In this week’s Motion Motorsports Report for InsideTrackNews.com, Dave Mathers wraps up the weekend of racing action and comments on some current events and topics in the world of racing.
Apparently Canadian ace Treyten Lapcevich thought he had won the zMAX CARS Tour race at North Wilkesboro Speedway a week ago but apparently not as his team was subsequently disqualified for an unapproved part, reportedly based on a complaint from another team TWO days later. Hmmm.
Word is that their car had a 9-inch rear-end, and not a ‘quick change.’ How did THAT get past pre-practice, pre-race and post-race tech inspection? ‘Lucy, you got some ‘splaining to do’!!
I found another nugget reposted by fellow Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame member Derek Lynch from six years ago that is so relevant today.
“Race teams should not be penalized for coil overs vs. big springs, rack and pinion vs. steering box, QUICK CHANGE vs. FORD 9, etc.” It makes no difference, and it can all be made work with minimal to no advantage either way.”
So true, especially in light of the DQ of Treyten Lapcevich at North Wilkesboro.
Lapcevich finished 10th in the UARA National Series race at Berlin Raceway last Wednesday night. Carson Hocevar won the race over Erik Jones and Bubba Pollard. There were 30 starters for the event.
The US Department of Justice is investigating Liberty Media, the owners of F1, for their rejection of Andretti Global’s entry into Formula One claiming it is ‘antitrust.’ I doubt this will result in any changes with the application as Liberty has done nothing wrong in the United States.
It appears that Speedway Motorsports continues to promote wild and wonderful ideas. On August 2, 2025, there will be a Major League Baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds – the latter being designated as the ‘home team’ – in the game at Bristol Motor Speedway!! A ballpark with 160,000 seats? Wow.
NASCAR has wisely changed its rules on wet tires after the tires were used at Loudon. At that race, NASCAR dictated when wet tires had to be used. Now, teams can switch from wet to dry or back without direction from Race Control. Good move.
Multi-talented NASCAR Superstar Kyle Larson won the Knoxville Nationals Saturday night for the third time in four years. The Knoxville, Iowa track is home to the Sprint Car Hall of Fame and is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
Chase Pinsonneault started 9th and finished 6th at the Pro Late Model Bass Tire 100 race on the weekend at the bad fast and very fun Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
Condolences to the family and friends of racer and Sauble Speedway co-owner Jeff Cassidy who passed away, unexpectedly, on the weekend. As well, Brighton Speedway racer Bill O’Hara collapsed and passed away following the Aug. 3 night of racing, while loading his car. We extend our condolences to his family and friends, as well.
The always popular E.L.T.A. (East London Timing Association) ‘Big Go’ at St. Thomas Dragway last Friday was, once again, a great success. Racers who only come out once a year show up with cars and trucks from the past and just flat out have fun. See below for pictures from the event, by Dwayne Young / CMSports. As well, it is always a great car show. And now that Dundas St. in London has finally been completed their traditional Saturday afternoon/evening car show was held as well.
Also Sunday’s 3rd Annual Nilestown Car Show & Reunion was a huge success. Held on the grounds of the former Nilestown Speedway there were a ton of show cars as well as some interesting historic displays indoors. The 1/4-mile paved track is still there although it is now the home of the Polish Canadian Soccer Club. The ladies of the club served up some awesome Polish food including cabbage rolls, perogies and sausages.
NASCAR Cup Series: Denny Hamlin picked up the pole for the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway over teammate Martin Truex (both in Toyotas) and Josh Berry (Ford). There were 37 entries. Stage 1 went clean and green all the way with Christopher Bell winning the stage.
At the halfway mark (200 of 400) it was Daniel Suarez, Bell, Tyler Reddick, Hamlin and Larson. Stage 2, not wanting to be ‘upstaged’ by Stage 1, was also clean and green with Suarez getting the stage win.
On lap 249 Martin Truex, running in the top ten, slowed on track and then retired with a suspected blown motor. The death smoke emanating when the hood was lifted confirmed that suspicion. Everything looked like it was going to be a caution-free race but Ricky Stenhouse just couldn’t let that happen!!
He spun Ryan Preece on lap 398 to set up another green/white/checker after Preece came down just a bit and Stenhouse was already a little loose. Preece was able to continue but Stenhouse not so much. All the leaders pitted for tires (for 2 laps?). Loved the drone camera work!!
Just before the checker flag, on lap 408, Austin Dillon, running second, spun leader Joey Logano then collected Hamlin as well… and then got the win. There were a lot of boos from the crowd. Rough driving? That rule does not apply on the last lap (or on ANY lap??). In spite of crossing the line 4th NASCAR awarded Hamlin 2nd with Reddick 3rd. Time of the race: 3 hours and 3 minutes.
In the points Larson leads Reddick by 5 and Chase Elliott by 6.
Their next race is MIS, Sunday at 2.30 P.M. on TSN 5.
NASCAR Xfinity Series: Their next race is MIS, Saturday at 3.30 on TSN 5.
