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Chase Elliott does a burnout after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Chase Elliott’s stunning Kansas win sparks hope for Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR playoffs

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 12:34 PM CDT

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports got off to a slow start in NASCAR's playoffs despite starting the three-round title pursuit with the regular-season champion and all four of its drivers in the title hunt.

Something was off immediately as Chase Elliott's 17th-place finish in the playoff opener at Darlington was the best of the Hendrick four and Alex Bowman, who narrowly made the 16-driver field, was immediately in danger of elimination.

Joe Gibbs Racing swept the first three playoff races — and Bowman was indeed knocked out when the field was cut to 12 drivers — then Ryan Blaney of Team Penske won the opening race of the second round.

It took until Sunday at Kansas Speedway for a Hendrick driver to finally get on the board as Elliott stole the victory in overtime by driving from 10th to the checkered flag in a sneaky, two-lap sprint. The victory locked Elliott into the third round of the playoffs alongside Blaney, with the remaining six slots to be filled after this Sunday's race on the hybrid road course/oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

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Lewis Hamilton says the death of his dog Roscoe is ‘one of the most painful experiences’

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Lewis Hamilton says the death of his dog Roscoe is ‘one of the most painful experiences’

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 7:56 AM CDT

LONDON (AP) — Lewis Hamilton says his bulldog Roscoe, a fixture in the Formula 1 paddock, has died following days of medical treatment and that putting him to sleep was “one of the most painful experiences” of the seven-time F1 champion's life.

Hamilton missed a tire testing day last week as he cared for Roscoe, who was at the time in a coma following a pneumonia infection. Roscoe died on Sunday evening, Hamilton posted on Instagram on Monday.

“After four days on life support, fighting with every bit of strength he had, I had to make the hardest decision of my life and say goodbye to Roscoe. He never stopped fighting, right until the very end,” Hamilton said.

The 12-year-old Roscoe, who Hamilton called his “best friend” in a post on X, has been a regular sight in the F1 paddock for much of Hamilton’s career and has 1.4 million followers on Instagram.

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Updated: Yesterday at 7:56 AM CDT

FILE - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain and his dog Roscoe arrive at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
FILE - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain and his dog Roscoe arrive at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

IndyCar champion Alex Palou attends court in London in breach-of-contract dispute with McLaren

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

IndyCar champion Alex Palou attends court in London in breach-of-contract dispute with McLaren

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 6:43 AM CDT

LONDON (AP) — Four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou arrived at the Commercial Court in London on Monday for the start of a civil trial in McLaren's breach-of-contract dispute with the Spanish driver.

Palou in 2022 signed a contract to drive for McLaren’s IndyCar team, but that put Palou in breach with Chip Ganassi Racing, which held an option on the driver for the 2023 season.

That dispute was settled through mediation and Palou’s deal was amended to join McLaren in 2024, and Ganassi allowed him to be the Formula 1 reserve driver that year. Palou then stayed with Ganassi for 2024.

The dispute has rumbled on even as both McLaren and Palou have had plenty of on-track success. McLaren has become F1’s top team with its drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri battling one another for this year's title, while Palou won his latest IndyCar title last month.

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Yesterday at 6:43 AM CDT

IndyCar champion Alex Palou arrives at court at the start of a breach of contract lawsuit with McLaren Racing, in London, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
IndyCar champion Alex Palou arrives at court at the start of a breach of contract lawsuit with McLaren Racing, in London, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Elliott steals Kansas Speedway race in wild overtime finish, secures spot in 3rd round of playoffs

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Elliott steals Kansas Speedway race in wild overtime finish, secures spot in 3rd round of playoffs

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 6 minute read Sunday, Sep. 28, 2025

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The odds were stacked against Chase Elliott as he lined up eighth in overtime at Kansas Speedway in a pivotal NASCAR playoff race.

He had five Toyota drivers ahead of him including Denny Hamlin, who had dominated all of Sunday until a slew of late cautions turned the race upside down.

