JUSTIN HALEY | KAZ GRALA
Charlotte Advance
Event Overview

● Event: Coca-Cola 600 (Round 14 of 36)
● Time/Date: 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 26
● Location: Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/600 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 100 laps / Stage 2: 100 laps / Stage 3: 100 laps / Final Stage: 100 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 The Cleaning Authority Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 The Cleaning Authority Ford Mustang Dark Horse, is riding a wave of momentum into the longest race of the year – the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The 25-year-old earned his best finish of the season two weeks ago at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, a ninth-place result that was also the best finish for Rick Ware Racing (RWR) on a non-superspeedway-type track. He then placed his Ford Mustang Dark Horse on the front row during qualifying for last weekend’s non-points All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway before rain began to fall with the final two cars on track, forcing officials to set the starting grid per the NASCAR rulebook. After starting 16th, Haley powered through the field to finish fourth.

● Sunday’s race will mark Haley’s fourth NASCAR Cup Series start on Charlotte’s 1.5-mile oval. He recorded his best Charlotte Cup Series finish of 15th last year in a Monday of racing that, due to weather Saturday and Sunday, turned out to be round two of a 900-mile Memorial Day doubleheader. Prior to the Cup Series race, Haley started sixth in the 200-lap, 300-mile NASCAR Xfinity Series race and finished 12th.

● Haley has made four total NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte with a best finish of fifth earned in 2019. He also made two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts on the intermediate oval, earning a best finish of 14th in 2018.

● With 13 Cup Series races complete this season, Haley ranks seventh in the series – and first among Ford drivers – in percentage of laps completed this year at 99.6 percent. He’s run all but 15 of the 3,854 available laps this season.

● As part of #NASCARSalutes and the 600 Miles of Remembrance initiative during the Coca-Cola 600, the No. 51 The Cleaning Authority team is honoring United States Army Sargeant First Class Jeanne Balcombe. Balcombe enlisted in 1982 as a parachute rigger and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. She made countless jumps over her first four years of service until she sustained a knee injury on her final jump and was reclassified into the Military Police Corps. After serving in the U.S. for 10 years, Balcombe served as part of the 55th MP Company, charged with running the protection and security of the entire base alongside South Korean troops. In Balcombe’s final selfless act, she placed herself, unarmed, between an armed drunken soldier and another soldier during a dispute. She was shot and killed. For this action she was awarded The Soldier’s Medal – the highest peace time award. Additionally, Fort Knox honored Balcombe by naming a barracks complex after her. She is also represented on the police memorial in Washington, D.C., and Camp Humphrey in Korea named its new Law Enforcement Complex in her honor. In 2000, the MANSCEN NCO Academy at Fort Leonard Wood announced the naming of the Military Police ANCOC Leadership Award, the “Sergeant First Class Jeanne M. Balcombe Leadership Award.”

Kaz Grala, Driver of the No. 15 N29 Capital Partners Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Boston native Kaz Grala will make his second start in the Coca-Cola 600 following an 11th-place finish in the non-points All-Star Open last weekend at North Wilkesboro and an 18th-place performance the previous weekend at Darlington – a finish that bested the previous best result for RWR at the 1.336-mile egg-shaped oval. It was Grala’s third top-20 finish of the year and the fifth race in 10 events run for RWR in which he finished on the lead lap.

● Grala finished 23rd in his first Cup Series start on the 1.5-mile Charlotte oval. He also has two Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte with a best finish of 10th in 2018. He finished 30th with only 70 laps complete in his one and only Truck Series start at the track.

● As part of #NASCARSalutes and the 600 Miles of Remembrance initiative during the Coca-Cola 600, the No. 15 N29 Capital Partners team is honoring United States Army Staff Sargeant Ryan Knauss. Knauss was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 7, 1998, and his parents, Greg and Paula, raised him and his older brother, Tyler, on land in the Gibbs area of Corryton, Tennessee. It was quite evident from birth that Knauss was strong, funny, smart, driven, and brave. All his life, Knauss prepared himself to become a military soldier for our country. Playing paintball and air soft for many years in the fields with his brother and friends, countless hours of war video games, rigid eating regimens, and intense workouts helped prepare Knauss for his greatest life mission. After five years of service with the 82nd Airborne and 9th PSYOP Special Operations Battalion, Knauss was prepared for his second overseas deployment to Afghanistan in what was supposed to be a humanitarian relief effort at the end of the 20-year war that began as a result of the events on Sept. 11, 2001. Unfortunately, the enemy did not cease to cause chaos as a bomb exploded only a week and half after Knauss’ five-man Special Operations PSYOPS team arrived. As the last United States military member killed in the 20-year war, the family moves forward with Knauss’ foundation, The Respect and Remember Foundation, also known as The R2Factor, honoring the sacrifices of heroes like Knauss, who willingly laid down his life for our country. Amidst the hills of Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 60, lies a hero who laid down his arms and rests.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● In last week’s Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) event at Silver Dollar Short Track in Chico, California, AFT Singles rider Kody Kopp picked up his third win of the year. The defending, back-to-back champion leads the standings by 22 points after six events.

● Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age six when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), where RWR won the 2022 SX2 championship with rider Shane McElrath.

Justin Haley, Driver Q&A

A lot of people questioned your move to Rick Ware Racing. Do you feel any satisfaction from the runs the team is producing now and how that backs up your decision?

