NASCAR

NASCAR star Kyle Busch is giving credit where it's due ... telling TMZ Sports he can only applaud his wife, Samantha, for ruthlessly trolling him over "inches" last week.

In case you missed it -- one of the closest finishes in NASCAR history went down in the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway last Sunday ... with Busch, Daniel Suarez and Ryan Blaney being neck and neck (and neck) right up until the checkered flag.

The 2015 and 2019 Cup Series champion addressed his third-place finish after the race -- going to Instagram and admitting he "Needed a couple inches📏" in order to come out on top ... to which Samantha hit him with a sick burn.

"I’ve been telling you that for almost 20 years 😜" Sam wrote in the comments.

OUCH!!!

We caught up with Busch this week and asked about his wife's friendly jab ... and even he's admitting she got him good.

"I think I left the door wide open for those sorts of comments with how I scripted my text underneath my post, so she played that well."

As for the actual race, Busch broke down the "chess game" he was trying to execute in the final laps ... and how Suarez was able to use his own strategy against him.

But, all things considered, the driver of the No. 8 car said he was able to keep his composure in the end (per usual) ... and is thrilled they were all able to cross the finish line without crashing.

On this episode of The TMZ podcast ...

The controversial college student who was tracking Taylor Swift's private jet posted a lengthy letter to social media that his lawyers sent to her, claiming he's done "nothing unlawful."

Travis Kelce is reportedly eager to get involved in more avenues of entertainment, as the NFL star met with some top-level Hollywood executives about some potential projects in the reality scene.

Bryce Hall is clapping back at Billie Eilish after she was heard shading the TikTokers in attendance at the People's Choice Awards.

Plus, actor Frankie Muniz wrecked out in his first Daytona 500 race Monday night.

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Un accidente masivo estropeó las últimas vueltas de la Daytona 500. Hubo 23 carros en total chocando entre sí en un lío salvaje hacia el final de la famosa carrera, aunque la carnicería en última instancia, permitió al desvalido William Byron salir con la victoria.

El caos se produjo a falta de ocho vueltas para el final en el Daytona International Speedway de Florida... cuando Alex Bowman inició el choque al empujar a Byron.

El golpe hizo que el carro de Byron -No. 24- se deslizara hacia Brad Keselowski, lo que desencadenó una enorme reacción en cadena de accidentes.

Échale un vistazo a la repetición, más de la mitad de los 40 vehículos en el campo quedó atrapado en el desastre.

De alguna manera, Byron escapó ileso -y después de que otro grupo de pilotos chocara unos momentos después de que los oficiales limpiaran la pista- el piloto de 26 años fue declarado ganador.

Después, celebró como un loco, diciéndole a los periodistas que no podía creer lo que estaba viviendo.

La carrera, por su parte, se retrasó un día completo después de que la lluvia obligara a los funcionarios de NASCAR a moverla de su habitual domingo para el lunes.

Mientras Pitbull no pudo realizar su show como estaba previsto, La Roca lo hizo en las festividades y encendió a la multitud cuando le dijo a los corredores que encendieran sus motores.

A massive crash marred the final laps of the Daytona 500 ... as 23 cars in total pinballed off each other in a wild mess toward the end of the famed race -- although the carnage ultimately allowed underdog William Byron to come out with the win.

The chaos happened with eight laps to go at Daytona International Speedway in Florida ... when Alex Bowman started the wreck by nudging Byron.

The bump caused Byron's No. 24 car to slide into Brad Keselowski's ... which set off a huge chain reaction of accidents.

Check out the replay from the race's broadcast ... more than half of the 40 vehicles in the field got caught up in the melee.

Somehow, Byron escaped it all unscathed ... and after another set of drivers wrecked a few moments after officials got the track all cleaned up, the 26-year-old was declared the winner.

Afterward, he celebrated like crazy ... telling reporters he couldn't believe it all was actually happening.

The race, meanwhile, was delayed a full day ... after rain forced NASCAR officials to move it from its usual Sunday start time to Monday.

While Pitbull could not perform his scheduled pre-race concert as planned ... The Rock still made it out to the festivities -- and fired up the crowd when he told the racers to start their engines.

Christmas Abbott's baby daddy was arrested in North Carolina ... for allegedly sharing explicit images of Christmas without her permission.

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ ... Benjamin Bunn, who shares five-year-old son Loyal with Abbott, was arrested back in October and charged with three counts of disclosure of private images. He was later released on a $30,000 bond.

Sources close to the investigation tell us ... Abbot was being harassed by a fake account pretending to be her. Christmas believed Bunn was behind the account and was using it to post photos taken from an account where she publishes adult content from behind a paywall.

We’re told Christmas took this info to the cops ... who investigated, got a warrant, and eventually took Bunn into custody. His next court date is in February.

