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INDYCAR Announces Full Debut of NTT INDYCAR SERIES Hybrid Era at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

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Final Full-Field Test of Settings, Parameters Scheduled for Tuesday, June 11 at Milwaukee Mile

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 14, 2024) – Through a commitment to an intensive, thorough process of meticulous development and production, the hybrid era for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will make its competition debut Friday-Sunday, July 5-7 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by the 2025 Civic Hybrid.

INDYCAR, Chevrolet and Honda have worked in collaboration to develop the first-of-its-kind hybrid unit. The 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine was initially paired and tested with hybrid power Aug. 16, 2023, at Sebring International Raceway. In just seven months, a total of 23,518 miles were successfully completed among 28 NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers.

“The strength of this uncharted partnership between Chevrolet and Honda has pushed this innovative project to the grid in 2024,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “The INDYCAR-specific hybrid power unit will bring a new and exciting element to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with additional energy and overtake options. We cannot wait to see the start of this new era at Mid-Ohio.”

INDYCAR’s hybrid power expands the series’ efforts to deliver the most competitive motorsport on the planet. The new powerplant unit will feature additional overtake (Push to Pass) options, ultimately giving INDYCAR SERIES drivers more choices and control – enhancing the on-track competition and excitement.

The innovative hybrid system is made up of the low voltage (48V) Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and Energy Storage System (ESS) – consisting of 20 ultracapacitors – both of which fit inside the bellhousing, located between the Chevrolet and Honda INDYCAR SERIES internal combustion engine and the gearbox. During regeneration, acting on the clutch shaft, the MGU builds power to be stored in the ESS. The additional horsepower is deployed through the same motor generator on driver demand.

For competition, options for automatic “regen” via braking or throttle position and manual “regen” via selected steering wheel paddles and buttons will be available. Deployment of stored energy will only be available manually through a latching button, similar to the existing Push to Pass system.

While available to use in addition to the traditional INDYCAR Push to Pass system on road and street circuits, the two systems will come with different rules. Push to Pass will still have a restriction on amount of time per use and total time used over the course of a race. Rules for the hybrid power unit will limit the amount of energy deployed per lap – based on track length. Used in combination on road and street circuits, the added boost will provide an additional 120 horsepower for a total of 800+ for the first time in two decades. Additional horsepower is expected in the coming years as hybrid unit development evolves.

Safety elements include the low voltage system and the ability for drivers to restart the car by themselves if they spin and stall the engine on the track – avoiding the need for the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team to be deployed and creating more green-flag action in races.

“The introduction of hybrid technology provides an opportunity to integrate electrification technologies into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” General Motors Executive Director, Motorsports Competition Eric Warren said. “During the development of any new technology, extensive analysis and testing are done to identify as many issues as possible. We support INDYCAR’s decisions throughout this process to study testing data carefully and make sure that when the hybrid technology is integrated, the operation and performance are exactly what is expected.

“This approach has given INDYCAR and the engine manufacturers the opportunity to ensure the high level of competition continues uninterrupted.”

“Hybrid technology is playing an ever-increasing role in both our racing programs and the production vehicles created by Honda and Acura,” Honda Racing Corporation USA President David Salters said. “More than a quarter of Honda’s total sales in 2023 – nearly 300,000 vehicles – were Honda CR-V and Accord hybrids. Introducing electrification to INDYCAR at Mid-Ohio further aligns our racing efforts with Honda’s passenger car production as we operate multiple manufacturing and R&D facilities in central Ohio, employing more than 13,000 associates there.

“This is exciting new technology and, like all things new, has presented challenges to us at HRC as we have stepped in with our competitors to help INDYCAR make the hybrid system compact enough, powerful enough, light enough and reliable enough to work within the highly-restricted confines of an INDYCAR chassis. We are proud of our associates’ work to develop the supercapacitor pack and control software for the system. We look forward to hybrid tech adding another dimension to the great racing spectacle and entertaining our great Honda and INDYCAR racing fans.”

A full-field test of INDYCAR’s power unit is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11 at the Milwaukee Mile to allow teams to finalize implementation ahead of the July debut. On-track testing has taken place at Barber Motorsports Park, Homestead-Miami Speedway road course, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IMS road course, Milwaukee Mile, Road America, Sebring and World Wide Technology Raceway to effectively mirror the disciplines of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule.

The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by the 2025 Civic Hybrid will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday, July 7.

The next event for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26. Coverage begins at 11 a.m. ET on NBC and Peacock with a Spanish-language broadcast available on Universo. Audio coverage is also available from the INDYCAR Radio Network via the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA and SiriusXM channel 218.

