Category: 6. Sports

Welcome back to This Week in iRacing, your guide to the daily, even hourly racing that members can get into, based on where their license level is at. There are also some special series that run at specific times that anyone can jump into, with the right credentials, that offer a more meaningful sim racing experience.

Welcome to 2025 Season 3! Here are a few of the highlighted series taking place this week — 2025 Season 3, Week 4 — from July 8th to July 14th in 2025.

iRACING SPECIAL EVENTS

iRACING SPA 24HR PRESENTED BY FALKEN

The next special event for the 2025 calendar, from July 11th to the 13th is the iRacing Spa 24HR presented by Falken. Utilizing our current class of GT3 machinery, teams of two to 16 drivers will take on the twists and turns of Belgium’s own Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for a twice-around-the-clock, single class battle.

Schedule: Friday, 22:00 GMT; Saturday 7:00 GMT, 12:00 GMT, & 16:00 GMT

For more information on the iRacing Spa 24HR presented by Falken -> CLICK HERE
For more information on the 2025 iRacing Special Events calendar -> CLICK HERE

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WEEKLY RACING SERIES

These are the series that are not confined to the iRacing seasons, that run independently throughout the course of the year and feature some of the most recognizable motorsports racing around. From NASCAR to the Whelen Modifieds, from Formula 1 to INDYCAR, and even some weekly local dirt track racing, iRacing offers many special series to jump in an compete in!

NASCAR iRACING SERIES

Back again in 2025, the NASCAR iRacing Series (Open Setup and Fixed Setup) follows the NASCAR Cup Series schedule for a 36-week racing season. The series visits the tracks on the real-world schedule, utilizing the NASCAR Next Gen Stock Cars from Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota.

Week 20 of 36 will take place at Sonoma Raceway. This race utilizes the Sports Car license.

The races this week are scheduled for:

Fixed Schedule: Wednesday, 21:00 GMT; Friday, 01:00 GMT; Saturday, 10:00 GMT and 16:00 GMT; Monday, 01:00 GMT
Open Schedule: Thursday, 01:00 GMT and 19:00 GMT; Saturday, 01:00 GMT; Sunday, 14:00 GMT

For more information on the NASCAR iRacing Series -> CLICK HERE

INDYCAR iRACING SERIES

The INDYCAR iRacing Series is an Open Setup season that predominantly follows the real world INDYCAR schedule, utilizing the Dallara IR-18. It will have full length races on road courses, while utilizing amended race distances for the ovals during the 16-week racing season.

Week 11 of 16 will take place at Iowa Speedway – Oval. This race utilizes the Oval license.

The races this week are scheduled for:

Thursday 01:00 GMT, Friday 20:00 GMT, Saturday 18:00 GMT, Sunday 02:00 GMT

For more information on the INDYCAR iRacing Series -> CLICK HERE

DIRT 410 SPRINT CAR TOUR

Modeled heavily after real-world events and featuring dozens of America’s top dirt tracks, the Dirt 410 Sprint Car Tour features 37 weeks of championship racing in the Dirt 410 Sprint Car.

Week 21 of 37 will take place at Kokomo Speedway – Tires Out.

The races this week are scheduled for:

Wednesday 01:00 GMT and 21:00 GMT, Friday 01:00 GMT, Sunday 10:00 GMT

For more information on the Dirt 410 Sprint Car Tour -> CLICK HERE

DIRT SUPER LATE MODEL TOUR

Modeled heavily after real-world events and featuring dozens of America’s top dirt tracks, the Dirt Super Late Model Tour features 39 weeks of championship racing in the Dirt Super Late Model.

Week 23 of 39 will take place at Lucas Oil Speedway.

The races this week are scheduled for:

Tuesday 21:00 GMT, Thursday 01:00 GMT, Saturday 16:00 GMT, Monday 01:00 GMT

For more information on the Dirt Super Late Model Tour -> CLICK HERE

NASCAR MODIFIED TOUR

Modeled heavily after real-world events and featuring many of America’s top short tracks, the NASCAR Modified Tour features 21 weeks of championship racing in the NASCAR Whelen Tour Modified.

Week 11 of 21 will take place at The Milwaukee Mile.

