Photo from www.x.com/f1 By Ryan Wu After a disappointing qualifying session, Lando Norris made a series of bold overtakes and climbed into third place within just a few corners. However, the team had to hold their breath as he came under investigation for a potential false start. Upon review, his front tires were clearly positioned ahead of the designated starting box. As a result, the stewards handed him a five-second time penalty, which he served during a pit stop since the infraction occurred before the final five laps of the race. On lap 25, Charles Leclerc pulled off an impressive move to pass Norris and reclaim a spot on the podium. Later in the race, a safety car was deployed in the final third after Carlos Sainz and Yuki Tsunoda made contact, scattering debris on the track. This allowed both Ferrari drivers to pit for hard tires. Then, on lap 37, Norris overtook Lewis Hamilton by going off track and was subsequently instructed to return the position. Norris was unable to get past Charles Leclerc for the remainder of the race and with an Oscar Piastri win, he closed the Championship gap to three points after four races. McLaren as a team has now pulled 58 points ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’ standings. Strategy Proved Paramount Drivers who started on the medium compound struggled early on, with Lewis Hamilton reporting poor grip just a few laps into the race. Most of the grid opted for the soft tires, as a two-stop strategy is typically required at the Bahrain International Circuit. The pit window for softs opened around laps 10 to 12, while those on mediums were able to extend their stints by an additional 8 to 10 laps. By lap 13, Charles Leclerc—still on his original medium tires—was posting faster lap times than race leader Oscar Piastri, who had yet to pit for fresh rubber. Max Verstappen was one of the few drivers to switch to the hard compound during his first stop. The variation in strategies led to significant reshuffling throughout the field and added plenty of drama as positions changed up and down the order. Rebounding Weekend for Hamilton Hamilton did not have a good qualifying and admitted himself he needed to perform better, in which he did not place any responsibility on the car saying how it clearly has pace due to the results his teammate has put in. However, he showed better race pace and with some clever strategy from Ferrari he finished the race in 5th place, his best result with Ferrari this year. Rookie Report Oliver Bearman had a cracking start and made up 5 places within the first lap after starting 20th, Bearman continued his strong race and was eventually in the points. Kimi Antonelli had a disappointing weekend after a great showing during a qualifying, He started 4th on the grid but ended up finishing 11th and outside of the points for the first time in his young career. Tough Weekend for Williams After scoring points in the first three races of the season, Alex Albon failed to advance past Q1 in qualifying and ultimately finished outside the points. Carlos Sainz also endured a tough race, receiving a 10-second time penalty and had to retire the car due to sustaining damage after colliding with Yuki Tsunoda. Racing Refresh Driver of the Day Oscar Piastri, McLaren Final Points Finishing Positions 1st: Oscar Piastri 2nd: George Russell 3rd: Lando Norris 4th: Charles Leclerc 5th: Lewis Hamilton 6th: Max Verstappen 7th: Pierre Gasly 8th: Esteban Ocon 9th: Yuki Tsunoda 10th: Oliver Bearman Next on the F1 Schedule: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: April 18th-20th

by Crystal Clay, Chief Motorports Correspondent Erica Enders performs a burnout during Pro Stock qualifying at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy NHRA) LAS VEGAS (April 12, 2025) — Erica Enders failed to qualify Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, marking the first time since 2016 that the five-time Pro Stock champion will not compete on race day. In Friday’s opening qualifying session at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, Enders recorded a 6.736-second pass at 205.88 mph, placing her 18th in the field. That run left her outside the top 16 after Q1—and she was unable to improve in subsequent rounds. She was officially bumped from the ladder during the final session by her own Elite Motorsports teammate, Jeg Coughlin Jr., who slid into the final qualifying spot. The stunning outcome drew a wave of disbelief through the staging lanes, just as Paul Lee was preparing to begin his media availability as the Funny Car No. 1 qualifier. Drivers and media paused to watch the final quad unfold in silence. Greg Anderson, who claimed the No. 1 qualifying position in Pro Stock, offered a candid assessment of Elite Motorsports’ performance this season. Greg Anderson performs a burnout during Pro Stock qualifying at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. Anderson secured the provisional No. 1 qualifier position and went on to claim the top spot heading into race day. (Photo courtesy NHRA) “They’re making mistakes. They shouldn’t be running like that,” Anderson said. “Performance-wise, they’re not that far behind us. They just got a little behind and skipped some things they probably shouldn’t have. I mean, I was slow by two (hundredths) and still won, so that shows how easy it is to lose — or win — out here right now. Even without the other team running at their best, it’s still a job every time you line up on Sunday. But hey, I’m having fun.” The cause of Enders’ missed qualifying effort has not yet been made clear, and she has not spoken to media. Elite Motorsports has endured a difficult start to the 2025 season, and Enders’ early exit underscores how tight the margin has become in Pro Stock.

