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Top 8 Collectible Trends Gaining Popularity in 2025

By
SM
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As 2025 unfolds, the world of collectibles is evolving rapidly, captivating enthusiasts across all generations. From nostalgic revivals to cutting-edge digital assets, collectors are expanding their horizons and investing in objects that blend artistry, culture, and rarity.

One trend standing out this year is the renewed passion for miniature cars. Once seen as childhood toys, these scale models are now admired for their precision, craftsmanship, and historical value. From vintage Hot Wheels and Matchbox models to modern limited editions by Tomica, collectors are racing to acquire rare pieces, turning this passion into a serious and rewarding hobby.

Let’s dive into the top 8 collectible trends gaining traction in 2025.

1. Retro Gaming Consoles

Classic consoles are back in the spotlight. Collectors are on the hunt for original models like the NES, Sega Genesis, and Neo Geo. Their scarcity drives up their value, especially for sealed or limited-edition versions. Beyond monetary worth, these consoles offer a nostalgic gameplay experience that’s hard to replicate, fueling a strong market resurgence.

2. Designer Toys

Artistic figurines are attracting an adult audience like never before. Born from collaborations between visual artists and pop culture creators, collectibles like Bearbricks, Dunnys, and Pop Mart figures are becoming icons of modern design. Limited-edition and numbered pieces are highly sought after, often finding their way into contemporary art spaces and galleries.

3. Miniature Cars Collections

The miniature car market continues to gain momentum. From vintage die-cast models to hyper-detailed new releases, collectors of all ages are drawn to their charm. Leading brands such as Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and Tomica dominate the scene, with some rare prototypes fetching thousands. This form of collecting is evolving into a niche art form in its own right.

4. NFT Collectibles

Digital collectibles remain firmly in vogue. NFTs offer uniqueness and verified scarcity, allowing collectors to own one-of-a-kind virtual items. Popular collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club and Sorare continue to shape the landscape, while platforms like OpenSea innovate the way digital art is bought and traded. This growing ecosystem appeals to both art lovers and investors.

5. Trading Card Games

Trading cards are experiencing a vibrant revival. Classics like Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh! are captivating new generations through tournaments and digital adaptations. Vintage cards, particularly from early editions, are increasing in value year after year, making well-maintained collections true treasures.

6. Anime Figurines

Anime culture is leaving its mark on the collectible world. Figurines of beloved characters from One Piece, Naruto, and Demon Slayer are flying off shelves. Many are handcrafted, limited in quantity, and prized for their detailed sculpting. Japan remains the epicenter of this market, with global demand growing steadily.

7. Vintage Sports Memorabilia

Sports memorabilia with historic value continues to attract collectors. Signed jerseys, vintage balls, and trading cards from iconic moments are in high demand. Authentic items tied to legendary athletes can fetch impressive prices at auctions. For many, it’s about owning a piece of sports history and legacy.

8. Fashion Collectibles

Fashion is becoming collectible. Limited-edition sneakers, luxury handbags, and streetwear drops are redefining the intersection between fashion and art. Brands like Supreme, Nike, and Louis Vuitton lead the charge, often partnering with artists to create exclusive pieces. Online marketplaces and auctions make it easier than ever to trade and value these coveted items.

Miniature Car Collecting: A little bit more about it

What are the different types of miniature cars available to collectors?

There are several types of miniature cars that cater to different levels of interest and expertise. These include die-cast models, build-it-yourself kits, and plastic or resin replicas. Each type varies in terms of scale, realistic detailing, and fidelity to the original vehicle, allowing collectors to choose according to their preferences and goals.

What is the best scale for miniature car replicas?

Common scales include 1:18, 1:24, 1:43, and 1:64. The 1:18 scale is ideal for highly detailed models and display purposes, while 1:64 is perfect for collectors looking to build larger collections in limited space. The best scale depends on your available room and the level of detail you’re aiming for.

How can I start a miniature car collection?

To begin your collection, it’s recommended to choose a specific theme—such as car manufacturers, historical eras, racing competitions, or iconic models. Focus on acquiring quality pieces from reputable brands and engage with enthusiast communities to gain insights and grow your collection in a thoughtful and cohesive way.

Where can I find rare or collectible miniature cars?

Rare models can be found in specialty shops, collector fairs, and online marketplaces dedicated to collectible items. Some private forums and auction houses also offer access to limited-edition or exclusive models. Staying connected with collector groups can increase your chances of discovering unique finds.

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing swaps crew members for Nos. 19, 91 Truck Series entries

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) revealed team changes to two of its four-truck roster ahead of this upcoming weekend’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg, Indiana.

Joshua Graham, who worked as a crew chief for Daniel Hemric and the No. 19 MHR Chevrolet Silverado RST team through the first 15 scheduled events of the 2025 Truck season, will now become a crew chief for Jack Wood and the No. 91 MHR team.

Kevin Bellicourt, who commenced this season with Wood and the No. 91 team, will assume Graham’s former spot atop the pit box of Hemric’s No. 19 team. The respective pit crew members of each crew chief will also be swapping team entries.

The news comes as Wood is currently scored 175 points below the top-10 cutline to make the 2025 Truck Series Playoff. Only three regular-season events are remaining on this year’s schedule. Meanwhile, Hemric is currently guaranteed a Playoff spot after winning at Martinsville Speedway in late March, his first series victory.

