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Spire Motorsports Enjoy Illinois 300 Race Advance

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Official Release
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  • In four NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) starts at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR), Spire Motorsports has logged one top-25 finish. Last season, Ty Dillon raced the No. 77 Chevy to a 25th-place showing in the Enjoy Illinois 300. The Mooresville, N.C., team fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NCS with LaJoie, and fellow drivers Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
  • The Enjoy Illinois 300 from World Wide Technology Raceway will be will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, June 2, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 15th of 36 races on the 2024 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR RaceDay’s pre-race coverage on FS1 will take the green flag at 2 p.m. EDT.

Corey LaJoie – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Corey LaJoie heads to World Wide Technology Raceway behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chili’s® Grill & Bar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
  • Chili’s is a leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). Chili’s is known for its big mouth burgers, Chicken Crispers®, full-on sizzling fajitas and hand-shaken margaritas. Chili’s takes its food seriously – but not themselves – because dining out should feel like a celebration even if there is nothing to celebrate. Chili’s passion is making everyone feel special, and every day, ChiliHeads make it their job to spread #ChilisLove across almost 1,600 restaurants in 27 countries and two territories. And Chili’s cares. Chili’s hosts local Give Back Events to support kids, education and hunger and has raised more than $100 million benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through generous Guest donations. Find more information about Chili’s at chilis.com, follow on Twitter or Instagram, like them on Facebook or join Chili’s on TikTok.
  • Sunday’s Enjoy Ilinois 300 will mark LaJoie’s third NCS start at World Wide Technology Raceway and 251st career start.
  • LaJoie has two previous NCS starts at the uniquely-configured Madison, Ill., oval. and earned a venue-best 21st-place finish last season when he filled in for Hendrick Motorsports behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet.
  • Lajoie started 21st and finished 35th in last weekend’s rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Concord, N.C., native has led 38 laps in 2024 and is currently 30th in the NCS championship point standings.
  • Over 250 career NCS starts, Lajoie has earned four top-five and nine top-10 finishes and led 161 laps in NASCAR’s premier division.

Corey LaJoie Quotes
The NASCAR Cup Series schedule is long and can be filled with a lot of ups and downs. How do you distance yourself from a disappointing weekend and get ready for the race ahead with a fresh set of eyes?
“After a disappointing result last weekend, we’re ready to move on to World Wide Technology Raceway in our Chili’s Camaro. Last year was definitely a non-traditional one, subbing for Chase in the No. 9 car, so I’m excited to get back to St. Louis in my familiar seat and execute the weekend like we know we can.”

Zane Smith – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Zane Smith will make his second NASCAR Cup Series start at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis on Sunday but his first driving the No. 71 Ambetter Health Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports.
  • The race marks the rookie driver’s 15th Cup Series start for Spire Motorsports and his 24th career start.
  • In 2022, Smith made his Cup Series debut at 1.25-mile oval, driving the No. 17 RFK Racing entry. He started 32nd and finished 17th, earning his first top 20 in NASCAR’s premier division.
  • Smith owns five NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) career starts at the track, including a win in 2020. He’s led 112 laps and posted three top-10 finishes at WWTR.
  • This will be Smith’s second race driving the Ambetter Health paint scheme. Ambetter Health is on a mission to get everyone affordable, high-quality health insurance. Our drive to break down barriers and help make insurance more accessible to all has made us America’s No. 1 Marketplace health insurance. Learn more about how we are paving the way to better coverage at ambetterhealth.com.
  • Going back to Gateway this weekend, it will be your first race back since you made your Cup Series debut here in 2022. How are you feeling?

“It’s so crazy to look back on that day and see where I’m at now, two years later. That was the craziest 24- plus hours I had ever experienced. Gateway will always be special to me because of that. It was my first ever Cup Series start and it’s exciting to go back this weekend for the first time since I made that start in the No. 17. That day opened a lot of doors for me and allowed me to learn. I had a lot of fun in the process. I got a Truck win in 2020 and have had some success at that track. So, I’m looking forward to racing there this weekend with my No. 71 Spire Motorsports team and seeing what we can accomplish.”

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Carson Hocevar will return to the home of his first NCS start this weekend in Sunday afternoon’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWTR driving the No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports.
  • Hocevar started 20th and finished 21st in last Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Hocevar made his NCS debut in last year’s Enjoy Illinois 300 where he finished 36th while subbing for Corey LaJoie. Hocevar was fast throughout the day but a mechanical issue sidelined him on Lap 91 while running just outside the top 15.
  • In four NCTS starts at the 1.25-mile oval, Hocevar has logged a 9.5 average start and a 12.8 average finish. He led eight laps and completed 99.8 percent of the laps contested.
  • Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers. Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top one percent of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2023. The family-owned and -operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor’s top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.
  • The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender is currently 24th in the division’s championship points. Over the course of the season’s first 14 races, Hocevar has notched one top-10 and three top-15 finishes.
  • Hocevar is featured on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. ET following each race to discuss his NCS rookie season

Carson Hocevar Quotes
WWT is home to your first Cup race. How are you feeling about this weekend to head back there after your series debut last season?
“I’m pretty excited, honestly. We ran really good last year in the No. 7 so I’m excited to go in the No. 77 this time with my team. We’re a great team so far and I’m excited to have those notes along with what we’ve learned this year to make our car better. A year difference means a lot so, hopefully, we’re much better, we make the right adjustments and right tweaks and can make our car better throughout the race.”

