The Motion Motorsport Report for InsideTrackNews.com for May 5, 2026 featuring local and international racing news and commentary. Did anybody else notice the pass at Charlotte made by Ford Motor Company’s Mustang Cobra Jet 2200? An electric‑motored, full‑bodied car ran a 6.87 at 221 mph. Of course, NHRA will never let it run in Pro Stock. The reason, you ask? It’s NOT a Camaro!! LOL
And speaking of Ford, is CEO Jim Farley making a behind‑the‑scenes back‑door deal to bring Chinese vehicles into the U.S.? It seems there have been some “corroborated” talks with Geely about a possible partnership in Europe, as well as Ford using “some” Geely tech in the U.S. There is some history with these two companies, as Geely already owns Polestar and Volvo, who sell in the U.S. – and they actually purchased Volvo from Ford. AND Ford is thinking about allowing Geely to “share” Ford’s Valencia Assembly Plant in Spain. AND Ford is also talking with Xiaomi and BYD!! Hmmm.
How can anybody not like Carson Hocevar’s victory celebrations after his big first win last week at Talladega? Driving down the track, sitting almost out of his car, and then doing a burnout up against the wall while also hanging outside the car? You just gotta love it. Good for the sport.
And speaking of Dega, how about the fact that almost four million viewers watched the race in the U.S., plus many more saw the race in Canada. So much for the rumours that the sport is dying!! The future looks great.
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Can anybody remember when sanctioning bodies outlawed betting on their games or races? How things change. Before every NHRA National Event I get an email posting the “odds” for the upcoming race. For South Georgia, the odds showed the favourites as Langdon in Top Fuel, Capps in Funny Car, Anderson in Pro Stock and Herrera in Pro Stock Bike.
The “discussions” continue about the 2026 rules changes in Formula One. Management still contends that “all is good” and “nothing to see here,” while the dissenters – especially Max Verstappen (and now Lance Stroll) – contend that the results are artificial, contrived and unpredictable.
I have followed F1 for well over 60 years and have attended races at Mosport, Montreal, Detroit, Watkins Glen, Indy, Las Vegas (in the 80s), Phoenix and Long Beach, and have walked the tracks at Monaco, Monza, Paul Ricard and Spa. My position is that the racing has never been better for the fans. There have been more passes this year than the previous three years, and that is great. No more boring follow‑the‑leader parades where the finish is almost identical to the starting lineup. I, for one, think the current rules are great.
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What was Cadillac F1 thinking with their graphics at Miami? Primarily white with a splash of red, blue and black, it sure looked blah compared to all the others. It did NOT stand out in the crowd. And they followed up their U.S. F1 debut with a new (and improved?) CT5‑V Blackwing F1 Collector Series sedan featuring a 6‑speed and 685 hp, finished in Midnight Stone Frost. And only 26 will be produced. Why 26? Because 2026 is the year Caddy entered F1. How much does one cost? If you have to ask, you probably can’t afford one!!
Are SUVs coming to NASCAR’s O’Reilly Series? Acknowledging that sedans are less popular in the marketplace and SUVs are the big sellers, it seems they are coming – but not just yet. Hmmm. Stay tuned.
One of the smartest cross‑promotions I have ever seen appeared online this week. Ohsweken Speedway and Toronto Motorsports Park have combined to offer a great deal. The first 1,000 paid guests get a free admission spectator pass to the other track. Brilliant!!
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NASCAR CUP
It’s hard to believe that it has been thirty years since Linda and I dropped into the new, at the time, site of Texas Motor Speedway. We were astounded that the State of Texas had actually, at their expense, widened Interstate 35W and the North‑West Collector to accommodate the new facility. Sure wouldn’t happen in Ontario – just ask Alec Pinsonneault!!
Last week’s winner Carson Hocevar took the pole for Sunday’s race over Daniel Suárez (both in Spire Motorsports Chevs) and Chris Buescher (Ford). Thirty‑eight cars entered, including 17 Chevs, 11 Fords and 10 Toyotas.
It’s fair to say that the anthem singer was not some young country and western star – a 101‑year‑old veteran of Iwo Jima and World War II. Well done. And I think the guy giving the “Start your engines” command actually hurt himself!! LOL
The yellow came out on lap 69 when Christopher Bell and Todd Gilliland got together on corner‑four exit after Gilliland spun and came down on Bell. Erik Jones won Stage 1. The caution came back out on lap 93 when William Byron had a solo spin off Turn 4. On the subsequent pit stop Joey Logano nailed Cole Custer on pit road. Custer had stopped to let Gibbs exit his pit. Logano was out.
Ten laps later Ty Gibbs got bumped into the wall by Ryan Preece between Turns 3 and 4 for another yellow. Just before the end of Stage 2 Larson had a solo spin off Turn 2 for another caution. Chase Elliott won Stage 2. On lap 257 Corey Heim, who had actually led the race at one time, backed into the wall after apparently getting a flat tire.
