Search this site

Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images By Adam Carabine & Logan Morris Logan Morris: Hey, Adam! We’re back after taking it to the streets in sweet home Chicago. SVG got his third career win and his second in Chicago. What did you think of the race? Adam Carabine: What a fun little race! I thought it was pretty fun despite some early carnage, and a fairly dominant performance by Shane Van Gisbergen.  Is he the new King of the Road?  I’m happy that we finally got a race at the Chicago Street Course with no rain - it only took three years!  The course itself is a lot of fun and I think the drivers enjoy the challenge.  What did you think? LM: I enjoyed it. Like you, I’m thankful the weather held out. At the tail end of the race, it looked like it might play a factor, but thankfully, it didn't.  Shane Van Gisbergen continues to prove he is the class of the field on road courses in this era. His prowess is something to marvel at. Could he make it back-to-back wins this weekend at Sonoma? How about the Wallace and Bowman drama? Bubba had a great day lined up, and then it all came crumbling.  AC: Not only did SVG dominate the Cup Series race, but he also ducked down to the Xfinity Series again and won down there.  Amazing stuff.  It’s fun to watch him make his way around the lefts and rights. By some magical happenstance, the in-season bracket lined up to have long-time rivals Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman up against each other this week.  Whether that played a factor in their aggressive racing or not doesn’t really matter, but they were going hard.  It ended in some heartbreak for Wallace in the end, but boy what a fun battle it was. Also, can we take a moment to shout-out Bubba Wallace and his road course prowess lately?  He used to be hot garbage on these types of tracks, and he and his 23 team have come a long way.  It’s nice to see people be able to grow and get better. Speaking of the in-season tournament, we have a few big matchups to look forward to this upcoming weekend - anything catch your eye? LM: Wallace has come a long way on the left and rights, there’s no question about that. He’ll get even more reps this weekend in wine country. He’s still currently in the playoffs, but he needs a good showing. The in-season tournament has been a breath of fresh air. I was very skeptical of it at first. But, it’s giving drivers airtime and attention that typically don’t get much in that department. As far as this weekend, Preece vs Reddick should be must-see TV. Preece has had a breakout campaign, and Reddick feels like the flagship 23XI driver. I could see it going either way.     AC: Yeah, I think of the four matchups, that is the one to watch.  Reddick has shown he’s got a ton of talent on road courses, but Preece has somehow defied the odds (and expectations) and shown that he’s never to be counted out - at least recently.  I’d give Reddick the slight edge, but Sonoma is a big challenge.  You never know.  More on Sonoma later - back to Chicago! Did you catch any clips of that Cody Ware crash on the last lap? LM: I did, and that was flat nasty. NASCAR has to be in a better position to call that caution quicker. It’s inexcusable. They were way too slow a few times on Sunday. I don’t know why or what the explanation is, but it needs fixing in a hurry.  AC: From what I saw, NASCAR says they didn’t see the actual impact.  For those that might have missed it, Ware blew a brake rotor on the last lap and essentially had no brakes - he barrelled into the tire barrier at close to full speed - it was ugly.  The spotters that NASCAR uses to watch for these things only announce where the incident is, not exactly what happened.  They assumed he missed the corner and floated into the tires, and they waited to see if he could get it fired back up and get it going.   I understand that at road courses, they’re a little slower to call the cautions because often drivers can get things back rolling and it’s not worth a caution.  However, this was a mistake by NASCAR, and it’s completely insane that they waited as long as they did when Cody Ware could have been in real medical trouble.  He’s lucky to have walked away from that crash, and by all accounts it sounds like he’s okay, though a little sore. LM: I couldn’t agree with you more. If they can’t be somewhere in a position to see every possible angle of impact, that’s a serious safety risk.  AC: Speaking of accidents, how about Carson Hocevar off the start of this race? A fairly honest mistake results in a gigantic parking lot - so much so they had to throw the red flag just to get the cars out of the way. LM: That felt like something you’d see on a superspeedway. It was one of those head-scratching moments. It felt like a bumper car pile-up. Hocevar continues to make headlines one way or the other. That was one of the strangest sequences I’ve ever seen on a road course.  AC: What I don’t understand is why the cars just KEPT coming and piling on top of the stalled out group ahead of them.  I know they have a tougher time with spotters at road courses, because it’s hard to see everything everywhere, but it was borderline comical how they just kept smashing into each other!   LM: How about the caution to let the ambulance get across the track? Talk about strange.  