Showing posts with label Denny Hamlin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denny Hamlin. Show all posts

Monday, March 16, 2026

NASCAR Race Weekend Recap (Las Vegas)

NASCAR Race Weekend Recap (Las Vegas

Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup); and Kyle Larson (O'Reilly);

NASCAR Cup

Hamlin Overcomes Speeding Penalty en Route to Las Vegas Win

Hamlin Overcomes Speeding Penalty en Route to Las Vegas Win

 

A refocused and rejuvenated Denny Hamlin drove the dominant car to victory in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

The NASCAR Cup Series victory was Hamlin’s first of the season, his third overall and second straight at the 1.5-mile track and the 61st of his career, good for 10th on the all-time list.

 

“I knew it took a few weeks to feel like driving,” Hamlin said. “Over the last couple weeks, I definitely regained my love of it, got refocused. These are great opportunities for us.”

 

His 61st victory broke a tie on the career list with Kevin Harvick.

 

“My name stands out amongst … there’s the legends of the sport,” said the 45-year-old Hamlin. “I feel very fortunate to be on the list. Those guys were far more talented than I have ever thought about being.

 

“I just work really hard. I still, to this day, work really hard at my craft to try to continue to get better. Days like today certainly make me feel happy about where I’m at in the sport still and what I can still do.”

 






Pole: Christopher Bell



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 3:00 pm ET for the ‘Goodyear 400’ at Darlington Raceway.



NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series

Kyle Larson Wins O’Reilly Series Sin City Sizzler!

Kyle Larson Wins O’Reilly Series Sin City Sizzler!

 

No matter the series, Las Vegas Motor Speedway agrees with Kyle Larson. 

 

Surging into the lead from the seventh position moments after the final restart on Lap 154 of 200, Larson pulled away to win The LiUNA!, becoming the fifth different winner in five NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season.

 

Larson crossed the finish line in Saturday’s race 2.557 seconds ahead of Chase Briscoe, who recovered from a brush with the outside wall and resulting flat tire to finish second.

 

“I was a bit nervous,” Larson said of the final run. “I knew the 00 (Creed) and Briscoe were ripping the top. I tried it once, and I didn’t feel good up there at all.

 

“I don’t know — clean air just must have meant a lot today. So, glad I was able to get the lead when it mattered.”

 






Pole: Sam Mayer



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will return on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 5:30 pm ET for the ‘Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200’ at Darlington Raceway.





NASCAR Trucks

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series did not race this weekend







Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘Buckle Up South Carolina 200’ at Darlington Raceway.




ARCA

The ARCA Series did not compete this weekend







Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. EST for the ‘Hickory 200’ at Hickory Motor Speedway..



 

source: NASCAR Media
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Monday, December 1, 2025

Michael Jordan Arrives in Court for #NASCAR Lawsuit

Michael Jordan Arrives in Court for #NASCAR Lawsuit

Could Blow Motorsports Apart

Michael Jordan Arrives in Court for #NASCAR Lawsuit

 

Michael Jordan's bitter fight against NASCAR headed to federal court on Monday in a jury trial that could tear apart the top motorsports series.

 

The legendary NBA great, 62, was pictured arriving at the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte for the case, brought by 23XI Racing, which he majority-owns, and another team, Front Row Motorsports.

 

"I did it for the smaller teams as well. It's not just me." M.J.

 

The antitrust allegations leveled by the two parties have alleged salacious personal communications within NASCAR, issues with its finances and a deep contempt between some of the top executives in the sport and its participants.

 

NASCAR claims it has done nothing wrong, insisting it has not violated antitrust law because it has done nothing to restrain trade beyond normal business practices.

 

"We will continue to defend and preserve it (Charter System), but make no mistake, the lawsuit puts this at risk". NASCAR CEO Steve Phelps

 

The judge in the case has already ruled that NASCAR has a monopoly over its market, in a significant win for Jordan's side. But it is now up to the six-person jury to decide whether the motorsports organization abused this power and broke antitrust laws.

 

Three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, who owns 23XI alongside Jordan and his longtime business manager, Curtis Polk, suggested that the gloves will be off during the two-week trial.

