NASCAR
Denny Hamlin wins NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover
By Holly Cain
NASCAR Wire Service
DOVER, DE (May 17, 2026) – For the second time in his celebrated career, Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race from pole position – making the pass for victory over his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe with 29 laps remaining to claim the winner’s $1 million check.
Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota went on to win by a .887-second margin over Briscoe’s No. 19 JGR Toyota prevailing in the 200-lap final segment of competition in the three-phase non-points race taking place for the first time ever at the Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway’s famous one-mile concrete track.
Just finishing the third and final phase of this race was essentially an accomplishment for many of the sport’s best. A pair of nine-car accidents bookended the first of two 75-lap stages and either eliminated or badly handicapped perennial favorites such as past All-Star winners Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney.
Toyota drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, who drive for the 23XI Racing team Hamlin co-owns with NBA legend Michael Jordan, each won one of the opening two stages. And ultimately it came down to another three Toyotas to settle the popular “main event” in front of a packed house at the venerable Dover “Monster Mile” on a steamy Sunday afternoon.
“Makes it a lot easier when you have a car this fast,” said Hamlin, who at 45 years old is the second oldest driver to claim a trophy in the annual All-Star race. “Hats off to this whole [sponsor] Progressive team.
“We strive to be number one and we did it today,” he said, adding, “I just knew the game-changer for us was long runs and obviously the ability to pass when behind someone.”
Of the $1 million prize, Hamlin smiled and did not hesitate to say, “I’ll probably give it to mama.” – an especially moving gesture considering he lost his father in December in a fire that destroyed his parents’ home.
Hamlin (103) and Briscoe (61) combined to lead all but 36 laps of the final stage and the runner-up showing for Briscoe was a career best in the All-Star Race.
It was obviously a really fast car and just proud of our group,” Briscoe said. “I knocked the wall down in practice and we basically rebuilt the whole car. So, for them to be able to get the car back to where it’s competitive says a lot about the guys. It was a good day.
“Wish it were a points race because we definitely need the points. But it was a hard-fought day,” added Briscoe, who said he’d been battling a stomach bug all weekend.
“Had a shot there at the end for a million bucks and you can’t ask for anything more.”
Erik Jones rallied to a third-place finish in the No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota – his best showing of the season – followed by the Chevrolets of Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon and Trackhouse Racing rookie Connor Zilisch, who both also turned in their best finishes of the year.
It was an especially impressive day for the 19-year old fan-favorite Zilisch, who absolutely dominated the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series last year winning 10 times, but has endured some expected growing pains in his move up to the premier NASCAR Cup Series this year.
His fifth-place finish proved a remarkable comeback Sunday considering he received a pit road penalty after exiting the pits in second-place near the race’s midpoint. He steadily rallied back from the penalty – moving into the top-10 with 20 laps remaining and then into the that fifth-place showing by the checkered flag.
“It would have taken a lot to beat the 11 [Hamlin] and 19 [Briscoe]; they were both really good,” Zilisch said. “Regardless, it was a really good day for Trackhouse and this 88 team. We needed a day like this where we had contending speed. It’s been a long year and moments of hope like this certainly feel good.
“It was cool to be on offense for once, have good restarts and not feel like a fish out of water,” he added.
Team Penske’s Austin Cindric, Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron, Spire Motorsports Michael McDowell, Hendrick Motorsport’s Alex Bowman and Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s Brad Keselowski rounded out the top-10. It was a notable comeback performance for the former series champion Keselowski, who started alongside Hamlin on the front row, but was collected in a multi-car accident in the second 75-lap segment.
Hamlin’s victory was his second in 20 All-Star starts and he becomes the third driver in NASCAR history to win the race at multiple tracks after claiming his first trophy at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2015.
The NASCAR Cup Series championship resumes next week in annual Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (6 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain is the defending race winner.
NASCAR
Kvapil Hangs On To Win Pennzoil 250 in Top-Four Sweep by JR Motorsports
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (Saturday, July 25, 2026) – The relief was mixed with tears, joy and a stage dive from his car into his crew’s arms at the fabled Yard of Bricks for Carson Kvapil.
Kvapil earned his first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory Saturday in the Pennzoil 250 presented by Take 5 Oil Change at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, leading a historic sweep of the top four finishing positions by JR Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The breakthrough victory in the No. 1 Wilde Protein Crackers Chevrolet came in the 64th career start in the series for Kvapil, 23, son of 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and former NASCAR Cup Series driver Travis Kvapil.
“It means the world to me,” Kvapil said. “It’s very emotional. I rode around on that (victory) lap backward and sat there and thought about all the hard work I put in, me and my dad, Travis, to get to this point and the faith that (team owners) Dale Jr., L.W. Miller, Kelley Miller put behind me to give me this opportunity, to give me a second chance to come back at it this year.
“From Lap 1 in practice, the thing was a rocketship. I just knew we had to do all the right things and make the right adjustments. I just couldn’t make any mistakes. This is going to be an exciting one for a long time. I’m just going to try not to cry too much; I’ve already shed a few tears. I’m just trying to hold it together right now.”