Even so, not even Elliott's own crew believed NASCAR's most popular driver could steal the win and lock himself into the third round of the playoffs.

“No. No,” crew chief Alan Gustafson said when asked if he thought Elliott had a chance at the start of overtime. “I’m not like, ‘Oh, damn, we’ve got a good shot.’ A couple restarts didn’t go our way, and yeah, you get a little frustrated. The percentage of winning decreases. Did I think that we had a great shot there? No.”

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Sunday, Sep. 28, 2025

Drivers head toward Turn 1 at the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Drivers head toward Turn 1 at the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Denny Hamlin admits he ‘got too hot under the collar’ after wrecking Ty Gibbs

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Denny Hamlin admits he ‘got too hot under the collar’ after wrecking Ty Gibbs

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 6 minute read Saturday, Sep. 27, 2025

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Cooler heads have prevailed inside Joe Gibbs Racing following last week's run-in between teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, who Hamlin wrecked when Gibbs wouldn't get out of his way at New Hampshire.

Hamlin is in the playoffs and racing for his elusive first Cup Series championship, while Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, is not eligible to race for the title. After the two had on-track contact, Hamlin asked on his team radio if the organization was too scared to give the 22-year-old team orders.

Hamlin said Saturday, a day before the middle race at Kansas Speedway in the round of 12, that all sides had an opportunity to speak their mind in this week's competition meeting. The three-time Daytona 500 champion declined to elaborate other than admitting that by moving Gibbs out of his way, “I definitely got too hot under the collar and it went too far on my end."

“There are things I should have done differently,” he said.

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Saturday, Sep. 27, 2025

Denny Hamlin, center, celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Connor Hamilton)
Denny Hamlin, center, celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at World Wide Technology Raceway, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Madison, Ill. (AP Photo/Connor Hamilton)

Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe

The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Sep. 26, 2025

SCARPERIA E SAN PIERO, Italy (AP) — Lewis Hamilton missed a chance to test Formula 1's 2026 tires for Ferrari on Friday as he stayed with his bulldog Roscoe, who was in a coma following a pneumonia infection.

Hamilton said Roscoe was resuscitated after his heart stopped while under sedation for pneumonia treatment.

“We don't know whether he'll wake from this,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram. “Tomorrow we'll try to wake him up. I'm by his side and want to thank you all for your prayers and support.”

Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate George Russell offered support, commenting: “Thinking of you mate.”

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Friday, Sep. 26, 2025

FILE - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain and his dog Roscoe arrive at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
FILE - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain and his dog Roscoe arrive at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Romain Grosjean to drive an F1 car five years after his fiery crash

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Romain Grosjean to drive an F1 car five years after his fiery crash

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

SCARPERIA E SAN PIERO, Italy (AP) — Nearly five years after his time in Formula 1 ended in a fiery crash, Romain Grosjean is getting back behind the wheel of an F1 car.

Grosjean will be reunited with former colleagues and crew from the Haas team as he tests a 2023 car on Friday at the Mugello circuit in Italy.

Grosjean will wear a special-edition helmet decorated with drawings from his three children which he had meant to use in what would have been his final race of the 2020 season in Abu Dhabi.

He never got to use it because of a crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix the month before which has gone down in F1 history. Grosjean's car broke in two and became stuck in the barrier as fuel ignited. He needed treatment for burns, missed the final two races of the season, then was without an F1 seat for 2021.

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Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

FILE -Romain Grosjean greets fans before an IndyCar auto race, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
FILE -Romain Grosjean greets fans before an IndyCar auto race, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Andretti Global hires Ron Ruzewski as team principal, reuniting him with driver Will Power

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Andretti Global hires Ron Ruzewski as team principal, reuniting him with driver Will Power

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — TWG Motorsports made yet another power move for Andretti Global on Wednesday by naming Ron Ruzewski, one of three Team Penske executives fired during an Indianapolis 500 scandal, team principal of its IndyCar team.

