Steve Mandanda (40 años), libre de contrato tras su salida del Rennes, ha anunciado oficialmente este miércoles el final de su carrera profesional. El portero, máximo capitan del Olympique de Marsella (613 partidos), y campeón del mundo en 2018, ha hecho pública su decisión a *L’Équipe*.
“Necesité tiempo para aceptarlo, sobre todo porque no es fácil, pero sí, me estoy retirando. (…) Tuve un largo período de reflexión porque recibí muchas llamadas, pero siempre dije que no,” declaró al medio deportivo.
Fort Wayne, Indiana – Una investigación legal está en curso en Indiana después de que 19 jugadores de fútbol de la Snider High School de Fort Wayne, fueron hospitalizados supuestamente debido a las condiciones extremas de calor durante un entrenamiento. Según un informe de WANE15, la firma de abogados de Indianapolis CohenMalad Trail Lawyers está investigando las acusaciones.
El incidente se produjo el 9 de agosto, cuando la Snider High School llevó a cabo un entrenamiento bajo temperaturas de alrededor de 90 grados. Según un relato de un padre de uno de los jugadores, los atletas fueron forzados a realizar ejercicios “10x10s”, una rutina de entrenamiento de tipo militar extremadamente intensa.
Otro informe de WANE15 reveló que un jugador se quejó ante un entrenador físico sobre la hinchazón de sus brazos e imposibilidad de doblarlos. El entrenador le aconsejó que continuara con el entrenamiento y regresara a la escuela el lunes. Al día siguiente, el jugador tuvo que acudir al servicio de urgencias debido a los efectos del calor.
La Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) ha emitido múltiples declaraciones desde mediados de agosto, afirmando que su enfoque principal es la salud y el bienestar de los estudiantes y familias. A pesar de que inicialmente afirmaron que no había concluido una determinación sobre la causa de las enfermedades, han reconocido que varios estudiantes del mismo equipo han sufrido síntomas similares. La FWCS ha solicitado la asistencia del Departamento de Salud de Allen County para identificar posibles conexiones entre las enfermedades.
La FWCS también ha colaborado con la firma de abogados CohenMalad Trail Lawyers, quien confirmó que la FWCS sigue estrictamente las pautas de advertencia de calor, incluyendo la realización de pausas frecuentes, la disponibilidad de agua y la evitación del uso de equipo completo.
El equipo Panthers (1-2) regresa a la acción este viernes por la noche contra los Fort Wayne Generals (0-3).
Cómo seguir el fútbol de alta escuela en Indiana
Para los aficionados al fútbol de alta escuela de Indiana que buscan mantenerse al día con las puntuaciones en todo el estado, ahora es más fácil que nunca. El Rivals High School Scoreboard ofrece actualizaciones en tiempo real y puntuaciones finales de todo el Hoosier State, asegurando que nunca se pierda un momento del frenético viernes por la noche. Desde finales de suspense hasta actuaciones dominantes, el Rivals High School Scoreboard es su destino único para realizar un seguimiento de toda la emoción del campo de fútbol en todo el estado de Indiana.
Luke Donald está a punto de liderar a Europa en una misión audaz: ganar la Ryder Cup fuera de casa. La competición, que se disputará en Bethpage Black, promete ser un evento lleno de tensión y estrategia, y Donald está poniendo todo su empeño en preparar a su equipo para el desafío.
Esta semana, la Ryder Cup se presenta con un panorama inusual. Diez miembros del equipo europeo, incluyendo al dos veces campeón del BMW PGA Championship, Luke Donald, se encuentran compitiendo en el torneo de Wentworth, en medio de la preparación para el evento más importante para el golf europeo. La sombra de la Ryder Cup, sin embargo, se cierne sobre esta esquina de Surrey.
El equipo europeo, que ha mantenido la continuidad de 11 de los 12 jugadores de Italia de la edición de Roma, con Rasmus Hojgaard sustituyendo a su hermano gemelo Nicolai Hojgaard, se muestra optimista. Rory McIlroy, quien considera que ganar una Ryder Cup fuera de casa es “uno de los logros más difíciles del golf”, respalda las ambiciones del equipo.