At the flag it was Elliott over Hamlin and Alex Bowman.
In the points Reddick still leads by 109 over Hamlin, with Elliott third, 117 back.
Next race – Watkins Glen, Sunday at 3 p.m. on TSN 3
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NASCAR O’Reilly Series
Runaway points leader Justin Allgaier (Chev) picked up the pole for Saturday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway ahead of Brandon Jones (Toyota) and Kyle Larson (Chev). All 38 cars qualified – 32 Chevs, six Toyotas and NO Fords!!!! Is Ford waiting to race a Bronco? Just asking!!
Talk about hero to zero. Last week’s winner Corey Day, on the first lap, got loose and spanked the wall on corner‑two exit, collecting Travis Kvapil, William Sawalich and Taylor Gray. Day was out of the race. Yellow. The yellow came back out on lap eight when Austin Green spun on the back straight and a couple of others spun trying to miss him. Wow. Another caution on lap 18 when Brad Perez spun off Turn 4 and collected Lavar Scott and Green. Allgaier got the Stage 1 win.
The yellow flew on lap 66 for debris when Austin Dillon blew his left‑front tire. Connor Zilisch won Stage 2. On lap 178 Rajah Caruth had a slow spin off Turn 2 and tapped the inside wall for another caution. At the flag it was Larson over Allgaier and Sam Mayer.
In the points Allgaier extends his lead over Sheldon Creed to 121 and to 167 over Jesse Love.
Next race – Watkins Glen, Saturday at 4 p.m. on USA and CW
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NASCAR Craftsman Trucks
Ben Rhodes won the pole for Friday night’s race at Texas Motor Speedway over Jake Garcia (both Fords) and Gio Ruggiero (Toyota). Canadians Cole Butcher (Ford) and Stewart Friesen (Toyota) qualified a stout 4th and 7th. Thirty‑five trucks entered, including 14 Chevs, nine Fords, seven Toyotas and five RAMs.
On lap 24 last‑place starter Cory Roper hit the wall on corner‑two exit. Caution. Pole sitter Rhodes won Stage 1. On lap 52 Butcher got together with Garcia and spun. Looking at his truck, which had the rear shoved in, it appeared he was done for the night.
On lap 73 Kris Wright spanked the wall for the third race caution. Carson Hocevar took the Stage 2 win. The yellow came back out on lap 144 when Tyler Ankrum went into the spin cycle. As always, cautions breed cautions, and 12 laps later Grant Enfinger and Friesen got together after Friesen spun down into Grant’s path. Yellow.
With two laps to go Garcia and Conner Jones got together big time – lots of damage. Yellow, then red flag. NASCAR overtime!! At the flag it was Hocevar over Kyle Busch and Kaden Honeycutt. Friesen finished 19th and Butcher was 35th.
In the points Honeycutt leads Chandler Smith by 14 and Layne Riggs by 19. Friesen sits 10th with Butcher 19th.
I can only assume that the Live Timing Timeline AI guy did NOT get a wake‑up call in his room, because he was MIA all race.
Next race – Watkins Glen, Friday at 4:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Racing
Formula One
Charles Leclerc topped FP1 in his Ferrari, followed by Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Oscar Piastri (McLaren). Meanwhile, qualifying for the Sprint Race at Miami had some surprises. The dominant Mercedes team did not get the pole. Lando Norris topped the charts over Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes and Lando’s teammate Oscar Piastri.
Things did not go well for Aston Martin, as Fernando Alonso didn’t run a fast enough lap to qualify on time and Lance Stroll had a “moment” that negated his attempt. As a result, the pair started 21st and 22nd at the back of the pack. I can’t see Alonso racing next year.
In the Sprint race things ran smoothly and Norris led at halftime over Piastri and Leclerc. The in‑car camera shots were pure magic on this bad‑fast course. At the flag it was Norris over Piastri and Leclerc. Mercedes ended up 4th and 5th. Alonso and Stroll finished 17th and 18th.
Qualifying for Sunday’s race saw Antonelli win the pole over Verstappen and Leclerc. Stroll qualified 17th. Formula One wisely moved the start of the race up three hours to 1 o’clock due to the weather threat. See NASCAR Canada – it CAN be done!!! (How many times have I stood at Delaware watching an empty track while black clouds formed to the northwest!!!!)
And what a start!! Leclerc had the lead by the first corner and there was a LOT of action on that opening lap. Verstappen actually spun a full circle and kept going back in 10th, while other cars went two, three and even four‑wide in the corners. You want excitement? You’ve got it!!
On lap six Isaac Hadjar got into the wall, then slid into the tires in his Red Bull, while Pierre Gasly went upside down after contact with Liam Lawson. Yellow flag, then Safety Car. At the halfway mark it was Norris over Piastri and Verstappen.
