Home Blog Page 1019

Yamaha Announces New YZ250FX & WR250F

By
Official Release
-

Along with Additional Updates to Off-Road Lineup

MARIETTA, Ga., July 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is introducing its new lineup of 2025 off-road motorcycles with thrilling options for enthusiasts ranging from young beginning riders to seasoned professionals. The spotlight for 2025 falls on the exciting and ultra-capable new YZ250FX and WR250F. Based closely on Yamaha’s class-dominating YZ250F motocrosser, the new YZ250FX and WR250F are both designed to be slim, light and agile off-road weapons, ready for competition straight out of the box. The YZ250FX includes specific suspension and engine tuning suited to the extreme conditions of cross country racing, while the WR250F is prepped for enduro with unique engine and suspension tuning, an H4 headlight, LED taillight, shortened muffler with spark arrestor and other specific enduro features.

New 2025 Yamaha YZ250FX

Fresh off claiming last year’s XC2 GNCC title, the new 2025 YZ250FX features an extensive list of enhancements designed to further boost its class-leading performance and capability. With a revamped chassis, updated suspension tune, and reconsidered ergonomics, the new FX is lighter, sharper and more agile, with a better handling feel. Perfect for carving up tight cross country courses.

Updates to the 2025 model begin with a completely redesigned aluminum bilateral beam frame. Based on the competition-proven YZ250F, the new frame provides just the right amount of strength and flex for the perfect balance of stability and cornering performance. The redesign also includes model-specific engine mounts and lightweight subframe. The result is a better handling machine with lightweight feel and increased front wheel traction, allowing the rider to enter corners with greater confidence and more line choices.

Complementing the revised frame, the YZ250FX’s class-leading, fully adjustable KYB® suspension is 10mm shorter and includes updated settings to deliver exceptional balance between handling and bump absorption, along with less pitch on corner entry/exit. The revised frame and suspension settings also result in a lower center of gravity for improved maneuverability in tight, technical terrain and an easier reach to the ground. Additionally, the front fork now includes a new hand-adjustable knob for easy, toolless compression adjustments.

Ergonomics are also enhanced, with a slimmer, flatter, more compact body lending a razor-thin feel and effortless body movement when shifting weight forward and back. The rider triangle is more generous as well with more space between the seat and foot pegs.

Other notable changes for 2025 include a completely redesigned intake system along with optimized ECU settings for better control on the low-end and even more mid- to high-end power. The new FX also receives the next generation of Yamaha’s industry leading Power Tuner App, now even simpler to use with a quick-adjust slide bar for easy engine tuning, and more functionality including new four-level Traction Control. Best of all, it’s still free-of-charge.

2025 YZ250FX Features & Benefits

  • The new YZ250FX is lighter, sharper and more agile than ever, the perfect weapon for dominating cross country competition
  • Completely redesigned aluminum bilateral beam frame based on the renowned YZ250F motocrosser provides the perfect balance of straight-line stability and agile cornering performance
  • Revised, fully adjustable KYB® coil spring-type fork with speed-sensitive damping now includes hand-adjustable knob for toolless compression adjustment
  • Linkage-type rear suspension features a fully adjustable KYB® shock with revised settings for enhanced performance
  • Lower center of gravity for enhanced maneuverability and easier reach to the ground in tight, tricky conditions
  • A flatter, more narrow body design eases rider movement and updated ergonomics offer increased legroom and more comfort
  • Advanced 250cc four-stroke engine features a high-spec piston, aggressive cam profiles and forward positioned intake cylinder head layout for a broad, useable powerband
  • More efficient down-draft intake path further boosts mid- to high-rpm engine performance
  • Innovative wrap-around exhaust design improves mass centralization and power characteristics
  • Ultra-compact 44mm Mikuni® throttle body ensures optimum fuel atomization while saving weight and improving mass-centralization
  • Revised Yamaha Power Tuner App is even more user-friendly with intuitive new “Simple Tuning” slide bar, helpful new engine and suspension tuning guides, and additional new features
  • New four-level selectable Traction Control System controlled through the Power Tuner App maintains ideal rear wheel traction
  • Two-mode adjustable engine mapping allows on-the-fly selection between two maps via new handlebar-mounted push-button switchgear
  • Wide-ratio six-speed transmission
  • Large 270mm front brake disc and 240mm rear disc are coupled with a Nissin caliper to provide exceptional stopping power and control
  • Durable, large-diameter 15-plate cable actuated clutch withstands the high demands of cross country racing
  • Lightweight, tapered 1-1/8-inch aluminum handlebars secure to four-position adjustable handlebar mounts
  • Wide 55mm foot pegs
  • Compact, lightweight push-button electric start provides quick and effortless restarts
  • Larger 2.1-gallon fuel capacity (compared to YZ250F) with low-fuel indicator
  • Advanced computer-aided wheel design shaves weight without sacrificing durability
  • Three-cross-spoke pattern 18-inch rear wheel for improved impact absorption and rider feel
  • Race-developed Dunlop® Geomax MX33 tires
  • Wired for accessory radiator fan
  • Sealed O-ring chain
  • Aluminum side stand
  • Composite engine guard
  • Premium embedded graphics provide excellent durability and scratch resistance

The new 2025 YZ250FX is offered in Team Yamaha Blue and will be available from dealers this October for $9,099 MSRP.

New 2025 Yamaha WR250F

Aimed at setting a new benchmark for 250cc enduro performance, the new 2025 WR250F is lighter and slimmer with a lower center of gravity, quicker handling through tight turns, and more confidence inspiring with a host of significant enhancements. The end result is an enduro weapon that’s easy to ride fast, extremely capable in technical situations and more versatile than ever.

Updates for 2025 are also based on the YZ250F motocrosser, starting with a new bilateral beam frame with precisely tuned flex characteristics and unique engine mounts to ensure excellent stability, turning and bump absorption.

The WR250F’s class-leading suspension has been revised and lowered 10mm, contributing to the lower center of gravity for a planted feel and increased ability in tight turns. Fully adjustable KYB® fork with speed-sensitive damping delivers championship-winning performance, and now includes a hand-adjustable knob for easy compression adjustments. Linkage-type rear suspension features a KYB® shock with settings optimized to provide less pitch on corner entry/exit for improved stability.

The seat is now flatter, slimmer, with a more rounded profile, radiator shrouds are two inches narrower, and the fuel tank is slimmer. The new riding position provides more legroom between the seat and pegs, while the bars are moved forward. Altogether, ergonomic enhancements allow for better movement front to rear, easier leg extension, improved seating to standing transitions and a greater feeling of control.

The 2025 WR250F uses the same revolutionary front-intake, rear-exhaust, liquid-cooled, four-stroke power plant as the YZ250F, but tuned for enduro conditions along with an added wide-ratio six-speed transmission for versatility. A new intake design draws air from under the side covers and seat allowing for a more compact body. The more efficient path also boosts mid- to high-rpm engine performance. There is also new four-level Traction Control tuning, lap timer and helpful tuning guides enabled through Yamaha’s groundbreaking next-generation Power Tuner App.