Después de un encuentro de presentación en Tuesday night, con una cena donde se recogieron los últimos detalles de estrategia, el equipo europeo se está preparando para la fase de familiarización con el campo de Bethpage Black. La visita, que tendrá lugar a menos de dos semanas de la competición, incluye un plan de nueve hoyos el lunes y dieciocho el martes, seguido de una cena en la ciudad. El equipo europeo se beneficiará de la distancia entre el campo y la ciudad, ofreciéndoles una oportunidad para experimentar el “ambiente de Nueva York”.
La planificación de Donald se centra en las asociaciones, con Justin Rose y Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy y Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton y Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland con Rasmus Hojgaard (debutante), y Ludvig Aberg (sensación de 2023) junto a Matt Fitzpatrick. Se ha aprovechado el conocimiento previo de Edoardo Molinari, quien realizó un viaje de reconocimiento a Bethpage Black hace semanas, aunque Keegan Bradley podría sorprender con un cambio de última hora.
Donald está poniendo el foco en la fase de experimentación de las asociaciones, con el objetivo de optimizar las combinaciones para los foursomes y fourballs en Nueva York. La información disponible sobre el campo – con long driving, un buen putting y precisión a distancias más cortas – está siendo utilizada como base para la estrategia. Donald reconoce la importancia de “tener suficientes opciones” y no presionar a los jugadores.
El equipo, sin embargo, se tomará tiempo para descansar y planificar. Algunos jugadores se concentrarán en entrenamientos individuales en las cercanías de Nueva York, mientras que otros se permitirán disfrutar de la ciudad. Donald enfatiza que el objetivo principal es evitar sobrecargar a los jugadores y asegurar que estén frescos y preparados para competir.
La fase de experimentación final en Bethpage Black proporcionará datos cruciales para las asociaciones que se pondrán a prueba en los foursomes y fourballs. El equipo europeo, liderado por Luke Donald, está determinado a aprovechar al máximo la oportunidad de ganar la Ryder Cup fuera de casa, un logro que se considera “uno de los logros más difíciles del golf”.
Nueva York, NY – Gia Giudice, daughter of reality television personality Teresa Giudice, shared insights into her mother’s experience participating in the ABC television show, “Dancing With the Stars,” during an episode of her podcast, “Casual Chaos.”
Giudice, 24, described the show as “seriously intense,” comparing it to programs like “Special Forces.” Her mother, Teresa Giudice, partnered with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov during season 31, placing 15th.
According to Giudice, Teresa Giudice dedicated approximately four to five hours daily to rehearsals, a commitment that resulted in noticeable weight loss due to the strenuous physical demands of the program. Pashkov made an effort to accommodate her mother’s schedule, traveling to New Jersey for these sessions despite the filming location being situated on the West Coast.
Giudice also acknowledged the current controversy surrounding TikTok star Alix Earle’s participation in the season, noting the criticism leveled against Earle, paired with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, for having a background in dance. Giudice defended Earle’s inclusion, referencing previous criticism of TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, who won season 31 of the show alongside Mark Ballas.
“Alix Earle danced as a little girl like the rest of us. Would I say I’m a professional dancer now? No, absolutely not,” Giudice stated. “I dance in the clubs just like Alix does, and I don’t think they’re Dancing With the Stars dance moves.”
Giudice expressed her desire to potentially participate in “Dancing With the Stars” in the future, naming Val Chmerkovskiy, Alan Bersten and Brandon Armstrong as preferred partners. “I don’t know if I would be the best,” she admitted, “But, I love doing things that, you know, test my limits and test my capability of doing things.”
“Dancing With the Stars” premieres on September 16th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. New episodes will also be available on Hulu. Fans can engage with Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv by participating in the “DWTS” fantasy league to predict the season’s finalists.