Ruzewski will start in January, per the Andretti announcement, and take over for Rob Edwards, who will transition into chief performance officer for TWG Motorsports. The motorsports division is an arm of TWG Global, which owns the new Cadillac F1 team that will debut in 2026.

The hiring of Ruzewski will reunite him with driver Will Power, who after a full season of not being told by Roger Penske if he would return in 2026 for an 18th season instead signed with Andretti Global after last month's season finale.

Power's contractual rights are being held by Penske through the remainder of the year — a flashpoint amongst Penske critics who believe the two-time IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was not treated fairly by an organization the Australian was extremely loyal to for his entire career.

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Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025

FILE - Car owner Roger Penske, left, and driver Will Power, of Australia, receive their "Baby Borg" trophies for winning last years race during the drivers meeting for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 25, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, file)
FILE - Car owner Roger Penske, left, and driver Will Power, of Australia, receive their

Team Penske turns the tables on Joe Gibbs Racing in 2nd-round opener of NASCAR Cup playoffs

Nate Ryan, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Team Penske turns the tables on Joe Gibbs Racing in 2nd-round opener of NASCAR Cup playoffs

Nate Ryan, The Associated Press 6 minute read Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

Joe Gibbs Racing has two drivers feuding, but another pair of teammates were the primary concern after the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday.

While the JGR Toyotas were struggling and spinning each other on the 1.058-mile oval, the Team Penske Fords of Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano were dominating at a track with similarities to the 1-mile layout at the championship venue where Penske has won three consecutive titles, Phoenix Raceway.

“I think the biggest thing you’ve got to take away from today is that at a 1-mile racetrack, the Penske cars are completely untouchable again,” JGR director of competition Chris Gabehart said. “The reality is we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

After a virtually perfect first round of the playoffs with three consecutive victories, Joe Gibbs Racing opened the second round dealing with an internal squabble of Denny Hamlin vs. Ty Gibbs and an external threat from Penske — which is familiar for championship contenders in NASCAR’s premier series.

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Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

Ryan Blaney, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Ryan Blaney, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Christian Horner finalizes departure from Red Bull F1 team

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Christian Horner finalizes departure from Red Bull F1 team

The Associated Press 3 minute read Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

MILTON KEYNES, England (AP) — Christian Horner and Red Bull say they have finalized the process of Horner leaving the team he led to eight Formula 1 drivers' titles, two months after he was removed as team principal.

The team issued a statement saying that Horner would leave Monday, without giving details of any agreement.

“Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honor and privilege," Horner said in the statement. “When we started in 2005, none of us could have imagined the journey ahead — the championships, the races, the people, the memories.”

Horner had been away from the F1 paddock since July, when the Red Bull parent company said it had “released Christian Horner from his operational duties with immediate effect” and appointed Laurent Mekies in his place.

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Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

FILE - Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, right, talks to Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands before the qualifying session ahead of Sunday's Formula One Italian Grand Prix auto race, at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sept. 2, 2023. (Christian Bruna/Pool via AP File)
FILE - Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, right, talks to Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands before the qualifying session ahead of Sunday's Formula One Italian Grand Prix auto race, at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sept. 2, 2023. (Christian Bruna/Pool via AP File)

Lewis Hamilton’s wait for a Ferrari podium drags on after Sainz’s GP success for Williams

James Ellingworth, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Lewis Hamilton’s wait for a Ferrari podium drags on after Sainz’s GP success for Williams

James Ellingworth, The Associated Press 3 minute read Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

The list of Grand Prix podium finishers in 2025 now includes Carlos Sainz, Jr. It still doesn’t include the driver who replaced him at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton.

While Sainz was celebrating a third place for Williams that he called “even better” than his first in Formula 1, Hamilton was saying he “couldn’t really care less” about finishing eighth as his wait for a first top-three finish at Ferrari goes on.

