INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, May 10, 2025) – Alex Palou continued his march toward history and immortality by winning the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, his fourth victory in five NTT INDYCAR SERIES races this season.
It was the Spaniard’s third consecutive victory in this race, an event record, and he became the first driver since Sebastien Bourdais in 2006 to win four of the first five races of an INDYCAR SERIES season.
“I cannot describe the amazing season we’ve had so far,” Palou said. “I owe everything to the team, Chip Ganassi Racing, my teammates, everybody who is working behind the scenes to make me look so fast on track. It’s amazing. It’s unbelievable.”
NTT P1 Award winner Palou drove his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to a 5.4840-second victory over the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet of Pato O’Ward. That margin may have been considerably larger if not for a late caution period – the first in the series since Lap 1 of the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding – bunching the field before Palou ran away again.
Two-time series champion Will Power finished a season-best third in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, 8.4529 seconds behind Palou. His teammate Scott McLaughlin was fourth in the No. 3 Sonsio Vehicle Protection Chevrolet.
Six-time series champion Scott Dixon rounded out the top five in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
After this victory, Palou’s report card this season reads four victories (St. Petersburg, Thermal, Barber, Indianapolis road course) and one second-place finish (Long Beach). He leads the standings by 97 points – nearly two races’ worth of points – over Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global after just five of 17 races this season.
“We need to do something to stop this 10 car,” O’Ward said. “These guys are really, really on a roll. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it, especially in INDYCAR.”
Future targets are coming into clear focus for Palou after this win. The first is victory in the next event, the biggest of them all, the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25 at IMS. Palou has never won the “500” or on an oval, about his only remaining mountains to climb in this series.
“Hopefully we get to stay here (Victory Podium) again in a couple of weeks for the biggest race of the year,” Palou said.
Then, the focus could shift to a fourth Astor Challenge Cup as series champion in five years, a feat last achieved by Bourdais when he won four straight titles from 2004-07. It’s also not a stretch in this moment of dominance with 12 races remaining to conceive of Palou threatening the all-time series record for victories in a season, 10 by legends A.J. Foyt in 1964 and Al Unser in 1970.
This was another victory in which strategy and patience were the successful blueprint for Palou. He led 29 laps, second to Graham Rahal’s 49. But that’s a familiar tactic for Palou, who has been the overall lap leader in only one of his victories this season, last Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park.
Palou started from the pole, but Rahal dove under him in Turn 1 on Lap 2. Rahal stayed out front in the No. 15 Fifth Third Bank Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing past the halfway point of the 85-lap race except for pit cycles. But Palou never let Rahal get away, staying within a second or closer nearly that entire time.
While Rahal and Palou marched in lockstep around the 14-turn, 2.439-mile circuit, there was a key strategic difference between the two drivers.
New INDYCAR rules for this event mandated that every driver use two sets each of Firestone primary and alternate tires. Palou used scuffed alternate and primary tires during his first two stints, while Rahal used new alternate and primary tires.
Rahal and Palou entered the pits together for their second stops in a dramatic moment at the end of Lap 41. Rahal’s crew switched to scuffed alternate tires, while Palou’s team mounted new primary tires.
Better grip from the softer alternate tire helped Rahal keep the lead over Palou after that stop. But the better durability of the primary tire – plus considerably more Push to Pass overtake assist available to use – helped Palou reel in Rahal.
Palou’s patience ran out on Lap 58. He tried to pass Rahal in Turns 1 and 2, but Rahal parried the move. But Palou dove inside Rahal in Turn 7 on the same lap and never trailed thereafter.
Once in the lead, Palou pulled away at an astonishing rate. His lead grew to 4.1075 seconds just four laps after he got out front, and it appeared he could canter to the checkered flag.
But the first full course yellow flag in 408 laps of competition dating back to the season opener March 2 bunched the field on Lap 70 when the No. 4 AJ FOYT RACING Chevrolet driven by David Malukas stopped in the grass in Turn 10.
On the restart on Lap 72, Palou held off O’Ward entering Turn 1 and again pulled away. Palou’s gap was 2.4781 seconds by Lap 76, and he was never threatened the rest of the way.
Practice for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge starts at noon ET Tuesday.
Workplace injuries can happen in any industry, affecting employees both physically and financially. Whether it’s a slip-and-fall accident in an office or a severe machinery-related injury in a factory, these incidents can disrupt a worker’s life and career. Recognizing common causes of workplace injuries can help employers and employees take preventive measures to create a safer work environment. Additionally, understanding how workplace accidents occur enables businesses to implement more effective safety protocols to minimize risks. Employees should also be proactive in reporting unsafe conditions to management to prevent injuries.
Certain professions carry higher risks due to the nature of the work involved. Construction workers, healthcare professionals, and warehouse employees face daily hazards that increase the likelihood of workplace injuries. Understanding the risks specific to each industry allows workers to advocate for better safety measures and ensures employers uphold their responsibilities in maintaining a secure workplace. Even office workers, who may not perceive their work environment as hazardous, can experience repetitive strain injuries or ergonomic issues that impact their long-term well-being. Identifying these potential dangers early can make a significant difference in preventing chronic conditions and ensuring a healthier workforce.
Employer Responsibilities and Safety Regulations
According to Donaldson & Weston, employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment. Federal and state laws mandate workplace safety measures, requiring companies to follow industry-specific guidelines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces these regulations, ensuring employers take necessary precautions to protect their workers. Adherence to these standards is not only a legal requirement but also a critical factor in maintaining a productive workforce and reducing unnecessary workplace disruptions. A strong commitment to safety can enhance employee morale and demonstrate corporate responsibility.
Failing to comply with safety standards can result in severe consequences, including legal penalties and increased injury claims. Employers must conduct regular safety training, provide protective equipment, and promptly address hazards. When businesses prioritize employee well-being, they foster a culture of safety that benefits both workers and the organization as a whole. Companies that proactively conduct risk assessments and safety audits demonstrate a commitment to their employees’ welfare, which, in turn, builds trust and loyalty among the workforce. A well-trained workforce is less likely to experience workplace accidents, further reducing liability and financial losses associated with injuries.
Managing the myriad of safety regulations, training records, and employee data can be a daunting task for any business, especially when aiming for proactive compliance. Modern technological solutions are increasingly vital for streamlining these complex HR functions efficiently. Implementing robust human resources information software allows companies to centralize employee records, track compliance, and automate policy distribution. This not only ensures adherence to legal requirements but also frees up HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives that further enhance employee well-being and safety. Such systems provide a comprehensive overview of HR operations, making it easier to conduct audits and proactively identify areas for improvement.
Workers’ Compensation and Employee Protections
When an employee suffers an injury at work, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Workers’ compensation laws vary by state, but most provide financial relief for injured employees while protecting employers from direct lawsuits. Access to these benefits ensures that workers can focus on recovery without the added stress of financial hardship, allowing them to return to work when they are physically ready. Employers should clearly communicate the claims-filing process so employees can access the support they need without unnecessary delays.
However, not all claims are straightforward. Some workers face challenges in receiving fair compensation due to employer disputes or insurance company denials. Employees must be aware of their rights and seek legal guidance when necessary to ensure they receive the benefits they deserve. Understanding the claims process can significantly impact an injured worker’s recovery and financial stability. Proper documentation of the injury, medical records, and eyewitness accounts can strengthen a claim, making it more difficult for employers or insurers to reject it unfairly. Seeking guidance from a legal professional early in the process can be crucial in avoiding complications that might result in lost compensation.
Common Challenges in Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation claims can be complex, especially when employers or insurers attempt to minimize payouts. Some employees experience delays or outright denials due to insufficient medical documentation or claims of pre-existing conditions. These obstacles can create financial strain, making it difficult for workers to afford medical care and meet their daily expenses. Employees should be proactive in obtaining medical evaluations and maintaining detailed records to mitigate potential resistance from insurers. Understanding the types of injuries covered and how to properly document them is essential for receiving appropriate compensation.