Nueva York, NY – 10 de Septiembre de 2025 – La espera ha terminado. Los fans de *Hamilton* alrededor del mundo han recibido con júbilo el primer vistazo de Leslie Odom, Jr. en su regreso a la producción como Aaron Burr. El video, compartido el miércoles por BroadwayWorld, muestra al talentoso actor haciendo su entrada en el Richard Rodgers Theatre, generando una ola de emoción entre la audiencia y los seguidores de la obra.
El video, de aproximadamente 30 segundos, captura el instante en que Odom, Jr. aparece en el escenario, recibiendo el aplauso ensordecedor del público. La imagen, grabada en el momento en que la iluminación se enfoca en él, transmite la anticipación y la alegría que siempre ha caracterizado al espectáculo.
El regreso de Odom, Jr. como Aaron Burr marca un momento crucial en la historia de *Hamilton*, que ha roto récords de asistencia y ha ganado numerosos premios. La producción ha estado en una pausa indefinida desde 2023, lo que ha generado una gran expectación entre los fans.
“Es un momento increíble para el equipo y para todos los que hemos amado *Hamilton* durante tantos años”, declaró un portavoz de la producción. “El regreso de Leslie es una celebración del legado de la obra y una promesa de emocionantes presentaciones por venir”.
El video ha rápidamente se ha convertido en viral en redes sociales, con usuarios compartiendo sus reacciones y comentarios. Muchos expresaron su entusiasmo por la oportunidad de ver a Odom, Jr. volver a encarnar al icónico personaje.
“¡No puedo creer que Leslie esté de vuelta! ¡Estoy tan emocionado de verlo en acción otra vez!”, escribió uno de los usuarios de Twitter.
La producción de *Hamilton* – Return Engagement* se presentará en el Richard Rodgers Theatre en Broadway, Nueva York, durante una temporada extendida. Los detalles de las fechas y la venta de entradas se anunciarán en breve en el sitio web oficial de la producción. Este retorno promete revivir la magia de la historia contada en la música, y ofrece a los fans la oportunidad de presenciar nuevamente una de las mayores obras de Broadway de todos los tiempos.
High school is often considered one of the most difficult times – and while hormones and cliques can be truly awful, few of us have faced the horrors recounted in *Unknown Number: The High School Catfish*, a new Netflix documentary about a cyberbullying incident that spiraled far beyond expectation.
The Watch With Us team breaks down why you need to watch this darkly fascinating documentary – which sometimes feels more like a horror film – in September 2025 – find out more below.
‘Unknown Number’ Has One of the Most Shocking Twists We’ve Seen in a Doc
*Unknown Number: The High School Catfish* follows two teenagers – Lauryn Licari and her boyfriend, Owen McKenny – who began receiving threatening texts from an unknown number in 2020. One of the early texts received by Lauryn read, “Hi Lauryn, Owen is breaking up with you,” followed by another that said, “He no longer likes you and hasn’t liked you for a while. It’s obvious he wants me.”
The bullying continued on and off for two years. Local police and even the FBI eventually got involved – and finally, they found the culprit. We won’t spoil the twist here, but the result was truly shocking and deeply upsetting.
It’s a Subject of Heated Debate
Lauryn Licari in ‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’Netflix
If you love weighing in on the latest pop culture discourse, you need to watch *Unknown Number*. The internet is buzzing with conversation about the film, which some call a brilliant exploration of a twisted story, while others consider it exploitative and wrong.
‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’ Shines a Light on Cyberbullying
Lauryn Licari in ‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’Netflix
Cyberbullying is a huge problem in American schools, with a national survey reporting that 21 percent of school-aged children experience it each year. This documentary illustrates the devastating impact such anonymous bullying can have on teenagers’ psyches.
Lauryn was only 13 years old when the bullying began, and the experience was incredibly traumatic. Even the investigation, which looked into Lauryn and Owen’s friends and classmates, created fractures in the community and ruined relationships.
Director Skye Borgman Shares Her Perspective
Owen McKenny in Unknown CallerNetflix
Director Skye Borgman told Netflix that Lauryn and her classmates, who shared their experiences with the crew, wanted to raise awareness about the problem. “They wanted to do their part to make the world a better place,” Borgman (who also helmed the recent *Biggest Loser* doc *Fit for TV*) said. “I just take off my hat to these kids because they’re willing to do hard stuff to put their story out there and to try to help other kids that might be dealing with something like this.”
