NASCAR Rant Report - Friday, May 23rd

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Major headlines out of Wednesday and Thursday:

Previewing the Coca-Cola 600 and Charlotte Weekend
Previewing the Other Races of 'Motorsports Christmas'
Team Penske Fires IndyCar Leadership
The Inaugural Wienie 500
'Earnhardt' Documentary Premiers on Amazon Prime Video

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

Previewing the Coca-Cola 600 and Charlotte Weekend:

The 2025 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is the longest race of the season, serving as both a grueling test of endurance and a celebration of Memorial Day weekend.

Headlining the weekend is Kyle Larson’s second attempt at completing the “Double” — racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. After the weather derailed his 2024 effort, Larson is determined to become only the second driver in history, after Tony Stewart in 2001, to complete all 1,100 miles. His crew chief, Cliff Daniels, will also mark his 200th Cup race atop the pit box.

Jimmie Johnson, a four-time Coca-Cola 600 winner and seven-time Cup champion, will make his 700th career start, returning to the track where he debuted in 2001. Other drivers celebrating milestones include Daniel Suárez (300th start), Ty Gibbs and Ryan Preece (100th starts), and Ty Majeski (100th Truck Series start). Rising star Connor Zilisch will make his Cup oval debut.

The race weekend also features a full slate of action, including the ARCA Menards Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and Xfinity Series. Kyle Busch will make his 16th Truck start at Charlotte, aiming for a record-extending ninth win at the track. In the Xfinity Series, Cup regulars like Austin Dillon, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe will compete, while Zilisch returns to the series after recovering from injury.

The Coca-Cola 600 will be broadcast for the first time on Amazon Prime Video, marking a new era in NASCAR media coverage. The broadcast team includes Adam Alexander, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, and Steve Letarte, with promises of innovative features like side-by-side commercials, real-time data overlays, and extended post-race coverage.

Beyond the racing, the event holds deep patriotic significance. Each car will carry the name of a fallen soldier on its windshield, and a moment of silence will be observed at the race’s halfway point. Drivers continually emphasize the emotional weight and honor of representing military families during this special weekend.

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

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Previewing the Other Races of 'Motorsports Christmas':

In addition to the Coca-Cola 600, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend features other major motorsports events around the world, being dubbed by some fans as ‘Motorsports Christmas’. The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is one these events.

Leading the field is rookie Robert Shwartzman, who shocked the paddock by securing pole position in his first-ever oval race. He’ll be joined on the front row by two-time winner Takuma Sato and Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward. The race also features a deep roster of past champions, including Scott Dixon, Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and four-time winner Helio Castroneves, who is chasing a record-breaking fifth Indy 500 win.

Adding to the drama is Josef Newgarden’s bid for a historic third consecutive Indy 500 victory. No driver has ever accomplished the feat, and Newgarden faces an uphill battle after being penalized to 32nd on the grid due to a technical infraction involving Team Penske’s cars. Meanwhile, Alex Palou enters as the dominant force in the 2025 IndyCar season, having won four of the first five races. Though he has never won on an oval, Palou’s speed and consistency make him a top contender.

With a sold-out crowd, a wide-open field, and a mix of veterans and newcomers, the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 promises high drama and the potential for history to be made at every turn.

Meanwhile, the Monaco Grand Prix is Formula 1’s entry into ‘Motorsports Christmas’, and unfortunately is the last, as the F1 schedule will not place the event on this weekend next year. This year’s GP introduces a significant rule change aimed at improving the race, with a mandated a two-stop strategy, requiring drivers to use at least three sets of tires and two different compounds during the race. This change is designed to introduce more strategic variation and create opportunities for overtaking on a circuit where passing is notoriously difficult.

The field is tightly contested, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leading the championship and teammate Lando Norris close behind. Max Verstappen remains a strong contender, while Charles Leclerc, the 2024 Monaco winner, seeks to repeat his success at his home race. Ferrari has struggled with consistency, and Leclerc himself has expressed doubts about the team’s competitiveness in Monaco. The event continues to blend motorsport with celebrity and luxury, reinforcing its status as the crown jewel of the F1 calendar.

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

Team Penske Fires IndyCar Leadership:

In the lead-up to the 2025 Indianapolis 500, Team Penske was rocked by a scandal involving illegal modifications to the rear attenuators on Josef Newgarden’s and Will Power’s cars. Though the changes didn’t necessarily offer a performance boost, they violated IndyCar’s technical rules. Both drivers were disqualified from the Fast 12 qualifying round, fined $100,000 each, and had their strategists suspended.

The controversy deepened when it was revealed that Newgarden’s 2024 Indy 500-winning car, now in a museum, had the same modification. Combined with a prior 2024 scandal involving push-to-pass misuse, this led team owner Roger Penske—who also owns IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—to fire three top executives: Tim Cindric, Ron Ruzewski, and Kyle Moyer. Penske acknowledged the need for more independent oversight and transparency in the sport’s governance.

The incident sparked debate about fairness and conflict of interest, especially given Penske’s dual role. While some questioned the severity of the penalties, others supported the enforcement of rules. Despite the turmoil, Penske’s drivers remained focused on the race, with Newgarden aiming for a third straight win.

The fallout also touched NASCAR, as Tim Cindric is the father of Penske NASCAR driver Austin Cindric. While Austin stated the changes wouldn’t affect him, the shakeup could influence broader team dynamics due to Tim’s long-standing influence within the organization.

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

The Inaugural Wienie 500:

The inaugural Wienie 500 will bring a playful and uniquely American twist to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 23, 2025, during the Indy 500’s Carb Day festivities. For the first time in over a decade, all six of Oscar Mayer’s iconic Wienermobiles will gather in one place — not just for display, but to race. Each 27-foot-long hot dog-shaped vehicle will represent a different regional hot dog style: Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Slaw Dog (Southeast), Chili Dog (South), Sonoran Dog (Southwest), and Seattle Dog (Northwest).

