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Hocevar-Blaney Bristol Fracas Triggers NASCAR Reactions Across the Garage
19 days ago•Source: Motorsport.com
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15.05 min•19 days ago
Hocevar and Blaney clash at Bristol as Flair urges helmet-free fight
Carson Hocevar and Ryan Blaney erupted into a fight after a late incident at the Bristol Night Race, with Hocevar landing two punches on Blaney before crew members protected their drivers. The moment followed Ric Flair’s pre-race call for drivers to remove their helmets and show real emotion, underscoring the dramatic, ticket-boosting energy Bristol is known for. Both drivers spoke afterward amid mixed crowd reactions, and NASCAR could pursue fines as it has in similar past Bristol incidents, highlighting ongoing tensions in the Cup series.
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Gibbs stands by Brexton Busch as M&M's tribute car returns at Bristol
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Josh Berry lands 2027 Cup ride with Legacy Motor Club
Josh Berry will drive Legacy Motor Club's No. 42 Toyota in the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series, joining Erik Jones and Riley Herbst as LMC expands to three full-time entries and parting ways with John Hunter Nemechek. The veteran racer brings Cup-win experience and stock-car success to the team, which is guided by Jimmie Johnson, and will help field four Legacy entries at the 2027 Daytona 500, including Johnson in No. 48 for his final NASCAR start.
Bell ends win drought with Darlington crown as Cup title chase tightens
Christopher Bell snapped his winless run by overtaking Kyle Larson with 12 laps to go to win the Southern 500 at Darlington, tightening the Cup standings as Denny Hamlin and Bell sit just 12 points apart. Larson led a race-high 99 laps and finished top five after a late strategic move; Hamlin faded to 18th; William Byron DNFed with an engine failure and dropped to the bottom of the standings. Carson Hocevar drew heat for a post-race attitude after spinning Keselowski, while Josh Berry delivered a seventh-place run for Wood Brothers. 23XI showed speed with Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick finishing in the top 10, leaving the field to Gateway.
Keselowski Threatens Payback for Hocevar After Darlington Clash
Brad Keselowski warned Carson Hocevar that payback is coming after Hocevar spun him late in Stage 1 at Darlington; Hocevar appeared unfazed, downplaying the incident, while Keselowski's threat drew post-race commentary from broadcasters and fellow NASCAR veterans.
Tom Cruise Drops Days of Thunder 2 Details at Daytona NASCAR Meeting
Tom Cruise attended Daytona's NASCAR Cup event and announced Days of Thunder 2 will release on June 2, 2026, with Anne Hathaway co-starring. He spoke to the full field about capturing NASCAR culture and community, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer was in attendance for the pre-race ceremonies.
Days of Thunder 2: Tom Cruise Returns for a 2028 NASCAR Odyssey with Anne Hathaway
The long-awaited Days of Thunder sequel is confirmed for June 2, 2028, with Tom Cruise returning as Cole Trickle and Anne Hathaway joining as a team owner/engineer; Jonathan Levine directs and Jerry Bruckheimer produces, with an exclusive IMAX theatrical release. Details on the plot are scarce, but the project is expected to lean into NASCAR’s Daytona energy and the original film’s legacy of high-octane racing nostalgia.
Daytona's New NASCAR Cup Package Promises Chaos Without Practice
NASCAR’s Daytona package changes reduce drag and horsepower, and with rear spoiler shortened to 4 inches and no practice sessions, teams will race into the unknown at Daytona, sparking chaotic, data-starved pack racing as drivers adapt on the fly.
Zilisch signs with Hendrick for 2028, Trackhouse calls it bittersweet
Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing’s 2026 NASCAR Cup rookie, has signed a multi-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports to drive the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet starting in 2028, leaving Trackhouse where he debuted in 2024. Justin Marks called the move bittersweet and said Trackhouse remains committed to developing a successor for 2028, as Zilisch’s 2026 season has been challenging with eight DNFs and only one top-ten amid a struggling Trackhouse lineup; the team also faces uncertain third-seat dynamics with Chastain and Van Gisbergen’s contracts through 2027.
Blaney Secures Iowa Pole in Penske-Hendrick Front-Row Duel
Ryan Blaney won the pole at Iowa Speedway with a 23.474-second lap in the No. 12 Penske Ford, edging Kyle Larson by 0.018 seconds; Joey Logano will start third in a Penske-Hendrick front row. Keselowski crashed on his second lap and will drop to the rear, with Tyler Reddick fifth, Ty Gibbs sixth, and Connor Zilisch eighth, his first top-ten on an oval. It’s Blaney’s 15th career pole and first at Iowa, and Zilisch’s first top-ten on an oval.
Bowman Sets 2027 Curtain Call for Full-Time NASCAR Cup Career
Alex Bowman will retire from full-time NASCAR Cup Series after the 2027 season, signing a one-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports. After a decade with the team, including stints in the No. 88 and No. 48 and eight Cup wins, he cites health and a need to listen to his body as the reason for stepping away, and plans to finish his career on a high note with a press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Wallace questions end-of-race penalty that cost him runner-up at Atlanta
Wallace finished second at Atlanta but was penalized for allegedly driving beneath the double-painted lines to gain a position, dropping him to 29th and swinging a 27-point margin that jeopardizes his Chase hopes; he says he did not advance his position and points to Rule 8.3.2, noting there’s a petition option but no appeal under NASCAR rules.