On Facebook
On Flipboard
Kyle Busch looking to defend his home track once more as the Truck Series travels to Las Vegas
After winning his 65th career race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series last Saturday at Atlanta, Kyle Busch is back for more.
The 38-year-old Las Vegas native is back in the Truck Series this weekend, driving the No. 7 truck for Spire Motorsports. Busch is the defending winner of the Truck Series race at Las Vegas, leading 84 laps in his win at the track last March.
While Busch is the favorite to win every time he steps down to the Truck Series, he'll have plenty of formidable contenders, including defending Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes, who finished third to Busch in last year's race at the track. Young star Corey Heim finished fourth at Las Vegas one year ago, and Busch's teammate, Chase Purdy, finished eighth. However, Busch's biggest competitors in Friday's Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 may not be Truck Series regulars, but fellow Cup Series drivers in Christopher Bell and Zane Smith, both of whom are driving very competitive trucks.
Bell, who is driving the No. 1 Toyota Tundra for TRICON Garage is making his first Truck Series start since Pocono last season. Before the North Wilkesboro race last May, his only other start in NASCAR's third-tier series in 2023, Bell hadn't raced in the Truck Series since 2018. Rust may play a factor in Bell's competitiveness on Friday night, but if he can shake off said rust in the first two stages, he'll have the truck underneath him to mount a charge.
Smith, on the other hand, had raced full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 2020 to 2023, winning nine races and the 2022 series championship. 2024 is his first full-time season in the Cup Series, but with his last Truck Series start coming just last November in the championship race, rust won't be an issue like it could be for Bell. Like Bell and Busch, Smith has a very capable truck under him, with the McAnally-Hilgemann team that he's driving for winning multiple races in 2023 with young driver Christian Eckes behind the wheel.
With all that being said, it's safe to say that Rowdy is still the favorite for Friday night's race. Going for an unprecedented 66th win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, we'll see if Busch can beat a slew of fast series regulars, along with fellow Cup drivers in Bell and Smith en route to another win at his hometown track of Las Vegas.
The Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 will air at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, Mar 1 on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Practice for the race will air 4:35 p.m. ET on FS1, with the field being set in qualifying at 5:05 p.m. ET on FS1. 32 trucks are entered for Friday's race.
More must-reads:
- William Byron addresses driver pay in NASCAR, wants new drivers to ‘demand their value’
- NASCAR receives massive social media boost in wake of Netflix series
- The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Throws Shade at Richard Childress’ Loyalty to Austin Hil
It looks like someone else is finally saying what everyone else is thinking. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has expressed disgust with the whole Austin Hill fiasco. The NASCAR legend recently weighed in on Richard Childress Racing’s unwavering support of their driver amid all the controversy, and let’s just say Junior sees some familiar patterns here. If you’ve been taking a break from the recent NASCAR drama for five minutes, Austin Hill has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately. The guy managed to get himself suspended for a race after some questionable comments about NASCAR officials, and instead of throwing him under the bus, Richard Childress doubled down on his support. Sound familiar? According to Dale Earnhardt Jr., it absolutely should. The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree During a recent episode of the “Dale Jr. Download,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. couldn’t help but draw parallels between Childress’ current stance and the loyalty he showed to Dale Sr. back in the day. It’s kind of beautiful in a twisted, motorsports soap opera kind of way. “There were times in the 80s and 90s where there was a little bit of that where dad would get penalized for rough driving and boy you know Richard would be like you know NASCAR’s wrong, they, you know, they screwed us,” he explained. It’s almost poetic in a sense, or at least that’s what it seems like based on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s perspective. Here’s Childress, decades later, still playing the same tune but with a different driver wearing the helmet. The man has been consistent, I’ll give him that. Whether it was defending The Intimidator’s aggressive driving style or standing by Austin Hill’s recent outburst, Childress seems to have a “my driver, right or wrong” mentality that’s both admirable and slightly concerning. The Richmond Effect Still Haunts RCR Dale Earnhardt Jr. thinks this whole situation with Austin Hill has been amplified by what went down at Richmond last year. Remember when Austin Dillon basically turned into a wrecking ball on the final lap, taking out Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to steal a win? Yeah, that didn’t go over well with NASCAR, and they stripped the victory away faster than you could say “intentional contact.” “What I’m seeing ain’t nothing new, but it’s just really aggravated. I think in this instance because of that Richmond result and how that was handled, they didn’t love, and it just seems like ever since then Richard feels like that they’re out to get them,” Earnhardt Jr. observed. He might have a point. When you feel like the sanctioning body has it out for you, every penalty starts to feel personal. Every call goes from being questionable to being part of some grand conspiracy. It’s like when you’re already having a bad day and then someone cuts you off in traffic suddenly, they’re not just a bad driver, they’re