NASCAR Rant Report - Monday, June 9th

Subscribe to Rant Report | Listen on YouTube | Follow us on Social Media

Major headlines out of the weekend:

Denny Hamlin 'Beats Our Favorite Drivers' Again
Dodge-Ram Announces Return to NASCAR
Stewart Friesen Scores a Truck Series Win

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

Denny Hamlin 'Beats Our Favorite Drivers' Again:

Denny Hamlin secured a dramatic victory at Michigan International Speedway, marking his third win of the season and 57th of his career. The race was defined by fuel strategy, with Hamlin overtaking William Byron in the final laps amidst a fuel saving battle. Byron ran out and needed to pit shortly after being overtaken by Hamlin. Carson Hocevar, another frontrunner, also saw his hopes dashed by a late-race tire failure while leading. Chris Buescher and Ty Gibbs were close behind, capitalizing on the late misfortune of their competitors, but Hamlin triumphed through the chaos.

Off the track, Hamlin balanced personal and professional pressures, including the impending birth of his third child, who is currently a week overdue, and legal challenges involving his team, 23XI Racing. His win also made him the most successful driver in Joe Gibbs Racing history, surpassing Kyle Busch’s win total with the organization.

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

Want some non-AI content? Check out the previous Editorial:
Motorsports ‘Hot or Not’ #2

Dodge-Ram Announces Return to NASCAR:

Ram, the truck brand under Stellantis, has officially announced its return to NASCAR, marking a significant reentry into the sport after a 13-year absence. Beginning in 2026, Ram will compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, joining Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota as the fourth manufacturer in the series. This move is part of a broader strategy by Stellantis to reengage with motorsports and reconnect with its customer base, particularly after backlash over the temporary discontinuation of the HEMI V8 engine.

While no teams or drivers have been confirmed yet, Ram aims to field four to six trucks at the 2026 Daytona season opener. The brand unveiled a Ram 1500 concept race truck and launched a bold promotional campaign dubbed “Ram-Demption”. A Cup Series reentry, likely under the Dodge name, would require an 18-month development and approval process, but the foundational engine components from Dodge’s last Cup entry in 2012 remain viable.

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

Stewart Friesen Scores a Truck Series Win:

Stewart Friesen snapped a 72-race winless streak with a dramatic victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway. The race, extended by three overtime restarts, saw Friesen capitalize on late-race chaos and strategic positioning to pass Grant Enfinger and lead the final two laps. It marked Friesen’s fourth career Truck Series win and secured his spot in the playoffs.

The race was filled with intense action and unpredictability, including a massive 12-truck wreck with five laps to go that eliminated top contenders like Ross Chastain and Corey Heim. Carson Hocevar led a race-high 56 laps but finished 11th after a flat tire and a restart violation. Corey LaJoie, in his first of nine scheduled Truck starts, briefly led late but settled for fifth.

Luke Fenhaus, who earned his first career pole, finished third behind Enfinger, with Ben Rhodes in fourth. The win was a much-needed morale boost for Friesen and his team after a difficult season, and it came at a track close to his heart, where he attended his first NASCAR race as a child.

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

Miscellaneous:

NASCAR Eyes Brazil for Future Expansion: NASCAR President Steve Phelps expressed interest in bringing a race to Brazil, though no timeline has been set. While earlier discussions about hosting “The Clash” in Brazil didn’t materialize, Phelps remains optimistic about international expansion, especially with the upcoming historic Cup race in Mexico.

NASCAR to Introduce Podium Celebrations in Mexico: For the first time in a points-paying Cup Series race, NASCAR will hold podium celebrations for the top three finishers during its upcoming event at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. This aligns with international motorsport traditions and is expected to enhance fan experience. Mexican driver Daniel Suárez, who will compete in both the Cup and Xfinity races, supports the move and is excited to race in front of a home crowd.

Kyle Larson Escapes Sprint Car Crash Unharmed: Kyle Larson walked away uninjured after a violent crash during a World of Outlaws sprint car race at Plymouth Dirt Track in Wisconsin. A mechanical failure caused his car to flip and slam into the catch fence. Despite the scare, Larson confirmed he felt fine and returned to NASCAR duties at Michigan, where he qualified fifth for the Cup race.

Trackhouse Racing Launches Concert Series: Trackhouse Racing has introduced “Trackhouse Live,” a concert series blending motorsports and live music. After a successful debut in Nashville, the next event is scheduled for Richmond, with future stops planned in Kansas City and Charlotte. The initiative reflects Trackhouse’s commitment to creating immersive fan experiences.

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

Thumbnail image credits on our Source Materials Page.

Subscribe to Rant Report | Listen on YouTube | Follow us on Social Media