Roush Yates Engines Powers Ryan Blaney to Victory at Phoenix Raceway

Doug Yates’ 450th NASCAR Career Win Since Beginning His Career in 1990.

 

Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney won Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway, claiming his first win of 2026 and the 18th Cup Series win of his career. This win also marks Team Penske’s 108th series win with Ford and Doug Yates’ 450th NASCAR career win since beginning his career in 1990.

 

 

“Congratulations to Roger, Jonathan, Ryan, and everyone at Team Penske on the win at Phoenix,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Ryan was able to drive to the front of the field throughout the race and Jonathan made a great call on that final pit stop. This win marks the 450th NASCAR win of my career across the Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Craftsman Truck Series since I started with Robert Yates Racing in 1990. Every single one of those wins has come with Ford Racing. I am thankful for the Ford family, all the employees at Ford Motor Company, and our employees who contributed to those wins.”

 

 

“Perseverance. That’s a great word to kind of describe our day. I had a couple mistakes on pit road and learned from them and moved forward, and I didn’t have a mistake the rest of the day. It was unfortunate that they happened back-to-back, but these guys learned from it and rectified it and we were able to stay in the game. Our car was fast enough to be in the game. I thought the 20 was the best car on the day for sure, but we stayed in the game enough and Jonathan made a great call for two on the last caution and we were able to get the lead there and then hold the 20 off. I don’t know how many more laps I could have held him off, but it was enough laps to do it. I’m proud of the whole group for sticking with it all day and cool to win here again, just a handful of months later,” commented Blaney.

 

Valve cover giveaway from the @phoenixraceway @NASCAR Cup Series race! This is @Blaney and the No. 12 @Team_Penske @FordRacing team’s valve cover from their #StraightTalkWireless500 @Ford @roushyates FR9 EFI winning engine. Share and tag @NextivityInc for your chance to win! pic.twitter.com/XfhSsIFrGC

— Doug Yates (@Yates_Doug) March 8, 2026

 

source: Roush Yates Engines Media

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Phoenix)

Winners: Ryan Blaney (Cup); Justin Allgaier (O'Reilly); plus Carson Brown (ARCA)

NASCAR Cup

Ryan Blaney Rallies Late to Claim Second Straight Win at Phoenix

 

Ryan Blaney seized control late and held off a hard-charging and dominant Christopher Bell to win Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway. 

 

Ryan Blaney completed a Team Penske sweep on March 8 at Phoenix Raceway.

 

Blaney held off Christopher Bell to win his first race of the year, winning the Phoenix NASCAR race. It came a day after Hendersonville native Josef Newgarden won the IndyCar race at Phoenix for Penske.

“Perseverance. That’s a great word to kind of describe our day. I had a couple mistakes on pit road and learned from them and moved forward, and I didn’t have a mistake the rest of the day. It was unfortunate that they happened back-to-back, but these guys learned from it and rectified it and we were able to stay in the game. Our car was fast enough to be in the game. I thought the 20 was the best car on the day for sure, but we stayed in the game enough and Jonathan made a great call for two on the last caution and we were able to get the lead there and then hold the 20 off. I don’t know how many more laps I could have held him off, but it was enough laps to do it. I’m proud of the whole group for sticking with it all day and cool to win here again, just a handful of months later,” commented Blaney.

It also marked the first win in 2026 by a driver not named Tyler Reddick, who won the first three NASCAR Cup Series races of the season.

 

A @Team_Penske SWEEP OF THE DESERT DOUBLE. Ryan @Blaney WINS at Phoenix! pic.twitter.com/4UiD0smO2Y

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 8, 2026

Pole: Joey Logano

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Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 4:00 pm ET for the ‘Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube’ at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series

Justin Allgaier Overcomes Slow Stop to Win O’Reilly Series Race

 

JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier pushed forward when it mattered most, his No. 7 Chevrolet leading only the last 11 laps of Saturday night’s GOVX 200 at Phoenix Raceway to claim his third win at the 1-mile Arizona oval and take over the championship lead in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. 

Allgaier had to pass the night’s most dominant driver, Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love, to earn the trophy. Love came into the race with the best average finish in the last four Phoenix races and again proved how good he is in the desert, leading a race-best 114 of the 200 laps.

“So proud of this team,” said Allgaier, praising the team for overcoming a poor stop early. “It wasn’t for lack of adversity and it seems like those are the ones that are big for us. I cannot say enough about this team.