2025 WR250F Features & Benefits

  • Lighter, slimmer and sharper with a lower center of gravity, the new 2025 WR250F is built for attacking tight enduro courses
  • Completely redesigned aluminum bilateral beam frame based on the YZ250F motocrosser provides the perfect balance of straight-line stability and agile cornering performance
  • Revised, fully adjustable KYB® coil spring-type fork with speed-sensitive damping now includes hand-adjustable knob for toolless compression adjustment
  • Linkage-type rear suspension features a fully adjustable KYB® shock with revised settings for enhanced performance
  • Lower center of gravity for enhanced maneuverability and easier reach to the ground in tight, tricky conditions
  • A flatter, more narrow body design eases rider movement and updated ergonomics offer increased legroom and more comfort
  • Advanced 250cc four-stroke engine features a high-spec piston, aggressive cam profiles and forward positioned intake cylinder head layout for a broad, useable powerband
  • More efficient intake path further boosts mid- to high-rpm engine performance
  • Innovative wrap-around exhaust design improves mass centralization and power characteristics
  • Ultra-compact 44mm Mikuni® throttle body ensures optimum fuel atomization while saving weight and improving mass-centralization
  • Revised Yamaha Power Tuner App is even more user-friendly with helpful new tuning guides, and additional new features
  • New four-level selectable Traction Control System controlled through the Power Tuner App maintains ideal rear wheel traction
  • Wide-ratio six-speed transmission
  • Large 270mm front brake disc and 240mm rear disc are coupled with a Nissin caliper to provide exceptional stopping power and control
  • Durable, large-diameter 15-plate cable actuated clutch withstands the high demands of enduro racing
  • Lightweight, tapered 1-1/8-inch aluminum handlebars secure to four-position adjustable handlebar mounts
  • Wide 55mm foot pegs
  • Compact, lightweight push-button electric start provides quick and effortless restarts
  • Larger 2.0-gallon fuel capacity (compared to YZ250F) with low-fuel indicator
  • Advanced computer-aided wheel design shaves weight without sacrificing durability
  • Rear wheel comes laced in a three-cross-spoke pattern for improved impact absorption and rider feel
  • Race-developed Dunlop® Geomax MX33 tires
  • Radiator fan
  • Sealed O-ring chain
  • Aluminum side stand
  • Composite engine guard
  • Premium embedded graphics provide excellent durability and scratch resistance
  • Enduro-specific features including unique engine and suspension tuning, an H4 headlight, LED taillight, shortened, quieter muffler with spark arrestor

The new 2025 WR250F is offered in Team Yamaha Blue and will be available from dealers this October for $9,099 MSRP.

Updated 2025 YZ250F

Recognized as the premier motorcycle in the ultra-competitive four-stroke 250cc class and the current points leader in the 250cc Pro Motocross Championship series, Yamaha’s renowned YZ250F returns for 2025 with a handful of key updates for enhanced performance, comfort and convenience. New features include:

  • Revised suspension includes updated rear linkage, new settings front and rear, along with a lighter spring rate on rear shock and new delta-shaped piston shims in the fork for enhanced stability, traction and a more planted front-end feel
  • New handlebar switchbox incorporates an updated ribbed design for more practicality and a better look
  • New throttle tube increases the spacing between the throttle grip and throttle housing assembly
  • New foot peg bracket design is lighter with a revised shape to enhance rider ergonomics

The new 2025 YZ250F is offered in Team Yamaha Blue and will be available from dealers this August for $8,899 MSRP.

Updated 2025 YZ450F

The new 2025 YZ450F continues to be the most complete, well-balanced and capable bike in the 450 class. Yamaha’s flagship open-class YZ returns with a handful of key updates for enhanced performance, comfort and convenience. New features include:

  • Revised suspension includes updated rear linkage, new settings front and rear, along with a lighter spring rate on rear shock and new delta-shaped piston shims in the fork for enhanced stability, traction and a more planted front-end feel
  • Revised engine mounts complement suspension updates, improving chassis compliance and enhancing stability
  • New clutch design increases lubrication and enhances cooling efficiency
  • New handlebar switchbox incorporates an updated ribbed design for easier operation and a better look
  • New throttle tube increases the spacing between the throttle grip and throttle housing assembly
  • New foot peg bracket design is lighter with a revised shape to enhance rider ergonomics
  • The new 2025 YZ450F is offered in Team Yamaha Blue and will be available from dealers this August for $9,999 MSRP.

New 2025 Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Edition YZ125, YZ250, YZ250F & YZ450F

Yamaha brings the look of a full factory ride back for 2025 with the return of the popular Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Edition YZ125, Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Edition YZ250, Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Edition YZ250F and Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Edition YZ450F. With a sharp, new race-inspired color and graphics package, riders can stand out from the crowd with the livery of Yamaha’s championship-winning Supercross and Motocross teams.

The new 2025 Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Edition YZ125 will be available from dealers this October for $7,299; the new 2025 Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Edition YZ250 will be available from dealers this November for $8,199; the new 2025 Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Edition YZ250F will be available from dealers this September for $9,099; and the new 2025 Monster Energy® Yamaha Racing Edition YZ450F will be available from dealers this September for $10,199.

Returning 2025 Yamaha YZ Motocross & Cross Country Lineup

The remainder of Yamaha’s 2025 Motocross and Cross Country lineup are available in Team Yamaha Blue with a new YZ graphics package. In addition, the 2025 YZ125, YZ250, YZ125X and YZ250X two-strokes also receive new toolless fork clickers for quick, easy suspension adjustments, an updated radiator shape and a new handlebar pad. The 2025 YZ450FX and WR450F Cross Country models return with a new single-layer seat skin.

The 2025 YZ65 will be available from dealers this month for $4,499;the 2025 YZ85 will be available from dealers this month for $4,999; the 2025 YZ85LW will be available from dealers this month for $5,199; the 2025 YZ125 will be available from dealers this August for $7,099; the 2025 YZ250 will be available from dealers this October for $7,999; the 2025 YZ125X will be available from dealers this September for $7,199; the 2025 YZ250X will be available from dealers this September for $8,099; the 2025 YZ450FX will be available from dealers this month for $10,199; and the 2025 WR450F will be available from dealers this August for $10,199.

2025 Yamaha Trail Lineup

Yamaha’s capable and fun lineup of rider-friendly Trail models return for 2025 in Team Yamaha Blue with a new YZ-inspired graphics package. The 2025 PW50 will be available from dealers this month for $1,849; the 2025 TT-R50E will be available from dealers this August for $1,899; the 2025 TT-R110E will be available from dealers this August for $2,449; the 2025 TT-R125LE will be available from dealers this August for $3,599; and the 2025 TT-R230 will be available from dealers this month for $4,699.

