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Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Recap: Darlington Raceway

By
Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE RECAP: DARLINGTON RACEWAY
Race: Buckle Up South Carolina 200 (147 laps / 200.8 miles) | Race 9 of 23
Track: Darlington Raceway
Location: Darlington, South Carolina
Date & Time: Friday, May 10th | 7:30 PM ET

No. 41 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman, Jr.
Bayley Currey
@BayleyCurrey
@BayleyCurrey05
Website
Start: 17th
Stage 1: 20th
Stage 2: 16th
Finish: 22nd
Driver Points: 14th
Owner Points: 18th

  • Key Takeaway: Close to securing their first top-10 of the season, Bayley Currey and the No. 41 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics team would be relegated down the finishing order after a flat right front tire forced a green flag pit stop. Currey started the Buckle Up South Carolina 200 from 17th, dropped to 20th at the conclusion of stage one, and made ground up to 16th in stage two. By virtue of the flat right front tire issue, the team would ultimately be scored with a 22nd-place finish as their final result.
  • Bayley Currey’s Post-Race Thoughts: “Once again, I’m really proud of our No. 41 AutoVentive / Precision team here with Niece Motorsports for giving me a good truck tonight. We were in position to run in the top-10 again, and I messed up. I got into the fence and gave us a flat right front and basically gave it away. It’s tough, but you live and learn. I feel like we had a really good truck and we’ll move onto North Wilkesboro.”
  • About AutoVentive: AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.
  • About Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
Matt Mills Racing
@MattMillsRacing
@MattMillsRacing
Website
Start: 25th
Stage 1: 25th
Stage 2: 22nd
Finish: 11th
Driver Points: 26th
Owner Points: 29th

  • Key Takeaway: Matt Mills and the No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra team fought hard to secure their best finish of the season at Darlington. Qualifying in 25th, Mills and the team would hold steady throughout the first two stages. However, with late-race carnage, Mills navigated through several crashes to pick up track position. Skillful driving would lead his team home with an 11th-place finish just one spot shy of their first top-10 result.
  • Matt Mills’ Post-Race Thoughts: Interviewer: It’s been kind of a trying season for you, but here at Darlington you walk away with an 11th-place finish. How good does it feel?

“I mean, it feels like a win, even though there’s still a little bit of disappointment there. We were so close to a top-10, just didn’t need that caution there at the end. We were going to be ninth and that was going to be a good day, but I knew the caution was going to come out, it wasn’t going to be that easy for us. But still to finish 11th, I learned something there on that last restart that was an experience thing with not having many restarts up towards the front. All-in-all, it’s still a good day. It definitely took longer than we wanted it to this year to pull off a top-15 finish, but it’s something that we can build off of. It’s momentum that we’ve been trying to get and we showed speed today where I feel like I can do this and the team can do this, so it was nice to have that today.”

  • About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.
  • About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

No. 45 Buckle Up South Carolina Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ross Chastain | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Ross Chastain
@RossChastain
@RossChastain
Website
Start: 6th
Stage 1: 6th
Stage 2: 8th
Finish: 1st
Driver Points: N/A
Owner Points: 7th

  • Key Takeaway: Five years to the date of Niece Motorsports’ first race win, Ross Chastain delivered the team its ninth NASCAR Truck Series victory at Darlington Raceway. Chastain, who has driven for the team in some capacity since 2018, was emotional following the finish of the race which ended just past midnight. Team Owner, Al Niece, was in attendance to witness the victory, making it a special night of many reasons for the organization.
  • Ross Chastain’s Post-Race Thoughts: Interviewer: Ross, as much as that watermelon smash will be the highlight of this race, the other punctuation was that restart. How much grit does this track require?

“Grit, I don’t know. It takes Phil Gould, it takes Niece Motorsports. We have been trying to win at Darlington. This is where my career changed, where my life changed forever! For better or worse, however all this works out. That first opportunity with CGR (Chip Ganassi Racing) and Spire to put me together with that group and the year before, see me pumping the honey wagon, getting the honey wagon over off of turn two, to now finally getting the Florida Watermelon queen here. It’s Florida Watermelon season. They’ve been with me for so long with Ms. Deborah. And Mother’s Day weekend; my mom’s here, the moms in our group. And to win it with ‘Click It, Don’t Risk It’ with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. This ‘Protect Your Melon’ campaign is something that funded my career for several years, and now to have these cool moments that we get to have it on these trucks and cars on Friday and Saturday, and it’s so cool. We won Darlington.”

Well, after that epic burnout, you were welcomed with your team and that watermelon. Just how satisfying is it standing on top of that truck and smashing that watermelon?

“Well, Dad drove this up yesterday from the farm. I was down there Monday and Tuesday, and Dad drove these up. He drove through the night to get up here. There’s so much sacrifice from so many people back at the farm and those in the ag industry. That’s why you see me talk about watermelons and talk about agriculture. There’s so much misinformation, there’s such a small percentage of our population in charge of feeding the rest of the world. Not that a watermelon is part of anybody’s every day diet, like I’m trying to shovel this down right now. It tastes so good, but a watermelon farmer just won Darlington. And for everything this means for Niece Motorsports. I think five years ago to the day we won our first race, and we’re back in victory lane!”

  • About the South Carolina Department of Public Safety: The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.

