Frontstretch Newsletter: Max Verstappen Triumphs in Las Vegas

Published: Mon, 11/20/23

Frontstretch Newsletter: Nov. 20, 2023
Volume XVII, Edition CCII

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Editor's Note:

Editor's Note: With the NASCAR offseason well and truly underway, we will be cutting the Newsletter back to once a week. We will return with the next edition on Nov. 27, which will cover the Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, news and additional content. We thank you for your continued readership.

Phil Allaway

Newsletter Manager, Frontstretch.com

What to Watch: Nov. 20-26

- This week, Formula 1 teams have a tough time as they tear down everything in Las Vegas and travel all the way to Abu Dhabi to wrap up the World Championship at the Yas Marina Circuit. Free Practice No. 1 is scheduled for 4:25 a.m. ET Friday and will air live on ESPNU. The second session will air live on ESPNU at 7:55 a.m. ET.

Saturday has the final practice session of the season at 5:25 a.m. ET, which will air live on ESPN2. Qualifying will also be on ESPN2 at 8:55 a.m. ET.

Coverage of the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi will start with Formula 1: Grand Prix Sunday at 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday on ESPN. Race coverage will begin at 7:55 a.m. ET with the formation lap starting promptly at 8 a.m. ET. Note that there will be an alternate kid-centric simulcast of the race on ESPNU.

- Outside of Formula 1, there are a couple of notable events this week. Formula 2 will wrap up their season with a doubleheader in Abu Dhabi after a couple of months off. Those races are at 7:20 a.m. ET Saturday morning and 4:15 a.m. ET Sunday morning on ESPN3.

The USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship also finishes up with the 82nd Annual Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Raceway Friday and Saturday nights.

We'll have any news that breaks for you at Frontstretch.

TV Schedule: Here

Today's Top News:

Viva Victorious Max Verstappen as He Wins Las Vegas Grand Prix

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was able to get past Charles Leclerc and held on to win the Las Vegas Grand Pirx early Sunday morning for his 18th win of the year. Leclerc was second, then Sergio Perez, Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll.

Read more

Las Vegas Grand Prix Endures More Egg on its Face with Class-Action Lawsuit

The fallout from Thursday night in Las Vegas continues. A class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the fans who were prevented from seeing nearly any on-track action Thursday night due to the drain cover issues and the stands being closed prior to Free Practice No. 2.

Read more

Photos are courtesy of Chris Graythen and Mark Thompson of Getty Images.

Have news for Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com with a promising lead or tip.

Around the World in Motorsports: Nov. 17-19

- Chase Elliott revealed Friday that he recently underwent a minor surgical procedure on his shoulder in order to take care of "an old injury that I needed to get tended to." Elliott is currently wearing a sling, but plans to be ready to go in time for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.

- Toyota GAZOO Racing announced Monday morning that former AlphaTauri racer Nyck de Vries has been signed to drive the No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid alongside Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024. De Vries will replace Jose Maria Lopez, who will move to Akkodis-ASP's new Lexus RC F GT3 in the new LMGT3 class. Ritomo Miyata will serve as the team's reserve driver.

"I am super excited to be returning to endurance racing, especially with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing," de Vries stated. "Endurance racing is something that I have always enjoyed and it is a discipline with incredible momentum at the moment. I was with the team in a different role for a few years but never got the chance to race, so it is great that the time has now arrived, and I want to thank the team for their continuous support and faith in me. I am very much looking forward to sharing car No. 7 with both Mike and Kamui. They are both very talented drivers who achieved a lot, and I am sure we will make a great team."

De Vries has 14 career starts in the WEC. He has one class victory for the now-defunct Racing Team Nederland in the LMP2 class at Fuji in 2019. He also has two third-place finishes.

While de Vries has never raced in the Hypercar class, he previously served as a test driver for the team between 2020-2022. That experience is recent enough that he has experience driving the GR010.

Frontstretch Videos:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Recaps His Day at Florence Speedway

Rodney Childers on Being Josh Berry's Crew Chief for South Carolina 400 at Florence

Josh Berry Wins Pole for South Carolina 400 & Talks About Working with Rodney Childers

2023 South Carolina 400 Post-Race Show at Florence Motor Speedway

Our own Chase Folsom and Trenton Worsham spent last weekend at Florence Motor Speedway for the South Carolina 400, a race won by Kade Brown. Kaden Honeycutt was second, then Carson Kvapil, Josh Berry and Brenden Queen. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was eighth.

Today at Frontstretch:

Only Yesterday: Ken Squier Was NASCAR’s Broadcasting Icon

by Anthony Damcott

F1 Review: Max Verstappen Outduels Charles Leclerc, Cashes In For 18th Win At Glitzy Las Vegas GP

by Jeffrey Boswell

Stonking Race Caps off Messy Las Vegas Weekend

by Alex Gintz

Slipstream Saturdays: F1 Fumbles Response to Las Vegas Mess

by Michael Finley

Tomorrow at Frontstretch.com:

This week, we'll look back at NBC Sports' NASCAR coverage in 2023 in Couch Potato Tuesday. We'll also have news for you.

Talk Back!

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