NASCAR IndyCar and Formula 1 Deliver Thrilling Weekend of Racing with Stunning Performances and Dramatic Qualifying Sessions

Yesterday delivered a high-octane Saturday for auto racing fans across NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula 1, with crucial qualifying sessions, dramatic races, and standout performances setting the tone for the rest of this summer’s racing season.

At Sonoma Raceway in California, the NASCAR Xfinity Series was electric as Connor Zilisch clinched his third win of the season. Zilisch held off defending winner Shane van Gisbergen in a tense, wheel-to-wheel final run, leading 46 laps and fending off persistent pressure after a crucial final pit stop gave him track position. William Sawalich, fresh off an ARCA West win, completed the podium, finishing well behind the leading duo. The top five were rounded out by Nick Sanchez and Cup regular Riley Herbst. Zilisch’s textbook control under late-race heat made him the clear driver of the day. After the race, Zilisch reflected on a fair but fierce battle, saying he was glad to win “fair and square” after learning so much from van Gisbergen’s experience. Van Gisbergen admitted he considered a more aggressive pass but opted for a clean fight, calling it “an awesome race.” Post-race inspection showed no issues, but a few teams were fined for minor technical infractions. In the championship points, Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, and Zilisch are now tied with three wins apiece, with Allgaier retaining the lead thanks to consistency. Next, the series heads east for the high-banked cauldron of Dover Motor Speedway, where Ryan Truex will seek a third victory on the one-mile concrete.

In Cup Series qualifying, also at Sonoma, Shane van Gisbergen made headlines by snatching his first Busch Light Pole Award at the famed road course with a blistering 74.594-second lap, the only driver to top 96 mph. He outpaced Chase Briscoe by a quarter second, with William Byron lining up third. SVG described his run as strong, though he felt the track was “much slicker and slower than last year,” with notable tire falloff expected to impact Sunday’s strategy. AJ Allmendinger led the practice charts, while Brad Keselowski and several Spire cars experienced spins during preparation, foreshadowing a tricky race day where tire management and pit timing will be critical.

Formula 1’s latest headlines centered on qualifying ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was candid about his struggles, frustrated by an inability to extract a perfect lap from the SF-25, despite showing solid race pace throughout the season. Leclerc explained he’s consistently missed the front row in 2025, which has been a source of personal frustration, though he remains a podium threat when the car is on form. Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri also commented on their challenging qualifying sessions, with Verstappen admitting “everything just fell apart” and Piastri disappointed to miss out on what he thought was a front-row opportunity. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was more optimistic, pleased with progress that placed him P4 on the grid, while George Russell prepared for “damage limitation” from fifth. Ferrari’s recent updates have them edging closer to McLaren in qualifying, but they’re still searching for that extra tenth to regularly challenge the runaway leaders.

IndyCar action kicked off in Iowa with doubleheader qualifying. While some specifics on the final grids weren’t immediately available, anticipation was high for wheel-to-wheel racing under the lights at the famed short oval, with teams preparing for two sprint-style battles on the abrasive surface.

Over in Formula E, Mitch Evans seized his first Berlin E-Prix pole for Jaguar TCS Racing after a rain-shortened qualifying at Tempelhof. Robin Frijns and Oliver Rowland rounded out the top three, but the session lacked its usual head-to-head duels because of weather. A technical penalty shuffled Antonio Felix da Costa back, highlighting how technical discipline remains crucial in the all-electric series.