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BELL COMPLETES A TOYOTA, JOE GIBBS RACING OPENING ROUND SWEEP

By
Official Release
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Christopher Bell scores fourth win of the season, setting new career-high

BRISTOL, Tenn. (September 13, 2025) – Christopher Bell and his team made the right strategy call late and Bell drove through the field to score the win at Bristol Motor Speedway to clinch his spot in the Round of 12. It is Bell’s fourth points-paying victory of the season, which establishes a new career-best mark for the Oklahoma-native. Joe Gibbs Racing swept the Round of 16 with Bell, Chase Briscoe (Darlington) and Denny Hamlin (World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway). Joe Gibbs Racing also won every race they competed in this weekend with Brent Crews winning in ARCA on Thursday and Aric Almirola claiming the Xfinity Series win on Friday.

Toyota led 870 of 1,107 laps in the first round (78.5%) and now has the more drivers than any other OEM in the Round of 12 with Bell, Briscoe, Hamlin and 23XI Racing drivers Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace. To start the round, Toyota has four drivers above the cutline with Hamlin up 26, Bell up 20, Briscoe up 10 and Wallace up 1 point. Reddick starts three below the cutline heading into New Hampshire.

Truck Series points leader and Toyota Development Driver Corey Heim impressed as he drove to a sixth-place, lead lap finish in just his seventh career NASCAR Cup Series start, while Ty Gibbs set a new career-best with 201 laps led.

Toyota GAZOO Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Bristol Motor Speedway
Race 29 of 36 – 266.5 miles, 500 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, CHRISTOPHER BELL
2nd, Brad Keselowski*
3rd, Zane Smith*
4th, Ryan Blaney*
5th, Joey Logano*
6th, COREY HEIM
9th, CHASE BRISCOE
10th, TY GIBBS
14th, JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
15th, TYLER REDDICK
18th, RILEY HERBST
20th, ERIK JONES
31st, DENNY HAMLIN
34th, BUBBA WALLACE
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 DEWALT Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 1st

Can you take us through that restart?

“Well, I’ll tell you what, I was nervous on the twos. I didn’t know if I wanted to be on the bottom or the top, and whenever Brad (Keselowski) picked the top, he didn’t really give me an option. I had to pick the bottom. All night long, I don’t know, old tires just really, really pushed up in the middle of the corners, so I was hoping that those guys on old tires would push up, and they did. They did, and I was able to get by or get underneath them. It wasn’t pretty there at the end, but we got her done.”

How did this team rally to be able to pull this off tonight?

“We just know that any week, any given week, it could be us, and it hadn’t been us for a long time. But Bristol, baby, tonight it’s us!”

COREY HEIM, No. 67 Robinhood Toyota Camry XSE, 23XI Racing

Finishing Position: 6th

Finished all 500 laps and scored a career-best finish. Can you tell us about your day?

“Yeah, a good result there. Once everyone kind of realized the situation with the tires, we adjusted accordingly and did all of the right things and kept ourselves in it all day. It was a claw to get back on the lead lap after we had a right front go down in stage one, but can’t thank these 23XI Racing guys enough – they stuck with it. Thank you to Toyota and Robinhood for all of the support that went into my five Cup races this year. All the ups and downs that we had – to end on a high note is pretty special. Hopefully we can take that and move forward.”

CHASE BRISCOE, No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 9th

Can you talk us through moving through the field on a wild night?

“It was definitely a wild night. We had a really good Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Toyota. Thought starting back there was going to be a huge determent – but honestly, how the race played out it was alright I guess. Crazy race. I didn’t have that one on the bingo card going into tonight. I don’t know if anyone did – truthfully. I don’t know. It was wild. I don’t know – I’m still processing what we just did. I wish that last caution wouldn’t have come out. It kind of trapped us – we had just came down pit road. That is the hard part on races like that – one untimely caution can change your whole race. Congrats to Christopher (Bell) – obviously pretty cool that JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) swept that first round, and hopefully we can do that in the next round.”

TYLER REDDICK, No. 45 Pinnacle Toyota Camry XSE, 23XI Racing

Finishing Position: 15th

Moving on to the Round of 12, Tyler. How was your race?

“Just a night of what ifs – we were honestly pretty solid in our Pinnacle Financial Partners Toyota Camry. Stage one – when no one knew the tires we going to be what they were, we just burnt them up too much at the start, and just caught a lap down running 11th – and it seemed the rest of the night we had a hard time getting back on the lead lap, just kept missing the lucky dog. We did get it back at one point, but caution cycle got us again – so that was just how the night was.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

How Sim Racing Is Shaping the Future of Motorsport Training

By
SM
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Photo by depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/

Motorsport has always been a discipline that pushes the limits of both man and machine. Drivers spend countless hours refining their skills, engineers analyze data to perfect car performance, and teams invest heavily in training to gain even the smallest competitive edge. In recent years, however, a new tool has emerged that is reshaping how drivers prepare for competition: sim racing. What was once considered a pastime for gamers has matured into a powerful resource for motorsport professionals and aspiring drivers alike.

The Rise of Professional Sim Racing

Sim racing has been around for decades, but advances in technology have transformed it from a casual hobby into a near-authentic motorsport experience. Modern simulators replicate track conditions, tire behaviour, weather, and car dynamics with extraordinary accuracy. The realism is so high that professional drivers now use simulators to learn tracks, test strategies, and sharpen their reactions before stepping into a real car.

Motorsport organizations, including Formula 1 and NASCAR, have invested heavily in esports and simulator programs. Entire competitions are dedicated to virtual racing, and some teams scout talented sim racers to transition into professional driving careers. This merging of real and virtual racing is not just entertainment; it represents a shift in how the industry values simulation as a legitimate training tool.

Cost-Effective Training for Drivers

Racing is notoriously expensive. The cost of fuel, tires, track rental, and vehicle wear makes traditional practice limited and often prohibitive, especially for young drivers. Sim racing provides a cost-effective alternative. For a fraction of the cost of a test session, a driver can practice on a simulator as many times as needed.

This affordability helps level the playing field. Instead of only wealthy drivers gaining valuable seat time, sim racing gives aspiring talents around the world the chance to train, refine their skills, and compete on equal terms. Many young racers now combine simulator practice with real-world racing, making them better prepared when opportunities arise.

Data-Driven Performance Analysis

Another advantage of sim racing is the wealth of data it produces. Just like in professional motorsport, every lap in a simulator can be recorded and analyzed. Drivers can examine braking points, cornering speeds, throttle control, and lap consistency. Coaches and engineers can use this data to pinpoint areas for improvement and design training plans.

This analytical approach mirrors what happens in real race teams. By bridging the gap between virtual and real-world data, sim racing creates continuity that makes the transition from simulator to track smoother than ever before.

Developing Mental Toughness and Focus

Racing is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one. Drivers must maintain concentration at high speeds, make split-second decisions, and manage pressure in competitive environments. Sim racing helps cultivate these mental skills.

Long practice sessions in a simulator force drivers to maintain focus for extended periods, mimicking the demands of endurance races. The competitive nature of online racing also introduces pressure, as drivers must deal with opponents, track limits, and strategy in real time. Over time, this builds resilience and decision-making ability that translates directly to the real circuit.

