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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 AdventHealth 400: Qualifying, Kyle Larson’s Pole Position, Lineup At Kansas Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher again finished 1-2 at Kansas Speedway.  Unlike last year’s finish when Larson edged Buescher by 0.001 seconds in the closest finish in circuit history. On Saturday, the results weren’t nearly as significant, but the No. 5 Chevrolet edged the No. 16 Ford during Saturday’s qualifying session […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  10 May 2025
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Heart of Health Care 200: Qualifying, Jake Garcia’s Pole Position, Lineup At Kansas Speedway

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Jake Garcia earned his second career pole position Saturday after posting the fastest qualifying lap at Kansas Speedway.  Garcia turned the 1.5-mile track at 175.655 mph, topping runner-up Corey Heim, who will start on the outside of the front row for Friday night’s Heart of Health Care 200. The leaders […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  10 May 2025
NFL
Sights, Sounds: Carolina Panthers Kick Off 2-Day NFL Rookie Minicamp

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Carolina Panthers opened the 2025 practice schedule Friday by staging their NFL rookie minicamp.  Under the direction of second-year coach Dave Canales, the franchise hosted April’s eight draft picks and a reported 19 undrafted free agents and 14 tryout players. The two-day introduction to professional football wraps up with Saturday’s practice.  […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  10 May 2025
ARCA Menards Series Tide 150: Qualifying, Lawless Alan’s Pole Position, Lineup At Kansas Speedway

Toyotas dominated Friday’s ARCA Menards Series qualifying session at Kansas Speedway.  Led by pole-sitter Lawless Alan, Toyota drivers earned seven of the top nine spots for Friday night’s Tide 150 at the 1.5-mile track. Alan on Friday turned a hot qualifying lap of 174.605 mph, claiming his first career pole position.  Alan edged runner-up Thad Moffitt, who clocked […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  09 May 2025
NFL
Carolina Panthers Prep For NFL Rookie Minicamp By Waiving Edge Jadeveon Clowney, g 6 Draft Picks

With the Carolina Panthers welcoming their rookies for NFL initiation Friday, former Pro Bowler-turned-journeyman Jadeveon Clowney was sent packing Thursday.  The Rock Hill, South Carolina, native signed a two-year, $20 million contract last offseason and started 14 games as a stand-up -rush specialist. Clowney compiled 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season.  It wasn’t enough […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  08 May 2025
ARCA Menards Series Tide 150 Entry List: Dates, Event Times At Kansas Speedway  

With 26 ARCA Menards Series machines entered for Friday night’s Tide 150 at Kansas Speedway, Lavar Scott seeks to hold off Lawless Alan and maintain his advantage in the drivers’ standings.   In the circuit’s first of two trips to the 1.5-mile speedway Lanie Buice likely will command some fans’ interest after earning a top-10 […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  07 May 2025
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Heart of Health Care 200: William Sawalich Learning; Corey Heim Earns Top Odds

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series third-year driver William Sawalich wants to be an original.  The Minnesota native wants to be the first from the North Star State to win national series event. Minnesota has one “pavement oval,” which is located in Elko and where Sawalich groomed his skills as a youngster.  If (or when) the 18-year-old prospect […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  07 May 2025
Jesse Love Secures 2 Additional NASCAR Cup Series Starts; Kyle Larson Earns Top Drivers’ Championship Odds

Jesse Love, the No. 4-ranked NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, will get to test his talents against Cup circuit competition in two more events for Richard Childress Racing.  Love remains scheduled to drive the No. 33 Chevrolet in Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway and at Richmond Raceway at Aug. 16. The 20-year-old pilot made his […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  07 May 2025
Corey Heim Stands Tall, Earns Top NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Drivers’ Championship Odds

As Corey Heim stood tall in Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway last Saturday, Ben Rhodes and Daniel Hemric slumped back to their pit stalls.  As Heim celebrated the result of the final overtime restart, Rhodes and Hemric were left with feelings of regret, falling short of earning the SpeedyCash.com 250 title.  Heim, who led […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  07 May 2025
NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Connor Zilisch Learns From Kyle Larson; Justin Allgaier Earns Top Drivers’ Title Odds

Injured and unable to compete in last Saturday’s circuit event, rookie Connor Zilisch probably felt like he was a student, learning from the teacher. The 2021 Cup champion executed a patient race to earn the trip to Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway. Zilisch injured his back in a last-lap crash at Talladega Superspeedway. The 18-year-old […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  06 May 2025