The two-day C & D Rigging World of Outlaws Summer Nationals are set at Williams Grove Speedway.
Slated for Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, the C & D Rigging Summer Nationals will pit the local Pennsylvania Posse sprint cars against the famous World of Outlaws drivers for the second time this season at Williams Grove.
The first time around back in May found local Anthony Macri scoring Morgan Cup laurels in what turned out to be a one night program.
The Summer Nationals Friday main event on July 25 will be 25-laps in distance and pay $12,000 to win.
Saturday’s main event will go 30-laps for $20,000 to win.
In Summer Nationals action last season, TJ Stutts upended the outlaws band in Friday night action while World of Outlaws champion David Gravel scored the big $20,000 payday on Saturday in what was his 100th career outlaws series victory.
C & D Rigging of Grantville is a full service rigging and millwrighting company.
C & D Rigging offers custom millwrighting and mechanical erection of machinery and heavy equipment with over 150 years of collective experience.
Find out more about C & D Rigging and its services at www.cd-rigging.com.
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.
RacingJunk.com is the Official Classifieds for Williams Grove Speedway.
New Red Bull F1 Boss Laurent Mekies Has Long List of Challenges
Phillip Horton shares his Autoweek analysis: Keeping Max Verstappen in the Red Bull family is a priority for Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal.
For the first time in Formula 1, there will be a different face at the helm of Red Bull Racing, with Laurent Mekies having replaced Christian Horner as team principal and CEO.
Here's some of the immediate challenges facing Red Bull's new leader:
Ensuring Verstappen Commits
Max Verstappen is under contract to Red Bull Racing through 2028 but it is understood has mechanisms in his contract that would permit a departure before that date. He has always indicated that as long as he is having fun, and has a winning car, then he has no reason to exit, but has never definitively confirmed that he will definitely be racing for Red Bull in 2026.
Mercedes has been courting Verstappen for a while, with Toto Wolff regularly careful not to implicate Verstappen in any angst he holds towards Red Bull.
Though under contract with Red Bull, it is believed that four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen has a path to rival Mercedes.
Verstappen won 19 of 21 grands prix in 2023 and seven of the first 10 races in 2024, but since then has added only four victories to his tally as Red Bull lost its performance advantage. When Christian Horner was engulfed by his off-track problems in early 2024, and different factions in the team emerged, Verstappen stressed that all he wanted was a calm working environment—while consequently backing advisor Helmut Marko when his position came into doubt.
Horner’s exit removes a potential source of contention, but Mekies must still convince Verstappen and his entourage that there is the potential within Red Bull to turn around its prospects.
The Second Driver Problem
The problem of Red Bull’s second driver has worsened across the last 12 months.
Horner’s decision to re-sign Sergio Perez, then have to pay him off early, was expensive, and his replacements, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, have been terrible. Lawson, who had only two races, and Tsunoda have combined to pick up just 10 points in the second RB21, compared to 165 for Verstappen.
Lawson is gradually rebuilding his brand at Racing Bulls while Tsunoda, who was a midfield standout at the junior team, now looks lost and lacking confidence. He hasn’t scored points for five Grands Prix and in that time has been slow, error-prone, and had excessive tire degradation in races.
Yuki Tsunoda has struggled in his promotion to the No. 2 seat at Red Bull.
Mekies worked with Tsunoda at Racing Bulls across 2024 and the first two Grands Prix of 2025 and was a big supporter of the Japanese’s talents. Mekies said in April that Tsunoda had made “an incredible step across the last 12 months” and that to his natural speed he had was now “more calm, more mature, improving massively his technical feedback,” but none of these assets have been present at Red Bull.
Red Bull is not going to slip further than fourth in this year’s Constructors’ Championship—which is already a significant drop—but the team cannot afford to effectively exist as a one-car team much longer. Mekies needs to find a way to extract the most from Tsunoda or to undertake a proper deep-dive into why the No. 2 Red Bull is so difficult.
The Senior Leadership Overhaul
Red Bull has lost several key figures across the past 18 months, most notably design legend Adrian Newey, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, and Chief Designer Rob Marshall. The sacking of Horner means that a fourth pillar of long-term success is gone.
Mekies consequently needs to steady the ship while understanding the structure and personnel both trackside and back at its factory in Milton Keynes, many of whom were still loyal to Horner.
Red Bull may be missing former engineering head Adrian Newey more than it lets on.
