to points. He held on for a sixth-place **** e Zero Sugar 400 finish at Daytona International Speedway, good enough to secure one of the final spots into the 16-driver postseason field.
"I know it might sound weird, but it was kind of fun to watch," Cindric said of Preece's victory. "The guy drove a **** of a race, and wins because of it. That doesn't happen at these (events) super often."
Buy our Dale Earnhardt book here
Cindric is one of six playoff qualifiers without a win from the season's 26 races, along with Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, William Byron and Bubba Wallace. The 27-year-old entered the night with a 44-point gap above the cut line, thanks to five previous top-10s and 113 stage points.
#points
Cindric had all the information he needed as it pertained to fuel and, more importantly, how it pertained to points. He held on for a sixth-place **** e Zero Sugar 400 finish at Daytona International Speedway, good enough to secure one of the final spots into the 16-driver postseason field.
"I know it might sound weird, but it was kind of fun to watch," Cindric said of Preece's victory. "The guy drove a **** of a race, and wins because of it. That doesn't happen at these (events) super often."
Buy our Dale Earnhardt book here
Cindric is one of six playoff qualifiers without a win from the season's 26 races, along with Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, William Byron and Bubba Wallace. The 27-year-old entered the night with a 44-point gap above the cut line, thanks to five previous top-10s and 113 stage points.
#points
19 days ago
JENNERSTOWN -- The Jennerstown Speedway Complex hosted its crown jewel race of the season Saturday, Aug. 29.
For the ninth time, the Motor Mountain Masters was held at the storied track. Despite a rainout earlier in the year and the CRA backing out just over a week before the race, chief pit steward Mike Belardi and the Jennerstown staff put together a stout field of 22 drivers.
Standouts from out of state along with Jennerstown Speedway weekly competitors battled for $10,000 and the Crimson Jacket.
For the first time, the jacket is headed North of the border, as 19-year-old Chase Pinsonneault from Belle River, Ontario claimed the victory.
Albert Francis, a former Jennerstown Martella's Pharmacies Late Model champion, dominated the first 50 laps.
#time
For the ninth time, the Motor Mountain Masters was held at the storied track. Despite a rainout earlier in the year and the CRA backing out just over a week before the race, chief pit steward Mike Belardi and the Jennerstown staff put together a stout field of 22 drivers.
Standouts from out of state along with Jennerstown Speedway weekly competitors battled for $10,000 and the Crimson Jacket.
For the first time, the jacket is headed North of the border, as 19-year-old Chase Pinsonneault from Belle River, Ontario claimed the victory.
Albert Francis, a former Jennerstown Martella's Pharmacies Late Model champion, dominated the first 50 laps.
#time
19 days ago
DAYTONA BEACH — It was an illusion.
For the first two and a half stages, Saturday's ****** e Zero Sugar 400 stayed calm — at least for a NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
But everyone should know better. Tranquility doesn't exist at Daytona.
Ryan Preece not only claimed his first career points-paying victory but did so to absolutely steal the final spot in the 16-driver Chase.
He resided in front of Daniel Suarez when the caution flag flew for multiple crashes during the second overtime lap.
#international
For the first two and a half stages, Saturday's ****** e Zero Sugar 400 stayed calm — at least for a NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
But everyone should know better. Tranquility doesn't exist at Daytona.
Ryan Preece not only claimed his first career points-paying victory but did so to absolutely steal the final spot in the 16-driver Chase.
He resided in front of Daniel Suarez when the caution flag flew for multiple crashes during the second overtime lap.
#international
19 days ago
Daytona International Speedway had been unusually quiet Saturday night. Then, with five laps remaining, everything changed.
Carson Hocevar lost control of his No. 77 Chevrolet late in the ****** e Zero Sugar 400, slamming the outside wall before collecting Erik Jones in a violent crash that brought out just the third caution of the night.
The wreck instantly changed the complexion of NASCAR's regular-season finale after the field had spent much of the race avoiding the kind of late-race chaos that has become synonymous with Daytona.
Hocevar was racing in the pack in the closing laps when his car suddenly broke loose and shot toward the outside wall.
The No. 77 Chevrolet made heavy contact, and Jones had virtually nowhere to escape as the incident unfolded directly in front of him. Jones' No. 43 Toyota was collected in the crash and also sustained a significant impact.
