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Photo by Krista Jasso/Getty Images By Adam Carabine & Logan Morris Logan Morris: Hey, Adam! We’re back after this year’s second race at the newly renamed EchoPark Speedway, and what a wild one it was! The si-reen might still be ringing in Dawsonville!  Adam Carabine: It probably is! We shouldn’t be shocked to see Chase Elliott in victory lane, though I am surprised it took 18 races for him to get there this year.  PS - I’ve been to the Dawsonville Pool Room, friendly folks there! What did you think of the race - one of the rare Saturday night Cup Series adventures? LM: Overall, I enjoyed the race. Some of it left a little to be desired, and we will break that down. It was a long night!  The win for Elliott breaks a pretty lengthy winless streak. The grumbles of his fan base were getting louder every week.  I must say that I prefer races on Sunday afternoons. My Sunday felt a little off. AC: Yes, Elliott’s win broke a 44-race winless streak dating back to Texas last year, but he’s probably been the most consistent driver this season week in and week out.  He still has yet to finish outside of the Top 20!  I agree about the Sunday race thing, too - I was unable to watch the race live due to prior commitments, so I stayed up until 4am watching it!   The hometown hero got it done in Atlanta, and we saw some insane amounts of chaos and calamity.  Where do you want to start? LM: Well, we have to start with that big one that felt like it collected the entire field. Chaos doesn’t even begin to describe it. One of the greatest tracks in NASCAR history became nothing short of a parking lot in one fell swoop, that had cars getting beaten around like lotto balls. As spectacular of an image as that created, and it’ll be viral for a long time, a pile up like not really doesn’t say much for the quality of the race. I stand by the belief that Atlanta doesn’t have enough room to be an effective drafting style track.  AC: I’m not sure if you caught the interview with Joey Logano after he’d been released from the infield care centre, but he reacted live to watching the instant replay for the first time.  He was audibly shocked at the calamity of it all, and he’s a guy who’s been around the block and seen a few wrecks in his time!   I think Dale Jr. said it best on the broadcast - it’s not so much the high speeds that make Atlanta crazy, it’s the fact that the speeds don’t really get any slower in the corners.  The banking is now such that they can run full throttle and they lose maybe 5mph in the corners.  Then you add the narrowness of the track, and up to 40 cars all jockeying for position - it’s a wonder we haven’t seen something like this happen sooner.   However, the rest of the racing - including that final run to the finish - was absolutely fantastic.  It was so fun to watch many different drivers build up momentum and be able to pass, only to then be passed back again.  It really was a game of who can be at the front at the right time - the very end.    LM:  I agree that much of the rest of the night provided fantastic racing. However, when nearly half the field is wiped out and several others forced to kind of limp along for as much as they could, there is an asterisk that goes with it. I’ve seen fantastic racing in the All-Star Open or Clash heat races, but it doesn’t have quite the same juice because much of the field isn’t in the race. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is far from NASCAR’s first calamity, and it won’t be its last.  But, if I’m not mistaken, 36 cars out of the 40-car field were damaged somehow or another. I don’t know if that’s selling people on the greatness of the sport. It at times felt like a demolition derby.  AC: Fair enough, I suppose that does open the door to a bigger discussion than what we have time for right now - what makes NASCAR great?  I bet you could poll 100 fans and find 100 different answers.  It isn’t necessarily known for its clean racing, but let’s not get too far down that path.  Maybe later this offseason we can debate it! LM: No one appreciates the old school beating and banging nature of what NASCAR was built on more than I. But, I think races like last night can cross the line. You’re right, it’ll be a wonderful debate for another time, and I look forward to it. What else stuck out to you? AC: I think we’d be remiss if we didn’t touch on the first broadcast of the TNT portion of the schedule.  Many certainly praised the NASCAR on Prime broadcasts, and often with good reason.  What did you make of TNT - even though many of the on-air talent were actually the exact same! LM: I enjoyed it. We’ve talked about it before, but Dale Jr’s passion in the booth just shines through and is infectious.  I loved that there was an alt-cast on TruTV. I plan to pay some more attention to that this weekend in Chicago. I felt like it was also a coming down to earth broadcast for many of the Fox critics. So many seem to act as though Fox wants to go to commercials as often as they do. TNT did much of the same. It’s the difference between a streaming service and cable. Nothing more, nothing less.  