#Stage60 Returns with Cam Waters at Sonoma

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Official Release
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BuildSubmarines.com to Partner with RFK and Australian Driver at Sonoma to Highlight AUKUS

CONCORD, N.C. (May 14, 2024) – RFK Racing has announced that its #Stage60 program is returning to field a third car at Sonoma Raceway (June 9), driven by Australian Supercars star Cam Waters. During the road course event, BuildSubmarines.com will highlight AUKUS, a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Waters, who made his NASCAR debut earlier this season in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, is universally known as one of the most versatile drivers in the world. He is the only driver to have won both the Australian Formula Ford Championship and the Supercars Development Series, and brings to the United States a lengthy resume with Tickford Racing in Melbourne.

“This opportunity for me is a dream come true, and one that I do not take lightly given the global audience of NASCAR and the Cup Series,” said Waters. “I’ve been fortunate to dip my toes into the NASCAR waters a bit this year and am excited to put my road-racing experience to the test this summer. It takes a village to make something like this come to fruition, so I especially want to thank the team at BuildSubmarines.com and AUKUS for giving me this opportunity to highlight the AUKUS security partnership, and for all the efforts at RFK to pull this off.”

Since his full-time tenure in 2016, Waters has accumulated 11 wins, nearly 50 podium finishes, and 24 career pole positions. The Victoria native currently represents the Ford Performance camp as the driver of the No. 6 Ford Mustang GT for Tickford, and holds the record for the youngest driver to compete in the Bathurst 1000, an event in which he has secured three consecutive podium finishes in.

AUKUS enhances a long-standing alliance and helps fortify the peace and security of the Indo-Pacific region. The AUKUS partners are working together to deliver a sovereign conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability to Australia through a three-nation collaborative process involving training, production and technology integration. The first Australian submarines will be acquired through the sale of United States Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, followed by the construction of a new class of submarines in both the UK and Australia. This initiative not only improves global security, but also creates jobs in all three nations, paving the way for a more secure and prosperous future.

“The AUKUS agreement adds even more stability to the well-paying skilled trades careers available at more than 15,000 companies making up America’s Submarine Industrial Base,” said Kiley Wren, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at BlueForge Alliance, owner of BuildSubmarines.com.

“We’re privileged to team up with RFK Racing through #Stage60 to raise awareness of these opportunities and the remarkable purpose behind them. Having a stand-out Australian driver behind the wheel of the No. 60 ‘Car With a Mission’ in Sonoma further amplifies this cause, and we look forward to seeing Cam Waters do what he does best.”

#Stage60 initially debuted with David Ragan and BuildSubmarines.com at the 2024 Daytona 500, now returning for its second Cup Series event.

“Cam has certainly logged his share of miles the last couple of months flying back and forth from Australia, but he’s done a great job familiarizing himself with NASCAR and working with David Ragan in our simulator,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “It’s always exciting when we can have someone from another part of our global motorsports family compete in a different series and we feel this is a great opportunity for him to showcase his talent. We’re grateful to RFK for initiating this Stage 60 program and we’re looking forward to Sonoma.”

Race weekend from Sonoma kicks off with a full practice session on Friday, June 7 as the 12-turn road course recently underwent a full repave. Qualifying is set for Saturday afternoon, with the 110-lap race slated for Sunday afternoon (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 37th season in 2024, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

Erik Jones and the Erik Jones Foundation Continue Month of Giving, Fundraising and Education

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Charlotte, NC (May 14, 2024) – Erik Jones and the Erik Jones Foundation (EJF) continue their month of giving, fundraising and education with participation in the NASCAR Day Giveathon on May 14 and 15, and hosting the second annual EJF Clays for Causes Fundraiser on May 21.

On May 14 and 15, EJF will participate in the second annual NASCAR Day Giveathon, an online 37-hour event to raise money for various charities and give fans a fun way to support and interact with their favorite charities. Throughout the event, there will be donor matches and donor incentives available.

Fans wishing to donate to the Erik Jones Foundation during this year’s NASCAR Day Giveathon can visit the EJF Giveathon page.

“Giving to the Erik Jones Foundation during the NASCAR Day Giveathon is a great way to support our work,” said Brent Nickola, Executive Director of the Erik Jones Foundation. “Partnering with the NASCAR Foundation opens up thousands of dollars in matching gifts that our donors can leverage to support our work, and I hope some of our donors will take advantage of the opportunity. Last year, we received thousands of dollars from these funds.”