The legal side of a claim is often the hardest part for people to handle alone. Many workers find that insurance companies use specific tactics to lower the value of a settlement. Having a legal team on your side helps protect your interests during these negotiations. The Bruning Law Firm works with individuals to make sure they get the full amount they need for their recovery. This support is helpful when you have to deal with complex paperwork or strict filing dates. A lawyer can also speak with medical experts to prove how an injury affects your ability to work.
Legal representation can be crucial in these situations. An attorney specializing in workers’ compensation can help injured workers gather necessary evidence, appeal denied claims, and negotiate settlements. Employees should document their injuries thoroughly and seek immediate medical attention to strengthen their cases if a dispute arises. Additionally, workers should be aware of deadlines for filing claims, as missing a critical timeline can jeopardize their chances of receiving compensation. Seeking advice early in the process can prevent unnecessary complications and increase the likelihood of a successful claim. Workers should also be mindful of returning to work too soon, as doing so can impact the outcome of their case and their long-term recovery.
The Role of Workplace Culture in Injury Prevention
A positive workplace culture prioritizes safety and encourages employees to report hazards without fear of retaliation. When workers feel comfortable discussing safety concerns, employers can address issues proactively, reducing the risk of accidents. Open communication between management and staff plays a critical role in fostering a safe and supportive work environment. Companies that encourage transparency and employee feedback tend to have lower injury rates and higher worker morale. Investing in mental health and wellness programs can also contribute to a culture where employees feel valued and protected.
Companies that invest in safety training, ergonomic assessments, and mental health support create a workplace where employees thrive. When workers feel valued and protected, they are more likely to remain productive and engaged. A strong safety culture benefits businesses by reducing turnover, lowering insurance costs, and improving overall employee morale. Encouraging collaboration between management and employees on safety initiatives can create innovative solutions that further enhance workplace security. By making workplace safety an ongoing conversation rather than a one-time effort, companies can create lasting improvements that protect workers for years to come.
Conclusion: Advocating for a Safer Work Environment
Workplace injuries can have lasting consequences, affecting an employee’s physical health, financial stability, and career progression. Understanding employer responsibilities, workers’ compensation rights, and common challenges can help employees make informed decisions when dealing with workplace accidents. Additionally, workers should educate themselves about their legal rights and the resources available to them, so they can take necessary action if an injury occurs. By fostering awareness, businesses and employees alike can work together to reduce the risks associated with workplace hazards.
A proactive approach to workplace safety benefits everyone. By advocating for stronger protections, participating in safety programs, and seeking legal assistance when necessary, employees can contribute to a safer and more secure working environment. Awareness and action are key in ensuring that workers’ rights remain protected while fostering a workplace that prioritizes health and well-being. When both employers and employees commit to creating a safer work environment, everyone benefits from a more secure and productive workplace. The long-term benefits of a safer workplace extend beyond individual employees, creating stronger organizations and healthier communities overall.
When a person suffers a personal injury, one of the first and most immediate financial concerns is the medical expenses. From emergency room visits to ongoing rehabilitation, the costs associated with treatment can quickly escalate. Even with health insurance, victims may still be required to pay high deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses. For severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries, the medical costs may extend over a lifetime. Long-term treatments, surgeries, and even home care for those with permanent disabilities add up, leaving victims with significant debt that may take years to resolve.
In addition to direct medical costs, there can also be indirect financial effects related to recovery. For example, the need for specialized medical equipment or home modifications to accommodate an injury can place further strain on a person’s finances. This cumulative effect of medical expenses is a key reason why many personal injury victims turn to legal channels to recover compensation. Without adequate compensation, victims may find themselves in a perpetual cycle of debt, affecting their financial stability for years to come.
Lost Wages and the Impact on Income
According to one law firm, another significant financial setback for personal injury victims is the loss of income. Depending on the severity of the injury, victims may be unable to return to work, or they may only be able to work part-time or in a limited capacity. For those with jobs that require physical labor or specific skills, such as construction or manual labor, the recovery process may hinder their ability to perform their work duties, leading to prolonged periods of unemployment.
In some cases, personal injury victims may also face a permanent reduction in their earning capacity. If the injury results in long-term disability, the victim may never be able to return to their previous job or line of work. This loss of income can significantly alter a person’s financial future, particularly if they are the primary breadwinner in their household. In many cases, the lost wages are just as significant as the medical bills, further emphasizing the need for proper compensation.
The Role of Legal Battles in Financial Recovery
The process of seeking compensation for personal injuries is often marked by legal battles. The financial strain caused by medical expenses and lost wages can be compounded by the cost of hiring an attorney and dealing with the legal system. While it’s important to seek proper legal representation to ensure a fair settlement, legal fees and court costs can be expensive. However, many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they only receive a payment if the case results in a successful settlement or judgment.
Navigating through the legal process can be time-consuming, and the financial uncertainty can add stress to an already difficult situation. As victims pursue their claims, the waiting period before receiving compensation can cause further economic strain. This highlights the importance of having a legal team that understands the complexities of personal injury law and can advocate effectively to ensure victims receive adequate compensation to cover their immediate and long-term expenses.
The Long-Term Financial Consequences
The financial impact of a personal injury extends beyond the immediate costs of medical treatment and lost wages. Even after the legal battle is won, victims may find that the economic consequences persist for years. In some cases, personal injuries can lead to permanent disabilities, requiring ongoing care, therapy, or assistance with daily activities. These costs can continue indefinitely, placing a long-term financial burden on the victim and their family.
Furthermore, individuals who have suffered a significant injury may need to adjust their lifestyle. They may need to move to a more accessible home or invest in special equipment or modifications. These long-term financial adjustments are often not fully covered in a single legal settlement, which makes it crucial for victims to pursue comprehensive compensation that addresses the full extent of their future needs. Without proper compensation, these ongoing costs can be financially devastating.
The Impact of Personal Injury on Mental and Emotional Well-being
In addition to the physical and financial toll, personal injury victims also experience emotional and psychological challenges. The stress of dealing with injury-related pain, financial instability, and a lengthy legal battle can contribute to mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The psychological strain of dealing with an injury can hinder a victim’s ability to focus on their recovery and contribute to a sense of hopelessness or frustration.
The emotional costs of a personal injury are often overlooked in financial settlements, but they can be just as impactful. Victims may experience a loss of confidence or independence, which can alter their quality of life. Psychological therapy or counseling is often necessary for victims to heal emotionally and regain control over their lives. Financial compensation that includes consideration for emotional suffering can be a crucial part of the recovery process.
Conclusion: The Path to Financial Recovery and Stability
Personal injury claims are vital in helping victims recover financially and emotionally after an accident. While medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of legal battles present significant challenges, proper compensation can alleviate the burden. However, securing a fair settlement often requires time, persistence, and expert legal assistance. It is essential for victims to understand their rights and the potential for long-term financial impact. By pursuing a comprehensive legal strategy, victims can ensure that they receive compensation that reflects not only their immediate costs but also the lasting effects of the injury.
Ultimately, while the road to recovery may be long and fraught with challenges, securing financial compensation plays a key role in helping victims regain control over their lives. Through legal expertise, proper financial management, and emotional support, individuals who suffer personal injuries can navigate their path toward rebuilding their financial stability and improving their overall well-being. Proper recovery goes beyond just paying bills—it’s about restoring balance to a life that may have been altered permanently.
Motorsports, by nature, come with high-speed thrills, intense competition, and the risk of accidents. Whether it’s Formula 1, NASCAR, or other racing events, car accidents are inevitable due to the extreme speeds, complex tracks, and fierce rivalries. In motorsports, even a minor mistake can have catastrophic consequences for both drivers and crew members. This risk factor is intrinsic to the sport, making safety a paramount concern for teams, organizers, and regulators. The risk isn’t just about crashes but also the potential for life-threatening injuries.