Hemric and teammate Tyler Ankrum, the latter of whom won at Rockingham Speedway in mid-April, are the only two MHR competitors locked into the Playoffs. Wood and teammate Connor Mosack, the latter of whom is 141 points below the cutline, have until August 15 at Richmond Raceway, the final regular-season event on the schedule, to either win one of the remaining three regular-season events, including Indy, or race their way above the cutline based on points.

It will mark Graham’s first time on top of the No. 91 pit box and alongside Wood. Like Hemric, Graham achieved his first series victory at Martinsville.

Meanwhile, Bellicourt, a three-time Truck race-winning crew chief, reunites with the No. 19 team for the first time since 2020. Since 2024, he has worked as a crew chief for MHR’s No. 91 team. He previously spent the first half of the 2023 Cup Series season as a crew chief for Ty Dillon and the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet team.

The 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing resumes this upcoming Friday, July 25, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for the TSport 200. The event’s broadcast is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.

Personalized Lunar Keepsakes: Celebrate the Enchantment of the Moon

By
Official Release
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Photo by depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/

In an age where thoughtful, meaningful, and visually stunning presents are in high demand, celestial-themed gifts are rising to prominence. One particular category gaining popularity is a collection of keepsakes inspired by the lunar cycle. These moon-centered treasures are more than just décor; they hold personal significance, align with astrology trends, and offer a magical way to commemorate special life moments.

Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, new baby, or memorial, lunar-inspired mementos tap into a sense of wonder and connection to the universe making them a go-to option for gift-givers seeking beauty and sentimentality.

Why the Moon Resonates So Deeply
 From ancient cultures to modern astrology apps, the moon has long played a role in human emotion, spirituality, and storytelling. Its changing phases have been linked to personal growth, emotional cycles, and life’s rhythms. This emotional symbolism makes the moon a powerful gift motif.

As a result, moon phase gifts have become a popular way to capture and commemorate these meaningful moments. People are increasingly turning to the moon as a metaphor for love, transformation, remembrance, and hope. Gifting a lunar-themed item can feel deeply personal and meaningful especially when tied to a specific date or life event.

What Makes These Celestial Keepsakes Special?

Gifts inspired by the moon typically feature elements like the lunar phase on a particular date, constellation alignment, or the moon’s appearance from a specific location. Here’s what makes these items especially cherished:

  • Customization: Many products feature the moon’s phase on a chosen date like a birth, wedding, or anniversary.
  • Artistry: Detailed star maps, moon calendars, or lunar prints turn scientific data into beautiful visual art.
  • Symbolism: The moon is tied to intuition, mystery, and cycles making it ideal for marking emotional milestones.
  • Personal Connection: Whether someone is into astrology, astronomy, or simply appreciates celestial beauty, these gifts feel tailored and intentional.

Top Occasions for Lunar-Inspired Gifting

Lunar-themed keepsakes aren’t just for star lovers. Their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of celebrations:

  • Birthdays: Capture the moon phase on the day someone entered the world.
  • Weddings & Anniversaries: Celebrate love under a shared moonlit sky.
  • Newborns & Baby Showers: Mark a new life with a celestial memory.
  • Memorials: Honor loved ones with a symbolic moon phase on the day they passed.
  • Graduations & Life Milestones: Encourage a bright future with a guiding light from the sky.

What Types of Lunar-Themed Products Are Available?

From handcrafted to high-tech, there’s a broad range of moon-centric items to explore:

1. Custom Moon Phase Prints

These art pieces show the exact moon phase on a chosen date. Many include coordinates, quotes, and names, turning astronomy into a sentimental masterpiece.

2. Celestial Jewelry

Necklaces, rings, and bracelets featuring crescent moons, full moons, or constellation charms are popular for their elegance and meaning.

3. Personalized Star Maps

Star maps display how the night sky looked from a specific place and time. Some include both stars and moon data for a complete cosmic snapshot.

4. Lunar Calendars

These calendars display the full lunar cycle across the year and can be personalized with dates of significance.

5. Night Lights and Lamps

3D-printed moon lamps mimic the lunar surface and glow in warm tones, perfect for soothing ambiance or nursery decor.

Why Are These Gifts Trending?

A few key cultural and lifestyle shifts are fueling interest in moon-themed presents:

  • Personalization Craze: Consumers want gifts that are unique, meaningful, and not mass-produced.
  • Wellness and Mindfulness: The moon is closely associated with emotional awareness and natural cycles, aligning with self-care practices.
  • Spiritual and Astrological Growth: From moon rituals to zodiac readings, spiritual exploration is on the rise.
  • Social Media Aesthetic: These gifts photograph beautifully, making them a hit on Instagram and Pinterest.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Lunar Keepsake

When picking a moon-inspired present, keep the following in mind:

  • Verify Customization Accuracy: Ensure the moon phase and date/location details are precise.
  • Check Materials: For prints or jewelry, look for high-quality, sustainable materials for lasting value.
  • Match Their Style: Choose modern minimalism, boho chic, or vintage celestial based on the recipient’s taste.
  • Look for Added Personal Touches: Many creators offer engraving, handwritten notes, or packaging upgrades.

DIY Idea: Make Your Own Moon Gift

Want to add a handmade twist? You can create a personalized moon-phase gift at home:

Supplies:

  • Printable moon phase calculator (online tools available)
  • High-resolution image of the moon phase
  • Craft paper or canvas
  • Frame or shadowbox
  • Optional: Quote, name, or coordinates calligraphy

Instructions:

  1. Use an online moon phase finder to generate the moon on your chosen date.
  2. Print the image or recreate it with paints.
  3. Add custom text, such as a meaningful quote or location.
  4. Frame it and wrap with celestial-themed paper.

