NASCAR Rant Report - Monday, May 12th

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

Major headlines out of the weekend:

A Brief Rant Report Status Update
Kyle Larson Dominates Kansas
Carson Hocevar Wins Truck Race
23XI/FRM/NASCAR Lawsuit Updates

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

Kyle Larson Dominates Kansas:

Kyle Larson dominated the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, securing his third win of the season and 32nd career victory. Larson led 221 of the 267 laps, while also maximizing points by winning both stages and earning the fastest lap of the race. Despite tire issues in the final laps, he managed to hold off Christopher Bell, who finished second, and Ryan Blaney, who came in third. This victory moved Larson to the top of the Cup Series points standings, overtaking teammate William Byron.

The race featured seven cautions and 15 lead changes, with notable performances from Chase Briscoe, who finished fourth, and Alex Bowman, who finished fifth despite car damage. Despite strong showings early in the race, Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin faced significant setbacks due to tire and clutch issues, respectively. Keselowski current stands 33rd in points and will likely need to win in order to pursue his second Championship title.

In contrast to many praising the racing at Kansas Speedway in recent years, the sparse attendance at the race underscored ongoing concerns about recent fan sentiment toward the Next-Gen Car. The grandstands were roughly half-full, a stark contrast to the sellout crowds of previous years. In the coming days it will be known if the same is reflected in the television ratings.

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

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

Carson Hocevar Wins Truck Race:

Carson Hocevar won the Craftsman Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, in a dramatic finish. Hocevar led 75 laps and survived the last lap contact with Layne Riggs. Riggs had closed the gap to Hocevar and made contact, causing both trucks to hit the wall. Despite this, Hocevar managed to maintain control and cross the finish line first, with Layen Riggs behind. William Byron was credited as the second-place finisher, as Layne Riggs was later disqualified due to post race inspection violations.

After the last lap contact, Hocevar was seen holding up his middle finger to Riggs during most of the final lap and as he crossed the line, a gesture he later described as "somewhat friendly" and a reminder that he still won the race.

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

23XI/FRM/NASCAR Lawsuit Updates:

The ongoing antitrust lawsuit between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR has reached a critical juncture. The case centers on the teams' refusal to sign new charter agreements, which include a release clause preventing them from suing NASCAR. The teams argue that this clause is anticompetitive and part of NASCAR's monopolistic practices.

In December 2024, a preliminary injunction allowed 23XI and Front Row to race as chartered teams without signing the release clause. However, during a recent hearing at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the judges expressed skepticism about the injunction. They questioned why the teams should be allowed to benefit from the charter system while simultaneously suing NASCAR. Judge Paul Niemeyer emphasized that the teams cannot "have their cake and eat it too," suggesting that if they find the contract terms unacceptable, they should not sign it and instead pursue legal action.

NASCAR's attorney, Christopher Yates, argued that the injunction harms NASCAR and other teams by forcing unwanted contractual relationships and reducing the revenue share for other chartered teams. He maintained that the release clause is a standard contractual term and does not constitute anticompetitive behavior.

Jeffrey Kessler, representing 23XI and Front Row, contended that overturning the injunction mid-season would cause irreparable harm to the teams, potentially leading to the loss of drivers and sponsors. He argued that the teams are being paid below competitive market prices for their services, drawing a parallel to the NCAA's compensation practices for college athletes.

The judges urged both parties to consider mediation, though NASCAR remains firm on not rewriting the charter contract. A ruling on the appeal is expected soon, with the trial scheduled to begin in December. The outcome of this case could significantly impact the teams' ability to compete and the overall structure of NASCAR's charter system.

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

Miscellaneous:

Crystal Clay Honored with Award: Crystal Clay, chief motorsports correspondent for Racing Refresh, received the 2025 first quarter NMPA Pocono Spirit Award for her efforts in organizing a donation drive for victims of the January Eaton fire near her hometown of Pasadena, California. Clay's initiative included collecting essentials such as clothing, toiletries, food, and toys, which she personally delivered to those in need. Her actions exemplify character and achievement in the face of adversity, making her eligible for the year-end award presented at the annual convention.

Brad Keselowski Unveils Patriotic Paint Scheme: Brad Keselowski, NASCAR champion and co-owner of RFK Racing, visited Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay to unveil a special patriotic paint scheme for the No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang. The event honored America's undersea warfighters and highlighted career opportunities in the maritime sector. The custom paint scheme, featuring red, white, and blue elements, will debut at the Memorial Day Weekend race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Keselowski's visit included tours of the base's facilities and interactions with active-duty sailors and civilian workers.

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