Racing

Teen Prodigy Brent Crews Launches Own NASCAR Truck Series Team

In a bold and unprecedented move, 17-year-old racing sensation Brent Crews, a development driver for Toyota, has unveiled his new venture: Brent Crews Motorsports, a NASCAR Truck Series team. This audacious undertaking will see the young talent not only own but also compete under his own banner, with the team's inaugural race scheduled for August 8th at Watkins Glen International. Crews will take the wheel of the No. 70 Toyota, proudly sporting the colors of primary sponsor Pristine Auction.

The journey to establishing his own team has been driven by a passion for the sport instilled from a young age. Crews shared how growing up, he was captivated by stories of seasoned mechanics and racers, like Nick Tucker and Brian Keselowski, who pieced together race cars and engines from salvaged parts. Despite the inherent challenges and the skepticism they sometimes faced, the spirit of building and racing always resonated deeply with him. When the opportunity arose to acquire a truck for the Watkins Glen event, the idea of founding his own team organically evolved, fueled by his enthusiasm and a willingness to invest his own earnings from micro sprints into this ambitious project.

Crews is no stranger to the competitive landscape of the Truck Series, having already made three starts this season with TRICON Garage. His performance at the Lime Rock road course stands out, where he qualified fifth and secured an impressive eighth-place finish. Beyond the Truck Series, Crews has demonstrated his winning pedigree in the ARCA series, clinching four victories in just twelve starts. This year alone, his limited appearances in ARCA races with Joe Gibbs Racing have yielded an astonishing 50% win rate, underscoring his exceptional talent and adaptability on the track.

Furthermore, Crews has an illustrious record in late model racing and holds a remarkable distinction in the SCCA Trans-Am TA2 ProAm Series. In 2023, he not only claimed the series championship but also set records as the youngest race winner and the youngest series champion in the history of the Trans-Am series. These achievements highlight his diverse skill set and his potential to make a lasting impact in professional motorsports.

The creation of Brent Crews Motorsports represents a significant milestone in the career of this promising young driver. It reflects not only his immense talent behind the wheel but also his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to building a lasting presence in NASCAR. The team's debut at Watkins Glen will undoubtedly be a moment to watch, as Crews embarks on this exciting new chapter, aiming to translate his past successes into a formidable future in the Truck Series and beyond.

NBC to Broadcast Final Races of 2025 NASCAR Cup Season

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season enters a pivotal phase as NBC Sports assumes broadcasting duties for the remaining events. This transition marks the activation of NBC's share in NASCAR's substantial new television rights agreement, promising comprehensive coverage for racing enthusiasts.

Experience the Thrill: Your Guide to the Final Stages of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Season!

Shifting Gears: The Broadcasting Transition to NBC Sports for the Final Stretch of the Season

The year 2025 initiates a monumental seven-year, $7.7 billion television rights agreement for NASCAR, distributing Cup Series coverage among a consortium of major broadcasters including FOX Sports, NBC Sports, Prime Video, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Following the conclusion of in-season alternative broadcasts on TNT Sports and TruTV, the reins are now passed to NBC for the critical final four regular-season races and the intense ten-race playoff series. This strategic alignment ensures a unified viewing experience for fans as the championship battle intensifies.

Meet the Voices of Speed: Introducing the Elite NBC Sports Broadcast Team

Guiding viewers through every thrilling moment of the remaining races will be the experienced commentary team led by Leigh Diffey, who returns as the principal announcer. He will be joined in the booth by the distinguished 21-time Cup Series race winner, Jeff Burton, and the astute Daytona 500-winning crew chief, Steve Letarte, offering expert analysis and insights. Reporting from the heart of the action in the pits will be Dave Burns and Kim Coon, providing crucial real-time updates and behind-the-scenes perspectives.

Extensive Coverage: Where to Catch All the Action Across NBC's Platforms

While NBC's primary channel is slated to showcase key events, a substantial portion of the upcoming races will be broadcast on USA Network. This includes races at iconic tracks such as Iowa, Watkins Glen, Richmond, Darlington, Gateway, Bristol, Loudon, Kansas, Charlotte Roval, and Las Vegas. This multi-platform approach ensures broad accessibility for fans, allowing them to follow their favorite drivers and teams throughout the season's climax.