AC: Oh right! I suppose that’s possible at some of the other tracks where there’s no tunnel to get to the infield, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before.  Maybe next time they’re at North Wilkesboro, they’ll have to throw a caution to let Ricky Stenhouse Jr. out before he throws hands at Kyle Busch! LM: What an odd turn of events. What do you say we get to our weekly awards? AC: Let’s do it! Best Performer LM: My best performer has to be Denny Hamlin. He started dead last and finished fourth. That’s impressive at any track, but especially a road course. Credit to him.   AC: Absolutely solid shout.  I’m going to go with a different Joe Gibbs Racing driver - Ty Gibbs.  He started this year seemingly in a bit of a slump, but things have been getting better, and his P2 at the Chicago Street Course was gritty and impressive.  (This is, of course, my choice other than the obvious - SVG) Biggest Move of the Race LM: I’m going to go way outside the box here, Adam, and say the biggest move of the race was NASCAR not calling the caution for Cody Ware. Had they called it before SVG took the white flag, we could be talking about a different winner. Rain could have been a factor—lots of what-ifs.  AC: It certainly was a big moment, though I’m not sure anyone could really have challenged SVG in a two-lap Green, White, Checkered shootout.  Maybe Tyler Reddick on his newer tires?  But SVG was clearly the best of the best.   I’m going to actually go with the call from Reddick’s crew chief, Billy Scott, calling Reddick down to get fresh tires.  At the time it seemed like it might be a big risk to give up track position, but Reddick was able to drive his way back up to P3.  He probably would have passed Ty Gibbs for P2 if the race stayed green until the end too.  Gutsy call, and it worked out in the end. Biggest Disappointment LM: My biggest disappointment goes to last week’s winner, Chase Elliott. It wasn’t too long ago that he was the road course king. He has yet to truly master this next-gen car in the same fashion. He was an absolute non-factor a week after what should have been a momentum-building W.  AC: Honourable mention to William Byron for completing a single lap and just having to retire with major car troubles - but I was more upset for Michael McDowell.  He led the entire first stage, had a great looking car, and even out-dueled SVG on the initial start of the race to take the lead.  But a faulty cable in his throttle forced him out of the race.  McDowell’s chances of earning a playoff spot are disappearing faster and faster before his eyes.   What to Watch for Next Weekend LM: We’re heading to wine country! Sonoma is next, so you have to wonder if SVG can go back-to-back. But, Sonoma is a place where everyone has far more experience than SVG. Does someone dethrone him on Sunday? I say yes.  AC: Elevation change is the name of the game in Sonoma.  TV doesn’t do it justice - that place is basically built on a cliff face.  Okay, maybe not quite, but it’s really quite hilly.  Last year was the first year on a new surface, as Sonoma was repaved.  I’m interested to see how the surface has degraded over the last year, and how that impacts the drivers.  I’m high on SVG right now, I think he gets it done! LM: We shall see, as the classic song says - there is a season turn, turn, turn.

PRESS RELEASE | TRACKHOUSE RACING Trackhouse Racing and Daniel Suárez, driver of the No.99 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series, have announced their mutual decision to conclude their partnership following the 2025 season. The move allows Suárez to pursue new opportunities in his racing career. Suárez, 33, who is an Xfinity Series Champion (2016), a two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner and the first Mexican driver to win a Cup Series race, has been with Trackhouse Racing since it began competition in 2021. Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks said now is the right time to allow Suárez to pursue what’s next in his racing career. “The role Daniel has played in the Trackhouse origin story and its first five years will remain a valued part of the company’s history forever. His commitment, work ethic and dedication to the effort is one of the most impressive things I personally have seen in my career,” Marks said. “We will forever be thankful and honored that Daniel chose to spend many incredible years with us. We are proud of his wins, his successes, the growth of his brand, and his emergence as a valuable athlete in America’s greatest motorsport. But, most of all, I’m proud of him as a friend. I’m truly excited to see what awaits him in the next chapter of his amazing career. We are grateful for the professionalism, effort and heart he’s brought to our organization.” Suárez will continue to compete for Trackhouse Racing for the rest of the 2025 season, as the team works to win more races and earn a playoff spot. “I want to thank all the men and women at Trackhouse Racing for your love and support.” said Suárez. “I’ve had some of the best years of my Cup Series career at Trackhouse. We had great successes as a team and I gained some incredible friends. We took a team nobody had even heard of in 2021 and in just a couple of years we were winning races and running up front on a weekly basis. “Just like the seasons in a year, sometimes things change and we have mutually agreed to each go in our own direction. I wish Trackhouse nothing but the best, this No. 99 team will always be special to me. And like I always say, the best is ahead!” Photo Courtesy Chris Graythen/Getty Images

