After a race with numerous varying strategies, Chase Briscoe brought the No. 19 back to victory lane on Sunday. Let's take a look back at the week that was in Motorsports on X. Here's your top ten tweets of the week! 10. I wholeheartedly agree with this. I know Pocono has its drawbacks. However, it's a NASCAR a staple and it is incredibly unique. Pocono should always be on the schedule. It's part of the history of this sport compared to a lot of other tracks on the circuit. 9. This is a pretty fascinating comparison of the next-gen numbers so far for two powerhouse organizations. It's hard to believe we already have this many races under our belt in the next-gen era. 8. Hot take, I don't disagree with Kyle on this one. The reality is teams still have a "war room" where the suspended crew chiefs can watch the races and influence decisions if not outright make them. In no way am I trying down play what Dale Jr achieved on Saturday. But, it's hard to believe Mardy Lindley didn't play a huge role as well. 7. What happend to Adam Petty will always be nothing short of a tragedy. However, it's equally as remarkable how the Petty family took that tragedy and built something that will live forever, and is more meaningful than all their success in racing. 6. I don't think there's anything wrong with going global. We're seeing it with the NFL and MLB. I also agree there's a lot of deserving tracks in America that deserve a date. To me, it sounds like a good problem to have. 5. I really get Mark's point. I feel very strongly about NASCAR not forgetting it's roots. However, we have to acknowledge it's a different time. That's a blend that NASCAR constantly has to try and pull off. Today's attention spans aren't the same and when you're trying to draw in younger viewers I'm not sure the winston format can do that. 4. I couldn't disagree with Mark more here. What the sport is today for better or worse doesn't change what he accomplished. Fans are intelligent enough to understand we're comparing different eras. Maybe it makes comparisons tougher and more apples to oranges, but NASCR isn't alone in that. It's hard to properly compare Babe Ruth and Aaron Judge or LeBron James and Michael Jordan. 3. The NHRA has been very stern about the rulebook in recent weeks, but the rules are there for a reason. I'm sure this is a call they take no pleasure in making. 2. One year ago John Force suffered a horrific crash in Virginia, and while only time will tell if it ended his time as a driver, it's amazing that he is healthy enough to share special moment with his daughter one year later at the very same track. 1. Add another accomplishment to the the hall of fame resume of Dale Jr.

Photo from www.x.com/MercedesAMGF1 By Ryan Wu George Russell snatched pole position from Max Verstappen with a last-minute flying lap in qualifying, setting himself up for a potentially brilliant weekend. At the race start, Kimi Antonelli overtook Oscar Piastri, putting both Mercedes drivers in the top three alongside reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, setting the stage for a race-long battle. On lap 66, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri engaged in a fierce duel for fourth place. The two championship contenders looked poised to deliver a thrilling showdown for the Montreal crowd, but a costly mistake from Norris on the start/finish straight saw him crash into the back of his teammate. The collision damaged Norris's car beyond repair, forcing his first DNF of the season and causing a major shift in the championship standings. George Russell ultimately won the race under a safety car, converting his pole into Mercedes' first victory of the season. Kimi Antonelli secured the first podium of his Formula 1 career, becoming the third-youngest podium finisher in F1 history—behind only Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll. Red Bull lodged a protest alleging that Russell was braking erratically in the closing stages of the safety car, but the results were upheld. Norris Mistake Looms Large Lando Norris was pressuring his teammate in the closing stages of the race but made a rare and costly mistake—one uncharacteristic of a driver of his caliber. The incident had major implications for the championship standings, as Norris lost 12 points to Oscar Piastri, widening the gap between the McLaren teammates to 22 points—the largest it has been all season. The crash also allowed Max Verstappen to capitalize, as he outscored both McLaren drivers and now sits just 21 points behind Norris and 43 behind Piastri. Rookie Report Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive rookie campaign by securing the first Formula 1 podium of his career. After qualifying fourth, he improved during the race to finish just ahead of championship leader Oscar Piastri. Antonelli now sits at 63 points for the season, leading all rookies by a commanding 42-point