The race will be streamed live at 2 p.m. ET on the FOX Sports app and social media, with highlights featured during the Indy 500 pre-race show on FOX. Drivers, known as “Hotdoggers,” will wear custom racing suits, and the winner will be honored in the “Wiener’s Circle” with a trophy, a celebratory condiment spray, and a hot dog.

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

'Earnhardt' Documentary Premiers on Amazon Prime Video:

The new Amazon Prime Video docuseries ‘Earnhardt’ offers a comprehensive and emotionally resonant portrait of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., blending rare archival footage with candid interviews to explore both his racing legacy and complex personal life. Premiering May 22, 2025, the four-part series is timed to coincide with Prime Video’s debut as a NASCAR broadcaster, beginning with the Coca-Cola 600. The first two episodes are available now, with the final two releasing May 29.

Directed by Joshua Altman and produced by Imagine Documentaries, NASCAR Studios, and Dirty Mo Media, the series is framed not just as a sports documentary but as a deeply human family story. Altman, who approached the project as a non-fan of NASCAR, was drawn to the emotional depth of Earnhardt’s life and legacy. He and his team sifted through 15 petabytes of footage to craft a narrative that transports viewers through the 1970s to the early 2000s, culminating in Earnhardt’s tragic death during the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.

The series features extensive participation from Earnhardt’s children, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, who were closely involved in shaping the project. They emphasized the importance of portraying their father honestly—not just as “The Intimidator,” but as a complicated, emotionally reserved man who struggled to express love and connect with his children. The documentary includes never-before-seen footage and deeply personal stories, including revelations about Earnhardt’s emotional distance and the impact it had on his family.

“Earnhardt” is available exclusively on Prime Video, with a free trial available for new subscribers. The series is part of a broader push by Amazon into live sports, with Dale Jr. also joining the Prime Video broadcast team for NASCAR’s 2025 season.

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

Miscellaneous:

Jack Perkins to Make NASCAR Xfinity Debut: Australian Supercars veteran Jack Perkins will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing at Portland International Raceway on August 30. The opportunity fulfills a long-held dream for Perkins, who credits his friend and NASCAR Cup Series crew chief James Small for helping facilitate the deal. Perkins has a strong background in Supercars and will drive the No. 19 Toyota Supra.

Rick Hendrick Honored for Daytona 500 Milestone: NASCAR CEO Jim France presented Rick Hendrick with a custom Rolex to commemorate Hendrick Motorsports’ record 10th Daytona 500 win, achieved by William Byron in February. The watch is engraved to mark the historic achievement, and the celebration included key team members and Jeff Gordon, who also received a commemorative ring.

Katherine Legge Faces Challenges and Inspires: Katherine Legge, the only woman in the upcoming Xfinity Series BetMGM 300, has faced threats and harassment since returning to NASCAR. Despite this, she remains focused and uses her platform to advocate for authenticity and resilience in male-dominated spaces. Legge also opposes segregated female racing series, emphasizing that women can compete equally with men.

Austin Dillon Honors Fallen Soldier in Coca-Cola 600: Richard Childress Racing, Bass Pro Shops, and Winchester Ammunition will honor Army Staff Sergeant Sean Gregory Landrus during the Coca-Cola 600. Dillon’s No. 3 car will feature a patriotic paint scheme and Landrus’ name on the windshield as part of NASCAR’s Honor and Remember program.

Anthony Alfredo Gains New Sponsor: Cornerstone Building Brands will sponsor Anthony Alfredo’s No. 42 car in the Xfinity Series BetMGM 300 at Charlotte. The partnership highlights Hypersteel™ cold-formed buildings, aligning with the team’s recent momentum and Alfredo’s push for another top-15 finish.

Bubba Wallace and Coca-Cola Team Up: Coca-Cola Consolidated has become the official soft drink partner of Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 23XI Racing team. The partnership includes branding, fan engagement, and university outreach programs to promote STEM and NASCAR careers.

Kyle Larson Foundation Launches Visor Auction: The Kyle Larson Foundation, in partnership with Chevrolet and Pristine Auction, is hosting its second annual visor auction to benefit the Urban Youth Racing School. The auction features autographed visors from 48 Team Chevy drivers across NASCAR and INDYCAR.

Fanatics Sportsbook Sponsors J.J. Yeley: Fanatics Sportsbook will sponsor J.J. Yeley’s No. 44 car at Nashville and Phoenix. The partnership includes exclusive betting promotions and live betting markets, marking a significant branding move for Fanatics in NASCAR.

ZERO Prostate Cancer Campaign Joins NASCAR: ZERO Prostate Cancer, with AstraZeneca, will sponsor Josh Bilicki and J.J. Yeley during Memorial Day weekend races to raise awareness about prostate cancer, especially among veterans. The campaign emphasizes early detection and includes special paint schemes and outreach efforts.

Ford Launches Charity Tournament in Xfinity Series: Ford Performance and the Gene Haas Foundation introduced “Driving 4 a Difference,” a four-race in-season tournament for Xfinity Series drivers. Participants will compete for a $50,000 purse to benefit their chosen charities, blending competition with community impact.

Dale Jr., Budweiser, and MLB Reunite: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will bring back his iconic 2001 Budweiser/MLB All-Star Game paint scheme for a CARS Tour race in August. The tribute coincides with the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol, the first MLB game in Tennessee, and celebrates Earnhardt Jr.’s emotional 2001 Daytona win.

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

Thumbnail image credits on our Source Materials Page.

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