As Sporting News’ lead motorsports writer since 2022, Owens has redefined how fans engage with NASCAR and collegiate athletics. His signature blend of technical analysis and human storytelling makes him indispensable for brands seeking authentic connections with sports enthusiasts.
We’ve followed Jeff Owens’s evolution from regional sports reporter to a national voice at Sporting News. His early work focused on collegiate athletics, where he developed a knack for capturing the human stories behind rising stars. By 2020, Owens shifted gears toward motorsports, becoming one of NASCAR’s most perceptive analysts. His 2023 investigative piece on safety reforms at Bristol Motor Speedway demonstrated his ability to balance technical knowledge with athlete advocacy.
This 2024 opus dissects the paradox of motorsport legacy-building. Owens masterfully interweaves fan sentiment data from 12 NASCAR markets with historical comparisons to Richard Petty’s seventh title. His on-the-ground reporting from Phoenix Raceway captures both the technical nuances of Next Gen cars and the emotional stakes for Johnson’s crew. The article’s impact reverberated through sports talk radio for weeks, becoming a reference point for debates about modern vs. classic NASCAR eras.
Owens’ 2025 deep dive into college football’s most unpredictable season combines advanced analytics with locker room anthropology. By tracking Fournette’s comeback through wearable tech data and position coach interviews, he reveals how biomechanical adjustments revitalized the running back’s career. The piece’s unique angle on athlete resilience led to its inclusion in the Associated Press’s “Best of College Football” roundup.
This 2024 crossover piece for Sports Collectors Digest showcases Owens’ versatility. He traces the resurgence of 1970s Topps cards through auction house records and collector psychology interviews. The article’s market analysis section became required reading for sports memorabilia investors, with its prediction about Walter Payton rookie cards proving accurate within six months.
Owens prioritizes stories that connect engineering advancements to driver experiences. His 2024 profile of Hendrick Motorsports’ wind tunnel team exemplifies this approach. Successful pitches should highlight both the technical specifications of new components and their real-world effects on race strategy.
With 63% of his collegiate coverage focusing on draft decisions, Owens seeks stories that balance NIL realities with athletic aspirations. A successful 2025 pitch detailed how a top quarterback used nutrition science to extend his college eligibility—a model for future submissions.
Though not his primary beat, Owens periodically explores collectibles that bridge sports history and pop culture. His 2024 analysis of Michael Jordan rookie card valuations demonstrates interest in market forces shaping fandom. Pitches here require hard data from auction houses or grading services.
Since his groundbreaking 2023 report on head restraint systems, Owens has maintained a specialty in track safety innovations. Recent work includes an interview series with medical directors from NASCAR and IndyCar. Pitches should include access to engineering teams or safety personnel.
Owens’ Pulitzer-nominated profile of Danica Patrick’s sports commentary career illustrates his fascination with reinvention. Successful pitches in this vein combine performance metrics with psychological turning points, ideally featuring exclusive access to training staff.
Can NASCAR fans stand seeing Jimmie Johnson win a seventh championship?
Could LSU’s Leonard Fournette rush back into Heisman race after monster game?
CLASSIC CARDBOARD: These coveted classics still capture the attention of vintage football card collectors
