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July 20, 2026, 7:38 p.m. CT IndyCar driver David Malukas crashed during practice, injuring his knee and forcing him to start last in the Music City Grand Prix. Despite the setback, Malukas led 59 laps and finished in third place, calling it one of the best drives of his career. The third-place finish moved Malukas to second in the overall IndyCar Series championship standings. LEBANON — David Malukas’ weekend looked over before the green flag waved. The Team Penske driver crashed four laps into the July 18 opening practice for the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway, injuring his right knee when it struck the steering wheel. He was sent to a local hospital for evaluation, forcing him to miss qualifying and left him starting the race dead last. Malukas turned it into one of the best drives of his IndyCar career. He went from 25th to third in the July 20 race after leading 59 laps, his best finish at the Nashville oval and putting him second in the IndyCar standings behind race winner Alex Palou. Hendersonville native Josef Newgarden finished second. “That was the best race that I think I’ve ever performed,” Malukas said. “I was pushing so hard with everything going on. This is definitely going to be one that I’m not going to forget for a very long time.” Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! Malukas started strong after Team Penske vice president of competition Travis Law planned to keep the No. 12 Chevrolet on the track during the race’s opening caution on Lap 19, while all but four drivers pitted. The strategy put Malukas in the lead, where he stayed through multiple green-flag pit cycles despite driving on the worn primary tires. “He’s just an absolute genius. He’s always seeing what’s going to happen. He put us on the right strategy, and we were able to jump the field,” Malukas said. He appeared to have the race under control until Lap 124. Malukas made his third and final pit stop from the lead on Lap 121. Three laps later, drivers Alexnder Rossi and Scott Dixon crashed, bringing out a caution before the rest of the leaders made their final pit stops. The yellow caution seemingly erased Malukas' advantage and saw him playing catch-up instead of defending the lead. He made one final push in the remaining 25 laps, but ultimately fell short. Malukas earned 36 points, leaving him 83 points behind Palou in the NTT IndyCar Series Championship standings, with five races remaining before the Aug. 9 race at Portland International Raceway. He said the extra day between Saturday’s crash and Monday’s race changed the outlook of the performance. “Yesterday was survival, today was game on,” Malukas said. “Getting that extra night of sleep, I'm not gonna lie, I heard that rain on the bus, and I was like, 'Oh, that's nice.' "

Watching the downfall of the once-great Chrysler brand over the last two decades has been truly mind-bending. With a name that's now over 100 years old, Chrysler was once one of the leading American automobile brands. In 2026 it offers exactly one car, a minivan that's been in production for a decade largely unchanged. Even as recently as two years ago it looked like it might have a future with some interesting concepts and a production-ready luxury EV. Not all that long ago I probably would have bet on Chrysler outliving Cadillac. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. We may never know the full story of the Chrysler brand's mismanagement and underwhelming performance in the post-auto-industry-bailout landscape, but I'm positive it's related to a clusterf**k of stupid decisions and a poor understanding of the customer's needs. With this much brand equity, history, and visibility, there's no reason for the company to be selling just one half-hearted vehicle. There's so much potential here, and it's being squandered straight into the ground. Even disregarding the two most recent Chrysler concept cars — the Halcyon electric super sedan pictured above and the Tesla Model Y-fighter Airflow that nearly made production — the brand has had at least a dozen opportunities to pivot and grow into something aspirational. There were opportunities to build halo vehicles, to build ultra-lux or sport-lux cars on par with the best of Europe. Chrysler could have been leading the charge on electrification. Chrysler could have had an early foothold in the Chinese market. Here are a few of our favorite missed Chrysler opportunities that might have saved the company from the dim fate it's living in today.

July 20, 2026, 8:03 p.m. ET Alex Palou won the race, finishing just ahead of defending champion Josef Newgarden. The race was shortened from 300 to 225 laps because of extreme heat, with track temperatures reaching 118 degrees. Newgarden, who finished second, competed while recovering from a left foot injury sustained at the Indy 500. LEBANON, TN — Josef Newgarden and 24 other gentlemen, at long last, finally started their engines at 3:01 p.m. ET on July 20 to officially begin the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway. An IndyCar race start that was delayed 21½ hours thanks to thunderstorms that swallowed the area the night before ended 1 hour, 56 minutes later with points leader Alex Palou crossing the finish line first, a sneeze ahead of defending race champion Newgarden. The Hendersonville native's teammate, David Malukas, was third. "It's racing," a visibly frustrated Newgarden said. "Sometimes it goes your way, and sometimes it doesn't. ... So we'll take second and move on to the next one." Weather or not, Newgarden and his fellow drivers were happy to have some sunshine in lieu of a sky full of angry -clouds. Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! But it didn't take long for some of the field to feel the agony of the heat. "It's insanely hot out here," Newgarden told his No. 2 crew 20-some laps into a race that originally was supposed to be 300 laps, but was shortened to 225 because of the heat. Newgarden keeping his foot on the gas The temperature on the track at the start of the race was 118 degrees. None of that did any good for Newgarden, who still is wearing a walking boot and getting around on crutches after suffering a left foot injury during a wreck at the Indy 500 on May 24. "David is driving injured, and Josef as well," Palou said. "So that doesn't help . . . I cannot imagine driving injured like they did." But it didn't seem to affect Palou. Or Newgarden's sense of humor. "He's Spanish," Newgarden said. "He probably doesn't sweat as much." "I'm tired," Palou said. "I can feel the heat." 'It is what it is' Newgarden remained mum about his injured foot. He also kept most of his answers to postrace questions brief. At least three times he uttered variations of "It is what it is" in his response. One of those was directed at his inability to catch Palou after the final caution flag. "It is what it is," he said. "I got blocked a couple times. We lost track position a couple times." Another was aimed at the decision to shave 75 laps off the race. "I don't think it matters," he said. "I think 300 would have been fine. We could have done 500 today. I wasn't really worried about it." Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at pskrbina@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina.

The gated stick defined an era of exotics and is widely regarded as one of the coolest shifters ever. Most people would guess the last production car sold with a storied gated manual shifter would land on Ferrari or Lamborghini. After all, those names practically invented the craze. But the last production car to leave a factory with a true mechanical gated manual wasn't Italian. It was German. A gated shifter surrounds each gear position with an open metal framework — a gate — that physically guides the lever as you move between ratios. The original engineering purpose was practical: Gates prevented accidental engagement of the wrong gear in high-speed applications. By the time the R8 arrived, that function was largely solved by other means, but the gate still represented a tactile and visual statement that acknowledged the driver as the primary instrument. The metallic click as the lever moves through the gate, the short deliberate throw between positions, the exposed mechanism sitting in open view: These are the things that turned gated shifters from a mechanical necessity into something closer to theater. Ferrari widely used them on its V8 and V12 models through the 1990s and into the 2000s. Lamborghini offered the same Graziano L140 gated manual as the R8 in the Gallardo. Even Pagani offered gated manuals in small numbers on the Utopia.

July 20, 2026, 6:34 p.m. CT LEBANON — Josef Newgarden and 24 other gentlemen, at long last, finally started their engines at 2:01 p.m. CT on July 20 to officially begin the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway.

IndyCar's Music City Grand Prix at Nashville was moved to 3 p.m. Monday because of Sunday night rainshowers in Tennessee. Also, the Borchetta Bourbon-sponsored race at Nashville Superspeedway will be shortened from 300 laps to 225, IndyCar officials announced…

Nashville native Josef Newgarden fell just short of a repeat victory in his backyard, finishing second to reigning and four-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou at the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix. Newgarden, 35, entered the weekend as the defending winner at the 1.33-mile concrete oval. Despite a strong front-row start of second, Newgarden was unable to lead a single lap during the 225-lap event, and ultimately spent the final 32 laps chasing Palou's rear wing before crossing the finish line 0.8731 seconds behind the winner. The afternoon proved to be a frustrating exercise in track position for the driver of the #2 Team Penske Chevrolet. He preferred long, green-flag stretches where tire degradation typically separated the field. Instead, frequent yellow flags repeatedly reset the pack, preventing him from mounting a sustained charge. Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Chevrolet; Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda Photo by: Perry Nelson / Lumen via Getty Images "We didn't get many stints past 40 (laps)," Newgarden said. "That's why it was what it was. Once you're settled in, a shootout was going to be what it was lineup-wise. You can't give up the track position under the yellows. If we just had less yellows, that would have been ideal." A gamble by his crew to bolt on soft alternate "red" tires for the final 32-lap shootout yielded little reward due to the clean air advantage enjoyed by the leader. Newgarden also noted that traffic and on-track impediments hampered his forward progress earlier in the day. "I got blocked a couple times. We lost track position a couple times," Newgarden said. "It's racing. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn't." The grueling weather conditions took a severe physical toll on the field, with Newgarden looking visibly exhausted alongside fellow teammate David Malukas after the checkered flag. When asked why Palou managed to look completely unfazed by the oppressive humidity, Newgarden offered a lighthearted take on his rival. "He's Spanish," Newgarden said. "Probably doesn't sweat as much. Not so much how you look, but genetically he doesn't sweat as much is my guess." Despite the disappointment of missing out on a second consecutive trophy at his home track, Newgarden maintained a characteristically pragmatic outlook on the weekend. "Yeah, it was an all right day, okay day," Newgarden said. "We had a good, fast car. Chevy did a great job. We'll take second and move on." Photos from Nashville - Sunday

A day after rain washed out the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix, drivers brought the heat to the Nashville oval on Monday. Here's how the race played out, with a familiar face taking the checkered flag: The Winner Is … Alex Palou. The four-time INDYCAR champion and current series points leader brought home his fifth victory of the season. He outlasted the hometown kid (and reigning race winner) Josef Newgarden. Palou's dominance continues to be on display as he has now won 13 of the past 29 races. One Big Moment The caution came out after Alexander Rossi took a big hit from behind and went spinning. Top-10 Results 1. Alex Palou 2. Josef Newgarden 3. David Malukas 4. Scott McLaughlin 5. Felix Rosenqvist 6. Marcus Ericsson 7. Pato O'Ward 8. Mick Schumacher 9. Kyffin Simpson 10. Kyle Kirkwood What's Next? The INDYCAR Series takes two weeks off before heading to Portland on Aug. 9 for the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland (4 p.m. ET on FOX).