The races this week are scheduled for:

Thursday 01:00 GMT, Thursday 19:00 GMT, Saturday 01:00 GMT, Sunday 14:00 GMT

For more information on the NASCAR Modified Tour -> CLICK HERE

VINTAGE GRAND PRIX TOUR

New for 2025, the iRacing Vintage Grand Prix Tour brings the Lotus 79 on a tour that loosely resembles the 1978 World Driver’s Championship.

Week 8 of 16 will take place at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours – Grand Prix.

The races this week are scheduled for:

Tuesday 02:00 GMT, Sunday 07:00 GMT, Sunday 22:00 GMT, Monday 18:00 GMT

For more information on the iRacing Vintage Grand Prix Tour -> CLICK HERE

WEEKLY SERIES OFF THIS WEEK:

• iRacing Nürburgring Endurance Series | Next Race (#4 of 9) at Nürburgring Combined – Gesamtstrecke VLN (iRacing Season 3, Week 5)
• iRacing Super Late Model Tour | Next Race (#12 of 23) at Stafford Motor Speedway – Full Course (iRacing Season 3, Week 5)
• iRacing Grand Prix Tour | Next Race (#13 of 24) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – Grand Prix Pits (iRacing Season 3, Week 6)
• iRacing CREVENTIC Endurance Series | Next Race (#4 of 5) at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours – Grand Prix (iRacing Season 3, Week 8)

For more information on the iRacing Nurburgring Endurance Series -> CLICK HERE
For more information on the Super Late Model Tour -> CLICK HERE
For more information on the iRacing Grand Prix Tour -> CLICK HERE
For more information on the iRacing CREVENTIC Endurance Series -> CLICK HERE

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SPECIAL DAILY RACING SERIES

Of course, we are always racing something at iRacing.

Whether you’re an oval specialist, running in every NASCAR series we offer, or if you enjoy getting in your favorite tin-top or open wheel machine to make laps at some of the most historic race tracks out there, there is always something to jump in and wheel. These are a collection of our special curated hourly series, from the serious ones that can qualify you for top level eSports like the MOZA F4 Regionals, as well as the fun ones like Draft Master, where there’s packed up Superspeedway racing that anyone can win every hour.

FIA F4 ESPORTS REGIONAL TOURS

The Regional editions of the FIA F4 Esports Series returns returns in 2025 Season 3. All series will have racing every 30 minutes at :00 and :30 after.

In 2025 Season 3, these series will be utilized for qualification for the 2025 FIA F4 Global Esports Championship presented by MOZA. The top 10 eligible drivers in championship standings across each of the Regional Tour series will be invited to compete in the Championship. In order to be eligible for an invitation to the Championship Series, drivers must provide the proper identification from the region they intend to represent, either with a Passport or ID card.

Week 4 Schedule: 

• Americas: Summit Point Raceway
• Asia-Pacific: Oran Park Raceway – Grand Prix
• Europe: Motorsport Arena Oschersleben – Grand Prix

For more information on the 2025 FIA F4 Global Esports Championship presented by MOZA -> CLICK HERE

RING MEISTER RICMOTECH SERIES

Two of the more unique daily racing series on iRacing are the Ring Meister Ricmotech Series and the Draft Master Challenge by SIMAGIC Series, where the cars change every week as opposed to the tracks. The setups are fixed in both series, which means it’s all about jumping in and racing the combination at hand.

The Ring Meister Ricmotech Series (Races on every hour on the hour | Qualifying every hour at :30) takes place at the Nürburgring Nordschleife – Industriefahrten and cycles through mostly road-type racing vehicles every week. 

Week 4 Schedule: 

DRAFT MASTER CHALLENGE BY SIMAGIC

Two of the more unique daily racing series on iRacing are the Ring Meister Ricmotech Series and the Draft Master Challenge by SIMAGIC Series, where the cars change every week as opposed to the tracks. The setups are fixed in both series, which means it’s all about jumping in and racing the combination at hand.

As for Draft Master Challenge by SIMAGIC (races every hour on the hour), the series contests six weeks at Talladega Superspeedway and six weeks at Daytona International Speedway, featuring many common NASCAR-oval style cars.