PRESS RELEASE | DAVE & BUSTER'S Dave & Buster’s announces its first ever partnership with a NASCAR driver, fan-favorite Toni Breidinger and TRICON Garage (TRICON). The NASCAR star has officially joined the brand as its 2025 Summer Ambassador, bringing fans along for an action-packed ride filled with in-store appearances, limited-edition merch, exclusive giveaways, and racing game competitions. Toni Breidinger is a trailblazing American race car driver and model, known for making history as the first Arab-American woman to compete full-time in a NASCAR national series. Her dynamic personality and strong social media following make her the perfect fit as Dave & Buster’s Summer Ambassador, where her love for racing and entertainment aligns seamlessly with the brand. During the August 8th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International, Toni will drive the No.5 Dave & Buster’s Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON. As part of the partnership, Breidinger will appear at exclusive Dave & Buster’s meet & greets, including stops in New York City and Chicago, where fans can snag signed gear, pose for photos, and try to compete with Toni on racing games. Her appearances kick off in Chicago on July 5th, followed by NYC Times Square on July 18th, and conclude at Watkins Glen on August 8th. Toni will also be rocking her custom Dave & Buster’s fire suit and truck at her upcoming race at Watkins Glen International. And stay tuned on social as Dave & Buster’s will be giving away signed Toni merch and a limited-edition Dave & Buster’s X Toni NASCAR-style t-shirt. Toni is encouraging guests to play all-new racing games, rack up wins, climb the leaderboard, and score major prizes all summer long. “I’ve been a fan of Dave & Buster’s for as long as I can remember. I always stop in when I’m on the road. I love the games, and energy, so getting to partner with a brand I genuinely enjoy is really exciting for me.” said Breidinger. “There’s nothing like being behind the wheel, whether it’s on the track or in the arcade, and now I get to do both at one of my favorite places. I’m so excited to compete with fans who love racing as much as I do and make this a summer to remember.” This summer, the Leaderboard Challenge invites guests to go full throttle across five high-speed, high-stakes racing games — including Hot Wheels Victory Lap, NASCAR Pit Stop, Top Gun: Maverick, Cruisin’ Blast, and Super Bikes 3. Every first-place finish or jackpot win helps players climb the nationwide leaderboard and rack up entries for a shot at epic prizes. The more you play, the more chances you have to win — so buckle up and get ready to race all summer long. To learn more about the partnership and see if you can top Toni’s score, visit your local Dave & Buster’s or head to daveandbusters.com.

PRESS RELEASE | IHRA & SPEED SPORT 1 The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced its 2025 television and streaming plans with official broadcast partner SPEED SPORT, bringing the adrenaline-pumping excitement of IHRA drag racing to fan through a dynamic blend of live television and digital streaming on SPEED SPORT 1, SPEED SPORT 2 and IHRA.TV . As part of this multi-platform media partnership, IHRA events will be professionally produced and distributed across SPEED SPORT 1 and its major streaming and broadcast partners, including Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel, PlutoTV, and more — reaching millions of motorsports fans with premium drag racing content delivered live and free. “Partnering with SPEED SPORT is a game changer for IHRA and motorsports entertainment,” said Darryl Cuttell. IHRA CEO. “This platform enables us to reach 100s of millions of people on their existing devices anywhere - anytime - internationally - live and recorded at no cost. This will create new fans and racers, thrill the existing, and encourage sponsorship for teams. In addition to live streamed races, we can't wait to share our content that will go beyond the scenes of racing in 2025 and showcase the human element from team and fan perspectives.” The broadcast team features some of the most respected names in motorsports media. Ken Stout will serve as play-by-play host, with former NHRA Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr. providing color commentary. Veteran broadcaster Ralph Sheheen will serve as the race-day host at select events, bringing insight and storytelling from years of experience. Pit reporters Kristen Beat and Kristin Bank will offer exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes access and real-time updates, and powerful interviews from drag racing’s most emotional vantage points. “We are extremely excited to present an incredibly strong production and broadcast package on SPEED SPORT 1,” said Joe Tripp, SPEED SPORT CEO. “IHRA is a historic, world-class series with tremendous competition — and the streaming and live television complement