Bugatti Americas COO Sascha Doering keeps in touch with owners, and even has the birthdays of some clients' children on his calendar Bugatti’s Americas COO avoids driving the brand’s own cars in public. His daily driver comes from the same group, several rungs further down. Doering said the Tourbillon reached production without AI touching its design. Bugatti builds 80 to 100 cars a year for the entire planet, and roughly 40 reach American buyers in a good year. That number shapes how Sascha Doering does his job. The COO of Bugatti Americas knows his clients’ kids’ birthdays, calls them for no particular reason, and asks them to dinner when their travel overlaps. What he doesn’t do is drive a Bugatti home or let AI anywhere near his work. Having previously worked at an IKEA cafeteria, Doering slowly worked his way up the corporate ladder to his current role at Bugatti. He maintains close relationships with the company’s clientele and does spend plenty of time behind the wheel of Bugatti models, albeit only alongside customers at rallies and organized driving events Read: Bugatti Just Built Its Last W16, Unless You’re Rich Enough To Order One According to Doering, those relationships often extend well beyond the sale. Dinners and phone calls aren’t a sales tactic so much as the job itself. “Personal relationships are of the utmost importance,” he said. “I know where my place is,” he told Business Insider in a recent interview. “I don’t want to create a perception that the COO of Bugatti of the Americas is going for a joyride in a Bugatti.” A Humble Daily Driver So, what does Doering drive instead? Perhaps unsurprisingly, he parks another VW Group vehicle in his garage, namely an Audi A8 L. While it’s far removed from a Bugatti in terms of performance, it, too, has an obvious focus on quality and luxury. As a means of traveling to meetings and grabbing dinners with owners, something Doering says he frequently does, an executive sedan sounds perfect. Losing even a single buyer stings at that kind of volume. “We cannot substitute clients. We cannot lose clients because they are so rare, as rare as our products are,” Doering said. AI? No thanks. Then there’s the matter of artificial intelligence. The world is in the middle of an AI boom, and companies that don’t embrace it are at risk of being left behind. Many of the world’s largest car manufacturers are using these tools to help with the development and design of future models. However, Bugatti remains committed to a more traditional approach. During the same interview, Doering noted that the company didn’t use AI in the design, development, or production of the new Tourbillon hypercar. “They are not utilizing AI for design purposes,” he added. “Maybe that becomes a thought in the future, but at the moment, in the Tourbillon, I don’t think it has been.” Doering himself isn’t big on AI either, noting he still puts together his own PowerPoints and only occasionally uses Claude for simple, routine tasks. He said preparing presentations himself forces him to work through the analysis and storytelling instead of outsourcing the process. “I’m still one of the guys who writes his own story and puts his own PowerPoint together,” he told the publication. Photos Bugatti

SPA, BELGIUM - JULY 19: Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 19, 2026 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) Getty Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli stretched his Formula 1 championship lead with a victory at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. After celebrating a fifth consecutive win in round six in Monaco that saw him build a 66-point lead over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, Antonelli experienced a series of misfortunes in the following three rounds, managing only 23 points while his title rivals closed in on him in the standings. The Mercedes man suffered a late retirement in Barcelona, took third place in Austria and then secured victory in Saturday’s sprint at Silverstone before finishing in a point-less 15th in the main race on Sunday. Following the British Grand Prix weekend, Antonelli found his lead slashed to only 25 points over his teammate George Russell, who built on his second-place finish in Barcelona and his victory in Spielberg with a P2 on home turf at Silverstone. Knowing very well the pressure he is under, Antonelli managed to bounce back beautifully in round 10 at Spa, converting his pole position into a sixth win of the season and further extending his lead in the championship to 45 points. Charles Leclerc, who took the lead at some point during the 44-lap race, secured second place in his Ferrari while Max Verstappen took third for Red Bull. SPA, BELGIUM - JULY 19: Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Second placed Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Scuderia Ferrari Third placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Tom Batch, Operations Director of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 19, 2026 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) Getty Images MORE FOR YOU Meanwhile, Russell suffered a big blow in his title fight after he was forced to retire from the race on the opening lap. The Briton was trying to overtake Hamilton around the outside when the Ferrari clipped the rear of his Mercedes and sent him spinning into the gravel. Russell dropped to third in the standings after a scoreless Spa weekend, with 50 points now separating him from his teammate and current leader Antonelli. Hamilton crossed the finish line in fourth, having served a five-second time penalty during the race for causing a collision with Russell. He also avoided another time penalty post-race for an unsafe release during his pitstop, with the stewards instead handing the Italian team a €30,000 fine ($34,000) - of which €10,000 is suspended for the next 12 months. The seven-time champion now sits second in the standings with 159 points - 45 points behind Antonelli and only five ahead of Russell. TOPSHOT - Mercedes' British driver George Russell (L) looses control and crashes in the gravel after colliding with Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) at the start of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, in Spa, on July 19, 2026. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Leclerc, fresh off his brilliant win at Silverstone, strengthened his grip on fourth place with a P2 finish at Spa, bringing his points tally to 126. Verstappen’s third podium finish of the season has him at 91 points, placing him seventh behind the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. On the constructors’ front, Mercedes holds a 73-point lead over Ferrari as they chase their first constructors’ championship since 2021 and their ninth overall. McLaren sits in third place, 163 points behind Mercedes, while Red Bull trails in fourth, 207 points back. With 10 rounds now completed, Cadillac remains the only team yet to score any points this season. Forbes F1 2026 Calendar: Full Race Schedule And Sprint Venues Forbes F1 2026 Grid: Confirmed Driver Lineups For Each Team F1 Standings 2026 – Drivers’ Championship Here are the updated drivers’ standings after the Belgian Grand Prix: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 204 points Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 159 points George Russell (Mercedes): 154 points Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 126 points Lando Norris (McLaren): 103 points Oscar Piastri (McLaren): 92 points Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 91 points Isack Hadjar (Red Bull): 60 points Pierre Gasly (Alpine): 42 points Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls): 39 points Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls): 22 points Franco Colapinto (Alpine): 19 points Oliver Bearman (Haas): 18 points Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi): 10 points Carlos Sainz (Williams): 6 points Alexander Albon (Williams): 5 points Esteban Ocon (Haas): 3 points Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): 1 point Nico Hulkenberg (Audi): 0 points Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac): 0 points Sergio Perez (Cadillac): 0 points Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): 0 points

The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix was postponed from Sunday night to Monday afternoon, and the reason wasn’t complicated. Rain won. The 12th race of the IndyCar season was already facing a significant delay before the rains came. Sunday’s green flag was tied to the finish of the FIFA World Cup Final, with Fox broadcasting both events and Spain and Argentina requiring 30 minutes extra time before Spain prevailed, 1-0. That plus the postgame ceremonies pushed the scheduled 5:35 p.m. ET start back past 6 p.m. Then storms rolled through Nashville Superspeedway, crews fired up the track dryers, and for a stretch it looked like IndyCar might still salvage a night race under the lights. It didn’t last. A second, heavier system dropped in and soaked the 1.33-mile oval all over again. “The dry track has been utterly sodden in a sudden and almighty deluge,” a Fox broadcaster said, as quoted by the News Tribune. Officials postponed the race rather than gamble on an oval known for offering drivers zero margin once the pavement turns slick. Race Length and Forecast for Today’s Restart Monday’s green flag is set for 3:05 p.m. ET, and the race itself looks different than the one originally on the schedule. IndyCar shortened the distance from 300 laps to 225, citing forecast record heat and a heat index expected to climb past 100 degrees. That trims the Grand Prix back to the same 225-lap, 299-mile distance the track ran during last year’s season finale. The forecast itself calls for a high near 87 degrees with humidity thick enough to make it feel considerably hotter, and thunderstorms remain possible into the afternoon, according to AccuWeather’s local outlook. On an oval where cars run without grooved rain tires, that combination of heat and lingering storm risk is exactly why organizers chose to trim laps rather than risk a second washout. Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood starts from the pole, hunting to shrink the 55-point championship gap separating him from four-time reigning series champion Alex Palou, according to Motorsport.com. Josef Newgarden, the defending Nashville winner, lines up alongside him on the front row, with Scott McLaughlin third, Palou fourth and Scott Dixon fifth. David Malukas, who was taken to a hospital after a heavy practice crash Saturday morning, returned to the track later that day and topped the evening session before qualifying wrapped. Palou, for one, found a silver lining in the delay. The Spaniard watched his home country capture the World Cup during the rain hold and called it simply incredible, according to Motorsport.com. Not every driver gets a bonus trophy presentation out of a rainout. The Last Time IndyCar Postponed a Race The last IndyCar race postponed by rain came in 2018 at Barber Motorsports Park, and this postponement marks the series’ first oval washout in roughly a decade, according to Beyond the Flag. IndyCar’s rulebook gives race officials broad discretion to delay or shorten events for safety, and on a high-speed oval, that discretion outweighs any broadcast window. Whether the delay cost IndyCar meaningful eyeballs by not running directly behind the World Cup remains unclear. No viewership data has surfaced confirming a hit, and Fox is still carrying the rescheduled broadcast in full alongside INDYCAR Radio and SiriusXM.

This 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera cabriolet was initially sold by Porsche Beverly Hills and has been registered in California since new, and it now shows 197k miles. Finished in Grand Prix White with a black soft top over Black leather, the car is powered by a 3.2-liter flat-six paired with a G50 five-speed manual transaxle and features air conditioning, a Sony CD stereo, a Hi-Fi sound system, and Bilstein rear shocks. It was acquired by the current owners in 2024, and work performed in preparation for the sale has included refinishing the 16″ Fuchs alloy wheels, front bumper, and mirror caps, as well as replacing the valve covers and rear axle shafts. This Carrera cabriolet is offered by the seller, a BaT Local Partner, on behalf of the owners with recent service records, spare parts, a clean Carfax report, and a clean California title. The car is finished in Grand Prix White (L908) and features a replacement black soft top, integrated fog lights, and heated power-adjustable side mirrors. The windshield intake vent and turn signal lens were replaced in August 2025, and the front bumper and mirror caps were refinished following repairs in June 2026. The 16″ Fuchs alloy wheels were refinished in Grand Prix White in June 2026, and they are mounted with Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel disc brakes, and the car is further equipped with Bilstein rear shocks. Trimmed in black leather, the cabin features air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, a wooden gearshift knob, and a Sony CD stereo linked to a Hi-Fi sound system. The ignition switch and the floor mats were replaced in August 2025. The dashboard is cracked. The leather-wrapped steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation, including a central tachometer with a 6,300-rpm redline as well as a 170-mph speedometer, a Quartz clock, and gauges for oil level, oil pressure, oil temperature, and fuel level. The six-digit odometer shows 197k miles, approximately 9k of which were added under current ownership. The 3.2-liter M930/25 flat-six features Bosch Motronic engine management and was factory rated at 214 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The throttle return spring was replaced in August 2025, and the valve covers and timing chain cover gasket were replaced in July 2026. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a G50 five-speed manual transaxle. The rear axle shafts were replaced in July 2026. Decoding the option sticker reveals the following information: L908 – Grand Prix White Grand Prix White LT – Black leather upholstery Black leather upholstery Co3 – Version for California Version for California 018 – Steering wheel with elevated hub Steering wheel with elevated hub 158 – Blaupunkt Reno SQR 46 cassette stereo Blaupunkt Reno SQR 46 cassette stereo 439 – Power-operated soft top Power-operated soft top 454 – Cruise control Cruise control 474 – Sports shock absorbers Sports shock absorbers 490 – Hi-Fi sound system Hi-Fi sound system 494 – Sound system with amplifier The Carfax report is free of accidents or other damage.

Lewis Hamilton's opening lap collision with George Russell left more than a Mercedes driver nursing a retirement on Sunday at Spa. It triggered what might be F1's favorite postrace activity: dissecting whether the stewards got it right. This time, Ferrari's Fred Vasseur didn't mince words about the severity of the penalty the seven-time champion received for the clash that ended Russell's race after just one corner. Garage-worthy EDC gear, on sale this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamilton, fresh off a crash at the end of FP3 that left his crew scrambling to rebuild his car, started fifth and made an aggressive move on Russell heading into Les Combes. Russell, struggling with power deployment on the Kemmel Straight, moved to the outside as they approached the braking zone. What happened next was textbook racing chaos—contact, a trip to the gravel for Russell, and a five-second penalty for Hamilton that effectively sank any realistic podium hopes despite a strong recovery drive through the field. Here's where Vasseur's critique matters: he didn't argue that penalty itself was unreasonable. He argued it was inconsistent. "I think it's a bit harsh because it's Lap 1, so far into the season there was no penalty for similar," Vasseur told F1 TV. He noted that Russell had space available to the left—space that arguably existed without the wall closing in. The implication was clear: apply the same standard consistently, or don't apply it at all. For context, Hamilton's weekend was a disaster before the stewards ever got involved. The FP3 crash cost him time and resources his team didn't have. Then on Sunday, the collision damaged his car enough that he spent the race chasing position while carrying aero hurt. Finishing fourth—still 45 points behind race winner Kimi Antonelli but respectable given the circumstances—was damage control rather than triumph. But Vasseur's real concern wasn't Hamilton's fate. It was fairness itself. In a sport where marginal gains matter, where thousandths of a second are litigated under floodlights, penalty consistency matters. If you're handing five seconds for a lap one contact, then either apply that standard everywhere or acknowledge that racing is inherently unpredictable and sometimes drivers just get caught out. The current middle ground—where the stewards' mood on any given Sunday feels like it might determine outcomes as much as driver skill does—serves nobody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell, to his credit, didn't blame Hamilton. Neither did Hamilton blame the stewards. They both called it a racing incident, understood the contact was mutual, and moved on. The frustration instead came from the man trying to orchestrate a championship challenge with limited resources and increasingly unpredictable regulation enforcement. Leclerc, meanwhile, salvaged second place for Ferrari behind Antonelli's dominant performance. That's not bad for a team running a package that "wasn't expecting this kind of result" given the high-speed nature of Spa. But Hamilton finished fourth and left the circuit asking the same question Vasseur posed: what's the actual precedent here? And if there isn't one, shouldn't there be?