Week 4 Schedule: 

• ARCA Menards Series cars at Talladega Superspeedway

RAIN MASTER

For wet weather racing enthusiasts, Rain Master is one of the latest Special Series available on iRacing. Introduced in 2024 Season 4, those looking for some fixed setup wet weather racing can now jump into select GT3 vehicles at 12 different road courses around the world.

The forecasts will include light rain throughout the short, 15 minute events. Races run every hour at 15 minutes past the hour.

Week 4 Schedule:

• at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – Grand Prix Pits

ADVANCED PRO 2 LITE OFF-ROAD RACING SERIES

The newest hourly series in our rotation is the Advanced Pro 2 Lite Off-Road Racing Series, new for iRacing’s 2025 Season 3. This series takes the Pro 2 Lite and finally puts it exclusively on short course off-road tracks. Members finally have a championship in official racing capacity where these trucks are run on tracks such as Crandon, Bark River, and Firebird.

This will be a fixed setup series that runs at D-Class license level (or Rookies with a 4.0 Safety Rating). Races are every hour at the top of the hour.

Week 4 Schedule:

• at Bark River International Raceway

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ESPORTS

iRacing is a top-leader in eSports competitions, and in many instances, we have multiple chances to compete at the top level in different disciplines. Here are a few of the eSport competitions members can get in on this week!

2025 FERRARI HP ESPORTS SERIES – GLOBAL HOT LAPS!

The Ferrari HP Esports Series returns for its sixth season in 2025. Spread across two months, the Global Hot Laps will give all who enter the chance to earn a spot in the Regional Qualifiers on one of three gaming platforms, which include iRacing. Only the 10 most talented drivers per game in each region (Americas, APAC, & EMEA) will progress from the Regional Qualifiers into the Regional Finals, where they will join the top-20 from each region on their respective racing platform who qualified automatically through the Global Hot Laps.

From July 7th to July 13th, iRacers can set their best time in the Ferrari 499p at the VIRginia International Raceway through the Time Attack portal on the iRacing UI. This is the second of two Time Attacks planned on iRacing, the other having happened last month at Okayama.

For more information on the 2025 Ferrari HP Esports Series -> CLICK HERE & REGISTER HERE

MERCEDES-AMG MOTORSPORT VIRTUAL CHAMPIONSHIP – HOT LAPS!

The Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Virtual Championship aims to give drivers of various skill levels the chance to have a competitive experience across multiple different racing platforms, including iRacing. First, the field must be set across the multiple platforms, and in order to earn a spot through iRacing, members can register and attempt their best laps on the Time Attack section of the iRacing UI.

From June 13th to July 13th, iRacers can set their best time in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 2020 at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza through the Time Attack portal on the iRacing UI.

For more information on the 2025 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Virtual Championship -> CLICK HERE & REGISTER HERE

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LOOKING AHEAD

While we aim to let iRacing members know what is happening this week in particular, we also want to let everyone know what is on the horizon beyond. This includes not only our next iRacing Special Event, but also potential eSports to keep an eye on for qualifying or participation purposes in the coming weeks.

NEXT iRACING SPECIAL EVENT: iRacing Brickyard 400

July 23rd – July 28th | iRacing Brickyard 400 – NASCAR iRacing Series FULL LENGTH RACE (iRacing Season 3, Week 6)

For more information on the 2025 iRacing Special Events calendar -> CLICK HERE

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Check out our other weekly post, the iRacing Weekly Tune-In, to learn what you can watch on official iRacing channels as well as around the community!
For more information on iRacing and for special offers, visit www.iracing.com.

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No. 1 Janik Sinner advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals Monday after his opponent, Grigor Dimitrov, retired injured while leading their fourth-round match two sets to love.

Dimitrov, the 19th-seed in the men’s singles bracket, won the first two sets against Sinner 6-3, 7-5. Dimitrov and Sinner were then tied 2-2 in the third before Dimitrov exited the match after experiencing pain in the right side of his body.

“I don’t take this as a win at all, this is just an unfortunate moment for us to witness,” Sinner said after the match during an on-court interview. “[Dimitrov] has struggled in Grand Slams with injuries a lot so seeing him again with this injury is very tough. We all saw by his reaction how much he cares about the sport and he is one of the hardest working players on tour.”

Injuries have been an issue for Dimitrov, particularly in Grand Slam tournaments. He has had to retire from his last four Grand Slam appearances before Monday, including in the fourth round of Wimbledon last year against Daniil Medvedev.