Watch *Unknown Number: The High School Catfish* on Netflix.
La defensa del Inter de Milán estará bajo escrutinio este sábado en el trascendental Derby d’Italia contra sus rivales históricos, la Juventus.
Según *Gazzetta dello Sport* a través de *FCInterNews*, los problemas defensivos han afectado a los primeros días de Cristian Chivu como entrenador de los Nerazzurri. De hecho, el equipo que fue segundo en la Serie A la temporada pasada ha encajado seis goles en sus primeros seis partidos competitivos bajo su mando.
A pesar de lograr un empate contra el Torino, la línea defensiva interista no pudo mantener su portero Iman, como se demostró en el siguiente encuentro, donde el Udinese ganó 2-1 en el San Siro.
Por lo tanto, los defensores de Chivu estarán bajo el foco este sábado.
Inter de Milán vs. Juventus: La Defensa Bajo Presión
LONDRES, INGLATERRA – 25 de mayo de 2025: Manuel Akanji del Manchester City durante el partido de la Premier League entre Fulham FC y Manchester City FC en Craven Cottage, en Londres, Inglaterra. (Foto por Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Aunque *Alessandro Bastoni* sigue siendo uno de los defensores más valorados de Europa, su rendimiento ha sido irregular. El centrocampista italiano no ha sido tan fiable en sus últimos partidos, lo que ha generado dudas sobre su concentración y agudeza. Tal vez *Manuel Akanji* pueda ser la clave para estabilizar la defensa interista en este partido de alta montaña.
A pesar de haber perdido protagonismo en el Manchester City, el de 30 años tiene la calidad y la experiencia necesarias para ayudar al Inter a volver a encarrilarse. Además, aporta calma y liderazgo en la zaga, cualidades que podrían ser vitales para organizar la defensa.
Few seasons in the Xfinity Series have sparked as much buzz in the NASCAR garage as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young prodigy, Connor Zilisch’s 2025 campaign. Driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, the young talent has been on fire, notching his ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. That’s seven victories in his last eight starts, putting him on the cusp of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010, with seven races still to go. His dominance has him locked in as the regular-season champion, carrying a hefty points lead into the playoffs. But Zilisch’s Xfinity success is one thing; his jump to the full-time Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, alongside the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, brings a whole new challenge.
He’s dipped his toe in Cup waters already this year, making three starts, including an 11th-place finish at Atlanta. But the full-time shift from Xfinity cars to the Next Gen machine, plus the brutal ovals, could test him like never before. So, how will the NASCAR Cup Series potentially shock Connor Zilisch? Let’s hear from none other than his owner and onetime crew chief, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Jr.’s candid outlook on Zilisch’s rookie challenges
On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hold back when sizing up Connor Zilisch’s impending rookie year in the Cup Series. Chatting with hosts about Zilisch’s blistering Xfinity form, Junior delivered a grounded six-word verdict: “first year to sort of be rough.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe” plays a role, saying, “They run the 600 fastest car there by far. And then disappear for a while.” This inconsistency, seen in their strong Coca-Cola 600 showing contrasted with quieter weeks elsewhere, could leave Zilisch mid-pack often as he adjusts. Drawing from Connor Zilisch‘s limited Cup exposure, like his DNF at COTA after tangling with teammate Daniel Suarez, Junior emphasized the patience needed, much like how Noah Gragson struggled post-Xfinity dominance, managing just three top-fives in two full Cup seasons despite 13 Xfinity wins.
