In this week’s Motion Motorsport Report for InsideTrackNews.com, Dave Mathers includes some local racing action – at the end of the long off-season – as well as his commentary and analysis of the major international racing series.
I found it interesting that our local Fox station, WJBK in Detroit, elected to cover the LIV Golf League tournament instead of the NASCAR Cup race. Isn’t LIV the league that has reportedly run out of money?
Here’s an interesting email from the organizers of the Canadian Grand Prix. Tickets for the upcoming Grand Prix in Montreal are ON SALE for up to 35 percent off. Huh? I thought that race had always been sold out and tickets hard to get. What has changed this year? Oh yeah – the date.
They replaced the Monaco Grand Prix that always anchored the Memorial Day Sunday trifecta with Montreal. Monaco was an early‑morning race, while Montreal is now an afternoon event (4 p.m. EDT start). Not smart, as it now conflicts with the closing coverage of the Indy 500 and the start of the World (Coca‑Cola) 600 at Charlotte. And Monaco? June 7!!
There have been lots of opinions offered on the $50,000 fine given to RFK driver Ryan Preece after last week’s Cup race at Texas. The penalty was for “walling” Ty Gibbs. My view – if you are going to retaliate, do not announce it over the team radio. Everybody is listening these days. This was a self‑inflicted fine.
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What? Nooo waaay!
The 660 Sportsman Spectacular is set for June 12 – 14 at St. Thomas Dragway, and we’ve got big news! Shaun Umscheid (The What? Nooo waaay! guy) and his wife Julie will be joining us all weekend for meet & greets, autographs, and competition judging – don’t miss your chance to meet them!
Friday brings “Run What You Brung” from 4:00 – 8:30pm, followed by the Wheelie Contest and Burnout Contest, each with $500 up for grabs.
Saturday features showtime at 2pm & 7pm with the Hellfire Jet Truck, OSM Jet Dragster, and Nostalgia Funny Cars, plus a full day of car show, ONDR, bracket racing, and Jr. dragsters.
Sunday wraps things up with more ONDR, bracket racing, and Jr. dragsters.
Spectator admission is $25 per day, with camping available – plan your weekend now and be part of the action! Click HERE for tickets and info.
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Lots of online discussion followed the NHRA National Event at South Georgia Motorsports Park last week. The consensus – the track was brutal, with most finger‑pointing aimed at track prep and grinding. That claim hasn’t been confirmed, but it sounds plausible. Maybe next year will be better? That track has hosted the bad‑fast Pro Street‑style races for years without traction problems like this event. Full credit to the TV announce team, who really held back on their comments.
It seems F1 is listening to drivers who are complaining about the new engine rules. Next year there will be less focus on electrical boosting and more on real engine power. Unfortunately, that doesn’t fix this year. Now will IndyCar clear up its push‑to‑pass problems? My opinion – both series should get rid of these so‑called performance “add‑ons.”
NASCAR Cup Series
Unsurprisingly, Shane van Gisbergen nabbed the pole for Sunday’s Cup race at Watkins Glen International. He was followed by Michael McDowell (both in Chevrolets) and Austin Cindric (Ford). Thirty‑eight cars entered – 18 Chevs, 11 Fords and nine Toyotas.
The start was rather sloppy – something we rarely see from NASCAR but see all the time from IndyCar. Interesting. A few offs (can you say Ricky Stenhouse?) but no cautions, and Ross Chastain won Stage 1. The pylons on the outside of Turn 1 are a very smart idea. No more six‑, seven‑ or even eight‑wide attempts through there.
The first caution came on lap 39 for debris when a small tent‑like object slowly floated down on the outside of Turn 4. On lap 57, William Byron tangled with Chris Buescher, sending Byron into a spin and then to pit road with what appeared to be a broken toe link. At halfway it was SVG over Tyler Reddick and Ty Gibbs, and SVG won Stage 2.
The yellow returned on lap 61 when Joey Logano had a flat tire and the carcass ended up on the track. Then came the excitement. SVG and Reddick stayed out while everyone else pitted for fuel and tires. SVG finally pitted on lap 78 and rejoined around 24th or 25th, roughly 30 seconds back. Could he do it? Oh yeah.
He carved through the field like a hot knife through cold butter and won by 7.288 seconds over Michael McDowell, with Ty Gibbs third. SVG’s burnout was epic – drifting the car sideways all the way to the pit wall, slapping hands with his crew. You had to see it to believe it. Of course, he also booted the rugby ball into the stands. And it wouldn’t be a complete race if Bubba Wallace didn’t get into a heated argument with someone after a poor finish (29th).
In the points, Reddick (fifth) still leads by 129 over Hamlin and 145 over Chase Elliott.
Next race – All‑Star Race, Dover, Sunday at 3 p.m. on TSN 3.
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Brockville Ontario Speedway kicks off its 2026 racing season Saturday, May 16 with several hometrack series in action, including the Ogilvies Auto & Fleet Triple Crown Series 358 Modifieds (50 laps), Sportsman (40 laps), Rookie Sports, Mini Stock, Suprenant Truck Shop Crate Sprints and the Street Stocks. For tickets and info, visit BrockvilleSpeedway.com.
