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Jeffrey Hrunka - INDYCAR Contributor Penske Entertainment/Joe Skibinski Monterey, CA -It’s rare that Alex Palou has a bad day at the racetrack. It's even more surprising when it's at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a circuit where he has found so much success in the past. A difficult adjustment to a four-stop strategy saw Palou fall through the pack in Sunday's Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey. Fortunately, he was able to rally back for an eighth-place finish. “It's toug

Sheldon Creed (Mike Watters-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) DARLINGTON, S.C. - The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series kicked off the return of The Chase, Saturday, September 5, as the series made its second and final trip to Darlington Raceway for the Fleetio 200. JR Motorsports driver Carson Kvapil stated on pole, but it was Shleldon Creed who earned the opening race win. HOW IT HAPPENED: While Kvapil started on the pole, it was teammate Justin Allgaier who s

Jeffrey Hrunka - INDYCAR Contributor Riley Ogle/Motorsports Today (St. Louis 2026) Monterey, CA - For Ed Carpenter Racing, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca marks the end of a turbulent season for the Chevrolet-backed organization. Bad luck, combined with an inconsistent road-course program, has left the team mired in the driver standings. A fourth-place qualifying effort for Alexander Rossi, driver of the No.21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chev

Jeffrey Hrunka - INDYCAR Contributor Riley Ogle/Motorsports Today (St Louis, 2026) Kyle Kirkwood’s “King of the Streets” moniker rang true once more in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., leading 128 laps en route to victory in the event’s inaugural running Sunday afternoon. He led Christian Lundgaard and Will Power for his sixth victory on a street course. "To be able to win in what will be considered probably my home race, right, being the Freedom 250 as an Amer

Jeffrey Hrunka - INDYCAR Contributor Riley Ogle (Motorsports Today 2026) It’s not uncommon to be unlucky. Marcus Armstrong’s summer stretch is not only unlucky, but it has been a curse that turned a decent season start into one to forget. A fifth-place qualifying effort in Firestone Fast 6 on Saturday afternoon looks to be the first sign to break this spell. “We haven't exactly had the best run lately, and it's tricky really because we've had a bit of bad luck,” Armstrong, d

JEFFREY HRUNKA - INDYCAR CONTRIBUTOR Casey Shepherd (Motorsports Today, 2026) Kyle Kirkwood is in pursuit of his first championship, only sitting second in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings entering the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. race weekend. The kicker is that he is over 100 points behind championship leader Alex Palou, who is poised to take his fifth championship in the last six years. Still, confidence to close that gap this weekend is at an all-time high.

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER Max Verstappen on the podium at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix (Photo Credit: PlanetF1) Despite speculation about a move to another Formula One constructor, another series, or retirement altogether, Max Verstappen is staying put. The four-time World Drivers' Champion announced earlier this week that he has signed an extension with Red Bull through the end of the 2030 season, removing him from consideration for rides at teams like Mercedes, McLaren,

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER Williams teammates Carlos Sainz Jr. (left) and Alex Albon (right) at the 2025 British Grand Prix (Photo Credit: Getty Images) Last season, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Alex Albon scored a whopping 137 points for Williams, placing the team fifth in the constructors’ standings. This was the squad’s highest points finish since 2017, and most points scored since 2016. Although 2026 hasn’t been as kind to the duo so far, it is clear that they remain part of tea

Kelsey Christman - Staff Writer The flyover over the grandstands ahead of the last Cup Series Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Kelsey Christman, Motorsports Today, March 2025) Homestead, FL. — Homestead-Miami Speedway will once again serve as the home of NASCAR Championship Weekend in 2027, with all three national series set to crown their champions in South Florida from November 12–14. Homestead-Miami Speedway President Guillermo Santa Cruz announced Tuesda

Nick Bowden - Staff Writer This past weekend, Motorsports Today covered Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham with Jeffrey Hrunka and Casey Shepherd. Below are a few photos taken by our photographer, Casey Shepherd. You can more of his work on Instagram @casey_shepherd_media.

