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As the F1 season starts back up post Summer Break, I decided to grade the drivers on their performances so far this season! This is purely opinion- based and how I have felt based on drivers’ performance so far. A+ Grades: Oscar Piastri: Minus the mistake in Australia and the penalty that cost him a win in Silverstone, Piastri has been near flawless this season. He has had plenty of pace and been able to keep up with current teammate Lando Norris. What he needs to do? Piastri will need to maintain this championship to Norris otherwise he may lose it. He will be pushed to his limits to maintain it, but this will ultimately turn him into a driver with plenty of promise for the future of the team. A Grades: Max Verstappen: Once again, this is a driver who is carrying the team on his shoulders, staying in contact with both mclaren drivers for the championship, Verstappen has plenty of speed and we know that. With errors that were not the result of him in Austria, and penalties after frustration took over in Spain, there is room to improve, but we know Verstappen will do exactly that.  What he needs to do?  For him, this second half will prove plenty for him and who he is as a driver, aiming to gain on Lando Norris in the championship. Lando Norris : Having made a fair few mistakes, It definitely is not easy to compete. He can have a brilliant race with a good result like Great Britain and Hungary with the 1 pit stop decision. But with races like Canada and Belgium with the unfortunate race start, it may make things tough for him.  What he needs to do? Norris will need to focus more on himself, and the team instead of aiming to please. This will ensure he can stay within touching distance of teammate Oscar Piastri and further distance himself from Verstappen and Russell.  B+ Grades: George Russell: Once again with mixed race results including DNFs and no points weekends, it can be difficult. He does have ability to race and get good results, he is very talented, but he will need to pull focus and work very hard to stay in touch.  What he needs to do? Russell will need to keep working hard for himself and the team, by getting good results and keeping up with the Mclarens and Ferraris ahead. He will also have to fight Verstappen for the P3 in the championship.  Charles Leclerc: Charles Leclerc has had a mixed season, but had opportunities for podiums, Leclerc is looking for more. Whether it be more pace, more podiums or both. He has capability that we have seen plenty of times before. Is Ferrari ruining him as a driver or is this the mould that will make him into a championship winning driver?  What he needs to do?  His aim for the remainder of the season, will be for both Ferrari drivers to work together and maintain that P2 in the constructors as well as close the gap to Russell.  B Grades: Isack Hadjar:  Being a rookie in a car that may not be the quickest on the grid, He has been forced to work for everything. Hadjar has not only shown speed and pace, but also plenty of potential and possible team swaps in the future. He is a young talent and has proved that plenty of time this season, being the 2 nd  highest scoring rookie driver (behind Kimi Antonelli).  What he needs to do?  He will be aiming to push that team further in the championship and chase down Stake and Aston Martin.    Lewis Hamilton:  With a change to the Scuderia Ferrari team, there was excitement for Lewis Hamilton. Soon after joining, he ensured he was able to show his ability with a sprint win in China. He has also shown his capability to overtake with an impressive 11 place race in Belgium.  What he needs to do?  He will be hoping to continue the momentum with the team, but we also know that Hamilton will not give up and will continue to push his teammate and the team to be better.    B- Grades: Kimi Antonelli: The best rookie driver based on scoring, he has been an impressive driver to watch. But with mixed race results nearing identical to his teammate, including a DNF in Austria, Spain and Great Britain, has not looked good. However, to be the only rookie with a podium so far this season, pushes those thoughts away.   What he needs to do? Antonelli will be pushed to new limits as a driver, and will need to catch Lewis Hamilton if he wants any shot of improving in the championship. He will also want to take different opportunities and figure out what may work for him.    Nico Hulkenberg: From a slow start for Hulkenberg to a shocking podium finish in Great Britain (which was super impressive). Hulkenberg has shocked the fans this season with his brilliant results, including various points finish (and double points with Bortoleto).  What he needs to do? Keep this pace up. He is such a talented driver in a team that does sometimes have difficulty in getting points, but with a driver like Hulkenberg, they have lots going for them.  C+ Grades: Alex Albon: A very quiet driver, with so much going on. I have been quietly impressed with Albon so far. With a few mishaps, due to mechanical error and such, which were tough to witness. He still manages to make good of the season and this team.   What he needs to do? Albon needs to continue at the pace he is at. He can do so much more, however now, this might be the point that Williams can maintain and do lots with it. With talented drivers, they can reach for the stars.   C Grades: Carlos Sainz: The change to Williams from Ferrari was a big one, he is a great driver, still with plenty to prove. He has had some good results so far including, Saudi Arabia, Imola and even Monaco being able to defend against the angry Mercedes.  What he needs to do? Carlos needs to maintain his strength for this team and work alongside Albon to continue extending away from the Aston Martin duo who are slowly catching them.  Lance Stroll & Fernando Alonso: I'm grouping both Aston Martin drivers together as the have had the same up and down season. With a mix of on and off race weekends, it has ensured both drivers are tied as of mid-season in the championship.   What they need to do?  For Stroll, He will want to push himself to be better than his teammate and work to build the team and their potential for 2026 with the new regulation changes. For Alonso, he has something to prove against the younger driver and must show who he is, whilst also being a team player and working hard with the team.  Yuki Tsunoda: With a good start to the year at Racing Bulls, it began to drop when he was switched to the RedBull team. Alongside Max Verstappen, his season does not look as competitive as it should be. He is a pocket rocket driver with capability beyond what we have seen. It is tough that the car is not easy to drive at all.  What he needs to do? He needs to push himself as a driver, he knows what he can do and I am sure that we are yet to see his true pace. He can be a very competitive person when given the opportunity, we saw it in the Racing Bulls, so hopefully we’ll see it again soon.  C- Grades: Liam Lawson: For Liam Lawson, being he was moved from RedBull early on, he has shown great potential since with many points scoring weekends and great results for the team. What he needs to do? Liam Lawson will want to chase his teammate Isack Hadjar and push himself, as he has good talent and can be very good. Lawson has to assert dominance over his rookie teammate and prove himself as a team leader. Pierre Gasly: For Pierre Gasly, he currently is carrying the Alpine team, slowly they are catching the rest of the midfield, but it will take more than just one driver. But Gasly must take control as he is the team leader and with the midfield being so close even having a "Good" weekend can still mean 0 points. What he needs to do? Pierre Gasly needs to continue scoring points for the team if they want to stay in the fight for the midpack. Even with a less than stellar teammate he can't write the season off he has to push and find his old form. And to be honest he can't be average anymore. Esteban Ocon: Similar to Bearman, it has been a difficult season with dicey results. Ocon is very capable and can pull some great results, even with the tough car he is driving. With points early on in China and Bahrain he has shown what he can do in any type of car.  What he needs to do? He will want to push this team for greatness, being the older and more mature driver out of the two. The team has plenty more opportunities for points before the end of the season, so making an aim for that.  Gabriel Bortoleto: Although Bortoleto has had a rocky start to the season, by mid-year, he was starting to show plenty of pace, keeping up with the likes of Fernando Alonso and more. We know based on previous seasons that Bortoleto can be an extremely fast and capable driver with overtaking and pure pace.  What he needs to do?  He will be continuing his push in the championship, improving his skill and getting prepared for the new regulations with Audi.  Oliver Bearman:  The Haas is not an easy car to drive and Bearman has proved that, with a few scoring opportunities, he has shown good potential for the future. With double points for Haas in China and Japan, he has created a good starting point. What he needs to do? Bearman will have to work extremely hard to have a chance at getting more points for himself and the team. I think he should lean on Ocon and learn how to navigate the midfield. He has to take steps before he's ready for Ferrari.   F Grades: Franco Colapinto:  As Jack Doohan’s replacement, there was an expectation. Has it been met yet? Probably not, having not received any points yet, It’s a tough time for Colapinto. He has made mistakes throughout the year leaving his teammate an extordinary task of getting Alpine points. What he needs to do? His best bet, is to try his best and work hard to try and get the team points.  And he has to stop crashing at crucial points. I hope things improve he's still young. I also think he's preoccupied with getting 2026 sorted and is trying to hard to push himself take things one lap at a time. Jack Doohan:  With an expectation of getting sacked looming on Doohan’s head, it was hard to focus on anything other than that. A tough start to the season with a sad ending to his time at Alpine. He showed some improvement from race 1 to race 5 but his fate was already decided in the preseason.   What he needs to do? He just has to be himself and work hard, he entered a weird situation where he wasn't even wanted.

