Posted on by Press Release

LANCASTER, New York — Racing is often a family affair — and this Saturday night at Lancaster Motorplex, fans will see that bond take center stage as NASCAR legend Ryan Newman and his daughter Brooklyn both make their Lancaster racing debut during the highly anticipated Nitro to NASCAR Weekend.

Newman, a Daytona 500 champion and NASCAR veteran, will strap into the iconic Mystic Missile for car owner Tim Connolly to compete in the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The race marks Newman’s return to Tour competition and his first-ever start at Lancaster Motorplex.

“I’m excited to get behind the wheel of pretty much anything, but it seems the tour type modifieds have been my go to for the last couple of years,” said Ryan. “I’ll be piloting Tim Connolly’s Mystic Missile for the second time this year and look forward to racing at Lancaster.”

He shared even bigger news about the race weekend in Western New York.

“I’m excited to announce that not only will I be competing in the NASCAR Whelen Modified race at Lancaster Speedway this weekend, but also my daughter Brooklyn will be competing in a Sportsman modified,” added Newman.

The Lancaster Sportsman similar to the crate modified Brooklyn has been racing at the short tracks back home in North Carolina this season.

While Ryan gets set to chase victory in one of the Tour’s most storied cars, his daughter Brooklyn will also hit the track for the first time at Lancaster.

“Mikey Meyers [of Speed Enterprises Entertainment] and I have talked about this for a couple of years,” added Newman, “and he has been instrumental in getting Brooklyn a competitive car”

Brooklyn will compete in a Sportsman entry fielded by the championship-winning Rutherford Racing team, taking on some of Lancaster’s top weekly contenders. The Rutherford team has a long-standing record of success at the track.

The father-daughter duo will share this milestone moment together, each making their Lancaster debut on the same night.

“Having Ryan and Brooklyn Newman compete at Lancaster during our Nitro to NASCAR weekend adds even more excitement to an already strong event. Ryan’s a household name in racing, and it’s great to see Brooklyn making her own mark behind the wheel. Fans are in for a great show,” said Mike Myers of Speed Enterprises Entertainment, special consultant to Lancaster Motorplex.

The weekend kicks off Friday night, July 11, with nitro-powered action on the dragstrip as NHRA standout Scott Palmer brings his High Speed Fuel & Fun Show to town. The weekend kicks off with high-horsepower runs, standout performances, and competitive local drag racing action.

On Saturday, July 12, all eyes will shift to the oval as the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 brings the stars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour to Lancaster. The card will also include a full lineup of local racing divisions, including the Sportsman, Street Stocks, and 4-Cylinders. Before the green flag drops, fans are invited to a special Pre-Race Pit Party from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m., where they can meet Tour drivers, collect autographs, and see the cars up close. The night closes with a fireworks presentation by Skylighters of NY.

Tickets are on sale now for both Friday and Saturday events at LancasterMotorplexNY.com.

