TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
World Wide Technology Raceway / Portland International Raceway
June 1-2, 2024

For the first time this season, a tripleheader weekend for NASCAR’s three national series will be contested at two different venues. The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) will pair up for the journey to World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR), where Chevrolet returns to the track as the reigning winner in both series. The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will make its longest trek of the season to Portland International Raceway for the second road course race of the series’ 33-race schedule.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway:

World Wide Technology Raceway earned a spot on the NASCAR Cup Series’ schedule for the first time in 2022, making the 1.25-mile oval one of the newest additions to the circuit. In just the series’ second appearance at WWTR (2023), Chevrolet earned its first trip to victory lane in NASCAR’s top division at the track, courtesy of a victory by Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at World Wide Technology Raceway:

Contrary to the NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has a much longer history at WWTR with Saturday’s Toyota 200 marking the series’ 24th race at the track. The 1.25-mile oval nestled in Madison, Illinois, first played host for the NCTS in 1998 – an event that saw Rick Carelli take the victory behind the wheel of a Chevrolet. Since then, Chevrolet has become the winningest manufacturer in series’ history at WWTR with 12 victories, with six of those triumphs coming in the series’ last seven races at the track. Grant Enfinger was the most recent Team Chevy driver to claim a NCTS victory at WWTR (2023) – a monumental victory that earned GMS Racing the title as the winningest Chevrolet team in NCTS’ history.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Portland International Raceway:

Saturday’s Pacific Office Automation 147 will mark the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ third-ever appearance at Portland International Raceway. In the series’ debut at the 1.97-mile, 12-turn road course circuit in 2022, road course ringer AJ Allmendinger took Chevrolet to victory lane. The triumph in the series’ inaugural event was celebrated by a sweep of the top six finishing positions – recorded by drivers from four different Chevrolet teams. One year ago, the Bowtie brand came just one spot short of defending its race winning title, but still grabbed four of the top five positions in the final running order.

BUSCH BOASTS SERIES-LEADING STATS AT WWTR

While seeking his first win of NASCAR Cup Series season, Team Chevy’s Kyle Busch is heading to a track that fares statistically well for the two-time champion. The 39-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada, native has earned the series’ best average finish of 1.500 at World Wide Technology Raceway – recording a runner-up finish in 2022 and, most recently, a victory in 2023. Busch has tallied the most laps led in each of the series’ two appearances at the 1.25-mile oval – logging 66 laps led in 2022 and 121 laps led in 2023. Proving to be a contender in each event, Busch has also earned a series-best average running position of 3.024 heading into the series’ third consecutive trip to the track.

SANCHEZ ADDS TO SILVERADO’S INTERMEDIATE STRENGTH

This weekend’s trip to World Wide Technology Raceway will mark the five-race countdown to the end of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ regular-season. Last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez became the series’ third repeat winner of the season – delivering Chevrolet its series-leading eighth victory in 11 NCTS races.

Among its victories this season, intermediate-style ovals have proven to be a strong suit for the Bowtie brand. In five races on non-drafting, intermediate-style ovals, the Silverado RST has picked up four victories – each earned by a different Team Chevy driver (Rajah Caruth – Las Vegas Motor Speedway; Kyle Busch – Texas Motor Speedway; Ross Chastain – Darlington Raceway; and Nick Sanchez – Charlotte Motor Speedway). In addition, each of those victories saw the Bowtie brand earn at least 50 percent of the top-10 finishing positions.

Perez Set for NCTS Debut

Rev Racing’s Andres Perez will make the jump into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this weekend for the first time in his young career. The 19-year-old Mexico City, Mexico, native will make his series’ debut behind the wheel of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Silverado RST. Perez, who is a part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program, currently competes full-time behind the wheel of a Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series. The 2024 season marks just his second full-time season competing at the national level. In six ARCA Menards Series races this season, the Team Chevy driver sits as the series’ points leader with two top-fives and five top-10s.

ALLMENDINGER, MAYER HIGHLIGHT NXS’ ROAD COURSE RINGERS

Returning to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time this season, Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger will return to Portland International Raceway for the first time since his victory in the series’ inaugural event at the circuit. The 42-year-old Los Gatos, California, native has earned an impressive 13 career road course victories at the NASCAR national level – 11 of which have come in the NXS, making Allmendinger the only driver in series’ history to earn a double-digit win count on road courses.

JR Motorsports’ Sam Mayer became a first-time winner in the NXS last season at his home track of Road America. The 20-year-old Franklin, Wisconsin, native quickly became a series frontrunner on road courses when the Team Chevy driver took his No. 1 Camaro SS to three-straight road course triumphs with wins at Watkins Glen International and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS

Inaugural NXS Race Win at Portland

June 4, 2022

Sam Mayer, No. 1 JR Motorsports Camaro SS

First Career NXS Win – Road America

July 29, 2023

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· With 38 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 57.9% with 22 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – seven wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – seven wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – eight wins).

