Juncos Hollinger Racing Catches Fire
...And not in a good way. A hauler fire's left the team with some headaches to sort through amid IndyCar's busy season.
The Morning Warmup
July 16, 2025
Good morning, race fans! It’s been a pretty quiet week so far news-wise, so we’re going to keep this one simple. But we do have a sad story to discuss in IndyCar. Let’s talk racing.
Today’s Top Stories
1) Juncos Hollinger Racing hit by hauler fire leaving Iowa (IndyCar)
The hauler carrying both cars and Sting Ray Robb’s equipment was traveling down Interstate 74 when a fire started in the truck’s rear axle. There were no injuries in the blaze, but there’s risk of significant damage and the incident occurred four hours from the team’s headquarters.
This setback comes amid a busy summer for IndyCar, with races on three of the next four weeks at Toronto, Laguna Seca and Portland. So JHR is leaning on support from Andretti Global, including a hauler provided by the team, to help it move forward.
JHR released the following statement on the fire:
"A tough end to our Iowa weekend, both on and off the track. "After an early retirement for the #77 car, our hauler caught fire on I-74 while heading back to the shop. It was a scary moment for the team, but thankfully, everyone is safe, and that's what matters most.
” We've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, messages, and well wishes from fans, fellow teams, IndyCar officials, and the entire racing community. It's a reminder of the incredible family we have in this sport.
We are assessing the damage and will be working hard to get back on track. Thank you again for everything. Your support fuels our determination!"
Sunday’s setback comes at a time when both cars are fighting for a spot in IndyCar’s Leader’s Circle financial incentive program, which goes to the top 22 charters entrants. Conor Daly’s No. 76 is 39 points above 23rd-place Robert Shwartzman in 18th, while Robb sits 30 points below Louis Foster and the No. 45 team in 24th.
(Source(s): Federico Faturos / Motorsport)
Race Recaps
Dirt
World of Outlaws Sprint Cars: Carson Macedo kicked off a big week of Winged Sprint Car racing with a victory in the Brad Doty Classic at Attica Raceway Park.
News and Notes
NASCAR
I’m not sure how this one’s going to shake out, but 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are making one last-ditch attempt at a preliminary injunction to keep their chartered status. (Bob Pockrass / FOX Sports)
In one of his latest pieces, sports media ace John Ourand noted that as F1 brought glitz to the theaters and IndyCar secured its future with FOX, NASCAR has been reinforcing its position as the top domestic motorsport. (John Ourand / Puck News)
And on that note: a head-to-head battle between IndyCar and the Xfinity Series handily went the way of NASCAR’s second series this weekend. (Adam Stern / X)
NASCAR will utilize a new tire compound this weekend at Dover Motor Speedway. (John Newby / Alt Driver)
Trackhouse Racing has hired former Joe Gibbs Racing exec and industry veteran Todd Meredith at its president of racing operations. (Matt Weaver / Sporting News)
As expected, a pair of Rick Ware Racing crew members have been suspended for Cody Ware’s loose wheel at Sonoma Raceway. (TobyChristie.com)
Shane van Gisbergen has a surprising amount of critics as he dominates the Cup Series road course slate. But they’re largely missing the point. (Kelly Crandall / RACER)
The Kiwi’s proven to be a real disruptor, just as Trackhouse Racing hoped. He could open the door for more disruptors in the future. (Jeff Gluck / The Athletic)
Kris Wright and Our Motorsports have agreed to part ways in the Xfinity Series. Kaz Grala is listed as his potential replacement for this weekend at Dover Motor Speedway.
Both Jake Finch and Rajah Caruth have secured Xfinity Series rides for this weekend in Delaware, with Finch making his debut for Hendrick Motorsports and Caruth competing for Jordan Anderson Racing. (Nick DeGroot / Motorsport)
ARCA Menards Series regular and CARS Tour champion Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen will join Spire Motorsports for the upcoming Craftsman Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. (Joseph Srigley / TobyChristie.com)
Katherine Legge is planning a Brickyard doubleheader next weekend, running both NASCAR races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Catchfence)
Here’s a look at the ARCA Menards Series entry list for this weekend at Dover. (Logan Kendall / Frontstretch)
I love a good historic piece, and few have the chops to justify writing one like longtime journalist Steve Waid. He looked at the choices that helped transform Ernie Irvan into a star over two years for Frontstretch.