 

“It never gets old winning,” added Allgaier, who has now won at least one race for a record 10 consecutive seasons. “This team rallied and never gave up.”

 

Now it’s time to party! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/39z3EXoBZi

— NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (@NASCAROReillyAP) March 8, 2026

Pole: Taylor Gray

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Next Race: The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will return on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 5:30 pm ET for the ‘The LiUNA!’ at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is not Racing 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

Carson Brown Dominates at Phoenix, Wins his First National ARCA Menards Series Start

 

Carson Brown led almost every lap of the General Tire 150 prior to Dustin Hillenburg’s spin that brought out the final yellow of the day. The pressure of the situation did not phase Brown, who was thrilled to bring Pinnacle Racing Group back to Phoenix’s Victory Lane.

 

Brown withstood a charge from his teammate Tristan McKee to prevail in his maiden national ARCA Menards Series start, which also resulted in Pinnacle Racing Group’s first one-two finish with McKee following Brown across the start-finish line.

 

“All the guys back at PRG, [I have to give] a big thank you to them,” Brown said. “That green-white-checkered got a little hairy there. [McKee and I] made a little contact coming off [turn] two, but I thought I could kind of persevere there and make it to the finish line.

 

What a dominant day for Carson Brown! 🤩

📺 @FS1 | @phoenixraceway | @RacePRG pic.twitter.com/uwmklcmkYn

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 6, 2026

Pole: Carson Brown

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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  and ARCA Media

Welcome Charley Blaney

Future Racer like his Dad and Granddad?

 

Ryan Blaney and his wife Gianna Tulio have welcomed home the sweet baby boy, Charley. Charley was born on November 17th.

 

Ryan Blaney and his father, Dave Blaney are both well-know NASCAR Drivers. Dave Blaney raced in the NASCAR Cup Series for 17 years, competing in 473 races with four wins.

 

Son Ryan Blaney has had a successful career with 377 Cup Series starts as of November 2025 including seventeen wins and a 2023 Championship! He can also boast of seven Xfinity wins plus four Truck Series Wins.

 

We’ve moved on from the tar 💩 phase to the mustard 💩 phase. I gotta tell ya, I prefer mustard.

— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) November 23, 2025

Welcome to this successful racing family Charley.

 

source: NASCAR Media

NASCAR / ARCA Race Recap (Phoenix)

Winners: Ryan Blaney (Cup); Jesse Love (Xfinity); Corey Heim (Trucks) plus Brent Crews (ARCA)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

NASCAR Cup

Ryan Blaney Banks Season Finale

 

Ryan Blaney won the NASCAR Cup Series season finale in overtime at Phoenix Raceway, making a last-lap pass of Brad Keselowski for his fourth victory this season and 17th of his career.

 

Blaney, who led three times for 20 laps, earned his first win at Phoenix in his 20th start on the 1-mile oval in Avondale, Arizona.

 

It’s the second time in the 11 races of the elimination playoffs era that the winner of the season finale came from outside the Championship 4 (Ross Chastain won in 2023 while Blaney earned the title).

 

The race featured nine cautions for 65 laps as several drivers — including all of the Championship 4 drivers — struggled with tire problems.

 

“It’s just cool to end it on a good note. It’s just cool and obviously we had a fast car all day. Those other guys were just kind of faster getting going and I could never retain the lead.”

 

”Those guys were just really good and it took my car a while to come in, but it was a really good call for two there and keeping track position. I got a decent restart and I was able to kind of roll the bottom in three and four and eek the 6 out at the line.”

 

”I’m just really proud of the whole group and cool to end it in Victory Lane. It’s a shame we weren’t in the Championship 4. Congrats to Kyle and that whole team. I’m happy for this team that we could end it the best way we could. You just go try to win the race. I didn’t really have any of them in front of me. There wasn’t really two of them side-by-side. I tried to race those guys really good all day and gave them respect and tried to let them race it out at time, and at times I could go if it got gapped, but you’re just aware of everybody that’s around you. You don’t want to be the storyline to mess up a guy’s championship, so it was good that we were able to just run our race and run it clean to the end.”

 

Brad Keselowski finished second; Kyle Larson placed third; Joey Logano came in fourth and Kyle Busch completed the top five.

