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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)

NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race Odds, Predictions & Best Bets At North Wilkesboro Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch couldn’t contain his frustrations.  Attempting a Stage 3 effort to work his way through the mid-pack Sunday at Kansas Speedway, Busch couldn’t avoid the aftershock of a collision between Josh Berry and Noah Gragson. Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet spun out of control and into the infield grass near the […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  14 May 2025
NFL
Carolina Panthers 4th-Round Draft Pick Trevor Etienne Inks NFL Rookie Contract, Keeps Following Older RB Brother

Carolina Panthers first-year running back Trevor Etienne can now be considered his own man.  While just 20 years old and a recent fourth-round draft pick, Etienne on Tuesday agreed to on his rookie contract with the Panthers. While his older brother, Jackson Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, may be a more established NFL player, the […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  13 May 2025
Harrison Burton Gets All-Star Race Seat; Kyle Larson Earns Top NASCAR Cup Series Drivers’ Championship Odds

Harrison Burton may be settling back into a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule this season, but the former Cup regular remains poised to give Rick Ware Racing an organizational milestone.  After qualifying for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race with his surpring win at Daytona last summer, Burton will return to Cup racing this weekend at North […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  13 May 2025
Connor Mosack Endures NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Skid; Corey Heim Earns Top Drivers’ Championship Odds

After placing third and watching Carson Hocevar celebrate in Victory Lane at Kansas Speedway last Saturday, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points leader Corey Heim quickly shifted his focus to North Wilkesboro Speedway.  Last year, Heim cruised to victory at the historic 0.625-mile oval. Entering Saturday’s Window World 250, Heim, with three wins and eight top-10 […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  13 May 2025
Daniel Dye On NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission; Justin Allgaier Earns Top Drivers’ Championship Odds

At 21 years old and one of the youngest pilots on the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Daniel Dye’s motivation to do good with his current platform remains mature.  Since he was a late model racer at 14 year old, Dye and his father, Randy, fueled an initiative to raise awareness and combat suicide and promote May […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  12 May 2025
NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race/All-Star Open Entry List: Dates, Event Times At North Wilkesboro Speedway

Kyle Larson begins a busy two-week stretch with the NASCAR Cup Series entering its all-star weekend.  Between his day job as the circuit’s points leader and the winner of Sunday’s outing at Kansas Speedway, he will focus on his Indianapolis 500 side gig this Memorial Day weekend.  Tuesday through Sunday, Larson will split his time […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  12 May 2025
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Window World 250 Entry List: Dates, Event Times At North Wilkesboro Speedway

Carson Hocevar, a NASCAR Cup Series regular, reed the Craftsman Truck Series field and captured Saturday’s event at Kansas Speedway. A riled Hocevar held off Layne Riggs for the win. He did it with emphasis on his attitude toward his rival.  “He won the race, and you know, I think he was mad at me. […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  12 May 2025
MLB
MLB Fans Respond To Jung Family’s Special Mother’s Day Moments, Memories

When Jeff Jung, the father of two MLB players, scanned the 2025 composite schedule, he noticed Josh’s Texas Rangers were slated to play at Jace’s Detroit Tigers on Mother’s Day. To his wife, Mary, Jeff joked about possibly attending the game if both sons were on big-league rosters.  In baseball, one can never plan too […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  11 May 2025
NASCAR Cup Series Fans Respond To Kyle Larson Again Winning AdventHealth 400 At Kansas Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson utilized his team’s power to dominate Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway.  Larson, who captured last year’s event by establishing a circuit record for the closest win (0.001 seconds), created a new track mark by leading for 221 laps and winning this third race this season.  With 469 points, […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  11 May 2025
NFL
Sights, Sounds: Carolina Panthers Cap 2-Day NFL Rookie Minicamp

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Getting a final look at potential NFL prospects Saturday, Dave Canales patrolled the two practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers coach mined the fields for diamonds, no matter how rough.  At one corner during Saturday’s rookie camp finale, defensive backs ran through drills. Of particular interest to Canales, […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  10 May 2025