Formula E drivers such as Taylor Barnard and Nyck de Vries have shared their excitement about racing at Zandvoort, which is a new addition to the Season 13 calendar. Meanwhile, Antonio Felix da Costa and Dan Ticktum are looking forward to racing in the US, wh…

Lucky for you, Nick Mason is interested in more than just music. A one-of-a-kind 1996 McLaren F1 GTR that has spent nearly three decades in the Pink Floyd drummer’s personal collection will be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s next month in Monterey. The Le Mans-ready speed machine was converted for road use by McLaren itself and looks set to become the most expensive vehicle in the marque’s history. The F1 is a supercar that needs no introduction, having created the blueprint for nearly practically every outlandish high-performance vehicle that has followed. Its track-only GTR variant, though, is a little less well known. Following the release of the original F1, motorsports teams pleaded with McLaren to build a racing version that could be entered into international competition. The even more hard-core version of the supercar would make its debut in 1995 and take the overall checkered flag at that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The variant would be in production for three years, during which time just 28 examples were built. Nick Mason’s 1996 McLaren F1 GTR Alex Penfold/RM Sotheby’s Mason’s F1 GTR, chassis no. 10R, is the first of just nine examples built in 1996 and is one of only two examples of the race car, along with the 1995 Le Mans winner, to feature a short-tail body. It’s somehow even more exclusive than that, though. The drummer’s car, which he acquired directly from the automaker in 1999, is the only one to feature a factory livery, in this case an instantly recognizable scarlet and yellow design that the auction house says was inspired by 1990s pop art. WATCH The car, like other F1 GTRs from its year, comes with a BMW-sourced 6.0-liter V-12 that made 591 hp. That’s slightly less than the road-going version, which could make up to 618 hp, because the mill was equipped with air restrictors in order to meet racing regulations. As part of the conversion required to make the car street-legal, the restrictors were removed, the suspension was adjusted to increase ground clearance, and mufflers and passenger seats were installed. Inside Mason’s F1 GTR Alex Penfold/RM Sotheby’s Be prepared to spend big if you want to make the supercar yours, though. RM Sotheby’s estimates that the car will go for “in excess” of $35 million at its annual Monterey sale, which will be held from Thursday, August 12, to Saturday, August 15, at the city’s convention center. The expected gavel price would make the car the most expensive McLaren of all time, displacing a 1994 F1 that sold for $25.3 million late last year. Click here to see more photos of Nick Mason’s 1996 McLaren F1 GTR. Alex Penfold/RM Sotheby’s

DS Penske driver Maximilian Gunther has penned a touching note on the passing of Citroen Racing Team Principal Cyril Blais, who died at the age of 46. Gunther recalled becoming close to him while working with him in Formula 2 and later in Formula E as part of…

The sun has just about risen on this year’s Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP), the pre-qualifying race before the renowned American Solar Challenge. FSGP officially kicks off tomorrow morning for the teams that have passed rigorous safety and quality checks, known as “scrutineering.” Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of speaking directly with teams from around the world, including the Delft Solar Team from the Netherlands and ÉTS Éclipse from Montreal. But for my final profile, I sat down with students from a small liberal arts school just outside St. Louis, right along the Mississippi River. Principia College has a long-running solar car program, which is astonishing considering the school is in the middle of phasing out its only engineering program. So it was no surprise that after a few minutes speaking with the team’s leadership, I realized the car might end up being the least interesting thing about them. A 31-year underdog story The program dates all the way back to 1995, when Dr. Joe Ritter, a chemical engineer on the chemistry faculty, got the first car rolling. “To him, the emphasis was on collaboration, on innovation, on safety,” said Greg Bruland, who directs the center that houses the program today. Greg was actually a student at Principia when that first car hit the road. Advertisement - scroll for more content Eleven generations of cars later, every one of them named Ra after the Egyptian sun god, the team has stacked up first, second, and third place finishes over the years, including second at FSGP 2024. Principia at the 2024 Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix “They’ve just been incredible ambassadors for Principia College with their excellent performances, their sportsmanship, their generosity,” Greg said. So what’s the secret sauce? I asked, and nobody said a word about aerodynamics. “We have a very good support system with our faculty,” said Hamza Njuba, a chemical engineering senior and the team’s outgoing lead. “For us as students, it’s more of a learning environment. I wouldn’t say we always know everything we need to do on the track, but we have a very good support system.” The school puts real weight behind that, too. Students can earn course credit for solar car work through dedicated classes. And there’s zero gatekeeping on who joins, engineering background or not. “If you feel like you want to hold a wrench and bolt something down, go for it,” Hamza said. “If you think you want to take pictures of the team and run our Instagram, go for it.” The other pillar is alumni. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in three years of covering this sport, it’s that graduation is the quiet killer of student teams. Seniors walk out the door with years of hard-won knowledge, and the rebuild starts all over. Principia leans on its graduates to break that cycle. “Maybe you’re trying to do something one way, and you find out they already tried it and it didn’t work,” said Lawrence Wontumi, the team’s lead mechanical engineer, who graduated this spring. “There’s always information sharing so we ensure there are no knowledge pitfalls.” Alumni mentor from afar, donate to the program, and two or three usually tag along for race week itself. Principia is rooted in collaboration All of that explains how the program has survived 31 years. It doesn’t explain its reputation… Here’s the thing about FSGP and the American Solar Challenge (ASC): for all the trophies on the line, this has always been a weirdly collaborative sport. Teams loan out spare parts, share hard-won engineering lessons, and pitch in on each other’s cars during scrutineering, then head right back out and try to out-lap one another. And no team I’ve met embodies that spirit better than Principia. Around the paddock, they’re known as the team that helps everybody else, including the schools they’re actively trying to beat. When I asked where that comes from, Hamza didn’t hesitate. “It’s rooted in our school culture, which is very much built on love, on helping your neighbors and being supportive of all people,” he said. “As much as it’s a race and a competition, we still have our values from our school.” And these aren’t just feel-good talking points. At the 2024 event, the University of Michigan crashed and destroyed a motor. Principia handed over its spare, along with a motor controller. Michigan went on to run the cross-country road race on borrowed Principia hardware, in a year when Principia itself only entered the track event. “Without that, they wouldn’t have been able to drive at all,” faculty advisor Brian Kamusinga told me. Greg added that Michigan later said it wouldn’t have been able to finish the race without Principia’s help. That same week, another team was stuck in scrutineering because its battery management system wouldn’t trip under an overcurrent condition. Cassiana “Kes” Beresi, Principia’s software and electrical lead and a recent computer science and math grad, sat down with Brian and the stranded team to debug the issue and write firmware to get the pack faulting correctly. The year before, Principia loaned its motor controller to yet another team. Kes rattled these off so casually, like they’re just a normal part of race week for them. Brian has a simple explanation for why. “You want to do well because everybody tried their best and you still came up on top. You don’t want to do well because someone had bad luck,” he said. “If a team needs aid, we will render aid. But we still want to win.” Greg ties it back to how the college thinks about education in the first place, pointing to founder Mary Kimball Morgan’s idea of developing the whole person. “It’s not just the engineering skills,” he said. “It’s the teamwork, the collaboration, the unselfishness.” One last hurrah for Ra 11 Principia’s next-generation car is still under construction, so the crew is campaigning Ra 11 for a fourth season. That’s a bigger deal than it sounds. As I covered in my Éclipse profile, new rules bumped the solar array limit from four square meters to six, so most teams will run six square meters of cells to Principia’s four. Brian isn’t sugarcoating it. “I think it’ll be one of the harder races we’ve run,” he admitted. “The strategy for this race is to be reliable. To not stop. To always be moving.” And if a solar car breaks down at the Brainerd International Raceway this week, don’t be surprised if the first people to show up are wearing Principia Solar Car shirts. Special thanks to Kesiena “Kes” Berezi (Principia Solar Car software and electrical lead), Lawrence Wontumi (mechanical lead), Hamza Njuba (driver training and outgoing team lead), Brian Kamusinga (faculty advisor), Greg Bruland (center director), Allex Jesper (PR), and the entire Principia Solar Car team for sitting down with me, albeit over video call. Come watch! The 2026 Electrek FSGP runs July 21 through July 23 at Brainerd International Raceway, where teams will race to compete and to prequalify for the cross-country American Solar Challenge on July 25 out of the Twin Cities. Both events are open to the public and free to attend! You can find more details and the full list of schools competing on the official event website. Learn more about the races in Electrek’s previous coverage here. Images used in this article are provided by Cora Kennedy for the Formula Sun Grand Prix.

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This scale model depicts a Ferrari SF-26 from the 2026 Formula 1 season. The fiberglass replica wears a red livery with a white accent and features front and rear wings, Pirelli-branded tires, a cockpit halo, and a multifunction steering wheel. This SF-26-style display model is offered by a BaT Local Partner at no reserve in Parsippany, New Jersey, with a shipping crate. The bodywork is finished in red with sponsor logos from brands such as HP, IBM, Peroni, Shell, and Zyn. Additional details include multi-plane wings, sculpted side pods, side mirrors, a faux air intake, a rear diffuser, a replica rain light, and a cockpit halo. A steering wheel is stationed in the cockpit. The tires are decorated in white to resemble Pirelli P Zero racing slicks and are mounted on black, flat-face wheels. Carbon-fiber-effect double-wishbones with push- and pull-rods secure the wheels to the model. The model has mounting points on its underside. It measures about 37 inches wide by 90 inches long and weighs 66 pounds. Filed under: parts and automobilia Video Gallery Photo Gallery You are not connected to real-time updates. Attempting to connect. Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished. Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished. Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished. Reconnected! Checking for missed updates…

This 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP was reportedly used as one of the 1999 Pocono 500 Official Pace Cars and is said to have been awarded as a giveaway vehicle via a Pennsylvania state lottery at the track. The car spent nearly two decades in storage with a single family prior to the selling dealer’s acquisition in 2026. Subsequent work consisted of replacing the transmission pan, tires, brake pads, rotors, front lower control arms, and rear control arms. Power is provided by a supercharged 3.8-liter V6 paired with a four-speed automatic transaxle and the car is finished in Medium Gulf Blue Metallic with silver graphics over Graphite leather. Equipment includes a decklid spoiler, fog lights, aftermarket wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a head-up display, heated front seats, a CD stereo, Bose audio, and power windows, locks, and mirrors. This Grand Prix GTP shows 8k miles and is offered by the selling dealer, a BaT Local Partner, with a clean Carfax report and a Pennsylvania title. The car is finished in Medium Gulf Blue Metallic and features silver and red stripes, as well as “Grand Prix” and “NASCAR” decals. Additional exterior details include a decklid spoiler, fog lights, power-adjustable mirrors, and dual exhaust outlets. The 18″ Enkei alloy wheels are wrapped in 225/40 Falken tires that were installed in preparation for the sale. Braking is provided by anti-lock discs at all four corners. Additional work in 2026 consisted of flushing the brake fluid and replacing the brake pads, rotors, both front lower control arms, and all six rear control arm components. The heated front bucket seats and the rear bench seat are trimmed in Graphite leather upholstery. Amenities include dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, an onboard computer, and a Delco CD stereo with a Bose Audio system. The leather-wrapped steering wheel has stereo control buttons, and it frames a 115-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The car is equipped with a digital head-up display. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 8k miles. The supercharged 3.8-liter V6 produced 240 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque when new. An oil change was performed in preparation for the sale. Power is delivered to front wheels through a four-speed automatic transaxle. The transmission pan was replaced and a fluid service was performed in preparation for the sale.