SCDPS has approximately 1,300 employees serving across the state, providing a wide range of public safety services focused on making South Carolina a safer place to live, work and raise a family.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

Toyota Racing – NCTS Darlington Post-Race Report – 05.10.24

By
Official Release
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HOWARD LEADS THREE TRICON TOP-10 FINISHES AT DARLINGTON
Heim wins first two stages before being involved in an on-track incident

DARLINGTON, S.C. (May 10, 2024) – In just his second start of the season, Colby Howard ran an impressive race – running nearly the entire final stage inside the top-10 before finishing seventh. For the South Carolina-native, it is his second-best career Truck Series finish – just behind a top-five run in the Daytona season opener last year.

Howard’s seventh was the first of three top-10 finishes for TRICON Garage with Taylor Gray in eighth and Tanner Gray in 10th.

Fellow TRICON Garage driver Corey Heim started second and led 77 of the first 93 laps, while picking up two Playoff points before being involved in an on-track incident in the early part of the third stage that also ended the night for his teammate, Dean Thompson.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Darlington Raceway
Race 9 of 23 – 147 Laps, 200.802 Miles

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Ross Chastain*
2nd, Nick Sanchez*
3rd, Ben Rhodes*
4th, Christian Eckes*
5th, Ty Majeski*
7th, COLBY HOWARD
8th, TAYLOR GRAY
10th, TANNER GRAY
13th, TIMMY HILL
14th, STEWART FRIESEN
28th, COREY HEIM
29th, DEAN THOMPSON
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

COLBY HOWARD, No. 1 Coastal Sports Cards Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 7th

Can you tell us about this strong run and that final restart?

“It was an uphill battle all night with our Coastal Sports Cards Tundra. We started in the midpack, and we drove our way up to 13th, and we had a bad pit stop – the jack dropped – and we went back to about 20th. We drove all the way back up there through all of these guys out here, and dodged a pretty big wreck coming off of (turn) two – that was huge for us. That really put us in a good position. We were just running it out, and had that late caution, and people were just not using their heads. It could have been a really special night.”

COREY HEIM, No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 28th

What happened out there?

“It is certainly disappointing. I felt like we had a really good Safelite Tundra TRD Pro. We made it a lot better throughout the race. I thought we got really tight in stage one, and we made it better in stage two and was looking forward to making it better in stage three and kind of running away with that one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy. We got taken out, and that is part of it.”

DEAN THOMPSON, No. 5 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 29th

What happened?

“The truck just got really free. These trucks race so free on restarts, and hard racing turned into a wrecked truck. TRICON Garage brought me a really good Thompson Pipe Group Tundra. We got some stage points, and ran really well in stage two. I feel like we could have finished well too, just hard racing.”

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.

ABEL Motorsports captures race win and championship lead at Indy

By
Official Release
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Jacob Abel paces wire to wire to take the race one victory on a difficult day for teammates Sundaramoorthy and Missig

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (10 May 2024) – Jacob Abel and ABEL Motorsports scored the race one victory from pole, taking the championship lead on a crucial INDY NXT by Firestone doubleheader at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday.

The race did not fare as well for teammates Yuven Sundaramoorthy and Jordan Missig, who both saw solid runs go for naught with late race incidents.

Sharing the weekend with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ Sonsio Grand Prix, the INDY NXT series began the two-day event with a full slate of action – practice, qualifying and race one on Friday. Abel (Louisville, Ky.), Sundaramoorthy (Oconomowoc, Wis.) and Missig (Joliet, Ill.) had just the lone practice session to come up to speed before qualifying. All three drivers focused on finding balance and grip, and at the end of practice, Abel held the fifth quickest time, with Missig 16th and Sundaramoorthy 17th – and the top 15 separated by a mere second.

When qualifying was done early in the afternoon, Sundaramoorthy was set to start P15 and Missig P16 in race one – and on the heels of two flyers to start the session, Abel earned pole positions in both Friday’s race one and Saturday’s race two.

“I didn’t feel as though I was driving my best this morning and the car needed a bit of work as well, so I just focused on how to make the car better through that session,” said Abel in the race winning press conference. “The team worked hard between sessions to put me into a position to feel good going into qualifying, and obviously they did a great job of that. The car was so strong, but we know that it’s a lot harder to win from pole here than it is at Barber.”

Abel led the field to the race one green, getting a good jump and avoiding the slingshot draft from behind. While Missig was forced to check up through Turn 2 as cars slowed dramatically ahead, Sundaramoorthy saw an advantage, punching the pedal and taking 10th position. A quick spin in turn 7 put Missig back into 20th, as the field settled in behind Abel.

Sundaramoorthy continued to advance, making solid passes and claiming P6 by lap 10 while Missig rebounded as well, into P15. At the front of the field, Abel had broken out to a five-second lead over co-championship leader Nolan Siegel, just focusing forward and managing tires.

Out of push-to-pass mid-race, Sundaramoorthy fell back to 7th, then was freight trained into turn 1. Adding to his misery was a clip by another car that sent him onto the Turn 8 grass and into pit lane with a punctured front left. He went back out on track in 25th, just behind Missig, but spun and landed in the gravel, bringing out a caution flag.