There are a lot of great young talents to keep an eye on for the next couple of years like Corey Heim, Layne Riggs, Rajah Caruth, Connor Zilisch, and Jesse Love. But today’s article is about the up-and-comers who aren’t yet regulars in NASCAR’s top three national series but are well on their way. This is Part 1 of the series, with Part 2 coming soon. These aren’t rankings, just a closer look at drivers who stand out. Alongside each name, we also added an estimated time of arrival for the Cup Series, similar to how MLB projects prospects. 5. Luke Baldwin If you’re from the northeast and a modified fan, the Baldwin name is familiar to you. But we’re not talking about Tom Baldwin Sr. or Tommy Baldwin Jr, we’re talking about the third generation, Tommy Jr’s son Luke. At just 19 years old, Luke Baldwin has been racing in multiple series to sharpen his craft. He’s shown strong results in the SMART Tour, NASCAR Modified Series, the CARS Tour, and in limited Truck Series starts. He’s expected to get more opportunities with ThorSport, possibly landing a full-time ride for 2026. Baldwin’s versatility stands out, and if he closes the year strong and shows dominance in key late-season races, top Cup teams will start keeping tabs on him. Trucks and Xfinity should be a natural fit for his skillset, and he has the potential to thrive in both. Cup Series ETA: 2031 4. Keelan Harvick Don’t worry NASCAR fans, there’s another Harvick on the way. Keelan is just 13, but he’s already dipped into multiple disciplines while deciding whether to chase NASCAR, IndyCar, or even Formula 1. Recently, he’s leaned more toward stock cars and oval racing, a path that makes sense given his background. He’s won in Legend Cars and recently earned his first CARS Tour victory at Kern Raceway, his dad’s home track. 2025 was his first true season in stock cars, and he’s already sitting second in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour standings. While it’s early, you can tell Kevin Harvick’s experience amd grind to be a NASCAR legend is paying off in Keelan’s development. He’s been exposed to many different types of racing, and that versatility is something Cup drivers need if they want to win championships. The next two years will be key in how his career develops. Cup Series ETA: 2035 3. Tristan McKee Tristan McKee turned heads in August by becoming one of the youngest winners in NASCAR history with his ARCA victory at Watkins Glen, just days after his birthday. McKee currently splits time between ARCA and the CARS Tour, which has become the proving ground for America’s best young drivers. He’s also part of Spire’s development pipeline, giving him a strong foundation and potential opportunities. If he continues to develop at this pace, he could find himself in a Truck ride by late 2017 or 2028. I’m especially interested to see if he runs a full ARCA season soon, because that series is a real test of driver mentality. Mistakes happen there, and how he handles them will say a lot about his future. He’s young and has time, but the raw talent is there and even Stevie Wonder could see that. Cup Series ETA: 2035 2. Isabella Robusto Friend of the program Isabella Robusto has been quietly impressive in ARCA, showing she’s far more than just a marketing name. At 20, she’s already stacked up 10 top-10 finishes in 14 races this season, and she’s done it against tough competition. Toyota has invested heavily in her development, and it’s clear they see long-term potential. A part-time Truck schedule could be in play as soon as next year, although Toyota hasn’t announced their 2026 plans yet. What I’d like to see from her is a late-season push — maybe some wins or a consistent run of top-3 and top-5 finishes. ARCA can be chaotic at times, but Trucks might give her a better platform to show just how good she is. Robusto has the tools and support to make history in the Cup Series, and like many others, I’ve got a good feeling about her future. Cup Series ETA: 2032 1. Ben Maier Ben Maier may not be on everyone’s radar, but the 16-year-old has been putting together an impressive run. He currently leads the CARS Pro Late Model championship, ahead of Keelan Harvick in second. His resume is already unique, with experience ranging from Stadium Super Trucks to one-off appearances in the Truck Series, including a start at Lime Rock Park. Unlike others on this list, Maier isn’t officially aligned with any team pipeline. That leaves his future wide open, which could be an advantage if he continues to perform. I’m curious to see where his Chevy connections take him, and which team he ultimately chooses to align with. For now, I’ve projected his Cup Series ETA for 2036, but that could accelerate if he puts together a dominant season in the CARS Tour, ARCA, or another series next year. Cup Series ETA: 2036

Alex Palou Draws Interest From Red Bull Racing In one of the most intriguing crossovers between IndyCar and Formula 1 in recent years, Red Bull Racing has expressed interest in placing four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou  alongside Max Verstappen in 2026. The move, if it comes to fruition, would bring together two of the most dominant drivers in their respective series and signal Red Bull’s intent to strengthen its already formidable F1 lineup. Palou is a 4 time IndyCar Champion Per Nathan Brown and the Indystar, Palou and his camp remain adamant that no talks have taken place. Both the driver and his manager, Roger Yasukawa, denied having been in discussions with Red Bull. Chip Ganassi Racing, Palou’s current IndyCar team, also stated there had been no conversations about Palou leaving his DHL-sponsored No. 10 Honda. However Red Bull may be willing to to pay the exit clause. Palou was linked to McLaren but decided to stay in IndyCar However, Palou’s contract situation leaves the door cracked open. His current deal with CGR runs through 2026 but contains an out clause if a Formula 1 opportunity arises, provided a substantial buyout is paid. This wouldn’t be Palou’s first attempt to break away from Ganassi: he clashed with the team in 2022 when he sought to join McLaren Racing. That dispute even reached federal court before Palou ultimately stayed put. though not without cutting a deal that allowed him F1 testing opportunities with McLaren. With Palou fresh off securing his third straight IndyCar championship and fourth in five years, Red Bull’s interest shows how highly he is regarded in global motorsport. If the Spanish driver makes the jump, it could mark a rare and dramatic crossover from IndyCar dominance to Formula 1’s highest stage. Stellantis Brings Ram Back to NASCAR With Kaulig Racing For the first time since 2012, Stellantis  will return to NASCAR with its Ram brand , officially re-entering the sport in 2026 through a partnership with Kaulig Racing . The announcement was made near Daytona International Speedway and marks a significant expansion for Kaulig, which currently competes in the Cup and Xfinity Series with Chevrolet. Dodge is returning to NASCAR after a long time away Kaulig is expected to field up to five trucks at the 2026 Daytona season-opener, effectively creating a Ram “super team” for the Truck Series. No drivers have been announced yet, and outside of Kaulig, Stellantis has no plans for additional Ram entries. Importantly, the move will not impact Kaulig’s existing Chevrolet programs in the Cup and Xfinity Series, as Stellantis is only investing in the Truck division. Ram is fully funding the Truck effort so drivers do not have to bring huge sponsorship packages with them to race. Founded in 2016, Kaulig has steadily built itself into a competitive force. The team has scored 27 Xfinity wins, Championship 4 appearances in 2020 and 2024, and two Cup victories with A.J. Allmendinger. The Ram partnership represents a new era for the organization, bringing manufacturer backing to its first full Truck Series effort. For Stellantis, the return of Ram adds another layer of competition to NASCAR’s manufacturer wars. With Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota already locked into intense rivalries, Ram’s entry sets the stage for fresh storylines and could bring new energy to the Truck Series. Dutch Grand Prix to End After 2026, Zandvoort Eyes NASCAR or IndyCar The Dutch Grand Prix, a fan-favorite stop on the Formula 1 calendar and home race for Max Verstappen, will depart after the 2026 season . Circuit Zandvoort’s director, Robert van Overdijk, confirmed the split, citing financial realities. Unlike most other F1 venues, Zandvoort operates without government subsidies, relying instead on a trio of private partners to fund the event. Zandvoort is a fan favorite track Despite the financial strain, the race has become a cultural centerpiece in the Netherlands, with sellout crowds and international attention. F1 leadership, including CEO Stefano Domenicali, has praised Zandvoort for setting “a new benchmark” in fan engagement. Yet the lack of financial support means continuing beyond 2026 is not feasible. Looking ahead, Zandvoort is exploring partnerships with other motorsport series. Overdijk specifically mentioned IndyCar and NASCAR  as potential replacements, noting their ability to provide “spectacle” and unique fan experiences. While neither option would match F1’s global scale, they could still deliver strong entertainment value for Dutch fans and keep the circuit internationally relevant. Zandvoort wants to try to host new events like IndyCar and NASCAR If Zandvoort secures a deal, it would mark a groundbreaking shift. IndyCar has not raced in Europe in decades, and NASCAR has never staged a top-tier Cup or Truck race on the continent. A post-F1 Zandvoort event could bring new life to the track while offering American racing series an opportunity to expand abroad. As NASCAR seems committed to racing in various countries to showcase themselves to new audiences.