margin. For context, the all-time rookie points record belongs to Lewis Hamilton, who scored 109 points in 2007 under a very different scoring system. When adjusted to today’s format, that total would equate to an astonishing 263 points—a truly staggering benchmark. Elsewhere on the grid, Isack Hadjar saw his streak of three consecutive races with points being snapped as he crossed the line 16th. No other rookie outside of Antonelli scored points today with Oliver Bearman being the closest with an 11th place finish. Racing Refresh Driver of the Day George Russell, Mercedes Final Points Finishing Positions 1st: George Russell 2nd: Max Verstappen 3rd: Kimi Antonelli 4th: Oscar Piastri 5th: Charles Leclerc 6th: Lewis Hamilton 7th: Fernando Alonso 8th: Nico Hulkenberg 9th: Esteban Ocon 10th: Carlos Sainz Next on the F1 Schedule: Austrian Grand Prix: June 27th-29th

By Adam Carabine Happy weekend everyone, it’s time for another edition of Stats Saturday. This weekend NASCAR travels to Blakeslee, Pennsylvania for the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway.   Pocono is a 2.5-mile triangular speedway that opened in 1969.  The Cup Series first visited Pocono in 1974, and Richard Petty won the first race held there.  Last year’s winner at this race was Ryan Blaney.   Tomorrow’s race will be 160 laps long (for a total of 400 miles), with stage breaks occurring at 30 – 95 – 160.  Pit road speed is 55 mph, and the caution vehicle runs at 70 mph.  The fuel window is between 37-42 laps.   This year, the NASCAR Cup Series has run 4,331 laps, for 6,081.44 miles so far this season.  No driver has completed every single lap, but Chase Elliott is one lap behind, and William Byron and Tyler Reddick are each four behind.   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Pocono: William Byron 9.36 over 11 races Brad Keselowski 10.78 over 27 races (1 win) Denny Hamlin 11.26 over 35 races (7 wins) Kyle Larson 11.65 over 17 races Ryan Blaney 13.40 over 15 races (2 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Pocono: Zane Smith 29.00 over 1 race Cody Ware 28.80 over 5 races Ross Chastain 28.56 over 9 races Noah Gragson 27.67 over 3 races Michael McDowell 25.82 over 22 races   While Pocono is entirely a unique track, for the purpose of this article we’re calling it an Intermediate.   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Intermediate Tracks: Denny Hamlin 11.96 over 343 races (29 wins) Kyle Larson 12.27 over 181 races (18 wins) Kyle Busch 12.38 over 359 races (29 wins) Joey Logano 12.41 over 289 races (19 wins) Chase Elliott 12.50 over 162 races (6 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Intermediate Tracks: JH Nemechek 22.88 over 48 races Ryan Preece 22.36 over 95 races Ty Dillon 22.26 over 129 races SVG 22.00 over 13 races Josh Berry 21.25 over 30 races (1 win)   Denny Hamlin is the winningest driver at Pocono, having won 7 Cup Series races there.  Jeff Gordon has 6, Bill Elliott has 5, and Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, Tim Richmond and Kyle Busch all each have 4.   Notable drivers who have not won at Pocono: Kyle Larson (has won at 18 other tracks) Christopher Bell (has won at 10 other tracks) William Byron (has won at 10 other tracks) Tyler Reddick (has won at 8 other tracks) Ross Chastain (has won at 6 other tracks)   Three drivers scored their first Cup Series win at Pocono.  Denny Hamlin in his 21st start, Chris Buescher in his 27th start, and Ryan Blaney in his 68th start.   Based on average finish, no drivers list Pocono as their BEST or 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 +620 pts Chris Buescher +518 pts Bubba Wallace +469 pts William Byron +415 pts Chase Briscoe +340 pts   Drivers Faring Worse than in 2024 Brad Keselowski -414 pts Ty Gibbs -305 pts Alex Bowman -251 pts Joey Logano -242 pts Todd Gilliland -240 pts   Next, let’s look at who’s having their best and worst career year by Average Finish:   Best Career Year William Byron 10.38 Christopher Bell 10.63 Chase Elliott 11.19 Ross Chastain 12.56 Chase Briscoe 14.50 Ryan Preece 18.63 JH Nemechek 19.50 Todd Gilliland 20.06   Worst Career Year Cole Custer 24.38 Brad Keselowski 24.31 Carson Hocevar 22.81 Zane Smith 20.00 Ty Gibbs 19.75 Rookie of the Year Battle SVG 242 (1 win) Riley Herbst 196   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 Chevrolet 584 Toyota 568 Ford 541   Here is the same formula, but used on a team-vs-team basis:   Chartered Team Standings Hendrick 565 Joe Gibbs 554 Trackhouse 470 Penske 464 RFK 424 23XI 421 Spire 393 Front Row 379 Legacy MC 373 RCR 366 Kaulig 341 Hyak 290 Wood Bros 263 Haas Factory 202 Rick Ware 108   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 William Byron 163 Ryan Blaney 142 Kyle Larson 132 Denny Hamlin 117 Tyler Reddick 110 Bubba Wallace 100 Alex Bowman 91 Christopher Bell 89 Austin Cindric 85 Chase Elliott 84   Milestone Watch Chase Elliott Looking for his 20th Career Win Erik Jones Looking for his 40th Career Top 5 Joey Logano Looking for his 170th Career Top 5 Carson Hocevar Looking for his 10th Career Top 10   Here are the top 10 longest active winless streaks:   Winless Streaks Justin Haley 157 races Cole Custer 113 races Bubba Wallace 95 races Erik Jones 95 races Kyle Busch 73 races Michael McDowell 64 races Daniel Suarez 50 races Chase Elliott 43 races Brad Keselowski 39 races AJ Allmendinger 36 races   The race begins Sunday, June 22nd at 2:00 pm EST (11:00 am 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 Jared C. Tilton/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.   