Abel took the restart with nine laps remaining, powering onto the front stretch and again breaking the draft to Siegel and holding his advantage. But two laps later, Missig made contact with the turn 7 wall, bringing out another yellow.

Abel managed the restart perfectly with just three laps remaining and while Siegel briefly pulled alongside in turn 1, Abel held his ground, taking the race win and the championship lead. Missig came home 18th and Sundaramoorthy 20th.

“This was awesome,” said Abel. “We’ve always just kind of struggled at this track, which is unfortunate because we race here a lot, but in the past, it wasn’t really a good track for us so to get this win today is really special. That it felt like a long race, just managing tires the whole time so I could be ready if there was a restart. Unfortunately, the first yellow took away the four-second lead that I had – and was just taking a nice sunset cruise on! But it was still good at the end, though Nolan made me work for it there a little bit. Props to him for driving me clean and we will see how tomorrow goes.”

“There was some calamity in the first corner on the start and that set me back,” said Missig. “Once I got into a good rhythm and my pace was good, I just focused on saving push-to-pass and worked on getting closer and closer. But once we all started kind of getting into traffic and everyone started fighting with us, drivers were kind of just parking at the apex and that caught me out a bit. That’s when the incident happened. But the ABEL Motorsports group put a great car together. We had such great pace, especially on the long runs. I gained a lot of experience today and now we are looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully being able to make some more passes and get towards the front.”

“It was a good start – I got lucky and was really moving forward,” said Sundaramoorthy. “I was hoping I could stay at their pace but just didn’t quite have it. I burned up my push-to-pass and was a sitting duck after that. I’m just really glad that the caution I brought out didn’t hurt Jacob’s race, that would have sucked. Hopefully better tomorrow.”

Veteran team manager John Brunner has won numerous races at the Speedway but knows that the Victory Lane experience never gets old.

“It is the coolest thing – you come here so many times and you think you’d get used to it, but you never get used to winning here,” said Brunner. “We really didn’t need those yellows, and unfortunately, we caused them ourselves as a team. But Jacob had control from the beginning so we thought we would be fine on restarts, since we were saving tires and push-to-pass. We were pretty confident.”

ABEL Motorsports thanks partners ABEL Construction Company, Advance Ready Mix, Boyd Cat®, S Team Motorsports and OMP for their continued support.

The second race in the INDY NXT by Firestone Indianapolis Grand Prix takes the green flag Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET. The race will be streamed live in the U.S. on Peacock, while international viewers can watch via INDYCARLIVE, with INDYCAR Radio available at indycar.com and on Sirius XM.

About ABEL Motorsports: Team principal Bill Abel began racing motocross in 1972, earning numerous championship titles as he continued the family racing tradition. In 2015, ABEL Motorsports was launched, starting in the USF2000 series and building up the junior open wheel ladder. The team captured the inaugural Formula Regional Americas Championship with driver Kyle Kirkwood in 2018.

ABEL Motorsports currently competes in the INDY NXT by Firestone series, the official development series for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, led by third-generation driver Jacob Abel. The team made its INDYCAR debut in 2023 with driver RC Enerson in the Indianapolis 500. For more information visit the official team website at abelmotorsports.com.

About Abel Construction Company: ABEL Construction is one of the largest general contractors in Kentucky, holding licenses in thirteen states. The company has offices in Lexington, Kentucky and Indianapolis, Indiana, with the corporate office in Louisville. Their expertise spans many areas, including general contracting, construction management, design-build, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and facilities maintenance.

Abel Construction has helped build some of the region’s most recognizable landmarks. Their projects cover diverse sectors, including automotive, healthcare, post-secondary education, commercial, food/beverage, tech, and industrial/manufacturing. They prioritize client satisfaction, focusing on efficient project delivery regardless of size or cost. The company’s skilled professionals utilize cutting-edge technology and software to ensure successful outcomes. abelconstruct.com/.

ABEL Motorsports social media

Facebook: ABEL Motorsports
Twitter/X: ABEL Motorsports
Instagram: ABEL Motorsports

Choosing the Best Trucking Companies in Miami

By
SM
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When it comes to choosing a reliable trucking company in Miami, what do you prioritize? Equipment quality, safety standards or impeccable customer service? Perhaps it’s all of the above. This guide will illuminate the key factors that you need to thoroughly consider before making your pick.

Essential Factors in Choosing Companies

While other factors might be enticing, price and reputation are two essential considerations when evaluating different trucking companies miami. Yes, affordability is a key factor but remember that cheaper isn’t always better. Cost should match the quality of service provided. Instead of gravitating towards the lowest price, look for companies that offer value for your money.

Expect good companies to have a decent online presence showcasing positive reviews and testimonials. Such reviews indicate reliability and assure potential clients of consistent delivery – literally and metaphorically. Conduct thorough online research, peruse company websites for client testimonials, and even consider seeking recommendations from colleagues or friends.

Transparency is another crucial element in your decision-making process. Credible trucking companies willingly disclose their processes, policies, fees and any additional charges. Hiding such crucial information could indicate potential problems down the line. Reliable companies rise by their transparency and upfront honesty.

Moreover, scope of service can significantly influence your choice. Certain trucking companies restrict their services geographically or industry-wise. Ensure the company you integrate can accommodate your specific transporting needs regardless if they’re state-wise or across country.