“I’ve said time and time again why I made the decision. The picture might start to be more clear now to the general public than it was when I first made the decision. I went off internal knowledge I had at the time. Rick Ware and Robby Benton gave me this opportunity and wanted me to come in and drive to the best of my ability and try to improve the race team, and I feel like the work we’re all putting in is starting to show. For the most part, this is still the same RWR team from years past. There’s not much difference at all. We haven’t added too many new people, maybe one or two including Chris Lawson (No. 51 crew chief). The team is still in the same shop and we’re still working with the same parts and pieces, but it comes down to how you assemble everything. We’ve had some great runs, but it’s a learning process every week.”

Are you reaching the point you feel you should be at after 13 races with RWR?

“I think the mountain we’re climbing was probably a little bigger than I anticipated, but the Cup Series is harder at this moment than it’s ever been. I’m not trying to take away from the past and guys who came before us, but there’s not really a slow car out there anymore. It’s pretty tough, so we’re just continuing to improve each and every week and focus on ourselves . We’ve cleaned up a lot of the issues we had at the start of the year. We’re trying to get our stuff faster and get the crew working more efficiently. Besides some pit-road stuff we need to work on, I feel like we’re doing well. We just go out each week and do the best we can.”

What is your outlook for the Coca-Cola 600 after strong runs the last few weeks?

“I’m really looking forward to Charlotte. I’m really confident in our car. We had good runs at Kansas, Darlington and North Wilkesboro. I think like Kansas, Charlotte’s surface starts to wear down a little more each year and obviously that changes the racing. The Coca-Cola 600 is such a big race and it’s a big purse race, which is something that can go a long way for a team like ours. Maybe some people don’t look forward to the long race, but I’m blessed to be here, to be at this stage in my career, and I’m just having fun and enjoying the good runs as they come.”

Kaz Grala, Driver Q&A

How does your preparation change, if at all, for the longest race of the year?

“No doubt, the driver’s preparation for the Coca-Cola 600 is more important than any other race of the year. You have to be more intentional with your hydration and nutrition, and make sure your workouts throughout the week push you hard but give you enough time to recover for the weekend. We’ll have to make sure our in-race plan is in place, as well, for drink bottle exchanges and snacks during pit stops.”

This race having four stages provides a unique opportunity for a big points day. Do you go for stage points early in the race, or are you focusing on getting comfortable and getting your car right for a decent finish at the end of the night?

“I did the 2022 Coca-Cola 600, which was the first year of NextGen, so I have an idea of how challenging a race this long is. It’s our only four-stage race of the year, which I personally like a lot because, as a young, inexperienced driver, it gives me more time to figure these cars out before the end of the race. Hopefully by the time the pay window opens at the end, we’ll be ready to capitalize on a great finish.”

What kind of impact does Kyle Larson running the Indy 500 have for NASCAR?

“I love that Larson is doing the Double this year. The last time it was done by Kurt Busch, I actually went to both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in person and got to see him race in both. It will be cool this time around to be in one of the races while a driver attempts the same feat. The Sunday before Memorial Day has always been my favorite day of the year. Since I was a little kid, I’ve watched Monaco, the Indy 500, and the Coca-Cola 600 in a row, and this year will be no exception. I’ll certainly be watching Larson a little more closely in the Indy 500 and rooting for him to carry the flag for NASCAR over there. I think it will be great for the sport in general to have that storyline to follow throughout the day.”

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE: CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Concord, North Carolina
May 24-26, 2024

 HEADING HOME FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TRIPLEHEADER

One of the most anticipated race weekends of the season is up next as all three NASCAR national series will reconvene at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the traditional Memorial Day weekend tripleheader. An annual staple on the NASCAR schedule, the 1.5-mile oval commonly known as “America’s Home for Racing” will feature three action-packed days of competition, kicking off Friday night with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ (NCTS) North Carolina Education Lottery 200 – the 11th race of the NCTS season. The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will return from an off-weekend with the BetMGM 300 on Saturday afternoon, with Chevrolet looking to go three-straight in the series at the Charlotte oval. The weekend will be capped off by the 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday evening, where Team Chevy’s Kyle Larson will look to make history by competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s 600-mile crown jewel event.

 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway:

Located near the home of many NASCAR teams, Charlotte Motor Speedway has hosted 125 all-time points-paying races for NASCAR’s premier series. The series’ deeply rooted history at the 1.5-mile oval dates back to June 1960 with the inaugural World 600, which saw Joe Lee Johnson take Chevrolet to victory lane. Over its nearly 65-year history at the track, the Bowtie brand has tallied 47 all-time NASCAR Cup Series victories to lead its manufacturer competitors. Of those victories include eight trips to victory lane by Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team – the most in series’ history. Team Chevy’s Austin Dillon is one of just 10 drivers who recorded their first career victory in NASCAR’s top division at Charlotte Motor Speedway – a victory earned in the series’ 600-mile event in the 2017 season.

REMINISCING ON THE LAST

Chevrolet’s most recent victory in NASCAR’s 600-mile crown jewel event came in the 2021 season with Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team. The victory came after a dominating performance by the Elk Grove, California, native – driving his Chevrolet to a sweep of all three stages and ultimately leading a race-high 327 laps en route to the victory. The victory delivered Chevrolet its series-leading 25th Coca-Cola 600 triumph.

The crown jewel victory marked a milestone moment for Hendrick Motorsports, with Larson delivering the Chevrolet organization its 269th all-time NASCAR Cup Series win – a record that gave team owner, Rick Hendrick, and Hendrick Motorsports the prestigious title as the winningest organization in series’ history. To date, the organization has only extended that record by tallying 307 all-time NCS victories – all recorded in partnership with Chevrolet.