Chase Briscoe – This week: 10 – Last week: 13 Chase Briscoe has quietly been making his way up in the Power Rankings with some solid results.  He finished P7 in Mexico City, and has two Top-5s in his last five races (which are weighted heavier on the Power Rankings scale).  Briscoe still seems to be finding his footing at JGR, but as a noted road course specialist, this next stretch of races might play well into his favour.   Tyler Reddick – This week: 9 – Last week: 8 Reddick has been on a steady decline in the Power Rankings in the last few weeks.  Also a noted road course racer, Reddick finished P20 at Mexico City which was a disappointment for that team.  His average finish in the last 5 races has been 17th, which is not good enough for last year’s Regular Season Champ.     Ryan Preece – This week: 8 – Last week: 10 Ryan Preece has snuck his way into the Top 10 in these past couple of weeks, and it’s well-deserved.  The driver of the Number 60 car has been consistent and appears to be out-performing his equipment. With three Top-10s in his last five races, and a stage win at Mexico City, it will be interesting to see if he can keep this momentum rolling.   Ross Chastain – This week: 7 – Last week: 6 Chastain is still riding the results of his win at the Coca-Cola 600, which catapulted him into the Power Rankings Top Ten.  An impressive showing at Michigan has kept him in contention lately, and his car looked like it was better than the P16 he finished at Mexico City.    Denny Hamlin – This week: 6 – Last week: 5 Denny took the weekend off to be with his newborn son.  While Ryan Truex filled in for him, none of Truex’s results are scored here for Denny.  He loses a spot just due to others around him improving.   Ryan Blaney – This week: 5 – Last week: 4 Another driver who has been riding on the coattails of his win a few weeks ago (Nashville), Blaney has had such an up and down season, it’s wild.  His last five results are 3rd, 38th, 1st, 32nd, and then 14th at Mexico City.  He was always good on points despite having many DNFs this year, but now he’s locked into the playoffs with a win, and maybe the foot comes off the gas a little bit.     Chase Elliott – This week: 4 – Last week: 7 Once heralded as a road course king, Chase Elliott has struggled a bit on the lefts and rights in the next-gen era. However, he had an impressive showing at Mexico City, finishing P3.  While he’s still searching for his first win of this 2025 season, his third-best average finish (11.19) shows that consistency can also pay off.   Christopher Bell – This week: 3 – Last week: 3 Christopher Bell continues a strong run of races with a P2 at Mexico City this past weekend.  With an average finish of 7.6 over the last five races, and a career-best 10.63 on the season, he’s proving to be in top form this year. Bell’s a championship contender to watch out for.   Kyle Larson – This week: 2 – Last week: 1 Despite Larson’s last win still being within the more-heavily-weighted last five races, he’s also had two finishes outside of the Top 35 in that time.  Finally, he is dethroned after a five-week run at the top spot of our Power Rankings.  But don’t count him out just yet – he’s a world-class talent and has a team that manages to pull out some decent finishes even when the car isn’t quite right.  This won’t be the last we see of Larson.   William Byron – This week: 1 – Last week: 2 While Byron’s P9 at Mexico City was pretty quiet and uneventful, his latest stretch has been consistent enough to capitalize on Kyle Larson’s rough stretch, putting him into the top Power Rankings spot once again.  Byron still only has the single win on the season – the Daytona 500 – but he also has the best average finish in the series (10.38), and is currently the Regular Season Points Leader.   Biggest Movers   Kyle Busch – This week: 24 – Last week: 11 Falls 13 places   AJ Allmendinger – This week: 18 – Last week: 30 Gains 12 places   SVG – This week: 11 – Last week: 23 Gains 12 places   Rest of the List 11. SVG LW: 23 +12 12. Joey Logano LW: 9 -3 13. Chris Buescher LW: 14 +1 14. Erik Jones LW: 12 -2 15. Josh Berry LW: 16 +1 16. Todd Gilliland LW: 17 +1 17. Bubba Wallace LW: 24 +7 18. AJ Allmendinger LW: 30 +12 19. Brad Keselowski LW: 18 -1 20. Carson Hocevar LW: 15 -5 21. Michael McDowell LW: 25 +4 22. Austin Cindric LW: 19 -3 23. Ty Gibbs LW: 28 +5 24. Kyle Busch LW: 11 -13 25. Zane Smith LW: 20 -5 26. Alex Bowman LW: 34 +8 27. Austin Dillon LW: 22 -5 28. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. LW: 21 -7 29. JH Nemechek LW: 26 -3 30. Noah Gragson LW: 33 +3 31. Daniel Suarez LW: 31 -- 32. Riley Herbst LW: 27 -5 33. Cole Custer LW: 36 +3 34. Ty Dillon LW: 29 -5 35. Justin Haley LW: 32 -3 36. Cody Ware LW: 35 -1

