In this week’s Motion Motorsport for InsideTrackNews.com, Dave Mathers catches us up on recent racing news and action from the world of racing, including the local Canadian scene.
It’s been a relatively quiet week in motorsports, but there’s still plenty to unpack. The Formula One stewards decided not to penalize Max Verstappen for his aggressive move past Lewis Hamilton during the Hungarian Grand Prix. The FIA concluded that there was no contact and that Hamilton chose not to stay on track, so no further action was taken. Good call.
One of the coolest race-event promotions ever: World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway) is offering a WWT Raceway dog collar plus four tickets to the NASCAR Xfinity race on September 6 to the first 200 people who adopt a dog from the shelters of the Humane Society of Missouri or Helping Strays of Monroe County. Everyone wins – especially the pups!
We mentioned the MLB game played on the infield at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend. The Atlanta Braves bested the Cincinnati Reds 4–2 before a staggering crowd of 91,032 – setting a regular-season attendance record. Amazing!
At The Glen, Austin Hill reportedly still claims his ill-advised “ramming” of Aric Almirola at Indy was “unintentional.” After receiving a one-race suspension, one has to wonder if he’s seen the replay.
It’s great to see the revival of the previously dormant International Hot Rod Association (IHRA). Since the passing of its previous savior, Bill Bader, it’s encouraging to see new leadership carrying the torch. I’d love to have attended their recent races at Milan, but like many Canadians, I’d rather avoid border crossings right now. Maybe after the midterms on November 3, 2026?
Did you hear about the tow-truck driver who tried to cross the track mid-race at Full Throttle Motor Speedway in Varney? He ended up taking out a race car. You couldn’t script that!
NASCAR Cup Series: At Watkins Glen, teenage phenom Connor Zilisch broke his collarbone after falling from his car during his Victory Lane celebration ([Reuters][4], [The Washington Post][5]). That one hits close to home – I once had a similar mishap back in 1979 when I was Race Director at Delaware Speedway. I got hit by a car in the pits, ending up in a sling – but I was back in action in under a week. Zilisch shouldn’t be out long.
Ryan Blaney (Ford) took the pole over Shane van Gisbergen (Chev) and Chase Briscoe (Toyota) – parity indeed! Zilisch was set to start 25th but was withdrawn, leaving 39 cars: 17 Chevs, 13 Fords, 9 Toyotas, and no Mopars. Stage 1 went smoothly – Chris Buescher won that one. Josh Berry spun on lap 28 in corner 5, though there was no yellow – that came later for debris. During the pit stops, Chase Elliott’s gas man collided with the tire carrier, costing track position. Blaney took Stage 2. Stage 3 stayed clean, and SVG scored his fourth win of the season over Bell and Buescher. Only one caution – impressive!
In the standings, William Byron now leads Chase Elliott by 42 and Denny Hamlin by 81.
Next up: Richmond, Saturday at 7:30 P.M. on TSN 5.
Xfinity Series: At Watkins Glen, retired series director “Put It Out” Wayne Auton was named honorary starter – a nice touch. In qualifying, points leader Connor Zilisch nabbed the pole (tied with Justin Allgaier, who qualified 9th), ahead of SVG and Taylor Gray. Field: 38 cars – 26 Chevs, 5 Fords, 7 Toyotas. SVG signed a multi-year extension with Trackhouse Racing – good news!
Stage 1 went to Allgaier. Zilisch won Stage 2. Lap 52 saw Sheldon Creed wrecked after being hit. Then on lap 65, Zilisch spun SVG – his car was done – no black flag given. Lap 74 saw Austin Hill collect Michael McDowell and half the field into the wall – red flag time. After repairs, green with four to go – and Zilisch took the win over Sam Mayer and Sammy Smith. Back in Victory Lane, he fell off the car during his celebration and broke his collarbone, confirmed afterward.
In the points, Zilisch (still just 19) now leads Allgaier by 7 and Mayer by 24.
Next race: Daytona, Friday, August 22.
Craftsman Trucks: Loved hearing the Canadian anthem ahead of the U.S. – Watkins Glen always does it right. The emotional tribute to Stewart Friesen hugging his son was a highlight. Corey Heim (Toyota) grabbed the pole over Christopher Bell (in Friesen’s truck) and Sammy Smith. Field: 36 trucks – 16 Chevs, 11 Fords, 9 Toyotas.
Stage 1 went to Heim. Lap 37 brought the second caution when Jack Wood slammed the wall. Stage 2: Ben Rhodes. Lap 60 saw debris from Toni Breidinger’s smoking truck; lap 65 – Majeski and Gray tangled. Lap 69, Rhodes lost a wheel and hit the wall, triggering NASCAR Overtime. A spin by Connor Mosack caused another Overtime, then a nearly identical spin forced yet another restart. At the finish, Heim got his sixth win of the season, followed by Daniel Hemric and Ruggiero. Bell finished 4th in Friesen’s ride.
