Kelly Crandall
@kellycrandall.net
https://racer.com/ | https://www.espn.com/ | SiriusXM NASCAR Radio | The Racing Writer's Podcast | 2x NMPA Writer of the Year | Co-author ‘NASCAR 75 Years’
Michael Jordan testified Friday in federal court that someone had to “step forward” and do something about the economics in NASCAR. He also pushed for a partnership between NASCAR and its teams/drivers:
Jordan takes the stand in NASCAR antitrust case | RACER
Michael Jordan, a lifelong NASCAR fan and now majority owner of 23XI Racing, explained in federal court Friday that he’s suing the sport he loves because the economics are not being handled fairly.23X...
racer.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Michael Jordan testified Friday in federal court that someone had to “step forward” and do something about the economics in NASCAR. He also pushed for a partnership between NASCAR and its teams/drivers:
" ... it was like being with a girl on an island. I hope you like each other, because that’s all you’ve got. But it was beautiful for a long time.”
Daniel Suarez chats with RACER about his Trackhouse Racing tenure and being ready for change going into 2026:
Daniel Suarez chats with RACER about his Trackhouse Racing tenure and being ready for change going into 2026:
Another period of change for Suarez – and he's embracing it | RACER
Daniel Suarez is once again embracing the winds of change as they carry him onward to the next chapter of his NASCAR career.“The last year has been very difficult and I haven’t been happy,” Suarez tel...
racer.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:44 AM
" ... it was like being with a girl on an island. I hope you like each other, because that’s all you’ve got. But it was beautiful for a long time.”
Daniel Suarez chats with RACER about his Trackhouse Racing tenure and being ready for change going into 2026:
Daniel Suarez chats with RACER about his Trackhouse Racing tenure and being ready for change going into 2026:
Jim Pohlman believes he and Kyle Busch, who he’ll work with next year, are very much alike if not identical in personalities, including their passion and will to win.
“There might be some spats, I’m not going to lie.”
“There might be some spats, I’m not going to lie.”
Pohlman admits ‘there might be some spats’ as he pushes to get Kyle Busch winning again | RACER
Kyle Busch and his new crew chief have plenty of runway ahead of them to build a relationship.
racer.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Jim Pohlman believes he and Kyle Busch, who he’ll work with next year, are very much alike if not identical in personalities, including their passion and will to win.
“There might be some spats, I’m not going to lie.”
“There might be some spats, I’m not going to lie.”
Jeff Gordon asked Ben Kennedy in March 2022 if he believed Jim France “is open to a new model.”
“Ben said yes,” O’Donnell said.
“As it turned out,” countered Kessler, “Jim France was not open to a new model, right?”
“No,” O’Donnell said.
“Ben said yes,” O’Donnell said.
“As it turned out,” countered Kessler, “Jim France was not open to a new model, right?”
“No,” O’Donnell said.
NASCAR CEO Jim France was not open to new business model - O’Donnell | RACER
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell took the stand early Thursday morning in a North Carolina federal courtroom and admitted CEO Jim France was not open to a new business model.
racer.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Jeff Gordon asked Ben Kennedy in March 2022 if he believed Jim France “is open to a new model.”
“Ben said yes,” O’Donnell said.
“As it turned out,” countered Kessler, “Jim France was not open to a new model, right?”
“No,” O’Donnell said.
“Ben said yes,” O’Donnell said.
“As it turned out,” countered Kessler, “Jim France was not open to a new model, right?”
“No,” O’Donnell said.
Day 3
Front Row Motorsports' Bob Jenkins takes the stand in NASCAR antitrust case | RACER
Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins testified in a North Carolina federal court on Wednesday that he finds it “offensive” to say NASCAR teams overspend.Jenkins, who filed a joint antitrust lawsuit...
racer.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Day 3
Day 2 of the antitrust lawsuit report from Tuesday, December 2
Hamlin, NASCAR share terse exchanges in court as antitrust case continues | RACER
NASCAR used Denny Hamlin’s own words against him Tuesday to paint the picture that what he has stated about the sport doesn’t match what he’s accusing them of in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit.Hamlin b...
racer.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Day 2 of the antitrust lawsuit report from Tuesday, December 2
Austin Cindric finally gets to put months’ worth of work to the test this weekend with his debut in the Supercars finale.
“I feel comfortable in the car …”
“I feel comfortable in the car …”
Cindric ready to learn on the fly for Supercars debut in Adelaide | RACER
Austin Cindric will turn months’ worth of work into action as he takes to the track in Adelaide this weekend for a cameo appearance in the Supercars finale. “I feel comfortable in the car (with) sitti...
racer.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Austin Cindric finally gets to put months’ worth of work to the test this weekend with his debut in the Supercars finale.
“I feel comfortable in the car …”
“I feel comfortable in the car …”
Jim Pohlman has been around the NASCAR garage for decades but he’s about to become an even more recognizable name and face as Kyle Busch’s crew chief.
