about 7 hours ago
2026 Chili Bowl Champ Emerson Axsom Hails Kyle Larson’s Skill Behind the Wheel
"He’s a very smart racer," said Axsom of Larson's driving style as the two drivers went head-to-head during the 2026 Chili Bowl final last Saturday. After Larson crashed out of contention on lap 16, Axsom sighed, "It was like a little bit of weight off my shoulders. I didn’t have to be stressed about being perfect every lap."
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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about 8 hours ago
Jimmie Johnson Explains the Feeling of Winning a NASCAR Cup Title in the Playoff Era
"I will never forget just the shock and emotion that I had after winning the seventh," recalled Johnson, whose final Cup title came under the Playoff format. On a day when he had given up hopes of contending for the prize at Homestead-Miami, a flurry of late cautions meant he capitalized on his luck, in typical Playoffs fashion.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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about 8 hours ago
Connor Zilisch Is “Glad” NASCAR Made Format Changes Ahead of the 2026 Season
"I think it's good for everybody," said Zilisch of the tweaked Chase format in effect from 2026, ditching the elimination-style Playoffs. "I'm glad that NASCAR made the decision. Who knows, it could not work out, but at least we're trying," he added, despite accepting his chances of winning a title being more with the previous Playoff model.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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about 14 hours ago
Juan Pablo Montoya Still Sets the Bar for NASCAR’s Foreign-Born Stars
The Colombian driver has the most laps led (1124) by a foreign-born driver in the Cup, closely followed by Daniel Suarez (907). Shane van Gisbergen and Marcus Ambrose complete the top 4 with 371 and 347 laps led, respectively. Old timers Mario Andretti (165) and Earl Ross (127) come in next with a clear deficit from the top 4.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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about 14 hours ago
Mark Martin’s Honest Feelings About Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Return
"It's a huge win for the fans," admitted Martin as Stewart returns for a single Truck outing with Kaulig this year. However, he admittedly wasn't sure of Smoke's full-time return. "I would be skeptical. I'm sure this [Chase] format pleases him. But I also know he's a smart man and sees how hard it was to get here."
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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about 15 hours ago
Connor Zilisch Drops Major Health Update Ahead of Cup Series Debut With Trackhouse
Zilisch broke his collarbone while trying to climb up on his car to celebrate at Watkins Glen in August last year. He had surgery a few days later. "Everything’s been really good. It certainly was a headache at first, but yeah, I’m glad everything’s fine now,” Zilisch said. He will make his full-time Cup debut with Trackhouse in 2026.
By Ankit Sharma
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1 day ago
NASCAR’s Chase Format Could Make Wins Matter More Than Ever
"The extra points with winning make it significantly more important," said Tyler Reddick's crew chief, Billy Scott. He emphasized the points awarded for a win, rising from 40 to 55, as the elimination format is abolished, increasing the value of wins exponentially. "It's going to be more likely now that you race for the win," he added.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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1 day ago
Kenny Wallace Sums Up His 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals Experience
"It's the greatest race of all time," said the former NASCAR driver as he visited Tulsa Expo Center for the finale of the famed dirt event. "I'm super excited to be here. It's the greatest experience of my life," added Wallace, returning to witness the action after a three-year absence as first-time winner Emerson Axsom claimed the title.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
Read more1 day ago
Where Did Kyle Larson Finish in the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals?
After claiming pole for Saturday, the defending Chili Bowl champ was unable to hold on to his crown after he flipped 15 laps into the race. Larson made contact with a slow-moving C.J. Leary before his midget turned turtle, ending his chances of winning the dirt crown jewel once again. He was ultimately classified in twenty-third position.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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1 day ago
Kevin Harvick and Son Keelan Trade Paint in CARS Tour West Showdown
Former NASCAR regular Kevin Harvick and his son Keelan traded blows in a thrilling fight for the win at Tucson Speedway. Battling for the lead, Harvick passed his son on the inside before getting bumped and repassed by him. The elder Harvick was quick to return the favor, bumping Keelan out of the way, regaining the lead, and claiming victory.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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1 day ago
Kevin Harvick Reveals His “Biggest Surprise” Watching Son Keelan Race
"The biggest surprise for me is that he can qualify. That was never a trait that I had," said the former NASCAR driver, talking about his 13-year-old son Keelan. "The speed was always there," added the elder Harvick, summing up the young racer's progression through 2025 as the father-son duo worked on his adaptability in different cars.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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2 days ago
NASCAR Star Jesse Love Jr. Tumbles in Tulsa
The 2025 O'Reilly Series champion went for a wild flip across the finish line during Friday night's preliminary action after making contact with Giovanni Scelzi, fighting for fifth position. Despite the wild flip, love managed to log a P6 finish, qualifying him for the B-Main on Saturday. This is the 21-year-old's fifth Chili Bowl Nationals attempt.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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3 days ago
Brian Keselowski Gives the Flip Side to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Short Track Argument