Bridging Fans and Professionals

One of the unique impacts of sim racing is its ability to connect fans with the professional motorsport world. While traditional racing limits fans to watching from the stands or on television, sim racing allows them to experience the same tracks and cars used by their heroes. Fans can immerse themselves in the technical and emotional aspects of racing, gaining a deeper appreciation for the sport.

This accessibility also benefits drivers. Aspiring racers can showcase their skills in virtual competitions that are watched by teams and sponsors. The esports scene has already produced stories of sim racers transitioning into professional motorsport, a pathway that was previously unthinkable just a decade ago.

Enhancing Realism Through Hardware

The realism of sim racing depends heavily on the hardware involved. High-end steering wheels, pedals, and motion platforms replicate the feel of a real car. Among the most important pieces of equipment is the racing simulator cockpit, which provides drivers with a realistic seating position and immersive environment. These cockpits replicate the ergonomics of actual race cars, ensuring that the muscle memory and body positioning developed in the simulator carry over into real racing. As this technology continues to evolve, the gap between virtual training and track performance grows ever smaller.

Preparing for the Future of Motorsport

Motorsport itself is evolving. With increasing focus on sustainability, teams and governing bodies are seeking ways to reduce costs and environmental impact. Sim racing plays a role here, too. Reducing the need for frequent track testing cuts down on fuel consumption and vehicle wear. This aligns with broader goals to make racing more eco-friendly without compromising competition.

Moreover, sim racing prepares drivers for the future of connected and data-driven motorsport. As vehicles become more technologically advanced, the ability to understand data, adapt quickly, and simulate scenarios will be essential skills. Sim racing is already instilling these habits in the next generation of drivers.

Conclusion

The line between virtual and real motorsport has never been thinner. What started as a video game niche has grown into an essential training platform used by professionals and enthusiasts alike. Sim racing is affordable, data-driven, and immersive, providing benefits that complement traditional track time. From developing mental toughness to offering realistic cockpit setups, it is reshaping how drivers prepare for competition.

As the motorsport world continues to evolve, sim racing will remain at the forefront of driver development. It is no longer just a game; it is a gateway to the future of racing.

Four Team Chevy Drivers Advance to the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12

By
Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
ROUND OF 16: ELIMINATION RACE
TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE REPORT
SEPTEMBER 13, 2025

Four Team Chevy Drivers Advance to the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12

  • Team Chevy’s Carson Hocevar and Alex Bowman survived a wild night under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway to lead Chevrolet to the checkered-flag in the top-10, with the pair driving their Chevrolet-powered machines to seventh- and eighth-place results, respectively. Four Team Chevy drivers will leave the high-banked half-mile with a ticket into the Round of 12 including Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, William Byron and Chase Elliott, and Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain.
  • Looking for a playoff upset triumph in Tennessee, AJ Allmendinger and the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet team paced the NASCAR Cup Series to the green-flag from the pole position for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The California native quickly claimed the top position – already approaching lap traffic before the opening stage hit Lap 20. But shortly thereafter, a handful of drivers began to endure early tire wear including Allmendinger, who was forced to give up his track position just shy of the 30-lap marker to bring his car to pit road for his first stop of the day. Tire wear quickly became the name of the game, with the majority of the field starting to follow suit with a trip to pit road. Kyle Larson was one of the few drivers to make it almost to the halfway point of Stage One – driving his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet up to the runner-up position before making the trip to pit road on Lap 59 for a fresh set of Goodyear tires. With the ultimate goal to make the opening stage a two-stop strategy, the first caution of the evening at Lap 80 forced the Cliff Daniels-led team to make a quick pivot for an alternate strategy.
  • The unpredictable opening stage finally came to a close with Team Chevy playoff contender, William Byron, collecting third-place points to lead the Bowtie brigade to the first green-whited checkered flag. Entering the elimination race with an already strong points cushion, Larson was able to officially punch his ticket into the Round of 12 at the conclusion of Stage One.
  • Nearing the halfway point of Stage Two, four Team Chevy drivers led the field in positions gained with Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar topping the list at +12 positions earned as the driver climbed up to the runner-up position. Hocevar ultimately inherited the lead for one lap before being called to pit road for a scheduled stop with 40 laps to go in the stage. As the field quickly cycled through under the green-flag pit cycle, it took the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet team just a handful of laps to find their way back to the front of the pack. A late-stage caution set up a four-lap shoot-out to the end of the stage. With a strong stop by the No. 48 pit crew, Alex Bowman lined up third for the restart – holding onto the position to lead the manufacturer to the end of Stage Two.
  • Sitting in a ‘win and advance’ position, the Blake Harris-led team opted for track position under the final stage break to give Bowman the second position for the restart. Struggling to take off on older tires, the No. 48 Chevrolet fell to the sixth position before yet another set of cautions shook-up the leaderboard. It was tumultuous final stage for a handful of playoff contenders including Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott, who was running in the 10th position before getting collected in an incident that ultimately ended the No. 9 Chevrolet team’s race early. With the assist from a 28-point cushion heading into the race, the 2020 champion was able to keep his title hopes alive to secure a position in the Round of 12.

TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER

7th – Carson Hocevar
8th – Alex Bowman

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 29 NASCAR Cup Series races complete:

Wins: 12
Poles: 11
Top-Fives: 54
Top 10s: 117
Stage Wins: 22

UP NEXT: The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 will get underway at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with the Mobil 1 301 on Sunday, September 21, at 2 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on the USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Post-Race Driver Quotes:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Finished: 19th

“We survived. For tonight in our No. 1 Moose Chevy, to run those couple laps at the beginning of the race, we were just ripping and rolling along. I saw the No. 16 tank and realized it was a tire wear race. We just had no idea. I think the whole field was caught off guard, but we’ve got to understand when that’s coming. We’ve got some data points now from this track to see what was the same.

Across the board, we just survived. We’re qualifying better, and we have to take that to New Hampshire and on. I’ll be leaning on my teammate, Shane van Gisbergen, for the Charlotte ROVAL. We just have to keep working. The coolest part about this is we’ll wake up Monday morning and go to work.”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Finished: 28th

“We just couldn’t go as far as the field on tires. Our setup just wasn’t conducive to that, and then no matter how easy I went, it was just chewing tires. It was just an unfortunate night for the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops / Winchester Chevrolet team. I just wish we would have had the ability to run as long as the other guys and I think we would have been OK. I tried a lot to save it, but it was just out of my hands.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Finished: 16th

“The No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet team battled the entire race tonight at Bristol Motor Speedway but we came up short. We struggled in qualifying and got a lap down early, but we gave it our all to the end. We battled some front end issues, and briefly drove our way inside the Top 10, as we worked strategically to manage our tires. We’re leaving Bristol with a 16th-place finish, and we’ll continue to chase the win next weekend in New Hampshire.”

Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Sidelined by damage sustained in an accident in the final stage.

Finished: 38th

Elliott on the accident that ended his race early in the final stage.

“The No. 22 (Joey Logano) got position on me. I thought I was doing the smart thing just trying to get back to the bottom. I guess I thought I was clear back down in line. I visually saw the gap, so I just tried to get back in line and I got a huge shot from behind. I’m not sure if the No. 42 (John H. Nemechek) got pushed in there or he wasn’t expecting me to come back to the bottom or what the reasoning was, but nonetheless, it happened and it’s done.”