Continuing to bring awareness and raise funds for EJF, the Erik Jones Foundation will host Clays for Causes for the second year on Tuesday, May 21. This event brings together NASCAR personalities, partners and guests for a fun day of clay shooting and fellowship followed by an afternoon reception and online auction. Stating May 16 at 8:00 pm ET, fans can visit EJF’s Clay for Causes website to participate in the online auction.

The Foundation will conclude the month at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where EJF is partnering with Legacy M.C. sponsor Dollar Tree and Family Dollar and its supplier Edgewell Personal Care to hand out Banana Boat sunscreen samples and sun safety materials to fans enjoying the Memorial Day race weekend at the Coca-Cola 600.

“The month of May has really become a big part of EJF and our efforts,” said Erik Jones. “With the month being Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month, NASCAR Day and with our Clay for Causes event in the Charlotte area, it’s a great month for us to help educate fans about EJF and the great programs we have to help support our causes. Thank you to all the fans and partners who support us not just during the month of May, but all year long.”

To learn more about the Erik Jones Foundation, please visit www.erikjonesfoundation.org.

About the Erik Jones Foundation:

Established in 2021 by Byron, Michigan native and NASCAR driver, Erik Jones, the Erik Jones Foundation has three main pillars: igniting children’s passion for reading, encouraging early cancer detection and care, and promoting animal welfare. The three areas of focus all have a special meaning to Jones and have each played a role in his life.

For more on the Erik Jones Foundation, please visit www.erikjonesfoundation.org.

Charlotte Knights Baseball Club, Front Row Motorsports Hit All-Star Grand Slam

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Official Release
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Partners with Michael McDowell and No. 34 Team

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 14, 2024) – Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, will team up with Michael McDowell for the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

The partnership will showcase Knights branding on McDowell’s No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse as well as Truist and the Charlotte Knights Charities, the philanthropic base of the Knights. As part of the agreement, fans will also get the chance to meet McDowell at Truist Field, May 29 as part of the organization’s NASCAR Night.

“We are very pleased to partner with Front Row Motorsports and have our Charlotte Knights branding on Michael McDowell’s No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse at the NASCAR All Star Race in Wilkesboro, NC on Sunday, May 19th at 8:00 p.m.,” stated Dan Rajkowski, Charlotte Knights Chief Operating Officer. “In addition, NASCAR Night is a special night at the ballpark, and we can’t wait to welcome Michael to Truist Field to meet our fans on Wednesday, May 29. This is a great partnership.”

This will be McDowell’s third All-Star Race appearance; he has raced in the 2021 and 2022 versions of the event finishing 12th and 15th, respectively.

“I’m excited to have a local, hometown team, like the Charlotte Knights, on our Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the All-Star Race,” said McDowell. “NASCAR does a great job promoting this event and making it a fan-favorite. To have the chance to race for a million dollars with a winning organization loved by the fans, is awesome.”

The NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway will be on Sunday, May 19th at 8:00 p.m. ET on FS1.

For more information about the team, please visit www.charlotteknights.com.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

ABOUT CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS

The Charlotte Knights are the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and play at Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, NC. Since opening in 2014, the ballpark has been one of the most visited venues in all of Minor League Baseball. The 2024 season is in full swing and tickets for all Knights games this season are available at www.CharlotteKnights.com, in person at Truist Field Ticket Office or by calling 704-274-8282. Knights Baseball – Experience The View. The Game. The Fun.

Jimmie Johnson Joins NBC Sports Motorsports Coverage for Indianapolis 500; Four Races in 2024

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Official Release
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Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Johnson to Contribute to NBC Sports’ Live Coverage of 108th Indianapolis 500

On May 26, Will Become First Person Ever to Announce the Indy 500 and Drive in the Coca-Cola 600 Later That Night

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 14, 2024 – Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is joining NBC Sports’ motorsports coverage for four races in 2024. Johnson will contribute to pre-race and race coverage of NBC Sports’ presentation of the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 from iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) on May 26 on NBC and Peacock, bolstering NBC Sports’ robust presentation of the historic event. Previously, Johnson contributed to studio coverage at the 2021 iteration of the event.

He will also serve as an analyst on NBC Sports’ NASCAR coverage of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona Superspeedway on Aug. 24 and the YellaWood 500 from Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 6, one of three playoff races in the Round of 12. In addition, Johnson will contribute to NBC Sports’ coverage for select NASCAR races in which he is competing this year, including the NASCAR Cup Series Championship from Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 10.

“To have the opportunity to experience ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ once again is such an honor,” said Johnson. “I was part of the NBC broadcast team in 2021 and it just fueled the fire I needed to make my childhood dream of racing in the Indianapolis 500 one day a reality. Competing in this race as a driver was a chance of a lifetime, so to be able to experience the pageantry again is just so special. Even though I’ve never been able to do the ‘double’ as a driver, May 26th is going to be a very busy day. After the broadcast, I’ll fly to Charlotte Motor Speedway and drive in the Coca-Cola 600. I’m so thankful to NBC for the opportunity and continued partnership.”