Posted on by Staff Report

Nu-Way Auto Parts 150

Lancaster Motorplex

  • Entry list
Car No. Driver Team Crew Chief Chassis Mfg. Sponsor(s)
1 Patrick Emerling KPL Racing LLC Dale Hedquist LFR Fleetworks, Inc.
3 Tyler Rypkema Boehler’s Racing Equipment Greg Fournier Boehler Racing USNE; Northeast Drilling; J&R Pre-Cast
4 Ryan Newman Connolly Racing Tim Connolly FURY Race Cars TBD
7 Luke Baldwin Tommy Baldwin Racing LLC Tommy Baldwin PSR Products Baldwin Automotive
8 John-Michael Shenette Eighty-Two Autosport Scott Morin LFR USNE Power; Eighty-Two Services
14 Jake Lutz Advantage Motorsports Bill Putney LFR Advantage Trucks; Washtronic’s; Anastasi Trucking
18 Ken Heagy Christopher Fleming Greg Gorman FURY Race Cars TBD
21 Stephen Kopcik Wanick Motorsports Nick Kopcik Troyer Wanick Constructions, Inc.; Newtown Pools
22 Kyle Bonsignore Kyle Bonsignore Keith McDermott FURY Race Cars MTT; ChaLew Performance; Munns Auto
26 Gary McDonald Lakeland Avenue Landscape Supply Chad McDonald Chevrolet Lakeland Avenue Landscaping Supply
46 Craig Lutz Goodie Racing Douglas Ogiejko FURY Race Cars Riverhead Building Supply
51 Justin Bonsignore Kenneth Massa Motorsports, LLC Ryan Stone FURY Race Cars Phoenix Communications, Inc.
54 Tommy Catalano Catalano Motorsports Rick Kluth Troyer FX Caprara
56 Trevor Catalano Catalano Motorsports David Catalano Troyer USNE Power
59 Tyler Barry Jody Lauzon Billy Michael Chevrolet Pro Systems Integration; BNP Machine; West Wind Tree Farm
60 Matt Hirschman Pee Dee/Elite Motorsports Mike Stein Troyer Pee Dee Motorsports
64 Austin Beers KLM Motorsports Ron Yuhas Troyer G&G Electrical Supply, FastTrack Electrical, Dell Electric, Lumiere Electrical, Andrew James Interiors, AP Marquadt, Hughes M
77 Michael Christopher Jr. Mike Curb Gary Putnam Troyer Curb Records / Mohawk Northeast
84 Tyler Catalano Catalano Motorsports TBA Troyer Catalano Motorsports
165 George Skora III George Skora Jr TBA LFR Zamkro Homes; Paint Right; East Eden Tavern

 

Posted on by Staff Report

The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to wine country and Sonoma Raceway on Saturday for the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 (4:30 p.m. ET, The CW, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The CW App will air Xfinity Series qualifying at 5:10 p.m. ET on Friday.

QUALIFYING ORDER: Cup Series | Xfinity Series 

The qualifying order below is determined via metric that combines the previous race finish by owner (70%) and current owner points position (30%).

Saturday’s qualifying session will be just one round, but drivers will be split into two groups with 20 minutes to turn a lap. Thirty-nine cars are entered into the field, meaning one will go home.

MORE: How to watch on The CW | Weekend schedule

# denotes series rookie
(i) denotes ineligible for driver point

Pos.Car No.DriverMetric ScoreGroup
153Sage Karam39.81
25Kris Wright39.51
335Austin J. Hill35.11
417Corey Day34.41
591Josh Bilicki34.11
618William Sawalich #34.01
742Anthony Alfredo32.11
839Ryan Sieg31.11
945Brad Perez30.91
1014Connor Mosack (i)28.41
1151Jeremy Clements28.31
1254Taylor Gray #27.41
1399Matt DiBenedetto26.81
1419Riley Herbst (i)26.61
1571Ryan Ellis26.51
164Parker Retzlaff25.21
1727Jeb Burton22.21
1828Kyle Sieg21.51
1931Blaine Perkins21.31
2070Will Rogers21.21
2110Daniel Dye18.72
2232Austin Green18.02
2320Brandon Jones17.12
247Justin Allgaier16.42
2507Alex Labbe16.22
2616Christian Eckes #15.32
2726Dean Thompson #14.92
2811Josh Williams14.02
2944Brennan Poole13.02
3025Harrison Burton13.02
311Carson Kvapil #13.02
329Shane van Gisbergen (i)11.22
338Sammy Smith7.02
3441Sam Mayer6.82
3548Nick Sanchez #6.52
362Jesse Love5.72
3700Sheldon Creed4.82
3821Austin Hill3.72
3988Connor Zilisch #2.02

 

Posted on by Staff Report

The NASCAR Cup Series will tackle Round 3 of the 2025 In-Season Challenge this weekend, with the rolling hills of Sonoma Raceway being the venue of choice on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, TNT Sports/truTV, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

QUALIFYING ORDER: Cup Series | Xfinity Series 

All 37 cars will have a chance to post a qualifying time Saturday (2:40 p.m. ET, truTV, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Saturday’s qualifying session will consist of one round, split into two 20-minute groups. The groups below are determined via a metric that combines the previous race finish by owner (70%) and current owner points position (30%).