I’m kind of glad the Prime portion of the schedule is over because so many people acted as though they found some way to reinvent the wheel as far as broadcasting NASCAR goes. As long as we have a true post-race show, I’m pretty easy to please. What did you think? AC: I’ll always give Dale Jr. his flowers - he’s got an amazing ability to describe the action and his enthusiasm is contagious.  I was watching the closing laps at about 3:30am and I was wide awake, partly due to the commentary!  I know you are staunchly against the anti-Fox arguments (especially when it comes to the Prime broadcast), but I still just found this product to be more enjoyable to watch.  I’ll take this booth any day over the Fox booth - and yes, that includes Mike Joy.  Finally before we hit our awards, we haven’t really had a chance to talk about the In-Season Tournament Bracket.  First of all, thoughts? Love it? Hate it? And second of all, any intriguing matchups to look for next week? LM: You know, at first I was pretty skeptical, but once I saw it in action and the way it meant a little more to the drivers, I’m looking forward to the next four rounds. It’s too soon to say that I want it back next year, but my first impressions are really positive. I mean, how about Ty Dillion giving Denny Hamlin fans some flak? When would you typically see that kind of playful jabs from him? I’d venture to say never.  If the drivers keep embracing it and showing their personalities, they could prove that there’s more charisma in this era than previously thought. How did you feel about it? AC: I agree entirely.  I like the idea, in theory, but it’s been so nice to see the drivers actually caring about it too.  There will probably be more to watch for as the bracket gets to the end, as the stakes get higher, but I think it’s a great concept and it gives the fans something else to think about while watching.  Okay, let’s get on to our awards now! Best Performer LM: My best performer has to be Brad Keselowski. I know he came up short, but he had his best race of the season. I felt a little bad for him coming up short. He proved he’s still a very capable force on the drafting tracks.  AC: I felt so bad for him, it really looked like he was going to finally get off the schneid, but Elliott stole his thunder at the last minute.  My best performer is going to go to Carson Hocevar.  There’s lots of chatter around him - is he too aggressive, does he need to grow up, etc.  I care less about that and more about the fact that this guy continually drives his way up through the field and has solid speed nearly every week.  In Atlanta he had the highest Pass Differential of any driver, +39 (meaning he passed others 39 times more than he got passed).  He’s certainly a talented guy, and I think he is improving each week. Biggest Move of the Race LM: My biggest move of the race has to go to Alex Bowman. He made it impossible for Brad Keselowski to have any shot of passing the 9, simply because Bowman refused to push him! Elliott owes Bowman a steak dinner!  AC: No kidding, that was some incredible teamwork there - especially after Hendrick Motorsports had one of its worst days the week before.  I’m having trouble narrowing down the single biggest move, and so I’m going to give a bit of a cop-out answer and say whoever was passing for the lead in the final 30 or so laps.  There were some amazing divebombs, crossover moves, and just overall amazing driving being done by the leaders, and so I just wanted to shout them all out for keeping it clean and yet so, so entertaining. Biggest Disappointment LM: I’m going to take the low-hanging fruit on this one and say Ryan Blaney. In this era of Atlanta, Blaney has proven his prowess. But Saturday night was another lowlight in what is, in many ways, a miserable season for him. Yes, he’s going to the playoffs. But, overall, this season has left a lot to be desired so far.    AC: If I had a dollar for every time that Blaney has been turned into the outside wall in a violent head-on collision, I’d have way more money than I would like to for such things.  This season must be taking a toll on his body after all of these wrecks he’s been involved in - and truly a lot of it is just simply bad luck. I’ll go with Keselowski as my biggest disappointment - but really just that I’m disappointed he couldn’t get the dub. What to Watch for Next Weekend LM: This weekend we head to the streets of Chicago. Alex Bowman got it done here one year ago. This is also the place where SVG burst on the scene. It seems to be a yearly question of wondering if the weather will cooperate, and we’re not sure if NASCAR will return to Grant Park next year. Is this the year calamity doesn’t break out? AC: I hope so - I actually think the course is fun, and it has potential if we can remove the weather and other distractions from the race.  Last year we had a somewhat surprise winner in Alex Bowman, could we be in for another surprise?  When it comes to tracks that are newer to the schedule, there’s just less reps for any of the drivers/teams and so that leads to more mistakes.  I’m looking forward to seeing how it shakes out! LM: Let’s go back to that same old place, sweet home Chicago!

