Latest news with #USATODAY301
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
NASCAR Hall of Fame's 2026 class revealed: Kurt Busch, Harry Gant, Ray Hendrick earn entry
NASCAR Hall of Fame's 2026 class revealed: Kurt Busch, Harry Gant, Ray Hendrick earn entry Show Caption Hide Caption Drivers debate what is the best NASCAR movie of all time We get to the bottom of an age-old question at the USA TODAY 301 in New Hampshire -- what is the better NASCAR movie, Talladega Nights or Days of Thunder? The NASCAR Hall of Fame will induct Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick in the Class of 2026, the hall announced Tuesday. Busch and Gant were selected from the Modern Era Ballot, each garnering 61% of the vote. Jeff Burton, Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton were the next-highest finishers who didn't make the cut. Hendrick was voted in on the Pioneer Ballot with 31% of the votes. Bob Welborn finished second. Busch, 46, made the Hall in his first year on the ballot. He was the Cup Series champion in 2004 and won 34 times in the Cup Series, including two crown jewel races: the 2010 Coca-Cola 600 and the 2017 Daytona 500. Gant, 85, followed 21 victories in what's now called the Xfinity Series with 18 wins in the Cup Series, including the Southern 500 in 1984 and 1991. Already a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Gant was in his seventh year on the NASCAR Hall's ballot. Gant also holds the record for the oldest driver to win a Cup Series race (52 years, eight months) when he prevailed at Michigan International Speedway in 1992. Hendrick, who died in 1990, enjoyed a 36-year motorsports career and was known throughout the South as "Mr. Modified" for his successes in modified stock car racing. He is credited with more than 700 victories in modified racing and the Late Model Sportsman Series. Busch, Gant and Hendrick were all named to NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers list for the league's 75th anniversary in 2023. NASCAR also recognized H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, with the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. The Class of 2026 will be inducted on Jan. 23 in Charlotte.
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
NASCAR at Talladega results: Austin Cindric wins Jack Link's 500
NASCAR at Talladega results: Austin Cindric wins Jack Link's 500 Show Caption Hide Caption Drivers debate what is the best NASCAR movie of all time We get to the bottom of an age-old question at the USA TODAY 301 in New Hampshire -- what is the better NASCAR movie, Talladega Nights or Days of Thunder? Austin Cindric held off Ryan Preece down the stretch to win the Jack Link's 500 as the NASCAR Cup Series returned to action after a bye week on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. The Fords of Cindric and Preece ran 1-2 side-by-side in front of the Chevrolets of William Byron and Kyle Larson with 17 laps to go. The pair raced tight but clean off Turn 4 for the final time, with Cindric's No. 2 Team Penske car edging Preece's No. 60 by 0.022 seconds for his third career win in his 125th start. On the day's final pit stop, Cindric's crew turned in the quickest service on the No. 2 car, which gridded 25th as it hit pit road. The victory was just Ford's third in the past 10 Talladega events. Larson and Byron finished third and fourth, while Joey Logano ended up in fifth. Polesitter Zane Smith was 21st. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 series champion, wrecked out in the first caution and was 39th in his fourth DNF this season. After Smith led them to green following his first career pole qualifying spot, his No. 38 Ford was quickly under attack for the lead by Austin Dillon, Michael McDowell and Kyle Busch. However, the Toyota contingent soon formed on the top line of the 2.66-mile superspeedway and blew past the Fords and Chevys toward the front in the 60-lap Stage 1. Two laps after pitting, Busch and Brad Keselowski wrecked coming toward pit road. Three-time Talladega winner Blaney and Alex Bowman also received damage. With 10 laps to go in the segment, there was more trouble after Christopher Bell and Chris Buescher spun down to the apron while running side by side on the front row. Bell's No. 20 crashed into the inside wall in the 188-lap race's hardest hit. In a four-car bowtie brigade, Larson recorded his first Talladega stage win, though he was soon sent to the back for speeding on pit road. The Chevys of Byron, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Chase Elliott took the next three spots. Bubba Wallace maxed the bonus points by holding off Logano and Larson, who overcame his speeding infraction, to win Stage 2. Cindric was fourth. With 50 laps to go, five Toyotas led five Fords and two Chevrolets as the manufacturers teamed up and went two-wide instead of three abreast. Talladega race results Results for the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, via The Tennessean:
USA Today
01-03-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
NASCAR at COTA Austin odds, predictions, how to watch EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