 

“Our fans have been brainwashed with their talking points for decades. Narratives pushed by media who are intimidated by them. Lies are over starting Monday morning. It’s time for the truth. It’s time for change.” Denny Hamlin

 

If NASCAR wins, it is unlikely that 23XI and Front Row would stay in business beyond 2026 and the six charters being held aside likely would be floated to other interested parties.

 

The last one sold went for $45 million, and NASCAR has indicated there is strong interest from potential buyers, including private-equity firms.

 





 

source: Daily Mail Media
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Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Remembering Martinsville Spring #NASCAR Event

Remembering Martinsville Spring #NASCAR Event

2025 Spring Victors: Denny Hamlin (Cup); Austin Hill (Xfinity); Daniel Hemric (Trucks)

Martinsville Speedway is a 0.526 mi oval short track in Ridgeway, Virginia, United States, a community of Martinsville, Virginia. The track has held a variety of events since its opening in 1947, primarily events sanctioned by NASCAR. Martinsville Speedway is owned by NASCAR and led by track president Clay Campbell.

 

This weekend, the track is host to another triple header; the last race before the championship winning race finale

 

Below is a recap of the 2025 Spring Martinville event:

 

NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin Win Spring Martinville Cup Race

Denny Hamlin Win Spring Martinville Cup Race

 

It didn’t take Denny Hamlin long to find the recipe for success in Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. 

 

Hamlin grabbed the lead on Lap 126 of 400 in the seventh NASCAR Cup Series race of the season and never looked back.

 

With flawless work from his pit crew, the driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota led 274 of the last 275 laps — with the only exception a lap credited to polesitter Christopher Bell, who raced side-by-side with Hamlin after the final restart on Lap 326.

 

Hamlin pulled away toward the end of the final 75-lap green-flag run and beat Bell, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, to the finish line by 4.617 seconds.

 

Christopher Bell finished second; Bubba Wallace placed third; Chase Elliott came in fourth and Kyle Larsoncompleted the top five.

 







Hamlin’s October 2025 win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway guarantees him the opportunity to compete for a Cup Championship at Phoenix.

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Austin Hill Survives NASCAR Overtime for Spring Martinsville Race

Austin Hill Survives NASCAR Overtime for Spring Martinsville Race

 

Diving underneath a trio of wrecking cars in the final corner of overtime at Martinsville Speedway, Austin Hill beat perennial bridesmaid Sheldon Creed to the start/finish line by 0.190 seconds to win Saturday’s US Marine Corps 250, giving Richard Childress his 100th Xfinity Series victory and earning a $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus for the unlikely winner.

 

Taylor Gray, seeking his first Xfinity Series win, held the lead until Turn 3 of the final lap, when Sammy Smith charged into the corner, spun Gray’s No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and knocked it into the outside wall.

 

Hill hit the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet of Justin Allgaier from behind, sending him crashing into Smith. Hill sneaked through on the bottom, bringing Creed with him, as Allgaier held on for third. In the surprising victory, Hill led less than a quarter of a mile before taking the checkered flag.

 

Sheldon Creed finished second; Justin Allgaier placed third; Brennan Poole came in fourth and Sam Mayer completed the top five.

 





Hill’s win last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway affords him the opportunity to compete for an Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix.

 

NASCAR Trucks

Daniel Hemric Captures First Career Truck Win

Daniel Hemric Captures First Career Truck Win

 

During the week before the Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge 200 at Martinsville Speedway, Daniel Hemric practiced his backflip.

 

It was the signature move he had been able to use just once in NASCAR national series competition — when he won the 2021 season finale at Phoenix Raceway to clinch the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship.

 

But on Friday, the 34-year-old from Kannapolis, North Carolina, had a chance to perform the celebratory move once again after capitalizing on the misfortunes of others — notably series leader Corey Heim — to win the first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race of his career.

 

Hemric even stuck the landing, reveling in the race win that earned him a coveted grandfather clock trophy and a $50,000 Triple Truck Challenge bonus as the highest-finishing series regular.

 

Tyler Ankrum finished second; Jake Garcia placed third; Chandler Smith came in fourth and Ben Rhodes completed the top five.

