Austin, TX – November 14, 2024 – Legendary NASCAR driver and two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Kyle Busch, today announced a partnership with FloSports that will put him on the clay in a Lucas Oil midget car for a historic debut at the 39th Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Powered by NOS Energy Drink streamed exclusively on FloRacing this January.
Kyle’s debut follows similar appearances at the USAC National Midget events at Bakersfield Speedway (November 26) and Ventura Raceway (November 30). The 39th annual Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink will run from January 13-18, 2025 at the famed SageNet Center.
Busch, who has conquered tracks across the NASCAR Cup Series and built a legacy as one of the most skilled drivers of his generation, will take on a field of more than 300 drivers to prove his mettle at the so-called ‘Super Bowl of midget racing’. His appearance follows a 30-year legacy of top-tier talent appearing at the race and follows in the footsteps of fellow NASCAR drivers who have competed including Tony Stewart, Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell.
“The Cup Season may be over, but the Racing season is still in full swing with the biggest events on dirt taking place over the next couple of months. The Chili Bowl is a legendary event and has always been on my wish-list. To be able to compete there, and then alongside my son Brexton at the Tulsa Shootout, is making this year one to remember,” Busch commented.
As part of today’s announcement, Kyle also revealed that he will be driving alongside his son Brexton at the Tulsa Shootout (December 31 – January 4).
All of these events will be streamed exclusively on FloRacing – making it the essential home to watch Kyle Busch get behind the wheel during the NASCAR offseason. FloRacing fans are encouraged to watch these races and more on the updated FloSports Connected TV app, which features enhanced discoverability and streaming capabilities, providing the ultimate viewing experience on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV devices.
The service will also be available on the web and for download on mobile devices (iOS and Android) via the FloSports app. To watch the Chili Bowl Nationals please visit flosports.link/chilibowl2025. For more information and to gain access to more than 1,000 races annually, subscribe to FloRacing by visiting www.floracing.com.
About FloSports
Founded in 2006, FloSports is a global independent sports media company delivering live events, award winning original content, always-on social experiences, and comprehensive sports data solutions to passionate and underserved sports communities interested in more than 25 different sports. Its portfolio includes the top destinations for avid fans seeking comprehensive live and on-demand access for the sports they love: motorsports (FloRacing), hockey (FloHockey), wrestling (FloWrestling), Jiu-Jitsu (FloGrappling), Track & Field (FloTrack and MileSplit), cheer (FloCheer and Varsity), a variety of NCAA sports, and more. Strategic partnerships with NASCAR, USA Wrestling, ECHL, Tour de France, top NCAA Conferences, and others, fuel more than 24,000 live events streamed annually across the globe and accessed via monthly or annual subscriptions. For more information, please visit: flosports.tv.
Many great warriors have competed in motorsports, but none have responded with unmatched bravery through tragedy and heartbreak more than Bobby Allison.
Taking inventory of his losses is staggering. The NASCAR Hall of Famer suffered the sudden deaths of his two sons, Clifford (1992) and Davey (1993), in separate racing and aviation accidents. Then, the loss of fellow “Alabama Gang” member Neil Bonnett (1994) in a Daytona International Speedway practice crash. Later, the loss of the love of his life, Judy (2015), following what should have been a relatively simple medical procedure.
The rivalries of his Cup career were legendary and certainly sharpened his steel, including fender-banging duels and heated exchanges with other future Hall of Famers Curtis Turner, Richard Petty, Junior Johnson and Darrell Waltrip.
He backed down from no one.
Allison’s iron will and quest for perfection led to conflicts, resulting in him driving for more than 20 different Cup car owners. His legend grew all the while.
In 1974, Bobby suffered a broken back in a crash at Riverside during the Saturday race of the IROC Series. Yet there he was, back on track in a makeshift brace the following day — beating the biggest names in motorsports such as Foyt, Unser, Petty, Pearson, Yarborough and Formula 1 world champions Jody Scheckter and Emerson Fittipaldi.
His fight with Cale Yarborough alongside his brother Donnie in the 1979 Daytona 500 created an unforgettable memory, still considered one of the most significant events in NASCAR history.
Allison was the original barnstormer, racing anywhere, any day of the week. Local short tracks would promote his special appearances, where he shook hands, signed autographs and ran against the local heroes at hundreds of venues, building a nationwide following as one of the sport’s most popular drivers. He was famous for “buzzing” the tracks in his private plane upon arrival and departure, leaving fans to imagine where he was headed next.
On the track, he suffered wrecks that changed the course of NASCAR history. In 1987, his crash into the catch fencing at Talladega resulted in engine restrictor plates for Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway to slow down the cars. He suffered horrific crashes at Elko, Minnesota and Rockingham and hardly skipped a beat.