The NASCAR In-Season Challenge is down to its final two drivers. Following Sunday’s Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Ryan Blaney and Todd Gilliland officially advanced to the championship round of NASCAR’s inaugural in-season tournament. The winner of next weekend’s matchup at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will take home the $1 million prize. Blaney reached the final after defeating Christopher Bell in the semifinal round, while Gilliland continued his Cinderella run through the 32-driver bracket by eliminating Chase Elliott. The championship matchup will be decided during Sunday’s Brickyard 400, which also serves as TNT Sports’ final NASCAR Cup Series broadcast of the season. Todd Gilliland’s Cinderella Run Continues Gilliland entered the tournament as the No. 25 seed, making him one of the biggest underdogs in the entire field. That hasn’t mattered. His remarkable run began with a victory over Daniel Suarez at Sonoma before knocking off Carson Hocevar at Chicagoland. He then edged Alex Bowman at EchoPark Speedway and followed it with perhaps his biggest upset yet, advancing past 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott at North Wilkesboro. Gilliland finished eighth Sunday while Elliott came home 17th after an untimely caution trapped him off the lead lap. After punching his ticket to the championship round, Gilliland reflected on just how improbable the run has been. “We definitely caught a big lucky break there at the beginning, but that was strategy,” Gilliland said. “We knew there was a risk with short pitting and everybody did, so I was definitely very proud of the strategy and kind of the way we executed the whole race. That was probably about as good as it could have gone. It’s crazy. We’ve got to beat one more guy for a million dollars.” Despite facing one of NASCAR’s hottest drivers, Gilliland welcomed the challenge. “Yeah, the 12 is pretty good, that’s for sure,” Gilliland said. “That’s the reason why they’re at this point in the bracket, so I’m excited about it. That’s the crazy thing is that anything can happen. We have to do what’s best for the 34 team and race all the way to the checkered flag because you never really know. We’ll keep grinding away. It’s pretty wild. I’m pretty excited.” Ryan Blaney Awaits in the Championship Blaney advanced to the final after eliminating Bell at North Wilkesboro and will now try to cap off his impressive season with the tournament title. The Team Penske driver knows Gilliland won’t be an easy out. “Ford is gonna get it, so that’s good,” Blaney said. “The Blue Oval is gonna win the In-Season Challenge. It’ll be a good race. That group at FRM does a really good job and Todd is a really talented race car driver, so it’ll be a tough one. Indy, a lot of strategy goes on there and a lot of things can happen, so we’re gonna have to be on top of our game like every week. But it’s nice that a couple of Blue Ovals have a shot at it.” The championship matchup also guarantees Ford will claim the inaugural In-Season Challenge title regardless of which driver wins at Indianapolis. Gilliland could also have history on his side. Indianapolis has been one of his stronger tracks in recent years, with sixth-place finishes in both 2024 and 2025. One race remains. One million dollars is on the line.

Fastest times posted by each driver during the Moet & Chandon Belgian Grand Prix. Pos Name Team Lap Time Gap 1 Norris McLaren 44 1:48.890 143.888 mph 2 Antonelli Mercedes 41 1:49.098 0.208 3 Hadjar Red Bull 44 1:49.298 0.408 4 Leclerc Ferrari 23 1:49.333 0.443 5 Hamilton Ferrari 33 1:49.454 0.564 6 Piastri McLaren 23 1:49.562 0.672 7 Verstappen Red Bull 23 1:49.618 0.728 8 Bortoleto Audi 22 1:50.334 1.444 9 Hulkenberg Audi 41 1:50.503 1.613 10 Lindblad Racing Bulls 23 1:50.536 1.646 11 Lawson Racing Bulls 44 1:51.075 2.185 12 Gasly Alpine 39 1:51.101 2.211 13 Bearman Haas 22 1:51.109 2.219 14 Colapinto Alpine 42 1:51.162 2.272 15 Sainz Williams 24 1:51.363 2.473 16 Albon Williams 21 1:51.894 3.004 17 Ocon Haas 44 1:51.900 3.010 18 Bottas Cadillac 35 1:52.011 3.121 19 Alonso Aston Martin 34 1:52.948 4.058 20 Perez Cadillac 10 1:53.520 4.630 21 Stroll Aston Martin 21 1:53.980 5.090 Check out our Sunday gallery from Spa here.

Following the Belgian Grand Prix, Racing Bulls team-mates Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad were spotted returning home on an easyJet flight. Formula 1 is typically associated with luxury travel, VIP hospitality and private jets. But the Racing Bulls pair opted for a more budget-friendly option after the race at Spa-Francorchamps. Lawson shared a selfie alongside his rookie team-mate on his Instagram Story, with the simple caption, "Shoutout easyJet", and the moment quickly gained traction on social media. "Oh man, what are the odds of meeting two F1 drivers on a commercial flight?" one fan commented on Reddit, while another added: "I’m all for more of this. Good on both these boys." "I love everything about this: that they're flying together and that they're flying a cheaper airline. As the season goes on, I'm loving this team more and more," someone else posted. Others joked that the cost cap had come into play. "VCARB must be getting dangerously close to a cost cap breach," another comment read, and someone else wrote: "Any more cost cap restrictions and they'll be flying Ryanair." Further comments included: "And then there are some who use their private jet like a scooter" and "Super respectable imo. Private jets are killing our planet." After starting the race from seventh and ninth, Lindblad and Lawson finished ninth and 12th, respectively. "I think every weekend, I'm getting more comfortable, more competitive," Lindblad told Sky Sports F1 after collecting two points for the team. "For sure this has been a complete one. "I'd probably say the last weekend that was so complete was Canada, where unfortunately I wasn't able to do the race. I don't really know, to be honest, but I would just say that every time I get in the car, I feel better. Me and the engineers, we're getting along really well, understanding each other. "I'm really enjoying my time at the moment. The team are doing a really good job to continue to bring performance to the car and it's showing on track." Photos from Belgian GP - Sunday

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 05: The McLaren team celebrate victory in the Constructors Championship during the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on October 05, 2025 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT Images) In the Formula 1 world, the Drivers’ Championship fight captures all the headlines. 22 drivers, fighting it out on the track for individual glory and racing immortality. But that battle can overshadow the fact that F1 is also a team sport, with 11 teams vying for the title of Constructors’ champions. And the bevy of prize money that comes with that title. Under the sport’s Concorde Agreement, the teams split approximately 45% of F1’s total commercial revenue at the end of the season, divided based on how they finished in the Constructors’ Championship standings. According to estimates, McLaren took home around $161 million at the end of the 2024 season, when they stood atop the Formula 1 world. That number jumped to nearly $165 million the following year, when McLaren repeated as champions. In addition to the results in the standings, teams can also secure historic and legacy bonuses at the end of the season, based on their contributions to F1 history, and their results over longer periods. For example, despite finishing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship standings in 2025, Ferrari received the largest payout a year ago, thanks to a legacy bonus as well as a long-term performance reward. While the details of the Concorde Agreement are private, as F1’s longest-serving team Ferrari has carved out a legacy bonus based on its contribution to the sport over the decades. So while the Drivers’ Championship standings generate the headlines, the Constructors’ Championship standings are where the teams reap the financial rewards of success on the track. Here are the current F1 Constructors’ Championship standings, updated after the Belgian Grand Prix. F1 Constructors’ Championship Standings Here are the current F1 Constructors’ Championship standings, following the Belgian Grand Prix. Position Team Points Best Finish 1 Mercedes 358 1 2 Ferrari 285 1 3 McLaren 195 2 4 Red Bull 151 2 5 Alpine 61 3 6 Racing Bulls 61 6 7 Haas 21 5 8 Williams 11 8 9 Audi 10 8 10 Aston Martin 1 10 11 Cadillac 0 13 How do tiebreakers work? As with the Drivers’ Championship standings, tiebreakers in the Constructors’ Championship work on a countback system. If teams are tied on points, then ties are broken by looking at which team has the most wins. Should the team have the same amount of wins, then second-place finishes are looked at, then third-place results if needed, and so on. For example, following the Belgian Grand Prix both Alpine and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls had 61 points, but Alpine was ranked higher in the standings due to Pierre Gasly’s P3 at the Monaco Grand Prix, the best result from either team at that point in the 2026 season.

July 20, 2026, 10:01 a.m. ET The 2026 In-Season Challenge is down to two drivers. On Sunday night, NASCAR went from four to two drivers with Ryan Blaney and Todd Gilliland making the championship race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Blaney beat Christopher Bell, while Gilliland pulled off the upset over Chase Elliott. After Bell's brake issues and Alex Bowman's crash, the No. 20 car got stuck two laps down, pretty much ending his chances. Meanwhile, Blaney started in the rear and made his way to the front, only to get dinged with a speeding penalty. Ultimately, it was enough to advance to the finale. Elliott suffered the same fate as Bell after Bowman's wreck. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was never able to get back on the lead lap, and Gilliland had better track position after the incident. Now, Blaney and Gilliland will battle it out for the $1,000,000 prize at Indianapolis this weekend. Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

Sepang International Circuit is not a track that forgives mediocrity. Designed by Hermann Tilke and opened in 1999, the 5.5-kilometer Sepang circuit has long tested the limits of Formula 1 and MotoGP machines through its demanding combination of high-speed straights, changes in… This story appeared on newsweek.com , 2026-07-20 13:42:43.

The NASCAR schedule this week takes us to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a crown-jewel race, with the Brickyard 400 in Indiana. We’ve got a loaded NASCAR weekend schedule too, with the ARCA Menards Series, Truck Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Cup Series all racing this weekend in Indianapolis. Let’s take a look at the NASCAR weekend schedule for Indianapolis. All times listed are Eastern Time and we’ve broken down the NASCAR schedule this week first by day and then by series. Go Ad-Free NASCAR Schedule This Week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Here is the NASCAR weekend schedule for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday, July 24 Time Series Event Track How to Watch 12:00 PM O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice Indianapolis Motor Speedway NBC Sports App 1:00 PM Cup Series Practice Indianapolis Motor Speedway NBC Sports App 1:00 PM ARCA Menards Series Practice Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park N/A 2:00 PM ARCA Series Qualifying Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park N/A 3:00 PM Craftsman Truck Series Practice Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park FS1 4:05 PM Truck Series Qualifying Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park FS1 5:30 PM ARCA LiUNA 150 Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park FS1 8:00 PM Truck Series TSport 200 Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park FS1 Saturday, July 25 Time Series Event How to Watch 12:00 PM O’Reilly Series Qualifying The CW 1:30 PM Cup Series Qualifying truTV / SiriusXM 4:00 PM O’Reilly Series Pennzoil 250 The CW / SiriusXM Sunday, July 26 Time Series Event How to Watch 2:00 PM Cup Series Brickyard 400 TNT Sports / HBO Max AFCA Menards Schedule This Week 4 The ARCA Menards Series completed its Sunset Hill Shooting Range 150 race at Pocono Raceway on June 12, 2026. Here is the ARCA Menards weekend schedule for Indianapolis this week. Time Track Event How to Watch 1:00 PM Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Practice No TV 2:00 PM Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Qualifying No TV 5:30 PM Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park LiUNA 150 presented by IDEAL Door FS1 NASCAR Truck Series Schedule This Week 4 Mandatory Credit: Karl Anderson-Imagn Images Here is the NASCAR Truck Series schedule this weekend at Indianapolis. Time Track Event How to Watch 3:00 PM Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Practice Fox Sports 1 4:05 PM Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Qualifying FS1 8:00 PM Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park TSport 200 FS1 NASCAR O’Reilly Series Schedule This Weekend 4 NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch (88) celebrates Saturday, July 26, 2025, after winning the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Here is the NASCAR OARS schedule this weekend at Indianapolis. Date/Time Track Event How to Watch Friday, 12:00 PM Indianapolis Motor Speedway Practice NBC Sports App Saturday, 12:00 PM Indianapolis Motor Speedway Qualifying The CW Saturday,4:00 PM Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pennzoil 250 The CW / SiriusXM NASCAR Cup Series Schedule This Weekend 4 NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) celebrates with his son, Becks Hayden Wallace, Sunday, July 27, 2025, during the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Here is the Brickyard 400 schedule this weekend. Date/Time Track Event How to Watch Friday, 1:00 PM Indianapolis Motor Speedway Practice truTV Saturday, 1:30 PM Indianapolis Motor Speedway Qualifying truTV / SiriusXM Sunday, 2:00 PM Indianapolis Motor Speedway Brickyard 400 TNT Sports / HBO Max NASCAR Track and Race Info This Weekend Here is track info for Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. We’ve also included race info for all four series this weekend. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Track Length: 2.5 Miles 2.5 Miles Track Type: Intermediate Intermediate Surface: Asphalt Asphalt Banking: Turns: 9, Backstretch: 0, Frontstretch: 0 Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Track Length: 0.686 Miles 0.686 Miles Track Type: Short Track Short Track Surface: Paved Paved Banking: Banking in Corners: 7.5 degrees, Baning on Straights: 2 degrees Series Stages Laps Distance Traveled ARCA N/A 150 Laps 102.9 Miles Truck 60/120/200 200 Laps 137.2 Miles O’Reilly Auto Parts 30-60-100 100 Laps 250 Miles Cup 50-100-160 160 Laps 400 Miles