"Big Brother" fans will remember Christmas from seasons 19 and 22 of the show ... where she finished third and fourth respectively. She's also a CrossFit trainer and former Nascar pit crew member.

Abbott's had well-documented trouble with Bunn in the past. As we reported ... just a couple months before her son was born, Christmas suspected Benjamin was cheating on her -- and went to a Tampa gym to confront his alleged mistress.

The confrontation got out of hand ... with Christmas ramming into the woman's car. Cops showed up at the scene, but they declined to process her at the time, because she was almost 8 months pregnant. She turned herself in a few months later after she'd given birth.

El padre del bebé de Christmas Abbott fue detenido en Carolina del Norte por presuntamente compartir imágenes explícitas de Christmas sin su permiso.

De acuerdo con documentos legales obtenidos por TMZ, Benjamin Bunn, que comparte a Loyal -de cinco años- con Abbott, fue detenido en octubre y acusado de tres cargos de divulgación de imágenes privadas. Más tarde fue puesto en libertad bajo fianza de 30.000 dólares.

Fuentes cercanas a la investigación nos dicen que Abbott estaba siendo acosada por una cuenta falsa que se hacía pasar por ella. Christmas creía que Bunn estaba detrás de la cuenta y que la estaba utilizando para publicar fotos tomadas de una cuenta donde publicaba contenido para adultos.

Nos dicen que Christmas llevó esta información a la policía, quienes investigaron, obtuvo una orden judicial y finalmente detuvieron a Bunn. Su próxima cita en la corte es en febrero.

Los fans de "Gran Hermano" recordarán a Christmas de las temporadas 19 y 22 del programa, donde terminó tercera y cuarta respectivamente. Ella es también una entrenadora de CrossFit y ex-miembro del equipo de boxes Nascar.

Abbott ha tenido problemas bien documentados con Bunn en el pasado. Como hemos informado, solo un par de meses antes de que naciera su hijo, Christmas sospechaba que Benjamin la estuviera engañando y fue a un gimnasio de Tampa para hacerle frente a su supuesta amante.

La confrontación se le fue de las manos, con Christmas embistiendo el carro de la mujer. La policía se presentaron en la escena, pero se negaron a procesarla en ese momento porque estaba embarazada de casi 8 meses. Ella se entregó unos meses más tarde después de haber dado a luz.

Drag racing champ Leah Pruett is temporarily stepping away from driving to start a family, but thankfully she knows someone pretty good behind the wheel who can step in for her -- hubby Tony Stewart, who tells us he's honored to hold things down while she's away!

Pruett -- a 12x NHRA National Event Champ -- made the shocking announcement on Thursday, declaring she'll miss the 2024 season as she and Tony plan to have a baby. Stewart, owner of the Tony Stewart Racing team, will take over driving duties in the Top Fuel dragster.

"I am thrilled that Tony will be making his NHRA Top Fuel debut in Gainesville with such an excellent caliber of people," Pruett said, "both personally and professionally."

Stewart tells us he's excited for the opportunity, applauding Leah for temporarily surrendering her dream job so the couple can have a baby.

"This was a tough thing for her and honestly, I'm honored to be able to be the one that steps in whole she's starting a family for us," Steward told us.

"I think she's a true badass to have to make the decision she's made and to finish the season knowing that this is the direction we were going. She's a tough woman."

The 3x NASCAR and IndyCar champ will be driving a TF dragster, something Stewart hasn't done (he's raced the Top Alcohol dragster) ... but with support from his wife and team, he believes he'll do just fine.

"I don't know how you know if you're really ready or not other than you just gotta get in and do it," Stewart said.

"I got the best coach you could ask for with my wife."

Ryan Blaney is just days removed from the biggest moment in his racing career ... so, how's the 2023 Cup Series champion celebrating?! TMZ Sports asked the NASCAR star.

"I'm going on vacation this upcoming weekend, so I'm excited for that!" Blaney told us ... adding the vacay was planned before winning the title, but it certainly makes the trip "even more special now," according to the driver.

But, even more so than a boy's trip, Blaney says he's looking forward to spending time with the team behind the great season.

"I'm excited to go to our race shop [Wednesday] to see everybody. See all the men and women who are a part of Team Penske in North Carolina. So that's gonna be another special moment to spend with everybody."

Blaney, at just 29 years old, secured the coveted title with a second-place (behind Ross Chastain) finish during Sunday's season finale at Phoenix Raceway ... earning Ryan enough points to win the Cup Series title!

Ryan comes from a racing family ... his dad Dave made nearly 500 NASCAR starts. Grandpa was a driver, too -- mostly on dirt tracks -- and the racing lineage was a huge inspiration for the new champion.

