Latest news with #stockcarracing
New York Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
Rex White, 1960 NASCAR Champion Driver, Dies at 95
Rex White, the oldest surviving NASCAR champion, who grew up in the rural Southeast where souped-up cars loaded with illegal moonshine were part of the stock-car racing circuit's origin story, died on July 18 in Taylorsville, N.C. He was 95. His niece Kay Baron said that he died in hospice care at her home, where he had been living for a few years. White started competing in the Grand National Series (now the NASCAR Cup Series) in 1956 and won two races in the 1958 season. The next year, he won five more. In 1960, he had six triumphs in his No. 4 Chevrolet. In one of them, at the Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, he was challenged in the last 30 laps by Joe Weatherly. 'We bumped and banged around the track, exchanging so much paint I thought my car's gold color had changed,' White recalled in 'Gold Thunder: Autobiography of a NASCAR Champion' (2005, with Anne B. Jones). White accumulated enough points throughout the season to take the 1960 Grand National Series championship. He raced strongly and efficiently: In 35 of 40 races, he finished in the top 10, including 25 times in the top five. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR announces race on U.S. Naval base in Coronado scheduled for 2026
NASCAR is returning to Southern California, only its cars will be racing on the streets of Coronado and not on an oval in Fontana. The stock car racing circuit announced Wednesday it will be hosting a three-day series of races June 19-21, ending in a NASCAR Cup Series race on the U.S. Naval base in Coronado. NASCAR did not race in Southern California last year for the first time since 1997, with the exception of 2021, when the schedule was hampered by the coronavirus pandemic. For much of that time, the races were held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana but that track was torn down in 2023 to make room for a giant warehouse complex. NASCAR preserved part of the grandstand and had hoped to built a half-mile oval track on the site but that project has stalled and is unlikely to be revived. NASCAR also raced on a temporary quarter-mile oval on the floor of the Coliseum but that event has also been abandoned. Next summer's Coronado race, which came to fruition after years of careful negotiation, is the first NASCAR event to be run on an active military base, It is being timed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and will feature a race weekend including an Xfinity Series race and a Craftsman Truck Series event. Read more: NASCAR figuring out if building new track in Fontana is the 'right thing to do' NASCAR ran street course races in Chicago's Grant Park from 2023-25 but that event will not return in 2026, making the Coronado race the only street race on the schedule next year. 'NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit through speed, precision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence,' Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan said in a statement. 'Hosting a race aboard Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of naval aviation, it's not just a historic first, it's a powerful tribute to the values we share: grit, teamwork and love of country. 'We're proud to open our gates to the American people, honor those who wear the uniform, and inspire the next generation to step forward and serve something greater than themselves.' Naval Base Coronado, known as the West Coast Quarterdeck, is a consortium of nine Navy installations stretching from San Clemente Island, 50 miles off the coast of Long Beach, to the Mountain Warfare Training Facility 50 miles east of San Diego. 'Hosting one of America's premier motorsports events on this historic base reflects our partnership with the local community and our shared pride in the nation's heritage,' said captain Loren Jacobi, commanding officer of Naval Base Coronado. 'We are privileged to showcase the dedication of our sailors alongside NASCAR's finest as we celebrate our 250th anniversary.' Read more: NASCAR goes to the dogs: Why many drivers bring their dogs to every race The NASCAR San Diego logo features an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which is recognized as only being flown by the U.S. Navy. The three stars in the logo signify land, sea, and air, which represents the Navy as the only branch of the military to operate in all three spaces. The arch represents the mission-style architecture found in San Diego. The stripes at the bottom of the logo represent the four largest United States Armed Force branches: Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy. Tickets for the 2026 NASCAR San Diego Weekend will go on-sale this fall. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR Will Not Race in Downtown Chicago Next Season
Over the past three seasons, NASCAR's annual 4th of July weekend race on the streets of Chicago has gone from a bold experiment to a successful proof-of-concept for stock car racing in the streets of any given city in America. It will not continue into 2026. In a statement shared to social media on Friday evening, organizers say that the race "will hit pause in 2026" in order to "explore a new potential date" and "further [optimize] operational efficiencies." This, the statement claims, is being done with the goal of resuming the race in 2027. NASCAR saw impressive racing over three years on a surprisingly wide temporary street circuit in the heart of Grant Park in downtown Chicago. Each weekend included two races, one Xfinity Series event and one Cup Series race. Shane van Gisbergen, who entered five of the six events ever held, won four. The only other winners in track history are 2024 Cup Series winner Alex Bowman and 2023 Xfinity Series winner Cole Custer. The Chicago street circuit requires significant logistical commitment from the city, which offers up public streets around Grant Park as a track during the event. Since the race lasts a full weekend and road closures start the Monday before the race, any date the series chooses will significantly impact part of the city for a full week. That means a delay was a likely outcome if either NASCAR or the city felt that a 2026 Fourth of July weekend date was untenable. While Chicago will not be on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series or Xfinity Series schedules, a rumored date in San Diego could serve as a spiritual successor to the event. Specific details of that proposal are expected to be announced as soon as next week. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Editorial: NASCAR should have a future in Chicago — if it's not held on Fourth of July weekend