Highlight Events on NBC: The Path to the Championship Crown

NBC’s main channel will exclusively carry pivotal moments in the 2025 season. This includes the regular season's dramatic conclusion at Daytona, where the coveted 16-driver playoff field will be officially finalized. Furthermore, NBC will broadcast the concluding two races of the Round of 8 from Talladega and Martinsville, culminating in the ultimate title-deciding race at Phoenix. For enhanced viewing flexibility, the final three races of the year will also be simultaneously streamed on Peacock, although the Daytona event remains exclusive to the primary broadcast channel.

Beyond the Track: Supplemental Coverage and Streaming Options

Beyond the live race broadcasts, fans can delve deeper into the NASCAR experience through various supplemental offerings. In-car camera feeds, providing an immersive driver’s-eye view, will continue to be available each weekend via HBO Max. Additionally, essential practice and qualifying sessions will be broadcast on TruTV every weekend, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all on-track activities leading up to race day. This robust digital and broadcast ecosystem caters to every aspect of the racing fan's needs, from pre-race preparations to post-race analysis.

Comprehensive 2025 Broadcast Schedule for NASCAR Cup Series

For a detailed overview of the upcoming events and their respective broadcast channels, refer to the complete schedule. This includes dates, tracks, and where to watch both the main races and the practice/qualifying sessions, offering fans a clear roadmap to the remainder of the 2025 NASCAR Cup season. From the regular season's final push to the high-stakes playoffs, every moment is meticulously scheduled for fans to enjoy.

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Verstappen's Hungary Challenge: Red Bull Struggles and Towel Incident

Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 champion, encountered significant difficulties during the initial practice sessions of the Hungarian Grand Prix. His Red Bull machine displayed a severe lack of balance and grip, leaving him perplexed and trailing behind rivals. This unexpected setback raises questions about the team's ability to quickly resolve the underlying issues before the crucial qualifying and race sessions. The challenges extend beyond on-track performance, as Verstappen also faced scrutiny from race stewards.

Verstappen's struggles highlighted the unpredictable nature of top-tier motorsport, where even the most dominant teams can face unexpected hurdles. The incident involving the towel, though seemingly minor, underscored the meticulous attention to detail required in Formula 1 and the potential safety implications of even small anomalies within the cockpit. The team now faces an urgent task to dissect the data and implement effective changes, aiming to regain their competitive edge and ensure a stronger showing in the remainder of the Grand Prix weekend.

Early Struggles and Car Performance

During the second practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, found himself unexpectedly far down the leaderboard, securing a disappointing 14th position. His Red Bull F1 car was a full second adrift of the leading pace, set by Lando Norris. Verstappen candidly described the car's handling as 'undriveable,' citing a significant lack of balance and a 'low grip feeling.' This poor performance led to an immediate and lengthy debriefing session with his team, including team boss Laurent Mekies and fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda, as they sought to understand the root cause of the issues.

Verstappen's assessment of his RB21 was stark, comparing the driving experience to 'driving on ice.' The unexpected difficulties experienced by the Red Bull team on Friday raised concerns about their competitiveness for the rest of the weekend in Hungary. While the team has a history of making significant overnight improvements to their car setup, the Dutchman acknowledged that there was no immediate clarity on why the car performed so poorly. He emphasized the urgent need for the team to thoroughly investigate the problems to improve their performance, especially with McLaren showing strong pace. His team-mate, Yuki Tsunoda, also noted a lack of grip, though he felt the overall balance was not the primary issue, suggesting a complex problem for Red Bull to solve.

Stewards\' Warning and Safety Protocols

Beyond the car's performance issues, Max Verstappen also had to address an incident with the race stewards. He was summoned for discarding a towel from his car's cockpit during a practice run. This action led to a warning for Red Bull for an unsafe release, as the loose item could have potentially interfered with Verstappen's operation of the pedals, posing a safety risk. The stewards\' decision underscored the strict safety protocols in Formula 1, where even seemingly innocuous items can lead to penalties if not properly managed.

Verstappen explained that the towel, typically used for wiping his face, had been accidentally left in the car. He clarified that his decision to throw it out was a safety measure, aimed at preventing it from getting caught between his feet and pedals, which could have led to a more dangerous situation. He expressed confidence that the stewards understood his reasoning for prioritizing safety in that moment. This minor but noteworthy incident highlights the constant vigilance required from drivers and teams to ensure safety, even in practice sessions, and the rationale behind enforcing strict regulations to prevent potential hazards on the track.

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