"I was lucky enough as a kid to grow up around it, with my dad racing, him coming from dirt tracks just like my grandfather and I just saw it at a young age. As a kid, I just wanted to do what my dad did. I was fascinated by it, so he was obviously a huge part of getting me going, and supporting me throughout the way."

Ryan continued ... "Still having my family in my life the way they are, supporting me week in and week out, supporting me in my adulthood, is something that I can never thank them enough for."

FYI, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin rounded out the Cup Series standings.

As for when he turns his attention to next season ... here's what Ryan told us.

"Now. But at the same time, I'm still gonna enjoy this one. I don't want to look ahead too much."

Blaney continued ... "I think when it gets to the New Year, when January rolls around, 'Okay, it's time to go back to work! What do we have to do to get another?' But until January, I'm enjoying this one, and then I'll focus on the new one!"

Tony Stewart is 52 years old, and although he stopped driving NASCAR in 2016, the racing legend's going faster than ever behind the wheel of a dragster ... and he tells us the finish line isn't anywhere in sight.

The 3x NASCAR Cup Series and IndyCar champion (the only driver to ever win both) stopped by the TMZ offices this week ... and sat down with Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays on FS1), as Tony prepares for the NHRA Finals in Ponoma, CA November 9-12 at the Auto Club Raceway.

Stewart owns an NHRA team, Tony Stewart Racing (TSR), an organization he co-founded with his wife, fellow racing star Leah Pruitt ... who drives a Top Fuel dragster.

Tony made his racing debut as a driver in NHRA in 2022, and this year began racing the Top Alcohol dragster on a regular basis. We asked him how much longer he envisions driving.

"From the NASCAR side, I retired at the right time. I haven't been in a wing sprint car on dirt for a couple of years now and I'm okay with that. The good thing about drag racing is because the run is so short, and the most you're gonna make in a day is 4 runs, physically it's not as taxing on your body. The taxing part is the acceleration and deceleration when the parachutes come out. That's the hardest part on your body," Stewart said.

He continued ... "I do feel like in NHRA, this is adding years to the end of my racing career.  If it wasn't for NHRA, I'd probably would be for the most part officially retired. But this has kind of been a rebirth for me."

A traditional quarter-mile run in a TA dragster lasts a touch over 5 seconds and sees driver and race car reaching speeds near 300 MPH. The body endures several Gs during the start and stop of the race, but it doesn't last 3+ hours like the average NASCAR race.

Stewart believes that's extended his career by years ... possibly decades.

"Chris Karamesines, 'The Greek,' drove into his early 90s, was the last time he drove a top fuel car. Which I thought was absolutely insane watching him do that. John Force in early 70s, still winning races," Tony remarked.

We asked ... could you envision still being behind the wheel as a 70+-year-old driver?

"I just hope I live another 20 years," Tony said, laughing ... "At the rate I've been going, I feel like I'm a video game on extended play."

Matt Crafton and Nick Sanchez will have to cough up some cash after their post-race brawl last week ... because the NASCAR drivers were fined thousands for the bloody altercation!

NASCAR made the announcement Tuesday, announcing Crafton, the ThorSport Racing driver, was fined $25k. Meanwhile, Sanchez, a rookie driver for Rev Racing, was hit with a $5k fine ... both for their roles in the epic scrap at Love’s RV Stop 25 at Talladega Superspeedway.

It seems the melee started after the drivers made contact with each other during the last lap of the race, a playoff event. Once the race finished, Crafton confronted Sanchez as he walked to the garage.

Witnesses say Crafton, 47, caught Sanchez, 22, by surprise, and the fight was on.

Sanchez ended up with a bloody face ... and he wasn't pleased, threatening Crafton for the punch, which some people have described as a cheap shot.

"You're f***ing dead," Sanchez yelled. "I'm gonna f***ing kill you!"

Sanchez -- the 2022 ARCA Menards Series champ -- suffered a broken nose ... which was treated at the track by medics.

NASCAR also suspended Sanchez's father from the last two races of the year for getting involved in the fight.

"I think if you look at our history with our drivers and how we handle these situations, a suspension was definitely considered," NASCAR VP Elton Sawyer said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

J Balvin sabe cómo pasarlo bien, y se aseguró de que su novia disfrutara del mismo modo en su cumpleaños, ¡por lo que le organizó una fiesta sorpresa de lujo!

El artista colombiano alquiló una villa enorme, de más de 7.000 pies cuadrados, en el paseo marítimo de Miami Beach para celebrar el cumpleaños número 30 de su novia, Valentina Ferrer este domingo, que tuvo cerca de 35 invitados, incluyendo a su familia.

Nos dicen sus padres, hermanos y otros miembros de la familia volaron desde Argentina para estar el gran día. Su hijo de 2 años, Río, también estuvo presente, pero no se quedó disfrutando hasta las tantas de la noche, como el resto de ellos.

