Latest news with #All-StarOpen
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR Driver Apologizes For What He Said About Mexico
NASCAR Driver Apologizes For What He Said About Mexico originally appeared on The Spun. A prominent NASCAR Cup Series driver has apologized for what he said about Mexico. The NASCAR Cup Series arrived in Mexico City, Mexico this weekend. It was NASCAR's first Cup Series race at our neighbors to the south. The weekend was an overwhelming success, with Daniel Suarez winning the Xfinity Series race on Saturday night and Shane van Gisbergen winning the Cup Series race on Sunday night. Advertisement NASCAR hasn't officially committed to returning to Mexico in 2026, though it sounds like that's the plan. NASCAR senior executive Ben Kennedy said he's "hopeful" that it'll happen. 'I would say for us, this is more of a strategic move as a sport to expand our footprint globally and internationally and to a new mass fan base,' Kennedy said. 'Just being in a country with 90 million people and over 20 million people in the larger Mexico City metro alone, not in and of itself, this is a success.' Meanwhile, a prominent NASCAR driver has apologized for what he said about Mexico. NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 NASCAR Day Giveathon Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2024 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by)NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar previously called Mexico a "s--hole" while questioning the country's infrastructure, security and more. Advertisement Hocevar admitted that he is embarrassed by his comments and he is apologizing for them. 'Now that I've actually left my hotel a couple times and raced here in front of some of the most passionate fans I've ever seen, my opinion has changed. I am embarrassed by my comments, by the race I ran, and I may have to move here to hide out from Ricky (Stenhouse Jr.) anyway.' Hocevar was berated by Stenhouse Jr. on pit road following Sunday night's race. Hocevar finished in 34th place, while Stenhouse Jr. finished in 27th place. The two had a dustup during the race. 'Count this as another lesson for me in a season I've learned so much,' Hocevar wrote. 'Don't believe everything you hear without seeing it yourself. If anyone should give anyone or any place the benefit of the doubt it's me. I'm sorry Mexico City. Consider me an ally going forward and an example of getting off Twitch and seeing things with my own two eyes.' Advertisement It's good to see that Hocevar was able to learn from his mistake and apologize for it. NASCAR Driver Apologizes For What He Said About Mexico first appeared on The Spun on Jun 16, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR lineup set for All-Star Race after qualifying heats at North Wilkesboro. More to come
The heat races are over and the lineup is set (for now) for the NASCAR All-Star Race. That's right, heat races. Setting the lineup this way further differentiates the All-Star weekend from your normal NASCAR fare, where single-car qualifying laps determine the starting order. Advertisement Brad Keselowski, badly in need of anything positive, got it Saturday with a Heat Race win. Christopher Bell won the other, so they'll start on the front row Sunday night. The finishing order of Saturday's first heat race set the lineup for the All-Star Race's inside row, while the second heat settled the outside row order. The 20-car field will swell to 23 following Sunday's preliminary All-Star Open (top two finishers advance) and with final polling in a fan vote that grants one starting spot in the All-Star Race. Those three additional drivers will start from the back of the field for Sunday night's main event. NASCAR POWER RANKINGS No. 1 is obvious. Who fills out our Top 10 before All-Star Race? Joey Logano will be trying to repeat this scene from last year. Heat Race 1 results Brad Keselowski Ross Chastain William Byron Ryan Blaney Alex Bowman Josh Berry Tyler Reddick Austin Dillon Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Kyle Larson (did not start) Heat Race 2 results Christopher Bell Chase Briscoe Joey Logano Chris Buescher Kyle Busch Austin Cindric Chase Elliott Daniel Suarez Harrison Burton Denny Hamlin All Star Lineup Row 1 1. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford Advertisement 2. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Row 2 3. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet 4. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford Row 3 5. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 6. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Row 4 7. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford 8. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Row 5 9. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 10. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford Row 6 11. Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford 12. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Row 7 13. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota Advertisement 14. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Row 8 15. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 16. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford Row 9 17. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet 18. Harrison Burton, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford Row 10 19. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 20. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Row 11 21. All-Star Open winner 22. All-Star Open second place Row 12 23. Fan vote winner How to watch Sunday's NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro 5 p.m.: All-Star Open (FS1). 8 p.m.: Cup Series All-Star Race (FS1). This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR starting lineup: Qualifying heat results set All-Star Race grid
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ryan Preece Explodes After Invisible Cone Penalty Wrecks All-Star Bid
Ryan Preece was one restart away from a shot at NASCAR's $1 million All-Star Race when a barely visible track marking wiped it all away — and his response left no doubt how he felt. Preece, driving the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, surged to second late in the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway, poised to race his way into the main event. Advertisement But NASCAR hit him with a penalty for crossing the 'Choose Cone' commitment line — a painted V on the track nearly obscured by rubber from earlier events. The result: he was sent to the back, ending his chances and setting off a dramatic meltdown. 'Ultimately, we had a fast… Ford Mustang,' Preece said in a raw post-race interview. 'Sorry, I'm just really, really [expletive] pissed. So, I mean that, at least we could, a rule's a rule, but… I don't know.' Ryan Preece before the Wurth 400 race at Texas Motor Speedway. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The incident became the flashpoint of the night. Preece, visibly furious, marched to pit road, grabbed an orange traffic cone, and slammed it on the inside wall — a silent protest that quickly went viral. Advertisement NASCAR responded by repainting the Choose Cone marking before the All-Star Race, but for Preece, the damage was already done. 'You can't see it,' he explained. 'So I just hooked a hard left going across the line, figuring it's in that area. If you have a situation like that, put a cone out there so we can see it.' The penalty reignited criticism of NASCAR's officiating, especially regarding track visibility and rule enforcement. Preece's crew and fans argued the call was avoidable — and that NASCAR's reactive fix came too late. Now 15th in points, Preece leaves Wilkesboro with more questions than answers. But his fire — and frustration — may have just forced NASCAR to take another look at how it draws the lines that define a driver's fate. Related: Joey Logano Sends Blunt Message After NASCAR All-Star Caution Costs Him the Win
