Heal 12

Denny Hamlin Not Buying NASCAR 100 Starts Notion: ‘For Losers’

Joe Gibbs Racing driver and team owner Denny Hamlin strongly rejected the notion that NASCAR Cup Series competitors need roughly 100 starts before contending for wins, calling the idea an excuse “for losers” on the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast. Hamlin’s comments came after driver Corey Heim secured his first career Cup victory in just his 13th start at Naval Base Coronado. The veteran dismissed the timeline as a way for underperforming drivers to “buy time,” arguing that true talent should show progress much sooner. I don’t believe in that. I think it’s for people that are just trying to buy time,” Hamlin said. “I know it’s probably an unpopular opinion.” He acknowledged rare exceptions like Chase Elliott’s longer path to victory but maintained that waiting three years for results is unacceptable in today’s competitive field.

Ryan Preece is building NASCAR's ultimate case study in its biggest fallacy

Ryan Preece has quietly inserted himself back into the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture, capitalizing on Shane van Gisbergen’s San Diego misfortune to climb into the provisional top 16. The RFK Racing driver’s 11th-place finish at Naval Base Coronado, coupled with strong stage points, underscores a season defined by uninspiring reliability rather than excellence. Through 17 races in 2026, Preece has just two top-10 finishes and zero top-fives in points-paying events, despite winning the non-points Clash at Bowman Gray. In 12 of 17 starts, he has finished between eighth and 18th, avoiding major damage while rarely contending for wins. A 25-point penalty for the Ty Gibbs incident at Texas lingers, yet consistency has kept him relevant. Critics argue Preece perfectly illustrates NASCAR’s flawed emphasis on consistency at any cost. With the playoff field fixed at 16 drivers and no “win and in” guarantee removed, mediocrity can sneak through via steady mid-pack runs rather than standout performances. True contenders like Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin combine consistency with victories. As the regular season winds down, Preece’s campaign may highlight the need for playoff reform that better rewards excellence over mere survival.

Landon S. Huffman Running Elko for PRG

Landon S. Huffman will make his first ARCA Menards Series start of the 2026 season this weekend, piloting the No. 28 Chevrolet for Pinnacle Racing Group at Elko Speedway. The team announced the one-off entry on June 23, with sponsorship from Mark III Employee Benefits. The 19-year-old North Carolina driver returns to familiar territory with PRG, for whom he previously competed in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series late model program at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2023. This marks Huffman’s debut in the national ARCA series with the powerhouse team. Huffman has shown strong form in 2026, competing part-time in the ARCA Menards Series East with CR7 Motorsports. He has posted one top-five and one top-10 finish in two starts, including a runner-up result at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Additional main-series outings with CR7 are planned later at Chicagoland and Salem. The .375-mile Elko Speedway oval will provide Huffman and PRG an opportunity to build chemistry ahead of future opportunities. Fans can look forward to seeing the young talent back behind the wheel in one of ARCA’s competitive Western rounds.

ARCA Power Rankings: Jake Bollman’s Consistency Earns Him No. 1

Jake Bollman has climbed to the top spot in the latest ARCA Menards Series Power Rankings, thanks to remarkable consistency through the first nine races of the 2026 season. Driving the No. 20 Toyota for Nitro Motorsports, the 19-year-old Huntington Beach, California native leads the championship standings with five top-five finishes and seven top-10s in eight starts. Bollman has shown poise on both superspeedways and short tracks, steadily accumulating points without the flash of multiple victories. Frontstretch’s updated rankings place Bollman ahead of Thomas Annunziata, Max Reaves, Isabella Robusto, and Gio Ruggiero, who held the No. 1 position in recent weeks. Bollman’s ability to avoid trouble and deliver solid results each weekend has separated him in a competitive field. As the series heads toward midseason, Bollman’s steady approach positions him as the driver to beat in the championship hunt. His blend of maturity and speed suggests the young Californian is ready for a strong title push.

Michael Clayton Driving for CGM at IRP

City Garage Motorsports team owner Michael Clayton will climb behind the wheel of the team’s No. 5 Ford in the ARCA Menards Series Circle City 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, the team announced Tuesday. As Director of Operations and co-owner, Clayton has been instrumental in building CGM from the ground up. This home-state start at the iconic short track marks his return to competition and the first time in 2026 that CGM will field two cars in the main ARCA series. The 21-year-old from Greenwood, Indiana, made two ARCA starts in 2025 at Berlin Raceway and Elko Speedway. He previously attempted to qualify at IRP but fell short, adding extra motivation for this weekend’s event on the .686-mile oval. Clayton’s dual role as driver and team leader highlights the grassroots spirit of ARCA racing. Fans can expect the No. 5 Ford to carry special meaning as the team celebrates its growth while competing at one of the series’ most historic venues.

Carson Hocevar Unexpectedly Celebrates Bitter NASCAR Rival Despite Admitting Four Year Long Grudge

In a surprising show of sportsmanship, Carson Hocevar congratulated rival Corey Heim on his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Naval Base Coronado’s Anduril 250 on Sunday, despite admitting the move that cost him a podium felt like “four years coming. With 12 laps remaining, Hocevar was running second and closing on leader Kyle Larson when Heim clipped his rear bumper in the chicane, spinning the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet and dropping him to a 19th-place finish. Hocevar’s teammate Ross Chastain was also collected in the incident. Rather than harboring resentment, the 23-year-old Hocevar shrugged it off post-race, telling reporters he felt it was payback for their heated 2023 Truck Series championship battle at Phoenix, where he had dumped Heim late in the race. Hocevar even asked Denny Hamlin for Heim’s phone number to reach out personally. The two young stars, who broke into Trucks around the same time, have long embodied contrasting styles—Hocevar’s aggressive fender-banging versus Heim’s precise, clean racing. Despite the history, Hocevar praised Heim’s talent and spoke positively about racing him for years to come. The incident adds fresh fuel to one of NASCAR’s budding rivalries, but Hocevar’s classy response suggests respect may ultimately outweigh the grudge.