“Definitely disappointed to come away with nothing," Hamilton told Sky Sports after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Hamilton could point to some progress after starting 12th on the grid but the overall mood was disappointment after Ferrari had led the way in Friday’s second practice session, only to fall back into the middle of the pack. Teammate Charles Leclerc started 10th after a crash in qualifying and ended up ninth.

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Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks through the pit lane after the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks through the pit lane after the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Blaney opens 2nd round of NASCAR Cup playoffs with New Hampshire win as Penske dominates

The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Blaney opens 2nd round of NASCAR Cup playoffs with New Hampshire win as Penske dominates

The Associated Press 6 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — In a race in which Fords were fastest at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney barely was best in class for the second-round opener of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

The 2003 Cup champion led 116 laps in his No. 12 Mustang, including the final 39, but still had to fend off a furious charge by runner-up Josh Berry, who closed within a few car lengths with 10 laps left before overdriving a corner.

Blaney pulled away to win by 0.937 seconds Sunday in his third victory of the season and 16th of his career.

“That was probably the hardest 20 laps that I drove,” the Team Penske driver said. “I was trying to kind of bide my stuff and pull Josh a little bit, then he really started coming. It was all I could do to hold him off, trying new lanes. That was good and clean racing. I appreciate Josh for not throwing me the bumper when he could have.

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Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

Ryan Blaney heads down the front straight during a NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Ryan Blaney heads down the front straight during a NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

‘It can bite’: Lando Norris says McLaren’s worst race of 2025 shows his job’s tougher than it looks

James Ellingworth, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

‘It can bite’: Lando Norris says McLaren’s worst race of 2025 shows his job’s tougher than it looks

James Ellingworth, The Associated Press 3 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

Perched on a plastic chair trackside, Oscar Piastri watched the Azerbaijan Grand Prix unfold on a phone.

The Formula 1 standings leader became a spectator after colliding with the barrier about a minute into the race. What he saw was still encouraging for his title chances.

Piastri's McLaren teammate Lando Norris missed a chance to capitalize on Piastri's misfortune for the second day running as he finished seventh, the same place he'd started.

For all the speed the McLaren MCL39 has shown this season, Norris argued that Azerbaijan proves it's not as easy to drive as it may seem.

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Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain in action during the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain in action during the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The Associated Press 1 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen wins F1’s Azerbaijan GP after Oscar Piastri crashes on lap 1

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Max Verstappen wins F1’s Azerbaijan GP after Oscar Piastri crashes on lap 1

The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Max Verstappen looked to be back at his title-winning best. McLaren's title-chasing drivers looked like also-rans.

Verstappen cruised to victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday as championship leader Oscar Piastri's first-lap crash allowed Lando Norris to trim his Formula 1 points advantage — but not deal a decisive blow.

Verstappen was in control from start to finish after taking pole position in a chaotic qualifying session Saturday and had a vast lead by the time he made his only pit stop.

“The car was working really well,” Verstappen said. “It was pretty straightforward. Of course, it's not easy around here, very windy today so the car is always moving around a little, but of course, incredibly happy with this performance."

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Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain makes a pit stop during the qualifying for the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Anton Vaganov, Pool)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain makes a pit stop during the qualifying for the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Anton Vaganov, Pool)

Logano on pole at New Hampshire for second-round opener of NASCAR Cup playoffs

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Logano on pole at New Hampshire for second-round opener of NASCAR Cup playoffs

The Associated Press 3 minute read Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Joey Logano led a top-three sweep for Ford in qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Sunday’s second-round opener in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

The three-time Cup Series champion enthusiastically celebrated his 33rd career pole position and second this season after turning a 29.159-second lap (130.622 mph) in the No. 22 Ford on the 1.058-mile oval.

It’s the first pole for the Middletown, Connecticut, native at New Hampshire, which was the site of his first career Cup win in June 2009.

“Man, it’s my home track,” said Logano, who also won at New Hampshire in 2014. “It feels so good to run well here. Hopefully we’re able to capitalize.”

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Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

Joey Logano steers through Turn 2 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Joey Logano steers through Turn 2 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

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