WWT is such a unique track. You’ve put in a lot of time in the sim this week leading up, so how is your mindset going into this race?
“You can’t take a lot of set-up info from any other tracks for WWTR. We’ve put a lot of time in this week to really get everything as perfect as we want it, because we don’t have notebooks as long as some other teams. I have very smart people I trust around me so that eases my mind and I know we can run good this weekend.”

From the Top of the Box

Ryan Sparks – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Ryan Sparks serves in a dual role as both Spire Motorsports competition director and crew chief for driver Corey LaJoie and the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro in the NCS.
  • Sparks, a Winston-Salem, N.C., native, has been paired with LaJoie since 2020.
  • Combined, Sparks and LaJoie have earned four top-five and seven top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place finish in the 2024 Daytona 500.

Stephen Doran – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Stephen Doran begins his first full season as a Cup Series crew chief leading Zane Smith and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet team during the 2024 season.
  • In 2006, Doran got his start in NASCAR at Petty Enterprises.
  • Prior to his arrival at Spire Motorsports, Doran worked at Stewart-Haas Racing as an engineer, most recently on the No. 4 car driven by Kevin Harvick.

Luke Lambert – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Luke Lambert is the crew chief for Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 team with 2024 NCS Rookie of the Year candidate Carson Hocevar
  • The 2005 North Carolina State graduate has led the competition efforts for some of the sport’s most notable names including Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler and Chris Buescher.
  • In 2014, Lambert led Newman to a berth in the Championship 4, and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively. The team will also field the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets in the No. 77.

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Clint Bowyer to Pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 NCTS Entry at Nashville Superspeedway

By
Official Release
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Emporia, Kansas Native to Reunite with Crew Chief Brian Pattie

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – One of NASCAR’s most engaging personalities and 16-year Cup Series veteran Clint Bowyer will pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.

Bowyer, who retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) competition following the 2020 season finale at Phoenix Raceway, is currently an analyst for NASCAR on FOX. He is a 10-time NCS race winner who also boasts three NCTS checkered flags.

The 44-year-old will reconnect with crew chief Brian Pattie who guided Bowyer’s NCS efforts from 2012-2015. Pattie led the affable racer to three wins in 2012 and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings when the potent duo was paired together at Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR).

“For me, it’s the tie between working with (Brian) Pattie and the good old days,” said Bowyer. “Putting the band back together, so to speak, and having some fun. Nashville is a cool racetrack that has meant a lot to me over the years. Separate from that, it’s about the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. That’s a really fun series. It’s a fun vehicle to drive. There’s a lot of drag and you can drive them hard and get away with it. You can really hustle a truck. This race should be right in my wheelhouse.”

Bowyer made his second career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 1.33-mile oval in 2004 tallied nine total starts from 2004 – 2008. The Emporia, Kan., native has one win over those nine starts and parlayed those efforts into an uber-impressive 2.8 average finish on NASCAR’s junior circuit.

“Nashville means a lot to me. Fate is the only thing that I can attribute to this opportunity coming about,” Bowyer added. “My career in NASCAR happened because of Nashville. My first race win in NASCAR was at Nashville. It takes me back to my first ARCA race in 2003. I’ve always raced well there. Not to put pressure on myself, but I have. I’ve never finished outside the top five at Nashville Superspeedway, and I think I’ve got close to a second-place average finish. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything but what’s important is the opportunity to get back together and work with Brian Pattie. I had so much fun racing with him during the MWR days. We about won a championship together.”

In 14 NCTS starts from 2006 – 2016, Bowyer recorded two pole positions, three wins, nine top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. While he hasn’t competed in a NASCAR sanctioned event since dropping the window net for the final time in November 2020, Bowyer made three Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) starts last season and while winless, was a threat for the win in each outing.

“I’ll have one run on a set of tires to knock the rust off and then I’ll have to go qualify,” said Bowyer. “It’s going to be a pretty important lap to start up front and have a shot at winning. It has been so long, so I’ll have to get reacquainted with the track a little bit. I feel like I can get the fundamentals back pretty quickly. I ran those SRX races last year and I was pretty quick right off that bat. I actually surprised myself. I had a ton of fun and was competitive.

After 11 races, the No. 7 team sits fifth in the 2024 NCTS owner point standings after earning two wins and compiling five top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Kyle Busch earned the team’s first victory of 2024 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and led a race-high 112 laps in Busch’s most recent triumph in Texas. Last weekend, Connor Mosack started seventh and finished eighth at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Given their history and past success, it’s no wonder Pattie is looking forward to the reunion.

“Clint and I had a lot of success winning races and coming close to a Cup Series championship, so it’ll be a lot of fun to work with him again,” said Pattie. “We’ve been trying to get him in one of our trucks since early last year, so I’m excited to see it finally come together and I’m confident that we can go out and compete for the win.”

The Rackley Roofing 200 from Nashville Superspeedway will be televised live on FS2 Friday, June 28, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 13th of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

“Having Clint Bowyer drive our No. 7 at Nashville Superspeedway just demonstrates how committed Spire Motorsports is to having a true all-star lineup in that truck,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “Clint is part of an exclusive club of drivers who have won in the Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Cup Series. When you see his track record at Nashville, it almost makes you shake your head. It’s pretty incredible. He’s a great personality and, as Brian (Pattie) well knows, he’s a lot of fun. We’re grateful to have him and we think he gives us a great shot at winning the race.”