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) We just found out that Dale Jr. is stepping in as a crew chief for the first time ever this weekend at Pocono in the Xfinity Series. He’ll be calling the shots for Connor Zilisch in the No. 88 car while the usual crew chief, Mardy Lindley, serves a suspension. This marks a whole new chapter for Dale Jr., adding “crew chief” to his already impressive Hall of Fame resume. He’ll also return to the broadcast booth for Prime’s final weekend of coverage after the race. We’re excited to see how he does in this new role and will be keeping up with all the updates at RacingRefresh.com .

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) We just heard that NASCAR is in serious talks to bring a Cup Series street race to the San Diego area in 2026. It would mark a return to Southern California racing for the first time since Fontana shut down in 2023. While nothing is confirmed yet, we expect an official announcement next month. Since the schedule is limited to 38 races, this new event would have to replace an existing one, maybe even Chicago's street race. We're curious what you think it should replace, and in the meantime, we’re keeping an eye on updates and staying tuned to RacingRefresh.com for the latest in motorsports.

Press Release | JOE GIBBS RACING Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that the organization has signed a multi-year agreement with Bob’s Discount Furniture, one of the largest and fastest growing furniture retailers in the United States, to sponsor Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE in the NASCAR Cup Series including their first primary race at Iowa Speedway on August 3. Entering its first foray into motorsports sponsorship, Bob’s prides itself on showcasing a variety of stylish furniture, mattresses, and home accents at everyday low prices. Bob’s also offers a unique shopping experience featuring complimentary cafes in every store. The company currently operates nearly 200 stores across 26 states with 20 new locations set to open in 2025 including six locations in North Carolina. The partnership underscores Bob’s ongoing commitment to expanding its footprint in the Southeast while creating fun and memorable experiences for its customers. Hamlin and Gibbs are scheduled to attend the grand opening of the Bob’s Discount Furniture location in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Thursday, July 17, at 1 p.m. ET. The event will feature a VIP autograph session with Hamlin, giveaways, live entertainment, and a chance for fans to be the first to see the No. 11 Bob’s Discount Furniture Toyota Camry XSE that Hamlin will race at Iowa Speedway. “We are thrilled to partner with Bob’s Discount Furniture,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “Racing every weekend all across the country, we will have the opportunity to promote their great furniture at everyday low prices to race fans everywhere. We are especially excited to have the opportunity to celebrate their expansion into North Carolina at the grand opening event at their new Winston-Salem store on July 17th.” This dynamic partnership brings together two brands known for performance, reliability, and deep community roots. As part of the collaboration, Bob’s Discount Furniture will serve as the Official Furniture Retailer of Hamlin & the No. 11 Cup Series Team with multiple primary sponsor races and full-season associate partner placement on the No. 11 Toyota over the course of the partnership. The partnership will kick off immediately with plans to integrate cross-promotional events, community outreach initiatives, and in-store experiences that bring the energy of racing directly to Bob’s customers. “Partnering with Joe Gibbs Racing is a natural fit for Bob’s,” said Bill Barton, President and CEO of Bob’s Discount Furniture. “We’re both committed to excellence, delivering value, and engaging with communities in meaningful ways. Debuting the Bob’s-branded No. 11 car at Bob’s Grand Opening in Winston-Salem, a region with deep NASCAR heritage and our newest store location, makes this moment even more special.” Hamlin is competing in his 20th full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series. He is 12th on the all-time wins list with 57 victories, including three wins so far this year. His Cup Series career has included monumental moments like his trio of Daytona 500 victories (2016, 2019, 2020), three Southern 500 wins (2010, 2017, 2021), and a Coca-Cola 600 triumph in 2022. Through 16 races this season, Hamlin sits fifth in the Cup Series standings despite missing last Sunday’s race in Mexico City because of the birth of his third child. “We’re excited to welcome Bob’s to our No. 11 team and to have their new locations opening up close to home,” said Hamlin. “If you look at their marketing and social media, they do a great job being creative, so we’re really looking forward to what kind of ideas we can work on together both on and off the racetrack.” (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) Carson Hocevar has been fined $50,000 and ordered to complete cultural sensitivity training after making inappropriate remarks about Mexico City during a livestream. We saw that the fine will go to organizations that support Mexican communities, which we think is a good step toward making things right. Spire Motorsports made it clear that Carson’s comments don’t reflect their values or those of NASCAR. Carson has publicly apologized, saying he regretted his remarks after experiencing the city and its fans firsthand. We’ll keep following updates on this, and in the meantime, we’re staying tuned to RacingRefresh.com and hope you’ll hit that subscribe button to stay informed with us.

Press Release | JIM DUNN RACING NHRA Funny Car driver Buddy Hull is coming into the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals with confidence, control, and a whole new ride. As the Jim Dunn Racing driver continues with just his second season behind the wheel of a nitro Funny Car, he's already turning heads on the national stage, and this weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park, June 21-22, he's looking to keep the momentum rolling in his Blaze Exhaust Probes Funny Car. Richmond is the first race of the season that Hull is racing with a fiery Blaze Exhaust Probes paint scheme on the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car. Blaze is one of Jim Dunn’s season-long sponsors, and since 1996, they have been a leading full-service temperature sensor manufacturer that offers solutions for even the most demanding applications. Their reputation for creating the most rugged sensors available has made them a top choice in the industry. In addition to Blaze Exhaust Probes, Hull will also be representing season-long sponsors Lescure Mechanical Services, KGC Construction, Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Crow Safety, Koppl Pipeline Services, True Brand, Mooneyes, Compass Facility Services, USD, and Wiley X. Montauk Native Gas is also featured on the rear wing for the first time this season. “I'm fired up to be racing in Virginia this weekend; it’s one of the most passionate fan bases on the tour, and the energy at Virginia Motorsports Park is always electric,” said Hull. “I’m especially proud to be debuting our brand-new Blaze Exhaust Probes livery. Blaze is all about precision and performance, and that’s exactly how I approach every run. Representing them on the track is an honor, and I’m ready to put on a show for the fans with this awesome new car.” Hull arrives in Richmond fresh off back-to-back quarterfinal appearances, most notably taking down No. 1 qualifier Austin Prock in the first round at both the NHRA New England Nationals and the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. His steady hand and instinctive driving have drawn praise from fellow competitors and fans alike. “Every run, I’m getting more and more in sync with this car,” said Hull. “Funny Cars are some of the most intense machines in motorsports, but I love the challenge. My job is to keep it straight, keep it fast, and make sure we’re in a position to win rounds. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing.” At the most recent event in Bristol, Hull showcased his calm under pressure when his parachutes didn’t deploy in time at the finish line. With exceptional composure and car control, he brought the car safely to a stop in the sand trap. As a result of the incident, Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will debut a new Funny Car this weekend in Virginia, a move that has only sharpened their focus. “It has been a busy week for the team,” said Jon Dunn. “We have been in Indy working on the new car. My dad, ‘Big Jim,’ has been on the phone daily, and I have been here with the crew. We worked through Father’s Day. I would like to say thank you to Antron Brown and his Antron Brown Motorsports team and also the Murf McKinney Corporation.” Hull was also excited about the team effort and being a part of Jim Dunn Racing. Heading into the Virginia race, Hull will be looking to continue his winning streak and build on his race-day successes. “I trust this team completely. This new car is solid, and I’m thrilled to show it off in front of the Virginia fans with the new Blaze Exhaust