Latest news with #motorsports
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
NASCAR owner was near deal to fund car in Cup Series race before garage backlash
Jim France, NASCAR's co-owner and CEO, was near a deal to fund a car in an upcoming race in the league's top-tier Cup Series before backlash in the garage over the perception of another high-profile conflict of interest in motorsports ownership led him to scrap the plans, The Athletic has learned. France was set to financially support an entry to be operated by Spire Motorsports, a team that has been competing in various NASCAR series since 2019, for the Cup road-course race in July at Sonoma Raceway in California. Jack Aitken, a 29-year-old road-course specialist who drives for a France-owned team, Action Express Racing, in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) sports car series, was tabbed to be the driver. Advertisement But the deal, which was close to completion, fell apart shortly after The Athletic began asking questions about the arrangement last week. Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson confirmed the plans but insisted the car would not have been fielded by France's team directly; it was intended to be a Spire entry staffed by Spire personnel, he said. Dickerson emphasized France did not get a 'good guy deal' and was going to pay the same price anyone else would for having Spire run an extra car, which can stretch resources and cause distractions to the full-time entries. 'I didn't really even think it was that big of a deal,' Dickerson said. 'I didn't even think it was that deep.' Still, the idea of France's financial participation in a Cup race privately rankled some in the NASCAR garage before the deal was finalized, according to conversations with several high-ranking officials around the sport, and ultimately led France to table the idea. Many in the garage were uncomfortable with the idea of competing against someone who also owned the series, given the potential conflict of interest. Some team executives and personnel worried that this might be a first step toward France forming his own team in NASCAR, similar to how Roger Penske owns both the IndyCar series and its most successful team. In ownership meetings in recent years, team and league sources say, France has expressed interest in that idea. France and NASCAR both declined to comment for this story. NASCAR ownership has not competed in Cup Series racing during the sport's Modern Era, since 1972, but it's also not the first time the league has rattled manufacturers and teams with a move onto a track. In 2023, NASCAR partnered with Chevrolet and top Cup team Hendrick Motorsports for a special entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in France. The announcement of that deal came with little advance notice to rival manufacturers Ford and Toyota or any of their teams. For the Sonoma race, France again tried to partner with Chevrolet and Hendrick — but an extra car would have put Hendrick over the four-car limit for a single race. So Spire, which has a professional alliance with Hendrick, entered the picture. The organization, also a Chevrolet partner, has three full-time cars and room for a one-off spot. Advertisement But France teaming with Chevrolet, Spire and Hendrick by affiliation (the car would have used a Hendrick engine) did not sit well with other organizations — which was made clear to France. It's not clear why France wanted to enter a car in a Cup race, though people within the industry who know the 80-year-old often refer to him as a 'racer' with a deep passion for motorsports. NASCAR's 'open' system — which allows anyone with the means to create a team, show up and compete — gave him an opening to put a Cup entry on the track. France is also familiar with the complications that arise from either owning or being directly associated with a team competing in a series he owns. Since 2014, his Action Express team has won six championships in the top class of the IMSA series, which the France family also owns. Whatever France's intentions, the move would have sparked questions from an already skeptical fan base that scrutinizes every NASCAR decision and in-race call to detect perceived favoritism. The revelation comes as the other major American racing series, IndyCar, struggles with the aftermath of a conflict-of-interest situation on the eve of the Indianapolis 500 last week in which Team Penske was caught with illegal modifications to its cars for the second time in a year. IndyCar issued penalties to the team, and Roger Penske later fired his three top IndyCar officials in an attempt to restore trust and credibility from both fans and those in the IndyCar paddock. This conflict has not been an issue for NASCAR, but France was poised to enter those waters by putting his IMSA team's driver in a Cup race at the same time he's also embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit with two Cup Series teams — 23XI Racing, which is co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports. The disagreement centers around NASCAR's system of charters, which are franchise-like licenses that guarantee entry into every race and additional revenue. The other Cup Series teams all signed the agreement, with some claiming they felt pressured after France threatened to revoke their charters if they did not meet a signing deadline. Spire has its roots in a sports agency business that represented drivers, race teams and sponsors — sometimes at odds with each other. Dickerson has been open about navigating that challenge with NASCAR, believing he can 'take NASCAR on through negotiations Monday through Thursday and still go race with them, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.' Advertisement 'To me and to 13 other non-litigant charter teams, the war is over,' Dickerson said. 