2025 Yamaha Dual Sport Lineup

Yamaha’s world-renowned duo of rock-solid reliable, do-it-all Dual Sport models return unchanged for 2025. The 2025 TW200 is offered in Gallant Gray and will be available from dealers this month for $4,999; and the 2025 XT250 is offered in Radical Gray and will be available from dealers this month for $5,499.

Yamaha bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program

All 2025 YZ models are eligible for Yamaha’s current bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program, which features nearly $7 million for Yamaha bLU cRU riders competing in off-road motorcycle racing. YZ riders can earn contingency payouts via a bLU cRU debit card, receive a 10% rebate on GYTR parts and accessory purchases of up to $1,000, and receive a bLU cRU swag bag.

For complete details on how to register for the bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Contingency Program, along with specific information on which racing series, events, and classes are included, visit the Off-Road Racing Contingency page on the Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, website at: https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/blucru-registration.

Learn more about Yamaha’s complete Motocross, Cross-Country, Trail and Dual Sport lineups, as well as other Yamaha products at: www.yamahamotorsports.com.

Find a range of Genuine Yamaha Accessories, apparel and more at: www.yamaha-motor.com/shop.

For more information related to all Yamaha products, visit: www.yamahamotorsports.com.

Follow Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, through your favorite social media site:

#Yamaha #YamahaMotor #YamahaMotorUSA

www.facebook.com/yamahamotorusa
www.instagram.com/yamahamotorusa
www.twitter.com/yamahamotorusa

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars (sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company), Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing USA (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats (Texas) with its division G3 Boats (Missouri). Additional US-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine (Rhode Island) and divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders (Wisconsin) and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. (Indiana).

Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview 07.10.24

By
Official Release
-

This Week in Motorsports: July 8 – 14, 2024

· NCS/NXS/NCTS: Pocono Raceway – July 12-14

PLANO, Texas (July 10, 2024) – NASCAR returns to the “Tricky Triangle” at Pocono Raceway with all three national series in action with just two race weekends before the Olympic break.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS | NCTS

Reddick lead Camry XSE in Cup Series points … Following his second-place finish in Chicago, Tyler Reddick is now the top Toyota Camry XSE in the Cup Series points, sitting in third position just 23 behind the points lead, while also currently in fifth in the Playoff points standings. Joining him inside the series points top-10 are Denny Hamlin (fourth), Martin Truex Jr. (fifth), Christopher Bell (eighth) and Ty Gibbs (ninth). Bell also continues to lead the Playoff standings heading to Pocono.

Hamlin seeks Pocono repeat … Pocono Raceway is one of Hamlin’s most successful tracks, where he holds seven career victories, a track record, including in last year’s exciting race – which he earned Toyota’s 600th NASCAR victory. A repeat victory at Pocono for the driver of the No. 11 Camry XSE would be his fourth triumph of 2024 as he looks to climb the series and Playoffs points standings. Toyota also goes for four wins in the last six races at Pocono.

Reddick top-10 streak continues … The runner-up finish for Reddick on Sunday in Chicago also extended his top-10 finishing streak to three, as well as six of the last seven races. Overall, he leads the Cup Series with 13 top-10 finishes – two more than any other driver. The California native comes to the weekend with three consecutive top-10s at Pocono too, including runner-up finishes in the last two outings at the Pennsylvania track.

Toyota drivers doing double duty at Pocono … Running both the Xfinity and Truck Series races at Pocono this weekend will be Corey Heim and Taylor Gray. Heim will pilot his full-time No. 11 Tundra TRD Pro Friday evening with TRICON Garage, followed by making his ninth Xfinity Series start this season on Saturday with Sam Hunt Racing in the No. 26 GR Supra, to which he has two consecutive top-10 finishes coming into the weekend. Gray, Heim’s Truck Series teammate, will run the No. 17 Tundra TRD Pro on Friday and the No. 19 GR Supra on Saturday for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Both seek their first career Xfinity Series wins.

Ryan Truex back in GR Supra … Also returning to the Xfinity Series is Ryan Truex, who will run the No. 20 GR Supra for JGR. Truex is making his first start since Portland and looks for his second victory this season after his Dover triumph in the spring. The No. 20 team also seeks their sixth win of the season, most recently triumphant at Nashville with John Hunter Nemechek.

Three Tundra TRD Pros in Playoffs … Heading to Pocono this weekend, three Tundra TRD Pro and TRICON Garage drivers find themselves inside the Truck Playoffs in Heim (second), Taylor Gray (seventh) and Tanner Gray (10th). With his four wins on the season, Heim also finds himself in first in the Playoff points standings. Their Toyota teammate, Stewart Friesen, sits right outside the Playoffs in 12th place, just 17 points behind 10th with six races remaining in the regular season.

Wright back in the No. 1 … Wexford, Pennsylvania, native, Kris Wright, is back with Team Toyota and TRICON Garage this weekend at his home track of Pocono piloting the No. 1 Tundra TRD Pro. Wright has made 46 career starts in the Truck Series, his most recent at Texas earlier this season, which was also in the No. 1. Friday will be Wright’s third career Trucks start at Pocono Raceway, his first since 2022.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 28 electrified options.

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Overstock.com Racing: Josh Berry Pocono Advance

By
Official Release
-

JOSH BERRY
Pocono Advance
No. 4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VisitPA.com (Round 21 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 14
● Location: Pocono (Pa.) Raceway
● Layout: 2.5-mile triangle
● Laps/Miles: 160 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 30 laps / Stage 2: 65 laps / Final Stage: 65 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Deep in the backwoods of Long Pond, Pennsylvania lays the three-cornered Pocono Raceway, known as “The Tricky Triangle” for its three unique corners. Josh Berry, the NASCAR Cup Series rookie points leader, will pull double duty at Pocono this weekend, competing in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race for AM Racing and Sunday’s premier event in the No. 4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing. Sunday’s race mark’s Berry’s first in the Cup Series at Pocono, but the 33-year-old driver is all too familiar with finding speed in the Pocono Mountains in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, having claimed a pole position and a race-high 51 laps led in July 2023, a third-place finish in July 2022, and another top-10 in 2021. Last year, Berry won the opening two stages before being involved in an on-track incident on the final lap of the race that relegated him to a 24th-place finish. Berry also turned laps behind the wheel of a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry at Pocono in 2021, when he started 20th and finished 11th, coming up just short of what would have been his second top-10 that season.

● It was announced last Wednesday that Berry will drive the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Wood Brothers Racing starting in 2025, taking over for Harrison Burton.

● Berry’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year points lead is by a 31-point margin ahead of second-place Carson Hocevar. With just six races left in the regular season, Berry is ranked 21st in the overall Cups Series standings, 64 markers behind the 16th-place playoff cutline.

● Rodney Childers, crew chief for the No. 4 team, has 34 starts as a shot-caller in NASCAR’s premier series at Pocono. In those races, Childers’ drivers have recorded one pole position (Kevin Harvick in July 2019), one win (Harvick in June 2020), 12 top-five finishes, 16 top-10s, an average starting position of 14.1 and an average finishing position of 13.9. More importantly is Childers’ model of consistency, with only one Pocono DNF.