Probes design,” said Hull. “This is one of those races where you have to come out swinging, there’s no Friday, no warmup day. We’re in, and we’re on from the first burnout. This team is hungry, and we’re putting everything into this race.” The American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals is the only two-day event on the 20-race NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series calendar, giving teams one less qualifying run to test and tune. However, the three-qualifying-run format on Saturday allows teams to more closely imitate the race-day atmosphere, but with qualifying stakes. For a driver like Hull, who thrives under pressure and adapts quickly, the condensed format plays to his strengths. “It’s go-time from the first burnout,” said Hull. “No room for error. I’ve always believed in being prepared and staying sharp, and that’s what this team does best. We don’t need extra time to get focused, we’re already there. When you’re in the car, it’s all about feel, reaction, and staying in command. That’s how we’ve been winning rounds, and that’s how we’re going to keep climbing.” (Photo Courtesy Jim Dunn Racing)

Press Release | IHRA Three HUGE days of bracket racing are coming to Alabama International Dragway for the 4th of July Ironman Shootout, July 3-5. The All-American celebration features the IHRA Ironman Classic on Friday, July 4. Racers will compete for big money and the prestigious IHRA Ironman trophies. Engines fire up on this three-day event on Thursday, July 3 with a $5,000-to-win Box race that has a $120 entry fee. The No Box class pays $1,000 to win with a $50 entry fee. There is also a $200 prize to the winner of the Junior Dragster class with just $25 to enter. Gates open at 5 p.m. Thursday with time trials to begin at 6:30 p.m. The excitement ramps up Friday and Saturday as the pay for the top finishers doubles. It’s a $10,000 to the winner in the Box class each day with a $220 single-day entry. The No Box winner earns $2,000 each day with a $75 entry. It’s $400-to-win each day in the Junior Dragster class with a $45 single-day entry. Gates open at noon on Friday and Saturday. Time trials for new entries start each day at 2 p.m. Single-day crew and spectator costs are $20 or $50 for the entire weekend. For the best value, racers have the option of a three-day entry fee. It’s $349 all three days in the Box class, along with a $250 double-entry for the same car and driver based on a 90-car minimum. All three days for No Box is $150 with a $100 double entry on a 50-car minimum. Junior Dragsters can enter the whole weekend for $80 with a 20-car minimum. Check out the track’s Facebook page for more great happenings at Alabama International Dragway, the home track of the 2025 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals. Go to the IHRA Summit Super Series membership page and get registered to compete in the most prestigious national championship in all of bracket racing. (Photo Courtesy IHRA)

Press Release | IHRA The International Hot Rod Association is pleased to announce tickets are NOW available for the following must-see events: the adrenaline-pumping IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series featuring 12,000-horsepower, fire-breathing Funny Cars and Top Fuel dragsters, and the high-octane IHRA Pro Mod Nationals with the thundering, Earth-shaking power of racing’s ultimate doorslammers. These blockbuster events promise heart-stopping action, fierce competition, and unforgettable entertainment for fans of all ages. Secure your spot now to witness drag racing at its finest! As part of our continuous improvement plan to improve the experience of competitors, spectators, and members, we are also in the process of developing a new and improved digital platform and website. New advancements will continuously be seen over the coming weeks and months. We’re working tirelessly to transform the IHRA into the ultimate drag racing and entertainment powerhouse, ensuring the greatest experience, safety, and success for everyone involved. Don’t miss out—mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and prepare for the raw power and excitement of IHRA drag racing! For tickets and more information, visit our events page for full and up-to-date schedule details. IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series July 9-12 National Trail Raceway July 23-26 Milan Dragway Sept. 3-6 National Trail Raceway Sept. 24-27 Dragway 42 Nov. 5-8 Galot Motorsports Park IHRA Outlaw Pro Mod Nationals Aug. 8-9 Kil-Kare Raceway (Photo Courtesy IHRA)