However, the rising number of accidents has prompted the motorsport industry to focus more on improving driver safety. Accidents are no longer seen as an unavoidable part of racing but as a catalyst for innovation in safety technologies. Over time, the collective experiences and lessons from these incidents have shaped the way racing vehicles and race tracks are designed to protect those involved. Despite the risks, the efforts to reduce the severity of car accidents have led to safer racing environments.
The Role of Technology in Improving Safety
According to Seva Law Firm, over the years, technology has played a crucial role in enhancing the safety of motorsports. From the introduction of head and neck support (HANS) devices to the development of the Halo cockpit protection system, technological innovations have transformed the landscape of racing safety. These innovations are designed to reduce the impact of crashes on drivers and mitigate their effects. The use of carbon fiber in the construction of race cars has also significantly improved the structural integrity of vehicles.
In addition to advancements in vehicle safety, the development of advanced crash detection systems and real-time data monitoring has enabled race teams and organizers to assess accident severity immediately. This immediate access to data helps medical teams respond faster and more effectively to on-site injuries, enabling more efficient rescue operations and potentially saving lives. With each new technology introduced, the motorsports industry moves closer to its goal of minimizing the risks involved in racing.
The Influence of Car Accidents on Racing Regulations
Car accidents in motorsports often act as a catalyst for changes in regulations. After major accidents or incidents, racing authorities are quick to review the causes and make adjustments to safety protocols. For example, following a high-profile accident like Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash in 1994, Formula 1 introduced several key safety changes. These included improvements in cockpit design, stricter regulations on car construction, and the introduction of mandatory use of seatbelts and HANS devices. In the aftermath of tragedies like this, consulting a fatal car accident attorney can help families better understand their legal rights and options.
These regulatory changes are designed not only to prevent accidents but also to improve the driver’s overall safety in the event of a crash. The sport’s governing bodies often consult with engineers, medical professionals, and former drivers to develop new standards that ensure the well-being of all participants. This ongoing evolution of safety regulations has made racing considerably safer today than it was a few decades ago, but each accident still leaves an indelible mark on the sport’s safety progress.
The Psychological Impact of Car Accidents on Drivers
While the physical impact of car accidents in motorsports is widely discussed, the psychological toll on drivers is just as significant. Surviving a high-speed crash can leave drivers with lasting emotional and mental health challenges. Anxiety, PTSD, and fear of future accidents can all play a role in a driver’s mental state following a crash. In some cases, these mental hurdles may be more difficult to overcome than the physical recovery.
The support systems in place for drivers, including mental health professionals, play a vital role in helping them recover from traumatic experiences. Drivers who have survived major accidents often seek counseling or psychological support to process their emotions and return to the track. Motorsport teams and organizations are increasingly aware of the psychological aspect of recovery, working to provide both mental and physical care to their drivers. This holistic approach to recovery ensures that drivers are prepared to return to competition safely, both in body and mind.
Learning from Accidents: Key Safety Improvements
Each car accident in motorsports provides valuable lessons that lead to significant safety improvements. One of the most notable improvements has been the introduction of safer racecar designs. For example, the concept of the “survival cell,” which is a reinforced cockpit structure, was developed to protect drivers in the event of a crash. Additionally, the use of fire-resistant suits, helmets, and gloves has been made mandatory, significantly reducing the risk of burns and other severe injuries in the event of a fire.
Track design has also evolved over the years, with many tracks now incorporating safety features like safer barriers, runoff zones, and improved crash barriers. These innovations help reduce the risk of injury during high-speed collisions. For instance, the addition of a “soft wall” barrier, which compresses upon impact, dissipates energy more effectively, and reduces the force of the crash. These changes have made motorsports much safer today than in the past, and the lessons learned from each accident continue to shape the sport’s safety standards.
Conclusion: Continuing the Push for Safety in Motorsports
In conclusion, car accidents in motorsports will always be a part of the sport’s high-speed nature, but the constant drive for innovation and safety has made racing significantly safer over the years. From advanced technologies to stringent regulations and psychological support for drivers, the motorsport industry continues to evolve in its approach to safety. While no technology or regulation can eliminate the risks entirely, the lessons learned from past accidents have paved the way for a safer future for all participants. Moving forward, motorsports organizations will likely continue to push for even higher safety standards, ensuring that accidents are met with immediate responses and the best possible outcomes.
The drive for safety is an ongoing journey in motorsports. With each new development, from vehicle designs to race track modifications, the sport continues to become safer for drivers, teams, and spectators alike. By learning from the past and adapting to new challenges, the motorsports community remains committed to reducing the risks associated with racing and making the sport as safe as possible.
Carson Hocevar survived a final-lap challenge and on-track contact with Layne Riggs to win the Heart of Health Care 250 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, May 10.
The 2024 Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year recipient from Portage, Michigan, led three times for a race-high 75 of 134 scheduled laps. He started the event in fourth place and raced up front for most of the event. Hocevar settled in fourth place at the conclusion of the first stage period. He led for the first time on Lap 54, outdueling Layne Riggs and Grant Enfinger, capturing the second stage victory.
He restarted in the lead at the start of the final stage period with 67 laps remaining. Hocevar, who retained the lead prior to pitting under green with 39 laps remaining, would cycle back into the lead during a late caution with 38 laps remaining and resulted with some, including teammate William Byron pitting. After retaining the top spot through two late-race restarts, including the final one with 20 laps remaining, Hocevar then managed to fend off a final-lap charge from Riggs, which included contact and a scrape to the backstretch’s wall, to muscle to his first Craftsman Truck Series victory in nearly two years.
With on-track qualifying that determined the starting lineup occurring on Saturday, Jake Garcia notched his second Truck pole position of the 2025 season and of his career with a pole-winning lap at 175.655 mph in 30.742 seconds. Joining Garcia on the front row is Corey Heim, winner of last weekend’s event at Texas Motor Speedway who posted his best qualifying lap at 175.080 mph in 30.843 seconds.
Prior to the event, William Byron and Nathan Byrd dropped to the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments made to their respective entries.
Green Flag
When the green flag waved and the race started, pole-sitter Jake Garcia, who started on the inside lane, dipped his No. 13 Quanta Services Ford F-150 entry below the apron after he struggled to launch at the start. This caused his teammate Ty Majeski to run into the rear of him. Amid the contact, Garcia dueled with Corey Heim through the frontstretch for the lead as the field fanned out amid the brief stack-up from the front.
Then through the first two turns, Majeski and Carson Hocevar made contact, which caused Majeski to lose his momentum. In the process, Tyler Ankrum, who ran into the rear of Dawson Sutton, scrapped the outside wall. As a result, Majeski lost a bevy of spots. With the field jumbled up, Heim continued to duel with Garcia through the backstretch before using the outside lane to rocket ahead and lead the first lap. As Heim led, Majeski, who was falling off the pace after the opening lap contact, made an unscheduled pit stop under green with a flat right-front tire while Dawson Sutton, who was racing in the top 10, had a left-rear tire rub.
Then on the third lap, Sutton, who was falling off the pace, spun his No. 26 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet Silverado RST entry towards the entrance of pit road after he had damage to his left rear and was trying to limp his truck back to his pit stall. Not long after, Sutton was issued a two-lap penalty for intentionally causing the caution. Despite receiving the free pass, Majeski would be issued a one-lap penalty for having his entry fueled twice under caution.
During the event’s first caution period, some including Hocevar, Ankrum, Frankie Muniz and Matt Mills pitted while the rest led by Heim remained on the track.
