The Must Reads from the April-May 2025 Edition of NASCAR Pole Position

What’s Happening?

It’s a new month, and the NASCAR schedule is in full swing. Not only does April mean NASCAR’s spring stretch of races, but a new issue of NASCAR Pole Position. Here are the absolute must-reads from the April-May 2025 Edition of NASCAR Pole Position.

  • This month, NASCAR heads back to Rockingham Speedway for the first time since 2013 and the second time since 2004. This issue features two great articles from Jared Turner covering the track’s return and the return of a NASCAR legend.
  • In this issue, the NASCAR Pole Position team sat down NASCAR veterans like Kasey Kahne and Cole Custer and up-and-comers like Layne Riggs and Brendan “Butterbean” Queen. Also, look out for the feature breaking down YouTube sensation Cleetus McFarland’s ARCA debut at Daytona.
  • This issue also features a special preview of 50 States of Short Tracks, a sister publication of NASCAR Pole Position. Look out for the six-track features in this issue, and make sure to preorder your copy of 50 States of Short Tracks on the Daily Downforce Shop.

Racing Returns to the Rock: pp. 20-21

For the first time since 2013, two NASCAR National Series will race at Rockingham Speedway. The track, which the Xfinity Series has not raced at since 2004, is one of NASCAR’s most historic venues, though fans thought the track would never return to racing.

In this article, Jared Turner breaks down the emotions and excitement about NASCAR’s return to the track. This story also highlights some important moments in the track history from 1963 to 2003.

Kasey Kahne Plans Rockingham Return: pp. 22-23

Jared Turner also sat down with NASCAR legend Kasey Kahne, who is attempting his first NASCAR National Series race since 2018 with the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Apr. 19. Kahne’s return to NASCAR is one of the most shocking in recent years, as the veteran has focused on sprint car racing since unceremonious exit in 2018.

Kahne’s return makes NASCAR’s return to Rockingham all the more special. Khane has a deep history with the track, including a close finish with race winner Matt Kenseth in 2004 and a win in the 2013 Truck Series race, NASCAR’s most recent return to the track.

Cole Custer Earns a Second Chance: pp. 28-29

After being cut from the NASCAR Cup Series after the 2022 season, Haas Factory Team driver Cole Custer returned to the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Custer, now a former Xfinity Series Champion, is returning to the Cup Series this season.

Dustin Albino sat down with Custer to talk about the 27-year-old’s journey back to the top level of NASCAR. If you love a comeback story, this is one you’re not going to want to miss out on.

Like Father, Like Son pp. 32-33

Layne Riggs is one of a handful of second-generation drivers making a name for themselves throughout the NASCAR National Series. The reigning Truck Series Rookie of the Year is a fan favorite and a flashback to the short-track racers of old.

Jared Turner sat down with Riggs to discuss his journey to becoming one of the top prospects in the Truck Series. This article covers Riggs’s activities on and off the track and his relationship with his father, NASCAR veteran Scott Riggs.

Cleetus McFarland Brings New Eyes to ARCA pp. 34-35

Garrett Mitchell, better known by his screen name Cleetus McFarland, has over 4 million subscribers on his Automotive YouTube Channel. Mitchell had one of the most hyped debuts in recent memory when he hopped behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang at Daytona this past February.

Mitchell’s debut, as short and sweet as it was, is leading to more races and a massive boost in ARCA’s TV ratings. This story by yours truly breaks down Mitchell’s journey to NASCAR, his weekend at Daytona, and the ripple effect of this outing.

Preview the Upcoming 50 States of Short Tracks Magazine pp. 48-56

A.E. Engine, the Publisher of NASCAR Pole Position, is launching a new magazine this month, 50 States of Short Tracks. This new magazine highlights short tracks and short-track racing culture from Alaska to Wyoming.

At the back of this month’s issue of NASCAR Pole Position is a special preview of this special magazine’s content, which is presented via six short-track profiles from six states. 50 States of Short Tracks is available for preorder on the Daily Downfroce Shop for just $15.

Thanks for checking out NASCAR Pole Position. On the Daily Downforce Shop, you can purchase a subscription to receive upcoming physical issues for just $29.95 a year.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 11: NASCAR Hall of Famer and JGR team owner, Joe Gibbs looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 11, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Joe Gibbs Racing Adds Spire Motorsports to Lawsuit, Motions for Gabehart to Cease Work

What’s Happening?

Joe Gibbs Racing has added to its lawsuit filed against former Crew Chief and Competition Director Chris Gabehart, filing to add Spire as a co-defendant, and to prevent Gabehart from continuing his work at Spire.

JGR initiated this lawsuit on February 19, alleging Gabehart, a long-time Crew Chief, most recently for Denny Hamlin, and the team’s now former Competition Director, “embarked on a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information and use it for the benefit of a direct competitor in NASCAR.”

That direct competitor, Spire Motorsports, which currently employs Gabehart as their Chief Motorsports Officer, is now a co-defendant in this lawsuit, via an amended complaint filed Tuesday.

Per the latest filing from JGR, which employed Gabehart as Competition Director last season, is asking the court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction with seven key requests.

Key to these requests is that Gabehardt cease providing Spire with “services for Spire similar to those he provided to JGR” for 18 months following his February 9 formal termination from JGR.