MASTERING THE MILE-AND-A-HALF

Heading into the Charlotte Motor Speedway weekend, Chevrolet remains undefeated on 1.5-mile non-drafting ovals this season with three victories. Each of those victories have come courtesy of a Hendrick Motorsports-prepared Camaro ZL1 – led by Kyle Larson with two wins (Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway) and Chase Elliott with one win (Texas Motor Speedway).

Larson’s history-making victory at Kansas Speedway extended Chevrolet’s series-leading win record on 1.5-mile non-drafting tracks in the Next Gen era, with the Camaro ZL1 earning nine victories in 17 races on the intermediate-style track – a winning percentage of 53%.

Chevrolet’s Next Gen Wins on Non-Drafting 1.5-Mile Tracks:

• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Alex Bowman (Mar. 6, 2022)
• Texas Motor Speedway – Tyler Reddick (Sept. 25, 2022)
• Homestead-Miami Speedway – Kyle Larson (Oct. 23, 2022)
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – William Byron (Mar. 5, 2023)
• Texas Motor Speedway – William Byron (Sept. 24, 2023)
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Kyle Larson (Oct. 15, 2023)
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Kyle Larson (Mar. 3, 2024)
• Texas Motor Speedway – Chase Elliott (Apr. 14, 2024)
• Kansas Speedway – Kyle Larson (May 5, 2024)

LARSON EYEING HISTORY-MAKING WEEKEND WITH “H1100”

After months of preparation, Team Chevy’s Kyle Larson will look to make history this weekend by becoming just the fifth driver in history to accomplish the Memorial Day weekend “Double” – a feat last accomplished by former NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch in 2014. Other drivers that complete the elite list include John Andretti, Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon.

Unique to its competitors, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer that competes in the two U.S.-based crown jewel events that makeup the “Greatest Day in Motorsports”. Along with its series-leading 25 Coca-Cola 600 victories, Chevrolet also has a history of success in the Indianapolis 500 with 12 victories.

“It’s great to be able to be in a Chevy for the Indianapolis 500,” said Larson. “I’ve been with Chevrolet my whole pavement career. It’s great that they invest in so many different forms of motorsports and there are those opportunities along the way if you search for them.”

Larson officially secured a starting spot in the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 by laying down a four-lap average speed of 232.56 mph in the first round of qualifying – an effort that placed him sixth on the speed chart to advance the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet into the Fast 12. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion ultimately advanced into the Fast Six, with a run at 232.846 mph earning the Team Chevy driver a fifth-place starting position for the crown jewel event. The qualifying effort made Larson the second-fastest rookie on a four-lap average in series’ history – behind Tony Stewart’s record of 233.100 mph set in 1996.

Of those that have attempted “The Double”, Stewart is the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles. A victory in either crown jewel event would be history-making feat among those that have completed “The Double”. The 31-year-old Elk Grove, California, native has one Coca-Cola 600 victory on his resume (2021), while also heading into the weekend with two victories in NASCAR’s top division on 1.5-mile ovals this season.

ALLGAIER WITH WINNING MOMENTUM TO DEFEND CHARLOTTE TITLE

JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier and the No. 7 Camaro SS has an extra boost of confidence heading into the Charlotte Motor Speedway race weekend. The Team Chevy driver will hit the track as the series’ most recent winner after making his first trip to victory lane of the season at Darlington Raceway two weeks ago. On top of that, the 37-year-old Illinois native also returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway as the series’ most recent winner at the track – a victory that gave JR Motorsports and Chevrolet back-to-back trips to victory lane in the annual event. Allgaier’s triumph marked Chevrolet’s 23rd all-time NXS victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Elliott, Busch Set for Double Duty

A pair of former NASCAR Cup Series champions are set to do double duty in NASCAR’s top two divisions this weekend.

On the horizon of making his 300th career NCS start in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, Chase Elliott will get behind the wheel of the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro SS for Saturday’s NXS event. This will mark Elliott’s first of two scheduled NXS starts in the Hendrick Motorsports-prepared entry, with the Team Chevy driver also set to compete in the series’ event at Darlington Raceway in August. Elliott made just one NXS start last season, where he piloted the No. 17 Camaro SS to a third-place finish at Pocono Raceway. In 83 career starts in the series, the 28-year-old Dawsonville, Georgia, native has tallied five victories, 35 top-fives and 67 top-10s. Elliott also made history as the first rookie to win a championship in the NASCAR national ranks when he captured the series’ title in 2014.

Kyle Busch will make his first NXS start of the season this weekend behind the wheel of the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS. The start will mark Busch’s first-ever start in the series with the Chevrolet organization, but it’s a series in which the 39-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada, native has found much success. Busch has earned the title as the winningest driver in series’ history with 102 victories in 366 career starts. The Team Chevy driver has also amassed 226 top-fives and 266 top-10s, as well as one series title (2009).

ECKES MAINTAINS TOP-10 STREAK, POINTS LEAD

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes turned in a valiant effort in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at North Wilkesboro Motor Speedway last weekend – driving his No. 19 Silverado RST to a sixth-place result and extending his top-10 streak to eight-straight. The 23-year-old New York native started from the pole position after inclement weather forced the series’ qualifying session to be canceled. Eckes went on to score points in each stage en route to the top-10 finish, ultimately allowing the Team Chevy driver to maintain the series’ points lead by four markers heading into the Charlotte Motor Speedway race weekend.

In 21 NCTS appearances at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chevrolet has found victory lane a series-leading 11 times – most recently in 2022 with NASCAR Cup Series’ regular Ross Chastain behind the wheel of a Niece Motorsports Silverado RST.