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively. The team will also field the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets in the No. 77.

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Front Row Motorsports Announces Purchase of New Charter

By
Official Release
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Organization to Expand to Three NASCAR Cup Series Teams in 2025

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – Executing its next stage of growth, Front Row Motorsports (FRM) will compete with three chartered Ford Mustang Dark Horses in the NASCAR Cup Series entries in the 2025 season while maintaining its championship NASCAR Ford F-150 team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

“We have a very positive outlook on the future of NASCAR and as the sport plans for success, so do we,” commented Bob Jenkins, Owner, Front Row Motorsports. “Today that means having a plan for expanding back to three cars in the NASCAR Cup Series. I always have the vision to continue to grow and improve our team and that commitment and desire never changes. I am committed to the sport and its passionate fans and partners.”

The team is aware of the work ahead, but excited for the growth.

“It is good to get the news out now as we have a lot of work to do to prepare a new team,” said Jerry Freeze, General Manager, Front Row Motorsports. “All of us on the leadership team will be working through that, obtaining the parts and pieces needed for the new team. And, most importantly, adding to the dedicated and talented staff and culture that exists today within our organization.

“Starting a new team from scratch is always a challenge, but with the opportunities in front of us, the talent we have in our leadership, and a bit of a runway to get there, I am confident that we can produce three competitive programs out of the box for the 2025 season. We haven’t lost sight of what our goals for 2024 are, to get our teams into the playoffs for both series. If we can keep up the speed on track and have a little bit of luck to come our way, we can achieve our objectives.”

Today’s announcement comes off the news earlier this year of FRM extending and increasing its relationship with Ford Performance and a competition alliance with Team Penske.

Announcements regarding drivers will come later.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: World Wide Technology Raceway

By
Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: WWT RACEWAY
Race: Toyota 200 (160 laps / 200 miles) | Race 12 of 23
Track: World Wide Technology Raceway
Location: Madison, Illinois
Date & Time: Saturday, June 1st | 12:30 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX | Motor Racing Network (MRN) | Sirius XM Ch. 90

No. 41 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman, Jr.
Bayley Currey
@BayleyCurrey
@BayleyCurrey05

  • Currey’s Gateway Stats: Bayley Currey has made one prior start at WWT Raceway which came in last year’s Truck Series event. Currey qualified 11th for that race and finished 17th after a late-race spin.
  • Hillman’s Gateway Stats: Mike Hillman, Jr. has called 13 NCTS races at Gateway before, posting a total of four top-fives and nine top-10 finishes. Hillman has scored one victory here with Germain Racing’s Todd Bodine in 2006, and most recently finished 17th with Currey last year.
  • On the Truck: Currey’s No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from DQS Solutions & Staffing along with Masked Owl Technologies. Gateway will be the first race for both of these partners as co-primary sponsors this season. DQS is the parent company of Foundation for Pops, which was on Currey’s truck last race in Charlotte.
  • Recapping Charlotte: Bayley Currey and the No. 41 team fired off well after securing a top-10 starting position in Charlotte. Currey would hold his track position through stage one where he finished 11th, but dropped to 17th in stage two following an unscheduled return to pit road. In the final stage, Currey sustained heavy damage when a competitor blew a tire directly in front of the No. 41 Foundation for Pops Chevrolet, hindering his competitiveness. He finished the race in the 26th position.
  • Points Rundown: Following Currey’s 26th-place result in Charlotte, he dropped one position in points, now shown in 16th. He is 20 points behind his nearest competitor, Chase Purdy, in 15th place, and 75 points below the Playoffs cutline.
  • Quoting Currey: Do you use shifting to your advantage here as an offensive or defensive move?

“I think shifting is just something that you have to do here, really. You slow down so much in turns one and two that you can use that option. Depending on where you downshift, you can change the balance of what your truck’s doing. If you’re tight, you can downshift earlier to get the rotation through the center. If you’re on a long run like how we had last year, you can shift in turns three and four as well. It’s a good tool for the drivers to use.”

  • Quoting Hillman: With how much clean air means at Gateway, could we see any two-tire stops throughout the race?

“I think Gateway is a place that gives you the option to short pit or get off-sequence. Two-tire stops might have to be an option to consider, and looking at how some of the past races have been won here, I’d say it’s not a bad option at all. We’ll just have to look at where we’re running throughout the day and see if that is a risk worth taking for us. We need to make up some points, so it’ll be something to pay attention to and see what strategy option works best for us.”
DQS Solutions & Staffing Mission Statement: The core mission of DQS Solutions & Staffing is to attain unparalleled excellence in our specialized domains, specifically staffing and security. Simultaneously, we maintain the flexibility required to collaborate closely with our clients in the creation of innovative products and services within the framework of DQS.