It looked like you had turned things around. You had restarted 10th on that last restart. How sketchy were the tires out there, and what did you learn over the course of the first part of the race?

“It was super sketchy. It was hard to know how hard to push. Our No. 9 NAPA Chevy was really good for a few laps, and then I felt like we struggled. We had spent the majority of the night in the back of the pack, just trying to get ourselves back in position and back on the lead lap. Once we did and we got back up towards the front, I just felt like we needed some balance adjustments there once we started running the pace of the leaders. We were working on it and making it better.”

How did the tire wear force you to change your style of driving?

“I don’t know that it forced you to change your style as much as it was just where you were running and how much pace you were pushing. We were in such a terrible position getting trapped a lap down early. We were probably a little late to realize that we needed to stop. But on the same token, if it goes green, it probably would have worked out OK for us. Being in the back of the pack versus being upfront was certainly a big difference in how I was driving the car. We were working on our balance and it was slowly getting better.”

William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Finished: 12th

Byron on the tire wear:

“We only had one run that I felt like was weird with the scuffs. Other than that, all the tires felt pretty normal. It was just so weird and hard to predict. It was just chaotic. From around 10th on back, there were just people running into each other, and then you had differences in tires. If they were four laps different, you just couldn’t make the corner and wrecks would happen everywhere.”

Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Finished: 25th

“Really proud of our United Rentals Chevrolet team. We had a top-18 or 20 car if we didn’t lose the laps at the beginning of the race, but no one expected the tires to wear like they did. It caught us all by surprise. From that first run, it was just managing the situation the best we could. Everyone worked extremely hard this week and I’m glad we were able to leave with a solid run. This No. 33 group should be proud and we have one more crack at it in Talladega.”

Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Finished: 8th

What more did you need tonight?

“When we had some green-flag runs, I thought our No. 48 Ally Chevy was really good. It just cycled really poorly on restarts. I would drive off into turn one and just hope to make the corner. For whatever reason, it just wouldn’t take off, and then after five laps or so, it would go again. I just couldn’t figure it out if it was something I was doing. I felt like I was cleaning the tires off too much sometimes, so I don’t really know what we lacked there.

Just proud of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports for the fight. We obviously had a shot at it if we would have gone green to the end. We had a good Ally Chevy compared to yesterday. We made some gains on it and still have some gains we need to make.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Finished: 7th

Obviously, you’re disappointed after that one. What are the emotions?

“It sucks, but we had a shot to win. We can only control what we can control. We don’t have a crystal ball up there with the yellows. I am just proud of this No. 77 Delaware Life Chevrolet team. We got caught out really early, and we were able to execute there with tire saving, managing and just executing at a top caliber. If things go green there, we would have had a huge tire advantage, but it just didn’t work out. I’m just super proud of this group. There were a lot of times where I felt like we had a shot to win races, and we were 30th. Man, obviously we really wanted that one to work out there or at least see if it would have, especially for a new pit crew. This team really wants to win, and you can only ask for shots.”

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Finished: 26th

“It was a pretty wild night. I got run over once by a guy that was pretty average, but the rest of it, I just needed to put myself in better spots and understand what was going on earlier in the race. I just made it hard on myself early.”

When you look at the difference between practice and the race, how much of a wrench did that throw into it?

“Guys have had experience with the tire wear before with last year’s race. I just didn’t understand how to manage the tire wear early enough. Our No. 88 Wendy’s Breakfast Baconator Chevrolet was decent at the end. We got the car handling better for what I needed. I was just too hard on the tires with the way I was driving the car.”

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

Christopher Bell wins at Bristol, 4 drivers eliminated from Playoffs

By
Angie Campbell
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Christopher Bell wins the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race by Christian Gardner for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Christopher Bell held off a hard-charging Brad Keselowski to win the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was the fourth win of the season for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.

“I never in a million years would have thought that my first win at Bristol would have come with a tire fiasco (referring to excessive tire wear) like we had tonight,” Bell said after the race.” said Bell.

“Well, I’ll tell you what, I was nervous on the two (tires),” he continued. “I didn’t know if I wanted to be on the bottom or the top, and whenever Brad picked the top (lane) didn’t really give me an option. I had to pick the bottom. All night long, I don’t know, old tires just really, really pushed up in the middle of the corners, so I was hoping that those guys (starting ahead of him) on old tires would push up, and they did. They did, and I was able to get by or get underneath them. It wasn’t pretty there at the end, but we got her done.”

Notably, NASCAR supplied the teams with an extra set of tires in the final stage.

After the race, a disappointed Keselowski said, “Just the story of our season, just a 50/50 shot on the restart, and I got the lane that couldn’t launch. Just frustrating. We had a great car, great strategy, put ourselves in position to, if not win, at least have a really, really solid day, and on that last restart,  just rolled the dice and didn’t get anything good.”

Zane Smith finished third, and Ryan Blaney finished fourth for the team’s 12th top-five finish of the season. Along with his seventh stage win of the season in Stage 1 and his second-place finish in Stage 2, it was enough to clinch a spot in the Round of 12.

“It was another one of those things where we thought we knew what the tire was gonna do, and it did something completely different. I guess that’s happened multiple times, and that makes for an exciting race, and trying to figure it out on the fly, and what to expect what to do, and how to strategize and all that stuff. It was a wild night. I wish we wouldn’t have run so many laps under caution. The middle part of that race, two thirds of that race was kind of getting pretty boring, but we were really fast all night. It’s nice to win a stage and good to come home fourth. Overall, I’m really, really proud of the night and the effort. We’ll go on to Loudon next week. I’m looking forward to it.” Blaney said.

Joey Logano rounded out the top five finishers.

“We had to put old tires back on it, so, overall, a top five and two top fives in a row, which at this point of the season we need to be doing that kind of stuff. I’m proud of the team and proud of the execution. I felt like the win was right there in front of us, but just couldn’t quite grab it.” Logano said.

Corey Heim, Carson Hocevar, Alex Bowman, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs rounded out the top 10.

Ty Gibbs led a race-high 201 laps and was on track to win his first career Cup Series race. However, he missed his pit stall on the last green flag stop and had to settle for a 10th-place finish.  

After Bristol, Denny Hamlin leads the Cup Series standings over William Byron and Kyle Larson by two points.

Four drivers were eliminated from the Playoffs – Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry.

The race featured 14 caution flags for 137 laps, and 36 lead changes among 14 drivers.

Up Next:

The Cup Series returns to action Sunday, September 21st, to kick off the Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2 p.m. ET, USA Network, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NBC Sports App).

