Fans should make note that the NASCAR weekend in Indianapolis was the final before the Olympic break.
NASCAR will return at Richmond on August 10-11.
Oscar winners Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem are stars of "F1," filmed in Volusia County, Florida, and at the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway earlier this year.
"F1" is directed by Joseph Kosinski (“Top Gun: Maverick”) and includes seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton as a producer.
Film and longtime TV producer Jerry Bruckheimer served as the Grand Marshal for the 62nd running of the Rolex 24 in Daytona Beach.
Wave the checkered flags for "F1!" The Brad Pitt racing movie is already a winner for Florida, given scenes were filmed here.
Previously referred to as "Apex," the action film "F1" stars the Academy Award-winning Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, an ex-Formula 1 driver who returns to the sport to mentor a rookie teammate. British actor Damson Idris plays Pitt's rookie teammate on their fictional team APXGP, and Academy Award-winning actor Javier Bardem plays the leader of APXGP. Other co-stars include Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia and Samson Kayo.
The Apple Original film about the world of Formula One racing, directed by Joseph Kosinski (“Top Gun: Maverick”), was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has a cameo in the film. "F1," which gives viewers a peek of Daytona International Speedway, opens in theaters June 27, 2025.
Disney and NASCAR have announced the release of a new Disney•Pixar Cars/NASCAR co-branded playset and six newly designed die-cast racers from Mattel.
The new Disney•Pixar Cars/NASCAR Lane Change Race Playset from Mattel is a 2.5-foot track set modeled after Los Angeles Raceway – a venue from the first Cars film.
The newly designed die-cast racers from Mattel combine the worlds of Disney•Pixar Cars and NASCAR for a fun twist on these illustrious brands.
Each vehicle is designed in 1:55 scale and features a NASCAR-inspired design, metallic die-cast body and rolling wheels. Every vehicle comes with a matching pit-stop barrier for racing fun and a thrilling display.
In addition to Lightning McQueen, fans can look for die-casts inspired by real NASCAR stars.
Ryan “Inside” Laney (Ryan Blaney, Driver of the No. 12 Ford for Team Penske)
GoGo Logano – (Joey Logano, Driver of the No. 22 Ford for Team Penske)
William Byrev – (William Byron, Driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports)
Carstin “Ace” Dillon (Austin Dillon, Driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing)
Bubba Wheelhouse (Bubba Wallace, Driver of the No. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing)
Fans will recognize Blaney and Wallace’s characters from their roles in the Cars 3 film.
“NASCAR’s continued collaboration with Disney and Pixar’s beloved Cars franchise provides incredible opportunities to engage the next generation of race fans and introduce them to real NASCAR stars in a fun, familiar way,” said Megan Malayter, managing director of licensing and consumer products at NASCAR. “It’s great to have an industry leader like Mattel bringing this line to life and knowing that fans will be treated to a quality play experience, which can be such a powerful contributor to future fandom.”
Each die-cast is sold separately and all products are only available at Walmart.
RACINGNASCAR
Deb Williams Calls For NASCAR Consistency In Wake Of Elliott, Wallace Decisions
Daniel Suarez: 'I think NASCAR is trying their best to be consistent, but we’re not quite there yet'
Chase Elliott, who finished 21st, says Bubba Wallace shouldn’t have been fined for Wallace's incident at Chicago.
Daniel Suarez says Elliott shouldn’t have been fined.
As it turned out, Wallace was fined and Elliott wasn't penalized.
Suarez says NASCAR needs to be consistent.
Since the Chicago Street Course race, NASCAR has been accused of favoritism by many fans for fining Bubba Wallace $50,000 for hitting Alex Bowman, but not assessing a penalty against Chase Elliott for hitting Daniel Suarez.
In NASCAR’s eyes, the incidents were different. Elliott and Suarez were racing on the last lap when their contact occurred, and Suarez said Elliott never got to him on the cool-down lap. Wallace’s Toyota hit Bowman’s Chevrolet hard enough to lift the car’s right front off the ground and put the left side into the wall on the cool-down lap.
Elliott, who finished 21st, says Wallace shouldn’t have been fined. Suarez, who placed 11th, says Elliott shouldn’t have been fined. However, Suarez notes NASCAR needs to be consistent.
