NASCAR Rant Report - Wednesday, May 21st

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Major headlines out of Monday and Tuesday:

Reflecting on the All-Star Race
NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

Reflecting on the All-Star Race:

The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway saw Christopher Bell emerge victorious, claiming his first All-Star win and a $1 million prize after a dramatic late-race pass on Joey Logano, who dominated much of the race.

Statistically, the race was a standout. It featured a record 18 lead changes among eight drivers and 1,426 green-flag passes, the second-most in All-Star Race history. The evolving track surface, repaved in 2023, and the use of soft Goodyear tires contributed to the multi-groove, side-by-side racing that thrilled fans and drivers alike.

The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway drew 1.965 million viewers on FS1, a noticeable drop from the 2.573 million who tuned in the previous year. Despite the dip in ratings, the race was widely praised for its on-track action and drama.

Driver Quotes:

Christopher Bell: “North Wilkesboro, how about that one? That right there is absolutely incredible. North Wilkesboro, best short track on the schedule… I got my run, and I took the moment, as I should. I don’t think that I did anything that Joey has not done, and I’ve seen Joey do much worse.”

Joey Logano: “We had the fastest car. Our Shell-Pennzoil Mustang was so fast... He got under me and ran me up toward the wall. If I could’ve gotten to him, he’d have gone around, trust me… I’m pissed off right now... Me and Marcus Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye right now. I’ve got to have a word with him.”

Chase Elliott: “It looked like a great race for the win. I wish I could have been a part of it. I thought the race was much better this year than last year, so that was cool to see.”

Ross Chastain: “I had no tires left... I just needed the guys up front to hit each other a little harder.”

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

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NASCAR Sponsorship Flashback

NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026:

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was officially announced, honoring three legendary figures in stock car racing: Kurt Busch, Harry Gant, and Ray Hendrick. Additionally, Humpy Wheeler was awarded the Landmark Award for his influential contributions to the sport.

Kurt Busch was inducted in his first year of eligibility. The 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion amassed 34 Cup wins over a 22-year career, including victories in the 2017 Daytona 500 and 2010 Coca-Cola 600. Known for his fiery personality and resilience, Busch drove for multiple top-tier teams and was the first champion under NASCAR’s playoff format. Despite controversies and suspensions during his career, his on-track accomplishments and longevity earned him 61% of the Modern Era ballot vote.

Harry Gant, affectionately known as “Handsome Harry,” “Mr. September,” and “High Groove Harry,” was selected after seven years on the ballot. Gant won 18 Cup races, including two Southern 500s, and 21 Xfinity Series races. He remains the oldest driver to win a Cup race (at age 52) and a pole (at 54). His four consecutive Cup wins in September 1991 cemented his legacy as a fan favorite and fierce competitor.

Ray Hendrick, dubbed “Mr. Modified,” was chosen from the Pioneer Era ballot. A short-track legend, Hendrick won over 700 races in the Modified and Late Model Sportsman divisions between 1950 and 1988. Though he never won a national championship, he was a dominant force at tracks like Martinsville and South Boston and was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Humpy Wheeler, former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, was honored for his transformative impact on race promotion and fan engagement. Known for his showmanship and innovation, Wheeler introduced night racing at superspeedways and helped shape the modern NASCAR fan experience.

The class was selected by a 49-member panel, including NASCAR officials, media, industry leaders, and a fan vote. Busch and Gant each received 61% of the Modern Era vote, while Hendrick secured 31% of the Pioneer vote. The announcement sparked discussions about the Hall’s current three-member induction limit and concerns over recency bias potentially overshadowing older, equally deserving candidates.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for January 23, 2026, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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

Miscellaneous:

Jimmie Johnson’s 700th Start: Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is set to make his 700th career start at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway—the same track where he debuted in 2001. Now 49 and co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, Johnson reflected on his journey from an unknown rookie to a Hall of Famer with 83 career wins, including four Coca-Cola 600 victories. He described the milestone as deeply meaningful, especially given the symmetry of starting and reaching 700 at the same venue.

Mike Joy to Race at Sonoma: Legendary NASCAR broadcaster Mike Joy will step out of the booth and into a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 to compete in the Historic Trans Am Series at Sonoma Raceway during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend in July. He’ll race alongside his son, Scott Joy, in a celebration of vintage American road racing.

Austin Dillon & Boot Barn Partnership: Boot Barn has extended its partnership with Richard Childress Racing and Austin Dillon, expanding into the Xfinity Series. Dillon will drive the No. 3 Boot Barn Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway during Memorial Day weekend. The partnership also includes influencer-driven content and a future race in Mexico City.

Team Penske Honored in Mooresville: Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Team Penske were honored by the Town of Mooresville, North Carolina, for their recent success, including three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships from 2022 to 2024. The team has been based in Mooresville since 1991 and now employs over 450 people.

Tyler Reddick & Pinnacle Financial: Pinnacle Financial has expanded its partnership with Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing. The No. 45 Toyota Camry will feature Pinnacle branding at Nashville and Bristol. The partnership reflects a long-standing relationship dating back to Reddick’s Xfinity Series days.

Austin Hill & K9s For Warriors: Global Industrial and Richard Childress Racing are teaming up to raise awareness for K9s For Warriors during the Xfinity Series race at Charlotte. Austin Hill will drive the No. 21 Chevrolet featuring the nonprofit’s branding. The initiative supports veterans with PTSD by providing service dogs at no cost.

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

Thumbnail image credits on our Source Materials Page.

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