Cup Series Playoffs – Advancing to Round of 12

PosDriverNoPointsBehindNextWinsStage WinsPlayoff Points
1Denny Hamlin (P)113034005434
2William Byron (P)243032-222732
3Kyle Larson (P)53032-203932
4Christopher Bell (P)203028-644228
5Ryan Blaney (P)123027-712727
6Chase Briscoe (P)193018-1692518
7Chase Elliott (P)93013-2151113
8* Bubba Wallace (P)233009-254149
9Austin Cindric (P)23008-261138
10Joey Logano (P)223007-271127
11Ross Chastain (P)13007-270127
12* Tyler Reddick (P)453006-281026
13Alex Bowman (P)482056-978950000
14Austin Dillon (P)32052-9824100
15Shane Van Gisbergen # (P)882050-9842420
16Josh Berry (P)212010-102440110

Complete Results:

NASCAR Cup Series Race Number 29
Race Results for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race – Saturday, September 13, 2025
Bristol Motor Speedway – Bristol, TN – 0.533 – Mile Concrete

PosStNoDriverTeamLapsS1S2S3PointsStatus
1920Christopher Bell (P)DEWALT Toyota50000040Running
2186Brad KeselowskiCastrol/Travel Centers of America Ford50084045Running
32438* Zane SmithLong John Silver’s Ford50059042Running
4212Ryan Blaney (P)Menards/Sylvania Ford50012052Running
52222Joey Logano (P)Shell Pennzoil Ford50000032Running
63867* Corey Heim(i)Robinhood Toyota5000000Running
71277Carson HocevarDelaware Life Chevrolet50005036Running
81548Alex Bowman (P)Ally Open Road Sweeps Chevrolet50003037Running
93119Chase Briscoe (P)Bass Pro Shops Toyota50000028Running
10454Ty GibbsMonster Energy Toyota50021046Running
112117Chris BuescherBody Guard Ford50067035Running
12724William Byron (P)Raptor Chevrolet50030033Running
13177Justin HaleyNationsGuard Chevrolet50000024Running
141942John Hunter NemechekPye Barker Fire & Safety Toyota49990025Running
151445* Tyler Reddick (P)Pinnacle Toyota49900022Running
16328Kyle BuschLucas Oil Chevrolet49900021Running
172571Michael McDowellGainbridge Chevrolet49900020Running
182935* Riley Herbst #Monster Energy Zero Sugar Toyota49900019Running
19131Ross Chastain (P)Moose Fraternity Chevrolet49900018Running
202743Erik JonesDollar Tree Toyota49900017Running
212060Ryan PreeceKroger/SToK Ford49900016Running
221147Ricky Stenhouse Jr.NOS Energy Chevrolet499100016Running
23304* Noah GragsonRush Truck Centers Ford49800014Running
243634* Todd GillilandLove’s Travel Stops Ford49800013Running
253333* Austin Hill(i)United Rentals Chevrolet4970000Running
262888Shane Van Gisbergen # (P)Wendy’s Breakfast Baconator Chevrolet49700011Running
273710Ty DillonGrizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet49700010Running
28233Austin Dillon (P)Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet4960009Running
293451Cody WareArby’s Classic Ford4960008Running
3032Austin Cindric (P)Discount Tire Ford49606012Running
31611Denny Hamlin (P)King’s Hawaiian Toyota49501007Running
3255Kyle Larson (P)HendrickCars.com Chevrolet4950005Running
332641Cole CusterHaasTooling.com Ford4880004Running
34823* Bubba Wallace (P)Robinhood Toyota48748013Accident
353966* Chad FinchumBarger Precast Ford4580002Brakes
36116AJ AllmendingerGrizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet4087006Steering
373599Daniel SuarezFreeway Insurance Chevrolet3640001Accident
38169Chase Elliott (P)NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet3110001Accident
391021Josh Berry (P)Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford750001Brakes

Blaney, Logano and Cindric Advance to Round of 12 After Bristol Night Race

By
Official Release
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Ford Racing Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Bristol Night Race — Bristol Motor Speedway
Saturday, September 13, 2025

Ford Unofficial Finishing Results:

2nd – Brad Keselowski
3rd – Zane Smith
4th – Ryan Blaney
5th – Joey Logano
11th – Chris Buescher
21st – Ryan Preece
23rd – Noah Gragson
24th – Todd Gilliland
29th – Cody Ware
30th – Austin Cindric
33rd – Cole Custer
35th – Chad Finchum
39th – Josh Berry

BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 6 Castrol/Travel Centers of America Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “Jeremy Bullins, my crew chief, played the strategy really well. We did all the things we needed to do to be in position and was really happy with where we were for the last restart. The 77 didn’t get a good launch and then the 38 missed the corner and cleared him up and the bottom lane took off. It was a 50/50 shot and, like everything else, got the wrong one.”

YOU MADE CONTACT WITH BELL ON THE FINAL LAP. WERE YOU JUST TRYING TO RATTLE THE CAGE? “It’s Bristol, baby.”

ZANE SMITH, No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “Hat’s off to this whole group at FRM. It’s kind of a home race for our team owner, Bob Jenkins, and it was really cool to have a couple Fords up there battling for it. I could just taste it, but it was crazy there on old tires and a few things just didn’t quite play out.”

WHAT WAS YOUR THOUGHT ON THE FINAL RESTART? “I felt like I did a pretty good job on that restart, but you’re just so loose. I got so loose. I don’t know. You’re picking up marbles there on the back and pulling it up into the 77 and unfortunately that kind of lost our fighting chance.”

AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “I felt like we only got two long runs. Everybody kept wrecking. I liked the long runs because I thought our car was strong. We tried to adjust on it and kind of went back and found a good sweet spot, so our guys brought a really fast car tonight, no matter the conditions, whether if it was yesterday with kind of normal conditions or today with the higher wear and the low temps.”

IT TURNED SO QUICKLY WITH THE FIRE. HOW DID YOU GUYS RECOVER AND KEEP YOUR COOL? “Everyone kept their cool. A credit to all the guys from the top-down transferring information, being prepared, not getting any penalties for going over the wall. I mean, everything that went on there and still being able to come out only losing a handful of laps and be in the position we needed to – whenever we do great things we do it as a team and it’s cool to see.”

JOSH BERRY HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE INSIDE. WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR YOU? “When they told me to leave the pit stall I couldn’t see anything, so I was hoping there wasn’t anyone with fire extinguishers or anything else like that. It was pretty bad, but it’s gonna take me a lot to get out of the car.” HOW CHAOTIC WAS IT? “Which part? I mean, 40 laps into the race tires are shredding themselves apart, all of the restarts, all of the different tire strategies and then catching on fire there was obviously a huge challenge for us to overcome. I’m just proud of the team for being prepared for the scenario and not lose too many laps under green. It takes a team effort. It seems whenever we do great things as a team we do it together, so I’m proud of the effort and happy to have a Sunday at home and ready to reset.”

WHAT WAS IT LIKE ON PIT ROAD? “I definitely felt good about the points we had gotten throughout the day and been able to run well, but you just never know if it’s gonna be over while you’re sitting there on pit road. I think we would have been able to transfer even if we would have stopped then.” YOU HAD A POINT OR TWO POINTS. “Whatever the scenario, I’m just proud of everyone being able to respond that well. It made all the difference in the world.”

DO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE NEXT ROUND? “I feel like our team can do a lot of great things and there’s no reason why we can’t reset and give ‘em hell.”

RYAN BLANEY, No. 12 Menards/Sylvania Ford Mustang Dark Horse – YOU HAD TO WORK AT IT TONIGHT. “Everyone did. It was another one of those things where we thought we knew what the tire was gonna do and it did something completely different. I guess that’s happened multiple times and that makes for an exciting race and trying to figure it out on the fly and what to expect what to do and how to strategize and all that stuff. It was a wild night. I wish we wouldn’t have run so many laps under caution. The middle part of that race, two thirds of that race was kind of getting pretty boring, but we were really fast all night. It’s nice to win a stage and good to come home fourth. Overall, I’m really, really proud of the night and the effort. We’ll go on to Loudon next week. I’m looking forward to it.”