● Overstock.com adorns Berry’s No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse at Pocono. The partnership amplifies the recent relaunch of Overstock.com, home of crazy good deals that offer quality and style for less. Overstock.com is for the savvy shopper who loves the thrill of the hunt and it includes product categories customers know and love, like patio furniture, home furniture and area rugs, while reintroducing jewelry, watches and health-and-beauty products.

Josh Berry, Driver of the No. 4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Pocono Raceway is known as “The Tricky Triangle,” having three distinct corners with very different requirements for speed. Which is the most challenging and why?

“I think turn three is the most difficult because it is the last corner before the long straightaway, and getting your car turned well enough to have good drive off and carry speed down the straight is important. If there was any corner to pick to have your car set up for, it would be that one for me. But they are all different and that’s what makes that place so hard. You can’t give away too much in other corners or you will be so far back that any advantage you gain in the final turn wouldn’t outweigh the loss in the other two corners.”

In the Xfinity Series, you have shown a lot of pace and nearly won the race last year. What does it take to put a complete race together at Pocono?

“Track position is a premium at Pocono. Being able to be up front and stay up front is a priority there. which sounds cliché, but it’s true. I have had fast cars there and being able to be up front and have a good strategy that keeps your car up front keeps it in clean air and, for the most part, keeps you out of any risks that can end your day early.”

You are pulling double duty this weekend, running both the Xfinity and Cup Series races. How much does that benefit you for Sunday’s race?

“Anytime you can get behind the wheel and cut laps in a race setting is going to be helpful. Simulators can only go so far, so to be able to get track time and see how the surface evolves, what I need out of the car, and how to run lines that I think can work or develop is going to give me an advantage in how quickly I can adapt to the Cup Series car. I am excited to get to run in the Xfinity race, too, because after how last year ended for me, I am ready to try and get some redemption and go try to win.”

Now that you know you’ll be racing for the Wood Brothers next year, does that lift some of the pressure off your shoulders and let you go race without that weighing on you?

“Yeah, I think in the back of my mind, I can just go race now. My whole career has been a series of tryouts and having the ability to go out there this weekend and know that I am secure for the foreseeable future gives me a sense of freedom to just go race and have fun. Obviously, the whole No. 4 team still wants to win, and we are committed to doing that, but having my deal signed just gives me the chance to really go focus on doing my best each weekend and not having to deal with the distractions that come with trying to get a ride for next year.”

No. 4 Overstock.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Josh Berry

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith

Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Dax Gerringer

Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Billy Kuebler

Hometown: Saline, Michigan

Spotter: Eddie D’Hondt

Hometown: Levittown, New York

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Mason Flynt

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Jack Man: Brandon Banks

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal

Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Tyler Trosper

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Mechanic: Chris Capaldi

Hometown: Armada, Michigan

Tire Specialist: Zac Lupien

Hometown: Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Jake Zierhoffer

Hometown: Billerica, Massachusetts

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell

Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

Kaulig Racing Weekly Preview | Pocono Raceway

By
Official Release
-

Race Notes

Pocono Raceway
The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VisitPA.com
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, July 14 at 2:30PM EDT
USA | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing has made four starts at Pocono Raceway and earned a best finish of 17th place.
  • So far in the 2024 NCS season, Kaulig Racing has earned six top 10s, 17 top 20s and led 49 laps.

AJ ALLMENDINGER

“Pocono is a racetrack I have always found unique. When the setup is right, it can be a lot of fun. We’ve had good speed in both our Cup and Xfinity cars in the past so I think it’s a weekend that can be good for us. We need a good weekend so hopefully we can build some momentum.” – AJ Allmendinger on Pocono Raceway

No. 16 Cirkul Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger has made 23 NCS starts at Pocono Raceway. Allmendinger has earned two top-10 finishes and led five laps.
  • So far in the 2024 NCS season, Allmendinger has made eight starts and earned three top-10 finishes and led 13 laps.

DANIEL HEMRIC

“Pocono can be rewarding with good fuel strategies and good straightaway speed. The key is getting off turn three and ride quality over the bumps in track. I feel like we are better on this aero-package than the short-track package, so hopefully we can keep the momentum going that we’ve had the last couple weeks.” – Daniel Hemric on Pocono Raceway

No. 31 Poppy Bank Camaro ZL1

  • Daniel Hemric has made two NCS starts at Pocono Raceway, earning a best finish of seventh.
  • Hemric has led three laps at Pocono Raceway.
  • So far in the 2024 NCS season, Hemric has earned three top 10s, nine top-20 finishes and has led 14 laps.
  • This weekend, Hemric’s No. 31 Camaro ZL1 will feature Poppy Bank’s premier online savings account.
  • Poppy Bank’s premier online savings account starts with a 5.50% Annual Percentage Yield (currently the highest in the nation) and is available online to any qualifying individual in the United States (terms and conditions apply). For more information, visit Poppy Bank‘s website.

Race Details

Pocono Raceway
Explore The Pocono Mountains 225
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Saturday, July 13 at 3:00PM EDT
USA | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing has made 16 starts at Pocono Raceway in the NXS. The team has led 36 laps and earned four top five and 10 top-10 finishes there.
  • Across 16 starts at Pocono, Kaulig Racing has qualified in the top five six times.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season, Kaulig Racing has earned three wins, seven top fives, 17 top-10 finishes and led 125 laps.

DANIEL DYE

“Super excited to race at Pocono again this weekend. It will be my third different vehicle that I’ve driven at this racetrack, so it’ll be fun to try and use what I’ve learned in the other cars to help me on Saturday. Really happy to have Champion Container back on board with us this weekend, and hopefully we can put our red and yellow Kaulig Racing Camaro up front for everyone that is coming out to support us.” – Daniel Dye on Pocono Raceway

No. 10 Champion Container Chevrolet Camaro

  • Daniel Dye is coming off a 10th-place finish at Iowa Speedway on June 15, his best finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
  • Dye is set to make his third career start at Pocono Raceway. His previous attempts include the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2023 and the ARCA Menards Series in 2022.
  • Champion Container will serve as the primary partner on the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro for the second time this season. It was previously showcased at the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

JOSH WILLIAMS

“My early years going to Pocono, we had some great success there. It hasn’t been that way recently, but I think we’ve got the capability to turn in a good top-10 finish there.” – Josh Williams on Pocono Raceway

No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet Camaro

  • Josh Williams has made seven starts in the NXS at Pocono Raceway. His best finish there (15th) came in 2019.
  • Prior to running full time in the NXS, Williams made nine starts at Pocono in the ARCA Menards Series (AMS). He achieved one top five and five top-10 finishes in the AMS at Pocono.
  • Williams sits 18th in the NXS points standings with three top 10s and 14 laps led.