Checking Company Accreditation

Paying attention to a trucking company’s accreditation ensures you are dealing with a reputable business. One indispensable accreditation to look for: The Department Of Transportation (DOT) number. This federal requirement signifies that the company meets all safety standards put forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Additionally, being part of legitimate industry organizations – such as the American Trucking Associations (ATA) – denotes credibility. ATA membership entails adherence to specific codes of practice and high professional standards.

Another essential accreditation is a valid Motor Carrier (MC) number indicating compliance with federal regulations. Be warned against companies without a DOT and MC number as they are either non-compliant or illegally operating.

Operating authority falls under MC credentials. Operating authority classification indicates the type of operations a company can execute and the cargo it can carry. All this information is accessible online via the FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system.

Analyzing Fleet and Equipment

Fleet age is an aspect that often slips through the cracks yet remains pivotal in gauging service reliability. State-of-the-art trucks are apt to experience less mechanical issues, ultimately reducing the potential for delivery delays.

Paying heed to the type of equipment used by prospective carriers is equally important. This pertains especially if you require specialized equipment such as refrigerated trailers or flatbeds. Can the fleet accommodate your distinct transportation needs?

In addition to ensuring a company has appropriate equipment, consider how well it maintains its fleet. Regular maintenance clearly signals that the firm values safety and reliability.

Don’t forget payload capacities. Companies should provide specifics about the loads their trucks can comfortably handle. This reduces risks linked to overloading which may impact structural integrity of goods transported.

Evaluating Safety Standards

Amongst factors discussed, safety stands paramount when choosing a trucking company. Reputed firms follow strict safety practices and regulations–and rightfully so–since accidents can gravely impact their operating license plus client trust.

You’re at liberty to request safety records from potential freight carriers. A consistent record of safe driving suggests that the company fosters a culture centered around safety. The FMCSA’s SAFER database can aid your quest.

Accident occurrences can trigger costly setbacks. Therefore, your chosen trucking company should adhere to all equipment safety checks before and during transit. Properly equipped cabs with functioning seat belts, airbags, and electronic stability control are telltale signs of prime safety standards.

The caliber of drivers can’t be emphasized enough. Are their drivers skillful? Exemplary companies maintain strict criteria when hiring new drivers, including validating licenses, running drug tests, plus background checks.

Importance of Customer Service

Last, but not least, is customer service. Solid customer service proves indispensable especially when anomalies arise regarding your haul. Effective communication with the firm should lay any uncertainties to rest.

If the staff extends prompt responses to queries or concerns, it assures you that you’re appreciated and thereby valued. This fosters a relationship built on trust which is crucial for long-term business associations.

You would want to assess how proactively they resolve disputes. Do they take ownership or deflect blame? Excellent companies address customer grievances in a professional manner without shirking responsibility.

A firm’s commitment to customer service excellence is often mirrored in their accessibility. Options such as 24/7 service or tracking systems spell convenience by offering real-time updates about your load’s location. Success lies in detailed orientation!

Considering Delivery Timeframes

When selecting a trucking company in Miami, a vital consideration is the delivery timeframes. Businesses operate on tight schedules, and delaying shipments impact productivity and profitability. The ideal trucking company should guarantee timely deliveries without compromising the state of goods transported.

Fast delivery isn’t just about speed. You’ll need truckers who understand the routes, can maneuver traffic, and provide dynamic logistics solutions when need arises. This level of efficiency stems from in-depth local knowledge and years of experience.

Beyond deadlines, are they flexible enough to accommodate last-minute shipments? Occasional urgencies are inevitable in business. A company that can cater to such emergencies proves its reliability while offering you much needed peace of mind.

Dedicated customer service comes into play here too. Tracks break down unexpectedly or weather changes can cause delays. Should any of these occur, a representative should promptly reach you offering both explanation and solutions. Maintaining open channels for communication speaks volumes about operational transparency.

Reviewing Company Reputation

The reputation of a Miami trucking company matters significantly in your choice-making process. Most transport companies may manage to fulfill basic service criteria but fall short when it comes to developing a worthy reputation. It takes consistency to build a good name; a sporadic good performance won’t cut it.

Commence with online reviews and ratings. People will often share their experiences – both pleasant and unpleasant – with service providers. Look out for habitual complaints that might point to systemic inefficiencies which could affect your business operations.

Third-party review sites and industry forums offer unadulterated opinions about a company’s services. Visit these platforms and scan through comments targeting the companies you’re considering. Be thorough in reviewing the information available to you, including social media feedback and responses by the company.

Remember, damage control on social media is a great indicator of professional maturity. Steer clear of companies that shy away from online negativity, instead consider those that gracefully embrace criticism, iterating their commitment towards resolution and customer satisfaction.

Comparing Pricing Structures

Compare the pricing structures of different Miami trucking companies. Confirm whether they charge by distance, weight, or both. This gives you a clearer picture of the potential costs down the lane. Understanding what every charge entails curbs you against hidden costs thrown for which you weren’t prepared.

  • Evaluate your budget vis-a-vis the cost implications across your options.
  • Identify services fundamental to your operations and trigger price negotiations around those particular points.

