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Schedule and Format for All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro

By
Angie Campbell
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Photo by Andrew Boyd for SpeedwayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race headlines the racing action Sunday night at North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend. Joey Logano dominated the race last year, leading all but one lap, and winning the $1 million prize.

The Whelen Modified Tour will warm up the crowd preceding the All-Star Race in the FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150.

Fans can also look forward to the popular NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear on Friday night. The winning crew chief is awarded a signature jack and air gun pit crew trophy, a $100,000 prize, and earns prime starting positions for both the Open and the heat races in the NASCAR All-Star Race.

Saturday afternoon, the Craftsman Truck Series will be on track for the Window World 250, while the Xfinity Series takes a week off from competition.

Race Format

The All-Star Open is a 100-lap qualifying race for drivers not already eligible for Sunday’s All-Star Race. There will be a competition break at or near Lap 50.

Only three drivers will advance — the top two finishers in the Open and the top driver in the fan vote.

This year’s All-Star Race will include a competition break that will occur at or near the 100-lap mark. There is also an optional promoter’s caution that could come into play. The promoter’s caution has to occur before Lap 220, but it can’t be used if there is a race caution after Lap 200.

Drivers eligible for the NASCAR All-Star Race include:
Drivers who have won a points-paying race in 2024 or 2025
Past NASCAR All-Star Race winners who are competing full-time
Former NASCAR Cup Series champions who are competing full-time

Eligible Drivers

  • Christopher Bell
  • Josh Berry
  • Ryan Blaney
  • Alex Bowman
  • Chase Briscoe
  • Chris Buescher
  • Harrison Burton
  • Kyle Busch
  • William Byron
  • Ross Chastain
  • Austin Cindric
  • Austin Dillon
  • Chase Elliott
  • Denny Hamlin
  • Brad Keselowski
  • Kyle Larson
  • Joey Logano
  • Tyler Reddick
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  • Daniel Suárez

All times are Eastern.

Friday, May 16 Schedule

4 p.m: Pit Road Qualifying Entry/Exit Practice (Open Entries)
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM
4:30 p.m.: Pit Road Qualifying Entry/Exit Practice (All All-Star Entries)
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM

5 p.m.: Practice (Open and All-Star entries) FS2/MRN/SiriusXM
6 p.m.: Qualifying/All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (Open)
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM

7 p.m.: Qualifying/All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (All-Star) FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Qualifying: NASCAR Press Pass

Saturday, May 17 Schedule

9:35 a.m.: Truck Series Practice/2 Groups/25 minutes each/FS2
10:35 a.m.: Truck Series Qualifying/All Entries/Single Vehicle/2 Laps – FS2 1:30 p.m.: Truck Series Window World 250
Stages end on laps 70/140/250 = 156.25 miles
FS1/SiriusXM Purse: $782,900 Post Truck Series Race: NASCAR Press Pass

5:10 p.m.: All-Star Race Heat No. 1
75 Laps/46.875 Miles
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM

6:15 p.m.: All-Star Race Heat No. 2
75 Laps/46.875 Miles
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Heat Races: NASCAR Press Pass

Sunday, May 18 Schedule

10:15 a.m.: Whelen Modified Tour Practice 1 – 25 minutes
10:55 a.m.: Whelen Modified Tour Practice 2 – 25 minutes
12:45 p.m.: Whelen Modified Tour Qualifying – All Entries
2 p.m.: Whelen FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150
150 Laps/93.75 Miles – FloRacing

5 p.m.: Cup Series All-Star Open
100 Laps/62.5 miles – FS1/MRN/SiriusXM Purse: $581,100

8 p.m.: Cup Series All-Star Race
250 Laps/156.25 Miles – FS1/Max/ MRN/SiriusXM Purse: $2,421,400
Post All-Star Race: NASCAR Press Pass

Coca-Cola 600 Marks Major Milestones For Veterans, Newcomer

By
Official Release
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29 May 2005: Coca-Cola 600 Nextel Cup series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. (HHP/Harold Hinson)
  • The 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 will shine a spotlight on three generations of talent, as Jimmie Johnson celebrates his 700th start, Daniel Suárez hits 300 and 19-year-old Connor Zilisch makes his Cup Series oval debut
  • Coca-Cola 600 weekend tickets can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10

CONCORD, N.C. (May 13, 2025) – The 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 25, will offer more than just thrilling edge-of-your-seat racing and patriotic pageantry. This year’s crown jewel event at Charlotte Motor Speedway will serve as a backdrop for three major milestones that span generations of talent in the NASCAR Cup Series garage.