· In eight tripleheader weekends this season, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer to earn a weekend sweep – accomplishing the feat three times (Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway).

· Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway:

Kyle Busch – one win (2023)

· In 86 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 44 victories – a winning percentage of 51.2%.

· Team Chevy’s William Byron is the only driver to have a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era – with his victory at Martinsville Speedway marking his 11th all-time victory in the Next Gen Camaro ZL1.

· With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 858 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 511
Toyota: 510 (-1)
Ford: 473 (-38)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 450
Toyota: 425 (-25)
Ford: 375 (-75)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 423
Toyota: 385 (-38)
Ford: 351 (-72)
 
TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway

Enjoy Illinois 300

Sunday, June 2, at 3:30 p.m. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series at Portland International Raceway

Pacific Office Automation 147

Saturday, June 1, at 4:30 p.m. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at World Wide Technology Raceway

Toyota 200

Saturday, June 1, at 1:30 pm. ET

(FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 Busch Light CAMARO ZL1

How challenging is track like Gateway that has completely opposite corners?

“It’s exactly that. You get to one end and drive it completely different at the other end. Long straightaways, tight corners, really flat turns 3 and 4, a little more banking and a unique line in turns 1 and 2. It’s a one of one track. There’s nowhere else like Gateway. I’ve been there in the truck series before. I remember watching truck races way back in the day, Xfinity Series races way back in the day. Gateway was a staple of those series and for some reason I really remember that track. Everything about it makes it a one of one.”

How do you find speed at Gateway?

“If I knew that, I would be in victory lane every time. I don’t know. You can’t drive a slow car fast. You want your car to be turning well. I’m a simple man. I want the car to turn. I want it to do what I ask it to do and not have to manipulate it so much inside. It needs to do something similar in both ends. You can’t get in turns 1 and 2 with the extra banking doing one thing and then getting down to the other end and it be another.”

Can you take me back to your first time driving at Gateway?

“My first time driving at Gateway was in a truck for Jay Robinson. The Xfinity Series was off and he asked me if I wanted to go drive a truck and run it until it’s out of gas, get laps on the track. We actually made second round of qualifying back then. It was a crazy memory to have that and then come back the next year and win the race in the No. 45 truck.”

Why does it seem to race much more like a short track than an intermediate?

“The straightaways are longer and the corners are shorter than intermediates. It’s more like a paperclip versus a tri-oval or quad-oval that we run on the intermediate.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 REBEL BOURBON CAMARO ZL1

How different is World Wide Technology Raceway versus other superspeedways?

“I feel like the racetrack lends itself to a different challenge than what we’re accustomed to. A lot of times you run these racetracks and both ends of the track are very similar. You have to drive World Wide Technology Raceway differently than other places we go. As a driver, that’s fun and gives you a different challenge. It’s also unique because it’s not quite a short track but it’s not quite a superspeedway. It’s egg-shaped and drives like a short track. There’s a big, heavy braking moment getting into Turn 1, a really tight corner in 1 and 2, and then a long, sweeping, and much faster corner in 3 and 4. We’ve been fast the last couple of years and we want to make sure we do it again this weekend.”

You have performed well in both Cup races at World Wide Technology Raceway and enter this weekend at the defending race winner of the Enjoy Illinois 300.

“The last couple of years there have been great. Last year we started up front and we were able to make the most of that and score the win. We had a couple of delays in that one so it went a little later in the night and we finished under the lights. I hope we can go there with the same speed that we had last year and we can go after a win again. World Wide Technology Raceway is the home track for my crew chief, Randall Burnett, so It was really cool to have a special weekend for him last year and to be able to score that win.”

DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 31 POPPY BANK CAMARO ZL1

“I haven’t been to Gateway since 2016, so I’ve never run on the repave. I’ve had a chance to do a little bit of simulation to get used to shifting as much as you do there. I’m pretty fired up to get there and hopefully have a solid race after showing the speed we did in Charlotte.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 CHOICE PRIVILEGES CAMARO ZL1

Can you repeat last year’s performance in St. Louis?

“Last year the entire weekend was very solid for us. We barely missed the second round in qualifying and really, we missed it because of me and not because of the car. The car was capable of advancing. In the race, the car was strong right away. I hope we are as strong again this weekend.”

What are your thoughts preparing for the playoffs in September?

“This is what I told my team: We have two months to figure it out. Two months to figure it out, and I say two months because I would like to have one month before the playoffs, to have the mentality of playoffs. Because if we think that we’re going to go into the playoffs and flip a switch and just be great, that won’t happen. No matter who it is, that doesn’t exist. So we have to just be ready when the time comes.”

BAYLEY CURREY, NO. 41 DQS SILVERADO RST

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.”

MATT MILLS, NO. 42 HAMLIN & ASSOCIATES SILVERADO RST

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.”