NASCAR Craftsman Trucks: Christian Eckes (Chevrolet) won the pole for the truck race at Richmond Raceway ahead of Ty Majeski (Ford) and Grant Enfinger (Chevrolet). Canadian Stewart Friesen (Toyota) started 12th. There were 36 entries.
Things started out smoothly until lap 56 when Matt Mills appeared to blow a right front tire and went hard into the wall in corner 4 for the first caution. Eckes won Stage 1 thus cementing the regular season championship. At the halfway mark of the race it was Grant Enfinger over Taylor Gray and Eckes. On lap 128 Matt Crafton had a solo spin in corner 4 for the second race caution of the race. It looked like the truck he was following took the air off the nose of his truck. Enfinger won Stage 2.
On lap 150 chaos broke out when the field sort of accordioned itself collecting about six trucks. On lap 168 Lawless Alan spun on corner 4 exit and tapped the inside wall for a yellow. On lap 182 Connor Jones slowed and almost stopped on the track for another caution. On lap 225 Kaden Honeycutt spun to bring out another yellow. On lap 236 Connor Zilisch slid up into the wall for a caution after getting a little help. At the flag it was Majeski, Eckes, Gray, Enfinger and Layne Riggs.
In the final regular season points Eckes is ahead of Corey Heim by 74 and by 149 on Majeski.
Their next race is Milwaukee, Sunday, Aug. 25.
NASCAR Canada Series points leader Marc Antoine Camirand won the pole for the Grand Prix of Three Rivers ahead of Kevin Lacroix and Alex Tagliani. WOW, 32 entries for the event!! 18 Chevs, 3 Fords and 11 Dodges. Outstanding car count.
On the scoring front, Race Monitor worked correctly but they’re still having trouble with the Race Centre part of their website which was saying that the 60-lap GP3R event (on August 11) was actually a 300-lapper taking place in Edmonton… and that it was still July 27. Grrr.
The cars put on an amazing show on the street/park setting, swapping LOTS of paint and the crowd absolutely loved the race. With NASCAR Overtime rules mandating a green flag finish the race actually went ONLY 12 laps over the scheduled distance. 12 laps? A twenty percent overrun (a government job perhaps)? That sounds normal doesn’t it?
At the flag, it was – Mon Dieu, encore, une autre victoire pour le leader des points – Camirand!!! After that, it was confusing as Race Center’s Live Timing and Race Monitor had two different finishing orders. Live Timing showed: Alex Labbe 2nd, Raphael Lessard 3rd, L.P. Dumoulin 4th, and D.J. Kennington 5th? And the real winners? The body panel companies. Time of the race: two hours and four minutes.
The NASCAR Canada Series is back in action this coming Saturday at Delaware Speedway.
United Racing Series: Both the APC Pro Late Model Series and the Dayco Super Stocks were on track at Sunset Speedway this past Saturday night.
Sixteen Super Stocks entered the Stewart’s 50 lapper with Shawn Chenoweth picking up the win in his sponsor’s race over Carson Nagy, Dennis Cybalski, Daniel Hawn and Paul Pepper. Time of the race: 38:35.
In the Stewart’s Kubota 200 lapper for the Late Models, Blair Wickett won the pole over Cole Quinton and Josh Stade. 19 entries. At the halfway, mark it was Danny Benedict ahead of Stade, Quinton, Kyle Steckly and Shae Gemmell. At the flag it was Josh Stade in front of Steckly, Danny Benedict, Jo Lawrence and Wickett. Time of the race: 1 hour and 11 minutes.
Steckly leads the Late Model points by 20 over Wickett and by 25 on Lawrence.
In the Super Stocks Carson Nagy leads Lane Zardo by 2 and Chenoweth by 8.
The next race is at Sauble, Saturday, August 24.
Delaware Speedway: There were 44 Bone Stocks were in the park with Sterrit Racing winning Heat 1, Stan ‘The Man’ Cook winning Heat 2 and Paul Fothergill picking up the win in Heat 3. The B Main was won Nathan Rhea and the Feature went to first time winner Adam Jeneroux ahead of Matt Langford, Donavin Clark, Colin Willems and Sterling Roberts.
The V/8 Stocks saw Hailey McNichol win Heat 1 in her cool little pickup. Heat 2 went to Adam Evison who went on to win the feature over Jordan Morris, Jeremy Taggart, Kaden Patrick and Mike Hryniuk, Jr.
In the Late Model Division rookie/track co-owner Jonny Aarts won Heat 1, Gary Adriaensen won Heat 2 while Points Leader Ray Morneau won the main over Marshal Schrenk, Jaden Chapman, Aarts and Patrick Freel.
In the Bone Stock points Langford leads Jeremiah Rabideau by 13 and Clark by 39. Doug Stewart leads the V/8 class by 7 over Barry Watson and by 9 on Jeff Ferguson. Trevor Collver leads Carson Nagy by 20 in the Super Stocks and Lane Zardo by 22. In the Late Models Morneau has an 18-point lead on Schrenk and 19 on Adriaensen.
Their next race is Friday with the Super Late Models, Super Stocks and Bone Stocks then Saturday with the NASCAR Canada Series and V/8 Stocks.