“Any time you can add one of the greatest drivers of all time and an icon of the sport, you jump at the opportunity,” said Sam Flood, lead producer for NBC Sports’ motorsports coverage. “We are thrilled to be working with Jimmie and adding his unique perspective on every race he covers, as well as having him become the first person ever to do the ‘double’ – history awaits.”

Johnson is one of the most successful NASCAR drivers in the history of the sport. His seven Cup Series championships are tied for the most all time with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, and he is the only driver to ever win five consecutive championships (2006-2010). His 83 NASCAR Cup Series race wins are third-most in the modern era (1972-present) and, in 2009, he became the first and only NASCAR driver to ever be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. In 2022, Johnson turned his attention to open-wheel racing and competed in the NTT INDYCAR Series, including that year’s Indianapolis 500, where he was named the 2022 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.

More details about NBC Sports’ Indianapolis 500 broadcast team will be announced soon.

Peacock will again be the home of Indy 500 practice and qualifying providing more than 50 hours of coverage, with the first practice session starting earlier this morning exclusively on the platform.

The NBC broadcast network will air three hours of Indy 500 qualifying coverage on Sunday, May 19, at 3 p.m. ET to determine the starting grid for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Peacock will simulstream all qualifying coverage on NBC. In addition to practice and qualifying, exclusive coverage of Carb Day, the Indy 500 Parade, and Victory Celebration during race weekend will stream live on Peacock.

NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2024 NASCAR season begins Sunday, June 16, with the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at 7 p.m. ET on USA Network.

ABOUT

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice “Maury” J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The CLUB competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series fielding the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE of John Hunter Nemechek, the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE of Erik Jones, and the No. 84 limited schedule entry for Johnson. LEGACY M.C. also competes in the Extreme E Series. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty “The King” serves as Club Ambassador. With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

Ford Performance NASCAR – 2024 All-Star Race Advance

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NORTH WILKESBORO

Saturday, May 18 — NASCAR Craftsman Series, 1:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, May 19 — NASCAR Cup Series, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)

North Wilkesboro Speedway will be hosting NASCAR’s All-Star Weekend for the second straight year. The venerable track will see the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series compete on Saturday afternoon with the annual Cup Series All-Star event on Sunday evening.

KESELOWSKI DOES IT AGAIN

Brad Keselowski and Mustang will be forever linked in the NASCAR Cup Series, not once but twice. That’s because when Ford brought Mustang to the Cup Series in 2019, Keselowski was the first driver to win a points race when he took the checkered flag at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Folds of Honor 500 on Feb. 24. He did it again last Sunday at Darlington Raceway by driving the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse to Victory Lane for the first time. Overall, the Mustang brand has 53 wins in NASCAR’s top series with Keselowski posting nine.

CLIMBING THE FORD WIN LIST

Brad Keselowski’s victory at Darlington Raceway on Sunday was his first as a driver/owner at RFK Racing and the 36th of his NASCAR Cup Series career. Of those 36 wins, 27 have been with Ford, a figure that puts him seventh on the manufacturer’s all-time series win list, moving ahead of NASCAR Hall of Famers Junior Johnson and Fred Lorenzen.

ALL-TIME FORD CUP SERIES WIN LIST

Ned Jarrett, 43
Bill Elliott, 40
Mark Martin, 35
Dale Jarrett, 30
Joey Logano, 30
David Pearson, 29
Brad Keselowski, 27
Fred Lorenzen, 26
Junior Johnson, 26
Kevin Harvick, 25

FORD’S ALL-STAR LINEUP

There are five Ford drivers guaranteed a place in the All-Star field with additional spots available through the preliminary Open qualifying race and fan vote. Currently, defending series champion Ryan Blaney is joined by Team Penske teammate Joey Logano while the RFK duo of Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher are also included. Michael McDowell, based on his win in Indianapolis last season, rounds out the group.

BRAD KESELOWSKI ON ALL-STAR RACE AFTER DARLINGTON WIN: “It’s a one-week-at-a-time kind of sport. I can tell you that. I’m probably not going to think about the All-Star Race for another day or two, to be quite honest. I’m going to try and enjoy this, and I know the work that comes with it before and after. But it should be good. I like the concept. I like the fact Goodyear is willing to take chances, and they’ve done a great job.”