JR Motorsports earned its third victory in this race, adding Kvapil’s name to a winner’s list including Connor Zilisch last year and Justin Allgaier in 2018. The team also became the first in series history to take the top four spots in a race and has 14 victories in 22 races this season in NASCAR’s second-tier championship.
Allgaier finished second in the No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, his late-race charge toward his teammate falling .643 of a second short.
Ross Chastain placed third in the No. 9 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, with Chase Elliott rounding out JRM’s fantastic four in the No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet after starting last in the 38-car field. William Sawalich finished fifth in the No. 18 SoundGear Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Kvapil, who started second, took the lead for good on Lap 79 of 100 when he powered past Chastain on the back straightaway. With 10 laps to go, Kvapil led by .82 of a second.
Then Allgaier entered the picture. Allgaier, who started 13th, passed Chastain for second in Turn 1 on Lap 93 and was .96 of a second behind leader Kvapil.
But series points leader Allgaier began to methodically chip away at Kvapil’s lead, pulling to within .283 of a second with one lap to go. But Kvapil kept his poise, hit his marks on corner entry and eased away from Allgaier on the final trip around the 2.5-mile oval.
“I’m disappointed we ran second,” Allgaier said. “We knew that short-run speed was going to be a challenge all day, and long-run speed was where we were going to be great, and we were. Just came up a little bit short.
“Happy for Carson. The kid has worked his tail off to get to this point and really cool to see him get this first victory.”
Chastain led three times for 31 laps, both race highs.
Jeremy Clements won the first 30-lap stage in the No. 51 Sky Fund Aviation Chevrolet before fading to 37th. Rajah Carruth won the second 30-lap stage by keeping his No. 32 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet on track when most of the field pitted during a caution from Laps 55-57. Carruth pitted during the ensuing stage break and finished 22nd.
NASCAR
Veteran Grant Enfinger wins wild NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race at historic Lime Rock Park
By Holly Cain
NASCAR Wire Service
LAKEVILLE, CT (July 12, 2026) – Popular veteran Grant Enfinger took the lead on a late race restart and held off a hard-charging Landen Lewis to make his first visit to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Victory Lane in more than a season – earning his first career road course win Saturday afternoon in the LiUNA 150 at Connecticut’s historic Lime Rock Park.
Enfinger, who lined up alongside Gio Ruggiero for a restart with three laps remaining, got the jump at the green flag and then held off Lewis – who was racing for his first career series win. It was a fittingly exhilarating way to close out the race which included an 18-minute red flag and thrilling door-to-door competition particularly in the closing laps.
Enfinger’s No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet crossed the line only a slight .483-second ahead of the Niece Motorsports driver Lewis.
“I feel like we had some things play into our hand,’’ Enfinger said, noting of the day’s strongest cars, “I don’t think we had anything for the 11 [Honeycutt] or the 34 [Scott Riggs] straight up.”
Of the final restart, Enfinger said he was enthused to get the edge out front on then-leader Gio Ruggiero at the drop of the green. He had considered taking the preferable position outside but opted to start alongside Guggiero on the front row and honorably vie for the lead that way. This marks his 13th career win.
“I wanted to beat him straight up on the outside,’’ Enfinger added. “A lot went into that decision but I didn’t want to go in there and purposefully take him out of the way for the win. I feel like we beat him on the launch. And I think we had a better car.
“Just an amazing job with this Chevrolet. … I think this is only my second top 10 at a road course. We have had road course trucks this year, but I think today we were a solid top five truck and the seas parted and the good Lord blessed us today and we were able to come home for a win.’’
Championship contender Kaden Honeycutt claimed third place after an absolutely amazing drive back up through the field. The TRICON Garage Toyota driver had dropped to 24th position with 28 laps to go after being involved in a multi-car accident late in the race.
Popular driver and television analyst Parker Kligerman – a part-owner of Lime Rock Park – finished fourth in the Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet. Christian Eckes was fifth in the No. 91 McAnally Hilgemann Chevrolet.
Honeycutt’s finish to the day came after he won Stage 2 and kept polesitter, and the series championship points leader Riggs honest for the majority of the race. Riggs led the first 34 laps with one or the other leading through the opening 62 laps of the 100-lap event. Riggs won Stage 1 and Honeycutt won Stage 2.
And then the chaos set in. Four caution flags – and the red flag – came out in the closing 40 laps.
Varying pit strategies shook up the front of the field, relegating Riggs and Honeycutt to play catch-up following the Stage 2 break at Lap 60. The two who have dominated the championship standings for the last two months collided while trying to race through the field.
The damage to Riggs’ No. 34 Front Row Chevrolet proved to be too much for him to contend up front. His 48 laps out front was the most on the afternoon, but he ended up 23rd, the first driver a lap down.
He retained the championship lead, however, and is now 44 points up on Honeycutt with four races remaining to settle the regular season championship. They officially clinched a spot in the Chase today.