#daytona #chevrolet #outside #wall
Carson Hocevar lost control of his No. 77 Chevrolet late in the ****** e Zero Sugar 400, slamming the outside wall before collecting Erik Jones in a violent crash that brought out just the third caution of the night.
The wreck instantly changed the complexion of NASCAR's regular-season finale after the field had spent much of the race avoiding the kind of late-race chaos that has become synonymous with Daytona.
Hocevar was racing in the pack in the closing laps when his car suddenly broke loose and shot toward the outside wall.
The No. 77 Chevrolet made heavy contact, and Jones had virtually nowhere to escape as the incident unfolded directly in front of him. Jones' No. 43 Toyota was collected in the crash and also sustained a significant impact.
#daytona #chevrolet #outside #wall
20 days ago
23XI Racing driver Riley Herbst will miss the NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona on Aug. 29, the race team announced hours before the green flag.
Herbst, the driver of the No. 35 Toyota, won't race after waking up on race day morning with "lingering effects from last week's incident" at New Hampshire.
Harrison Burton will race in the No. 35 for the ******* e Zero Sugar 400. Herbst had qualified the car in fifth, but Burton will have to move to the rear of the field due to the driver change.
"After a strong effort in qualifying yesterday, Riley woke up with lingering effects from last week's incident and, along with the team, decided it was in his best interest to step out of the car for tonight's race at Daytona International Speedway," the team said in a statement on social media.
Herbst, 27, crashed hard in turn 3 at New Hampshire after contact from Michael McDowell.
#driver
Herbst, the driver of the No. 35 Toyota, won't race after waking up on race day morning with "lingering effects from last week's incident" at New Hampshire.
Harrison Burton will race in the No. 35 for the ******* e Zero Sugar 400. Herbst had qualified the car in fifth, but Burton will have to move to the rear of the field due to the driver change.
"After a strong effort in qualifying yesterday, Riley woke up with lingering effects from last week's incident and, along with the team, decided it was in his best interest to step out of the car for tonight's race at Daytona International Speedway," the team said in a statement on social media.
Herbst, 27, crashed hard in turn 3 at New Hampshire after contact from Michael McDowell.
#driver
20 days ago
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The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Daytona International Speedway for the ****** e Zero Sugar 400 with the final playoff spots on the line. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The NASCAR Cup Series regular season comes down to tonight at Daytona, where the ****** e Zero Sugar 400 will set the final 16-driver Chase field. With the playoffs beginning next weekend at Darlington, most of the picture is already in place, but the final race always has a way of creating chaos. Daytona's superspeedway racing means drafting help, late blocks, big wrecks, and surprise winners are all on the table, which is exactly what drivers near the cutline need.
Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski enter as the last two names still trying to force their way in, and both will need either a win or a wild night around the back end of the current top 16 to keep their championship hopes alive. For the drivers already safe, tonight is about surviving Daytona and building momentum. For everyone on the edge, it is all or nothing. After the checkered flag, only 16 drivers will still have a path to the Cup Series ****** le.
The green flag drops for the final race before the playoffs tonight at 7:30 p.m. EDT, and racing fans can tune in with Sling TV.
#drivers #sugar
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Daytona International Speedway for the ****** e Zero Sugar 400 with the final playoff spots on the line. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The NASCAR Cup Series regular season comes down to tonight at Daytona, where the ****** e Zero Sugar 400 will set the final 16-driver Chase field. With the playoffs beginning next weekend at Darlington, most of the picture is already in place, but the final race always has a way of creating chaos. Daytona's superspeedway racing means drafting help, late blocks, big wrecks, and surprise winners are all on the table, which is exactly what drivers near the cutline need.
Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski enter as the last two names still trying to force their way in, and both will need either a win or a wild night around the back end of the current top 16 to keep their championship hopes alive. For the drivers already safe, tonight is about surviving Daytona and building momentum. For everyone on the edge, it is all or nothing. After the checkered flag, only 16 drivers will still have a path to the Cup Series ****** le.
The green flag drops for the final race before the playoffs tonight at 7:30 p.m. EDT, and racing fans can tune in with Sling TV.
#drivers #sugar
20 days ago
What channel is NASCAR on today? TV schedule, start time, live stream for 2026 Daytona night race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NASCAR Cup Series heads back to Daytona this weekend for one final race ahead of the playoff Chase — get ready for the ******* e Zero Sugar 400.