'I'm partners with NASCAR every day of the week. I'm not in a fight with NASCAR. I already signed my charter.' Race teams have long said NASCAR does not share enough revenue from the billions in broadcast revenue generated by TV deals, but NASCAR increased the percentage in the new charter agreement and believes it is being more than fair. NASCAR and the France family even carved out a provision that allows them to own and operate chartered race teams, if they choose. Some of those The Athletic spoke to in the NASCAR garage who learned of France's plans wondered if his Sonoma move was intended to send a message in the lawsuit, proving it did not cost as much as teams claimed. But Dickerson said the type of arrangement in this case — paying for another team to field a driver rather than running the car under France's own team banner — wouldn't prove that point at all. 'Clearly, through the negotiations for the charter, it feels like NASCAR did not believe the teams (about their financial situations),' Dickerson said. 'So if the only way for him and for them to believe the teams (is to run a NASCAR-owned race team), then I am all for that. 'But that was not this deal. This deal was just, 'Here's my sponsor, here's my driver. We think he'll be good at Sonoma. Can we run Sonoma?' Cool. Yes. Awesome.' While the France-backed Spire entry isn't happening at Sonoma, it still could come together for another Cup race later in the season. After Sonoma, two other road-course races remain on the Cup schedule — Aug. 10 at Watkins Glen and Oct. 5 at the Charlotte Roval. Neither of these races conflict with Aitken's IMSA schedule. (Top photo of Jim France at last year's NASCAR Awards ceremony: Sean Gardner / Getty Images)
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ken Block's daughter carries on his legacy: Racing prodigy Lia stars in new Netflix show F1 Academy two years after her father's death in tragic snowmobile accident
As the eldest daughter of one of the world's greatest rally legends, it's perhaps no surprise that Lia Block could reach the pedals of a car at the age of five and that her 'first love' was motorsports. And as she appears this week in new Netflix series, F1: The Academy, 18-year-old Lia, who is from Utah, certainly seems to be following in her father's footsteps. Ken Block was known globally for his ferocious driving packed with exhilarating stunts that were watched by tens of millions on his YouTube channels, as well as his prolific professional rallying career. But in November 2023, the action sports star, 55, met with tragedy when his snowmobile overturned and landed on top of him in Utah, and he died at the scene. Then aged just 16, Lia was left heartbroken, writing in an emotional tribute that she'd lost her 'whole world' - her 'best friend', as well as her father. Having grown up travelling around the world as she watched him in race paddocks, Lia was forced to continue her motorsports journey without her beloved mentor. Despite facing such a devastating loss, she's gone from strength to strength, having been crowned the youngest American Rally Association Champion in 2023 at just 17 and has now traded in the world of off-road racing for the challenge of open wheel with Williams. Appearing in the first episode of the new F1 Academy, the racing prodigy reflected on her special relationship with her father now that she's following in his footsteps - though admitted she wishes she could just be a 'race-car driver' without all the pressures of social media. 'My dad was a race-car driver as well in Rallycross,' Lia explained and admitted she now understands why he found it so 'tiring'. She said: 'Motorsports is definitely my first love. When I was like, five or six, I was like, "hey Dad, look, I can touch the pedals". 'Watching my dad being in race paddocks, it was a big part of my life. I think it just made me know, "oh yes, this is actually what I want to do." Lia was 15 when she did her first rally, winning each one and eventually won the championship - becoming the first woman to ever do so. 'Yeah, I'm a girl, and I can still beat you,' she told viewers, demonstrating her father's fierce spirit. In the series, Lia joins Susie Wolff, a former professional driver and now managing director of F1 Academy, helping young women to enter the world of motorsport which, the series admits, is ' dominated by men '. Lia began karting for fun at five years old and sat behind the wheel of an off-road car by age ten. After traveling around the world with her father, Ken - the founder of the Hoonigan racing team and one of motorsport's most popular figures - she began showing interest in pursuing racing herself by the age of eleven. She said her father was her 'whole world' and her 'best friend' 'My dad always opened the doors for me, but never forced me to do anything,' she told in an interview last year. 