The start of the following restart on the eighth lap featured Heim retaining the lead from Chandler Smith and the field that had fanned out to multiple lanes through the first two turns. With Caruth dropping to sixth place despite starting on the front row, Heim led the following lap. He would lead at the Lap 10 mark while Smith, Kaden Honeycutt, Grant Enfinger and Tanner Gray followed suit.
Just past the Lap 15 mark, Heim stretched his advantage to nearly a second over Smith. Honeycutt, Enfinger and Caruth were racing in the top five. Behind, Layne Riggs was in sixth place ahead of Tanner Gray, Bayley Currey, rookie Giovanni Ruggiero and Garcia while Daniel Hemric, William Byron, Stewart Friesen, Hocevar and Ben Rhodes pursued in the top 15.
Two laps later, the caution flew when Luke Baldwin blew a right-front tire and made hard contact against the first two turns. During the caution period, nearly the entire field led by Heim pitted while the rest that included Ankrum, Nathan Byrd, Cody Dennison, Spencer Boyd and Frankie Muniz pitted. Those who remained on the track led by Ankrum would then pit over the following laps, which allowed Heim to cycle back into the lead.
With two laps remaining in the first stage period, the event restarted under green. At the start, the field fanned out through the frontstretch. Heim managed to retain the lead through the first two turns. The field continued to fan out to multiple lanes through the backstretch as Caruth, Enfinger, Smith, Hocevar and Honeycutt all pursued Heim prior to the final lap of the first stage period.
When the first stage period concluded on Lap 30, Heim captured his sixth Truck stage victory of the 2025 season. Caruth settled in second ahead of Enfinger, Hocevar and Smith while Riggs, Hemric, Honeycutt, Gray and Currey were scored in the top 10, respectively.
Stage 2
The second stage period started on Lap 36 as Heim and Caruth occupied the front row. At the start, Hocevar made a move on teammate Caruth’s right side and the field quickly fanned out to four lanes entering the first two turns. As Heim used the inside lane to muscle away with the lead, Caruth dropped out of the top-five category and Hocevar also did not gain any spots forward while Smith, Riggs and Enfinger all moved up the leaderboard. Hocevar would carve his No. 7 Delaware Life Chevrolet Silverado RST entry up to the runner-up spot and the trio of Smith, Enfinger and Riggs remained in the top five while Heim led to the Lap 40 mark.
Then on Lap 42, Hocevar, who spent the previous four laps reeling in on Heim, attempted to make a move beneath Heim for the lead in Turns 3 and 4. Hocevar got loose underneath Heim, which allowed the latter to rocket back ahead and retain the lead. With Hocevar keeping Heim within his sights, Heim continued to lead by the Lap 45 mark.
Within the Lap 50 mark, the caution flew due to Cody Dennison spinning in Turn 1 after he had a flat left-rear tire to his No. 2 TIMCAST Ford F-150 entry. During the caution period, nearly the entire lead lap field pitted. Jack Wood, Muniz, Boyd and Morgen Baird remained on the track. The latter three would eventually pit and allow Hocevar to cycle into the lead. Amid the pit stops, Heim endured a slow pit service due to an issue with changing the left rear tire.
The event restarted with five laps remaining in the second stage period. Hocevar dueled with Enfinger for the lead through the first two turns and the backstretch. As Caruth got sideways through Turns 3 and 4, Enfinger cleared Hocevar for the lead during the following lap. Hocevar then reassumed the lead from Enfinger through the first two turns with three laps remaining. By then, Riggs reeled in the two leaders as Enfinger tried to re-challenge Hocevar for the lead.
As the second stage period concluded on Lap 60, Hocevar fended off the field, winning his first Truck stage of the year. Riggs followed suit in second ahead of Enfinger, Byron and Hemric while Gray, Ankrum, Rhodes, Honeycutt and Caruth were scored in the top 10.
Final Stage
With 67 laps remaining, the final stage period commenced as Hocevar and Riggs occupied the front row. At the start, the field fanned out to multiple lanes through the first two turns. Hemric, who restarted in the top five, got loose, but managed to keep his truck straight. As the field scrambled behind, Hocevar retained the lead from Enfinger for the following lap while Riggs and Byron battled for third place.
Down to the final 60 laps of the event, Hocevar stretched his lead to seven-tenths of a second over Enfinger while Riggs, Byron and Honeycutt pursued in the top five. Hocevar proceeded to extend his lead to more than a second over the following five laps. Byron, Ankrum, Hemric, Brandon Jones and Smith trailed in the top 10 along with Garcia, Caruth, Rhodes, Connor Mosack and Gray.
With 45 laps remaining, Hocevar, who nearly lost the lead to Enfinger amid Enfinger’s massive ground a lap earlier, retained the lead by a tenth of a second over Enfinger. Behind, Riggs, Heim and Honeycutt were racing in the top five before Riggs engaged in a side-by-side battle with Enfinger with 43 laps remaining. Riggs would prevail in his battle with Enfinger a lap later and he would pursue Hocevar while the latter led by six-tenths of a second.
Then with nearly 40 laps remaining, a late cycle of green flag pit stops commenced. Smith pitted his No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford F-150 entry. Riggs, Enfinger, Caruth and Heim also made pit stops within the final 40-lap mark along with Honeycutt, Hemric and Jones. Hocevar surrendered the lead to pit with 39 laps remaining.
The caution returned with 38 laps remaining when Muniz spun his No. 33 Levrack Ford F-150 through the frontstretch grass. By then, Byron, who has yet to pit, was leading ahead of Friesen, Gray, Ruggiero and Majeski while notables that included Enfinger and Heim were scored a lap down. During the caution period, some led by Byron pitted while Hocevar cycled back into the lead. In addition, Enfinger and Heim would be among two of 11 competitors to take the wave around and cycle back on the lead lap.
The start of the next restart with 32 laps remaining featured teammates Hocevar and Byron on the front row. Hocevar retained the lead while Friesen challenged Byron for the runner-up spot. As the field fanned out, Rhodes and Ruggiero were up in the top five as Hocevar led the following lap. Meanwhile, teammates Heim and Toni Breidinger were issued pass-through penalties for changing lanes during the previous restart.
The caution then returned with 25 laps remaining due to Mosack and Currey spinning in the backstretch. During the caution period, select names that included Majeski pitted while the rest led by Hocevar remained on the track.
Down to the final 20 laps, teammates Hocevar and Byron dueled for the lead through the first two turns. Byron used the momentum and a push from Ruggiero to challenge Hocevar for the top spot. Gray then gained a massive draft through the backstretch and was about to veer to the left to go underneath both Hocevar and Byron for the lead. Hocevar, however, was swift to move in front of Gray. The move allowed Hocevar to slide up the track in front of Byron entering the frontstretch to lead the following lap.
With less than 15 laps remaining, Hocevar maintained the lead by two-tenths of a second over teammate Byron. Gray, Riggs and Ruggiero were in the top five. Meanwhile, Heim, who was trying to recover from his late restart penalty, was up to ninth place behind Friesen, Sutton and Rhodes. Heim moved up to seventh place with 10 laps remaining but trailed the lead by five seconds. Hocevar continued to lead by nine-tenths over Byron.
With five laps remaining, Hocevar extended his lead to more than a second over a hard-charging Riggs, who overtook Byron for the runner-up spot two laps earlier. By then, Heim carved up to fourth place, but he trailed the lead by seven seconds. Ruggiero and Friesen occupied the top six spots ahead of Jones, Garcia, Rhodes and Sutton.
Over the next three laps, Gray’s late strong run in racing at the front evaporated due to a power issue. But he was able to steer off the track without drawing a caution. Meanwhile, Riggs cut his deficit to four-tenths of a second behind Hocevar.
When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Hocevar remained in the lead by 0.081 seconds. Riggs got to Hocevar’s rear bumper but was blocked by Hocevar through the frontstretch. He then tried to seize an opportunity to get beneath Hocevar’s left-rear quarter panel. Riggs then started to drift up the track and they made contact. Despite both getting sideways and brushing the outside wall entering the backstretch, they kept racing straight as Hocevar maintained the lead.