JIMMIE JOHNSON RETURNS

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is set to make his 700th career start, returning to the site of some of his most iconic moments. A four-time Coca-Cola 600 winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2014), four-time Bank of America 500 champion (2004, 2005, 2009, 2016) and four-time Charlotte NASCAR All-Star race victor (2003, 2006, 2012, 2013), Johnson’s success has firmly established his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

This milestone will also mark Johnson’s first Coca-Cola 600 appearance in five years, adding extra significance to an already historic weekend. After opening his two-race 2025 campaign with a third-place finish in February’s Daytona 500, Johnson will once again pilot the No. 83 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club.

SUAREZ SET FOR START NO. 300

Daniel Suárez, driver of the No. 99 machine for Trackhouse Racing and proud member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, will notch his 300th Cup Series start on Sunday. Since entering the Cup Series scene in 2017, Suárez has become a trailblazer in the sport, becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win a Cup Series race with his 2022 victory at Sonoma Raceway. Continuing to break barriers, Suárez has served as a symbol of perseverance and passion throughout NASCAR. In eight previous Coca-Cola 600 starts, Suárez’s best finish was 11th (2017).

ZILISCH MAKES CUP SERIES OVAL DEBUT

At just 18 years old, Trackhouse Racing driver Connor Zilisch will not only become the youngest driver in history to compete in the Coca-Cola 600, but will also highlight his NASCAR Cup Series oval debut at the Coca-Cola 600. Known for his composure behind the wheel and standout performances on various road courses, Zilisch will strap into the No. 88 machine to take on the demanding 1.5-mile oval. His only previous Cup Series start came earlier this season at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, where he crashed early and finished 37th.

Already generating buzz across the industry, Zilisch’s performance will be one to watch as he vies to make history as the first driver since Matt Kenseth in 2000 to win in his Coca-Cola 600 debut.

With so much on the line and so many remarkable moments in the making, the Coca-Cola 600 will undoubtedly be a race to remember. From rookies to veterans, history will be written as drivers look to etch their name in Coca-Cola 600 lore.

TICKETS:

Fans can purchase Coca-Cola 600 weekend tickets online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram, or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

Ford Going For Consecutive All-Star Victories This Weekend

By
Official Release
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NORTH WILKESBORO

Saturday, May 17 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 1:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, May 18 — NASCAR Cup Series, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)

This will mark the third straight year North Wilkesboro Speedway hosts the NASCAR All-Star Race, along with a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. Ford is the defending winner of the annual non-points race after Joey Logano led all but one lap in last year’s event. The Blue Oval has won the event 14 times overall, including two of the last three seasons after Ryan Blaney won in 2022 at Texas Motor Speedway.

HIGHWAY PATROL ON DUTY

The Mustang Dark Horse will be pacing this weekend’s races at North Wilkesboro Speedway, but on Sunday night it will be joined briefly by a family member. That’s because the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is scheduled to showcase one of its 25 new Mustang GTs during the initial parade lap. This marks the 75th year Ford, which is the top selling vehicle brand in the law enforcement segment, has been serving police customers.

BACK-TO-BACK

Last season, Joey Logano dominated the NASCAR All-Star Race like nobody ever had, leading all but one of the 200 laps and winning the $1 million bonus for the second time in his career. Logano won the pole, thanks in part to his pit crew that put together a solid stop in a modified qualifying format, and never looked back once the green flag fell. He bolted to the lead on the softer tire compound that Goodyear made available, in addition to the regular tires usually used on race weekends, and controlled the race until the checkered flag.

FORD’S ALL-STAR LINEUP

There are seven Ford drivers guaranteed a place in the All-Star field with additional spots available through the preliminary Open qualifying race and fan vote. Currently, defending series champion Joey Logano is joined by Team Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric while the RFK duo of Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher are also included. Josh Berry rounds out the field after winning earlier this year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Wood Brothers while Harrison Burton will drive the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing.

MULTIPLE ALL-STAR WINNERS

Logano’s win a year ago put him in a select group of Ford drivers who have won the NASCAR All-Star Race more than once. The only others are Davey Allison and Mark Martin. Allison was the first to win the non-points exhibition in back-to-back years (1991-92) and then Jimmie Johnson joined him (2012-13). Martin’s victories came in 1998 and 2005 driving the No. 6 Ford for car owner Jack Roush. Logano could become the fifth person to win the event more than two times if he finds Victory Lane on Sunday.