MORE: How to watch on TNT Sports | Weekend schedule

# denotes series rookie
(i) denotes ineligible for driver points

Pos.Car No.DriverMetric ScoreGroup
134Todd Gilliland35.61
26Brad Keselowski34.31
341Cole Custer33.31
43Austin Dillon33.01
54Noah Gragson30.91
677Carson Hocevar30.81
721Josh Berry30.41
871Michael McDowell29.31
947Ricky Stenhouse Jr.29.21
1051Cody Ware29.01
1199Daniel Suárez29.01
1224William Byron28.31
137Justin Haley24.71
1478Katherine Legge (i)24.41
1510Ty Dillon23.61
1623Bubba Wallace23.51
172Austin Cindric23.41
1843Erik Jones22.91
1935Riley Herbst #22.41
2019Chase Briscoe18.82
2120Christopher Bell18.62
2238Zane Smith17.02
2342John Hunter Nemechek16.52
2417Chris Buescher15.92
259Chase Elliott11.82
2622Joey Logano11.32
2712Ryan Blaney10.52
285Kyle Larson10.02
291Ross Chastain9.42
3060Ryan Preece9.12
3116AJ Allmendinger9.02
3288Shane van Gisbergen #8.82
338Kyle Busch8.62
3448Alex Bowman8.62
3554Ty Gibbs7.12
3611Denny Hamlin4.02
3745Tyler Reddick3.62
Posted on by Staff Report

The Cook Out Clash will return to Bowman Gray Stadium to open the 2026 season, NASCAR officials announced Wednesday.

The historic quarter-mile oval in Winston-Salem, North Carolina will host the season-opening exhibition race on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, marking the second consecutive year the NASCAR Cup Series will compete in a non-points event at the venerable multi-purpose venue. The race will be broadcast by FOX Sports.

MORE: 2026 Clash ticket information | 2025 Cup schedule

Wednesday morning’s announcement included the news that Cook Out will return as the event’s entitlement sponsor. Details about the race procedures have not yet been announced. The 2025 format featured a 200-lap main event for a 22-car field, which was set after four qualifying heats and a Last Chance Qualifier.

“We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year,” said Joey Dennewitz, NASCAR Regional’s managing director. “As NASCAR’s first weekly race track, we are proud to bring the 2026 Cook Out Clash back to the original home to grassroots racing. Thanks to the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University for their continued partnership at ‘The Madhouse.’ ”

NASCAR’s top division made its long-awaited return to the track in February after a nearly 54-year absence. Chase Elliott fended off Ryan Blaney in a contest between former Cup Series champs for a rousing Clash victory in front of a boisterous sold-out crowd.

The Clash’s Bowman Gray debut prompted a series of capital improvements to the facility, which was dedicated in 1938. Prime among those enhancements was the installation of a new MUSCO lighting system, which illuminated the stadium with a red glow for pre-race ceremonies this year. Officials also upgraded the well-worn guardrail with energy-absorbing SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) Barrier.

RELATED: How to lock in your spot | Buy Bowman Gray gear now! 

Bowman Gray has been a crucial piece of NASCAR’s history, with weekly sanctioned race meets beginning on the grounds in 1949 and continuing to this day in the spring and summer months. That run includes Cup Series racing from 1958-1971, when a who’s who of NASCAR Hall of Famers dominated the list of feature winners.

“The City of Winston-Salem is deeply honored to have been chosen to host the 2026 Cook Out Clash,” said City of Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. “The 2025 race was an immensely successful event for all parties involved. We will work hard to ensure that the 2026 Cook Out Clash is even more successful.”

The close-quarters style of racing on a flat oval around a football field led to the stadium’s nickname of “The Madhouse.” That label has also applied to the track’s “Madhouse Scramble” inversion format, plus the fireworks and temper-fueled antics that often stem from the facility’s on-track tendency for contact.

RELATED: Inside the history of ‘The Madhouse’ | Relive 2025 Clash in photos

The France family, NASCAR’s founders, have long been linked to the quarter-mile, partnering with promoter Alvin Hawkins in stock-car racing’s pioneer days to showcase and advance the sport. The Hawkins family ran the racing operations at the city-owned stadium for decades until NASCAR assumed the management duties in March 2024.

Before Ben Kennedy began his role as NASCAR executive vice president, chief venue and racing innovation officer, a highlight of his driving days was a come-from-behind ARCA Menards Series East victory at Bowman Gray in 2013. Kennedy’s grandfather, former NASCAR president Bill France Jr., also met his future wife Betty Jane Zachary at Bowman Gray in 1957.