will reflect that. This is precisely the type of live sports content our distribution partners at Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel, PlutoTV and others look for — and IHRA on SPEED SPORT 1 will deliver right off the line.” SPEED SPORT has been synonymous with motorsports excellence for more than 90 years. With this new partnership, SPEED SPORT will continue its legacy by delivering high-quality, engaging content that showcases the power, speed and passion of IHRA drag racing. The production will be led by the experienced team at Windy City Creative Group (WCCG), with industry veteran Steve Grein serving as executive producer. With more than 20 years of experience producing top-tier motorsports content, Grein brings deep expertise and a proven track record to the IHRA broadcast team. Grein’s résumé includes work with IHRA, ADRL and countless shows under the Lucas Oil Productions banner. He also served as executive producer for MAVTV for five years, helping shape the network’s motorsports identity and bringing professional, action-packed coverage to fans nationwide. The full event schedule, including streaming and broadcast times, will be released in the coming weeks. Fans are encouraged to follow IHRA.com and SPEEDSPORT.com for updates and behind-the-scenes previews. Visit SPEEDSPORT1.com for broadcast schedules and viewing options. Logo Courtesy IHRA & SPEED SPORT1

PRESS RELEASE | Sonoma Raceway Sonoma Raceway and Pit Boss® Grills are thrilled to announce that ESPN host and reporter Marty Smith will serve as Grand Marshal for the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, July 12. Smith will bring his signature charisma and passion for motorsports to the pre-race ceremonies, culminating in delivering the most famous words in racing: “Drivers, start your engines!” A native of Pearisburg, Virginia, Marty Smith has spent more than two decades as one of the most respected and recognizable voices in motorsports media. He launched his career in 1999 as a contributor for NASCAR.com, where his passion for racing and natural storytelling talent quickly set him apart. In 2006, he joined ESPN as the network’s lead NASCAR reporter, becoming a familiar face to fans through his work on SportsCenter, NASCAR Countdown, and NASCAR Now. Known for his distinctive southern charm, authenticity, and insightful reporting, Smith has built a strong connection with both athletes and audiences. Today, he co-hosts the popular ESPN show Marty & McGee and continues to appear regularly across ESPN platforms, including SportsCenter, College GameDay, and ESPN.com. “My relationship with my friends at Pit Boss goes back many years, through my work with college football and NASCAR and the best places to grill at tailgates,” said Smith. “When they called me on this, I wasn’t sure I should do it. But in this season of my life I want to seek out unique opportunity that challenges me not to settle, some of which that might make me uncomfortable. I’ve always thought it’d be cool to give the command, and to do it at Sonoma, a place with so many special memories for me, is even more special. So here we are. Let’s uncork ‘em. I just hope I remember the words.” His appearance at Sonoma is sure to energize the crowd and elevate the excitement surrounding NASCAR’s return to Northern California’s legendary road course—its only stop in the Golden State for the 2025 season. “We are honored to welcome Marty Smith as our Grand Marshal,” said Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn. “Marty’s love for the sport and his authentic connection with fans make him the perfect person to kick off what promises to be an action-packed day at the track.” The Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 is part of a thrilling race weekend that also features Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event, the Toyota/Save Mart 350. Fans can expect wheel-to-wheel racing, scenic wine country views, and unforgettable moments both on and off the track. Tickets for the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 and the full weekend of racing action are available now at SonomaRaceway.com or by calling (800) 870-RACE [7223]. Photo Courtesy Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Photo from www.x.com/f1 By Ryan Wu Bounce Back for Norris After a costly mistake at the Canadian Grand Prix, Lando Norris bounced back in style, reaffirming his Championship credentials with a superb performance at the Austrian Grand Prix. He outpaced his teammate and title rival, Oscar Piastri, to claim victory and cut the Championship gap to just 15 points. Norris' weekend began on a high note, as he outqualified Piastri by a remarkable 0.521 seconds. The fierce rivalry between the two continued from Montreal, with thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles throughout the race. Piastri took the early lead from third on the grid, while an oversteer moment on lap 14 saw Norris run wide into the gravel, briefly losing ground. However, McLaren opted to pit Norris first on lap 20, undercutting Piastri, who stopped four laps later. The team executed a second successful undercut on lap 53, which played perfectly into Norris's hands. He managed to pass Piastri just before the Australian rejoined the track, where