NASCAR ran its Chicago race for the third time last weekend, and there was a sense that both the city and the stock-car racing world had gotten the hang of this oddball event. All went reasonably smoothly, and the weather was (mostly) fine. So now a decision needs to be made. With the three-year agreement between the city and NASCAR now ending, should the two sides keep this relationship going? Mayor Brandon Johnson said he is open to an extension, and NASCAR also wants to re-up. But the mayor raised questions about whether the Fourth of July weekend is the right time for the race. He was right to do so, and we would go a step further. If NASCAR and the city can't find another mutually suitable time for this event, both parties should go their separate ways. No hard feelings. After three years of experience, we agree with the mayor that the weekend of the Fourth stretches the city's resources too thin, particularly the Chicago Police Department. That weekend typically is among the most violent of the year, and it's simple prudence to allow CPD to focus entirely on public safety. In addition, the inconvenience to people who live downtown, as well as those just trying to get around the area during a weekend filled with barbecues and family activities, isn't worth enduring for the benefits the city gets from NASCAR. For anyone driving north to south in the area or vice versa, the DuSable Lake Shore Drive closure is a world-class headache. In the before-NASCAR times, the Fourth also drew folks from outside the area for fireworks and simply to enjoy one of the world's greatest summertime downtowns on a holiday weekend. NASCAR arguably isn't adding much in terms of tourism-related revenues to Chicago's coffers than it would be getting otherwise. A weekend when tourist traffic is comparatively light would make far more sense, at least economically for the city. Consider the example of the Bank of America marathon, which takes place in October and each year is a major economic shot in the arm for Chicago at a time of year that otherwise would be comparatively quiet. A study commissioned by the bank sponsor and released last month estimated the economic benefit of the 2024 marathon at $683 million. By contrast, an outside report estimated NASCAR in 2024 generated $128 million in value to the city, a figure critics of the event said was inflated. Last year, city government essentially broke even on NASCAR, so the event isn't a needle mover fiscally. Beyond dollars and cents, though, we do believe the race provides value to Chicago. The views of the skyline as drivers navigate the track (and sometimes careen) around Grant Park are indeed excellent marketing for a city that could use as much positive PR as it can get. For many people whose views of Chicago are shaped largely by crime coverage in conservative media, the race offers a different, more beautiful picture. But decisions of this sort are about costs and benefits. Those benefits will outweigh the costs in our view if NASCAR and the city can agree on a different weekend on the calendar. Otherwise, we all can fondly remember NASCAR in Chicago as an experiment worth trying — and return celebrating the Fourth of July to downtown Chicago. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Toni Breidinger might be the only stock car racer with a 10-step skin care routine. Meet the NASCAR driver who models.
On most Saturdays, stock car racer Toni Breidinger can be found behind the wheel, outfitted in a fireproof suit and helmet as she speeds past other drivers. When she's not competing in the NASCAR Truck Series, it's a different story. You'll probably find the 25-year-old getting dolled up for a red carpet event or modeling for the likes of Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. 'No day looks the same and no week looks the same,' the motorsports star tells me in a conversation for Yahoo's OT Diaries. 'I would honestly never call myself a model. I always call myself a race car driver, and I model on the side at times.' Not all of her peers understand her having a side hustle. 'To them, it's like, 'Why are you doing all that? That's just a distraction,'' Breidinger says. But modeling — and building up her social media profile — also helps pay the bills. 'I quite literally would not be racing without all this extra stuff that I'm doing. I mean, motorsports is expensive. It comes down to partners.' How does she juggle it all without getting burned out? As Breidinger explains below, it's all about journaling, sleep and a good skincare routine. I'm very self-aware of burnout because it is very real and it happens to a lot of people. I listen to a lot of podcasts on it, and people will give me advice about it, telling me that I can't always be working. I'm not the best at taking that advice, but it really just comes down to balance and taking little moments to do things that you like. I'm a very big advocate for journaling. I tend to be a very anxious person. So taking just a few minutes in the morning to express what I'm grateful for really helps me start off my morning right and not [feel] quite so anxious. I'm also very big into manifesting. I have so many stories about how manifesting really works. … Growing up, I always dreamed of modeling and racing … so it's kind of cool how it all worked out. It's all about attracting positive energy. I don't love to be doing nothing, so even going to the grocery store is something that makes me happy and helps to avoid