The core of Junior’s caution lies in the massive gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. “He’s learning an entirely new car, the short sidewall, the way this car feels, the way the car reacts and steps out, and all of those things will be very unique and different than what he’s experiencing in the Xfinity car,” Junior explained. Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls that allow aggressive cornering, the Next Gen Cup car demands precision amid dirty air and tighter margins for error; think how Zilisch might slap the wall on corner exit trailing traffic, a common rookie pitfall.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity: NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Dover Jul 19, 2025 Dover, Delaware, USA NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch stands on pit road prior to the BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway. Dover Dover Motor Speedway Delaware USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMatthewxO Harenx 20250719_cec_bm2_138
Junior compared it to Chase Briscoe’s journey at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a whole first season to build that “new notebook” on the car’s limits without wrecking out and winning his first race at Phoenix. But still, Briscoe, jumping teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before clicking with top-10 runs; Zilisch, with zero oval experience at the Cup level beyond brief superspeedway tastes, could mirror that grind on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.
Still, Junior sees bright spots, especially on road courses where Zilisch thrives. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he noted, crediting Shane van Gisbergen‘s setup tweaks for the Next Gen car after his own year-one learning curve. SVG, who debuted in the Cup in 2023 and now understands what the car needs to be better, will hand Zilisch a dialed-in machine — potentially fast from the jump at tracks like Sonoma, where Zilisch has already won in Xfinity.
Yet Junior tempered optimism: “So, he’s got to build up this sort of data point or buildup… a new notebook internally about what the car’s capable of doing.” This echoes Briscoe’s story, where avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps turned a rough start into consistency. For Zilisch, smart survival in an opener like Daytona could set a solid tone, but expect some 20th-place runs turning into unplanned pit stops.
As Dale Jr. unpacks these transitions, his insights extend beyond rookies to the veterans chasing glory in these playoffs.
Dale Jr. sees Denny Hamlin poised for Cup breakthrough
Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned his podcast lens to the playoffs, zeroing in on Denny Hamlin as the driver best equipped for that long-sought championship. At 44, Hamlin has grabbed three Daytona 500s and 59 Cup wins, but the title has slipped away in finals at Phoenix time and again, like his 2020 title run in Phoenix, where he failed to lead a single lap and finished fourth, or 2021’s late-race fade at Martinsville when he was spun out by Alex Bowman.
Junior praised Hamlin’s evolution, stating, “Every year we say, ‘Man, this is his best shot.’ What Denny’s been able to do over the last handful of seasons to be one of the favorites, one of the contenders year after year after year. And literally every single year it seems like he’s even better.”
This build-up culminated in Hamlin’s recent Gateway win, his fifth of 2025, clinching a Round of 12 spot despite Joe Gibbs Racing’s crew shake-ups. Junior doubled down on Hamlin’s edge, saying, “It really does feel like he’s in the best position he’s ever been in… Right now, I think we can say, maybe for the first time, that he’s the best car in the field at this point.”
Unlike peers fading with age, Hamlin’s work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against youngsters. With the No. 11 Camry humming, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.
Few seasons in the Xfinity Series have sparked as much buzz in the NASCAR garage as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young prodigy, Connor Zilisch’s 2025 campaign. Driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, the young talent has been on fire, notching his ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. That’s seven victories in his last eight starts, putting him on the cusp of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010, with seven races still to go. His dominance has him locked in as the regular-season champion, carrying a hefty points lead into the playoffs. But Zilisch’s Xfinity success is one thing; his jump to the full-time Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, alongside the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, brings a whole new challenge.
He’s dipped his toe in Cup waters already this year, making three starts, including an 11th-place finish at Atlanta. But the full-time shift from Xfinity cars to the Next Gen machine, plus the brutal ovals, could test him like never before. So, how will the NASCAR Cup Series potentially shock Connor Zilisch? Let’s hear from none other than his owner and onetime crew chief, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Jr.’s candid outlook on Zilisch’s rookie challenges
On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hold back when sizing up Connor Zilisch’s impending rookie year in the Cup Series. Chatting with hosts about Zilisch’s blistering Xfinity form, Junior delivered a grounded six-word verdict: “first year to sort of be rough.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe” plays a role, saying, “They run the 600 fastest car there by far. And then disappear for a while.” This inconsistency, seen in their strong Coca-Cola 600 showing contrasted with quieter weeks elsewhere, could leave Zilisch mid-pack often as he adjusts. Drawing from Connor Zilisch‘s limited Cup exposure, like his DNF at COTA after tangling with teammate Daniel Suarez, Junior emphasized the patience needed, much like how Noah Gragson struggled post-Xfinity dominance, managing just three top-fives in two full Cup seasons despite 13 Xfinity wins.
