#NASCAR / #ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Charlotte / Colorado)

Winners: Daniel Suárez (Cup); Ross Chastain (O'Reilly); Layne Riggs (Trucks) plus Trevor Huddleston (ARCA West)

NASCAR Cup

Daniel Suárez Surges in Charlotte, Lands Emotional Coca-Cola 600 Victory

Daniel Suárez does a showman's bow in Victory Lane
following his Coca-Cola 600 triumph in honor of Kyle Busch.

Daniel Suárez claimed the third victory of his career when NASCAR called the event 27 laps short of its scheduled finish after a rainstorm drenched Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

The win was especially poignant for Suárez, who received repeated encouragement and advice from Busch after arriving from his native Mexico and launching his NASCAR career.

 

“It really means a lot,” Suárez said of the victory. “I’ve been saying for years this is my favorite race of the year. I get to have my family here every year. This is most of the time the only race (they) get to come

 

“It’s been a very tough week. Kyle, he was special, man. This one is for Kyle. For Kyle, for (wife) Samantha, for (son) Brexton, for (daughter) Lennix, all his family … definitely, this one has a special flavor because of Kyle. This win is for him. If it wasn’t for Kyle, I wasn’t going to be an Xfinity champion. I wasn’t going to have my shot in the Cup series. To win this race for him is unbelievable.”

 

This win is for Kyle. pic.twitter.com/1pcAKDpOvp

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 25, 2026

Pole: Tyler Reddick

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Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 7:00 pm ET for the ‘Cracker Barrel 400’ at Nashville Superspeedway.

NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series

Ross Chastain Wins Weather-Shortened O’Reilly Series Race

Ross Chastain does a celebratory bow in honor of Kyle Busch.

 

Ross Chastain drove through a succession of challenges — including a patch of oil and a brush with the outside wall — to win Saturday night’s rain-shortened Charbroil 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

The victory was Chastain’s first in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series since 2019, his first at Charlotte and the third of his career. The race was stopped for rain for the second time after Chastain crossed the finish line to win the second stage on Lap 90

 

With no hope of continuing, NASCAR called the race after Lap 91 and declared Chastain the winner.

 

“I did not think we would win one like this, driving into the fence in liquid,” said Chastain, who was driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. “I have no idea what it was. I went into Turn 1 like normal, and there was something on the track.

 

“No matter how we win, I feel like we could have raced with them again at the end.”

 

Chastain’s thoughts quickly turned to the absence of champion driver Kyle Busch, who on Thursday lost his life to a sudden illness at age 41.

 

“This weekend, it’s just incredible trying to grasp losing Kyle,” Chastain said. “I don’t understand how he’s not here racing. I don’t grasp it mentally or spiritually.

 

“Obviously, racing is the best thing we can to celebrate what he did in the sport and in his life.”

 

A salute to KB in victory lane. pic.twitter.com/kBvUXIKxPC

— NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (@NASCAROReillyAP) May 24, 2026

Pole: Justin Allgaier

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Next Race: The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will return on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘Sports Illustrated Resorts 250’ at Nashville Superspeedway.

NASCAR Trucks

Layne Riggs Wins Wild, Clock-Shortened Truck Series Race

Layne Riggs Takes a Bow in Tribute to the Late Kyle Busch
after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race. 

 

Layne Riggs made clear what was on his mind as he took the checkered flag under caution to win Sunday’s Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

“Did it for Kyle, man, did it for Kyle,” Riggs said in a dedication to two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, who lost his life to a sudden illness Thursday at age 41.

 

In a race thrice delayed by rain from its scheduled Friday night start and run under NASCAR’s adverse conditions provision with a noon ET time limit, Riggs completed 110 of a scheduled 134 laps before the clock ran out.

 

He earned his second victory of the season, his first at Charlotte and the seventh of his career in a race that featured a record 11 cautions.

 

“Our hearts are really heavy this weekend,” he said after giving Ford its first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory on a 1.5-mile intermediate speedway since Ben Rhodes won in 2023 at Charlotte. “I’ve been kind of struggling with it a little bit, just trying to keep my game face on and ride … I was borderline sobbing there at the end.”

 

“But these guys (the No. 34 team) have put a smile on my face. Great job to everybody at Front Row Motorsports. Thank you so much to my teammate Chandler Smith. We had a little teammate restart there (on Lap 104). He stuck with me and pushed me.”

 

Did it for Kyle. 💚 pic.twitter.com/Wr510vCIxW

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 24, 2026

Pole: Corey Day

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Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 8:00 pm ET for the ‘Allegiance 200’ at Nashville Superspeedway.

ARCA Menard Series West

Trevor Huddleston Dominates at Colorado

Trevor Huddleston solidified his status as the ARCA Menards
Series West championship favorite with his second straight victory of 2026.

 

For Trevor Huddleston, every triumph in the ARCA Menards Series West carries its own unique distinction.

 

Saturday’s victory in the Legendary Billy Green 150 at Colorado National Speedway for Huddleston was another one for him to remember. While it was his first West Series checkered flag at the complex, Huddleston also had another reason to celebrate.

 

“I have a lot of special moments in racing,” Huddleston said. “I proposed to my girlfriend at the race track, and we’re excited to announce we’re expecting our first child in November. That’s pretty special.