 

Ryan Blaney isn't going down the "what-if" path of winning the Phoenix race but not having advanced to the Champ 4. pic.twitter.com/252dpDChGH

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 3, 2025

Pole: Denny Hamlin

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Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, February 1, 2026 for the ‘Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium’ at Bowman Gray Stadium.

NASCAR Xfinity

Love prevails at Phoenix to Win Race, Xfinity Series Championship

 

Jesse Love turned in the ultimate season bookend, winning the opening race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series 2025 schedule at Daytona International Speedway, then closing it out with the biggest win of his young career to claim the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Saturday night at Phoenix Raceway.

 

The 20-year-old Californian had to beat his best friend, the season’s 10-race winner Connor Zilisch, to claim the career-changing victory and title. Love ultimately passed the JR Motorsports driver Zilisch for the lead with 24 laps to go at the desert 1-miler and then had to hold off veteran Aric Almirola after the Joe Gibbs Racing driver also got around Zilisch with eight laps remaining.

 

“I just feel so clean and relieved,” said Love, whose margin of victory was 0.861 seconds. “It’s been a tough year for me, and I’ve put so much work into it, and people like my dad and [driver coach] Scott Speed and my whole No. 2 team worked just as hard for my dream as I have for my own.

 

“It really hasn’t set in yet. All these emotions, it doesn’t feel real, doesn’t feel real at all,” Love said, referring to the close contest with Zilisch. “He’s my best friend in the whole world, but not when we’re racing each other. We race each other hard but fair. … He ran a really great race tonight, but my car was just better tonight.”

 

Aric Almirola finished second; Connor Zilisch placed third; Brandon Jones came in fourth and Justin Allgaier] completed the top five.

 

Winning a championship keeps you busy! 😂 pic.twitter.com/f0E8Hqb2md

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 2, 2025

Pole: Brandon Jones

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Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, February 14, 2026 for the ‘United Rentals 300’ at Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

Corey Heim Claims 2025 Truck Series Title, Season Finale Victory

 

The best man won on Friday night, but it was far from a foregone conclusion.

 

The statistics might suggest otherwise. In winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway, Corey Heim swept the first and second stages, led a race-high 100 of 161 laps and took the checkered flag 0.993 seconds ahead of defending series champion Ty Majeski in a second overtime.

 

“I just am so grateful to be where I’m at,” Heim said. “So thankful for the Tricon Garage, Toyota taking a chance on me years ago, (sponsors) Safelite, Mobil 1, Yahoo, Celsius, for every bit of their support.

 

“I was so stressed out ever since we went to the (Charlotte) Roval (where Heim won from the pole Oct. 3 to advance to the Championship 4). I’ve been, like, so terrible to talk to as a person, so stressed out.

 

“This is just such a relief, to say the least. So thankful for everybody.”

 

Ty Majeski finished second; Kaden Honeycutt placed third; Layne Riggs came in fourth and Rajah Caruth completed the top five.

 

A champion's instincts kicked in, and they worked. pic.twitter.com/Xnuy7zHhtG

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 1, 2025

Pole: Layne Riggs

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Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, February 13, 2026 for the ‘NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race At Daytona’ at Daytona International Speedway.

ARCA

Brent Crews Dominates West Series Finale at Phoenix

 

The outcomes of the two ARCA Menards Series events at Phoenix this year were nearly identical. Brent Crews won both in a Gibbs Toyota with the Pinnacle Racing Group No. 28 following closely behind.

 

Crews’ first Phoenix win in March was much more intense compared to Saturday’s finale. ARCA Menards Series champion Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen appeared poised to claim his second victory of the season in March until a caution on the final lap set up a one-lap shootout between him and Crews.

 

Heading into turn three on the final lap, Crews dove under Queen and proceeded to muscle him up out of the groove. Queen made slight contact with the outside wall while Crews pulled ahead, prevailing in his first ARCA Menards Series appearance behind the wheel of Gibbs’ No. 18.

 

This time, there was no need for last-lap heroics. Carson Brown, the new driver of Pinnacle Racing Group’s No. 28 Chevrolet, made some inroads on Crews during the closing stages but ultimately ran out of time to avenge his team’s previous Phoenix defeat.

 

“It helps when you have a super fast Mobil 1 Toyota Camry,” Crews said.