The Next Best Thing Was Hiding in Plain Sight By Crystal Clay, Chief Motorsport Correspondent LAS VEGAS (April 11, 2025) — Maddi Gordon warms up Ron Capps’ Funny Car ahead of Friday’s qualifying session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Photo courtesy of Ron Capps Motorsports) LAS VEGAS (April 12, 2025) — NHRA rising star Maddi Gordon prepares for her Top Fuel debut with mentorship from Ron Capps, a legacy of family support, and a milestone win that made history. Las Vegas has always been more than just a racing destination for Maddi Gordon. It is home turf, the site of her final junior dragster pass against her sister, and now, the backdrop for a surreal new chapter. Originally from Paso Robles, California, Gordon sat under the media spotlight for her very first press conference as the reality of what’s ahead began to settle in: Nitro. Not quite this season, but close enough to feel it. She is not just chasing a dream; she is closing one chapter as a third-generation driver competing with her family’s Alcohol Funny Car team and preparing to step onto NHRA’s biggest stage in 2026. This time, it will be in a Top Fuel Dragster, under the mentorship of Funny Car champion and Ron Capps Motorsports team owner Ron Capps, who plans to expand his operation by adding a second car for the rising star to pilot. Right now, Gordon still balances her racing life with working sales at her family’s cabinet shop, surrounded by the same people who’ve always made her feel capable: her parents, grandparents, and sister. When she talks about her future in Top Fuel, her excitement is palpable, but so is the emotion of letting go of what’s familiar. “It’s going to be a huge change,” she says, eyes swelling. “My grandpa always tells me when to go into the stage, my mom buckles me in, my dad lets the body down… my grandma grabs everything else. I won’t have that next year, but I know they’ll still be there.” Gordon is already easing into the shift. During the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, she has not just been watching from the sidelines. She's hands-on, stepping into the rhythm of a new team. Capps stood nearby throughout the process, giving Gordon space to lead, a quiet nod to the trust already forming between them. LAS VEGAS (April 11, 2025) — Maddi Gordon warms up Ron Capps’ Funny Car ahead of qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Photo courtesy of Ron Capps Motorsports) One of the first things Capps told her? She wouldn’t be working on the car anymore. “He knows that’s what I do,” Gordon said, laughing. The comment wasn’t just about job roles, it echoed the same mentorship Capps once received when he got his shot under Don “The Snake” Prudhomme. Back then, he had to step away from the tools and focus solely on the seat, learning to trust the crew and grow into the driver he needed to be. Now, he’s offering Gordon that same elevation, one he knows, from experience, is no small transition for a hands-on racer. If you’re ever roaming the pits between runs, you’ll notice Capps always packs his own parachutes. He began to explain it with a few prompts. “Have you ever been skydiving? When you do go, do you want to pack your own parachute?” The implication is clear. It is not a question of trust; it is about staying connected. For Capps, packing his own parachutes is how he remains part of the process, not above it. It reinforces his role not only as a driver or team owner, but as a teammate who is fully invested, hands-on, and present in the work they do together. Gordon understood immediately. She grew up elbows-deep in clutch packs, tightening bolts and prepping between rounds. But this next step requires a different kind of focus. She’ll have to let go of that role to step back, so she can step up. “I can always head over to the shop on off weekends and still get my hands dirty,” she says with a grin, referring to her family’s Alcohol Funny Car shop. One of the most talked-about figures in Gordon’s support system isn’t a sponsor, a tuner, or even a crew chief—it’s her grandmother. And make no mistake, Grandma isn’t on the sidelines with a folding chair and snacks. “She’s not just there making sandwiches,” Maddi says, grinning. “She builds all of our clutch packs. At the shop, she’s got her own