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) Veteran spotter Tab Boyd has joined Joe Gibbs Racing after being let go from Hyak Motorsports due to controversial comments about Mexico City. He’ll now be spotting for Christopher Bell, who recently parted ways with longtime spotter Stevie Reeves. Boyd’s new role begins this weekend at EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway. While we don’t yet know if this is a long-term deal, we’re eager to see how the new pairing works out. We’ll be keeping an eye on their performance and sharing updates on RacingRefresh.com .

Press Release | CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY Charlotte Motor Speedway and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) are gearing up to serve beyond the speedway. The longtime partners have announced an enhanced approach to deepen community engagement and address food security through the expansion of its “Drive Out Hunger” campaign. “Charlotte Motor Speedway has proudly partnered with Blue Cross NC for 14 years,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway Vice President of Sales Matt Long. “Blue Cross NC is an organization dedicated to impacting lives and influencing positive change in the communities it serves. We look forward to building on that mission through a renewed commitment to initiatives around food security.” The partnership will put a new focus on improving health through food for North Carolinians with food drives at speedway events. The first drives are scheduled as part of the Summer Shootout, a grassroots racing event at the speedway each Tuesday night through July. Fans who donate canned food items to the cause will get $2 off admission to the event. “Charlotte Motor Speedway is a critical partner in our mission to build a healthier future for all and we value their support to open more pathways to healthy food,” said Dr. Marcus Wallace, Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross NC. “Ensuring access to nutritious foods is essential for improving health through food.” Since 2021, the “Drive Out Hunger” campaign has raised $30,000 for Charlotte-area nonprofits addressing food insecurity, executed food donation drives in conjunction with the Latin America Chamber of Commerce and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and collected more than 10,000 pounds of food to donate to Second Harvest. As Charlotte Motor Speedway and Blue Cross NC enter a new phase of their partnership, they have rebranded the Drive for the Cure 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Starting with the 2025 event, the race will be known as the Blue Cross NC 250 will honor breast cancer warriors through its annual Paint the Wall Pink event. For more information on how you can support community access to nutritious foods at speedway events throughout the year, including the grassroots Summer Shootout events and Speedway Christmas, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/drive-out-hunger. (Photo Courtesy Charlotte Motor Speedway)

By Adam Carabine Happy Friday everyone!  This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series travels to Atlanta, Georgia for the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway.   Atlanta is a 1.54-mile quad-oval track that races like a Super Speedway.  Opening in 1960, the first NASCAR winner was Fireball Roberts that same year.  Last year’s winner at this race was Joey Logano, and Christopher Bell won the spring race earlier this year.   Tomorrow’s race will be 260 laps long (for a total of 400.4 miles), with stage breaks occurring at 60 – 160 – 260.  Pit road speed is 90mph in sections 1 and 2, then 45mph after that.  The caution vehicle runs at 55 mph.   The fuel window is between 73-78 laps.   This year, the NASCAR Cup Series has run 4,491 laps, for 6,481.44 miles so far this season.  