Off-Weekend Provides Healing Time for Injured Drivers
An off-weekend for NASCAR’s Cup Series allowed two drivers, Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin, to focus on recovery after injuries sustained during the off-season. Keselowski, who broke his leg in December, continues to walk with a cane but avoids using it at the race track due to the challenges of navigating crowds. Meanwhile, Hamlin, who reinjured his right shoulder earlier this year, is managing his condition carefully to ensure he can perform at his best during races.
Keselowski explained that while he doesn’t use his cane when walking short distances at the track, it’s essential for his long-term recovery. “At home, I walk without a cane, but at the race track, I really need to make sure I’m in the best shape possible when it’s time to get in the race car,” he said.
Hamlin, who had surgery on his shoulder at the end of the 2023 season, now faces the challenge of competing with the same injury he had before the operation. He has been gaining weight because he can’t participate in sports like golf and basketball. However, he remains optimistic about his progress. “It’s holding up well,” Hamlin said. “A lot of it, too, is that I’m really being cautious with all of the other things to not aggravate (it) so when I come here (race track) on the weekend, I know that it’s… as good as it’s going to be.”
Crew Chief Returns to Track After Injury
Scott Zipadelli, crew chief for Kaden Honeycutt, suffered severe leg injuries five days before the season opener at Daytona in a dirt bike crash. The accident left him with a shattered tibia, a dislocated knee, and multiple bone chips on his femur. Despite the challenges, Zipadelli returned to the track for the Rockingham Speedway event, where Corey Heim won the Black’s Tire 200. Heim edged out Honeycutt by 0.090 seconds, earning a $100,000 bonus in the Craftsman Truck Series Triple Truck Challenge.
If Heim wins the Tennessee Army National Guard 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 10, he will receive an additional $500,000 for winning all three races in the series. This opportunity for victory highlights the importance of consistency and performance across the season.
Tire Test Set for Chicagoland
Goodyear has scheduled an April 21 tire test for Chicagoland Speedway involving six drivers—three from the Cup Series and three from the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The test marks the first time drivers have been on the 1.5-mile track in Joliet, Illinois, since 2019. Participants include Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Justin Allgaier, Brandon Jones, and Nick Sanchez.
The test is open to fans and media, with access available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Grandstand Sections 107-108. The event will provide valuable data for future races, which are scheduled for July 3-5.
Sawalich Makes History at Rockingham
William Sawalich made history at Rockingham Speedway by becoming the first Minnesota native to win a race in any of NASCAR’s national touring series. In claiming his first career victory in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Sawalich defeated Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Brandon Jones by 0.863 seconds. This win placed him from 14th to 11th in the driver standings, making him eligible for The Chase in the post-season.
Sawalich led twice for 80 laps in the 250-lap race, emphasizing the importance of discipline and momentum on the repaved track. “It’s easy to overrun your corner and screw your whole lap up,” he said. “I think it suits me with two different ends. (Turns) one and two, just really keeping it low was my strong suit all day, and then (turns) three and four, getting in easy and then getting on throttle before everybody else, I think, made the difference for our team.”
WNC Residents Honor Biffle
Greg Biffle, a NASCAR champion, aided many Western North Carolina mountain communities after Hurricane Helene devastated the area, leaving 107 dead. On Easter weekend, the town of Black Mountain honored Biffle for his contributions. Last year, Biffle flew in the Easter Bunny for an egg drop to help lift the spirits of residents affected by the hurricane.
This year, Hopping for Hope honored Biffle and his family, who were victims of a plane crash on December 18, 2025. The event featured an egg drop for four different age groups, with over 17,000 eggs filled with candy or money. Local vendors, food, and music also contributed to the celebration.
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