clutch pack bench. It’s Grandma’s bench.” Meticulous and precise, her grandmother dials in clutch packs within a couple thousandths of an inch, an art form that makes Gordon’s  job easier round after round. “She’s super particular,” Gordon says. “I’ll come in and say, ‘Man, Grandma, that one was so good, I barely had to adjust it.’” It’s a rare bond. Part performance partner, part family glue and it captures the essence of how Gordon was raised; in a home where horsepower and heart go hand in hand. Gordon’s family isn’t just supportive. They are her race team. Her dad ran for championships, her grandpa owned the car, and every member of the family was part of the operation. So when the opportunity came up for Gordon to get in the seat, it wasn’t a guarantee yet it was a moment filled with uncertainty. “The hardest part of leaving is probably my grandpa,” she says, her eyes swelling up. “Because it’s his race car, and, you know, he’s getting older. And he at first was like, Do I really want to give Maddi the ride? Because we didn’t know how I was gonna do.” She speaks with a candid honesty, acknowledging the risk her family took, not just for her, but with  her. “I could’ve done absolutely horrible and just, you know, wasted years of hard work. My dad was running for championships, and they were winning the world championships. My mom was like, Do we really wanna give up years and just let Maddi give it a try? ’Cause, I mean, honestly I might suck.” But they gave her a shot. That leap of faith from her family, and now from Capps, feels even more significant in a sport where most drivers secure seats by bringing in sponsorship money. Gordon’s opportunity was earned, not purchased. Capps saw something in Gordon that could not be bought, and she showed up ready to prove him right. LAS VEGAS (April 11, 2025) — Maddi Gordon shares a moment with Ron Capps while seated in his Funny Car during qualifying weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Photo courtesy of Ron Capps Motorsports) “And the fortunate thing is my dad will get back in the race car,” she adds. “And I’m sure he’s gonna pick up right where he left off. So it’ll be okay.” Even with the change on the horizon, she knows the bond won’t fade. If anything, it’s being redefined. “I think it’ll be emotional even for the whole family,” she says. “But they’ll all be there, and so it’ll be okay.” Capps will tell you this wasn’t just the right decision, it was the right time. From Gordon’s steady rise in the sport, to the cultural momentum surrounding women in motorsports and auto mechanics, to her signing with a top female sports agency, it all aligned.  LAS VEGAS (April 10, 2025) — Maddi Gordon sits alongside team owner Ron Capps during the press conference announcing her 2026 Top Fuel debut with Ron Capps Motorsports. (Photo courtesy of Ron Capps Motorsports) Capps’ longtime partners at NAPA Auto Parts were also part of the conversation, recognizing the value in investing in emerging talent. Their support helped solidify the opportunity for Gordon to step into a Top Fuel seat. And then, on the very day he and his partners planned to tell her, Gordon made history as the 100th win by a woman in an NHRA event. “Everything just lined up,” Capps said, reflecting on the moment. But timing wasn’t the only thing that made it feel right, it was who  she is. Her joy, her energy, her spunk. And Capps saw it all clearly. Still, he made one thing clear: don’t mistake her bubbly personality for softness. He’s been around long enough to know what women in this sport are capable of. And as he talked about it earnestly, with feeling, you could tell he meant it. The women he’s seen? They show up, get in the car, and—to borrow the words he didn’t quite say, but definitely implied—they’ll kick your butt. And Gordon? She’s cut from that same cloth. “I’m spunky. There’s no way around it,” she says with a grin. “I’m just excited. I love life, and I’m living the dream.” Now, she’s about to drive straight into the next one. Her last name carries weight in motorsports, though she shares no relation to the NASCAR legend. Still, it is a fitting reminder that you never know where the next breakout talent will come from, or how a familiar name might one day represent a completely new chapter in racing.

