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Comparing Online vs. Live Casino Games: What’s Best for You?

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Photo by William Warby

In the dynamic world of casino gaming, players are often faced with a choice between online and live casino games. Each format offers a unique set of experiences, benefits, and drawbacks. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a newcomer, understanding these differences can help you choose the type of gaming that best suits your needs and preferences.

Online Casino Games

Online casino games refer to those that you play on a website or mobile app without real-time interaction with dealers or other players. These games include a wide range of slots, virtual table games like blackjack and roulette, and video poker. They are powered by software that uses a random number generator (RNG) to determine the outcome, ensuring fairness and randomness in the play.

Advantages:

  • Convenience: Play anytime, anywhere, without the need to travel to a casino.
  • Speed: Games move faster since you’re not waiting for dealers to shuffle or deal cards.
  • Variety: Online platforms often have hundreds of different games available.
  • Lower Stakes: Minimum bets are usually lower than at live tables, making them more accessible for budget players.

Disadvantages:

  • Less Social Interaction: Playing alone can feel isolating compared to the lively atmosphere of a live casino.
  • Lack of Transparency: Some players may worry about the fairness of RNG software, despite the rigorous testing these systems undergo.

Live Casino Games

Live dealer games bridge the gap between online and physical casinos by streaming dealers live from a studio or casino floor. You can interact with the dealer and sometimes other players, making it more of a social experience that mimics being in a casino.

Advantages:

  • Immersion: Live games provide a more immersive experience, with real-time interactions that add excitement.
  • Transparency: Seeing cards being dealt and the roulette wheel spun by a human dealer adds a layer of trust for many players.
  • Social Interaction: You can chat with the dealer and other players, making it more interactive and engaging.

Disadvantages:

  • Slower Pace: Live games typically take longer than their purely online counterparts due to the time it takes for dealers to handle cards and interact with players.
  • Higher Minimum Bets: Live games often require higher minimum bets compared to standard online table games.
  • Availability: Depending on the platform, there might be limited availability of seats at live tables.

Pros and Cons

When deciding between online and live casino games, consider the following additional factors:

Pros of Online Casino Games

  • Privacy: Playing alone means fewer distractions and the freedom to focus solely on your game.
  • Bonuses: Online casinos often offer generous bonuses and promotions that extend your playing time and potential winnings.

Cons of Online Casino Games

  • Addiction Risk: The accessibility and solitary nature can potentially lead to higher risks of excessive play.
  • Technical Issues: Connectivity problems can disrupt play, which might affect gaming experience and outcomes.

Pros of Live Casino Games

  • Authenticity: The presence of a live dealer enhances the authenticity of the experience, making you feel like you’re in a real casino.
  • Strategy Implementation: Real-time games might allow for more strategic play, as you can observe dealer habits and chat with other players for tips.

Cons of Live Casino Games

  • Limited Game Selection: There might be fewer game variants available in live format compared to the vast library of online games.
  • Dependence on Scheduling: Live games may not always be available 24/7, requiring you to plan your gaming sessions around their schedule.

Personal Preferences

Choosing between online and live casino games ultimately depends on your personal preferences:

  • Do you value convenience and variety, or do you prefer the social aspects and authenticity of a live environment?
  • Are you looking for quick gameplay, or do you enjoy the deliberate pace of a game that mimics the real-life casino experience?
  • Is your focus on low-stakes play for extended periods, or are you comfortable with potentially higher stakes for the added excitement of live interaction?

By considering these aspects, you can better align your choice with your gaming style and what you aim to get out of your casino experience. Whether you lean towards the solitude and variety of online slots or the immersive and transparent nature of live dealer games, both formats have plenty to offer. Making an informed choice ensures that you enjoy your gaming experience to the fullest.

AM Racing | Hailie Deegan Dover Motor Speedway April Xfinity Preview

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Official Release
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AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway | BetRivers200

Fast Facts

No. 15 AM Racing Team:
Driver: Hailie Deegan
Primary Partner(s): AirBox
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Joe Williams Jr.
Spotter: Michael Fisher
Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. X-1058
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

Notes of Interest:

Sophomore Journey: After a successful rookie campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last season with driver Brett Moffitt, AM Racing will embark on its sophomore journey in 2024 with driver Hailie Deegan for the entire 33-race tour, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s BetRivers 200 at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.

The Statesville, N.C.-based team plans to expand its footprint in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to also run two cars throughout the season with its No. 25 AM Racing entry.

Future Focused: Last October, AM Racing announced that Hailie Deegan joined the family-owned operation to pilot the team’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in a multiyear agreement.

Deegan, a native of Temecula, Calif. has been a staple in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for the past three seasons but will embrace her rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as part of the Ford Performance program.