burnout. On race day, my phone's always on do not disturb. I'm the type of person that when somebody texts me, I'm so accessible, I want to answer them right away. So it definitely helps me to set some boundaries with myself to not answer them and kind of be locked in and focused before a race. For me, that's a non-negotiable; it's nice to be able to have that tunnel vision focus because racing is so intense and you need to be physically and mentally there 100%. When it comes to slowing down after, I've been terrible about it, to be honest. My mind is always racing, and I'll be up until like 4 a.m. for no reason. Taking a shower when I get home is a nice little moment, but I'll just stay up for hours after that. I am because as soon as I don't get enough sleep, I automatically get sick. I'm a little bit under the weather now because I didn't pay attention to my sleep this past week. So, I definitely have to be very disciplined with it. It is tricky when you're traveling. On airplanes, the window seat is my best friend because that's my opportunity to catch up on that sleep that I'm missing out on. But before a race, I always make sure to get at least eight hours of sleep a couple of nights leading up. My Oura ring really keeps me on track because there's been times where I'm questioning if I'm actually tired or if I'm just being lazy. I'm such a workaholic that I never want to allow myself a break. So it kind of validates me: OK, yes, your body is tired, you need some rest. I feel like with motorsports, people don't realize how physical it is. You see our car, but you don't see us behind the wheel struggling, basically. So I feel like it's kind of hard for people to really [get it]. And also it's like, Oh, you're driving a car. I drive a car every day down the road to work. But it's very different in a race car. It's not easy to turn the wheel, so there's a lot going on from the physical standpoint. Then the intensity of it just makes you so much more tense, which makes it mentally draining because you're racing against 30-plus drivers and you're all on the edge. A split second of not focusing can mean that you wreck. So it's very intense. I love Pilates right now. That's been my go-to. It's so hard, but I love it. I'm shaking like five seconds into it. My skin care routine is part of unwinding. It's long, but it's nice because it gives me that time to just focus on my routine and kind of quiet my mind a little bit before I go to sleep. With racing, there's the exhaust, there's rubber, there's sweat. You're in a crusty helmet for hours on end, so the odds are against me and my skin. So I'm like, I need this 10-step routine. Some drivers, some of the guys, they'll be like, 'Oh, I don't wash my face.' I'm like, 'How is your skin OK?' If I miss one step out of my 10-step routine, my skin is trash. I've always been very interested in beauty and fashion, ever since I was younger. I do feel like it's taking more of a space in the motorsports world, particularly more in the F1 space now; I know people do their walkout outfits. I love doing that, too, though it's not quite as big in the NASCAR space. Obviously, I do get to incorporate some of my creativity in the suit and in the car and definitely in the helmet as well. But it's fun to be able to show yourself and show who you are, and I feel like fashion and makeup is such a great way of expressing yourself. So I love to take the opportunity, like showing up to the track to get some photos and show people my personality a little bit. It's hard when you're always in uniform for people to really make that connection and not just see you as a driver in another suit. I feel like it's just about expression. Also, I feel like the better I feel about myself, the better I perform. So it kind of goes hand in hand. Racing is a very humbling sport. I mean, for a lot of sports, it's [your team] vs. another team, so your odds of winning are 50%. Whereas with racing, it's you vs. 30-plus drivers. So those odds are so low and it's very humbling. Even growing up, it just taught me that when you get knocked down, you stand back up and try again. It's kind of instilled that work ethic in me. My mom for sure. Random cartoons that are on TV and [feel] nostalgic. Tom and Jerry is definitely a favorite, Pink Panther. Just like little ones that I watched when I was younger, when it felt like there were no problems in the world. Definitely junk food. I have a sweet tooth. I love to end a little meal with a sweet treat. Hi-Chews are my favorite. So many people don't know about them, and I literally force them to try it, 'cause I'm like, 'No, your life will be changed.' I love those. I'm an anxious person, so I feel like I always have random little fears. Failure would be my top one. I think I'm so competitive. But I also have a fear of losing people I love at the same time. So it's like a constant battle in my mind of putting family first or work. When somebody is a hypocrite, 'cause I'm like, how can you be hating on something that you're doing? Celsius [energy drinks] every morning. I knock them back. On my Notes app, I'll have a list of random questions that I think of throughout the day. And then I'll just take time to Google them and go on little rabbit holes. I'm a curious person. Probably my wallet. Like, that's definitely an essential. Honestly, every day is different, but if I'm feeling hype, a Sexyy Red moment. The whole wellness and diet industry kind of annoys me sometimes. There's so many extremes. You see so many different trends on TikTok and on the internet, and I just think it comes down to balance. You can't obsess over one thing and think it's going to fix everything. This is actually really random, but I'm really good at cornhole. They have it at races and I'll try it in the fan zones, and I'm just randomly good. There's been witnesses, so I'm not just saying that about myself. Before racing was in the picture, I wanted to be an artist — so, painting. I feel like that would really relax my mind and be a good hobby. I just need to take more time to do it. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