By Adam Carabine Happy weekend everyone, it’s time for another edition of Stats Saturday. This weekend NASCAR travels to Bristol, Tennessee for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.   Bristol is a 0.533-mile oval with heavy banking in the corners, and two pit roads to make room for all of the teams.  The track opened in 1961, and Jack Smith won the first NASCAR race there that same year.   Tomorrow’s race will be 500 laps long (for a total of 266.50 miles), with stage breaks occurring at 125 – 250 – 500.  Pit road speed is 30 mph, and the caution vehicle runs at 35 mph.  The fuel window is between 165-180 laps.   This year, the NASCAR Cup Series has run 2,105 laps, for 2,865.06 miles so far this season.  Only 3 drivers have completed all of them – Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and Tyler Reddick.   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Bristol: Chase Elliott 10.76 over 17 races Kyle Larson 12.75 over 20 races (2 wins) Christopher Bell 13.00 over 10 races (1 win) Denny Hamlin 13.82 over 38 races (4 wins) Kyle Busch 14.64 over 39 races (9 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Bristol: Noah Gragson 26.50 over 4 races Zane Smith 26.00 over 2 races Cody Ware 25.00 over 3 races Michael McDowell 24.93 over 29 races Ty Dillon 23.79 over 14 races   Bristol is a Short Track   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Short Tracks: Joey Logano 11.08 over 187 races (13 wins) Chase Elliott 11.21 over 100 races (4 wins) Christopher Bell 11.63 over 56 races (6 wins) Ryan Blaney 12.66 over 104 races (3 wins) William Byron 12.99 over 78 races (3 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Short Tracks: Michael McDowell 26.54 over 164 races Zane Smith 26.31 over 17 races JH Nemechek 24.51 over 25 races Ty Dillon 23.62 over 76 races Noah Gragson 23.31 over 25 races   Darrell Waltrip is the winningest driver at Bristol, with 12 wins at the track.  There’s a four-way tie after that, with Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and Kyle Busch each having 9 wins.   Notable drivers who have not won at Bristol:  Chase Elliott (has won at 15 other tracks) William Byron (has won at 10 other tracks) Ryan Blaney (has won at 9 other tracks) Tyler Reddick (has won at 8 other tracks) Alex Bowman (has won at 8 other tracks)   No current driver has scored their first ever Cup Series win at Bristol.   Based on average finish, Ryan Preece lists Bristol as his BEST track – no drivers list it as their WORST track.   Based on their point pace, let’s have a look at how this season is comparing to last season for drivers:   Drivers Faring Better than in 2024 Tyler Reddick +676 pts Bubba Wallace +571 pts Chris Buescher +561 pts William Byron +453 pts Ryan Preece +330 pts   Drivers Faring Worse than in 2024 Brad Keselowski -439 pts Ty Gibbs -382 pts Josh Berry -256 pts Todd Gilliland -204 pts Joey Logano -136 pts   Next, let’s look at who’s having their best and worst career year by Average Finish:   Best Career Year           William Byron 9.50 Christopher Bell 10.00 Chase Elliott 11.13 Tyler Reddick 11.75 Chase Briscoe 16.50 Ryan Preece 17.88 JH Nemechek 18.63 Todd Gilliland 19.00   Worst Career Year Cole Custer 27.63 Brad Keselowski 26.13 Carson Hocevar 24.88 Erik Jones 23.13 Ty Gibbs 22.00 Zane Smith 18.38   Rookie of the Year Battle SVG 97 Riley Herbst 92   The Manufacturer Standings are calculated by awarding points to the highest finisher for each manufacturer according to their finishing position.  (40 for 1st, 35 for 2nd, 34 for 3rd, etc.)  No stage points or playoff points count.   Manufacturer Standings         Toyota 294 Chevrolet 287 Ford 259   Here is the same formula, but used on a team-vs-team basis:   Chartered Team Standings Joe Gibbs 291 Hendrick 284 RFK 234 23XI 233 Trackhouse 221 Penske 220 Spire 187 Front Row 185 RCR 181 Kaulig 178 Legacy MC 168 Hyak 147 Wood Bros 123 Haas Factory 75 Rick Ware 54   At each stage break, the Top 10 drivers are awarded points based on their finishing positions.  