'So I went off and tried every other sport I could, but eventually made it back to [motorsport] when I was about 10 or 11. 'So I think that made me want it even more because I had tried all these different things, but coming back to motorsport was truly like I knew what I wanted to do.' Once she decided to participate full-time, she went full throttle. At 11, she began competing in off-road series' and began rallying at 15. By age 16, she had won the American Rally Association Championship with two races in hand in a modified rear-wheel drive Subaru BRZ. In addition to her rallying pursuits, she also raced in nitrocross as well as in the electric rallying series Extreme E. Other pursuits included winning her class in the Baja 1000 alongside her mother Lucy and racing her father's pink Porsche 911 dubbed the 'Hoonapigasus' up the Pikes Peak hill climb - before switching to open car for the F1 Academy. However, her father wasn't there to watch her transition from the world of rallying to open-wheelers after his tragic passing in a snowmobile accident in January of 2023. In November 2023, Williams approached her with an offer to join their driver academy - which she accepted. She joined ART Grand Prix for the 2024 season. Lia has continued to post photos of her father in his memory to Instagran She is equally as glamorous off the track as she is on racing day 'He was truly my whole world and the only person I ever looked up too,' Lia wrote in an emotional Instagram post the day after his passing. 'No matter what I did he was always there to support me. 'I can't believe how fast he was taken from all of us. No words can describe of how much of an amazing human my dad was, he lived so many lives, accomplished more in 55 years than most people could in 10 lifetimes, and lived his life to the absolute fullest every single day.' She added: 'I didn't just lose my father, I lost my best friend.' Just hours before the horrific accident in Utah, a proud Ken Block had boasted about his daughter Lia's achievements to his own Instagram followers. The motoring legend posted a picture of Lia next to a 1985 Audi Quattro that she had purchased and restored herself. The action star regularly boasted of his pride in his children to his eight million Instagram followers, particularly oldest daughter Lia and her motoring endeavours. Lia also previously competed on her father's Hoonigan Racing team. In his final Instagram post, Block said: 'The 4th and final episode of my 16-year-old daughter Lia buying, tearing down, rebuilding and now driving her '85 Audi Ur Quattro will be live at 8am PST tomorrow on my YouTube channel. She is pictured in the new Netflix series, which is available to stream now 'Will her newly-refinished vintage Audi finally do a donut?? Or will this old car break in the attempt? Tune in to find out!' In one of his most recent Instagram posts, Block had also shared his holiday trip surrounded by family in a snowy Canadian ski lodge. The former rallying pro had posted a family photo with his wife Lucy, and three children, including Lia as he wished his followers a 'merry Christmas from the Blocks'. Lia is still clearly close to her her mother Lucy, who appears alongside her in the Netflix show and regularly posts photographs with her younger siblings, Kira and Mika. Giving Lucy a shoutout for her birthday last month, Lia wrote: 'Happy birthday to my amazing mom. I love you so much and thank you for all that you do for me. I would never be in my position without your guidance and support.' Her mother replied: 'I can't wait to see you continue to crush your goals! You are a force! I love you. ❤️ thank you.' Outside of racing, Lia enjoys cycling and playing golf and working out. She's also kept up her snowmobiling hobby, despite her father's accident. Despite her newfound fame - Lia now boasts more than one million followers on Instagram - she remains humble, and is even shy of the camera. Lia Block of United States and ART Grand Prix (57) drives on track during F1 Academy Testing at Circuit Zandvoort on April 17, 2024 Speaking in the Netflix show, Lia admitted she hadn't even heard of Good Morning American until a 'few weeks ago' and had to ask her mother what it was. 'I never really wanted to be in front of the camera,' she said. 'If social media wasn't a thing, I would much rather just be a race-car driver.' In her interview with last year, she described the transition from rallying to open-wheelers as 'starting from the ground up again' and says that she only had accumulated 20 days behind the wheel before the first F1 Academy race in Jeddah. 'I felt like I knew nothing. Obviously, doing a bit of karting when I was younger, I wasn't completely oblivious, but it was still a very steep learning curve. 'And also coming from competing at the top of rally in the US and winning the Championship, I was used to winning. I wasn't used to being at the bottom. 'So it was quite different going to open-wheel racing and having to learn everything and everything be so new.' Lia said she's honored to be among the first generations of drivers to take part in the all-women's series and says that her fellow competitors are 'very experienced, and they've raced against men all their life and they know how to hold their own.' She does admit that she was surprised by the difference in experience on track, but says, 'it makes me more excited to keep learning because I want to surpass them.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