With the price structure before your eyes, juxtapose it with service value offered by each trucking company you’re considering. Choose a service offering maximum value within your budget bracket. Do not opt for lower costs at the expense of quality service nor should you break bank for services you scarcely use.

In all this, remember that investments made in reliable and efficient transportation services pay back through seamless operations and satisfied clients.

Assessing Company Experience

The longevity of a trucking company in business often underpins confidence in their experience. While startups might offer innovative solutions, established enterprises bring a wealth of experience onto the table.

Certain sectors require specialized knowledge that only seasoned truckers can provide. For example – transporting perishable goods calls for keenness on transit times and equipment quality; puny oversight can lead to hefty losses. Experience in such areas inspires confidence in the transport company’s competencies.

Remember, such an institution has weathered various industry storms and still managed to stay afloat due to resilience, ingenuity and reliability. Pick those who’ve proven their worth over time; these companies have not only survived but thrived in the transportation industry.

Identifying Specialization Areas

Understanding a trucking company’s specialization directly affects its efficacy in your business operations. Various trucking providers in Miami specialize in different types of cargo. Ascertaining this beforehand helps align your needs with their service offerings.

Liquid products, refrigerated goods or heavy equipment demand specialized haulage solutions. Choose truckers well-versed with the nuances of handling your specific type of cargo for optimal results.

Explore portfolios to drink their range of services offered and sectors previously serviced. If they’ve previously excelled in areas akin to yours, it’s a good sign they’ll replicate similar successes with you.

In conclusion

Given the variety of Miami-focused transport firms existent, picking the right one seems overwhelming. The best trucking company should match your unique set of requirements while offering superior service quality at competitive prices. A little research goes a long way in ensuring you make an informed choice focused on delivering value and exceeding expectations.

Ross Chastain wins the Truck Series race at Darlington in overtime

By
Angie Campbell
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Ross Chastain persevered to win the Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway after taking the lead in overtime to claim his first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory of 2024.

He only led the final three laps during the race in his No. 45 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet but he led the one that mattered most.

“We have been trying to win at Darlington,” Chastain said, “This is where my career changed, my life changed forever. It’s so cool — we won Darlington.”

Nick Sanchez finished second in the No. 2 Rev Racing Chevrolet to an impressive second-place finish. He was fastest in qualifying but the team had to replace the right rear wheel hub due to a leak and he started at the rear of the field.

Corey Heim won the first two stages in his No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota and led 77 laps but was caught up in a racing incident on Lap 98 when Dean Thompson’s truck got loose and Heim was relegated to a 28th-place finish. Rajah Caruth, Layne Riggs and Matt Crafton also sustained damage.

Ben Rhodes, Christian Eckes and Ty Majeski rounded out the top five. Eckes now leads the standings by 14 points over Heim.

Chase Purdy, Colby Howard, Taylor Gray, Ty Dillon and Tanner Gray rounded out the top 10 at Darlington.

You can catch the next Truck Series race on May 18 at 1:30 p.m. ET at North Wilkesboro Speedway on FS1 with radio coverage provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

*Post-race inspection was completed with no issues.

Darlington-Truck-Series-results-2024-May32409_UNOFFRES

Cole Custer awarded Xfinity Series pole at Darlington after qualifying canceled

By
Angie Campbell
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Cole Custer, driver of the #00 Haas Automation Ford. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Cole Custer will lead the field to green in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway after the practice and qualifying sessions were canceled due to rain and hail at the track.

The field was set per the NASCAR Rule Book performance metric which is based on the previous event: 15% of a fastest lap time position, 25% of the driver’s final race finish position, 25% of the owner’s final race finish position and 35% of the owner points position.

Chandler Smith will join Custer on the front row followed by Sheldon Creed, AJ Allmendinger and Austin Hill to complete the top five starters. Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Anthony Alfredo, Riley Herbst and Parker Retzlaff will round out the top 10.

All of the cars passed pre-race inspection.

The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project 200 is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1 with radio coverage provided by FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

darlington-i-xfinity-starting-lineup

Abel Keeps Rolling with Wire-to-Wire Win at IMS; Chadwick Third

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 10, 2024) – All it takes is one.

Jacob Abel spoke to how much confidence his maiden INDY NXT by Firestone victory April 28 at Barber Motorsports Park did for his psyche. Friday, Abel scored win No. 2.

Abel held off second-place finisher Nolan Siegel in a three-lap shootout on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course to score his second consecutive victory in the No. 51 Abel Construction entry.

“This is awesome,” Abel said after leading all 35 laps in this race. “Unfortunately, we don’t get to celebrate for too long here. We’re getting another chance tomorrow. That was a really great race, though.”

Siegel came in tied with Abel for the points lead and charged from a fifth-place starting position to bring his No. 39 HMD Motorsports entry home second, .5470 of a second in arrears. He trails Abel by 14 points entering Saturday’s second race of the Indianapolis Grand Prix doubleheader at 1 p.m. ET, with live coverage on Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Friday’s result was the third time in as many races this season the duo finished 1-2, as Siegel won the season opener in March in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Andretti Global’s Jamie Chadwick scored the best finish for a female driver in INDY NXT by Firestone since Pippa Mann’s 2010 win at Kentucky Speedway on Sept. 4, 2010, when she brought her No. 28 VEXT entry home third. Chadwick’s previous best finish was sixth last September at Portland International Raceway.

