In this edition of the Motion Motorsport Report for InsideTrackNews.com by Dave Mathers, Dave offers his insights and opinions about recent racing news, as well as summaries of the weekend’s Canadian and international races…
Linda and I just watched F1 The Movie, and I smiled for the entire two and a half hours. It was the most realistic and accurate racing movie I have ever seen. Hans Zimmer composed the awesome soundtrack for the film. I especially loved Brad Pitt’s character’s fifty-year-old Econoline camper van with the four-wheel-drive conversion. WAY cool. I highly recommend the movie to everybody.
It appears that NASCAR Canada did the right thing with their decision to penalize Marc-Antoine Camirand at Saskatoon. The internet has been lit up brightly ever since. You just can’t buy that type of publicity!!
In my opinion – and mine alone – I firmly believe they made the correct call. Not because of what he did to Kevin Lacroix, but because he is a multiple repeat offender. The first time I saw him racing at Delaware, I wondered aloud how he was able to get away with his antics. I even suggested that I should buy a series car and put my son Paul in it. But then common sense entered the equation, and I realized that would not be a wise business decision!!
Apparently, there are some online dissenters saying that SVG (Shane van Gisbergen) should not be in the playoffs because all his wins this year (3) have been on road courses. Using their logic, then other drivers shouldn’t qualify for the playoffs if their wins have come from ovals only. The guy is a rookie – and how many rookies have won once, let alone THREE times in their first year, oval or road course?
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DELAWARE SPEEDWAY: Following a busy weekend of Monster Truck action at the speedway, the stock car oval roars back to life on Friday (July 25) with a full card of regular racing featuring the Doxtator Property Maintenance V8 Stocks, Inventory Express Super Stocks, the Experience Camping Pro Late Models and an Autograph Session for all! And on August 1, the Ontario Outlaw Super Late Models join the Super Stocks and Mini Stocks. Click HERE for more Delaware Speedway info and HERE for tickets and info to the August 1 event.
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The ongoing dispute between NASCAR and 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports continues. The two teams want to run as charter teams with all the accompanying benefits, even though they have not signed the charter agreement. According to FRM owner Bob Jenkins, the two teams stood to miss out on a combined $45 million in revenue if they competed as unchartered teams in 2025. I completely agree with NASCAR on this situation.
Notably missing from NHRA’s ‘Western Swing’ is Bandimere Speedway on the western edge of Denver, Colorado. This cool track sat on the side of a hill, but unfortunately, it has been sold for development purposes. The owners have purchased a 1,100-acre facility in Hudson, northeast of Denver, where they hope to replicate the old track. It is relatively close to Colorado National Speedway, a 3/8-mile track where we raced an ASA event back in 1993.
Many years ago, Pete Rose was banned for life from Major League Baseball for betting on his own team to WIN!! Today, betting is not only encouraged but promoted by major sports leagues and racing series. NHRA constantly posts the odds before upcoming events. How things change! For the better? I guess the jury is still out on that!
Lots of chatter about the 2026 NASCAR schedule. Chicago is out. For 2025 at least. Instead, NASCAR’s big three series will be heading to the streets of San Diego. BUT no mention of anything in Canada? Really?
Congratulations to Canada Heads Up (CHU) promoter Ian Hill for stepping in to save the day at TMP this past weekend. When an event featuring some of the Street Outlaws guys fell apart, Hill dove into the breach and resuscitated it, adding the TV stars to his already schedule CHU weekend. From the pictures and comments, it was an incredible success! It’s nice to see when someone takes a chance and it turns out well! Congrats!
Watched a cool race last Thursday night on REV TV. The Joker’s Jackpot race, part of the High Limit series at Eldora Speedway in Ohio. Winner Kyle Larson started from the outside pole and won the $100,000-to-win race. There were quite a few accidents, and one driver was taken to the hospital. There were several second-generation racers in the overall field.
NASCAR Cup Series – Because qualifying was rained out, the lineup was set by points. This meant that Chase Elliott picked up the pole for the Cup race at Dover Motor Speedway Sunday, ahead of Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell (both in Toyotas). I’m not sure which points they were using. William Byron sat 1st in points after Sonoma but started 5th? Ryan Blaney sat 7th in points but started 31st? SVG was 26th in points but started 6th? 37 cars: 16 Chevs, 12 Fords, and 9 Toyotas. Things ran smoothly on the cheese grater concrete track until lap 36, when the yellow came out for a competition caution to allow teams to check tire wear and make adjustments. Elliott won Stage 1. At the halfway mark, it was Daniel Suarez over Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin.
Bell won Stage 2. Still no race cautions!! Can it last? I had to say it!! D’oh. On the restart, leader Bell spun from the outside spot in corner 3, bringing out a quick yellow. And in a repeat of Saturday’s race, there was a threat of rain around lap 280. On lap 337, the yellow came out for sprinkles. The green returned on lap 344. On lap 384, Ross Chastain got loose and spanked the wall on turn 2 exit, bringing out another yellow. Rain? Yup. And Hamlin in the lead ahead of Bell and Elliott. After a lengthy delay for rain, the green came back out on lap 391. On the first green-flag lap, while running for the lead, Bell spun under Hamlin, yet another caution. The green came back out on lap 400. NASCAR overtime! And another yellow when Ryan Preece and Zane Smith got together. Re-rack and try again. The restart was on lap 406, and Hamlin held on to take the lead and the win over his teammate Chase Briscoe and Alex Bowman.