INDYCAR Race At Nashville Postponed To Monday Due To RainFOX Sports Music City Grand Prix postponed due to rain. Here’s when the race will begin in NashvilleWSMV How to Watch INDYCAR Today: Nashville Race New Time, TV Channel, StreamFOX Sports Music City Gran…

July 20, 2026, 9:30 a.m. ET Formula 1 is ready for the upcoming action in Hungary, marking the 11th official race weekend of the 2026 season. In 2025, Lando Norris won, with Oscar Piastri and George Russell rounding out the podium. Hungary will mark the second straight race weekend following Belgium. Below, you can find more details about the on-track action in Hungary this weekend! Formula 1 live today: Hungary Here are the upcoming practice, qualifying, and race times for the current race weekend on the Formula 1 schedule (all ET). Friday, July 24 7:30 a.m.: Practice #1 (Apple TV) 11:00 a.m.: Practice #2 (Apple TV) Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! Saturday, July 25 6:30 a.m.: Practice #3 (Apple TV) 10:00 a.m.: Qualifying (Apple TV) Sunday, July 26 9:00 a.m.: Formula 1 Race - Hungarian Grand Prix (Apple TV) We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Motorsports Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Everything you need to know about the Moet & Chandon Belgian Grand Prix... all the details, stats, pictures and quotes. Race Report and Race Result also Driver Quotes Team Quotes Press Conference Fastest Laps Tyre Strategies and The Race in Pictures All-Time Stats All-Time Stats 2026 Statistics The 2026 Supergrid How Teammates Compare in Qualifying Laps Completed - Drivers Laps Completed - Teams Team Reliability & Consistency

INDYCAR's Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix didn't happen Sunday as planned. Persistent rain at Nashville Superspeedway forced INDYCAR to postpone the race to today. Here's the new start time, what changed and how to watch on FOX and FOX One. When Is the Music City Grand Prix Now? What Time Does It Start? The race moves to today, Monday, July 20, with the green flag set for 3 p.m. ET on FOX. INDYCAR called off Sunday's race after a lightning delay was followed by heavy rain around 7 p.m. ET, and a second wave of rain around 8:30 p.m. ended any chance of getting it in. It's only the second rain postponement in INDYCAR since 2018. Where Is INDYCAR Nashville? The race is at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee, a 1.33-mile D-shaped concrete oval with 14 degrees of banking. It's the 11th INDYCAR SERIES race at the track, but only the third since 2008. How Long Is Today's Race? Shorter than planned. With temperatures expected to hit 90 degrees and feel closer to 102, INDYCAR cut the race from 300 laps to 225, or about 299 miles. It was still set to be the second-longest race of the season behind the Indianapolis 500 at its original distance. Kyle Kirkwood won the pole Saturday and will start today's race from the front. How Can I Watch the Music City Grand Prix? What Channel Will It Be On? The race airs live on FOX. How Can I Stream the Music City Grand Prix? The race streams live on FOX One, FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App. What Happened Sunday The race was originally set to follow the World Cup final on FOX, with the green flag targeted for whenever the trophy ceremony wrapped. That plan washed out. The track dried out briefly Sunday night before a second round of storms made the call to postpone an easy one for series officials. One driver wasn't too upset about the delay. Alex Palou, who grew up near Barcelona, got to watch Spain win the World Cup during the rain hold. "Just incredible just to be able to win the World Cup," Palou said on the FOX telecast. Palou leads the championship by 56 points over Kirkwood heading into the makeup race. INDYCAR has some breathing room to absorb the delay. The series has the next two weekends off before finishing the season with six races over five weekends.

Italian automotive giant Fiat has stopped importing new passenger vehicles into Australia, leaving one of the world's most recognizable car brands in a precarious position locally as buyers increasingly shift toward more affordable Chinese alternatives. Fiat's passenger vehicle division will no longer import its Fiat 500e electric hatchback or the Abarth 500e electric hot hatch, effectively halting the brand's active new-vehicle offerings in the Australian market. The move places Fiat, part of the broader Stellantis Group, in a similar position to its French sister brand Peugeot, whose local importer has already surrendered the right to sell Peugeot vehicles in Australia altogether. Stellantis says Fiat remains open, for now Despite the suspension of new imports, a spokeswoman for Stellantis said Fiat has not shut down its Australian operations entirely. "As part of Stellantis Australia's ongoing portfolio and product planning process, the availability of specific models can vary over time as we assess market demand and future product opportunities," she said. "We remain focused on ensuring the vehicles we bring to Australia meet customers' expectations. Following Stellantis' recent confirmation of Fiat as one of its core global brands, we are excited by the opportunities the brand presents for the future." The spokeswoman added that existing stock of the Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e has largely sold through in Australia, and confirmed that Stellantis is not currently planning additional orders of those models while it evaluates future product opportunities for the local market. She said the company remains committed to supporting existing Fiat and Abarth customers and its dealer network, and indicated more details about the brands' future plans in Australia would be shared at an unspecified later date. Sales figures underscore the brand's struggles The scale of Fiat's decline in Australia is reflected in its recent sales figures. The brand has recorded just 144 sales in the country so far this year, including only 13 vehicles sold last month, a total lower than luxury sports car brands Ferrari or Lamborghini managed over the same period. Fiat's difficulties in Australia mirror broader challenges facing the brand globally. The company has cut thousands of jobs in Italy as it grapples with intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers, whose lower-cost vehicles have put sustained downward pressure on prices across multiple vehicle segments worldwide. Stellantis chief executive Antonio Filosa has continued to publicly affirm Fiat's importance to the broader company's future, even as the brand's presence in individual markets like Australia has come under increasing strain. In Australia specifically, Fiat's now-discontinued Abarth 500e launched in 2024 at approximately $64,000 drive-away, before the company slashed the price by $20,000 in an unsuccessful attempt to clear remaining inventory. Other Stellantis brands face similar pressure Fiat is far from alone within the Stellantis portfolio in facing significant challenges in the Australian market. Alfa Romeo has sold just 139 vehicles in Australia so far this year, while Jeep has delivered only 322 vehicles over the same period, figures that underscore broader struggles for several of Stellantis' European and American-focused brands locally. Within the same corporate group, Leapmotor has emerged as a notable bright spot, outperforming its Stellantis sibling brands by offering affordable China-sourced electric and hybrid vehicles that have begun gaining meaningful traction with Australian buyers. Fiat's commercial vehicle lineup remains unaffected by the passenger vehicle import suspension, according to the company. A broader shift reshaping Australia's car market Fiat's retreat comes amid what industry observers describe as an unprecedented transformation of the Australian automotive market, driven largely by the rapid rise of Chinese manufacturers. BYD has recorded a 124% increase in sales this year, positioning the Chinese automaker within striking distance of overtaking Toyota as Australia's top-selling car brand. BYD sold just shy of 19,000 vehicles in Australia last month alone, a figure that puts it well ahead of established brands including Ford, Mazda, Hyundai and Kia. Electric vehicles more broadly accounted for more than 23% of the Australian new car market in June, with more than 32,000 EVs delivered to Australian buyers that month. Tesla's Model Y remained the most popular electric vehicle on the market by a wide margin. Chinese-brand sales overall climbed by approximately 70% across the Australian market, with individual manufacturers posting even sharper gains: Geely sales rose 494%, Leapmotor climbed 151%, Chery increased 76.8%, and GWM grew 20.5%. South Korean brands Hyundai and Kia have also posted sales increases for the year to date, suggesting the shift in Australian buyer preferences extends beyond Chinese manufacturers alone. Japanese brands bear the brunt of the shift By contrast, several long-established Japanese automakers have seen significant sales declines in Australia this year. Toyota's sales have fallen 21.4%, while Mitsubishi is down 25%, Nissan has dropped 32%, Mazda has declined 17%, Subaru has fallen 25.6%, and Suzuki has decreased 20.9%, according to year-to-date figures. With Fiat's new passenger vehicle imports now paused indefinitely and Stellantis offering only vague assurances about the brand's long-term future in Australia, the company's next moves are likely to be closely watched by both existing Fiat owners and the broader Australian auto industry. For now, Fiat's situation illustrates the broader competitive pressure reshaping Australia's automotive landscape, as legacy European and Japanese manufacturers increasingly find themselves squeezed by a wave of lower-cost, rapidly improving Chinese alternatives capturing an ever-larger share of Australian car buyers' attention.