Riggs tried to mount another final-lap charge to Hocevar through Turns 3 and 4 but it was not enough. Hocevar crossed the finish line by two-tenths of a second over Riggs, claiming his first checkered flag of the 2025 season.
Victory
The victory was Hocevar’s fifth career win in the Craftsman Truck Series division. It was also his first since he won at Homestead-Miami Speedway in October 2023. The victory was the eighth overall in the series for Spire Motorsports and the second of the year for Spire’s No. 7 Chevrolet entry led by veteran crew chief Brian Pattie.
Hocevar’s dramatic victory at Kansas occurred in his second of four-scheduled Truck Series starts to the 2025 season. He will return to pilot Spire’s No. 7 entry at Michigan International Speedway and at Pocono Raceway, respectively, in June.
Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.
“I just thought I’d make it entertaining. Were you [fans] all entertained?” Hocevar said on the frontstretch on FS1. “[Riggs] was super, super good. This [No. 7] truck was really, really good on the short runs. I didn’t think he would get to us for how far back he was. He was super good. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a finish like that where it was just all out there, so credit to [Riggs]. I know he’s going for everything there. I’m shocked. I thought [I] threw it away. It doesn’t look that bad [on the replay], but I figured I killed it right here [on the backstretch].”
Riggs, who has yet to record his first Truck victory of the 2025 season, settled in the runner-up spot for a second time this year. Despite the disappointment of falling short of a victory, Riggs was still pleased with his late battle against Hocevar for a Truck victory.
“Man, I gave it my all,” Riggs said. “[I] Had to come from 16th all the way under that green flag run to get all the way back to [Hocevar]. Last lap, I got to him. [I] Got into him a little bit. We both hit the wall. He won the race. I think he was mad at me. I think he flipped me off all the way down the frontstretch coming to the checkered, but happy to be mad when you win the race, right? It’s all good. It’s great to race with the Cup guys. I think that just proves that I’m gonna be there one day.”
Following the post-race inspection process, however, Riggs was disqualified due to his truck violating Rule 14.4.9.A.3 from the NASCAR Rule Book, which states that the bed cover material must be strong enough to prevent the cover from deflecting or sagging and must be sealed around the perimeter of all bed panels while the vehicle is in compeition. As a result, Riggs was demoted to the tail end of the final running order in 31st place.
Due to Riggs’ disqualification, William Byron, who was selected to drive the No. 07 Chevrolet entry for the injured Connor Zilisch at the beginning of this week, was promoted to a runner-up result. Corey Heim, who made a late, bold charge back to the front following his late on-track penalty, was promoted to a third-place result while teammate Giovanni Ruggerio and Stewart Friesen ended up in the top five.
Brandon Jones, Jake Garcia, Kaden Honeycutt, Grant Enfinger and Daniel Hemric completed the top 10 in the final running order.
Notably, Ty Majeski settled in 14th place behind Daniel Hemric, Ben Rhodes and Matt Mills while Tyler Ankrum ended up in 16th place. Chandler Smith dropped to 17th place, rookie Dawson Sutton rallied from his two-lap penalty to finish in 15th place and Rajah Caruth ended up in 21st place.
There were eight lead changes for five different leaders. The race featured seven cautions for 33 laps. In addition, 21 of 31 starters finished on the lead lap.
Following the ninth event of the 2025 Craftsman Truck Series season, Corey Heim leads the regular-season standings by 64 points over Chandler Smith, 85 over Daniel Hemric, 100 over Tyler Ankrum and 117 over Grant Enfinger.
Results:
1. Carson Hocevar, 75 laps led, Stage 2 winner 2. William Byron, four laps led 3. Corey Heim, 52 laps led, Stage 1 winner 4. Giovanni Ruggerio 5. Stewart Friesen 6. Brandon Jones 7. Jake Garcia 8. Kaden Honeycutt 9. Grant Enfinger, two laps led 10. Daniel Hemric 11. Ben Rhodes 12. Matt Mills 13. Matt Crafton 14. Ty Majeski 15. Dawson Sutton 16. Tyler Ankrum 17. Chandler Smith 18. Connor Mosack 19. Andres Perez de Lara 20. Toni Breidinger 21. Rajah Caruth, one lap down 22. Cody Dennison, one lap down 23. Spencer Boyd, two laps down 24. Jack Wood, two laps down 25. Morgen Baird, three laps down 26. Bayley Currey, four laps down 27. Tanner Gray – OUT, Electrical 28. Frankie Muniz – OUT, Handling, one lap led 29. Nathan Byrd – OUT, Overheating 30. Luke Baldwin – OUT, Accident 31. Layne Riggs – Disqualified
Next on the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season is North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, for the Window World 250. The event is scheduled to occur next Saturday, May 17, and air at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
Kyle Larson topped NASCAR Cup Series qualifying Saturday afternoon at Kansas Speedway with a 183.730 mph lap. It’s his first pole this season and the 22nd of his Cup Series career.
Larson described his lap, saying, “Yeah, the qualifying lap felt really good. You’re watching SMT and you can see the drivers are starting to hold it easy wide open in (turns) one and two. In three and four, some guys were getting tight and (Chris) Buescher was able to run a good three and four.
“I kind of had a plan on the line,” Larson continued, “that I wanted to run and just try to match it with the throttle. Thankfully, everything went great. My balance felt really good. I felt like I hit my marks and came up to speed through three and four good. It was a perfect feeling lap.”
Front Row
Chris Buescher will start beside Larson on the front row for Sunday’s AdventHealth 400. The front-row pairing opens up the possibility of a similar finish to last year’s race as Buescher finished second behind Larson by a mere margin of 0.001 seconds.
“I mean, it’s definitely ironic and really cool,” Larson said. “I think it adds to the storyline of what happened last year. You’ll probably build some anticipation for the race tomorrow. But yeah, I won’t be thinking about it, I guess, when we’re rolling around under caution. But yeah, it’s just ironic, funny and cool all at the same time.”
Buescher also commented on starting beside Larson for Sunday’s race.
“We could have manufactured a better story if we tried, could we? That was a really awesome lap for this Ford Mustang,” Buescher said. “I’m proud of this group. Practice was really solid and Texas last week was awesome so we came into here with a lot of high hopes and it’s really showing up already. Missed it by that much, but we’re in a good spot and that will put us in clean air for the start of this race at a track we’ve been really good at.”
Christopher Bell will start third, followed by Tyler Reddick and Joey Logano to complete the top five. Ty Gibbs, William Byron, Daniel Suárez, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top 10 fastest drivers in the qualifying session.
Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway will air at 3 p.m. ET on FS1 with radio coverage provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Alex Palou commenced the Month of May by extending his dominant run into the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season and winning the Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on Saturday, May 10.
The reigning three-time IndyCar champion from Barcelona, Spain, led 29 of 85 scheduled laps. He started on pole position, but quickly lost the lead entering the first turn on the first lap to Graham Rahal. After spending the majority of the event trailing Rahal. But managing through two green-flag pit sequences and tire strategies, Palou capitalized on Rahal losing rear tire grip. He finally overtook him for the lead with 28 laps remaining.
His advantage of more than 10 seconds was erased due to David Malukas stalling off the course with 16 laps remaining. Palou, however, maintained the top spot from Pato O’Ward and the field during the following restart with 13 laps remaining. From there, Palou cruised to win an unprecedented fourth time through the first five scheduled events of the 2025 campaign. It was also his third consecutive time at the Indianapolis Road Course event.
With on-track qualifying that determined the starting lineup occurring Friday, May 9, Alex Palou notched his second NTT P1 Award of the 2025 season with a pole-winning time in one minute, 9.3417 seconds at 126.625 mph. Joining Palou on the front row was Graham Rahal, the latter of whom clocked in his best qualifying time in one minute, 9.7516 seconds at 125.881 mph.