 

“We already looked it up. Four and a half is the age when they can start quarter midgets. We’ll start with that.”

 

This one’s for Rowdy. pic.twitter.com/iV2GmpZw2J

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) May 24, 2026

Pole: Robbie Kennealy

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Next Race: The ARCA Menard Series will return on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET for the ‘Henry Ford Health 200’ at Michigan International Speedway.

Next Race: The ARCA Menard Series West will return on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 8 p.m. PT for the ‘NAPA Auto Care 150 Greg Biffle Memorial’ at Tri-City Raceway.

 

source: NASCAR  and ARCA Menard Media

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Cota / St. Pete / Kern)

Winners: Tyler Reddick (Cup); Shane van Gisbergen (O'Reilly); Layne Riggs (Trucks) plus Mason Massey (ARCA West)

NASCAR Cup

Tyler Reddick Wins COTA for Historic Third Straight Victory to Open 2026

A historic Hell Yeah for Tyler Reddick!

 

Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of The Americas this afternoon, becoming the first driver to open a Cup season with three straight victories.

 

"It means the world," Reddick said of the historic accomplishment.

 

Additionally, 23XI Racing becomes the first team to win the opening three races of the season since Petty Enterprises did it in 1963.

 

After a sluggish start to the day, where Reddick dropped to eighth in the opening laps, the 23XI Racing driver was able to shake off the early hiccup and work his way back into contention, and he was good when it mattered most -- the second half of the race, as he led a race-high 58 laps. But on the final restart, Reddick had a mirror full of Shane van Gisbergen, who won five consecutive road course races a season ago.

 

Having arguably the best road course racer NASCAR has ever seen breathing down your neck was a pressure-packed situation for a driver looking to reach a historic mark.

 

"Yeah, just trying to remember everything. I knew it was going to be important there at the end, and just tried to minimize the mistakes," Reddick admitted. "Shane is just, that's what he's so good at, man. He does not make mistakes. I certainly made a couple, and just doing everything I could to just manage the gap and stay away from him, if you know what I mean. If I let him get close to enough, it was probably going to be hard to hold him off."

 

Burnouts are bigger in Texas. 💨 #DuraMAXGP pic.twitter.com/6XrpWyl9j7

— NASCAR at COTA (@NASCARatCOTA) March 2, 2026

Pole: Tyler Reddick,

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Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 3:30 pm ET for the ‘Straight Talk Wireless 500 ’ at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series

Road ace! Shane van Gisbergen wins O’Reilly Series race at COTA

Gisbergen’s victory was the 10th straight on road courses for JR Motorsports

 

With a bold, brilliant move moment after the final restart of Saturday’s Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas, Shane van Gisbergen once again exhibited his road course supremacy.

 

Taking the inside line into Turn 1 after the restart with five laps left, van Gisbergen made a four-wide pass for the lead from the sixth position and pulled away to win the fifth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts race of his career, this time by 0.780 seconds over runner-up Austin Hill.

 

In a rough-and-tumble event with more than its share of contact, van Gisbergen led five times for 31 laps, including the last five after the decisive move, as then-leader and Stage 2 winner Sam Mayer ran wide in the first corner, clearing the inside lane for the winning pass.

 

“I was a bit unsure there, starting sixth on the outside,” van Gisbergen said. “I kind of got to the inside, which was good, and nosed in on the 41 (Mayer), and he reacted. When he reacted, I thought no way he’s stopping that, and he kind of pushed everyone wide, which was awesome, and it worked out for us.”

 

The win was SVG’s first at COTA in his second O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at the track. He is winless in two NASCAR Cup Series starts at the Texas road course.

 

“I’ve always been fast here but never managed to win,” van Gisbergen said. “So I’m pretty stoked to finally get it done — pretty flawless day.”

 

Van Gisbergen’s victory was the 10th straight on road courses for JR Motorsports and the 106th for the organization overall.

 

THE BURNOUT KING HAS ARRIVED IN AUSTIN‼️ pic.twitter.com/QJv6CSNp68

— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) February 28, 2026

Pole: Connor Zilisch

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Next Race: The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will return on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘event name’ at GOVX 200.

NASCAR Trucks

Layne Riggs Hangs on to Win Inaugural Truck Series Race in St. Pete

Ben Rhodes (left), Layne Riggs (middle) and Ty Majeski (right) celebrate
 on the podium after the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on the streets of St. Pete.

 

In a thrilling final run to the checkered flag, Layne Riggs bobbed and weaved, saving just enough fuel to keep a pair of hard-charging fellow Ford drivers, Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes, behind him – ultimately earning his first trophy of the season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series inaugural race on the streets of downtown St. Petersburg. 

 

Riggs’ No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford crossed the line a .879-seconds ahead of Majeski for the sixth victory of his career in Saturday’s dramatic, high-action OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at St. Petersburg.

 

“It was a lot of fun racing here at St. Pete, I think everybody heard street course and thought they weren’t going to be able to pass and there wouldn’t be great side-by-side racing, but this was one of the raciest tracks we’ve ever gone to, at least in the Truck Series in my time,” a smiling Riggs said. “It was a lot of fun.

 

“I call myself a road racer now,” he added with a smile, noting this was only his fifth career road-course race of any kind in his life. “It’s amazing to race so many well-known guys, going past some and knowing these guys are road-course ringers and we were faster today.”

