Latest news with #Championship4
Newsweek
06-08-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
NASCAR Announces Relief For Austin Hill After Iowa Race Suspension
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. NASCAR has some relief for Xfinity Series driver Austin Hill following the race penalty suspension he served at Iowa last weekend for taking out Aric Almirola at Indianapolis. That meant he was out of the playoffs, since they require drivers to participate in all races. However, Hill has been pardoned by the sport, which makes him eligible for the playoffs. Hill was involved in a big controversy during the Xfinity race at Indianapolis, where he deliberately rear-right hooked Almirola in an act of retaliation. He was handed a five-lap penalty during the race. However, NASCAR handed him a one-race suspension later in the week, which kept him out of the race at Iowa. Hill had 21 playoff points. However, given the race suspension, he has lost all his points. Although the sport's waiver means he is eligible for the playoffs, he will not get back the points he collected through the season. Additionally, the playoff points that Hill scores up to the finale in September will not be counted. Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, team, Richard Childress Racing, released a statement after he was handed the suspension, confirming that it will not appeal the penalty. The statement read: "Richard Childress Racing will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to the No. 21 team following the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We remain focused on winning a championship with Austin Hill in 2025. Austin Dillon will race the No. 21 Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway." The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi said that while the suspension has a serious impact on Hill's championship prospects, the penalty was much deserved. He said in a Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Dirty Mo Media video: "It's gonna be tough for Austin Hill in the playoffs, a championship favorite. He's got three wins this year [and] he's currently ranked fifth in points. Now, he'll get a waiver to make the playoffs and that's fine, but his road to the Championship 4 is much harder now than it would have been before Saturday's incident. "... This was a justified penalty. NASCAR got this one right. The caveat, of course, is the playoff points. NASCAR added that rule this year, and so that's really going to hit Austin Hill in the playoffs. You work all year during the regular season to get to bonus points that help you through each round. As we've seen many times, those can be the big difference between advancing and being eliminated. Austin Hill is not going to have those to fall back on. This has championship implications but again, when you look at what happened, this was a deserved penalty for Austin Hill."
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Josh Williams on departure from Kaulig Racing: Ive got more drive than ever
Kaulig Racing announced on Wednesday it was parting ways with driver Josh Williams after more than a year and a half together. Both sides felt it was for the best. After a 22nd-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, discussions began internally about the immediate future of the No. 11 car. Williams is 19th in the regular-season championship standings and needed a Hail Mary to make the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs, so there was no sense in delaying the inevitable. 'We had our differences a little bit. I don't think they were happy, and I wasn't happy,' Williams told 'It seemed like it was the best thing to do for both of us that we can all move forward and work towards the future a little bit faster. It worked out for both of us.' MORE: | Chris Rice, team president for Kaulig Racing, agreed with Williams. The relationship just wasn't working out for either party. 'Sometimes, chemistry just doesn't work in marriages, life, anything' Rice told on Thursday morning. 'When you look at our Xfinity program, there's a lot of potential there but we haven't been putting it to work. Those decisions are tough. When you think about our M.O., we're all about having fun and trying to win trophies. At the end of the day, it's not about that — it's about giving people opportunities to showcase their talent and making sure our stuff is up to par for everybody else.' Williams earned six top-10 finishes in 54 starts in Kaulig's flagship No. 11 Chevrolet, with a best effort of sixth in May at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Williams led 14 laps total in those starts. Kaulig Racing is winless through 21 races in 2025, with Rice considering the season unacceptable. That is on the heels of a 2024 season where Shane van Gisbergen dominated three road-course races in Kaulig equipment and AJ Allmendinger ultimately made the Championship 4 by scoring an upset victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the Round of 8. 'We all want to win, but we want to be in contention to win and have a better opportunity to win and run top 10, run top five and we haven't even come close to that,' Rice added. 'We've got to figure that out. I think over the next couple of weeks before we get into the playoffs, we can judge our Xfinity program and see what needs to be changed and what we need to do for 2026.' Rookie Christian Eckes is the only Kaulig driver to score a top-five finish in 2025, earning three so far this year. He leads Kaulig with eight top-10 finishes, while fellow rookie Daniel Dye has seven top 10s. Williams wouldn't go as far as saying he didn't get a fair shot with Kaulig, but he said, 'it wasn't an ideal situation.' 'The past few years, as a whole organization, the performance wasn't as good as it was a few years before I even got there,' Williams said. 