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North Wilkesboro Speedway Was The Perfect Backdrop To All-Star Weekend

For the last three years, the short track of North Wilkesboro Speedway showed us why it’s the perfect backdrop for NASCAR’s All-Star Weekend. Not only were fans treated to an exciting All-Star Race, but they were also entertained by a thrilling Truck Series Race the day prior.

The NWS first opened in 1947, and was a classic venue for the early days of NASCAR. Unfortunately, the sport outgrew this place and left it behind like a relic from the prehistoric era. 

Eventually, a remodeled NWS would return in 2011, and write a new chapter in its glorious history. With modern amenities and a freshly paved track, North Wilkesboro Speedway was once again the racing jewel of the region. 

In 2023, NASCAR returned to the 0.625-lap, oval track and has been better off for it. In fact, NWS has revolutionized the sport’s All-Star Weekend.  

The 2025 edition of this race was further proof that NWS is the ideal venue for NASCAR’s All-Star festivities. The short distance around the track creates plenty of bumpin’ and the width of the turns allow for three-wide racing. In other words, fans enjoy an intensity lacking at many other venues on the calendar. 

Last year, Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. took the on-track intensity to pit road where they got into a fist fight. This year, Joey Logano was determined to get back at Christopher Bell for the #20 car’s style of racing. 

Unfortunately for Logano, he couldn’t get back at Bell, and the reigning Cup Series champion ended up second. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Bell took the checkered flag and the $1 million dollar prize. After the race, Logano expressed his frustrations and disappointment over Bell, but nothing came of it. 

In the Truck Race on Saturday, Corey Heim felt even more frustrated than Logano as the Series’ top driver led 162 laps and was well on his way to winning the race. However, the Window World 250 required Overtime to determine the winner, and that’s where things got crazy.

And in the OT laps, Heim got out to the lead but was wrecked by Layne Riggs, which opened the door for Riggs’ teammate Chandler Smith to steal the checkered flag. It was also Smith’s second win of the season, and he now sits second behind Heim in the Truck Series standings. 

Where Logano didn’t have a heated confrontation with Bell after the Cup Series All-Star Race, Heim went to Riggs’ pit box after the race and had some choice words. 

Despite Heim’s visible disappointment, the unremorseful Riggs was only upset about not winning the race. The Truck Series leader, and pre-race NASCAR pick to win the Window World 250, finished 17th after being spun out. 

Also driving in the Truck Series race was Kyle Busch. The Truck GOAT finished 9th overall and never really competed for the checkered flag. 

Next weekend, NASCAR’s top three National Series will head to Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Truck Series will return to its normal Friday evening slot as the Xfinity Series makes its return to Saturday racing after a two-week hiatus. The Cup Series will close out Memorial Day Weekend with its traditional Coca-Cola 600 race. 

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From Chaos to Clarity: How JTBD Frameworks Make Your Marketing Smarter

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Look – I’ll be honest with you. Running a marketing agency right now? Feels like juggling chainsaws on a tightrope… during a hurricane.

You’ve got clients piling on last-minute requests, your team’s hitting burnout, and the tech landscape is changing faster than your morning coffee gets cold. And somewhere in the middle of that chaos, you’re supposed to deliver personalized, high-converting campaigns that don’t cost an arm and a leg to produce.

Yeah. Been there.

That’s exactly where the Jobs to be Done marketing framework steps in and hands you a map, a flashlight, and a jetpack.

Let’s talk about how using JTBD (and yeah, I’m gonna drop in some JTBD examples too) helped me go from feeling like I was drowning in deliverables… to leading a smarter, leaner, AI-powered agency that actually breathes.

First – What the Heck Is Jobs to Be Done Marketing?

Think of it like this:

Most agencies sell based on features. “Look at this package! You get 12 social media posts, 3 blog articles, a cool content calendar, and a sparkly PDF report.”

Neat.

But your client? They don’t care about features. They care about what job they’re hiring you to do.

That’s Jobs to be Done marketing in a nutshell. It asks: What is your client really trying to get done in their life or business? And how do you become the best damn solution for that job?

Once I made that shift, things started to click.

Because JTBD isn’t about showing off everything you can do. It’s about being the obvious choice for the one thing your client needs done-right now.

Enter: Alex – The JTBD for Agencies Poster Child

Let me introduce you to someone.

His name’s Alex.

He’s a budget-conscious agency owner who’s trying to keep his business profitable without working himself (or his team) into the ground. He’s smart, resourceful, and constantly looking for new ways to get better results for his clients without jacking up his costs.

Sound familiar?

Alex isn’t chasing shiny objects. He’s chasing outcomes.

And that’s why M1-Project.com exists-to help people like Alex nail the job he’s already trying to get done: “Help me integrate affordable, efficient, high-performing AI tools like Elsa into my agency’s workflow so I can deliver better services without burning out.”

Boom.

This isn’t just about “using AI” because it’s trendy. This is JTBD in action. It’s about helping Alex:

  • Cut operational costs.
     
  • Automate the boring, repetitive stuff.
     
  • Customize strategies for different clients.
     
  • Stay competitive without hiring ten more people.
     

All while making him look like a damn tech wizard in front of his clients.

My Wake-Up Moment (AKA When JTBD Slapped Me in the Face)

I didn’t always get it.

I used to chase tactics. Facebook ads one week. SEO pivots the next. AI tools that sat in folders unused.

Until I hit a wall. My team was exhausted. I was answering emails at 2AM. We were losing deals to “more innovative” competitors.

One night-true story-I typed into Google: “AI tools for marketing agencies that don’t suck.”

Guess what I found?

A whole ecosystem of smart solutions designed not for giant corporations… but for people like me. Agency folks wearing ten hats, trying to build something that doesn’t collapse under its own weight.

Elsa was one of them.

And the moment I stopped asking “What features does it have?” and started asking “What job does it help me do?”-that’s when everything changed.

Real JTBD Examples in the Wild

Let me give it to you straight.

When I started using Elsa through M1-Project.com, here’s what actually happened:

Job #1: Automate the annoying stuff.

 I plugged Elsa into our content creation and audience research process. What used to take 6 hours now takes 90 minutes. That alone felt like a cheat code.

Job #2: Stay affordable, but deliver better.

I didn’t have to hire another strategist to take on new clients. Elsa’s smart segmentation tools helped my team handle more accounts without burnout.

Job #3: Look like a genius to clients.

Our campaigns became sharper, more personalized, and-here’s the kicker-clients noticed. “You guys are really stepping it up,” one said. Music to my ears.
 

That’s JTBD. Not features. Not fluff. Just real jobs being done.

Why This Isn’t Just Another Framework

Look, I get it.

Every week there’s a new “system” or “blueprint” or “growth model” screaming for your attention.

But here’s the thing:

JTBD for agencies isn’t another marketing gimmick. It’s a way of thinking that keeps your strategy grounded in what your clients actually want. And when you pair that thinking with a tool like Elsa, everything snaps into place.

Suddenly you’re not guessing what campaign might work-you’re delivering what’s already needed.

It’s like being handed the answer key before the test.

Customer-Centric Marketing Strategy (Without Losing Your Mind)

When you anchor your services in Jobs to Be Done, you stop building offers based on guesswork and start crafting them based on truth.

Client’s struggling with keeping leads engaged? That’s a job.

Client wants more revenue without touching the ad budget? Another job.

Client hates tech but wants automation? That’s a job too.

The JTBD framework AI approach, especially when plugged into something like Elsa builder, helps you connect these dots fast. It shows you exactly where to intervene, what to tweak, and how to package your services so they hit like a freight train (in a good way).

But What About the Skeptics?

Good question.