 

Saved some fuel for the burnout. 💨 pic.twitter.com/tJRq1a3lmx

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 28, 2026

Pole: Connor Mosack

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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 West

Mason Massey Wins First West Series Race in his first Start at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway

Mason Massey – First Start, First Win

 

Across a motorsports career that spans over a decade, Mason Massey had never once competed in the ARCA Menards Series West prior to the Oil Workers 150 at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. 

 

Massey now finds himself on the West Coast as part of a Bill McAnally Racing team seeking to regroup after a disappointing 2025. Alongside his teammate Hailie Deegan, Massey intended to begin McAnally’s pursuit for his first title since 2021 by putting together a strong performance on Saturday evening.

 

The debut West Series appearance for Massey did not disappoint, as he maintained track position inside the top five all evening before passing Sean Hingorani for the lead on a late restart. Massey then survived two overtime attempts to formally start his West Series career in perfect fashion.

 

“I don’t think it [gets better than this],” Massey said. “All these guys work super hard at [Bill McAnally Racing]. I had a hot rod tonight thanks to [my crew chief] Ty [Joiner]. He really got this baby going and it was a lot of fun out there.”

 

Mason Massey wins in his first start at @KernRaceway!

📺 @FloRacing pic.twitter.com/pTAoLbut7D

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 1, 2026

Pole: Jade Avedisian

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Next Race: The ARCA Menard Series and ARCA Menard Series West will return on 03/02/2026 at 6 p.m. ET for the ‘General Tire 150’ at Phoenix Raceway.

 

source: NASCAR  and ARCA Media

Layne Riggs Wins the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series St. Petersburg Race

Historic First NASCAR Truck Street Race

 

Layne Riggs held off Ben Rhodes and Ty Majeski to win the OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Feb. 28 in the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.

 

Riggs' big lead eroded in lap traffic in the final 15 laps, allowing Rhodes and Majeski to close to within car lengths.

 

But Riggs withstood the two Thorsport Racing Fords in the final intense laps, especially as the teammates battled for second coming to the white flag.

 

"First thing I'm going to say, thank you to Joey Hand," said Riggs in Victory Lane. "I know he's watching at home. A road course guy -- he's the man. He helped me so much. We've been working on this racetrack in the simulator at Ford Racing since December. I really, really wanted to get my first win on a road course.

 

“The short track guy from Bahama, North Carolina, won at St. Pete, can you believe it? I've really been trying to perfect my craft. I feel like I've been close in the road courses. Just a big shout out to everybody at Front Row Motorsports ... I literally said, ‘I just want to win a road course, just to show I'm not just that short track guy’.”

 

Unofficial NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race Results

1. Layne Riggs, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
2. Ty Majeski, No. 88 Thorsport Racing Ford
3. Ben Rhodes, No. 99 Thorsport Racing Ford
4. Chandler Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
5. Kaden Honeycutt, No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota
6. Landen Lewis, No. 45 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
7. Andres Perez de Lara, No. 44 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
8. Daniel Hemric, No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
9. Colin Braun, No. 25 Kaulig Racing Ram
10. James Hinchcliffe, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
11. Ben Maier, No. 4 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
12. Justin Haley, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Ram
13. Connor Mosack, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
14. Cole Butcher, No. 13 Thorsport Racing Ford
15. Christian Eckes, No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
16. Tyler Reif, No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
17. Daniel Dye, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Ram
18. Jake Garcia, No. 98 Thorsport Racing Ford
19. Kris Wright, No. 81 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
20. Tanner Gray, No. 15 TRICON Garage Toyota
21. Carter Fartuch, No. 2 Team Reaume Ford
22. Grant Enfinger, No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet
23. Butterbean Queen, No. 12 Kaulig Racing Ram
24. Adam Andretti, No. 5 TRICON Garage Toyota
25. Giovanni Ruggiero, No. 17 TRICON Garage Toyota (-1 lap down)
26. Stewart Friesen, No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota (-2)
27. Dario Franchitti, No. 1 TRICON Garage Toyota (-2)
28. Mini Tyrrell, No. 14 Kaulig Racing Dodge (-3)
29. Jackson Lee, No. 22 Team Reaume Ford (-5)
30. Frankie Muniz, No. 33 Team Reaume Ford (-6)
31. Tyler Ankrum, No. 18 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet (-10)
32. Timmy Hill, No. 56 Hill Motorsports Toyota (-17)
33. Dawson Sutton, No. 26 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet (OUT)
34. Nathan Nicholson, No. 76 Freedom Racing Enterprises Chevrolet (OUT)
35. Derek White, No. 69 MBM Ford (OUT)
36. Wesley Slimp, No. 62 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota (OUT)

Hard work pays off, @LayneRiggs99. 👏 pic.twitter.com/vUDCbY6li2

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 28, 2026

 

source: The Tennessean Media

NASCAR / ARCA Race Recap (Bristol, All American Speedway)

Winners: Christopher Bell (Cup); Aric Almirola (Xfinity); Layne Riggs (Trucks) plus Brent Crews (ARCA East) and Robbie Kennealy (ARCA West)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

 

NASCAR Cup

Christopher Bell Completes JGR Round of 16 sweep, Wins Bristol Night Race

 

With a charge to the lead from fifth place with four laps left in Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Christopher Bell kept Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota perfect in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

 

Bell survived a hard, square shot to his rear bumper from Brad Keselowski in the final corner and steered straight to the finish line, 0.343 seconds ahead of the Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing co-owner and driver.