Dimitrov, 34, has not advanced past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam since the U.S. Open in 2019. His best finish at Wimbledon came in 2014, when he made it to the semifnals and lost to Novak Djokovic.

Dimitrov was playing well against Sinner on Monday, hitting more aces and winners, and winning 79 points compared to Sinner’s 65.

“Thank you for coming, but this is not the end we wanted to see and it’s very sad,” Sinner said. “We all wish [Dimitrov] only the best. Let’s give an applause for him and his team.”

Sinner, 23, is currently the top ranked men’s player in the world.

After winning last year’s U.S. Open, Sinner won the Australian Open in January. He also appeared in the French Open final in June, losing in five sets to Carlos Alcaraz after winning the first two sets of the match.

Sinner has never won Wimbledon. His best finish was in 2023, when he made it to the semifinals.

Sinner will now play American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

If Jannik Sinner goes on to win his first Wimbledon title this weekend, he will look back on this moment as the time when his luck turned.

The world No 1 was trailing two sets to love – 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 – against an inspired Grigor Dimitrov, with a mountain to climb, when the Bulgarian hit an ace and then instantly fell to the ground clutching his pectoral muscle. He knew, there and then, that his Wimbledon was over and after a brief medical timeout, off the court, he returned in tears, before shaking Sinner’s hand.

The Italian goes through to a quarter-final against Ben Shelton, the big-serving American who advanced to the last eight at Wimbledon for the first time with an entertaining four‑set win against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy. It was not, of course, the way Sinner wanted to go through, but he lives on and maybe now he will believe the tennis gods are on his side.

“I don’t take this as a win at all, this is just an unfortunate moment for us to witness,” the world No 1 said. “He has struggled in grand slams with injuries a lot so seeing him again with this injury is very tough. We all saw by his reaction how much he cares about the sport and he is one of the hardest working players on tour. This is not the end we wanted to see and it’s very sad. Seeing him in this position – if there was a chance for him to be in the next round he would deserve it. I hope he has a speedy recovery.”

It was brutal on Dimitrov, who had hit 36 winners, controlling the match in every way, but the incident means he has now pulled out through injury in each of the past five grand slam tournaments.

Ironically, it was Sinner who seemed to be struggling physically early in the match, rubbing his right elbow at times and later, early in the second set, taking a time‑out of his own. The 34-year-old Dimitrov was playing the tennis of his life at that point, dominating Sinner with brilliant serving – he lost just eight points on first serve in the entire match – beautiful slices, that took the Italian out of his comfort zone on arguably his worst surface.

Dimitrov had been to the quarter‑finals only once before, in 2014, the year he beat Andy Murray on the way to the last four. But for two and a bit sets, he was right at his very best. Some of his volleys were Roger Federer-like and even the great man, watching in the royal box, approved. Dimitrov has always had an abundance of talent, more options than most players, so many choices at his hand, and Sinner was forced into a series of uncharacteristic errors.

The Bulgarian broke in the second game on his way to a 3-0 lead in the first set and maintained the lead to take the set. Another early break put him in charge in the second but Sinner looked to have turned it around when he broke back for 5-5. Dimitrov broke again to move ahead and served out to double his lead.

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The roof was closed at the end of the second set, something Sinner would have been happy with, taking away the wind that had made life difficult. At 2-2, the drama happened. Dimitrov began the game serving and volleying, as he had done many times before, and hit his 14th ace, only to fall to the court immediately, clutching his right pectoral muscle. The pain was clear for everyone to see. Sinner came straight to his aid but it was obvious, even then, that nothing could be done. When he returned, Dimitrov was in tears and had to be helped from the court.

Shelton will present a big challenge too after coming through another hugely entertaining clash with Sonego. The pair produced magic, as they always do and, as has usually been the case, it was Shelton who came out on top to reach the quarter-finals here for the first time.

The left-handed Shelton, who has made the semi-finals of the US Open and Australian Open, served rockets, carved angles and slashed winners all over the place as he claimed a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1), 7-5 victory. It is 25 years since an American man – Pete Sampras – last won the title here, and the way Shelton plays makes him a threat.

