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Persistent dense fog at Fuji Speedway has led to the cancellation of the second Super Formula race scheduled for Sunday. This decision was made following a previous race on Saturday that was also prematurely ended due to heavy rain, leaving race enthusiasts and teams disappointed.

Super Formula's Fuji Event Marred by Weather, Future Races Under Review

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 3:35 PM local time, officials at Fuji Speedway, a venue owned by Toyota, announced the cancellation of the tenth round of the Super Formula season. The primary reason cited was extremely low visibility caused by thick fog, making race conditions unsafe for competitors. This unfortunate turn of events followed a similar incident on Saturday, where the first race of the weekend was shortened, and ultimately called off, due to torrential rainfall, preventing any meaningful green-flag racing. In response to these cancellations, JRP President Yoshihisa Ueno indicated during a post-cancellation press conference that the series is actively investigating potential dates for a replacement race. Discussions are underway to possibly hold this compensatory event at either Fuji Speedway itself or Suzuka, where the championship's final double-header is slated for November 22-23. Earlier in the day, despite some damp patches on the track, qualifying sessions were successfully completed under predominantly dry conditions. Tadasuke Makino of Dandelion Racing impressively secured his second pole position of the season, narrowly beating Igor Fraga from Nakajima Racing by a mere 0.076 seconds. Makino's teammate, Kakunoshin Ohta, qualified third, earning a bonus point that elevated him to a tie in championship standings with Ayumu Iwasa, albeit ahead on countback due to his three wins compared to Iwasa's single victory. Championship leader Sho Tsuboi, representing TOM’S, qualified a modest seventh but still retains a 14.5-point lead over Ohta and Iwasa. Makino's pole position points reduce his deficit to Tsuboi to 23.5 points. Tomoki Nojiri of Mugen, who qualified fourth without earning bonus points, remains the only other driver mathematically capable of challenging for the championship, should no replacement race be scheduled. Sacha Fenestraz, Saturday's race winner, faced a challenging qualifying session, starting 18th due to an error at Turn 1. Similarly, Zak O’Sullivan was set to start last after an issue with his Kondo Racing vehicle prevented him from participating in Q1.

The repeated disruptions due to inclement weather highlight the unpredictable nature of outdoor sports and the challenges race organizers face in ensuring both fair competition and driver safety. While disappointing for fans and teams alike, the proactive stance on rescheduling demonstrates a commitment to completing a full season and upholding the spirit of motorsport.

Penske's Playoff Predicament: A Race Against the Odds

The Dire Situation for Team Penske Drivers in the Playoffs

The path to the championship four appears straightforward for most competitors, excluding Denny Hamlin. However, the upcoming race at Talladega, known for its unpredictable 'Big One' incidents, could drastically alter fortunes. Currently, Team Penske finds itself in a precarious position, with its drivers outside the championship contention zone.

Ryan Blaney's Vegas Setback and Future Prospects

Ryan Blaney experienced a worst-case scenario in Sunday's race, crashing out prematurely due to a blown left front tire. This incident resulted in a last-place finish and a failure to secure any stage points. Expressing his dissatisfaction, Blaney acknowledged the need for a significant comeback, echoing his team's past experiences. Despite his frustration, he remains optimistic, citing previous successes at Talladega and Martinsville as potential avenues for redemption. Blaney's record at these tracks, including victories in 2019, 2021, and 2023 at Talladega, and in 2023 and 2024 at Martinsville, fuels his belief that a win is attainable.

Joey Logano's Performance and the Narrowing Gap

Joey Logano concluded the race in sixth position, earning three stage points. However, this gain was insufficient as other drivers around him secured more points or also achieved top-ten finishes. Logano recognized the shrinking margin and the increasing necessity of winning one of the remaining races. He noted the possibility of closing the points gap, even with the competition intensifying. With three wins at Talladega and two at Martinsville, Logano also possesses a strong historical performance at the upcoming venues.

Chase Elliott and William Byron's Playoff Challenges

Chase Elliott, despite accumulating six stage points in the initial stage, incurred a penalty for pitting outside the designated area, which relegated him a lap down and resulted in an eighteenth-place finish. He maintains confidence in his abilities for Talladega and Martinsville. Similarly, William Byron, who triumphed in the first stage and earned eighteen stage points, dropped below the cutline following a collision with Ty Dillon during a pit entry maneuver. Byron trails Briscoe by fifteen points, suggesting a close battle, though Talladega could significantly reshuffle the standings.

The Volatility of the Round of 8 and Strategic Implications

The previous year's playoffs saw Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell, who were initially above the cutline, eliminated because other drivers below them secured victories in the three preceding races. This highlights the unpredictable nature of the Round of 8. Chase Briscoe nearly capitalized on this trend with a daring two-tire pit stop that positioned him ahead of Hamlin until the final laps. Briscoe has now moved above the cutline but remains vulnerable if a competitor below him wins at Talladega. He views the upcoming races as opportunities to further solidify his position, potentially aiming for a win to advance directly.

Larson's Perspective and Team Penske's Absence

Kyle Larson acknowledges the current playoff landscape, noting that both Penske cars are outside the contention. He remarked on the potential for a wide-open championship if Team Penske drivers fail to qualify. Larson and Bell enjoy a relatively secure position, but Larson recognizes the need to accumulate stage points to maintain his advantage. He believes that if Team Penske does not secure a win in the next two races, the championship becomes more accessible to other teams, particularly with Denny Hamlin currently leading. Larson expressed confidence in his team's flat track performance, believing they may have surpassed Joe Gibbs Racing in that area.