Ford Says ‘Game On’ After Corvette ZR1 Topples Mustang GTD Nurburgring Lap Record

The new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is now the fastest American car around the famed Nurburgring race track.

Mustang GTD fans have been reeling since Chevy announced its top models both toppled Ford’s 7-minute-52-second lap time around the 12.9-mile “green hell” by between two and three seconds.

Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO and arguably the biggest Mustang fan on earth, was also reeling, though he did display some good sportsmanship.

Ford is Paying Attention

“Congrats to the Corvette team,” Farley commented from his personal account on Instagram. “Game on!”

The game? Surely it’s to see who can go even faster around the historic race track where manufacturers the world over strive to prove their mettle.

To be fair, Chevrolet is egging its competition on.

“Corvette fans—we got ’em,” the company’s Corvette-dedicated Instagram page posted.

The ZR1, with 1,049 horsepower, set a time of 6 minutes and 50.76 seconds while the hybrid ZR1X, with 1,250 horsepower, set a time of 6 minutes and 49.27 seconds. Both beat the 800 horsepower GTD’s time of 6 minutes and 52.07 seconds.

Some have argued the Corvette’s times aren’t that impressive compared to the Mustang’s, with all its extra power and several hundred pounds less weight being dragged around.

Why Didn’t the ‘Vette Go Faster?

But General Motors argued the Corvette times are impressive, all things considered.

Ford set its lap time by putting 2004 winner of the 24 hours of Nurburgring Dirk Müller behind the wheel of its car, first to set a time of of 6 minutes and 57.69 seconds in 2020, then again in 2025 to set its 6 minutes and 52 seconds time. 

Müller has quite an extensive list of professional racing accolades, including another win at the Nurburgring in the 1996 Formula 3 championship. 

The Corvette drivers? They’re all engineers in their day jobs.

#33 CORVETTE RACING Chevrolet Corvette C8.R LMGTE Am racecar driven by Ben Keating (USA), Nicolas Varrone (ARG), Nicky Catsburg (NLD) during the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps – FIA WEC race at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on April 29, 2023 in Spa, Belgium.

Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

“These Corvettes weren’t piloted by pro racecar drivers,” Ken Morris, senior vice president of product programs, safety, integration and motorsports, said. “They were driven by the same engineers who designed, engineered and tuned them. Brian, Aaron and Drew have grown into world-class drivers and even better engineers.”

They’re not just engineers though. They all have much more experience driving fast cars around difficult race tracks than most.

Drew Cattell, who piloted the ZR1X, has 600 laps around the Nurburgring under his belt, according to GM. Brian Wallace, who piloted the ZR1, has 425 laps under his belt. Aaron Link, who piloted the Z06, has 800 laps under his belt.

It’s not clear exactly how many times Müller has gone ’round the ‘ring, but in 2004 when he won the most prestigious event at the track, his team of four drivers did 143 laps alone, in one day, according to the speedfreaks.org Motorsport Almanac.

What’s Next?

Ford has put in a lot of effort to set the GTD’s time, and Chevrolet has also put in a lot of time to build a fast car.

The big linger questions are: Will the Corvette return with an even better driver? How will Ford try to keep up? Will the Dodge Viper, which set a time in 2017 of 7 minutes and 1 second, come back to make this a three-way battle?

Related: Corvette ZR1 Could Still Beat Mustang GTD at Nurburgring, But Boss Says Don’t Expect More Than That

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Author: Adam Kelnhofer

Walmart Is Selling a $1,400 Portable Generator for Just $460 Right Now, and Shoppers Say It ‘Runs Like a Champ’

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Walmart has had some particularly great deals for the garage lately—big workbenches, table saws, and even portable work lights come to mind. Add to that list a collection of portable generators—the kind of thing everyone should have but not everyone does. If you’re planning camping trips for this summer or fall or just want a backup in the case of seasonal power outages, there’s a dual-fuel model on sale now at a whopping 67% discount.