After the Daytona 500 in February, NASCAR will return to Daytona International Speedway to wrap up the regular season schedule, this time with a night race. There are still nine playoff spots up for grabs, which means drivers will be competing heavily in the Sunshine State.
There are several drivers currently on the bubble, including Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric and Shane van Gisbergen, who holds the 16th and final bid. Ryan Preece is currently behind the cut line by 31 points, but a variety of factors could shake up these standings come Saturday.
Who will make their mark as the regular season comes to a close?
#nascar #sporting #final #playoff
The NASCAR Cup Series heads back to Daytona this weekend for one final race ahead of the playoff Chase — get ready for the ******* e Zero Sugar 400.
After the Daytona 500 in February, NASCAR will return to Daytona International Speedway to wrap up the regular season schedule, this time with a night race. There are still nine playoff spots up for grabs, which means drivers will be competing heavily in the Sunshine State.
There are several drivers currently on the bubble, including Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric and Shane van Gisbergen, who holds the 16th and final bid. Ryan Preece is currently behind the cut line by 31 points, but a variety of factors could shake up these standings come Saturday.
Who will make their mark as the regular season comes to a close?
#nascar #sporting #final #playoff
20 days ago
Step 1 — establishing the 40-car field for the ***** e Zero Sugar 400 — is complete.
Forty-one NASCAR Cup Series drivers went through their two-round qualifying session Friday at Daytona International Speedway. The first round filled out the field and designated Gray Gaulding of Garage 66 as the odd man out as the slowest of the open rides. The second took the top 10 and gave them an additional lap, duking it out for pole position.
In the end, Ross Chastain prevailed and will lead everyone to the green flag at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the regular-season finale.
Here's a full look at the results:
Buy our Dale Earnhardt book here
#step #coke #nascar #series
Forty-one NASCAR Cup Series drivers went through their two-round qualifying session Friday at Daytona International Speedway. The first round filled out the field and designated Gray Gaulding of Garage 66 as the odd man out as the slowest of the open rides. The second took the top 10 and gave them an additional lap, duking it out for pole position.
In the end, Ross Chastain prevailed and will lead everyone to the green flag at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the regular-season finale.
Here's a full look at the results:
Buy our Dale Earnhardt book here
#step #coke #nascar #series
20 days ago
BRANDON, S.D. (KELO) -- Kids are headed back to the classroom, but summer is still going strong at Huset's Speedway in Brandon.
The finish line is quickly approaching at Huset's Speedway.
"We had some weather issues, obviously, early in the year with rain and then the heat, but I think overall the we've had really good momentum here the last part of the season," Huset's Speedway General Manager Doug Johnson said.
2 South Dakota men face 25 counts of hunting charges
With the calendar about to turn to September, a pair of track championships are up for grabs this weekend.
#kelo #doug #south
The finish line is quickly approaching at Huset's Speedway.
"We had some weather issues, obviously, early in the year with rain and then the heat, but I think overall the we've had really good momentum here the last part of the season," Huset's Speedway General Manager Doug Johnson said.
2 South Dakota men face 25 counts of hunting charges
With the calendar about to turn to September, a pair of track championships are up for grabs this weekend.
#kelo #doug #south
21 days ago
Picking a NASCAR Cup Series winner is rarely easy. Picking one at Daytona International Speedway can feel closer to throwing darts.
That hasn't stopped oddsmakers from identifying two drivers as the men to beat entering Saturday night's **** e Zero Sugar 400.
William Byron and Ryan Blaney are the co-favorites at +850 for NASCAR's regular-season finale, according to the latest odds listed by FOX Sports. Joey Logano sits alone behind them at +1100, while Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott are each +1200.
The Cup Series returns to the 2.5-mile Daytona superspeedway Saturday, Aug. 29, with the green flag scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The race will also determine the 16-driver field for NASCAR's returning Chase postseason format.
And if there is one track where bettors may want to keep scrolling beyond the favorites, it's Daytona.
#chase
That hasn't stopped oddsmakers from identifying two drivers as the men to beat entering Saturday night's **** e Zero Sugar 400.