Following his father-son 1-2 finish with Davey in the 1988 Daytona 500, Bobby suffered a career-ending and nearly life-ending crash at Pocono in June, resulting in a severe head injury. Rebounding from that injury, Bobby focused on resuming his career as a car owner and supporting Clifford and Davey’s racing careers.
After retiring as a car owner, Bobby made numerous appearances at fan gatherings, festivals and special events. Sitting alongside his brother and fellow NASCAR Hall of Famers Donnie Allison and Red Farmer, they were always among the most famous legends in the autograph line and drew the longest lines.
Bobby endured several health issues in his final years, but he always had the support of his daughters, Bonnie and Carrie, and numerous lifelong friends who would stop by with a strawberry milkshake from Chick-fil-A.
Some competitors are judged by their numbers and he loses no shine there – Allison’s 85 career wins rank fourth on the all-time Cup Series win list. Others are judged by their contributions as innovators, and Bobby was one of the best at developing power steering and spotter radio communications. Some might be judged by fan appeal and popularity, and once again, Bobby’s legion of fans is legendary.
He did it all with grit, determination and bravery.
Bobby first came to my attention when I was 14 and attending the 1966 Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville. Bobby and Fred Lorenzen competed in a classic battle. Bobby led for 218 laps in his little Chevelle, owned by Donald Brackins, while Lorenzen led for 172 laps in his factory-supported Holman Moody Ford. Late engine problems relegated Bobby to third, while Lorenzen went on to win.
From that day at Martinsville forward, I closely followed Bobby’s career. When I started on the media side of the sport 42 years ago, I never dreamed that I would know Bobby so well. I especially enjoyed visiting Bobby and Judy in their home, where Judy had gluten-free cookies waiting upon my arrival. The stories we shared will always be with me.
One of my most cherished accomplishments is my small role in NASCAR recognizing his 85th career win at Bowman Gray Stadium in 1971.
Through all his trials and tribulations, Bobby maintained his faith, cherished his family’s love and was supported by thousands of friends and fans.
Rest well, my friend, and enjoy your family reunion.
Ken Martin, director of historical content, has worked exclusively for NASCAR since 2008, but has been involved with the sport since 1982. He has worked in the broadcast booth for hundreds of races and calculated the “points as they run” for the historic 1992 finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
The conclusion of the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season did not play out the way Layne Riggs envisioned, but his journey to reach the Nov. 8 finale at Phoenix Raceway was more than rewarding.
While battling eventual series champion Ty Majeski for the lead, Riggs got loose underneath Nick Sanchez in Turn 1, causing him to spin in front of the field and make slight contact with the outside wall. Riggs did not let the setback deter him; he charged through the field during the closing laps to settle for a 10th-place finish.
In many ways, Phoenix served as the perfect encapsulation of Riggs’ first year with Front Row Motorsports. Adversity hindered Riggs at the beginning of the campaign, but he and his team persevered to earn a pair of victories and seven top fives, all of which helped Riggs obtain Rookie of the Year honors in the Truck Series.
Given Front Row’s efficiency in the back half of 2024, Riggs believes he could have contended for the championship had the team made the Playoffs. Despite this, Riggs is thrilled with his Rookie of the Year award and is looking forward to building on the late-season momentum.
“Winning Rookie of the Year was a great testament to my team and what we were able to accomplish at the end of the season,” Riggs said. “The beginning of the year was a rocky and tough start, but we fought through the growing pains and that brought us together as a strong team. At the end of the year, we really showed what we had.”
After his journey up the developmental ladder, Riggs is no stranger to adversity.
When he was competing in Late Model Stock Cars, Riggs’ small team had a limited number of resources at their disposal. The guidance of Riggs’ father, former NASCAR Cup Series driver Scott Riggs, was advantageous, but the family still had to fight for every position on track.
Riggs more than answered the call against the elites of the Late Model Stock discipline. He earned six victories in the CARS Tour’s Late Model Stock division before turning his attention to the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, where he bested veteran Peyton Sellers for a national title in 2022.
Winning the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series championship in 2022 was a turning point in Layne Riggs’ career. (Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Riggs knew there was no guarantee his success would translate into a NASCAR ride. He had witnessed other great Late Model Stock competitors exhaust funding trying to build a career and was beginning to worry he would meet a similar fate.
Everything began to line up for Riggs during his national championship run. Halmar Friesen Racing providing Riggs his first Truck Series starts in 2022 set into motion the chain of events that resulted in his achieving the dream of a full-time NASCAR seat.
“The national championship was the first thing that turned everything around,” Riggs said. “I made my first Truck [Series] start during that season. With my name being pretty hot at the time, there were people who gave me the opportunity to make my first start. We finished seventh in my first start, and we had really strong performances afterwards in the part-time rides.
