Grand Final Day is fast approaching for Asfoora, and trainer Henry Dwyer is forecasting an improved performance from his globe-trotting mare in the King Charles III Stakes on Day 1 at Royal Ascot.

The seven-year-old daughter of Flying Artie, who captured the 1005-metre Group 1 sprint at Royal Ascot two years ago, is aiming to bounce back after two unplaced runs to kick off what will most likely be her final campaign.

After finishing tenth in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes (1005m) at Newmarket on May 2, Asfoora trailed the field of 12 in the Group 2 Temple Stakes (1005m) at Haydock three weeks later. However, Dwyer confirmed she has benefited from those runs and will be fitted with blinkers this week.

“She’s had the two runs back and is certainly much fitter now,” Dwyer commented.

“She looks well and with the blinkers going on we are hoping she can turn her form around on Tuesday.”

Asfoora drew barrier 26 for the full field of 26 in the straight-track race that will be run at 12.40am AEST Wednesday.

The other Australian representative is Overpass, who will be positioned not too far from Asfoora at the start, having drawn gate 19.

Overpass heads the betting at $3.40 from French mare Rayevka (barrier 15), Temple Stakes winner Night Raider (six), defending champion American Affair (18), and Coolmore’s three-year-old Mission Central (24). These are the only runners with shorter odds than Asfoora, who is a $10 chance.

Asfoora and American Affair, last year’s King Charles III Stakes winner when Asfoora placed fifth, are both striving to join the 12 horses that have won the King Charles III Stakes on multiple occasions.

Equiano (2008/10), Elbio (1991/93), Hornet’s Beauty (1911/13), and Woolsthorpe (1895/97) are the horses to have achieved this in non-consecutive years.

Asfoora went on to win the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1005m) at York and the Group 1 Prix De L’abbeye (1000m) at Longchamp following last year’s King Charles III Stakes. While Dwyer understands her international odyssey is nearing its conclusion, he is already making plans for her post-racing career.

The Ballarat horseman was recently licensed in the UK and has two European gallopers scheduled to run in his name later in the week. Ten Sovereigns’ colt Synners Kid will compete in the Britannia Stakes on Thursday, with Kodiac’s filly Kochella to make her second start in the Group 3 Albany Stakes the following day.

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Noah Gragson took a jab at Jimmie Johnson’s San Diego autograph session arrangement this week. The Front Row Motorsports driver offered fans a free alternative just as the seven-time champion’s wristband-restricted signing event drew attention on social media.

Johnson announced an autograph session scheduled for 1:15 PM ET on Saturday (June 20), at the NASCAR Pit Shop Green Zone, with a notable restriction. The wristband required for the signing was limited to customers who purchased the 2026 Jimmie Johnson Carvana San Diego die-cast at the NASCAR Pit Shop on June 19, and autographs are strictly limited to that purchased die-cast only.

Johnson posted the announcement on X:

“Looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and spending some time with fans this weekend. Planning to stop by the autograph session? Be sure to check the details on the graphic. Wristbands are limited, and there are a few important guidelines to know.”

The post laid out the purchase requirement explicitly. It is designed to manage demand for what is expected to be one of the weekend’s most popular fan interactions, given Jimmie Johnson’s San Diego roots. But it also required a financial transaction before a fan could get an autograph at all.

Noah Gragson responded on X with:

“Reminder that you don’t need that wristband bullshit at our merch hauler. I’ll sign for all of you. No purchase necessary 😃”

The post drew a wave of supportive replies from fans who appreciated the effort.

Jimmie Johnson is set for one of the busiest weekends of his part-time career at Naval Base Coronado, attempting double duty across both the Truck Series and Cup Series in his hometown. He will drive the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Tricon Garage in Friday’s Truck Series race, before competing in Sunday’s Cup Series Anduril 250.

It will be his first Truck Series start since 2008. For Cup, Johnson will drive the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club, the team he co-owns. He grew up in nearby El Cajon, California, and has described the weekend as a full-circle moment, with his grandparents, both military, buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery near the base.

Noah Gragson feels the San Diego street race will be “an incredible week for our sport”

The inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado carries weight beyond the standard Cup Series weekend given its setting. An active military base hosting the sport for the first time, built into the roads and runways of Naval Air Station North Island, with the event timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy.

For Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Front Row Motorsports team, the occasion carries its own significance.

“This is such an incredible week for our sport,” Noah Gragson said via Speedway Media. “To be able to put on a race at an active military base, in front of so many heroes that protect our freedoms each and every day, is an unbelievable honor.”

He broke down what he expects from the 16-turn circuit specifically:

“I’ve been able to run laps on sim, and see videos of the layout, and it’s definitely going to be a challenging course but also a lot of fun. Each section of the track has its own unique character. There are some technical turns mixed in with some faster, sweeping turns, and then some areas where it will get crazy, especially on the initial start and on restarts,” he added.

Rush Truck Centers returns as the primary sponsor on Noah Gragson’s No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the San Diego Street course weekend. The partnership covers 12 races for him in 2026. The remaining dates after San Diego include Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, Daytona International Speedway on August 29, Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 4, and Talladega Superspeedway on October 25.