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5 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
Pocono Raceway should have been a clean slate for Kyle Busch. But even before he hit the track, controversy found him. Busch made headlines during media day, not for his car, but for his comments about Dale Earnhardt Jr. As Junior stepped into a new role, serving as crew chief in the Xfinity Series for Connor Zilisch, fans celebrated. It was a big moment, symbolically and emotionally. But Busch didn’t join the celebration.
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5 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
As NASCAR returned to the States after a successful trip to Mexico City, fans in Pocono had everything to welcome them. However, the sold-out grandstands and race turned from calm to chaos in a matter of minutes. As thousands of fans packed the grandstands for Sunday’s Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway, a storm warning swept across the track. “WEATHER ALERT: Be aware there is a threat of a thunderstorm, including lightning,” Pocono Raceway tweeted just hours before the green flag.
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5 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
Talladega Superspeedway has always been more than just a racetrack. It’s a legend, a madhouse, a rowdy carnival where speed meets spectacle. Since it opened in 1969, fans have descended on the infield like it’s NASCAR’s answer to Mardi Gras.
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5 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
In 2005, Denny Hamlin was a young driver with talent but little spotlight. Joe Gibbs had a seat open in the No. 11 car after parting ways with Jason Leffler. That’s when a unique friendship came into play, one that would define Hamlin’s NASCAR career. Joe Gibbs and Fredrick Smith, the founder of FedEx, had a connection rooted in mutual respect. Their bond became a gateway for Hamlin. Smith, then the chief executive at FedEx, saw the potential in NASCAR and in Gibbs’ judgment.
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5 days ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
Pocono Raceway has always been a wildcard, but back in 2016, it became a dreamland for Chris Buescher. The rookie, driving for an underdog team, pulled off one of NASCAR’s most surprising wins. Heavy rain and fog stopped the race with just over 20 laps to go. Buescher wasn’t the fastest car, but he had the guts to stay out while others pitted. He waited in his car, hoping the weather would hold.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
Daniel Suarez couldn’t have dreamed up a more emotional homecoming. As NASCAR returned to Mexico for the first time in decades, the Monterrey native stood front and center. Not just as a driver, but as a host, a bridge between two racing cultures. For Suarez, it wasn’t just about laps and checkered flags; it was personal. He invited fellow drivers like Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott to explore his city, eat his favorite tacos, and watch Lucha Libre.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
Back in December 2024, NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell gave fans a reason to pause. He hinted that the Chicago Street Race, NASCAR’s bold push into urban racing, might not survive past its current deal. During a podcast interview, he explained, “We’re just looking at 2025. It’ll be the third year of a three-year run, and each year we’ve wanted to build upon the momentum.” But it wasn’t just the past he reflected on, it was the future he left open-ended.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
When NASCAR announced its media rights deal with Amazon Prime, the response inside Daytona was filled with optimism. Officials touted it as a bold leap forward. NASCAR President Steve Phelps said, “Streaming is important. It’s here to stay… Amazon Prime is a terrific partner… I think it will drive a slightly younger audience for us, which is not a bad thing either.” He believed this new deal could pull in younger fans and keep the sport relevant.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
Just days after losing their hard-fought court battle over charter status, Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan didn’t flinch. The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals meant his team, 23XI Racing, might soon be forced to compete as an open team. That would mean no guaranteed race starts, and far less money from NASCAR’s purse. But Hamlin stood tall. He didn’t blink under pressure. “We’re committed to running this season open if we have to.
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1 week ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Shubham Shekher |Chintan Devgania
Last year, Kevin Harvick was fired up. The 2014 Cup Series champion and now Fox Sports analyst couldn’t believe how difficult it was to find NASCAR content on streaming platforms. He fired off on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “Two weeks off and it took me 20 minutes to find qualifying. Don’t blame the drivers when no one’s watching because it’s buried on an app.” He wasn’t wrong about the frustration. With NBC covering the Olympics, NASCAR events got shoved onto apps and digital platforms.