“This sport is all about timing, and I hit the timing just right.”
Riggs’ consistency across limited Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series appearances in 2023 caught the attention of Front Row. With Zane Smith set to move up to the NASCAR Cup Series, Front Row and Riggs worked out a deal that would see them contest the entire 2024 Truck Series season together.
Although Front Row had previously won a Truck Series title with Smith, Riggs did his best to temper his own expectations. The No. 38 Ford F-150 was comprised of almost an entirely new staff compared to the previous year, but Riggs still believed he and his team could win races together from the start.
The opener at Daytona International Speedway immediately humbled Riggs, as he lasted just 13 laps before a multi-truck crash ended his night. The following eight races were just as adverse for Riggs and Front Row; their only finish inside the top 10 came at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Struggles to begin the year provided Riggs insight into what it takes to run a successful Truck Series operation. He felt his truck had plenty of speed, but he admitted more time was needed for his team to develop proper cohesion.
A return to his short-track racing roots at North Wilkesboro Speedway culminated with Riggs earning a third-place run. That performance was a turning point on the 2024 season that saw Riggs and everyone at Front Row get consistently rewarded for their tireless efforts.
“Nothing really changed,” Riggs said. “It just took enough time for everyone to get comfortable. Everybody knew what their job was. My crew chief Dylan [Cappello] had to be a team leader in all aspects at the beginning of the season, but he wasn’t able to spend as much time on the important stuff as he wished he could have.
“Everybody finally hit their stride at the right time, and we all executed perfectly.”
Riggs methodically climbed his way up from the 16th starting position to place himself behind Majeski and Christian Eckes for the start of the final stage. Once he dispatched Eckes, Riggs applied tremendous pressure to Majeski before making the race-winning pass with 53 laps remaining.
Crossing the finish line was cathartic for Riggs, as it allowed him to reflect on his journey to that point. Other than unintentionally dislocating his shoulder during the post-race celebration, Riggs took pleasure in celebrating the moment with his crew and Scott.
“It was a weight off my shoulders, literally,” Riggs said. “You question yourself if you’re ever going to make it, but you have to keep working. I’m glad my dad was there, because he is the one who allowed me to race and kept me focused to work so hard in the race shop at home. It was really a moment of relief and satisfaction.”
Layne Riggs credits his father Scott Riggs for the guidance he provided to help him excel in Late Model Stocks and NASCAR. (Photo: HHP/Andrew Coppley)
After Riggs was eliminated from playoff contention at Richmond Raceway, his goal for the rest of 2024 remained simple: Keep winning races.
Riggs and Front Row built off their Milwaukee triumph with a stalwart performance at Bristol that saw them earn their second consecutive victory after leading a race-high 80 laps. Their average finish across the playoffs was 10th, a number that could have been better had bad luck not hindered them at Talladega Superspeedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Performing so well across the back half of 2024 highlighted not only improved team chemistry for Riggs, but also how much he had grown behind the wheel. The numerous aspects that comprise a normal Truck Series event required Riggs to compartmentalize his mindset and exude patience throughout the day.
“I was trying to think bigger picture, even during a race,” Riggs said. “If your truck is not handling well in stage one, you can’t get flustered. You have to understand how long the race is. With stage racing, it’s multiple races into one. You can turn your whole day around on a dime. If you’re fifth, you can be one adjustment away from leading.
“[This year] has shaped me to be a more mature race-car driver.”
Now that he has won Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Layne Riggs is turning his attention toward a championship in 2025. (Photo: Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)
Now fresh off a Rookie of the Year Truck Series campaign, Riggs is raising his own expectations for 2025 and is confident he can contend for a championship.
The path to a Truck Series title will not be easy for Riggs regardless of momentum. Three members of the Championship 4, Majeski, Corey Heim and Grant Enfinger, are all expected to return full-time in 2025 alongside the usual group of veterans and young prospects.
Riggs does not the doubt the ability of himself and Front Row to be exceptional when the Playoffs come around, but he emphasized the importance of obtaining a regular-season win. If they can secure a Playoff spot early, Riggs thinks everything will be in place for him to bring a championship trophy back to Front Row’s shop.
“Inside the Playoffs, we ran strong at most of those race tracks,” Riggs said. “I know we have some new [tracks] this [upcoming] year, but the first goal is to keep doing what we’re doing; throw Hail Marys and go get a victory to lock ourselves into the Playoffs. At that point, you can start focusing on the Playoff races.
“The sooner we can get that win, the further we can look down the line.”
A short-but-productive offseason awaits Riggs and Front Row. When Daytona comes around, Riggs will be ready to continue his journey from the grassroots level into what he hopes will be a long, sustainable career in NASCAR’s top levels.