 

Joining JGR teammates Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin as winners in the Round of 16, Bell advanced to the Round of 12, which begins Sept. 21 at one of his best tracks, New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2 p.m. ET, USA Network, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NBC Sports App).

 

“Well, I’ll tell you what, I was nervous on the two (tires),” Bell said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to be on the bottom or the top, and whenever Brad picked the top (lane) didn’t really give me an option. I had to pick the bottom.

 

“All night long, I don’t know, old tires just really, really pushed up in the middle of the corners, so I was hoping that those guys (starting ahead of him) on old tires would push up, and they did. They did, and I was able to get by or get underneath them.

 

“It wasn’t pretty there at the end, but we got her done.”

 

Brad Keselowski finished second; Zane Smith placed third; Ryan Blaney came in fourth and Joey Logano completed the top five.

 

BELL YEAH! 🔥@CBellRacing | #ItsBristolBaby | #BassProNightRace pic.twitter.com/D8KaBN1qwm

— Bristol Motor Speedway (@ItsBristolBaby) September 14, 2025

Pole: AJ Allmendinger

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Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET for the ‘Mobil 1 301’ at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Aric Almirola Holds Off Sheldon Creed in Thrilling Xfinity Series Finish

 

Benefitting from a split-second late-race strategy decision, veteran Aric Almirola held off a mightily motivated field to claim the win in Friday night’s Food City 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs opener at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

While running second to the series’ championship leader, Connor Zilisch, when a caution flag flew with 36 laps remaining, Almirola watched Zilisch pull onto pit road for fresh tires, and instead of following him into the pits as his crew expected, Almirola abruptly pulled his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota back on track at the last moment.

 

“Just tired of getting beat by those guys, I figured I’d try my chances with the lead,” Almirola said of his race-winning pit strategy decision. “They’ve been so fast and they fire off so fast on new tires and I just didn’t think I could beat them straight up on new tires. It took me about 20 laps to get going, so I thought my best chance was to stay out on old tires.

 

“We watched the last two or three races here and saw how the nine-car with [driver] Noah Gragson win with like a 100 laps on his tires,” added Almirola, whose No. 19 JGR Toyota is racing for the owner’s championship. “So, I decided to stay out when they said pit.”

 

Sheldon Creed finished second; Sam Mayer placed third; Carson Kvapil came in fourth and Connor Zilisch completed the top five.

 

Racing is a family sport. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mBJruKNbz1

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) September 13, 2025

Pole: Justin Allgaier

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Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET for the ‘Kansas Lottery 300’ at Kansas Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

From Spin to Win: Layne Riggs Rebounds for Truck Series Playoffs Victory

 

Layne Riggs recovered from a first-lap spin at Bristol Motor Speedway and rallied to win Thursday night’s UNOH 250 Presented by Ohio Logistics, the second race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs.

 

Grabbing the lead after a restart on Lap 142 of 250, Riggs held off a determined charge by two-time Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes to win his third race of the 2025 season, second at Bristol and fifth of his career.

 

“You don’t get two mulligans in the playoffs, and I got two,” said Riggs, who salvaged a 17th-place finish after slamming the outside wall in the first playoff race Aug. 30 at Darlington. “The first lap of the race to spin out, it’s a blow to your confidence, for sure, but I’ve got faith in this team, and I’ve got faith in everybody here …”

 

“I think this shows that we’re right there, we’re in contention, we can do it,” said Riggs, who ran the final 109 green-flag laps with scuffed qualifying tires on his No. 34 Ford, having used a set of stickers after the spin on Lap 1. “That’s three in a row at Bristol for Front Row Motorsports. It’s a big testament to all these guys. We’ve got a really good package here.

 

“Man, I’m excited for New Hampshire. I’ve never even been there and I already love that race track.”

 

Ben Rhodes finished second; Corey Heim placed third; Ty Majeski came in fourth and Daniel Hemri completed the top five.

 

A man of the fans@LayneRiggs99 | @LovesTravelStop pic.twitter.com/PR2hdGGVeS

— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) September 12, 2025

Pole: Jake Garcia

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Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET for the ‘EJP 175’ at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

ARCA East

Brent Crews Secures Another East Series Owner’s Title for Joe Gibbs Racing With a Dominant Bristol Win

 

Although Joe Gibbs Racing was unable to celebrate another driver’s championship in the ARCA Menards Series East for 2025, they departed Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday victorious in multiple regards.

 

Brent Crews delivered a stellar, wire-to-wire performance to secure his third East Series victory on the season and fifth overall on the ARCA Menards Series platform. The dominant performance also enabled Crews to give the No. 18 Toyota its fourth consecutive East Series owner’s title.

 

While Crews obtained a win and an owner’s championship, Isaac Kitzmiller locked up the East Series driver’s championship by tallying an eighth-place finish.

 

“There’s been a lot of success with the Joe Gibbs Racing team from Cup all the way down to ARCA,” Crews said. “I was just trying to fill the shoes. Growing up watching Kyle Busch dominate with JGR, watching William [Sawalich] have strong runs and with Sammy [Smith] being able to win too, I came here with what I needed in my head.”