There was a moment-early on-where I thought, “Is this AI stuff really gonna get it? Will it sound like me? Will it mess up my vibe?”

But here’s the twist: Elsa didn’t replace the human touch. It enhanced it.

And the kicker? It’s built for marketers. Not coders. Not engineers. Us. The people trying to get sh*t done, stay profitable, and deliver campaigns that don’t just look good but actually move the needle.

Final Word (AKA The Call to Action You Knew Was Coming)

If you’re tired of doing all the things and still feeling behind…

If you’re sick of generic tools that promise the world and then break your workflow…

If you want to feel in control of your agency’s tech stack and future…

Then do what I did. Step into the JTBD mindset. Plug Elsa into your world. And start knocking out the real jobs your clients are paying you for.

Fuel the Fire: Why Live Football News Feeds Your Competitive Edge

For anyone who lives for the roar of engines and the blur of speed, being a sports fan is about more than watching—it’s about knowing. Whether it’s race times, weather forecasts, or pit stop strategies, motorsports fans are always tuned into the next data point. That same instinct—the need to be first, the craving to stay sharp—has fueled another obsession: live football news.

Platforms like thsport.live are feeding this demand, delivering real-time football coverage that mirrors the urgency and precision motorsports fans already love. And just like a well-timed overtake or a split-second tire change, catching the right football update at the right time can change everything.

In fact, checking up on ข่าวกีฬาฟุตบอล isn’t just something fans do out of habit—it’s how they stay mentally in the game.

Why Fast Updates Matter to Fast-Minded Fans

Football fans and motorsports enthusiasts have more in common than you might think. They both follow fast-paced sports with evolving strategies, passionate fanbases, and live events where momentum can swing instantly. So it’s no surprise that the football audience is leaning into platforms that offer second-by-second insights, lineup leaks, transfer rumors, and in-match analytics.

Gone are the days when waiting for the morning paper or the evening news was good enough. Just like F1 fans check live timing screens, football followers want updates that refresh in real-time—especially during transfer windows, injury alerts, or VAR drama.

It’s More Than a Score—It’s the Story Behind It

Sure, the final score still matters. But what draws people in these days is everything surrounding the game: pre-match buildup, player drama, tactical previews, even the psychological state of a star striker. News platforms now serve not just facts but context—who’s injured, who’s benched, who’s making noise in training camp.

Much like how a race broadcast gives us insights on tire degradation or team radio chatter, live football coverage gives us access to player interviews, coach reactions, and instant fan feedback. This makes watching the match feel richer and more personal. You’re no longer just a viewer; you’re involved.

Betting and Bragging Rights Depend on Speed

Let’s talk about the obvious: football betting. For fans who dabble in odds, speed isn’t just preferred—it’s essential.

Bookmakers adjust lines in real-time based on breaking news. If you find out a star forward is out just 10 minutes before the odds change, that knowledge gives you an edge. It’s no different than predicting an undercut in F1 or spotting tire wear before a pit call. Timing is everything.

But even outside betting, being “in the know” is part of sports culture. The group chats, the forums, the comment sections—there’s an unspoken race to drop the latest info first. With platforms like thsport.live updating every few seconds, you don’t just follow the game—you set the pace of the conversation.

The Rise of Second-Screen Sports Culture

Back in the day, fans watched games and waited for halftime analysis. Now? They’re watching with one eye on the match and one on their phone.

This second-screen habit has completely reshaped the fan experience. Live stat trackers, social media threads, group chats, memes—these all build on top of the match to create an interactive layer of engagement. And the faster your news feed is, the more connected you feel.

That’s why sites like thsport.live are seeing such a boom. Their value isn’t just in what they report—it’s in when they report it. A good football news site doesn’t just tell you what happened. It tells you before your friends can.

Adrenaline Is a Language Both Sports Speak

There’s a special kind of adrenaline that comes from watching your team score—or seeing your driver make a last-lap pass. But that adrenaline doesn’t only come from what’s happening live. It’s also built through anticipation: reading injury reports, tracking weather updates, or watching lineups shift last minute.

Just like how motorsports fans love pre-race buildup—engine notes, tire talk, track temperatures—football fans crave those few hours before kickoff. Every new detail shapes your prediction, your mood, and even how you celebrate (or cope with) the result.

Live football news feeds that feeling. They make every hour leading up to the match feel alive with possibility.

Staying Ahead of the Curve (and the Algorithm)

Let’s be real: you don’t just want the news—you want it before the algorithm does.

Social platforms often throttle what you see. By the time a key headline lands on your feed, it might already be old news. That’s where direct news platforms come in. They cut through the noise, keeping football fans several steps ahead.

You see the starting XI before it trends on Twitter. You catch the manager’s pre-match quote before it gets quoted a thousand times. That head start changes how you engage, how you comment, how you talk trash in your fantasy league.

Football Is Now a 24/7 Fix

Even in the off-season, fans want updates. Who’s transferring? Who’s clashing with the coach? What did that cryptic Instagram post really mean?

The modern football news cycle never sleeps. There’s always a scoop, a scandal, or a stat worth knowing. And for fans used to the rhythm of qualifying Fridays and race day Sundays, the daily drip-feed of football news hits the same dopamine receptors.

Whether it’s late-night match recaps or early-morning lineup predictions, it’s clear: live football coverage is no longer optional—it’s how fans stay fueled between kickoffs.

Trusted Platforms Keep the Edge Sharp

With so much content flying around, knowing where to go for reliable, timely football news is key. That’s why platforms like thsport.live are gaining loyal followings. They understand that fans want updates that are:

  • Immediate – No lag, no delay.
  • Accurate – No clickbait or half-baked rumors.
  • Concise – Just the facts, without the fluff.

When speed and trust intersect, fans win. Whether you’re managing a fantasy lineup, placing a smart bet, or just trying to win the group chat debate, being backed by a solid live news source gives you the edge.

Why Football News Now Feels Like a Race Itself

If football is a 90-minute game, then the coverage is a 24-hour race. Every piece of information—who’s starting, who’s suspended, what system a team is switching to—is part of the larger strategy that fuels how fans prepare, engage, and react.

And just like motorsports fans obsess over telemetry and tire temps, football followers are now parsing xG stats and lineup heatmaps in real time.

This isn’t just a shift in reporting. It’s a shift in how fans watch the game. It’s active. Analytical. Fast-paced. Competitive. In short: it’s a sport within the sport.

And when you’re always chasing that edge, keeping tabs on ข่าวกีฬา ล่าสุด becomes part of your personal playbook.

Final Thoughts: Stay Fast or Fall Behind

In sports, hesitation costs. Whether it’s a delayed pit stop or missing a late-game substitution that swings the score, timing matters. That’s why live football news has become essential—not just entertainment, but a competitive advantage for fans who take the game seriously.

If you’re already wired to think fast and act faster, real-time football news is the perfect addition to your sports routine. It feeds your instincts, sharpens your insights, and makes every match a little more electric—even if your boots never hit the pitch.

So the next time you’re checking live lap times, consider pulling up the latest football update too. Who knows—your next winning prediction might be just a push notification away.

Baccarat, Blackjack or Craps: Which Game Wins?

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Baccarat, Blackjack or Craps: Whis Game is Better?

If ever you’ve walked through a casino—either Las Vegas or, more recently, virtual—you’ve probably seen groups of folks huddled around three main tables: baccarat, blackjack, and craps. Each one is a traditional classic in and of itself and has something unique to give to the player. But which gives you the best experience—or better yet, the best chance of winning? Let’s examine them and consider key factors so that you can decide which game best suits your play style.

What Makes Each Game Unique?