he was momentarily forced off by Colapinto—who was being lapped at the time—compromising Piastri’s ability to immediately respond but fortunately all drivers stayed in the race. Despite a late charge from Piastri, who at one point closed the gap to around 1.4s, Norris finished the race strong roughly 2.7 seconds ahead. Nightmare Weekend for Red Bull Max Verstappen, starting from 7th, knew he had a tough challenge ahead after reporting issues with car control and tire grip. Over the radio during qualifying, he described his car as “completely undriveable.” His frustration must have peaked when, on the very first lap, he was T-boned by Kimi Antonelli at Turn 3 — an incident that took both drivers out of the race. Antonelli was later handed a three-place grid penalty after the stewards found him fully at fault, but moral victories will likely mean little to Verstappen, who now trails Oscar Piastri by 61 points in the Championship standings. Adding to Red Bull’s misery, Yuki Tsunoda once again failed to score points — his ninth race for the senior team since debuting in Japan. He was engaged in a duel with Franco Colapinto and ultimately caused a collision which spun the Argentine driver and was punished with a 10-second penalty as a result. While his debut performance at Suzuka can be forgiven given the circumstances, this marked his fourth consecutive non-points finish and the fifth overall. To make matters worse, Liam Lawson — the very driver Tsunoda replaced — has outscored him since the switch, with 12 points to Tsunoda’s 7. Lawson even managed to outperform both Red Bull drivers with an impressive 6th-place finish at the Red Bull Ring. After the weekend, Christian Horner summed it up bluntly, calling it a “home race to forget.” It would be unfair to place all the blame on Tsunoda for what to-date had been an underwhelming performance. The issue speaks to broader mismanagement within the team. The driver swap was an early panic move — part of a pattern Red Bull has shown in recent seasons. Tsunoda’s struggles may suggest the team was right not to promote him last winter, but they also placed him in a role with sky-high expectations that were nearly impossible to meet. This recurring cycle of promoting young academy drivers only to quickly lose faith in them is clearly not a sustainable path to long-term team success. Strong Race Pace from Stake F1 plus Midfield Updates Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto delivered an impressive performance for Stake by qualifying 8th, marking his first-ever Q3 appearance. Meanwhile, it looked to be a difficult day for his veteran teammate Nico Hülkenberg, who started from the back of the grid. However, Hülkenberg fought his way through the field, and both drivers ultimately finished in the points, securing Stake's first double-points finish of the season. Elsewhere on the grid, it was a disastrous day for Williams, who suffered a double DNF. Carlos Sainz didn’t even make the start, as his car failed during the formation lap and caught fire in the pit lane, ending his weekend before it began. Alex Albon was also forced to retire after just 17 laps, marking his third consecutive DNF. Williams has scored only 4 points over the last four races, and their current fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship is now under serious threat from a resurgent Racing Bulls team. As a reminder, Williams has opted not to further develop their 2025 car, instead focusing resources on next year’s entry ahead of major regulation changes. Nonetheless, the car has shown solid pace in the midfield, and resolving their recent mechanical issues will be crucial if they hope to maintain their position in the standings. Racing Refresh Driver of the Day Lando Norris, McLaren Final Points Finishing Positions 1st: Lando Norris 2nd: Oscar Piastri 3rd: Charles Leclerc 4th: Lewis Hamilton 5th: George Russell 6th: Liam Lawson 7th: Fernando Alonso 8th: Gabriel Bortoleto 9th: Nico Hulkenberg 10th: Esteban Ocon Next on the F1 Schedule: British Grand Prix: July 4th-6th

Photo from www.x.com/f1 By Ryan Wu In one of the most thrilling races of the season, Lando Norris claimed his first-ever win at his home Grand Prix, cutting the Championship gap to just eight points behind his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. Neither McLaren driver started from pole, as Max Verstappen delivered a stunning final lap in Q3 to snatch the top spot, edging Piastri by just over a tenth of a second. Rain loomed large over the race, with heavy showers hitting the track just before lights out. Chaos struck immediately. At the end of lap 1, a collision between Esteban Ocon and Liam Lawson ended Ocon’s race and triggered the first Virtual Safety Car (VSC). The second VSC came after Gabriel Bortoleto lost control while warming his tires and was forced to retire. On lap 11, a thrilling duel unfolded between Norris and Verstappen. When Verstappen ran wide at Chapel, McLaren surged to a 1-2. But a slow double-stack pit stop cost Norris dearly, handing the position back to Verstappen. As rain intensified, the full safety car was deployed on lap 14. Racing resumed three laps later, only for another safety car to be called when Isack Hadjar rear-ended Kimi Antonelli, taking both rookies out of the