Honorable Mention: I’m extremely surprised. Shane van Gisbergen was this close to making my list. Not only was SVG somewhat competitive, he was running his own line on Saturday. No one was ripping the top but him. With Daytona this week, SVG could gain some serious momentum. Also Tyler Reddick gets some props. He had speed and won a stage, but got turned by Daniel Suarez. Unfortunately, he couldn’t recover, and a bad race at Daytona along with a new winner could spell doom for his playoffs before they even begin. 10. Had Brad Keselowski not cut a tire late at Watkins Glen, it’s likely he’d have 5 straight top 10s. The rebound for this team has been nothing short of incredible, but if he can’t win at Daytona this week, it’ll be all for naught. He won this race back in 2016, but it’s his only points paying victory at the track. He also pushed his teammate to victory in 2023. 9. Christopher Bell is straight up confusing me. He is by far the most inconsistent driver right now, as he’ll finish top 5 one week and run consistently 15th on pace the next. Daytona doesn’t spread high hopes very much for him, either, but Bell did win at Atlanta earlier this year.  8. Alex Bowman is on a run right now. He has 4 top 10s in the last 5 races, including 2 top 5s in that span. He wrapped up another one on Saturday night, with a P2 place at Richmond. He seemed to have the fastest car late, but it was too little, too late, as Austin Dillon already had a 4 second lead as Bowman passed Blaney for 2nd. While he’s never won at Daytona, in his 18 starts at Daytona, he’s never finished worse than 25th except for his 500 attempt in 2021. He has 7 top 10s in those 18 starts, including 4 top 6s in his last 5 stars. All Alex Bowman needs is no new winner, and he’s in the Playoffs, but even if he has a one, with a good run, he could knock out Tyler Reddick. 7. Bubba Wallace is in the 7 spot for back to back weeks. He was on his way to his 4th top 10 in a row. Wallace led 123 laps, won stage 1, and finished 2nd stage 2. A miscue on pit road cost him a few laps and a shot at the win, crediting him with a 28th place position. While Wallace won his duel race at Daytona earlier this year, he’s never won a points race here. He’s finished 2nd 3 times, though. 6. Kyle Larson got some track position midway through Richmond and never gave it up. He finished 6th, which was about where he ran. We’re still not seeing race winning speed out of the 5, but at least we saw speed. Larson heads to Daytona, a place he’s quoted as saying, “I have this f***ing place.” Safe to say, I wouldn’t put any money on him this week. 5. Chase Elliott is ice cold right now. He hasn’t had a top 10 since his 6th place at Dover, which was 5 spots worse than he should’ve finished. Any momentum Elliott had, it’s gone. He followed up his worst finish of the year with his first DNF of the year, though it was through no fault of his own. Elliott has a few wins at Talladega, but never at Daytona other than the duels. 4. Denny Hamlin had problem after problem after problem on Saturday…and he still finished top 10. Hamlin had to drive through the field twice, and he didn’t quite finish his mission the 2nd time. Hamlin’s won the Daytona 500 3 times, but he’s never won the fall race here. In fact, he hasn’t finished top 10 in the fall race since 2020. He’ll have speed and help, it’s just whether or not Hamlin makes it to the white, and unlike this year’s 500, through the white. 3. Ryan Blaney is the shining light at Team Penske right now. Since getting wrecked out of a top 5 run at Sonoma, Blaney has not finished worst than 8th, including 3 straight finishes of 6th or better. This looks like it could be another deep Penske playoff run. If you’re superstitious, however, Blaney is in the Advance Auto Parts car, which has seen Blaney take some gnarly hits in.  2. Chase Briscoe had a quiet day at Richmond, running top 10-15 all day. He didn’t make noise like some others on the list did, and that may be just as much of a good thing as it is a bad thing. Briscoe finished 4th at Daytona in the winter and 15th at Talladega in the spring. He’ll have a lot of Toyota teammates, but more than likely, they’ll all be pushing the 54. 1. The top 2 stay unchanged, as William Byron also had a quiet day, which was exactly what he needed. Byron locked up the regular season title, and all he’s going to try and do Saturday is gain more playoff points or help his teammate, Alex Bowman, into the playoffs. He has a pretty good track record here, as not only did his first win come at Daytona, but he’s won the last 2 Daytona 500s straight.

NASCAR Pushes Back in Charter Lawsuit In a late-night filing on Monday, NASCAR laid out its case against a new preliminary injunction that would return lost charters to 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. If granted, the injunction would restore the six charters those teams lost earlier this summer. If denied, NASCAR would regain control and could sell them to new ownership groups ahead of the 2026 season. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for August 28, just as the Cup Series Playoffs begin. NASCAR insists there are “many eager potential entrants” ready to buy into the Cup Series, although the identities of these interested parties remain redacted in the court filing. The sanctioning body argues that selling the charters would create “a unique opportunity to bring in new teams that would delight fans and inject valuable innovation and investment into the sport.” NASCAR also pushed back against antitrust claims, pointing out that drivers and teams are free to compete in other stock car disciplines such as the CARS Tour, and claiming the sport is not a monopoly. The filing even called out 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan by name, accusing him of attempting to “use litigation to grant him a permanent charter that no other team has.” NASCAR pointed to increases in team payments under the 2016 and current Charter Agreements, as well as its share of revenue distribution compared to Formula 1, to show its financial commitment to teams. The urgency lies in the calendar. NASCAR argues that if the case drags on until its December 2025 trial date, there will not be enough time for new teams to prepare for the 2026 Daytona 500. According to NASCAR, an October 1, 2025, deadline would be the latest a new entrant could realistically gear up for a competitive debut. With high stakes on both sides, this looming court decision could redefine the competitive and financial landscape of NASCAR for years to come. IndyCar Sets Sights on Mexico City While NASCAR’s Mexico plans appear shelved for now, IndyCar is positioning itself to fill that gap. With NASCAR absent from the country in 2026, Roger Penske’s series has accelerated talks to bring IndyCar back to Mexico City for the first time since Champ Car raced there in 2007. The proposed event would slot neatly into the 2026 calendar. After opening in St. Petersburg (March 8) and traveling to the new Arlington street race in Texas (March 13–15), IndyCar has left nearly a month-long gap before Long Beach in April. Officials see this window as the perfect spot to stage a race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. IndyCar representatives reportedly toured the facility last week and continue to negotiate with local promoter Grupo Rentable. The series still faces decisions on which track layout to use, the full Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit or the shortened NASCAR configuration as well as financial negotiations over the hosting rights fee. Grupo Rentable has experience through its “Speed Fest” events, which blend motorsport with concerts and entertainment, but CIE-Ocesa (the promoter of Mexico’s F1 and NASCAR races) may also come into play. A potential partnership between the two companies could lower financial risks while ensuring the race’s long-term stability. Perhaps most importantly, IndyCar would benefit from its own local star power. Pato O’Ward has become one of the series’ biggest names, sparking a wave of “Patomania” across Mexico. With O’Ward a frontrunner in the championship, fan support would likely translate into strong ticket sales and vibrant crowds. If the deal is completed soon, IndyCar’s 2026 season could feature one of its most exciting international additions in nearly two decades. Aleix Espargaró Injured Again, LCR’s Rider Struggles Continue Meanwhile in MotoGP, LCR Honda’s #35 entry continues to be plagued by misfortune. Aleix Espargaró, who was set to substitute for the injured Somkiat Chantra at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, has withdrawn after yet another cycling accident. The Spaniard arrived at Balaton Park with severe back pain, and medical checks revealed an injury to his L3 vertebra. He has since returned to Barcelona for further evaluation. This marks the fourth consecutive race where LCR has scrambled to fill the seat. The saga began when Chantra crashed in training before the German Grand Prix, sidelining him for multiple rounds. While Johann Zarco has carried the team alone, the constant changes to the second bike have hindered the squad’s consistency and development. Chantra, however, is working toward a return at the Catalan Grand Prix in early September. Having spent two weeks recovering in Thailand, he has now resumed intensive rehabilitation in Barcelona with the aim of rejoining the grid at his home team’s race. Team boss Lucio Cecchinello confirmed that Chantra’s progress is promising, but his MotoGP future remains uncertain. With rising Moto2 talent Diogo Moreira set to join LCR in 2026, Chantra’s chances of retaining his spot appear slim. Espargaró’s injury only adds to the turbulence, highlighting how quickly fortunes can shift in MotoGP. For LCR, the Hungarian weekend has become yet another uphill battle in a season already defined by instability.