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· With 35 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 57.14% with 20 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – seven wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – six wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – seven wins).

· In seven 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 Charlotte Motor Speedway:

Kyle Larson – one win (2021)

Chase Elliott – one win (2020)

Kyle Busch – one win (2018)

Austin Dillon – one win (2017)

· Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 25 all-time Coca-Cola 600 victories, most recently by Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson (May 2021).

· 10 drivers in series history recorded their first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Charlotte Motor Speedway – most recently by Team Chevy’s Austin Dillon (No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet) in the 2017 Coca-Cola 600.

· In 85 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 44 victories – a winning percentage of 51.8%.

· 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.

 
FOR THE FANS:

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles at the Team Chevy Racing Display including: Tahoe High Country, Colorado ZR2, Silverado 1500 Trailboss, Silverado 2500HD ZR2 Bison.

NCTS Driver Autograph Session at the Team Chevy Racing Display:

Friday, May 24: 3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

· McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes, Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Dye and Jack Wood

· Spire Motorsports’ Rajah Caruth and Chase Purdy

· Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez

· CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

· Friday, May 24: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

· Saturday, May 25: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

· Sunday, May 26: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 477
Toyota: 470 (-7)
Ford: 438 (-39)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 410
Toyota: 397 (-15)
Ford: 345 (-65)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 383
Toyota: 350 (-33)
Ford: 319 (-64)
 
TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

Coca-Cola 600

Sunday, May 26, at 6 p.m. ET

(FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

BetMGM 300

Saturday, May 25, at 1 p.m. ET

(FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

North Carolina Education Lottery 200

Friday, May 24, at 8:30 pm. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 JOCKEY X FOLDS OF HONOR CAMARO ZL1

There’s a huge military presence in Charlotte for Memorial Day weekend, what is it like seeing all of that and being around it?

“I don’t think it’s ever enough. We can always do more but to give the families something to smile about I think that’s what’s so great about live sports is they can just take a couple of hours and watch their car with their family members name on it race and hopefully they can forget about all of the bad in this world for a moment and cheer for a car going in circles. Its as simple as that. Whether we win, lose, crash or whatever, celebrate the fact they’re family members name is on it and be proud of that.”

Growing up was the Coca-Cola 600 a marquee event in your mind?

“Growing up for me it was the Daytona 500 and even the 400 there because we actually went to the July race more than the Daytona 500 because we had plants in the ground then. The World 600, Brickyard 400, Southern 500 and the two Daytona races all stood out to me growing up. And now as driver, they’re still the marquee events in my mind.”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS CAMARO ZL1

“The Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 are two of my favorite races of the year. The Coca-Cola 600 is one of the toughest races on the calendar. It’s a rough track. It is a challenge to run 600 miles, but I enjoy challenges, so I am looking forward to the race. I was able to win the Coca-Cola 600 in 2017 and we were close last year and finished ninth. This weekend is about remembering those who gave everything to our country. It’s great to see the impact the 600 Miles of Remembrance program has on service members’ families. Captain Jennifer Moreno will race with me on the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off-Road Chevrolet this weekend and I’m very proud to honor her and her family at Charlotte Motor Speedway. There’s nothing like the National Anthem during the Coca-Cola 600. An American flag is flying, giving it a real sense of freedom. It’s a weekend of freedom.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 ZONE CAMARO ZL1

You have five top-five finishes in the last seven Coca-Cola 600 races. Why does that race fit your driving style so well?

“The Coke 600 for me has pretty good over the years. I’ve really just enjoyed that race. You know maybe it’s that I’m probably one of the few guys now that have run the 600 miles for as long as I have versus the rest of the guys only doing 400-mile races lately. You definitely know that you have to be ready for a long, long day. I used to think that running Xfinity and Truck races in the same weekend would allow your longevity to be longer for a 600-miler but I don’t get to run those as much. I don’t think that plays as much into the races currently.”

Last year the 600 was rain-delayed to Monday and was then briefly stopped again before being completed. How mentally challenging is it for a driver to manage all that?

“Anytime you have rain delays it’s always tough. It’s not really what you set yourself up for but it’s a part of our sport. Being used to it and being around for 20 years gives you the opportunity to just have that experience of getting back going whenever the race does get back going. I think it’s a little bit frustrating when you’re starting the race and you know weather is coming and you run 20 laps even though you know the weather is coming. We might as well just not race at all and just postpone it. That saves the fans’ day, that saves the drivers’ day, the families’ day, everything in that respect plus it’s a 600-mile race. It’s long anyway so let’s not make it longer.”

DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 31 CIRKUL CAMARO ZL1

“Every time I get a chance to race at my home track where I grew up and made so many memories throughout my younger days of racing is super special. There was a time I didn’t know if I’d ever run another Coke 600, so I’m not taking it for granted. The way that race goes from late day to night, the track transition, and the multiple grooves you have to run, just makes for one of the most fun endurance races of the year.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 FREEWAY INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1

How important is Sunday’s race to you?

“The Coca-Cola 600 is a very special race for many different reasons. We get to remember all the people that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and give us the freedoms we have in the most amazing country in the world. I come from a different country. To come here and enjoy these freedoms, to enjoy what I am able to do, it’s not by magic.”

Will this weekend mean more to you now that you passed your citizenship test?

“I think so. I have learned a lot during this process and have enjoyed learning about America. I’m proud of Mexico and I am proud I have come to America and enjoyed the opportunities this country has given me. It was a long process but I am very proud and thankful to the men and women who have given their lives to have such a country as this.”

What is the key to success in such a long race as the Coca-Cola 600?

