KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 22-25 AUGUST WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
From the high-banked chaos of Daytona to the historic concrete of Milwaukee and the gravel roads of Gippsland, it’s a blockbuster weekend for eleven Kiwi motorsport stars chasing glory across three countries.
In Florida, Shane van Gisbergen tackles the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway. With his playoff berth already secured, SVG heads into the weekend with nothing to lose and everything to gain as he looks to make another statement under the Saturday night lights.
Almost 1,400km north-west in Wisconsin, IndyCar heads back to the historic Milwaukee Mile, where Pato O’Ward and Scott McLaughlin shared the spoils in last year’s double-header. This year sees a return to a single-race showdown at the 1.015-mile oval race track. McLaughlin, Scott Dixon and Marcus Armstrong will be eager to hit the ground running with Dixon still in the runner-up title hunt as the campaign enters its final stretch.
Rising talent Callum Hedge also resumes his impressive IndyNXT campaign at the same venue, eager to return to the podium.
Young motocross stars Cole Davies and Brodie Connolly fly the flag in Maryland at Budds Creek in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, each chasing more top results as the series moves into its final month.
Across the Atlantic, Cormac Buchanan continues his rookie Moto3 season at a brand-new event, the Grand Prix of Hungary at Balaton Park. The recently-completed circuit (opened in May 2023) presents a level playing field for the Moto3 field and offers the Invercargill teenager another chance to continue his strong momentum.
Back home in the southern hemisphere, attention switches to the gravel as the Australian Rally Championship heads to Victoria’s Gippsland Rally. Reigning champ Hayden Paddon and co-driver John Kennard spearhead the Kiwi charge with the Paddon Racing Group Hyundai i20N, joined by fellow Kiwi navigator Bella Haggarty, who partners Australian driver Stewart Reid in their Mitsubishi Mirage AP4.
Whether it’s bump-drafts, block-passes or brave gravel bravery, Kiwi fans are spoiled for choice this weekend.
Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where. ⬇️
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Daytona International Speedway, Florida
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying: Saturday 9:05 AM
- Race: Sunday 11:30 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Shane van Gisbergen heads to Daytona International Speedway for Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 brimming with confidence after charging from 27th to 14th in last weekend’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond.
It marked his most complete oval drive yet – surviving a mid-race tangle, mastering the high line, and matching his best oval finish of the season.
➡️Richmond Full Recap HERE
Now he returns to Daytona for the first time since his chaotic Daytona 500 debut in February, where he surged into the lead on lap 45 before being caught in a Stage 2 pile-up and limping home 33rd.
Six months later, SVG arrives as a far more polished oval racer, with several road-course wins under his belt and growing momentum on ovals. If he can stay out of trouble in the pack, the Kiwi could be a genuine dark horse as he looks to close out his rookie regular season in style.
Scott McLaughlin, Scott Dixon & Marcus Armstrong | NTT IndyCar Series
- Where? Milwaukee Mile, Wisconsin
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Sunday 3:00 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 6:00 AM
- Practice 2: Sunday 8:30 AM
- Race: Monday 6:00 AM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
All three New Zealanders head to the Milwaukee Mile this weekend on a high after a strong collective showing at Portland, where Scott McLaughlin finished 7th, Marcus Armstrong 8th, and Scott Dixon narrowly missed the top 10 in 11th.
McLaughlin was the leading Kiwi after a gritty recovery drive, having qualified 13th but climbing into the top five mid-race before settling into seventh.
Armstrong impressed again to take eighth, after qualifying inside the top 10. Dixon, meanwhile, looked set for a potential podium until a late drive-through penalty for spinning Josef Newgarden dropped him out of contention.
➡️Portland Full Recap HERE
With just two rounds left in the 2025 campaign, Milwaukee marks the opening leg of a decisive oval double-header to end the season.
Dixon, a six-time champion and renowned oval ace, will be looking to keep his faint runner-up title hopes alive. McLaughlin continues chasing his first win of the year, while Armstrong aims to continue his rapid development with another strong oval result.
Momentum is building for all three Kiwis, and Milwaukee’s flat one-mile oval could be the perfect place to strike.
Callum Hedge | IndyNXT
- Where? Milwaukee Mile, Wisconsin
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Sunday 1:00 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 7:30 AM
- Race: Monday 3:30 AM
- How to Watch? IndyCar Live
Callum Hedge heads to the Milwaukee Mile this weekend looking to extend his remarkable run of form in Indy NXT.