NASCAR star slammed for mocking rival's Indy 500 crash
NASCAR star Kyle Larson has been slammed for mocking Scott McLaughlin before the Indianapolis 500 began, as his rival crashed his vehicle moments before the green flag. Larson was seen during the test lap before the biggest day in American motorsports passing a spun-out car and giving a thumbs up to the stopped vehicle and McLaughlin inside. Karma came back around for Larson during the day, as he tried to race in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600, crashing and not finishing either race. Motorsports fans have been upset on social media with Larson for the gesture, as they view it as outside the standards for sportsmanship. Larson may have been frustrated to make it on time to Charlotte for the NASCAR half of the motorsports doubleheader, with McLaughlin's crash delayed his start to the monster day. Larson is viewed as one of the biggest stars in American motorsports, with his thumbs up coming as his latest controversial action. Larson was seen during the test lap passing a spun-out car and giving a thumbs up 'Did he say this when he spun by himself on a restart later and ended two other drivers' days? Or just when someone else made an unforced error?' one fan said on social media. 'Says the one who downshifted, crashed in turn 2 and crashed twice in the coke 600 later that night,' a second supporter said. 'Yea. Larson wrecking people in multiple forms of Motorsports is on brand for him,' a third said. 'Are you all going say that it wasn't Larson's hand out the top of the cockpit? Idiots,' a fourth added. A collection of social-media messages about Kyle Larson's finger gesture at the Indy 500 Larson is no stranger to controversy, as he called himself a better driver than Formula One dynamo Max Verstappen last year. The 32-year-old was also caught on video in April 2020 using a racial slur, leading to his suspension for the whole year, only apologizing for the incident in October. Larson returned to NASCAR in 2021, winning his first cup title after in-person racing fully resumes following the coronavirus pandemic. In the three years since, Larson has finished seventh, second, and sixth in the points standings.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
From Track to Wardrobe: COOFANDY Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Christopher Bell to Redefine 'Dress the Win'
On May 27, 2025, marking its 10th anniversary, global menswear leader COOFANDY announced a landmark collaboration with NASCAR powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and star driver Christopher Bell. This partnership— COOFANDY 's first foray into motorsports—amplifies the brand's commitment to empowering male confidence and excellence through its revitalized tagline, 'Dress the Journey,' and campaign slogan, 'Dress the Win.' A Union of Speed, Legacy, and Sartorial Mastery Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), one of NASCAR's most dominant teams with over 400 victories, five Cup Series championships, and four Daytona 500 titles, joins forces with COOFANDY as an official partner. The brand will sponsor Christopher Bell's pivotal race at Martinsville Speedway on October 26 and appoint him as its global ambassador. Joe Gibbs, Founder & Owner of JGR, remarked: 'We look forward to helping COOFANDY celebrate their 10-year anniversary and introducing their brand of clothing to our fans. They have an outfit to help inspire confidence for any occasion and our race team shares a lot in common with COOFANDY, as we both pursue excellence and have a passion for winning.' Christopher Bell stated, 'I'm excited for our partnership with the COOFANDY brand,' driver of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota. 'Being confident is definitely an important part of being successful on the racetrack and COOFANDY's Dress The Win campaign encourages confidence in men for every one of life's important moments.' Dual Mantras: From Podium to Personal Triumphs COOFANDY 's 10th-anniversary campaign centers on two interconnected pillars: 'Dress the Journey': Celebrating life's milestones, from career ascents to fatherhood, COOFANDY's tailored designs empower men to transition seamlessly through life's roles with timeless elegance. 'Dress the Win': Honoring victories both monumental and mundane, the campaign encourages men to express their ambition through clothing that blends individuality with understated luxury. A Decade of Redefining Menswear Since 2015, COOFANDY has anchored its mission in 'elevating men's most pivotal moments through impeccable craftsmanship.' From boardroom suits to ceremonial tuxedos, the brand merges premium fabrics, three-dimensional tailoring, and accessible sophistication to redefine the modern gentleman's wardrobe. COOFANDY CMO Sidney Sun elaborated: 'I'm very proud to stand here today with JGR. COOFANDY and JGR share the same values — passion, performance, and a drive for excellence. This partnership is more than just fashion meeting racing; it's about inspiring confidence and helping men look and feel their best, every day. Through our long-term collaboration, we will create something truly unique for our customers as we keep pushing forward — with style, speed, and spirit.' Vision for the Future: Accelerating Global Influence This alliance with JGR and Bell marks a pivotal step in COOFANDY's global expansion. By aligning with motorsports' thrilling ethos, the brand aims to resonate with fashion-conscious consumers worldwide while pioneering innovations at the intersection of racing culture and menswear. 