Brad Keselowski’s older brother and fellow racer, Brian, offered a contrasting view to Junior's stance on NASCAR lowering the age limit to 17 for road courses and sub-1.25-mile ovals in the O’Reilly Series. Calling it rare but possible, Brian cited drivers such as Connor Zilisch as “ready” at 17, praising the “amazing” talent and maturity exhibited by the younger generation.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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3 days ago
Jeff Gordon Is All for NASCAR’s Chase Format Despite Being “Screwed” Multiple Times
4x Cup champion Jeff Gordon admitted he was “screwed” by the Chase format during his prime, as revealed on Hauler Talk. Yet, he admitted he “really likes” where NASCAR landed with the tweaks for 2026. His most glaring Chase loss came in 2007, losing the title to Jimmie Johnson despite six wins, 21 top fives, and a 5.0 average finish.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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3 days ago
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: NASCAR’s New Rule Change Could Hurt Local Short Tracks
NASCAR has decreased the minimum age required for drivers to compete at road courses and tracks 1.25 miles or less in length in the O'Reilly Series to 17 years. However, according to Junior, "These kids aren't ready. Why the rush?" arguing that the new entry age "hurts local short tracks" as upcoming drivers move away from local facilities sooner.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
Read more3 days ago
FOX Sports to Debut New Graphics Package During NASCAR Broadcast
“We’re going to have a new graphics package this year,” revealed Larry McReynolds ahead of the 2026 season, calling it “very simple” and easy to read. The goal is to tell a complete story on the screen, even without audio. “You are going to like it,” he added, referring to whether the divisive driver cartoons are returning or not.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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3 days ago
The Year 2016 Told DeLana Harvick Something She “Didn’t Want to Hear”
“2016, I think you were trying to tell me something I didn’t want to hear,” Kevin Harvick’s wife DeLana wrote, recalling a photo of son Keelan posing in his father’s Cup car as she watched on. Not racing then, Keelan now has a fledgling career and appears bound for the big leagues, something his mother didn’t foresee at the time.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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3 days ago
Joe Gibbs Racing Leads the Way in This NASCAR Statistic
JGR’s Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell lead the field with 11 races with 100-plus laps led, followed closely by Penske’s Ryan Blaney and HMS teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson with 10 each. All five drive for powerhouse teams and are title contenders. With the Chase returning, it remains to be seen if they’ll maintain their consistent edge.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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3 days ago
Michael Waltrip: NASCAR Has Finally Got the Format Right
"They got it right. It's a great balance between consistency and winning," said Waltrip of the reintroduced Chase format for 2026. Thanking former drivers who pushed for change, such as Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr., the 2001 Daytona 500 winner added, "We should be, as fans, thrilled," as driver star power is expected to take centerstage once again.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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3 days ago
Jimmie Johnson Expects Positive Boost for Legacy MC With the Chase Format
"We can get back into an area where we think we're the strongest, and that's locking down top 10s and being consistent week in and week out," elaborated Johnson. He touched on LMC's strengths, like consistent finishes, rather than outright wins. With the format's increased focus on year-long consistency, morale and results for the team could see a boost.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
Read more3 days ago
Christopher Bell Blitzes the Tulsa Field in Thursday’s A-Main, Takes a Bow Afterwards
"That's what entertainers do, right? After you're done entertaining? Hopefully that was an entertaining race!" exclaimed Bell. He bowed in front of the Tulsa crowd after going from P8 to winning the A-Main, capturing the ninth Prelim win of his career. With his speed, Bell looks on course to challenge for the 2026 Chili Bowl crown on Saturday.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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4 days ago
Chase Briscoe Poses With San Antonio Spurs’ Keldon Johnson
In the latest NASCAR-NBA crossover, JGR's Briscoe was seen posing with Keldon Johnson, the longest tenured Spurs player, ahead of their currently ongoing match with the Milwaukee Bucks. Briscoe and Johnson were seen exchanging a Briscoe-labelled basketball jersey and an autographed JGR t-shirt. The broadcast also aired interviews with the No. 19 driver during the game.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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4 days ago
Ford Confirms New NASCAR Cup Series Mustang for 2027
Ford is set to debut its latest car in NASCAR with the Mustang Dark Horse SC, a new model in their performance road car lineup. The blue oval introduced the previous generation Mustang in 2022 with the onset of the Next Gen era. Ford then introduced the current generation 'S650' Mustang in 2024, followed now by the Dark Horse SC.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
Read more5 days ago
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Set to Make NASCAR Truck Debut in 2026
Stenhouse will team up with the No. 45 crew at Niece Motorsports to make his debut in the junior series this year, with his first outing scheduled at Daytona, followed by another entry at EchoPark Speedway. "Winning the [Daytona] 500 was awesome, and I’d love to win a Truck race there," added the 2023 winner of the famed event.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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5 days ago
Josh Berry Anticipates “Multi-Groove Racing” at North Wilkesboro in 2026
"It’s gonna continue to age, and ultimately I think it’s gonna make multi-groove racing," said Berry of North Wilkesboro's surface and how its aging is expected to alter on-track action with more overtaking opportunities. With the venue now hosting a points-paying race, drivers also expect to reap the fruits of increased horsepower on offer, making for exciting short-track racing.
By Rahul Ahluwalia
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