CHRIS BUESCHER: “You’re going from the absolute extreme of lack of grip to what’s ultimately gonna feel like infinite grip. I would say that you’re gonna be talking about exponentially more braking applied. You’re really gonna change up everything you do there. Speeds are obviously gonna be way, way faster. Throttle time is gonna be way more. You’re gonna turn it back into a horsepower war to some extent, and short track racing it’s not as big of a deal, but you’re gonna be wanting it. I hope that we have enough racetrack to be able to move around and be able to make passes.”

RYAN BLANEY: “It will definitely be a different race with just the new pavement. I didn’t get a test there. I know they had that tire test and I wasn’t a part of it, but it’s gonna be the complete opposite. Last year, you were in super tire conserve mode the whole run hoping it would pay off at the end of that run. This year, I still hope there are still some similarities as far as fall off and stuff like that because that’s what racetracks need and it’s hard to get that with a repave, but I’m curious about the option tire. Hopefully, it does something. I know we tried that in the All-Star Race at Charlotte a few years ago, but it didn’t seem like it had enough of a gap from the option to the primary tire, so we’ll see about this one.”

LOGANO AND KESELOWSKI FINISH 1-2

Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski made All-Star history as they became the first teammates to sweep the top two spots in the All-Star Race when they did it in 2016. Logano came out on top of a side-by-side battle with Kyle Larson in the final two laps, getting clear with just over one lap to go after Larson hit the outside wall coming off turn two. That enabled Keselowski to get the runner-up spot and successfully commemorate the 50th Anniversary of car owner Roger Penske’s career in motorsports. It marked Ford’s 11th All-Star Race win and first in five years since Carl Edwards won in 2011.

ELLIOTT WINS ALL-STAR RACE IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN FANS

The first time Ford won the All-Star Race was in 1986 when Bill Elliott drove his Thunderbird to Victory Lane, but that race is remembered for another trivial fact as well. That marked the first time the event had been run at a track other than Charlotte Motor Speedway. Elliott’s home track of Atlanta Motor Speedway served as host on Mother’s Day that year, a date NASCAR traditionally does not race. With only 10 cars making up the field, Elliott darted to the lead from his outside front row starting position and never gave it up as he led all 83 laps en route to a popular victory with the fans.

WALTRIP-WOOD FIRST-TIME WINNERS

Michael Waltrip’s win in 1996 marked his first victory in NASCAR’s top division and was the first in the event for Wood Brothers Racing. Waltrip almost didn’t get into the big show because he had to battle it out in the preliminary Winston Open, where he grabbed the final transfer spot by holding off Johnny Benson to finish fifth. That meant he started last in the 20-car main event, which was called the Winston Select. After the first two 30-lap segments had been completed, Waltrip found himself fourth for the final 10-lap shootout. He passed Rusty Wallace for third after an aborted restart, and then was riding behind Dale Earnhardt and Terry Labonte, who were battling side-by-side. As the two entered turn one with eight laps to go, they made contact which slowed them down enough to allow Waltrip to dart to the inside and pass both of them for the lead. He held on the rest of the way to post his first win of any kind in NASCAR’s top division.

RHODES CRACKS TOP 10

Defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes registered his first top-five finish of the season last weekend at Darlington Raceway with a third-place effort and that catapulted him up two spots in the standings to 10th. He joins Ty Majeski (4th) and Matt Crafton (8th) as Ford drivers currently in the top 10.

FORD F-150 AT NORTH WILKESBORO

Mike Bliss won the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 1995 when he led Ford to a sweep of the top three positions. Bliss started 13th and didn’t take the lead until passing Jack Sprague on lap 130 of the 150-lap event. He led the final 21 circuits to post the first of his 13 career series victories while Butch Miller finished second and Geoffrey Bodine third. Mark Martin followed that up in 1996 by leading the final 73 laps to post his first win in the series. That completed the NASCAR series trifecta of winning at least one race in the sport’s top three divisions for Martin, and completed an event that saw Ford have four of the top five finishers.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES

ALL-STAR RACE WINNERS

1986 – Bill Elliott (Atlanta)

1991 – Davey Allison (Charlotte)

1992 – Davey Allison (Charlotte)

1994 – Geoffrey Bodine (Charlotte)

1996 – Michael Waltrip (Charlotte)

1998 – Mark Martin (Charlotte)

2002 – Ryan Newman (Charlotte)

2004 – Matt Kenseth (Charlotte)

2005 – Mark Martin (Charlotte)

2011 – Carl Edwards (Charlotte)

2016 – Joey Logano (Charlotte)

2018 – Kevin Harvick (Charlotte)

2022 – Ryan Blaney (Texas)

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT NORTH WILKESBORO

1955 – Buck Baker (2)