personally attacking your entire existence. The Childress Philosophy: Loyalty Over Logic? Richard Childress has always been known for his fierce loyalty to his drivers, and in many ways, that’s exactly what you want from a team owner. But there’s a fine line between having your driver’s back and enabling bad behavior, and sometimes it feels like Childress might be doing a tightrope walk on that line. Back in 2011, Childress told ESPN about the racing philosophy he shared with Dale Earnhardt Sr.: “That’s race as hard as you can, run up front all day to give these fans a show.” It’s a noble sentiment, really. Race hard, give it your all, let the chips fall where they may. However, when that philosophy starts extending to defending every questionable decision your drivers make, well, that’s when things get complicated. The man retired the legendary No. 3 after Dale Sr.’s death and didn’t bring it back until his grandson Austin Dillon was ready to drive it in 2014. That’s the kind of loyalty and respect that makes you believe in humanity again. But defending a driver’s right to publicly trash NASCAR officials? That’s something else entirely. The Bigger Picture: Is NASCAR Really Out to Get RCR? Here’s the million-dollar question based on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s synopsis of the never-ending Austin Hill saga. Is NASCAR actually targeting Richard Childress Racing, or is RCR just really good at finding trouble? It’s like that friend we all have who always seems to have drama following them around. At some point, you start to wonder if maybe they’re the common denominator. Since the Richmond incident, it does seem like RCR can’t catch a break. But then again, when you’re consistently pushing the boundaries and making headlines for the wrong reasons, maybe those breaks become a little harder to come by. NASCAR isn’t exactly known for its sense of humor when it comes to public criticism. The fact that Hill received a one-race suspension under the new 2025 regulations indicates that NASCAR is taking a tougher stance on driver conduct. Whether that’s specifically targeting RCR or just applying the rules equally across the board is probably a matter of perspective. Moving Forward: Can Austin Hill Redeem Himself? Despite all the drama, Austin Hill did manage to score a top-5 finish at Watkins Glen after returning from his suspension. Of course, thanks to the penalty, he won’t earn any playoff points for his efforts, but at least he showed he can still drive when he’s not busy putting his foot in his mouth. NASCAR granted RCR a playoff waiver for sitting out Iowa, suggesting they’re not completely out to destroy the team. According to Dale Earnhardt Jr., it’s more like they’re the stern parent who still loves you but really needs you to learn your lesson and stop acting up in public. And he’s right. Final Thoughts The truth is, Austin Hill has the talent to be successful in NASCAR, but he needs to learn that sometimes the best response to adversity is to let your driving do the talking. Save the commentary for after you’ve won the championship, not while you’re trying to make the playoffs. At the end of the day, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s observations about the situation are spot-on. Richard Childress is doing what Richard Childress has always done. standing by his drivers through thick and thin. Whether that’s the right approach in this particular situation remains to be seen, but you can’t fault the man for consistency.
Maria Guardiola’s Summer Bikini Photos Have Fans Losing Their Minds (And We Get It)
Well, well, well. It seems like being Pep Guardiola’s daughter comes with its own set of perks – including the ability to break the internet with a simple Instagram post. Maria Guardiola, the 24-year-old content creator and daughter of Manchester City’s tactical mastermind, recently blessed her 907,000 followers with a summer recap that had fans practically worshipping at their phone screens. Guardiola’s Daughter Serves Summer Looks That Put Influencers to Shame Let’s be honest here – while Pep Guardiola is busy orchestrating beautiful football on the pitch, his daughter Maria is orchestrating something entirely different on social media. Her recent Instagram post, captioned with the surprisingly modest “Summer wrapping up,” was anything but modest in terms of impact. The photo dump (because that’s what we’re calling these strategic social media moves now) featured Maria living her best life in ways that would make any 24-year-old jealous. Bikini shots by the pool? Check. Dreamy restaurant visits that probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary? Double check. The kind of effortless glamour that makes you question your own life choices? Triple check. What’s particularly amusing is how Maria has managed to carve out her own empire while her father is out there making grown men cry over football tactics. She’s not just riding on daddy’s coattails – she’s built a legitimate following that hangs onto her every post like it’s the latest transfer news from the Etihad. The Internet Goes Full Meltdown Mode Over Bikini Shots The comment section on Maria’s post read like a love letter convention gone wild. Fans were throwing around words like “angel,” “gorgeous,” and “stunning” with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for last-minute Champions League goals. One particularly creative fan simply commented “Angel,” which, let’s face it, probably took them a solid five minutes to come up with. But here’s what’s genuinely fascinating – Maria has somehow managed to accumulate nearly a million followers without relying on the typical influencer playbook of manufactured drama and controversial takes. Instead, she’s built her brand on lifestyle content, fashion moments, and the occasional glimpse into the Guardiola family dynamics that most football fans would kill to witness. Guardiola’s Family Life Gets the Social Media Treatment What makes Maria’s content particularly interesting is how she occasionally offers glimpses into life with one of football’s most intense managers. Earlier