Nicky Hayden celebrating his 2006 MotoGP World Championship after the Valencian Grand Prix in Cheste. Photograph: Javier Soriano/Getty Images MotoGP as we know it nowadays hosts a very rich presence of Spanish and Italian riders thanks to the countries's great amount of race tracks and junior categories which allows for a better rider development than in many other places. However, as weird as it may seem, there was once a time where these 2 weren't dominating the Motorcycle World Championships scene, but rather the United States. Kenny Roberts Sr. riding his Yamaha around the Nürburgring. Photograph: Gold & Goose Long gone are the days where Kenny Roberts Sr. bursted onto the scene in 1978 winning the 500cc World Championship in his debut against Barry Sheene who had labeled him as "no threat" upon his arrival. Roberts went on to take 3 consecutive titles between 1978 and 1980, the first ones for an American rider. His experience in dirt tracks set a wonderful foundation for his unmistakable riding style. The back then nearly unridable 500cc bikes had a very loose rear end, and Roberts could only watch how the other riders struggled to keep the bike ontrack while he could control his Yamaha's rear end with ease. In his 6 season long career, he won 3 500cc World Championships, 24 races and got 44 podiums, a magnificent career. Freddie Spencer riding his Marlboro Agostini Yamaha in the 1989 Australian GP, one of his last races. With Roberts Sr.'s titles, the floodgates then opened for the Americans in the World Championships. Freddie Spencer, a fellow American, fought for the 1983 title against Roberts himself, a title that Spencer ended up winning by just 2 points in Roberts's last season in the 500cc championship. Spencer then would take another title in 1985, though he would not only take the 500cc one, but also the 250cc. To this day, Spencer remains the last rider to have won the senior and intermediate class in the same season, a true show of his greatness. He would lose the 1984 title to another american though, Eddie Lawson. Eddie Lawson riding his 1986 Yamaha YZR500 0W81. Photograph: Yamaha Lawson not only took Spencer's title away, he started a whole kingdom. He would win the 500cc World Championship in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1989, the only American to win 4 500cc titles in MotoGP history. He was known for his precise and clinical riding style, as well as that flow that made Eddie so characteristic. Not only did he win 4 titles, he also became the first rider in Motorcycle World Championship's history to win back-to-back 500cc titles in 2 different teams and bikes. "Steady Eddie" as he was called back in the day had something else, something that set him apart from the rest of the riders. Only Lawson's unstoppable 1985 and his Yamaha's poor reliability in 1987 stopped him from winning 5 titles in a row. After little understanding with Honda, Lawson returned to Yamaha in 1990, but an injury in the United States GP pulled him aside for 6 GPs, finishing 7th in the standings. For 1991 Eddie had seen enough of Yamaha and decided to go bold. Knowing his retirement would come soon, he would spend his last 2 years in the 500cc class in the new Cagiva bike to help them get to the top of the field. In those 2 years before retirement, Lawson got 1 win, 2 podiums and a best place of 6th in the cmapionship in 1991. However, he wouldn't be the last american to be king of the hill. Randy Mamola riding his 1989 C589 Cagiva 500cc machine. Photograph: Goose & Gold Before Dani Pedrosa became the "King with no crown", Randy Mamola was there. 500cc runner up in 1980, 1981, 1984 and 1987, his 13 wins and 54 podiums in the senior class is nothing short of an amazing career for the Californian. You might not see his name in the MotoGP World Champions's trophy, but his legacy earned him a spot as an official MotoGP Legend. Wayne Rainey talking with Kevin Schwantz during their rivalry in the 1990s. After Lawson came these 2. The US could only watch as their riders dominated the 500cc scene. There was Wayne Rainey, Yamaha's eternal golden boy, and of course, Kevin Schwantz, Suzuki's best and protegé. Their rivalry comes a long way from back in the AMA days, but it was in the 500cc days where it became international and unavoidable. After Lawson's injury in 1990, it was a clear path for the 2 to fight for the title, although a very young Mick Doohan in the Honda machinery was getting closer every race. It was often Schwantz who did miracles with his inferior Suzuki bike, at times taking it to places where it most definetely shouldn't have been. But Rainey's consistency and patience was all he needed to take the 1990, 1991 and 1992 crowns. ahead of Kevin. It has to be noted that, hadn't it been for Doohan's leg injury in 1992, it was certain that the Aussie would've won that title and more, but that wasn't the case after all. In 1993 it seemed like Schwantz and Suzuki had finally gotten it right. Kevin's magnificent performances got him to lead the championship before the dark 1993 Misano race. There, during the race, disaster would strike. Wayne Rainey had a horrible crash which left him paralized from the waste down, ending his career with inmediately. With Rainey out, and Doohan still recovering from his injury, Schwantz took it easy to win the 1993 500cc World Championship. But it looked like something in him had clicked after Rainey's crash, something was wrong. For 1994 and 1995 he stayed in the World Championship wearing the so much deserved number 1. He began 1994 with great form, often challening Doohan, but his season was cut short after the Czech GP. He could only watch as Doohan would take the first of his 500cc world titles. Schwantz returned for the 1995 first 3 races, but he had enough and retired after the 1995 Japanese GP. Kenny Roberts Jr. leading Valentino Rossi in the 2000 Valencian GP. 1993 would prove to be the last senior class title for any American until the year 2000. The first year of the 21st century was a weird one for the Motorcycle Grand Prix world. There wasn't a clear dominant force like it had been in Doohan's or Criville's years. Kenny Roberts Jr., son of Roberts Sr. did exactly what he needed to do to take that year's 500cc World Championship home. With 4 wins he took what became Suzuki's last senior class crown until Joan Mir in 2020, but taking the title in that bike was nothing short of genius. In 2001 however he started going downhill with no brakes, and nor his Suzuki nor his father's premier class team which was created after the MotoGP era began could stop it. In 2007 Kenny Jr. had enough and hung up his boots, ending a career that, while it couldn't be compared to that of his father's, it was very good. Nicky Hayden after his win in the 2006 MotoGP United States GP, the "Kentucky Kid"'s last one in the premier class. Photograph: Gigi Solano The last rider coming from the United States to take a senior class World Championship was the forever remembered Nicky Hayden. The Kentucky Kid as he was called, always had something in store for us during the 990cc four-stroke era. With 3 wins, 2 of them taken during his World Championship year in 2006, Hayden was one to watch everytime. His 2006 season wasn't the best season ever, but he was consistent and challenged on a frequent basis, something that his rivals lacked during most of the season. Beating Rossi, Capirossi, Pedrosa and Melandri, all of which were in great shape, was something a lot of riders can only dream about today, but Nicky beat them all. Unfortunately MotoGP's change to the 800cc bikes ended all of Nicky's momentum which he could never get back again. Nicky unfortunately died in 2017 after being involved in a crash with a car while he was biking. Ben Spies riding his Yamaha as a wildcard in the Valencian GP after winning the 2009 WorldSBK title. Photography: Yamaha Ben Spies and Colin Edwards would also race in MotoGP at the same time as Nicky Hayden, but unfortunately neither of the 2 would get close to winning the title, though they would win at least a championship each in the World Superbikes series. Spies was Yamaha's hope after Rossi, and for some time it seemed like he would be able to fight for big things when he joined MotoGP full-time in 2010. However, his injuries and physical problems as well as his fear to flying could only stop him from archieving what he was one destined to be. Spies retired in 2013. Meanwhile, Colin Edwards had a very long career in MotoGP, but still to this day holds the record of the MotoGP rider with the most podiums in MotoGP without a single win (12). That however doesn't matter to good old Colin who says he remains "satisfied and happy" about his MotoGP stint. Joe Roberts during the 2024 Spanish Moto2 qualifying session. Photograph: Dorna After Hayden and Edward's retirement in 2015, no American rider has raced in MotoGP full-time, with the only one that has been closed to a chance being the ever so inconsistent Joe Roberts, who can't quite get the hang of his Moto2 machinery. Joe has been very close to striking a deal to race in MotoGP several times, but it seems as though that everytime he is close to getting a deal, his performances just go down a cliff. He still had hope to land a MotoGP ride, but his chances are only shrinking as time goes on. In 2024 Justin Marks owner of NASCAR team Trackhouse Racing started his own MotoGP team after buying what was left of RNF Racing. They currently are a satellite team of Aprilia and have been speculated to a switch to Honda depending on Honda's NASCAR plans. Currently as of the writing of this article the team has no podiums or wins yet, but with young rider Ai Ogura leading the team he has the potential to bring the team to glory. And with Trackhouse coming into the fold as Liberty Media takes over there are chances of Trackhouse being used as a tool to promote the sport in the states. The U.S. is in desperate hope of a MotoGP rider, even more after Dorna's new ownership in the series. The creating of a new 24/7 channel as well as free coverage has been welcome in the country, but that isn't everything that is needed to get people's attention. Will we see an American in the MotoGP class? Doesn't look like it will come soon, but we can only dream.