“A lot of people have done similar things (like Wallace did) this year,” Suarez said. “The (No.) 19 (Martin Truex Jr.) did it in Richmond (when Truex hit Kyle Larson and race winner Denny Hamlin on the cool-down lap and didn’t get fined). In the past, we have seen it several times. If that’s going to be a fine, that’s fine, but it has to be consistent. I think NASCAR is trying their best to be consistent, but we’re not quite there yet.”
Elliott said after he learned that NASCAR had fined Wallace, he never thought he might get fined for his actions because “we barely rubbed doors.”
“I haven’t studied Bubba’s situation in great detail, but I personally view it from what I have seen, quite a bit differently,” Elliott said. “I understand, I mean, I get it, but man, you’re getting in the weeds with some of that stuff. Nobody was hurt. It was unfortunate. I guess just the circumstances and Alex having won the race and things of that nature, but I didn’t see it to be a huge deal.”
In recounting the last lap, Suarez said he passed Elliott and left him behind because he was faster.
“The only reason he caught me was because I was trying not to wreck the six (Brad Keselowski),” Suarez explained. “He was probably 10-car lengths behind, but the last lap I passed two cars that were slow, and I was trying to take my time passing these people because I knew I was going to pass them anyway. He (Elliott) caught me then and he pushed me into the 11 (Denny Hamlin) pretty hard toward the six (Keselowski).”
Suarez said SMT showed his and Keselowski’s brake pressure were “pretty much identical”, while Elliott had no brake pressure.
“We exited (turn) 11 and the nine (Elliott) and I were racing each other. There was only three-quarters of a lane dry,” Suarez said. “So, every time that … we were racing each other we had to have a tire or two in the wet area. I lost my reference, I locked a tire, and I ended up getting into the nine (Elliott) in corner 12. It wasn’t intentional, but it looked like it was because he hit me pretty hard the corner before toward the six (Keselowski).”
Suarez admitted that Elliott tried to hit him a few times under caution, but he never made contact.
“It’s a delicate situation,” Suarez continued. “So, what happens if I wasn’t paying attention and I was getting hit, he was gonna get fined? But just because I was paying attention and I didn’t get hit, he’s not gonna be fined? That’s a little bit tricky.”
Elliott and Suarez talked after the race and the Dawsonville, Ga., driver said he understood, and everything was fine between the two.
“It was difficult conditions for sure,” Elliott said. “I ruined our day by struggling so bad on that last set of wets (tires). So really, at the end of the day it’s nobody’s fault, but my own. I put us in a bad spot and unfortunate that happened in the last turn of the last lap to lose some spots. I genuinely don’t think he (Suarez) meant to turn me around. I had gotten into him in the previous corner. The six (Keselowski) kind of had us stacked up. I was expecting him to jump to the bottom and he didn’t.”
Richard Petty Shatters NASCAR’s Electric Car Future: Richard Petty, an iconic figure in NASCAR, has voiced strong reservations about the sport’s shift towards electric vehicles. Despite NASCAR’s presentation of an electric race car boasting cutting-edge technology and remarkable performance metrics, Petty’s skepticism introduces a complex dynamic to the ongoing debate. His extensive career and profound influence within the NASCAR community highlight a potential roadblock for the sport’s electrification course. The implications of this development could be far-reaching, prompting a reevaluation of NASCAR’s future direction.
Key Highlights
Richard Petty expressed substantial doubt towards the full integration of electric cars in NASCAR.
Petty believes a complete shift to electric vehicles is unlikely to happen in his lifetime.
Petty’s extensive experience gives him a deep-rooted understanding of NASCAR’s traditional culture.
NASCAR debuted an electric race car with 1300+ horsepower, though it faces weight-related performance challenges.
Fan reactions and adaptability are crucial to the successful integration of electric vehicles in NASCAR.
Richard Petty’s Perspective on Electric Cars in NASCAR
Richard Petty, known as a cornerstone in NASCAR history, has expressed substantial doubt regarding the full integration of electric vehicles into the sport, emphasizing that such a shift is unlikely to occur within his lifetime. Petty’s perspective is not without merit, given his extensive experience and deep-rooted understanding of NASCAR’s culture and operational dynamics. As an iconic figure whose career has spanned multiple decades, his insights offer a critical lens through which the sport’s future can be assessed.