Rookie Callum Hedge finished fourth in the No. 17 HMD Motorsports entry, with fellow rookie Myles Rowe rounding out the top five in the No. 99 HMD Motorsports with Force Indy car.

Abel initially had the win on cruise control before a pair of late-race cautions caused by both Abel Motorsports teammates erased his advantage. He leaped to nearly a five-season lead over Siegel before the first caution flew for Yuven Sundaramoorthy stopping off course in his No. 22 S Team Motorsports/Abel Motorsports entry in Turn 4 on Lap 21.

On the Lap 26 restart, Abel led Siegel to the green on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course. Two laps later, his advantage grew to .9704 of a second.

On Lap 30, Jordan Missig (No. 21 Abel Motorsports) went off course after contact with the wall in Turn 7, sparking the second full-course caution.

Siegel had a second chance to pass Abel for the win. Even with a great launch on the Lap 32 restart, Abel prevailed.

“Nolan and I had a great battle,” Abel said. “I had it under control the whole time. I had a big lead there, and unfortunately a lot of yellows really made me work for it at the end. I was just saving tires early on, so I was ready for that.

“Massive thanks to all the Abel Motorsports crew. They delivered an amazing car. We didn’t roll off 100 percent here, but we everyone figured it out in that one practice session that we had, and that’s almost more gratifying than last weekend, when we just rolled off perfect.”

The exciting race featured 165 on-track passes and 136 passes for position, both series records for this circuit.

INDY NXT by Firestone Indianapolis Grand Prix Race 1 Results

INDIANAPOLIS – Results Friday of the INDY NXT by Firestone Indianapolis Grand Prix INDY NXT by Firestone event on the 2.439 mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway RC, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, laps completed and reason out (if any):

  1. (1) Jacob Abel, 35, Running
  2. (5) Nolan Siegel, 35, Running
  3. (6) Jamie Chadwick, 35, Running
  4. (8) Callum Hedge, 35, Running
  5. (12) Myles Rowe, 35, Running
  6. (10) Reece Gold, 35, Running
  7. (4) Louis Foster, 35, Running
  8. (7) Jonathan Browne, 35, Running
  9. (17) Christian Bogle, 35, Running
  10. (19) Niels Koolen, 35, Running
  11. (13) Salvador de Alba Jr, 35, Running
  12. (9) Michael d’Orlando, 35, Running
  13. (18) Nolan Allaer, 35, Running
  14. (11) Bryce Aron, 34, Running
  15. (3) James Roe, 34, Running
  16. (20) Jack William Miller, 34, Running
  17. (21) Lindsay Brewer, 33, Running
  18. (16) Jordan Missig, 33, Running
  19. (2) Caio Collet, 32, Running
  20. (15) Yuven Sundaramoorthy, 31, Running
  21. (14) Josh Pierson, 6, Off Course

Race Statistics
Winner’s average speed: 105.437 mph
Time of Race: 48:34.6690
Margin of victory: 0.5470 of a second
Cautions: 2 for 7 laps
Lead changes: 0

Lap Leaders: Abel, Jacob 1 – 35

Palou Powers to NTT P1 Award for Sonsio Grand Prix

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 10, 2024) – Alex Palou started his defense of his 2023 Sonsio Grand Prix victory in the best way possible Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, winning the pole for this year’s race.

Two-time and reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Palou earned his fourth career NTT P1 Award and his first since the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear last June. His best lap today in the Firestone Fast Six was 1 minute, 9.0004 seconds in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

The pole on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course came after Palou ended up 17th and 11th, respectively, in the two practice sessions today that preceded qualifying.

“It’s been a tough day, honestly,” Palou said. “Practice 1 and Practice 2 wasn’t amazing. Even the start of qualifying, too. So, really happy to be there. Didn’t expect it. I’ll take it.

“It was my mom’s birthday today, so it’s probably a good birthday present.”

Live coverage of the 85-lap race starts at 3 p.m. ET Saturday on NBC, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network. A 30-minute warmup session starts at 11:15 a.m., with live coverage on Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Christian Lundgaard qualified second at 1:09:0921 in the No. 45 Hy-Vee Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. This was his third consecutive front-row start on the IMS road course, as he won the pole for this event last May and started second in the Gallagher Grand Prix last August.

Two-time series champion Will Power will start third after his top qualifying lap of 1:09.1636 in the No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet. Teammate Josef Newgarden will join Power in the second row of the starting grid after qualifying fourth at 1:09.2528 in the No. 2 Snap-on Team Penske Chevrolet.

The strong performances for Power and Newgarden came despite working this month without their respective strategists and key engineers. Team president and Newgarden strategist Tim Cindric, Power strategist Ron Ruzewski, Newgarden engineer Luke Mason and Power data engineer Robbie Atkinson were suspended by Team Penske for this event and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge for their roles in the Push to Pass technical infractions found on the cars driven by Power, Newgarden and teammate Scott McLaughlin.

Pato O’Ward will start fifth after his best lap of 1:09.3320 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Six-time series champion Scott Dixon rounded out the Firestone Fast Six at 1:09.5270 in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi qualified a season-best seventh at 1:09.0801 in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet after missing the Firestone Fast Six by .0185 of a second. Rossi’s previous best start this season was 13th at Long Beach.