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Zane Smith Strikes Back At Ty Dillon After NASCAR All-Star Open Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Front Row Motorsports driver Zane Smith has fired back at Ty Dillon's NASCAR All-Star Open threat. The Kaulig Racing driver fumed following the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro, claiming, "If he wrecks me again, I'm just going to beat his ass. "Coming off [Turn] 4, I think I gave him plenty of room, and he just doors me halfway down the something about the younger guys they never had to deal with consequences." As the moment quickly gained traction on social media, Smith took it upon himself to respond to the No. 10 Chevrolet driver's threat. He wrote: Zane Smith, driver of the #38 Horizon Hobby Ford, waits on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 10, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. Zane Smith, driver of the #38 Horizon Hobby Ford, waits on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 10, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas."Ain't beating nobody's ass." Ain't beating nobody's ass. — Zane Smith (@ZaneSmith) May 18, 2025 Smith signed a full-time driver contract with Front Row Motorsports for 2025 on a multi-year agreement. The 25-year-old stated at the time of the announcement: "I've always felt at home with Front Row Motorsports. "They believed in me when I signed with them to race in the Truck Series initially in 2022 and we shared so much success together, winning six races and a championship in two seasons. "Unfortunately, everyone had to make tough decisions because there were only two Cup cars available at Front Row Motorsports going into last season when I was ready to move up full-time. "Now, going into next year, Front Row has really taken their Cup program to another level and I cannot think of a better lineup of teammates. Todd (Gilliland) and Noah (Gragson) are great friends of mine and we all have a lot to prove as young drivers in the Cup Series. "It is a great time to come back and continue to build my career with an organization where I know I can win." He added: "I want to thank Bob [Jenkins, owner], Jerry [Freeze, general manager] and Mark Rushbrook at Ford for making this happen. "I know that we can win together in the Cup Series like we did in the Truck Series. It's a great time to come back as we continue to make FRM even better." NASCAR All-Star Open results 1. Carson Hocever, No. 77 Chevrolet, 2. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota 3. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet 4. Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota 5. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet 6. Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford 7. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet 8. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota 9. Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford 10. Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota 11. Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford 12. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford 13. Shane Van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet 14. Justin Haley, No. 7 Chevrolet 15. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota 16. Cody Ware, No. 15 Ford 17. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford 18. Chad Finchum, No. 66 Ford
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Ty Dillon Rages At Zane Smith In Heated Exchange After NASCAR All-Star Open
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Kaulig Racing NASCAR Cup Series driver Ty Dillon fumed at rival Zane Smith after All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday. After a wreck during the race involving the No. 10 Chevrolet and No. 38 Ford, Dillon was seen in a heated exchange with the Front Row Motorsports driver. While speaking to the media, Dillon fumed: "If he wrecks me again, I'm just going to beat his ass." Commenting on the wreck itself, the 33 year old driver added: Ty Dillon, driver of the #10 Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet, looks on after the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18, 2025 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Ty Dillon, driver of the #10 Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet, looks on after the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18, 2025 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina."Coming off [Turn] 4, I think I gave him plenty of room, and he just doors me halfway down the straightaway... There's something about the younger guys they never had to deal with consequences." Dillon ultimately finished the All-Star Open in third, whereas, Smith crossed the line in sixth. 2025 NASCAR All-Star Open Carson Hocevar secured the All-Star Open victory, advancing to the All-Star Race along with second-place finisher John Hunter Nemechek. Commenting on the win, Hocevar explained: "Yeah, super big for this group, this team. It's great to win, especially being challenged by tires there. I had my hands full. We definitely have to go to work here on our race car because I didn't really like it, but it's a good sign that we didn't like it and we were still pretty quick there. "Hopefully we can take advantage of it. I've seen Kasey Kahne win and Dale and others win from the Open and stuff. Maybe we can take that advantage of having this notebook and move forward early and be able to take this Chevy up front." Nemechek also commented: "We have a shot to go win a million dollars. Hats off to this No. 42 team. We unloaded and we had good two- or three-lap speed, but no longer on pace. "Proud of them for the effort they put in yesterday and what they were able to find, and pitting there at that last deal, I knew I couldn't win from where I was at. We came and got two (tires) and that helped us out. Hats off to the whole 42 team. Proud of the effort." NASCAR All-Star Open results 1. Carson Hocever, No. 77 Chevrolet, 2. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota 3. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet 4. Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota 5. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet 6. Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford 7. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet 8. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota 9. Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford 10. Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota 11. Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford 12. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford 13. Shane Van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet 14. Justin Haley, No. 7 Chevrolet 15. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota 16. Cody Ware, No. 15 Ford 17. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford 18. Chad Finchum, No. 66 Ford