 

“That was a blast to drive all day. [We were] loose all day, and it’s been super slimy, but these guys never stopped working on this thing. We were able to be fastest in practice, [get] the pole and lead all the laps. It’s an honor to be here.

 

“Having my dad here was cool, but Coach [Joe Gibbs] in Victory Lane for the first time is a new one for me.”

 

Trevor Huddleston put the finishing touches on a championship year in the West Series by scoring a 10th-place finish.

 

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

 

🥹 pic.twitter.com/6p9Qd2l8WW

— Brent Crews (@BrentCrews11) October 27, 2025

Pole: Brent Crews

Click Here for Race Results 

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

Allmendinger to Lead the Bass Pro Shops Race

Green Flag Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway

 

Qualifying in the first half of a 39-driver field, AJ Allmendinger stole the spotlight from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff contenders who followed him around Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday afternoon.

 

First-ever oval pole for Kaulig Racing!

Today, @AJDinger is the fastest man in Tennessee. 😎 pic.twitter.com/k2ZvUINFvn

— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) September 12, 2025

Allmendinger toured the 0.533-mile concrete short track in 15.117 seconds (126.930 mph) to earn the top starting spot for Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race, the Round of 16 elimination event (7:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

The lap held up against an onslaught of Playoff drivers. Ryan Blaney (126.905 mph) came closest with a lap just 0.003 seconds slower than Allmendinger’s. Austin Cindric, just 11 points above the current elimination line for the Round of 12, will start third after a lap at 126.804 mph), far better than his average Bristol starting spot of 21.4.

 

The Busch Light Pole Award was Allmendinger’s first of the season, first at Bristol and fifth of his career.

 

“We just had a really good practice,” said Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet. “We had a solid race in the spring, so good notes to go off of, for sure. You never know. They were saying the (softer right-side) tires were going to be a little different, but our practice was really good.

 

“I was pretty happy with that lap… The tire doesn’t feel a ton different. You can feel the softness—the car kind of moves around on it—but it’s not a massive difference to me. We’ll see how it races (on Saturday), once you get 125 laps on it.”

 

Blaney said his No. 12 Team Penske Ford felt tight in the final two corners.

 

“I’m proud of our lap and proud to be starting on the front row,” said Blaney, the 2023 series champion. “I wish I could have had it back and I’m sure a lot of guys say that. I just got tight in (Turns) 3 and 4...

 

“I think our race car is really good, too, over the long haul, and I’m just looking forward to (Saturday) night. Hopefully, we can run a good 500 laps and keep up with the race track and see what we can do.”

 

Non-Playoff driver Ty Gibbs (126.720 mph) qualified fourth in the fastest Toyota, with six Playoff drivers behind him. Kyle Larson (126.670 mph), winner of the last two Cup Series races at Bristol was fifth, with Last week’s Gateway winner Denny Hamlin (126.312 mph) sixth fastest.

 

William Byron, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell and Josh Berry will start sixth through 10th on the grid, respectively.

 

Here's how the #NASCARPlayoffs field will line up for the Round of 16 finale at @ItsBristolBaby. pic.twitter.com/W71J4gJ8Br

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 12, 2025

 

source: Bristol Motor Speedway Media

NASCAR / ARCA Race Recap (Daytona International Speedway / Madison International Speedway)

Winners: Ryan Blaney (Cup); Connor Zilisch (via Parker Kligerman) (Xfinity); plus Max Reaves (ARCA)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

NASCAR Cup

Blaney Wins Four-Wide Dash to Finish

 

Not that a rescue mission was top of mind for Ryan Blaney, but his dramatic victory in Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway saved Alex Bowman from playoff oblivion.

 

Blaney rocketed forward from 12th in the running order with three laps left in the final NASCAR Cup Series regular-season race and crossed the finish line 0.031 seconds ahead of runner-up Daniel Suárez.

 

Blaney’s second win of the season, his second at Daytona and 15th of his career, vaulted the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford into second place in the regular-season standings, earning him a bonus of 10 playoff points.

 

“What a wild last couple laps, honestly,” Blaney said. “I was with Cole, I kind of asked him on the restart, if you go to the top I’m going with you. We kind of just waited and waited and then the opportunity came, and he made a good move to get to the top, and we were able to really get good shoves.

 

“A couple good guys behind us, and then it kind of cleared the way for us when the 7 (Haley) and 41 (Custer) got racing, and I was able to clear on the top and just barely hold out for the win.”