Enfinger’s victory was crucial in that it moved him inside the championship top 10 that will ultimately advance to the Chase. He’s now ninth in points, 25 points up on 10th place Tyler Ankrum. Stewart Friesen and Jake Garcia are tied, 17 points behind Ankrum.
Daniel Hemric, Andres Perez De Lara, Tanner Grey, Friesen and Colin Braun – an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series full-timer – rounded out the top 10 Saturday.
Thomas Annunziata, who ran up front all day after winning the ARCA Menards Series race at Lime Rock on Friday, ended up sidelined in the most dramatic incident of the day. He pulled off track with his No. 1 truck in flames while running second with 22 laps to go. Annunziata climbed out his No. 1 truck quickly and bent over to catch his breath next to a track wall. He was transported to a local area medical facility for further evaluation. He finished 29th.
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to competition next week with Saturday’s Faith Fest 250 (12:30 p.m. ET on FS1, NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at the historic North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. Front Row Motorsports’ Chandler Smith is the defending race winner.
NASCAR
Brandon Jones grabs overtime victory in Chicagoland return
By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service
JOLIET, IL (July 4, 2026) — Stealing the lead from Chase Elliott on the final restart, Brandon Jones celebrated NASCAR’s return to Chicagoland Speedway with a dramatic victory in Saturday night’s rain-delayed Cuervo 300.
In the first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race to require overtime this season, Jones’ No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota stayed side-by-side with Elliott’s No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet through the first two corners on the decisive Lap 200 restart.
Jones took control in Turn 3 on the white-flag lap. Elliott made a determined run at the top of the track on the final circuit, but Jones blocked the lane and crossed the finish line 0.171 seconds ahead of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion.
“It’s been an up-and-down year,” Jones said after climbing from his car. “We had some success early on. We’ve been in a little rut the last couple weeks, so it’s just nice to do it like we did today. We had to earn that one.”
The victory was Jones’ first at Chicagoland (which hosted its first race since 2019), his first of the season and the eighth of his career, and he achieved it by outrunning an elite Cup Series driver.
“I think it says a lot about how resilient we are and how hard we’re working out there,” Jones said. “Chase made it really difficult on me. He’s one of the best in the sport. We were on old tires, and that was a blast, sliding around and dueling it out like that.”
Elliott chose the top lane for the final restart and didn’t get the push he needed from third-place finisher Jesse Love, the culprit being well-worn tires.
“I don’t think that was why we lost by any means,” Elliott said. “I know he was planning on giving me a good push… We ended up kind of having the momentum going the wrong way into Turn 3. I tried to drive in way hard and got myself super tight…
“Credit to Brandon. He did a good job. He had a good restart, stayed side-by-side through 1 and 2 and had the momentum going his way into Turn 3. I got myself in a bad spot and paid the price.”
Austin Hill finished fifth behind Love and rookie Brent Crews.
For JGR teammates Crews and Tayor Gray, the race was eminently productive in the battle for positions in the postseason Chase. Gray led 55 laps—second only to Elliott’s 78—and ended the evening seventh in the race and 11th in the standings with a 52-point cushion above the current Chase cut line.
Crews is 12th, the final Chase-eligible position, with a 44-point margin over teammate William Sawalich, the first driver below the current cutoff.
But Sawalich was seething after contact from Crews’ front bumper sent him spinning through the infield grass on Lap 165 of a planned 200 to cause the fifth of seven cautions. Sawalich finished 29th and faces an uphill battle with only four races left before the Chase field is set.
With qualifying canceled in favor of practice after rain wiped out O’Reilly Auto Parts Series practice on Friday, Connor Zilisch started on the pole on metrics after a rain delay of more than four hours and led the first stage wire-to-wire, finishing 4.935 seconds ahead of second-place Love.
Under caution, however, Zilisch’s No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet ran out of fuel and had to be pushed to pit road. Zilisch restarted Stage 2 in 26th place and climbed to ninth by the end of the stage on Lap 90.
Elliott was first of pit road during the first stage break and held the top spot through the end of Stage 2.
Zilisch’s rotten luck continued after the break. He cut a tire after contact with the outside wall and started from the back once again, only to spin on Lap 156 and repeat the process. For a third time, he climbed through the field to finish 10th.
Justin Allgaier, Zilisch’s JR Motorsports teammate, had a similarly adventurous night. Allgaier started 17th and charged to fourth by the end of Stage 2. But a safety violation on pit road for an improperly uniformed crew member sent him the rear for a restart on Lap 100.
Allgaier rallied to finish sixth and leaves Chicagoland with a 195-point series lead over second-place Love.
Behind Allgaier and Gray, Sam Mayer, Cole Custer and Zilisch completed the top 10. With Elliott, Allgaier and Zilisch in the top 10, JR Motorsports extended its streak of placing at least one car in the top 10 to 77 consecutive races, two short of RFK Racing’s series record, set from 2008 through 2010.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series moves to EchoPark Speedway near Atlanta for next Saturday’s Focused Health 250 (7 p.m. ET on CW, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

