NASCAR Rant Report - Friday, May 9th

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Major headlines out of the Wednesday and Thursday: 

Looking Ahead to Kansas
23XI/FRM/NASCAR Lawsuit Updates
2026 Clash Expected to Stay in the USA

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

Looking Ahead to Kansas:

The upcoming NASCAR race weekend at Kansas Speedway is packed with excitement across multiple series. The main event, the AdventHealth 400, will take place on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET, broadcast on FS1. This race follows a thrilling season where Kyle Larson won last year's spring race by the closest margin in NASCAR Cup Series history, beating Chris Buescher by just 0.001 seconds. Larson, who has already secured multiple wins this season, is a favorite to watch, along with other top contenders like Ross Chastain, who won the most recent Cup race at Kansas last fall.

The weekend schedule includes a variety of events: the ARCA Series race on Friday night, the Truck Series race on Saturday night, and the Cup Series race on Sunday afternoon. The weather forecast predicts sunny conditions throughout the weekend, ensuring optimal racing conditions.

The Kansas Speedway has a reputation for close finishes and high drama, with multiple lead changes and last-lap passes being common. The track's history includes memorable races and significant milestones, making it a favorite among fans and drivers alike. This weekend promises to be another chapter in the exciting saga of NASCAR racing at Kansas.

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

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

23XI/FRM/NASCAR Lawsuit Updates:

The ongoing legal battle between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR has seen several significant developments recently. The lawsuit, initially filed by 23XI and FRM in October 2024, accuses NASCAR of antitrust violations related to the charter system negotiation process. NASCAR responded with a countersuit in March 2025, alleging that 23XI and FRM, along with 23XI co-owner Curtis Polk, engaged in collusion to secure more favorable commercial terms during charter negotiations.

Judge Kenneth D. Bell has allowed NASCAR to amend its countersuit based on new findings from the discovery process. This amendment includes additional communications and evidence suggesting that 23XI and FRM conspired with other teams to pressure NASCAR. The court is also considering whether other chartered teams should be added to the lawsuit, given the potential impact on the broader NASCAR community.

In a related move, 23XI and FRM have dismissed their legal action against Liberty Media, the owner of Formula One, which sought financial documents to compare revenue-sharing models between major sports leagues and NASCAR. This dismissal could indicate a settlement or a strategic shift in their legal approach. However, similar requests for information from the NFL, NHL, NBA, and IndyCar remain active.

The case is set for trial on December 1, 2025, with both sides preparing for a potentially transformative legal battle that could reshape the financial and operational landscape of NASCAR. The outcome of this trial may have far-reaching implications for how teams negotiate and interact with the sanctioning body in the future.

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

2026 Clash Expected to Stay in the USA:

NASCAR has announced that the 2026 season-opening Clash exhibition race will remain in the United States, despite considering international venues. The race, which has moved from Daytona to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and then to Bowman Gray Stadium in recent years, will not be held internationally next year. However, NASCAR Executive Vice President Ben Kennedy indicated that international locations could be considered for future events. The decision to keep the Clash domestic aligns with NASCAR's strategy to build momentum leading up to the Daytona 500, the first points race of the season. The 2026 season will conclude at Homestead-Miami Speedway, marking its return as the championship venue after several years at Phoenix Raceway. NASCAR is also exploring a rotating schedule for the season finale, potentially including tracks like Texas, Charlotte, and Las Vegas, but excluding superspeedways and road courses.

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

Miscellaneous:

Young’s Motorsports Announcement: Young’s Motorsports has announced that Jayson Alexander will drive the No. 02 Constant Contact Chevrolet Silverado at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2025. Alexander, who is also a full-time student and Division I lacrosse player at Queens University, is making his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut. He will also compete at Lucas Oil Raceway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway later this year.

Katherine Legge’s Children’s Book: British racecar driver Katherine Legge has unveiled her first children’s book, “Kat’s Magic Helmet.” Co-authored with Andy Amendola and illustrated by Ashleigh Mower, the book is inspired by Legge’s early karting experiences and aims to encourage young children, especially girls, to overcome fear and trust their instincts.

Erik Jones and Atlanta Motor Speedway Reading Initiative: Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Henry County Library System are teaming up to incentivize children to read. NASCAR driver Erik Jones visited Fortson Library to promote the initiative, which rewards young readers with tickets to the Quaker State 400 race. Jones also visited Rocky Creek Elementary School to re-stock a book vending machine and support literacy efforts.

Jeremy Clements Sponsorship: Jeremy Clements Racing has secured multiple Spartanburg-based sponsors for the BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Primary sponsors include Spartan Waste and Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM, with additional support from local businesses and organizations.

Pocono Raceway Award: Pocono Raceway has been named the “Best NASCAR Track” for the second consecutive year in the 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards by USA TODAY. The track, known as the “Tricky Triangle,” received high praise for its exceptional fan experience and guest services.

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

Thumbnail image credits on our Source Materials Page.

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