 

Daniel Suarez finished second; Justin Haley placed third; Cole Custer came in fourth and Erik Jones completed the top five.

 

We could watch this on repeat. 🔁 pic.twitter.com/3HV86OA9n1

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 24, 2025

Pole: Ryan Blaney

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Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 6:00 pm ET for the ‘Cook Out Southern 500’ at Darlington Raceway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Relief Driver Parker Kligerman Scores Daytona Xfinity Win for Zilisch,

 

The record book will list Connor Zilisch as the winner of the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway.

 

But it was part-timer Parker Kligerman who did the heavy lifting in Friday night’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, driving the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet to victory in relief of the 19-year-old prodigy.

 

With Zilisch determined to protect the collarbone he broke in a fall in Victory Lane two weeks ago at Watkins Glen, Kligerman got behind the wheel in a driver switch under caution on Lap 13.

 

From that point through an overtime that took the race to Lap 104, Kligerman drove a masterful race. His victory was welcome consolation for a heart-wrenching loss at Daytona in February, when Kligerman was first to the finish line in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event but suffered a disqualification for a ride-height infraction.

 

“It’s different in every way, because I didn’t expect to get a call from (team owner) Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. on the day I was leaving for vacation, saying ‘Hey, man, would you come drive this thing?'” Kligerman said. “I hate the circumstances for Connor. He’s an amazing generational talent. I feel honored to have gotten the call to grace the seat that he’s been in, that Kyle Larson’s been in. … For me, it’s such a ‘me’ thing that this will not be on Racing Reference at all.”

 

“It’s weird,” Zilisch said. “It was really weird the last time I did it, and I never thought I’d have to do it again. … But I love Parker. I’ve been a fan of Parker for a long time. He’s another one I’m OK watching win inside my race car. I’m glad that I got to start the race and get the points for my team.”

 

Sammy Smith finished second; Justin Allgaier placed third; Jesse Love came in fourth and Sam Mayer completed the top five.

 

Over 750+ texts. Many calls and a very late night. Thank you all for the wonderful messages ❤️

FINALLY!!

Just too cool of a night. Can’t thank @DaleJr @JRMotorsports enough for the belief to get this done.

And @ConnorZilisch who is so wise beyond his years. Had so much fun… https://t.co/wE2OihD6r4

— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) August 23, 2025

Pole: Connor Zilisch

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘Pacific Office Automation 147’ at Portland International Raceway.

NASCAR Trucks

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Were Off Last Weekend

Ten drivers make the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoffs to compete for the championship title. This number has been the standard since the 2020 season, which expanded the playoff field from the previous eight drivers.

 

The stage has been reset. 👀 pic.twitter.com/vn0JNE4MOo

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) August 16, 2025

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET for the ‘Sober or Slammer 200’ at Darlington Raceway.

ARCA

Max Reaves Adds His Name to the History Books with a Victory at Flat Rock Speedway

 

Max Reaves etched his name into the history books Saturday night at Michigan’s Flat Rock Speedway.

 

Reaves, just 15, secured his third ARCA Menards Series East win in as many starts when he took the checkered flag in the Dutch Boy 150. He joins Will Rodgers as the only two drivers to win their first three East Series starts.

 

Reaves had his work cut out for him Saturday night at Flat Rock’s tight quarter-mile oval. Starting from the General Tire Pole, he jumped to the lead early but was constantly hounded by Tyler Reif.

 

That wasn’t the end of the battle between the two. Reaves and Reif spent the rest of the race almost nose-to-tail, with Reif occasionally beating on Reaves’ back bumper to remind his rival he was there.

 

“Every time I felt him, I’d get on the brake a little bit and keep it on the bottom, because the second he got me off the bottom, he was getting around and driving away,” said Reaves, who piloted the No. 18 Cook Out Toyota to Victory Lane for Joe Gibbs Racing. “The second he bumped me he got around me on the bottom, but I gave it back. It was good racing.”

 

“I’m going to be the first one to win four,” Reaves added. “I’m confident with that and confident in my team.”

 

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

 

Highlights from Friday night's ARCA Menards race at @MISRacing! pic.twitter.com/xgHUmrsOke

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) August 23, 2025

Pole: Max Reaves

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 4:00 pm PT for the ‘Portland 112’ at Portland International Raceway .

