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Daniel Suarez wins NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Mexico City
NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Daniel Suarez wins NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Mexico City

Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was a quintessential storybook sporting event. 

In front of a partial home crowd, 33-year-old Daniel Suarez of Monterrey, Mexico, held off a snarling pack to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Mexico City. 

The crowd roared as Suarez, who had to start at the rear of the field after a crash in qualifying, charged to the front and held the lead after a crash took out leaders Ty Gibbs and Connor Zilisch in the final stage. 

An opportunistic Suarez was unable to drive away from runner-up Taylor Gray, but his beaten and battered No. 9 Chevrolet had just enough speed in it to hold on, granting Suarez his fourth Xfinity Series victory. 

Suarez saluted the crowd seated in the track's stadium section and on the frontstretch with a customary burnout before smashing a piñata and celebrating with his wife. 

"It's a very special day," Suarez told CW Sports. 

Suarez will go for the weekend sweep in Sunday's Viva Mexico 250 (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). 

Gray, Austin Hill, Christian Eckes and Zilisch rounded out the top five, with William Sawalich, Austin Green, Jeb Burton, Harrison Burton and Sammy Smith completing the top 10. 

Gibbs finished 14th after leading 18 laps, the second-most of any driver on the afternoon. 

Other notable finishers include Sheldon Creed in 11th, Jesse Love in 18th, Stage 1 winner Carson Kvapil in 19th, Sam Mayer in 23rd and defending Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier in 34th. 

Christopher Bell ran inside the top five throughout the first two stages, but engine issues in the waning moments of Stage 2 relegated Bell to a 39th-place finish. 

The 16th race of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season will take place at Pocono Raceway on June 21. The Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 will go green shortly after 3:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on the CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. 

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Throws Shade at Richard Childress’ Loyalty to Austin Hil
NASCAR

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)
Soccer

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.

Cowboys fans won't like Jerry Jones' update on Micah Parsons standoff
NFL

Cowboys fans won't like Jerry Jones' update on Micah Parsons standoff

With the regular season approaching, the Dallas Cowboys should be aiming to extend EDGE Micah Parsons promptly. But they're still in no rush to do that. Parsons is set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2025 and has requested a trade. Dallas insists it has no plans to move the 26-year-old pass-rusher but hasn't clarified when it will extend him. Giving him a new deal before the regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4 at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock) seems wise. Dallas owner Jerry Jones, however, said that's not the team's deadline, nor does it need one. "No, not at all," Jones said Wednesday, via Jonah Javad of WFAA-TV in Dallas. "You don't have deadlines when you're playing under contract." Parsons is under contract, but that doesn't mean he must suit up. The EDGE could hold out of regular-season games, like former Cowboys star running back Emmitt Smith did in 1993. The Pro Football Hall of Famer missed the first two games of the season before becoming the league's highest-paid RB at that time. Parsons hasn't said whether he would hold out of regular-season games, but it's apparent he's unhappy with where things stand. "My mouth is closed," Parsons said Wednesday while leaving the practice field in Oxnard, California, via Field Level Media. Jones didn't say if talks with Parsons would resume when the Cowboys return to Texas for their second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. The matchup is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The owner still seems confident Parsons will play on the fifth-year option if Dallas doesn't sign him before the start of the regular season. "Again, all you've got to go on are contracts," Jones said. "We are negotiating for a contract. When you do a contract, you would hope that after a negotiation, that's what both the team and player look to see what our obligations are. I have a lot of respect for the contract." Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb played the last years of their rookie contracts. Perhaps Jones wants Parsons to do the same. Still, that would be silly. Paying the four-time Pro Bowler should be a no-brainer for the Cowboys, so they should stop wasting time and show him the money.

Celtics' ownership move should concern Lakers governor Jeanie Buss
NBA

Celtics' ownership move should concern Lakers governor Jeanie Buss

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is supposed to remain in charge of the team for years even after the sale. Given what just happened with the Boston Celtics, it might only be months. When the Grousbeck family sold the Celtics for $6.1B in March, ESPN reported that Wyc Grousbeck would stay on as the Celtics CEO and governor through the 2027-28 season. Now, new owner Bill Chisholm will take over once the sale is final. That should concern current Lakers team governor Jeanie Buss, whose family sold a majority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers to investor Mark Walter. Buss is supposed to stay on as team governor for "at least a number of years," according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, but new NBA owners haven't been keen on waiting to take control of teams recently. Mark Cuban thought he would continue running the Dallas Mavericks when he sold a controlling interest to the Adelson family in November 2023. Before the end of that season, when Dallas advanced to the NBA Finals, new team governor Patrick Dumont, the son-in-law of Miriam Adelson, was firmly in charge. General manager Nico Harrison reported directly to Dumont, which is how Luka Doncic ended up traded to the Lakers despite Cuban's objections. It might be different with the Lakers. Walter has owned a minority share in the Lakers since 2021, so he's had a working relationship with Buss. Her role as team governor may be a condition of the sale itself. With the team preparing for a long-term future with Doncic, Walter and his fellow owners might opt for continuity in the team governor role. But in general, people do not spend billions of dollars on a professional sports team so that someone else can be in charge. Buss is in charge of the Lakers now. Recent history says she won't be for long.

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