No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
Matt Mills Racing
@MattMillsRacing
@MattMillsRacing

  • Mills’ Gateway Stats: Matt Mills has made one prior start at WWT Raceway which came in last year’s Truck Series event. Mills qualified 29th, and made up 10 spots to finish 19th in the race.
  • Leonard’s Gateway Stats: Jon Leonard has made a pair of starts on top of the box at Gateway before, both of which came while working with Stewart Friesen. In both races (2021 and 2022), Friesen brought his truck home with a fourth-place finish.
  • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra.
  • J.F. Electric’s Home Race: Mills’ primary sponsor, J.F. Electric, calls the St. Louis region its home base. Located just over 15 minutes from the racetrack in Edwardsville, IL, J.F. Electric will host a large contingent of its employees at the race on Saturday. On Thursday, Mills will visit the company’s headquarters for an employee day showcasing the the No. 42 race hauler.
  • Welcoming New Partners: The bedtop of Mills’ No. 42 truck this week will feature two new partners that are local to WWT Raceway. Moussalli’s Prime, a well-known steakhouse in Edwardsville, IL, will be branded alongside Lux Nova Laser Studio, a beauty salon also located in Edwardsville.
  • Mills Secures Best-Career Finish at Charlotte: Matt Mills and the No. 42 team put forth a great effort in Charlotte. Mills started the race from 15th, and quietly finished in 18th position at the conclusion of stage one and two. The team came alive late in the going of stage three, and following a late-race pitstop, Mills rocketed into the top-five. Where he initially crossed the line fifth, a disqualification was made through tech inspection. Mills would later be classified in the fourth position, which is his best-career finish in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
  • Points Rundown: With Mills’ fourth-place finish at Charlotte, he continued his four-race streak of gaining one spot in the points standings. Entering the 12th race of the season, Mills sits in 24th position, seven points behind Mason Massey in 23rd. He is currently 27 points behind Ty Dillon which would break him into the top-20.
  • Quoting Mills: With it being a home race for your sponsors, how much emphasis do you put on running well at Gateway specifically?

“Gateway is definitely a big race for us. J.F. Electric is on our truck all year, but this is a race that they go all-out with on the hospitality aspect. All the men and women that are their employees really want to see their truck run well in their backyard, so we’ve been putting a lot of time in the sim to prepare for it. For us, it’s one of the biggest races of the year.”

  • Quoting Leonard: What makes Gateway such a difficult track to set your truck up for?

“I like to think of this track as being pretty similar to Darlington in that both ends are so different, but there’s not as much tire falloff here. You can shift, but you don’t have to. It’s a big flat track, and a big short track. I think getting the truck to turn on the flat end will be important. I think our short track package is pretty good, so we’ll stick to that and roll with it.”

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 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Connor Mosack | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

  • Mosack Returns: Rookie Connor Mosack returns to Niece Motorsports for the second start of his part-time schedule in the No. 45 Chevrolet. Mosack last drove for the team at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he finished in 19th. He has also spent time driving for Spire Motorsports in the No. 7 Silverado RST, and plans to make sporadic NASCAR Xfinity Series starts for JR Motorsports later this year. The driver from Charlotte, NC has made a handful of ARCA Menards Series starts this season for Pinnacle Racing Group and recently secured his second-career victory at Kansas Speedway. He competes full-time in the Trans Am National Championship for Silver Hare Racing.
  • Mosack’s Gateway Stats: Connor Mosack will make his first NASCAR Truck Series start at WWT Raceway on Saturday. Though this will be his first start on the oval, Mosack has raced before on Gateway’s road course layout. Three weeks ago, Mosack finished sixth in the Trans Am TA2 event held on the 2.0-mile course.
  • Gould’s Gateway Stats: Phil Gould has called five NASCAR Truck Series races at WWT Raceway, resulting in four top-10 finishes. In 2019, Gould navigated Ross Chastain to victory lane at the 1.25-mile track, marking Niece Motorsports’ second NCTS win. Last season, while working with Carson Hocevar, Gould’s No. 42 team finished in fourth position here.
  • On the Truck: Mosack’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Chevy Accessories. Visit chevy.com/accessories to browse the latest accessories to personalize and enhance your vehicle.
  • Recapping Charlotte: Kaden Honeycutt and the No. 45 team experienced a roller coaster-like eventful day at Charlotte. In practice, Honeycutt damaged the right side of his truck after contact with another competitor. The crew repaired the truck well enough to qualify in the top-10, and after starting ninth, he began to march to the front. Honeycutt would make it up to second at the end of stage one (later credited with the win), and backed up the performance with a fourth-place run in stage two. Issues on pit road forced Honeycutt to the rear of the field on two occasions, but he was able to rally back to a seventh-place finish.
  • Mosack’s Best-Career Finish: While driving for Spire Motorsports at Charlotte last week, Mosack earned his best-career finish in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series with an eighth-place run. The result was his first top-10 in just his fifth start in the series.
  • Owner Points Outlook: Honeycutt’s strong outing in Charlotte resulted in two positions gained for the No. 45 team in the owner points standings. The team currently sits seventh, seven points behind TRICON Garage’s No. 17 team. With Chastain’s win in Darlington, the truck is locked into the owner points Playoffs.
  • Quoting Mosack: What are some of the benefits and challenges of racing for two different teams in the Truck Series?

“I think the challenges come from the fact that once you’re getting into the rhythm of how one team operates, that stops, and you have to give yourself a restart with the other team. You feel like you still have the momentum in the series with the trucks, but each team does things a little differently. The communication changes and some of the small details make a difference. I think full-time drivers have the advantage of gaining speed by keeping in that rhythm with everybody. The crew chief knows exactly what they’re asking for and vise-versa. Some of the benefits are learning what each team does that the other team doesn’t do. You can apply the differences whether that be through prep or debrief after the race, so there’s definitely some benefits as well.”