Baccarat

Baccarat is a simple card game in which players bet on one of three outcomes: the player hand wins, the banker hand wins, or it’s a tie. The goal is to get as close to 9 as possible. Unlike blackjack, however, players cannot draw further cards—it’s purely automatic, according to pre-programmed rules. Because of such ease, many new rollers and players are drawn to baccarat. According to figures from BaccaratWiki, the minimal house edge of the game on banker bets makes it one of the favourite choices for the beginning point among those interested in starting off with less complexity.

Blackjack

Blackjack, or 21, is generally considered the most skilful of any casino game. Players are playing against the banker, trying to establish a hand as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. In these situations, actions such as hitting, standing, splitting, and doubling down are being asked. It is one of the only games in which the player’s skill is likely to have a good shot at making a difference. The house edge is pretty small—about 0.5%—when players apply basic strategy on a regular basis.

Craps

Craps is a fast-paced game of dice that’s well known for its social nature and high number of betting options. You bet on what two dice come up, and there is everything from simple pass line bets to complex prop bets. The learning curve is high at first, but once you get the basic ideas down, the game is actually fascinating. It’s particularly successful and thriving in live casinos due to the table setting.

The Games Compared: What is Most Important

To determine which game is superior, we must compare them based on many important factors: house edge, skill level the player needs, speed of the game, and betting range.

GameHouse Edge (Best Bet)
Baccarat~1.06% (Banker bet)
Blackjack~0.5% (With basic strategy)
Craps~1.41% (Pass Line bet)

As one can observe, blackjack has the lowest possible house edge when played with optimal strategy. However, if you do not like mastering strategy, baccarat provides a low house edge for banker bets.

Skill vs. Luck

Blackjack is unique in that skill does have an effect. Having access to a basic strategy chart can reduce the house edge dramatically. Craps and baccarat, on the other hand, rely heavily on chance. Compared to blackjack, the ability to affect the outcome tends to draw more experienced players to baccarat.

Game Speed & Complexity

  • Baccarat: Extremely quick and easy. Very little player input. Fast rounds.
  • Blackjack: Average level of difficulty. You have to make decisions strategically. It will be longer, depending on the players.
  • Craps: The most complex initially, because there are so many various types of wagers. But once learned, it is quick and exhilarating.

If you prefer a no-hassle game, baccarat has few competitors. If you prefer something more interactive, blackjack offers more interaction.

Payouts and Bet Variety

  • Blackjack: Payouts are usually 3:2 for natural blackjack. That takes even money in return. There are a few side bets, but they vary by casino.
  • Craps: Most bets of any game, with high-risk, high-reward bets.
  • Baccarat: Fixed odds (player 1:1, banker 0.95:1, tie 8:1) with slight variation.

Players who enjoy variety in their betting might enjoy craps, and those who prefer simplicity might enjoy baccarat.

Which Game Is Best for You?

The “best” game is a personal choice for each player. It is a function of your playing style and your interests:

  • New players can enjoy baccarat since it’s easy to learn and has a low house edge.
  • Tactical players can enjoy blackjack since it rewards good thinking and skill.
  • Action or social players can enjoy craps due to the fast action and social scene.

For most people, baccarat vs blackjack comes down to this: do you want to play a soothing game with essentially no decisions, or do you prefer to be responsible and use strategies to conquer the house?

GameProsCons
BaccaratLow house edge, easy to playVery limited control over the outcome
BlackjackSkill-based, good odds with strategyMistakes can cost you dearly
CrapsFun atmosphere, many betting optionsIt can be confusing for beginners

There is no single “best” game for all. Each has its own playing style and is played by a specific type of player. If you like something simple and trouble-free, baccarat is the one. If you like to challenge your mind and make smart decisions, blackjack is your game. And if you can hold your own in high-pressure, unpredictable situations, craps is your game.

Ultimately, it’s your decision to make—responsible enough, maybe. Casino games are meant to be entertainment-based first. Choose one that has you looking forward to the experience, not necessarily the payout.

Christopher Bell muscles to first All-Star victory at North Wilkesboro

Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Christopher Bell had the stars and fireworks victoriously bursting above him and he outdueled Joey Logano to win in the 41st running of the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on Sunday, May 18.

The 2024 Coca-Cola 600 champion from Norman, Oklahoma, led four times for 28 of 250 scheduled laps in an All-Star event where he started alongside pole-sitter Brad Keselowski and raced upfront throughout the event’s entirety. After assuming the lead for the first time on Lap 104 following a stellar pit service from his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota team during a competition caution period, he would engage in a race-long, heated battle with Logano for the top spot that surpassed the event’s halfway mark.

Then following the event’s newly formed Promoter’s Caution period that flew with 35 laps remaining, mixed pit strategies ensued that involved Logano being only one of five competitors to remain on the track on worn tires while Bell led the rest of the field to pit for fresh tires. Despite making contact with Noah Gragson while exiting pit road, Bell restarted towards the front during the following restart with 28 laps remaining. After reeling in Logano for the lead with his four fresh tires with approximately 20 laps remaining but not having enough momentum to muscle ahead of the latter, Bell bumped and spent nearly a full lap rubbing against Logano to assume the top spot for good with 10 laps remaining. From there, Bell was able to muscle away and cruise to his first triumph in the All-Star Race.

The starting lineup for the 2025 All-Star Race was first determined through a combined session of on-track qualifying and a mandatory pit stop as part of the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge that occurred on Friday, May 16.

Each competitor eligible for both the All-Star Race and Open events took the green flag, ran a full lap at speed around the North Wilkesboro circuit, made a four-tire pit stop within a designated pit stall with no fuel delivery during the second lap, exited pit road under pit road speed and raced back to the checkered flag once returning to the track.

The overall qualifying time was evaluated by the total time elapsed from the green flag to the checkered flag, where the fastest All-Star qualifier would start on pole position for both the first of two Heat Races and the overall main event.

The event’s two 75-lap Heat events that would determine the rest of the starting lineup for the All-Star Race aside from the pole sitter occurred on Saturday, May 17.

At the conclusion of Friday’s qualifying session, Brad Keselowski notched his first All-Star career pole position after he posted a three-lap qualifying trial run at 77.264 mph in 87.363 seconds while also receiving a 13.081-second pit service from his No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing Ford team. Keselowski would proceed to win the first All-Star Heat event and he shared the front row with Christopher Bell, the latter of whom won the second Heat event.

Keselowski and Bell were among 20 competitors who were automatically eligible for the 2025 All-Star Race based on winning a Cup Series points-paying event between the entire 2024 and early 2025 campaigns and being both former Cup Series champions and All-Star Race winners. The remaining 18 competitors who also met the criteria included Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, William Byron, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher, Josh Berry, Daniel Suarez, Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, Austin Dillon, Austin Cindric, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Harrison Burton, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson.

Prior to the All-Star Race, the All-Star Open occurred. It allowed 18 registered competitors who did not automatically transfer to the All-Star Race to do so by contesting for the top-two finishing spots in a 100-lap qualifying event. In addition, a third competitor revealed to be the Fan Vote winner would both transfer and claim the final starting spot to the All-Star Race.

At the conclusion of the All-Star Open, Carson Hocevar and John Hunter Nemechek transferred by finishing first and second, respectively, while Noah Gragson was awarded the final spot for being named the Fan Vote winner for a third consecutive year.

The remaining Open competitors who did not qualify for the 2025 All-Star Race included Ty Dillon, Erik Jones, Michael McDowell, Zane Smith, AJ Allmendinger, Bubba Wallace, Cole Custer, rookie Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Todd Gilliland, rookie Shane van Gisbergen, Justin Haley, Ty Gibbs, Cody Ware and Chad Finchum.