Series points leader Colton Herta faces a long climb in the race Saturday after qualifying a season-low 24th in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda of Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian. Herta’s car ran out of fuel on his final flying lap during the first round of qualifying. He led the first practice this morning.

This is Herta’s lowest qualifying position since he also started 24th for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear last June.

Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist Qualifies in Top 10 for Indy Road Course Race

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Official Release
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Indianapolis, Ind.- (10 May 2024) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) started its month of May in solid fashion on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course as Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) earned his fourth consecutive top-10 qualifying spot of the season, claiming the 10th spot for Saturday’s Sonsio Grand Prix (3:30pm ET, NBC, SiriusXM Ch. 218).

Friday’s qualifying session was the first time this season that Rosenqvist has not made it to the Firestone Fast Six, but the MSR ace is keen to move up the field and continue his strong run of top ten race results.

The Swedish driver led his group in the opening 10-minute qualifying run around the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course built on the inside of the IMS oval, stopping the clocks at 1:08.9912 (127.268mph) on his last lap to advance to the second set of qualifying laps. He was in position to advance to the final session halfway through the 10-minute run, but did not gain time on his last set of tires and settled for 10th.

Rookie Tom Blomqvist (No. 66 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) will start 26th in his first INDYCAR SERIES race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, carding a best time of 1:09.2624 (126.107mph) in the first round of qualifying.

Rosenqvist’s effort extended his streak of top-10 starts, lengthening his MSR team record of consecutive top-10 qualifying results to start the season to four. The streak is also the first time a Meyer Shank Racing driver has chained four top-10 starting positions together since Jack Harvey turned the trick in Rounds 2-5 in 2021.

Saturday’s Sonsio Grand Prix will air on NBC and Peacock starting at 3:00pm ET, with the green flag flying at 3:45pm ET. SiriusXM will also host live INDYCAR Radio coverage of both sessions on SiriusXM Ch. 218.

Meyer Shank Racing Driver Quotes:

Felix Rosenqvist: “We were first in Q1, but it’s really hard to put a lap together here. I felt good, but I think I was a little over the edge with the car and with my driving in Q2 and I just threw both laps away. But it is a good result and we can fight from there tomorrow.”

Tom Blomqvist: “Struggle city. It’s definitely been a tough day for us overall. I havent felt at one with the car all day and I just made a mistake on my one lap in qualifying. We’ll take the night to reset and see what we can do in the race tomorrow.”

Custer and Herbst Darlington Media Availability

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Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Darlington Media Advance | Friday, May 10, 2024

Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Cole Custer and Riley Herbst answered questions from the media before today’s practice and qualifying session at Darlington Raceway.

COLE CUSTER, No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse – IT’S 10 YEARS SINCE YOUR FIRST WIN WITH THE TEAM WHEN YOU WERE IN THE TRUCK SERIES. WHAT DOES SHR MEAN TO YOU? “The truck series win wasn’t with SHR, but starting with the Xfinity Series and going from there and seeing what that’s built into since we started, I mean, it was a lot of work when the Xfinity team started and how much went into that, and seeing it get a championship last year was really rewarding. So, hopefully we can keep it going here. I think we really hit our stride in Dover and felt like we had a really fast car that could compete for a win. The rain had a little bit to do with stuff at Dover, but hopefully we can kind of keep that momentum rolling here and have a shot of winning this thing because Darlington is one of the coolest places you can ever win at. Having a Johnny Sauter throwback this weekend also would be really cool, so hopefully we can give him a good run.”

IS THERE ANY FRUSTRATION WITH NOT YET WINNING OR ARE YOU CONFIDENT WITH WHERE YOU’RE AT RIGHT NOW? “I think any driver or team expects to win. We’re obviously a little bit frustrated that we haven’t won yet, but at the end of the day I think we’re really good as a group at just continuing to grind it out and communicating how to get our cars that little bit better. I think it showed last weekend at Dover, so I know we have a great group around us and we just have to keep it rolling. If you keep knocking on the door, it will happen, so we just have to keep doing what we do. We’ve had fast cars. We just have to keep that consistency going.”

IT TOOK UNTIL PORTLAND LAST YEAR TO START YOUR CHAMPIONSHIP RUN. WHAT DID YOU LEARN LAST YEAR THAT WILL HELP FOR THE REST OF 2024? “I think just being patient. It doesn’t happen overnight. For whatever reason, we ended the season so strong last year and this year there was a little bit of a rule change in the Xfinity Series, so I think maybe just adapting to that and getting everything back going how we were, we just needed a little bit of that. I think at the end of the day what we learned last year was you just have to be patient. Eventually, if you keep working on it and keep finding the things not to do and then you find things that you need to do it will come to you eventually with how you need to get the cars. From there, you just try and execute. When you bring fast cars to the racetrack it makes things so much easier, but you just have to communicate to get those cars where you need them.”

DO YOU LIKE DARLINGTON? IS IT INTIMIDATING? “I think for me it’s usually a little bit cautious. I’ve been here, actually last year in the second race I hit the wall on lap one, so it’s definitely a place the first lap or two you just try to get your feet wet and see what the track has in store for you this weekend. It’s one of those places where you just have to know when to be aggressive and when to just take what it gives you because the first half of the race you don’t want to get yourself in trouble and then you don’t have anything for the second half. You have to be smart around here, but it’s always such a challenge. There are so many different things you can do. You have to run up against the wall with it being so slick out and it’s just one of those places you take a lot of pride in running good here.”