Flamboro Speedway: They’re hosting the Gold Rush 124 TONIGHT, featuring Super Late Models. A rare mid-week opportunity to take in some racing in Southern Ontario. After that, Flamboro’s next race is Saturday with the Pro Late Models and other classes in action.
Laird Raceway: This Sault Ste. Marie, ON track is back with another Thursday Night Thunder show, on Aug. 15. All five of the track’s regular divisions will be in action.
Targa Newfoundland: This amazing event kicks off September 12. North America’s only Tarmac Rally. Held on the island of Newfoundland on seaside roadways and through quaint towns and outports, Targa Newfoundland is motorsport’s ultimate road rally, a thrilling challenge to test your skills and abilities. Nowhere else will you get to race through towns and outports at speed; nowhere else will you enjoy the people, the culture and the hospitality of one of North America’s most beautiful destinations.
Eastern Canadian Rally Championship: Six weeks after the Rallye International Baie-des-Chaleurs in Québec, Eastern Canadian Rally Championship (ECRC) teams were back to competition, in Catchacoma, Ontario, to contest the Black Bear Rally. This event was won by Ontarians Trevor Pougnet and Ryan Rouleau, with their Subaru WRX STI, their first victory of the season. They became the fifth different overall winners in the six rallies contested so far in the 2024 ECRC.
Brockville Ontario Speedway: This Saturday night, Splash Well Drilling presents 358 Modified Sail Panel Race (full pts) + Outlaw 200 Mini Series, DIRTcar Sportsman, Surprenant Truck Shop Crate Sprints, Rookie Sportsman, and Mini Stocks Series 25 Laps.
Mission Raceway Park: On Aug. 22-25, Mission Raceway Park (MRP) hosts ‘Smoke, Fire and Thunder Presented by Lordco Auto Parts.’ The event is a long-standing fan favourite at MRP, featuring some of the coolest and unique racing in BC! The action includes Jet Cars, Wheel Standers, Stunt Bikes, on top of the original program of quick 1⁄ 4 and 1/8th mile racing! And stick around on Sunday for Race # 11 in the JBS Equipment ET Series! You don’t want to miss this one!
Edmonton Int’l Raceway: This Saturday, EIR hosts a Late Model Special Twin Feature, Thunder Cars, Pure Stocks, IMCA and Mini Cups.
Toronto Motorsports Park: TMP’s busy schedule will feature the Canada Heads Up drag racing series this weekend. CHU is Canada’s premier Heads Up Shootout class racing association.
Ransomville Speedway: The Southern Ontario Sprints will be making their annual appearance at the Ransomville Speedway on Friday night. The card will also feature the season championship event for the KiPo Chevrolet Street Stocks, plus the Vintage Cars, Stirling Lubricants DIRTcar Sportsman, and the Sunflowers of Sanborn Mini Stocks.
Entering the action on Friday night, Dylan Westbrook currently leads the SOS points by 100 over Ryan Turner and 132 points over both Darren Dryden and DJ Christie. Westbrook, from Scotland, Ontario is the most recent winner with the SOS at Merrittville Speedway. Last season, Liam Martin from Binbrook, Ontario won the SOS A-Main at the Big R.
Formula One: They’re still on their summer break. Their next race is Netherlands, Sunday, August 25.
IndyCar: Their next race is Gateway, Saturday at 6.30 on TSN 5.
IMSA: Their next race is VIR, Sunday, August 25.
NHRA: Their next race is Brainerd, Sunday.
Ohsweken Speedway: Their next race is the Blastall Equipment & Club 54 Racing night Friday.
Buxton Raceway: Their next race is Great Lakes Legends, on Saturday.
Ontario Sportsman Series: They were in action at Full Throttle Motor Speedway (I still call it Varney!!) Ollie Ferguson started from the pole for the 100-lapper over Connor James (filling in for the injured Cory McAllister), Kevin Trevellin, Brendan Patrick and Mark Patrick. 10 entries. At the halfway mark it was James over Ferguson, Patrick, Trevellin and Chad McGlynn. 13 second laps sure do make for a quick race!! At the finish it was James taking the win in front of Trevellin, McGlynn, Tim Tolton and Nathaniel Greenway. Time of the race: 52:03.
Their next race is at Flamboro, Saturday, August 24.
Full Throttle Motor Speedway: Their next race is Saturday.
Grand Bend Speedway: Their next race is Championship Night, Saturday, August 31.
Grand Bend Motorplex: They host the 660 Nationals, Saturday and Sunday.
St. Thomas Dragway: Their next race is the Big Rig Truck Nationals, Saturday and Sunday.
PMRA: Their next event is this weekend with Pro Mods, Quick 32 Sportsman Series & Pro Bike & Sled Series, at Empire Dragway.
660 Sportsman Nationals: As mentioned, they’re at Grand Bend Motorplex this weekend.
Shannonville Drags: Their next race is this weekend.
Any comments can be sent to Dave Mathers via email at motionman@rogers.com or by Facebook Messenger.