WINSTON SALEM, N.C. (Nov. 14, 2024) – Work is well underway to get Bowman Gray Stadium ready for its next generation of racing, which begins next year with The Clash on Feb. 1-2, 2025, live on FOX. NASCAR, City of Winston-Salem, and Winston-Salem State University announced several initiatives today that are preparing the facility for a future that includes the return of NASCAR Cup Series racing to its historic quarter-mile oval for the first time since 1971.
• A brand-new Musco lighting system that is custom designed to improve track lighting and visibility, reduce energy consumption, enhance the overall experience for drivers and fans, and provide the necessary illumination for nationally televised racing events, beginning with the 2025 NASCAR Clash on FOX. Funding for the lighting system will come from a pandemic recovery grant that was awarded to the City of Winston-Salem in 2022 as part of the North Carolina Motorsports Relief Fund.
• Installation of SAFER barrier, the innovative and life-saving steel and foam energy reduction system, and new catch fences featured at every NASCAR national series racetrack.
“Part of being good stewards of Bowman Gray Stadium includes preparing it to host compelling events that rightfully place it in the national spotlight,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive vice president, chief venue and racing innovation officer. “We are grateful to Musco for providing the premium event lighting product to illuminate this historic venue. The preparations in advance of The Clash will position this national treasure as a showcase of national and grassroots racing for the next generation and beyond.”
The Total Light Control — TLC for LED™ system from Musco features patented light control that prevents glare from affecting drivers, spectators, and television cameras. The new LED system features Musco’s Show-Light® Pro special effects technology that allows for the creation of customized light shows on the race track, with color-changing fixtures and light-to-music synchronization for a world-class entertainment experience.
“Bowman Gray is a fantastic venue with a storied history in both racing and football,” said Musco CEO Jeff Rogers. “We’re looking forward to working on this project with NASCAR. Lighting the Clash is exciting, but leaving a legacy LED lighting system for local racing and Winston-Salem State University football makes the project even more special.”
Musco lighting solutions provide the high light levels required for television broadcast, the uniformity and glare control specified by international racing organization safety standards, and an unforgettable race night experience for spectators – at the venue and broadcast on television or online. Installation will begin in December and will be completed in advance of The Clash in February.
“The City of Winston-Salem is thrilled that NASCAR has chosen to kick off their 2025 season by holding the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium,” said City of Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. “We value the partnership with Musco, NASCAR, and WSSU to provide enhanced stadium lighting that will position the stadium and community to host future national events and improve the fan experience for the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series at Bowman Gray Stadium and WSSU Football. This lighting system complements the $9 million that the City invested in improvements to Bowman Gray Stadium a few years ago. The City Council and I want to thank Musco for their investment in our historic stadium and their commitment to the Winston-Salem community.”
“This collaboration with NASCAR is a testament to their strong commitment to community engagement,” said Winston-Salem State University Chancellor Bonita Brown. “The installation of new lighting will enhance the experience for our student-athletes, fans and the broader community, making our stadium a brighter and more inviting place for everyone. We are thrilled about these improvements as well as the ongoing partnership we have with NASCAR that offers our students exposure to the motorsports industry.”
Crews began preparing Bowman Gray Stadium for SAFER barrier installation on Oct. 21 with the removal of the previous guardrail system. Installation of the new barriers and catch fencing is anticipated to be completed by the first week of January.
A scant number of tickets remain for the inaugural NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, Feb. 1-2. A full schedule of weekend activities will be released in the near future, but both days will include NASCAR Cup Series cars on track concluding with The Clash broadcast live on Feb. 2 (8 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Fans are encouraged to visit NASCARClash.com to secure their seats now while supplies last.
To learn more about the 2025 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series season with weekly modified, sportsman, street stock and stadium stock competition, visit bowmangrayracing.com.
The Baldwin family has a long history at New York’s Riverhead Raceway.
The family patriarch, Tom Baldwin, cut his teeth racing at the quarter-mile oval on Long Island. He won 11 weekly Modified events at the track in addition to two NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races before his passing in 2004.
Riverhead continues to hold a special place in the heart of Tommy Baldwin Jr., the elder of Baldwin’s sons who grew up to be a Daytona 500-winning crew chief and champion NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team owner.
That’s why when the green flag waves for Saturday’s Islip 300 at Riverhead, there will be not one, but two members of the Baldwin family in the field.
Jack and Luke Baldwin, Tommy Baldwin Jr.’s sons, will make their first starts in the Islip 300, held in honor of the now-defunct Islip Speedway. Both are excited to take on one of Riverhead’s marquee events for the first time aboard cars fielded by their father.
“Growing up all we heard were stories about our grandpa and the things he did and the tracks he won races at, and Riverhead was definitely one of them that came up the most,” Jack said. “I always look forward to going up there, and I actually probably went to Riverhead more than any other race track before I started racing when I was around 17 years old.”