No driver has completed every single lap, but Chase Elliott is one lap behind, and William Byron is four behind.   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Atlanta: Ryan Blaney 9.57 over 14 races (1 win) Chase Elliott 12.15 over 13 races (1 win) Carson Hocevar 12.33 over 3 races Kyle Busch 12.77 over 31 races (2 wins) Austin Cindric 15.25 over 8 races   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Atlanta: Noah Gragson 31.43 over 7 races Cody Ware 30.56 over 9 races SVG 27.50 over 2 races Michael McDowell 25.84 over 19 races Josh Berry 25.00 over 4 races   Atlanta is a smaller version of a Super Speedway.   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Super Speedways: JH Nemechek 15.90 over 10 races Bubba Wallace 16.27 over 31 races (1 win) Austin Cindric 16.29 over 15 races (2 wins) Denny Hamlin 17.24 over 78 races (5 wins) Chase Briscoe 17.39 over 18 races   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Super Speedways: Cody Ware 23.03 over 18 races Daniel Suarez 22.85 over 34 races Ryan Preece 22.64 over 22 races Zane Smith 22.63 over 8 races Carson Hocevar 22.50 over 7 races   Dale Earnhardt is the winningest driver at Atlanta, having won 9 races there.  Cale Yarborough is 2nd, with 7 wins to his name.  As far as current drivers go, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and William Byron all each have 2 wins at Atlanta.   Notable drivers who have not won at Atlanta: Kyle Larson (has won at 18 other tracks) Tyler Reddick (has won at 8 other tracks) Alex Bowman (has won at 8 other tracks) Ross Chastain (has won at 6 other tracks) Chris Buescher (has won at 6 other tracks)   No current drivers won their first Cup Series race at Atlanta.   Based on average finish, no drivers list Atlanta as their BEST track, but Noah Gragson lists it as his 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 +585 pts Chris Buescher +567 pts Bubba Wallace +418 pts Chase Briscoe +409 pts William Byron +376 pts   Drivers Faring Worse than in 2024 Brad Keselowski -385 pts Ty Gibbs -295 pts Todd Gilliland -260 pts Alex Bowman -244 pts Joey Logano -242 pts   Next, let’s look at who’s having their best and worst career year by Average Finish:   Best Career Year Chase Elliott 10.82 Christopher Bell 11.00 Chase Briscoe 13.71 Ryan Preece 18.00 JH Nemechek 18.71 Josh Berry 20.35 Todd Gilliland 20.53   Worst Career Year Cole Custer 24.24 Brad Keselowski 23.41 Carson Hocevar 22.53 Zane Smith 20.29 Ty Gibbs 19.41   Rookie of the Year Battle SVG 248 (1 win) Riley Herbst 197   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 616 Toyota 608 Ford 575   Here is the same formula, but used on a team-vs-team basis:   Chartered Team Standings Hendrick 597 Joe Gibbs 594 Penske 498 Trackhouse 492 RFK 457 23XI 426 Spire 412 Legacy MC 404 Front Row 393 RCR 383 Kaulig 357 Hyak 297 Wood Bros 288 Haas Factory 217 Rick Ware 116   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 172 Ryan Blaney 145 Kyle Larson 134 Denny Hamlin 132 Tyler Reddick 118 Bubba Wallace 100 Chase Elliott 95 Alex Bowman 92 Austin Cindric 89 Christopher Bell 89   Milestone Watch Chase Elliott Looking for his 20th Career Win Chase Briscoe Looking for his 20th Career Top 5 Joey Logano Looking for his 170th Career Top 5 Erik Jones Looking for his 40th Career Top 5 Chase Elliott Looking for his 180th Career Top 10 Chris Buescher Looking for his 80th Career Top 10 Carson Hocevar Looking for his 10th Career Top 10 Tyler Reddick This will be his 200th Career Cup Series Race   Here are the top 10 longest active winless streaks:   Winless Streaks Justin Haley 158 races Cole Custer 114 races Bubba Wallace 96 races Erik Jones 96 races Kyle Busch 74 races Michael McDowell 65 races Daniel Suarez 51 races Chase Elliott 44 races Brad Keselowski 40 races AJ Allmendinger 37 races   The race begins Saturday, June 29th at 4:00 pm EST (1:00 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!