  • Quoting Gould: How difficult is it to rotate through different drivers on a weekly basis in the No. 45 truck?

“It’s hard, but it’s probably harder on the drivers since our team is racing every week, no matter who’s driving. We have a bit of a unique situation on the No. 45 team with having these drivers hop in-and-out of the truck and the series as a whole. So from that aspect, it’s harder on them to get up-to-speed if they’re not used to driving the truck every week. I’ve gotten used to all of them now, but it’s all about finding out their personalities and what suits them best so we can give them the most comfortable feel out there.”

About Chevrolet:

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

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.

NHRA ROCKETS TO NORWALK FOR SPECTACULAR SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS

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Official Release
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NORWALK, Ohio (May 29, 2024) – Always a major highlight on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series circuit, the 18th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals returns to world-class Summit Motorsports Park on June 27-30, set to deliver another incredible weekend of racing action.

Nestled in Norwalk, Ohio, Summit Motorsport Park has always lived up to its nickname of “America’s Racetrack.” This year, the track will host the 10th event of 20 events during the 2024 NHRA season and it’s a weekend loaded with nonstop excitement.

Starting with qualifying under the lights on Friday and a spectacular fireworks show, continuing with the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday and can’t-miss eliminations on Sunday, it’s a weekend loaded with 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph and event no fan should miss.

All the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will be on hand in Norwalk, aiming to pick up a Wally at the halfway point of the season at a race that will also be featured on the FOX broadcast network.

Last year, Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Blake Alexander (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all took home wins at an event that will again be broadcast on FOX and FS1.

The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge has proven to be a favorite amongst fans and drivers alike. At the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, semifinalists from the Virginia NHRA Nationals in Richmond will rematch in Norwalk on Saturday for bonus money and bonus points, bringing competitive and must-see racing to the qualifying schedule.

In 2023, Pruett powered to her first Norwalk win when she took down Justin Ashley in the final round. This season, Pruett has stepped out of the seat of her Top Fuel dragster and handed off driving duties to her husband and motorsports legend Tony Stewart. Stewart is in his rookie season in the Top Fuel category. With two semifinal appearances to his credit, he’s been up against the tight competition in the class including points leader Ashley, two-time winner this season Shawn Langdon, reigning champion Doug Kalitta and multiple-time champs Steve Torrence and Antron Brown.

Alexander, one of only 19 drivers in NHRA history to win in both nitro categories, picked up his first Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals win last season over Matt Hagan, who went on to collect the world championship. Alexander was thrilled to win in Norwalk, home track to team owner Jim Head, is on the hunt for his first win of the season after two semifinal appearances. Hagan currently leads the Funny Car points thanks to his recent win in Chicago. Hot behind him is class newcomer Austin Prock, John Force, J.R. Todd and Bob Tasca III.

Hartford picked up his first Norwalk win last season when he defeated Dallas Glenn. The eight-time Pro Stock winner will need to get past a tough field in order to repeat his Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals title. Atop that list is five-time champion Greg Anderson, followed by points leader Glenn, who has two wins this season. Also in the mix is reigning champion Erica Enders, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Aaron Stanfield.

Arana was one of only four drivers to win in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class last season. Gaige Herrera, the 2023 champion, dominated for the bulk of the season, but Arana capitalized, defeating Steve Johnson in the final round to win in Norwalk for the first time. Herrera has enjoyed the same reign of terror in 2024, picking up three wins in a row. Arana, six-time champion Matt Smith, former champ LE Tonglet, Angie Smith and John Hall will be eager to try and send Herrera home in Norwalk.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown and the new Holley EFI Factory X category. The Summit Racing Equipment Junior Drag Racing League Shootout will take place in Norwalk as well. After nitro qualifying on Friday, fans will be treated to an impressive fireworks display that has been a highlight of the event for several years.

On Wednesday, fans are invited to the Summit Racing Equipment driver meet and greet at the Summit Racing Super Store in Tallmadge. The event takes place from 4-8 p.m. and will include a number of top NHRA stars as part of a fun-filled evening.

Summit Motorsports Park also has some of the finest camping facilities and grounds on the tour, offering fans a great way to spend their weekend at the track, enjoy a memorable atmosphere and not miss a second of the action.

Fans will also be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Summit Motorsports Park can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Norwalk. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 28 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 29 at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 30. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, with eliminations coverage starting at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday on FS1, moving to FOX at 5 p.m..

To purchase tickets to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, fans can visit www.summitmotorsportspark.com or call 419-668-5555. For more information about NHRA, 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

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., 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.

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview 05.29.24

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: May 29 – June 2, 2024

· NCS/NCTS: World Wide Technology Raceway – May 31-June 2
· NXS/ARCA WEST: Portland International Raceway – May 31-June 1
· NHRA: New England Dragway – May 31-June 2

PLANO, Texas (May 29, 2024) – It’s a busy weekend for Team Toyota with its participating series in action across the nation. NASCAR’s Cup and Trucks Series are back in the Midwest at World Wide Technology Raceway just outside of St. Louis. The Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series West compete at Portland International Raceway in the second road course of 2024. NHRA is back in action, returning to the northeast at New England Dragway for race seven of the season.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS | NCTS

Toyota Camrys lead Cup Series points … Following Sunday’s Coke 600 in Charlotte, Toyota Camry XSEs now claim the top two spots in the Cup Series points standings with Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin (first) and Martin Truex Jr. (second). Toyota teammates, Tyler Reddick (sixth) and Ty Gibbs (seventh), join them inside the top-10, while Christopher Bell jumped to 11th after his Coke 600 triumph, and Bubba Wallace joined the provisional Playoff field with a solid run. Wallace is currently 13th in the standings.