 

As they say, should Hemric manage to win again at Martinsville, he would advance to the Truck Round of Four.

 





 

source: NASCAR Media

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Tuesday, October 14, 2025

NASCAR Playoff Picture

#NASCAR Playoff Picture

NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, & Truck Series Compete at Talladega Superspeedway this Weekend

NASCAR Cup Series

 

Denny Hamlin is back in the Championship 4 with eyes on his first career NASCAR Cup Series title.

 

Hamlin passed teammate Chase Briscoe with four laps to go to take the lead and win the South Point 400 on Oct. 12 at Las Vegas.

 

The driver of the No. 11 Toyota used four fresh tires to work into the top three with 10 laps to go before passing Kyle Larson for second and working past Briscoe for the lead.

 

Three playoff drivers had major issues at Vegas. Ryan Blaney blew a tire early and crashed, finishing 38th. William Byron, in 2nd inside of 40 laps to go, crashed after running over a slowing Ty Dillon at the opening of pit road. Chase Elliott had a pit road penalty and never recovered back into the top 10, finishing 18th.

 





Xfinity Series

 

Aric Almirola denied Connor Zilisch a ticket to the Championship 4 with a pass with 10 laps to go to win the Focused Health 302 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Oct. 11 at Las Vegas.

 

Almirola made the pass and cleared Zilisch despite contact between the two leaders down the backstretch.

 

Zilisch can clinch a spot win or lose as soon as next week at Talladega given his playoff cushion (+82 to the playoff cutline), but he missed out on the win at Vegas.

 

Talladega looms next as a possible major shakeup around the playoff cutline, with the playoff field now knowing at least two drivers will advance to the final four on points.

 





Craftsman Truck Series

 

The Craftsman Truck Series returns to the track Friday for the second event in the round of eight. Only Corey Heim is assured a spot in the next round for the championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

 

Heim rallied to win October 3rd Ecosave 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, setting a single-season NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series record with his 10th win of the 2025 campaign, breaking the tie with Greg Biffle!

 





 

source: The Tennessean Media
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Monday, October 13, 2025

NASCAR / ARCA Race Recap (Las Vegas Motor Speedway / Bullring)

#NASCAR / #ARCA Race Recap (Las Vegas Motor Speedway / Bullring)

Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup); Aric Almirola (Xfinity); plus Trevor Huddleston (ARCA West)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 


NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin Seizes Vegas Victory to Clinch Championship 4 Berth

Denny Hamlin Seizes Las Vegas Victory to Clinch Championship 4 Berth

 

Denny Hamlin scored an emotional victory and claimed a significant career milestone with a dramatic NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 win in Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

Hamlin passed two cars in the final 10 laps, ultimately taking the lead from his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe with four laps remaining and then holding off the day’s most dominant driver, Kyle Larson, by 1.533 seconds to claim a series-best sixth win of the season and 60th of his Cup career.

 

The win secures the first of four positions for the Nov. 2 Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway — landing Hamlin his first title shot since 2021.

 

Hamlin was notably moved in the moments after climbing out of his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Instead of the typical playful banter the veteran normally delivers to the crowd after a win, the 44-year-old Virginian spoke more solemnly, mentioning his father Dennis, who has been ill.

 

“This win means a lot, this is the point where I kind of give the fans some [expletive], but not today, I appreciate you all so much,” said Hamlin, his eyes water-filled as he looked toward the crowded grandstands.

 

“Obviously, just want to say ‘hi’ to my dad and family back at home,” Hamlin added, his voice cracking with emotion. “We were hoping to get 60 [wins] today, but didn’t think we were. Just put the pedal down those last 10 laps and made it happen.”

 

Kyle Larson finished second; Christopher Bell placed third; Chase Briscoe came in fourth and Tyler Reddick completed the top five.

 






Pole: Denny Hamlin



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET for the ‘YellaWood 500’ at Talladega Superspeedway.