When the green flag waved and the All-Star Race started, Brad Keselowski and Christopher Bell dueled for nearly a full lap against one another as the field behind jostled for early spots. As Joey Logano tried to make a three-wide move beneath both Bell and Keselowski for the lead through Turns 3 and 4, Keselowski managed to retain the top spot and lead the first lap.

Over the following four laps, Keselowski maintained an early, steady advantage while Chase Elliott and Logano aggressively muscled their way into second and third, respectively, on the track. By then, Bell dropped to fifth as William Byron moved up to fourth. Logano would then reel in and duel with Keselowski for the lead by the sixth lap, but the latter maintained the lead through the Lap 10 mark while Byron and Elliott closely pursued in the top-four mark.

Through the first 20 scheduled laps, Keselowski and Logano remained dead even for the lead in front of Byron and Elliott while Bell, Ross Chastain, Kyle Busch, Chris Buescher, Ryan Blaney and Alex Bowman pursued in the top 10. Behind, Tyler Reddick was scored in 11th place ahead of Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon and Josh Berry while Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Carson Hocevar, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., John Hunter Nemechek and Harrison Burton rounded out the 23-car field.

Fifteen laps later, Keselowski, who had managed to muscle ahead of Logano earlier, retained the lead over the latter while Byron, Elliott and Bell continued to race in the top-five mark. Despite having Logano continually reeling him in his rearview mirror, Keselowski maintained the lead by the Lap 45 mark.

On Lap 56, the event’s first caution flew when Suarez, who was racing just outside the top-15 mark, blew a right-front tire and smacked the outside wall just past the first two turns. During the caution period, the field led by Keselowski peeled off the track to pit for the first time. Following the pit stops, Keselowski, Byron and Kyle Busch exited pit road first through third, respectively, after the trio opted for a two-tire pit stop. They were followed by Logano, the first competitor with four fresh tires, along with Bell, Elliott, Blaney, Bowman, Chastain and Cindric.

When the event restarted under green on Lap 63, the field fanned out to multiple lanes as Keselowski tried to fend off Busch through the first two turns. Byron then made the battle at the front a three-wide battle as he went beneath both Keselowski and Busch through Turns 3 and 4. With the trio remaining dead even during the following lap in front of Logano, they continued to duel by Lap 65 before Byron muscled his No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet entry ahead through Turns 3 and 4. As Byron muscled away with the lead in his sole possession by Lap 66, Logano and Busch moved up to second and third while Keselowski was trying to fend off Bell and Elliott for fourth place.

By Lap 75, Byron retained the lead over Logano, Bell, Elliott and Blaney while Busch, Keselowski, Cindric, Chastain and Reddick were racing in the top 10. Both Logano and Bell would then reel in on Byron over the following three laps before Logano assumed the top spot from Byron by Lap 78. Logano would proceed to lead just past the Lap 80 mark while Byron, who was fighting loose conditions, was being pressured by Bell for second.

Within the Lap 90 mark, Logano was leading Bell while Elliott was scored in third place. Behind, Byron had fallen back to fourth place ahead of Blaney, Cindric and Busch while Keselowski was mired back in eighth place ahead of Chastain and Bowman.

At the Lap 100 mark, a scheduled competition caution flew. At the time of the caution period, Logano was scored the leader by a second ahead of Bell, Elliott, Blaney and Byron while Busch, Cindric, Keselowski, Chastain and Berry were ranked in top 10. During the caution, the field led by Logano returned to pit road for service. Following the pit stops, Bell exited pit road first and he was followed by Logano, Elliott, Blaney, Byron, Busch, Keselowski, Cindric, Berry and Chastain.

The start of the following restart on Lap 108 featured Bell, who restarted on the inside lane, muscling his No. 20 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE entry ahead and maintaining the lead for a full circuit. He would proceed to lead the following lap ahead of Logano while Elliott and Blaney battled for third place. With the field behind fanning out and making contact against one another, Bell proceeded to lead just past the Lap 110 mark.

The caution then returned on Lap 112 when Austin Cindric, who was racing within the top-15 mark, made contact with Chastain exiting Turn 2. With Chastain getting sideways, both he and Cindric then went down the track and made additional contact with Bowman. While Bowman kept his damaged No. 48 Ally Chevrolet entry racing straight, Cindric and Chastain made further contact as Chastain slid his No. 1 Busch Chevrolet entry sideways down the backstretch while Cindric nursed his damaged No. 2 Freightliner Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry to pit road.

As the event restarted under green on Lap 120, Logano challenged Bell for the lead from the outside lane and both dueled against one another for half a lap. They continued to duel back to the frontstretch and for the following lap. During the process, they both leaned against one another and refused to give each other an inch of space for racing. With both also making minor contact against one another, Blaney and Elliott battled for third place in front of Byron and Busch. Amid the battles within the field, Logano and Bell continued to duel at the event’s halfway mark on Lap 125.

At the Lap 150 mark, Logano, who earlier muscled ahead of Bell and had both lanes under his control, was out in front over Bell while Blaney, Elliott and Bowman pursued in the top five. Behind, Busch was mired in sixth place ahead of Larson, Byron, Keselowski and Berry while Briscoe, Gragson, Austin Dillon, Reddick and Hocevar were in the top 15, respectively.

Ten laps later, Logano continued to lead by a second over Bell while Blaney trailed in third place by two seconds. By then, Chevrolet competitors Elliott, Bowman, Busch, Larson and Byron trailed in the top-eight mark ahead of Keselowski and Berry while Logano maintained the lead by a second by Lap 175.

Then on Lap 175, the caution flew when Keselowski wrecked hard against the outside wall entering Turn 3. As Keselowski limped his damaged No. 6 Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry with flat-spotted tires back to his pit stall, the field led by Logano pitted. Following the pit stops, Larson, who entered pit road in seventh place, opted for a two-tire pit stop and exited pit road first. He was followed by Logano, Bell, Elliott, Blaney, Bowman, Briscoe, Busch, Byron and Austin Dillon, respectively, the latter nine of which opted for a four-tire pit service.

During the following restart on Lap 182, Larson, who started the All-Star Race at the rear of the field, briefly rocketed his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet entry ahead from the outside lane through first two turns before Logano got underneath the latter and challenged him for the lead. With Bell trying to thread the needle between both in Turns 3 and 4, Logano led the following lap by a hair before Larson challenged back from the outside lane.

Both continued to duel over next three laps before Larson went wide in Turn 1, which allowed Logano to muscle ahead from the inside lane. As Logano cleared Larson and led on Lap 186, Bell drew himself into a side-by-side battle with Larson for the runner-up spot before the former cleared the later by Lap 187. As Bell started to pull away, Larson, who was trying to run strong on his two fresh tires, was being challenged by teammate Elliott for third while Blaney closed in from fifth place.

At the Lap 200 mark, Logano was leading by half a second over a hard-charging Bell while Larson, who trailed the lead by two seconds, was also trying to fend off teammate Elliott and Blaney for third place. Hendrick Motorsports’ Bowman and Byron trailed by three seconds in sixth and seventh, respectively, while Austin Dillon, Briscoe and Busch, the latter of whom trailed the lead by five seconds, were in the top 10.

Ten laps later, Logano retained the lead by half a second over Bell while Larson trailed by one-and-a-half seconds in third place. As both Elliott and Blaney retained fourth and fifth, respectively, on the track, Logano continued to lead by half a second for another five laps.

Then on Lap 215, the event’s newly formed Promoter’s Caution period, which needed to be executed prior to Lap 220, was displayed by Michael Waltrip as the fireworks lit above the skies. The caution flew after Larson had made contact with the wall, which caused him to drop from third to sixth in the leaderboard, while Logano remained in the lead ahead of Bell.