In 2026, the Audi name will join the Formula One grid for the first time. The iconic German manufacturer completed a 100% takeover of the Kick Sauber team, which will see them enter F1 next year when new regulations including a 50/50 split in power from the internal combustion engine and battery as well as 100% sustainable fuel are introduced. The Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and Kick Sauber (becoming Audi next year) side by side in the pit lane at the Australian Grand Prix. (Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images) Audi first officially announced that they would join F1 at the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix , announcing a partnership with Sauber a few months later. After initially planning to acquire 75% of the Swiss team, in 2024 Audi decided to acquire 100% of Sauber. Audi have also brought the Qatar Investment Authority on board to take a minority stake in the team thought to be about 30%. Audi have a very successful history in motorsport, especially in endurance racing and rallying. Arguably their most significant success in motorsport came at 24 Hours of Le Mans, where they have 13 overall victories, the second most for a manufacturer only behind Porsche. They have also won the Nürburgring 24 Hours 7 times and Spa 24 Hours 4 times. In rallying they have won 4 World Rally Championship titles with the Audi quattro. In more recent times, Audi won the Formula E Teams’ Championship in the 2017/18 season and powered Lucas di Grassi to the Drivers’ Title the prior season. Despite all their success, the four rings from Ingolstadt have never raced in Formula One, until now. (Photo: Audi Media Center) When Audi join the grid next year, they’ll be going head-to-head with fellow German manufacturer Mercedes, reigniting a once great rivalry in Grand Prix racing in the 1930’s. In 1932 four automotive companies, Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer merged to create Auto Union. This is where the four rings logo came from, with each ring representing one of the original companies. In 1969 Auto Union would merge with NSU to form Audi NSU Auto Union, shortened to Audi in 1985. After the 1932 merger, Auto Union saw Grand Prix racing as the best way to promote the new Auto Union name.  Auto Union entered Grand Prix racing in 1934 when new regulations imposing a maximum weight of 750kg were introduced. They would join some familiar names in Grand Prix racing like Alfa Romeo, Scuderia Ferrari, Bugatti, Maserati and Mercedes. Auto Union entered with their new car, the Type-A, a rear-engined car fitted with a supercharged V16 engine. The car was designed by a team including the legendary Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, the man behind the iconic manufacturer Porsche. Porsche was originally an engineering consultancy and was involved in the design of all of Auto Union’s Grand Prix cars. Mercedes built the W25 for the new regulations. It was a front-engined car equipped with a straight-8 engine. Mercedes were a better financed and more professional racing outfit and all of their cars were built in-house at Daimler-Benz factories. The Auto Union Type A’s were painted silver while Mercedes opted for the German national racing colour of white for the W25. But when the latter weighed in at 752kg, Mercedes stripped the paint off to meet the weight requirements, exposing the silver aluminium body. This is where the nickname of ‘The Silver Arrows’ came from and was originally used to describe the silver cars of both Auto Union and Mercedes, rather than just Mercedes as it is most commonly used today. Mercedes W125 Grand Prix car (Photo: Wouter Melissen) Both teams managed multiple race victories in 1934, but the Mercedes team beat their German rivals with four wins to Auto Union’s three. Auto Union decided to build a new car for 1935 to try to beat Mercedes. They entered the 1935 season with the new Type-B, which had an increased engine output and rear torsion bar suspension to improve handling, a prominent issue with the Type-A. Mercedes made some updates to their W25 but it remained mostly the same. Alfred Neubauer, Mercedes team manager was confident that his star-studded driver lineup of Luigi Fagioli, Manfred Von Brauchitsch and Rudolf Caracciola would lead his team to glory. In 1935 Auto Union found their own star driver in Bernd Rosemeyer. Rosemeyer had raced motorcycles for DKW, which was part of Auto Union. Mercedes dominated the season, winning 13 races with Auto Union only managing 4 with their new car. Caracciola was crowned European Champion, the pre-1950 equivalent of the F1 World Championship, with 6 wins. The following year, Auto Union finally usurped their German rivals with their new Type-C, which was essentially a much more powerful version of the Type-B. They won 6 races – 5 of which were won by Rosemeyer, who was crowned 1936 European champion, including a famous victory in heavy fog at the Eifel Grand Prix. Mercedes floundered, only managing 2 race wins all season. For 1937, Mercedes introduced their new car they had been working on since 1935, the W125. It was designed by their chief designer Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The new car was longer and lower to the ground than the W25. But its most impressive feature was undoubtedly the 5.6L straight-8 engine that could turn out almost 650 horsepower. This made it the most powerful Grand Prix car ever at the time. With their new car, Mercedes bounced back to win 8 races with Auto Union winning 6 and Caracciola once again won the European Championship. Alongside their rivalry in Grand Prix racing, Mercedes and Auto Union also went head-to-head for land speed records. They both built streamlined cars, taking them to newly built section of Germany’s autobahn to attempt to take the record. In October 1937, Rosemeyer and Auto Union beat Mercedes and Caracciola to the record, hitting 253.95mph (408.6kmh). They would meet again in January 1938. Caracciola broke Rosemeyer’s record, hitting 270.4mph (435.1kph). Rosemeyer wanted to take back his record straight away despite being warned of worsening weather conditions. While on a record attempt, it is thought that an incredibly strong gust of wind hit the car causing Rosemeyer to lose control and the car to go airborne. Rosemeyer was thrown from the car after it hit a bridge embankment and was tragically killed. Mercedes and Audi Battling On Track ( Sportscar365.com ) For the 1938 season, rule changes meant Auto Union needed a new car as well as a new star driver. The obvious choice was the Italian legend Tazio Nuvolari. He had been a great friend and admirer of Rosemeyer since his performance in the fog at the 1936 Eifel Grand Prix, and left Alfa Romeo to join Auto Union as a tribute to him. The new regulations increased the weight limit to 850kg and capped supercharged engine capacity at 3 litres and 4.5 litres for naturally aspirated engines. Auto Union equipped their new star driver with the Type-D. This car was so ahead of its time, it’s said to have set the precedent for the Formula One cars of the 60s. It was a mid-engined car with independent front and rear torsion bar suspension and centralised mass to improve direction change, all concepts widely adopted in F1 in the 1960s, over 20 years later. The car was powered by a 3 litre supercharged V12 engine. Mercedes built the W154 for the 1938 season, a shorter, lower and sleeker car than its predecessor. Due to the new engine regulations Mercedes were forced to abandon the supercharged straight-8 engines they had used in all of their Grand Prix cars since 1934, also opting for a supercharged 3 litre supercharged V12 engine. Mercedes once again got the better of their fellow Germans, with 6 wins and just 2 for Auto Union. Rudolf Caracciola won his third European Championship. For 1939, both Mercedes and Auto Union made updates to their 1938 cars. This would be the last season before the outbreak of World War II. Mercedes would beat Auto Union for the final time, winning 5 races while Auto Union won just 3. Britain and France declared war on Germany less than two weeks after the last Championship race in Switzerland. The Italian Grand Prix was scheduled to be the final race in September, but due to construction work it was known that it would not go ahead despite not officially being cancelled. There were also disputes over which points system should be used, as such no European Champion was officially announced. If the official points system where positions are counted as points (similar to golf where the lowest score wins) was used, Auto Union’s Hermann Paul Müller would have been champion. There was dissatisfaction with this system and calls for a points system similar to the modern one to be used, which would’ve seen Mercedes’s Hermann Lang become Champion. The difference in champions came from how the old system scored DNFs with the maximum points, which was very harsh in a system where the aim was to have as little points as possible. Müller was the unofficial European Champion of 1939, while German motorsport authorities declared Lang as Champion. While there were Grands Prix held between 1940 and 1945, an organised championship did not return until 1946. Most Grands Prix held during World War II took place in the United States and South America. The teams of Mercedes and Auto Union would not race in their 1930s forms again.  It is unknown how closely matched Audi and Mercedes will be when their rivalry is reignited under the new F1 regulations in 2026, but perhaps one day they’ll be the dominant forces in Grand Prix racing again.