In the points, Chase Elliott now leads William Byron by 16 and Kyle Larson by 38. All three are Hendrick cars.
Next race – Indianapolis, Sunday at 2 P.M. on TSN 5.
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GRAND BEND MOTORPLEX: The WDRA Canadian Nationals at Grand Bend Motorplex (August 1 – 3) continues to be one of the largest Drag Racing events in Canada. This is the 25th Anniversary edition of the event (would have celebrated 25 years in 2024 but lost one event to Covid). In Top Fuel, Canada’s own Todd Paton will match race Kyle Satenstein in the Leverich Top Fueler.
The Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars of Brian Christie and Greg Jacobsmeyer will be on hand. There will also be a Chicago style shootout featuring some of Canada’s best A Fuel dragsters – Jeff Veale, Jeff Chatterson and Brian Peters. The Hellfire Jet Truck and 4 Nostalgia Jet Funny cars, front-engine dragsters, AA Gassers, True North A Gassers, the PSDS Series and Bracket Racing. PLUS Special Grand Marshal guest Shirley Muldowney!! Click HERE for tickets and info.
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NASCAR Xfinity Series – Taylor Gray (Toyota) won the pole for Saturday’s race at Dover Motor Speedway over Nick Sanchez and Connor Zilisch (both in Chevs). 40 cars timed to make the 38-car race: 27 Chevs, 5 Fords, and 6 Toyotas. The good news: everything went smoothly on this bad-fast track, and pole sitter Gray won Stage 1. Under a serious threat of rain, Zilisch won Stage 2. At lap 132, the yellow came out for sprinkles. A couple of cars had gone to the garage with broken components. The concrete racing surface can be quite hard on suspensions. The red flag came out at lap 134, and all the cars stopped on pit road. After a delay, the race was declared official. Zilisch got the win over Aric Almirola and Brandon Jones. Does Zilisch even shave? LMAO
In the points, Justin Allgaier leads Zilisch (who has one less start) by 56 and Sam Mayer by 78.
Next race – Indianapolis, Saturday at 4:30 P.M. on CW & USA.
NASCAR Craftsman Trucks – Next race – Indianapolis Raceway Park, Friday at 8 P.M. on CTVSpeed.
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CASC-OR: The Canadian Automobile Sport Club – Ontario Region is back in action this weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with the 2025 BARC Canadian Touring Trophy Races. Running Saturday and Sunday at CTMP, the schedule will include: Bavarian Challenge, Toyo Tires F1600, Pirelli Grand Touring and Super Touring, FLibre, VARAC Classic / Modern Classic and V8 Fun Cup. Click HERE for the full schedule.
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Formula One – Next race – Spa, Sunday, 8:55 A.M. on TSN 1 & 5.
IndyCar – In qualifying for the Toronto IndyCar race, inconsistent Colton Herta won the pole over runaway points leader Alex Palou and Kiwi Marcus Armstrong. Canadian Devlin DeFrancesco started 26th. I was very impressed by the fact that the City of Toronto actually repaved corner 3 after driver complaints about the big bump upsetting their cars. Well done. Love the aerial shots where the race cars seem to be running right beside the Gardiner! Cool. Everybody, including me, was impressed that the first lap ran caution-free!! The first yellow came out on lap 7 when Scott McLaughlin spanked the wall after it appeared something broke on his car. On lap 15, Christian Rasmussen got a flat tire and then got punted into the wall for the second yellow.
On lap 30, Alexander Rossi hit the wall, got a flat tire, and then spread debris all over the track. Third yellow. On pit entry, Armstrong rear-ended Kyle Kirkwood causing him to spin. Fourth caution. On the restart, last-place starter Jacob Abel got into the wall and ended up over top of Josef Newgarden. Fifth caution. I’m sure the Race Director was busy reading the Riot Act to the remaining drivers!!! At the halfway mark, it was Rinus Veekay over Pato O’Ward and Kyffin Simpson. Apparently, the drivers must have heeded the Race Director, as they ran green right up to almost the end, with Pato O’Ward collecting the checkered flag under caution ahead of Veekay and Simpson. DeFrancesco finished 22nd.
Next race – Laguna Seca, Sunday at 3 on Fox.
IMSA – Next race – Road America, August 3.
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BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY: Billings Automotive presents the July 26 show at The BOS, featuring the Modified, Sportsman, Novice Sportsman, Street Stocks and a Crate Sprint National Qualifier Race.
Click HERE for more info. And click HERE for a report on last Saturday’s action at Brockville.
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NHRA – The first of two Western Swing events, and the first race in the second half of the season, was held at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington, on the weekend. It appears that the tariffs program may have harmed drag racing as well, as car (and motorcycle) counts were down in several classes.