RYAN BLANEY: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ALL-STAR FORMAT? “I like it. I like how you keep pit crews involved by doing the competition there. I think those guys really enjoy it. They compete every weekend multiple times, but being on that stage is really good for them. I was saying that there are gonna be a lot of gifts sent to Marcus (Smith) and his family since they announced that (promoter’s caution). He’s gonna have more friends than he’s ever had, that’s for sure. It is what it is. We race to the format, and I think it’s obviously big for us to go back to Wilkesboro. People in that area really love us being back there. I love being back there.”

CHRIS BUESCHER: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ALL-STAR FORMAT? “I think about the format we have, knowing we’re gonna have a caution in there at some point that we won’t be able to predict isn’t much different than stages. We know we’re gonna have cautions at some point. We know exactly when they are for all of our other races, but I don’t think it’s ultimately going to change a whole lot just given the tires, new asphalt and what the race looked like last year. The groove did move around a lot, which I was pretty stoked about because we don’t typically get that with new asphalt, so that was solid.”

ELLIOTT WINS ALL-STAR RACE IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN FANS

The first time Ford won the All-Star Race was in 1986 when Bill Elliott drove his Thunderbird to Victory Lane, but that race is remembered for another trivial fact as well. That marked the only time, prior to this year, that the event has been run at a track other than Charlotte Motor Speedway. Elliott’s home track of Atlanta Motor Speedway served as host on Mother’s Day that year, a date NASCAR traditionally does not race. With only 10 cars making up the field, Elliott darted to the lead from his outside front row starting position and never gave it up as he led all 83 laps en route to a popular victory with the fans.

WALTRIP-WOOD FIRST-TIME WINNERS

Michael Waltrip’s win in 1996 marked his first victory in NASCAR’s top division and was the first in the event for Wood Brothers Racing. Waltrip almost didn’t get into the big show because he had to battle it out in the preliminary Winston Open, where he grabbed the final transfer spot by holding off Johnny Benson to finish fifth. That meant he started last in the 20-car main event, which was called the Winston Select. After the first two 30-lap segments had been completed, Waltrip found himself fourth for the final 10-lap shootout. He passed Rusty Wallace for third after an aborted restart, and then was riding behind Dale Earnhardt and Terry Labonte, who were battling side-by-side. As the two entered turn one with eight laps to go, they made contact which slowed them down enough to allow Waltrip to dart to the inside and pass both of them for the lead. He held on the rest of the way to post his first win of any kind in NASCAR’s top division.

LOGANO AND KESELOWSKI FINISH 1-2

Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski made All-Star history as they became the first teammates to sweep the top two spots in the All-Star Race when they did it in 2016. Logano came out on top of a side-by-side battle with Kyle Larson in the final two laps, getting clear with just over one lap to go after Larson hit the outside wall coming off turn two. That enabled Keselowski to get the runner-up spot and successfully commemorate the 50th Anniversary of car owner Roger Penske’s career in motorsports. It marked Ford’s 11th All-Star Race win and first in five years since Edwards won in 2011.

GARCIA GOING STRONG

Jake Garcia has captured two of the last three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series poles going into this weekend’s race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. After earning the first pole of his career at Rockingham Speedway three weeks ago, he took the top spot again at Kansas and ended up as the top running Ford in seventh. Garcia, who is seventh in the series point standings, has ended up seventh or better in five of the last six events with his best result being a runner-up finish at Rockingham. A year ago at North Wilkesboro, he led the first laps of his NASCAR career, 40 total, and was in front with under 100 to go before a tire issue developed and forced him to nurse his F-150 home in 21st place.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES

ALL-STAR RACE WINNERS

1986 – Bill Elliott (Atlanta)

1991 – Davey Allison (Charlotte)

1992 – Davey Allison (Charlotte)

1994 – Geoffrey Bodine (Charlotte)

1996 – Michael Waltrip (Charlotte)

1998 – Mark Martin (Charlotte)

2002 – Ryan Newman (Charlotte)

2004 – Matt Kenseth (Charlotte)

2005 – Mark Martin (Charlotte)

2011 – Carl Edwards (Charlotte)

2016 – Joey Logano (Charlotte)

2018 – Kevin Harvick (Charlotte)

2022 – Ryan Blaney (Texas)

2024 – Joey Logano (North Wilkesboro)

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT NORTH WILKESBORO

1955 – Buck Baker (2)

1957 – Fireball Roberts (1)

1958 – Junior Johnson (Sweep)

1963 – Marvin Panch (2)

1964 – Fred Lorenzen and Marvin Panch

1965 – Junior Johnson (Sweep)

1966 – Dick Hutcherson (2)

1967 – Darel Dieringer (1)

1968 – David Pearson (1)

1969 – David Pearson (2)

1979 – Bobby Allison (1)

1980 – Bobby Allison (2)

1990 – Mark Martin (2)

1992 – Davey Allison and Geoffrey Bodine

1994 – Geoffrey Bodine (2)

1995 – Mark Martin (2)

FORD’S NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT NORTH WILKESBORO

1995 – Mike Bliss

1996 – Mark Martin

The Ford Mustang, celebrating its 61st anniversary in 2025, is the world’s best selling sports car. It is also one of the planet’s most popular race cars. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Australian Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 30 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more at FordPerformance.com.