“First I feel like we had a very fast car there last year before we got some damage. So I am hopeful we can be just as fast this year. As a driver, your goal is to be as fresh at the end of the race as you are at the beginning. That’s important. It isn’t about making it to the end of the race. It’s about being at your best at the end and taking advantage of other drivers who are tired.”

How do you prepare for Sunday?

“As a human being, you try and perform at 100 percent the entire time, but when you’re running a marathon, you’re not going to be as strong in the last 30 minutes. That’s normal. Fatigue is setting in, your muscles are tired, you’re running out of fluid, and you’re hungry. Racing is the same way, especially in the Coca-Cola 600. We start running out of energy and you’re mind gets tired after four hours of racing. But I look to this race as a marathon, and you have to be on top of your game for the last part of this race. So, I always try to keep that in my mind when I’m in the car. This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 33 BETMGM / REBEL BOURBON CAMARO SS

For the first time in your career, you will be driving a RCR Xfinity car this weekend at Charlotte. How special is that and why was that opportunity so appealing?

“I’m definitely looking forward to running the Rebel/BetMGM Camaro this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I think it’s going to be fun. I’m grateful for the opportunity from Richard and everybody at the Xfinity shop. It’s been pretty good to talk with Danny Stockman and Andy Street (NXS crew chiefs at RCR) to get their insight and try to help them with some ideas and concepts and get ready to roll. This opportunity is appealing not only to get out there and run Xfinity but also to help RCR’s development.”

What are your expectations for the race?

“Our expectations are obviously to win. I’ve won 102 of those races so it shouldn’t be too foreign to me to get into another car and try to go out there and win that race. There’s obviously going to be some stiff competition. I’m looking forward to working with Austin Hill and Jesse Love. They’ve been fast at the mile-and-a-half tracks this season and they’ve done a good job. I’m just excited to see what it’s all about.”

Will you be able to work closely with RCR drivers Jesse Love and Austin Hill and those teams? Can you teach Jesse Love something at this level?

“Jesse is so new to it and so fresh to it that the opportunity of his learning and asking questions is wide-open. He probably has more questions than I have answers but he’s learned a lot already and done a really good job and as young as he is, he’s doing well. Austin Hill has been around the Truck and Xfinity stuff long enough now that there’s probably not too much to tell him. It’s all about car feel. It’s all about my description of everything to the crew chief and to the team and how they describe might be different than what I do. Even if we have the same setup, we say it different ways.”

BAYLEY CURREY, NO. 41 FOUNDATION FOR POPS SILVERADO RST

What are some of the most challenging characteristics about racing in Charlotte?

“The bumps in turn three, no doubt. Those seem to always get worse every time I race at Charlotte, but in reality, they’re probably still the same. You just have to be able to get through those and maintain speed. Charlotte is one of the few mile-and-a-half tracks in a truck where you’ll have a lot of off-throttle time, so that’s fun. I’m looking forward to that.”

MATT MILLS, NO. 42 J.F. ELECTRIC / UTILITRA SILVERADO RST

Does Al Niece’s military background make you more appreciative to race for him this weekend?

“Yeah, for sure. You know, Charlotte has always been one of my favorite racetracks, and we’ll be going there with our J.F. Electric red, white, and blue colors. I think my truck looks very patriotic this year, so to have that connection with Al as a Marine veteran as well as my dad, that military aspect is very cool to me. It’s definitely one that I’ve had on my list because it’s always a very special race for us.”

KADEN HONEYCUTT, NO. 45 R.D.C. SHOE COMPANY SILVERADO RST

How much of a benefit has it been to lean off Ross Chastain over the past two weeks that you haven’t raced?

“I definitely have learned a lot from Ross. Him and I have had some great conversations that help validate why the truck handles a certain way. I haven’t raced at Charlotte before, but I know that our truck is going to be good. It’s the same one we raced with at Kansas, and Phil and the guys have been really good here the last three years, so it’s up to me to learn how to go fast out there. I need to be able to give the right info we need to make the right adjustments and have a shot to win it.”

 
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: 1,321

Top-five finishes: 26

Top-10 finishes: 49

Stage wins: 9

· Chase Elliott: 1

· Kyle Larson: 7

· Ross Chastain: 1

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 858 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 748

Laps led to date: 250,496

Top-five finishes to date: 4,324

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,910

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: 185

 

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.

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Coca-Cola 600 Advance | Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Jonathan Hassler, crew chief for Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the NASCAR Cup Series, registered his first victory as a crew chief in last year’s Coca-Cola 600. He answered questions from the media earlier today as the series prepares for its annual Memorial Day Weekend event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

JONATHAN HASSLER, Crew Chief, No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse – HOW DO APPROACH THIS YEAR’S 600 AFTER WINNING A YEAR AGO? “It’s certainly exciting to be going back to Charlotte. I think it’s an interesting scenario being one of the few tracks that we only race once a year and having so many other mile-and-a-half tracks in between to try and learn. You’re kind of stuck in a scenario trying to recreate maybe what you had, but certainly know that you’ve learned a lot since then and trying to make those decisions.”

PENALTIES FOR THE INCIDENT AFTER THE ALL-STAR RACE CAME OUT TODAY. A COUPLE CREW MEMBERS WERE SUSPENDED AND AS THE CREW CHIEF HOW DO YOU ADDRESS A SITUATION LIKE THAT WITH YOUR TEAM? “We’ve definitely tried to talk through the scenarios here at Team Penske globally and not just for the 12 team. Our position tends to be that we’ll protect our ground and our driver around our car and our hauler, but we’re certainly not gonna be the ones to initiate any sort of action.”