How do you start this? Ray Evernham Relives Wild First Experience Inspecting Phenomenal Rookie Jeff Gordon

NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham recently shared memories of his first experience working with a young Jeff Gordon, recalling just how extraordinary the future champion appeared from the very beginning. Reflecting on those early days, Evernham admitted he was immediately struck by Gordon’s natural talent and ability behind the wheel. According to Evernham, inspecting and evaluating Gordon as a rookie left a lasting impression. The veteran crew chief remembered wondering where to even begin because the young driver seemed capable of things few newcomers could accomplish. Gordon’s speed, confidence, and understanding of race cars quickly separated him from many of his peers. The partnership between Evernham and Gordon would eventually become one of the most successful combinations in NASCAR history. Together, they captured multiple championships and helped transform Hendrick Motorsports into a dominant force during the 1990s. Evernham noted that while many drivers possess talent, Gordon’s ability to process information and adapt to different situations made him truly special. Those qualities became evident long before the trophies and championships arrived. Looking back, Evernham’s memories serve as a reminder of how quickly Gordon established himself as a generational talent. What began as a promising rookie evaluation ultimately evolved into one of the sport’s greatest success stories.

Disheartened Driver Pens Emotional 6-Word Message As NASCAR’s Iconic Short Track Promise Remains Unfulfilled

Frustration surrounding one of NASCAR’s most iconic short tracks resurfaced this week after a driver shared an emotional six-word message reflecting disappointment over the venue’s continued struggles. The post quickly gained traction among fans, many of whom echoed similar concerns about the track’s place in modern NASCAR. For years, competitors and supporters have hoped that changes to the racing product would restore the intense side-by-side action that once made the historic short track a fan favorite. Despite various adjustments and ongoing discussions, many believe those expectations have yet to be fully realized. The driver’s message captured the sentiment of a large portion of the NASCAR community, expressing sadness that the venue has not consistently delivered the racing many envisioned. Fans responded by sharing memories of classic events while debating possible solutions to improve competition. Short tracks have long been considered the foundation of stock-car racing, making the issue particularly significant. Drivers often speak passionately about preserving the style of racing that helped build NASCAR’s identity. While officials and teams continue searching for answers, the emotional reaction highlights how deeply fans and competitors care about the future of the sport’s most treasured venues. Until meaningful improvements arrive, the conversation is likely to continue.

Quit Your Whining NASCAR Veteran Publicly Trashes Fans’ Hypocrisy as He Defends 23XI Protégé

A longtime NASCAR veteran has come to the defense of a young 23XI Racing driver, pushing back against fan criticism and accusing some supporters of hypocrisy in how they evaluate aggressive racing. The outspoken comments quickly generated discussion across the NASCAR community as debates surrounding the driver’s recent performances continued. The veteran argued that many fans celebrate hard racing when it comes from their favorite drivers but condemn similar behavior when it involves competitors they dislike. Frustrated by what he viewed as inconsistent reactions, he urged critics to stop complaining and judge incidents more fairly. The remarks were made in support of the 23XI Racing prospect, who has found himself at the center of several conversations this season due to his aggressive style and willingness to challenge established stars. While some fans have criticized those tactics, others believe the driver’s approach reflects the competitive mentality required to succeed at NASCAR’s highest level. The veteran emphasized that young drivers need room to learn and develop without facing excessive backlash for every mistake or controversial moment. His comments highlighted the passion that often surrounds NASCAR rivalries and fan opinions. As discussions continue, the defense serves as another reminder that perceptions can vary widely depending on who is behind the wheel. For the 23XI driver, the support from an experienced voice could help reinforce confidence moving forward.

That…Is for Losers Denny Hamlin Rips Apart NASCAR Drivers’ Cup Series Excuse With Chase Elliott Example

Denny Hamlin did not hold back when discussing what he views as a common excuse among NASCAR Cup Series competitors, delivering a blunt assessment that quickly caught the attention of fans and fellow drivers. During a recent discussion, Hamlin argued that top-level racers must avoid making excuses and instead focus on finding solutions when results do not meet expectations.
To support his point, Hamlin referenced Chase Elliott, highlighting the former champion’s approach to adversity. According to Hamlin, Elliott has consistently demonstrated the mindset required to compete at the highest level, choosing accountability and improvement over blaming external factors. The veteran driver’s comments sparked immediate debate throughout the NASCAR community. Some fans applauded Hamlin’s directness and competitive mentality, while others felt his remarks were overly harsh. Regardless of opinion, the statement reinforced Hamlin’s reputation as one of the sport’s most outspoken personalities. Hamlin has long emphasized the importance of mental toughness and personal responsibility in racing, especially in a series where success often hinges on adapting to difficult circumstances. His latest comments reflect that philosophy and serve as a reminder of the standards expected at NASCAR’s highest level. As the season continues, Hamlin’s remarks are likely to remain a topic of discussion across the garage and among fans.