 

Tristan McKee finished second; Brenden Queen placed third; Leland Honeyman came in fourth and Thomas Annunziata completed the top five.

 

Flag to flag, @BrentCrews11 never looked back on Thursday night at @ItsBristolBaby!

Full highlights: https://t.co/DtZxx5DCqH pic.twitter.com/k0GmnCfGnP

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) September 12, 2025

Pole: Brent Crews

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Next Race: The ARCA Menard Series will return on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 8:10 p.m. ET for the ‘Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200’ at Salem Speedway.

ARCA West

Robbie Kennealy Scores Emotional First West Series Victory at All American Speedway

 

The ARCA Menards Series West’s visit to All American Speedway was always going to be emotional for Robbie Kennealy. 

 

Every race on the calendar inches closer to the one-year anniversary of when Kennealy’s father Gary suddenly passed away due to a heart attack. Gary’s death was a devastating loss for the entire Kennealy family, but both of his sons, Robbie and Joey, have done everything possible to continue competing in honor of their father.

 

On Saturday evening, Gary’s eldest son Robbie put together the best race of his young career by earning the General Tire Pole Award and fending off West Series points leader Trevor Huddleston to score his maiden West Series victory. Kennealy could not help but be tearful as he climbed out of his No. 1 Jan’s Towing Ford, knowing his dad was with him in spirit through all 150 laps.

 

“[It was] one year ago during this exact race [at All American] when my dad suddenly passed away,” Kennealy said. “One year later, we win one of the biggest races ever. That’s for you dad.”

 

Trevor Huddleston finished second; Andrew Chapman placed third; Joey Iest came in fourth and Eric Johnson Jr. completed the top five.

 

🏁 Robbie Kennealy dominates at @AllAmericanSpdy!

📺 @FloRacing pic.twitter.com/S5oHoHHuEx

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) September 14, 2025

Pole: Robbie Kennealy

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Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. for the ‘Madera 150 presented by Madera Ford and the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame’ at Madera Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

Thrilling Thursday Doubleheader Features UNOH 250 Truck Playoff Race and Bush's Beans 200 ARCA Series Rumble

• Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith, from Front Row Motorsports, have secured consecutive victories at Bristol Motor Speedway, positioning them as strong contenders for the upcoming UNOH 250 race.
• The UNOH 250 is the second race in the Craftsman Trucks Round of 10 Playoffs and part of a Thursday night doubleheader, alongside the ARCA Menards Series Bush’s Beans 200.
• Corey Heim, current regular-season champion and winner of the Playoff opener at Darlington, is on a three-race winning streak and carries significant momentum into Bristol.

 

The Front Row Motorsports tandem of Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith have won the last two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races at Bristol Motor Speedway and will both be among the favorites going into Thursday night’s UNOH 250 presented by Ohio Logistics (8 p.m., FS1, PRN Radio).

 

One spot has been claimed in the Round of 8.

Who's next to lock themselves in? #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/P1HiMazxaJ

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 10, 2025

The race is a part of the Craftsman Trucks Round of 10 Playoffs, race No. 2 in the three-race opening round. It’s also part of a Thursday night doubleheader at The Last Great Colosseum, which also features the ARCA Menards Series Bush’s Beans 200. The ARCA race will kick things off at 5:30 p.m. (FS1).

 

Regular-season champion Corey Heim is bringing all the momentum in the world to the World’s Fastest Half-Mile, however, as he took the victory in the Playoff opener at Darlington two weeks ago and is riding a three-race winning streak. Heim’s eight victories this season is a category-best stat.

 

“It feels like I’m in a dream,” Heim said. “Eight wins this year is phenomenal, man. It’s great to look back on, but we’ve also got so much to look forward to.”

 

Heim is also a past Bristol winner, so look out for the No. 11 truck to be a factor in qualifying as well as the 250-lap race. A sidenote on Heim, he is pulling double duty at Bristol and will also pilot the No. 67 23XI Racing machine in Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race.

 

Riggs, Daniel Hemric and Grant Enfinger are hot on Heim’s tail from a Playoff points perspective.

 

Riggs was emotional after winning here under the lights last September and this type of track certainly fits his aggressive style of racing.

 

“I wasn’t scared to throw it against the fence tonight,” Riggs said in Bristol’s Victory Lane one year ago. “The track was so fun. So much fun… At the end you could run the bottom or the top and get equal lap times.”

 

Riggs, currently second in the Playoffs, wasn’t a part of the Round of 10 when he won here last year and hopes to be able to cash in on another Bristol win when it will boost his post-season standing.

 

Two drivers looking for a strong run at Bristol to help their Playoff standing are Smith, who got off to a slow start in South Carolina, and Kaden Honeycutt, who also needs a bounce-back weekend in Tennessee. Both drivers enter the UNOH 250 below the cut line.

 

A championship favorite before his Darlington miscue, Smith, who admitted he made a rookie mistake by trying to run the wall a little too hard in that race, remains optimistic about his chances, especially since Bristol is next on his dance card.

 

“It stings, but right now it looks like we’re plus-one, but we’ve still got two races left going back to Bristol, where we won earlier this year and then New Hampshire for the last race of this round, where I’ve been really strong in the past as well,” Smith said. “I’m not really discouraged or anything about that. I think our pace in our trucks and our trucks here recently have been really good. Everybody at Front Row Motorsports has been giving be a truck capable of going out there and winning.”