Despite some exits, most notably Newey, there remains a nucleus of designers and engineers who just two years ago delivered one of the most dominant cars in Formula 1 history. And, despite the angst and drama, the RB21 has still taken four pole positions and two victories in the hands of the generational talent Verstappen.
So does Red Bull’s technical side need an overhaul of personnel, and some new faces, or is it a case of implementing a different technical structure to ensure that existing talent is maximized—or perhaps a combination of the two. That was the case under Mekies at Racing Bulls, where together with CEO Peter Bayer there were some key hires and a refinement of the technical set-up.
Mekies has some experience of Red Bull’s campus through Racing Bulls’ recent expansion to Milton Keynes, but the Frenchman still has to get a handle on its different divisions, most notably Red Bull Powertrains, upon which a large part of its 2026 prospects rest. There is also the case of Red Bull’s new wind tunnel, to replace its outdated version that has caused some of the correlation issues, though irrespective of the figurehead Red Bull has to wait until it is ready.
Keeping Red Bull Racing Autonomous
One of Horner’s strengths, empowered by late co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, was to ensure that Red Bull Racing had autonomy, and to put trust in the right people.
Predecessor Jaguar was consistently hampered by the automotive side and the unnecessary interference of layers of management, while other manufacturers have also slipped up because of cumbersome structures. It was also one of the reasons why Horner was reluctant for Red Bull to partner with Porsche for 2026, with the prospective deal eventually collapsing.
The power struggle that emerged after Mateschitz’s death in late 2022 understandably hurt Red Bull, but there was also a shift to a more corporate structure, with Red Bull Austria having a far greater say in proceedings. Mekies also needs to carefully manage the relationship with Ford, which is working with Red Bull Powertrains on the 2026 engine.
Christian Horner brought a swagger to his team principal role at Red Bull.
Playing Politics
Horner reveled in taking center stage in public, be it in press conferences, on TV, or most prominently on Netflix’s Drive to Survive. Horner was regularly antagonistic, staunchly fighting Red Bull’s corner, and often clashed with figures such as Toto Wolff and Zak Brown. That was best witnessed in the contentious 2021 season and Red Bull’s breach of the cost cap in 2022, with Horner portraying the situation as Red Bull against the world.
Mekies is a far less confrontational figure, not known for one-upmanship, and has an engineering background. But as in any Formula 1 era it is up to the team boss to fight their corner, and the dual responsibility of team principal and CEO means it comes under his remit—a task that was split at Racing Bulls. Mekies has experience from both sides of the fence, having also worked at the FIA before his stint at Ferrari, so is at least well-versed in the political landscape of Formula 1.
JR Motorsports has announced that Roto-Rooter, a leading provider of plumbing, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services will return to the organization as a primary partner for seven NASCAR Xfinity Series events each year beginning in 2026, including races with Justin Allgaier and additional JRM drivers to be established at a later date. In addition to their return to the NXS and full-season associate with the team’s Late Model program, Roto-Rooter will also expand their partnership to include a personal service agreement with NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“We are excited to continue growing our relationship with Roto-Rooter,” said Earnhardt Jr. “I feel like JR Motorsports offers an amazing marketing platform across the board and it’s great when partners see the value that our companies provide. I’m looking forward to seeing how we can continue to deliver for Roto-Rooter on and off the track.”
Roto-Rooter’s partnership expansion looks to drive brand, product and service awareness for commercial and residential needs by utilizing JRM and Earnhardt Jr. in various programs. One focus is educating home and business owners on Roto-Rooter’s recently launched mobile app. The app allows consumers to easily schedule plumbing services, track service orders, and access exclusive coupons.
“We couldn’t be more excited to continue our relationship with Dale, Kelley, and everyone at JR Motorsports. Partnering with JR Motorsports means more than just sponsorship — it’s about being part of a true team,” said Roto-Rooter President, Thad Reinhard. “We share the same values; reliability, hard work, and a drive to succeed, both on and off the track. We're especially thrilled to be working more closely with Dale on a personal level and to follow his journey in the Late Model series. I’m looking forward to watching our relationship continue to grow.”
The origins of Roto-Rooter can be traced back to 1933, when Samuel Blanc invented the first electromechanical sewer cleaning machine from a 1/6 HP washing machine motor, roller skate wheels, and a spinning steel cable with cutting blades on its tip. The Roto-Rooter machine was a breakthrough device because for the first time, sewers could be cleared and cleaned of tree roots and other debris without the need to dig up the pipes. By 1935, Roto-Rooter Corporation was established, becoming one of the earliest franchised businesses in the country.
