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Denny Hamlin Reacts to NASCAR All-Star Race Potentially Moving to Dover
The NASCAR schedule for the 2026 Cup Series season is tentatively expected to be released this week, with reports that the All-Star Race could be relocated. Now, Denny Hamlin is among those in the industry unhappy with NASCAR's reported plan for the new venue. On the latest episode of the 'Actions Detrimental' podcast, Hamlin first questioned why NASCAR would potentially take a points race away from Dover Motor Speedway when the fans showed up despite the scorching temperatures this year on July 20. 'Surely, they can't be talking about replacing Dover's point race, right?…We had sucha. great fan turnout when it was 120 degrees, it was like being on the sun…I just hope there's no way they could be going from two races to none, no points races at Dover. The fan turnout has been good there, I don't know why you'd do that.' Denny Hamlin on the NASCAR All-Star Race in 2026 potentially being moved to Dover Related: Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic first reported this past week that NASCAR was giving real consideration to moving the All-Star Race from North Wilkesboro Speedway to Dover. Dale Earnhardt Jr also hinted earlier this month that North Wilkesboro might get a points race. Those behind the potential change want North Wilkesboro to have a points race on the 30th anniversary of its last one (1996). While Dover could theoretically have both a points race and the All-Star Race, that seems unlikely unless another track is taken off the schedule. Read More: Why an All-Star Race at Dover is a Problem If the All-Star Race is held next year at Dover, the quality of the racing likely won't be as good as what it's been at North Wilkesboro. Hamlin echoed what many around racing have said, that the track at Dover is not suited for short runs, which is what the All-Star Race is all about. If it happens, NASCAR will have its All-Star event with minimal passing. 'The 10th floor is just not…hopefully they're not thinking this one all the way through, but this is not the best choice. Dover is just not an All-Star type of race track. That track is one where it needs rubber on the race track to widen out and then you can start making passes, but that doesn't happen until 30-40 laps into a run and the All-Star Race is made up of short runs, so there's just not going to be any passing.' Denny Hamlin on why an All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway doesn't work The other issue is the logistics of an All-Star Race at Dover. Because the Dover Air Force Base is only a few miles away from the track, there are no lights surrounding the track since they could be a potential distraction for pilots flying in. Due to that, night racing is off the table. So, unless temporary lights are installed, NASCAR seems to be considering having an All-Star Race in the middle of the day for a race where there will be minimal passing. It's not exactly a recipe for success, but as Hamlin said on the podcast, those making the schedule don't give anyone in the garage any input on matters. Related: Related Headlines Chicago Bears 2025 Season Preview Baltimore Ravens 2025 Season Preview Kansas City Chiefs 2025 Season Preview
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Kaleb Johnson, Jay Higgins headline Iowa's NFL preseason Week 2
After a stellar Week 1 of the NFL's preseason from a number of former rookies that formerly starred for Iowa football, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jay Higgins were the two Hawkeyes who headlined Week 2's action. As for Johnson, he improved his stat line from Week 1 by recording 50 yards on 11 carries, with his longest run going for 14 yards. In addition to his rushing total, Johnson also caught one pass for 9 yards. While Pittsburgh's run game struggled again in the team's 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson earning eight more carries than his next closest teammate clearly shows that the Steelers see high potential in the 2024 Doak Walker Award finalist. After the game, Johnson earned praise from former Washington and second-year offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, who said that the former Hawkeye is getting better with each rep. Pittsburgh's final preseason game will be on Thursday, August 21, in Charlotte, North Carolina, against the Carolina Panthers. That game will begin at 6 p.m. CT and be broadcast on the NFL Network. In terms of Higgins, his stunning defensive play was evident again during the Ravens' 31-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys by leading the team in tackles with six (three solo, three assisted) on the night, including a nine-yard strip-sack midway through the fourth quarter that set up the Baltimore offense in Cowboys territory. With Higgins signing as an undrafted free agent, the Ravens might have struck gold with Higgins if the 2024 unanimous AP All-American can perform at this pace at a consistent level. While Higgins has almost certainly locked up a spot on the Ravens' 53-man roster, he will have his third and final opportunity to cement his status during the team's Saturday matchup vs. the Washington Commanders from Landover, Maryland. That game will begin at 11 a.m. CT and be available through streaming on NFL+. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews. This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Kaleb Johnson, Jay Higgins headline Iowa's NFL preseason Week 2