this summer, she and Pep were caught on camera absolutely belting out Oasis classics at a concert in Manchester’s Heaton Park. Watching Guardiola, the man who probably analyzes his breakfast cereal arrangement, letting loose to “Wonderwall” was the kind of humanizing moment that reminds us these football icons are actual people. The fact that Maria conveniently left out any reference to the Oasis concert in her summer recap is almost too perfect. Because nothing says “curated content” like strategically omitting the moment your tactical genius father transforms into a middle-aged man singing along to Britpop anthems. The Content Creator Empire Built on Authentic Glamour Born on December 28, 2000, in Spain, Maria now calls London home – which explains the effortlessly chic European aesthetic that permeates her content. She’s the eldest of Guardiola’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra, and watching her navigate the intersection of football royalty and social media stardom has been genuinely entertaining. Unlike many celebrity offspring who seem to stumble through their public personas, Maria appears to have found her groove in the content creation world. Her posts strike that perfect balance between aspirational lifestyle content and relatable moments that keep her audience engaged without feeling completely disconnected from reality. Why Maria’s Success Makes Perfect Sense Here’s the thing about Maria Guardiola’s social media success – it’s not accidental. While her father revolutionized football tactics, she’s quietly revolutionizing how celebrity children can build their own brands without constantly referencing their famous parents. Sure, being Pep’s daughter opened doors, but keeping 907,000 people interested enough to call you an “angel” over bikini photos requires its own set of skills. The irony isn’t lost on anyone that while Pep Guardiola spends his days obsessing over every tactical detail, his daughter has mastered the art of making everything look effortlessly perfect. Those summer photos didn’t just happen – they were curated with the same attention to detail that Guardiola brings to his team formations. In a world where social media success often feels manufactured and desperate, Maria’s approach feels refreshingly authentic. She’s not trying to be controversial or edgy; she’s simply sharing moments from a life that happens to be significantly more glamorous than most people’s reality. So while football fans continue to debate Guardiola’s latest tactical innovations, his daughter continues building her own empire, one perfectly curated Instagram post at a time. And honestly? Good for her.
One Crucial Element Holding Up Terry McLaurin's Commanders Contract
We are nearly at the end of training camp, and Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin is still without his new deal. Given the Commanders know how valuable he is to Jayden Daniels and the offense, it does seem odd that the franchise, which hasn't had any significant bumps in the road since Dan Quinn took over, now has a big one, and one that can be avoided. With no movement on a contract, McLaurin pulled the trigger on a trade request weeks ago, but still no movement on a deal...and now we know why. Per ESPN's John Keim it isn't money that is holding up negotiations, it is something else entirely...and the Washington analytics department has a big say in it. “This likely remains the biggest sticking point because it frames the argument for Washington,” Keim wrote. “McLaurin will turn 30 on Sept. 15, which means he’d be 31 when an extension begins. The Commanders rely heavily on analytics, and the numbers aren’t kind to receivers at that age. According to ESPN Research, over the past five seasons only three receivers 31 years or older have played at least 10 games and averaged 70-plus receiving yards per game; six have averaged 60-plus.” So is Washington basing on whether or not to pay McLaurin is he age? It certainly seems like it. But there can be no denying that the Commanders' offense, without Terry, would be a shell of itself and would likely be missing a key ingredient that makes it a dangerous unit. Do we still think McLaurin and Washington will come to terms? Yes, but if age is a big sticking point, well, there's no changing that, and in truth, the franchise would have known this was coming down the pipeline, so if this was an issue, why not get out ahead of it and move on and get draft capital? Either way, this contract saga shows no signs of ending, but if there is a player who can buck the trend for aging receivers, it might just be Terry.
Chicago Cubs’ Craig Counsell responds to Brewers’ surge
The Chicago Cubs‘ lead in the NL Central evaporated quickly after the All-Star break, and the team is drowning in the Milwaukee Brewers’ surge. The Brewers entered Wednesday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 7.5-game lead on the Cubs on the back of an 11-game winning streak. On Tuesday night, Chicago’s offense sputtered, scoring one run on four hits in a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Chicago Cubs believe their best days are ahead On Wednesday, Cubs manager Craig Counsell didn’t seem worried about his former team’s hot streak during an appearance on 670 The Score’s “Spiegel Holmes.” Counsell believes the best part of the season is yet to come for the Cubs. “Telling people how to feel is not a good idea,” Counsell said. “I think you should feel how you want to feel. Nothing bad has happened. We’ve put ourselves in a good position, and the best part is yet to come. That’s how you have to treat every day.” Counsell tried to stay positive on Tuesday night after the loss. He believes the offense will get going again, as they were one of the best units in baseball early in the season. But how the Cubs started the season doesn’t matter. Playoff sports and World Series trophies aren’t handed out in July. Losing out to the Brewers in the NL Central would be a disappointment for the team. And a slide out of the wild card race would be unforgivable.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