'Teams go through cycles. A lot of times, teams are really good and then they fade off a little bit and go back to being good. We were in that low part. I don't think it's anybody's fault; it's just the position that we were in.' Since the news dropped on Wednesday, Williams' phone hasn't stopped buzzing. Countless people within the racing industry reached out, making the process easier to reconcile. Rice said the same with the No. 11 car being a key opening leading into the offseason. Currently, he's unsure if Kaulig will operate two or three full-time Xfinity cars come 2026. 'I've had numerous Xfinity teams, numerous truck teams reach out to me,' Williams said. 'A lot of team owners, other drivers, people very high up in NASCAR, Hall of Fame drivers — I've had a lot of people reach out to me today and they are all on my side and everyone is behind me.' With a host of people checking in on Williams, he feels satisfied despite the circumstances. Every colleague working directly on the No. 11 Chevrolet reached out to him, aside from crew chief Eddie Pardue, Williams added. 'It goes to show you what type of person that I am,' he said. 'I can't walk down pit road without being late to the car because I've got to stop and talk to 100 people on the way. Everyone respects me and knows who I am as a person and how I treat people. 'I never burn a bridge because you don't know what the future holds. Motorsports is the smallest community in the world. Everything is a circle, no pun intended. We're all in this small circle and you never know when you're going to need that person one day. I might need Kaulig Racing one day and they might need me one day. You've got to keep those doors open.' Rice appreciated the opportunity of getting to work with Williams and alluded to being thankful for the partnership they had. Williams isn't done racing in 2025. Highlighted by primary partner Alloy Employer Services, Williams has a loyal sponsorship following that is committed to four more races this season. He couldn't confirm yet which races he will participate in or with which team. 'I have the people who are important to further my career on my side and that means a lot,' Williams said. Nailing down 2026 plans is top of mind for Williams. Separating from one of the series' mainstays didn't hurt too much, Williams said, because 'I know where my future is going.' 'It's still upsetting because I'm a racer; I want to go race,' he said. 'I have a plan for the future, so I feel like that makes it easier. I feel like I've got more drive than ever.'
Reuters
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
Stubbs: Best tracks for 5 marquee drivers to claim first wins of '25
June 20 - With 16 races of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season complete going into Sunday's 400-miler at Pocono Raceway, several stars remain winless as the circuit nears the halfway mark. Here are five big-name drivers who have yet to win this season -- and the track where they're most likely to break through. --Chase Elliott Elliott has been consistent this year, as he sits fourth in points and has yet to finish outside the top-20. But that consistency hasn't translated to race-winning speed very often, as Elliott has only led 95 laps. This is a rare situation where numbers do lie -- statistically, the driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet has looked the part of a championship contender, but he's failing the eye test. Pocono history: 15 starts, one win (2022), four top-fives, 10 top-10s Track where's most likely to break through: Watkins Glen (Aug. 10) Elliott has won twice before at Watkins Glen, and while his last victory at the New York road course came in 2019, it remains one of his best tracks. Eliott has not won on a road course in the Next-Gen car, but he's finished top-five in both road course races this season. --Tyler Reddick Big things were expected of Reddick after a Championship 4 appearance in 2024, but those expectations are yet to be realized. The No. 45 team has shot itself in the foot several times in recent weeks, and while Reddick is all set to coast into the playoffs on points, it's slightly worrying that he's been unable to get back to victory lane in the 23XI Racing Toyota. Pocono history: Seven starts, zero wins, two top-fives, four top-10s Track where he's most likely to break through: Chicago Street Course (July 6) Reddick was the runner-up in Chicago a year ago and has turned into a fantastic road racer in recent years. Chicago is as big of a wild card as any race on the schedule, but that may be exactly what Reddick needs in order to see the checkered flag. --Chase Briscoe Briscoe's first year at Joe Gibbs Racing has seen its share of highs and lows and his playoff positioning is in jeopardy, but a win would solve that problem. A lack of overall pace hasn't been the issue, seeing as Briscoe won three consecutive poles at Charlotte, Nashville and Michigan, but being unable to put an entire race together has cost the No. 19 Toyota team. Pocono history: Five starts, zero wins, zero top-fives, zero top-10s Track where he's most likely to break through: Dover (July 20) Dover hasn't been great for Briscoe, who doesn't have a top-10 at the track in four starts. But the No. 19 team with Martin Truex Jr. knew how to get around the "Monster Mile," as Truex won at the one-mile oval in 2023 and finished third in 2024. If crew chief James Small can use those notes, Briscoe could snag his first win with JGR. --Ryan Preece Preece and the brand new No. 60 team have put together a solid season so far for RFK Racing. He is only 19 points out of the playoffs going into Pocono, and has shown winning speed in several races this season. With a cut line that will be constantly moving over the next 10 weeks, a win is his best bet -- and his only sure one -- to make the playoffs. Pocono history: Eight starts, zero wins, zero top-fives, one top-10 Track where he's most likely to break through: Richmond (Aug. 16) Short tracks are clearly Preece's best track type, and while Richmond doesn't appear to be a great track for him on the stat sheet, it's probably his best shot to win at a non-superspeedway. --Kyle Busch For the second straight year, Busch is in danger of missing the playoffs. With his winless streak officially eclipsing two full seasons, a win for Busch in one of the last 10 races would be one of the biggest of his career. Pocono history: 37 starts, four wins (2017-19, 2021), 11 top-fives, 18 top-10s Track where he's most likely to break through: Daytona (Aug. 23) It's hard to trust that Busch and the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevy will have winning pace at any track other than the drafting ovals of Atlanta and Daytona. Daytona in particular seems to be a better track for Busch, who had a runner-up finish at the 2.5-mile tri-oval in August 2024. --Samuel Stubbs, Field Level Media