THOUGHTS ON THE TIRES. “The tires were interesting. No one expected that. I guess that’s what they want. It practices one way and then it races a completely different way, so we just tried to manage tires and ran a bunch of laps under caution and I thought we were pretty good all night and glad to get a good finish.”

JOEY LOGANO, No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “On that long run towards the end we were able to drive up to the lead and those cars in front of us, they were tanking before me. They were getting to the cords before me and so I felt like we had a good shot because they all pitted as soon as they got the cords, and I felt like that was gonna give me a good chance to maybe win the race if it stayed green there because the 6 was falling off hard. He was seven or eight tenths off the last two laps. The 12 was starting to tank as well, so I was feeling like I was gonna get them back and then the caution came out and we were out of tires. We had to put old tires back on it, so, overall, a top five and two top fives in a row, which at this point of the season we need to be doing that kind of stuff. I’m proud of the team and proud of the execution. I felt like the win was right there in front of us, but just couldn’t quite grab it.”

IT TOOK SOME TIME TO GET ACCLIMATED TO THE TRACK AND TIRES. HOW CRAZY WAS IT? “We just fired off really, really bad. It wasn’t really getting acclimated to anything. I felt like even that long run to start, after we got the first green flag cycle, I was like, ‘Alright, we’re pretty good.’ We were just trapped a lap down, so once we got it back we just needed longer runs. There was short run after short run. I can’t believe as much as everyone wants to save tires how much they’re all wrecking each other. It’s kind of crazy.”

JOSH BERRY, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “Maybe seven or eight laps before we came down pit road we started getting some smoke in the cockpit, and then the longer I went the darker the smoke got and then, obviously, by the time we got on pit road it was completely black smoke. Something obviously caught on fire, so probably once again a car burned up for no reason.”

COULD YOU FEEL THE FLAMES? “I don’t think the fire made it inside the cockpit. It was just a lot of smoke. It seemed like the fire stayed in the fender well, which is a good thing, but it’s just disappointing again. The car was really good. That was gonna fall right into our wheelhouse, I feel like, to have a really good night. We were able to make it pretty long on that first set and we were gonna be set up in a really good spot. This one is gonna be hard to watch because that looks like it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

DO YOU FEEL YOUR PLAYOFFS ENDED BEFORE THEY BEGAN? “Yeah, pretty much, but it really hasn’t been because of performance. We’ve qualified well. We’ve had good cars. We just haven’t had the good finishes. That’s just part of it. I don’t think you could ever script three last-place finishes in the ways that we’ve gotten them over the last few weeks.”

COULD IT BE TIRE RUBBER CAUGHT UP IN THERE? “Yeah, I’m sure it’s tire rubber or cords or something that got wrapped around the rotor or brakes. Something caught on fire.” WERE YOU TRYING TO STAY IN AS LONG AS POSSIBLE? “Yeah, I think given our situation and how the race was playing out and how good we were, we were trying to ride it out. They mentioned trying to put the fire out on pit road and maybe keep going, but when I slowed down it got way worse and I was just trying to make it to the pit box so the guys could help me get out because I couldn’t see a thing.”

DID THE TIRE WEAR SURPRISE YOU? “It definitely caught me off guard. I was fully convinced it was gonna be hammer down, but I could tell probably 15 or 20 laps into the race we were running like 16-teens and you could see some people start coming back to you and you could tell. The pace during practice was 15.70s, 15.80s and it was hammer down the whole time, and when we’re in the 16s that quick, you could tell that’s going on. You could see the marbles start developing and, man, it’s crazy. It just has to do with the weather, I guess. It’s excessive, but I think it’s gonna be a hell of a race to watch, for sure.”

WERE YOU IN DANGER AT ALL WITH THE FIRE GOING? “It wasn’t hot. The flames didn’t make it inside. It wasn’t hot, it just got super smokey really fast would be the biggest thing. They checked me out in the care center and they said all of my levels look alright. We probably should have come a lap or two earlier and just ended it, but we were trying to fight to the very end.”

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW DISAPPOINTING THIS IS FOR YOU? IT’S CRAZY TO HAVE ALL OF THIS HAPPEN. “It’s hard to put into words, but I’d be way more disappointed if we just ran like crap for three weeks. We’ve been up front. We’ve qualified well. We had the issue at Darlington, bottoming out. Last week, we get clipped by the 9 and then tonight the car catches on fire. It’s nothing that we’re doing on our own. The cars have been fast and the performance has been good. If we just had a little bit of luck, I feel like we could be in a much better situation and, honestly, I think the way that was playing out we would have 100 percent had a chance to win tonight.”

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO END THIS SEASON NOW? Better than three last-place finishes. Len was saying before the race that he never thought they’d had two in a row and now we’ve got three in a row.”

Almirola wins the NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 at Bristol

By
SM Staff
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Photo by Kevin Ritchie for SpeedwayMedia.com

Aric Almirola elected not to pit with 36 laps remaining and held on to win Friday night’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 Playoff opener at Bristol Motor Speedway.

As the race leaders pitted for fresh tires after a caution flag with 39 laps remaining, Almirola elected not to pit his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and was able to hold off the drivers on fresher tires by .381 seconds over Sheldon Creed to capture his second victory of the Xfinity Series season and ninth of his career.

“Yeah, just tired of getting beat by those guys. I figured I would try my chances with the lead. They’ve been so fast, and the fire off so fast on new tires. I just didn’t think I could beat them straight up on new tires. It took me about 20 laps to get going. I thought my best chance was to stay out on old tires. Seth (Chavka, crew chief) and I watched the last two or three races here, and we saw where the 9 car, with Noah Gragson, won with like 100 laps on his tires, so I decided to stay out when they said pit.”
Almirola said.

“But in all seriousness, this has been a heavy week. I’ve thought a lot about that this week. I have incredible opportunity here to represent Young Life and so many kids that give their life to Jesus Christ because of Young Life. This race car has J.D. Gibbs name on it. J.D. played such a pivotal part in my life – not just my career, but my life. We’ve shared a lot of stories about J.D. over the years. This is just so cool to get this car to victory lane with his name on it. This is pretty awesome. I can’t wait to celebrate with my team, and my guys and family. I just want to make sure all of the praise and glory goes to God.” Almirola added.

Creed moved into second place on the final laps to capture another runner-up finish.

“I had to make it exciting at least. I kind of knew I wasn’t gonna get there. You’re not gonna spook Aric, but maybe if I could have got him to see me and lift, I don’t know. It was more for the show I guess, but I’m happy with a second and to come out plus on points, I’m just proud of everybody at Haas Factory and Ford, Roush Yates Engines, everybody back at the shop, Road Ranger, Pit Boss, Friends of Jaclyn, Haas Automation, Gene and Joe Custer – just appreciate everyone’s hard work.” Creed said.

Sam Mayer finished third, and Carson Kvapil finished in fourth.

“We were really solid today. I’m really proud of everybody at Haas Factory. This Audibel Ford Mustang was certainly as fast as Xfinity mobile, and we were just a little bit short. If we didn’t get that damage, I think we could have taken it to him, but the toe was knocked in a ton, so I just had no turn there at the end. At the end, I was just kind of holding on, but to hold on to what we had was really solid, so I’m really proud of these guys, and that’s the start of the playoffs you want.” Mayer said.

