NASCAR Rant Report - Monday, May 19th

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Major headlines out of the weekend:

Christopher Bell Cashes the Million
Indianapolis 500 Qualifying Weekend
Truck Series Race at North Wilkesboro

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

Christopher Bell Cashes the Million:

The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway delivered a dramatic and competitive event, culminating in Christopher Bell’s first All-Star victory and a $1 million payday. The event was marked by a mix of strategy, controversy, and high-stakes racing that reinvigorated the exhibition format.

Brad Keselowski started the weekend strong by winning the pole and his heat race, securing the top starting spot for the main event. Christopher Bell also won his heat, placing him on the front row. The race featured a new twist: the “Promoter’s Caution,” a discretionary yellow flag thrown at any point between laps 100 and 220. This controversial element was deployed on lap 217 by Michael Waltrip, dramatically altering the race’s outcome.

Joey Logano dominated much of the race, leading 139 of the 250 laps. However, during the Promoter’s Caution, he chose not to pit, while Bell took two fresh tires. Bell restarted sixth and surged through the field, eventually overtaking Logano with nine laps to go. The two battled fiercely, with Bell using his tire advantage to complete the pass and secure the win.

Logano, visibly frustrated, criticized the caution as a “gimmick” and expressed disappointment over losing with the fastest car. Bell, meanwhile, praised his team’s execution and the strategic call that led to victory.

All-Star Open: Carson Hocevar and John Hunter Nemechek raced their way into the main event by finishing first and second in the Open. Noah Gragson earned the final spot via the fan vote.
Pit Crew Challenge: Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Spire Motorsports crew won the $100,000 prize for the fastest pit stop.
Manufacturer Showdown: Chevrolet claimed victory in the inaugural competition, with strong finishes from Chastain, Bowman, Elliott, Byron, and Busch.

The 2025 All-Star Race was a thrilling showcase of NASCAR’s evolving format, with Christopher Bell emerging as a deserving winner in a race filled with tension, strategy, and spectacle. The Promoter’s Caution, while controversial, succeeded in creating a dramatic finish that fans and drivers won’t soon forget.

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

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Indianapolis 500 Qualifying Weekend:

The 2025 Indianapolis 500 qualifying weekend saw rookie Robert Shwartzman stun the motorsports world by capturing pole position in his first-ever oval race. Driving for first-year IndyCar team PREMA Racing, Shwartzman posted a four-lap average of 232.790 mph, becoming the first rookie to win the Indy 500 pole since 1983. The Israeli driver, a former Formula 1 reserve, credited his team’s methodical approach and his own growing comfort with the car for the achievement.

Last year’s front-row sweeping Team Penske were all knocked out of contention for the pole. Scott McLaughlin crashed heavily in practice, while Josef Newgarden and Will Power were disqualified from the Fast 12 shootout due to illegal modifications to their cars’ rear attenuators.

The final row of the grid was decided in a tense Last Chance Qualifying session. Rinus VeeKay narrowly secured the 33rd while hit teammate, rookie Jacob Abel, failed to improve on his final run and was bumped from the field. Marco Andretti and Marcus Armstrong also made the race, starting 31st and 32nd, respectively. VeeKay expressed mixed emotions, relieved to make the race but disappointed to have edged out his friend and teammate.

NASCAR star Kyle Larson also made headlines as he qualified 21st for his second Indy 500. Despite a crash during Friday practice, Larson rebounded with a solid qualifying run and will attempt the Memorial Day “Double,” racing both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. New NASCAR rules require him to start the 600 to retain his playoff eligibility, adding logistical pressure to his already ambitious schedule. Larson remained unfazed, expressing excitement and confidence in his ability to handle the challenge.

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

Truck Series Race at North Wilkesboro:

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway delivered a thrilling and controversial finish, with Chandler Smith claiming victory after a dramatic final-lap incident. Corey Heim had dominated the race, leading 162 of 255 laps and appearing poised for a win until a late caution and overtime restart changed everything. On the final lap, Heim was spun by Layne Riggs, Smith’s Front Row Motorsports teammate, during an aggressive slide job attempt. Smith capitalized on the chaos, slipping past both drivers to win his second race of the season—despite having led only the final lap.

The incident sparked immediate backlash. Heim, visibly frustrated, confronted Riggs post-race and accused him of “scum racing,” referencing similar aggressive tactics Riggs used the previous week at Kansas. Riggs defended his move as hard racing, saying he left Heim a lane and was simply going for the win. The clash has ignited a budding rivalry, with Heim’s crew chief also criticizing the Front Row drivers for their physical style and hinting at possible retaliation.

Behind the drama, Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Hemric, and Grant Enfinger rounded out the top five. Rookie Gio Ruggiero impressed with a stage win and a seventh-place finish, while Brent Crews showed promise in his debut before being spun late and finishing 22nd.

The race marked the first 1-2 finish for Front Row Motorsports in the Truck Series and tightened the points battle. Heim remains the championship leader, but Smith has closed the gap to 47 points. The series now heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200.

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

Miscellaneous:

B.J. McLeod Returns to Truck Series with Spire: Veteran NASCAR driver B.J. McLeod will make a surprise return to the Truck Series, driving the No. 07 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet at Charlotte. Known for competing in underfunded Cup equipment, McLeod now gets a rare shot in top-tier machinery. The entry is backed by his new business, Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, and comes from a team that has already won this season with Kyle Larson.

Supercars Stars Set for NASCAR Chicago Street Race: Australian Supercars drivers Will Brown and Cam Waters are expected to compete in NASCAR’s Chicago street race. Brown, the reigning Supercars champion, is likely to race for Kaulig Racing in the Cup Series, while Waters returns for his second Cup start with RFK Racing. Broc Feeney is also eyeing an Xfinity Series debut that weekend, highlighting growing international interest in NASCAR.

Defense Secretary to Serve as Coca-Cola 600 Grand Marshal: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will serve as a grand marshal for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He’ll be joined by representatives from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, and will deliver the State of Freedom address. The event continues its tradition of honoring military service during Memorial Day weekend.

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

Thumbnail image credits on our Source Materials Page.

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