William Byron and Ryan Blaney are the co-favorites at +850 for NASCAR's regular-season finale, according to the latest odds listed by FOX Sports. Joey Logano sits alone behind them at +1100, while Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott are each +1200.
The Cup Series returns to the 2.5-mile Daytona superspeedway Saturday, Aug. 29, with the green flag scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The race will also determine the 16-driver field for NASCAR's returning Chase postseason format.
And if there is one track where bettors may want to keep scrolling beyond the favorites, it's Daytona.
#chase
22 days ago
It took some time for it to come together, but the full NASCAR Cup Series schedule for 2027 is officially set in stone. Next year's schedule sees minor tweaks compared to 2026, including a revamp of how the 2027 Chase will look.
Among the adjustments include the Wheatley Vodka Clash exhibition race to start the season. Previously at Bowman-Gray Stadium, the Clash will return to the Daytona International Speedway for the first time since 2021 and first time on the oval configuration since 2020.
Dover Motor Speedway returns to the schedule as a points-paying race in 2027 after hosting the All-Star Race in 2026. The $1 million All-Star exhibition returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway after the North Carolina short track was the site for the event from 2023-2025.
North Wilkesboro loses its points-paying race in 2027 after hosting one this season for the first time since 1996.
The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway moves out of the Chase and will be the regular-season finale in 2027. World Wide Technology Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway also move out of the Chase in 2027 to points-paying races in August.
#speedway #time #since #points
Among the adjustments include the Wheatley Vodka Clash exhibition race to start the season. Previously at Bowman-Gray Stadium, the Clash will return to the Daytona International Speedway for the first time since 2021 and first time on the oval configuration since 2020.
Dover Motor Speedway returns to the schedule as a points-paying race in 2027 after hosting the All-Star Race in 2026. The $1 million All-Star exhibition returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway after the North Carolina short track was the site for the event from 2023-2025.
North Wilkesboro loses its points-paying race in 2027 after hosting one this season for the first time since 1996.
The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway moves out of the Chase and will be the regular-season finale in 2027. World Wide Technology Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway also move out of the Chase in 2027 to points-paying races in August.
#speedway #time #since #points
22 days ago
Kyle Busch's connection to Bristol Motor Speedway will be impossible to miss when NASCAR returns to Thunder Valley in September.
Bristol announced Wednesday that it will honor the late NASCAR champion during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Sept. 19 with a Lap 18 tribute, a nod to the No. 18 that became synonymous with Busch during the most successful stretch of his Cup Series career.
The tribute will extend well beyond a moment on the racetrack. Fans will receive commemorative yellow towels and be invited to wave them throughout Lap 18, creating what could become one of the most striking tributes to Busch since his death in May.
And when the field races beneath the lights, one particularly familiar sight will be back on the Bristol high banks.
Joe Gibbs Racing will bring Busch's familiar M&M's colors back to the track as part of the tribute.
#familiar #motor
Bristol announced Wednesday that it will honor the late NASCAR champion during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Sept. 19 with a Lap 18 tribute, a nod to the No. 18 that became synonymous with Busch during the most successful stretch of his Cup Series career.
The tribute will extend well beyond a moment on the racetrack. Fans will receive commemorative yellow towels and be invited to wave them throughout Lap 18, creating what could become one of the most striking tributes to Busch since his death in May.
And when the field races beneath the lights, one particularly familiar sight will be back on the Bristol high banks.
Joe Gibbs Racing will bring Busch's familiar M&M's colors back to the track as part of the tribute.
#familiar #motor
23 days ago
There was a lot of conversation and controversy surrounding IndyCar's race on the streets of Washington, D.C., this past weekend.
There were a lot of people watching at home, too.
Fox Sports announced Tuesday that Sunday's Freedom 250 Grand Prix drew an average of 3.28 million viewers, which would make it the most-watched IndyCar race other than the Indy 500 since the series formed following 2008's unification.
That number is nearly four times larger than IndyCar's Sunday non-Indy 500 races from last year (867,000 viewers) and a 364% gain from a comparable event around the same time last year (708,000 viewers on Fox).
As The Athletic's Jeff Gluck noted, those numbers also gave IndyCar the extremely rare bragging rights of beating out NASCAR, with the Freedom 250 Grand Prix drawing more eyeballs than NASCAR's Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.79 million viewers, per NASCAR).