DO YOU LIKE IT? “Yeah, I’d say I’ve always liked it. I feel like I’ve had some pretty good races here and it’s just a place you always look forward to coming to because it is such a challenge and when you do run well here it’s really rewarding.”

WHAT’S MORE INTIMIDATING, GOING OFF IN TURN ONE AT DARLINGTON OR HITTING THAT FIRST TEE SHOT IN FRONT OF A CROWD? “Man, it’s about equal almost, I think. Coming here and knowing you have to be up against the wall, but then also going there and hopefully you don’t shank it off into the woods into somebody’s head is a little bit intimidating when you’ve never done it before. I would say those two things are neck-and-neck.”

YOU HAVE A WIN HERE WHEN DENNY HAMLIN GOT DISQUALIFIED IN 2019. HOW DO YOU PROCESS THAT? “I don’t know if I go boasting around that I’ve won at Darlington, but I take a little pride in it because it is a tough place to run and we’ve always run pretty good here. To finish second to Denny is something to be proud of here, but obviously I think it’ll be way more sweeter if you actually cross the finish line first. I’ve been chasing that here ever since then and I think whenever that happens, it’ll mean that much more.”

RILEY HERBST, No. 98 Terrible Herbst Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “I’ve been very fortunate to be part of a really cool family and to honor the Terrible Herbst name and the Terrible Herbst roots here at Darlington is only right and to have that bright red car is pretty cool and I’m honored to do so.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT DARLINGTON THIS WEEKEND? “It should be good. I’m excited to be back in the Xfinity car after the Cup car last weekend. I feel like we have some good tracks coming up, this and Charlotte, so I’m excited for what’s in store and hopefully we get to practice without any weather, but we’ll see how that goes.”

HOW WAS YOUR CUP EXPERIENCE LAST WEEK AND HOW MANY LEFT DO YOU HAVE? “I have two more. I thought from 2500 feet not very good with a 35th-place finish. My goal on Monday was to run all the laps and learn as much as I can and be there at the end and I felt like we accomplished those goals. It’s really hard. Obviously, Cup is the premier series and I’m grateful I got to do it. Hopefully, the next time out will be a little bit better than it was at Kansas and we keep learning and progressing.”

WILL ALL OF YOUR STARTS BE WITH RICK WARE RACING? “Yes. I’ve got two more. The next one is Nashville and I don’t know after that, but Nashville is the next one.”

THEY’RE SHR-PREPARED CARS? “It’s a Rick Ware car with some SHR personnel, but a majority of it is Rick Ware Racing.”

ARE YOU FEELING THE SAME DEFICIENCY ON THE XFINITY SIDE AS THE CUP SIDE? “I don’t think so. I think at Stewart-Haas Racing in the Xfinity program I think us and the 00 have the fastest cars, or it’s a coin flip between who is fastest each week. I think our Xfinity program is really figured out and it’s switched on right now. It’s my job to capitalize on it. The Cup car, it’s not fair for me to come back and say the Fords are lacking here, here and here is meaning the driver is lacking here, here and here and just experience, so I’m looking forward to the next start and hopefully it’s better than Kansas.”

HOW DO YOU APPROACH DARLINGTON? “I think Darlington is super interesting. When people bring up Darlington I bring up COVID when I was a really green race car driver and we didn’t get any testing or practice. We had a random start and I started sixth on the outside of Justin Allgaier for my first laps around Darlington, so that’s a special memory for me and it’s extremely challenging with both ends being very, very different and the patch seems to lose grip every time we come here from the spring to the fall and the fall to spring, so I’m excited to see what it holds in practice, if we get to practice, which I think we’ll be able to. I feel like we’ll have a pretty fast car like we’ve had all year and hopefully capitalize on that.”

WHAT ABOUT THE LENGTH OF THE TRACKS EACH WEEK? “I don’t know if the track length is truly an adjustment for us, but this truly is one of the shortest Xfinity races we do with only 200 miles, so that’s probably the biggest adjustment for us race car drivers is the stages are shorter and the race length is shorter, so we have to be about it a little bit more aggressively and put it on the fence a little bit sooner.”

AS YOU LOOK AT YOUR CAREER IS IT HARD TO NOT LOOK BEHIND AND SEE SOME OF THESE YOUNGER KIDS DOING WELL? “I think this is a pivotal season for my career, honestly. These next few races are gonna be big. There are a lot of cool opportunities and big things possibly for my future, but that kind of falls back on my shoulders to perform. I think things are happening a lot sooner this year than in year’s past, so it’s gonna kind of be a sprint to the summertime and I think things are gonna start to happen a lot sooner than people anticipate.”

HOW DOES THAT NOT IMPACT WHAT YOU DO OR DON’T DO IN A CAR? “I think it’s just kind of an internal thing on the 98 team to kind of buckle down and get going because all of us are kind of looking around and seeing some writing on the walls for the inside the outside, so we want to perform the best we can and put ourselves in a good position. I know people are watching the 98 team, so hopefully we can excel when the eyes are on us.”

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