 

Rising star Brent Crews will pilot the No. 1 truck for TRICON Garage and Corey Day will be at the controls of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevy.

 

A couple other drivers to watch include former Cup wheelman Corey LaJoie, who will be driving the No. 77 Chevy for Spire and Mason Maggio, who will be filling in for the injured Frankie Muniz in the No. 33 Reaume Brothers entry.

 

The Abingdon, Va.-based Henderson Motorsports team will be racing with a heavy heart as they try to bring home a trophy in memory of their owner Charlie Henderson, who recently passed away. Driver Parker Kligerman has been a part of two NASCAR victories this season and would love to be able to grab a victory here in the No. 75 Chevy for the hometown team.

 

Some other drivers to keep an eye on are the rest of the Playoff contenders, who need a win to automatically advance to the Round of 8: Tyler Ankrum, former Bristol winner Ty Majeski, Rajah Caruth and Jake Garcia.

 

The East Series Champion will be determined at @ItsBristolBaby this week!

Here's all you need to know before Thursday ⬇️https://t.co/dayOE0sKif pic.twitter.com/bPogDJaNk7

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) September 8, 2025

The young guns in the ARCA Menards Series return to take on the challenging half-mile bullring in the Bush’s Beans 200 and some of the featured drivers in the race include multi-time season winner Lawless Alan, Lavar Scott, Zachary Tinkle, Brent Crews, “Butterbean” Brenden Queen, Thad Moffitt, Jason Kitzmiller and Isabella Robusto.

 

Friend of Bristol Garrett Mitchell, known better as YouTube sensation Cleetus McFarland, is expected to make his fourth start of the season in the No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford. McFarland opened his ARCA season with a 30th place finish at Daytona in February, then improved to post a 10th-place finish at Talladega in April and in his most recent start earned a 9th-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.

 

Nashville-based Logan Misuraca is scheduled to make her second Bristol ARCA appearance in the No. 9 Chevy for Rev Racing. It will be her first start this season and fifth career ARCA start. Her career-best finish of 18th came at Daytona in 2023.

 

A late entry into the Bush’s Beans 200 was Bobby Dale Earnhardt, the grandson of nine-time Bristol Cup winner Dale Earnhardt Sr. Bobby Dale will be driving the No. 31 Team Main Street machine for Rise Motorsports. This is Bobby Dale’s first Bristol start and it will be his fourth career ARCA Menards Series start.

 

The race weekend also features the Food City 300 NASCAR Xfinity Race on Friday night (7:30 p.m., The CW and PRN Radio) and Saturday’s crown jewel Bass Pro Shops Night Race in the NASCAR Cup Series (7:30 p.m., USA Network and PRN Radio). Both of those races are also NASCAR Playoff events.

 

 

source: Bristol Motor Speedway Media

NASCAR / ARCA Race Recap (Indianapolis Motor Speedway/Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park)

Winners: Bubba Wallace (Cup); ConnorZilisch (Xfinity); Layne Riggs (Trucks) plus Brent Crews (ARCA)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

NASCAR Cup

Bubba Wallace Holds On in Double Overtime

 

Mother Nature wasn’t going to deprive Bubba Wallace of the most important win of his career, not on this Sunday afternoon.

 

Unsure of the amount of fuel left in his No. 23 Toyota, Wallace survived a rain shower and two overtime restarts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to win the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG, punching his ticket to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

 

Wallace was comfortably ahead of runner-up Kyle Larson with four laps left in regulation, but the sudden shower forced NASCAR to call the fifth caution of the afternoon.

 

The rain was gone almost as quickly as it appeared, and after a short stoppage to dry the track, Wallace pulled ahead of Larson on the first overtime restart. A five-car accident on the backstretch, however, sent the race to a second extra period.

 

Wallace stayed on track for the next restart — hoping his fuel would last — and again pulled away from Larson and this time took the white flag without incident. After one more circuit, he crossed the finish line 0.222 seconds ahead of Larson to claim the trophy in the crown-jewel event.

 

The third victory of Wallace’s career ended a 100-race dry spell dating to Sept. 11, 2022 at Kansas Speedway. He led 30 laps, including the last 26, as the race went eight circuits beyond the scheduled 160.

 

“Oh, my gosh, I’m just so proud of this team,” Wallace said. “That adrenaline rush is crazy, ’cause I’m coming off that right now — and I’m worn out.”

 

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “To win here at the Brickyard, knowing how big this race is, knowing all the noise that’s going on in the background, to set that all aside is a testament to these people here on this 23 team. It’s been getting old right around the cut line (for the playoffs).”

 

Kyle Larson finished second; Denny Hamlin placed third; Ryan Preece came in fourth and Brad Keselowski completed the top five.

Woke up thinking about yesterday's #Brickyard400 presented by @PPG finish 😌

What a performance by @BubbaWallace on that final overtime restart. 👏 pic.twitter.com/HtqUKTV3of

— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) July 28, 2025

Pole: Chase Briscoe

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 3:30 pm ET for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Three in a Row: Connor Zilisch Stays Hot

 

As contrary as it might seem, there was ambivalence in Connor Zilisch’s victory in Saturday’s Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 

Yes, Zilisch won his third straight NASCAR Xfinity Series race and added to his inarguable credentials as a budding superstar. What’s more, Zilisch delivered victory No. 100 to JR Motorsports, the organization founded by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister, Kelly Earnhardt Miller.