July 20, 2026, 9:01 a.m. ET NASCAR is ready for the upcoming action at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, marking the 24th official race weekend of the 2026 season. In 2025, Bubba Wallace beat Kyle Larson for his first victory of the year. The NASCAR Cup and O'Reilly Series will be racing at Indianapolis, while the Truck Series competes at Lucas Oil Raceway. You don't want to miss the action! Below, you can find more details about the on-track action in Indianapolis this weekend! NASCAR live today: Indianapolis Here are the upcoming practice, qualifying, and race times for the current race weekend on the NASCAR schedule (all ET). Friday, July 24 Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! Saturday, July 25 Noon: O'Reilly Series Qualifying (The CW App) 1:30 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (truTV) - Watch on Fubo 4:00 p.m.: O'Reilly Series Race - Pennzoil 250 (The CW) - Watch on Fubo Sunday, July 26 2:00 p.m.: Cup Series Race - Brickyard 400 (TNT) - Watch on Fubo 2:00 p.m.: NASCAR Driver Cam - Brickyard 400 (Max) - Watch NASCAR Driver Cam on Max We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Motorsports Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Running a NASCAR development team isn't just about grooming the next Kyle Larson or Bubba Wallace. It's also about paying your bills, and according to a new lawsuit out of Cabarrus County, Concord-based Rev Racing hasn't been doing that particularly well. Garage-worthy EDC gear, on sale this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kannapolis parts supplier AK Performance, Inc. filed a verified complaint against Rev Racing LLC, formerly known as Revolution Racing, LLC, on June 25 in Cabarrus County Superior Court, case number 26CV005321-120. The company says Rev Racing owes it $75,434.12 for parts, late fees and interest, and that after multiple requests for payment, the team simply "failed and refused" to settle the tab. The invoices attached to the complaint point to something specific: legends cars, the small-bodied, quarter-scale replica racers that most short-track regulars cut their teeth on before ever touching a full-size stock car. For a team best known for developing Truck Series and ARCA talent, a legends car parts bill is a reminder of how these pipelines actually work. Long before a prospect gets anywhere near a Truck Series rig, they are usually turning laps in a car built around a motorcycle-derived engine, a tube-frame chassis, and bodywork about half the size of a real stock car. Rev Racing has run that grassroots pipeline for years, and grassroots pipelines need a steady flow of control arms, spindles and body panels that somebody has to actually pay for. Check This Out: Best Dash Cams of 2026: How to Choose the Right One for Your Vehicle This isn't the first time Rev Racing has ended up on the wrong side of an invoice dispute. Kyle Busch Motorsports sued the team in February 2024, claiming Rev Racing owed roughly $325,000 tied to a 2023 arrangement that put Nick Sanchez behind the wheel in the Truck Series. That case didn't drag on. KBM voluntarily dismissed it that May, the kind of quiet exit that in civil litigation usually signals a settlement got worked out before anybody had to explain themselves in front of a judge. Whatever arrangement was reached apparently didn't sour the relationship: Sanchez went on to win twice for Rev Racing later that year, before later making headlines of his own after a postrace brawl with Matt Crafton at Talladega. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rev Racing's roster history carries more weight than a small parts bill might suggest. Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suarez all drove for the program at the regional level long before their Cup Series profiles were built, and Nick Sanchez remains an active example of the pipeline producing results at the national level. That track record is part of what makes the program's recurring money troubles notable: the development side of the business clearly works, paying suppliers on time apparently doesn't come as easily. A verified complaint isn't a verdict. Rev Racing has not yet filed an answer, and North Carolina's civil procedure rules give a defendant roughly 30 days from being served to respond before AK Performance could move for a default judgment. If this dispute follows the same arc as the Kyle Busch Motorsports case, don't expect it to reach a jury. Breach-of-contract fights over unpaid invoices are among the least glamorous, most predictable litigation in racing, and they typically end in a negotiated payment rather than a trial. What's worth watching is whether AK Performance also collects on its request for attorney's fees and court costs, the part of the lawsuit designed to punish a defendant for dragging its feet rather than simply repaying what was already owed. Read Next: The 10 Best Outdoor Knives of 2026: Top-Rated Picks for Hunting, Camping, and Survival For the small businesses that keep grassroots racing running, this is the unglamorous risk of doing business with race teams. Parts suppliers front hard costs on thin margins and then wait on invoices that can lag for months while a team juggles sponsorship money, entry fees and payroll. A single team stiffing a vendor for $75,000 can be the difference between a shop staying open and a shop closing its doors, which is exactly why lawsuits like this one exist. NASCAR's ownership groups have been fighting their own version of this battle at the top level too, as Front Row Motorsports' win in its antitrust fight over the charter system showed earlier this year, proof that money disputes in this sport now stretch from legends car parts invoices all the way up to nine-figure franchise fights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rev Racing has not issued a public statement responding to the complaint, and none of the invoices attached to the filing have been disputed on the record. What is documented is straightforward: a $75,434.12 balance, a second breach-of-contract lawsuit in two years, and a driver-development program that keeps producing NASCAR talent faster than it settles its bills.

The last thing that a Formula 1 aerodynamicist wants is to see their car dangling precariously from a crane - beyond the implication of their driver being rendered unable to take further part in the session. F1 teams like to keep their floor designs secret, since this is the part of the car that generates the most downforce. Much of the detail tends to remain hidden when the car is on-track or in the garage, but its underbelly is prone to being exposed if a crane is needed to lift a car to safety. For example, Sergio Perez's qualifying crash at Monaco in 2023 was a godsend for the other teams on the grid; Red Bull was dominant in the early part of the ground-effect rebirth, but the view of his RB19 from underneath presented other teams with the chance to see why the car was so effective. The photographs couldn't tell the aerodynamicists the specifics, but it could give them a lead if they ran some simulations with a similar design. It's not quite the same in 2026 as the floor is a bit less critical, but the view of the underside of George Russell's Mercedes from Spa-Francorchamps tells us a bit about how the floors at the upper end of the grid this year are built. Here's a closer look at the back end of this year's Mercedes. Photo by: circuitpics.de 1. Diffuser, responsible for the expansion of airflow, creating a low-pressure area behind the car. Airflow underneath the car is sucked into this, creating downforce. 2. Diffuser kick line. This is where the floor is no longer required to be flat. 3. Plank, or skid block. Made of resin, and used to ensure cars are not running too low. If this wears down by more than 1mm in a race, then this is considered grounds for disqualification. 4. Outer floor edge. Sits higher than the main floor body, a measure by the FIA to keep a lid on downforce. 5. Outer diffuser components, which link between the wheel hub aero and the diffuser itself. 6. Diffuser strake. Permitted to help condition flow underneath the car. 7. Diffuser 'hole' - an addition explored this year to help feed the entirety of the diffuser. A few other details can be seen on the image above, such as the small tabs along the top edge of the diffuser. Mercedes had operated with larger variants on this design to expand the working volume of the diffuser, but was required to reduce the size of these by the FIA. Furthermore, the suspension components and beam wing in front of the diffuser are also angled in a similar fashion to help expand this low-pressure zone produced by the diffuser. All of these components are aerodynamically linked, including the rear wing, to produce a high and consistent level of rear-end downforce. The outer diffuser components are effectively a carry-over from last year's brake duct-mounted cascade winglets, extending this working area further. Under last year's rules, the diffuser had to be pretty tightly enclosed to ensure there was minimal interference with the flow structures produced underneath. The reduced sensitivity this year has prompted a few teams to implement a 'hole'. Using this, the underbody airflow can now expand further and effectively uses the 'inner' diffuser components as an additional strake to manage the flow here. Given the length of the floor body, one of the key problems to overcome is flow separation. Keeping the airflow energised and accelerating underneath can help to overcome the loss of energy due to surface friction, but breaking up the bodywork at the rear also helps here. The slots on the corner of the floor, ahead of the rear tyre, can also be spotted. Mercedes made a few changes here for the Canadian Grand Prix to keep "tyre squirt" in check - this being the situation where the tyres can squeeze turbulent flow sideways - potentially into the diffuser area - as they rotate and deform. Even with reduced levels of complexity over the previous ruleset, there's a lot of work that goes into making the diffuser as potent as necessary. Without that, the rear axle is a lot less stable and a driver is unable to put the power down onto the road without sliding about. When the back end of the car is unpredictable, and unable to provide enough of a platform to balance out the front, the driver simply has no confidence in what they're driving. Photos from Belgian GP - Sunday

Oliver Solberg admitted that a clean weekend and a return to the World Rally Championship podium at Rally Estonia was important for him mentally after a series of costly mistakes. Just 12 months ago, Solberg truly announced himself on the world stage courtesy of a mesmerising run to a sensational maiden WRC win on his Toyota Rally1 debut. Last year, there was no pressure on his shoulders but last weekend the pressure for a result was clear – having suffered crashes in four of the previous five rounds. There is no question mark over Solberg’s speed this year, but the Swede admitted that a new mental approach was required after his latest mistake in Greece last month. Striking the balance of knowing when to push and when to hold back has been the missing piece in Solberg’s armoury. In Estonia, Solberg believes he put an important lesson into practice. Although frustrated he didn’t have the feeling to attack and challenge Toyota team-mate Sami Pajari, who took a superb maiden WRC win, Solberg judged the rally perfectly to finish second and claim the maximum 10 bonus points on Sunday. Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Photo by: Toyota Racing “I have to say I'm very happy with the weekend. Friday I was quite frustrated with the feeling in the car and everything. But after we improved that for Saturday, I have to say I was quite satisfied, and it was a good feeling all weekend,” said Solberg. “I think it was a tricky week, and I think I was a little bit scared all weekend to go 100%. Sami had an amazing feeling and did an amazing job and to match that you needed to risk a lot and push 100%. I don't think this time I was prepared to do it after everything that's happened. So it's very important for me to have a clean weekend and just drive to my feeling. I turned it up a little bit to get the maximum Sunday points. “I know I can win rallies and I've shown many times I can fight at the top. But I think it's also very important to figure out that balance when fighting for a championship. Sometimes you win, sometimes you are on the podium. I wish I had accepted that a little earlier in the season, but that's easy to say now, but still I'm very happy.” Solberg left the weekend with 27 points, courtesy of his Super Sunday showing, which means he scored only one point fewer than rally winner Pajari. The result has however provided a much needed boost to his title aspirations, sitting 47 points adrift of team-mate and championship leader Elfyn Evans.

Red Bull has officially shut the door on what would have been one of the most lucrative team acquisitions in modern Formula 1 history. According to a new report from The Times, the energy drinks giant has rejected a staggering $3 billion bid for its sister squad, the Racing Bulls. The monumental offer was reportedly backed by highly capitalized Abu Dhabi-based investment funds and spearheaded by two notable figures in the F1 financial sphere: financier Andrew Harriott and Dean Attew. Attew’s involvement adds serious historical weight to the bid. A former investigator and adviser to former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, Attew is no stranger to navigating massive motorsport acquisitions. Prior to Liberty Media purchasing Formula 1 in 2016, Attew was famously lined up to lead a consortium bid to buy the entire F1 Group from private equity firm CVC Capital. The Exploding F1 Valuation Market While a $3 billion price tag for a midfield sister team sounds almost incomprehensible on paper, it perfectly illustrates the astronomical explosion of F1 franchise valuations over the last few years. To put that massive figure into perspective, when a consortium led by Otro Capital purchased a 24 percent stake in the factory Alpine team back in 2023, the deal valued the entire French squad at roughly $900 million. Today, paddock insiders estimate that Alpine’s total valuation sits near that exact same $3 billion mark. For Red Bull to turn down that much liquid capital for a secondary team—a team they originally purchased from Minardi decades ago simply to serve as a junior driver pipeline—proves that the parent company still sees massive long-term financial and strategic upside in keeping the Racing Bulls firmly under their corporate umbrella. The rejection ensures that Red Bull will continue to operate its powerful two-team dynamic as the sport navigates the highly unpredictable early days of the new 2026 engine regulations.

Citroen Racing Team Principal Cyril Blais (Image credit: Citroen Racing) Motorsport community condoles death of Citroen Racing Team Principal Cyril Blais Citroen Racing Team Principal Cyril Blais has passed away. He was 46 and was leading the new Formula E team as it transitioned from Maserati to Citroen this season. Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has said they will pay a fitting tribute to the motorsport great at the Tokyo E-Prix this weekend. Monaco Sports Group (MSG), operator of the Citroen Racing Formula E Team, Citroen, Stellantis Motorsport, the FIA and the entire Formula E community have expressed their grief and condolences following the passing of Blais.Cyril Blais was a familiar sight at Formula E races this season before he passed away this month.Expressing his condolences, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds said in a statement: "We are heartbroken by the loss of our colleague and friend, Cyril, and our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with his family, loved ones and all those who knew him. Cyril's passing is a devastating loss for his family, for MSG, Citroen Racing, and for our entire Formula E community.”Further sharing grief on his passing, he added, “We have lost an extraordinary colleague, and someone many of us were proud to call a friend. The entire Formula E paddock is supporting one another through this incredibly difficult period. To honour his immense contribution to the sport, the Citroen Racing Formula E Team and the wider Formula E community will pay tribute to Cyril’s memory and incredible legacy during this weekend’s Tokyo E-Prix.FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said, "The entire motorsport community is deeply saddened by this tragic news, and Cyril will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to know and work with him. He was dedicated to our sport, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues, competitors and friends across the paddock. His passion, determination and belief in his team were evident in all he did.“Beyond his achievements on track, Cyril will be remembered for the integrity he brought to our sport. He made a lasting impression on everyone who worked alongside him, and his absence will be felt deeply. On behalf of myself and the FIA, I extend heartfelt condolences to Cyril’s family, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with them during this incredibly difficult time."Beth Paretta, Managing Director, Citroen Racing, said, "We are all so saddened to lose Cyril. Many of the team have known and worked with him for several years. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues throughout the paddock. Cyril believed so much in this team and we will respect his family's wishes to honour him in the best way we can, by continuing to race in his memory with the exact dedication and passion he instilled in all of us. "Xavier Chardon, CEO, Citroen, and Olivier Jansonnie, SVP, Stellantis Motorsport, said, "It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Cyril Blais, Team Principal of MSG, Citroen Racing’s partner in Formula E. This loss is particularly painful for us, as Cyril played a major role in our Formula E programme from the very beginning of our collaboration between MSG and Citroen Racing. During this difficult time, our thoughts are with his family, loved ones and all the colleagues at MSG, Stellantis Motorsport and Citroen who had the privilege of working alongside him. "