 

source: NASCAR Media

NASCAR Nashville Race Weekend Recap

Winners: Ryan Blaney (Cup); Justin Allgaier (Xfinity); RajahCaruth (Trucks)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

NASCAR Cup

Ryan Blaney Breaks Through to Take Victory in Cracker Barrel 400

 

A season full of near misses and hard-luck finishes for Ryan Blaney disappeared in a magical Music City night.

 

At a sold-out Nashville Superspeedway, with fireworks and cheers washing over him, Blaney was finally able to celebrate a victory.

 

Blaney, driving the No. 12 Ford for Penske Racing, led a race-high 139 laps, earned his first NASCAR Cup Series win of the year and the 14th victory of his career by taking the checkered flag in the Cracker Barrel 400.

 

“We've had great speed all year -- just hasn't been the best year for us as far as good fortune,” said Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion. “The 12 boys are awesome; they stick with it no matter how it goes, and it was great to finish one out tonight.”

 

Blaney gained top position early by making a two-tire stop, won the second stage after surviving a wave of caution flags and held on through a green-flag pit stop cycle in the third stage to beat Carson Hocevar to the start-finish line by 2.83 seconds.

 

“I never gave up hope,” said Blaney, who won his first Cup Series race since last fall in Martinsville, a span of 15 events.

 

“I thought [two tires] was a good call. We drove up to seventh there in the first stage, and I thought two tires were great. I thought my car was really good, and that really set us up for the rest of the race.

 

“It’s nice that it’s finally happening. It’s time to go celebrate!”

 

He wanted one, he got one! 🔥😤@Blaney | #CB400 pic.twitter.com/TnrLNll06B

— Nashville Superspeedway (@NashvilleSuperS) June 2, 2025

Pole: Chase Briscoe

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Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET for the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Justin Allgaier Holds on to Win the Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway

 

Justin Allgaier, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, swept all the stages on his way to his third NASCAR Xfinity Series win of the year, his second at Nashville Superspeedway, and the 28th victory of his career, good for ninth all-time. Chevrolet has won 12 of the first 14 Xfinity Series races of the season – a Series first.

 

“There’s no cooler feeling than to win at a place like this,” said Allgaier in front of the grandstands with fireworks exploding behind the backstretch. “These fans are incredible. I really wanted to get a second guitar. [My daughters] can fight over one of them or both of them.”

 

“JR Motorsports brought some incredible Chevrolets today,” Allgaier said. “That final restart was the key. Having clean air, and being out front … you have to make the most out of having good days. “This team never gives up. [My pit crew] deserves this more than anything. This [car] was on rails.”

 

Perfection.

61 points for @J_Allgaier tonight and leads #XfinitySeries with five Xfinity #FastestLap bonus points, three more than any other driver. pic.twitter.com/d8xUY4CcVB

— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) June 1, 2025

Pole: William Sawalich

Click Here for Race Results

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

Rajah Caruth Holds Off Rivals Heim and Riggs to Win Rackley Roofing 200

 

In an exhilarating three-way fight for the checkered flag, Rajah Caruth powered to the victory in the Rackley Roofing 200 Craftsman Truck Series race at Nashville Superspeedway Friday night.

 

Caruth, driving the No. 71 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, held off Truck Series points leader Corey Heim and Stage 1 winner Layne Riggs on his way to his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win of his career.

 

“I didn’t expect that at all,” said Caruth after hearing roars of approval from the Nashville crowd. “Those guys were breathing down my neck the whole time. My pit crew won the race for us. We’ve been off this year but it’s good to get it done tonight.”

 

Heim held on for second, with Riggs finishing third, Daniel Hemric placing fourth and Corey Day coming in fifth.

 

Driver. Team. Family.

That's what it's all about. pic.twitter.com/KidBYMT5Oh

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 31, 2025

Pole: Corey Heim

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET for the DQS Solutions & Staffing 200 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway.

ARCA

There were no ARCA races to Report

#WeBuildChampions https://t.co/KqN8Y8R7xE

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) May 31, 2025

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET for the Henry Ford Health 200 at Michigan International Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

NASCAR Race Recap (Martinsville)

Winners: Ryan Blaney (Cup); Aric Almirola (Xfinity); Christian Eckes (Trucks)

NASCAR Cup

Ryan Blaney Passes Chase Elliott for the Cup Win

 

Ryan Blaney earned a chance to defend his NASCAR championship with a victory Sunday at Martinsville Speedway that pushed the Team Penske driver into the winner-take-all season finale

 

Blaney, passed Chase Elliott with 15 laps to go to win at the Virginia track for a second consecutive year and take a spot in the championship race next week at Phoenix Raceway. Blaney will race Penske teammate Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing and Byron.

