NASCAR Rant Report - Friday, April 18th

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Major headlines out of Wednesday and Thursday:

Returning to Rockingham
Netflix Release Date for Full Speed Season 2
NASCAR Lawsuit Updates

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

Returning to Rockingham:

The Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series are returning to Rockingham Speedway for the first time in over a decade, marking a significant revival of the historic track. The last Truck Series race at Rockingham was in 2013, while the Xfinity Series last raced there in 2004.

The revival of Rockingham Speedway has been made possible through substantial investments, including $10 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, allocated by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. The funds were used for infrastructure improvements, such as repaving the track, updating garages, and building a new media center. The track's length has been re-measured to 0.94 miles, slightly shorter than its previous 1.017 miles.

The return to Rockingham is highly anticipated, with a sellout crowd expected for the Xfinity race. The event is seen as an audition for potentially bringing the NASCAR Cup Series back to the track in the future. The community's excitement is palpable, with local residents and officials actively supporting the revival efforts.

The television schedule of events this weekend can be seen toward the bottom of this NASCAR Rant Report.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Want some non-AI content? Check out the previous Editorial:
NASCAR Sponsorship Flashback

Netflix Release Date for Full Speed Season 2:

The second season of the docuseries "NASCAR: Full Speed" will be released on Netflix on May 7, 2025. This season will consist of five 45-minute episodes, focusing on the 2024 Cup Series playoffs. The series aims to capture both the intense competition and personal moments of the drivers and their families during the playoffs.

The trailer for Season 2 has been released, featuring drivers such as Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell, along with their significant others. The series will delve into dramatic moments, including Christopher Bell's controversial elimination at Martinsville Speedway and Joey Logano's championship win at Phoenix Raceway, marking his third career title.

Executive producers for the series include Dale Earnhardt Jr., Connor Schell, Aaron Cohen, Ben Kennedy, Tim Clark, Matt Summers, and Tally Hair, with Jackie Decker and Tim Mullen as directors. The production is a collaboration between Words + Pictures and NASCAR Studios.

Season 1 of "NASCAR: Full Speed," which covered the 2023 playoffs, was well-received, averaging 3.4 million viewers. Season 2 promises to continue the high-stakes drama and provide an in-depth look at the lives of NASCAR's top stars both on and off the track.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

NASCAR Lawsuit Updates:

The ongoing legal battle between NASCAR and the teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports has intensified with new developments. The lawsuit, initiated by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in October 2024, accuses NASCAR of monopolistic and anticompetitive practices.

Recently, NASCAR has sought to amend its countersuit based on new evidence obtained during discovery, including over 200,000 pages of emails, texts, and memoranda. NASCAR argues that these documents confirm allegations of collusion and illegal agreements among the teams. The motion to amend the countersuit aims to include this new evidence to strengthen NASCAR's case.

The trial for the antitrust lawsuit is scheduled for December 1, 2025, and both sides are preparing for a high-stakes legal showdown that could significantly impact the economic structure and team dynamics in and around NASCAR. The racing community is closely watching the developments, as the outcome of this lawsuit could reshape the future of the sport.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Miscellaneous:

NASCAR Channel Enhancements: The NASCAR Channel on Tubi has added live programming, including SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s The Morning Drive and live simulcasts of races like the ARCA Menards Series East race at Rockingham Speedway. This partnership aims to enhance the content offering for fans, providing more live coverage and historic race documentaries.

Bobby Allison Tribute: Talladega Superspeedway will honor the late NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison with a special parade lap before the Jack Link’s 500. Allison’s grandson Robbie will drive his famed 1969 Mercury Cyclone around the track, celebrating Allison’s remarkable contributions to NASCAR.

Texas A&M University Partnerships: Texas A&M University has announced season-long partnerships with Haas Factory Team in NASCAR and Felix Rosenqvist in INDYCAR. The university will serve as the primary sponsor for Cole Custer’s No. 41 Ford Mustang at the Coca-Cola 600, featuring a military-centric paint scheme to honor fallen servicemembers. Texas A&M will also appear on Rosenqvist’s helmet, providing significant exposure during races.

Zane Smith Sponsorship: Mystik Lubricants will sponsor Zane Smith’s No. 38 Ford Mustang in two NASCAR Cup Series events at Nashville and Iowa. The partnership aims to provide brand exposure and support Smith’s racing endeavors.

BJ McLeod's New Partnership: BJ McLeod will showcase the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster branding on his car during the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega. This partnership merges the excitement of motorsports with amusement park attractions, highlighting McLeod’s new racing coaster set to open later this spring.

Jesse Love's Cup Series Races: Jesse Love will drive for Beard Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series races at Texas and Indianapolis. Love, a promising young driver, will gain valuable experience in these high-profile events.

Katherine Legge's 2025 Schedule: Katherine Legge revealed her 2025 NASCAR race schedule, including seven Xfinity Series and five Cup Series races. Legge’s sponsors, Droplight, Sherfick Companies, and Desnuda Tequila, will support her throughout the season, highlighting her commitment to female empowerment and breaking barriers in motorsports.

Nick Leitz Partnership: Nick Leitz announced a partnership with Jim Ellis Chevrolet for the Focused Health 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The dealership is excited to support Leitz and showcase their brand during the race.

JR Motorsports Multi-Year Deal: JR Motorsports has partnered with Registix in a multi-year agreement. Registix will sponsor multiple JRM entries in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, starting with Connor Zilisch at Pocono Raceway.

Jordan Anderson's Personal Announcement: Jordan Anderson, NASCAR Xfinity Series team owner and part-time driver, announced that he and his wife Kendall are expecting their first child. The couple shared their excitement and gratitude for the upcoming addition to their family.

Pocono Raceway Sponsorship: The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau will continue its sponsorship of the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway. The race distance has been extended to 250 miles, providing more opportunities for drivers and showcasing the region’s attractions.

Kansas Speedway Event: Kansas Speedway announced the Heart of Health Care 200, a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race celebrating National Nurses Week. The event, supported by AdventHealth, will honor nurses for their pivotal role in healthcare.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on these topics.

Thumbnail image credits on our Source Materials Page.

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