The Baldwin brothers have quickly proven to be among the brightest rising stars in Modified racing. Luke captured the 2023 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing 602 Modified championship at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway, and Jack won the same championship in 2024.
Luke Baldwin during the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia on Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)
Both have continued to excel up and down the East Coast this year, with Luke winning Modified events at South Boston and Dominion Speedways in Virginia while Jack honed his skills racing at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway.
The brothers got their first taste of Modified racing at Riverhead earlier this year when they competed in the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77, an event named in honor of their grandfather and fellow Modified racing greats Richie Evans and Charlie Jarzombek.
“That was a blast. Some of the most fun I’ve had behind the wheel of a race car,” Luke said. “We didn’t get the result we wanted. We got caught up in a little bit of a racing deal during a late-race restart, but we were racing for third to fifth the whole race. It’s just a tight little bullring. It’s physical, and it’s a lot of fun.
“I was hustling it for the full 77 laps. It was a ton of fun.”
The field for the Islip 300 is, as always, chock full of talent. Among the entries are reigning Riverhead Modified champion John Beatty Jr., Matt Hirschman, Austin Beers, Timmy Solomito, Craig Lutz and Jimmy Blewett.
All of them will be chasing the $12,000 top prize for winning the eighth running of the Islip 300, but both Baldwin brothers believe they’ll be among those in contention when the checkered flag waves Saturday.
“One of the main things that my brother and I take away and talk about every time we leave Riverhead is the amount of people, and I’m not saying I don’t know who they are, but the amount of people who come up to us on race days at Riverhead and tell us stories about how awesome our grandpa was and different things he did or the race he won or the wrecks he was in,” Jack said. “To be able to get the chance to continue that legacy that my grandpa built there and that so many people still talk about is a really cool opportunity.”
Jack Baldwin celebrates a 602 Modified victory during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway on Feb. 14, 2024. (Photo: Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)
There is an added incentive to win the Islip 300. For the first time, Riverhead Raceway will present the Glenn Dixon Crew Chief of the Race Award to the race-winning crew chief.
The $500 award, which will be presented by Nick Rutigliano of Brigandi Brothers Automotive and Timmy Solomito of the Natural Design Co., pays tribute to the late Glenn Dixon, a veteran member of the Modified racing community who passed away May 1.
Prior to his passing, Dixon had been working with the Baldwin family and was helping guide the careers of Luke and Jack.
Winning the event and, thus, allowing their father to receive the special award named for Dixon would be icing on the cake. Should one of the brothers win, it would also be the first victory for their father following a battle with cancer.
“It would be super, super special for my dad to bring that award home,” Luke said. “We haven’t won the Islip 300 yet since it started at Riverhead. It would be really cool to bring one home in (Tommy Baldwin Jr.’s) car. It would be the first win in the 7NY since he’s been healthy. We’re still chasing that.
“It would be really cool to do in front of so many people that have seen my grandpa race and understand my family’s background. That would be the best place to do it.”
Michael McDowell made his 500th NASCAR Cup Series start in the next-to-last race of the season Nov. 3 at Martinsville Speedway. There was something special about start No. 501 as well, with McDowell’s seven-year run with Front Row Motorsports No. 34 team drawing to a close last weekend at Phoenix Raceway.
McDowell’s next stage starts this week as he joins Spire Motorsports to drive the team’s No. 71 Chevrolet in 2025. The adjustment — to a new organization, a new manufacturer — should take some getting used to, but McDowell noted an unintended consequence while signing autographs for fans last weekend at Phoenix. Adding “34” to his signature as he’s done for the last seven years will no longer be accurate.
“I thought about it like, man, it’s going to be a hard habit to break,” McDowell said Saturday, the day before the season finale. “I’m … just thankful, thankful for the opportunity I’ve had and what we’ve built and what we’ve done, and you know, there is a new chapter, and so I’m thankful for that. I’m thankful to still have a few years in front of me racing in the Cup Series, but it’s definitely going to be hard to walk away from the 34.”
McDowell’s FRM tenure produced both of his Cup Series wins — his breakthrough in the 2021 Daytona 500 and a convincing drive to victory in 2023 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Though his average finish this past season receded slightly to 21.3, his average starting spot (14.6) was a career-high — aided by the first six pole positions of his career, all in one calendar year.
With some aspects of the transition — autographs included — that will take some time to adapt to, McDowell will have the advantage of keeping his crew chief pairing intact. Travis Peterson, atop the No. 34 pit box the last two seasons, will also make the shift to Spire’s No. 71 operation in a move that should smooth their relocation in the Cup Series garage.