Upon seeing the three-time major semi-finalist on the floor, Sinner crossed the net to check on him and offer support. Dimitrov was tended to by an on-court doctor, first on the grass before retreating to his seat where he complained about his pectoral muscle.

When Dimitrov returned to the court in clear pain, he knew he had to retire. He supported his arm to reach up and shake the umpire’s hands before thanking the fans, greeted by a standing ovation and monumental cheer from a sympathetic crowd.

Sinner accompanied the world No. 21 off court, hoisting his bags over his own shoulder to help Dimitrov into the locker room. It is a sorry end to the Bulgarian’s Championships, his third consecutive tournament reaching the fourth round.

For world number one Sinner, he will take on top 10 player Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, 9 July.

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Cricket Board today announces the domestic cricket calendar for the 2025-26 season, with an emphasis on increased competitiveness, highlighted by an eight-team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (first-class) tournament.

The domestic season will commence on 15 August with the 12-team Hanif Mohammad Trophy (non-first-class) being staged in Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan. The teams are divided into two pools, with 31 matches scheduled in the four-day tournament. The top two sides will qualify for this season’s premier first-class competition – Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The 12 regional sides participating in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy are the same teams that competed in last season’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Based on last season’s standings, these are: Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, FATA, Lahore Region Blues, Hyderabad, Karachi Region Blues, Karachi Region Whites, Multan, Quetta, D.M Jamali, AJK and Larkana.

The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will feature Lahore Region Whites, Sialkot, Peshawar, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Bahawalpur and the two qualifying teams. The tournament is set to begin on 22 September and will comprise 29 matches in a single-league format, with the final scheduled from 3 to 7 November. Matches will be held at four venues across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with further details to be announced in due course.

To further enhance competitiveness, a qualifying stage has also been introduced for the National T20. 10 teams – Abbottabad, Multan, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, FATA, Larkana, D.M. Jamali, and AJK will compete in the qualifier round. These teams will be divided into two pools, with the top two sides progressing to the National T20 (Super 10) tournament, which will be held in Faisalabad from 1 to 12 March.

The eight teams automatically qualified for the Super 10 stage are: Karachi Region Whites, Lahore Region Whites, Peshawar, Karachi Region Blues, Sialkot, Islamabad and Faisalabad.

Four departmental tournaments – President’s Trophy (four-day, first-class), President’s Cup (One-Day), President’s Trophy Grade II and President’s Trophy Grade III will also feature in this domestic season. PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed: “We are pleased to unveil a domestic structure that places merit, opportunity and competitiveness at its core. The 2025-26 season has been designed to provide a clear pathway for teams and players to progress based on performance, not reputation.

“Introducing a qualifier for both the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the National T20 ensures that every match in our domestic calendar carries significant weight. This not only raises the standard of competition but also fosters a high-performance culture across all formats.

“The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will now feature the most in-form and deserving teams, while the Hanif Mohammad Trophy gives 12 regions a meaningful chance to stake their claim. Similarly, the Super 10 format of the National T20 is a step towards creating more high-intensity, quality cricket.

“Our aim is to reward performance and create a vibrant environment where players and teams are constantly challenged. This structure lays the foundation for a long-term growth and helps us prepare future stars for the demands of international cricket.”

Director – Domestic Cricket Operations Abdullah Khurram Niazi: “The 2025-26 domestic season reflects our commitment to building a competitive and inclusive structure that nurtures talent at every level, from grassroots to senior cricket. By aligning our tournaments across age-group and senior formats, we are creating a clear development pathway for young cricketers.

“We have placed equal emphasis on both regional and departmental cricket. The inclusion of a first-class and a one-day tournament exclusively for departments, along with Grade II and Grade III departmental competitions, ensures departments remain a vital pillar of our domestic cricket system.

“We are looking forward to U15, U17 and U19 age-group tournaments this season. These competitions will serve as vital stepping stones for young talent, helping us identify and groom future national stars early in their careers.

“Also, the top performers of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy will not only be recognised as guest players by the top regions in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, but they will also be considered for domestic contracts, a move aimed at incentivising excellence.”

ST GEORGE’S, GRENADA:

Australia defeated the West Indies by 133 runs before tea on the fourth day of the second Test in Grenada on Sunday.