#nascar
There were a lot of people watching at home, too.
Fox Sports announced Tuesday that Sunday's Freedom 250 Grand Prix drew an average of 3.28 million viewers, which would make it the most-watched IndyCar race other than the Indy 500 since the series formed following 2008's unification.
That number is nearly four times larger than IndyCar's Sunday non-Indy 500 races from last year (867,000 viewers) and a 364% gain from a comparable event around the same time last year (708,000 viewers on Fox).
As The Athletic's Jeff Gluck noted, those numbers also gave IndyCar the extremely rare bragging rights of beating out NASCAR, with the Freedom 250 Grand Prix drawing more eyeballs than NASCAR's Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.79 million viewers, per NASCAR).
#nascar
23 days ago
In NASCAR's second-tier O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2019, Tyler Reddick's No. 2 Chevrolet was typically easy to find.
That's because it was often near the front of the field. In his final season racing full-time in what was the the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Richard Childress Racing, Reddick won six races and would secure his second consecutive championship.
But on April 6, 2019 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Reddick's ride was unmistakable. There was no other machine on the short track that looked like the No. 2 that weekend, as it was splashed with a pink-and-white paint scheme and featured the face of country music icon Dolly Parton on the hood.
Parton, the widely beloved singer, actress and philanthropist, died on Tuesday, Aug. 25. While her impact and influence reached the corners of many sports, that 2019 race in her native state of Tennessee marks the only time that she sponsored a ride in NASCAR, with her brands and face front and center on the car driven by the series' most successful driver at that time.
Reddick, who now races in the top-level Cup Series for 23XI Racing, leaned all the way into the Dolly experience at Bristol. Before hopping into his pink No. 2 Chevrolet, he wore a blonde wig in tribute to the country music megastar.
#series
That's because it was often near the front of the field. In his final season racing full-time in what was the the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Richard Childress Racing, Reddick won six races and would secure his second consecutive championship.
But on April 6, 2019 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Reddick's ride was unmistakable. There was no other machine on the short track that looked like the No. 2 that weekend, as it was splashed with a pink-and-white paint scheme and featured the face of country music icon Dolly Parton on the hood.
Parton, the widely beloved singer, actress and philanthropist, died on Tuesday, Aug. 25. While her impact and influence reached the corners of many sports, that 2019 race in her native state of Tennessee marks the only time that she sponsored a ride in NASCAR, with her brands and face front and center on the car driven by the series' most successful driver at that time.
Reddick, who now races in the top-level Cup Series for 23XI Racing, leaned all the way into the Dolly experience at Bristol. Before hopping into his pink No. 2 Chevrolet, he wore a blonde wig in tribute to the country music megastar.
#series
24 days ago
Yeah, Daytona International Speedway is big.
But this weekend, only 40 drivers can fit in its ******* e Zero Sugar 400 field, which leaves the NASCAR Cup Series with a problem. Forty-one cars want to enter.
The full list is below.
Thirty-six of those rides possess charters, so they're locked in. The other five — piloted by Joey Gase, Casey Mears, Gray Gaulding, Corey Heim and Volusia County native Daniel Dye — will duke it out for four spots during Friday's qualifying session. The slowest will head home early.
The race itself will receive the green flag a few minutes after 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
#international #sugar #nascar #forty
But this weekend, only 40 drivers can fit in its ******* e Zero Sugar 400 field, which leaves the NASCAR Cup Series with a problem. Forty-one cars want to enter.
The full list is below.
Thirty-six of those rides possess charters, so they're locked in. The other five — piloted by Joey Gase, Casey Mears, Gray Gaulding, Corey Heim and Volusia County native Daniel Dye — will duke it out for four spots during Friday's qualifying session. The slowest will head home early.
The race itself will receive the green flag a few minutes after 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
#international #sugar #nascar #forty
25 days ago
Christopher Bell knew something had gone wrong almost immediately.
What he did not know was exactly what had happened behind his No. 20 Toyota.
Bell's pit stop during Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway produced one of the day's most frightening moments when right-side tire changer Blake Houston was knocked to the pavement as Bell pulled out of his pit stall.
Bell went on to recover and finish fourth. But after the race, his attention returned to the moment on pit road and, more importantly, Houston.
Bell explained that the sequence began with the signal he uses to leave his stall.