MotoGP Launches Free 24/7 Streaming Channel in the U.S. MotoGP fans in the United States are about to get unprecedented access to the world’s premier motorcycle racing series. On August 13th , Dorna Sports, the promoter of MotoGP, lauched the MotoGP Channel , a free and ad-supported streaming service in partnership with C15 Studio. The channel goes live just ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix and promises both live racing and a full catalogue of on-demand content. The MotoGP Channel will broadcast every session of the season’s 22 events , including live MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, and MotoE races. Fans will also get practice and qualifying coverage, giving viewers a complete race-weekend experience. Alongside live programming, the platform will host an extensive library of classic races, documentaries, and original features, giving both new and seasoned fans a deeper connection to the sport. Dorna’s Chief Commercial Officer, Dan Rossomondo, called the launch an “exciting new avenue for U.S. fans to connect with the sport,” highlighting the dual purpose of serving MotoGP’s established American fan base while also attracting new viewers. The move reflects MotoGP’s broader goal of expanding its footprint in the United States, where interest in global motorsport is steadily rising. Available on Prime Video, LG Channels, FireTV, FuboTV, Plex, and Sling Freestream , the MotoGP Channel will give fans easy access for fans in the US to watch MotoGP. Robin Frijns Departs Envision Racing After Six Seasons Formula E mainstay Robin Frijns  will part ways with Envision Racing after six seasons across two separate stints. The Dutchman first joined the team in 2018, then known as Virgin Racing, and returned in 2023 after a season with Abt. Across his tenure, he earned two victories and 15 podiums , turning himself into one of the team’s most accomplished drivers. Frijns’ best campaign came in 2018–19 , when he claimed wins in Paris and New York City and finished fourth in the championship. While his talent and consistency were clear, his final season with Envision was plagued by misfortune. A brake failure on the grid in São Paulo prevented him from even starting the opening race, and his best result was just seventh in London. He ultimately finished 19th in the standings , far below his potential. Envision Racing team principal Sylvain Filippi  praised Frijns’ contributions, describing him as a “fierce competitor” with unmatched speed and skill. Despite the tough ending, the team acknowledged his critical role in shaping its competitive presence over the years. Filippi noted that Formula E is constantly evolving, and the decision was part of preparing for the future. Looking ahead, Frijns is expected to focus more heavily on his sports car commitments , where he already competes with BMW in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA. Speculation suggests that Stoffel Vandoorne  is the frontrunner to take over Frijns’ seat for Season 12 . Genesis Hypercar Makes First Track Appearance at Paul Ricard The newest entrant in the World Endurance Championship Hypercar class  has officially hit the track. Genesis Magma Racing conducted the first roll-out of its GMR-001 Hypercar  earlier this month at Paul Ricard’s test circuit. The milestone marks the beginning of the brand’s highly anticipated WEC program, set to debut in 2026. Veteran drivers Andre Lotterer  and Pipo Derani , the first two confirmed for Genesis’ two-car effort, completed the maiden laps in what was described as a “successful shakedown.” Derani drove the first stint, with Lotterer following, ahead of a more intensive testing program scheduled to start later this month. The car, built in partnership with ORECA Motorsport , is one of three development chassis that will be prepared ahead of the season. Technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison  emphasized the importance of this early running, noting that every bit of mileage helps refine the Hypercar package. According to team principal Cyril Abiteboul , the program has stayed perfectly on schedule since its official launch in Dubai late last year, with each milestone reinforcing the team’s readiness for its competitive debut. Genesis has also established a new operations base at Paul Ricard and is collaborating with IDEC Sport  in the European Le Mans Series, running an LMP2 program to build team experience. The successful shakedown is just the first step, but it demonstrates that Genesis is serious about making an immediate impact when it officially joins the WEC Hypercar grid in 2025 .

Honorable Mention: Alex Bowman had a good points day at Watkins Glen, but Chris Buescher had a better one. If we get no new winners, that’ll be good enough for the 48, but with a potential new winner in NASCAR one of these next two weeks, Alex Bowman will need faster racecars. Also quick props to SVG for winning race #4. He’s not going on the list, though. Cry a river. Only Carl Edwards has won as many races in a rookie season (Iykyk). 10. Ryan Preece finished just outside the top 10 and collected 9 stage points, a really good day if the man he was chasing for 16th didn’t have an even better one. Other than a 20th at Dover where all 3 RFK cars struggled, Preece hasn’t finished outside the top 15 since a 28th place run at Nashville. He’s going to need to win to make the playoffs, but it’s been a strong summer for the 60.  9. Chris Buescher finally had some race winning speed again, finishing 3rd after being passed by Christopher Bell on the last lap. This finish from Buescher is even more impressive, however, because they opted to play the points game early on and win stage 2. The final 2 tracks before the playoffs are both home to a Buescher victory, both in 2023, so if Buescher’s going to win, it’s gonna be soon. 8. I checked some stats and crunched some numbers, Kyle Larson is on a terrible run right now. In the first 12 races, Larson had 3 wins, 8 top 5s, 9 top 10s, 817 laps led, 2 finishes outside the top 25, an average finish of 9.83, and he scored 469 points. Since the Coke 600, the last 12 races, his numbers are: 0 wins, 3 top 5s, 5 top 10s, 56 laps led, 5 finishes outside the top 25, a 19.25 average finish, and he scored 258 points. Larson at Richmond in the next gen car has an average finish of 8.17, along with a win and 3 top 5s. I’d say now is a good time to start the comeback for Larson, but I also said the same thing last week. 7. Bubba Wallace has been a huge impress all year long. His weakness seems no more, as Wallace finished 8th at Watkins Glen, a style of racing he used to call himself “terrible” at. Richmond’s always been a Toyota track, however, that’s not always the case for Bubba.  Other than a P4 the last time here, Wallace has never finished better than 12th in his previous 12 attempts, something he’s done twice. And in his 2 starts before his P4, he led multiple laps in both starts. Bubba Wallace is a solid dark horse to watch on Saturday night. 6. Christopher Bell finally put together a clean race, start to finish, and would you look at that? He finished 2nd. Bell needs to keep this momentum up as we approach the playoffs. He’s never won a race at Richmond, but he’s also never finished outside the top 20 in 9 starts there. And in those 9 starts, 7 of them are top 6 finishes. In the 6 Next Gen races at Richmond, Bell has led laps in 4 of them, including a near race-high 122 in the fall last time the Cup Series came here, only being beat by Hamlin, who led 2 more for a total of 124. I don’t think he’ll win, but expect Bell to be fighting for a podium. 5. Ryan Blaney was very impressive on Sunday. He outqualified SVG (impressive on its own) but he also held him off the entire stage before pitting with 2 to go. Blaney also nabbed a stage 2 victory, going on to finish 6th. Blaney also scored the most points. Needless to say, I’d say Ryan Blaney had himself a good day. 4. Chase Elliott’s top 20 run came to an end on Sunday, and it came in a way I don’t think any of us expected. On speed, at a road course, in Watkins Glen, New York. It looks like the 9 camp hit their stride about 2 months too early, but maybe he’ll have a quick bounce back before the playoffs begin. He has 7 top 10s in his last 12 starts at the short track. If Elliott doesn’t have a solid run on Saturday, I’d say it’s panic time for Engine Engine No. 9. 3. Denny Hamlin struggled at a road course. In other news, the sky is blue, the grass is green, and SVG ended up winning the same road course race. I expect to have the exact same headline next week, except swap SVG’s and Hamlin’s results. He’s good at Richmond, I don’t need to give you the stats. 2. The only reason Chase Briscoe isn’t #1 is because of my self allocated “no more than 3 spaces a week” rule. This dude is flying right now. And if you follow the “MTJ was good here so Briscoe will be as well” rule that’s starting to come together, I have high hopes for him this weekend at Richmond, even though his numbers don’t necessarily back him up. 1. William Byron has pretty much put the regular season championship away. As long as he doesn’t finish behind his teammate at Richmond, I don’t think there’s a way Elliott can catch him at Daytona, unless the 9 flat dominates the race, which I don’t think he will. This 24 team truly is back and ready to rock the playoffs.