CONNOR MOSACK, NO. 45 CHEVY ACCESSORIES SILVERADO RST

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.”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2023): 42

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2024 STATISTICS:

Wins: 7

Poles: 5

Laps Led: 1,384

Top-five finishes: 27

Top-10 finishes: 54

Stage wins: 10

· Chase Elliott: 1

· Kyle Larson: 7

· Ross Chastain: 1

· William Byron: 1

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 858 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 748

Laps led to date: 250,559

Top-five finishes to date: 4,325

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,914

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,192

       Chevrolet: 858

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 829                                                           

       Ford: 729

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 186

 

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.

World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – The famed blue and white Ruedebusch Development & Construction scheme returns with Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse to the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

Finishing 17th in the rain shorted Coca-Cola 600, Gilliland enters the “Dog Days of Summer” 22nd in the championship points standings. Gilliland has two previous starts at the 1.2-mile asphalt oval with a best finish of 15th in 2023.

NASCAR Cup Series activity will begin on Saturday, June 1st with practice and qualifying at 9:30 a.m. ET. Sunday’s 300-mile race is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised live on FS1. Fans can also listen in from the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM channel 90.

No. 38 Ruedebusch Development & Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“Last week was frustrating, not being able to complete all of the laps, but it was out of our control and it’s time to shift our focus to Gateway. I left there with a Top-15 last year, but I think we can do better than that this year. We’ve shown a lot of promise the past few races, so I think our time is due.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“We’re entering the summer stretch now, and I know it won’t get easier with the warmer weather. We have to continue to fight and keep bringing Todd (Gilliland) fast race cars. We have shown our potential, we just have to execute on it.”

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.

World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is proud to announce a new collaboration with Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, for the NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology (WWT) Raceway. Siteman will be the primary sponsor aboard Michael McDowell’s No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

This is Siteman’s first such collaboration involving NASCAR and is an extension of the cancer center’s presence as a track sponsor of WWT Raceway and of community outreach and education efforts aimed at reducing the burden of cancer in Missouri and Illinois. By promoting awareness of and access to mammograms and colonoscopies, Washington University physicians at Siteman are improving earlier detection of breast cancer and colorectal cancer, respectively, when the diseases are most treatable.

“Cancer prevention and early detection are vitally important to the health of individuals, families and communities,” said Lannis Hall, MD, an associate professor of clinical radiation oncology at Washington University, director of Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Research and vice chair of the Clinical Research Committee at Siteman Cancer Center. “Whether it’s on Michael McDowell’s No. 34 car or at GetScreenedNow.com, Siteman Cancer Center is here to remind everyone about screening tests that can, and do, save lives.”

To further drive home the prevention message, Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, which is the pediatric cancer program of Washington University and Siteman Cancer Center, will promote sun safety at WWT Raceway with on-site sunscreen dispensers.

McDowell shares in the excitement of bringing a new sponsor on board his Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Siteman, especially to raise awareness about cancer prevention and early detection,” McDowell said. “Siteman and the many dedicated Washington University physicians who provide cancer care are committed to improving the lives of individuals and communities, including race fans. I hope, together, we can save lives and bring home a win on race day.”

WWT Raceway has proven to be a good track for McDowell. He led 34-laps in the inaugural race in 2022 and finished ninth-place last season. The 39-year-old has an average finish of 13.5 at the 1.25-mile oval.

The Siteman Cancer Center Ford Mustang Dark Horse will debut during the qualifying session Saturday, June 1. The race is scheduled for Sunday, June 2, at 3:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the action live on FS1 or listen to the Motor Racing Network.

No. 34 Siteman Cancer Center Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“This is a track where we know a good finish is possible. We were fast last year, but we just need to close it out. It’s the little things in these races that really determine so much. Just having a clean race should put us in a good spot at the end and execute well. Happy to have Siteman Cancer Center on our Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend, they do so much for the St. Louis community, we’re looking forward to running up front and give them a good showing.”

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“Gateway has been a good track for us, we had a good car there last year and got a Top-10. We consistently have good speed at a lot of tracks right now and just need to keep working on getting the finishes where we run most of the race. This weekend will be an important race to carry momentum through the summer stretch.”

ABOUT SITEMAN CANCER CENTER

Siteman Cancer Center is one of only a few cancer centers to receive the highest rating of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) – “exceptional.” Comprising the cancer research, prevention and treatment programs of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Siteman treats adults at six locations, including an inpatient hospital, and partners with St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the treatment of pediatric patients at Siteman Kids. An outpatient facility scheduled to open in September 2024 on the Washington University Medical Campus will become the newest Siteman location to offer patient-focused, multidisciplinary care driven by scientific breakthroughs and powered by Washington University Physicians.

Siteman is Missouri and southern Illinois’ only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and only member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Through the Siteman Cancer Network, Siteman Cancer Center works with regional health systems and hospitals to improve access to highly specialized cancer care and reduce the incidence of cancer through initiatives in cancer prevention, treatment and research.

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.

• 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.