#stall #christopher #hampshire #motor
What he did not know was exactly what had happened behind his No. 20 Toyota.
Bell's pit stop during Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway produced one of the day's most frightening moments when right-side tire changer Blake Houston was knocked to the pavement as Bell pulled out of his pit stall.
Bell went on to recover and finish fourth. But after the race, his attention returned to the moment on pit road and, more importantly, Houston.
Bell explained that the sequence began with the signal he uses to leave his stall.
#stall #christopher #hampshire #motor
25 days ago
Denny Hamlin did not win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He did, however, leave Loudon with something no other NASCAR Cup Series driver can take from him.
The No. 1 seed in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase officially belongs to Hamlin.
Hamlin's seventh-place finish at New Hampshire was enough to secure the top spot before the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway. Whatever happens Friday night in the ****** e Zero Sugar 400, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran will begin the Chase from the front.
And he will have some breathing room.
Hamlin will carry a 25-point advantage over the second seed when the 10-race Chase begins Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway.
#speedway
The No. 1 seed in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase officially belongs to Hamlin.
Hamlin's seventh-place finish at New Hampshire was enough to secure the top spot before the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway. Whatever happens Friday night in the ****** e Zero Sugar 400, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran will begin the Chase from the front.
And he will have some breathing room.
Hamlin will carry a 25-point advantage over the second seed when the 10-race Chase begins Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway.
#speedway
25 days ago
Ryan Blaney is back in victory lane. On Sunday afternoon, Blaney and the No. 12 team for Team Penske won the 2026 Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Team Penske driver was able to hold off a hard-charging Bubba Wallace and Josh Berry in the closing laps.
Following the event, Blaney spoke about his big NASCAR win at New Hampshire, his second in two years.
"Yeah, that made it difficult," Blaney said. "No, it was a good call after our issue on pit road. We did two at the end to try to hopefully get the lead, and we did. It was a long, long run to the end, longest run we had. Just tried to manage my stuff. Knew the four-tire guys would pressure me eventually. Bubba came on hard there. Just tried to manage the lap traffic and manage the tire, not make a mistake. What a cool race. Fun day starting in the rain. Ended up being beautiful day. Everybody came out, thanks for sticking with it."
Blaney is now firmly placed second in the standings, meaning he will enter the Chase as the No. 2 seed if all goes right at Daytona International Speedway. Team Penske has found incredible speed over the last month, and if it continues, he could be in line for a second Cup Series championship this fall.
NASCAR reveals post-race inspection results from New Hampshire
#hampshire #manage #speedway
Following the event, Blaney spoke about his big NASCAR win at New Hampshire, his second in two years.
"Yeah, that made it difficult," Blaney said. "No, it was a good call after our issue on pit road. We did two at the end to try to hopefully get the lead, and we did. It was a long, long run to the end, longest run we had. Just tried to manage my stuff. Knew the four-tire guys would pressure me eventually. Bubba came on hard there. Just tried to manage the lap traffic and manage the tire, not make a mistake. What a cool race. Fun day starting in the rain. Ended up being beautiful day. Everybody came out, thanks for sticking with it."
Blaney is now firmly placed second in the standings, meaning he will enter the Chase as the No. 2 seed if all goes right at Daytona International Speedway. Team Penske has found incredible speed over the last month, and if it continues, he could be in line for a second Cup Series championship this fall.
NASCAR reveals post-race inspection results from New Hampshire
#hampshire #manage #speedway
25 days ago
Aug. 24—A second-straight WISSOTA Modified feature with no caution flags meant there were almost no obstacles between Carlton's Jody Bellefeuille and a sixth win of the season and 23rd of his career at Gondik Law Speedway in Superior on Friday night, Aug. 21.
After getting past polesitter David Simpson and breaking away from Colin Chaschuk, Bellefeuille needed just five laps to build a leading margin of over a second despite starting third on Friday night. The final margin was 5.4 seconds ahead of Brady Uotinen as Bellefeuille boosted his points lead in the division and continued a bid to earn the national WISSOTA Modified crown.
Shane Sabraski of Rice, Minnesota has a longer and deeper history of success, and his win Friday in the WISSOTA Super Stocks was the 1,050th of his career.
Sabraski took advantage of some timely cautions on Friday to erase Steve Stuart's early lead, pulling ahead on lap nine of 20 and going on to win by 5.3 seconds.