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has announced a contract extension with Dollar Tree that secures the continued sponsorship of the Dollar Tree brand on the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE of John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE of Erik Jones NASCAR Cup Series entries through 2028.
First activated in January 2024 under a multi-year deal spanning all 38 NASCAR Cup Series events, the partnership with Dollar Tree and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has provided strong visibility for Dollar Tree nationwide.
“We’re excited to extend our partnership with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB through 2028,” said Rick McNeely, Chief Merchandising Officer, Dollar Tree. “This continued collaboration puts our brand in front of millions of loyal NASCAR fans and gives us the opportunity to drive deeper engagement with customers in a bold, high-energy environment. We’re looking forward to what’s ahead with Jimmie (Johnson), John Hunter, Erik, and the entire LEGACY MC team.”
Nemechek, driver of the No. 42, added, “It’s an honor to continue carrying the Dollar Tree brand on our cars. Their support helps us deliver results on track, bring value back to their vendor partners and helps build fandom of the CLUB.”
Jones, driver of the No. 43, also shared his enthusiasm: “Having such a recognizable brand like Dollar Tree with us for years to come gives the CLUB stability and energy. We are building a legacy together and hope to enjoy success for years to come.”
Cal Wells III, CEO of LEGACY MC emphasized the impact of the partnership: “Dollar Tree is a foundational partner to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. Their continued investment and commitment will enable us to execute our competitive vision and strengthens our ability to support championship aspirations.”
NASCAR has announced the Cook Out Clash will return to Bowman Gray Stadium as the opening exhibition event for the 2026 season. Following the sold-out success of this year’s Cook Out Clash, the first NASCAR Cup Series exhibition race of the 2026 season will return to the historic venue on Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sunday, Feb. 1.The Cook Out Clash at ‘The Madhouse’ will be broadcast by FOX Sports.
“We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year,” said Joey Dennewitz, Managing Director, NASCAR Regional. “As NASCAR’s first weekly racetrack, we are proud to bring the 2026 Cook Out Clash back to the original home to grassroots racing. Thanks to the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University for their continued partnership at ‘The Madhouse’.”
“The City of Winston Salem is deeply honored to have been chosen to host the 2026 Cook Out Clash,” said City of Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. “The 2025 race was an immensely successful event for all parties involved. We will work hard to ensure that the 2026 Cook Out Clash is even more successful.”
Cook Out, one of the fastest growing family-owned restaurant chains in the nation, will return as the entitlement partner for the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Based in the Winston-Salem area since 1989, Cook Out is known for its Cook Out burgers as part of the “best combos in town.” The restaurant chain has 350 locations across 11 states.
“We are proud to support the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in our backyard in Winston-Salem,” said Jeremy and Morris Reaves, CEO and Founder of Cook Out. “We look forward to bringing our NASCAR racing family together in our community once again with the Cook Out Clash. Last year was so amazing and we can’t wait to do it again!”
Cook Out has a strong presence in NASCAR as it is the entitlement partner for the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway, and the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway where it also serves as the Official Quick Service Restaurant. It is also a proud sponsor of the NASCAR Youth Series and is an active sponsor at the grassroots level.
“Cook Out is an amazing partner that continues to have a positive impact across NASCAR,” said Justin Swilling, Project Lead for the Cook Out Clash. “Their support continues to take our events to the next level, and we look forward to working together to make this year’s Cook Out Clash another memorable sold-out event.”
Built in 1937, Bowman Gray Stadium, a quarter-mile short track, holds a special place in NASCAR history as the longest-running weekly racetrack. In 1949, Bill France Sr. and Alvin Hawkins, two founding fathers of NASCAR, brought motorsports to the facility as the first weekly racetrack and first paved racetrack that NASCAR competed on. In 2024, NASCAR took over the long-term management of racing operations at Bowman Gray Stadium in partnership with the City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The racetrack hosted 29 NASCAR Grand National, now NASCAR Cup Series, races from 1958 to 1971. Bowman Gray Stadium has hosted many NASCAR legends including Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Glen Wood, David Pearson, Ned Jarrett, Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, and others. Petty won his 100th NASCAR Grand National race in the 1969 Myers Brothers 250 at the racetrack.
More recently, Bowman Gray Stadium hosted several East Series races from 2011 to 2015. Ben Kennedy, great grandson of Bill France Sr., won an East Series race there in 2013. Other winners include two-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes and Cup Series drivers Ryan Preece and Corey LaJoie.