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NASCAR O’Reilly Series
Rajah Caruth won the pole at Watkins Glen on Saturday ahead of points leader Justin Allgaier and Sheldon Creed (shockingly, all in Chevrolets). Canadian Alex Labbe started 30th. Thirty‑eight cars – 31 Chevs, seven Toyotas and no Fords.
Eighteen‑year‑old Brent Crews, who started fourth, won Stage 1. The first caution came on lap 26 when Lavar Scott fell behind in his steering in Turn 1. Jeremy Clements turned hard right to avoid Scott and hit the tire wall. Eight laps later, the yellow flew again for debris – likely the rear cover from Scott’s car. The leaders were Connor Zilisch, Shane van Gisbergen and Crews.
Zilisch won Stage 2. At halfway it was Zilisch over SVG and Taylor Gray. On lap 46, Allgaier bunny‑hopped the curb and shoved Creed off the track spectacularly. Creed got some big air on the off. At the flag it was Zilisch over Jesse Love and Gray.
In the points, Allgaier leads Creed by a whopping 155 and Love by 161.
Next race – Dover, Saturday at 4 p.m. on USA and CW.
NASCAR Craftsman Trucks
Thirty‑eight trucks timed in for 36 spots at Watkins Glen. Brent Crews (Toyota) won the pole over Ty Majeski (Ford) and Daniel Hemric (Chev). Canadians Stewart Friesen and Cole Butcher qualified 19th and 24th. Breakdown – 14 Chevs, nine Fords, eight Toyotas and five RAMs.
Everything ran drama‑free early, with Hemric winning Stage 1 and Connor Zilisch taking Stage 2. On lap 44, a loose wheel rolled down pit lane and onto the track – that tire got into Turn 1 better than some of the trucks. The yellow finally came out on lap 58 when Grant Enfinger rolled to a stop.
At the flag it was Kaden Honeycutt earning his first career win – and his second of the day after winning the ARCA race earlier. Zilisch was second, despite bouncing off the wall with five to go, and SVG finished third. Friesen ended up 18th and Butcher 35th.
Honeycutt leads the points by 29 over Chandler Smith and 43 over Layne Riggs. Friesen sits 11th and Butcher 20th.
Next race – Dover, Friday at 4:30 p.m. on CTV Speed (tape‑delayed until Saturday).
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The Toyo Tires Spring Rebate is underway. Purchase a set of four Toyo Tires by May 31 and save up to $100! Click HERE for details.
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Formula One
Next race – Montreal, Sunday, May 24.
IndyCar
Rain on Friday postponed qualifying to Saturday morning at the Indianapolis road course. Alex Palou took the pole over Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist. Twenty‑five cars entered.
Fox underwhelmed once again. The first 20 minutes of the allotted broadcast wasn’t racing – it was football. Meanwhile, back at the track, cars were wrecking before the green flag. Rinus VeeKay sustained damage, and then Turn 1 became “Calamity Corner” when a group tangled after Rosenqvist got crossed up on exit. Full‑course yellow.
On lap 24, Alex Rossi stopped on the front straight, bringing out another caution – and drama when Rossi exited the car. As usual, yellows bred yellows. Sting Ray Robb got sideways, and Rosenqvist climbed up and over.
At halfway it was David Malukas over Christian Lundgaard and Graham Rahal. Things settled down, and Lundgaard went on to win ahead of Malukas and Rahal.
In the points, pole‑sitter Palou leads Kyle Kirkwood by 27 and Malukas by 52.
Next race – Indy 500, Sunday, May 24.
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IMSA
Next race – Detroit Street Course, Sunday, May 30.
24 Hours of Le Mans
Saturday, June 14 – Sunday, June 15.
NHRA
Next race – Route 66, Sunday.
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IHRA
The IHRA dropped into the former NHRA track once known as National Trail for their Spring Nationals. I still remember Herbie Rogers getting flooded out there about 35 years ago when I was sponsoring his Alcohol Funny Car. Hopefully those issues are solved. It’s also good they’re only running the eighth‑mile – they used to block off the road past the shutdown area because cars sometimes didn’t stop in time. Imagine driving along and a Funny Car cuts across the road in front of you.
Top Fuel – Lee Callaway topped the eight entries with a 3.055 at 282.31. Gary Pritchett won the final with a 3.063 at 285.53 over Cameron Ferre. Two upsets and four smokers.
Funny Car – Del Worsham was quickest of the 10 cars with a 3.291 at 272.23 and went on to beat John Smith in the final with a 3.321 at 267.06. Two upsets and three smokers.
Pro Mod – Jason Harris qualified quickest with a 3.601 at 210.08 and marched through the field, running a 3.686 to beat Jason Lee in the final.
Pro Stock – Tony Scott led the six entries with a 4.933 at 144.46, but Taylor Dietsch beat him in the final with a 4.903. One upset and one smoker.