AJ ALLMENDINGER

 ”Pocono is a racetrack I have always found unique. When the setup is right, it can be a lot of fun. We’ve had good speed in both our Cup and Xfinity cars in the past so I think it’s a weekend that can be good for us. We need a good weekend so hopefully we can build some momentum.” – AJ Allmendinger on Pocono Raceway

No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet Camaro

AJ Allmendinger has made two NXS starts at Pocono Raceway, earning two top-five finishes and an average finish of 4.5.
So far in the 2024 NXS season, Allmendinger has earned three top five and eight top-10 finishes and has led 32 laps. Allmendinger currently sits seventh in NXS driver standings.

SHANE van GISBERGEN

“Crazy weekend in Chicago! It was great to put my WeatherTech Chevy in victory lane again. It’s so awesome to get another win in a city [Chicago] that is so special to me and to win my third race of the season is really cool. Excited to have WeatherTech back on board with us this weekend at Pocono [Raceway], another track I haven’t been to before, so should be fun! Looking forward to another great Saturday afternoon with my No. 97 Kaulig Racing team.” – Shane van Gisbergen on Pocono Raceway

No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro

  • Shane van Gisbergen captured his third win of the season at the Chicago Street Race and his second overall victory on the street course in Downtown Chicago, his first coming in the 2023 NCS race there. Van Gisbergen heads to Pocono Raceway for the first time this weekend to race at the Tricky Triangle in Long Pond, Pa.
  • Last weekend in Chicago, Van Gisbergen secured his second pole award of the season to start the 50-lap event. Van Gisbergen captured the stage one win on Saturday and led 14 laps before taking the lead with two laps remaining, earning his third NXS victory of the season.
  • Van Gisbergen has led a total of 79 laps in his first career season in the NXS.
  • The three-time Supercars Champion and his No. 97 Chevrolet will carry the white-and-red WeatherTech livery this weekend in Pocono. For decades, WeatherTech has delivered on its promise of quality and craftsmanship through a commitment to American-made auto, home and pet products. More information can be found at weathertech.com.
  • Van Gisbergen and his No. 97 Kaulig Racing team lead the NXS in wins this season (three) and currently sits 11th in driver standings heading into the weekend.

About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 23 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries, with a part-time fourth entry at select events. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Thad Moffitt Ready for Pocono with Debut of New Partner

By
Official Release
-

Thad Moffitt Ready for Pocono with Debut of New Partner

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 10, 2024) — Thad Moffitt will be back on track this weekend with Young’s Motorsports in the familiar No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado at the Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.

Debuting for the first time this season as a primary partner with Moffitt will be Pennsylvania-based Joe Jurgielewicz and Son, Ltd. (JJS), America’s Tastiest Duck. JJS is one of the largest providers of Pekin duck to the restaurant industry across the nation and in select international markets.

Leading chefs prefer JJS’ duck for its perfectly balanced meat-to-fat ratio, providing the signature succulent flavor of the famous JJS Tasty Duck. The family also offers its farm-fresh duck to home cooks of all levels shipped directly through TastyDuck.com.

Moffit, who is moving over to Young’s Motorsports with his partners beginning this weekend, is proud to support an American brand with local roots.

“It’s amazing to think what Joe Jurgielewicz and Son has done with their brand,” said Moffitt.

“From their farm in Pennsylvania, they are serving their ducks in restaurants from Asia, Mexico and right here in the United States. Once we partnered with them this season, we knew they were determined to tell their story to NASCAR fans. That is what we have been doing, and we will now do it in a big way.

“This is why I am proud to be carrying their brand this weekend at Pocono with Young’s Motorsports. This is their home state, and we want to show them a fun time.”

Fans can learn about the family history, delicious recipes and the latest news by visiting tastyduck.com. They are eager to share their story with fans of the sport.

“This partnership is all about two family businesses working together to educate fans about our company and duck,” said Joey Jurgielewicz III, Director of Business Development, Joe Jurgielewicz and Son, Ltd.

“We are America’s tastiest duck and duck has a lot of health benefits. We want to support Thad on the track because he and the Petty family are doing an impressive job of bringing awareness to us. We wish him luck on Friday and hope to see more fans visit us online.”

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

You can follow Moffitt online at thadmoffitt.com and on social media on X (@thadmoffitt), Instagram (@thadmoffitt46), and on Facebook (facebook.com/thadmoffittracing).

JR Motorsports — NXS Pocono Preview

By
Official Release
-

TRACK – Pocono Raceway (2.5 mile track)
NXS RACE – Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 (90 laps / 225 miles)
TUNE IN – USA, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 3:00 p.m. (ET)

Sam Mayer

No. 1 RTIC Outdoors Chevrolet

Mayer 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 18

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 9

Laps Led: 118

Avg. Finish: 16.0

Points: 10th

  • Sam Mayer heads up north to Long Pond, Penn. for his fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Pocono Raceway.
  • The 21-year-old driver has tallied one top-five and two top-10 efforts at the Tricky Triangle with his best of second coming at this event last season. Mayer also made his first NXS start at Pocono in 2021.
  • Crew chief Mardy Lindley has one win atop the pit box at Pocono coming in the ARCA Menards Series in 2018.
  • The Franklin, Wis. native will carry the red, white, and blue colorway this weekend as RTIC Outdoors is back onboard the No. 1 Chevrolet.

Sam Mayer

“I always look forward to racing at Pocono, as it is one of the more fun tracks on the schedule. Chicago did not go our way but I know these guys are working endlessly to give me fast race cars each and every week and I am stoked to see what we unload with on Saturday. Last year, we came up just one spot short so I am ready to take the momentum we have and carry this No. 1 RTIC Outdoors Chevrolet into Victory Lane this Saturday.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 Carolina Carports Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 18

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 5

Top 10s: 10

Laps Led: 487

Avg. Finish: 14.2

Points: 2nd

  • In eight career starts in the NXS at Pocono, Justin Allgaier has amassed two top fives and four top 10s, with a best finish of second coming in 2017.
  • Dating back to 2019, Allgaier has led laps in each NXS event at Pocono and finished inside the top 10 in three of the five races. Allgaier additionally captured the pole position in 2022.
  • Allgaier has previously gone to Victory Lane on tracks 2.5-miles or greater in the NXS, capturing the checkered flag on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2018 and at Daytona International Speedway in the summer of 2023.
  • This weekend marks the first race for Carolina Carports onboard the No. 7 Chevrolet.

Justin Allgaier

“Pocono is for sure one of the most unique tracks we go to on the schedule. Each corner is so different and really keeps you on edge throughout the course of a run. Hopefully we can have a nice, smooth day out there this weekend and come away with a shot at the win with this No. 7 team. I know that we are ready to go and give it all we have, especially with having Carolina Carports come onboard for the first time this season. We just need to execute the way we have been and I know we’ll be where we want to be in the end.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 18

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 3

Top 10s: 9

Laps Led: 55

Avg. Finish: 16.4

Points: 12th

  • Sammy Smith will head to the Poconos this weekend for his third NXS start on the 2.5-mile triangular track.
  • In Smith’s two NXS starts at the Tricky Triangle, he qualified in the top-10 both times and came home with a sixth-place finish in 2023.
  • In 2022, the Iowa native qualified on the pole at Pocono for the ARCA Menards Series.
  • The No. 8 JRM Chevrolet will display Watsontown Trucking Company on the TV panel this weekend. They’re a family-owned company that originated in 1941 in Milton, PA.