To say that the 2026 Formula 1 season has been a nightmare for Aston Martin would be a massive understatement. The Silverstone-based squad just endured a brutal Belgian Grand Prix, heavily compromised by a wildly uncompetitive car and a massive…

The true fallout of the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix has very little to do with the race classification. Instead, the 7-kilometer Spa-Francorchamps circuit served as a brutal, highly public stress test for Formula 1’s controversial new regulations—and the drivers are absolutely furious with the results. The mandated 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power forced drivers to adopt an agonizing rhythm of extreme energy management, aggressive coasting, and severe “superclipping” on the straights. Following the chaos in the Ardennes, the biggest names on the grid held nothing back in their post-race assessments, directing heavy fire at the FIA’s regulatory framework. The Frustration of “Artificial” Racing and Battery Drains The 7-kilometer Spa-Francorchamps circuit served as a brutal stress test for Formula 1’s 2026 regulations this weekend, and the drivers did not hold back in their post-race assessments regarding the immense battery management required. For Williams’ Carlos Sainz, the massive energy drop-offs on the straights have fundamentally compromised the sport. Speaking to the media, Sainz demanded an immediate review of the regulations. “We all know it’s not good enough. It needs to change. It will change. It will evolve. Whoever saw these simulations in 2022-2023 and looked at it and ‘how can we even accept that?’ He needs to review what happened there because it should have never happened.” Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso had accurately predicted this exact scenario heading into the weekend. Speaking to GPblog, Alonso highlighted how the track’s layout completely starves the new 50/50 hybrid power units. SPA, BELGIUM – JULY 18: Isack Hadjar of France driving the (6) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 Red Bull Ford on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 18, 2026 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202607180263 // Usage for editorial use only // “If you deploy in Spa from Turn 1 to 5, it is finito for the rest of the lap. And with no deployment at all, we cannot forget that this year we have significantly less power than last year and less power than F2.” That exact lack of deployment was a major talking point for McLaren’s Lando Norris. Speaking to SkySports after the race, Norris blasted the unpredictable and gimmick-heavy nature of the 2026 racing product. “It’s a shame, it’s very artificial, depending on what the power unit decides to do and randomly does at times. You just get overtaken by five cars or you can just do nothing about it sometimes.” For George Russell, the battery regulations crossed the line from annoying to downright hazardous. Following his Lap 1 crash, Russell revealed that a software glitch completely killed his electrical harvesting at the start of the race. “I got to the top of Eau Rouge with 0% on the battery. Quite frankly, it was dangerous.” Belgian GP Lap 1 Carnage and Stewarding Controversies The chaotic energy-deployment strategies on the Kemmel Straight directly contributed to a messy opening lap, leaving several drivers frustrated with the on-track conduct and the resulting FIA stewards’ decisions. Oscar Piastri found himself caught in a terrifying squeeze with Charles Leclerc at the end of the straight. The McLaren driver expressed disbelief that the Ferrari driver escaped punishment (via Motorsport.com). “From where I was at, I was on the white line and got squeezed. I think we were very lucky not to have a bigger crash because we touched wheels at the start of the braking zone, basically. I’m not saying it needed to be a penalty necessarily, but at least a black and white flag or something like that. It’s not the nicest place to be.” Belgian Grand Prix, Sunday, Wolfgang Wilhelm The contact had a ripple effect for McLaren, as Norris told Formula1.com that his own car suffered from the Lap 1 chaos. “Obviously, after the damage with Leclerc that made things definitely more difficult.” Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton was forced to defend his actions after receiving a five-second penalty for his race-ending collision with Russell at Les Combes. Speaking to GPblog, Hamilton firmly disagreed with the stewards’ decision. “I think it was a racing incident, so I didn’t think that it should be a penalty, but it is what it is.”

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff went straight into damage control following a disastrous Belgian Grand Prix for George Russell, immediately attempting to shoulder the blame for the technical gremlins that ruined the British driver’s weekend. However, instead of putting out the fire, Wolff’s blanket explanation has completely backfired online. The Formula 1 community is openly rejecting the team’s official narrative, sending social media into a tailspin over perceived inequity inside the Brackley garage. The Apology That Sparked Suspicion The uproar stems from Wolff’s post-race media availability, where he confirmed that a fleet-wide software issue was responsible for the crippling lack of top-end velocity on Russell’s car. Speaking to The Guardian, Wolff was unequivocal in taking the hit for the garage: “We had an issue on all Mercedes engines, that we lacked the power out on the straights. That bit him [Russell] badly, and it goes 100% on us.” While the corporate-wide confession was designed to protect the team’s image and shield the drivers from scrutiny, it did the exact opposite for the fans watching the session time sheets. F1 Fandom Rejects Mercedes’ Corporate Narrative With rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli cruising to a dominant victory in the exact same machinery, fans immediately clocked the massive logical gap in Mercedes’ defense. If the software bug affected all power units, why did it only look catastrophic on one side of the garage? The online backlash was instant. “Then why antonelli does not have this?” demanded one fan account on X, capturing the immediate skepticism sweeping the community. Belgian Grand Prix, Sunday, Jiri Krenek during the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2026, 10th round of the 2026 Formula One World Championship from July 17 to 19, 2026 on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, in Stavelot, Belgium – Photo Jiri Krenek / Active Pictures For a vocal segment of Russell’s supporters, the contrast between the two cars felt less like a shared technical glitch and more like structural favoritism. Given that Russell spent the entire weekend pleading with his engineers that his straight-line speed was completely broken—only to be met with shifting explanations from the pit wall—the paddock’s digital spaces have grown deeply cynical. “Now this is starting to feel like the team is opening up a gap for Antonelli against Russell,” wrote another F1 fan, pointing to the stark contrast in how the two cars handled the straight-line speed traps. Other enthusiasts expressed massive frustration that preventable software gremlins are actively bleeding crucial points in a historically tight Constructors’ Championship race. The Backfire of the Fleet-Wide Defense In modern Formula 1, team principals routinely rely on the “fleet-wide issue” narrative. It is a classic PR tactic designed to protect customer team relationships (like Williams and McLaren) and avoid pointing fingers at specific mechanical crews. But in the hyper-analyzed era of modern F1, where fans have instant access to onboard radios and telemetry clips, corporate cover stories rarely survive public scrutiny. When a team claims both cars are suffering equally, yet one driver is left utterly defenseless on a straightaway while the other drives to a flawless victory, favoritism and sabotage theories are inevitable. Wolff wanted to take 100% of the blame to keep the peace, but by failing to explain the massive discrepancy between his two drivers, he has only given the internet more ammunition.

Lotus Emeya R+ records a 2:20.317 lap around Sepang International Circuit, setting a new electric vehicle track benchmark. Lap time exceeds the fastest publicly reported EV benchmark (2:27.790) at the circuit by more than seven seconds. The exercise demonstrates the Lotus DNA in action and the Company’s continued commitment to driver-focused performance in the electric era. NEW YORK, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lotus Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: LOT) (“Lotus Tech” or the “Company”), a leading global intelligent and luxury mobility provider, has announced that the Lotus Emeya has set a new record at Malaysia's renowned Sepang International Circuit, completing the track in just 2:20.317, more than seven seconds faster than the fastest publicly reported EV lap previously recorded at the circuit. The achievement marks a significant step forward in EV performance at one of Asia's most demanding race tracks, underscoring Lotus' continued commitment to engineering excellence and high-performance electric mobility. Sepang's challenging 5.5km layout combines long high-speed straights with a technical mix of fast and slow corners, placing equal demands on power delivery, braking performance, aerodynamic stability and chassis balance. The record-setting lap time was achieved by the Emeya R+ derivative, now more commonly known as the Emeya 900, and driven by champion GT driver Daniel Lu. The result highlights Lotus’ ability to combine everyday usability with genuine track capability. "At Lotus, the track has always been the ultimate proving ground,” said Chong Yok Meng, Senior Director for Chassis and Vehicle Dynamics at Lotus. “Setting the fastest EV lap at Sepang reflects the dedication of our engineering team and our commitment to delivering exceptional driver engagement, precision and performance. For us, this achievement isn't just about speed – it's proof that our electric vehicles embody the same dynamic principles that have defined Lotus for generations.” The result further demonstrates Lotus' continued focus on engineering vehicles that live and breathe the company's core performance DNA, while also embracing electrification technology. Like every Lotus, the Emeya - a pure electric hyper-GT - is designed ‘For The Drivers’. Its DNA is 100% Lotus, with exceptional, class-leading ride and handling, steering and aero performance. With its sleek design, powerful electric motors and luxurious interior, the Emeya sets a new standard in electric vehicles. The Emeya combines cutting-edge technology, a sophisticated design, exceptional performance and unparalleled driving experiences in a package designed for both everyday driving and high-performance use. A signature element of the Emeya design is its ‘porosity’ – the aerodynamic principle of air flowing through the vehicle as well as under, over, and around it. Porosity was at the heart of the design of Lotus’ all-electric hypercar Evija, it remains integral to the Emira, and has provided clear inspiration for the Emeya, where those aerodynamic principles contributed to its record-setting performance in Malaysia. The Sepang record reinforces the Emeya’s position among the world's highest-performing electric grand tourers and highlights how Lotus continues to translate decades of motorsport and performance engineering expertise into the electric era. About Lotus Technology Inc. Lotus Technology Inc. has operations across the UK, the EU and China. The Company is dedicated to delivering luxury lifestyle electric vehicles, with a focus on world-class R&D in next-generation automobility technologies such as electrification, digitalization and more. For more information about Lotus Technology Inc., please visit www.group-lotus.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential”, “forecast”, “plan”, “seek”, “future”, “propose” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology although not all forward-looking statements contain such terminology. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Lotus Technology Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Contact Information For investor inquiries ir@group-lotus.com

Max Verstappen admits that a dramatic loss of engine power on the opening lap left him fearing the very worst. The Dutchman went around the outside of pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli at the start, and subsequently led the field down the hill towards Eau Rouge. However, despite his brilliance in making the move and catching the teenager on the hop, the four-time world champion had already depleted his energy pack and was therefore left helpless as the field headed up the Kemmel Straight. "Yeah, well clearly too much deployment from Turn 1 to Turn 2," the Dutchman told reporters post-race. "I went through Eau Rouge, I looked at my battery status like 'well that's going to be a difficult run to Les Combes'," he added. "I expected, of course, Kimi to come by," he continued, "and then I look in my mirror and I just saw a red rocket coming. I was like 'oh I'll just hold my line because if I move here we're gonna have an aeroplane shunt'. "It was pretty incredible, the differences," he said of the various differences in battery deployment on the opening lap, a difference to which George Russell can bear witness. "I mean, welcome to a Formula 1 '26," added the Dutchman, "sometimes it can be a jungle." Jungle or not, the Red Bull driver admitted that his Spa weekend wasn't all bad. "I think overall the weekend for us was quite straightforward," he said. "The car was straight away in a decent window, so I think that just helps a lot. "We got a little bit unlucky with the VSC," he added, "I could have potentially fought with Charles, but the second stint was just a little bit worse than I hoped for. "The balance was not where I wanted it to be for a long time during that stint, so I lost too much time in the first half of it. But for us to be on the podium here has been a good result," he admitted. Check out our Sunday gallery from Spa here.