HFT Advance | All-Star Race

By
Official Release
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North Wilkesboro (All-Star Race) Event Info:

Date: Sunday, May 18
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: North Wilkesboro, N.C.
Format: Heat Races Saturday: 75 laps; All-Star Race: 250 Laps Sunday
TV: FS1
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 4 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 6:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying – Pit Crew Challenge (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 5:20 p.m. ET, Cup Heat Races Begin (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 5:30 p.m. ET, Cup Open Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 8 p.m. ET, Cup All-Star Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The annual All-Star Race returns to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for just the third time, as in 2022 NWB hosted NASCAR for the first time since 1996.
  • The pit crew challenge again returns to the format this season, set for Friday night which will determine the starting lineups for Saturday night’s heat races.
  • Each heat race Saturday spans 75 laps, with the results of Heat Race 1 setting the All-Star Race inside row, and the results of Heat Race 2 setting the All-Star Race outside row.

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: HaasTooling.com

Custer in All-Star Race
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

Custer is looking for his third career start in the All-Star race, after previously qualifying for the main event in 2020 (16th) and 2021 (14th).
In 2022, Custer finished seventh in the Open race after starting in the 10th position.

Where They Stand

Cup Points Standings (41: 34th): Custer is 34th in the Cup Series points standings through 12 races this season with 139 points.

RFK Advance | All-Star Race

By
Official Release
-

North Wilkesboro (All-Star Race) Event Info:
Date: Sunday, May 18
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: North Wilkesboro, N.C.
Format: Heat Races Saturday: 75 laps; All-Star Race: 250 Laps Sunday
TV: FS1
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 4 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 6:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying – Pit Crew Challenge (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 5:20 p.m. ET, Cup Heat Races Begin (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 5:30 p.m. ET, Cup Open Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 8 p.m. ET, Cup All-Star Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The annual All-Star Race returns to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for just the third time, as in 2022 NWB hosted NASCAR for the first time since 1996.
  • The pit crew challenge again returns to the format this season, set for Friday night which will determine the starting lineups for Saturday night’s heat races.
  • Each heat race Saturday spans 75 laps, with the results of Heat Race 1 setting the All-Star Race inside row, and the results of Heat Race 2 setting the All-Star Race outside row.

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: Solomon Plumbing

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Kroger / Tylenol

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Boston Common Golf

Keselowski in the All-Star Race
Starts: 16
Wins: —
Top-10s: 9
Poles: —

Keselowski makes his 17th start in the All-Star Race this weekend. He has three second-place finishes in the exhibition event, first in 2012, then in 2016 and most recently in 2021.
A season ago he won heat race two, and started on the front row for the first time in his career, despite finishing 16th.
Overall, he has nine top-10s, four inside the top five, in the All-Star event.

Buescher in the All-Star Race
Starts: 4
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

Buescher makes his fifth start in the All-Star Race this weekend, and is automatically locked in via his win at Watkins Glen in 2024.
Last season at North Wilkesboro, Buescher finished third, while the season prior he won his heat race and started on the front row.

Preece in the All-Star Race
Starts: —
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

Preece is looking for his first start in the All-Star race after competing in the Open race the past two seasons.
In his career, he has made four career starts in the Open race, with a best finish of fourth in 2023.

RFK Historically in the All-Star Race
Wins: 4 (Mark Martin, 1998, 2005; Matt Kenseth, 2004; Carl Edwards, 2011)

All-Star Victories: RFK has earned four victories in NASCAR’s All-Star Main Event with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards. Martin, who is a two-time All-Star race winner, first went to Victory Lane in 1998 for RFK before taking the checkered flag again in 2005. Kenseth earned the victory in the 2004 running of the event and Edwards visited the winner’s circle in 2011.

RFK Historically at North Wilkesboro
Cup Wins: 2 (Mark Martin, 1990, 1995)

Tale of the Tape: Back in the early days of racing at North Wilkesboro, Jack Roush entered 30 Cup races at the track with two wins – both from Mark Martin – with 14 overall top-10s as four drivers combined competed in Cup for Roush at the historic track.
Roush Wins One of the Last: Jack Roush shares a couple of pieces of history at the last time NASCAR competed at North Wilkesboro, as Ted Musgrave put the No. 16 on the pole for the last-ever race there in 1996. A day earlier, Martin won the Truck Series race there.