 

The title goes to the highest-finishing driver next Sunday.

 

“To have another shot at the championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to go back-to-back next week. I’ve got nothing left. Oh my God, I’m tired.”

 

A memorable @Blaney celebration. #NASCARPlayoffs #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/lPFYio37PI

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 3, 2024

Pole: Martin Truex Jr.

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday November 10, 2024 at 3:00 pm ET for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Aric Almirola Sweeps ’24 Xfinity Series Races at Martinsville

 

Tickets punched and punches thrown – it was Martinsville after all, and in Saturday’s National Debt Relief 250, Aric Almirola made Martinsville Speedway his personal playground.

 

Leading 150 of 250 laps in a No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota that was the clear class of the field, Almirola won his second race in his second NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 0.526-mile short track and earned a spot for his car in the series owners’ Championship 4.

 

For Almirola, who won at Martinsville in April in his first Xfinity attempt, the victory was the third of the season in 13 starts and the seventh of his career.

 

“We had an amazing car here in the spring, and we made a few tweaks to it,” said Almirola, who also swept the first and second stages. “I wasn’t totally happy with it, honestly, in the spring. And we showed up (Friday) and we were awful. I was like ‘Oh, no, what did we do?’ ”

 

“They went to work last night and came up with a lot of changes to make to the car, and it was so hooked up today. It would just do everything I wanted it to. This is such a special place. This is by far my favorite race track. I’m just so thankful.”

 

Stage 1 ✅
Stage 2 ✅
Checkered flag ✅

Have yourself a night, @Aric_Almirola! 👏 pic.twitter.com/7nxieOfksm

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 2, 2024

Pole: Parker Retzlaff

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday November 9, 2024 at 7:30 pm ET for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR Trucks

Christian Eckes Survives Late-Race Restarts, Dominates Truck Series Race at Martinsville

 

It was indeed a special night for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Christian Eckes, who dominated Friday night’s Long John Silver’s 200 at Martinsville Speedway.

 

Eschewing a trip to pit road between the first and second stages at the 0.526-mile short track, Eckes led the first 104 laps, swept the stages and worked his way back through the field from 19th after pitting at the Stage 2 break.

 

Undeterred by the chaos that produced 11 cautions for 81 laps, Eckes took the lead for the final time on Lap 172 in a side-by-side battle against pole winner Ty Majeski, who regained the top spot when Eckes came to pit road for the only time during the 200-lap event.

 

“Something really special,” Eckes said of the effort of his No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing team and the quality of his Chevrolet. “We came here last year, and we weren’t really that great… we were maybe a sixth-place truck (started sixth and finished 15th).

 

“And we worked really hard on it, and here we are in Victory Lane. So just super proud of this entire team.”

 

NEWS: The No. 19 truck clears post-race inspection at @MartinsvilleSwy. @christianeckes' #NASCARPlayoffs victory is official and he is locked into the #Championship4! pic.twitter.com/gW0LdQ0yRk

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 2, 2024

Pole: Christian Eckes

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday November 8, 2024 at 8:00 pm ET for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.

ARCA West

One more race. pic.twitter.com/52yrol251m

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) October 27, 2024

Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. MT for the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 at Phoenix Raceway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

This NASCAR Weekend has many New Opportunities for Fans

The 7th annual Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

 

The 7th annual Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) is set to be a fan favorite in 2024. This year’s race weekend provides many exciting opportunities for fans, at and away from track, to meet drivers, get an up-close look at a variety of cool cars, and enjoy a first-class NASCAR race weekend tripleheader.

 

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race takes place Friday night, March 1st at 6:00 pm PST, followed by the NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday, March 2nd at 2:00 pm PST. NASCAR Cup Series drivers will start their engines for the Pennzoil 400 on Sunday, March 3rd at 12:30 PM PST, and the race will be broadcast live on FOX.