1957 – Fireball Roberts (1)

1958 – Junior Johnson (Sweep)

1963 – Marvin Panch (2)

1964 – Fred Lorenzen and Marvin Panch

1965 – Junior Johnson (Sweep)

1966 – Dick Hutcherson (2)

1967 – Darel Dieringer (1)

1968 – David Pearson (1)

1969 – David Pearson (2)

1979 – Bobby Allison (1)

1980 – Bobby Allison (2)

1990 – Mark Martin (2)

1992 – Davey Allison and Geoffrey Bodine

1994 – Geoffrey Bodine (2)

1995 – Mark Martin (2)

FORD’S NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT NORTH WILKESBORO

1995 – Mike Bliss

1996 – Mark Martin

Window World of the Triad and CheckIt4Andretti Foundation Partner Again

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Will Partner with Thad Moffitt and Faction46 to Honor John Andretti Legacy

 SALISBURY, N.C. (May 14, 2024) — Window World begins the next chapter of their motorsport legacy with Thad Moffitt while honoring their trailblazer, John Andretti, this weekend at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver Thad Moffitt has partnered with Window World of the Triad to sponsor the Faction46 Chevrolet Silverado in the Wright Brand 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday afternoon.

Window World, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, has been involved in various motorsport endeavors since 2008 partnering with long time Petty driver, John Andretti, in both the Daytona 500 and multiple Indy 500’s. In addition to their Triad location sponsoring the 46 truck, they are also the presenting sponsor for the CARS Tour Race taking place Wednesday night, May 15th at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

“There’s a lot of similar values between the Petty and Andretti families to our family at Window World,” Michelle Kennelly, owner of Window World of the Triad, said. “They’re all so genuine and focused on giving back. It’s going to be a really special weekend together at North Wilkesboro.”

CheckIt4Andretti, a foundation built around preventative screening for colorectal cancer in memory of John Andretti, will also ride with Thad Moffitt on the 46 truck. Andretti made 197 starts for Petty Enterprises and many on the team considered him to be part of the Petty family.

Thad Moffitt is nearly halfway complete with his rookie season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Faction46. Coming off their best finish of the season after taking the checkered flag 18th at Darlington, Moffitt is excited to carry the legacy of Window World and John Andretti on some positive momentum.

“It’s always special when I can continue carrying partnerships that my family has had for so many years,” said Moffitt. “After Window World of the Triad agreed to come on board for North Wilkesboro it was almost a no-brainer to honor John’s legacy and everything CheckIt4Andretti is doing. I’m excited to carry both on the 46 this weekend.”

Tune in to watch the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, May 18th at 1:30pm. The race will be broadcasted on FS1, MRN, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90).

About Window World

Window World offers energy-efficient replacement windows, exterior doors, siding, and more for homeowners around the USA. With each product comes the promise of quality, professional, installation at a guaranteed low price. You can learn more about Window World and their mission at windowworldtriad.com.

About CheckIt4Andretti

The CheckIt4Andretti Charitable Foundation, Inc.’s mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of the importance of screenings in the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer, and by providing funding to high risk, low income patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or too young for insurance to cover the cost of screening. You can learn more at checkit4andretti.org.

About Faction46

Competing in their first season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Faction46 is focused on building speed and maintaining a family atmosphere with driver Thad Moffitt. The new Faction46 team can be found online at www.faction46.com and on social media on Twitter (@TeamFaction46), Instagram (@TeamFaction46), TikTok (@TeamFaction46), and on Facebook and YouTube.

Jak Crawford has Successful Formula E Test with Andretti

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Official Release
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|Driver: Jak Crawford|Team: Andretti Formula E|Car: Porsche 99X Electric|Car: Gen3|Keyword: Rookie||Photographer: Paddy McGrath|Event: Berlin ePrix Rookie Test|Circuit: Berlin-Tempelhof|Location: Berlin|Series: FIA Formula E|Season: 2023-2024|Country: Germany|Keyword: season 10|Keyword: season ten|Keyword: S10|Keyword: photography|Keyword: photos|Keyword: images|Keyword: motorsport|Keyword: single seater|Keyword: open wheel|Keyword: 2024|Keyword: Europe|Keyword: April|Keyword: Formula E Photography||Team: Andretti Formula E|Car: Porsche 99X Electric|Car: Gen3|

Second quickest time in first outing on board Porsche-powered FE machinery

Berlin (14 May 2024)- American Formula 1 aspirant Jak Crawford continued his intense schedule as he made his debut run in Formula E equipment with Andretti Global’s Formula E team on Monday as part of the FIA Formula E Rookie Test. The outing, which took place at Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport circuit, saw Crawford take to the 1.45-mile circuit for a full day of testing with the reigning Formula E World Champions Andretti FE.

