This, That and the Next Thing by Ernie Saxton - August 2, 2025

Friday night, August 15 will be the Dirty Deeds 25 Finale for HJ Towing & Recovery 358 sprint cars at Williams Grove Speedway.

And what a finale it will be with a total purse worth some $21,000 on the line for the limiteds!

The winner alone will score $3,000 while the race pays $600 just to start.

A standard Yellow Breeches format will be used to set the heat and feature starting lineups to include timed warm-ups.

The Dirty Deeds Finale was originally slated to be the third in a series of Dirty Deeds races at Williams Grove in 2025 however the second event was lost to rain in May.

Dylan Norris won the first race, started in April before being completed on July 18.

Dirty Deeds Repair & Fabrication of Quarry Road in Honey Brook provides professional transportation and freight services.

Mr. Bill Devine and Dirty Deeds have been hosting the Dirty Deeds 25 events at the oval for several seasons but the race on August 15 will be the biggest to date.

A large field of 358 sprint cars is expected to compete for the Dirty Deeds cash.

The 410 sprints will also be in action on August 15, competing in a Yellow Breeches 500 race.

Keep up to date on all the latest speedway news and information by visiting the oval’s official website at www.williamsgrove.com or by visiting the oval on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who has run only two Cup races this season, says “there’s a chance that I run more races next year.”

One of those races, he hopes, will be the inaugural street race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego next June.

That event has special meaning for Johnson, who grew up in El Cajon, California, about 15 miles east of San Diego.

While San Diego would be a special place for Johnson to run his final Cup race next Father’s Day (June 21), the co-owner of Legacy Motor Club said he still wants to race more in NASCAR’s premier series even as he’s set to turn 50 in September.

“I want to keep going,” Johnson said in response to a question from NBC Sports about his future plans. “I want to stay in a car. I think it’s good for us.

“We’re hopeful to have a third charter. Need to start building a team. There’s a chance that I run more races next year if we have a third charter on the docket and have a sponsor to bring along, team members to groom, a crew chief to get reps, a driver to get reps. There’s a lot of scenarios that are in play. I’m hopeful I can keep going.

iRacing and NASCAR have revealed that NASCAR 25 is launching on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on October 14, 2025, with PC via Steam to follow soon after.

NASCAR 25 is the first standalone NASCAR console title produced by iRacing, the developers behind the most authentic motorsport racing simulation in the world. iRacing is bringing decades of racing expertise to NASCAR 25, including developers who worked on fan-favorite NASCAR games like NASCAR Racing 2003, NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona, and entries from the NASCAR Thunder series.

NASCAR 25 will feature all four premier NASCAR series – the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and, appearing along NASCAR series in a standalone title for the first time, the ARCA Menards Series. All four series, along with real drivers from each, will feature extensively in NASCAR 25’s Career Mode, where you’ll customize your own driver and vehicles, manage contracts, money, facility, and staff, and make strategic choices on and off the track that play a pivotal role in your journey to becoming a NASCAR Cup Series champion. The four series are also playable in other gameplay modes such as quick races, seasons, and online multiplayer.

For updates on NASCAR 25, visit www.nascar25.com.

In yet another example of NASCAR’s willingness to introduce new racing venues and broaden its stock car racing audience, the sanctioning body announced Wednesday a major new addition to the 2026 schedule – a road course race around the famous Naval Air Station Coronado in San Diego that will host all three national series; the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

“The natural ties our fans and a lot of the folks in our industry have with the military and the men and women that fight for our freedom, give us the ability to do what we love to do every single day, it was a natural fit,” NASCAR Executive Vice President, the Chief Venue and Racing Innovation Officer Ben Kennedy said.

“As we got to the base, started to have conversations with the team here at Naval Base Coronado, one thing led to another. They’ve been tremendous partners from the start. Then to sync it up with the 250th anniversary of our Navy, there were so many synergies that came together. This was a no-brainer for us.”

The triple-header event will mark the first time NASCAR has competed on an active military base. The exact course layout is expected to be revealed “in the near future” but Kennedy said the plan is for it to be roughly three-miles long.

“You’ll have the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll see other shots of the backdrop of San Diego,” Kennedy said. “Actually, being here in a bit of the peninsula, in between the bay and the ocean is going to make for an amazing backdrop.

“We’re going to be weaving our way through the base, too. You’ll see a couple of carriers, F-18s on the tarmac. Some of the course will be set in stone a little bit as we’re making our way through the streets here on the base, then a lot of it is going to be a blank canvas. There will be a portion going out onto the tarmac, might have some long straightaways, more technical sections.”

