
Jerry Bonkowski has worked full-time for many of the world’s top media outlets, including USA Today (15 years), ESPN.com (4+ years), Yahoo Sports (4 1/2 years), NBC Sports (8 years) and others, as well as has extensive broadcast experience. His passion is motorsports, having covered over 1,500 races in NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA drag racing, Formula One and others. He is also the author of "Trading Paint: 101 Great NASCAR Debates". Jerry has covered every major professional and collegiate sport, including the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls' six NBA championships, the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX-winning season, the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs World Series championships, two of the Chicago Blackhawks' NHL titles, Tiger Woods' PGA Tour debut, as well as many years of beat coverage of the NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA. Jerry is very excited to join EssentiallySports.com, will be covering primarily motorsports (with occasional coverage in other sports), and is looking forward to significant interaction with readers. He can be reached at Jerry.Bonkowski@EssentiallySports.com.
Articles By Author
EXCLUSIVE: Adam Andretti, Nephew of Mario, Set for NASCAR Debut This Weekend, With Indy 500 Dream Still Alive
Adam Andretti has carved out his own successful racing career. He writes a new chapter this weekend in his first NASCAR Trucks race.

Why Winning the Daytona 500 Is Like An NBA Championship for Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan considers his team’s win in this year’s Daytona 500 as significant to him as his six NBA championships as a player.

For Tyler Reddick, Redemption Is Spelled D-A-Y-T-O-N-A 500 Champion!
23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick bounced back from a tough 2025 season on Sunday by winning the 2026 season-opening Daytona 500.

Can William Byron Make Three-Peat History in Sunday’s Daytona 500?
Sunday's Daytona 500 could end up in historic fashion if William Byron becomes the first to ever witn the 500 three years in a row.

Why 2026 May Be One of the Most Important Seasons in NASCAR History
NASCAR suffered significant damage due to the lawsuit last year. Know everything about why this season becomes important for the sport.

What’s the One Thing You Don’t Want to Tell Brad Keselowski Before Sunday’s Daytona 500?
Brad Keselowski is coming off a double whammy heading into 2026: one of the worst seasons of his career in 2025 and a broken leg.

Why It’s Not Right to ‘Celebrate’ the ‘Anniversary’ of Dale Earnhardt’s Tragic Death at Daytona
February 18 will mark 25 years since Dale Earnhardt was tragically killed in the 2001 Daytona 500. But should it be 'celebrated'?

Why Has Kyle Busch Gone Missing and Will He Finally Be Found Again in 2026?
Will the REAL Kyle Busch, who has seemingly been missing the last couple of seasons, finally return this season?

Bubba Wallace Eyes Career-Defining Season With Fewer Distractions in 2026
Can Bubba Wallace turn the momentum he earned from winning last year's Brickyard 400 into even greater performance and success in 2026?

After Disappointment and Tragedy, Denny Hamlin Ready to Rebuild His Life
Denny Hamlin has endured more frustration and tragedy than anyone should have to go through, but a return to racing will help his recovery.

Why Does Jimmie Johnson Keep Coming Back to the Daytona 500? To Partly Prove to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He Still Can
After finishing third in last year's Daytona 500, 50-year-old Jimmie Johnson hopes to become the oldest driver to win Daytona on Sunday.

After Years of Doubting Himself, Kyle Larson Says He’s Now Good Enough to Win Daytona 500
For many of his previous 12 Daytona 500 starts, Kyle Larson doubted his ability to win the Great American Race. That's not the case anymore.