Fresh off a fourth-place finish at Portland, the Tony Quinn Foundation ambassador has now secured three consecutive Top 5s and ten Top 10s in 12 races, firmly putting himself in contention for a strong championship finish.
Portland saw Hedge start from the second row for the second time this season, navigating early chaos to hold fourth and managing his pace expertly against a competitive pack.
Despite pressure from rivals, he crossed the line just three seconds behind teammate Myles Rowe, further proving his consistency and race craft.
➡️Portland Full Recap HERE
With only Milwaukee and the Nashville finale remaining in the 2025 season, Hedge is well-positioned to fight for a Top 5 championship finish. The flat, one-mile oval at Milwaukee presents a new challenge, but his recent form suggests the Kiwi is ready to tackle the final stretch of the season with confidence.
Cole Davies & Brodie Connolly | AMA Pro Motocross Championship
- Where? Budds Creek Motocross Park, Maryland
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying Group A: Sunday 12:50 AM
- Qualifying Group B: Sunday 1:10 AM
- Qualifying 2 Group A: Sunday 2:35 AM
- Qualifying 2 Group B: Sunday 3:00 AM
- Consolation Race: Sunday 4:00 AM
- Moto #1: Sunday 6:15 AM
- Moto #2: Sunday 8:45 AM
- How to Watch? Super Motocross Video Pass
New Zealand’s Cole Davies and Brodie Connolly head to Budds Creek Motocross Park in Maryland this weekend for Round 10 of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, both looking to build on encouraging debuts in the series.
After a tough injury at the Supercross 250SX finale in Salt Lake City, where he broke his arm and nose, Cole Davies (#100, Star Racing Yamaha) made his AMA Pro Motocross debut last weekend at Unadilla National in the 250 class.
While a 26th-place finish wasn’t what he had hoped for, it marked an important return to racing and a step forward in his recovery. Davies also celebrated a season milestone, being named the 2025 250SX Rookie of the Year, highlighting a season of fearless riding and podium performances before his injury.
Brodie Connolly (#788, Honda CRF250R) also looks to continue his transition to AMA Pro Motocross in the 250 class after recent debuts at Ironman and Unadilla, finishing 27th and 20th, respectively.
The 2024 MX2 Champion and MXON representative brings experience from the MXGP of China and a long history in competitive motocross, having ridden since 2008.
Budds Creek presents a technical and physically demanding challenge, but both Kiwi riders are gaining valuable track time and building momentum.
Cormac Buchanan | Moto3
- Where? Balaton Park, Hungary
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 7:00 PM
- Practice: Friday 11:15 PM
- Free Practice 2: Saturday 6:40 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 10:45 PM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 11:10 PM
- Race: Sunday 9:00 PM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Cormac Buchanan heads to Balaton Park in Hungary this weekend eager to bounce back after a frustrating return from injury in Austria.
The 18-year-old Southlander, who will celebrate his 19th birthday at the track on August 23, endured a difficult weekend at the Red Bull Ring, crashing in practice and then high-siding out on lap one of the race after qualifying a promising 17th.
The result came after a tough summer break, spent not resting but recovering from a deep knee cut suffered in a Czech Republic crash that required stitches.
Despite the setback, Buchanan remains upbeat and determined to show his true pace as Moto3 makes its return to Hungary. Sitting 19th in the championship with three top-ten finishes during his rookie season, the Kiwi is confident he and the team can reset and get back on track this weekend.
Motivated, recovered, and celebrating a birthday along the way, Balaton Park could be the perfect place for Buchanan to reignite his campaign.
Hayden Paddon, John Kennard & Bella Haggerty | Australian Rally Championship
- Where? Gippsland, Victoria
- NZ Times:
- SS1 Glenmaggie 1: Saturday 2:30 PM
- SS2 Thomson 1: Saturday 2:58 PM
- SS3 Deep Creek 1: Saturday 3:18 PM
- SS4 Macalister 1: Saturday 4:06 PM
- SS5 Chesterfield 1: Saturday 4:27 PM
- SS6 Glenmaggie 2: Saturday 5:05 PM
- SS7 Thomson 2: Saturday 7:48 PM
- SS8 Deep Creek 2: Saturday 8:08 PM
- SS9 Macalister 2: Saturday 8:56 PM
- SS10 Chesterfield 2: Saturday 9:07 PM
- SS11 Glenmaggie 3: Sunday 12:10 PM
- SS12 Thomson 3: Sunday 12:38 PM
- SS13 Deep Creek 3: Sunday 12:58 PM
- SS14 Springs 1: Sunday 1:21 PM
- SS15 Glenmaggie 4: Sunday 3:01 PM
- SS16 Thomson 4: Sunday 3:29 PM
- SS17 Deep Creek 4: Sunday 3:49 PM
- SS18 Springs 2 (Power Stage): Sunday 4:43 PM
- How to Watch? Youtube (SS7, SS12 and SS16)
- Live Timing/Results: Click HERE
New Zealand’s Hayden Paddon and John Kennard return to the Gippsland Rally in Victoria this weekend looking to continue their title charge in what promises to be the toughest challenge yet in the 2025 Australian Rally Championship.
