Racing first. Fast, sourced headlines from Kasey Carlson and the KC desk. All times America/Chicago (CT).
Last updated Nov 7, 2026 · 12:05 PM CT
2026 season wrap
Kyle Larson is the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series champion — his third title, and his second in a row. He clinched at Homestead-Miami and finished 12th in the finale. Ryan Blaney won the race, passing Tyler Reddick on the last lap.
Hamilton joins Verstappen at the back after Ferrari swaps his entire power unit
Ferrari confirmed a full power-unit change on Lewis Hamilton’s car after the new ICE fitted Saturday morning failed in São Paulo FP3 (vibrations, then smoke in the cockpit). He still takes part in today’s wet-track qualifying but starts Sunday’s race from the back of the grid — alongside Max Verstappen, who already had a back-of-grid Red Bull PU penalty. Charles Leclerc keeps a 10-place drop; George Russell five. Qualifying is underway at Interlagos in torrential rain.
Verstappen tops São Paulo FP3, then starts from the back; Ferraris take 10-place drops
Max Verstappen led final practice at Interlagos (1:11.622), 0.025s ahead of new champion Kimi Antonelli, with Lando Norris third. But Red Bull fitted an all-new power unit, so Verstappen starts Sunday from the back. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc take 10-place grid drops for new engines, George Russell five places. Hamilton’s new Ferrari engine then threw vibrations and smoke into the cockpit, ending his FP3 early in P12. Qualifying is today at noon CT.
Honeycutt wins Homestead and the 2026 Truck championship
Kaden Honeycutt (TRICON No. 11) won Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series finale at Homestead-Miami and clinched his first Truck title. Layne Riggs, who entered 20 points back, suffered right-rear tire failures early and finished about six laps down. Christian Eckes was second; Honeycutt cried on the radio on the last lap. Back-to-back titles for TRICON’s No. 11 (Heim in 2025).
Briscoe tops final Cup practice; Reddick wrecks Zane Smith on pit road
Chase Briscoe led Friday’s last Cup practice of 2026 at Homestead (32.680 / 165.239 mph). Austin Cindric was second; Denny Hamlin third (fastest title contender), Christopher Bell fourth, Ryan Blaney fifth with the best long-run averages. Points leader Kyle Larson was 10th and brushed the wall multiple times. Late in the session Tyler Reddick slammed into Zane Smith entering pit road, damaging the nose of the No. 45. Truck title race green is 6:30 PM CT on FS1.
Nick Sanchez takes Truck pole at Homestead; title fight starts P4–P5
Miami native Nick Sanchez (Spire No. 77) won the final Craftsman Truck Series pole of 2026 at Homestead-Miami (32.756s / 164.855 mph). Chandler Smith starts second, Corey Heim third. Championship contenders Layne Riggs and points leader Kaden Honeycutt (plus-20) line up fourth and fifth. Green flag tonight at 6:30 PM CT on FS1.
Kaulig locks in Allmendinger & Ty Dillon for 2027 Dodge Cup
Chris Rice confirmed Friday at Homestead that AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon will be Kaulig Racing’s full-time Cup drivers when the team becomes Dodge’s flagship return in 2027. Allmendinger already had a long-term deal; Dillon’s is extended. Car reveal is Dec. 4 at the Snowball Derby.
Antonelli tops São Paulo FP2; Norris P2, Verstappen P3
New world champion Kimi Antonelli led Friday’s second practice at Interlagos, ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. George Russell was fourth, Oscar Piastri fifth, Lewis Hamilton sixth. Qualifying is Saturday; the race is Sunday at 11:00 AM CT.
Hocevar at Homestead: “I forced their decision” — hot stove burned
Suspended Spire driver Carson Hocevar faced media Friday and owned the Martinsville brake-checks: he knew it wasn’t racing and took the risk. On why it keeps happening: “Maybe the stove wasn’t hot enough… I think my hand’s pretty burnt.” He said he lost the keys to the car for the weekend but not the privilege to be at the track, and he’s not chasing every opinion that doubts the apology. Justin Haley drives the No. 77 Sunday.