race. During this second safety car period, Piastri was handed a 10-second penalty for excessively slowing the pack—briefly allowing Verstappen to pass. It marked a tough day for the Championship leader, whose 13-second advantage had already been wiped out by the first safety car. When racing resumed, a rare unforced error from Verstappen saw him spin and tumble down to ninth, where he immediately came under pressure from Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon in the Williams cars. With Piastri yet to serve his penalty, Norris managed the gap to perfection. When McLaren called in Piastri on lap 43, Norris stayed out and crossed the line first to claim a historic win—despite late pleas from Piastri to impose team orders, believing his penalty to be unjust. A Long Time Waiting for Hülkenberg After qualifying 20th last week, Nico Hülkenberg managed a slight improvement at Silverstone, starting 19th. At that point, it seemed his long-awaited podium would have to wait yet again. But sports often defy expectations—what seems inevitable can quickly be turned on its head. In a chaotic, rain-soaked race on Sunday, Hülkenberg finally shed the unwanted distinction of holding the record for the most Formula 1 starts without a podium—a record he led by 110 races heading into the weekend. After 239 career starts, the German driver at last earned his place among the top three. He surged to 10th within the first three laps and climbed to third by lap 10. From there, a composed and resilient drive—fending off none other than seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton—sealed a long-overdue celebration. Hülkenberg’s joy was evident as he proudly held up the Lego-built trophy, a fitting symbol of a career milestone finally reached. Rookie Report To put it plainly, this was a disastrous day for rookie drivers. Franco Colapinto, whose F1 future is increasingly uncertain amid strong rumors of an impending replacement by Valtteri Bottas, didn’t even make it to the starting grid due to a clutch failure in the pit lane. Of the remaining rookies, none except Oliver Bearman managed to finish the race—though Bearman’s outing was far from clean. He was involved in a late-race collision with Esteban Ocon, causing both cars to spin. To make matters worse, Bearman was also handed a 10-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement during qualifying. Racing Refresh Driver of the Day Nico Hulkenberg, Stake Final Points Finishing Positions 1st: Lando Norris 2nd: Oscar Piastri 3rd: Nico Hülkenberg 4th: Lewis Hamilton 5th: Max Verstappen 6th: Pierre Gasly 7th: Lance Stroll 8th: Alex Albon 9th: Fernando Alonso 10th: George Russell Next on the F1 Schedule: Belgium Grand Prix: July 25th-27th

By Adam Carabine Happy Saturday everyone!  This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series travels to Chicago Illinois for the Grant Park 165 at the Chicago Street Course.   The Chicago Street Course is a street circuit course on the streets of Chicago.  The track is 2.14 miles long, and features 12 turns.  Last year’s winner at this race was Alex Bowman.   Tomorrow’s race will be 75 laps long (for a total of 160.5 miles), with stage breaks occurring at 20 – 45 – 75.  Pit road speed is 35 mph, and the caution vehicle runs at 40 mph.   This year, the NASCAR Cup Series has run 4,751 laps, for 6,881.84 miles so far this season.  No driver has completed every single lap, but Chase Elliott is one lap behind, and Tyler Reddick is five behind.   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Chicago Street: Michael McDowell 6.00 over 2 races Ty Gibbs 6.00 over 2 races Kyle Busch 7.00 over 2 races Justin Haley 9.00 over 2 races Austin Cindric 10.50 over 2 races   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Chicago Street: Josh Berry 36.00 over 1 race JH Nemechek 35.00 over 1 race Ty Dillon 35.00 over 1 race Christopher Bell 27.50 over 2 races AJ Allmendinger 27.50 over 2 races   The Chicago Street Course is a Road Course   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Road Courses: Chase Elliott 7.44 over 37 races (7 wins) SVG 8.92 over 8 races (2 wins) Tyler Reddick 12.16 over 28 races (3 wins) Chris Buescher 12.60 over 39 races (1 win) Christopher Bell 13.59 over 28 races (3 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Road Courses: Ryan Preece 24.88 over 25 races JH Nemechek 24.58 over 9 races Austin Dillon 23.98 over 41 races Riley Herbst 23.00 over 2 races Noah Gragson 22.36 over 11 races   Because the Chicago Street Course is so new to the NASCAR Cup Series, there is a two-way tie for winningest driver.  Shane Van Gisbergen and Alex Bowman have each won the race once, and that’s it.   Notable drivers who have not won at Chicago Street: Kyle Busch (has won at 24 other tracks) Denny Hamlin (has won at 19 other tracks) Joey Logano (has won at 19 other tracks) Kyle Larson (has won at 18 other tracks) Brad Keselowski (has won at 17 other tracks)   Shane Van Gisbergen earned his first Cup Series win at the Chicago Street Course – it was his first ever Cup Series race.   Based on average finish, Ty Gibbs and Justin Haley list Chicago Street as their BEST track, and Ty Dillon and Ryan Blaney list it as their WORST.   