Owen Johnson

City of Westminster

Associate Editor at Cup Scene

Associate Editor at https://t.co/TODYxVnujc, covering NASCAR and motorsports. Law student in London.

Articles

With Dale Jr. in His Ear, Connor Zilisch Wins at Pocono

6 days ago | cupscene.com | Owen Johnson

With NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. in his ear, rookie sensation Connor Zilisch earned his first oval win at Pocono Raceway Saturday. It was a double first for JR Motorsports, as team owner Dale Jr. scored his own first win as crew chief in his first attempt, stepping up to the pit box after the No. 88’s regular crew chief was suspended for missing lug nuts at Nashville. To Zilisch’s credit, he didn’t need much else to score his first oval win.
Nemechek Bounces Back South of the Border, Dragging Legacy Motor Club with Him

1 week ago | cupscene.com | Owen Johnson

It has been a rough start for Legacy Motor Club. Since 2023 when the team took its name, its cars have finished in the top ten in just 11% of the races they have attempted (21 out of 190). By any measure, that is a struggle. It has been a focus for every member of the team, with co-owner Jimmie Johnson explaining the total improvement needed for the team to be successful. “Everywhere,” he said back in 2023 of his focus with the team.
Daniel Suarez Wrecks, Rallies, and Rules in Mexico City

1 week ago | cupscene.com | Owen Johnson

Daniel Suarez winning the Xfinity Series race in Mexico City is a storybook ending. But the race itself was a page-turner. Suarez started his career in the Mexico Series before moving to the United States to compete in the sport’s highest level. Despite not speaking a word of English when he moved, he learned the language and honed his craft and is now a Cup Series race winner.
NASCAR’s First Race in Mexico Is a Homecoming for Suarez and an Opportunity for van Gisbergen

2 weeks ago | cupscene.com | Owen Johnson

Ever since this year’s schedule was released, the addition of Mexico City to the NASCAR calendar has been the biggest talking point. Now it’s finally here and real. It was certainly a trek: the haulers set off right after the Michigan race concluded to travel the width of the United States, cross the border, and make the climb up to Mexico City (about 1.4 miles above sea level). Teams and others in the industry followed on planes. But it’s all worth it for a huge event for NASCAR.
Michigan, NASCAR’s Fastest Track, Promises High Speeds and High Intensity

3 weeks ago | cupscene.com | Owen Johnson

Of all of NASCAR’s big tracks – Daytona, Talladega, Atlanta – there’s one that’s consistently faster than all the rest. In the Next Gen era, Michigan International Speedway has seen an average pole lap in qualifying at over 192 mph, a full 10 mph faster than Daytona with the restrictor plates. The 2-mile Michigan track is the perfect setup for speed, with long straights and enough banking to carry speed through the corners.
NASCAR Brings the Noise to Music City at Nashville Superspeedway

4 weeks ago | cupscene.com | Owen Johnson

Nashville Superspeedway always seems to bring something different. The track was added back to the schedule in 2021 and has seen four different winners in each of the four seasons since its return: Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain, and Joey Logano. Sunday night’s Cracker Barrel 400 airs at 7 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and is a chance for another.
Alex Palou Wins Indy 500, His First IndyCar Oval Win

1 month ago | caraganza.com | Owen Johnson

The end of the Indy 500 seemed to suit Alex Palou. The IndyCar points leader has had one of the most dominating starts in the sport’s history this year: he’s won every race except one, and in that one he finished second. The end therefore mirrored his established pattern of taking control of the race and delivering Chip Ganassi yet another victory.
Kyle Larson’s ‘Double’ Ends Early with Indy 500 Crash

1 month ago | cupscene.com | Owen Johnson

Kyle Larson was hoping to finally run a full 1100 miles this year. In his first attempt at ‘The Double’ last year, a marathon effort to race in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the same day, a rain delay at Indy meant he arrived late for the Coke 600 and had to sub in with a third of the race done. In his second attempt this year, Larson didn’t even manage to complete the full 200-lap distance at Indianapolis.
William Byron Overcomes Speeding Penalty for Xfinity Win in a Caution-Filled Charlotte Finish

1 month ago | cupscene.com | William J. Byron |Owen Johnson

It felt like the finish would never come in the Xfinity Series at Charlotte, with four cautions in quick succession in the final twenty laps. But through it all, William Byron was able to continue his climb to the front, and he emerged victorious when the dust settled to take the checkered flag in the BetMGM 300. It marked Byron’s first win at Charlotte Motor Speedway, his home track, in any series, which meant a lot to him and his family. “It’s cool.
NASCAR’s Coke 600 Is a Crown Jewel Marathon End to a Day of Racing

1 month ago | cupscene.com | Owen Johnson

NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 is a crown-jewel capstone to one of the greatest days in racing. Starting with the Monaco Grand Prix in Europe, racing then comes stateside for the Indy 500 and ends the night with NASCAR’s longest race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. And, with the Monaco GP moving a week later from 2026, it’s the last time to enjoy all three series on the same day for the foreseeable future. If you catch all of that racing, one name will stand out: Kyle Larson.