Sammy Smith

“I’ve had really strong qualifying runs here at Pocono in the past couple years in the Xfinity and ARCA series, so I’m hoping I can continue that this weekend and get us a good starting spot. JRM has done well there in the past as well, so I’m looking forward to seeing what this No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet team can do once we hit the track.”

Brandon Jones

No. 9 Menards / Cheez-It Chevrolet

Jones 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 18

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 5

Laps Led: 20

Avg. Finish: 19.4

Points: 14th

  • Brandon Jones has made eight NXS starts at Pocono and has scored three top-10 finishes. His best finish of seventh came during the 2021 and 2023 seasons.
  • In 55 starts at tracks measuring over 2 miles in length in the NXS, Jones has recorded eight top-five and 24 top-10 finishes, while leading the field for 168 laps.
  • Jones currently sits just 67 markers below the playoff cutline with eight races remaining in the regular season.
  • Crew chief Phillip Bell has one win at Pocono in the NXS as lead engineer on the No. 9 Camaro in 2022.
  • Cheez-It, the family-favorite cheese cracker, will adorn the hood of Jones’ Chevy Camaro this weekend for the first time at Pocono.

Brandon Jones

“We had some speed last weekend in Chicago, but I am looking forward to Pocono. This No. 9 team has been dominant here in the past, so I know that they are putting in the work to make sure we roll out a fast car on race day. Pocono is a tough track, but Phillip (Bell, crew chief) and I have been doing everything we can to make sure I am ready to battle towards the front and get this team a finish they deserve.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Pocono Raceway: JR Motorsports has competed at Pocono Raceway a combined 31 times with the NXS since its first trip there in 2016. In those starts at the 2.5-mile track, the organization has recorded one win, nine top-fives, and 19 top-10s, with an average finish of 12.0.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Brandon Jones will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, July 13 from 8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. ET.

NHRA ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR THE 2025 NHRA MISSION FOODS DRAG RACING SERIES

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (July 10, 2024) – Featuring three races celebrating a 25th anniversary in 2025 and culminating with the 60th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, NHRA officials announced today the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule.

As previously released, the 2025 campaign will open at legendary Gainesville Raceway for the third straight year, as the 56th annual Gatornationals kick off the NHRA’s 74th year of racing on March 6-9. The NHRA will commemorate 25 years of racing during both events at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, as well as the 65th anniversary of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, the 40th anniversary at Firebird Motorsports Park in Phoenix, Texas Motorplex in Dallas and Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., and the 15th anniversary of four-wide racing at state-of-the-art zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.

In all, the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule currently includes 20 races at standout facilities across the country. Minus the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals on Aug. 27-Sept. 1 in Indy, which will feature five qualifying sessions, and the Virginia NHRA Nationals, which will again have three qualifying sessions on Saturday as part of a two-day event, every other race will include four overall qualifying sessions, with two on Friday and two on Saturday.

“It has been a terrific 2024 season and we’re thrilled to continue to build off that momentum and excitement and reveal our dates for the upcoming 2025 season,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “We visit so many incredible facilities and we’re so thankful for the amazing fan support we receive at these tracks across the country. It takes great teamwork to put together our national event schedule and we appreciate all the race teams, track partners and sponsors that play a huge role in this process. We’ve enjoyed a lot of special moments this year and we look forward to continuing that this year and into our 2025 season as well.”

Following the NHRA Gatornationals to start the season, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads west for a trio of events, starting with the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park on March 21-23 and continuing the next weekend with the 65th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals on March 27-30 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.,

From there, the two four-wide races will take place, including the 25th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on April 11-13 and then the 15th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals on April 25-27 in Charlotte.

NHRA race fans can then celebrate 25 years of NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series racing at Route 66 Raceway, as the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance takes place on May 16-18 at the spectacular facility in Chicago.

Back-to-back races again take place to open June, beginning with the 12th annual New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. on May 30-June 1, and then the fan-favorite 24th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at picturesque Bristol Dragway on June 6-8.

After a successful return to Virginia Motorsports Park in 2024, the NHRA will be back to the standout track in 2025 with the fifth annual Virginia NHRA Nationals running on June 20-22. Like the 2024 race, it will be a two-day event on the professional side, with three rounds of qualifying taking place on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday. That leads directly into the popular 19th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on June 26-29 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

In July, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads to Seattle for the 36th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways on July 18-20, followed by the 37th annual DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals at scenic Sonoma Raceway on July 25-27. The penultimate race of the regular season falls in its traditional spot at Brainerd International Raceway, as the 43rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals take place Aug. 14-17, offering one of the most unique fan experiences on the NHRA tour.

That sets up the world’s biggest drag race, as the prestigious 71st annual NHRA U.S. Nationals takes place Aug. 27-Sept. 1 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The Big Go represents the pinnacle of drag racing, as racers aim to win a Wally on drag racing’s grandest stage.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, the Countdown to the Championship playoffs begin with three straight race weekends. With another huge crowd expected, the Countdown to the Championship opens with the 40th annual NHRA Nationals on Sept. 11-14 from Maple Grove Raceway, moving to zMAX Dragway for the 17th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals on Sept. 19-21. The string of three straight races concludes with an annual stop at popular World Wide Technology Raceway for the 14th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals on Sept. 26-28.

Returning to Texas Motorplex for the 40th year, the NHRA will celebrate four decades of racing in Dallas with the 40th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, as the main event of the track’s Stampede of Speed takes place on Oct. 9-12.

The Countdown to the Championship finishes up with races in Las Vegas and Pomona, as the 25th annual NHRA Nevada Nationals happens on Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Champions will then be crowned in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle to celebrate six decades of NHRA Finals action on Nov. 13-16 with the 60th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

All races during the 2025 NHRA season will be aired exclusively on FOX Sports, with select events on the FOX broadcast network. For more info on NHRA, please visit NHRA.com.

2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Season Schedule

  • March 6-9: 56th annual NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla.
  • March 21-23: 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Firebird Motorsports Park, Phoenix
  • March 27-30: 65th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, Calif.
  • April 11-13: 25th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
  • April 25-27: 15th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte
  • May 16-18: 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago
  • May 30-June 1: 12th annual NHRA New England Nationals, New England Dragway, Epping, N.H.
  • June 6-8: 24th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn.
  • June 20-22: 5th annual Virginia NHRA Nationals, Virginia Motorsports Park, Richmond, Va. This will be a two-day pro event with three qualifying sessions on Saturday.
  • June 26-29: 19th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio
  • July 18-20: 36th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals, Pacific Raceways, Seattle
  • July 25-27: 37th annual DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.
  • Aug. 14-17: 43rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.
  • Aug. 27-Sept. 1: 71st annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis

NHRA COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

  • Sept. 11-14: 40th annual NHRA Nationals, Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pa.
  • Sept. 19-21: 17th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte
  • Sept. 26-28: 14th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis
  • Oct. 9-12: 40th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, Texas Motorplex, Dallas
  • Oct. 30-Nov. 2: 25th annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
  • Nov. 13-16: 60th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, Calif.