NASCAR Xfinity

Almirola Holds Off Zilisch for Thrilling Xfinity Series Win at Las Vegas

Almirola Holds Off Zilisch for Thrilling Xfinity Series Win at Las Vegas

 

An incredible race-long scramble among the day’s front-running trio of veteran Aric Almirola and young talents Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love ended in favor of the experienced Almirola, but he really had to earn this trophy in Saturday’s Focused Health 302 NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

Almirola, who led a race-best 107 of the 201 laps, took the lead for good from the season’s most dominant driver, Zilisch, with nine laps remaining and held off the championship leader by .696 seconds in one of the most competitive races of the season.


“Such an awesome opportunity to go race for an owner’s championship with [Gibbs’ late son] J.D. Gibbs’ name on the car,” Almirola said. “I’m having so much fun. This is the time of my life.

 

“Our car was good. Our car was really good, but the longer I ran the tighter I got and I was just struggling on the long run at the beginning of Stage 3 and finally on that re-start [with 23 laps remaining] I took off incredibly tight and couldn’t get going and was able to go chase the 88 [Zilisch] down. He looked pretty loose and I was able to capitalize on that.

 

“It was awesome racing them.”

 

Connor Zilisch finished second; Justin Allgaier placed third; Corey Day came in fourth and Nick Sanchez completed the top five.

 






Pole: Justin Allgaier



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET for the ‘United Rentals 250’ at Talladega Superspeedway.




NASCAR Trucks

Truck Enjoyed an Off Weekend







Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, October 17, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET for the ‘Love's RV Stop 225’ at Talladega Superspeedway.




ARCA West

Trevor Huddleston Consolidates West Series Points Lead with Victory at Las Vegas

Trevor Huddleston Consolidates West Series Points Lead with Victory at Las Vegas

 

Although he did not officially clinch the ARCA Menards Series West championship at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, Trevor Huddleston got one step closer to securing that milestone.

 

The veteran racer put together a stellar performance in the Star Nursery 150 to pick up an important fourth victory on the 2025 season. Huddleston dealt with several late cautions, one of which was extended due to weather, but survived the attrition to celebrate his first trip to Victory Lane at The Bullring.

 

When the day started, Huddleston doubted he would have a car capable of being able to contend at the front of the field. Despite the adversity, Huddleston’s faith in his High Point Racing team was rewarded, as he now has the West Series title within his grasp.

 

“We did not unload good,” Huddleston said. “[My crew] stuck to it and they made it happen. That was a little rough, but it was an amazing battle with everybody. “

 

“We had some transmission issues,” Huddleston said about his battle with Keller. “I lost it into neutral, hit the rumble strips and got into Kyle. It was a bummer deal and I knew we were going to have a great battle. People are going to be mad a little bit, but that’s part of racing I guess.

 

“Win number four is pretty awesome and I’m pretty speechless.”

 

Connor Hall finished second; Robbie Kennealy placed third; Thomas Annunziata came in fourth and Tanner Reif completed the top five.

 






Pole: Trevor Huddleston



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Saturday, November1, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. MT for the ‘Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100’ at Phoenix Raceway. This will be the last ARCA race of the 2025 Season.



The ARCA Menard Series (AMS) and ARCA Menard East Series (AMES) have concluded their 2025 Season. Brenden Queen won the AMS Championship while Isaac Kitzmiller captured the top spot in the AES

 

source: NASCAR Media
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Monday, September 8, 2025

NASCAR Race Recap (World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway)

#NASCAR Race Recap (World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway)

Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup) and Connor Zilisch (Xfinity).

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin’s Late Surge Sews Up Fifth Win of Season, Round of 12 Playoff Spot

Denny Hamlin’s Late Surge Sews Up Fifth Win of Season, Round of 12 Playoff Spot

 

In a race that featured a strange brew of divergent strategies, pole winner Denny Hamlin claimed his series-best fifth victory of the season and advanced to the Round of 12 of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

 

Finishing 1.620 seconds ahead of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe in front of a sellout crowd, Hamlin won Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway to earn his first victory at the 1.25-mile track and 59th of his career-11th all-time and one win short of Kevin Harvick in 10th.

 

Hamlin also delivered the 200th victory for Toyota. After taking the checkered flag, the 44-year-old driver had some choice words for his detractors in the grandstands.

 

“You can either get on the bandwagon or get run over by it,” Hamlin told the crowd, generating another chorus of boos.