During the pace laps, Kyffin Simpson was unable to roll off the grid due to a gearbox issue to his No. 8 Journie Rewards/Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara-Honda entry, an issue that would prevent him from turning in a single lap. In addition, Josef Newgarden made an unscheduled pit stop to address a radio issue. Despite blending back on the track, he was forced to surrender his sixth-starting spot and start the event at the rear of the field.
Green Flag
When the green flag waved and the event commenced, the field fanned out to multiple lanes through the frontstretch as Graham Rahal drew a side-by-side challenge on pole-sitter Alex Palou for the lead. With a strong move to Palou’s left side, Rahal used the first turn to rocket his No. 15 Fifth Third Bank/Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Dallara-Honda entry ahead with the lead.
As the field behind jostled for early spots, Rahal retained the lead through the remaining 13 turns and he would return to the frontstretch to lead a lap over Palou while Devlin DeFrancesco, rookie Louis Foster, Scott McLaughlin and Pato O’Ward followed suit in the top six.
Behind the field and during the first lap, Callum Ilott and Conor Daly spun in Turn 12 amid contact with one another in the midfield area. In addition, Herta, who had his front wing damaged amid on-track contact, pitted to have his front wing changed along with four fresh tires and fuel inserted to his No. 26 Gainbridge/Andretti Global Dallara-Honda entry. By the time Herta returned to the track, he dropped out of the lead lap category as Rahal retained the lead over Palou by the third lap.
Through the fifth lap, Rahal was leading by more than a second over Palou while DeFrancesco, Foster and McLaughlin were racing in the top five. Behind, O’Ward retained sixth place ahead of Will Power, Alexnader Rossi, Felix Rosenqvist and Santino Ferrucci while Christian Lundgaard, Scott Dixon, Marcus Armstrong, Christian Rasmussen and Nolan Siegel occupied the top-15 spots ahead of Kyle Kirkwood, Rinus VeeKay, Marcus Ericsson, Sting Ray Robb and Newgarden.
A lap later, Ericsson spun in Turn 12 amid contact with David Malukas. Despite limping his No. 28 Fresh Connect Central/Andretti Global Dallara-Honda entry, Ericsson spent multiple laps on oit road due to a mechanical issue. Eventually, his entry would be pushed back to the garage and Ericsson would retire from further competition.
By Lap 10, Rahal extended his lead to more than two seconds over Palou. DeFrancesco, Foster and McLaughlin continued to race in the top five ahead of O’Ward, Power, Rosenqvist, Rossi and Lundgaard. Meanwhile, Dixon trailed in 11th place ahead of Armstrong, Rasmussen, Siegel and Kirkwood while Ferrucci and Newgarden were mired in 16th and 18th, respectively.
On Lap 17 and with the field mired within a first pit window, Palou surrendered the runner-up spot to pit for black, hard tires. By then, select names that included VeeKay and Lundgaard pitted a few laps earlier. Amid the pit stops, Rahal continued to lead while more names that included O’Ward and DeFrancesco pitted their respective entries. Rahal would then pit from the lead for hard tires on Lap 20. By the time Rahal exited pit road, he managed to blend back on the track ahead of Palou. Meanwhile, Marcus Armstrong, who has yet to pit, cycled into the lead.
Just past the Lap 25 mark, Rahal, who cycled back into the lead, retained the top spot by over a hard-charging Palou while McLaughlin, DeFrancesco and O’Ward were in the top five. Earlier, Rosenqvist spun amid light contact with VeeKay in Turn 7, but he proceeded without drawing a caution. As Rahal continued to lead through Lap 30, Palou trailed by six-tenths of a second in the runner-up spot over McLaughin, DeFrancesco and O’Ward while Power, Foster, Lundgaard, Rossi and Dixon trailed in the top 10.
On Lap 41, both Rahal and Palou pitted their respective entries simultaneously under green. Following the pit stops, Rahal, who pitted for the red, soft tires, managed to exit pit road ahead of Palou, the latter of whom pitted for black, hard tires. Both also managed to blend back on the track ahead of McLaughlin, who pitted earlier than the two leaders for hard tires while Herta, who pitted earlier than the trio for soft tires, quickly overtook McLaughlin through the first turn.
On Lap 45, Armstrong pitted from the lead, which allowed Rahal to cycle back into the lead on his red, soft tires. Not long after, Herta un-lapped himself from Rahal while the latter retained the lead by more than a second over Palou. Meanwhile, McLaughlin trailed in third place by more than four seconds while O’Ward fended off Power and Kirkwood to retain fourth place.
The Final Laps
Down to the final 35 laps of the event, Rahal continued to lead by seven-tenths of a second over Palou while McLaughlin, O’Ward and Power remained in the top five. As Kirkwood, Dixon, Armstrong, Foster and rossi trailed in the top 10, respectively, Rahal maintained the lead with 30 laps remaining.
Then with 28 laps remaining, Palou gained a huge draft on Rahal for the lead through the frontstretch. Despite Palou’s efforts to crossover on Rahal through the first two turns, the latter would just fend off the former to retain the top spot. Palou would then gain another draft on Rahal through the infield straightaway just past Turn 6 to get beneath Rahal and assume the lead in Turn 7. As Palou led the following lap while lapping Herta in the process, he would extend his advantage to more than two seconds over the next two laps while Rahal, who radioed a loss of rear grip, retained the runner-up spot.
With 23 laps remaining, Rahal, who was being pursued by McLaughlin, pitted for black, hard tires from the runner-up spot and he would endure a slow pit service as he avoided making contact with Kirkwood, the latter of whom was entering his pit stall in front of Rahal. As both O’Ward and McLaughlin pitted a lap later for soft tires, Palou, who has yet to pit, maintained a large advantage before he pitted for soft tires with 20 laps remaining.
Following Palou’s pit stop, Palou was able to blend back onto the track with a large advantage. By the following lap, his advantage stood at eight seconds over O’Ward while Power, who pitted with Palou, was up into third place. Meanwhile, Rahal was mired back in fifth place while McLaughlin was scored in fourth place.
Then with 16 laps remaining, the caution flew when David Malukas pulled his No. 4 AJ Foyt Racing Dallara-Chevrolet entry off the course and stalled just past Turns 8 and 9. The caution all but erased Palou’s advantage of more than 10 seconds over O’Ward while Power, McLaughlin and Rahal were scored in the top five. The caution also snapped a 408 green-flag streak that extends to this year’s season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
The start of the next restart with 13 laps remaining featured Palou fending off O’Ward and the field to retain the lead through the first three turns. Palou would proceed to lead through the infield road course turns and the remaining 10 turns within the circuit before he cycled back to the frontstretch and led the following lap. As O’Ward trailed in the runner-up spot in his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Dallara-Chevrolet entry, Power maintained third place ahead of McLaughlin and Dixon while Rahal dropped to sixth place.
Down to the final 10 laps of the event, Palou continued to lead by more than two seconds over O’Ward while third-place Power trailed by more than three seconds. Behind, McLaughlin and Dixon maintained their respective top-five spots of fourth and fifth over sixth-place Rahal while Kirkwood, Armstrong, Rinus VeeKay and Foster were in the top 10 ahead of Nolan Siegel, Newgarden, Rosenqvist, Rossi and Lundgaard.
With five laps remaining, Palou stabilized his large advantage of more than four seconds over runner-up O’Ward and by more than five seconds over third-place Power. Behind, McLaughlin and Dixon trailed by seven and nine seconds, respectively, while sixth-place Rahal trailed by 13 seconds.