“I think it was huge for both of us,” Peterson told NASCAR.com on race-day Sunday morning. “The way the sport is right now, teams clicking and the little details of understanding each other and doing that kind of stuff is more valuable than it’s ever been. So being able to go somewhere new but have a lot of familiarity with some of the guys on the team coming with us, and me and Michael staying together is going to help us not have so many growing pains, because we already have that understanding of each other, the way we communicate, the things that he likes in the race car, and how to accomplish that. So it’s going to help us a ton, even though it’s a new manufacturer and a new team and all that, it won’t be as bad because we have a lot of the foundation.”
Their groundwork will add to a burgeoning organization in Spire, which has grown since its humble start as a single-car outfit in 2019. Spire expanded its Cup Series operations from two cars to three full-time entries last season, and its Craftsman Truck Series effort that began in 2022 is now a three-truck fleet after its acquisition of Kyle Busch Motorsports in September 2023. That move gave Spire a new headquarters in Mooresville, N.C., in KBM’s former 77,000-square-foot shop.
The sustained growth was a prime selling point for McDowell, who announced his move in May. Peterson’s deal with Spire was revealed three months later, not long after championship-winning crew chief Rodney Childers signed a multiyear agreement with Spire in July.
“I’m super-excited because we have a lot of great people and great hires that we’ve made and more to come,” McDowell said. “Momentum is good, and you know you’ve seen Spire really progress these last six months in a good direction, so timing is good. I think the timing is right, and I feel good about the decision I’ve made and where it’s going and what it’ll look like, and so I’m very excited. I’m ready to get to work, but that starts on Monday.”
McDowell will add a veteran presence to a Spire roster with two young teammates lined up for next season. Carson Hocevar will return to the No. 77 Chevrolet after driving to Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, and Justin Haley will be back in the No. 7 Chevy after Spire traded for him in September with seven races left in the season.
That direction combined with focused growth, Peterson said, made Spire an attractive next option for both driver and crew chief.
“I mean, I think that’s everything that we liked about it when we were looking around for what our next move would be, and their vision and the things they’re doing and the people they’re investing in is very exciting,” Peterson said. “That was a huge part of why we’re choosing to go there is to be part of that next step for them. And they’ve done a good job, even through this season of showing a lot more speed and performance, so all of that is super encouraging. And I’m pumped, because it’s a good group, and they’re doing all the right things in terms of what they’re trying to create. Again, like we kind of talked about in our sport right now, that stuff is so much more valuable than it’s ever been, too, because it’s not just ‘somebody’s got better race cars,’ it’s how you put the people together to make it happen.”
NASCAR unveiled the start times and networks across the Craftsman, Xfinity and Cup Series for the 2025 season on Wednesday.
The start times remained fairly uniform compared to the 2024 season but there are some tweaks to start jotting down before its time to start prepping for February.
2025 kicks off with night-time action as The Clash at Bowman-Gray Stadium is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
The Nashville Cup race returns to action under the lights as it is slated for a 7 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime. Both Craftsman Trucks and Xfinity events will also have evening green-flag times at the Tennessee oval.
Two weeks later, the Cup Series heads to Mexico City for a 3 p.m. ET start on Prime at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
At the end of June, both the Xfinity and Cup Series return to Atlanta Motor Speedway will run at night, with Cup’s reunion on TNT airing at 7 p.m. ET.
Independence Day weekend also sees a slight bump up in start time at the Chicago Street Course as the Cup Series race is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET on TNT.
On Sunday, Aug. 3, the NBC portion of the broadcast schedule sees the Cup race at Iowa Speedway move to an afternoon start with a 3:30 p.m. ET slot on USA Network.
Lastly, the Cup Series Round of 8 playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 12 will now be a 5:30 p.m. ET start on USA.
Bobby Allison always raced his son Davey with an immense sense of pride, a touch of parental anxiety and a lingering feeling of competitive dread.
“Davey is a delight to be around, and it’s a real thrill to see him do well,” Bobby Allison said. “I have the concern that I think any father would have for their son in a race car and the potential for some sort of danger.
“But there’s a third thing that comes with Davey: He’s a real competitive pain. He’s really fast in the car and a big threat.”
The Allisons combined for 104 victories in NASCAR’s premier series, but there was one race – the sport’s biggest — that especially showcased their dual talents.
The 1988 Daytona 500 was the finest hour on track together for Bobby and Davey Allison as they joined Lee and Richard Petty as the second father-son pairing to finish 1-2 in a Cup race.
“What a thrill for me,” Bobby Allison said after a third Daytona 500 victory that would be the last of his 85 career wins. “My parents were a real inspiration for me, and now I’m racing against my son. It was a great race, and Davey did such a good job. He drove the wheels off that car all day. He’s a fine young man and fine competitor. I’m proud to say he belongs to me and Judy.”