Let’s get to know him better:
“I won the last World Pit Crew Challenge championship…”
Let’s get to know him better:
“I won the last World Pit Crew Challenge championship…”
Busch's new crew chief arriving with a deep resume, and a fresh challenge | RACER
Jim Pohlman is happy to list off the highlights of his NASCAR resume, although he’ll tell you that the list of things he hasn’t done is certainly shorter. One thing that he does make sure to mention, ...
racer.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Jim Pohlman has been around the NASCAR garage for decades but he’s about to become an even more recognizable name and face as Kyle Busch’s crew chief.
Let’s get to know him better:
“I won the last World Pit Crew Challenge championship…”
Let’s get to know him better:
“I won the last World Pit Crew Challenge championship…”
In other racing news:
Newly-crowned NHRA Funny Car champion Prock splits with John Force Racing | RACER
John Force Racing has confirmed one of the biggest pieces of NHRA silly season news around the departure of the Prock family.It comes a week after Austin Prock won his second consecutive NHRA Funny Ca...
racer.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:50 PM
In other racing news:
William Byron had an incredibly solid season across many categories, including winning the regular-season title. As such, Byron won't let the lack of the series championship diminish the success.
“But overall, yeah, it was our best year with results."
“But overall, yeah, it was our best year with results."
Byron not letting Cup Series championship race letdown define his season | RACER
A year of highlights came up short in Phoenix, but William Byron had a lot of positives to look back on. "I feel like it was our best year yet."
racer.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
William Byron had an incredibly solid season across many categories, including winning the regular-season title. As such, Byron won't let the lack of the series championship diminish the success.
“But overall, yeah, it was our best year with results."
“But overall, yeah, it was our best year with results."
The price of charters in the NASCAR Cup Series is no longer a mystery or speculation. A full transaction history was included in last week's document dump, including the $40 million for Live Fast Motorsports and what Stewart-Haas Racing got for three:
NASCAR charter sales prices revealed in latest lawsuit document dump | RACER
The price of charter sales in the NASCAR Cup Series is no longer a closely guarded secret.
racer.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The price of charters in the NASCAR Cup Series is no longer a mystery or speculation. A full transaction history was included in last week's document dump, including the $40 million for Live Fast Motorsports and what Stewart-Haas Racing got for three:
In a thrift shop in Tokyo is a Jimmie Johnson shirt from his 2002 pole at Daytona, which John Hunter Nemechek has to buy. Seeing current and vintage NASCAR items was among the moments that stood out for JHN during the NASCAR exhibition run in Japan:
Nemechek gains new perspective of NASCAR's reach with Japan exhibition trip | RACER
John Hunter Nemechek is browsing a thrift shop in Tokyo, Japan, when he finds a piece he has to buy.“I found a Jimmie Johnson rookie season polesitter shirt for the Daytona 500 from 2002,” Nemechek to...
racer.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM
In a thrift shop in Tokyo is a Jimmie Johnson shirt from his 2002 pole at Daytona, which John Hunter Nemechek has to buy. Seeing current and vintage NASCAR items was among the moments that stood out for JHN during the NASCAR exhibition run in Japan:
NASCAR executives weren't thrilled about their stars participating in the SRX. In fact, they wanted to "put a knife in this trash series" as revealed in text messages from the antitrust lawsuit:
NASCAR wanted to ‘put a knife’ in SRX, text messages reveal | RACER
NASCAR executives were not thrilled about their stars participating in Superstar Racing Experience, as revealed by text messages included in exhibits in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit between NASCAR an...
racer.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM
NASCAR executives weren't thrilled about their stars participating in the SRX. In fact, they wanted to "put a knife in this trash series" as revealed in text messages from the antitrust lawsuit:
"Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He's a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR."
Text messages reveal Phelps’ frustration with Childress | RACER
A string of text messages between NASCAR executives from 2023 boiled over into insults about one of its team owners in a bout of frustration about the economics of the sport.
racer.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
"Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He's a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR."
Richard Childress Racing said in a statement Monday that "legal action is being contemplated and discussed with legal counsel" after reveal of comments made in NASCAR text messages:
Childress considering legal action over NASCAR messages | RACER
Richard Childress Racing stated Monday that “legal action is being contemplated” after its owner was insulted by NASCAR executives, as revealed by text messages in the antitrust lawsuit.
racer.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Richard Childress Racing said in a statement Monday that "legal action is being contemplated and discussed with legal counsel" after reveal of comments made in NASCAR text messages:
A state audit has led Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to dismiss and replace the entire Motorsports Hall of Fame Commission. In a 56-page report, it listed 35 findings from financial issues to failures in legal compliance and procedures:
Alabama governor replaces entire International Motorsports Hall of Fame Commission after critical state audit | RACER
The results of a state audit have prompted Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to dismiss and replace the entire Commission.
racer.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:35 PM
A state audit has led Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to dismiss and replace the entire Motorsports Hall of Fame Commission. In a 56-page report, it listed 35 findings from financial issues to failures in legal compliance and procedures:
“You know the expression, ‘You don’t know what you have until you lose it’? Well, they lost the championship, and that hurt.”