Set the daunting target of 277 in a low-scoring match on a two-paced pitch which made free strokeplay almost impossible, the home side side were bundled out for 143 off 34.3 overs for the visitors to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead and extend their 20-year hold on the Frank Worrell Trophy.

Australia now have the chance to complete a clean sweep of the three-match series when the final Test, a day/night fixture, gets underway next Saturday in Kingston, Jamaica.

Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon led the rout with three wickets each, the left-arm fast bowler lifting his overall Test tally to 394 to fuel the tantalising prospect of reaching the 400-wicket mark in his 100th Test in the series finale.

West Indies captain Roston Chase top scored with 34 while Shamar Joseph carved his way to 24 when the writing was already on the wall.

Joseph had taken two of the final three Australian second innings wickets to fall at the start of the day to finish with four for 66 as the visitors were dismissed for 243.

That haul included Alex Carey for 30 following his first innings effort of 63, important contributions lower down the order which earned him the man of the match award.

Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster and skipper Pat Cummins claimed a wicket each before lunch to have the West Indies reeling at 33 for four.

Chase and Shai Hope started the afternoon session positively but when Hope miscued an ambitious heave at Hazlewood to give the bowler a simple lobbed catch, the match was essentially over.

“We never really got those partnerships going with the new ball up front,” Chase observed.

“It was always a challenging task but you have to believe. They guys have to try and stay confident and keep believing in themselves.”

That quartet of early West Indian victims included Kraigg Brathwaite, the former captain enduring a miserable 100th Test as he was caught behind off Webster for just seven to follow on his first innings duck.

Before his demise he had seen the departure of opening partner John Campbell, trapped leg-before by the persistently accurate Hazlewood while Keacy Carty’s tortuous stay at the crease was ended via a catch to wicketkeeper Alex Carey off Starc.

Brathwaite was the third wicket to fall but he was to be joined in the dressing on the stroke of the lunch interval as Brandon King, dropped by Cameron Green at third slip off Cummins earlier, ran out of luck when he was comprehensively bowled to leave the West Indies innings in ruins.

Cameron Norrie said he relishes playing Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Tuesday and will continue to compete with the competitive energy that has driven his success, regardless of what other people think.

“I’m excited to play against him and I’m going to have to play my best level, and even better, to have a chance because he’s got such a diverse game,” Norrie said. “I’m going to have to be tough and bring more energy to have a chance.”

Norrie reached the quarter-finals by holding his nerve in a bruising five-set battle with the Chilean qualifier Nicolás Jarry on Sunday. Jarry complained afterwards to Norrie about his tendency to cheer loudly after most points. “He said I was a little bit vocal and I think: ‘That’s my energy,’” Norrie said.

The competitive drive and relentless positivity that the left‑hander displays have been key factors in his success over the years. Some players, however, are less enthused by opponents who cheer their unforced errors or after less important points. Asked last week about the impact of the crowd on their second-round match, Frances Tiafoe focused immediately on Norrie’s cheering: “He was super‑amped,” Tiafoe said. “He was saying ‘c’mon’ from the first game, which is definitely annoying, but that part bothered me more than the crowd.”

Norrie also tends to encourage himself in French and Spanish, which led to a tense moment with the Spaniard Roberto Carballés Baena in Metz last November after the British player recovered to seal a three-set win: “You say ‘vamos!’ all the time, looking right in my face,” Carballes Baena said. Norrie then offered a self-deprecating response: “A couple of ‘vamoses’ and you get pissed off?” he said. “I’m playing so bad, so I had to fire myself up.”

As he looked to his upcoming match against Alcaraz, Norrie, 29, took these criticisms in his stride: “[When] a couple of people have not been too happy with it, I think it’s been in a big match. I think they want to win the match as well, so it’s understandable to maybe take it personally. But for me, I’m just aiming it at my team and aiming it at some people and some friends in the crowd.

“I think [against Jarry] it was a match where there’s some moments with not a lot happening. I think some of the points are maybe not worthy of saying ‘vamos’ or saying ‘c’mon’ but it was a match that I really had to do that, because those points that don’t mean a lot, if you lose those ones, you can get broken, and the match can go away from you very quickly.”

To his credit, Norrie keeps the same energy regardless of his opposition. After their match at the Italian Open in 2023, Novak Djokovic also took issue with Norrie’s frequent fist‑pumping. As he faces off against Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion and French Open champion who is on a 22‑match winning run, Norrie vowed that he will not shy away from the occasion.