Heim’s lead in the points now stands at 178 over Layne Riggs and 186 over Chandler Smith. Regular-season champion?
Next up: Richmond, Friday at 7:30 P.M. on CTV Speed.
Formula One: The next race is the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on Sunday, August 31 – F1 is on its summer break.
IndyCar: Even before qualifying at Portland, tire concerns loomed with heat forecast at 35 °C. Qualifying went well: McLaren locked out the front row with Lundgaard on pole ahead of Pato O’Ward; Rosenqvist was third. Canadian Devlin DeFrancesco started 14th. The BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland – named for a “social gaming platform” – was a mouthful to Google. A six-place grid penalty was handed to Lundgaard (for a fifth Chevy engine this season), along with Santino Ferrucci, Josef Newgarden, and Kyffin Simpson.
Coverage resumed at lap 6 – Ferriuci crashed into the pit wall. At lap 15, Rasmussen nudged Conor Daly off track; Daly later hit the barriers. At halfway, Will Power led, followed by Palou and Newgarden. The finish saw Power win over Lundgaard and Palou. DeFrancesco finished 18th.
Next race: Milwaukee, Sunday, August 24.
IMSA: Next up: VIR, August 24.
Knoxville Nationals: Local racer and 18-year-old Ryan Timms led all 50 laps to win the prestigious sprint-car invitational over Rico Abreu and David Gravel. Knoxville, Iowa and its Sprint Car Hall of Fame are a must-visit for fans.
NHRA: Next race: Brainerd, this weekend.
NASCAR Canada Series: At Three Rivers, 29 cars took part – great turnout. However, Race Center incorrectly displayed “Calabogie Motorsports Park” and “Budlight 250 Valee-Junction, QC August 2, 2025,” with “0/250 laps” and no mention of Three Rivers – still an issue even on Sunday, though it was fixed mid-race. Thanks, REV TV, for live coverage!
On the track, Marc-Antoine Camirand took the pole over teammate Andrew Ranger, both sporting Gilles Villeneuve tribute liveries, followed by Alex Tagliani. Points leader D.J. Kennington qualified 9th. The race saw multiple cautions: Martin Goulet Jr. crashed into the tire wall on lap 7; Ben Couture rolled and stopped on lap 19; Tagliani sprayed oil, drawing another; Simon Charbonneau hit the wall on lap 32; Vittorio Ghirelli’s hood caught fire on lap 43; Alexandre Fortin crashed on lap 50, dropping debris; Sam Fellows crashed with 5 to go – NASCAR Overtime ensued. At the end, Ranger won over Camirand and L.P. Dumoulin. Kennington finished 7th.
Next race: ICAR, Saturday, August 25.
APC Series: Next race: Sauble, Saturday, August 23.
Ontario Sportsman Series: Runaway points leader Conner James grabbed the pole at Peterborough Speedway for the two 50-lap features. He won the first feature, while Brendan Patrick won the second, finishing ahead of James and Shawn McGlynn.
Next up: Flamboro, Saturday, August 23.
Delaware Speedway: Bone Stock class had two features Friday – first, Paul Fothergill won, followed by Colin Willems and Michael Verberne; second, Fothergill again over Mitchell Rawlings and Jo Lawrence. In V/8 Stocks, Barry Watson crossed first but was penalized for exceeding the time limit, giving the win to Jordan Morris. In Late Models, Jesse Kennedy won, followed by Marshall Schrenk and Ray Morneau.
Next features: Late Models, Super Stocks, and Bone Stocks – Friday.
Upcoming local events
Ohsweken Speedway: Community Night, Friday.
Flamboro Speedway: Hall of Fame Reunion, Saturday. Click HERE to view a full report and gallery from last week’s Gold Rush 125 at Flamboro Speedway.
Buxton Speedway: Fan Appreciation Night, Saturday.
Full Throttle Motor Speedway: Kids Powerwheel Racing, Saturday.
Sunset Speedway: Push It to the Limit (L/M, S/S, B/S), Saturday.
Grand Bend Speedway: NASCAR Weekly Series, Saturday.
Grand Bend Motorplex: Points Racing, this weekend.
St. Thomas Dragway: Big Rig Truck Nationals, this weekend.
Toronto Motorsports Park: Canada Heads-Up, this weekend.
Can-Am Stock/Super Stock: TMP, August 30–Sept 1.
Empire Dragway (Quick 32 Sportsman, Pro Bike & Sled Series, 5.50 Super Series): August 15–16.
660 Sportsman Nationals, Grand Bend: October 5.
John Scotti NHRA Canadian Championship, Napierville: this weekend.
Shannonville Drags: No Box Bonus Weekend, August 15–17.
Send comments to Dave Mathers via email at motionman@rogers.com or on Facebook Messenger.