Rain washes out quali in 2027? Lineup goes by owner points
NASCAR confirmed Friday that if qualifying is canceled by rain in 2027, the starting lineup will be set by owner points (championship leader on pole). The old 70/30 metric still sets qualifying order, but no longer the wet-weather grid. John Probst also floated All-Star-style quali with a pit stop for a few races next year.
Norris tops São Paulo FP1; Antonelli P2, Verstappen P3
Lando Norris led opening practice at Interlagos in 1:11.717, 0.082s ahead of new world champion Kimi Antonelli. Max Verstappen was third. Lewis Hamilton (400th GP Sunday) was fourth; Rafael Câmara debuted for Haas in P18. FP2 is later today (~4:00 PM CT).
Ravens complete Jacoby Brissett trade from Cardinals
Baltimore acquired QB Jacoby Brissett and a 2027 fifth-round pick for a 2027 fourth and 2028 seventh. Brissett is expected to start while Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley are on IR after Baltimore's 33-10 TNF loss to Jacksonville.
Truck title comes down to Honeycutt vs. Riggs tonight at Homestead
Kaden Honeycutt (Tricon No. 11 Toyota) leads Layne Riggs (Front Row No. 34 Ford) by 20 points in a two-man fight for the Craftsman Truck Series championship. Green flag is 6:30 PM CT on FS1.
Larson needs just 8 Stage 1 points to lock up the Cup title Sunday
Kyle Larson brings a 67-point lead over Christopher Bell and 70 over Denny Hamlin to Homestead. Eight points in the opening stage clinches a third championship and back-to-back titles. Cup finale: Sunday, 2:00 PM CT on NBC.
Five still alive for the O'Reilly Series crown Saturday
Justin Allgaier leads Jesse Love by 22 points, with Corey Day (-23), Carson Kvapil (-31) and Sheldon Creed (-42) still in it. Saturday, 4:00 PM CT on The CW.
O'Donnell State of the Sport: more horsepower talk, no cost cap coming soon
NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell said horsepower increases for 2027 are still being discussed with no decision made, a spending cap is "nothing imminent," and it's "too soon to tell" if Homestead keeps the championship long term.
Spire parks Carson Hocevar for Homestead after Martinsville brake-checks
Spire Motorsports suspended Hocevar for the finale after he brake-checked Austin Cindric at Martinsville; Justin Haley drives the No. 77. NASCAR also fined Hocevar $100,000 and docked 25 points. He is scheduled to speak to media at Homestead today at 1:30 PM CT.
Hamlin to Dale Jr.: "This is the part of you I don't like"
On Actions Detrimental, Dale Earnhardt Jr. admitted part of him wanted NASCAR to let the Hocevar situation play out. Denny Hamlin pushed back, arguing the sport needs guardrails even at the cost of entertainment.
Two Kaulig Dodge Chargers join the grid in 2027, the first new Cup manufacturer since Toyota in 2007. Kaulig's driver lineup is due this weekend at Homestead, and the car will be revealed Dec. 4 at the Snowball Derby.
Haas drops Ocon; Rafael Câmara debuts at home in São Paulo
Haas confirmed Esteban Ocon won't race for the team again this season. F2 points leader and Ferrari junior Rafael Câmara, already signed for 2027, partners Ollie Bearman at Interlagos. São Paulo GP: Sunday, 11:00 AM CT.
Meyer Shank Racing leaves IMSA GTP, goes all-in on IndyCar
With Acura's GTP program paused, MSR is moving its staff to IndyCar, running Marcus Armstrong and Mick Schumacher in 2027 before growing to three cars with Honda's factory entry in 2028.
LIV Golf's attorneys told a bankruptcy court Thursday the league is dropping its "LIV 2.0" plan and moving to liquidate after BC Partners pulled up to $300 million in funding.