Deegan grew up racing off-road and on dirt but transitioned to competing on asphalt in 2016 to pursue a career in stock car racing. She began that transition in 2018 in the ARCA Menards Series West (previously NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), She became the first female driver to have won races in the West Series, doing so in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively.

Deegan, 21, arrives at AM Racing after a stint driving for ThorSport Racing in 2023.

Giving You Piece of Air: For the eighth time in 2024, AirBox will serve as the primary marketing partner of Deegan’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s BetRivers 200 at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.

In 2017, AirBox was established to focus on building the world’s best air purifiers for indoor occupied spaces. This coincided with people starting to wake up to issues with indoor air quality. With new challenges to air cleanliness, such as COVID-19 and wildfire smoke, people are looking for effective and proven solutions to ensure they receive cleaner air, at last.

Their history in delivering clean air systems gives them an expertise that is unmatched. AirBox uses some of the most effective air filtration technologies that exist with Certified HEPA and Advanced Molecular Adsorption and manufactures products that meet the stringent new ventilation standard, ASHRAE Standard 241.

Today, AirBox filtration systems are used across the country, purifying the air and capturing harmful irritants to create healthier, safer spaces. They’ve become the trusted choice for hospitals, educational centers, offices, warehouses, construction zones, public assembly, sports facilities, and more.

They’re proud to build all products to the highest standards in the USA at their North Carolina production facility. Every day, AirBox is working hard to give the American people the safer learning, working, and living environments they deserve—helping people breathe easy and live better.

Hailie Deegan NASCAR Xfinity Series Dover Motor Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s BetRivers 200 will mark Deegan’s Xfinity Series debut at the 1.0-mile speedway, one of three concrete tracks on the schedule in 2024.

The 10th race of the Xfinity Series season will also mark her track debut at the “Monster Mile.”

Hailie Deegan NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Deegan has a career-best 12th-place finish after starting 31st for AM Racing at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April 2024.

In addition to her 10 Xfinity Series starts, she has achieved 70 ARCA Menards Series starts, including three wins and 69 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts to her credit.

AM Minute: AM Racing has a busy weekend ahead. In addition to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, its ARCA Menards Series team is in action at Dover Motor Speedway.

Deegan’s teammate Christian Rose heads to Dover following his second top-five of the 2024 season in last Saturday afternoon’s General Tire 200 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Rose has a one-point advantage over ARCA veteran Greg Van Alst ahead of their fourth race of 2024.

After competing last week in Indiana, AM Racing’s Dirt Division will compete at Brownstown Bullring and Peoria Speedway this weekend, respectively.

Thanks For Your Support: With 27 percent of the 2024 Xfinity Series season complete, AM Racing and Hailie Deegan would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AirBox, Flying Circle, Klutch Vodka, Mechanix Wear, Monster Energy Drink, Mobil 1, Viva Tequila Seltzer and WIX Filters.

Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway | Ag-Pro 300 Race Recap: The ninth race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season kicked off in Talladega, Alabama on Saturday, April 20.

Flying the AirBox colors for the fourth consecutive weekend, Deegan had to draft from the back of the field after qualifying her No. 15 AirBox Ford Mustang 31st last Friday afternoon.

Early in the race, Deegan and her AM Racing team stuck to the plane to hang at the rear of the field – hoping to avoid trouble and be around for the end of the race.

The team’s decision paid off, with Deegan in fourth position on a green-white-checkered finish. Unfortunately, Deegan did not receive any drafting help on the last lap, dropping her from fifth to a career-best Xfinity 12th at the checkered flag.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Joe Williams Jr. is Hailie Deegan’s crew chief.

He will be crew chief for his 141st NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday and his seventh at Dover Motor Speedway.

In his previous 140 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one win (Auto Club Speedway | February 2022), eight top-five and 30 top-10 finishes.

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

For more on Hailie Deegan, please visit hailiedeegan.com, like her Facebook page (HailieDeegan4), or follow her on Instagram (@hailiedeegan), YouTube and X | Twitter (@hailiedeegan).

Hailie Deegan Quoteboard:

On Dover Motor Speedway: “Dover is a brand new track for me this weekend, but I’m glad to have the support of everyone on my AM Racing team. I am optimistic after a career-best weekend at Talladega that we can come to Dover this weekend and have another solid performance.

“It is important for us to roll off the hauler and have some speed with our No. 15 AirBox Ford Mustang and then continue to make gains through qualifying and in the race that keeps us on the lead lap.

“Hopefully, we can continue to make positive progress that will help our upward trend heading into May.”