 

But Zilisch’s victory came at the expense of teammate Justin Allgaier, who made a heroic move on the outside to retake the lead from Kyle Larson on Lap 74 and had the win in his sights until the following restart on Lap 87.

 

That’s when Larson’s No. 17 Chevrolet broke loose in Turn 1 and turned Allgaier’s Chevrolet into the outside wall and out of the race.

 

That left Zilisch and Taylor Gray to battle for the lead after a restart with four laps left. With a push from the Ford of Sam Mayer, Zilisch took control on Lap 99 of 100 and held on to win by 0.339 seconds over Mayer as Gray slipped to third.

 

“I see some bricks that look kissable, and I’m going to kiss them,” Zilisch said, referencing an Indianapolis tradition started by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett. “This is awesome. One hundred wins for JRM. Congrats to Dale, Kelley, L.W. (Miller), everybody who’s raced for JRM, everybody who works at JRM.”

 

“I’m the smallest part of this team, and I’m so glad to be a part of it.”

 

“I hate it for Justin, because he’s been the cornerstone of the company for so many years,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said of the reigning series champion. “He’s been dependable, reliable, great with our partners and he wants to do these things for us.”

 

Sam Mayer finished second; Taylor Gray placed third; Kyle Larson came in fourth and Ryan Sieg completed the top five.

What a moment between @DaleJr and @ConnorZilisch. 🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/FkGgjJQxNh

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) July 27, 2025

Pole: Sam Mayer

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 4:30 pm ET for the ‘HyVee Perks 250’ at Iowa Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

Layne Riggs Leads 160 Laps, Wins at IRP

 

The post-race celebration said it all.

 

Layne Riggs planted the nose of his No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford firmly against the outside of the pit row wall and lit up his tires as members of his team stood on the barrier and pumped their fists repeatedly.

 

The elation was well-deserved after Riggs scored his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Friday night’s TSport 200.

 

With his second victory of the season and a sweep of the first two stages, Riggs cut into the dominating lead of Corey Heim with two races left in the regular season.

 

Nevertheless, Heim, who ran third in a balky No. 11 Toyota, clinched the regular-season title.

 

“I’ll tell you, this truck was badass, man,” Riggs said after climbing from the F-150 on pit road. “It was so great. I was just out front saving my tires at the end. Then I was just waiting for a late-race caution (which never came), trying to run the bottom and trying to keep the least amount of distance to keep the distance off my tires.

 

“It’s so great to get (sponsor) Clew Nicotine Pouches in Victory Lane. That’s only their second race with us, and we’re super excited to have them. That was a pretty cool celebration.”

 

Corey Day finished second; Corey Heim placed third; Grant Enfinger came in fourth and Ty Majeski completed the top five.

A big team win means a big team celebration. pic.twitter.com/LOYONzao0F

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 26, 2025

Pole: Corey Heim

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, August 8, 2025 at 5:00 pm ET for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race at Watkins Glen at Watkins Glen International.

ARCA

Brent Crews rebounds at Lucas Oil IRP

 

Brent Crews helped Joe Gibbs Racing check another box in the ARCA Menards Series Friday evening at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. 

 

Gibbs’ ARCA Menards Series program had yet to win at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park prior to the LiUNA! 150 presented by Dutch Boy. Excellent second half adjustments from crew chief Matt Ross enabled Crews to overtake Brenden Queen and pull away for his second ARCA Menards Series national win of the year and third overall.

 

Crews has now won half of the ARCA Menards Series events he has entered in 2025. He knew adjustments would be needed to eclipse Queen’s stellar pace, but commended Ross for perfecting his car during the closing 75 laps.

 

“I was exhausted,” Crews said. “This JGR group did an absolutely fabulous job at the break there. [Queen] was really good in the first half and I was giving everything I had trying to hang with him. I knew Matt [Ross] and the crew had something up their sleeve to get me that extra little bit at the halfway break and that’s exactly what he did.”

 

Lawless Alan finished second; Brenden Queen placed third; Isabella Robusto came in fourth and Lavar Scott completed the top five.

Crewsing! @BrentCrews11 wins at @RaceIRP! pic.twitter.com/4yFHRBsPuS

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) July 25, 2025

Pole: Brenden Queen

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Friday, August 1, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET for the ‘Atlas 150’ at Iowa Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Pocono / Elko)

Winners: Chase Briscoe (Cup); Connor Zilisch (Xfinity); Layne Riggs (Trucks) plus Max Reaves Wins (ARCA)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

 

NASCAR Cup

Chase Briscoe Wins Pressure-Packed Cup Series Race at Pocono

 

Chase Briscoe has earned a NASCAR Cup Series season-best four pole positions and led laps in eight races in his first season driving the famous No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, and finally – finally – on Sunday afternoon that hard work translated into his first trophy, edging his JGR teammate Denny Hamlin in The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VisitPA.com at Pocono Raceway.

 

It came down to the suspenseful very final laps, Briscoe having to save as much fuel as possible while maintaining the lead the last 34 laps with Pocono’s all-time winningest driver Hamlin and two-time Pocono winner, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, directly in his rearview mirror, pushing him lap after lap.