La comida fue otro de los platos fuertes. J Balvin contrató a un chef colombiano que preparó un menú de carnes argentinas. También hubo un DJ, que estuvo marcando el ritmo durante toda la noche, pero sin hits de Jay Balvin, que se tomó la noche libre y no actuó.

¡Nos dicen que Valentina no tenía ni idea de la fiesta, por lo que fue un secreto súper bien guardado, sobre todo que su familia estuviera presente!

Para su información, este fue un fin de semana de torbellino para la pareja, quien también estuvo disfrutando de la Copa NASCAR Series en Tennessee el sábado, donde J lanzó su zapatilla en colaboración con Nike Jordan, antes de volar a Miami.

J Balvin knows how to have a good time ... and he made sure his model GF was doin' the same for her birthday, which is why he threw her a luxurious surprise party!

The Colombian artist rented out a massive villa -- over 7,000 square feet -- on the Miami Beach waterfront for his boo, Valentina Ferrer's, 30th bday Sunday night ... with about 35 people showing up to celebrate, including her family.

We're told he flew her parents, siblings and other family members out from Argentina for the big day -- their 2-year-old son, Rio, was also in attendance but likely didn't party as hard as the rest of them.

The food was another highlight ... J Balvin hired a private chef from Colombia who put together a spread of Argentinian meats to enjoy. There was also a DJ bumping beats throughout the night  -- and no, JB unfortunately took the night off and didn't perform.

We're told Valentina had no idea about the party, so it was a well-kept secret ... especially getting her whole fam to show up!

FYI, it was a whirlwind weekend for the couple ... they were enjoying the NASCAR Cup Series in Tennessee Saturday where J launched his shoe collab with Nike Jordan before jetting over to Miami.

NASCAR star Kyle Larson tells TMZ Sports he's relieved to see Ryan Preece escape serious injury after Saturday's terrifying crash ... praising the organization for taking necessary steps over the years to improve driver safety.

Preece's No. 41 car flipped multiple times during an accident in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona last weekend ... leaving many shocked he was able to walk away from the scene.

Of course, superspeedway racing is the most dangerous in the circuit ... with cars reaching their limits at insane speeds.

Larson's wife, Katelyn, shared her hatred for the style of race on X shortly after the Preece crash ... and while Kyle said he wasn't aware of her post, he admitted superspeedway events can really get the nerves going.

"I'm not sure what she said, but I just know that we're all thankful that we were able to see Ryan get out of that car and walk away from that wreck," Kyle said. "That was a very scary accident."

"It's definitely a style of race in that it's really the only time I'm ever a little bit nervous in a race car. I have been caught up in a lot of big accidents at those style tracks."

Larson said NASCAR is doing a great job at taking the proper measures to keep all the drivers out of harm's way ... adding, "On the flip side of that, our sport has gotten so much safer in the last couple of decades that allows a guy to flip that violently to get out, walk away, go see his family at home is pretty remarkable."

"Our sport can always be safer, but it's come a long way and we're all thankful for that."

As for Preece, he posted after the accident ... vowing to return.

We also spoke with Larson about a great cause ... helping raise $50,000 for the Phoenix Children's Hospital at the NASCAR Championship Ignition Luncheon earlier this week, and he said it's rewarding to use his platform to give back to the community.

NASCAR speed demon Ryan Preece is lucky to be alive after his car wildly flipped over nearly a dozen times during a race in Florida.

Preece was zooming around the track in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs stock car race at Daytona International Speedway Saturday night when he ran into some serious trouble.

Check out the video ... with just six laps to go, Preece's car suddenly cuts across the track and goes airborne before tumbling over 10 times and coming to a stop in the infield.

A medical team responded, helping Preece out of his mangled car, which appeared to be on fire. Preece was placed on a stretcher and rushed to a local hospital for treatment.

It's not clear what caused the accident in the 16-car race, which was won by Chris Buescher. As a result of his loss, Preece was eliminated from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

Noah Gragson's getting taken out of the driver's seat after liking a meme that mocked George Floyd -- and he's owning up to the fact that he screwed the pooch.

The race car driver -- who competes professionally for NASAR's Cup Series -- was suspended indefinitely Saturday by his stock car team, Legacy Motor Club, which announced he was being benched just a day before the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway ... in which Gragson was supposed to participate.

That ain't happening now -- Josh Berry is now taking his place. LMC denounced Gragson's social media activity by saying his actions "do not represent the values of our team."

As for Gragson himself, he's apologized ... writing, "I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media. I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple."

It's unclear when NG hit the like button for this Instagram meme, but it was pretty offensive. The image shows the live-action version of Sebastian the crab from 'The Little Mermaid,' with Floyd's face superimposed. A caption reads, "Under Da Knee, Under Da Knee."