Posted on by Seth Sharp

To celebrate 75 years worth of memories, the legendary Wood Brothers Racing team will be celebrated throughout the summer with “Wood Brothers Wednesdays” on The NASCAR Channel.

Wood Brothers Racing has been around since 1950 when Glen and Leonard Wood teamed up to pioneer a legacy that has transcended time.

Glen was behind the wheel of their car at Bowman Gray Stadium in 1960 and took the Wood Brothers Racing team to Victory Lane for the first time. The team scored its 101st NASCAR Cup Series victory in 2025 when Josh Berry took the checkered flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Bookending those victories were triumphs from Daytona to Darlington to Rockingham and everywhere in between. Twenty of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers have piloted a car for the team throughout their storied history, one that is well worth celebrating.

RELATED: How to watch The NASCAR Channel

“Ricky Rudd Untold Stories,” which is NASCAR original content, will be airing.

Rudd, who was recently inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, joined Wood Brothers Racing in 2003 following his departure from Robert Yates Racing.

Rudd signed a three-year deal with the team in August 2002 and replaced Elliott Sadler behind the wheel of the No. 21 Ford; Sadler left the team to replace Rudd with the Yates organization, leaving Rudd without a seat. When the musical chairs stopped, Rudd found intrigue in Sadler’s open seat.

Rudd’s longtime partnership with Ford helped seal the deal. He eventually raced with the team for three seasons through the end of the 2005 Cup campaign, compiling seven top fives and 17 top-10 finishes in 108 total races.

In addition to the Rudd content, the 2011 Daytona 500 from Daytona International Speedway will be broadcast, as well as “Memory Lane: Reliving the 2011 Daytona 500.”

That race famously saw Trevor Bayne, who turned 20 years old the day before the 500-mile event, hold off the field and shock the world to win the Daytona 500. It was just the second start of Bayne’s Cup Series career.

The victory was the 98th for Wood Brothers Racing, as well as the team’s first triumph in the “Great American Race” since David Pearson was victorious with the No. 21 in 1976.

The NASCAR Channel delivers 24/7, always-on content featuring the latest news and information from around the sport, original programming and race replays.

It is a FAST channel (Free Ad-Supported Television) and can be watched on your TV or mobile device via one of the streaming partners, such as Tubi or Xumo Play.

Posted on by Dustin Albino

Less than three years ago, Brennan Poole wasn’t sure if he’d ever race competitively again. Now, he’s thriving with Alpha Prime Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Poole returned to Alpha Prime in 2025 after a successful 2024, finishing 16th in the championship standings. He nearly redeemed himself at Talladega Superspeedway last season, battling for the victory some eight years after thinking he picked up his first triumph, only to get it pulled in favor of Elliott Sadler in 2016.

The first-year success with veteran crew chief Frank Kerr was enough for Poole to run it back in 2025.

RELATED: Brennan Poole driver page

“We’re coming off the truck every single weekend, and our cars are driving good,” Poole told NASCAR.com. “We lack some raw pace and don’t have leased engines or sim, and we’re lacking some things, but we make up for it in really good driving and handling race cars and have been able to execute and not make mistakes.”

That was most recently on display last weekend at the Chicago Street Course, where Poole tallied a top 10. Earlier in the season, he earned a pair of top-five finishes at Martinsville Speedway and Rockingham Speedway. With 15 races remaining, he already has a trio of top 10s, the most in a season for a driver in Alpha Prime’s young history.

“We already have two top fives this year, which has been huge,” Poole said. “We’ve had a couple instances that have been out of our control that I wish didn’t happen because we would have more points stacked. It’s been a competitive year.”

Poole ranks 18th in the regular-season standings, ahead of one Kaulig Racing entry and a full-time Joe Gibbs Racing competitor. Many teams behind the No. 44 Chevrolet have full-leased engine deals, including teammate Parker Retzlaff in the No. 4 machine.

Given the financial dynamics, the No. 44 team, led by Poole, is setting a new precedent.

“You probably have to look at it and say there are [38] teams out there, and I’ll tell you that the 44 budget is probably like 33rd or 34th in the budget rankings,” Tommy Joe Martins, co-owner of Alpha Prime Racing, said. “You look at that and see that they are 18th in points, it’s hard not to look at that and say that it’s not impressive. They consistently punch above their weight class, more than any other team we’ve ever had.”