The NASCAR Cup Series will race on Sunday, June 21 (televised on Amazon Prime) preceded by the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (FOX Sports) on Friday, June 19 and the Xfinity Series (CW) on Saturday, June 20.

And the welcome vibe is already unmistakable.

“NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit through speed, precision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence,” Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan said. “Hosting a race aboard Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of naval aviation, it’s not just a historic first, it’s a powerful tribute to the values we share: grit, teamwork and love of country.”

“We’re proud to open our gates to the American people, honor those who wear the uniform and inspire the next generation to step forward and serve something greater than themselves,” Phelan added.

The specially designed logo for the San Diego event features an F-18 Super Hornet jet and three stars signifying land, sea and air, a nod to the Navy being the only military branch to operate in all three spaces. Four stripes at the bottom of the logo represent the country’s four armed force branches, the Airforce, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy.

Judging by the immediate social media reaction, the news has been well-received by teams, competitors and fans.

Southern California native, NASCAR Hall of Famer and current NASCAR Cup Series team owner Jimmie Johnson was certainly pleased with the news that his hometown would be playing host to a triple-header race weekend.

“To a San Diegan to hear those words, I was just smiling, like no way, this is really going to happen,” said Johnson, who even indicated he’d love to compete in the race and include it on his part-time schedule next year.

“From everyone at NASCAR and their mission and growth to be in Southern California and doing something unique and different, credit to everybody at NASCAR for putting this together and being so adamant in San Diego being a destination and where a street circuit should go.’’

“The community really loves something to do on the weekends and with the great weather, the social scene, the relaxed nature to go an event an enjoy it’s top of the line to people who really look for those experiences,” he continued.

“I know there are race fans around San Diego but there are more fans to be discovered and to be in the Southern California market is really important. We’re obviously not far away from LA and the influence that has. … I think it’s a really smart strategic move.”

“The more we can move into these major markets, domestic or otherwise, and also hit new pockets around the country where we haven’t traditionally been, we’re only going to grow the sport. I think that brings in eyeballs, it brings in partners and relationships.

“I think it also bolsters relationships that teams and tracks and NASCAR already have. We end up in people’s backyards that we traditionally don’t. That diversification is really helpful and key as we try to grow the sport.”

In announcing the news, NASCAR released a well-received three-minute video on social media paired with the announcement and starring some of the sport’s brightest stars from current NASCAR Cup Series championship leaders Chase Elliott and William Byron to popular champion Ryan Blaney and reigning champ Joey Logano.

The tagline from the video was “this isn’t just a race, it’s a mission” and the drivers have embraced the “Race the Base” expression for the event. Fans seemed to agree. Immediately from the moment the news was released, responses on social media ranged from “Can’t wait for this,” to “Absolutely epic” to another who not only loved the idea of racing at Coronado, but suggested the Navy invite the Blue Angels to perform an air show that weekend.

“So cool to be a part of this, can’t wait to get to Coronado and race the base,” said Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe.

Kennedy stressed that although the event is on a military base, fans will be allowed trackside and urged those interested to go to the NASCARSanDiego.com website to put their name on the wait list or place a deposit for the weekend.

Sugarlands Distilling Company has announced it is once again teaming with NASCAR legend Richard Petty, this time to launch Petty Punch Moonshine. This vibrant, fruit-forward shine pays homage to “The King” and his legendary career.

Petty Punch will officially launch on Friday, August 8, at Sugarlands’ downtown Gatlinburg Distillery. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Richard Petty in person during a special appearance from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Sugarlands that day. Crafted with a blend of juicy fruit flavors with a smooth, sippable finish, Petty Punch is available in 750mL jars featuring an unmistakable silhouette of “The King” on the label. Petty Punch checks in at 50 proof (25% alcohol/volume).

“It’s always a pleasure to work with my friends at Sugarlands, and Petty Punch is one that we’ve had a lot of fun putting together,” said Richard Petty. “I’m excited to see this product come to life and proud to put my name on it. I think fans will really enjoy it, too, whether they’re sipping it or displaying it on their shelf.”

Petty Punch Moonshine markets the latest collaboration between Sugarlands and Richard Petty, following a successful limited-edition release of Roaming Man Richard Petty Rye Whiskey in 2024. Petty Punch represents a new chapter in the partnership, every bit as collectible and crowd-pleasing as Roaming Man Richard Petty Rye.

“We’ve had the privilege of working with Richard on some very special projects, and Petty Punch is a true reflection of his enduring legacy,” said Patrick Sullivan, Sugarlands chief revenue officer. “With this release, we wanted to create something that celebrates Richard in a fun, authentic way, while creating something that fans can enjoy and collectors will be eager to get their hands on.”