“There’s a lot of big matches, and we’re playing and we’re competing for [our] livelihood out there. So I want to compete as hard as I can, and I’m not going to tank matches and roll over matches for someone else. I’m doing it for myself, I’m not doing it to make someone else feel bad, or not doing it for that. If they take it personally, it’s nothing to do with me.”

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Despite the gulf between their achievements, tennis is a game of match-ups and Norrie has at least caused Alcaraz trouble. The Spaniard has won four and lost two against Norrie but the Briton has won two of their past three meetings. At times, Norrie has been able to wear the world No 2 down with his shot tolerance and physicality, luring him into lengthy rallies and exposing Alcaraz’s lack of patience. The pair have a great relationship and train together frequently at tournaments.

“Facing Cam is always really, really difficult,” Alcaraz said. “We have really difficult battles. For me facing him is almost a nightmare, to be honest. Really tough from the baseline. I’m not surprised he’s in the quarter-final playing great tennis because I’ve seen him practising. When he lost at Queen’s [Club], he stayed for five days practising morning, afternoon and night. I saw him. So I’m not surprised at all seeing his level.”

Alcaraz, though, has improved dramatically since Norrie won their most recent meeting, in the 2023 Rio Open final. He presents a completely different challenge across best-of-five-sets at grand slams and the grass courts only accentuate his complete game. The Spaniard will enter Centre Court as the clear favourite in his pursuit of a third Wimbledon title .

It’s Team Penske time, or so it would seem.

Iowa Speedway is the next venue on tap for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and this weekend’s short oval is where Roger Penske’s organization has won eight of the past nine races, sweeping the doubleheaders each of the past two years with three different drivers.

Scott McLaughlin and Will Power won last year’s races; Josef Newgarden captured the two in 2023 as part of his five wins for Penske at Iowa since 2017.

This track couldn’t arrive on the schedule soon enough for Team Penske, which is riding its longest winless drought since the one Ryan Briscoe ended at Milwaukee in 2008. The team and the aforementioned drivers have not been to victory lane this season and have gone 11 races since McLaughlin won the second race of last year’s September visit to The Milwaukee Mile. Team Penske failed to win in the last 10 races of the 2007 season and the first five of 2008 to produce a 15-race drought.

This year’s troubles run deep, too. Power is the highest-ranked Team Penske driver in the standings in ninth place. McLaughlin is 11th, Newgarden is 19th. Their seasons can be summed up by Sunday’s The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by the All-New 2026 Passport when they finished 23rd (McLaughlin), 26th (Power) and 27th (Newgarden) in the 27-car field.

For the first time in Newgarden’s career dating to 2012, his car has been involved in an accident in three consecutive races. The most recent occurred Sunday just past the starting line when the rear brakes locked on his No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet, leading to a spin that collected Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal. Both cars ended up in the gravel pit at Turn 4. Minutes later, Power’s No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet was on pit road with a mechanical issue that led to his exit after just 11 laps. McLaughlin also failed to complete all 90 laps.

Newgarden was leading last month’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline at World Wide Technology Raceway and was about to lap NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing when the car of RLL rookie Louis Foster spun in front of him, collecting Newgarden. The impact was one of the fiercest of Newgarden’s career. He also spun into a barrier last month in the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has staged 21 races at Iowa Speedway since 2007, but only four drivers in this field have gone to victory lane: Newgarden (six times, including once in 2016 with CFH Racing), Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward (2022), McLaughlin and Power. If ever Team Penske was going to get back to its winning ways, it feels like now.

In last year’s second race, Palou had the best short-oval performance of his career, finishing second to Power. He crashed out of the weekend’s first race with an uncharacteristic spin on the front straightaway. He enters this race, the 11th of the season, with a 113-point lead over Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood, the winner of the only short-oval race held so far this season (at WWTR).

The first practice of the Sukup INDYCAR Race Weekend is set for Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET (FS2, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). The lineups for both races will be set in qualifying Saturday at noon (FS1). The Synk 275 powered by Sukup is at 5 p.m. ET Saturday, the Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup is at 1 p.m. Sunday. Both races will air live on FOX, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.