By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio AUSTIN, Texas – NASCAR Cup Series drivers Ross Chastain and Shane Van Gisbergen welcomed media members for a unique tram tour of the newly introduced 17-turn, 2.4-mile National Course at The Circuit of the Americas on Friday. The event, held as a precursor to the highly anticipated EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, allowed the Trackhouse Racing teammates to share their insights on the circuit’s new configuration, which replaces the 20-turn, 3.41-mile Full Course used in the previous four editions of the race. Chastain, a five-time Cup Series winner and the 2022 race victor at…
Author: Mike Haag
Mike Haag
Mike Haag has covered motorsports in San Antonio and South Texas for more than 39 years. In addition to covering motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News for nearly 28 years, Mike also has co-hosted TrackSmack with Dawn Murphy for 19 race seasons. In addition to being a writer, Mike taught high school English and Journalism for 30 years before retiring in May, 2020.
By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio AUSTIN, Texas – As the NASCAR Cup Series roars into Austin, Texas, for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, fans and drivers alike are preparing for an exhilarating weekend of high-speed action. The Circuit of The Americas (COTA), known for its challenging turns and dramatic elevation changes, will serve as the battleground for the third race of the season. However, this year’s race introduces an exciting twist—the event will debut on the 2.4-mile, 17-turn National Course, a departure from the Full Course layout used in previous years. A New Challenge Awaits With the introduction…
By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – All week at Daytona International Speedway, members of the newly-revamped and reinvigorated Legacy Motor Club team have insisted this season will be an improved, exciting, hopefully triumphant chapter in the young organization’s story. Sunday’s night’s impressive DAYTONA 500 outing was certainly a fairytale-like season start with team owner-driver Jimmie Johnson surging from 15th place with one lap remaining to finish third at the overtime checkered flag. Driver John Hunter Nemechek matched the energy with a career best fifth place performance and their teammate Erik Jones rallied to a 12th place…
President Donald Trump made an appearance at the 2025 Daytona 500 on Sunday, marking the second time he has attended NASCAR’s premier event as president. He praised the sport and its fans, described the race as a symbol of national unity and resilience and called the 2025 Daytona 500 race as event that will “fuel America’s Golden Age.” In a message released while en route to Daytona Beach aboard Air Force One, Trump said the Daytona 500 is a “celebration of speed, adrenaline, and national pride.” “From the roar of the engines on the track to the echo…
For the first time in over five decades, the NASCAR Cup Series will return to Bowman Gray Stadium, as the 2025 season kicks off with the Cook Out Clash on Sunday night in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dubbed “The Madhouse,” the historic quarter-mile track will host NASCAR’s premier series for the first time since 1971, marking a return to one of the sport’s most storied venues. After a successful three-year run at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, NASCAR has decided to bring the Clash back to its roots. Bowman Gray Stadium first hosted a Cup Series event in 1958 and…
Courtesy of FloRacing INDIANAPOLIS – Race fans who can’t make it to Bradenton Motorsports Park for the 2nd annual SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout, February 6-8, will be able to catch every minute of on-track action as well as comprehensive coverage from the pits, starting line and the top end on FloRacing. The talent line up for the broadcast was announced at the end of 2024 with two of the most knowledgeable and personable motorsport personalities, Jamie Howe and Mike Dunn, lined up to call all the action from the FloRacing broadcasting center. In the pits and at the…
NHRA Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria will be joining Joe Maynard’s JCM Racing team for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. DeJoria, 47, will join Maynard’s multicar operation, where she will pilot the Bandero Premium Tequila Funny Car. A crew chief and the full 2025 JCM Racing driver lineup will be announced at a later date. DeJoria competed with Kalitta Motorsports from 2011 through 2017. From 2020 through the 2024 season, she drove for Del Worsham and the DC Motorsports team, where she advanced to the final round seven times, including a victory at the 2021 Bristol race. “First…
Courtesy of NASCAR at COTA AUSTIN, Texas – Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC), the official charity of Speedway Motorsports, has distributed $25,000 through three grants to Dell Children’s Foundation, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Best Buddies in Texas. The $25,000 will serve 1,325 children in need in the Austin area. “We are thrilled to be able to help three different children’s organizations this year,” said Speedway Children’s Charities Texas Chapter Executive Director Marissa Chaney. “Race fans are incredibly generous, and we’re looking forward to raising even more money in just a couple months when NASCAR returns to Circuit of The Americas.” DELL CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION Funds will support Dell Children’s…
By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio Jack Beckham will drive the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet SS for John Force Racing and will pursue the Funny Car championship in the NHRA’s 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Beckman, who won the NHRA Funny Car championship in 2012 and the NHRA Super Comp title in 2003, won twice last season while competing as a relief driver for John Force, who was injured in a high-speed crash at Richmond, Va., last June. Force continues to recover and receive treatment for a Traumatic Brain Injury. He has made significant progress in his…
By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio ENNIS, Texas – Gaige Herrera and Jeg Coughlin Jr. rode their iron horses off into the Texas sunset while carrying Wally trophies and wearing black cowboy hats after they posted big wins Sunday at the 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals. Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Justin Ashley (Top Fuel) also won at the Stampede of Speed racing event that highlighted the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship playoff races. Herrera, aboard the RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, dominated the racing action this weekend in Pro Stock Motorcycle. He won for…