The Nexpow 3500W Dual-Fuel Portable Generator is just $460, $940 less than its $1,400 list price. It’s earned over 150 five-star ratings from reviewers who call it “a great little generator” and “the easiest and best generator I have ever owned and used.” We’ve seen other models in this series sell out in a matter of days when they go on sale, so make sure to grab yours ASAP.

Nexpow 3500W Dual-Fuel Portable Generator, $460 (was $1,400) at Walmart

The Nexpow 3500W Dual-Fuel Portable Generator.

Courtesy of Walmart

Get It

This is a dual-fuel generator, meaning it can run on gasoline and propane, with the latter pumping out electricity at 300 fewer watts. It uses premium copper wiring to conduct the electricity produced by the 154-cc 4-stroke OHV single-cylinder engine that’s the heart of the machine. It also has a muffler, fuel filter, air filtration system, and forced air cooling system, all the necessary pieces to ensure it’s as pleasant and safe to run as possible. It has a 30A socket, a 20A socket, USB ports, and a parallel port alongside a robust set of indicators and displays to let you know how it’s functioning at any given moment. The whole package is just over 20 inches on its longest side and weighs a hair over 55 pounds. It’s not exactly tiny, but it’s certainly small enough to pack into the car.

“The generator purrs like a kitten and is very quiet. It runs like a champ,” wrote one particularly poetic shopper. They added that it was “super easy to start” and, despite the lack of a fuel gauge, “I’m very happy that I bought it and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this again.”

Related: DeWalt’s ‘Robust’ 192-Piece Mechanics Tool Set Is Over 40% Off, and It’s ‘Everything You Could Need’ for Repairs

“This is a really nice generator,” another customer wrote. “I like everything about it. It runs great and is pretty quiet. It adjusts to added loads smoothly and consistently.” They even like the way it looks: ”Really nice, and the construction and finish are high quality.” Functionally, “the economy mode seems to work just as well as the normal mode,” and “the digital readout is great for assuring the machine is functioning correctly.”

Walmart has previously sold out of each version of the Nexpow 3500W Portable Generator when they’ve gone on sale in the past, so it seems like a matter of when, not if, this one will join them, and a 67% discount certainly won’t slow sales down. That’s why we’d recommend picking one up today and enjoying the peace of mind that comes with being prepared for a power outage.

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Author: Cameron LeBlanc

Patagonia’s ‘Incredibly Comfortable’ Baggies Shorts Are Under $50 During the Brand’s Massive Summer Sale

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why We Love This Deal

Patagonia has just launched a massive summer sale with headline-worthy deals up to 40% off past-season gear and apparel. But don’t let that “past season” caveat trip you up—we’re seeing discounts on all kinds of coveted items, including three-season jackets like the Nano Puff, various hiking pants, and high-performance moisture-wicking workout shirts, with plenty of colorways and sizes available. The sale even includes beloved Patagonia products like the iconic Baggies shorts, now over 30% off.

The Patagonia Baggies 5-inch Shorts are on sale for just $48, a 31% discount, at Patagonia. These classic shorts are available in seven solid and patterned colorways at that price, and the longer 7-inch shorts are also on sale for $48 in multiple colorways.

Patagonia Baggies 5-inch Shorts, $48 (was $69) at Patagonia

Courtesy of Patagonia

Get It

Why Do Shoppers Love It?

It’s hard to overstate the love shoppers have for Patagonia Baggies. They’ve been around for decades, and these simple nylon shorts have won legions of fans for their versatile design, quick-drying fabric, and comfortable feel. I own two pairs of the 7-inch variety, and I can vouch for their excellence—I wear them swimming, biking, running, hiking, and casually all summer long.

Baggies are now made from 100% recycled nylon produced from recycled fishing nets, making them more eco-friendly, and they feature a breezy 100% recycled polyester mesh liner inside (that’s right, no underwear required with these shorts). They’re coated with a DWR finish that helps them dry quickly and repel stains, and an elastic waistband with an internal drawcord helps you get a snug fit. Two side hand pockets and a rear pocket with a snap-closure flap give you convenient spaces to stash your keys, phone, and wallet while out and about.