White Flag
When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Palou remained in the lead with a comfortable advantage over O’Ward. Having a large lead to his advantage, Palou was able to smoothly navigate his No. 10 DHL/Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara-Honda entry around the Indianapolis Road Course for a final time before he cycled back to the frontstretch to claim the checkered flag by more than five seconds over O’Ward.
With the victory, Palou became the first competitor to win four of the first five events on an IndyCar schedule since Sébastien Bourdais made the previous accomplishment in 2006. The Spaniard also notched his 15th career win in the IndyCar circuit in his 86th series start and his sixth from pole position.
With a third victory on Indy’s Road Course venue, Palou sets his sights on winning the Indianapolis 500 for a first time in his career this upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
Photo by Simon Scoggins for SpeedwayMedia.com.
“I cannot describe the amazing season we have so far,” Palou said in Victory Lane on FS1. “I owe everything to the team, Chip Ganassi Racing, my teammates. Everybody that is working behind the scenes to make me look so fast on the track. It’s amazing, it’s unbelievable. Hopefully, we get to stay here [in Victory Lane] again in a couple of weeks for the biggest race of the year.”
Pato O’Ward followed suit in second place for his second podium result of the year. Meanwhile, Will Power, who is coming off back-to-back fifth-place results, recorded his first podium result of the year by finishing in third place.
Photo by Simon Scoggins for SpeedwayMedia.com.
“We fought hard today,” O’Ward said in the Dex Imaging Media Center. “Hopefully, today was a bit more eventful than the ones in the past. [I] Got to do something to stop [Palou]. They’re just on it. They don’t make a mistake. It’s pretty impressive.”
“It was just a solid day,” Power added. “[I] Didn’t pass anyone on [the] track. [I] Just spent the whole day in a [day where we had] good pit stop strategy and speed and some overcut there at the end, got us a couple of positions. It was a very uneventful day. It was eventful in the car driving hard the whole day. “
Scott McLaughlin settled in fourth place while Scott Dixon claimed fifth place. Graham Rahal, who led a race-high, ended up in sixth place while Marcus Armstrong, Kyle Kirkwood, Rinus VeeKay and Felix Rosenqvist completed the top 10 in the final running order.
Notably, Josef Newgarden rallied from dropping at the rear of the field prior to the start of the event to finish 12th behind rookie Louis Foster while Devlin DeFrancesco fell back to 17th place behind Christian Lundgaard. In addition, Colton Herta, who retired with less than 20 laps remaining due to a mechanical issue, ended up in 25th place in the final running order.
There were seven lead changes for four different leaders. The event featured two cautions for three laps. In addition, 21 of 27 starters finished on the lead lap.
Following the fifth event of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Alex Palou leads the championship standings by 97 points over Kyle Kirkwood, 98 over Christian Lundgaard, 100 over Pato O’Ward and 111 over Scott McLaughlin.
Results:
1. Alex Palou, 29 laps led
2. Pato O’Ward
3. Will Power
4. Scott McLaughlin
5. Scott Dixon
6. Graham Rahal, 49 laps led
7. Marcus Armstrong, six laps led
8. Kyle Kirkwood
9. Rinus VeeKay
10. Felix Rosenqvist
11. Louis Foster
12. Josef Newgarden
13. Nolan Siegel
14. Alexander Rossi
15. Conor Daly
16. Christian Lundgaard
17. Devlin DeFrancesco, one lap led
18. Robert Shwartzman
19. Christian Rasmussen
20. Santino Ferrucci
21. Sting Ray Robb
22. Callum Ilott, six laps down
23. David Malukas – OUT, Mechanical
24. Jacob Abel – OUT, Mechanical
25. Colton Herta – OUT, Mechanical
26. Marcus Ericsson – OUT, Mechanical
27. Kyffin Simpson – OUT, Mechanical
Next on the 2025 NTT INDYCAR Series schedule is the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event’s two-day qualifying sessions will occur on May 17-18. The event’s race day is scheduled to occur on May 25 with pre-race coverage to commence at 10 a.m. ET on FOX. The event’s race time start is slated to occur at noon ET.
NASCAR CUP SERIES KANSAS SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY POST-QUALIFYING REPORT MAY 10, 2025
Larson Takes First Pole Win of the Season at Kansas Speedway
TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 STARTING LINEUP: POS. DRIVER 1st – Kyle Larson 7th – William Byron 8th – Daniel Suarez 9th – Chase Elliott
For the first time this season and 22nd time in his NASCAR Cup Series career, Kyle Larson will lead the NASCAR Cup Series to the green flag in tomorrow’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. Concluding practice with the best 10 consecutive lap average, the 32-year-old, Elk Grove, California, native backed up the performance with a qualifying lap of 29.391 seconds, at 183.730 mph, in his No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet to earn the pole position.
The pole marks Chevrolet’s 14th all-time at Kansas Speedway and seventh thus far this season in NASCAR’s top division – both of which are series-leading feats. Kyle Larson has kept Chevrolet undefeated in pole wins on non-drafting intermediate ovals, with the 2021 Champion delivering the manufacturer its fifth pole triumph on the configuration – joining the list of Michael McDowell’s pole win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Alex Bowman’s Homestead-Miami Speedway pole, William Byron’s Darlington Raceway pole and Carson Hocevar’s Texas Motor Speedway pole.
Chevrolet’s all-time NASCAR Cup Series statistics at Kansas Speedway:
Wins: 15 Poles: 14 Top-Fives: 75 Top-10s: 165
Chevrolet’s season statistics in advance of the 12th NASCAR Cup Series race:
Kyle Larson, No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet – Pole Winner Quotes
Kyle, you finally won a pole here at Kansas Speedway after winning the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series’ history at this racetrack one year ago. Walk us through your qualifying lap.
“Yeah, the qualifying lap felt really good. You’re watching SMT and you can see the drivers are starting to hold it easy wide open in (turns) one and two. In three and four, some guys were getting tight and (Chris) Buescher was able to run a good three and four. I kind of had a plan on the line that I wanted to run and just try to match it with the throttle.
Thankfully, everything went great. My balance felt really good. I felt like I hit my marks and came up to speed through three and four good. It was a perfect feeling lap.”
Ironic or weird or what about the fact that you’re starting right beside Chris Buescher? Will it bring back memories or thoughts of last year?
“I mean, it’s definitely ironic and really cool. I think it adds to the storyline of what happened last year. You’ll probably build some anticipation for the race tomorrow. But yeah, I won’t be thinking about it, I guess, when we’re rolling around under caution. But yeah, it’s just ironic, funny and cool all at the same time.”
Have you seen the butterfly effect storyline out there? Basically, if Chris Buescher beat you, then Joey Logano wouldn’t have won the championship. Because Buescher would have had enough playoff points to be the one that got in when Bowman got DQ’d. So you helped Joey Logano win the championship..
“(Laughs) That’s crazy. I wish my bank account could use some bonus money from Joey (Logano).
That’s crazy, that’s crazy. But it’s racing, so… wow. If I had won a couple more times, I would have been in the Final Four, too (laughs)”.
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.
ThorSport Racing’s Jake Garcia earned his second career Craftsman Truck Series pole Saturday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. He will lead the field to green this evening in the Heart of Health Care 200.
Garcia claimed his first pole this year at Rockingham Speedway and finished second.
“This is a really good Truck.” He continued, “It’s been good for us every time we’ve raced it this year. I’m excited for tonight’s race. I wasn’t really quite happy with our Truck in practice. I feel like we still got some work to do.”
“Corey Heim, who won both Kansas races in 2024, will start beside Garcia on the front row, but it’s interesting to note that 10 different drivers won the 10 races prior to 2024.”
NASCAR Cup Series driver, William Byron, will participate in the Truck Series event for Spire Motorsports in the No. 07 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports this weekend at Kansas, starting in 11th place.