This year’s Cook Out Clash was the first Cup Series race at the historic track since 1971. Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion, won this year’s Cook Out Clash. With a history of intense competition, NASCAR is proud to bring the Cup Series back for the Cook Out Clash at ‘The Madhouse.’
For more information and to get on the list to purchase tickets for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, visit NASCARClash.com. To learn more about the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series season with weekly modified, sportsman, street stock and stadium stock competition, visit bowmangrayracing.com.
Popular NASCAR journalist Kelly Crandall shared a bunch of news with readers.
Unpacking the NASCAR 2026 schedule rumors
NASCAR raced on the streets of Chicago for the third and potentially final time over the weekend.
The initial three-year deal between NASCAR and the city of Chicago ended with Sunday’s race. However, there is a two-year option in the contract that could be exercised, allowing the event to continue.
Regardless, it should be viewed as a successful event for NASCAR. The industry saw it as an opportunity to put the sport in front of new fans and bring racing to those who are unwilling to travel to Joliet, Illinois, for Chicagoland Speedway. That track is about an hour away from Grant Park.
As for the city of Chicago, it cashed in. The economic impact of the inaugural 2023 event was $109 million. The 2024 race generated a total economic impact of $128 million for the city.
NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps revealed in December during Race Industry Week that it costs the industry $50 million to put on the Chicago event. The event was the first time the Cup Series had raced on a street course.
However, if Chicago were to disappear, that doesn’t necessarily mean street racing would. San Diego, a rumored destination for NASCAR for over a year now, is picking up steam.
There is no finalized deal in place for NASCAR to race in San Diego in 2026. The city has also said there is no documentation available related to any conversations or plans with NASCAR. However, that could simply be because the deal being worked on is also being handled in a way to prevent it from leaking. Earlier this month however, The Athletic reported NASCAR is working on finalizing such a deal.
The most intriguing aspect of the San Diego idea is its location. A natural assumption is that it's someplace downtown, in a similar manner to Chicago. But talk of an interesting alternative started floating around the garage over the weekend: Coronado. It’s the peninsula, or island, depending on your view, that’s connected to the mainland in San Diego, which also has a naval base on it.
NASCAR has long stated its desire for a presence in California, which it lost after the 2023 race at Auto Club Speedway. And then the Busch Light Clash, a pre-season exhibition event, was moved from Los Angeles to North Carolina. L.A., though, was a purpose-built short track that served its purpose of introducing NASCAR to new fans while using celebrities, music, and athletes to help hype the event ahead of a new season.
San Diego would keep a street course on the NASCAR map. It would put the sport back in Southern California.
But there are so many questions to be answered about the 2026 schedule. And quite frankly, there isn’t enough space for all the puzzle pieces to fit.
Chicago, does it stay or does it go? San Diego: Yes? No?
And then some are pushing hard for a return to Chicagoland Speedway. NASCAR has kept any potential plans for the track close to the vest. Chicagoland Speedway, a 1.5-mile oval, has not hosted the three NASCAR national series since 2019. The good news is that it is still in good enough shape to be made presentable to welcome guests again in short order.
Carson Hocevar stirred the pot by making a recent visit to the facility and posting about it on social media and his YouTube page. Hocevar claims he went there on his own because he had the time, and he had never seen the track before. In other words, chalk it up to curiosity.
But it goes without saying that when someone wants something, there is no better way to manifest it than to start talking about it. Chicagoland has been mentioned far more this season than ever before.
Then there is the international approach.
Mexico City's status beyond this year is unknown, although NASCAR has a multi-year contract in place for racing there. Some of the discussions since the inaugural event last month have been that if it does stay on the schedule, perhaps it will be moved to a different date on the calendar.
On the other hand, Mexico City seemed to win out over Canada – an either-or situation. NASCAR is still interested in making a return north of the border, but it’s unclear when or how it is going to get there. Montreal has previously hosted Xfinity Series events. Canadian Tire Motorsport Park did the same with the Craftsman Truck Series.
It would be a shame if NASCAR limits itself to only new venues that are road or street courses. Denny Hamlin threw out the idea, which could be considered wild depending on who you ask, about a street oval somewhere. Brad Keselowski, who has previously raced in Canada and praised its racing fan base, is a proponent of hosting an oval race in Canada to show what NASCAR is capable of.
It will likely be another few months before NASCAR rolls out its 2026 schedule. What is known is that there is a lot to figure out, and a lot of chatter about what could be on there, for the months in between the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026, and championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 8.