DOES THIS SERVE AS A REMINDER FOR THE TEAM? “Yeah, every time those things happen, good or bad, we watch all of the things going on in our sport and try to learn from them and make sure that if the same thing comes up for us that we handle it for what we think is appropriate.”

HOW MUCH DOES WINNING MAKE A DIFFERENCE FROM A MOMENTUM ASPECT AND WHAT DID IT DO FOR YOU LAST YEAR BY WINNING THE 600? “Winning the 600 last year, honestly, I think it just gave us a little bit of freedom to go out and experiment with some different setups and different concepts in the last half of the regular season last year. A lot of it was trial by error. There were things that didn’t work. We were able to hit on a couple things that did and put all of that together as the playoffs came around and really made sure that we were at our best. I think without that win, you’re stuck at times being a little conservative trying to go get a bit of a base hit, if you will. Getting that win just really opens up your box.”

IF YOU DON’T HAVE A WIN AND IT’S GETTING LATER, WHY NOT DO THAT TRIAL AND ERROR AND BE MORE AGGRESSIVE? “As you get further out of that points picture and more desperate I think you definitely have to be willing to try things that will close the gap in a hurry.”

THIS WEEK IS EXTRA SPECIAL BECAUSE IT’S A HOME RACE FOR MOST OF THE TEAMS. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU NOTICE WITH YOUR CREW MEMBERS AS FAR AS EMBRACING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE EXTRA TIME AT HOME? “Yeah, it’s a good thing. I definitely enjoy the extra little bit of time with my family as well, but it’s a little bit of a challenge as the leader because guys have routines week in and week out and certainly that routine is a little different when you’re at home, so you have to balance the good with the bad and make sure that the job gets done as well.”

IS THERE EXTRA EMPHASIS ON THIS WEEKEND WITH GUYS WANTING TO WIN IN FRONT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY? “No. We really approach each and every week the same, trying to put our best foot forward and be as competitive as we can be. We just try to keep a consistent approach from week to week, regular season race to playoff race, from the start of the year to the end of the year.”

YOU HAVE A NEWBORN, SO HOW ARE THINGS GOING AROUND THE HOUSE. ALL GOOD? “Things are really good. Our baby girl is very healthy and growing and more awake each and every day. It’s been a lot of fun.”

WHAT SKILLS DID YOU LEARN AT PURDUE THAT HAS HELPED YOU AS A CREW CHIEF AND WHAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT? “I would just say that general problem solving and data analysis is probably the biggest tool that I use probably day to day, just to make decisions and continue to try to lead the 12 team and the Penske organization in a positive direction. I try to reach out. I have a lot of college students that will reach out to me through the year and I try to field as many of those questions as I can and the one thing I tell a lot of those people is to take any and every opportunity to get your hands dirty and get in the middle of it. More than just analyzing data, get in there and do the physical work and get that appreciation for the sport.”

WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE ON THE TIRE SITUATION LAST WEEKEND WITH THE OPTION TIRE? “I talked to somebody last week about how I thought it was gonna go and, honestly, I think it played out kind of similar. I really compared it to how the PJ1 works. You see at some tracks they’ll put the PJ1 down and treat the track and we’ll have this one period of the race where you’ve got two equal lanes, but then the slightest change will shift the primary groove to one specific lane. Similarly, we had the track rubber up, cool down and it was just enough of a shift that in practice it looked like you were gonna have a ton of passing and there was gonna be this trade off period where the red tires were gonna fall off and the yellow tires were gonna probably be stronger on a long run, but, like I said, the slightest change in conditions and that changed in the race to where the red tires were just pretty much good from start to finish.”

DID WINNING LAST YEAR FEEL DIFFERENT SINCE IT WAS A HOME RACE IN CHARLOTTE COMPARED TO ANOTHER TRACK? “I think each and every win you’re thankful for, and I think you try to embrace them for what they are. To say it felt different, it was different in that it wasn’t a playoff race and it changed what we could do, like I said, through the rest of the year and our approach. What was also different was that it was on a Monday. With it being on a Monday, we were right back up to work bright and early the next Tuesday and focused on the next week. I think it took us a little bit of time as a group to be able to pencil some time in to celebrate it, but we definitely did that and I’m thankful for the way it all turned out.”

HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION FROM YOUR COMMAND CENTER AND POTENTIALLY MAKE A CALL THAT GOES AGAINST WHAT MIGHT BE SUGGESTED? “I think the best way I would describe that command center is just a lot of eyes and ears trying to watch each and everything that’s going on in the race, and kind of having an open dialogue and line of communication between all of the different teams as well as that command center of how we think things are changing and what we might do to react to that. The All-Star Race is a great example. That first caution came out and we all discussed that we were pretty sure there were gonna be a lot of guys that came in and took yellows. That instance with us pretty much running last it was an easy decision to stay out and try to gain. We counted the positions that we’d gain. We were gonna gain 12 and we thought that was a risk worth taking. We go out and run 100 laps and kind of maintained our track position and as we’re getting closer to that mandatory caution, there was a lot of discussion among all the boxes and within that war room of what we needed to do next. At first, you talk through the ideas and how you think it’s gonna play out. Certainly, some idea sound more far-fetched originally, but there are some that are far-fetched, but as you talk through them they start to make a little more sense.”