During the Promoter’s Caution period, Logano along with teammate Blaney, Chastain, Hocevar and Burton remained on the track while the rest led by Bell pitted their respective entries. Following the pit stops, Bell, who made contact with Gragson exiting pit road, exited pit road first and he was followed by Elliott and Byron. Meanwhile, Larson, who also pitted, dropped both out of contention for the lead and out of the lead lap category due to the damage sustained on his No. 5 entry.

With the event restarting with 28 laps remaining, Logano, who restarted on the outside lane, managed to fend off teammate Blaney for nearly a full lap before he muscled ahead entering the frontstretch and rocketed ahead to lead the following lap. With the field behind bumping and jostling for late spots, Chastain reeled in on Blaney for second while Bell battled with Hocevar for fourth place. Blaney then got sideways entering Turn 3 with 27 laps remaining, but Chastain, Hocevar and Bell barely managed to get by Blaney as Blaney was jumbled up in a bevy of three- and four-wide actions. With Blaney plummeting below the leaderboard, Logano retained the lead with 25 laps remaining.

Then with 22 laps remaining, Bell, who spent the previous three laps reeling in Logano on his four fresh tires, went beneath Logano for the lead through Turns 3 and 4. Using the inside lane, Bell would lead with 21 laps remaining, but Logano drew back alongside the latter from the outside lane. They then rubbed fenders in Turn 1, but both managed to race straight as Logano, who was still holding strong on his four worn tires, rocketed back ahead. With Bell going up the track and into the path of a hard-charging Chastain in Turn 3, Logano would pull ahead by nearly half a second with 19 laps remaining.

With 15 laps remaining, Logano maintained the lead over a hard-charging Bell while Chastain, Bowman and Elliott trailed in the top five, respectively. As Bell started to reel back toward Logano’s rear bumper over the following four laps, Logano went up the track to block Bell’s gained speed exiting the turns and entering the straightaways.

Then with 10 laps remaining, Bell seized an opportunity by going underneath Logano entering Turn 1. He then proceeded to rub against Logano towards the outside wall while giving him no room through the backstretch. Bell then bumped and ran Logano up the track in Turn 3. This allowed Bell to storm back to the lead while Chastain challenged Logano for the runner-up spot. Logano would manage to retain second place over both Chastain and Bowman while Bell retained the lead over the following four laps.

Down to the final five laps of the event, Bell maintained a steady advantage over Logano while Chastain, Bowman and Elliott pursued in the top five. Using his advantageous outside lane and his four fresh tires, Bell would remain atop the leaderboard over Logano over the next four laps.

When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Bell, who was starting to approach the lapped competitor of Larson, remained in the lead over Logano. With Larson remaining on the inside lane and not interfering with the lead lap competitors, Bell was able to smoothly navigate his way around the North Wilkesboro venue for a final time before he returned to the frontstretch victorious and a million dollars richer with his first checkered flag in the event.

With the victory, Bell, a three-time Cup Series points-paying race winner in the early stages of the 2025 season, became the 37th competitor overall to win the NASCAR All-Star Race. He also became the third to win the event at North Wilkesboro Speedway and the third Toyota competitor to achieve the feat. The 2025 All-Star Race victory was the third overall for Joe Gibbs Racing and the first for the organization’s No. 20 team.

Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

“North Wilkesboro, how about that one?!” Bell exclaimed on the frontstretch on FS1. “That, right there, is absolutely incredible. North Wilkesboro – best short track on the schedule. Let’s go! Man, [the No. 20 pit crew]’re the best. There’s nothing else to say. This sport can be so humbling because behind the car, behind the wheel, you’re just a small part of success. These [No. 20] boys right here, [crew chief] Adam Stevens on the pit box, all the mechanics, all the engineers that put this thing together. They’re the big picture. I’m the guy that gets to sit up here and talk to you and take pictures, but without them, I’m nobody and I owe it all to these guys.”

As Bell celebrated with his team on the frontstretch, Logano, who led a race-high 139 laps compared to Bell’s 28, was left dejected on pit road after falling short of defending his All-Star Race victory from a year ago.

“I’m pissed off right now,” Logano said. “Dang it, we had the fastest car. The Shell/Pennzoil Mustang was so fast. I felt like the [tire] falloff wasn’t too bad as the sun went down. We had six cars or so stay out with us [during the final caution period]. I thought maybe we can hold them off, but [Bell] had a good enough restart to clear too many of [competitors] too fast and I couldn’t get away in time.

“It took me six, seven laps to get my car up and rolling again. I did all I could do to [Bell] off and he got under me and just released the brake, gave me no option and he just ran me up into the wall. If I could have got to him, he was going around after a move like that. I just couldn’t get back to him. It was just too much to try to make [the deficit] up with the tire deficit. Just frustrated after you lead so many laps and [the] car’s so fast and you don’t win. It hurts quite a bit.”

Ross Chastain and Alex Bowman rallied from their early multi-car wreck to finish third and fourth, respectively, while Chase Elliott finished in the top five. William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Busch, Chase Briscoe and Chris Buescher completed the top 10 in the final running order.

Notably, the Chevrolet nameplate emerged as the inaugural Manufacturer Showdown winner of the event. This occurred due to the manufacturer’s competitors Chastain, Bowman, Elliott, Byron and Kyle Busch finished third, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth, respectively, on the track. Meanwhile, the race winner Bell, seventh-place finisher Reddick and ninth-place finisher Briscoe represented Toyota while runner-up finisher Logano and 10th-place finisher Buescher represented Ford.

There were 18 lead changes for eight different leaders. The race featured five cautions for 32 laps. In addition, 20 of 23 starters finished on the lead lap.

Results:

1. Christopher Bell, 28 laps led
2. Joey Logano, 139 laps led
3. Ross Chastain
4. Alex Bowman, one lap led
5. Chase Elliott
6. William Byron, 12 laps led
7. Tyler Reddick
8. Kyle Busch, two laps led
9. Chase Briscoe
10. Chris Buescher
11. Carson Hocevar
12. Denny Hamlin
13. Noah Gragson
14. Austin Dillon
15. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
16. Ryan Blaney
17. Josh Berry
18. Austin Cindric, one lap led
19. John Hunter Nemechek
20. Harrison Burton
21. Kyle Larson, three laps down, five laps led
22. Brad Keselowski – OUT, Accident, 62 laps led
23. Daniel Suarez – OUT, Accident

Next on the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The event is scheduled to occur next Sunday, May 25, and air at 6 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

Robert Shwartzman, Prema Racing storm to historic pole for 2025 Indianapolis 500

Photo by Chris Jones (Penske Entertainment).

Rookie Robert Shwartzman pulled off the ultimate upset by storming to the pole position for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 18.

During the second and final day of the PPG Armed Forces Qualifying session, Shwartzman, driver of the No. 83 Prema Racing Dallara-Chevrolet entry who opted not to practice prior to Sunday’s qualifying session, was one of six competitors from 12 overall to race his way from the Top 12 session to the Firestone Fast Six session, which enabled him to contend for the pole position.

Once in the Firestone Fast Six session, Shwartzman, who was fourth in line to qualify, posted a four-lap average-qualifying trial at 232.790 mph, which was enough to claim sole possession of the top-starting spot for this year’s Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

With his accomplishment, Shwartzman, a native of Tel Aviv, Israel, became IndyCar’s first newest pole winner since Santino Ferrucci achieved his first at Portland International Raceway in August 2024 and the first to claim a first career IndyCar pole for the Indy 500 since James Hinchcliffe achieved the previous feat in 2016.