RFK All-Star Wins

1998 Martin
2004 Kenseth
2005 Martin
2011 Edwards

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Kansas: Preece: 7th, Buescher: 8th, Keselowski 37th.

Points Standings (17: 12th, 60: 16th, 6: 33rd): Preece gained a pair of positions in the standings this weekend, while Buescher and Keselowski each dropped a spot.

Eight Former Winners, Five Series Champs Starting ‘500’ Preparation

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 13, 2025) – Practice for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge starts May 13 with a field consisting of eight former winners of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and five NTT INDYCAR SERIES champions.

There are 34 entries set to contest the 33 starting spots for this year’s edition of the “500.” Practice is scheduled to start today, with PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on May 17-18. All track activity on the historic 2.5-mile oval leads into Race Day, Sunday, May 25.

Josef Newgarden earned his second career “500” victory last May after passing Pato O’Ward on the final lap, his second straight Lap 200 pass to earn another spot on the Borg-Warner Trophy.

Newgarden became just the sixth driver to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in consecutive years, joining Wilbur Shaw (1939-40), Mauri Rose (1947-48), Bill Vukovich (1953-54), Al Unser (1970-71) and Helio Castroneves (2001-02). No driver ever has won three in a row, Newgarden’s target this May.

Other former winners aiming for a spot in the race this year include four-time winner Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021) and two-time winner Takuma Sato (2017, 2020), plus single winners Scott Dixon (2008), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Will Power (2018) and Marcus Ericsson (2022). The record for winners in one field is 10, set in 1992.

Castroneves earned a spot with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears in the most prestigious club in motorsports – four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500 – with his emotional victory in 2021, for Meyer Shank Racing. A record-breaking fifth would put Castroneves alone at the top with most victories. Additionally, Castroneves is 50 years old, and a victory would make him the oldest winner in “500” history, a record held by Unser, who won the 1987 edition just five days shy of his 48th birthday.

The field includes five past INDYCAR SERIES champions: Dixon, Hunter-Reay, Newgarden, two-time reigning champion Alex Palou and Power.

2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will attempt for the second straight year to become the fifth driver to complete the Memorial Day “double” of racing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day, joining John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and Kurt Busch. The last driver to complete the feat was Busch in 2014.

Larson earned “500” Rookie of the Year honors last year after qualifying fifth and finishing 18th. But he never turned a wheel in the NASCAR race at Charlotte due to rain ending the race early just as he arrived at the track.

Four drivers are competing for Rookie of the Year honors in 2025: Jacob Abel, Louis Foster, Nolan Siegel and Robert Shwartzman.

Live Race Day coverage begins on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network at 10 a.m. (ET), with the green flag set for 12:45 p.m.

2025 ENTRY BREAKDOWN:

Winners (8): Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Alexander Rossi, Takuma Sato

Rookies (4): Jacob Abel, Louis Foster, Robert Shwartzman, Nolan Siegel

U.S. drivers (15): Jacob Abel, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, Conor Daly, Santino Ferrucci, Colton Herta, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Kyle Kirkwood, Kyle Larson, David Malukas, Josef Newgarden, Graham Rahal, Sting Ray Robb, Alexander Rossi, Nolan Siegel

International drivers (19, from 13 countries): Marcus Armstrong, Helio Castroneves, Devlin DeFrancesco, Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson, Louis Foster, Jack Harvey, Callum Ilott, Christian Lundgaard, Scott McLaughlin, Pato O’Ward, Alex Palou, Will Power, Christian Rasmussen, Felix Rosenqvist, Takuma Sato, Robert Shwartzman, Kyffin Simpson, Rinus VeeKay

Engines (34): Chevrolet 18, Honda 16 (all cars use Dallara chassis and Firestone tires)

Spire Motorsports, Gainbridge to Promote AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapoli

By
Official Release
-

Carson Hocevar to Pilot No. 77 Indy25 Chevrolet ZL1 During NASCAR All-Star Weekend

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 13, 2024) – Spire Motorsports and Gainbridge® will partner with the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee and feature the “Indy25” logo in recognition of AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 taking place in Indianapolis on Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet ZL1 for this weekend’s NASCAR All-Star Race festivities at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Fever, will be the site of the 21st edition of the WNBA All-Star Game, as well as the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest and WNBA Skills Challenge July 18-19.