Press Release | KALITTA MOTORSPORTS Twenty-five years ago, when people around the country were watching Survivor, ER, Friends, NYPD Blue and The West Wing on television and seeing movies like Cast Away, The Perfect Storm, Men of Honor and Meet the Parents in theaters, Connie Kalitta was busy building an airline. The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series resumes this weekend with the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. A quarter century later, the NHRA legend leads one of the largest cargo airlines in the world with a fleet of Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft. With its first 25 years as a sound foundation, Kalitta Air’s potential is unlimited. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Shawn Langdon’s Top Fuel dragster will sport special 25th anniversary livery for the remainder of the 2025 season starting this weekend. “I could not be happier for everyone at Kalitta Air to celebrate 25 years of what we have built together,” Kalitta said. “It makes me very happy to see both the aviation and racing businesses embrace one another and continue to build a strong relationship that benefits both businesses tremendously. It’s the people that make both businesses successful whether that be in the air, or on the track.” “It is such an honor to race for Connie Kalitta and the Kalitta organization,” Langdon said. “And it’s awesome to be part of Kalitta Air’s 25th anniversary. I’m proud to have Kalitta Air on my car, and I love the look of the 25th anniversary car. We all know what a legend Connie is, and really, for me, there’s nothing better than coming back from a good run or winning a race and seeing that smile on Connie’s face.” Kalitta has a lifetime of experience in the airline industry that goes back to 1967 when he began transporting parts for the automotive industry with a twin engine Cessna 310 that he piloted himself. He started his first airline with money he won in drag racing. Over the years, Kalitta grew from a one airplane operation into a substantial airline conglomerate. Although its evolution included multiple different iterations, Kalitta Air received its DOT and FAA authority to begin operations in November 2000 and immediately began revenue service. “Connie’s vision has always united the best of aviation and racing — two worlds built on speed, precision, and teamwork,” Kalitta Air Acting Vice President and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Heath Nicholl said. “But it’s our team members who bring that vision to life every day. Whether on the ramp, in the hangar, or at the starting line, their dedication drives everything we do. This 25th anniversary is a celebration of their hard work, their passion, and the legacy they continue to build.” Kalitta quickly obtained the necessary approvals from the government and secured contracts with the United States Postal Service and the Department of Defense. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 when airports were closed and all flights were grounded, the only plane in the sky that night was a Kalitta Air 747 hauling relief supplies from the West coast to aid disaster workers. In 2003, Kalitta was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for support of the Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom Operations. In the middle of the 2023 season, Kalitta Air began using Langdon’s Top Fuel team as part of its multi-faceted, multi-media effort to recruit pilots and mechanics to work at the airline. The program is performing as expected and will continue in the future. (Photo Courtesy Kalitta Motorsports)

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) Rick Ware Racing has been sold to T.J. Puchyr, co-founder of Spire Motorsports, marking a major shift in the NASCAR world. Even though T.J. stepped away from Spire recently, he's back and plans to turn RWR into a three-car Cup Series team by 2027. Rick Ware will stay on as a partner, his son Cody will keep driving the No. 51 Ford, and all current employees will remain with the team. The second charter, currently leased to RFK Racing, is expected to return in 2027, despite a legal dispute with Legacy Motor Club. We’re excited to see what this means for the future of the team and will be keeping an eye on all updates at RacingRefresh.com .

(Photo Credit: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) Hendrick Motorsports' part-time No. 17 Xfinity Series team was hit with a big penalty this weekend. Their crew chief, Adam Wall, got suspended for three races, and the team was fined $40,000, losing 40 owner points and 10 playoff points. Even with the penalty, Chase Elliott still earned the pole at Pocono, led the most laps at 38, and finished fourth. We’re keeping an eye on how this impacts the team going forward. Be sure to stay tuned to RacingRefresh.com for all the latest motorsports news.