It’s a thoughtful, budget-friendly way to celebrate life under the stars.

Conclusion: A Gift That’s Truly Out of This World

Lunar-themed keepsakes capture more than just a phase they reflect a moment, a memory, a mood. In an era where gifts are expected to be both meaningful and aesthetically pleasing, moon-inspired items deliver emotional depth with cosmic beauty.

Whether you’re marking the start of a new journey or honoring a cherished one, these personalized celestial treasures offer a timeless reminder that we’re all connected—by light, by memory, and by the stars above.

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Dover

By
Official Release
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Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 – Dover Motor Speedway
Dover, Del. – July 20, 2025

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 AUTOTRADER FORD MUSTANG
START: 26TH STAGE 1: 19TH STAGE 2: 16TH FINISH: 16TH POINTS: 19TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric and the No. 2 Autotrader Ford Mustang Dark Horse team turned in a gritty performance Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway, shaking off a deep starting spot to finish 16th in the rain-impacted Autotrader 400. With Saturday’s qualifying session rained out, Cindric lined up 26th based on the NASCAR rulebook. He settled into a rhythm early as the track started to level off before pitting for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment under the competition caution on Lap 35. He restarted 23rd but reached the top 20 by the end of Stage 1, finishing 19th. Cindric continued to make forward progress in Stage 2, contesting inside the top 20 and ultimately finishing the segment in 16th. He returned to pit road for a four-tire service stop and lined up 18th for the restart. After the final stint got underway, the Autotrader driver informed the team that the balance hadn’t improved, or worsened. As weather moved into the area late, Cindric pitted under green just before a caution for rain on Lap 338 for fresh tires and an adjustment. A heavy rain-shower forced the red flag, but the race resumed with eight laps to go after the completion of track-drying, setting up a chaotic finish. Cindric avoided trouble and gained a handful of positions in the final restarts to record a 16th-place result.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “With where we had to start I’m definitely proud of the effort from everybody here on this No. 2 Autotrader Ford Mustang. We kind of just clawed our way up and we had one restart where the field got split up under green flag cycles and I got parked and pretty much lost all of the progress I had made throughout the entirety of the day. We clawed back a few there on those late restarts, but, overall, I’m happy to finish one of these a little better than we have the last few weeks, but we definitely want more.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/LIBMAN FORD MUSTANG
START: 31ST STAGE 1: 16TH STAGE 2: 9TH FINISH: 8TH POINTS: 7TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Libman Ford Mustang Dark Horse went from 31st to eighth Sunday afternoon at Dover as Blaney and the 12 team notched their ninth top-10 finish of the 2025 season. After rain washed out practice and qualifying Saturday, Blaney lined up 31st to begin the 400-mile event as he worked his way into the top-20 just 60 laps in before crossing the line 16th at the end of Stage 1. Blaney continued his charge towards the leaders in the second segment before he was brought to pit road on lap 184 during the green flag pit cycle, eventually cracking the top-10 with 32 laps remaining in Stage 2 en route to a ninth-place result. After taking the green flag from ninth with 140 laps remaining, Blaney continued to maintain top-10 pace as the threat of rain began to enter the conversation, prompting crew chief Jonathan Hassler to call Blaney to pit road on lap 327 with the leaders for what was thought to be the final stop of the afternoon. However, a caution for rain moments later trapped all but nine cars at least a lap down, as Blaney was forced to take the wave around prior to the ensuing restart with 57 laps to go. A larger cell of rain hit the track with 14 to go – causing a 56-minute red flag – but once drivers returned to their cars and the race was back under yellow, Blaney was the first of the leaders to hit pit road from eighth in the running order for right side tires only to gain an advantage on those up front prior to the final run. After taking the green flag from 11th, Blaney navigated his way through a pair of incidents on the final two restarts and made up a few positions along the way en route to an eighth-place finish.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “It was a fun day. I thought on long runs we were really good. I would have personally liked to have seen it go to the end before the rain caution came out because we had a really good long run car and I thought I might have been able to get up to fifth. We came in and got two tires, and I didn’t pick a good lane on the restart and gave a lot of track position away, but, overall, it was a good day from where we started.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG
START: 8TH STAGE 1: 9TH STAGE 2: 13TH FINISH: 14TH POINTS: 11TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano made his 600th career NASCAR Cup Series start Sunday at Dover as the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse took the checkered flag 14th. Logano became the 34th driver all-time to reach 600 Cup Series starts while breaking a 52 year-old record held by Richard Petty to become the youngest to reach the milestone (35 years, one month, 26 days).
After practice and qualifying were rained out Saturday, Logano took the green flag in the Autotrader 400 from eighth and worked his way up to sixth by the time of the competition caution on lap 35. Logano fought issues with rear grip on the following run, maintained top-10 pace to come away with a ninth-place finish in Stage 1. Following a four tire stop during the stage caution that saw the 22 crew gain Logano a pair of spots on pit road, he lined up seventh for the restart before settling into 12th in the running order. Logano ultimately crossed the line 13th in Stage 2. The Shell-Pennzoil Ford worked back into the top-10 by lap 325 on the following run before Logano was called to pit road two laps later with the rest of the leaders, but a pit road speeding penalty in section three resulted in a pass-through, relegating the No. 22 two laps down. A caution for rain allowed Logano to take the wave-around, but heavier rainfall shortly after put the race under a red flag while scored one lap down in 21st. After drivers returned to their cars just before 6:30 p.m., Logano took the wave around to rejoin the lead lap before the field took the green with eight to go. A pair of cautions on the following two restarts allowed Logano to make his way up to 14th on fresher tires before taking the checkered flag.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “It was a cool weekend reaching 600 Cup starts, just wish we had a better showing for it. We had pretty good pace throughout the day and kept working on it but that speeding penalty halted the momentum we had going. Still proud of our guys for staying with it and getting us to a decent finish at the end.”