The victory marked the completion of a tripleheader sweep at Daytona International Speedway for Bobby Allison, who won the 125-mile qualifier Thursday and the Grand National 300-mile race a day earlier.
He also made history as the first winner of the restrictor-plate era.
NASCAR made horsepower changes for its high-banked speedways after Allison’s car went airborne at more than 200 mph and tore down a section of the frontstretch fencing at Talladega Superspeedway in the May 3, 1987 race (which coincidentally was won by Davey Allison).
Starting in the 1988 season at Daytona and Talladega, NASCAR mandated restrictor plates that limited airflow to the carburetors and kept speeds below 200 mph. The rule change bunched up cars and made it easier to lose several positions without the help of a drafting partner.
Bobby and Davey Allison, who combined for 15 Cup victories at Daytona and Talladega, grasped those new nuances better than anyone in the 1988 Daytona 500.
On a restart with 18 laps remaining, Bobby Allison moved from fourth to first with a power move past Darrell Waltrip on the backstretch. Davey Allison quickly tucked in behind his dad to draft past Waltrip, who faded to 11th place.
Father and son controlled the race to the finish. Buddy Baker briefly charged into second with nine laps left, but Davey again drafted up to Bobby a lap later to retake second and shuffle Baker to ninth.
NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
In the closing laps, the CBS broadcast often cut to the nervous smiles of Judy Allison as she watched her husband and son race for NASCAR’s greatest prize.
“You got all kind of emotions going,” she said. “Somebody walked up to me and said, ‘Well, who are you pulling for?’ and I said, ‘The one that pays the bills.’ What else can you say?”
There might have been extra tension because there was no playing favorites among family members with the highly competitive Allisons.
“A lot of people ask Bobby, ‘Why didn’t you let Davey win, he’s your son?’ Well, I’m here to tell you, he wouldn’t have let his mother win,” Donnie Allison cracked at his brother’s NASCAR Hall of Fame induction in 2011.
Despite no quarter being given, there still were many racing lessons passed by a doting dad to his inquisitive son.
“Davey was so attentive and such a buddy to me from the time he was a little bitty guy, I certainly wanted to share anything I could with him,” Bobby said. “I did everything except back off and let him win a race. He understood that he had to earn it.”
Davey Allison later would earn that Daytona 500 victory in 1992.
But in the ’88 race, he knew that his No. 28 Ford was no match for his father’s No. 12 Buick, which led a race-high 70 laps. Davey still took a brief peek to the bottom off the final turn before yielding to dad.
“My only chance was to get up inside him and beat him by a couple of inches back to the finish line because I knew I could never have gotten around him all the way,” Davey said. “He’s just so tough.”
There were no hard feelings in a jubilant Victory Lane. The runner-up was met by a beer shower from the winner, who playfully doused his oldest son with a sponsor’s beverage.
Though he cherished the celebration, it wasn’t quite what Davey Allison had expected.
“When I was a little kid I always dreamed about racing with my dad and having a 1-2 finish, but I wanted him to be second,” he said. “In the dreams, I always won.”
In this case, reality turned out to be better.
“It’s the happiest day of my life,” Davey said. “It’s better than if I had won myself. He’s always been my hero.”
One of the proudest traditions in the northeast Modified racing scene continues Saturday at Riverhead Raceway, where the prestigious Islip 300 will take place.
The event’s name derives from its initial setting of Islip Speedway, a 0.2-mile bullring that hosted a handful of NASCAR Cup Series events from 1964-71. After the Cup Series held its final event at the track, the Modified class briefly carried on the tradition of running 300-lap events at Islip, with the last one being in 1979.
Modified legend and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans set the gold standard for endurance events during Islip’s existence. Evans won all but one of Islip’s 300-lap races, while other drivers like Geoff Bodine, Charlie Jarzombek, Greg Sacks, Tom Baldwin and John Blewett Jr. also found their way to Victory Lane in a Modified at the facility.
Although Islip ceased operations in 1984, the memories of the track’s vibrant racing culture endured over the following decades amongst the Modified community. Riverhead Raceway revived part of that history in 2017 when it introduced the Islip 300 as a spiritual successor to the once-storied crown jewel event.
A healthy crowd of Modifieds have descended upon Riverhead every year with the goal of adding an Islip 300 victory to their resume. The status quo remains in place as many of the region’s top competitors prepare to battle across 300 intense laps on Saturday evening.
Below is everything you need to know about the 2024 edition of the Islip 300 at Riverhead Raceway.