Press Release | THE NASCAR FOUNDATION The annual Driven to Give Gloves Program from The Dale Jr. Foundation, one of the nonprofit’s most popular programs, returns this year to support the Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The annual auction, set for June 26, includes many noteworthy participants such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson and Joey Logano. During the NASCAR race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway in June, 70 NASCAR drivers will wear the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-inspired skeleton gloves during competition to help raise funds and awareness for the hospital’s life-saving work with children from all over the country. Every pair is autographed by both the driver who wore them in competition at Atlanta and by Earnhardt Jr., the NASCAR Hall of Famer with two Daytona 500 victories and a 15-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver. Each glove set has a certificate of authenticity as well. The proceeds will help support the Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund’s efforts to enable Nationwide Children’s Hospital to support the courageous patients and their families in the area of pediatric injury rehabilitation, research, and prevention. Auction Start Date and Time: Thursday, June 26 at 8:30p PT/ 11:30p ET Auction End Date and Time: Monday, June 30 at 8:00p PT/ 11:00p ET Starting Bid for all Gloves: $30.00 Once the auction is complete, the Gloves and Certificate of Authenticity will be shipped approximately four weeks after the auction ends. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Press Release | NHRA Deecell Power Systems, a groundbreaking solar-power system for haulers and sleeper cabs, has been named the Official Solar Power Unit of NHRA. Engineered for truckers, haulers, and sleeper cabs, Deecell offers clean, quiet, and reliable power, transforming mobile energy solutions for life on the road. Founder Andrew Moeck has been involved with NHRA Drag Racing for more than 30 years, competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series across the country, and was eager to find ways to help racers and teams increase fuel efficiency with a smarter solar solution by providing a sustainable alternative to emission-heavy generators. Along with the official partnership, Deecell will be involved in a variety of additional NHRA programs. As part of NHRA’s Friday Night Primetime night session in Seattle during the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways on Friday, July 19, Deecell will sponsor the "After Dark Low Qualifier," which will award a bonus to the low qualifier of the must-see night session in the four NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series categories. Deecell will also be the title sponsor of the Deecell Power Systems NHRA Comp Clash, which takes place in Competition eliminator at the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. "We're excited to be the Official Solar Power Unit of the NHRA. It’s a big moment. I've been racing in the NHRA Sportsman pits for years, and Deecell was created to solve the same generator problems we all deal with. So, bringing Deecell to the track as an official sponsor is a full-circle moment,” Moeck said. “We’ve already been met with a lot of positive feedback — racers are pretty pumped about the product, we’re making connections, and it’s only the beginning. We’re looking forward to growing with the NHRA community." A Deecell Solar Power Unit combines advanced solar technology with a compact, lightweight design, offering continuous power for critical systems without the need for fuel or frequent maintenance. It is currently available in three powerful configurations: a 10kW system ideal for most haulers and moderate power needs; a 15kW suitable for larger rigs with multiple A/C units or heavier electrical loads; and a dedicated sleeper cab system designed to deliver 120V AC Power 24/7 without idling. “We’re thrilled to welcome Deecell as the Official Solar Power Unit of the NHRA,” said NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber. “Their innovative technology and commitment to sustainability align with our vision for the future of drag racing. It’s even more meaningful knowing Andrew is a part of the NHRA racing family. That connection adds an exciting level to this partnership. We look forward to working together across multiple NHRA programs, including their support of the After Dark Low Qualifier program in Seattle and the Comp Clash in Indy.” For more information about Deecell, visit www.deecell.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/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.   AJ Allmendinger – This week: 10 – Last week: 18 With a solid numbers day for him last week in Mexico City, followed by a P21 that packed some underlying-numbers-gusto at Pocono (his pass differential was +45!), Allmendinger cracks into the Top 10 for the first time this season.  With two more road courses in the next three races, he could be up here for a while.  His oval program seems to be getting a bit better too.   