JGR also requested that Spire stop accepting Gabehart’s work as per the noncompete obligation of his termination.

The filing also has several requests regarding the team information Gabehart allegedly retained from JGR.

These include Gabehart returning this information alongside the devices that store this information and “cease and desist from retaining, transferring, using or copying any Confidential Information and Trade Secrets.”

From JGR’s filing:

c. Gabehart immediately cease and desist from retaining, transferring, using or copying any Confidential Information and Trade Secrets

d. Gabehart return any Confidential Information and Trade Secrets in his possession to JGR;

e. Gabehart transfer to the custody of JGR’s counsel any device used to store the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and, through an agreed upon Court ordered process, allow the forensic preservation and review of these devices for identification of Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, the return of any identified Confidential Information and Trade Secrets to JGR, and the removal of any identified Confidential Information and Trade Secrets from the devices;

f. Gabehart cease and desist from using or disclosing JGR’s Confidential Information and Trade Secrets to third parties;

As of press time, Gabehart has commented on the lawsuit in a post to X on February 20, where he claimed a third-party investigator “examined my laptop, cell phone and personal Google Drive and found no evidence to support the baseless allegations in JGR’s lawsuit.”

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

HAMPTON, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 20: Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Samsara Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 at Echo Park Speedway on February 20, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Rumor Mill: Are These the Top Candidates For Legacy Motor Club’s Expansion?

What’s Happening?

The NASCAR rumor mill is heating up as a new rumor suggests that a former series champion and an active NASCAR Cup Series driver could be in line to drive for Legacy Motor Club in 2027.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is well underway, while teams and drivers are still settling into their new lineups and seats, others are already prepping for next season.

Most expect the 2027 NASCAR Silly Season to be one of the wildest in years, with many major names on contract seasons, and top seats looking for new drivers.

One story that will likely carry through the 2026 season, and into the offseason, is Legacy Motor Club, which is expanding to three full-time cars in 2027 via the acquisition of a charter from Rick Ware Racing, which is currently leased to RFK Racing for their No. 60 entry.

While many storylines could stem from this transaction, one that is already playing out is LMC’s driver search, as the team looks to add a new face to their roster alongside drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones.

Though we are nearly a year away from what would be the first race for this third car, per recent rumors, a few names are already emerging as top candidates.

What’s the Rumor?

Monday afternoon, a post from a well-known NASCAR rumor account made the rounds on social media, naming two drivers as possible options for LMC.

In their post, the user claimed that 23XI Racing’s Riley Herbst and Richard Childress Racing prospect Jesse Love were “early contenders” for the ride.

Of course, this is just a rumor, and even if they are possible candidates, things can change. However, both of these options come with their own storylines and questions.

What Do We Know?

The first thing that likely comes to mind when hearing this rumor is that both of these drivers would have to depart their current spots, something that most have suspected will happen by next season.

For Herbst, he is facing the impending promotion of top NASCAR prospect Corey Heim to full-time competition.

This year, Heim, the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, is racing part-time with 23XI Racing, with almost every rumor and blurb suggesting next year will be his first full-time season in NASCAR’s highest level.

While 2026 Daytona 500 Champion Tyler Reddick is reportedly on a contract season, most see Herbst as the clear weak link at 23XI, though, in the somewhat unlikely event Reddick were to jump ship, there could be a world where a spot opens for Heim without affecting Herbst.

Regarding Love, the reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion is in his third full-time year with RCR in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and, for some time now, has been rumored to be looking for a promotion, beyond his part-time Cup Series schedule.

This is not the first time Love and LMC have been tied together in the rumor mill, as in June 2025, when LMC was in the midst of a lawsuit to get their third charter by this season (something that never came to be), a report from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports suggested there could be interest in Love as that third driver at LMC.

As of right now, Love has yet to score a full-time Cup Series ride. But there is a chance a slot opens in-house as RCR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch is on a contract year, a situation that could leave Love with a difficult decision between staying in a familiar spot or returning ot the Toyota camp.

But the biggest decision could come down to RCR, which, in the event Busch excels this year, could face deciding between a NASCAR legend and keeping their best prospect in some time.

Nonetheless, all of this is hypothetical, as the gears are just now turning on what could be a NASCAR Cup Series Silly Season for the ages.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

Keelan Harvick Signs With TOYOTA | Hamlin Calls Out Hocevar | Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, and More!

Denny Hamlin fires off on Carson Hocevar, Sheldon Creed finally gets his long-awaited breakthrough, and 13-year-old Keelan Harvick makes a massive career move. From sharp words on a podcast to a feel-good victory and a headline-grabbing development deal, this episode covers three very different stories that could all have long-term ripple effects.

  • What exactly did Denny Hamlin say about Carson Hocevar — and was he right?
  • Has Hocevar officially reset the “garage credit” he was building?
  • What does Sheldon Creed’s first win in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series mean for his future?
  • And why is Keelan Harvick signing with Toyota Racing Development such a big deal?

There’s controversy, redemption, and a glimpse at the next generation all wrapped into one packed show. Some reputations are being tested, others are being rebuilt, and one young driver may have just taken the first major step toward the Cup Series.

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