Connor Zilisch finished fifth and came up short while trying to become the first Xfinity series driver in history to win five consecutive races, but he did capture an Xfinity record of 15 consecutive top-five finishes.

“It was a good day, just so hard those decisions at the end because whatever you do, everyone else is going to do the opposite,” the 19-year-old rookie Zilisch said. “We had a really good day with our WeatherTech Chevrolet, got further up above the [Playoff] cutoff line, and we’ll move on to next week and keep on building.”

Polesitter Justin Allgaier finished sixth, Harrison Burton seventh, Christian Eckes eighth, Jeremy Clements ninth, and Brennan Poole rounded out the top 10 finishers.

Sammy Smith went to the garage early on lap 55, with an engine problem, and finished 37th and now sits 24 points below the cutoff line.

“Unfortunate situation,” Smith said. “Very disappointed for the team. Worked so hard and to not really have a shot was frustrating. We’ll just have to do our best the next two weeks in the Playoffs, and see.”

After Bristol, Connor Zilisch holds a 32-point lead in the Xfinity series standings over Justin Allgaier, 50 points over Sam Mayer, 69 points over Carson Kvapil, and 76 points over Harrison Burton.

The race featured seven caution flags for 60 laps, and seven lead changes among six drivers.

Up Next:

The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Kansas Speedway for the Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday, September 27th at 4:00 pm ET on CW Network.

Race Results

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Number 27
Race Results for the Food City 300 – Friday, September 12, 2025
Bristol Motor Speedway – Bristol, TN – 0.533 – Mile Concrete

PosStNoDriverTeamLapsS1S2S3PointsStatus
1319Aric Almirola (P)Young Life Toyota30064052Running
2100Sheldon Creed (P)Road Ranger Ford30000035Running
3241Sam Mayer (P)Audibel Ford30042050Running
4111Carson Kvapil # (P)Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Tech Chevrolet30085042Running
5488Connor Zilisch # (P)WeatherTech Chevrolet30021052Running
617Justin Allgaier (P)BRANDT/Precision Build Chevrolet30013049Running
7725Harrison Burton (P)AirBox Ford30030038Running
81216Christian Eckes #Celsius Chevrolet30000029Running
92651Jeremy ClementsAll South Electric Chevrolet30000028Running
101844Brennan PooleMacc Door Systems Chevrolet30009029Running
112220Brandon Jones (P)Menards/Tuscany Toyota30000026Running
121626Dean Thompson #Thompson Pipe Group Toyota30006030Running
132048Nick Sanchez # (P)Pickers Vodka Chevrolet300010025Running
14554Taylor Gray # (P)Operation 300 Toyota30097029Running
15618William Sawalich #Soundgear Toyota300108026Running
16154Parker RetzlaffOverlook at Farm Meadows Chevrolet30000021Running
171717Corey DayHendrickCars.com Chevrolet30000020Running
181927Jeb BurtonAJ Transport Chevrolet30000019Running
192121Austin Hill (P)Bennett Transportation Chevrolet30000018Running
202811Brenden Queen(i)Action Industries Chevrolet3000000Running
213028Kyle SiegShannon Speck’s Electric Ford30000016Running
222742Anthony AlfredoDude Wipes Chevrolet30000015Running
23839Ryan SiegSci Aps Ford29970018Running
242599Matt DiBenedettoViking Motorsports Chevrolet29900013Running
2592Jesse Love (P)Whelen Chevrolet29950018Running
263110Daniel Dye #Champion Container Chevrolet29900011Running
272424Jeffrey EarnhardtForeverLawn Toyota29900010Running
283345Josh WilliamsTruShine Car Wash Chevrolet2980009Running
293291Josh BilickiSugarlands Shine Chevrolet2960008Running
303414Logan BeardenT3 Vodka Chevrolet2960007Running
313732Austin Green3Dimensional.com Chevrolet2950006Running
322370Leland HoneymanOhio Logistics Chevrolet2940005Running
33357Carson WareCreaBitty Chevrolet2880004Running
343831Blaine PerkinsWarrior Health Foundation Chevrolet2870003Running
353653Joey GaseNFPA Chevrolet2680002Axle
361335Stefan Parsons(i)David’s Electric Chevrolet810000Accident
37148Sammy Smith (P)Pilot Chevrolet560001Engine
382971Ryan EllisAnew Solutions Chevrolet550001Oil Cooler

NASCAR Xfinity Series Standings after Bristol

PosDriverNoPointsBehindNextWinsStage WinsPlayoff Pts
1Connor Zilisch # (P)8821160091065
2Justin Allgaier (P)72084-323231136
3Sam Mayer (P)412066-50181316
4Carson Kvapil # (P)12047-6919015
5Harrison Burton (P)252040-767022
6Brandon Jones (P)202039-7711313
7Sheldon Creed (P)02038-781013
8Taylor Gray # (P)542034-824025
9Nick Sanchez # (P)482031-853116
10Jesse Love (P)22031-8501113
11Austin Hill (P)212018-9813360
12Sammy Smith (P)82010-1068139

MILLICAN, HYDE, GLENN & HERRERA START PLAYOFFS WITH PROVISIONAL NO. 1 SPOTS AT NHRA READING NATIONALS

By
Official Release
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READING, Pa. (Sept. 12, 2025) – Top Fuel veteran Clay Millican powered to the top to open the NHRA playoffs on Friday at Maple Grove Raceway, taking the provisional No. 1 position at the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish.

Spencer Hyde (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 15th of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. It is also the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Millican went 3.704-seconds at 336.32 mph in his 12,000-horsepower PowerEdge dragster for Rick Ware Racing, putting him in position to qualify No. 1 for the first time this season and the 27th time in his career.

Millican entered the Countdown to the Championship playoffs seventh in points, feeling strong with the team’s recent performances, including a final-round appearance in Brainerd. A big weekend – one that would feature a first career NHRA Top Fuel win at Maple Grove Raceway – would put Millican right in the championship mix. This weekend, though, Millican’s sole focus is on trying to pick up his second win of the year.

“It’s always fun coming here,” Millican said. “It’s only the provisional No. 1, but it was a good one. In qualifying, the only thing the driver can do is screw it up. I was pretty excited when it stayed No. 1 because we need these points.

“The biggest thing is consistency. Home-run hitters can go on streaks, but consistency usually wins. We’ve been putting solid runs together lately. At Brainerd, we went to the final, then had a parts failure. At Indy, we beat Shawn Langdon first round, then had an electrical failure second round. But the car is going rounds and I like our chances.”

Justin Ashley took second with a 3.738 at 331.69 and past champ Doug Kalitta is third after going 3.756 at 335.40.

Racing in the Countdown to the Championship for the first time, Funny Car rookie Spencer Hyde made another strong statement in his rookie season, taking the provisional No. 1 position in a loaded field with a run of 3.868 at 330.07 in his 12,000-horsepower Head Contractors & Engineers Ford Mustang.

The first-year Funny Car driver has enjoyed an impressive rookie season, entering the playoffs ninth in points, advancing to two final rounds and winning one Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. A first career No. 1 qualifier would add to that, especially in his debut race at Maple Grove Raceway.