Ryan Preece – This week: 9 – Last week: 8 It is curious that Ryan Preece and Tyler Reddick swapped places this week in the Power Rankings, considering Preece finished P8 at Pocono, while Reddick was a lap down.  Preece (and all of RFK, for that matter) have been much better lately, and it really comes down to underlying numbers that dictate where he is this week.    Tyler Reddick – This week: 8 – Last week: 9 It was a weekend to forget for Reddick at Pocono, and yet he still gains a spot in the Power Rankings.  While the potential brake issues for 23XI caused Reddick and his team to go to the garage and change the brakes on the right front, losing him two laps, the 45 car was still pretty fast. Finishing position doesn’t dictate everything, but it helps when you’re the fastest car on track for 22 laps in the race.   Ross Chastain – This week: 7 – Last week: 7 With an emphasis placed on the last five weeks of racing, this is the last week that Chastain’s win at the Coca-Cola 600 is weighted heavier in the Power Rankings formula.  While his results haven’t been all that terrible since then, expect to see him drop down some in the Power Rankings next week.    Chase Briscoe – This week: 6 – Last week: 10 We were just singing Briscoe’s praises last week in the Power Rankings article, and here he goes and wins the next race.  It’s Briscoe’s first win with JGR, and his first win in 26 races.  Out of all the SHR drivers from last year who moved forward, Briscoe getting offered the best equipment also came with some pressure.  He’s likely got more in the tank.   Christopher Bell – This week: 5 – Last week: 3 Christopher Bell got caught up in a wreck fairly early on in the race at Pocono, and it wound up setting the tone for the rest of the day for him, unfortunately.  Bell rallied back for a Top 20, but it was still his worst result in the past 8 races.  He’ll likely rebound and be fine, but he loses a few spots for his trouble along the way.   Ryan Blaney – This week: 4 – Last week: 5 Blaney, similarly to Ross Chastain, is still clinging onto his win at Nashville to keep his position in the Power Rankings.  A P3 at Pocono certainly helps things, which is why he moves up a spot this week, but he’s also got two DNFs in the last five races which would have a bigger negative impact on a winless driver.   Chase Elliott – This week: 3 – Last week: 4 Once again, Chase Elliott is NASCAR’s most consistent driver, at least in the Cup Series.  Another Top 5 for him in Pocono, and he gains another spot in the Power Rankings.  While he remains winless, and maybe needs a little more flash to get to the top spot, he’s comfortably 160 points above the playoff cutline, and I’m sure he’s quite pleased with that.   William Byron – This week: 2 – Last week: 1 Byron somehow remains the NASCAR Cup Series points leader despite a disappointing finish at Pocono.  That’s more a testament to how good he’s been this season.  He had a rough go in qualifying, had to repair the primary car, and then even made his way to the front for a bit.  Byron’s passing numbers on the day were solid, but the P27 finish drops him a spot in the Power Rankings.   Denny Hamlin – This week: 1 – Last week: 6 Hamlin may have taken a week off last week for the birth of his son, but he charges to the front of the Power Rankings this week after a very solid showing at his best track, Pocono.  With a win in his previous race (Michigan), a hard-fought P2 this weekend, and a P3 in Nashville, Hamlin’s spot atop the Power Rankings is well-deserved.  Can he hold onto it?   Biggest Movers   Kyle Larson – This week: 12 – Last week: 2 Falls 10 places   AJ Allmendinger – This week: 10 – Last week: 18 Gains 8 places   Rest of the List 11. Erik Jones LW: 14 +3 12. Kyle Larson LW: 2 -10 13. Chris Buescher LW: 13 -- 14. SVG LW: 11 -3 15. Brad Keselowski LW: 19 +4 16. Joey Logano LW: 12 -4 17. Carson Hocevar LW: 20 +3 18. Todd Gilliland LW: 16 -2 19. Josh Berry LW: 15 -4 20. Ty Gibbs LW: 23 +3 21. Kyle Busch LW: 24 +3 22. Austin Cindric LW: 22 -- 23. Bubba Wallace LW: 17 -6 24. Michael McDowell LW: 21 -3 25. Daniel Suarez LW: 31 +6 26. Zane Smith LW: 25 -1 27. Austin Dillon LW: 27 -- 28. JH Nemechek LW: 29 +1 29. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. LW: 29 -1 30. Justin Haley LW: 35 +5 31. Alex Bowman LW: 26 -5 32. Ty Dillon LW: 34 +2 33. Noah Gragson LW: 30 -3 34. Cody Ware LW: 36 +2 35. Cole Custer LW: 33 -2 36. Riley Herbst LW: 32 -4