'Ten years is a milestone, but our journey has just will continue to empower men to embrace every moment with confidence—whether they're crossing a finish line or redefining personal success.' About COOFANDY Founded in 2015, COOFANDY is a global menswear brand dedicated to crafting timeless, confidence-inspiring apparel for life's defining moments. With a focus on premium materials and tailored elegance, COOFANDY bridges classic sophistication and contemporary style. About Joe Gibbs Racing Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR with four NASCAR Cup Series teams, four NASCAR Xfinity Series teams, an ARCA Series team, and a driver development program. JGR is based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Joe Gibbs, who also earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was named as one of the NFL's top 10 coaches of all-time with a winning career that included three Super Bowl Championships as head coach of the Washington franchise. JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, capturing more than 400 wins over that span. No team has more combined wins across the sport's three national series in the history of NASCAR. In addition, JGR has won five Cup Series championships along with four Xfinity Series driver championships and six Xfinity Series owner's championships. The organization also has captured four Daytona 500 titles, considered to be NASCAR's premier event each season. Media Contact Company Name: COOFANDY Contact Person: Charlotte Liu Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Ratings Increased To 7.01 Million Viewers For Indianapolis 500 On FOX
Indy 500 winner Alex Palou isn't the only one with cause to celebrate as this year's Indianapolis ... More 500 will be the most-watched motorsports event on American television in 2025. INDIANAPOLIS – For just the third time in the last three decades, Sunday's Indianapolis 500 will be the most watched motorsports event on American television as 7.01 million viewers tuned into the FOX broadcast with a peak of 8.5 million for the climactic ending from 4:15 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. By comparison, 6.4 million viewers watched February's Daytona 500, also on FOX. The only other times the Indy 500 has received a higher rating than the Daytona 500 was in 1995 and 2021. It was also the most-watched Indianapolis 500 in 17 years (7,245,000 viewers in 2008). This is the first year all IndyCar Series races are broadcast on FOX including the Indianapolis 500. The network has aggressively promoted the NTT IndyCar Series and interest level in this form of racing appears to be on the rise. It was also the first time since the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016 that all grandstand seats were sold out. Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and IndyCar Series President Doug Boles announced the attendance at 350,000 spectators during Monday night's Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration at the JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 500 purse record was broken for the fourth year in a row for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, with first-time winner Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing earning $3.8 million from a total purse of $20,283,000. This is the largest purse in the century-plus history of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' on the heels of four consecutive record-breaking years. This year's average payout for NTT IndyCar Series drivers was $596,500, which also exceeds last year's average of $543,000. In 2024, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $18,456,000, and the year's winner payout was $4.3 million, which included a $440,000 roll-over bonus from BorgWarner for earning back-to-back wins. In 2023, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $17,021,500, and the winner earned $3.7 million. In 2022, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $16,000,200, and the winner earned $3.1 million. Prior to 2022, the largest Indianapolis 500 purse was $14.4 million for the 2008 Indianapolis 500. 'The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world, and winning this race makes history in more ways than one,' Boles said. 'The Month of May featured a grandstand sellout crowd and intense on-track action. Alex Palou adds Indianapolis 500 winner to his long list of growing achievements and takes home the largest purse in Indianapolis 500 history. There's no better way to end an epic month.' Pole-winner Robert Shwartzman of Prema Racing earned Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors for his performance during the Month of May. Shwartzman earned a $50,000 bonus for being named Rookie of the Year, adding to a total take-home prize of $327,300. The Indianapolis 500 purse consists of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NTT IndyCar Series awards, plus other designated and special awards. Purse awards are presented annually at the Victory Celebration, held this year at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis Monday night. 2025 Indianapolis 500 Prize Money