Chicago would like a NASCAR return, but a different dateMayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is open to two more years of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, but only after exploring the possibility of shifting the marquee event to a different date that does not pose the “challenges that July 4th weekend presents,” a top mayoral aide said Monday.
Senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee acknowledged that thre are “some real limitations on moving the date” based on NASCAR’s overall schedule and “some of the local events in Chicago in the same footprint” in and around Grant Park.
But now that the event’s three-year contract has expired, a search for alternative dates is the next step. NASCAR has 90 days to request a contract extension from the Chicago Park District.
“Certainly, there is interest in seeing if it can work on another date, just because of some of the challenges that the 4th of July weekend present,” Lee told the Sun-Times on Monday.
“It’s a holiday weekend. A lot of people want to be out enjoying some of the public space that NASCAR uses. There’s also just logistical concerns relative to our emergency management personnel, including law enforcement. That’s a weekend where we want to have a lot of people out, a lot of our officers out across the city. If there’s a large-scale event happening downtown, that’s going to put pressure on our resources and overtime costs.”
Moving the date would also make sense from a tourism standpoint, since Chicago is already one of the nation’s top destinations for July 4th weekend, Lee said.
— Chicago Sun Times —
Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks says he met with NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez for an hour on the eve of the Chicago Street Course race and they’re in a “good place.”
Their meeting came four days after it was announced that Trackhouse and Suarez had agreed to go their separate ways after the 2025 season’s conclusion.
“As we grow and as the team grows, obviously, we have to identify different opportunities,” Marks says.
“Daniel has been a huge part of this company for four-and-a-half years. When we sat down and … mapped out our three-year and our five-year plan and the sponsorships and everything that we’re trying to accomplish over the next five years of the company, we just got to a point where we felt like that relationship had borne a lot of fruit for us, but it was time to move on. This isn’t a sport where you do the same thing forever. As we grow, we just felt like it was time to wrap up that relationship.”
Suarez joined Trackhouse Racing in 2021, the team’s first year of operation. He earned his first NASCAR Cup victory in 2022 at Sonoma, California. His second came last year at Atlanta. After the announcement that Suarez wasn’t returning to Trackhouse in 2026, the 33-year-old driver said it wasn’t a sad moment, just a change, a new chapter in his life.
“We met last night (Saturday) … in the hotel for an hour down in the lobby and we just talked about our time together, everything that we’ve accomplished together, and him and I are in a really good place,” Marks said after Trackhouse Racing driver Shane van Gisbergen won the Grant Park 165 Chicago Street Course race.
Port Royal Speedway has issued a formal suspension to driver Taylor Farlling following the on-track incident that took place during competition at the track on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
After a thorough review of the events and in accordance with Port Royal Speedway’s Personal Conduct Rules, it was determined that Mr. Farlling used his race car in an aggressive and dangerous manner, violating the track’s standards for driver safety and sportsmanship. The incident involved actions deemed by track officials as using a race car as a weapon — an egregious offense that the speedway takes with the utmost seriousness.
As a result, the following sanctions have been imposed on Mr. Farlling:
He is banned from all racing activity at Port Royal Speedway for the remainder of the 2025 season and the entirety of the 2026 season.
A fine has been issued and must be paid to Port Royal Speedway prior to the start of the 2027 race season. That money will then be directed to the York County Racing Club's Injured Driver's Fund.
Before being eligible to return to competition, Mr. Farlling must meet with the track’s race committee following the conclusion of the 2026 season to determine if reinstatement is appropriate.
These actions are being made public not only to clarify the severity of the situation but also to reinforce the speedway’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment for all competitors, crew members, and fans.
Port Royal Speedway sent notice of the suspension to Farlling through mail last week to notify him of the decision.
Port Royal Speedway wants to encourage all other tracks in the area and around the country to follow the same course of action regarding issues of this matter. The speedway remains committed to upholding the integrity of the sport and ensuring a safe racing environment for everyone involved.
BAPS Motor Speedway, after conversations with Port Royal Speedway, will uphold the recent suspension of Taylor Farlling following the on-track incident that took place during competition at Port Royal Speedway on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
As a result, the following sanctions have been imposed on Mr. Farlling from BAPS Motor Speedway:
•He is banned from all racing activity at BAPS Motor Speedway for the remainder of the 2025 season and the entirety of the 2026 season.
“Our top priority is safety at our speedway not just for our competitors but for our fans as well as our employees. We continue to support our fellow speedways and uphold the suspension at BAPS Motor Speedway” said General Manager Kolten Gouse.