Other notables include Tyler Ankrum (12th), Chandler Smith (13th), Grant Enfinger (15th), Layne Riggs (16th), Stewart Friesen (19th), Connor Mosack (20th), Daniel Hemric (22nd), Brandon Jones (24th), and Matt Crafton (25th).
Ty Majeski, Carson Hocevar and Ben Rhodes rounded out the top five in the qualifying session. Rajah Caruth, Kaden Honeycutt, Dawson Sutton, Tanner Gray and Gio Ruggiero completed the top 10.
You can tune into the Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1 with radio coverage provided by SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and MRN.
NASCAR CUP SERIES KANSAS SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTES MAY 10, 2025
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series’ practice and qualifying session at Kansas Speedway.
Media Availability Quotes:
What are you looking to learn when you get done with the practice session? What would make it a good session for you and your guys?
“Yeah, I think for Kansas, and every track really, you kind of just want to have that short run speed. So you want to be up there on the charts a little bit, but also kind of have good long run speed and a good balance throughout the run. This place can get kind of tricky off of turn two or off of turn four, so you hope that your car is kind of finishing the corner well at those ends so you can do a good job of staying wound up with your speed. I feel like some drivers can run the middle of three and four pretty well, so hopefully my car will operate off of the top lane decently. So yeah, I think we’ll be in a good spot. It’s just trying to get a little bit better every time.”
I feel like we’ve talked about this the last couple of years when we’ve come to Kansas, but the quality of racing here is really widely praised. What is it from your perspective on the racetrack that allows this place to produce that kind of racing? And do you have as much fun on the track as it seems like fans have watching this place?
“Yeah, I enjoy Kansas a lot. It’s probably my third favorite track behind Homestead and Bristol. I just think what makes any track good is progressive banking, and this place has that.
You look at Homestead, it has it. Bristol fans hate it, but it’s got progressive banking. I feel like when you have progressive banking, it just allows more options, I think. So yeah, I think that’s why it helps the racing here because you can catch somebody and move to a different lane; get inside of them, work them over and pass them. Where you go to other tracks and do all this work to get to them, and they’re still running the same line that you have to run, and you can’t pass. So yeah, I think the progressive banking helps out a lot of these tracks.”
Obviously when we think of the championship moving to Homestead, we think of you and Tyler Reddick being pretty happy about that, but what is your reaction to that, and what is your reaction to the championship rotation in general?
“Yeah, I think ultimately I’m just happy to hear that it is going to rotate, I guess. Did they announce what tracks it’s rotating through? I imagine Phoenix, Vegas, Homestead, probably.
But yeah, I don’t know. Everybody’s good everywhere, so it doesn’t matter a whole lot. But yeah, my past history would say that I would be a lot better at Homestead than Phoenix, so I like that. But still you have to get there, and that’s really challenging to do in our format. We’ll see. And there’s other guys that are just as good or better than me at Homestead. I feel like (Ryan) Blaney’s quietly extremely good, as he is at Phoenix. At Homestead and Vegas, if he could ever get through practice, he’d probably be dominant there, too.
It’s cool that they’re rotating it.”
What about here? Would you like to see this as a championship track?
“I would love to see this place host a championship race. But yeah, you don’t really know what to expect, I would think, in November. You might have beautiful weather, or it could be freezing or snowing or whatever. I think it probably needs to stay at tracks where you can count on the weather being favorable. So yeah, I don’t know. Just with a big weekend like that, you wouldn’t want any delays.”
Was last night’s wreck any scarier or anything from other sprint car wrecks? It just looked a little strange…
“Yeah, I mean, it’s just part of racing. They got together, and I was already committed to the top and kind of had nowhere to go. Thankfully, everything held up right, and nothing got in the cockpit or anything like that.”
Do you even let yourself start to get excited about Indianapolis yet, or does that just start on Tuesday? “Yeah, I think it starts Sunday night after the race here. I really haven’t thought about it much at all. I’ve just been kind of excited about these upcoming races and tracks that we can run good at. I think once the checkered flag flies here at Kansas, I’ll get excited about Indy because I’ll be heading to Indy.
And I know I have the sprint car race on Monday, but I think still just being in Indianapolis, you think about the IndyCar, so I’ll be ready for it then.”
How much do drivers pay attention to the criticism about the Next Gen car and the racing that it does at certain tracks?
“I don’t know. I would say everybody’s probably different in what they’ve got going on in their weeks. I don’t read the media a whole lot, but I would say us drivers were part of the controversy because we were complaining about it just as much as everybody else.
I don’t know… it’s weird. Racing could totally flip this weekend. We could have the next three to five races be really exciting, and everybody’s forgotten about the boring races we’ve had before then. I’m not sure, but I think we all would love to see better racing at every track and all that. We’re all greedy people. We’re humans. But yeah, just finding that solution, I think, is always tough.”
You kind of touched on it earlier about Indianapolis next week, and I know you’re focused on this weekend, but could you just walk us through the preparations that you go through for each race? Just talk about how you balance it all out..
“Yeah, it’s been a bit busy for me here throughout this season just with a lot of the racing I’ve done and all that. And everybody preps a little differently. I feel like with our 5 team, we do a good job with our prep and being pretty into our procedure and how we do things.
When I run a one-off Xfinity race, I don’t look at any data necessarily, but you try to watch some film. And usually the tracks I’m going to are tracks I’m familiar with and have a good understanding of what it takes, feel-wise, in the car or lines and stuff. So it doesn’t make the studying super in-depth.
And then yeah, with Indy, I haven’t done a whole lot, but there’s not really much you can do studying-wise. You can watch film, which I will, and all that. But yeah, I think for Indy, you have a lot of time, really. So I think once you get in the car and kind of get an understanding of your balance of your car, then you can really kind of pick apart studying; where your strengths are, where your weaknesses are, how to make all that better and be better prepared for the race.”
So what do you feel like will be the biggest gain this year in the Indianapolis 500 that you have learned from last year?
“I’m not sure. I think our car was really good last year. I felt like the race was going really smooth up until we had the brake issue and sped on pit road. So I’m not sure. I felt really prepared last year, and I would say come race time this year, if our balance is good, I’ll feel prepared again. So there wasn’t really anything too surprising, I thought, last year.”
Kyle, there was a graphic earlier in the week that showed you’ve led 1,395 laps on 1.5 mile tracks in the Next Gen car, which is more than double the second place. Is it just simply a matter of your team through setups that have allowed you guys to be as dominant as you guys are on these types of tracks, or are there other factors at play?
“I think everything factors in… car, team, driver. I’ve always excelled at mile-and-a-halves. It kind of really feels similar to winged sprint car racing to me. And then, yeah, I mean, when the Next Gen car, you can kind of — when you’re in the lead, it’s hard to pass somebody, especially when they’re doing a good job at defending. So I feel like I’ve led enough laps, I’ve gotten better at defending. All those laps I’ve led, I’ve not been the best car at every single lap, but I’ve done a good job of blocking or just making things difficult on guys behind me.
But to get to the lead – yes, it takes a good driver, good car, good pit stops, good restarts, like everything factors into it. It is a cool stat to see that we’ve led that much, and hopefully we can continue to grow it, but also grow it on other style tracks.”
There’s been talk about a horsepower increase of 750, and recently Tony Stewart has had some blaring comments on the current state of decision-making in the sport and overall how the Cup car is. If you’re aware of those comments and what he said, how much do you agree with Tony’s statement, and or what would be the one thing you’d change on the current generation of car?
“Yeah, I didn’t see anything that he said, so I’m not really sure. But I don’t know… I think we would be all for trying something new. I don’t know if it’s going to change the racing drastically or anything. It’s a decent size increase, but it’s not massive.
I don’t know… I’d be open for it. I know we all are. I think it’s gotten a little bit stale.. the racing obviously, the product and all that. So I think we’re in need of a change, a drastic change, to try and help. But yeah, I don’t know, I think it would help. It would be a good to start there.”
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