As an added bonus, Shwartzman became the first rookie competitor to win the Indy 500 pole since Teo Fabi made the previous achievement in 1983. In addition, Prema Racing became the first organization to claim a first career pole at the Indy 500 since Mayer Motor Racing made the previous achievement in 1984.

Photo by Chris Owens (Penske Entertainment).

“I can’t believe [it],” Shwartzman said on FS1. He continued, “I was closing my eyes. I was like,’ This is a dream. It can’t be true.’ I don’t know what even to say on this my place. The car felt amazing. I can’t thank Prema, I can’t thank Chevy. They did such a good job. It’s unbelievable. Coming here for my first oval race, I would never even expect myself to be in this position. It’s unbelievable. Big thanks to the fans who came here, who were cheering for me. I just want to appreciate this moment. We’ll think of [the Indy 500] next week, what’s going to be in the race. I’ve never raced in the oval before, so that’s going to be a first experience for me. I suppose, [next Sunday] be consistent, do a good run and where we finish is where we finish.”

Takuma Sato, a two-time Indy 500 champion who is making his lone start of the year in the No. 75 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Dallara-Honda entry, will start in second place with a four-lap average speed session of 232.478 mph. Pato O’Ward, a two-time Indy 500 runner-up finisher and driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Dallara-Chevrolet entry, will start in third place with a four-lap average session at 232.098 mph. Both will share the front row with Shwartzman.

Scott Dixon, Felix Rosenqvist and Alex Palou, all of whom transferred to the Firestone Fast 6, will start in the second row from third to sixth, respectively.

David Malukas, Christian Lundgaard, Marcus Ericsson, Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden and Will Power, all of whom transferred as high as the top-12 round, will occupy the third and fourth row by starting seventh through 12th, respectively.

McLaughlin did not post a qualifying trial after he was involved in a harrowing accident entering Turn 2 during Sunday’s lone practice session prior to the final qualifying sessions. During the incident, McLaughlin got loose, spun, hit the outside wall and went airborne. The incident occurred shortly after McLaughlin had posted the fastest speed of the session at 233.553 mph.

Fortunately, McLaughlin’s No. 3 Pennzoil/Team Penske Dallara-Chevrolet entry rolled back right side up, but the entry was beyond repair. In addition, his No. 3 Team Penske team was unable to prepare a back-up car in time for him to both qualify and defend his pole from a year ago.

Meanwhile, his two Team Penske teammates, Josef Newgarden and Will Power, were unable to post qualifying runs during the Top 12 session due to their respective entries failing the pre-qualifying technical inspection. According to Tim Cindric, Team Penske’s president, Power’s No. 12 Verizon Dallara-Chevrolet entry passed the inspection process, but INDYCAR officials noted inquiries on Newgarden’s No. 2 Shell Dallara-Chevrolet entry.

As a result, the Penske organization opted to withdraw both the Nos. 2 and 12 entries, both of which looked identical physically, from qualifying to have their entries inspected, particularly involving the body fit on the rear attenuator. With the withdrawal, Newgarden and Power will start 11th and 12th, respectively.

During the Last Chance Qualifying round, Marco Andretti, Marcus Armstrong and Rinus VeeKay were able to claim the final starting spots (31st to 33rd) and they will start in the 11th and final row for this year’s Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Rookie Jacob Abel, who is VeeKay’s teammate at Dale Coyne Racing, was the lone competitor who did not qualify for this year’s Indianapolis 500.

Photo by James Black (Penske Entertainment).

2025 Indy 500 Starting Lineup:

1. Robert Shwartzman

2. Takuma Sato

3. Pato O’Ward

4. Scott Dixon

5. Felix Rosenqvist

6. Alex Palou

7. David Malukas

8. Christian Lundgaard

9. Marcus Ericsson

10. Scott McLaughin

11. Josef Newgarden

12. Will Power

13. Conor Daly

14. Alexander Rossi

15. Kyffin Simpson

16. Ed Carpenter

17. Santino Ferrucci

18. Devlin DeFrancesco

19. Sting Ray Robb

20. Christian Rasmussen

21. Kyle Larson

22. Louis Foster

23. Callum Ilott

24. Helio Castroneves

25. Kyle Kirkwood

26. Nolan Siegel

27. Ryan Hunter-Reay

28. Jack Harvey

29. Colton Herta

30. Graham Rahal

31. Marco Andretti

32. Marcus Armstrong

33. Rinus VeeKay

The 2025 Indianapolis 500, which is set to mark the 109th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is scheduled to occur next Sunday, May 25. The event’s pre-race coverage is slated to air at 10 a.m. ET on FOX and the drop of the green flag is slated to occur at 12:45 p.m. ET.

STEWART, BECKMAN & HERRERA COLLECT WINS AT GERBER COLLISION & GLASS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS

  • Stewart takes TF points lead with victory
  • Beckman gets FC holeshot win over Prock
  • PSM’s Herrera stays perfect in Windy City

JOLIET, Ill. (May 18, 2025) – Racing legend Tony Stewart moved into the NHRA Top Fuel points lead for the first time with his second win in three races on Sunday at Route 66 Raceway, defeating Justin Ashley in the final round of the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK.

Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the sixth of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Stewart went 3.777-seconds at 329.10 mph in his 12,000-horsepower Rinnai dragster to hold off Ashley and earn his second Top Fuel win, just more than a month after he won for the first time in his Top Fuel career in Las Vegas. It’s the fourth straight final round for Stewart and his standout team, as he also moved three points ahead of Shawn Langdon, who fell in the second round, to take the Top Fuel points lead for the first time ever.

Stewart, who made a career-best run of 3.679 in qualifying, defeated Terry Totten, Shawn Reed and Steve Torrence to reach the championship round. Ashley left first with a stout .042, but Stewart was right there with a .048, quickly running him down and cruising to another impressive victory in what is shaping up to be a special season for the former NASCAR and IndyCar champion.

“You’ve got to believe we’re real now at this point,” Stewart said. “I wouldn’t have said it before today. Even in Vegas (for his first win), I said we’re making progress but we’re not where we need to be yet. But it’s hard to be the points leader and not think you’re a contender now. I’m very grateful and it’s nice we’ve got a consistent car.

“We were in a position where we had to pick up the pace when it got cooler. I ran a career best 3.67 yesterday. When you race Justin you have to just run your race. We decided that you just need to do your deal the same way. He’s the best in the class and it’s hard for a crew chief to make that up. He also has the ability to bring out the best in you. That makes this more special. We respect each other. That’s what I love about NHRA.

“There’s a lot that can happen and a lot of racing left, but I’m extremely proud of our team for the progress we’ve made and where we were a year ago to where we are now.”

Ashley advanced to the championship round for the second time this season thanks to round wins against Brittany Force, reigning world champion Antron Brown and No. 1 qualifier Doug Kalitta to reach the finals.

Funny Car’s Jack Beckman needed his own impressive performance on the starting line and he delivered, winning on a holeshot in the final round against John Force Racing teammate and reigning world champion Austin Prock with a run of 3.935 at 325.77 in his 12,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet SS.

Prock went a quicker 3.933 at 329.02 and had his own solid reaction time, but Beckman went .049, which made the difference at the finish line as he earned his second victory this season and 37th in his professional career. Since returning to racing and taking over driving duties for the legendary John Force late last year, Beckman has four wins in 14 races, moving to second in points on Sunday with the memorable victory at his sponsor’s race.

The veteran and former world champion got past Dave Richards, Chad Green and Cruz Pedregon to set up the all-JFR final round. It ensured a fourth JFR win in the first six races of 2025, as both Beckman and Prock continue to roll at an impressive pace. On Sunday, though, it was Beckman who got back on track in a major way after first-round losses at the previous two events.