 

But the reality is that Hamlin announced emphatically his stature as a serious contender for the championship that has eluded him during his 20-year Cup career.

 

“Yeah, it’s so big for everyone at Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing,” Hamlin said. “Progressive Toyota was great there at the end. So happy to get this victory. My dad’s not feeling well at home. Just shout-out to him…

 

“Fantastic day. Man, couldn’t be better.”

 

Chase Briscoe finished second; Chase Elliott placed third; Ryan Blaney came in fourth and Joey Logano completed the top five.

 






Pole: Denny Hamlin



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘Bass Pro Shops Night Race’ at Bristol Motor Speedway.


NASCAR Xfinity

Connor Zilisch Pours It on at Gateway, Lands Fourth Consecutive Xfinity Series Win, Regular-Season Title

Connor Zilisch Pours It on at Gateway, Lands Fourth Consecutive Xfinity Series Win, Regular-Season Title

 

Connor Zilisch’s dream season continued on a track he’d never raced before.

 

Holding off the rest of the NASCAR Xfinity Series field over a succession of restarts late in Saturday night’s Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Zilisch achieved a litany of milestones with his ninth victory as a rookie and 10th career.

 

First, and perhaps most important, the 19-year-old phenom secured the Regular Season Championship and accompanying bonus of 15 playoff points, beating reigning series champion Justin Allgaier for that distinction by 53 points.

 

With four straight victories, Zilisch tied the series record for consecutive wins shared by Sam Ard (1983) and Noah Gragson (2022). His win was the 16th this year for JR Motorsports, a single-season record for the team.

 

“Four in a row, seven of the last eight, that’s awesome,” said Zilisch, who enters next week’s playoff opener at Bristol Motor Speedway with 59 playoff points. “We’re going to celebrate this — and the Regular Season Championship.

 

“Man, this is going to be tough to keep up, honestly. It’s rare that you can go on a run like this. Every week I show up thinking, ‘Man, this is going to be the weekend that we just run eighth,’ and just aren’t great, but every weekend we show up and we’re a winning race car, and my pit crew executes, my team executes, everybody does their job, and we end up doing burnouts on the frontstretch.

 

“Yeah, it’s awesome to be able to do this and win this many races.”

 

William Sawalich finished second; Christian Eckes placed third; Brandon Jones came in fourth and Jesse Love completed the top five.

 






Pole: Connor Zilisch



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘Food City 300’ at Bristol Motor Speedway.




NASCAR Trucks

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Did Not Race






Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET for the ‘UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics’ at Bristol Motor Speedway.




ARCA

There Were No ARCA Races Last Weekend








Next Race: The ARCA Menard / East Series will return on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. ET for the ‘Bush’s Beans 200’ at Bristol Motor Speedway.


Next Race: Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 7:45 p.m. PT for the ‘NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame’ at All American Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media
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Monday, July 21, 2025

NASCAR / ARCA Race Recap (Dover)

#NASCAR / #ARCA Race Recap (Dover)

Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup); Connor Zilisch (Xfinity) plus Brenden Queen (ARCA)

Dover Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup); Connor Zilisch (Xfinity) plus Brenden Queen (ARCA)
Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 


NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin Holds Off Chase Briscoe in Double Overtime for Dover Victory

Denny Hamlin Holds Off Chase Briscoe in Double Overtime for Dover Victory

 

Denny Hamlin prevailed in Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway – a race that featured a 56-minute red flag for rain, late-race strategy decisions, and involved a pair of overtime restarts before the trophy was ultimately settled between a pair of Joe Gibbs Racing teammates.

 

But the veteran Hamlin got it all right when it mattered most, getting a jump on the field in both overtime restarts and in the end holding off newest teammate Chase Briscoe, who was even on fresher tires. It marks back-to-back wins at the Dover concrete mile for Hamlin and a NASCAR Cup Series-best fourth victory of 2025.

 

“Things were going pretty well there before the rain and then obviously had to endure a few restarts there,” said a smiling Hamlin, 44, who collected his 58th career Cup victory and first trophy since the birth of his son, Jameson, last month. “It was tough, those guys gave me a run for it, no doubt about it. Winning here at Dover is super special to me. This is a place I had not been very good at the first half of my career and then to have back-to-back (wins) here the last couple years is amazing.”