At the flag it was Antonelli over Norris and Piastri. Stroll finished 17th between the two Cadillacs.
In the Drivers’ Championship Antonelli leads teammate Russell by 20 and Leclerc by 41. In the Constructors’ Championship Mercedes increased its lead to 70 over Ferrari and 86 over McLaren.
Next race – Montreal, Sunday, May 24
IndyCar
Next race – Indy Road Course, Saturday
IMSA
Thirty‑three cars showed up for the race at Laguna Seca Sunday. The Taylor/Deletraz Cadillac topped GTP, followed by the Aitken/Bamber Cadillac and the van der Zande/Yelloly Acura. Shockingly, the two Penske Porsches started 8th and 9th.
In PRO the Hawksworth/Barnicoat Lexus was quickest, followed by the Verhagen/De Phillippi BMW and the Mies/Vervisch Mustang. In GTD the Ferrari of Costa/Patrese was top ahead of the Formal/Hindman Lamborghini and the Barrichello/Gamble Aston Martin. The Pfaff Motorsports Lamborghini started 6th in PRO. Eleven GTP cars, nine PRO and 13 GTDs entered.
Things went swimmingly until the one‑hour‑and‑ten‑minute mark when the Fidani/Bell Corvette appeared to blow up and stopped just off the racing surface. Full‑course caution. At the halfway mark it was the Nasr/Andlauer Penske Porsche leading GTP, the Milner/Catsburg Corvette in PRO and the Formal/Hindman Lamborghini in GTD.
Things ran well right to the flag, where the Heinrich Porsche got the win after going full NASCAR on the last lap, trading paint with the Bamber Cadillac. In PRO it was the Vervisch Mustang, while the Hindman Lamborghini won GTD.
Heinrich leads GTP points over Aitken and Andlauer/Nasr. In PRO Milner/Catsburg lead De Phillippi/Verhagen and King/Tandy. Barrichello leads GTD ahead of Foley/Gallagher and Pedersen/Telitz. A fun and clean race on a really cool racetrack – one that Linda and I drove around in a rental car 38 years ago.
Next race – Detroit street course, Sunday, May 30
24 Hours of Le Mans
Saturday, June 14 – Sunday, June 15
NHRA
Wow – Shawn Langdon laid down a 345.00‑mph run in Friday qualifying at the really cool South Georgia Motorsports Park. If you have driven to Florida on Interstate 75, you have driven right by this track. I’ve always been impressed by their grandstands. I was NOT impressed with the high number of smokers. When the track runs the bad‑ass street cars they don’t seem to have any traction issues whatsoever. What’s the difference?
Top Fuel – Doug Kalitta led the 15 cars with a 3.657 at 342.37. Canadian Dan Mercier qualified 14th. Langdon won the final over Kalitta with a 3.808 at 333.16. Five upsets and 10 smokers.
Funny Car – J.R. Todd ran a 3.887 at 339.28 to top the 14 entries. Canadians Spencer Hyde and Jeff Arend qualified 9th and 12th. Jordan Vandergriff beat Todd in the final with a 4.007 at 314.17. Four upsets and eight smokers.
Pro Mod – Derek Menholt put down a 5.623 at 254.09 to top the 18 entries. Canadians Justin Bond and Spencer Hyde qualified 10th and 14th. Jason Collins took out Mike Thielen in the final with a 5.731 at 252.99. Five upsets and five smokers.
Pro Stock – Greg Anderson was quickest of the 16 entries with a 6.498 at 210.60. Canadians Eric and Matt Latino qualified 2nd and 13th. Dallas Glenn put down a 6.643 at 208.59 to beat Troy Coughlin Jr. Eleven upsets and 10 smokers.
Pro Stock Bike – Matt Smith topped the 15 entrants with a 6.699 at 203.03. Smith marched through the field, taking out Richard Gadson in the final with a 6.724 at 202.06. One upset and one smoker.
Next race – Route 66, Sunday, May 17
Coming Events
IHRA – National Trail, Saturday
NASCAR Canada Series – Mosport, Sunday, May 17
APC Series – Delaware, Saturday
Ontario Sportsman Series – Delaware, May 15
Delaware Speedway – Friday
Ohsweken Speedway – Friday, May 15
Flamboro Speedway – Saturday. The track opened its 2026 season on May 2. Click HERE for a full report and photo gallery from that event.
Buxton Speedway – Saturday
Full Throttle Motor Speedway – Saturday
Grand Bend Speedway – Saturday, June 6
Grand Bend Dragway – Saturday and Sunday, May 30–31
St. Thomas Dragway – Saturday
Toronto Motorsports Park – Saturday and Sunday
Can‑Am Stock / Super Stock – Cayuga, May 17
John Scotti NHRA Canadian Championship Series – Cayuga, May 17
Shannonville Drags – June 8
Any comments can be sent to Dave Mathers via email at motionman@rogers.com or by Facebook Messenger.