“Carson (Hocevar) driving a WNBA All-Star paint scheme is an opportunity to cross promote two properties in our sponsorship portfolio,” said Mike Nichols, Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation at Gainbridge®. “The scheme highlights our commitment to investing in women’s sports and we look forward to welcoming the best of the WNBA to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in two months.”

Much like the love of basketball displayed by Hoosiers of all ages, North Carolinians are often recognized as motorsports devotees. After its founding in 1948 in Daytona Beach, Fla., NASCAR’s popularity quickly spread as the sport ventured to tracks throughout the southeast. North Wilkesboro Speedway was built by Enoch Staley in 1946 as a dirt oval for whiskey runners to showcase their skill behind the wheel and their abilities to build cars to outrun revenuers. It became a mainstay on the circuit hosting 93 Cup Series races beginning with the 1949 season. The last points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race to be contested at the venerable Wilkes County oval took place in September 1996 when Jeff Gordon beat Dale Earnhardt by 1.73 seconds before a 25-year hiatus.

While Indianapolis will host the WNBA All-Star game for the first time, North Wilkesboro Speedway is the current site of NASCAR’s All-Star weekend after the division made its lauded return to the .625-mile track in 2023.

Similar to the WNBA All-Star Game, the NASCAR All-Star Race has taken place at several venues since the first event was held in Charlotte on May 25, 1985. Atlanta hosted the 1986 race before activities returned to Charlotte for a 33-year run. In 2020, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway hosted the events marking the first time the race wasn’t held at a 1.5-mile oval. The race returned to a different intermediate track, Texas Motor Speedway, for a two-year stretch, before moving to its current home.

Hocevar’s first NASCAR experience with All-Star activities came just one season ago. The eventual Cup Series Rookie of the Year started and finished 10th in the 100-lap All-Star Open qualifying race, the precursor to the All-Star Race, but came up short in his bid to battle his way into the fabled event.

Following the 2024 All-Star contest, Hocevar closed out the season with a total of one top-five and six top-10 finishes, including a third-place result, last August, at Watkins Glen International. The Portage, Mich., native has collected one top five and two top 10s through the first 12 races of 2025 and earned his first career Cup Series pole award at Texas Motor Speedway May 3.

“It’s really cool to showcase the WNBA All-Star Game on our car for the NASCAR All-Star Weekend,” said Hocevar. “I had the chance to visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse in January and it’s definitely worthy of hosting the game. The Indiana Fever have a really dedicated fanbase and Indianapolis is such a big market for basketball. We see it when we visit Indianapolis every year – the community is so welcoming, and they’re very proud of their sports teams. Gainbridge® has been a great partner for Spire Motorsports and done a lot to promote and expand women’s sports, so it’s exciting to see that support open new doors for those teams and athletes.”

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Spire Motorsports and Gainbridge® to highlight AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 during NASCAR’s All-Star Race,” said WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee Founding Chair and Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines. “We hope to connect with new audiences and fans while continuing to build excitement for the much-anticipated WNBA All-Star weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this summer.”

Hocevar will once again compete in the 100-lap All-Star Open hoping to be one of two drivers to race their way in. One driver will also advance through the NASCAR All Star Fan Vote, totaling three Open drivers who will transfer to the 250-lap feature.

Qualifying for both the NASCAR All-Star Open and NASCAR All-Star Race will take place Friday, May 16, when drivers from both races will take to the track for three timed laps with a mandatory four-tire pit stop.

The total time will set both the field for the All-Star Open and the starting grid for Saturday’s 60-lap heat races that will determine the starting lineup for the All-Star Race.

Live coverage of NASCAR’s annual All-Star Race will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, May 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Both the NASCAR All-Star Open and the NASCAR All-Star Race will broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Heat races will be televised live on FS2 Saturday, May 17 beginning at 5 p.m. EDT.

About Gainbridge® …
Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.io or follow and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 10, 2025, when Carson Hocevar took the checkered flag in the Heart of Health Care 200 at Kansas Speedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fields the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.

Spectrum Joins Meyer Shank Racing for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500

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Official Release
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Indianapolis, Ind. (13 May 2025) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) today announced that Spectrum, one of the nation’s leading broadband connectivity providers, will be the primary sponsor for the No. 66 Honda Indy car driven by Marcus Armstrong for the 109th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25th.

Spectrum will also have placements on the No. 60 Honda Indy car driven by Felix Rosenqvist and the No. 06 Honda Indy car driven by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves.