 

Chase Briscoe finished second, Alex Bowman placed third,  Kyle Larson finish fourth and Ty Gibbs completed the top five.

 






Pole: Chase Elliott



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET for the Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


NASCAR Xfinity

No Road Course, No Problem: Zilisch Wins Rain-Shortened Xfinity Race

No Road Course, No Problem: Zilisch Wins Rain-Shortened Xfinity Race

 

Lest anyone doubt the all-around natural racing talent of 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, the rookie claimed a series best fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series victory on the season in Saturday’s rain-shortened BetRivers 200 at the one-mile Dover Motor Speedway.

 

Zilisch led 77 of the race’s 134 laps in his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet before NASCAR was forced to call the scheduled 200-lap race early because of rain. A pair of Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas, driven by former NASCAR Cup Series veteran Aric Almirola and Xfinity regular Brandon Jones rounded out the top three.

 

Although he qualified third — three rookies topped the starting grid — Zilisch ran first or second for most of the race, ultimately taking the lead for good on the restart following the Stage 2 break.

 

“We’ve been showing it lately,” a smiling Zilisch said when he was informed on pit road the race was official and he was the winner. “First of all, I hate that we couldn’t finish the race the right way. Aric [Almirola] was really fast and was going to give me a run for my money. Props to him for making me work for it.

 

“Still really proud of this JR Motorsports team. … We capitalized on all fronts, had good pit stops both stages and put ourselves in a position to be in the right spot when the rain fell. Very thankful.”

 

Aric Almirola finished second. Brandon Jones placed third, Justin Allgaier finished fourth and Jesse Love completed the top five.

 






Pole: Taylor Gray



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 4:30 pm ET for the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.




NASCAR Trucks

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Did Not Rac







Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET for the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.].




ARCA

Brenden Queen Masters the Monster Mile for Fourth ARCA Victory of 2025

Brenden Queen Masters the Monster Mile for Fourth ARCA Victory of 2025

 

A busy weekend for Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen got off to a perfect start during Friday’s General Tire 150 at Dover Motor Speedway, the first of four combination events between the national ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East this season.

 

Queen controlled the race from the opening green flag, pulling away to secure a commanding, wire-to-wire victory. The triumph was not only Queen’s fourth victory on the 2025 ARCA Menards Series season, but also his first with the East Series.

 

The day was not without some tribulations for Queen, who briefly had to nurse a broken track bar during the middle portion of the General Tire 150. Once the issue was repaired during the second race break, Queen returned to his dominant form and finished off his stellar performance in Victory Lane.

 

“This team is so bad to the bone,” Queen said. “I thought it was over. I never give up, but I something broke there, but these guys knew what it was and got it fixed. Just a bad to the bone race car tonight.”

 

Along with his victory, Queen also enjoyed a successful points day at Dover Motor Speedway. Lavar Scott and Lawless Alan, his closest pursuers in the ARCA Menards Series stadnings, endured separate tire issues during the General Tire 150, relegating them to several laps down in the running order and costing both significant ground to Queen in the ARCA Menards Series standings.

 

Camden Murphy finished second. Isabella Robusto placed third. Isaac Kitzmiller came in fourth and Tyler Reif completed the top five.

 






Pole: Brenden Queen



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 5:30 pm EST for the LiUNA! 150 presented by Dutch Boy at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.



 

source: NASCAR Media
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Sunday, June 8, 2025

NASCAR / ARCA Michigan Race Weekend Recap

#NASCAR / #ARCA Michigan Race Weekend Recap

Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup); Stewart Friesen (Trucks) plus Brenden Queen (ARCA)

Michigan Winners: Denny Hamlin (#NASCAR Cup); Stewart Friesen (Trucks) plus Brenden Queen (#ARCA)
Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin Manages Michigan Mileage, Seals Third Cup Series Win of Season

Denny Hamlin Manages Michigan Mileage, Seals Third Cup Series Win of Season

 

Denny Hamlin landed his third victory of the NASCAR Cup Series season, coming out ahead in a fuel-mileage contest Sunday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway.