Press Release | SPIRE MOTORSPORTS Today, Spire Motorsports announced road-racing standout Thomas Annunziata will pilot the team’s No. 07 Chevrolet Silverado for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series inaugural visit to Connecticut’s Lime Rock Park where TOP LINER will be showcased as the team’s primary sponsor. Annunziata brings over nine years of competitive experience, spanning multiple division’s including karting, sports cars, Trans Am and NASCAR’s developmental divisions. The newly minted 20-year-old looks to build on his well-established road-racing acumen and to carry that experience into his CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut at the mile-and-a-half, seven-turn Lime Rock Park layout. “It’s a dream to race for a top team in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for my debut race,” said Annunziata. “Spire Motorsports is one of the elite teams and I hope to get them another win.” The Colts Neck, N.J., native, has carved a swift path through the road-racing ranks, having made a name for himself in Trans Am and IMSA-sanctioned events. He began karting at age 10, ascended to the senior class by 2021 and was ranked among the world’s top karters that season. The three-time national karting champion transitioned to sports cars in 2022, where he swept both SCCA Spec Miata and Mazda Motorsports Spec MX5 Challenge titles and earned the $75,000 Mazda MX5 Cup Shootout scholarship. The Trans Am paddock took notice that same year when Annunziata earned a podium finish at Circuit of the Americas in just his second-career CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series start. In 2023, Annunziata became the only rookie to capture a pole position and win in TA2 competition. He went on to claim the series’ Young Guns Champion award in 2024 while balancing ARCA Menards Series’ duties that included a runner-up finish at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and a strong run at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Those efforts opened the door to a part-time NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule with Cope Family Racing in 2025. Meanwhile Annunziata continues to compete full time in the Trans Am TA2 Series where he’s notched victories at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. “Thomas drove for us in the Trans Am car and was on pace immediately,” said Claudio Burtin, Owner at TOP LINER and Team Principal at Burtin Racing. “He showed some unique car control. We look forward to mixing it up with the truck regulars and more to come!” The LiUNA 150 at Lime Rock Park will be televised live on FOX Saturday, June 28, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will also be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90. (Photo Courtesy Spire Motorsports)

Press Release | HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS Automotive cosmetic appearance services leader All-Pro Auto Reconditioning will become a primary sponsor of two-time DAYTONA 500 champion and current points leader William Byron through the 2030 season, representing an expansion of its existing partnership with 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports. In 2025, All-Pro will appear as a primary sponsor of Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet at two high-profile events: the Chicago Street Race on July 6 and the Cup Series playoff opener at Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31. The company will continue to grow its presence in subsequent seasons, serving as a primary sponsor for two races again in 2026, four races in 2027 and six races annually from 2028 through 2030. “From day one, partnering with Hendrick Motorsports has exceeded our expectations,” said Brett Boettcher, chief strategy officer for All-Pro Auto Reconditioning. “This expansion reflects our confidence in the relationship and what it delivers for our brand. Hendrick Motorsports embodies performance, precision and teamwork – the same values we bring to every customer we serve. As we grow nationally, aligning with William and the iconic No. 24 team will elevate our visibility, deepen customer relationships and attract top-tier talent to our company. We’re proud to take this next step and excited about the long-term impact it will have on our associates and our partners.” Byron, 27, opened 2025 with his second consecutive DAYTONA 500 victory and currently leads the Cup Series regular season standings after 17 races. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has already posted 14 career wins at NASCAR’s top level. “I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished with All-Pro in such a short time,” Byron said. “They’re a great partner with a shared commitment to performance. Having them become a primary sponsor shows that we’re delivering results, and it means a lot to me and the whole No. 24 team. We’re looking to build on our momentum and put All-Pro up front for years to come.” All-Pro originally joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2024, aligning with the No. 24 team as an associate sponsor. The partnership launched during a milestone year for both organizations, with All-Pro celebrating its 30th anniversary and Hendrick Motorsports marking its 40th in NASCAR. “It means a lot when a partner believes in what we’re doing and chooses to grow with us,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “The No. 24 team has competed at a high level, and William continues to elevate his role as a driver, a leader and a spokesperson. All-Pro is expanding the program because it supports business goals, strengthens their connection with customers and reflects the performance-driven culture they’ve developed. We’re proud of this long-term commitment and can’t wait to see what’s next.” (Photo Courtesy Hendrick Motorsports)