No matter the weather, the Supercars Ipswich 440 was going to be a good one. Race 23: It was a memorable weekend for James Courtney, celebrating 600 races, Cam Waters, celebrating 300 and Will Brown with 150 races. And with the unexpected weather chaos, it was going to be interesting. James Courtney celebrating a massive milestone of 600 races. (Source: EDGE photographics). In addition to this, we also had two new wildcards for the weekend, with Supercheap Auto Racing having the young driver Zach Bates and Dormer HVAC Racing by MSR driven by Cameron Crick. It was a decent weekend for both drivers.  Qualifying for races 23 and 24 was an interesting one, with rain causing chaos and then minutes later a dry track. This was an easy qualifying for Broc Feeney, with the weather causing him no issues. He took out pole for races 23, followed by teammate Will Brown, and race 24 alongside Ryan Wood.  For race 23, Feeney was on pole, Brown P2 and Wood P3. Very early on, Brown was down 2 positions after a minor error, putting Kai Allen and Ryan Wood up 2 positions to P2 and P3 Broc Feeney leading Race 23 at the Ipswich 440. (Source: Supercars).  Cam Waters was dropped to last after going off, a big mistake that put him towards the back of the grid (P22). By the end of the race, he was P17. Tickford Racing/ Monster Castrol Racing had a decent day with Thomas Randle in the top 10, finishing P10.  Eventually, Will Davison was leading the race due to Feeney’s pit stop, although this did not last long. Will Davison did end up further down the field after a late pitstop, ending up P22, whilst Brodie Kostecki ended up P5.  Mostert had a tough day, unfortunately, due to ending up in the gravel. He managed to get going again, but ended up P25 for driver number 25. David Reynolds also with a difficult day, which ultimately resulted in a Safety Car due to being beached in the gravel. He still managed to end up p24, just ahead of Mostert.  In the end, it was Broc Feeney’s day finishing P1, followed by Kai Allen P2 and Ryan Wood P3. This was also one of the youngest podiums in supercar history. Broc Feeney also managed to take home the sprint cup with his 11 th  win of the season. Race 24: Feeney was on top yet again for another race, alongside Ryan Wood and Will Brown. This was another short race with only 39 laps to be completed. After a 5-second penalty was brought upon Broc Feeney for a false start, It was Will Brown who would take the win, with Broc Feeney finishing P2 despite the penalty and Ryan Wood taking out P3.  After a huge incident early on, which resulted in damage for Jack Le Brocq, Brodie Kostecki, Jaxon Evans and Aaron Cameron, it was a tough day. Despite the damage, Cameron and Le Brocq managed to continue, whilst Kostecki and Evans needed some repairs. Eventually, after returning to the track, Evans would be forced to take no further part, due to damage to his car. An unfortunate end to a decent day. Le Brocq would also face similar consequences, after not returning from the pit lane after going in to check the car.  Big incident involving multiple drivers, including, Jack Le Brocq and Jaxon Evans. (Source: Supercars). Brodie Kostecki pulled it together, still managing to finish the race and receive some points for the team. His teammate Will Davison finished P10. A tough day for the Shell V-Power Racing Team. Similarly, a mixed result for the Monster Castrol Racing, with Cam Waters managing to finish P5, whilst Thomas Randle only managed a P19 finish.  It was a decent race for the two wildcards, with Zach Bates finishing P17 and Cameron Crick P21. Despite being mid-pack and having a decent set of fights on their hands, they both managed to hold their own. For Walkinshaw Andretti United, it was a good day, Wood finishing P3, and Chaz Mostert having a very relaxing race, finishing in P7.  Race 25: This was the most anticipated race of the weekend. The weather was not going to let it be easy for any of the drivers.  Feeney had yet another pole position, a very impressive result over the weekend, followed by Ryan Wood and Will Brown. Rain was expected very early on, and when it arrived, it made its appearance well worth it, with drivers struggling across the entire field due to a lack of wet-weather tyres. Brown found it very slippery at one point, almost losing it on the straight.  James Courtney was the first to pit, opting for the wet weather tyres given there was very little idea as to how long the rain was expected to last. It did not stick around for long through.  Will Davison began the long list of penalties with a 5-second time penalty for a driving infringement. His teammate Brodie Kostecki made quick moves to make it up to P3, after Will Browns errors.  Wildcard Zach Bates had a rather intense battle with Chaz Mostert. A good way to sum up his weekend of racing. The other wildcard, Cameron Crick, unfortunately, had a difficult day, going out into the gravel, which enabled a safety car and in the end being 7 laps down. Zach Bates ended up with a 5-second penalty, throwing a tough result his way. A crazy race to end the weekend. (Source: Supercars). Once the safety car was released and we were back to racing, it was chaos. We had battles through the entire pack, with about 7 cars trying for various spots at one point. Cam Waters had to keep the pack behind him, including Kai Allen and Andre Heimgartner at bay.  Cam Hill and Zach Bates ended up in a scuffle, with Cam Hill receiving a pitlane penalty for a driving infringement. To make a day even worse for Matt Stone Racing, Nick Percat later received another penalty (15 seconds).  Ryan Wood, having a good day, was also hit with a 15-second penalty for a driving infringement that involved an incident with him and Will Brown. Like MSR, Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) also had a bad day with a 5-second penalty for Chaz Mostert for a driving infringement.  A tough weekend for WAU’s drivers (Source: RACE PROJECT). Ultimately, it was Broc Feeney’s day yet again, taking another win for himself. Cam Waters joined him on the podium, finishing P2, and Kai Allen managed to finish P3. Feeney also qualified for the supercars final along with his teammate Will Brown and Matt Payne.  We now make our return to ‘The Bend’ located in Adelaide for the AirTouch 500 at The Bend between September 12-14. This looks to be another easy result for the RedBull Ampol duo, but can someone rain on their parade?