No matter the resources, Alpha Prime has never used that as an excuse to perform poorly. Another key factor, Martins believes, is that the 34-year-old Poole is appreciative of the opportunity to rebuild his career.

“We prepare every single week as if we’re here to win the race because we are to get the best possible result that we can,” Poole said. “If you can continue to do that and stay motivated and stay excited and are proud of the work that you’re putting in and doing, then that continues to raise everybody up.”

Brennan Poole races in the No. 44 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet during a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Chicago Street Course.
James Gilbert | Getty Images

The morale wins are weekends like Chicago, where Poole wrestled his No. 44 Chevy around the city streets to a 10th-place result. His average finish is 18.8, on pace to be his best since competing at Chip Ganassi Racing in 2017 (13.5).

“I think there’s a real competitiveness to him and a real chip on the shoulder that I see that probably fits a little bit of the same with me,” Martins noted of why the pairing clicked immediately. “I’ve always had to figure out how to do it with a little bit less. Brennan was in a spot where he had a great opportunity that was taken away and basically had to take whatever he could get and never gave up. That fits well with our team and the mindset and mentality.

“If you look at the series over the last couple of years, if he’s not doing the best job, he’s probably in the running of the top five of guys that are doing the best job with what they have.”

Poole believes his stock within the industry has risen. He’s aware that other team owners know how much he’s exceeded expectations given the tools the No. 44 team is working with. He’s at ease competing for Alpha Prime but wouldn’t shy away from an opportunity with a bigger team.

MORE: Xfinity Series standings | Xfinity Series schedule

“I love it because there’s nothing better than when you can go out and beat guys who are on full alliances with a big team,” Poole said. “When I pass them and beat them in a race – our hard work as a team – that part of it is so fun. It’s sort of like an exclamation point to all the other owners of like, ‘Hey, I’m here, I’m doing this.’ I want an opportunity to race in a top car again to race for championships and win races because I know that I can do it.

“I’m hopeful that there will be a team owner out there that has some sponsorship money or something already so that we can work together, and I could get that opportunity. I’ve really enjoyed being [at Alpha Prime], and if I’m still here another year, that’s OK too. I just want to keep racing and being competitive. I’m having a lot of fun right now. I’m definitely overachieving, and if we have to do it another year to get noticed, then it is what it is.”

With Silly Season quickly approaching, Martins admitted that Poole is having preliminary conversations and will likely lock down a ride earlier than he ever has throughout his career.

Poole and the No. 44 team will next do battle at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, The CW, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Posted on by Adam Fenwick

For just the fourth time in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour history, New York’s Lancaster Motorplex will welcome the series Saturday night for the running of the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 (8:15 p.m. ET on FloRacing).

Saturday’s race marks the seventh of 16 races on the 2025 Modified Tour schedule. Through the first six events of the year, the series has seen six different winners. Not among them is Austin Beers, the two-time and defending winner in Modified Tour competition at Lancaster.

A unique, half-mile oval on the outskirts of Buffalo and a track that features a drag strip on the frontstretch, Lancaster welcomed the Modified Tour for the first time in 2021. On that evening it was Patrick Emerling who visited Victory Lane after an intense late-race battle with Justin Bonsignore.

Tickets to the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 are available here. Below is everything you need to know before Saturday’s race.

Lancaster Motorplex
Cars lined up prior to the start of the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 at Lancaster Motorplex on Aug. 3, 2024. (Photo: Jeffrey Barnes/NASCAR)

Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 at Lancaster Motorplex

For the last two years, Austin Beers has owned Lancaster Motorplex on the Modified Tour.

The driver from Northampton, Pennsylvania has won the last two Tour races held at Lancaster, and in both instances, he led the most laps aboard the KLM Motorsports No. 64. The wins, the second and third of his career, make him the obvious favorite for Saturday’s race.

Should Beers win at Lancaster for the third time in as many years, he’d become the seventh different winner in as many races so far in 2025. That would tie the all-time Modified Tour record for consecutive different winners to start a season, which was set in 1999.