Hamlin’s top-five streak … Beginning with his win at Dover last month, Hamlin is currently boasting a four-race top-five finishing streak heading into Gateway this weekend. The Virginia-native and current Cup Series points leader looks to push the streak to five this weekend, while also improving upon his second-place finish at the 1.250-mile circuit last season.

Bilicki to pilot Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 … Wisconsin-native, Josh Bilicki, is set to drive the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend at Portland. This will be Bilicki’s seventh start of the 2024 Xfinity Series season, the 97th of his career, and his first at Portland International Raceway.

Jones and Karam return to Sam Hunt Racing … Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) will field two entries this weekend at Portland with road-course aces, Ed Jones and Sage Karam, who will drive the No. 24 and No. 26 GR Supras. The two also started together with SHR back at COTA in March. This will be Jones’ second career Xfinity Series start after running the No. 24 at COTA. Karam makes his fourth start of the 2024 Xfinity Series season and his fourth overall start with SHR.

Heim seeks Gateway repeat … Corey Heim returns to World Wide Technology Raceway this weekend, where he was victorious in his lone start at the 1.250-mile oval back in 2022. Another triumph for the Georgia native would be his fourth victory of the season, the most of any driver so far in the Truck Series this year.

Friesen goes for another strong Gateway run … Following his second-place finish at Charlotte last weekend, Stewart Friesen is back at World Wide Technology Raceway where he’s always run strong in the Truck Series. The Canadian enters the weekend with five consecutive top-five finishes at Gateway, while only finishing outside the top-five once. Another such finish would be critical in Friesen’s push for a Playoff spot, as he currently sits 11th in points with only five races remaining in the regular season.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA West

Robusto, Ruggiero and Sawalich take on Portland … This weekend’s ARCA Menards Series West race will be well-represented by Toyota Development Drivers with Isabella Robusto, Gio Ruggiero and William Sawalich competing. Robusto and Ruggiero once again pilot Toyota Camrys for Venturini Motorsports, while Sawalich is back again with Joe Gibbs Racing.

NHRA – Top Fuel | Funny Car

Toyota still leads the way in Top Fuel points … After another Team Toyota victory in Joliet two weekends ago, the Toyota Top Fuel Dragster contingent continues to hold the top six spots in the category points standings. Justin Ashley currently leads Shawn Langdon by 71 points with Doug Kalitta in third, Steve Torrence in fourth, Antron Brown in fifth and Billy Torrence in sixth. In Funny Car, J.R. Todd is the lead GR Supra Funny Car, sitting fourth in the standings with Ron Capps seventh and Alexis DeJoria eighth.

Seeking eight straight wins … Heading to Epping this weekend, Toyota is on a seven-race win streak in Top Fuel following Brown’s victory in Joliet. Each of Toyota’s Top Fuel Dragsters have optimal chances to capture the eighth consecutive victory, including Ashley who is the defending race winner.

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.

WVU Medicine Children’s Announces ‘Christian Rose Racing for WVU Kids’ Art Collaboration

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Official Release
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Children’s has joined forces with AM Racing’s Christian Rose for an art collaboration.

During the ARCA Menards Series Race on Sept. 19, at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, Rose’s No. 32 Ford Mustang will feature a design submitted by three WVU Medicine Children’s patients.

“WVU Medicine Children’s is very grateful that the ‘Christian Rose Racing for WVU Kids’ art collaboration is showcasing the artistic talent of our patients,” Amy L. Bush, B.S.N., M.B.A., R.N., C.N.O.R., chief administrative officer for WVU Medicine Children’s, said.

“In 2023, Children’s treated thousands of patients from every corner of West Virginia and the region. This collaboration will bring hope to our patients while furthering our mission of building healthier futures for our kids.”

The featured patients are:

  • Addison Schrock, 11, of Acme, Pennsylvania, who is serving as the 2024 Children’s Miracle Network® Champion Child. Addison was diagnosed with epilepsy and cortical dysplasia at 8-years-old. She lives every day to the fullest and enjoys bubble tea, Crumbl cookies, and horses.
  • Ivy Martin, 12, of Morgantown. Ivy was born with bilateral choanal atresia and had her first surgery at 4-days-old. She loves playing softball and creating art.
  • Brantly Poling, 12, of Vienna. Brantly never let his spina bifida hold him back. He wants to make the world a better place, enjoys the outdoors, and spreading awareness about his condition.

“I am incredibly excited about this partnership with WVU Medicine Children’s for the upcoming Bristol Motor Speedway race,” Rose said.

“With Bristol being one of the closest races to West Virginia, it is important to me and our AM Racing team to not only lend our support and bring awareness to WVU Medicine Children’s but also welcome Addison, Brantly, and Ivy to the racetrack for a night of fun while seeing their design tackling the high banks of Thunder Valley.”