NASCAR at COTA Austin odds, predictions, how to watch EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Show Caption Hide Caption Drivers debate what is the best NASCAR movie of all time We get to the bottom of an age-old question at the USA TODAY 301 in New Hampshire -- what is the better NASCAR movie, Talladega Nights or Days of Thunder? Connor Zilisch will be the youngest driver in more than 15 years in a NASCAR Cup Series race this weekend, and he's not looking to waste any time. The 18-year-old will be one of the favorites and a notable pre-race storyline when he makes his Cup series debut Sunday at the 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas outside Austin, Texas. Zilisch won 15 races across seven different series in 2024, including the first Xfinity Series race he entered at the Mission 200 at Watkins Glen driving for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports. That success led to the current anticipation surrounding the arrival of the youngest NASCAR Cup Series rookie since Joey Logano in 2009. Zilisch, who will be driving the No. 87 Red Bull Chevrolet as a part-time entry, hopes to contend with the likes of Tyler Reddick and William Bryan immediately. 'I want to try and become the youngest Cup Series winner, and to do that, I have to race as soon as possible and get it in before I turn 19,' Zilisch told reporters, according to 'So, you know, I wanted to at least give myself a shot at that. So that was definitely part of my thinking. And honestly, I don't feel like there's anything that tells me that I'm not ready to race on a road course on Sunday.' This year's NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas is one of six road races drivers will compete in this season. It will be held on the shorter 2.3-mile "National" circuit this year instead of the 3.41-mile full layout that has been used since NASCAR began coming to COTA in 2021. The lap count goes from 68 to 85 as a result. Here's what else to know as NASCAR returns to COTA for the 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, including odds, potential winners and how to watch the race: EARLY PICKS: William Byron among 2025 NASCAR championship odds favorites after Daytona win NASCAR at COTA odds: Favorites to win 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Shane van Gisbergen's Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet is co-favorites to win the 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix with 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, who's making his NASCAR Cup Series debut on Sunday. Odds as of Friday, Feb. 28, courtesy BetMGM Shane van Gisbergen (+525) Connor Zilisch (+525) Tyler Reddick (+750) William Byron (+900) Christopher Bell (+900) Kyle Larson (+1000) Chase Elliott (+1200) Ross Chastain (+1400) Ty Gibbs (+1600) AJ Allmendinger (+1600) Alex Bowman (+1800) Chase Buescher (+2200) NASCAR at COTA predictions: Who will win EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix? Motorsports Wire: Shane van Gisbergen "Van Gisbergen had a rough day at COTA in 2024, but he should be strong with more experience in the NextGen car. The Trackhouse Racing driver had a tough start to the 2025 season, but a road course should help turn the year around quickly." Advanced stats favor Kyle Larson Racing Insights' advanced statistical formula, which includes the current track, current track type, recent performance, team data and pit-crew data to arrive at a projected winner and full race results, has picked Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports as its projected winner of the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. "Listing all of Hendrick Motorsports is tempting given how much the organization excels on road courses," writes Alex Catavid. "But Larson has been the best out of the quartet in recent years; he won twice on road courses last year." Fanduel Sportsbook: Ty Gibbs is good value pick Jim Sannes writes, "Gibbs ‒ now in his age-22 season ‒ is still hunting for his first win, but he has been close a bunch on road courses. In 11 cracks as a full-time driver, he has six top-10s, four top-fives, and three podiums. One of those podiums came at this track last year (though in the other configuration). Gibbs combines raw talent with elite equipment and enough experience where he should break out soon." Former NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick: William Byron Harvick picked Byron, this year's Daytona 500 winner, to win again at COTA on Sunday during the "Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour" podcast earlier this week. "He just notoriously has the early season mojo to get into victory lane," Harvick said about Byron. "Has done well on the road courses." Doc's Sports: Take Tyler Reddick "In road races, there aren't many drivers that perform better than (Reddick). On road courses, Reddick has three wins, 15 Top 10 finishes and has led for 200 laps. He won this race two years ago and has won the pole this year." How to watch NASCAR race at COTA: Time, TV channel, streaming for EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix The 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix will be broadcast on FOX. Streaming options include Fubo, the Fox Sports app and Max. Date: Sunday, March 2 Sunday, March 2 Time: 3:30 p.m. ET 3:30 p.m. ET Location: Circuit of the Americas (Del Valle, Texas) Circuit of the Americas (Del Valle, Texas) TV : FOX : FOX Stream: Fubo (free trial), Fox Sports app and Max Watch the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix with Fubo We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Daytona 500 winners by year: Who has won iconic NASCAR race?
