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Chicago Tribune
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
DePaul partners with Spire Motorsports ahead of NASCAR Chicago Street Race
A familiar logo to the city's sports fans will be zooming through the streets downtown when the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race takes place Saturday and Sunday. DePaul University has partnered with Spire Motorsports for the weekend's events as the main sponsor of the No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1. DePaul's colors will be on the car, driver and pit-crew gear and pit-stop signage, and fans can buy Blue Demons-themed gear before the race. Piloting the DePaul Chevy will be Michael McDowell, who joined Spire this season. The Glendale, Ariz., native is a 17-year veteran with 518 starts. That includes a victory in the 2021 Daytona 500, three top-five finishes at Talladega and starts in all three of NASCAR's national series (Cup, Xfinity and Truck). 'It's always exciting when you can bring somebody into the sport that you know hasn't been there (before) and bring a new design and a fresh look,' McDowell said. 'You're going to have some fans and you're going to have some support immediately. It's been a great response. 'I've had a lot of people in particular comment about the paint scheme, how well it looks, and (they're) excited to see it on track. The paint scheme turned out nice; the colors look great.' DePaul's NASCAR partnership is a way to promote the school beyond Chicago. 'Partnering with Spire Motorsports for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race allows us to spotlight DePaul on a national stage while embracing a global event in our own backyard,' athletic director DeWayne Peevy said in a press release. 'This collaboration will extend into our classrooms this fall, offering our students a hands-on look at the business and science behind professional racing. It's the perfect example of how we're using sports to elevate our visibility and create real-world learning experiences for our students.' DePaul's School of Hospitality and Sports Business introduced a NASCAR-related course this summer, titled HSB 198: A NASCAR Experience. Students created and implemented designs for the college tailgate that will be at Turn 7 of the street race. McDowell will make virtual appearances in classes in the coming weeks. Along with an offered NASCAR internship program, DePaul students can get tickets at 20% off for the street race. 'One thing that I've learned over the last few weeks is that DePaul is a household brand that people know, especially in (Chicago) and in the country,' McDowell said. 'It's cool to have their athletic fan base join ours.' The best-case scenario for the partnership is the Demonmobile — name is still in the workshop — taking the checkered flag. McDowell called road courses a 'strong suit' and his 2023 win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course is proof. He led the race for 54 laps and narrowly beat Chase Elliott for his second Cup Series victory. 'We know that's an opportunity for us to win and to run up front,' McDowell said. 'The excitement is there for sure, and you feel the pressure of trying to get yourself locked into the playoffs and trying to get a win. Chicago is an opportunity for us to do that.'
Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Van Gisbergen wins Viva Mexico 250 in NASCAR's Mexico debut
NASCAR - NASCAR Cup Series Mexico - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - June 15, 2025 Trackhouse Racing's Shane Van Gisbergen celebrates with a trophy on the podium after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Mexico REUTERS/Henry Romero Mexico City - Shane van Gisbergen powered his way to victory through rain and chaos on Sunday, claiming the inaugural Viva Mexico 250 as NASCAR made its debut at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in the Mexican capital. The New Zealander steered his No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet from pole position to the chequered flag in a thrilling race affected by the weather, which forced teams to make frantic changes to their tyre strategy as conditions evolved. The defining moment came on lap 52, when Van Gisbergen, chasing race leader Christopher Bell, made a bold move through a tight corner. The two drivers touched wheels before Van Gisbergen powered past, securing a lead he wouldn't relinquish despite Bell's determined pursuit in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Bell had to settle for second place, while Chase Elliott, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports, claimed third place after battling with his teammate, Alex Bowman, in the closing laps. The home crowd erupted midway through the race when local hero Daniel Suarez briefly took the lead, prompting a thunderous roar from the grandstands adorned with Mexican flags. However, the euphoria proved short-lived as Suarez ultimately faded to finish 19th. For Van Gisbergen, a three-time Australian Supercars champion who is still building his reputation in American stock car racing, the victory is another significant breakthrough, following his triumph at the Chicago Street Race in 2023. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Motor racing-Van Gisbergen wins Viva Mexico 250 in NASCAR's Mexico debut
NASCAR - NASCAR Cup Series Mexico - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - June 15, 2025 Trackhouse Racing's Shane Van Gisbergen celebrates with a trophy on the podium after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Mexico REUTERS/Henry Romero Mexico City (Reuters) -Shane van Gisbergen powered his way to victory through rain and chaos on Sunday, claiming the inaugural Viva Mexico 250 as NASCAR made its debut at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in the Mexican capital. The New Zealander steered his No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet from pole position to the chequered flag in a thrilling race affected by the weather, which forced teams to make frantic changes to their tyre strategy as conditions evolved. The defining moment came on lap 52, when Van Gisbergen, chasing race leader Christopher Bell, made a bold move through a tight corner. The two drivers touched wheels before Van Gisbergen powered past, securing a lead he wouldn't relinquish despite Bell's determined pursuit in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Bell had to settle for second place, while Chase Elliott, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports, claimed third place after battling with his teammate, Alex Bowman, in the closing laps. The home crowd erupted midway through the race when local hero Daniel Suarez briefly took the lead, prompting a thunderous roar from the grandstands adorned with Mexican flags. However, the euphoria proved short-lived as Suarez ultimately faded to finish 19th. For Van Gisbergen, a three-time Australian Supercars champion who is still building his reputation in American stock car racing, the victory is another significant breakthrough, following his triumph at the Chicago Street Race in 2023. (Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico CityEditing by Toby Davis)
Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
NFL vet has turned into NASCAR pit crew star
After a brief NFL career, former HBCU football star Marshall McFadden has carved out a new path in NASCAR, where he puts his athleticism to work. The former South Carolina State linebacker now serves as the jackman for NASCAR driver Ross Chastain's No. 1 Chevrolet ZL1 crew. 'After being in the NFL and college football, it gave me the perfect ingredients to cross over to NASCAR. Here, that same professionalism and athleticism applies," McFadden told the Winston-Salem Journal. 'The understanding of how things are done is similar, and that's how I worked my way up to being a jackman.' McFadden made his mark at South Carolina State University, an HBCU known for producing NFL players. After tallying 12 tackles in 2007, he broke out in 2008 with 88 tackles and five sacks. His performance earned him MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors and confirmed his ability to lead and disrupt offenses. He began his professional career in 2012 when the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to a reserve/future contract. Although released during final cuts, the team added him to the practice squad. He earned a promotion to the active roster in November but was later released and re-signed to the practice squad. In 2013, McFadden joined the Oakland Raiders' practice squad. He moved to the St. Louis Rams in 2014, earning a spot on the active roster in October. He remained with the team until September 2015, when he was released during final cuts. Now, McFadden is finding success in NASCAR as Chastain continues to climb the ranks. The post NFL vet has turned into NASCAR pit crew star appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Ross Chastain Raises Trackhouse Racing Concern: "Just Not Acceptable"
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Trackhouse Racing driver Ross Chastain has raised significant concerns about the qualifying speed of the No. 1 Chevrolet ZL1. Chastain had a difficult time at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend. Although he finished the race in second, he struggled with an overall lack of pace throughout the weekend. He explained to the media after the race that he had "no confidence in the car" on Saturday. "That's a working-class day. Just no confidence in the car (Saturday), and you all saw that. Just the speed of the Trackhouse cars on Saturdays is just terrible. And we're just not confident — all three drivers." During an appearance on the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio earlier today, ahead of the race weekend in Kansas, the 32-year-old stated: Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27, 2025 in... Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27, 2025 in Talladega, Alabama. More"Just because we were good last week doesn't mean we'll continue to be good. "I told them, I'm ready to get off these lists because I'm tired of having to pass so many cars. I just want to show up, like every race car driver, have the car closer. We've just been off. 🔊 "We need to see some light in the tunnel that's pretty dark on Saturday right now." On the heels of a runner-up finish, @RossChastain says focus at @TeamTrackhouse right now is on qualifying to help set themselves up for better days on Sunday. More → — SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) May 8, 2025 "I mean, it's no secret. We're not sugarcoating it to ourselves or anybody. And that's not always been my M.O. to talk about it, but I've always been a glass half-full guy, but just consistently qualifying in the 30s in all three Trackhouse cars, not – well, Daniel's been leading the charge in the mid-20s. "That's just not, it's not acceptable for what we have, the resources we have. We will, and we're working, and I believe we will get that turned around. And we're still going to have off days on Saturday, but consistently we need to see some light in the tunnel that's pretty dark on Saturday right now." He added: "We're so driven to change our Saturdays, we want to continue executing on Sunday, because ultimately the finish is everything. "I know stage points mean a lot and there's people thriving on that right now, but really, you gotta finish good. So, it's a great spot to be in. "It's not lost on me that not that long ago, I would have been really happy with these performances, but we've elevated ourselves at Trackhouse and with Chevrolet to a spot that we're not okay with struggling at any part of these weekends. "Especially when it's continual and it's repeated, I'll say, failures on Saturday, that we're just, we're not gonna stand for that."