For more ticket information, please visit www.nhra.com

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Austin Cindric to make 100th Cup career start at Pocono

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Competing in his third full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, Austin Cindric is poised to achieve a milestone start. By competing in this weekend’s Cup event at Pocono Raceway, the driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse will make his 100th career start in NASCAR’s premier series.

A native of Mooresville, North Carolina, Cindric made his inaugural presence in NASCAR’s premier series at the start of the 2021 season, where he attempted to qualify for the 63rd running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in February. By then, he was the reigning Xfinity Series champion and was initially set on joining Wood Brothers Racing for the 2022 Cup season.

Piloting the No. 33 Ford Mustang for Team Penske, Cindric earned a transfer spot for the 500 based on his qualifying speed and despite finishing 16th in his Daytona Duel event. His Cup debut during the Daytona 500 came to a fiery end in 15th place after he was involved in a vicious multi-car wreck on the final lap that involved his Team Penske teammates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski.

He would then finish no higher than 22nd during his next three Cup scheduled starts at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway and Kansas Speedway. After finishing 25th at Circuit of the Americas, where he led four laps and finished in the top five during both stages, Cindric was poised for a strong run at Road America in July until he ended up 38th due to a late rear gear issue.

He capped off his part-time Cup campaign by claiming his first top-10 result in the series with a ninth-place run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in late July. By then, it was announced that Cindric would pilot Team Penske’s No. 2 Ford Mustang for the 2022 season, where he would replace Brad Keselowski. Keselowski, who was in his 12th year at Penske, would join Roush Fenway Racing as a driver and co-owner for the upcoming season.

Assuming command of the No. 2 car, Cindric rallied from missing the inaugural Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum by finishing second behind Keselowski in the first Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona. He then pulled an upset by winning the 64th running of the Daytona 500 and grabbing his first Cup Series career victory in his eighth series start after beating Bubba Wallace by 0.036 seconds in overtime while also blocking a late charge from teammate Ryan Blaney. I

n doing so, Cindric became the 41st different competitor to win the Great American Race, the ninth competitor to achieve a first-time win in the 500 and the second-youngest winner of the 500 at age 23. He also recorded the third Daytona 500 victory overall for Team Penske.

Following the 2022 Daytona 500 victory, Cindric notched his first Cup career pole for the following event at Auto Club Speedway, where he went on to finish 12th and lead the series standings for a second consecutive time. The North Carolina native would then notch only a single top-10 result, eighth at Circuit of the Americas, during the next 13 events on the schedule before posting a fifth-place result at Sonoma Raceway in June. F

rom there, Cindric managed to crack the top seven five times during the final 10 regular-season events on the schedule, including two third-place results and a runner-up finish at Indianapolis, before entering the 2022 Cup Playoffs as a Playoff competitor. Despite transferring from the Round of 16 to 12 amid three consecutive top-20 results, he missed the cutline to the Round of 8 after finishing 15th, ninth and 21st during the Round of 12’s three events.

Cindric went on to finish no higher than 11th during the final four events on the schedule before capping off his first full-time Cup campaign in 12th place in the final standings. By then, he was named the 2022 Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year recipient and had achieved a total of five top-five results, and nine top-10 results, with 86 laps led and an average finishing result of 16.3.

Cindric’s 2023 Cup season commenced on a low note, finishing in 23rd place after being involved in a final lap multi-car wreck. Following a 28th-place run during the following event at Auto Club Speedway, he posted two sixth-place finishes during his next four starts before finishing no higher than 13th during his next 11 starts. Managing another sixth-place result throughout the final nine regular-season events, Cindric did not make the Cup Series Playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Throughout the Playoffs, Cindric managed to claim his first and lone top-five result of the season by finishing fifth at Talladega Superspeedway in October before he finished ninth at Martinsville Speedway in November. Concluding the season in 35th place during the season-finale event at Phoenix Raceway, Cindric capped off his sophomore Cup season in 24th place in the final driver’s standings. By then, he had only accumulated a single top-five result, five top-10 results, with 33 laps led and an average finish of 21.6.

This season, Cindric notched a strong fourth-place result at Atlanta in February but was mired with 11 finishes of 20th or worse for the remaining 14 of the first 15 scheduled events. Then at World Wide Technology Raceway in early June, he capitalized on teammate Blaney running out of fuel on the final lap to snap an 85-race winless drought and notch his second Cup career victory while also racing his way into Playoff contention. He has since finished no higher than 15th twice during his five previous starts. Despite trailing the regular-season points lead by 282 points, he remains in pursuit of his first Cup Series championship when the 2024 Playoffs commence.

Through 99 previous Cup starts, Cindric has achieved two victories, one pole, eight top-five results, 17 top-10 results, 247 laps led and an average-finishing result of 19.7.

Austin Cindric is scheduled to make his 100th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, July 14, for the Great American Getaway 400. The event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.

Austin Hill to make 100th Xfinity career start at Pocono

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com.

In his third full-time season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Austin Hill is primed to achieve a milestone start. By competing in this weekend’s event at Pocono Raceway, the driver of the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro will make his 100th career start in the Xfinity circuit.

A native of Winston, Georgia, Hill made his inaugural presence in the Xfinity Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September 2019. By then, he was campaigning in his second full-time season in the Craftsman Truck Series and first with Hattori Racing Enterprises, where he had achieved his first two series’ victories and was contending for the 2019 Truck Series title. Driving the No. 61 Toyota Supra for Hattori Racing Enterprises, Hill started 17th and finished ninth in his Xfinity debut.

The following two seasons, Hill, who continued to compete on a full-time basis for HRE in the Truck Series, made a total of 14 Xfinity starts in HRE’s No. 61 entry. During the stretch, the Georgian achieved his first top-five result in the series at Kansas Speedway in October 2020 after finishing fifth. He would also record a total of three top-10 results.

In late October 2021, Hill, who was announced to not be returning to Hattori Racing Enterprises for the 2022 season in early October, was announced as a full-time competitor of the No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing for the upcoming Xfinity season, where he would contend for the Rookie-of-the-Year title. In his first event with RCR, Hill overtook AJ Allmendinger on the final lap and prior to a multi-car wreck to score his first Xfinity career win in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway. He would achieve two runner-up results, an additional six top-five results and a total of eight top-10 results during his next 16 starts before achieving his second career victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his home track, in an event where he led a race-high 73 laps. Hill and the No. 21 RCR team would finish in the top five two additional times and in the top 10 and six additional times during the final nine regular-season events before the 2022 Xfinity Series Playoffs commenced.