Crawford, who is competing in his second full season of FIA Formula 2 with DAMS Lucas Oil Racing, made an immediate impact in his Formula E debut, posting the second fastest time of the 22 cars on hand. Despite running in warmer and less ideal conditions than the race weekend, Crawfords quickest time was just .2 of a second off of the pole time for Sunday’s race.

The trip to Berlin was the latest stop in a whirlwind of activity for Crawford, who spent the previous weekend at the Miami Grand Prix with Aston Martin in his role as a Reserve, Sim and Test Driver for the team. The Miami weekend saw Crawford busy with media, marketing and engineering duties as he made the most of the weekend on home soil.

The Berlin outing followed trips to Silverstone for Aston Martin F1 sim work as well as a visit to LeMans to work on the F2 sim for DAMS as he prepares for next weekend’s Imola race weekend, which will be followed closely by the traditional Monaco event the following weekend.

“Andretti had reached out in March and asked if I could do the Formula E test in Berlin,” said Crawford. “They said it was a good way to get introduced to the Andretti Global family. I was happy to join in especially with so many formula drivers for the Berlin test that I already know from other racing series. I can’t thank them enough and I was very impressed with the level of professionalism at Andretti. It is an honor to get to test with the World Championship team so I was really excited about the opportunity.”

While the constant travel has made for a dynamic schedule, Crawford is relishing every opportunity that develops along the way.

“My goal is F1 and am fully focused on my second season in F2,” said Crawford. “It has been busy between the Formula E test, the sim work with Aston Martin and DAMS, and everything we had going on at Miami. But all of these are important for me to keep building towards my goal, and I will have the chance to get behind the wheel of an F1 car soon.”

Crawford will return to FIA Formula 2 action this weekend as the series stages the fourth race weekend of the 2024 season with a visit to Imola.

66th Running of the Coca-Cola 600 Kicks Off Prime Video’s 2025 NASCAR Broadcast Schedule

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Official Release
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  • As part of the new broadcast rights deal with NASCAR, Prime Video will broadcast five NASCAR events in 2025, starting with the May 25 Coca-Cola 600
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be in the broadcast booth as NASCAR’s newest TV partner makes its debut with the iconic Memorial Day weekend event

CONCORD, N.C. (May 14, 2024) – NASCAR officials announced today that Amazon’s Prime Video, as part of the sport’s new television rights agreement for 2025, will kick off their race broadcasts with the Coca-Cola 600 over Memorial Day weekend.

The news comes after NASCAR announced its landmark television rights deal last year, with FOX Sports, NBC, Warner Bros. Discovery and Prime Video splitting programming across the 38-race season schedule. Earlier this month, one of the sport’s most influential personalities, Dale Earnhardt Jr., announced that he would be joining Prime Video to call the races. NASCAR’s 15-time Most Popular Driver retired from full-time racing in 2017 after 19 seasons behind the wheel and has since served as a motorsports analyst for NBC Sports.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Prime Video as they usher in a new era of sports content,” said Marcus Smith, President and CEO of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s parent company, Speedway Motorsports. “Having Dale Jr. in the booth to provide his veteran perspective will open the doors to a new streaming audience while providing avid race fans with tremendous insight and viewpoints that only he could.”

Next year’s Coca-Cola 600 will cap a three-day weekend of NASCAR action at America’s Home for Racing, including:

  • Friday, May 23, 2025: North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series)
  • Saturday, May 24, 2025: BetMGM 300 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)
  • Sunday, May 25, 2025: Coca-Cola 600 (NASCAR Cup Series)

Full competition and broadcast schedules for the weekend will be announced at a later date.

“Each year the Coca-Cola 600 is a signature date on the calendar for every motorsports fan,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter. “We are honored that Prime Video has chosen the Coca-Cola 600 as their launch into NASCAR broadcasting and look forward to saluting our U.S. Armed Forces alongside Dale Jr. and the new broadcast team in 2025.”

TICKETS:

Fans at this year’s May 26 Coca-Cola 600 can renew their tickets for 2025 on-site and be the first to lock in their seats for next year. Following the renewal period, tickets will go on sale to the general public.

KEEP TRACK:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

ABOUT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY:

For nearly 65 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has set the standard in motorsports entertainment for fans of all ages. Known as America’s Home for Racing, Charlotte Motor Speedway is the only race vacation destination where fans can immerse themselves in the heart of NASCAR country. Visitors can attend one-of-a-kind race spectacles including the Coca-Cola 600 and Bank of America ROVAL™ 400; take behind-the-scenes speedway and race shop tours; explore the NASCAR Hall of Fame and drive an 800-horsepower stock car. Through every event and every decade, Charlotte Motor Speedway puts FANS FIRST with a never-ending commitment to enhance the fan experience.