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG on Sunday, July 27. Coverage from Indianapolis begins at 2:00 p.m. ET on TNT, IMS Radio Network, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

CHEVROLET NHRA AT SEATTLE: POST RACE REPORT

By
Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2025 NHRA Northwest Nationals
PACIFIC RACEWAYS
KENT, WASHINGTON
TEAM CHEVY RACE RECAP | NOTES & QUOTES

JULY 20, 2025

Brittany Force Makes Fastest Pass in NHRA Top-Fuel History
Austin Prock Wins 2Fast/2Tasty Challenge

 Notes:

  • Brittany Force qualified No. 3 in her Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet Top Fuel Dragster
  • Force made it to finals, but lost to Shawn Langdon when her tires hazed at ½ track
  • She beat Ida Zetterstrom in Round One, and Antron Brown in Round Two
  • In Round Three, Force recorded the fastest pass in NHRA Top Fuel history with a victory over Doug Kalitta with her run of 3.659 seconds/341.85 mph
  • Austin Prock and his Cornwell Tools John Force Racing Chevrolet SS team had a successful Saturday at Pacific Raceways where they won the Mission Foods 2Fast/2Tasty Challenge for the second straight year at the track and went to the top of the qualifying order for Sunday’s 36th NHRA Northwest Nationals in 3.879 seconds at 336.40 miles per hour
  • It is his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season and 19th in his Funny Car career
  • It is his second back-to-back of the season and his 12th career win of the Mission Foods 2Fast/2Tasty Challenge
  • Prock had a bye run in Round One of elimination after Dylan Winefsky didn’t make the call
  • Fell to Spencer Hyde in Round Two of eliminations when tires hazed at 1/3 track
  • Leads point standings over teammate Jack Beckman in second
  • Jack Beckman and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevy SS team qualified 10th in the Funny Car field
  • Defeated Bob Tasca III in Round One 3.839-seconds/335.15 MPH to 4.27-seconds/236.09 mph
  • Lost to Matt Hagan in Round Two after hazing the tires
  • In the Pro Stock final the KB Titan Camaro of Dallas Glenn defeated Jeg Coughlin, Jr. after Coughlin went red at the starting line
  • It is fourth win of season for Glenn, and 17th in Pro Stock career
  • Greg Anderson and Glenn remain 1-2 in Pro Stock points

UP NEXT:

The 12th round of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series takes place July 25th to July 27th, 2025 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. The 2025 NHRA DENSO Sonoma Nationals can be seen on Sunday, July 27th starting at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Coverage airs throughout the weekend with FS2, NHRA on FOX and NHRA.tv (subscription), streaming available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.
Post-Race Driver Quotes:

AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET SS FUNNY CAR FOR JOHN FORCE RACING:

“Had a good weekend going. Gained a lot of points in qualifying and that’s what we look to do every weekend. Unfortunately came into race day and we stumbled. Got past first round and we’ve had a pretty good trend of once we get past the first round we go to the final round and obliviously that ended this weekend coming up short to Spencer Hyde. But I think this team is heading in the right direction.

We’re learning from the mistakes that we’re making, and we’ll be back in Sonoma. I believe we’re going to be contending for a win there. So, we’ll do our homework over the next few days and try and get back after it.”

JACK BECKMAN, DRIVER OF THE PEAK PERFORMANCE CHEVY SS FUNNY CAR:

“We never root against our team cars…. ever. Our goal is to race Austin in every final round we go to. But they were pulling away in the points. We were third pair in the second round and watched Austin go up there and smoke the tires in the opening pair. It really opened the door for us to start closing the gap in the points. We thought we had the right data and made a good call. We come back and look

at the computer and a lot of times you see the smoking gun; there’s where we missed it, there was the malfunction. You could toss a coin, and it either was going to make it, or it wasn’t, we were so close. But it went out there and shook the tire. I tried to pedal it, but Hagan was driving away, and it became obvious I wasn’t going to chase him down. We’re not licking our wounds, and we have another shot at redemption in a week and we’re going to have monster conditions in Sonoma as well. I’m very satisfied that we took a car that was not qualified going into the last qualifying session, not only got it into the show but made all the right calls to go out there and run low e.t of the weekend so far in the

first round. Now, we just have to get back to our consistency. This car had been rock-solid consistent, and we had a wide window in our tune-up program. We just need to get back closer to the center of that opening.”

BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF CHEVROLET ACCESSORIES CHEVROLET DRAGSTER:

“Overall it was a pretty solid outing for this HendrickCars.com team here in Seattle. We came out and qualified third and laid down three passes over 340 miles per hour this weekend. We were able to make our way to the final round but unfortunately came up short to Shawn Langdon. Pan pressure automatically shut us off in the final. I had no power and was just coasting to the finish line and I saw Shawn (Langdon) go around me. But obviously the highlight of our weekend was in the semi-finals when we made a killer run and went even faster than our current national mile per hour record at 341.85 mph, fastest all time. It’s really exciting for this whole team to do that and be a part of something so prominent in our sport. We work really hard to turn on win lights and put the best numbers up on the board and we’re hoping that record will hold for a while. We reset the Top Fuel speed record back in Charlotte, but our teammate Austin Prock still had us beat overall, so to step up and out do our run from Charlotte and not just be the fastest Top Fuel driver but to be the fastest person in our sport, that’s such

a huge accomplishment for our team. Wins are important but setting records is pretty awesome to. The Countdown is quickly approaching and if we can keep putting together performances like this, we’re going to be in a pretty good spot.”

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.

Seattle Event Recap for the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals

By
Official Release
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Tony Stewart & Matt Hagan
Dodge Direct Connection Top Fuel & Funny Car Drivers
Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals
July 18-20 | Kent, Washington

Event Recap

Tony Stewart, driver of the TSR Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster:

  • Earned No. 8 provisional qualifying position in Q1 on Friday (6.439 ET at 93.60 mph)
  • Earned No. 10 provisional qualifying position in Q2 on Saturday (6.178 ET at 107.53 mph)
  • Earned No. 6 provisional qualifying position in Q3 on Saturday (3.811 ET at 327.59 mph). Q3 also served as Round 1 of the NHRA’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, where Stewart faced Clay Millican. Stewart’s run defeated Millican’s 8.648 ET at 81.07 mph.
  • Scored three bonus points for being the quickest car of the session
  • Secured No. 5 qualifying position in Q4 on Saturday (3.759 ET at 327.51 mph). Q4 also served as the NHRA’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Finals, where Stewart faced Shawn Langdon. Langdon’s 3.718 ET at 338.17 mph defeated Stewart.
  • Scored one bonus point for being the third-quickest car of the session
  • Advanced Round 2 on Sunday:
  • Round 1: 3.751 ET at 328.38 mph, defeated Josh Hart (3.746 ET at 331.12 mph)
  • Round 2: 4.817 ET at 122.53 mph, lost to Shawn Langdon (3.685 ET at 334.24 mph)
  • Currently second in the Top Fuel championship standings, 12 points behind Top Fuel leader Shawn Langdon

Matt Hagan, driver of the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car:

  • Earned No. 11 provisional qualifying position in Q1 on Friday (7.713 ET at 87.10 mph)
  • Earned No. 10 provisional qualifying position in Q2 on Saturday (4.264 ET at 221.45 mph)
  • Earned No. 7 provisional qualifying position in Q3 on Saturday (3.966 ET at 329.58 mph). Q3 also served as Round 1 of the NHRA’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, where Hagan faced Cruz Pedregon. Hagan’s run defeated Pedregon’s 4.055 ET at 306.88 mph.
  • Scored two bonus points for being the second-quickest car of the session
  • Secured No. 2 qualifying position in Q4 on Saturday (3.887 ET at 332.43 mph). Q4 also served as the NHRA’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Finals, where Hagan faced Austin Prock. Prock’s 3.879 ET at 336.40 mph defeated Hagan.
  • Advanced to Finals on Sunday:
  • Round 1: 3.979 ET at 275.51 mph, defeated Buddy Hull (9.728 ET at 70.84 mph)
  • Round 2: 3.861 ET at 331.53 mph, defeated Jack Beckman (5.697 ET 135.04 mph)
  • Semifinals: 3.879 ET at 332.92 mph, defeated Alexis DeJoria (3.946 ET at 329.34 mph)
  • Finals: 3.904 ET at 331.94 mph, defeated Ron Capps (3.919 ET at 331.61 mph)
  • Currently third in the Funny Car championship standings, 166 points behind Funny Car leader Austin Prock

Notes of Interest

  • The Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals marked Hagan’s 53rd career win and his 95th career final-round appearance. It marked his third trip to the Finals at Pacific Raceways and second win at the track. . In 2012, Hagan defeated Jeff Arend, Johnny Gray and Ron Capps before losing to Courtney Force in the Finals. In 2013, Hagan earned his first win at Seattle after defeating Todd Lesenko, Paul Lee, Courtney Force, and Bob Tasca III.
  • Stewart continued his Round 1 win streak – he is the only driver to advance past Round 1 of eliminations in all 11 events so far this season.
  • Stewart earned a holeshot win against Josh Hart in Round 1 with a .073-second reaction time (RT) compared to Hart’s .108-seconds.
  • Stewart participated in his ninth Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the season. The only event he hasn’t participated in the specialty race was the 65th NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California. The challenge brings competitive racing to the qualifying schedule at 13 regular-season events during the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series campaign, pitting semifinalists from the previous race against each other in a pair of rematches, with the two winners then matching up in the final qualifying session.
  • By advancing to the Semifinals, Hagan qualified to participate in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at the next NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event, the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, where he will face Alexis DeJoria.
  • Hagan moved from fifth to third in the championship point standings.
  • There are three races remaining before the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ Countdown to the Championship begins.