There are plenty of drivers who will be looking to deny Beers his third win at Lancaster. Leading that charge is Justin Bonsignore, the current Modified Tour points leader who scored his lone win of the season in June at New York’s Riverhead Raceway. Bonsignore has not won at Lancaster, but he would love to add a victory at the unique half-mile to his list of accolades.

His cousin, Kyle Bonsignore, is the most recent Modified Tour winner following a dominant victory two weeks ago at White Mountain Motorsports Park. Based on that performance, he could also be a serious contender at Lancaster, too.

Also on the list of contenders is Ryan Newman, who is back in Tim Connolly’s No. 4 Mystic Missile Modified after making his most recent series start at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Craig Lutz and Matt Hirschman, both of whom have found Victory Lane this year, could also be threats to win Saturday night.

Stephen Kopcik and Luke Baldwin, fourth and fifth in the series standings, respectively, are pursing their first Modified Tour wins and could be contenders Saturday night if things work in their favor.

Mike Christopher Jr., who hasn’t raced with the Modified Tour since he finished second at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in 2022, is making his return to the series aboard the No. 77 for Mike Curb and Gary Putnam. Also entered is local competitor George Skora III, who will be making his Modified Tour debut.

The full entry list for Saturday’s Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 will be released later this week.

Austin Beers
Austin Beers in action during the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 at Lancaster Motorplex on Aug. 3, 2024. (Photo: Jeffrey Barnes/NASCAR)

RACING REFERENCE:

RACE FACTS

Race Nu-Way Auto Parts 150
Date Saturday, July 12, 2025
Track Lancaster Motorplex
Layout Half-mile asphalt oval
Location Lancaster, New York
Start time 8:15 p.m. ET
Laps 150
Posted Awards $118,303
Tickets Here
How To Watch FloRacing

SCHEDULE: Saturday, July 12 … Practice from 5 to 5:30 p.m. ET … Final practice from 5:40 to 6 p.m. ET … Qualifying at 7:10 p.m. ET … Start of the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 (150 Laps / 75 Miles) at 8:30 p.m. ET.

QUALIFYING: Two consecutive qualifying laps. Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle has taken the green flag at the start/finish line. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time. Starting field for the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 is limited to 24 starters including Provisional Positions.

TIRE ALLOTMENT: The maximum tire allotment available for this event is eleven (11) tires per team. All tires used for qualifying and the race must be purchased at the track and scanned by Hoosier, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Series Director. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. All qualifying tires must remain in impound until released by NASCAR Officials. The remaining tire allotment may be used for practice and/or change tires during the event. Maximum of nine (9) tires may be used for the race, not including Emergency Change Tires. Teams will declare to NASCAR Officials at the conclusion of practice the tires they will use during the race. The tire change rule is two (2) tires per stop.

Posted on by Pat DeCola

Road-course stalwart Shane van Gisbergen looks unstoppable right now on tracks where NASCAR Cup Series drivers turn left and right, securing a second Chicago Street Race victory and second win of 2025 in the past month to significantly bolster his playoff positioning.

With only a handful of races left in the regular season, will fellow road-course standout AJ Allmendinger jumble the postseason picture even further this weekend in California?

NASCAR.com’s Pat DeCola ranks the top 20 Cup Series contenders after the Chicago Street Race and before Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway (3:30 p.m. ET, TNT Sports/truTV, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

RELATED:  2025 Cup Series schedule | Full Cup Series standings

Analysis: Elliott’s 16th-place finish in Chicago was a case of damage control after starting at the tail of the field and battling through traffic, but he inches closer to the points lead — which is suddenly within reach. Sonoma has been a happy hunting ground for Elliott with six top 10s in eight starts, but the strong road racer has yet to win there.

Analysis: Larson brought the No. 5 home with a mediocre 13th-place finish in Chicago, but he remains in the mix for the all-important Regular Season Championship. Returning to his home track, the 2021 and 2024 Sonoma winner is always a threat on road courses, especially given his ability to qualify up front and control the race’s rhythm.

Analysis: Hamlin powered from the rear to fourth in Chicago, notching his ninth top five of the year and staying fourth in points. While Sonoma is one of the few major tracks he’s never conquered, four career top fives and recent momentum make him a prime candidate to finally break through.