Here are the leaders this year:   Stage Point Leaders Ryan Blaney 82 William Byron 81 Bubba Wallace 68 Joey Logano 64 Kyle Larson 52 Alex Bowman 50 Austin Cindric 47 Chase Elliott 46 Tyler Reddick 45 Denny Hamlin 39   Milestone Watch Chase Elliott Looking for his 20th Career Win Josh Berry Looking for his 10th Career Top 10 Noah Gragson Looking for his 10th Career Top 10 JH Nemechek Looking for his 10th Career Top 10 Daniel Suarez Looking for his 70th Career Top 10 Ryan Preece Looking for his 20th Career Top 10 Bubba Wallace Looking for his 50th Career Top 10 William Byron Looking for his 110th Career Top 10   Here are the top 10 longest active winless streaks:   Winless Streaks Justin Haley 149 races Cole Custer 98 races Bubba Wallace 87 races Erik Jones 87 races Kyle Busch 65 races Michael McDowell 56 races Daniel Suarez 42 races Chase Elliott 35 races Brad Keselowski 31 races Austin Cindric 29 races   The race begins Sunday, April 13th at 3:00 pm EST (12:00 pm PST) – Enjoy the race everyone!   Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter  @RacingRefresh   Is there an error? Is there a stat missing that you’d like to see? Let us know!

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images By Adam Carabine A look at the Top Ten in our weekly Power Rankings, plus the biggest movers! While finishing position is important, it’s not always indicative of the full picture.  StatChat rankings are determined using a large number of statistical inputs, with an emphasis placed on the most recent 5 races.   Bubba Wallace – This week: 10 – Last week: 9 What started as a great day for Bubba Wallace turned sour near the end.  Wallace spent most of the day up front, but wound up finishing 21st.  He falls one spot in the Power Rankings   Alex Bowman – This week: 9 – Last week: 6 Another driver who had a bad finish to the race was Alex Bowman.  After hitting the wall and breaking a toe link, he had to make an unscheduled pit stop for repairs.  He wound up finishing 17 laps down.     Kyle Larson – This week: 8 – Last week: 4 You weren’t seeing double, that was Kyle Larson spinning twice at the exact same spot.  After an extensive repair that had him coming back out on the track 160 laps down, he fell victim to the same spot on the track and hit the inside wall again.    Ryan Blaney – This week: 7 – Last week: 10 Blaney was a rocket on Sunday at Darlington.  He was certainly the car to beat if the final caution hadn’t come out.  He fell victim to a slightly slower pit stop, and then was unable to capitalize in the final green-white-checkered to the finish.  However, great stats all around, and he moves up three spots in the Power Rankings.   Joey Logano – This week: 6 – Last week: 8 It wasn’t a super showy day for Joey Logano, but he earned some stage points, spent the majority of his day inside the Top 15, and finished 13th.  Pair that with some other contenders having bad days, and Logano also moves up in the Power Rankings.   Tyler Reddick – This week: 5 – Last week: 7 It looked like Reddick might have pit-stop-strategy’d himself into a win – that is, until Blaney passed him… and then of course the final caution due to Larson’s spin ruined everything.  Reddick had a fast car, though, and led 42 laps.   Chase Elliott – This week: 4 – Last week: 5 Despite having the worst throwback paint scheme, Elliott had a solid day on the track, grinding his way to a Top 10.    Christopher Bell – This week: 3 – Last week: 1 Championship drivers make the most of days that don’t go well, and Bell certainly did that at Darlington on Sunday.  At one point early in the race, he was way in the back and got lapped.  He salvages the day with a P3 finish.  With the Power Rankings formula placing emphasis on the previous 5 races, his three wins in a row are fading from view, but he’s still a weekly contender.    Denny Hamlin – This week: 2 – Last week: 3 Two wins in a row certainly moves Denny up in the Power Rankings, even though he really only led the final 10 laps.  His underlying stats weren’t the best on Sunday, but a win is a win.   