Petty’s reservations are not just about the feasibility of electric vehicles (EVs) on the racetrack but also encompass the broader implications for NASCAR’s identity. NASCAR’s essence has traditionally been tied to the roar of internal combustion engines and the visceral experience they provide for both drivers and fans. Shifting to electric powertrains could fundamentally alter this experience, potentially alienating a loyal fan base that cherishes the sport’s auditory and sensory thrills.
NASCAR’s new media rights partners are casting a wide net to find booth talent, with some expected names like Fox Sports’ Adam Alexander and unexpected names like ESPN’s Marty Smith among those in the mix, sources say.
Fox will still air the first several months of the NASCAR premier series season. Prime Video will follow Fox, and Prime Video and WBD have already signed Dale Earnhardt Jr. to their respective booths.
Smith, who has become a jack-of-all-trades reporter for ESPN across several sports after the network lost NASCAR media rights in 2014, has had discussions with Prime Video and WBD about being part of their booths, sources say, a move that could involve hosting and play-by-play responsibilities. Smith was a longtime NASCAR reporter for ESPN on air and digitally but was not part of its booth. NASCAR is still one of his responsibilities for the network, but ESPN now covers NASCAR more sparingly.
Steve Letarte, the current NBC Sports broadcaster who is Earnhardt’s former crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports and former colleague at NBC, has also held talks with Prime Video and WBD. And Fox Sports’ Alexander, a versatile broadcaster who has called Xfinity Series races among other roles for the network, has likewise been a candidate for Prime Video and WBD, and has spoken with The CW, which is taking over full-season Xfinity Series rights next year. Alexander is seen as the favorite to take over the lead play-by-play commentator for The CW, some sources said.
The new-look broadcast teams will likely have a mix of traditional NASCAR talent and some untraditional names, as well as new production elements as they reimagine the experience of watching a race. For example, The CW will likely look to have more NASCAR household names like Alexander in its booth but could bring in talent that is new to the sport for pit road reporting or hosting roles. The media partners will be looking to fill other slots beyond the booth, such as for shoulder programming and studio shows.
NASCAR looking at adding fifth premier partner. When NASCAR moved to the premier partner system for its top Cup Series, it asked around $15 million annually over three- to five-year terms for those positions, sources said at the time, but it was unclear how much incremental revenue NASCAR saw because the four brands that signed on were already official partners. On top of Xfinity, Geico and Coke, the fourth premier partner is Anheuser-Busch’s Busch Light brand.
NASCAR has looked into landing a fifth premier partner and doing so would ensure that the racing property would still have at least four if one of the original partners left.
Xfinity became title sponsor of NASCAR’s second-level series in 2015 as part of a corporate synergy strategy from Comcast, whose NBC Sports began broadcasting NASCAR races that year. Matt Lederer, Comcast’s vice president of branded partnerships and activation, has said Xfinity is in renewal talks with NASCAR. But the company wants to shake up the terms of its agreement, be more flexible with its spending and possibly redirect some of its league-level spending to other parts of the NASCAR industry, such as its team relationship with 23XI Racing.
Xfinity Mobile is a key product for Comcast and figures to be an important part of the next deal. Xfinity currently spends more than $10 million in the sport annually, all told, according to sources. The major question is whether Comcast will continue being both a premier partner of NASCAR and title sponsor of the Xfinity Series. Sources say it’s possible Xfinity could do a short-term renewal as title sponsor before shifting its relationship in the coming years to just being a premier partner.
Geico also is said to be in renewal discussions, and industry executives have waffled all year on whether the Berkshire Hathaway-owned insurer will renew. The company has had a multitude of executive and agency changes in recent years, which often equals change in sports marketing deals.
Young kids in race caps, groups of college-aged co-eds with colorful NASCAR t-shirts, families dressed in race gear taking in the sights and sounds. Big smiles and unmistakable enthusiasm were everywhere in Chicago’s famed Grant Park and all along the city’s famed downtown waterfront throughout the NASCAR race weekend.
Thousands showed up for “Bubba’s Block Party” hosted by NASCAR Cup Series star, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace; so many in the crowd there enthusiastically attending their first race weekend.
The Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, spoke at Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series pre-race drivers meeting and shared how much of a positive impact the two-year event has had on the city. He was so enthusiastic about the race he even wore a driver’s suit standing on the grid before the race – the towering, iconic skyline in the background.
All week, local Chicago newscasts led with weather reports specific to the race with the news anchors and reporters excitedly talking about sneaking over to Grant Park to watch the action themselves.
There’s a reason the Sports Business Journal proclaimed last year’s inaugural race the 2023 national sporting “Event of the Year” beating out the Super Bowl and the Las Vegas Formula One race among other big-ticket sports events.
Not even rain and a red flag delay mid-race Sunday could dampen the enthusiasm in Chicago for this weekend’s one-of-a-kind NASCAR doubleheader on the downtown streets.
Sure, Sunday’s mid-race rain delay was disappointing, but judging by the reception shown by this audience of largely new – and apparently loyal - NASCAR fans, the weekend was a win-win. Grandstands throughout the circuit were full once the race re-started.
Popular New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race and Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman dramatically took the lead – on wet weather tires no less – with eight laps remaining to claim his first win of the year and end an 80-race winless streak in Sunday’s Grant Park 165 NASCAR Cup Series race.
“From a fan perspective from where I was sitting in a dryer place, it makes for a great show,’’ Hendrick Motorsports executive and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon said.
“I thought other than just running out of time and not being able to get the full race in and having to stop, it’s a really entertaining event and I hope it does stay on the schedule. I think this is a very important race for us because as I’m walking around the city yesterday and today, I’m hearing people, say, ‘oh the NASCAR race is here.’ And you can just tell there are people that are here, even the hotels and restaurants, they know that NASCAR is here, they know a race is happening here and maybe a lot of those folks had never even watched NASCAR before.
“It’s a great way to show we are capable of racing at places like this, right here in the center of a major metropolitan city which is an important market in exposure but it’s also opening the door up to a lot of new fans. And I hope we continue to come back here and I hope we can try to experiment with some other places too.’’
It was a long but thrilling afternoon, the perfect punctuation to another weekend of well-received action. The NASCAR presence both in the city and on-track has been well-appreciated by fan and competitor.
“It's nice to be back,’’ said reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, who finished 10th in the race. “I came up here a couple months ago promoting the race and the excitement level was through the roof. … I'm happy that you know, the city wanted us back and we decided to come back and put on even a better race than what we did last year. So it should be good.”
Blaney later said of the support shown from the city and specifically, Mayor Johnson, “He just spoke to us in the driver meeting and showed what he thinks of the event. He loves it.’’
Yes, there was some rain on Sunday but the atmosphere in the city and the racing on the track delivered all weekend.
Chicago sports stars, National Hockey League Hall of Famer Chris Chelios and former National Football League’s Chicago Bears superstar Matt Forte spent time at-track and were happy to serve as race grand marshals. And of course, longtime Chicago Bulls NBA legend Michael Jordan is co-owner of the 23XI Racing team.
Members of country music superstar Keith Urban’s band – one of four major musical acts that played trackside over the weekend – spent Sunday’s rain delay sitting on A.J. Allmendinger’s pit box.
“I came around yesterday and got to see all the behind-the-scenes on the track and a lot of work that goes into that to set that up in the middle of a city,’’ Forte said. “That’s a big production. So, to see everybody walk around and enjoying the event and all the other activations set up I think are great for the city.’’
The Chicago weekend was a must-see event for Wisconsin’s Mike and Rhonda Battuello, who can check off the Chicago track and have now proudly attended races at all but four NASCAR venues.
“The place is freaking awesome, unlike any other track we’ve ever been to, just a crazy experience downtown. It’s amazing,’’ Mike Battuello said.
The weather may not have been ideal all weekend, but judging by the fans who turned out – and stayed out, the Chicago Street Race has been a welcome addition to both the city and the sport.
“I’ve gone to a lot of races and this is so unique in so many ways,’’ said Jack Brinson, 29, who travelled from Atlanta to attend the Chicago race.
“The energy has been great. And it’s been nice seeing the interest in the sport, alone, and seeing it grow like it has. This weekend is an example of that.’’