The core of Junior’s caution lies in the massive gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. “He’s learning an entirely new car, the short sidewall, the way this car feels, the way the car reacts and steps out, and all of those things will be very unique and different than what he’s experiencing in the Xfinity car,” Junior explained. Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls that allow aggressive cornering, the Next Gen Cup car demands precision amid dirty air and tighter margins for error; think how Zilisch might slap the wall on corner exit trailing traffic, a common rookie pitfall.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity: NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Dover Jul 19, 2025 Dover, Delaware, USA NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch stands on pit road prior to the BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway. Dover Dover Motor Speedway Delaware USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMatthewxO Harenx 20250719_cec_bm2_138
Junior compared it to Chase Briscoe’s journey at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a whole first season to build that “new notebook” on the car’s limits without wrecking out and winning his first race at Phoenix. But still, Briscoe, jumping teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before clicking with top-10 runs; Zilisch, with zero oval experience at the Cup level beyond brief superspeedway tastes, could mirror that grind on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.
Still, Junior sees bright spots, especially on road courses where Zilisch thrives. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he noted, crediting Shane van Gisbergen‘s setup tweaks for the Next Gen car after his own year-one learning curve. SVG, who debuted in the Cup in 2023 and now understands what the car needs to be better, will hand Zilisch a dialed-in machine — potentially fast from the jump at tracks like Sonoma, where Zilisch has already won in Xfinity.
Yet Junior tempered optimism: “So, he’s got to build up this sort of data point or buildup… a new notebook internally about what the car’s capable of doing.” This echoes Briscoe’s story, where avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps turned a rough start into consistency. For Zilisch, smart survival in an opener like Daytona could set a solid tone, but expect some 20th-place runs turning into unplanned pit stops.
As Dale Jr. unpacks these transitions, his insights extend beyond rookies to the veterans chasing glory in these playoffs.
Dale Jr. sees Denny Hamlin poised for Cup breakthrough
Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned his podcast lens to the playoffs, zeroing in on Denny Hamlin as the driver best equipped for that long-sought championship. At 44, Hamlin has grabbed three Daytona 500s and 59 Cup wins, but the title has slipped away in finals at Phoenix time and again, like his 2020 title run in Phoenix, where he failed to lead a single lap and finished fourth, or 2021’s late-race fade at Martinsville when he was spun out by Alex Bowman.
Junior praised Hamlin’s evolution, stating, “Every year we say, ‘Man, this is his best shot.’ What Denny’s been able to do over the last handful of seasons to be one of the favorites, one of the contenders year after year after year. And literally every single year it seems like he’s even better.”
This build-up culminated in Hamlin’s recent Gateway win, his fifth of 2025, clinching a Round of 12 spot despite Joe Gibbs Racing‘s crew shake-ups. Junior doubled down on Hamlin’s edge, saying, “It really does feel like he’s in the best position he’s ever been in… Right now, I think we can say, maybe for the first time, that he’s the best car in the field at this point.”
Unlike peers fading with age, Hamlin’s work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against youngsters. With the No. 11 Camry humming, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.
Few seasons in the Xfinity Series have sparked as much buzz in the NASCAR garage as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young prodigy, Connor Zilisch’s 2025 campaign. Driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, the young talent has been on fire, notching his ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. That’s seven victories in his last eight starts, putting him on the cusp of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010, with seven races still to go. His dominance has him locked in as the regular-season champion, carrying a hefty points lead into the playoffs. But Zilisch’s Xfinity success is one thing; his jump to the full-time Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, alongside the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, brings a whole new challenge.