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Chicago Bears 2025 Season Preview
New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson spent 2022-2024 as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. Over those three years, Detroit's offense ranked top 6 all three seasons in points per game, total yards per game, first downs per game, and red zone percentage. QB: Caleb Williams In his first 3 games as a rookie, Caleb Williams only completed 59% of his passes while throwing 2 TDs with 4 INTs. Over his last 14 games, he completed 63% of his passes for 18 TDs / 2 INTs while also rushing for over 400 yards. On the downside, he fumbled at least one time in each of his last 5 games (Dec / Jan) while losing 3 of those fumbles. Lastly, he didn't throw a TD pass to anyone outside of his top trio of receivers and top tight end. RB: D'Andre Swift D'Andre Swift didn't flourish as a 250+ carry back in his first year with the Bears, averaging a mediocre 3.8 yards per carry. To be fair, everyone struggled in the running game. During a 7-game stretch between Week 4 and Week 11, Swift rushed for 567 yards on 4.8 ypc with 5 rushing TDs while also catching all 22 of his targets for 197 yards. Over his following 7 games, he only managed 327 rush yards on 3.3 ypc with 1 TD while catching 14 passes on 20 targets for 143 yards. RB: Roschon Johnson In his second season, Johnson's ypc fell from 4.3 as a rookie to an abysmal 2.7. His receptions were also cut in half year-over-year from 34 to 16. However, the bigger back did increase his rushing TDs from 2 in 2023 to 6 last season on 200 fewer carries. RB: Kyle Monangai Monangai is a great complement to Swift and Johnson. He's not as fast as Swift or as big as Johnson, but offers a blend of their talent. He could be the Goldilocks of the 3 (Chicago) Bears in the backfield, as his skill set would fit just right to maximize runs in minimal spots. He looks to quickly get up field off of a shoulder fake, paired with quick cuts while finishing with strong contact balance. WR: DJ Moore Over the first 9 games last year only managed 40 / 398 / 3 with a 61% catch rate. As Williams developed, Moore flourished in the last 8 games with 58 / 568 / 3 on an impressive 78% catch rate, despite Allen not missing any games. WR: Rome Odunze Odunze's growth in Year 2 provide ample opportunity for Rome's rise. Allen accounted for 120+ targets in just 15 games last year for Chicago, limiting Odunze's role. In the last of those two games missed, Odunze stepped up to have his best game with 6 receptions on 11 targets for 112 yards (18..7 ypr) and a TD. WR: Luther Burden III In college, Burden had 2 seasons with multiple rushing TDs. As a rookie, he'll be utilized underneath, on jet sweeps, and out of the backfield as a safety blanket for Williams. Burden's addition allows Moore to go back to being more of an intermediate option rather than inside of 10 yards. TE: Cole Kmet Kmet's catch rate has gone up each year in his 5 NFL seasons, from 64% as a rookie to 86% last year while averaging 10 ypr for his career. Over the last 4 years, he's averaged right at 60 / 600 / 4. A lot has been made of highly-touted rookie tight end Colston Loveland, but don't forget about Kme,t who has played in 84 of 84 games in his career with 67 starts in 68 games over the last 4 seasons. TE: Colston Loveland Loveland is a massive target with good speed and fluidity that will have a role as a rookie but compete for targets not only with receivers Moore, Odunze, and Burden III but also fellow tight end Kmet. Future years should see production similar to Jimmy Graham's after he became acclimated to the pro game. BREAKOUT PLAYER: Rome Odunze There are 120+ targets left behind after Keenan Allen's departure. As a rookie, Odunze received 100+ targets and flourished when Allen was out. While rookies Loveland and Burden III will see some of those targets, the lion's share will go to Moore and Odunze. Moore has averaged 135 targets per year over his last 6 seasons and has shown his ability (84 / 1,124 / 6 avg). Odunze will touch that mark of 135 targets this year and will show his immense talent. Expect Odunze to be around 90 / 1,300 / 8. BOLD PREDICTION: Caleb Williams In Jared Goff's 3 seasons with Ben Johnson as his offensive coordinator, he averaged 68% completions, 4,500 passing yards 32 TDs / 10 INTs. Goff had early success with Sean McVay in L.A., but in his last 2 years with the Rams, Goff averaged 65% completions for 4,300 passing yards with 21 TDs / 15 INTs. In William's second season, he's been given an improved offensive line, a massive 6'6 target that can move fluidly, and a young speedster that provides a safety blanket underneath. After finishing his rookie season with 11 TDs / 1 INT over the last 8 games, he's ready to play to his potential with his top receivers, the veteran Moore and Year 2 stud, Odunze. Williams will put up 4,500 pass yards with 500 rush yards for 35 total TDs in 2025. Related Headlines Denny Hamlin Reacts to NASCAR All-Star Race Potentially Moving to Dover Baltimore Ravens 2025 Season Preview Kansas City Chiefs 2025 Season Preview
