Sunday afternoon, NASCAR opened the Round of 12 for the 2025 Cup Series Playoffs, with, to no surprise, a Penske Ford taking home the win. But, it’s still not time to shut the book on NASCAR’s trip to New England. So, who were the biggest losers from NASCAR’s weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway?
First off, we just want to note that the crowd at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was awesome, and it is a true shame that a track that has so many Chase (not playoff) memories is off the playoff schedule next. What a shame for longtime fans.
It’s almost easy to consider the inclusion of Josh Berry as a recurring segment in this column, but when you’re at this point, I don’t really know what to say. You come off three back-to-back-to-back last-place finishes, and finish second at a track that is right in your wheelhouse after wrecking out of the top five early on in the race.
While he has had a rough second half of the season, it is worth asking if Josh Berry is a much more valuable driver to the Penske organization than Austin Cindric. Sure, Austin’s might win a Superspeedway race, or maybe a fuel mileage race, but the flashes that Berry has shown on short tracks, reminiscent of his time in the CARS Tour, almost seem like a warning to all that, should he get the pieces together, he could be a threat to win at every short track.
Personally, my NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoff bracket is shot. I’ll say it and be honest.
I had Smith going the whole way, mainly because he’s been consistent this season, and the finale is at a track he has historically dominated. Nonetheless, this entirely blew up in the first Round of the Playoffs, with one of the best drivers being eliminated while chasing the rear bumper of the No. 11, much like he has all season.
For the majority of the season, Smith, Corey Heim, Layne Riggs, and Daniel Hemric have looked like the class of the field. Now, with one driver out, one who likely should not have been eliminated, the question remains: Who will take his spot? Who will step up and be that fourth driver in the conversation for the Round of Four?
While it’s easy to pick the reigning champion, I would not overlook that No. 52 truck.
For our second loser this week, we head to NASCOURT, where Rick Ware Racing and Legacy Motor Club recently settled a lawsuit revolving around a charter that was to be sold to LMC. Right now, the terms of the settlement are unknown; however, it is confirmed that LMC will have a charter in the next one to two years. How does this involve Ryan Preece, you ask?
Preece joined RFK Racing this past season as a third full-time entry with sponsorship from Kroger, joining the team and a leased charter from RWR. An April 30 hearing between RWR and LMC revealed that this charter was at the center of this lawsuit, and, for 2026, RFK will release the charter currently used by RWR.
Currently, RWR has made it clear that they intend to race as a charter car into the future, meaning that, in 2027, with the other charter sold, RFK could be without a third charter if they cannot find a way to acquire one. While Preece may not have had a banner weekend at the closest thing to a home track he has. If he’s without a ride at the end of next season, there’s no telling where his career could head.
Ty, it has been a rough start to your NASCAR Cup Series career. After dominating ARCA and the NASCAR Xfinity series, your struggles on track have been the laughingstock of a portion of the fan base, and let’s say it, Kyle Busch fans, for some time now. But whether you’re in the right, you’re in the wrong, or even somewhere in between, you are not going to get out of this situation looking good.
But no matter how many fans dislike Denny Hamlin, the fact remains that given your last name, given the position you were put in upon arriving at the Cup level, and given your competitiveness at NASCAR’s lower levels, fan sentiment is probably not going to favor you if this goes beyond this past weekend.
This incident with Denny Hamlin is already being compared to that of the one Gibbs shared with Brandon Jones at Martinsville in 2022. This one is different, Gibbs was not in the wrong, he was still racing for something, even if that isn’t a championship, but that does not mean the fan base will let up.
Ty, best wishes next weekend.
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