Tom Bowles

@IndyCaronFOX stat guru; #NASCAR writer; @Frontstretch owner. @cbssports @SRXRacing alum. GFX/TV/Radio for racing & sports. Opinions my own. Sarcasm, please :)

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

I wrote about a hard truth today: traditional #nascar and motorsports journalism is dying. @JennaFryer is just one of many examples of what’s changing.

Why? And can journalism survive?

Race fans have our fate in their hands.
@Frontstretch

https://t.co/vH5ekCSg1H

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

I was 17 years old and a #nascar fanatic. Racing was all I ever wanted to be a part of: I just didn’t have the connections or experience to drive. My big Italian family was like… please be a lawyer instead :).

Then I read this guy Matt McLaughlin on RaceComm who made racing come to life on paper in a way I’d never seen. All of a sudden, I was like … if I can’t drive, I can do SOMETHING in racing. The dream was still achievable.

I was inspired by Matt who opened doors for so many millennials: Internet writers in a world where traditional journalism and coverage had to be done “a certain way.” I’ve learned to balance old school and new school since then but the way Matt pushed boundaries and wouldn’t back down from a strong opinion… I admired that. He was willing to - and did - sacrifice so much for those beliefs.

Someone who had some bad things happen to him that never altered his passion for racing. Or his positive attitude. Learned a lot about perseverance from that. And did I mention the writing? He could get you to laugh - then cry - in consecutive paragraphs.

To have him work for me was … an
Incredible plot twist. What a kind soul with an endless knowledge for anything #nascar. Every time we met up for drinks, I left feeling about 10 IQ points smarter. His lasting legacy is an audience @Frontstretch who came because of him … then bought in to everything else we were doing. I’m forever grateful for that.

So Godspeed, @mcmatt76. Have fun racing Earnhardt on those big motorcycles up in the sky.

[Frontstretch @Frontstretch]

A columnist at Frontstretch since 2007, Matt McLaughlin passed away last week at age 66 after a long illness.

https://t.co/M2eXs5eHDa

[Will Buxton @wbuxtonofficial]

In easily the biggest news of an Indycar driver signing since Mansell left F1 for Newman Haas at the end of 92, maybe since Foyt decided to race for himself 60 years ago, McLaren has poached 6 time champion, Hall of Famer and candidate for Greatest of All Time Scott Dixon from Ganassi. 2026 Indy 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist will join him alongside Pato O Ward with the objective being to deliver the Indy 500 component of the Triple Crown for Zak Brown.

Both Dixon and Rosenqvist join on multi year deals.

Quite incredibly, the team’s driver of the season and leading points scorer this year has been told his services are no longer required, leaving Christian Lundgaard as the most unexpected and talented free agent imaginable.

The GOAT, leaving the team with whom he was synonymous and with whom he won 6 titles, to help rebuild a storied racing brand… feels strangely familiar.

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Question right now: What nickname would you give Caio Collet? #indycar @IndyCarOnFOX We're looking for one

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Bumping this back to the top :) Any questions, international fans, you've ever wanted to ask @Hinchtown @townsendbell @wbuxtonofficial? Fire away #indycar

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Bumping this back to the top :) Any questions, international fans, you've ever wanted to ask @Hinchtown @townsendbell @wbuxtonofficial? Fire away #indycar

[INDYCAR on FOX @IndyCarOnFOX]

What have you always wanted to ask the experts?

Leave your INDYCAR questions for @wbuxtonofficial, @townsendbell, and @Hinchtown in the replies!

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

When @NoahGragson stood up to @KevinMagnussen, he showed us why he’s one of the most popular drivers #nascar has today. Never afraid to be himself.

Why everyone, even critics, should be appreciating that - and where he could end up in 2027. @Frontstretch

https://t.co/I8oZzWtp9m

[Kyle Benjamin @Kyle_BenjaminTV]

Didn’t have an IndyCar media member being accused of wire fraud on my bingo card for an off week

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Graham Rahal not happy with losing a podium on the last lap #indycar @roadamerica

[Christopher DeHarde @CDeHarde]

“I can tell you that I’m certainly pretty frustrated with him (Power) and he’s made a lot of rookie mistakes this year. He continues to do it, I just don’t get it. I don’t get it. And clearly the pressure is getting to him.”