During the 2022 Playoffs, Hill managed to transfer into the Round of 8 following respective finishes of second, 14th and 29th during the Round of 12. Despite finishing no lower than ninth throughout the Round of 8, he did not transfer into the Championship 4 round. With a ninth-place finish during the season-finale event at Phoenix Raceway, Hill concluded his first full-time Xfinity season in sixth place in the final standings. With a total of two victories, a pole at Talladega Superspeedway in October, 11 top-five results, 21 top-10 results, 329 laps led and an average-finishing result of 11.0, Hill claimed the 2022 Xfinity rookie title.

Like the previous season, Hill commenced the 2023 Xfinity season on a high note by winning the season-opening at Daytona for a second consecutive time after emerging ahead of John Hunter Nemechek and Justin Allgaier amid a final lap wreck. He would claim a late victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway two races later before notching another home track win at Atlanta amid an overtime shootout another two races later. After recording seven additional top-five results and nine additional top-10 results during his next 13-scheduled starts, Hill capitalized on another overtime shootout during the following event to nab his fourth win of the season at Pocono Raceway. Managing four top-five finishes during the final seven regular-season events, the Georgian managed to claim the 2023 Xfinity Series’ regular-season championship over Nemechek and entering the Playoffs with momentum.

Despite finishing 33rd during the 2023 Playoff opener at Bristol Motor Speedway amid a late on-track incident involving teammate Sheldon Creed, Hill rallied with two consecutive top-10 results to transfer from the Round of 12 to 8. Following two consecutive top-10 finishes during the first two events in the Round of 8, he entered the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville Speedway three points above the cutline to transfer into the Championship 4 round.

At Martinsville, however, Hill, who led 22 laps and was leading amid an overtime shootout, had another on-track altercation with Creed, where he got bumped twice by Creed before rubbing fenders with him and ramming into the rear bumper of Creed on the final lap, which resulted in Hill wrecking as he was approaching the finish line. He ended up in 21st place on the track and outside of the finale cutline.

Although his championship hopes evaporated for a second consecutive season, Hill finished seventh at Phoenix before ending up in fifth place in the final standings. By then, Hill had doubled his wins total from the previous season at four, earned two extra poles for three total, five additional top-five results (16), three additional top-10 results (24), led a career-high 346 laps and notched a new average-finishing result of 9.0.

Re-signing with RCR for another Xfinity campaign this season, Hill commenced the season by winning the opening event at Daytona and becoming the first competitor to win three consecutive Daytona openers in the Xfinity circuit in 14 years. He would then go two-for-two after winning at Atlanta the following weekend before posting three consecutive top-four runs. With six additional top-10 runs posted in his previous 13 starts, Hill is currently ranked in fourth place in this year’s driver’s standings. He trails the regular-season lead by 60 points as he continues his pursuit of his first Xfinity Series championship.

Through 99 previous starts in the Xfinity Series, Hill has achieved eight victories, five poles, 36 top-five results, 60 top-10 results, 813 laps led and an average-finishing result of 11.9.

Austin Hill is scheduled to make his 100th Xfinity Series career start at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, July 13, for the Explore the Pocono Mountains 225. The event’s broadcast time is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network.

6 Tips to Save Money on Vehicle Maintenance

By
SM
-
Photo by Patrick Langwallner on Unsplash

It can be expensive to maintain a vehicle. There are oil changes, gas, new tires, scheduled maintenance, brake pads, as well as the occasional check engine light, which you need to deal with from time to time. You’ll be spending too much money if you run to an expensive mechanic or the dealership for each task. However, if you ignore the maintenance of your vehicle, you are asking for trouble.

Vehicle maintenance doesn’t need to be expensive. When done responsibly, you will save money on ongoing care and maintenance for your vehicle. You will save on efficiency, labor, parts and more by being intelligent regarding your vehicle maintenance.

To ensure your car is running smoothly and to avoid an accident where your car gets totaled, it’s important to prioritize vehicle maintenance. Ways to save money on maintaining your vehicle include:

1. Do Preventative Maintenance

Preventative vehicle maintenance will help to prevent wear and tear from accumulating on your vehicle.

Preventative maintenance involves tasks such as:

  • Changing your oil regularly
  • Rotating your tires regularly
  • Refilling your battery electrolyte if your battery is a flooded lead acid battery
  • Replacing windshield wipers around once every six months
  • Testing your battery
  • Replacing spark plugs around once every 30,000 miles
  • Changing fuel, air and cabin air filters regularly

Servicing your vehicle regularly will save you from headaches in the long-run.

2. Change Light Bulbs Yourself

For most of your vehicle’s light bulbs, it’s not difficult to change them. They usually either:

  • Utilize a twist-and-pull bayonet base
  • Pull out/push in

Replacement bulbs can typically be found in any auto parts stores, and can even sometimes be found in hardware stores. Sometimes, it can be tricky to access bulbs, so you might wish to check your manual or search online if it’s not obvious how to replace the bulb.

It’s smart to regularly check on the bulbs in your car to ensure you can drive safely with high beams or low beams when necessary.

3. Don’t Ignore Warning Signs

When a check engine light shows up, your engine sputters upon you turning the key, or your vehicle begins to make rattling noises, don’t ignore these warning signs. For many problems with vehicles, they get worse as you ignore them over time.

For example, rattling can mean a lot of things, such as failing catalytic converters. This could create issues regarding powering up your vehicle, and could even lead to engine damage. In that case, you’d be stuck paying for multiple issues to be fixed.

Quickly check if something feels, sounds or looks off. If you can’t identify the issue, it’s time for you to start obtaining service quotes. You’ll save money long-term by quickly taking care of the issue.

4. Carry an Air Pressure Gauge

Not only can you enhance the self-confidence you have via DIY moves, but DIY moves can also improve your financial mindset and save money.

An example: you can extend your tires’ lifespan and improve your gas mileage by maintaining the optimum tire air pressure. This also makes sure your vehicle can be safely driven. Tire gauges are usually less than $10 and keeping one in your glovebox is a smart idea.

5. Read the Owner’s Manual

Yes, you need to read your vehicle’s instructions. The owner’s manual for your vehicle, especially its scheduled maintenance section, is very helpful regarding how to take care of your vehicle and keep your vehicle in tip-top shape according to the recommendations of the manufacturer. The manufacturer is the primary expert regarding your vehicle: listen to the manufacturer.

6. Use Online Resources

Google is a vital tool in the belt of a vehicle maintenance DIYer. Use online guides such as videos on Youtube which will provide you with step-by-step walkthroughs of common maintenance-related tasks. You might even end up finding videos and tutorials specific to your year, model and make, eliminating guessing from the process of accessing parts or properly measuring fluids. 

The more you prioritize vehicle maintenance, the more safe you will be on the road in the long run.

1...1,0181,0191,020...6,791Page 1,019 of 6,791