Saturday’s Islip 300 will be the eighth time Riverhead Raceway has hosted the prestigious event. (Photo: Kostas Lymperopoulos/NASCAR)
TV channel, live stream for Islip 300 at Riverhead Raceway
Saturday’s Islip 300 at Riverhead Raceway will be shown exclusively on FloRacing, the official streaming home for all NASCAR Regional properties.
The event will not be shown on a traditional TV channel.
Below is how to watch the 2024 Islip 300 on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Joining the Modifieds for the Islip 300 will be three support classes, the Eddie Partridge All Stars, Legends and Crate Modifieds.
Each division gets one round of practice prior to qualifying at 12:15 p.m. ET. The Modifieds get a 45-minute practice session; Legends, Crate Modifieds and All Stars have 30 minutes to shake down their cars.
The starting field for the Islip 300 will be set by a two-lap, single-car qualifying session. Legends and Crate Modifieds have 10 laps on track to determine where drivers line up in their respective features. There will also be consolation races for Modifieds, Legends and Crate Modifieds if necessary.
Below is the complete race-day schedule for Riverhead on Saturday.
(All times ET)
Time
Event
7:30 a.m.
Pit Gates Open
9 a.m.
Modified Driver’s Meeting
9:45-10:15 a.m.
Legends Practice
10:15-11 a.m.
Modified Practice
11-11:30 a.m.
Crate Modified Practice
11:30 a.m.
Eddie Partridge All Stars Practice/Qualifying
12:15 p.m.
Qualifying Begins (Modifieds: 2 laps/single car … Legends: 10 laps … Crate Modifieds: 10 laps … Modified Consi: 15 laps … Legends Consi: 12 laps … Crate Modified Consi: 12 laps)
To follow…
Opening Ceremonies/National Anthem
To follow…
Feature Races (Eddie Partridge All Stars: 15 laps … Legends: 40 laps … Crate Modifieds: 50 laps … Modifieds: 300 laps)
The entry list for the 2024 Islip 300 features plenty of Modified stalwarts and Riverhead Raceway locals. (Photo: Susan Wong/NASCAR)
Islip 300 entry list
The 2023 edition of the Islip 300 saw Matt Hirschman add a victory in the historic event to his long list of accolades.
After making his debut in the event the previous year, Hirschman put together a typical performance that saw him dominate over a stout field of Modified competitors. Hirschman is back in his familiar No. 60 this weekend as he looks to become the first driver to bring home two consecutive Islip 300 checkered flags.
Joining Hirschman in the field is Paulie Hartwig III, who surprised everyone at Riverhead Raceway in 2023 by grabbing the Islip 300 pole at just 12 years old. Hartwig even managed to trade blows with Hirschman for the lead, with his stellar debut Islip 300 outing ending with a solid seventh place finish.
Saturday’s Islip 300 will feature two separate No. 7NY’s in the field, which are being operated by Luke and Jack Baldwin. Neither Baldwin brother has previously competed in the Islip 300, but Saturday presents a perfect opportunity for them to honor their grandfather Tom, who won at Islip Speedway several times during his own illustrious career.
Other notable names set to compete in the Islip 300 include 2023 winner Anthony Nocella, Austin Beers, Craig Lutz, Timmy Solomito, and Jimmy Blewett, among others.
The complete entry list for the Islip 300 can be found below:
Car No.
Driver
00
Chris Rogers
2
J.R. Bertuccio
5
John Beatty Jr.
7NY
Jack Baldwin
7NY
Luke Baldwin
10
Dylan Slepian
13
Max Zachem
21
Austin Beers
21NY
Kyle Ellwood
24
Justin Brown
46
Craig Lutz
55
Chase Grennan
60
Matt Hirschman
66
Timmy Solomito
70
Owen Grennan
72
T.J. Potrzebowski
73
Paulie Hartwig III
78
Walter Sutcliffe Jr.
81
Mark Stewart
88
Roger Turbush
92
Anthony Nocella
96
Matthew Brode
99
Jimmy Blewett
Matt Hirschman will look to defend his maiden Islip 300 victory from 2023. (Photo: Susan Wong/NASCAR)
NASCAR penalized Anthony Alfredo on Tuesday after contact with Stefan Parsons during the Xfinity Series Championship Race on Saturday at Phoenix Raceway.
Alfredo was fined $25,000 and docked 25 driver points per Sections 4.4.B of the NASCAR Rule Book. He will remain 15th in the final Xfinity standings for 2024.
On Lap 63 at Phoenix, Parsons and Alfredo made initial contact off Turn 4 that saw Alfredo’s No. 5 Our Motorsports Chevrolet brush the outside retaining wall. In the dogleg section of the 1-mile oval, Alfredo spun Parsons with contact to the right rear of Parsons’ No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet, sending Parsons’ car into the wall.
Alfredo later failed to finish the race after a flat tire put him in the wall on Lap 156. He finished the race in 36th.