“We’ve known all year that we’ve had a pretty fast car when conditions are good, and Jim’s (Head, crew chief) known for swinging for the fences when the track will take it,” Hyde said. “We’ve made several runs like that this season — just haven’t been in the right place at the right time. Tonight, we left the tune-up alone, let the racetrack come to us and it went right down through there with an .86. That was pretty cool, and hopefully it holds through tomorrow.”

“Being in the Rookie of the Year conversation is awesome, and a No. 1 qualifier would be a big box to check. But what I really want is to win one of these races. We’ve been close a few times this year and I’m confident that if we get back to another final, we can get it done.”

Points leader and reigning world champion Austin Prock is second with a run of 3.882 at 333.74 and Paul Lee sits third on a strength of a 3.895 at 290.57.

In Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn squeaked past Aaron Stanfield on Friday, going 6.502 at 210.50 in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro to jump to the provisional No. 1 spot. Coming off his regular-season championship, Glenn got the start to the postseason he was after, putting the points leader on track for his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the year and the 11th in his career.

A strong start against a talented Pro Stock field would be paramount for Glenn and he’s focused on winning for the first time at Maple Grove Raceway.

“That was a back-up engine, but it’s running fantastic right now,” Glenn said. “I’m really pleased with it and the car is starting to come around. When I got to the top end on that run, I didn’t think it was going to hold. I thought we would be able to go 6.49 for sure, but I was hoping for a 6.48. Sitting up there and being this late, the humidity probably came up more than I thought. But going into the Countdown, I’m feeling really good. I was .027 on the tree my first hit, and I feel like I’m heading in the right direction. I feel like we have the car to beat for the championship.”

Stanfield is currently second with a 6.505 at 211.59 and U.S. Nationals winner, six-time world champion Erica Enders, is third after her run of 6.506 at 211.36.

On his quest for a third straight world championship, Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera is off to a good start, going 6.745 at 200.20 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki to take over the provisional No. 1 spot. Fresh off a U.S. Nationals victory and a regular-season championship, Herrera has big goals in mind for this weekend’s race at Maple Grove Raceway.

It remains the only track on the NHRA circuit where Herrera, a 26-time event winner, hasn’t won, something he hopes to change this weekend. His Friday went well, putting Herrera on track for his fifth No. 1 of the season.

“Reading has definitely defeated me the last two seasons,” Herrera said. “My best here is a semifinal, so my main goal this weekend is to go one round further and hopefully not leave here second in points like I have the last two years. This place is beautiful, the Koretsky family has done so much with it and I’m glad to be back. To leave here with a win and check that box would mean a lot.

“It’s a different atmosphere here — there are tons of fans and they love motorcycles. It’s not more pressure, it’s just a different vibe. It’s a fast track, I love racing here, but it’s been tough on me.”

Matt Smith is second after his run of 6.753 at 200.95 and Richard Gadson’s 6.763 at 200.92 puts him third.

Qualifying continues at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway.

MOHNTON, Pa. — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway, 15th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Clay Millican, 3.704 seconds, 336.32 mph; 2. Justin Ashley, 3.738, 331.69; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.756, 335.40; 4. Shawn Reed, 3.758, 328.46; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.762, 333.49; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.778, 332.34; 7. Tony Schumacher, 3.779, 334.24; 8. Dan Mercier, 3.796, 316.67; 9. Josh Hart, 3.811, 332.26; 10. Brittany Force, 3.816, 334.32; 11. Tony Stewart, 3.819, 329.10; 12. Kyle Satenstein, 3.917, 281.25; 13. Scott

Farley, 4.136, 233.76; 14. Doug Foley, 4.831, 153.53; 15. Antron Brown, 5.010, 145.80.

Funny Car — 1. Spencer Hyde, Ford Mustang, 3.868, 330.07; 2. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.882, 333.74; 3. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.895, 290.57; 4. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.901, 330.72; 5. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.911, 334.24; 6. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.912, 329.34; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.912, 323.50; 8. Blake

Alexander, Charger, 3.924, 328.38; 9. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.932, 330.80; 10. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.948, 329.26; 11. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.962, 327.82; 12. Joe Morrison, Charger, 4.065, 310.41; 13. Phil Burkart, Mustang, 4.074, 309.63; 14. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.138, 300.73; 15. Alex Laughlin, Charger, 4.255, 292.90; 16. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 5.062, 151.44.

Not Qualified: 17. Dave Richards, 5.180, 182.13; 18. Chad Green,

6.698, 95.23.

Pro Stock — 1. Dallas Glenn, Chevy Camaro, 6.502, 210.83; 2. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.505, 211.59; 3. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.506, 211.36; 4. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.519, 210.11; 5. Cody Coughlin, Camaro, 6.520, 209.33; 6. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.525, 208.17; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.526, 210.24; 8. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.532, 210.37; 9. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.532, 209.33; 10. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.543, 210.41; 11. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.546, 209.98; 12. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.550, 209.62; 13. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.585, 208.46; 14. Brandon Miller, Dodge Dart, 6.613, 207.18; 15. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.623, 207.50; 16. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.981, 200.50. Not Qualified: 17. Alan Prusiensky, 7.436, 124.38.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.745, 200.20; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.753, 200.98; 3. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.763, 201.46; 4. Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.780, 201.49; 5. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.806, 198.41; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.807, 197.13; 7. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.843, 198.58; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.853, 194.10; 9. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.857, 198.26; 10. John Hall, Beull, 6.868, 199.17; 11. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.870, 194.55; 12. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.871, 195.76; 13. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.905, 195.25; 14. Brandon Litten, Suzuki, 6.922, 193.24; 15. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 14.394, 52.09.

Why Hiring a Moving Company is Essential in Canada or Abroad

By
SM
-
Photo by Michal Balog on Unsplash

Relocating can be exciting, but it is exceptionally tedious. Anyone who has moved without a professional company will tell you to hire one without a doubt. This is due to the logistics and physicality of the job; a simple move can quickly become overwhelming. In almost every situation, a professional Long Distance Moving Company in Victoria BC will offer you expertise, resources, and peace of mind that a DIY moving solution will not be anywhere near equivalent.

Moving Within Canada

Canada is vast, which makes a domestic move significantly more challenging. Let’s say you need to travel across multiple provinces. That would mean long drives and navigating new areas, all with the thought of your household goods being damaged. Professional movers such as SoundsGoodMoving will ensure that your belongings are safely and adequately transported, whilst also offering benefits such as furniture disassembly, insurance, and climate control.

Moving Abroad

As if the logistics weren’t already enough to deal with, moving abroad can be even more daunting. This adds another layer of complexity with customs requirements, shipping logistics, security, and international regulations. Any professional moving company worth its salt will provide the following:

  • Handing Overseas or Flight Logistics
  • Assisting with Customs Paperwork
  • Packing solutions that meet shipping requirements
  • Door-to-door delivery, even abroad

With all the above benefits being provided to you, it will give you the time and focus needed to handle the complexities of the other aspects of moving.

Why Hire Professionals?

As mentioned previously, anyone who has done a move without a professional has gained the wisdom not to try that again. A professional moving company will provide you with massive amounts of time saving, increased safety and efficiency, and stress reduction. A one-time expenditure here is well worth circumventing the headache that moving normally would be on your own.

What is the Right Company for You?