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
From Watermelon Fields to NASCAR Fame: The Unstoppable Rise of Ross Chastain
Ross Chastain's story is one that blends humble beginnings with high-speed glory—a tale rooted in the watermelon fields of Alva, Florida, and now roaring across the NASCAR circuit. As an eighth-generation watermelon farmer turned professional race car driver, Chastain's recent victory in Charlotte is not just another win on the board—it's a celebration of resilience, determination, and unwavering dedication. Before he became a household name in motorsports, Chastain spent his early years working on his family's farm, learning the value of sweat and perseverance. While his hands were once stained red from watermelon harvests, today they grip the wheel of the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing Team. His path to NASCAR's premier level was anything but easy. With no major funding or family racing dynasty backing him, Ross had to earn every opportunity with tireless effort. On the track, Chastain is now regarded as one of NASCAR's most tenacious and unpredictable talents. Known for his aggressive yet calculated driving style, he made national headlines in 2022 with his wild 'video game move' at Martinsville—riding the wall on the final lap to gain several positions and clinch a spot in the Championship 4. That single move went viral and earned him a permanent place in NASCAR lore. In the 2023 season, Chastain proved that his success was no fluke. He finished second in the Cup Series standings, showcasing consistency and speed across a range of tracks—from superspeedways like Talladega to road courses like COTA. His victory at the Nashville Superspeedway last season marked a turning point, affirming him as a serious title contender. Prime Time Victory: Ross Chastain Wins Charlotte | Stacking Pennies Now, in 2024, his win in Charlotte cements his status as a frontrunner once again. It was a race that demonstrated his ability to maintain focus under pressure, expertly maneuvering through pit strategy and late cautions to seize the checkered flag. Off the track, he remains true to his roots. Chastain proudly partners with agricultural companies like Enza Zaden Americas to advocate for watermelon growers, embodying the spirit of the farming community that raised him. Ross Chastain is more than just a NASCAR driver—he's a symbol of how authenticity and ambition can fuel extraordinary success. From dirt-covered boots to fireproof suits, his journey from the fields of Florida to the front lines of racing is not just inspiring—it's still unfolding, and it's thrilling to watch. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Jimmie Johnson On Which Tracks Shouldn't Host a NASCAR Championship Finale
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has shared his thoughts on the recent changes to the championship-finale race in 2026 and revealed which tracks he doesn't think should be considered to host it in the future. Johnson confirmed that he is supportive of the move of the Championship 4 race from Phoenix to Homestead-Miami for 2026. He also discussed the rumours that the championship-ending race could move onto a rotational setup beyond next year. Speaking on the Rubbin' is Racing podcast, Johnson explained: "I think moving the championship race around is a good idea. Whenever you come to a new market and have such a moment taking place, you get a lot of interest and people want to come see it. So I think that's a good move." Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #84 Carvana Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #84 Carvana Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Concord, North added: "I clearly am very biased for Homestead. I've had so much success down there and won all seven of my championships there." With speculation that Championship 4 races could move onto a rotational setup in the future, the seven-time champion argued that Superspeedway races should not be considered for this. Instead, he proposed North Wilkesboro as an option he thinks would be popular. He commented: "Watching [the NASCAR All-Star Race last week at] North Wilkesboro, that was a damn good show, and I think that's what people want to have for a championship race. "I think that a Superspeedway race would be the one where [a championship-deciding race] shouldn't happen, there's just so much outside of a driver's control." Confirming the change, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer, Ben Kennedy, commented at the time of the announcement: "This has been a while coming. "It's been since 2019 since we've had the championship race at Homestead. We moved it out to Phoenix for the past several years, which has been great for us. It's been an amazing market. "We've seen some great racing there, and we've crowned some of our biggest champions, but we're excited to go to Homestead-Miami Speedway. I can tell you from a few people that I've talked to so far across the industry, through our partners, they're over the moon about it. And from our fans, it's the No. 1 asked-about championship venue as well. So we're excited to finally get the news out there."