Related: Huckberry’s ‘Incredibly Comfortable’ $98 Lightweight Shorts Are Now Just $53, and They’re a ‘Summer Staple’

What Shoppers Should Know

  • Sizes Available: The Patagonia Baggies 5-inch Shorts are available in sizes XS up to 2XL.
  • Color Options: These shorts are available for $48 in seven colorways, including solid colors and funky patterns.
  • Pocket Layout: These shorts feature two side pockets and one rear pocket with a snap-button closure.
  • Liner: The Baggies include a mesh liner.
  • Best Use Case: Baggies are an ideal summertime do-it-all short. Wear ‘em for hikes, wear ‘em swimming, wear ‘em casually on the weekends. They feel comfy, stay in place, and dry quickly after getting wet.

The Baggies are on sale in a wide swath of colorways, and crucially, almost all of them have a full size range in stock (only the Bundle Green option has limited sizing). These shorts have long been a go-to choice for active guys thanks to their comfy, quick-drying fabric and straightforward design.

What Shoppers Are Saying

  • “Exceptionally durable, comfortable, and functional.”
  • “Perfect fit.”
  • “They’re lightweight, quick-drying, and incredibly comfortable—ideal for long days in and out of the water.”

Baggies are one of Patagonia’s most loved products—and that’s saying something, since the brand has produced a lot of great apparel. It’s clear from the reviews that shoppers really love these shorts. One even called them “my favorite item of clothing that I own!”

“Been wearing these for over three decades,” said another. “These are my go-to three-season shorts for hiking, gym, rafting, gardening, or just hanging out.”

Durable, comfortable, and amazingly versatile, the Patagonia Baggies 5-inch Shorts are the kind of clothing every guy needs in his dresser. They’re an ideal pair of shorts for all kinds of situations, whether you’re heading out for a wilderness adventure or just chilling at home on the weekend. It’s rare to see such a deep 31% discount on these shorts across so many colors and sizes, so take advantage of this deal while you can—we’re sure they’ll sell out soon.

Shop More Deals Like This

Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Shirt in Nouveau Green, $27 (was $45) at Patagonia

Patagonia Funhoggers 6-inch Shorts, $45 (was $75) at Patagonia

Patagonia Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket, $160 (was $229) at Patagonia

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Author: Michael Charboneau

Shoppers Say Trader Joe’s Spicy New $5 Item Is ‘Great On Eggs and Tacos’

Leave it to Trader Joe’s to drop a multitude of condiment options on their shelves. Whether it’s mango pineapple pico de gallo, sweet mustard dill sauce or sweet potato habanero hot sauce, there is a unique option to drizzle, toss or dip pretty much anything. One of their latest jars has a blend of ingredients that originates from Mexico.

Trader Joe’s Salsa Macha contains sesame and sunflower seeds, pepitas, Pequin chiles, garlic and olive oil. Traditional salsa macha contains peanuts, so this is a riff on the original, made with seeds instead.

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Trader Joe’s Salsa Macha

Trader Joe’s

According to the Trader Joe’s website, this condiment can be used for bread and tortilla chip dipping, to drizzle over taacos, roasted vegetables, pizza, salad and soups, for marinating beef, poultry and chicken, for cooking fried eggs and as a replacement for garlic butter on toasted bread. Basically anything that could benefit from an extra kick of flavor and heat, this is the stuff to use.

Featured Story: Trader Joe’s New Item Makes Meal Prep a Cinch

For a 6-ounce jar, Trader Joe’s charges $4.49. While many items adorning the shelves are seasonal, this is touted as an “everyday” item on their website.

Shoppers seem to be loving this condiment, likening it to the concept of chili crisp oil that can go on everything. “[I] use it more like a drizzle. Great on eggs and tacos. Also good on roasted carrots”, said one customer. “If you like chili crisp, it is similar but crunchier”, stated another.

We’re a fan of anything that adds texture, heat and nourishment in one way or another, and Trader Joe’s Salsa Macha seems to check all of the boxes.

Up Next:

Related: Trader Joe’s New Caffeinated Beverage Has Unexpected Ingredient

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Author: Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, CD, FAND