Homestead-Miami is relishing its NASCAR title host return, which will cap off the biggest sports year in South Florida history:
Homestead-Miami is relishing its NASCAR title host return, which will cap off the biggest sports year in South Florida history:
Homestead-Miami ready to reclaim its place as NASCAR's champion coronation capital | RACER
Guillermo Santa Cruz has yet to experience NASCAR championship weekend as the president of Homestead-Miami Speedway, but he’s already felt what it means for it to return to the speedway in the fall of...
racer.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:23 PM
“You know the expression, ‘You don’t know what you have until you lose it’? Well, they lost the championship, and that hurt.”
Homestead-Miami is relishing its NASCAR title host return, which will cap off the biggest sports year in South Florida history:
Homestead-Miami is relishing its NASCAR title host return, which will cap off the biggest sports year in South Florida history:
NASCAR's biggest prospect in recent history is now a Cup Series driver. Those who came before warn:
"You can't drink your own Kool-Aid too much where you think you're the next thing because you're going to get here and fall on your face."
Now on ESPN:
"You can't drink your own Kool-Aid too much where you think you're the next thing because you're going to get here and fall on your face."
Now on ESPN:
The key to Zilisch becoming NASCAR's next big star: 'Learn to lose'
The NASCAR Cup Series isn't kind to rookies, no matter how highly touted, but that might not apply to Connor Zilisch when he steps up in 2026.
www.espn.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:12 PM
NASCAR's biggest prospect in recent history is now a Cup Series driver. Those who came before warn:
"You can't drink your own Kool-Aid too much where you think you're the next thing because you're going to get here and fall on your face."
Now on ESPN:
"You can't drink your own Kool-Aid too much where you think you're the next thing because you're going to get here and fall on your face."
Now on ESPN:
Ram has created the “Free Agent Driver Program” with one of its Kaulig Racing entries for next year. It means different drivers every week and an announcement every Monday.
“Our challenge is that …we need to create more fan engagement in the Truck Series.”
“Our challenge is that …we need to create more fan engagement in the Truck Series.”
Ram aiming to put NASCAR Truck Series on the map with Free Agent Program | RACER
Tim Kuniskis made a promise to the NASCAR industry and fans that Ram's return to the sport would not be done quietly, but with bold, exciting intentions.On Monday, the manufacturer announced another w...
racer.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Ram has created the “Free Agent Driver Program” with one of its Kaulig Racing entries for next year. It means different drivers every week and an announcement every Monday.
“Our challenge is that …we need to create more fan engagement in the Truck Series.”
“Our challenge is that …we need to create more fan engagement in the Truck Series.”
It's now official:
John Force formally announces NHRA retirement | RACER
Force, a 16-time world champion and the winningest driver in drag racing history, formally announced the news Thursday ahead of the season’s final race weekend in Pomona.
racer.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
It's now official:
JR Motorsports and Justin Allgaier are running it back in Daytona:
JR Motorsports, Allgaier to attempt Daytona 500 run again in 2026 | RACER
JR Motorsports announced late Friday it will again field a car in the season-opening Daytona 500 with Justin Allgaier behind the wheel.The news came via a video posted on the team’s official social me...
racer.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
JR Motorsports and Justin Allgaier are running it back in Daytona:
The updates concern testing for a 'new' manufacturer as well as some tracks that will use a different aero package next season with the horsepower increase:
NASCAR announces technical and testing updates to 2026 rulebook | RACER
NASCAR made a host of technical rulebook updates on Friday, with some of the most notable changes regarding increased horsepower next season, as well as testing guidelines.To begin, five racetracks in...
racer.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The updates concern testing for a 'new' manufacturer as well as some tracks that will use a different aero package next season with the horsepower increase:
It will be an updated Camaro ZL1 body for Chevrolet next season:
Chevrolet unveils updated Camaro ZL1 for 2026 NASCAR Cup Series | RACER
The race car will have updated styling that aligns with the recently-released Camaro ZL1 Carbon Performance Package accessories kit for owners “to optimize the performance capabilities of the sixth-ge...
racer.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:06 PM
It will be an updated Camaro ZL1 body for Chevrolet next season:
The six episode series will debut in January:
NHRA docuseries ‘Chasing Speed’ coming in January | RACER
“Chasing Speed” will debut Wednesday, Jan. 21, on Vice TV ahead of the NHRA’s 75th anniversary season. It will cover the entire 2025 season, as told by the teams that competed for the championship.
racer.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:06 PM
The six episode series will debut in January:
NASCAR saw an increase in media metrics and its presence this season, thanks to the Driver Ambassador Program. Among those were 5,569 driver opportunities and more than 6.3k hours invested in the program.
Here are some other stats:
Here are some other stats:
NASCAR highlights promotional gains from Driver Ambassador Program | RACER
NASCAR saw an increase in media metrics and reach this season through drivers participating in DAP, which was implemented to reward them for promoting the sport.
racer.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
NASCAR saw an increase in media metrics and its presence this season, thanks to the Driver Ambassador Program. Among those were 5,569 driver opportunities and more than 6.3k hours invested in the program.
Here are some other stats:
Here are some other stats: