Classic Shop Talk Forum - NASCAR News

Chris Gabehart responds to JGR restraining order accusation

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:20:26 GMT

On Monday night, Joe Gibbs Racing submitted to the Western District of North Carolina photographs from over the weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway that accused Chris Gabehart of violating a temporary restraining order.
Specifically, as part of the lawsuit from JGR that alleges a �brazen scheme� from Gabehart to steal and potentially share proprietary information in violation of a non-compete ...Keep reading

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Former Blaney tire changer says �something needs to change� with Penske 12 pit crew

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:50:58 GMT

It ultimately didn�t factor into the finish on Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway but Ryan Blaney continues to lose track position on practically every NASCAR Cup Series pit stop and the sample size is growing with every start.
Before Sunday, Blaney had lost 86 combined spots on pit road.*
On Sunday, Blaney was the leader and poised to win the race until a late caution forced crew chief ...Keep reading

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Joe Gibbs Racing accuses Chris Gabehart of violating restraining order at Bristol

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:12:00 GMT

Chris Gabehart attended the NASCAR event over the weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway and Joe Gibbs Racing is adamant that he violated a temporary restraining order in the process.
Gabehart is currently embroiled in a lawsuit with Joe Gibbs Racing in which the latter has alleged the former violated the non-compete provisions of their previous work agreement. JGR also says Gabehart participated in ...Keep reading

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Denny Hamlin is at a loss for what�s happened to Kyle Busch

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:50:10 GMT

On the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin ponders if the Kyle Busch era of NASCAR is over and actually has been longer than most within the community realize.
It�s been three years and 100 races since the two-time Cup Series champion last won at Gateway on June 4, 2023 and it has been a struggle ever since his first half season at Richard Childress Racing. Since ...Keep reading

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NASCAR adjusts Talladega Cup stage length to head off fuel saving tactics

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:52:15 GMT

NASCAR has adjusted the length of the three stages for the Cup Series race at Talladega on April 26.
The first stage will end on Lap 98, the second stage on Lap 143 and the scheduled conclusion on Lap 188. In comparison, last year saw the stages end on Lap 60 and 120. In other words, NASCAR has structured the race where fuel will not be necessary in the middle of the final two stages, to ...Keep reading

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Winners and losers from a grueling NASCAR Cup race at Bristol

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:10:03 GMT

Ty Gibbs held on against a charging Ryan Blaney at Bristol Motor Speedway to become the 207th different winner in NASCAR Cup Series history this past weekend.
The 500-lap event was pushed into overtime, leaving three drivers on three different tire strategies to battle it out for the win. Larson on two fresh right-sides had led the most laps, Blaney with four fresh tires was clearly the fastest ...Keep reading

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Ty Gibbs first win is about validation but they don't see it that way

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 01:30:53 GMT

There was a degree of validation attached to winning the Food City 500 on Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway for Ty Gibbs, crew chief Tyler Allen and team owner and grandfather Coach Joe Gibbs.
That last title is especially relevant.
One thing that has been uncovered since Joe Gibbs Racing sued former competition director Chris Gabehart in February is a conviction from the defendant that Coach ...Keep reading

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Ryan Blaney, Jonathan Hassler bit by no-win scenario

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:40:06 GMT

Jonathan Hassler was introduced to the Kobayashi Maru test on Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway.
For those who are not fans of Star Trek, this is basically a no-win scenario exercise that basically just tests your decision-making prowess when presented with two options that were not going to produce a victory.
Now, to be fair to the test, Ryan Blaney nearly drove the Penske No. 12 car back to ...Keep reading

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Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Bristol spring race

admin — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:30:16 GMT

After 500 laps of racing at Bristol Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney has moved closer to the points lead, now 62 markers behind Tyler Reddick, who has led the standings all year.
After earning his first career win, Ty Gibbs has jumped up to fourth in the standings.*
After a mid-race crash, Shane van Gisbergen has fallen to the Chase cut line, and is just one-point clear of Chase Briscoe.
The ...Keep reading

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Ty Gibbs earns first NASCAR Cup win with Bristol photo finish

admin — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:54:17 GMT

Making his 131st career start in the NASCAR Cup Series, Ty Gibbs earned his first career win in a wild overtime finish.*
Kyle Larson won both stages and Ryan Blaney had the fastest car in the end, but they had to settle for second and third, respectively. Both chose to pit for fresh tires in the closing laps, while Gibbs rolled the dice and stayed out.
Blaney ran side-by-side with Gibbs ...Keep reading

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Official race results: NASCAR Cup 2026 Bristol spring race

admin — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:54:17 GMT

Ty Gibbs became the 207th different driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race, beating Ryan Blaney in a 0.055s photo finish at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was the closest Cup finish at Bristol in 35 years.
Blaney had to settle for second while Kyle Larson, who won both stages and led 284 of 500 laps, finished third. Championship leader Tyler Reddick was fourth, and Chase Briscoe was fifth.
Todd ...Keep reading

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100 races without a Cup win: Every time Kyle Busch nearly ended his NASCAR drought

admin — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:40:51 GMT

In the NASCAR Cup Series, there is no driver with as many wins at Kyle Busch (63), although Denny Hamlin is moving ever-closer.
The 40-year-old Busch won at least one race every year between 2005 and 2023 in his Hall of Fame career. That final year before the impressive streak came to a grinding halt was his very first with Richard*Childress Racing, and the two-time Cup champion came out of ...Keep reading

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Connor Zilisch fends off Kyle Larson to win Bristol NASCAR O'Reilly race

admin — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:41:33 GMT

It was a JR Motorsports 1-2 at Bristol Motor Speedway, and despite dominating the 2025 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) season, few expected Connor Zilisch to prevail on Saturday. That was because of Kyle Larson, who absolutely dominated the entire race until the very end.
Zilisch was one of three drivers who stayed out during a late-race caution, with crew chief Rodney Childers opting ...Keep reading

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NASCAR O'Reilly car goes up in flames in dramatic engine failure

admin — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:41:08 GMT

On Lap 194 of the 300-lap NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the caution flew for an engine failure back in the pack.
Mason*Maggio was limping his car around the apron in the No. 91*DGM Racing Chevrolet, white smoke billowing from underneath. He quickly turned behind the pit wall and came to a stop in the garage. Just as he did that, flames erupted from ...Keep reading

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NASCAR Cup Bristol starting lineup: Ryan Blaney beats Reddick to pole

admin — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:51:29 GMT

In qualifying at Saturday, the No. 12 Team Penske Ford of Ryan Blaney secured pole position at Bristol Motor Speedway. With a fast lap of 15.101s, he earned his 13th career pole and second at Bristol.
"Just kind of got free on Lap 1, and then it was like all right, gather yourself up in (Turns) 3 and 4 and try and get a second lap," said Blaney. "Luckily, the rear tires came in better the ...Keep reading

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