He’s dipped his toe in Cup waters already this year, making three starts, including an 11th-place finish at Atlanta. But the full-time shift from Xfinity cars to the Next Gen machine, plus the brutal ovals, could test him like never before. So, how will the NASCAR Cup Series potentially shock Connor Zilisch? Let’s hear from none other than his owner and onetime crew chief, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Jr.’s candid outlook on Zilisch’s rookie challenges
On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hold back when sizing up Connor Zilisch’s impending rookie year in the Cup Series. Chatting with hosts about Zilisch’s blistering Xfinity form, Junior delivered a grounded six-word verdict. “First year to sort of be rough.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe” plays a role, saying, “They run the 600 fastest car there by far. And then disappear for a while.” This inconsistency, seen in their strong Coca-Cola 600 showing contrasted with quieter weeks elsewhere, could leave Zilisch mid-pack often as he adjusts. Drawing from Connor Zilisch‘s limited Cup exposure, like his DNF at COTA after tangling with teammate Daniel Suarez, Junior emphasized the patience needed, much like how Noah Gragson struggled post-Xfinity dominance, managing just three top-fives in two full Cup seasons despite 13 Xfinity wins.
The core of Junior’s caution lies in the massive gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. “He’s learning an entirely new car, the short sidewall, the way this car feels, the way the car reacts and steps out, and all of those things will be very unique and different than what he’s experiencing in the Xfinity car,” Junior explained. Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls that allow aggressive cornering, the Next Gen Cup car demands precision amid dirty air and tighter margins for error; think how Zilisch might slap the wall on corner exit trailing traffic, a common rookie pitfall.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity: NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Dover Jul 19, 2025 Dover, Delaware, USA NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch stands on pit road prior to the BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway. Dover Dover Motor Speedway Delaware USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMatthewxO Harenx 20250719_cec_bm2_138
Junior compared it to Chase Briscoe‘s journey at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a whole first season to build that “new notebook” on the car’s limits without wrecking out and winning his first race at Phoenix. But still, Briscoe, jumping teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before clicking with top-10 runs; Zilisch, with zero oval experience at the Cup level beyond brief superspeedway tastes, could mirror that grind on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.
Still, Junior sees bright spots, especially on road courses where Zilisch thrives. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he noted, crediting Shane van Gisbergen‘s setup tweaks for the Next Gen car after his own year-one learning curve. SVG, who debuted in the Cup in 2023 and now understands what the car needs to be better, will hand Zilisch a dialed-in machine — potentially fast from the jump at tracks like Sonoma, where Zilisch has already won in Xfinity.
Yet Junior tempered optimism: “So, he’s got to build up this sort of data point or buildup… a new notebook internally about what the car’s capable of doing.” This echoes Briscoe’s story, where avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps turned a rough start into consistency. For Zilisch, smart survival in an opener like Daytona could set a solid tone, but expect some 20th-place runs turning into unplanned pit stops.
As Dale Jr. unpacks these transitions, his insights extend beyond rookies to the veterans chasing glory in these playoffs.
Dale Jr. sees Denny Hamlin poised for Cup breakthrough
Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned his podcast lens to the playoffs, zeroing in on Denny Hamlin as the driver best equipped for that long-sought championship. At 44, Hamlin has grabbed three Daytona 500s and 59 Cup wins, but the title has slipped away in finals at Phoenix time and again, like his 2020 title run in Phoenix, where he failed to lead a single lap and finished fourth, or 2021’s late-race fade at Martinsville when he was spun out by Alex Bowman.
Junior praised Hamlin’s evolution, stating, “Every year we say, ‘Man, this is his best shot.’ What Denny’s been able to do over the last handful of seasons to be one of the favorites, one of the contenders year after year after year. And literally every single year it seems like he’s even better.”
This build-up culminated in Hamlin’s recent Gateway win, his fifth of 2025, clinching a Round of 12 spot despite Joe Gibbs Racing‘s crew shake-ups. Junior doubled down on Hamlin’s edge, saying, “It really does feel like he’s in the best position he’s ever been in… Right now, I think we can say, maybe for the first time, that he’s the best car in the field at this point.”
Unlike peers fading with age, Hamlin’s work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against youngsters. With the No. 11 Camry humming, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.