Tony Stewart, Driver of the TSR Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster

“There were highs and lows to the weekend. We didn’t get the run we were looking for on Friday night, which we thought would set the field. But we rallied and got back to fifth and made it to the Finals of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. We just fell a little short there even though we were close. We had a good Round 1 today. Last night, we knew if we made it to Round 2, that was going to be one of the biggest rounds of our season so far racing Shawn (Langdon). We had an unfortunate explosion again. It’s a part of racing and it’s going to happen in this sport, it’s just unfortunate it caught us two events in a row. We’ll rebound from it. We lost the points lead, but we’re only 12 points behind which is only one round down. We’re still in striking distance. It’s hard to be disappointed. Every time I feel frustrated about it, I think about where we were this time last year. This was one of the lowest points of the season when we left Seattle. We’ll carry our heads high and just keep plugging away at it.”

Matt Hagan, Driver of the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car

“It has been a while since my last win, which was last year at Dallas. I am very happy for the whole team, especially Mike Knudsen, who took over as crew chief this year. We were on a learning curve with Mike as a new crew chief after many years working under Dickie Venables (previous crew chief) with our team. Dickie helped us win three World Championships and many race wins. We feel that success will continue with Mike working with Phil Shuler (co-crew chief) and Alex Conaway (car chief). I want to thank Tony (Stewart – team owner) too for bringing in a new guy to head his Funny Car team. He has given Mike a shot working with Phil and here we are in the winner’s circle. I would have liked to have won earlier this year, but everyone was learning, and this win feels great. I think with a final round at Norwalk and a win at Seattle that we are definitely coming into our own with our TSR Dodge//SRT team. We are very happy to put Direct Connection back in the winner’s circle too. I have been with Dodge for 18 years now and all my NHRA wins have come in Dodge Funny Car. So, getting career win number 53 is very special. It takes time to build that confidence in a crew chief and a new team overall. Unfortunately, we have been on the wrong side of some close drag races this year. Now, I see us fighting back into the hunt every weekend. I haven’t won at Sonoma before and I would like to put that “Wally” (trophy) on the trophy shelf next. We’ll celebrate this win and get ready for Sonoma next weekend now.”

Next Up

The next event on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule is the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals July 25-27 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway. The event serves as the second and final stop in the NHRA’s Western Swing.

Denny Hamlin earns second straight NASCAR Cup Series win at Dover Motor Speedway with Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 triumph

By
Official Release
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DOVER, Del. (July 20, 2025) – Denny Hamlin grabbed his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race victory at Dover Motor Speedway in Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, surviving two overtime restarts on the way to his 58th career win.

Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, is the 19th driver to win three or more NASCAR Cup Series races at The Monster Mile and the 13th driver to win two consecutive Cup races at The World’s Fastest One-Mile Oval.

“It was a tough battle,” said Hamlin, who led 67 laps. “I had to endure a few restarts there. Those guys gave me a run for it.

“Winning here in Dover is super special to me. To go back-to-back here is amazing.”

It wasn’t that long ago that Hamlin numbered Dover among his least favorite tracks — until the future NASCAR Hall of Famer watched some Monster Mile legends and learned some tips on navigating the one-mile, high-banked concrete oval.

“I just studied some of the greats here,” Hamlin said. “I was very fortunate to have Martin Truex Jr. [a four-time Dover winner] as a teammate. Jimmie Johnson, watching him win [11] times here. You learn from the greats, and you change your game to match it, you have success like this.”

Hamlin beat his teammate Chase Briscoe to the checkered flag by .310 seconds. Past Dover Cup Series winners Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson finished third and fourth, respectively.

“Denny is just after it,” said team owner Joe Gibbs. “He’s leading the way in so many different ways.”

Ty Gibbs finished fifth, bettering Tyler Reddick’s 12th-place run, and advanced to the championship round of

NASCAR’s in-season tournament, where he will square off against Ty Dillon next week at Indianapolis with a $1 million prize at stake. Dillon finished 20th, the last car on the lead lap, just ahead of John Hunter Nemechek’s 21st-place finish.

Briscoe, who had two fresher tires than Hamlin on the final restart, stuck the nose of his No. 19 Toyota out in front for a short time but couldn’t complete the pass.

“I thought I did everything I needed to,” said Briscoe, who led 13 laps. “I thought I had him there for a second. I wish the Camry, the back, was about three inches shorter. I was so close to clearing him. I just couldn’t do it.

“Obviously, racing a teammate, I wanted to make sure at least a JGR car won. It was honestly a great day. We probably weren’t a second-place race car, we were a fifth to 10th car. Glad we were able to kind of make a good finish out of it.”

Sixth-place finisher Chase Elliott led the most laps with 238 and won the opening stage. Christopher Bell, who matched Hamlin with 67 laps led, won the second stage but spun twice in the late portions of the race and finished 18th.

Among other notable drivers, Ryan Blaney finished eighth, past Dover Cup Series winner Brad Keselowski placed 10th, and Joey Logano came in 14th in his 600th career start.

Hamlin averaged 110.849 mph in completing the 407 laps/miles in 3 hours, 40 minutes and 18 seconds. Ten drivers exchanged the lead 13 times with eight caution periods taking up 50 laps.

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NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Dover

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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NASCAR Cup Series AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20, 2025 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Top-10 Power Rankings

Denny Hamlin is back on top in this week’s Power Rankings.

1. Denny Hamlin: 

Hamlin was strong all day at Dover and held on through a double overtime finish to win the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, his series-best fourth win of the year.

“My car was sponsored jointly by Progressive and Sports Clips,” Hamlin said. “I wouldn’t know what a ‘Progressive Sports Clip’ is, because I’ve had the same haircut my whole life.”