 

"The Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is more than just a race; it's an opportunity for us to share the love of racing and heart-pounding roar of engines with NASCAR fans," shared Bree Sandlin, Vice President of Shell Lubricants North America Marketing. “It gives us the chance to continue to showcase the high-performance of our products on the track, while also celebrating the impressive cars, drivers, and those working behind the scenes motorsports industry to bring fans together to experience the rumble at tracks throughout the country at 180 mph.”

 

Fans will be able to meet drivers at select locations prior to the race and will have the ability to meet influencers and check out a variety of unique cars during the race weekend in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway midway as they enter the track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fan Zone Presented by Pennzoil including:

 

• Vehicles on Display:
• The #22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang NASCAR Cup Car, RTR Formula Drift Ford Mustang, Alex Taylor’s Rebelle Rally Jeep Wrangler 4XE, Shelby Hall’s Ford Bronco, and the Pennzoil Ferrari from Dream Racing can all be seen at the LVMS Fan Zone over the race weekend
• Driver Meet & Greets in the Las Vegas Area:
• Meet NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney and INDYCAR driver Scott McLaughlin at the Jiffy Lube on 10440 S. Eastern Ave, Henderson, NV 89052 on Friday, March 1st at 9:00 am PST
• Influencer Meet & Greets at the LVMS Fan Zone:
• Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang will make an appearance at the LVMS Fan Zone at 9:30 am PST on Saturday, March 2nd
• Meet RTR Formula Drift drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy for Q&A on-stage Sunday, March 3rd at 10:00 am followed by an autograph session at 10:30 am
• Meet Rebelle Rally drivers/navigators on-stage for Q&A at 11:00 am Sunday, March 3rd

Couple of Pennzoil lads hanging out. Come by if you can! https://t.co/6kBwrAUPcB

— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 29, 2024

Fans also can enter the Pennzoil 400 Social Sweepstakes that runs through Tuesday March 5th, 2024. Four grand prize winners will receive the Grand Prize Pennzoil Tailgate Kit while hundreds of winners can qualify for a number of other great prizes. *No Purchase Necessary. Ends 3/5/24. Void Where Prohibited. Terms Apply. See pennzoil.com for full details.

 

Over the race weekend members of The Rebelle Rally, the first women’s off-road navigation rally raid in the United States, will be present for a special announcement by Pennzoil. Alex and Meg Taylor and their Jeep Wrangler 4XE as well as Rori Lewis and Shelby Hall and their Ford Bronco will be present at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fan Zone Presented by Pennzoil throughout the weekend, where fans will have an opportunity to meet the drivers and see their vehicles up close.

 

Both Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske as well as his teammate and reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Ryan Blaney,  driver of the No. 12 Ford Mustang, will be carrying exclusive Pennzoil paint schemes on their cars. Logano has found the scheme especially lucky in winning the Pennzoil 400 twice in that livery (2019 & 2020) and the fall event at LVMS in 2022 that springboarded him to his second Cup championship.

 

Since 1913, Pennzoil has crafted innovative formulas to help prolong engine life and promote top performance, much of which can be attributed to technical partnerships like those with Team Penske. Pennzoil engineers work closely with Team Penske to develop special motor oil formulations to maximize engine protection and engine performance. Constant improvement developed throughout the season, in the harshest racing conditions, contributes to the advancement of the brand’s technology for your car.

 

“Jiffy Lube is proud to team up with Pennzoil for the seventh year to bring this action-packed NASCAR Cup Series event to race fans,” said Suzanne Clerkin, Chief Marketing Officer, Jiffy Lube International, Inc. “The Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube is a great opportunity to bring two leading iconic automotive brands together both on and off the track to help keep drivers on the road.”

 

At the end of 2022, leaders from Pennzoil and Speedway Motorsports Incorporated, owner and operator of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, announced a long-term continuation of the Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube NCS race at LVMS, a testament to how synonymous Pennzoil has become with the spring NASCAR weekend. The relationship with SMI provides Pennzoil the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships within the motorsports industry, with customers, and with some of the most loyal fans in all of sports – NASCAR fans.

 

“This will be the seventh year of our partnership with Pennzoil and Jiffy Lube,” said LVMS President Chris Powell. “Pennzoil’s relationship with all forms of motorsports is tops in the racing industry, and we’re looking forward to many more years with the Pennzoil name on our spring NASCAR race.”

 

 

 

source: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Media