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 +614 pts Chris Buescher +587 pts Bubba Wallace +403 pts Chase Briscoe +360 pts William Byron +320 pts   Drivers Faring Worse than in 2024 Brad Keselowski -326 pts Ty Gibbs -287 pts Todd Gilliland -275 pts Joey Logano -275 pts Josh Berry -223 pts   Next, let’s look at who’s having their best and worst career year by Average Finish:   Best Career Year Chase Elliott 10.28 Christopher Bell 12.06 Chase Briscoe 14.89 Ryan Preece 17.83 JH Nemechek 19.11 Josh Berry 20.35 Todd Gilliland 20.53   Worst Career Year Cole Custer 23.94 Carson Hocevar 21.83 Zane Smith 19.56 Ty Gibbs 19.11   Rookie of the Year Battle SVG 268 (1 win) Riley Herbst 206   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 656 Toyota 641 Ford 610   Here is the same formula, but used on a team-vs-team basis:   Chartered Team Standings Hendrick 637 Joe Gibbs 617 Trackhouse 505 Penske 499 RFK 492 23XI 459 Spire 439 Legacy MC 436 Front Row 423 RCR 400 Kaulig 386 Hyak 328 Wood Bros 293 Haas Factory 235 Rick Ware 140   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 179 Ryan Blaney 145 Kyle Larson 134 Denny Hamlin 132 Tyler Reddick 128 Chase Elliott 106 Bubba Wallace 101 Austin Cindric 99 Alex Bowman 99 Carson Hocevar 91   Milestone Watch Chase Briscoe Looking for his 20th Career Top 5 Joey Logano Looking for his 170th Career Top 5   Here are the top 10 longest active winless streaks:   Winless Streaks Justin Haley 159 races Cole Custer 115 races Bubba Wallace 97 races Erik Jones 97 races Kyle Busch 75 races Michael McDowell 66 races Daniel Suarez 52 races Brad Keselowski 41 races AJ Allmendinger 38 races Alex Bowman 34 races   The race begins Sunday, July 6th 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 Krista Jasso/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.   Shane Van Gisbergen – This week: 10 – Last week: 14 After a healthy jump up the Power Rankings for winning in Mexico City, SVG had a really solid oval performance in Atlanta this past weekend.  He earned points in both stages, and ran in the Top 20 all day.  With a crazy race like Atlanta was, even just a solid finish is better than crashing out.   Christopher Bell – This week: 9 – Last week: 5 Unfortunately for Bell, he falls a few spots this week due to a rough race in Atlanta.  He scored his third DNF of the season, and finished 30th without even completing half of the laps of the race.    Erik Jones – This week: 8 – Last week: 11 Legacy Motor Club has been on a bit of a tear lately, as both Jones and his teammate John Hunter Nemechek have been racking up solid finishes.  Atlanta was no exception for Jones, as he managed to avoid most of the chaos and finished with a Top 5.   Kyle Larson – This week: 7 – Last week: 12 Larson has had a few struggles with consistency lately, and it actually found him falling out of the Top 10 of our Power Rankings last week.  This week he returns, though not in exactly convincing fashion.  His P17 at Atlanta was enough to bring him back into the Top 10, but he’s got some work to do to get back to the top.   Chris Buescher – This week: 6 – Last week: 13 It’s been a solid few weeks for RFK Racing as well, and Chris Buescher gets a well-deserved bump into the Top 10 of the Power Rankings.  He led 15 laps at Atlanta, earned 8 stage points, and finished in the Top 10.    Tyler Reddick – This week: 5 – Last week: 8 After a slow slide down the Power Rankings, it was a nice return to form for Tyler Reddick at Atlanta.  While he didn’t get the win, he had a reassuring evening for him and his team.  He won Stage 2, led 18 laps, and was in contention for the win up until the very end.  He wound up P4.   Ryan Blaney – This week: 4 – Last week: 4 Despite another terrible last-placed finish for Blaney (which once again wasn’t really his fault), he manages to hold onto his spot in the Power Rankings for now.  This is the last week his win in Nashville is more heavily weighted, so he could drop in the coming weeks if he doesn’t get some better luck when it comes to wrecks.   William Byron – This week: 3 – Last week: 2 Speaking of awful, no-good days, William Byron had one of his own and also had a DNF, finishing 37th. Silver lining – he did earn stage points in the first stage, and he continues to be the Regular Season points leader.    Chase Elliott – This week: 2 – Last week: 3 Chase Elliott had already been uber-consistent all season, and finally got the win that officially locks him into the playoffs in Atlanta.  There wasn’t really any doubt he’d make it to the Round of 16, but this sets it in stone now.  He also earned the most Stage Points of anyone, and had the most Quality Passes too.    Denny Hamlin – This week: 1 – Last week: 1 Hamlin was one of the many, many (many), cars that were involved in an early wreck. While he tried to limp it back around the track, he ended up having to take the DNF.  Despite this, he manages to hold onto the top spot based on some stellar weeks leading up to this.    Biggest Movers   Ross Chastain – This week: 18 – Last week: 7 Falls 11 places   Chase Briscoe – This week: 17 – Last week: 6 Falls 11 places   Alex Bowman – This week: 19 – Last week: 31 Gains 12 places   Rest of the List 11. Brad Keselowski LW: 15 +4 12. AJ Allmendinger LW: 10 -2 13. Carson Hocevar LW: 17 +4 14. Ryan Preece LW: 9 -5 15. Ty Gibbs LW: 20 +5 16. Bubba Wallace LW: 23 +7 17. Chase Briscoe LW: 6 -11 18. Ross Chastain LW: 7 -11 19. Alex Bowman LW: 31 +12 20. Zane Smith LW: 26 +6 21. Joey Logano LW: 16 -5 22. Kyle Busch LW: 21 -1 23. Todd Gilliland LW: 18 -5 24. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. LW: 29 +5 25. Austin Cindric LW: 22 -3 26. Justin Haley LW: 30 +4 27. Ty Dillon LW: 32 +5 28. Josh Berry LW: 19 -9 29. JH Nemechek LW: 28 -1 30. Daniel Suarez LW: 25 -5 31. Michael McDowell LW: 24 -7 32. Austin Dillon LW: 27 -5 33. Cody Ware LW: 34 +1 34. Noah Gragson LW: 33 -1 35. Cole Custer LW: 35 -- 36. Riley Herbst LW: 36 --

Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images By Logan Morris When NASCAR first announced that five races would be streamed on Amazon Prime, the news was met with excitement and some cautious criticism. After five broadcasts on the streaming service, it’s fair to say that the broadcasts themselves have been a major success. However, one drawback to this move has been a decline in overall viewership. The conventional wisdom is that a rise in younger viewers offsets any major loss of older viewers. But, I’m here to tell you I don’t think it’s that simple.  NASCAR is currently undergoing significant changes; it is a true period of transition. That is nothing new, of course; the changes for NASCAR have come fast and furious over the last few decades.  We saw the advent of what would become the NASCAR Playoffs, stage racing, shorter races, new venues, more road courses, and so on. But when NASCAR announced it would air five races on Prime, it made it more difficult for a decently sized portion of the fan base to watch, and in my opinion, that’s bad business.  Yes, I’m aware everyone will shout about how a younger audience outweighs losses, but that’s dismissive and disrespectful to people who have followed and supported the sport for decades. While it’s true that advertisers want younger eyes on their products, it’s not as if older people don’t spend money to support sponsors and the sport. The decline in viewership proves that NASCAR missed the mark by moving a section of races to Prime.  A 16 percent drop in overall viewership is nothing to scoff at. They also suffered a 36% drop in viewers over the age of 55. Why is that okay?  I know everything evolves and changes with time; that’s natural. But, NASCAR shouldn’t forget its roots in the process. If the sport were as broken as some of the younger fans suggest, then I don’t know how it’s lasted 77 years. NASCAR wasn’t built on street courses or road courses; it was built on rubbing and beating and banging. Look no further than Mexico City or the Chicago Street Course for examples of trying to do too much. What makes those locations so much more valuable than Chicagoland or Kentucky? Is it all in the name of money? Why? NASCAR is making plenty of money. NASCAR has tried to pay tribute to its roots occasionally over the years, and the return to North Wilkesboro and Bowman Gray Stadium is the kind of move NASCAR should be making. There’s an old adage, “What’s old is new again.”  Look at how those communities rallied around NASCAR’s return, especially when compared to the lacklustre LA Clash at the Coliseum experiment.  People claimed The Clash in LA attracted new fans. But unless they’ve been hidden away in a bunker, there’s not much evidence to back that up. I’m all for trying some new things and even expanding the footprint internationally under the right circumstances. However, what about fixing some of the messes NASCAR has made here? As I previously mentioned, what about Kentucky and Chicagoland?   What about Auto Club Speedway? That provided some of the best races this next-gen car has produced, but they tore it down to turn it into a short-track. The short-track now looks increasingly unlikely to come to fruition; at last check, much of what’s left of the track has been overtaken by a warehouse complex.  NASCAR should continue to meet its present and future with its past. Why not a return to Hickory Motor Speedway? What about South Boston Speedway? There’s a host of tracks that NASCAR could add to the schedule in place of the ever-growing road course portion of the schedule.  I’m not suggesting that every change that NASCAR has made over the last few decades has been a mistake. There are some more controversial changes that I’ve come to completely embrace and enjoy - stage racing and the playoffs come to mind. All I’m saying is there comes a point where it can go a little too far. You can’t simply alienate long-time fans in hopes of making new ones.  To paraphrase, NASCAR Hall Of Fame member Mark Martin recently said on the Kenny Wallace Show, the long-time fans will keep watching, but the people who NASCAR is trying to attract and keep glued to the sport are being sold something that isn’t what the sport was built on. They’re being sold something that chips away at the foundation of what sport is.  I know times change and things have to evolve and grow, but NASCAR is missing the mark in the way they’re trying to do that. Sometimes to go forward, you have to go back. NASCAR should lean less on things it hopes will draw new fans and more on its roots. I’m betting if they did that, they would draw more new fans than they think. After all, it worked very well for a long time.