Dynapro R213 supports the rally with stable grip and durability under extreme driving conditions Balanced performance through ultra-fast sections and repeated jumps demonstrates Hankook's global tire technology The season continues with Round 10 at Secto Rally Finland from July 30 to August 2 in Jyväskylä, Finland TARTU, Estonia, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A leading global tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook), the exclusive tire supplier to the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), successfully supported the season's ninth round at Delfi Rally Estonia, which concluded on July 19 in Tartu and the surrounding regions of southern Estonia. 2026 WRC Delfi Rally Estonia_Toyota Gazoo World Rally Team Delfi Rally Estonia is one of the WRC's signature high-speed gravel events, combining wide, rapid forest roads around Tartu with narrower, technically demanding sections. Spanning 18 Special Stages (SS) and 301.8 kilometers, the rally featured average speeds exceeding 120 km/h, with successive jumps and sharp compression zones sustaining fierce competition throughout the event. Blind Crest—hilltop sections where the road ahead disappears from view—and rapidly changing surface conditions tested the drivers' precision behind the wheel, along with the tires' steering response and durability. Under these demanding conditions, stable grip and consistent performance proved critical to the outcome of the rally. Hankook supplied its extreme all-terrain rally tire, the Dynapro R213, to support reliable performance even under extreme driving conditions. The tire was engineered to absorb the heavy impacts generated by high-speed driving and repeated jumps. It delivered reliable grip, braking performance, and wear resistance on rough gravel surfaces to help crews maintain consistent performance throughout the rally. Sami Pajari of Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team claimed his maiden WRC victory at Delfi Rally Estonia after leading throughout the event. The victory also moved Pajari into third place in the Drivers' Championship with 144 points, behind championship leader Elfyn Evans on 177 points and second-placed Takamoto Katsuta on 152 points. His rise in the standings has further shaped the championship battle as the season enters its second half. The championship continues with Round 10, Secto Rally Finland, which will run in Jyväskylä, Finland, from July 30 to August 2. Regarded as the fastest gravel rally on the WRC calendar, the event presents a demanding combination of ultra-fast forest roads and successive jumps. Hankook exclusively supplies rally tires for every WRC class, demonstrating its technological capabilities at the highest level of global motorsport. Data gathered under extreme driving conditions are actively applied to the company's research and development, further strengthening the premium standing and global competitiveness of the unified global brand Hankook. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/3006714/Photo1__2026_WRC_Delfi_Rally_Estonia_Toyota_Gazaoo_World_Rally_Team.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2866236/Hankooktire_CI_Logo.jpg

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (AP) — The drought is over for Joey Logano. Logano snapped a 45-race winless streak Sunday night with a dominant victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the first points race at the 0.625-mile track in 30 years. After Logano wrapped up a lengthy on-track burnout, Denny Hamlin approached him and dabbed him up out of respect. Hamlin spent the second part of the race doing everything he could to catch Logano, but it proved fruitless. The No. 22 Ford was too dominant. Logano led 323 of 450 laps. “It’s wildly, wildly impressive what he did,” Hamlin said. “I thought it was a really impressive drive from him, how he maneuvered through (lapped) traffic and did everything we know Joey to do.” It was Logano’s 38th career Cup win, and his first since May 2025 at Texas. The 36-year-old Logano also extended his streak of winning at least one race to 15 consecutive seasons, the longest among active drivers. The late Kyle Busch holds the record, winning in 19 straight seasons (2005-2023). “A win anywhere at this point would have sounded great, but coming here and doing it at North Wilkesboro is awesome,” Logano said. Hamlin finished second, followed by Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs and Shane Van Gisbergen. It was a huge win for Logano, who entered the race outside of the top 16 in the Chase for the playoffs. He’s now inside the cutline in 15th place. “I feel like I know exactly what I need to go fast around this place,” said Logano, who won the 2024 All-Star race here in dominant fashion. “I knew coming this weekend that we’ve got to capitalize on the points.” The track, built in 1947, sat mostly dormant for a quarter of a century following its last points race in on Sept. 29, 1996. Speedway Motorsports undertook the monumental task of refurbishing it, including clearing the weeds and trees growing up through the middle of the racetrack. NWS hosted the All-Star race from 2023-25. In-Season Challenge to be settled next week Ryan Blaney and Todd Gilliland have reached the finals of the $1 million NASCAR In-Season Challenge. Blaney defeated Christopher Bell head-to-head in the semifinals on Sunday night, while Gilliland topped Chase Elliott. The champion will be decided next Sunday in Indianapolis at the Brickyard 400 with the driver finishing higher in the race awarded the $1 million prize. Bowman takes out Reddick while entering the pits Tyler Reddick got caught up a wreck on lap 184 when Alex Bowman cut him off as he was attempting to go from the top row down into pit row, spinning out the No. 45. Bowman told his crew chief, “I thought I had hole but maybe I didn’t.” A tough night for pole-sitter Ryan Blaney Ryan Blaney, who won last week at Atlanta, was set to start on the pole based on metrics after qualifying was rained out on Saturday. Instead, he was forced to start the race at the rear of the field after his No. 12 Ford Mustang had a power steering pump issue. Things only got worst for the 2023 Cup Series champion after he received a speeding penalty on pit row on lap 365, dropping him out of the top five and costing him 15 positions. Up next The Cup Series heads to Indianapolis next week for the Brickyard 400. Bubba Wallace captured his first crown jewel event last year after Austin Cindric blew a tire.

At North Wilkesboro Speedway, Ty Gibbs appeared prepared to convert speed into victory. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver seemed to have one of the fastest cars in the field and dominated the first part of the race. However, a single error on the pit road altered everything. Gibbs was left with only regrets. Watch What’s Trending Now! “I just really wanna go, honestly, in the SiriusXM 54 car and rip the dash out of it and punch myself. I feel like, I don’t know. It’s just frustrating, just gotten this early spot the lights and we’ll just keep going.” ADVERTISEMENT Getting out of his car after the Window World 450, Ty Gibbs didn’t look for justifications. The 23-year-old was aware of the precise moment when his afternoon took a turn. A speeding penalty during the Stage 2 caution erased the commanding position he had worked so hard to earn. The error occurred at the most inconvenient moment. NASCAR determined that Gibbs had gone above the pit-road speed restriction as the field pitted during the stage break. The penalty dropped him deep in the running order and handed control of the race to Joey Logano, who never looked back. ADVERTISEMENT Gibbs had done nearly everything perfectly up to that point, so it was particularly agonizing. After Ryan Blaney, who had taken over the pole position after qualifying was cancelled, had to start from the back due to unauthorized modifications to his vehicle (power steering issue), Ty Gibbs began in the first row with teammate Christopher Bell. With Bell and Carson Hocevar tucked in behind him, Gibbs seized the opportunity right away. He surged to the front and swiftly pulled away from the pack. With around thirty laps left in the first stage, Shane van Gisbergen overtook Denny Hamlin to take the lead. However, Gibbs would not allow the driver of Trackhouse Racing to escape. ADVERTISEMENT Before executing a daring outside pass to the green-and-white checkered flag and seizing the Stage 1 victory spectacularly, Ty Gibbs progressively pulled SVG in. Gibbs appeared to have set himself up to dominate the race from that point on, but the speeding penalty radically changed the course of events. By the end of Stage 2, Gibbs was buried outside the top 10. To his credit, he never gave up. The driver steadily advanced down the last stretch, and as the race passed Lap 300, he was fighting for eighth place. In the last run, he continued to pass more vehicles until he managed to finish in fourth place. ADVERTISEMENT The No. 54 Toyota’s competitiveness throughout the afternoon was demonstrated by that comeback. However, it also increased the agony of the pit-road error. Instead of witnessing Joey Logano capture the checkered flag, Ty Gibbs may have been the driver celebrating in Victory Lane, had the penalty not been imposed.

After 450 laps of racing at North Wilkesboro, Joey Logano secured his first win of the 2026 season, and jumped back above the Chase cut-line with a huge points day. At the very top of the standings, Denny Hamlin extended his advantage after a mid-race incident for Tyler Reddick and a late-race speeding penalty for Ryan Blaney. Hamlin now holds a 68-point lead over Reddick, with Blaney 87 points behind. Blaney has also mathematically locked himself into the Chase along with Reddick and Hamlin. Around the cut-line, Austin Cindric has fallen back down to the bubble after a big night for both Logano (+49) and Shane van Gisbergen (+54). Cindric is 33 points above Erik Jones for the 16th and final spot. No one moved more than two positions either way in the standings after North Wilkesboro, and there are now just five races left in the regular season. Next up is the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 2026 NASCAR Cup points after North Wilkesboro (Race 21 of 36) Note: Kyle Busch scored 217 points before his tragic passing, and we have followed NASCAR's decision to no longer classify Busch in the weekly driver standings. Photos from North Wilkesboro - Sunday

The list of drivers who have officially secured their place in NASCAR’s 2026 Chase continues to grow. Ryan Blaney became the third driver to clinch a postseason berth Sunday night following the NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, joining Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin as the only drivers who have mathematically locked themselves into the 16-driver field with six races remaining in the regular season. The pursuit of a second title starts now.@Blaney clinches a spot in The Chase! pic.twitter.com/D5z1cdPbJD — NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 20, 2026 Blaney entered the weekend on the verge of securing his spot. While Joey Logano stole the headlines with a dominant victory, the points shakeup also officially punched Blaney’s ticket to the Chase. Ryan Blaney Joins Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin Reddick and Hamlin have been battling one another all season long for the top position in the Cup Series standings. Reddick held the lead spot for the first four months of 2026 until June’s Sonoma race. Ever since, it’s been Hamlin‘s name leading the field. Now Blaney has added Team Penske to that exclusive group. Through the first 21-points playing races of 2026, the trio has a total of 11 combined wins. Although five races remain before the regular season concludes, Blaney has built enough of a points cushion to guarantee his place in NASCAR’s postseason regardless of what happens over the final stretch. With Blaney officially in, only 13 Chase positions remain available. Joey Logano’s Win Changes the Chase Picture While Blaney secured his postseason spot, teammate Joey Logano delivered one of the biggest momentum swings of the season. Logano dominated Sunday’s race at North Wilkesboro, leading a career-high 323 laps to earn his first Cup Series victory since May 2025. The performance vaulted him from outside the provisional Chase field back into the top 16, moving him to 15th in the standings. The victory dramatically strengthened Logano’s postseason hopes, while Erik Jones dropped below the Chase cut line following the race. With Indianapolis Motor Speedway next on the schedule and only six races left before the postseason begins, every point around the Chase bubble will become increasingly important.

Joey Logano led 323 of 450 laps (a new personal record) at North Wilkesboro, becoming the first driver to win a points-paying Cup race at the historic track since Jeff Gordon three decades ago. He crossed the line 0.859s ahead of Denny Hamlin, who led a trio of Joe Gibbs Racing cars with Chase Briscoe third and Ty Gibbs fourth. Shane van Gisbergen matched his career-best oval finish in fifth, and led more laps than he ever has before at an oval (49 total). Logano also won Stage 2, while Gibbs claimed the Stage 1 win in a last-lap pass on SVG. 34 of 37 starters finished the race, but only six were on the lead lap. Chad Finchum, Josh Berry, and A.J. Allmendinger were the three DNFs in the fairly clean race. Logano now has 38 career wins, giving him sole position of 23rd on the all-time wins list. NASCAR Cup 2026 North Wilkesboro race results Photos from North Wilkesboro - Sunday

July 19, 2026, 9:41 p.m. CT Todd Gilliland pulled the upset on Chase Elliott at North Wilkesboro to advance to the NASCAR in-season challenge final. Gilliland will face Ryan Blaney in the final next week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Elliott was running in the top five for most of the first 180 laps in the Window World 450, but a caution during green-flag cycle set the No. 9's effort back. Gilliland, who had not stopped during the cycle, had not stopped while Elliott was two laps down following a stop. Gilliland finished 8th while Elliott ended up 17th. Blaney had a long day after starting in the rear of the field, then worked around a late pit-road speeding penalty. Bell struggled outside of the top 10 for most of the day. Here's the NASCAR in-season tournament challenge results for the semifinals: Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! NASCAR in-season tournament results at North Wilkesboro 25-seed Todd Gilliland (8th) over 4-seed Chase Elliott (17th) 3-seed Ryan Blaney (11th) over 10-seed Christopher Bell (19th) NASCAR in-season tournament matchup for final next week Finals on July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway