Larson reaches NASCAR's Championship 4 with dramatic win; Antonelli on brink of F1 history

Joey Logano (22) flips after wrecking with Chase Briscoe (19)... — Joey Logano (22) flips after wrecking with Chase Briscoe (19) and involving multiple drivers in the tri-oval during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Talladega, Ala. Credit: AP/Butch Dill

By The Associated PressOctober 27, 2026 2:16 pm

All Times Eastern

NASCAR CUP SERIES

The Chase

Xfinity 500

Site: Ridgeway, Virginia.

Track: Martinsville Speedway.

Race distance: 500 laps, 263 miles.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 1 p.m., qualifying, 2:05 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (NBC).

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates on the... — Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates on the podium after winning the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Credit: AP/Eric Gay

Last year: William Byron led 304 of 500 laps and regained the lead with 44 remaining, holding off Ryan Blaney to earn a victory and clinch a spot in the Championship 4.

Last race: Kyle Larson won the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in a dramatic overtime photo finish, breaking his historic 0-for-58 drought on drafting tracks to secure his 35th career victory and advance to the Championship 4.

Next race: November 8, Homestead, Florida.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

Crew members for Chase Elliott (9) change tires during a... — Crew members for Chase Elliott (9) change tires during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Talladega, Ala. Credit: AP/Butch Dill

NASCAR O'REILLY AUTO PARTS SERIES

The Chase

National Debt Relief 250

Site: Ridgeway, Virginia.

Track: Martinsville Speedway.

Race distance: 250 laps, 131.5 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 3 p.m., qualifying, 4:05 p.m.; Saturday, race, 4 p.m. (CW).

Last year: Taylor Gray earned his first career national series victory and the famous 7-foot-tall grandfather clock after leading 52 laps and holding off Sammy Smith by 0.344 seconds in overtime.

Last race: Sammy Smith ended a 53-race winless streak with a last-lap pass of teammate Carson Kvapil, winning by 0.084 seconds after leading only the final lap at Talladega.

Next race: November 7, Homestead, Florida.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

The Chase

Black’s Tire 200 presented by Down East Heating & Air Conditioning

Site: Ridgeway, Virginia.

Track: Martinsville Speedway.

Race distance: 200 laps, 105.2 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 12:30 p.m., qualifying, 1:35 p.m., race, 6 p.m. (FS1).

Last year: Corey Heim swept both stages and led 77 laps before beating Kaden Honeycutt by 0.451 seconds in overtime for his record-extending 11th victory of the season.

Last race: Sammy Smith pulled off a rare feat with two victories in less than 24 hours, both secured on last-lap passes, including his first career Truck Series win in his 11th start.

Next race: November 6, Homestead, Florida.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA 1

Gran Premio de la Ciudad de México 2026

Site: Mexico City.

Track: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Race distance: 71 laps, 189.7 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 2:30 p.m., practice, 6 p.m.; Saturday, practice, 2:30 p.m., qualifying, 6 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (APPLE TV).

Last year: Lando Norris held his lead through a frantic four-car battle in the opening turn and went on to a dominant victory, moving one point ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri in the championship standings.

Last race: Kimi Antonelli passed Max Verstappen at the start and used a one-stop strategy to win by 13.078 seconds over Charles Leclerc. He is one race away from potentially becoming Formula 1’s youngest world champion.

Next race: November 8, São Paulo, Brazil.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

NTT INDYCAR SERIES

Last race: Scott McLaughlin won the season finale while Alex Palou secured the championship, tying the series record with his fourth consecutive title.

Next race: Season has concluded.

Online: http://www.indycar.com