Tenured NASCAR Xfinity team on verge of shutdown
The future of JD Motorsports is in doubt.
According to a report in TobyChristie.com, team owner Johnny Davis notified a majority of employees on Monday morning that they were being laid off as they arrived for work at the race shop. The team later sold its No. 4 owner points to Alpha Prime Racing by the end of day as well.
Alpha Prime Racing will use those points for its No. 45 entry, which is now 36th in the owner standings and features JD Motorsports mainstay Garrett Smithley behind the wheel this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Alpha Prime Racing has acquired @JDMotorsports01’s No. 4 owners points which will be used for the No. 45 heading into @IMS.
With this acquisition the No. 45 will move to 36th in the Owners Standings. Future race entries for the team’s third car will be announced at a later date. pic.twitter.com/KvrS0wRemo
The report also states that JD Motorsports filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 8 and owes a sum of $422,434.17 to its creditors that include American Express, ECR Engines, G-Force South and TriMaxx Graphics.
The team has competed in the second tier NASCAR division for parts of 27 different seasons as far vack as 1983. It has entered a total of 1,650 races and has recently launched the NASCAR careers of Ross Chastain and Ryan Preece, despite having modest resources and largely serving as a place for drivers with modest budgets to apply their crafts.
Smithley was set to drive the No. 6 car last weekend at Pocono but the hauler never left its Gaffney, South Carolina shop despite being prepared and ready to race. The No. 4 did make it to the track where Thomas Annunziata finished 28th.
"Against All The Others:
Porsche’s Racing History, Volume 1 – 1968"
By Randy Leffingwell
Publication Date: August 2024
ISBN 979-8-9906140-0-0
Page Size: 11 x 12 inches
• Hardcover in dust jacket
• 432 pages
• 257 photographs/illustrations
• First volume in a series
• Porsche Museum Edition
Price: US $98.95
David Bull Publishing will release "Against All The Others: Porsche's Racing History, Volume 1 - 1968," in August of 2024 – the first book in a multi-volume set written by author Randy Leffingwell, who is acknowledged as a top authority on the Porsche marque.
The remaining volumes will be offered beginning in 2025. The initial volume may be pre-ordered at https://www.bullpublishing.com/home/hqynsylgqdw66j1vhfthwwt7s553qt-leath-3ttyp-k8w5f-e3abb
Leffingwell starts the series by taking the reader through the challenges faced by the Porsche marque in motorsports, starting with the pivotal year of 1968.
By 1968, Porsche was well established in international competition, having won nearly every race and championship title at the time except the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1968, Porsche initiated its no-holds-barred assault on its remaining goals with its 917. However, works and private teams also campaigned 911s in rallies, hillclimbs, and road races, and did the same with year-old 907s, two-year-old 910s, and brand-new 908s.
Company management under founder Ferry Porsche and motorsports direction under his nephew Ferdinand Piëch were not always in sync, nor was the nephew always fully forthcoming to his uncle and boss. And that is a big part of the story that "Against All The Others" tells. Sometimes those “others” occupied the office next door.
Subsequent volumes in the series – to be published beginning in 2025 – will lead readers through trials and triumphs until the end of 1974. Then the story takes a step back 100 years to 1875 for the birth of dynasty founder Ferdinand Porsche. When he was 24, in 1899, Ferdinand raced the first car he ever built, a battery-powered Lohner. Several volumes drive forward the history from electric cars to internal combustion, illuminating the forces that influenced Ferdinand's working practices and then formulated his son Ferry’s thinking.
When the series catches up again with 1975, the remaining volumes will take the reader through 1999. This is the story of Porsche’s first 100 years of racing, as cars evolved from wooden frames to carbon fiber, bodies from unpainted canvas to bold sponsor logos, and drivers from royalty and wealthy amateurs to paid professionals. The series draws on some 200 personal interviews with racing engineers such as Ernst Fuhrmann, Helmuth Bott, Helmut Flegl, Peter Falk, and Norbert Singer, and drivers including Hans Herrmann, Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell, Vic Elford, Walter Rohrl, and dozens of others.
Previously unpublished photos, never-before-seen Works documents, and specially commissioned circuit maps designed by Peter Higham illustrate Porsche’s racing efforts in "Against All The Others."