After a multi-car wreck from a restart led to a long delay, Sabraski passed Andy Grymala for second before passing Stuart on the low side two circuits later.
#night #seconds
After getting past polesitter David Simpson and breaking away from Colin Chaschuk, Bellefeuille needed just five laps to build a leading margin of over a second despite starting third on Friday night. The final margin was 5.4 seconds ahead of Brady Uotinen as Bellefeuille boosted his points lead in the division and continued a bid to earn the national WISSOTA Modified crown.
Shane Sabraski of Rice, Minnesota has a longer and deeper history of success, and his win Friday in the WISSOTA Super Stocks was the 1,050th of his career.
Sabraski took advantage of some timely cautions on Friday to erase Steve Stuart's early lead, pulling ahead on lap nine of 20 and going on to win by 5.3 seconds.
After a multi-car wreck from a restart led to a long delay, Sabraski passed Andy Grymala for second before passing Stuart on the low side two circuits later.
#night #seconds
25 days ago
Season Championship Night at Davenport Speedway will be Monday, Aug. 24. Track champions will be determined in six weekly classes, a news release says.
As usual, Davenport Speedway is well represented in many IMCA classes. The following information is based on IMCA national point standings as of Aug. 20:
Spencer Diercks of Davenport is tied for the IMCA Modified national point lead and is the current point leader at Davenport. Jed Frieburger, who won a race in Davenport earlier this season is fourth in points. Davenport regular Jace Eckrich is 11th in national points.
Davenport's IMCA Late Model point leader Logan Veloz is currently eighth in national points. Davenport feature winners Travis Denning, Tommy Elston, and Curtis Glover are all in the top 12. Local drivers Gary Webb, Dalton Simonsen, Nathan Balensiefen, and Jesse Bodin are in the top 20.
Jarrett Franzen leads the IMCA Northern SportMod points. Brayton Carter is seventh in points. Both have won features at Davenport in 2026. Davenport regulars Ben Chapman and Bryson Eckrich are both in the top 20 points.
#davenport #point #eckrich #leader
As usual, Davenport Speedway is well represented in many IMCA classes. The following information is based on IMCA national point standings as of Aug. 20:
Spencer Diercks of Davenport is tied for the IMCA Modified national point lead and is the current point leader at Davenport. Jed Frieburger, who won a race in Davenport earlier this season is fourth in points. Davenport regular Jace Eckrich is 11th in national points.
Davenport's IMCA Late Model point leader Logan Veloz is currently eighth in national points. Davenport feature winners Travis Denning, Tommy Elston, and Curtis Glover are all in the top 12. Local drivers Gary Webb, Dalton Simonsen, Nathan Balensiefen, and Jesse Bodin are in the top 20.
Jarrett Franzen leads the IMCA Northern SportMod points. Brayton Carter is seventh in points. Both have won features at Davenport in 2026. Davenport regulars Ben Chapman and Bryson Eckrich are both in the top 20 points.
#davenport #point #eckrich #leader
26 days ago
The Magic Mile is the next-to-last race before the Chase in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The Dollar Tree 301 takes place from the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the flat 1.058-mile oval north of Concord.
Tyler Reddick is on the pole, with Hendersonville's Josh Berry on the outside of the front row.
Shane van Gisbergen, 16th in points and 50 points ahead of the Chase cutline, will start fifth.
Today's race will set the scene for next week's regular-season finale at Daytona. If Austin Cindric (+57 to the cutline) or SVG struggle at New Hampshire, the Daytona race will only be more intense and important. But Cindric and SVG could also add to their points cushions at New Hampshire, if not clinch a Chase spot.
#race #points #next #Magic
The Dollar Tree 301 takes place from the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the flat 1.058-mile oval north of Concord.
Tyler Reddick is on the pole, with Hendersonville's Josh Berry on the outside of the front row.
Shane van Gisbergen, 16th in points and 50 points ahead of the Chase cutline, will start fifth.
Today's race will set the scene for next week's regular-season finale at Daytona. If Austin Cindric (+57 to the cutline) or SVG struggle at New Hampshire, the Daytona race will only be more intense and important. But Cindric and SVG could also add to their points cushions at New Hampshire, if not clinch a Chase spot.
#race #points #next #Magic