Rose’s racing uniform will be auctioned off at the upcoming Morgantown WVU Medicine Children’s Gala in February.

For more information on WVU Medicine Children’s, visit WVUKids.com.

For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Christian Rose, please like him on Facebook (Christian Rose Racing), or follow him on Instagram (@christianroseracing) and X | Twitter (@CRoseRacing).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events in its eighth year of competition.

The team has named Hailie Deegan, Christian Rose, and Austin Wayne Self as their primary drivers for the 2024 Xfinity, ARCA Menards Series, and Dirt Modified seasons, respectively.

Kaulig Racing Weekly Preview | Portland International Raceway

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Official Release
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Race Notes

Portland International Raceway
Pacific Office Automation 147
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Saturday, June 1 at 4:30 p.m. EDT
FS1 | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing has made six NXS starts at Portland International Raceway. The team has led six laps and earned one win, one top five and three top-10 finishes.
  • Kaulig Racing won the inaugural NXS race at Portland International Raceway in 2022 with AJ Allmendinger.

JOSH WILLIAMS

“It was pretty wet a couple years ago in Portland. Hopefully it stays dry this time and we can get a top 10, because we had a good finish last year when it didn’t rain.” – Josh Williams on Portland International Raceway

No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet Camaro

  • Josh Williams has raced at Portland twice in the NXS, with his best finish of 16th at the track coming in 2023.
  • Williams earned his best finish of the season (8th) at Charlotte Motor Speedway, his second top 10 of 2024.

AJ ALLMENDINGER

“Always great memories at Portland for so many reasons. From winning my first IndyCar race there and having a crazy Xfinity race and then being able to win that race. It’s definitely a unique racetrack when it comes to road courses, but it’s always a fun event. Hopefully we can go there and have a smoother race than we did in 2022 but have the same result.” – AJ Allmendinger on Portland International Raceway

No. 16 Cirkul Chevrolet Camaro

  • AJ Allmendinger has made one NXS start at Portland International Raceway, leading six laps and winning the inaugural race there in 2022.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season, Allmendinger has earned two top fives, six top-10 finishes and led 32 laps. Allmendinger currently sits sixth in NXS driver standings.

SHANE van GISBERGEN

“I’m excited to get back out West and make our start in Portland this week. It’s going to be fun to tackle the track and see how our Quad Lock Chevrolet stacks up with the rest of the field. I appreciate everyone at Quad Lock for coming on board with us. The livery looks amazing, and they have been a great partner of mine for years. Hopefully we can go out and get a win for everyone involved with this Kaulig team.” – Shane van Gisbergen on Portland International Raceway

No. 97 Quad Lock Chevrolet Camaro

  • Shane van Gisbergen heads to the Pacific Northwest this weekend for his first-career NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) start at Portland International Raceway in the No. 97 Quad Lock Chevrolet.
  • Last weekend, Van Gisbergen tackled the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he started 29th and finished 15th in his Focused Health Chevrolet.
  • In the series’ last visit to a road course back in March, Van Gisbergen started second and led 20 laps before ultimately crossing the finish line in 27th following a last-lap incident.
  • This weekend in Portland, the Quad Lock livery will make its second appearance on the three-time Supercars champion’s Chevrolet. The Quad Lock motto? Adventure. Whether on bike, boat, car, a trip down the road, or expedition across the globe, Quad Lock makes the experience better. And we build reliable gear, so you can go anywhere. No matter your device. No matter your pursuit.
  • Van Gisbergen and his No. 97 team currently sit 15th in the driver standings heading into the weekend at Portland.

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.

OPEN WHEEL SHOWDOWN ADDS SECOND WEEKEND WITH RETURN TO LAS VEGAS

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Official Release
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May 29, 2024 – Open Wheel Showdown promoter Davey Hamilton Jr. announced today an addition to the Davey Hamilton Jr’s Open Wheel Showdown November 22-24 at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California. The announcement revealed there will be a second weekend of racing action the weekend before at the “Bullring” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway November 14-16, 2024.

Both weekends will include National Midgets and Supermodifieds highlighted by 50k to win Winged Sprint Car races from a total purse of over $250,000 in prize money. Both weekends will pay the same purse.

Within one day of the entry process opening for the Irwindale weekend, all 65 sprint car entries were filled. There is currently a waiting list of potential entrants hoping for a chance to compete at Irwindale. With the addition of a second weekend of racing, there won’t be a shortage of winged sprint cars to fill both weekends. Th success of last year’s inaugural event fueled the addition of a second weekend. A sweep of both sprint car events will garner a driver over $100,000 in prize money.

“I knew the Open Wheel Showdown was going to grow from how last year went,” Hamilton Jr. explained. “I genuinely didn’t think going back to Las Vegas was going to be possible for us this year. There’s a lot of moving parts and things with dates. It would have to be a perfect scenario. I didn’t think it was possible. So, I made a deal with Irwindale for us to go there.”

“Then after talking with my title sponsor, which we will announce at a later date, we were all able to figure out how to do it. Now we have two events in the same week, which is pretty cool.”

 “It’s going to be an interesting situation. A lot of people were planning on Irwindale only. But I think there’s enough time for teams to plan throughout the year to be able to attempt doing both. We will try and work with everyone to help make it as easy as possible to be able to do both events.”