“Every win is great and I have a lot of trophies from places like Indy and my home track in Pomona but winning here in Chicago, a track that was off the tour for a while is as good as it gets,” said Beckman, who was making his first appearance in Chicago since 2019. “It’s also the headquarters for PEAK and we’ve got 623 employees here.

“I was off the tour since 2019 and I never thought I’d race here again. Austin Prock is great. Honestly, he’s .01 or .02 better that the rest of us. You just have to do your best. This time it all seemed to work out for us. Overall, we were good when we had to be. I try to keep an even keel but at this point, I’m more appreciative of every opportunity I get.”

Prock advanced to his third straight final, fourth this season and 24th in his career, defeating Bobby Bode, Paul Lee and defending event winner Matt Hagan. He will also remain in the points lead.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera still hasn’t tasted defeat at Route 66 Raceway, knocking off rival Matt Smith in the finals with a run of 6.777 at 198.90 on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. It’s the third straight Chicago victory for the back-to-back world champion and Herrera was stellar when it counted in the championship round against Smith.

He laid down a .005 reaction time, keeping Smith at bay and winning for the second time this season and the 23rd time in his career. He’s on track for another special season, too, it appears, qualifying No. 1 at the first three races, winning two of the first three races and also taking the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday to sweep the weekend in Chicago.

On Sunday, he knocked off John Hall and Chris Bostick to reach the finals before dispatching of Smith and leaving Chicago with the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead.

“The final was fun. Matt whacked the throttle and then I whacked the throttle and we both played with the stage lights. He brings out the best in me but we’ve got a fast hot rod,” Herrera said. “I had a great reaction time and we came out on top and that’s our main goal.

“I expect games when I race Matt. I actually like it. It takes me back to my grudge racing days when you’d race your friends and blow them kisses on the starting line. Matt and I haven’t got to that point yet.

“It seems like none of this is real. It’s hard to keep track and hard to take it all in. I try to be a humble guy. I don’t want to come out and say it bluntly because I prefer to just show it on the race track.”

Smith advanced to the final round for the third straight race in 2025, defeating Wesley Wells, Jianna Evaristo and Steve Johnson, and leaving Chicago second in points.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action May 30-June 1 with the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.


JOLIET, Ill. — Final finish order (1-16) at the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway. The race is the sixth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:

  1. Tony Stewart; 2. Justin Ashley; 3. Steve Torrence; 4. Doug Kalitta; 5. Shawn Reed; 6. Shawn Langdon; 7. Antron Brown; 8. Josh Hart; 9. Clay Millican; 10. Dan Mercier; 11. Kyle Wurtzel; 12. Spencer Massey; 13. Lex Joon; 14. Terry Totten; 15. Brittany Force; 16. T.J. Zizzo.

FUNNY CAR:

  1. Jack Beckman; 2. Austin Prock; 3. Matt Hagan; 4. Cruz Pedregon; 5. Paul Lee; 6. Ron Capps; 7. Chad Green; 8. Bob Tasca III; 9. Spencer Hyde; 10. Alexis DeJoria; 11. Blake Alexander; 12. Bobby Bode; 13. Dave Richards; 14. Buddy Hull; 15. J.R. Todd; 16. Daniel Wilkerson.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

  1. Gaige Herrera; 2. Matt Smith; 3. Steve Johnson; 4. Chris Bostick; 5. Richard Gadson; 6. Jianna Evaristo; 7. John Hall; 8. Geno Scali; 9. Chase Van Sant; 10. Ryan Oehler; 11. Marc Ingwersen; 12. Kelly Clontz; 13. Angie Smith; 14. Wesley Wells; 15. Lance Bonham.

JOLIET, Ill. — Sunday’s final results from the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway. The race is the sixth of 20 in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel — Tony Stewart, 3.777 seconds, 329.10 mph def. Justin Ashley, 3.818 seconds, 324.12 mph.

Funny Car — Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.935, 325.77 def. Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.933, 329.02.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.777, 198.90 def. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.805, 199.02.

Super Stock — Donna Morris, Chevy II, 10.696, 118.18 def. Troy Galbraith, Chevy II, 9.138, 136.40.

Stock Eliminator — Marion Stephenson, Dodge Challenger, 11.024, 77.88 def. Joey Shipp, Chevy Nova, Foul – Red Light.

Super Comp — Jeff Cheney, Dragster, 8.923, 172.56 def. Kimbra Fuesting, Dragster, 8.917, 172.25.

Super Gas — David Dahlem, Chevy, 9.943, 153.82 def. Nathan Prose, Chevy Camaro, 9.955, 164.91.

Top Dragster — Greg Rice, Dragster, 6.151, 219.69 def. Tony Elrod, Dragster, 7.226, 178.50.

Pro Modified — Mason Wright, Chevy Camaro, 5.734, 251.25 def. JR Gray, Camaro, Foul – Red Light.

Top Fuel Motorcycle — Larry McBride, Custom, 6.976, 64.13 def. Bob Malloy, American, Broke – No Show.

Factory Stock Showdown — Jason Dietsch, Ford Mustang, 7.725, 177.93 def. Lee Hartman, Dodge Challenger, 7.716, 174.77.

Factory X — Jesse Alexandra, Chevy Camaro, 6.896, 197.80 def. Conner Statler, Camaro, 6.980, 182.08.

PEAK Street Car Shootout presented by Sick the Magazine — Tom Bailey, Camaro, 5.811, 253.23 def. Bryant Goldstone, Javelin, Foul – Red Light.

JOLIET, Ill. — Final round-by-round results from the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway, the sixth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE — Josh Hart, 3.733, 330.07 def. Clay Millican, 3.746, 328.70; Shawn Reed, 3.750, 334.40 def. Dan Mercier, 3.748, 329.26; Antron Brown, 3.689, 337.16 def. T.J. Zizzo, 10.108, 80.54; Tony Stewart, 3.694, 329.26 def. Terry Totten, 4.276, 212.43; Doug Kalitta, 3.724, 332.02 def. Lex Joon, 3.975, 255.19; Shawn Langdon, 3.733, 330.88 def. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.783, 316.60; Justin Ashley, 3.706, 336.49 def. Brittany Force, 5.149, 142.84; Steve Torrence, 3.735, 333.08 def. Spencer Massey, 3.784, 324.12;

QUARTERFINALS — Torrence, 3.772, 331.69 def. Langdon, 5.776, 150.36; Kalitta, 3.723, 332.43 def. Hart, 9.266, 78.73; Stewart, 4.539, 261.47 def. Reed, 5.043, 267.11; Ashley, 4.407, 295.53 def. Brown, 7.178, 113.87;

SEMIFINALS — Stewart, 3.762, 329.18 def. Torrence, 4.021, 268.28; Ashley, 3.816, 326.87 def. Kalitta, 4.803, 178.42;

FINAL — Stewart, 3.777, 329.10 def. Ashley, 3.818, 324.12.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE — Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.586, 268.65 def. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 9.021, 92.78; Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 3.948, 328.54 def. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 5.398, 189.82; Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.880, 331.04 def. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.250, 234.57; Paul Lee, Charger, 4.229, 225.11 def. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.293, 252.95; Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.916, 330.39 def. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.036, 320.28; Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.905, 331.69 def. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.913, 330.23; Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.885, 333.66 def. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.184, 226.66; Chad Green, Mustang, 3.866, 328.78 def. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.889, 331.61;

QUARTERFINALS — Beckman, 11.637, 77.70 def. Green, Foul – Red Light; Prock, 4.693, 174.66 def. Lee, Foul – Red Light; Hagan, 3.919, 328.62 def. Capps, 3.957, 326.08; Pedregon, 3.947, 327.03 def. Tasca III, 7.587, 82.16;