Kelsey Christman - Staff Writer Connor Zilisch waves to fans prior to the race at Rockingham Speedway. (Fisher Giannotti, Motorsports Today, 2025) Concord, N.C. — Rick Hendrick announced today that Connor Zilisch will officially take over the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2028, following Alex Bowman’s retirement. Hendrick Motorsports confirmed that Zilisch has signed a multiyear contract, although specific details regarding the expiration of the agree

Jeffrey Hrunka - INDYCAR Contributor Casey Shepherd (Motorsports 2026) Markum, ON - After wrecking out of first practice to start Saturday morning, Marcus Ericsson finds himself in victory lane after chasing down Romain Grosjean in the closing laps of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham on Sunday afternoon. He led Grosjean and teammate Will Power to an all-Honda podium. "I mean, it feels great to have the confidence from the team to continue. But I feel like this year,

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER Joey Logano celebrates Cookout 400 victory (Photo Credit: Motorsports Today) RICHMOND, VA - Death. Taxes. Even year Joey. Joey Logano continued he and Team Penske’s stellar summer, collecting his third career victory at Richmond Raceway, and second win of the 2026 season, in the Cookout 400 at Richmond Raceway in front of a sellout crowd. With the victory, the three-time Cup Series champion vaulted to ninth in the standings, after spending most of

Jeffrey Hrunka - INDYCAR Contributor Casey Shepherd (Motorsport Today, 2026) A new track record. Louis Foster dominated the timing sheets in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ debut around the Markham Street Circuit on Saturday, topping the final practice session en route to his second career pole and his first on a street course. “I think we just rolled off with a good car. From the get-go I felt comfortable and confident in the car from FP1,” Foster, driver of the No.45 Rahal Letterma

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER Tristan McKee celebrates in victory lane after winning the JR & CO 150 at Iowa Speedway (Photo Credit: Ashton Tackwell, Motorsports Today, August 7th, 2026) Tristan McKee just turned 16 years-old last week. He doesn’t even have his street driver’s license yet, and noted during a Friday morning media availability that he’s still a couple months away after being “a little late” to the permit process. However, the Williamsburg, Virginia product has an

Nick Bowden - Staff Writer This past weekend, Motorsports Today covered NASCAR weekend at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa with Tim Moore and Ashton Tackwell. Below are a few photos taken by our photographer, Ashton Tackwell. You can check out more of his work on instagram @ashton_tackwell_imaginative.

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER Four-time NTT INDYCAR Series champion Alex Palou leading the field at St. Petersburg, which will return as the season opener in 2027 (Photo Credit: Marvin Hernandez Jr., Motorsports Today) As the 2027 NTT INDYCAR Series driver lineup continues to take shape, so too does the schedule. Per a Wednesday morning release, the series has finalized and publicized 'phase one' of next season's calendar, which is quite similar to this year. The new campaign w

Ty Gibbs celebrates Iowa Corn 350 win with a burnout across the line! (Ashton Tackwell | Motorsports Today) NEWTON, I.A.- The NASCAR Cup Series headed back out to the mid-west, Sunday, August 29, for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol. In a race that saw many contenders for the win, it was strategy that prevailed late with Tyler Allen's bold two tire call, giving Ty Gibbs his second win of 2026. HOW IT HAPPENED: Penske dominated the day early with Ryan Blaney and Joey Logan

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER Dean Thompson (left) and Joe Custer (right) make Haas Factory Team's 2027 announcement Saturday at Iowa Speedway (Photo Credit: NASCAR Media Group) NEWTON, IA - Just two years after losing three NASCAR Cup Series charters and Tony Stewart from their ownership group, Haas Factory Team will be expanding its arsenal once again. Joe Custer, the Chief Operating Officer of Haas's NASCAR efforts, announced Saturday in the Iowa Speedway media center that D

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER Marcus Ericsson at the media podium at St. Petersburg earlier this season. (Photo Credit: Marvin Hernandez Jr. - Motorsports Today) Although it's already been a tumultuous silly season cycle for the NTT INDYCAR Series between a charter sale and Arrow-McLaren's major moves, one significant name who's future was uncertain is now off the market. 2022 Indianapolis 500 champion Marcus Ericsson will return to Andretti Global's driver lineup for the 2027