Top Fuel – Doug Kalitta topped the 11 cars with a 3.671 at 335.90. In the #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge, Shawn Langdon topped Tony Stewart with a 3.718 at 338.17.
Funny Car – Austin Prock was best of the 17 entries going for the 16 spots, running a 3.879 at 336.40. Canadian Spencer Hyde qualified 8th. Prock also won the #2Fast2Tasty Funny Car Challenge, turning what was his qualifying time to beat Matt Hagan. Hagan got the win over Ron Capps with a 3.904 at 331.94.
Pro Stock – Dallas Glenn topped the 17-car all-Camaro field vying for the 16 spots, running a 6.462 at 212.73. Canadian Matt Latino qualified 8th. Glenn also won the #2Fast2Tasty Pro Stock Challenge, running a 6.462 at 212.73 to beat Greg Anderson. Glenn got the win over a red-lighting Jeg Coughlin. Both cars had traction issues, and Glenn won with a 17.420 at 62.72.
Pro Stock Bike – Only 8 bikes made the trip, with John Hall sitting on top with a stout 6.717 at 201.76. Hall took out Matt Smith in the #2Fast2Tasty Pro Stock Motorcycle Challenge, running a 6.729 at 200.26. In the final, Gaige Herrera took out Richard Gadson, running a 6.690 at 201.55.
Next race – Sonoma, this weekend on Fox Sports Racing at 4 Sunday.
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NASCAR Canada Series – Kevin Lacroix nabbed the pole for the race at Sutherland Automotive Speedway in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Wednesday night, ahead of Jason Hathaway and D.J. Kennington. The first caution came out at lap 30 (debris?). At the halfway mark, it was Lacroix over Hathaway and Camirand. In a finish somewhat similar to Edmonton, Camirand got around Lacroix using the ‘bump and run’ method in 3, with Hathaway third. Stop the presses!! The Race Director has overturned the result, giving the win to Lacroix, with Hathaway 2nd and L.P. Dumoulin 3rd.
Unfortunately, the Race Center Live Timing was stuck showing only the finish at Edmonton and was not active during this race. Even Thursday morning, the Race Center reads ‘Leland Industries 250’ but the results are from Edmonton. You can make your own decisions about the finish. I’ve made mine. ONE of those two drivers has a long history of questionable driving.
This weekend, Canada’s national stock car championship heads to Calabogie Motorsports Park for the first time ever. Sunday’s NASCAR 150 Clash of the Titans presented by NAPA and Mac MacKenzie Motors will pit points leader Marc-Antoine Camirand against his closest pursuer (one point back!) Kevin Lacroix at the eastern Ontario road course. Click HERE for an event preview.
FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY – On Saturday (July 26), the Pro Late Models will be in action at Flamboro, along with the Can-Am TQ Midgets, Mini Stocks, Pure Stocks and Spectator Drags. Click HERE for more info. The Flamboro Speedway Hall of Fame Reunion takes place August 16.
APC Series – Next race – Sauble, Saturday, August 2.
Ontario Sportsman Series – Next race – Full Throttle, Saturday.
Delaware Speedway – Delaware played host to a big two-day Monster Truck show on the weekend. Next race – the track returns to oval racing with Late Models, Super Stocks, and V8 Stocks, Friday.
Grand Bend Motorplex – The 25th anniversary of the WDRA Canadian Nationals! One of the biggest drag races in the country.
Ohsweken Speedway – Next race – Noelle Teal Memorial, Friday, August 1.
Buxton Speedway – Next race – Vintage Mods and Crate Sprints, Saturday.
Full Throttle Motor Speedway – Next race – Ontario Sportsman Series, Saturday.
Sunset Speedway – Next race – Junior Hanley Classic, Saturday.
Grand Bend Speedway – Next race – NASCAR Weekly Series, Sunday.
Grand Bend Dragway – Next race – Canadian Nationals, August 1–3.
St. Thomas Dragway – Next race – Regular points racing, Sunday.
Toronto Motorsports Park – Next race – CJR Roll Racing and Oldsmobiles, this weekend.
Can Am Stock/Super Stock – Next race – Empire, this weekend.
Quick 32 Sportsman Series, Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS), and 5.50 Super Series – August 15 & 16, Empire Dragway.
660 Sportsman Nationals – Race date – Grand Bend, October 5.
John Scotti NHRA Canadian Championship Series – Next race – this weekend, Miramichi.
Shannonville Drags – Next race – No Box Bonus Weekend, August 15–17.
Any comments can be sent to Dave Mathers via email at motionman@rogers.com or by Facebook Messenger.
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CANADIAN MOTORSPORT HALL OF FAME: Nominations for the next class of inductees for the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame close end of day on July 31. Click HERE for info and to nominate a worthy Canadian. In other CMHF news, the annual Celebration of Speed fundraising event takes place Monday, August 4 at the Grand Prix Circuit at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Don’t miss your chance to get a ride around the track in some incredible high-performance vehicles! Click HERE for tickets and info.
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