Graham Rahal on his last lap collision with Will Power that dropped him out of a possible podium place.

#XPELGP #IndyCar

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Hey everyone! International viewers: let's get those questions/comments flowing today for @wbuxtonofficial @Hinchtown @townsendbell during our #indycar practice show @roadamerica today!

Hit them up or just @ me with your comment/question and you might just end up on the air!

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Super excited to have Rick on tonight as we honor @stevewaid’s memory. Be sure to tune in at 7:30 ET tonight @Frontstretch #nascar

[Frontstretch @Frontstretch]

We remember Steve Waid on today's Frontstretch Happy Hour podcast.

Rick Houston of @TheSceneVault and @Brian_Twining of @BleacherNation join the show tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET. https://t.co/2hUGjnanZ8

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Heartbroken. 💔

Heartbroken for the loss of @stevewaid, a mentor & friend. Heartbroken for the @Frontstretch staff who adored him. And to think, he was STILL trying to post from the hospital.

A look at the journalist/human we should all inspire to be.

https://t.co/RAQ86JwPjg

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Should be fun with the @m_massie22 @PitLaneCPT @TheBryanNolen band all back together! #nascar #indycar Pop in and see us tonight ⬇️

[Frontstretch @Frontstretch]

Tune into Happy Hour tonight as @NASCARBowles joins the show to discuss the hottest topics in NASCAR this week, such as the fallout from Christopher Bell's wreck at Michigan, Connor Zilisch's rookie season and Ford's struggles.

Live at 7:30 p.m. ET! https://t.co/Tj05TQENIl

[Will Buxton @wbuxtonofficial]

Race start moved up to beat the rain. If UFL isn’t done we will be live top of the hour on FS1.

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Ouch. #nascar

Compare that to @NASCAROReillyAP where Zilisch had three DNFs TOTAL all of last season.

34th in points. No one expected this.

[Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck]

This will be the third straight last-place finish for Connor Zilisch.

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Just one more push for @Hinchtown @wbuxtonofficial @townsendbell #indycar questions for our international feed! Send them here and you might end up on the air @IndyCarOnFOX

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Hey fans watching the #indycar international feed: Have questions for @Hinchtown @wbuxtonofficial @townsendbell? Send them here and you might just end up on the air!!

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Hey fans watching the #indycar international feed: Have questions for @Hinchtown @wbuxtonofficial @townsendbell? Send them here and you might just end up on the air!!

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

A great piece by @VPuglieseRacing on the why Ned Jarrett thought he had to apologize to Dale Earnhardt... the impact he made on #NASCAR and a generation of race fans who will always miss him.

@Frontstretch

https://t.co/5teQosErJn

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

A little piece of my generation’s childhood died today.

Ned will go down as one of the most influential #nascar broadcasters of all time. What a great life he lived and impact he had on the sport.

Thoughts and prayers are with the Jarrett family.

[Bob Pockrass @bobpockrass]

Sad news: NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Ned Jarrett has died at age 93.

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

#nascar At 45, @dennyhamlin might be the best version of himself he’s ever been - on and off the track.

How and why that transformation has made him one of the most popular drivers in motorsports after spending years as someone fans loved to hate.

https://t.co/qBqmL3NEHD

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

Three @JoeGibbsRacing teammates three abreast on the final lap. All gunning for the win. Hamlin takes it and steals a win back (after plenty have been stolen from him in ‘26).

That’s the type of finish #nascar needed to get the focus back on racing.

[Tom Bowles @RacingBowles]

. @smclaughlin93 claimed post-race he was left with “no option” but to make contact with @26WillPower_ off the turn in a wreck that cost them both dearly.

“We’ll talk about it … I have so much respect for Will” #indycar

https://t.co/zVDLKbPeW7