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH MAKING THOSE DECISIONS WITH SO MANY EYES AND EARS ON YOU? “I think the key to that is we try to think through and talk through the scenarios before the race and have some idea of how things are gonna play out and then when those conversations arise during the race, they are there for good reason. Most likely it’s not something off the wall that’s not gonna happen or doesn’t make sense, so you’ve got a lot of good people here at Team Penske and it’s certainly worth listening to those people and trying to understand their position on everything. As far as how long it took me to get used to the number of voices in my ear, it’s definitely taken some time, but I’ve certainly gotten used to it.”

HAS THERE BEEN MORE DISCUSSION BETWEEN CREW CHIEFS AND THE R&D CENTER ABOUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE SHORT TRACK PACKAGE? “I wouldn’t say that I’ve actively, as a crew chief, been involved in what changes we need to make to the short track package. I will say there were certainly some positives to take away from North Wilkesboro. I think that combination and what they did with the track there was really good. I don’t think the softer tire was negative by any means. I think at times the cars ran a little bit closer, so there’s definitely things we can continue to do and I think we’ll continue to work as a sport to try and make it better.”

DO YOU HAVE A WAY TO TELL IF THE TIRE ON THE NEXT GEN CAR IS MORE TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE THAN THE TIRES ON THE GEN 6 MODEL? “I think tires being temperature dependent is something that you’re probably not ever going to escape. It’s more or less the physics of the whole scenario, so I think just understanding it better. I think Bristol is a great example to talk back through. We go to Bristol and this year we have a race in the coolest conditions. I think we probably missed maybe as a sport by bringing the tire that was brought, and I think that responsibility falls on everybody, so we just need to understand that is a big driver. The conditions are a huge factor for the tire and just have to stay on top of that.”

BUT DO YOU HAVE A FEELING FOR WHETHER THE TIRE ON THE NEXT GEN CAR IS MORE SENSITIVE TO TEMPERATURE THAN THE PREVIOUS SITUATION? “I think that’s always been something that we’ve had and something that you’re always gonna have.”

SO YOU’RE SAYING THEY’RE COMPARABLE FROM A DEGREE STANDPOINT? “Yeah, I think it’s comparable. I think you’ve had similar scenarios in the past.”

• In nine NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Spire Motorsports has logged two top-20 finishes. Corey LaJoie, driver of the No. 7 Chili’s Grill & Bar Chevy Camaro earned a team-best 17th-place finish in the 2023 Coca-Cola 600. 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 Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway will be televised live on FOX Sunday, May 26, beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. NASCAR’s annual Memorial Day Weekend 600-mile classic will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR RaceDay’s pre-race coverage on FS1 will take the green flag at 4:30 p.m. EDT and shift to FOX at 5:30 p.m.

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

• Corey LaJoie heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chili’s® Grill & Bar, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
• Sunday’s annual Memorial Day Weekend 600-mile classic will mark LaJoie’s 11th NCS start at Charlotte Motor Speedway and 250th career NCS start.
• This week, Spire Motorsports and Chili’s announced a partnership extension for three additional NCS races in 2024 aboard LaJoie’s No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 beginning with this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• In addition to this weekend’s annual 600-miler, Chili’s will also be showcased as LaJoie’s primary sponsor at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 2 and again at Darlington Raceway Labor Day Weekend. The extended partnership includes associate sponsorship on LaJoie’s No. 7 machine for the rest of the 2024 season.
• In keeping with the tradition of honoring fallen service members during NASCAR’s annual Memorial Day Weekend festivities, LaJoie will be racing in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeremie S. Border, of Mesquite, Texas, who died September 1, 2012, by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.
• Border’s name will be displayed on the windshield of LaJoie’s Chevy Camaro throughout the race weekend. Border is the brother of long-tenured Chili’s team member DeLaynie Peek, who will be at Charlotte Motor Speedway as NASCAR and its teams honor Gold Star Families for the seventh consecutive year.
• LaJoie has logged 10 previous NCS starts at the legendary 1.5-mile Concord, N.C. oval and earned a venue/race-best 12th-place finish in the 2019 running of NASCAR’s longest race. Last May, the third-generation racer started 25th and finished 17th.
• Lajoie started 13th and finished 12th in last weekend’s NASCAR All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• In addition to his extensive experience in the NCS at Charlotte, LaJoie has also made two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Concord, N.C., native recorded his venue-best Xfinity Series effort October 7, 2017 in the Race for the Cure 300 where he finished 17th.

Corey LaJoie Quotes
NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway put on an incredible event every Memorial Day Weekend and for the seventh year in a row, teams honor a fallen service member. Who will you honor aboard your Chili’s Chevy Camaro?
“Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway is an event I look forward to each year. Honoring those that served our country and hosting Gold Star families is a privilege that I take seriously. I will have United States Army Staff Sgt. Jeremie S. Border, who sacrificed his life for our great country, riding along with me for 600 miles. My Spire Motorsports team is ready to have a good night in Staff Sgt. Border’s memory.”

The Coca-Cola 600 will mark your 250th-career NASCAR Cup Series start. What does that journey look like for you?
“Hard to believe this week will be 250 Cup series starts. It’s definitely been a journey of persistence and overcoming challenges. I’m very thankful for the partners, friends, fans and teammates that have supported me along the way. We’ve stacked a lot of pennies over 250 starts and we’ll continue to stack ‘em for however many more there are ahead.”