Sugarlands Distilling Company is a family-owned craft distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, welcoming over a million guests annually to its award-winning tasting room. Home to a growing house of brands—including Sugarlands Shine, Sugarlands Sippin’ Cream, Roaming Man Whiskey, and High Rock Vodka in collaboration with Dale and Amy Earnhardt—Sugarlands products have earned national acclaim. Roaming Man has won multiple top honors, including Best Whiskey at the 2019 American Craft Spirits Association Awards and four Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2023 and 2024, Sugarlands was named the top craft spirits distillery tasting room in America by USA TODAY 10Best.

Sugarlands Petty Punch launches August 8 at Sugarlands Gatlinburg Distillery and will be available soon at retailers nationwide. To find a Sugarlands retailer near you, visit FindMoonshine.com.

Zac Brown Band and HendrickCars.com are teaming with Hendrick Motorsports for a show-stopping presence in the NASCAR playoffs to promote the group’s just-announced 2025 limited engagement at Sphere Las Vegas. The collaboration will feature a special paint scheme on Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet during the Oct. 12 Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Zac Brown Band will perform at Sphere Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13 to coincide with the release of their seventh full-length studio album, “Love and Fear.” Known for fusing country, rock and Southern roots, the multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning group’s immersive live shows will be elevated by Sphere’s state-of-the-art technology and storytelling capabilities that deliver a concert experience like no other.

The No. 5 Zac Brown Band HendrickCars.com Chevrolet will feature the band’s signature “Stone Skull” logo on the hood with a matte black and gold chrome color palette. Primary sponsor HendrickCars.com will remain prominently featured on the car.

“Hitting the track with Hendrick Motorsports and Kyle Larson is a badass way to get the word out about our shows at Sphere,” said Zac Brown, frontman and lead vocalist of Zac Brown Band. “Mr. H has been an awesome friend for many years, and we’re thrilled to have this opportunity with his team. These performances are going to be unlike anything we’ve ever done – and this car is just a preview of the spirit we’re bringing to Vegas.”

“Zac and the band are great friends of our organization,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “They always put on an incredible show, and I personally can’t wait to see what they come up with at Sphere – it’s going to be unbelievable. There’s a natural connection between the energy of rock and roll and the intensity of NASCAR. Las Vegas is one of Kyle’s best tracks, and we hope to deliver a performance for our fans that matches what the band brings to theirs.”

Larson, 32, has been dominant at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Elk Grove, California, native is a three-time winner on the 1.5-mile oval and has led 690 laps there. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion has gone to victory lane twice in his last four starts at the track.

“It’s always cool when two different worlds come together like this,” Larson said. “The paint scheme has a killer edge to it. I’m pumped to take something to Vegas that our No. 5 team fans and Zac Brown Band fans will all be excited about. I love that HendrickCars.com wanted to make this collaboration happen and is going all in. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

National Speedway Directory is pleased to announce that the Race Track Business Conference - 2025 - will be held on Wednesday December 10, 2025.

The fourteenth annual Race Track Business Conference is in its second decade with the PRI Trade Show.

RTBC - 2025 - will have multiple sessions during the full-day format.

Additional information on topics and speakers will be announced over the next few months.

The cost to attend RTBC - 2025 is $250. Additional information can be found at (www.racetrackbusinessconference.com) or by contacting Tim Frost at (twfrost@speedwaysonline.com) or (847) 778-9475 (cell).

About National Speedway Directory

National Speedway Directory (www.speedwaysonline.com) is an information source for the motorsports industry. The website has listings tracks, sanctions, publications, and museums.

About Performance Racing Industry

Performance Racing Industry, (www.performanceracing.com) monthly business magazine, is recognized as "The Voice of Racing Marketplace." Targeted at the racing trade, PRI connects manufacturers of racing products and technology with the distribution channels of retailers, builders, distributers, and teams. The PRI Show is the world's largest auto racing trade show.

NASCAR issued a rule book bulletin recently that allows them to limit the entries for a NASCAR Cup Series race to 40 teams.

Rule 5.1.F. –NASCAR, at its sole discretion, may elect to limit the number of entries for a race to 40. In such instances, Open Teams will be determined based on the Team Owner Points standings.

The bulletin also states:

Rule 7.9.1.1.B.- Four Open Teams will be eligible for starting grid positions based on the fastest single lap speed posted to each Open Team’s vehicle in the first Qualifying round.

Rule 7.9.1.1.C. –Up to six Open Teams will be eligible for starting grid positions based on the highest ranked Team Owner Points standings.

BY ERNIE SAXTON