William Byron – This week: 1 – Last week: 2 Byron was on track to have a perfect race – leading every single lap – that is, until a poorly-handled green flag pit cycle got him caught back in traffic.  His number-one pit stall helped get him back to P2 in overtime, and his underlying numbers were so solid he was the undeniable top driver in this week’s Power Rankings.   Biggest Movers   Michael McDowell – This week: 26 – Last week: 19 Falls 7 places   Ty Gibbs – This week: 23 – Last week: 28 Gains 5 places   Daniel Suarez – This week: 18 – Last week: 23 Gains 5 places     Rest of the List             11.       Ross Chastain                LW: 15                    +4 12.       Ryan Preece   LW: 12                        -- 13.       Austin Cindric LW: 14                       +1 14.       Kyle Busch LW: 11                        -3 15.       Ricky Stenhouse Jr. LW: 13                        -2 16.       Chris Buescher LW: 18                       +2 17.       Josh Berry LW: 16                       -1 18.       Daniel Suarez LW: 23                       +5 19.       AJ Allmendinger LW: 22                       +3 20.      Todd Gilliland LW: 20                       -- 21.       Chase Briscoe LW: 17                        -4 22.       Ty Dillon                              LW: 24                       +2 23.       Ty Gibbs                              LW: 28                       +5 24.      Zane Smith                         LW: 27                       +3 25.       JH Nemechek                  LW: 21                        -4 26.      Michael McDowell           LW: 19                       -7 27.       Erik Jones                          LW: 26                       -1 28.      Austin Dillon                      LW: 29                       +1 29.       Justin Haley                      LW: 25                       -4 30.      Noah Gragson                  LW: 33                       +3 31.       SVG                                       LW: 30                       -1 32.       Brad Keselowski             LW: 31                        -1 33.      Cody Ware                         LW: 35                       +2 34.      Riley Herbst                      LW: 34                       -- 35.       Carson Hocevar             LW: 32                       -3 36.      Cole Custer                        LW: 36                       --

Hey everyone! After a few weeks away and a noteworthy throwback weekend at Darlington we're back with a fresh edition of Top Ten Tweets of The Week! Let's get to it! 10. Alright, this image is pretty cool. I know plenty say throwback weekend has ran it's course. But, Images like this will never get old. 9. I know Bubba Wallace gets a lot of heat. But, the data is the data. There is no evidence that suggest Bubba Wallace tried to affect the outcome of the race. Let's put this story to bed. 7. Tony often points to his father when he asked about the future of his career as an active driver. He's clearly a major inspiration to his son. 6. You gotta respect the fit. However, having Greg Biffle in the booth felt like a giant waste of time. No disrespect to Biffle, but he doesn't have the resume worthy of taking attention away from the race. 5. To say Erik Jones upset is an understatement. Do we need to revisit this rule? I think so. Perhaps this is something they look at changing after enough pushback. 4. Seeing Michael Waltrip in a firesuit makes me miss the SRX series. What is going on with that? 3. That clean air advantage was wild at Darlington. I never felt like Byron or whomever was out front was the best car. It felt like the clean air was the advantage. 2. Good for Brandon Jones. If you think these long winless streaks don't eat at these guys, I would direct you to this post by Brandon Jones. 98 races is a long time. 1. I didn't have this on my 2025 bingo card. It's such an odd time to try to buy a charter. We don't know what the future of charters in the sport is at the moment. That aside, It feels a little early for Legacy MC to try to expand to a three car team.