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

• Sunday will mark Zane Smith’s third NASCAR Cup Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway but his first driving the No. 71 Focused Health Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports.
• Last year, Smith made his first Cup Series start at the 1.5-mile oval, in the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports entry. He started 29th and finished 10th, recording his first top-10 finish in NASCAR’s premier division
• Smith owns four NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) career starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He’s led 80 laps and posted three top-10’s in NCTS competition.
• Smith’s car will carry the name of Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Diaz, 26, of Albuquerque, New Mexico on Sunday. Diaz followed in his older brother’s footsteps and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2003. During his eight years of service, he did tours in Iraq, Israel, and Afghanistan. In 2011, Diaz was serving as a military-working dog handler with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion conducting a combat control patrol in the Upper Gereshk Valley of the Helmand Province in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As he was clearing a reported improvised explosive device from inside a checkpoint, a team member was severely injured by an explosion. Diaz immediately began to treat and evacuate the teammate when a second explosion killed him and two others.
• The No. 71’s Coke 600 grey and orange paint scheme will also pay tribute to the United States Air Force. Focused Health CEO, Shawn Holt, is a retired Air Force Veteran.
• Focused Health is a national health insurance agency that assists consumers and employers in navigating the myriad health insurance options in the government programs space. The company partners with payors and employers to deliver health insurance solutions for individuals and families. For more information visit AtFocusedHealth.com.
• Race fans can meet Smith at the Trackhouse Racing merchandise trailer for an autograph on Sunday, May 26th at 2:15 p.m. ET.
• Fans can also join Smith at Spire Motorsports Fan Day, Thursday, May 23 starting at 11a.m. ET.

The Coke 600 is a huge weekend for everyone. How are you feeling going into such a long race, but a race where you had success last year?
“It’s a privilege to have Staff Sargent Chris Diaz’ name on my car this weekend. One of the coolest things about the weekend is hearing the families talk about the soldiers who have died for our country. The pre-race ceremony gives me chills with all the military presence and standing next to family members during the national anthem is really moving. Their sacrifices have allowed us to live our lives the way we want to live them whether it’s driving a race car, working on a crew or doing anything else in life. I can’t say thank you enough.

“Charlotte is also a home race for all of us, so you see a lot of friends and family and you always want to do well in front of them. Last year I raced a Cup car at Charlotte for the first time and got a top-10. That was a great feeling and of course we want to do that again on Sunday.”

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

• Carson Hocevar will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Hocevar started and finished 10th in last Sunday’s All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• In three NCTS starts at the 1.5-mile oval, Hocevar has logged an 8.3 average start and a 7.3 average finish. He led 105 laps and completed all 411 laps contested.
• In his lone NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hocevar started 15th and raced his way to an eighth-place finish in last May’s Alsco Uniforms 300.
• 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.
• Hocevar’s car will carry the name of United States Navy Commander Robert “Bobby” Ramirez, of San Diego, Calif., on Sunday. Ramirez, a highly decorated SEAL Team One Commander, received five Bronze Stars, including two with “V” for Valor, during his 12 deployments, nine of which were combat-related. He enlisted in the Navy and later rose through the ranks to become an officer through the Seaman to Admiral program. He served his country in the Navy for 26 years first as enlisted, then being accepted for the Seaman to Admiral program and becoming an Officer. He sustained multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from explosions during training and combat. Despite these injuries, Ramirez remained a successful and respected Naval Commander. The invisible wounds of war ultimately led Ramirez to take his own life. A Department of Defense brain study later confirmed physical damage consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and astroglial scarring related to the blasts he experienced. Ramirez was married for 23 years to his high school sweetheart and is survived by his wife, four children, and a large extended family.
• The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender is currently 25th in the division’s championship points. Over the course of the season’s first 13 races, Hocevar has notched one top-10 and three top-15 finishes.
• Hocevar will join Adam Alexander, Michael Waltrip and Phil Parsons on FS1 for Friday night’s NC Education Lottery 200 NCTS broadcast.
• Hocevar will be featured as a pit reporter in Fox Sport’s Annual Drivers Only broadcast for Saturday’s Xfinity Series BetMGM 300 at 12:30 p.m.
• Race fans can meet Hocevar for an autograph session at the Camping World in Concord, N.C., Friday at 10 a.m.

Carson Hocevar Quotes
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a track you’ve done well at in both NCTS and NXS, does this give you some confidence for the Coca-Cola 600?
“Charlotte is my favorite racetrack on the schedule. I feel like I’ve had a shot or two at winning a race each time I’ve been there. I was fast in the Xfinity race last year and was running third before we ran out of fuel. I am really excited to run here in a Cup car for the first time and hope we can mimic my past performance and speed.”

What does it mean to you to have Robert Ramirez riding with you as the fallen service member on your windshield?
“It means a lot, even if this is something big or small, we can do for them, they deserve so much for their sacrifice to this country. I want to be able to do him and his family justice for the sacrifice he’s made protecting us and our country for as long as he did. The connection my crew chief Luke Lambert has to Commander Ramirez and his family, this just makes a lot of sense to us to honor him this way.”

Luke Lambert Quotes
What does it mean to you to have Commander Ramirez on the No. 77 this weekend?
“I’m honored. Bobby Ramirez is a true American hero, and he was close to a very good friend of mine, who’s also a hero who served in the Navy Seals. Having the opportunity to show our respect and gratitude to the service that Bobby provided us, to his family and to the world, is truly an honor for me. I’m thankful for NASCAR and Spire Motorsports for getting on board to honor him during this spectacular event.

“The Coke-Cola 600 has always been a special event for me. There is so much symbolism behind this event. It’s the longest race on the Cup schedule and also being Memorial Day weekend, it gives us an opportunity to pay respect to so many who lost their lives and sacrificed as individuals and also sacrificed loved ones for the freedoms we get to enjoy here in the United States. I’m thankful for all those that serve and certainly honored to be able to carry a name during this race. Commander Ramirez is a very worthy person to be honored for this event.”

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.