Analysis: Byron’s day in Chicago ended on Lap 1, relegating him to 40th on the results sheet amid a tough stretch for No. 24. Despite a 30th-place finish at Sonoma last year, he’ll be looking to rebound on a track that rewards precision, and his smooth, methodical style suits the California road course well.

Analysis: Reddick surged to a podium finish in Chicago, his best since Circuit of The Americas, as he continues to shine on road courses. With three Cup road-course wins and a P8 at Sonoma last year, his aggressive approach and exceptional braking skill make him a legitimate threat to officially join the playoff party this weekend.

Analysis: A late-race tangle dropped Bell to 24th at Chicago, but he’s been one of the most improved road racers in the series over the past several years and gets another crack this weekend. After his first two Sonoma starts saw him finish outside the top 20, his past two each yielded a top 10.

Analysis: Blaney’s 12th-place effort in Chicago was a steady points day (as many earned as runner-up Ty Gibbs) as he looks to build momentum heading west. While he’s only finished in the top five once at Sonoma, his road-course form has improved and he shouldn’t be counted out this weekend.

Analysis: Chastain grabbed his ninth top 10 of the season with a gritty P10 at Chicago, continuing his trend of aggressive, race-shaping performances that often end in post-race peril. Riding four straight Sonoma top 10s and culminating in his first top five there last year, No. 1 may be primed for win No. 2 of the season.

Analysis: Bowman delivered a strong eighth-place result in Chicago — after a brief run-in with ISC competitor Bubba Wallace — marking his 10th top-10 this year as he continues building quiet momentum. He’s proven capable on road courses, obviously, but Sonoma has been a bit of a struggle for No. 48, who averages a finish of 17.3 there with just a pair of top 10s over the past decade.

Analysis: Briscoe started fifth in Chicago but faded to 23rd after late contact, continuing a streak of up-and-down results. Still searching for his first Sonoma top-10 result, No. 19’s qualifying speed and flashes of road-course ability suggest a Wine Country breakthrough could be near.

Analysis: Buescher’s 18th-place run at Chicago was a rare dip in an otherwise consistent season, especially coming on a road course. A Sonoma win, however, feels imminent for No. 17, who led 32 laps there last year amid three straight finishes of fourth or better.

Analysis: Logano’s 11th-place finish in Chicago was a solid points day as he looks to regain midseason momentum to take with him into his title defense in the playoffs. He’s logged two top 10s at Sonoma in the past four years but led 16 laps from the pole last year before finishing 21st.

Analysis: Preece continued his mid-season surge with a seventh-place finish at Chicago — his fifth top-10 run in the past eight races. He’s yet to have one of those at Sonoma but has shown marked improvement on road courses this year and could surprise if the race turns unpredictable.

Analysis: Wallace’s day unraveled late in Chicago, leading to a 28th-place finish and a need for a rebound. Still seeking a finish better than 14th at Sonoma, the veteran could be aiming for a clean, points-paying day to steady his playoff hopes rather than shooting for the win.

Analysis: Allmendinger stormed to sixth at Chicago — his best finish since Charlotte — reminding the field of his road-course prowess after being shut out of the top 10 at COTA and Mexico City. A former Sonoma polesitter and three-time Cup road-course winner, he’s always a threat to steal the spotlight when the series turns right and could be next to shake up the playoff picture.

Analysis: SVG dominated the entire Chicago weekend, leading 26 laps on Sunday en route to his second Cup win in recent weeks and proving there’s nobody better on road courses at the moment. Making his Sonoma Cup debut, the three-time Supercars champion may just go back-to-back.

Analysis: Busch’s fifth-place finish at Chicago was a much-needed boost in a season filled with constant ups and downs. The two-time Sonoma winner (2008, 2015) has a long history of excelling on road courses and needs another strong run to solidify his playoff position as things start to get down to the wire.

Analysis: Gibbs scored a career-best second-place finish at Chicago, climbing in the standings and continuing his steady progression as he inches closer to his first Cup win. Sonoma has been a rough go for him in his first two trips out west (27.5 average finish), but he’s demonstrating to be a strong road racer and could actually turn some heads again.

Analysis: Cindric’s 27th at Chicago was another setback in a stretch that sees him with just one top 10 since winning at Talladega, but his road-course pedigree remains an asset. No. 2 opened his Sonoma Cup career with a P5 there in 2022 and hasn’t found the top 20 since, but there’s still little reason to believe he can’t contend this weekend given his background.