 

But Briscoe did it — perfectly executing throttle control to maintain the lead and not run his car out of gas — ultimately beating Hamlin across the line by .682-second to formally punch his win-and-in 2025 Playoff ticket. The 30-year-old Indiana-native led a race-best 72 of the 160 laps on the day and even had enough fuel for the well-deserved victory celebration.

 

“There was a lot [of pressure],” a smiling Briscoe conceded. “It was kind of weird. I wasn’t driving hard, so it’s not like I was on the ragged edge, but it was just so hard having a guy chasing you, especially the guy that’s the greatest of all time here, to be trying to save fuel and everything else.

 

“Just an amazing day for our race team,” he continued, “Really the first race we’ve executed all year long.”

 

Shredded ‘em! 🛞💨#PAGetaway400 pic.twitter.com/PAN1pfIc5P

— Pocono Raceway (@PoconoRaceway) June 23, 2025

Pole: Denny Hamlin

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 7:00 pm ET for the ‘Challenge Round 1 - Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart’ at EchoPark Speedway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Connor Zilisch Wins Xfinity Race Dale Jr. as Crew Chief

 

In a day of varying strategies and dramatic restarts among the frontrunners, JR Motorsports rookie Connor Zilisch prevailed in a late-race sprint to the checkered flag in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway — the first oval win of this young talent’s career.

 

Late-race restarts determined the day and ultimately it came down to a duel between Zilisch and his best friend, last year’s Rookie of the Year, Jesse Love. Zilisch pulled his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet alongside Love’s car as they crossed the start/finish line with four laps to go and then he took the lead for good with three laps remaining – .437-seconds ahead of the field.

 

It was that kind of resolute day for the 18-year-old Zilisch, who had some key help in his headset from a first-time crew chief. His team owner, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., filled in for the team’s full-time leader, Mardy Lindley, who was serving a one-race suspension.

 

“Just a great job putting us in position to succeed, we had a lot of things go our way, a lot of good luck, good race strategy, had a little help from [his former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Steve] Letarte,” a grinning Earnhardt said, applauding Lindley’s preparation for the weekend.

 

“Hats off to everybody on this team,” he continued. “It’s been amazing all weekend long. Great race car driver. Connor Zilisch is going to be a big deal in this sport for a long time. A lot of fun for me today.”

 

“I’ve been dying for this one for a while now, I’ve been so close on the ovals lately,” Zilisch said. “I finished second at Charlotte, second at Nashville.

 

“And Dale Jr., not too bad on the box,” he said smiling, saying he appreciated Earnhardt’s advice throughout the race. “Pretty cool to have him up there. Thank you so much to the entire JR Motorsports team. … this one is definitely special. I’ve been chasing an oval win for a while now.”

 

The @colepearn victory selfie. pic.twitter.com/bgrKXrL4Bl

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 22, 2025

Pole: Chase Elliott

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Friday, June 27, 7:30 pm ET at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘Focused Health 250’ at EchoPark Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

Layne Riggs Seizes Pocono Victory Following Corey Heim’s Tire Trouble

 

Layne Riggs capped one of the best race weekends of his young career, claiming his first-ever pole position then leading the final 20 laps of Friday’s MillerTech Battery 200 to take his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory of the season in the opening race of a NASCAR tripleheader weekend at Pocono Raceway.

 

Riggs’ No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford beat Tricon Garage driver Tanner Gray to the checkered flag by a healthy 3.64 seconds, delivering the young star his third career series win.

 

“That’s just a testament to this team, that thing was bad fast, especially that last run right there,” said Riggs, the 23-year-old son of former NASCAR Cup Series standout Scott Riggs.

 

“I really hate the 11 [Heim] fell out and not sure what the seven [Hocevar] was doing on the restart there, but made sure to take advantage of it.

 

“But, hey, I’m a happy man right now. This is not what I had circled. Last year, we wrecked in practice, didn’t qualify and ran dead last all day. And today we were the best. It’s amazing.”

 

Spinning right into Victory Layne! pic.twitter.com/aipj4mrI0L

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) June 20, 2025

Pole: Layne Riggs

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, June 28, 1:00 pm ET for the ‘LIUNA 150’ at Lime Rock Park.

ARCA

Max Reaves Masters Elko Speedway for first ARCA Menards Series Victory

 

Max Reaves, the 15-year-old from Trinity, North Carolina, secured his first ARCA Menards Series victory Saturday night thanks to a spirited drive late in the Shore Lunch 250 presented by Dutch Boy at Minnesota’s Elko Speedway. 

 

Reaves, who has won all three of the ARCA Menards Series East events he’s started this season, made his second ARCA Menards Series start Saturday after finishing second last week at Berlin Raceway.

 

“It’s crazy,” Reaves said in Victory Lane. “I won in the East (Series) three times in a row. That was crazy, but to win in the national series like this is just awesome.”

 

Cookin' when it counted.

15-year-old Max Reaves earns his first ARCA Menards Series (national) win in convincing fashion at @Elko_Speedway! pic.twitter.com/1BtNWs7wRH

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) June 22, 2025

Pole: Brenden Queen

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. ET for “The Lime Rock Park 100’ at Lime Rock Park.

 

source: NASCAR Media