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Jeff Hawkins

Sports Editor

About

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Articles by Jeff Hawkins (380)

B.J. McLeod Returns To NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series; Corey Heim Earns Top Drivers’ Championship Odds

B.J. McLeod is up next for Spire Motorsports.  Scheduled to make his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series appearance since May 2021, McLeod will pilot the No. 07 Chevrolet during Friday night’s North Carolina Education Lottery 20 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  The owner of Live Fast Motorsports, McLeod is slated to compete in his third race for […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15H
NASCAR Cup Series Tabs 3 New Hall Of Famers; Kyle Larson Retains Top Drivers’ Championship Odds

NASCAR officials announced Tuesday three new additions to the Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick were selected to form the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. Humpy Wheeler also earned the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.   Following a multi-layered voting process, Busch, Gant and […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  20 May 2025
NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 Odds, Predictions & Best Bets At Charlotte Motor Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano put his All-Star Race frustrations in reverse.  Immediately after Christopher Bell outdueled the reigning series champion to earn a trip to Victory Lane at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night, Logano vented, telling Fox Sports: “I did all I could do to hold him off and he got under […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  20 May 2025
Healed Connor Zilisch Serves Cup Notice; Justin Allgaier Returns With Top NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Drivers Title Odds

After nearly three weeks off, a healed Connor Zilisch looks to continue his quest to earn the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ rookie of the year honors. This weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, though, the teenage phenom is also setting his sights on becoming the youngest Cup Series driver to win a Cup event.  Sidelined since injuring […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  20 May 2025
NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 Entry List: Dates, Event Times At Charlotte Motor Speedway

Was North Wilkesboro Speedway the runaway winner over NASCAR Cup Series’ All-Star weekend?  Christopher Bell, who enters next weekend’s points event at Charlotte Motor Speedway ranked third in the drivers’ standings, rallied from sixth place over the final 28 lap, outdueling Joey Logano to capture Sunday night’s All-Star Race. And a cool $ 1 million in […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  19 May 2025
NASCAR Xfinity Series BetMGM 300 Entry List: Dates, Event Times At Charlotte Motor Speedway

Coming out of a two-week hiatus, NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers return to action this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.   With three wins and eight top-10 finishes in 12 outings, Justin Allgaier continues leading the drivers’ standings with 471 points, 51 ahead of Austin Hill.  Sam Hunt Racing announced Cup regular Christopher Bell, who captured […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  19 May 2025
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Entry List: Dates, Event Times At Charlotte Motor Speedway

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Tyler Ankrum’s team made the call not to pit at the start of the second stage last Saturday at North Wilkesboro Speedway, after placing P7 following the opening stage of the 250-lap event.  The move didn’t pay full dividends.   It didn’t hurt the No. 18 Chevrolet too much, though, finishing […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  19 May 2025
NFL
Carolina Panthers Coach Dave Canales Talks 2025 NFL Schedule Release

It doesn’t matter to Dave Canales.  The Carolina Panthers coach attempted to downplay the personal emotions he may feel before certain matchups on the 2025 NFL schedule, which was announced Wednesday night.  Canales spoke optimistically that, following a Week 14 bye week, the Panthers close with two NFC South matchups versus the Tampa Buccaneers, the […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 May 2025
NFL
2025 NFL Schedule: Carolina Panthers Visiting Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars In Regular-Season Opener

The Carolina Panthers will open the 2025 NFL season with a high-profile matchup.  The Panthers will travel to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars and April’s No. 2 overall draft pick, Travis Hunter, who could take the field as a two-way player.  As a cornerback on defense, he could line up opposite Panthers rookie Tetairoa […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  14 May 2025
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Window World 250: Kyle Busch Earns Top Odds Over Corey Heim At North Wilkesboro

Breaking news on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.  Corey Heim is not the sports-betting favorite to visit Victory Lane during Saturday’s Window World 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Heim may be dominating the circuit with three wins and eight top-10 finishes in nine outings, but when it comes to series royalty, Kyle Busch remains the […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  14 May 2025