SEMIFINALS — Beckman, 4.257, 314.83 def. Pedregon, 7.005, 99.25; Prock, 3.931, 329.75 def. Hagan, 3.942, 327.90;

FINAL — Beckman, 3.935, 325.77 def. Prock, 3.933, 329.02.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

ROUND ONE — John Hall, 6.836, 197.88 def. Marc Ingwersen, 6.886, 195.14; Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.085, 191.05 def. Angie Smith, Buell, 7.095, 194.88; Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.831, 196.90 def. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.830, 197.16; Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.796, 195.19 def. Ryan Oehler, 6.873, 196.62; Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.868, 195.56 def. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.943, 181.62; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.723, 200.98 def. Lance Bonham, Buell, 9.263, 134.85; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.730, 202.82 def. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.179, 186.64; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.713, 200.86 was unopposed;

QUARTERFINALS — Bostick, 6.901, 195.22 def. Scali, 7.024, 190.35; M. Smith, 6.799, 200.20 def. Evaristo, 6.832, 198.64; Johnson, 6.809, 195.36 def. Gadson, 6.765, 199.08; Herrera, 6.743, 199.43 def. Hall, 6.836, 197.39;

SEMIFINALS — M. Smith, 6.797, 200.29 def. Johnson, 6.862, 195.39; Herrera, 6.763, 199.85 def. Bostick, 6.886, 195.39;

FINAL — Herrera, 6.777, 198.90 def. M. Smith, 6.805, 199.02.

JOLIET, Ill. — Point standings (top 10) following the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway, the sixth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel

  1. Tony Stewart, 514; 2. Shawn Langdon, 511; 3. Antron Brown, 447; 4. Doug Kalitta, 415; 5. Justin Ashley, 385; 6. Brittany Force, 334; 7. Steve Torrence, 302; 8. Clay Millican, 296; 9. Josh Hart, 279; 10. Jasmine Salinas, 271.

Funny Car

  1. Austin Prock, 506; 2. Jack Beckman, 455; 3. Matt Hagan, 423; 4. Paul Lee, 414; 5. Ron Capps, 347; 6. Chad Green, 319; 7. Daniel Wilkerson, 286; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 284; 9. Bob Tasca III, 273; 10. J.R. Todd, 264.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

  1. Gaige Herrera, 332; 2. Matt Smith, 324; 3. Richard Gadson, 221; 4. Chase Van Sant, 159; 5. Steve Johnson, 157; 6. Angie Smith, 150; 7. (tie) Kelly Clontz, 139; Jianna Evaristo, 139; 9. John Hall, 137; 10. Chris Bostick, 135.

Felix Rosenqvist Earns Fifth Starting Spot, Meyer Shank Qualifies Trio for Indy 500

#60: Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing Honda

Indianapolis, Ind. (18 May 2025) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) worked at both ends of the grid in Sunday’s final NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying sessions for next Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, and not only got a trio of cars qualified for the Memorial Day classic for the second straight year, but the team also earned its best-ever Indy 500 starting position with a strong qualifying effort.

Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 SiriusXM Honda) earned his fourth consecutive top-10 starting spot for the 500 and the first-ever top-five qualifying result on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval for the Ohio-based team as he claimed the fifth position on the grid.

The veteran was the last driver to run in the Firestone Fast Six on a sunny Sunday in Indianapolis and came away with a four-lap average speed of 231.987mph, an effort that will put him in the middle of the second row for Sunday’s race.

Rosenqvist earned his place in the pole shootout with a blistering qualifying run in the first session of the day, leading all 12 drivers. The run was capped by the speedy Swede running his fastest lap on his final trip around the 2.5-mile oval (232.621mph / 38.6896sec).

Meanwhile, Rosenqvist’s teammate Marcus Armstrong (No. 66 Spectrum Honda) faced another qualifying run of his own after a Saturday morning crash left him unable to post a time in Saturday’s qualifying. That left the New Zealander to deal with a last-chance shootout Sunday afternoon where four drivers battled for the final three spots in the 33-car field.

Armstrong and MSR answered the bell in style however, rolling first off the qualifying line and posting a four-lap average speed of 229.091mph to secure the 32nd position in the 200-lap race.

Meanwhile, four-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves (No. 06 Cleveland-Cliffs Honda), had no drama of his own to deal with on a sunny Sunday, having locked his MSR machine into the 24th starting spot in his quest to become the first driver to ever win five Indy 500 crowns.

The MSR drivers will have two final practice sessions available next week to prepare for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. Teams will have two hours of practice Monday from 1 – 3 p.m. ET, followed by the final Carb Day practice which takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Fans can follow both practices live on FS1. Fox will air the Indianapolis 500 live next Sunday with pre-race coverage beginning at 10 a.m. SiriusXM will also host live INDYCAR Radio coverage on XM Ch. 218.

Meyer Shank Racing Driver Quotes:

Felix Rosenqvist: “Unfortunately only P5, which is still great. I feel like honestly we gave it a really good shot. The car was right on the edge for as comfortable as I could drive it and what we thought was possible today. But I don’t know, we just didn’t have the speed for some reason. But second row is amazing and we will definitely have a good shot at it next Sunday.”

Marcus Armstrong: “Happy that’s over because that was a tough two days. But we’re in the race and I’ve never been so happy to be starting almost last. Great job by the whole MSR crew and HRC to get us in the show. We’ll see what magic we can make happen on race day.”

Tasca Racing Shows Strength and Consistency at NHRA Route 66 Nationals 

Strong Qualifying and Round Win Highlight Joliet Return for the Motorcraft Quick Lane Nitro Mustang Funny Car

Tasca Racing delivered a weekend of consistent performance and powerful runs at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Illinois, with Bob Tasca III and the Motorcraft Quick Lane Nitro Mustang Dark Horse Funny Car securing a Top 5 qualifying position and advancing to the second round of eliminations on race day.

The team opened the weekend Friday with a 4.451-second pass at 203.61 MPH in 90-degree heat, landing Tasca in the top five early. “It’s going to be a wild weekend here in Chicago,” said Tasca. “We’ve got data to work with.”

During Q2 later that evening, Tasca faced wild crosswinds that spun the Christmas tree during staging. Despite the distraction, the Motorcraft Mustang posted a clean 4.026 at 321.35 MPH, earning the team the 8th spot going into Saturday.

Saturday’s conditions set the stage for even faster runs. In Q3, Tasca threw down a 3.909 at 330.31 MPH. The team capped qualifying with a stout 3.887-second pass at 335.15 MPH to secure the No. 5 position heading into eliminations. “Our goal this weekend was consistency,” said Tasca. “Three out of four solid runs. This Motorcraft car will be dangerous tomorrow.”

In the first round of eliminations, Tasca faced Daniel Wilkerson. A lengthy delay on Wilkerson’s side left Tasca idling on the starting line, which caused the engine and clutch temperatures to rise and reduced weight on the front end as the car burned off fuel. Despite tire shake and a pedal job, Tasca powered to a 4.586 at 268.65 MPH to advance. “It wasn’t a typical round win, but we got it done,” said Tasca.

Round 2 featured a matchup against Cruz Pedregon. Tasca launched with a strong .053 reaction time, but the Mustang overpowered the track and smoked the tires at 300 feet. Pedregon made a clean pass for the win. “We beat Cruz off the line, but just had too much power in it,” Tasca said.

Tasca Racing leaves Route 66 Raceway with a Sunday round win and a car trending in the right direction heading into Tasca home territory, the NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire, May 30th to June 1st.