NASCAR Delays 750HP Engine Push Until 2026 NASCAR fans hoping for more power under the hood will have to wait. The sport has officially confirmed it will not raise horsepower for the Next Gen Cup Series cars until at least 2026. The move would have increased engines from the current 670HP to 750HP, a change long requested by legends, drivers, and fans. NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer made the announcement during an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, stating that discussions with OEMs are still ongoing, but a power bump is now off the table for 2025. Sawyer emphasized that NASCAR is taking a methodical approach. "It’s got to be a holistic conversation with all the OEMs involved," he said. “We’re in the middle of that process.” The move appears to be part of a broader, long-term vision around where the Cup Series is headed technologically, especially with hybrid systems looming. NASCAR’s last major horsepower cut came in 2019 with the 550HP package, a controversial change that many felt dulled the racing product. While horsepower was bumped up to 670HP with the debut of the Next Gen car in 2022, some fans and industry insiders argue the series still feels underpowered, particularly on short tracks and flatter circuits. The debate heated up after ARCA cars qualified faster than Cup cars at Iowa. Combined with lackluster racing at tracks like New Hampshire and Richmond, it added pressure on NASCAR to revisit its horsepower formula. This delay signals that any major technical overhauls are likely to be bundled into a larger 2026 rule package, potentially involving hybrid technology or a new engine platform altogether in the 2030s. The delay could also help manufacturers manage costs and align long-term development strategies. It’s not the news traditionalists wanted, but it buys NASCAR time to get it right. Toyota Says Tsuboi's Haas F1 Test is an Audition, Not a Trophy As we talked about a couple of weeks ago Sho Tsuboi is about to get the opportunity of a lifetime as he tests Haas’s 2023 Formula 1 car at Fuji Speedway in early August, but Toyota says it’s a live audition to evaluate his potential for future international opportunities. Masaya Kaji, who heads Toyota’s global motorsport program, says Tsuboi’s performance behind the wheel and his ability to communicate in English will be under the microscope. The test follows a pattern for Toyota, which has been sending top Japanese talent into Haas’s TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) program. Earlier this year Ritomo Miyata got their chance. But Kaji stressed that these aren’t ceremonial outings: "It’s not a ‘thanks for winning the championship’ type of thing. This is a legitimate evaluation for future possibilities." The tests reflect Toyota’s broader ambition to reestablish a presence in top-tier global motorsports, especially Formula 1. Tsuboi’s driving credentials are solid he won the Super Formula championship and has competed across GT500 and endurance racing, but F1 is an entirely different challenge. Haas provides the machinery and venue, but Toyota uses these sessions to assess more than just lap times. Communication skills, feedback, and adaptability are just as important as outright speed. It’s no coincidence that these tests are taking place at Fuji, a Toyota-owned facility, providing the automaker with full control over the environment. Kaji also confirmed that not all Super Formula champions are guaranteed tests. Performance is part of the equation, but so is readiness both technically and mentally. With Formula 1 evolving rapidly, Toyota wants to ensure its next international driver is not only fast but polished and prepared for the media and political environment of the F1 paddock. WRC Shuffles 2026 Calendar to Make Room for Asia-Pacific Growth The World Rally Championship (WRC) is taking steps toward a more globally balanced calendar with major changes planned for 2026. At the center of this effort is a plan to shift Japan’s rally from its traditional November slot to late May, a swap that will see it trade places with Rally Italy. This opens the door for a second event in the Asia-Pacific region a long-term goal for WRC’s event organizers. Event director Simon Larkin confirmed the strategic reshuffling during Rally Latvia, noting that several APAC countries are in advanced talks to join or return to the calendar. Indonesia, China, New Zealand, and Australia are all under consideration, with Indonesia being the frontrunner. The nation has signed a heads of agreement with WRC officials, aiming for a return to the series for the first time since 1997. China, meanwhile, hasn’t hosted a WRC event since 1999 but could re-emerge as a key market thanks to growing interest in international motorsport. Logistics are a big part of the puzzle. Moving Japan to May allows WRC to pair it with another nearby event, optimizing travel costs and reducing back-to-back flyaways to distant continents. It also gives the series a better chance at securing weather-friendly dates in monsoon-prone regions like Indonesia. By aligning the calendar with geographic clusters, the WRC aims to make the championship more sustainable, efficient, and marketable. These changes are part of a broader ambition to grow the series' footprint in Asia, a region with massive potential fanbases and government support. If successful, the WRC could expand to a 15-round calendar by 2027, featuring two Asia-Pacific events for the first time ever.

Honorable Mention: Brad Keselowski has had 6 top 11 finishes in the last 7 races, the only outlier being the Chicago Street Race where he was taken out lap 4. After Mexico, Keselowski was 32nd in points. Over these last 2 months, he’s grinded his way into the 19th position. While still not good, it’s an incredible feat considering where this team was at the start of the year. 10. Alex Bowman had a quiet race; however, fortunately for him, so did his playoff bubble competitors. Other than a late charge by Ryan Preece, the RFK boys seemed out to lunch, other than Keselowski. Bowman’s a handy road racer, but he’s never finished better than 14th at Watkins Glen, something he’s done 3 times. 9. Bubba Wallace is hot right now. His last 3 finishes have all been in the top 7, and on a day where passing was difficult, to say the least, Bubba charged from sub 30th to a 6th place finish on the final run. Wallace is looking more and more like the #1 guy at 23XI as each week passes.  8. Ryan Preece is even more on fire, minus the win factor. Since Michigan, he hasn’t finished worse than 15th other than a bad run at Dover, where his teammates were also off. Preece has also had 5 top 10s in that same timeframe, as well as back to back top 5s. Ryan struggled to run top 30 early, but bounced back strong in the 2nd half and finished 5th, while also overcoming a potential loose wheel. I think it’s too little too late for this 60 team and I think he misses the Playoffs, but Preece looks better than ever right now, and if he doesn’t get that first win this year, there’s a good chance we see him in victory lane early next year.  7. To say that Christopher Bell is struggling is an understatement. Bell caused his 4th incident in 3 races, spinning Tyler Reddick out midway through the race. Never really recovered, and Bell came home 17th. Since Michigan, Bell only has 3 top 10s, compared to his 6 sub 15ths and 2 sub 20ths. His average finish is 15.2 in that time frame. Good news for Bell though, his 2 best finishes in this timeframe were both on a road course, a 2nd in Mexico and a 5th in Wine Country. 6. Ryan Blaney backed up his win from last year well, with a solid 4th place finish. If dirty air wasn’t such an issue, Blaney looked to be on cruise control to potentially winning this thing late. Blaney’s had 3 straight top 10s in a season that’s seen him struggle for consistency. His Watkins Glen stats are about as up and down as the actual racetrack is, with 3 top 10s but 2 sub 20th place finishes, including a 38th last year after he was wrecked lap 1.   5. Kyle Larson is now tied for the 2nd longest winless streak of his lifetime at Hendrick, 11 races, matching a stretch from the end of 2023 to the start of 2024. To beat his all time record, he’d need to go another 12 races to match his drought in 2022. Fortunately, we’re at a good place to end it, as this is exactly where Larson did just that in 2022. He also won at the Glen in 2021, so it’s safe to say this is one of Larson’s best tracks. 4. This looks like a completely different race team from just a few months ago. Chase Briscoe is on fire right now, with his 4th trip to the podium in just 7 weeks. However, the Achilles heel for Briscoe is in those other 3 races, as he has an 18th, 23rd, and 35th in them. If you ask me right now though, Briscoe is my pick to win the title. I like where this team is headed a lot right now. 3. Chase Elliott looks to be slowing back down again. Whether it’s a final cool off just before the Playoffs begin to truly crank the heat up, or a return to the mediocrity but consistency the 9 has come to know over the past few years is yet to be told, but the fact that he had the speed to begin with shows us that Elliott is still one of the best in the sport and still can win at any time, including this weekend. Elliott got career wins number 1 and number 5 at Watkins Glen. 2. Denny Hamlin had a rough weekend after a self spin and mediocre speed. He finished 24th, something he hasn’t done at Iowa in a calendar year, as he finished 24th there last year. I don’t think things get much better this week at the Glen, but after? It’s smooth sailing for Hamlin. 1. William Byron is back. He’s taken his yearly slumber through the summer and he’s ready to start the Playoffs. Win #2 for Byron completes the Iowa sweep for him and shows that he’s also a title favorite, with 5 of the 10 races in the Playoffs being short track-eske: Gateway, Bristol, New Hampshire, Martinsville, and Phoenix. Byron also has a win at Watkins Glen in 2023.