Daytona 500 winners by year: Who has won iconic NASCAR race? Show Caption Hide Caption Drivers debate what is the best NASCAR movie of all time We get to the bottom of an age-old question at the USA TODAY 301 in New Hampshire -- what is the better NASCAR movie, Talladega Nights or Days of Thunder? This story has been changed to reflect NASCAR's decision to move up the race start time due to concerns over Sunday's weather. The Daytona 500 is one of motor racing's iconic events, with the "Great American Race" something every NASCAR driver dreams of winning. No one has done that more than Richard Petty, who brought home the Harley J. Earl Trophy no fewer than seven times in a legendary stock-car racing career. Among the 66 previous editions of the Daytona 500, five drivers have amassed three or more race wins: Cale Yarborough (four), Bobby Allison (three), Dale Jarrett (three), Jeff Gordon (three) and Denny Hamlin (three). Among that group, only Hamlin remains active, with the Joe Gibbs Racing driver one of eight competing this year who have previously won the NASCAR Cup's season-opening race. William Byron won in 2024, while Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are also set to take the track on Sunday. On the team front, Byron's victory moved Hendrick Motorsports into a tie with Petty Enterprises with nine Daytona 500 wins. Wood Brothers Racing (five), Joe Gibbs Racing (four), Richard Childress Racing (three), and Team Penske (three) are other historically successful teams that have entered cars in the 2025 edition. Here's what to know about the winners of every edition of the Daytona 500, listed by year: Daytona 500 weather update: Will rain alter NASCAR season opener again in 2025? Daytona 500 winners by year: Complete list of NASCAR race victors 1959: Lee Petty Lee Petty 1960: Junior Johnson Junior Johnson 1961: Marvin Panch Marvin Panch 1962: Fireball Roberts Fireball Roberts 1963: Tiny Lund Tiny Lund 1964: Richard Petty Richard Petty 1965: Fred Lorenzen Fred Lorenzen 1966: Richard Petty Richard Petty 1967: Mario Andretti Mario Andretti 1968: Cale Yarborough Cale Yarborough 1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough LeeRoy Yarbrough 1970: Pete Hamilton Pete Hamilton 1971: Richard Petty Richard Petty 1972: A.J. Foyt A.J. Foyt 1973: Richard Petty Richard Petty 1974: Richard Petty Richard Petty 1975: Benny Parsons Benny Parsons 1976: David Pearson David Pearson 1977: Cale Yarborough Cale Yarborough 1978: Bobby Allison Bobby Allison 1979: Richard Petty Richard Petty 1980: Buddy Baker Buddy Baker 1981: Richard Petty Richard Petty 1982: Bobby Allison Bobby Allison 1983: Cale Yarborough Cale Yarborough 1984: Cale Yarborough Cale Yarborough 1985: Bill Elliott Bill Elliott 1986: Geoff Bodine Geoff Bodine 1987: Bill Elliott Bill Elliott 1988: Bobby Allison Bobby Allison 1989: Darrell Waltrip Darrell Waltrip 1990: Derrike Cope Derrike Cope 1991: Ernie Irvan Ernie Irvan 1992: Davey Allison Davey Allison 1993: Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett 1994: Sterling Marlin Sterling Marlin 1995: Sterling Marlin Sterling Marlin 1996: Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett 1997: Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon 1998: Dale Earnhardt Sr. Dale Earnhardt Sr. 1999: Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon 2000: Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett 2001: Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip 2002: Ward Burton Ward Burton 2003: Michael Waltrip Michael Waltrip 2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2005: Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon 2006: Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson 2007: Kevin Harvick Kevin Harvick 2008: Ryan Newman Ryan Newman 2009: Matt Kenseth Matt Kenseth 2010: Jamie McMurray Jamie McMurray 2011: Trevor Bayne Trevor Bayne 2012: Matt Kenseth Matt Kenseth 2013: Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson 2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2015: Joey Logano Joey Logano 2016: Denny Hamlin Denny Hamlin 2017: Kurt Busch Kurt Busch 2018: Austin Dillon Austin Dillon 2019: Denny Hamlin Denny Hamlin 2020: Denny Hamlin Denny Hamlin 2021: Michael McDowell Michael McDowell 2022: Austin Cindric Austin Cindric 2023: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 2024: William Byron How to watch Daytona 500 2025: Time, TV channel, streaming The 2025 Daytona 500 will be broadcast on Fox. Streaming options include Fubo, which is offering a free trial for new subscribers, or or the Fox Sports app. Note: The start time was moved up one hour to 1:30 p.m. ET due to weather forecast. Date: Sunday, Feb. 16 Sunday, Feb. 16 Time: 1:30 p.m. ET 1:30 p.m. ET TV : Fox : Fox Stream: Fubo, and the Fox Sports app Fubo, and the Fox Sports app Where: Daytona International Speedway (Daytona Beach, Florida) Watch the Daytona 500 on Fubo We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