Hamlin led just five of the 200 laps in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400, guiding the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to a 1.099-second margin of victory. His third win at the 2-mile Michigan track was the 57th of his Cup Series career.

 

Chris Buescher placed second in the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford. Ty Gibbs wound up third with Bubba Wallace fourth and Kyle Larson completing the top five.

 

“No, not really,” Hamlin said, insisting he wasn’t overly worried about running out of fuel in the closing laps. “I wanted to get the lead, and obviously he [Byron] was doing a really good job defending.


“Sorry, but I beat your favorite driver,” a grinning Hamlin – in his 701st career series start – addressed the rowdy Michigan crowd.


“This whole team just stepped up,” he said. “Great job. We’ve been so fast this entire year, just haven’t finished it for one reason or another, so it feels good to come to Michigan, where we’ve been so close the last couple of years. 


“Such a gratifying day to restart 11th or 12th and charge to the front,” added Hamlin, who has now won multiple races in the last seven consecutive seasons.





Pole: Chase Briscoe



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 3:00 pm ET for the Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.


NASCAR Xfinity

Xfinity Series Did Not Race This Weekend.








Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 4:30 pm ET for the The Chilango 150 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.




NASCAR Trucks

Stewart Friesen Snaps 72-Race Winless Streak in Truck Series at Michigan

Stewart Friesen Snaps 72-Race Winless Streak in Truck Series at Michigan

 

Stewart Friesen hoisted his first trophy of the season in Saturday afternoon’s triple overtime DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 at Michigan International Speedway — a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series vrace that didn’t want to end, ultimately featuring 14 extra laps.

 

The victory snapped a 72-race winless streak for the Canadian driver Friesen, who had not been among the race’s front-runners all day but was where he needed to be when it counted, collecting his first trophy since 2022 at Texas Motor Speedway. His No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota beat Grant Enfinger’s Chevrolet by 0.111 seconds.

 

With most drivers opting for the outside row for lane choice on the final restart, Friesen moved up and took the inside position on the front row alongside Enfinger. The two of them dueled it out over the next two overtime laps to settle the trophy. Neither had a win this season coming into the race.

 

“I don’t know what to say, thank you to Chris, Halmar and all these sponsors and all these race fans, I know there’s a lot of Canadians and a lot of Americans,” Friesen said as the crowd began a huge roar of approval for the 41-year-old Ontario native as he celebrated his fourth career win.

 






Pole: Luke Fenhaus



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm ET for the MillerTech Battery 200 at Pocono Raceway.




ARCA

Brenden Queen Fends Off Corey Heim for 3rd ARCA Menards Series Victory of 2025

Brenden Queen Fends Off Corey Heim for 3rd ARCA Menards Series Victory of 2025

 

Earning another ARCA Menards Series checkered flag on Friday evening required Brenden Queen to put on a defensive clinic.

 

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Corey Heim, a late addition to Friday’s race, was a constant presence in Queen’s rearview mirror during the closing stages of the Henry Ford Health 200 at Michigan International Speedway. The only things Queen could do were break the draft and dump as much dirty air on Heim’s front bumper as he could.

 

Queen withstood Heim’s spirited charge to claim his third ARCA Menards Series victory across seven career starts. The final laps featured plenty of stress and included contact with Gio Ruggiero on the final restart, but the always jovial Queen was elated to celebrate a win in his first trip to Michigan.

 

“I have so much respect for [Heim] and Gio [Ruggiero],” Queen said. ‘What happened with me and Gio going into [turn] three [on the last restart], I’m not sure if I turned in early. If it was my fault, I’m sorry. We were racing for the win there.”

 

“I knew I was going to have to hold off Heim Time there, but it’s Bean Nation time tonight!”

 






Pole: Brenden Queen*



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 7 pm EST for the Berlin ARCA 200 at Berlin Raceway.



 

source: NASCAR Media
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Monday, April 7, 2025

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Darlington / Tucson Speedway)

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Darlington / Tucson Speedway)

Winners:  Denny Hamlin (Cup); Brandon-Jones (Xfinity); plus Tanner Reif (ARCA West)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics



NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin Steals Darlington Victory on Throwback Weekend

Denny Hamlin Steals Darlington Victory on Throwback Weekend

 

A perfectly executed overtime restart by Denny Hamlin following a clutch final pit stop by his Joe Gibbs Racing crew provided exactly the advantage the veteran needed to claim the trophy in Sunday’s NASCAR Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway.