Round 4 marks a major format shift, reverting to the traditional two-day rally structure, where only the overall result counts, unlike earlier heats this season, where points were awarded at the end of each day. With 18 stages, including a string of night tests on Saturday, there will be no second chances.
Paddon and Kennard enter the “Middle of Everywhere” Rally as championship leaders with 256 points after back-to-back wins in Western Australia and Queensland. Their Hyundai i20N holds a 35-point buffer over Lewis Bates (Toyota GR Yaris), with Harry Bates sitting third.
A strong Gippsland result would give the Kiwis a valuable cushion heading into the back end of the season.
Fellow Kiwi Bella Haggarty is also back in action as co-driver to Australian Stewart Reid in their Mitsubishi Mirage. After fighting back to finish 10th under Super Rally rules in Queensland, they’ll be aiming to keep building momentum across the gruelling Victorian stages.
➡️Rally Queensland Full Recap HERE
With no room for error and the added complexity of night stages, Gippsland is shaping up to be a pivotal showdown, and the Kiwis will be right in the thick of the action.
Full Weekend Schedule:
| Date/Time | Category | Event |
| Friday 7:00 PM | Moto3 | Free Practice 1 |
| Friday 11:15 PM | Moto3 | Practice |
| Saturday 9:05 AM | NASCAR Cup Series | Qualifying |
| Saturday 2:30 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS1 Glenmaggie 1 |
| Saturday 2:58 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS2 Thomson 1 |
| Saturday 3:18 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS3 Deep Creek 1 |
| Saturday 4:06 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS4 Macalister 1 |
| Saturday 4:27 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS5 Chesterfield 1 |
| Saturday 5:05 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS6 Glenmaggie 2 |
| Saturday 6:40 PM | Moto3 | Free Practice 2 |
| Saturday 7:48 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS7 Thomson 2 |
| Saturday 8:08 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS8 Deep Creek 2 |
| Saturday 8:56 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS9 Macalister 2 |
| Saturday 9:07 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS10 Chesterfield 2 |
| Saturday 10:45 PM | Moto3 | Qualifying 1 |
| Saturday 11:10 PM | Moto3 | Qualifying 2 |
| Sunday 12:50 AM | AMA Pro Motocross Championship | Qualifying Group A |
| Sunday 1:00 AM | Indy NXT | Practice |
| Sunday 1:10 AM | AMA Pro Motocross Championship | Qualifying Group B |
| Sunday 2:35 AM | AMA Pro Motocross Championship | Qualifying 2 Group A |
| Sunday 3:00 AM | AMA Pro Motocross Championship | Qualifying 2 Group B |
| Sunday 3:00 AM | IndyCar | Practice |
| Sunday 4:00 AM | AMA Pro Motocross Championship | Consolation Race |
| Sunday 6:00 AM | IndyCar | Qualifying |
| Sunday 6:15 AM | AMA Pro Motocross Championship | Moto #1 |
| Sunday 7:30 AM | Indy NXT | Qualifying |
| Sunday 8:30 AM | IndyCar | Practice 2 |
| Sunday 8:45 AM | AMA Pro Motocross Championship | Moto #2 |
| Sunday 11:30 AM | NASCAR Cup Series | Race |
| Sunday 12:10 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS11 Glenmaggie 3 |
| Sunday 12:38 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS12 Thomson 3 |
| Sunday 12:58 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS13 Deep Creek 3 |
| Sunday 1:21 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS14 Springs 1 |
| Sunday 3:01 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS15 Glenmaggie 4 |
| Sunday 3:29 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS16 Thomson 4 |
| Sunday 3:49 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS17 Deep Creek 4 |
| Sunday 4:43 PM | Australian Rally Championship | SS18 Springs 2 (Power Stage) |
| Sunday 9:00 PM | Moto3 | Race |
| Monday 3:30 AM | Indy NXT | Race |
| Monday 6:00 AM | IndyCar | Race |
Header Image: Tayler Burke