Pregame photo with Kyle Larson and Dave Roberts gains context after fiery third inning. By Crystal Clay LOS ANGELES — On Tuesday afternoon, NASCAR drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Larson visited Dodger Stadium, joining Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in the clubhouse before the game. Image via Kyle Larson on Instagram (@kylelarsonracin) before Tuesday night's game against the Padres. Larson posted a photo from the moment with the caption: “Stenhouse Jr. getting a lecture from manager Dave Roberts on how to control his anger. A playful jab, until the rest of the night unfolded. The previous evening, Dodgers rookie and former Padres outfielder, Andy Pages was hit by a 98 mph fastball from Padres starter Dylan Cease. Pages reacted immediately, shouting toward the mound. Cease denied any intent, but the benches tensed and the emotional temperature between the division rivals rose. The following night, in the third inning of Tuesday’s game, Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch. Umpires issued warnings to both teams. Soon after, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was hit by a pitch that appeared to be deliberate, sparking further outrage. Roberts bolted from the dugout to defend his player and was ejected; his first of the 2025 season and the 13th of his managerial career. His most recent ejection came in August 2024 after arguing an obstruction call. Roberts expressed his frustration post game late Tuesday night:  “Shohei comes up with the bases open, and Vasquez took one shot at him, and then hit him again,” Roberts said. “It’s very hard to miss that bat with a right-handed pitcher. If you’re gonna do it, own it. There’s no misfire. I didn’t feel a warning on both sides was warranted. I just wanted an explanation.” While the dugouts didn't clear, the moment underscored the rising emotion between the two teams. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was ejected for arguing with umpires after Shohei Ohtani was hit by a pitch against the Padres via Bleacher Report/YouTube Stenhouse, known in NASCAR for standing on business, chimed in from afar. “Sometimes you just have to tell them what you’re thinking,” he wrote on X, quote-tweeting a video of Roberts confronting the umpires. Just two days earlier, Stenhouse had delivered a similar message face-to-face. In Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Viva México 250  at Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Stenhouse was spun by Carson Hocevar with 10 laps to go in the inaugural event. After finishing 27th, Stenhouse confronted Hocevar post-race and told him: “I’m going to beat your ass when we get back into the States.” The comment quickly made the rounds online. It wasn't the first time Stenhouse made such a bold statement. In 2024, after a wreck in the NASCAR All-Star Race, he waited outside Kyle Busch’s hauler, wearing bright yellow shorts, and threw a punch. The confrontation led to a fine and confirmed what many already knew: Stenhouse doesn't bluff. The tension between Stenhouse and Carson Hocevar has been building over the past several weeks. At Nashville in early June, Hocevar spun Stenhouse on Lap 106, effectively ending his race. Though the two spoke afterward and appeared to resolve the incident, frustration lingered. That tension resurfaced Sunday in Mexico City, when Hocevar made contact again. While neither Stenhouse nor Larson are Los Angeles fixtures, the irony of their clubhouse photo became clearer as the night wore on. One of NASCAR’s most volatile personalities had posed with the highly-respected Dodgers manager just hours before Roberts was tossed for standing up for his players. It all happened inside one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic franchises. The Dodgers, defending a World Series title, have long battled the San Francisco Giants in the National League West. But in recent years, their rivalry with the San Diego Padres, full of postseason tension and high-profile stars, has become the sport’s most emotionally charged on the West Coast. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. on X (formally Twitter) From a wreck on a road course in Mexico City to MLB superstars hit at bat in Los Angeles, the two sports shared something deeper this week: real-time conflict, driven by pride and proximity. Because in racing or baseball, it does not matter what uniform you wear. If you cross a line, someone is going to meet you there. That clubhouse photo, taken just hours before Roberts was ejected, shows Stenhouse and Roberts smiling like nothing was coming. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Larson, and Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts inside Dodgers clubhouse prior to Tuesday's game. Image via Kyle Larson on Instagram (@kylelarsonracin) June 17, 2025. It really makes you wonder what was said in the manager’s office. They both stood up when it counted. One made a threat and walked away untouched. The other, frustrated, questioned umpires and got thrown out. The caption was supposed to be a joke, but the real-world events made it almost prophetic. What looked like a random, light hearted Instagram post became the clearest read of the night.