ABOUT PRIME VIDEO SPORTS:

Prime Video supports a growing lineup of live sports globally, including Thursday Night Football, NASCAR, the New York Yankees, Seattle Kraken, Overtime Elite, and Premier Boxing Champions in the United States; the NWSL, the WNBA, and ONE Championship in the United States and Canada; NHL in Canada; UEFA Champions League football in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy; Roland-Garros and Ligue 1 in France; New Zealand Cricket in India; as well as Copa do Brasil football and the NBA in Brazil. While availability varies by marketplace, fans can also subscribe to streaming services such as Sportsnet, Eurosport, FOX Sports (Mexico), Viaplay Sport, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NBA TV, DAZN (Germany and Spain), and Premiere FC (Brazil) through Prime Video Channels. This is in addition to a selection of Amazon Original sports documentaries including Kelce, Bye Bye Barry, Coach Prime, Giannis, and the Amazon Original All or Nothing franchise.

What To Do After a Hit-and-Run in Newark, New Jersey

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Photo by David von Diemar on Unsplash

Last month, an 18-year-old high school cheerleader was struck by a car in what became a tragic hit-and-run case. Hit-and-run accidents are cowardly actions and can be deeply distressing experiences, leaving victims unsure of what steps to take next. In Newark, New Jersey, where traffic is often dense and accidents unfortunately common, knowing how to respond to a hit-and-run incident is crucial. Here’s what you can do to ensure all proper steps are taken to hold the offender accountable. 

Make Sure Everyone is Safe

The first priority after a hit-and-run accident is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If there are any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 to report the accident and request assistance. While waiting for help to arrive, move to a safe location away from traffic if possible to prevent further harm.

Call the Police

Contacting the police is vital in hit-and-run cases. Notify them of the incident, providing as much detail as possible. This includes the location of the accident, a description of the fleeing vehicle (make, model, color, license plate if visible), and any other pertinent information such as the direction the vehicle was headed. The more information provided, the better chance law enforcement has of apprehending the responsible party.

Document, Document, Document

If it is safe to do so, gather evidence from the scene of the accident. Take photographs of the damage to your vehicle, as well as any other vehicles or property involved. Capture images of the surrounding area, including street signs, traffic signals, and landmarks, to provide context for the incident. Additionally, note any skid marks or debris that may help reconstruct the sequence of events.

Take Witness Accounts

Witnesses can play a crucial role in hit-and-run cases. If there are bystanders who witnessed the accident, ask for their contact information. Their testimony may corroborate your account of the events and help authorities identify the fleeing driver. Be sure to thank them for their assistance and encourage them to stay until the police arrive to provide a statement.

Inform Your Insurance

After ensuring the immediate safety of all involved parties and reporting the incident to the authorities, contact your insurance company to file a claim. Provide them with all the information you have gathered, including the police report number and any witness statements. Your insurance company will guide you through the claims process and assess the damage to your vehicle.

Seek Legal Counsel

Depending on the circumstances of the hit-and-run accident, you may want to seek legal advice from a Newark car accident lawyer. An experienced lawyer can advise you on your rights and help navigate any legal proceedings that may arise from the incident. They can also assist in pursuing compensation for damages or injuries sustained in the accident.

Keep Cool

Throughout the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident, it’s crucial to remain calm and cooperative. Avoid confronting the other party or making accusations, as this could escalate the situation and hinder efforts to resolve the matter peacefully. Instead, focus on cooperating with law enforcement and your insurance company to ensure a fair and just outcome.

Consequences of Fleeing the Scene

It’s important to understand the serious consequences of fleeing the scene of an accident. In addition to facing criminal charges, those responsible for hit-and-run incidents may also be held liable for any damages or injuries caused. By staying at the scene and cooperating with authorities, you demonstrate a commitment to accountability and justice.

Hit-and-Runs Are Cowardly Actions

Hit-and-run accidents can be chaotic and overwhelming experiences due to the cowardly nature of the driver, but knowing how to respond can make a significant difference in the outcome. By following the steps we’ve outlined, individuals involved in hit-and-run incidents in Newark, New Jersey, can ensure the safety of all parties involved, facilitate a thorough investigation, and work towards a resolution with the assistance of law enforcement and insurance professionals. Remember, staying calm, gathering evidence, and seeking appropriate legal guidance are key to navigating the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident effectively.

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