2. Chase Elliott: 

Elliott started on the pole at Dover, won Stage 1, and finished sixth in the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400.

“We had a setback midway through the race when my car fell off the jack,” Elliott said. “Ironically, that’s how your day gets ‘jacked up.'”

3. Chase Briscoe: 

Briscoe couldn’t track down Denny Hamlin in overtime and had to settle for the runner-up finish at Dover.

“NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge is down to two drivers after Dover,” Briscoe said. “The winner gets $1,000,000. For contenders for the Cup championship, $1,000,000 equates to four million quarters, each of which could be used to call someone who cares.”

4. Alex Bowman: 

Bowman finished third in the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400.

“It was a pretty good day for Hendrick Motorsports,” Bowman said. “Chase Elliott finished sixth, I finished third, William Byron was strong until he got wrecked, and Kyle Larson drove like he wasn’t at Indianapolis.”

5. William Byron: 

Byron ran in the top 10 for the majority of the day at Dover, but was collected in a late crash and finished 31st.

“Oddly enough,” Byron said, “Carson Hocevar did not wreck me. In fact, you didn’t hear Carson Hocevar’s name mentioned much at all during the race. It’s cool not to hear ‘Carson Hocevar;’ it would be great not to see Carson Hocevar.”

6. Ryan Blaney: 

Blaney finished eighth at Dover.

“Shane van Gisbergen had to make an early pit stop,” Blaney said, “and went down four laps. So his hopes were flushed down the toilet early. And I’m told when you flush a toilet in New Zealand, the water goes down, much like laps at Dover, counterclockwise.”

7. Joey Logano: 

Logano finished 14th at Dover.

“That was my 600th NASCAR start,” Logano said. “I’m the youngest driver in history to accomplish that feat. That kind of means I was just a child when I started the streak. Many of my rivals say I’m still a child.”

8. Kyle Larson: 

Larson finished fourth at Dover, his first top-5 result since a fifth at Michigan in early June.

“I had no choice but to drive my way out of my slump,” Larson said. “I’m so talented, I can easily drive myself right back into one.”

9. Tyler Reddick: 

Reddick finished 12th at Dover and was eliminated from the In-Season Challenge.

“Fellow Toyota driver John Hunter Nemechek’s No. 42 car was sponsored by Hertz,” Reddick said. “Let’s hope an association with Hertz is the only thing JHN ever has in common with O.J. Simpson.”

10. Christopher Bell: 

Bell led 67 laps at Dover, but spins while battling for the lead on two different occasions cost him, and he finished 18th.

“I had three wins in the first four races this season,” Bell said. “And none since. And I guess I proved why twice in this race.”

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

Berry Finishes 28th at Dover

By
Official Release
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Josh Berry and the No. 21 Advance Auto Parts team battled through a challenging afternoon at Dover Motor Speedway, ultimately finishing 28th in Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400.

While most of the race unfolded under clear skies, weather played a key role throughout the weekend. Rain on Saturday forced the cancellation of practice and qualifying, setting the starting lineup per the NASCAR rulebook. Berry rolled off from the 14th position in the 400-mile event.

He held steady in the opening laps, maintaining his position until the competition caution at Lap 36. After a routine stop, Berry returned to the track and ran inside the top 20 for much of the first Stage, finishing the 120-lap segment in 21st.

During the Stage break, the Advance Auto Parts crew elected to extend their run during a green-flag cycle. Berry climbed the leaderboard as others pitted, briefly moving up to second before making his stop on Lap 192. He rejoined the race in 29th, one lap down.

Berry picked up three positions by the end of Stage 2 at Lap 250, but remained off the lead lap. In the final segment, he hovered inside the top 25 but was unable to regain lost ground.

A pit road speeding penalty during a green-flag stop on Lap 331 put a lead-lap finish out of reach. Still, Berry pressed on through two late-race rain delays, one of which led to a red flag with just a handful of laps to go, ultimately gaining four spots in the closing laps to finish 28th.

Team co-owner Eddie Wood offered condolences on the passing of NASCAR Hall of Famer Rex White, who died Friday at the age of 95, on what would have been Glenn Wood’s 100th birthday.

“Rex and my dad raced together in both the Convertible and Grand National divisions, and they, along with my uncle Leonard, are all in the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” Wood said. “Rex was a great friend to our family and in later years never missed coming to the museum in Stuart for my dad’s birthday celebration.

“He was one of the good guys of our sport and continued to support it long after his racing days were over. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The Wood Brothers Racing team now turns its attention to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for next Sunday’s Brickyard 400 presented by PPG.

About Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. As of April 19, 2025, Advance operated 4,285 stores primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company also served 881 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico and various Caribbean islands. Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services and online shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

About Wood Brothers Racing
Founded in 1950 by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood in Stuart, Virginia, Wood Brothers Racing holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s longest-running team. Over eight decades, the team has earned 101 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with 120 poles, and remains proud of its longstanding relationship with Ford Motor Company, fielding only Ford products since its inception. Glenn’s brother, Leonard Wood, played a key role in shaping modern racing by developing the techniques behind today’s pit stops. With a rich legacy rooted in innovation and tradition, Wood Brothers Racing continues to honor its heritage while adapting for the future as it competes in NASCAR’s premier series with Josh Berry.

Hamlin wins the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover

By
SM Staff
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Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

After nearly an hour-long rain delay and multiple late-race restarts, Denny Hamlin survived and captured the win in Sunday’s AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway by 0.310 of a second over Chase Briscoe.