IndyCar
Linus Lundqvist will be on standby for Nolan Siegel at Arrow McLaren this weekend in Toronto. (Bob Pockrass / FOX Sports)
Ed Carpenter Racing is on the move - or at least building toward one. The company is planning a new shop in Westfield, Ind., a town just north of Indianapolis. (Marshall Pruett / RACER)
F1
There have been some early reports linking Sergio Perez with Cadillac’s F1 launch for 2026, though nothing seems to slated to be announced anytime soon. (Mat Coch / Planet F1)
Jak Crawford stood out with his Formula 2 feature win at Silverstone. He hopes it’ll show prospective F1 teams that he’s worth a shot at the next level. (Chris Medland / RACER)
Red Bull is moving on without Christian Horner, but there are still concerns to work through. (Madeline Coleman / The Athletic)
Pierre Gasly knows all-to-well what it’s like to be hammered by a teammate after his stint with Red Bull. But the French star is dishing out the beatdowns this year with Alpine teammates Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto. (Scott Mitchell-Malm / The Race)
Sports Cars
McLaren Trophy America will officially launch its Papaya Cup beginning this weekend at Virginia International Raceway. (John Dagys / Sportscar365)
With a breakthrough win behind it, Cadillac and Jota’s Alex Lynn feels the sky is the limit for the organization. (Gary Watkins / Motorsport)
Ferrari race and test team manager Giuliano Salvi was frustrated by race control’s call to fix damage on the team’s No. 50 car during the 6 Hours of São Paulo. (Davey Euwema / Sportscar365)
There are 29 cars on the entry list for this weekend’s GT4 America races in Virginia. (John Dagys / Sportscar365)
I’m normally not one for these sort of vlog-like videos. But this was an interesting look at competing in the challenging Nurburgring 24:
Supercars
With Will Brown and Triple Eight engineer Andrew Edwards left the country to chase NASCAR ambitions in Chicago. Managing director Jamie Whincup feels it compromised the build up to Townsville.
Cam Hill is a hot commodity at a struggling Matt Stone Racing. Now he’s exploring a team switch that could make him a real contender in 2026.
Formula E
Rookie testing went down early this week as Formula E teams begin making plans for next season. Who’s actually in contention for these rides? (Valentin Khorounzhiy & Sam Smith / The Race)
It was a mixed bag for Felipe Drugovich in his Berlin series debut. The Brazilian struggled on Saturday but scored points to end the weekend.
Short Tracks
The Keelan vs. Kevin Harvick tour will roll on to Owosso Speedway today for the Masters of the Pros 200. (Zach Evans / Racing America)
Keelan’s domination against his dad so far proves that the next generation of Harvick is already on the rise. (Chase Folsom / Frontstretch)
Moto
The German Grand Prix is set to remain on the MotoGP calendar until at least 2031, following a Sachsenring race weekend with record crowds. But the deal will come with necessary safety modifications. (Simon Patterson / The Race)
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On Track
The good times are rolling on at the grassroots level. From a Harvick showdown at Owosso Speedway to the start of Kings Royal week at Eldora Speedway, there’s plenty of racing to partake in during the evenings over the next two days. Sit back and enjoy.
All Times ET
Wednesday, July 16
Dirt
High Limit Racing Joker’s Jackpot (Eldora Speedway): 6:15 p.m., FloRacing
Short Track Super Series (Afton Motorsports Park): 6:30 p.m., FloRacing
JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Masters of the Pro (Owosso Speedway): 7:00 p.m., Racing America
Weekly Racing (Huset’s Speedway): 7:25 p.m., DirtVision
IMCA King of the Creek (141 Speedway): 7:30 p.m., FloRacing
Short Tracks
Modified Masters (Stafford Motor Speedway): 5:30 p.m., FloRacing
Thursday, July 17
Dirt
High Limit Racing Joker’s Jackpot (Eldora Speedway): 6:15 p.m., FloRacing
Southern Nationals (Senoia Raceway): 7:00 p.m., FloRacing
Silver Dollar Nationals (Huset’s Speedway): 7:30 p.m., FloRacing
Short Tracks
Vermont Governor’s Cup (Thunder Road Speedbowl): 6:15 p.m., FloRacing
Number of the Day: 15
Ty Dillon has become the main character of NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge, overcoming the odds to upset Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and Alex Bowman in successive weeks.
That’s been partially aided by luck and attrition, but Dillon’s team has also elevated its game. The 33-year-old has had an average finish of 15.0 in the past three weeks, seven spots higher than his season average and better than he’s managed in any Cup season.