“Instead of $50k to win now you’re talking $100k to win both events in the Winged Sprintcar Portion. The purse basically doubled. There are two events at two awesome racetracks. One event is great, but my overall plan is to have three events a year. Two events in the same week are a little tight, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go back to Las Vegas this year. We all enjoyed last year, and I think it’s gonna be good for years to come,” concluded Hamilton Jr.

Entry for the second Open Wheel Showdown in Las Vegas will open on June 5th at noon Eastern Time at www.OpenWheelShowdown.com Ticket sales for both Las Vegas and Irwindale events will begin at that time as well, and are expected to move swiftly. Race fans can reserve RV spaces for Irwindale on the series website, while Vegas RV visitors can contact Las Vegas Motor Speedway directly for reservations.

For more information, please visit www.openwheelshowdown.com and follow all Open Wheel Showdown Media outlets for live updates.

JR Motorsports — NXS Portland Preview

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Official Release
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JR Motorsports Team Preview
TRACK – Portland International Raceway (1.97 mile road-course)
NXS RACE – Pacific Office Automation 147 (75 laps / 147.75 miles)
TUNE IN – FS1, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 4:30 p.m. (ET)

Sam Mayer
No. 1 RTIC Outdoors Chevrolet
Mayer 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 12
Wins: 1
Top 5s: 5
Top 10s: 6
Laps Led: 62
Avg. Finish: 17.3
Points: 11th

  • Sam Mayer heads out to the West Coast for his third NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Portland International Raceway.
  • Mayer scored a third-place finish in this event last season rallying back from an incident in practice.
  • The Franklin, Wis. native has been strong on road courses in the NXS, earning three victories, six top-five and 13 top-10 efforts in 19 starts.
  • The driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet welcomes back primary partner RTIC to ride along for this event at the 1.97-mile road course.

Sam Mayer

“Looking forward to getting back to a road course, especially Portland, as we were super-close to a win last year. This No. 1 team has been strong on road courses and we have done really well in the past, so I am extremely confident that we will be able to get this RTIC Chevrolet a good finish and hopefully get them to Victory Lane.”

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 12
Wins: 1
Top 5s: 3
Top 10s: 5
Laps Led: 427
Avg. Finish: 16.3
Points: 4th

  • Justin Allgaier has finished no worse than fifth in two career NXS starts in Portland.
  • Last season, Allgaier led for 23 laps in the Pacific Northwest before coming home in the runner-up position.
  • Overall, in 54 starts on road courses in the NXS, Allgaier has scored three wins, 18 top fives and 32 top 10s.
  • Two of Allgaier’s three road-course wins came during the 2018 season behind the wheel of a JRM Chevrolet at Road America and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Justin Allgaier

“We came so close to going to Victory Lane here last season with our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet and I know that Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and all the guys on this JR Motorsports team have a great plan in place to get us that one spot better this weekend. Portland is such a unique, technical road course. Hopefully we can have a smooth day out there and come away fighting for the win when it’s all said and done.”

Sammy Smith
No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet
Smith 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 12
Wins: 0
Top 5s: 1
Top 10s: 7
Laps Led: 50
Avg. Finish: 16.8
Points: 13th

  • Sammy Smith heads to Portland for the second time coming off a solid third-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • In 11 career starts in the NXS on road courses, Smith has scored two top-fives and four top-10’s, with a best finish of third coming at Watkins Glen International in 2022.
  • According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Smit currently ranks third in quality passes (622) and seventh in laps run inside the top-15 (1,638).
  • Pilot Flying J will share the TV panel with Market Express, a locally-owned trucking company based in North Portland.

Sammy Smith

“I’m thrilled to get back on a road course with my No. 8 JR Motorsports team. I’m ready to take the momentum from our third-place finish in Charlotte and bring it to Portland where we look to be just as strong with our Pilot Flying J Chevrolet.”

Brandon Jones
No. 9 Menards / MagickWoods Vanities Chevrolet
Jones 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 12
Wins: 0
Top 5s: 1
Top 10s: 5
Laps Led: 20
Avg. Finish: 16.3
Points: 10th

  • Brandon Jones will make his third NXS start at Portland this weekend. In his previous two starts he has an average finish of 12.0.
  • Jones has made 41 starts on road courses in the NXS and has accumulated five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes with a best of second coming at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course during the 2020 season.
  • The 27-year-old Georgia native will also be making his fifth ARCA Menards Series road-course start this weekend in the No. 42 Sprecher Root Beer Chevrolet.
  • MagickWoods Vanities will adorn the hood of Jones’ No. 9 Chevrolet this weekend. This will be the first appearance of this brand on the hood at Portland.

Brandon Jones

“After our great finish last weekend in Charlotte I am ready to keep the momentum going in Portland. This No. 9 team always brings a fast car to road courses and I know we will unload another one this weekend. I’m feeling confident so I hope we can be up front when it counts.”

JRM Team Updates

  • JR Motorsports at Portland International Raceway: JR Motorsports has competed at Portland International Raceway a combined eight times with the NXS since its first trip there in 2022. In those starts at the 1.97-mile road course, the organization has recorded five top-fives and six top-10s, with an average finish of 9.8.
  • Autograph Session: JR Motorsports drivers Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Brandon Jones will be at the track autograph session located in the Fan Midway on Saturday, June 1 from 10:30 am-11:30 am (PT)
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