 

Hamlin took the race lead out of the pits during the final late-race caution then bested the field on the ensuing restart, pulling his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota out front and ultimately to a 0.597-second victory over the day’s most dominant driver, Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron.

 

It’s the second-consecutive victory for Hamlin, who won last week at Martinsville, and it marks the first time he’s won back-to-back races since 2012 when he won at Bristol and then Atlanta the following week.

 

All smiles as he climbed out of the car, Hamlin gave all the credit to his pit crew. He was in third place at the time of the final caution — the yellow coming out for Byron’s Hendrick teammate Kyle Larson’s spin. The leaders seized the chance to pit for fresh Goodyear tires in anticipation of the overtime restart and Hamlin’s crew got him out of the pits first — ahead of 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Byron.

 

A perfect launch on the ensuing green flag gave Hamlin the victory over Byron, who led a race-best 243 of the 297 laps. It is Hamlin’s 56th career win, breaking a tie with NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace for 11th place on NASCAR’s all-time wins list.

 

“There’s two people I really love right now: my pit crew and Kyle Larson,” the 44-year-old Virginian Hamlin said with a grin. “Had a little assist there, so thank you.

 

“The pit crew just did an amazing job. They won it last week [at Martinsville]. They won it this week. It’s all about them.”

 






Pole: William Byron



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. ET for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.


NASCAR Xfinity

Brandon Jones Snaps 98-Race Winless Streak

Brandon Jones Snaps 98-Race Winless Streak

 

After diligently working through a 98-race winless streak over the last three NASCAR Xfinity Series seasons, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Brandon Jones reminded his competitors — and his fans — Saturday that he’s still a race winner and a title contender.

 

The well-liked 28-year-old Atlanta native took the lead on a restart with 12 laps remaining in Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 at the historic Darlington Raceway — beating 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott to the finish line by a healthy 1.105-second margin to hoist his first trophy since the Martinsville spring race on April, 8, 2022 — a span of 98 races.

 

The 1.366-mile Darlington track may be nicknamed “Too Tough to Tame,” but it certainly presented a tamer race than the series produced a week ago on the typically wild Martinsville half-miler. This weekend featured 14 lead changes among nine drivers — none of the changes up front a result of overly aggressive driving.

 

Instead, strategy, a fast car and unwavering belief in himself and his team made the difference for Jones.

 

“It’s nice for my confidence, right, but it’s also to prove to the haters and people that said I was incapable of doing it, wrong again,” said Jones, whose No. 20 JGR Toyota led 24 of the race’s 137 laps.

 

“This place is freaking awesome man, I love coming to Darlington,” he added, “Second win and just huge momentum. I knew we were on a high, just didn’t know when it was going to happen.”

 






Pole: Christopher Bell



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET for the SciAps 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.




NASCAR Trucks

No Truck Race Last Weekend







Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. ET for the Weather Guard Truck Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.




ARCA

Tanner Reif Saves His Tires, Makes Late Pass to Win West Series' Return to Tucson Speedway

#ARCA Tanner Reif Saves His Tires, Makes Late Pass to Win West Series' Return to Tucson Speedway

 

Going slow to go fast is the best way to describe Tanner Reif’s Saturday night at Tucson Speedway.

 

Reif started third, rode at the back of the field for most of the race, then roared to the lead with two laps to go to win the ARCA Menards Series West 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame.

 

“Everything was perfect,” Reif said in Victory Lane. “I had to work so hard for it, but this team, Central Coast Cabinets Racing, did such a good job setting this thing up. I was crying in the car. I had to compose myself.”

 

Saturday’s event, the first West Series race at Tucson since 2019, was an excellent example of an old-school tire saving race.

 






Pole: Jake Bollman



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The ARCA Series East will return on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. ET for the Rockingham ARCA 125 at Rockingham Speedway.



 

source: NASCAR Media
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