Armstrong will head into Indianapolis 500 practice this week with a striking Spectrum blue livery on his car. With more than 31 million customers across 41 states, Spectrum is the #1 TV provider in the nation¹, with video packages geared towards sports fans and the top streaming apps included at no extra cost. Spectrum’s focus on providing seamless entertainment and connectivity products – including the nation’s fastest and most reliable internet² – works hand-in-hand with MSR’s goals on and off track during the Month of May.

“We’re really excited to have Spectrum onboard with us for the Indianapolis 500,” said Mike Shank, MSR Team Co-Owner. “It’s always special to align with a brand that shares our passion for performance, precision, and pushing the limits. Having Spectrum adds real momentum to our effort with Marcus [Armstrong], and we’re proud to represent their colors on the biggest stage in racing.”

The collaboration will not only see Spectrum enter the motorsports realm, but the national brand will be centerstage for the country’s largest attended single day sporting event, with 350,000 race fans present. Just like the Indy 500 tradition of drinking milk in Victory Lane, Spectrum brings its own time-honored tradition of exceptional service, speed, and reliability to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“The Indy 500 represents the pinnacle of speed and performance, and that makes it the perfect stage for our brand,” said Sharon Peters, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer for Spectrum. “As the provider of the nation’s fastest internet, we know what it takes to always deliver at full throttle. Sponsoring these incredible race cars is our way of showing up where speed matters most, and we cannot wait to cheer MSR on at the Brickyard.”

MSR will begin Indianapolis 500 practice starting on Tuesday, May 13th which will see the No. 66 Spectrum Honda take to the track for the first time. The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is set for Sunday, May 25th with live coverage on FOX.

¹Based on earnings results of paid TV video providers with linear programming.

²Fastest Speeds claim based on Broadband Download Speed among the top 5 national providers in Opensignal USA: Fixed Broadband Experience Report – National View, May 2024. Based on Opensignal independent analysis of mean download speed. © 2024 Opensignal Limited.

About Spectrum

Spectrum is a suite of advanced communications services offered by Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator with services available to more than 57 million homes and businesses in 41 states. Over an advanced communications network, supported by a 100% U.S.-based workforce, the Company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.

More information can be found at corporate.charter.com.

Philly’s Most Dangerous Roads – and How They Affect Liability

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SM
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Photo by rudi1976 at https://depositphotos.com/

Philadelphia has always been a city of movement—from the bustle of Center City to the rush along Roosevelt Boulevard. But not all motion is progress, especially when it involves screeching brakes, twisted bumpers, and flashing lights. Philly’s intersections are ground zero for many of the city’s worst car accidents, and certain corners have developed notorious reputations.

If you represent injured drivers, passengers, or pedestrians—or defend those accused of causing harm—understanding where accidents happen most frequently in Philly can give you a major edge. But the conversation doesn’t stop at location. The geography of collisions affects how liability is determined, and knowing the data behind Philly’s accident-prone intersections can help you build sharper legal strategies.

The Intersection Hot Spots

Let’s cut to the chase. Some intersections in Philadelphia are objectively more dangerous than others. According to an analysis of PennDOT crash data, the following intersections were among the worst in terms of accident volume in recent years:

Roosevelt Boulevard & Adams Avenue

Known for its multi-lane chaos and high-speed traffic, this intersection consistently ranks near the top for crashes, including pedestrian fatalities.

Grant Avenue & Roosevelt Boulevard

Another Roosevelt offender. With heavy commuter flow and complex traffic patterns, this spot is a breeding ground for T-bone collisions and rear-end accidents.

Red Lion Road & Roosevelt Boulevard

The sheer number of lanes here, combined with confusing merges and turns, creates a high-risk zone, particularly for inexperienced drivers. The confusing merges and turns increase the chance of sudden braking or swerving—key triggers for tire failure or loss of traction. So, NeoTires suggests using tires with good grip, durability, and high-speed stability like Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 and Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus. They also recommend looking for a UTQG traction grade of “A” or “AA.”

Broad Street & Olney Avenue

In North Philly, this intersection sees a mix of vehicular and pedestrian accidents due to heavy bus and subway foot traffic.

Bustleton Avenue & Byberry Road

In the Northeast, this suburban-style intersection is a frequent site of speed-related accidents.

The common thread? High-traffic roads with complicated layouts and poor visibility in some cases. These intersections aren’t just problem spots—they’re legal flashpoints.

Why Intersection Location Matters for Liability

In most car accident cases, liability hinges on negligence: who acted unreasonably under the circumstances. But when an accident occurs at a notoriously dangerous intersection, the “circumstances” shift. Lawyers on both sides need to think more broadly about what contributed to the crash. The location becomes a key variable in shaping arguments around foreseeability, contributory negligence, and duty of care.