“It is awesome. That is what is so gratifying; is you struggle at it, and you put in work, and you see results from it. That is what motivates me every day, but it wouldn’t be possible without our great partners – Progressive, Toyota, Sport Clips, National Debt Relief, King’s Hawaiian, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Coca-Cola, Jordan Brand, Shady Rays, and Logitech G.”

The win was also Hamlin’s fourth win of the season, 58th Cup Series win of his career, and the 197th Cup Series win for Toyota.

Chase Briscoe finished second for the second straight week in his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE.

“I thought we were going to have a good shot coming into (turns) one and two. I didn’t think he was going to be able to do that. I almost cleared him off of (turn) two. I thought I timed it right, so I was going to clear him going into (turn) three, just because I had the lane you typically want to be in. He was able to hang right there – another two or three inches, and I thought I was going to win the race. He did a great job, obviously there is a reason that guy has won nearly 60-something Cup races. Glad that we were able to have a good finish. Obviously would have loved to win the race but we had a fifth-to-10th place car, and we ended up second, so a lot to be proud of with our Bass Pro Shops Toyota. I’m looking forward to going home next week.”

Alex Bowman finished third in his Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet.

“I feel like we were better than where we ended up, but with a poor day at Sonoma, I had to start deep in the field. I couldn’t get clean air, and then we got shuffled around a little bit on some of the short runs. But overall, we had a really good No. 48 Ally Chevrolet all day. Proud of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. I’ve been a little bit sick and my cool shirt decided it wanted a Sunday off, so I’m really hot and really tire, but certainly, it was a really good day for our team.”

Kyle Larson in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet finished fourth.

“We had a good No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet today. It was just tough starting in the back, and we just kind of had to work slowly at it all day long. On the long runs here, you just have to be really patient, and that’s how we were today. It’s good to get a top-five finish and get back on the horse there. Hopefully, we can string together some good runs now.”

Ty Gibbs in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE finished fifth. Gibbs has also advanced to the finale of the In-Season Tournament, where he will face Ty Dillon, with the highest finisher winning one million dollars.

“I’m glad we got to go back racing here in Dover. Great finish for us. Good day. I wish we could have had a little more track position. It was so hard to pass there. Thank you to Monster Energy, SAIA, Toyota – everyone that helps me out.”

The race featured eight caution flags for 50 laps, and 20 of the 37 drivers finished on the lead lap.

After Dover, Chase Elliott is the new championship leader by 16 points over second-place William Byron, 38 over Kyle Larson, 39 over Denny Hamlin, and 62 over Tyler Reddick.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Championship Round – Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG on Sunday, July 27th at 2:00 pm ET on TNT.

NASCAR Cup Series Race Number 21
Race Results for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 – Sunday, July 20, 2025
Dover Motor Speedway – Dover, DE – 1. – Mile Concrete
Total Race Length – 407 Laps – 407. Miles

PosStNoDriverTeamLapsS1S2S3PtsStatus
11311Denny HamlinProgressive Toyota40733057Running
2219Chase BriscoeBass Pro Shops Toyota40767044Running
31648Alex BowmanAlly Chevrolet40752049Running
4255Kyle LarsonHendrickCars.com Chevrolet407105040Running
5954Ty GibbsMonster Energy Toyota40778039Running
619Chase ElliottNAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet40714048Running
72223* Bubba WallaceSpace Force/Leidos Toyota407010031Running
83112Ryan BlaneyMenards/Libman Ford40709031Running
91217Chris BuescherTrimble Ford40700028Running
10156Brad KeselowskiBuildSubmarines.com Ford40700027Running
11108Kyle BuschCheddar’s Patriotic Chevrolet40780029Running
12445* Tyler ReddickSiriusXM Toyota40700025Running
13771Michael McDowellDelaware Life Chevrolet40700024Running
14822Joey LoganoShell Pennzoil Ford40790025Running
15233Austin DillonBreztri Chevrolet40700022Running
16262Austin CindricAutotrader Ford40700021Running
17207Justin HaleyGainbridge Chevrolet40700020Running
18320Christopher BellRheem Toyota40721038Running
191160Ryan PreeceCastrol Ford40700018Running
202110Ty DillonSea Best Chevrolet40700017Running
212842John Hunter NemechekHertz Toyota40600016Running
223038* Zane SmithHorizon Hobby Ford40600015Running
233447Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Fun Pops Chevrolet40500014Running
243235* Riley Herbst #Tree Top Toyota40500013Running
252434* Todd GillilandLove’s Travel Stops Ford40500012Running
261899Daniel SuarezJockey Infinite Cool Underwear Chevrolet40400011Running
272743Erik JonesDollar Tree Toyota40400010Running
281421Josh BerryAdvance Auto Parts Ford4040009Running
292941Cole CusterHaasTooling.com Ford4030008Running
30688Shane Van Gisbergen #Safety Culture Chevrolet4000007Running
31524William ByronRaptor Chevrolet39346018Accident
32364* Noah GragsonMillerTech Ford3930005Accident
33191Ross ChastainMoose Fraternity Chevrolet3820004Accident
343744* JJ Yeley(i)Ultimate Tailgating RV Chevrolet3690000Fatigue
353377Carson HocevarMiner Docks Doors and More Chevrolet3020002Handling
363551Cody WareMighty Fire Breaker Ford2320001Handling
371716AJ AllmendingerCampers Inn RV Chevrolet2210001Suspension

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