When looking for a professional moving company, look for the following:

  • Well Reviewed – A company with a lot of good reviews at 4.3/5 stars versus a company with a few reviews at 5 stars is likely better. Ensure the reviews are from real customers.
  • Transparent Pricing – No hidden fees, and the company is completely upfront about the costs of the move.
  • Properly Licensed – Ensure that the company has the credentials to aid with international moving or is licensed to help with your type of move.

A company that we recommend is SoundsGoodMoving, as they meet all the above criteria.

Final Thoughts

Moving can very quickly and easily become a logistical nightmare that leaves you exhausted, stressed, and at risk. Whether you’re planning on just relocating to another province in Canada or a new country entirely, hiring a professional moving company will ensure that you succeed with as few issues as possible. While there is a cost attached to a professional moving company, you could very easily end up saving money if potential problems arise.

Don’t hesitate, seriously, moving can be so incredibly difficult. If you don’t want to take our word for it, ask anyone who has done it on their own. Call a moving company now and ensure that your move goes as smoothly as possible, allowing you to focus on enjoying your new location.

Kaulig Racing Race Recap | Food City 300

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Official Release
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No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet

Start: 12th
Stage 1 Finish: 15th
Stage 2 Finish: 11th
Finish: 8th

Christian Eckes raced in the top 10 for much of the opening stage but got free on a late-stage restart and finished Stage 1 in 15th. Happy with the car overall, he went on to finish Stage 2 in 11th place and radioed that he needed track position more than anything else. During the second stage break, the team opted to make only minor adjustments in order to have a faster pit stop to give Eckes the track position he needed to start the final stage from 9th place. Following a late-race caution with 38 laps remaining, the field pitted under caution, and Eckes followed suit, receiving fresh tires. He restarted 13th and went on to finish eighth, his fifth top-10 result in the last six races.

“I was pretty happy with our No. 16. Celsius Chevy. We just needed track position the most, so when we got caught up in some of the mess towards the end, we had to try and make up some spots. We definitely made improvements from the spring race, and I’m proud of this No. 16 group for the hard work.” – Christian Eckes

No. 11 Action Industries Chevrolet

Start: 28th
Stage 1 Finish: 23rd
Stage 2 Finish: 20th
Finish: 20th

Brenden Queen improved five spots from his starting position to finish the opening stage of the Food City 300 in 23rd. After pitting during the first stage break, Queen started Stage 2 in 24th place, working his way into the top 20 throughout the incident-free second segment. Queen started the final stage from 18th place and went on to earn a top-20 finish in his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut.

“I put us in a little bit of a hole during qualifying, but I think with some track position, a top 15 was realistic. I can’t complain about a top-20 finish, running all of the laps, and ending on the lead lap. This is something we can build off of, and I’m thankful to Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice, and everyone at Kaulig Racing for the opportunity.” – Brenden Queen

No. 10 Champion Container Chevrolet

Start: 31st
Stage 1 Finish: 21st
Stage 2 Finish: 18th
Finish: 26th

Daniel Dye gained 10 spots during the opening stage of the Food City 300, after the team made considerable improvements on the No. 10 Champion Container Chevy from practice earlier in the day. As the car built tighter throughout Stage 2, Dye finished the second segment in 18th place, happy with the car’s overall handling. On lap 210, Dye spun on track, bringing out the caution. He avoided contact with the wall but fell one lap to the leaders. Dye was unable to get the lap back and finished the race in 26th place.

“We struggled in practice and qualifying, but I’m glad we found a little potential in the car to move inside the top 15. Unfortunately, we got some damage and ultimately spun. After that we lost a lap, and we just weren’t able to get it back.” – Daniel Dye

About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

ALMIROLA CLAIMS SECOND VICTORY OF THE SEASON AT BRISTOL

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Official Release
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Almirola’s win clinches the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team a spot in the Round of 8

BRISTOL, Tenn. (September 12, 2025) – Aric Almirola earned his second NASCAR Xfinity Series victory of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway with a clutch call to not pit late in the race. Almirola led the final 34 laps to win his first race at Bristol and ninth Xfinity Series victory overall. With the win, Almirola has clinched a spot for the no. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team in the Round of 8 owners’ championship fight.

Toyota’s two Playoff drivers – Brandon Jones and Taylor Gray – both battled adversity in tonight’s race. Jones overcame a 23rd place qualifying spot to battle for a top-five late before finishing 11th. Jones leaves Bristol in sixth in the Playoff standings – eight points to the good. Gray overcame being involved in the final caution of the night to drive back up to 15th in the final finishing order. Gray continues to hold the eighth and final position to the good in the Playoff battle – three points above ninth.

Toyota GAZOO Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Bristol Motor Speedway
Race 27 of 33 – 159.9 miles, 300 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, ARIC ALMIROLA
2nd, Sheldon Creed*
3rd, Sam Mayer*
4th, Carson Kvapil*
5th, Connor Zilisch*
11th, BRANDON JONES
12nd, DEAN THOMPSON
14th, WILLIAM SAWALICH
15th, TAYLOR GRAY
27th, JEFFREY EARNHARDT
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

ARIC ALMIROLA, No. 19 Young Life Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 1st

Whose call was it that ultimately won you the race?

“Yeah, just tired of getting beat by those guys. I figured I would try my chances with the lead. They’ve been so fast, and the fire off so fast on new tires. I just didn’t think I could beat them straight up on new tires. It took me about 20 laps to get going. I thought my best chance was to stay out on old tires. Seth (Chavka, crew chief) and I watched the last two or three races here and we saw where the 9 car, with Noah Gragson, won with like 100 laps on his tires, so I decided to stay out when they said pit. But in all seriousness, this has been a heavy week. I’ve thought a lot about that this week. I have incredible opportunity here to represent Young Life and so many kids that give their life to Jesus Christ because of Young Life. This race car has J.D. Gibbs name on it. J.D. played such a pivotal part in my life – not just my career, but my life. We’ve shared a lot of stories about J.D. over the years. This is just so cool to get this car to victory lane with his name on it. This is pretty awesome. I can’t wait to celebrate with my team, and my guys and family. I just want to make sure all of the praise and glory goes to God.”

BRANDON JONES, No. 20 Menards/Tuscany Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 11th

How was your race?

“We didn’t show up how we should have, I think. We had the right intentions. We started this race in the spring really loose, and that was our kind of kryptonite. So, we came in with a lot more stability in our race car this weekend, and just kind of jumped the gun there, I think, on our setup. We had some stuff in our springs, probably, that wasn’t really able to get all that out of it after practice because of our change limitations that we can do. So, I mean, we did the best we could. This is a track position race. We qualified awful today. We qualified 23rd, and honestly, through strategy and everything, that was quite the drive, in my opinion, to get to the top three. Just, I guess, looking back at the whole thing, obviously, that’s not the right idea to pit at the end. It’s kind of hard to know that in the heat of the moment, though, you know? I rode with him (Sam McAulay, crew chief) on that, but I guess knowing how difficult this was to pass all night and really how my car can only run the top – there were some guys that could run the middle to bottom as well and make that work – but my car was only good in the third lane, and so that just limits my ability to really go full on restarts once we bury ourselves with tires at the end, no matter the grip level. So, I guess you look back at it, you don’t take the tires. I’m frustrated with just how the weekend kind of went for us, honestly. Obviously, that’s not how I pictured the playoffs to start, but everyone’s mind is in the right situation. Everyone’s thinking the right things. We just got to start a little bit better off the truck.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

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