Here’s how high-accident intersections can impact legal liability:

Driver Expectations: Intersections known for poor signage or visibility might invite arguments that a driver could not have reasonably anticipated a hazard.

Governmental Liability: If poor infrastructure (like missing traffic signals or confusing lane markings) played a role, plaintiffs may pursue claims against municipal or state entities—though sovereign immunity and notice requirements come into play.

Comparative Fault: In a multi-vehicle accident, knowledge that an intersection has a high accident rate may influence apportionment of fault, especially if both drivers were familiar with the risks and failed to adjust accordingly.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Cases: High-risk intersections often have documented histories of pedestrian or cyclist injuries. This data can support arguments that a driver failed to exercise heightened caution.

Let’s not forget that Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule (42 Pa.C.S. § 7102), meaning a plaintiff can recover damages only if they are less than 51% at fault. Intersection conditions can heavily influence those percentages in the courtroom.

Using Crash Data Strategically

Plaintiffs’ attorneys and defense counsel alike should leverage intersection data when building their cases. Think beyond the police report. Tap into PennDOT’s publicly available crash statistics, city Vision Zero reports, and local media analyses to uncover trends.

If you’re a Philadelphia car accident attorney, consider layering your case strategy with geospatial accident data. It can paint a more compelling picture of your client’s actions—or the failures of others.

Ways to Use Intersection Crash Data Effectively:

Expert Testimony: Bring in a traffic engineer to explain how the intersection’s design contributed to the crash.

Visual Aids: Maps showing accident density can make a strong impression on jurors unfamiliar with Philly streets.

Pattern Evidence: Documenting multiple prior crashes at the same intersection may support a claim of constructive notice in municipal liability cases.

Pre-litigation Leverage: Use the data in settlement discussions to shift the narrative and nudge the other side toward resolution.

The Role of Urban Design

One angle that’s becoming more relevant in Philly is how urban planning—or the lack of it—contributes to these accident clusters. The city’s Vision Zero initiative, launched in 2017, aims to eliminate traffic deaths by 2030. But progress has been mixed. While some intersections have seen redesigns, like improved crosswalk visibility or speed reduction infrastructure, others remain unchanged despite a history of crashes.

Legal professionals should stay on top of proposed traffic safety improvements. A delayed fix at a known danger zone can open the door to more aggressive negligence claims against public authorities—though these are always tricky and demand compliance with strict procedural rules.

Bottom Line

Dangerous intersections in Philadelphia aren’t just a public safety concern—they’re fertile ground for complex legal arguments. Knowing where crashes happen most frequently and why can shape everything from demand letters to closing arguments. Whether you’re advocating for the injured or defending the accused, geography can be as pivotal as liability theory.

So the next time a case lands on your desk involving Roosevelt Boulevard or Broad Street, don’t just read the police report. Map it. Analyze it. Build a strategy rooted not just in what happened, but where it happened—and why that matters.

Spencer Boyd Adds New Sponsor RightMark Roofing for All Star Weekend

By
Official Release
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Mooresville, NC (May 12, 2025) – RightMark Roofing has jumped on board as the primary sponsor at North Wilkesboro for NASCAR Driver Spencer Boyd and Freedom Racing Enterprises to help launch their new brand formerly known as WM Commercial Roofing. RightMark Roofing has 18+ years of experience providing quality solutions for businesses in Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, and surrounding states.

“North Wilkesboro is a storied track that our fans have loved to see come back to the schedule,” commented Spencer Boyd. “Having RightMark Roofing join the team at this historic track is a bit ironic as they leave their old company name to the history books. We are starting to hit our stride this season so all we can do is take it race by race to give RightMark a solid showing for their first race.”

RightMark Roofing offers a full range of quality products from leading manufacturers to take care of all of your roofing needs.

Wayne Miller, President of RightMark Roofing, spoke to why his team stand out in a sea of ‘roofing guys’, “Our roofing team comprises highly trained and experienced commercial roofing contractors dedicated to delivering exceptional results. Each member of our crew is thoroughly vetted and certified, ensuring that they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to handle any commercial roofing challenge that comes their way. We prioritize ongoing training and education to stay up to date with roofing industry trends and techniques.”

Boyd continued, “RightMark is a family-owned business much like many of us in NASCAR. I’m proud to partner with them as our shared values in precision and steady growth ring true as we begin our relationship together.”

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race at North Wilkesboro during NASCAR’s All-Star Weekend is set for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 1:30pm ET. Catch the action in person with tickets still available or on TV live on FS1.

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