Analysis: Berry landed 34th at Chicago, finishing 30th or worse for the third time in six races — a stretch that also includes zero top 10s or laps led. A failed suspension sent him to P32 (after starting 32nd) last year at Sonoma, and a turnaround does not seem likely for him this weekend.

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Brought to you by Regeneron

Race season is in full swing, which means more time spent outdoors at race tracks and ultimately more time in the sun. With increased sun exposure comes a need for responsible UV protection.1

One in five people will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.1 When people hear about skin cancer, they often think of melanoma, yet non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), are two of the most common types of skin cancer in the U.S.2

NMSCs, such as BCC and CSCC, can be easier to treat when caught early,3 but some cases may progress to advanced stages and become serious.4

Who Is at Risk?

It is important to understand that anyone — including people with darker skin or people who spend less time in the sun — can get skin cancer. However, there are some factors that can increase one’s risk, including5,6:

— Light/fair skin — especially people with naturally blonde or red hair.
— Advanced age — the older you get, the higher the risks!
— More time in the sun — just like wear and tear on the tires, every hour on the track adds up! More sun exposure = more skin cancer risk.
— Geography — the sun’s rays are strongest the closer you get to the equator, so people in Southern states have higher skin cancer risk.

Catching Skin Cancer Early: Skin Checks!

Every good driver — and fan — needs a good spotter!

Catching skin cancer early — when it first becomes visible — makes it easier to to treat.3 Performing regular self-exams can help you with this early detection, and everyone should also have an annual exam performed by a skilled professional, like a dermatologist.

Skin cancer awareness graphic.
Image courtesy of Regeneron

When preparing for your dermatologist appointment, it’s important to do the following to make it easier for the doctor to identify potential areas of concern8:

— Take and share notes about anything you noticed from your self-exam.
— Remove any nail polish and makeup, as cancer can even appear under fingernails.
— Wear your hair down so your scalp can be easily checked.

During the exam, you can expect to8:

— Change into a medical gown.
— Spend at least 10 minutes with the doctor looking over your skin, sometimes using tools like magnifiers to examine the skin more closely.
— Talk through next steps with the doctor such as scheduling follow-up exams or treatments, if needed.

Prepare to discuss the following with the dermatologist:

— Your skincare routine. Ask if they recommend any changes.
— Practices you can build into your daily routine to reduce your skin cancer risks.
— How to identify unusual spots in your self-exams.

Learn More Through Let’s Get Real About Skin Cancer

Let’s Get Real About Skin Cancer is an educational program aimed at raising awareness around advanced NMSCs, which was launched four years ago by Regeneron, a biotechnology company. Let’s Get Real About Skin Cancer had an informational booth at Talladega Superspeedway in April. Regeneron will also interact with fans in our Fan Zone at two additional races throughout the season to spread awareness about advanced NMSCs, like BCC and CSCC, including risk factors, prevention and early detection:

— Chicago Street Race
July 5-6

— Daytona International Speedway
August 22-23

Visit the Let’s Get Real About Skin Cancer website to learn more and take the pledge to see a dermatologist for a skin check.

References

1. Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics. Skin Cancer Foundation. January 2025. Accessed May 9, 2025. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/

2. Key Statistics for Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers. American Cancer Society. October 31, 2023. Accessed March 3, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

3. Can Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers Be Found Early? American Cancer Society. October 31, 2023. Accessed April 24, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html

4. Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Stages and Risk Groups. American Cancer Society. October 31, 2023. Accessed May 9, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html

5. Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer Society. October 31, 2023. Accessed May 6, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html

6. Lukowiak TM, Aizman L, Perz A, et al. Association of Age, Sex, Race, and Geographic Region With Variation of the Ratio of Basal Cell to Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas in the United States. JAMA Dermatol. November 11, 2020. 2020;156(11):1192-1198. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.2571

7. Find Skin Cancer: How to Perform a Skin Self-Exam. American Academy of Dermatology Association. May 15, 2023. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/check-skin

8. Annual Exams – Five Easy Steps to Prepare Yourself. Skin Cancer Foundation. October 2023. Accessed April 29, 2025. https://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/annual-exams/