Mountain Motor Pro Stock – Dwayne Rice topped the 23‑car field with a 4.046 at 177.40. Matt Giangrande beat Jerry Tucker in the final with a 4.078. Three upsets.
Hemi Shootout – Steve Comella led the three qualifiers with a 5.281 at 130.25 and beat James Daniels in the final with a 5.358.
Next race – Maple Grove, Sunday, May 24.
NASCAR Canada Series
Next race – Mosport, Sunday.
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APC Series
Talk about bad weather for the season opener at Delaware Speedway. I was at home convinced they wouldn’t race – radar looked brutal, and I had eight severe weather warnings on my phone, including tornado alerts. The track’s Facebook page said the sun was out and racing was a go.
I arrived just in time to see the white flag for the Super Stock 50‑lapper. Darrell Lake started on the pole ahead of Zane Zardo and Nic Ramsey. At halfway it was Lake over Ramsey and Zardo. The first caution came on lap 26 for Brendan Edgar slowing on track. On lap 36, Trevor Collver smoked and pulled off without a caution. At the flag it was Lake over Ramsey and Hudson Nagy. Time – 23.20. Twenty‑one cars – a great turnout.
But wait, there’s more. The ongoing love‑hate relationship between Lake and the Room of Gloom continues – Lake was DQ’d again, handing the win to Nic Ramsey.
The Legends race saw local hot shoe Jessie Kennedy start dead last and march through the field to beat Nathan Killins and Dave Sharpe. Twenty laps took 11 minutes. Kennedy ran a 21.560, while Killins posted a 21.426.
The Late Model race saw 18 cars. Brandon Watson took the pole over Connor Pritiko and Donald Theetge. On lap two, Connor Maltese blew his motor on the back straight, oiling Turn 3 and pit road. The pack arrived hot, and Pritiko slid in the oil and hammered the wall, collecting Mike Bentley, Shae Gemmell and Brady Smith. Bentley returned later.
At halfway it was Watson over Kyle Steckly and Stade, with only six cars on the lead lap. Watson pitted with a flat right front on lap 53. Ray Morneau spun off Turn 4 on lap 78, and five laps later Steckly hit the wall in Turn 1 after another flat. At the flag it was Stade over Jake Sheridan and D.J. Kennington.
In a neat connection, Joe Chisholm (the Dairy Queen King) was spotting for Stade, while his friend Jeff Gotelaer spotted for Indy Road Course winner Christian Lundgaard.
Next race – Flamboro, Saturday, May 30.
Ontario Sportsman Series
Next race – Delaware, May 15.
Delaware Speedway
Opening night was cold. When’s this “global warming” thing going to kick in? LOL.
Bone Stocks (31 cars) saw heat wins by Matt Langford, Colin Willems and Michael Verberne. The feature had three cautions, and Verberne won over Langford and Mitch Rawlings.
V8 Stockers (21 entries) continue to grow fast. Any car or truck, any V8, any tire, any weight – but you can’t run quicker than 21.10 seconds. Heat wins went to Jeff Ferguson and the No. 17. Veteran Doug Stewart won the feature ahead of Jordan Morris and Ferguson.
The Mods had seven cars. Steve McCaw won the heat, while Marshall Schrenk took the feature after a spirited battle. Wally Wilson finished third.
Brady Fletcher won King of the Hill in his Honda over Cristofor Battaglia’s Jaguar.
Next race – Ontario Sportsman Series, Friday.
The ISMA-MSS Supermodifieds return to Flamboro Speedway this Saturday, May 16 as part of the track’s Open Wheel Extravaganza! The show gets underway at 6:30 p.m. and will feature 75 laps for the ISMA-MSS Supermodifieds chasing $10,000 to win!
The Canadian Vintage Modifieds, Can-Am Midgets and the Southern Ontario Modified Association Pro 4 Modifieds will also be in action at the Millgrove, Ontario short track. For tickets and info visit FlamboroSpeedway.ca. The raindate is Sunday, May 17. Pit gates open at 1 p.m. on Saturday, with the front gates opening at 3 p.m.
Ohsweken Speedway – Season Opener, Friday
Flamboro Speedway – IMSA Super Modifieds, Saturday
Buxton Speedway – Garry Evans Memorial, Saturday
Full Throttle Motor Speedway – Bone Stock Battle Royal, Saturday, and Enduro, Sunday
Grand Bend Speedway – Saturday, June 6
Grand Bend Dragway – Saturday and Sunday, May 30–31
St. Thomas Dragway – Test & Tune, Saturday
660 Nationals – June 12–14, St. Thomas Dragway
Toronto Motorsports Park – Victoria Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday
Can‑Am Stock/Super Stock – Cayuga, Saturday and Sunday
John Scotti NHRA Canadian Championship Series – Cayuga, Saturday and Sunday
Quick 32 Sportsman Series – Cayuga, Saturday and Sunday
Shannonville Drags – June 8
Any comments can be sent to Dave Mathers via email at motionman@rogers.com or by Facebook Messenger.