Race Information:

The BetRivers 200 (200 laps | 200 miles) is the 10th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., April 27, 2024, from 3:05 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 3:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Sat., April 28, 2024, shortly after 1:30 p.m., with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

About AM Racing:

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

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

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

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

Morton Buildings Racing: Ryan Preece Dover Advance

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Official Release
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RYAN PREECE
Dover Advance
No. 41 Morton Buildings Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: Würth 400 (Round 11 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 28
● Location: Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1-mile, concrete oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 120 laps / Stage 2: 130 laps / Final Stage: 150 laps
● TV/Radio: FS1 / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● After securing his third consecutive top-15 of the season, Ryan Preece is set to tame the track affectionately nicknamed the “Monster Mile.” Sunday’s Würth 400 at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway marks the first appearance of the season for Morton Buildings as primary sponsor of Preece’s No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing. Morton Buildings, the industry-leading company in post-frame manufacturing and construction, previously adorned the hood of Preece’s Ford Mustang during one race in 2023, and for several races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series when the Connecticut native made select starts during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

● During last weekend’s race on the high banks of Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Preece and the No. 41 team qualified an impressive 11th, just missing out on the second round of qualifying by .007 of a second. At a racetrack where momentum reigns supreme, Preece went on to earn two stage points and ran up front with his Ford teammates throughout the 500-mile race. Despite getting caught up in a multicar accident coming to the checkered flag, Preece still managed a 14th-place result.

● Heading into Dover, Preece sits 23rd in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 162 points, having moved up one spot with his strong showing at Talladega. He’s climbed seven positions in the standings over the last three races and sits just two points behind John Hunter Nemechek.

● Preece has seven previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at Dover with a best result of 17th, which came in his first start with Stewart-Haas last May. He has an additional three starts there in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with a best finish of fourth, earned in October 2018, one of his two top-10s in those three starts.

● Morton Buildings, based in Morton, Illinois, is distinguished by meticulous attention to detail. The company sets itself apart with leading-edge innovations, top-tier warranties and highly skilled field craftsmen, all aimed at exceeding customer expectations. With a construction legacy extending over a century and a clientele exceeding a quarter-million satisfied customers, Morton Buildings takes pride in its 100-percent employee ownership structure. Recognized for its commitment to employee ownership, the company holds the prestigious rank of No. 65 on the National Center for Employee Ownership’s 2022 Employee Ownership 100 list, which showcases the nation’s largest companies predominantly owned by employee stock ownership plans. For additional details, visit www.mortonbuildings.com.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 Morton Buildings Ford Mustang Dark Horse

A few weeks ago, you said that April would be an important month for you and the team to build momentum. Results say that things have gone in your favor, but do you feel like you’ve done what you hoped to achieve over the course of the month?

“I would definitely say that, outside of Richmond, we’ve had a decent amount of races throughout the month. We’re going to continue to build on that going into Dover, which I feel pretty good about based on the direction that we’ve headed at places like Martinsville and even Texas. We’re heading in a good direction, and I’m really hopeful that we can continue to work on the speed, as well as qualifying, and running good at Dover and the other tracks coming up.”

You scored your best finish at Dover in the racetrack’s most recent race held last spring. What do you need in the car to keep the momentum rolling and post a strong run this weekend?

“I think it’s just working on the direction that we’ve been heading in. My cars have been getting more and more comfortable. We certainly seem to make the cars better from when the weekends start to end. So, we’re just going to keep making decisions based on the notes that we take and keep making those decisions positive ones, like we’ve been doing in the past few weeks.”

Dover is very close to the Northeast. You’re a Northeast guy. Does that add any extra confidence or motivation into the mix?

“Dover is definitely a track where you get a lot of people from Long Island, Connecticut, and just the Northeast area in general, so it’s a track where I certainly want to run well. I think Dover is a track that suits my driving style somewhat, so I’m definitely excited to get there and, hopefully, we will have a really solid run.”

Are you and the team drawing from experience and data from the tracks you’ve already run this year to apply to your setup at Dover?

“Yes, I think looking at what we had here last year and some of the differences that we’ve seen this year with the new aero package at the short tracks that we’ve been to already helps us understand the right feel for what we’re looking for to be fast. Most drivers in the past were able to go test and find what worked for them and what didn’t. Now, drivers have to go through entire races and those weekends to see what works and what doesn’t for them. I think it’s really about taking what we know from experience to this point and making educated decisions.”

No. 41 Morton Buildings Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Jeremy West

Hometown: Gardena, California

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen

Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Tony Raines

Hometown: LaPorte, Indiana

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher

Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Interior Mechanic: Robert Dalby

Hometown: Anaheim, California

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgeway

Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

Hometown: Orange County, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

Silver Hare Racing Partners with Connor Zilisch For 2024 NASCAR, ARCA, CARS Tour Events

By
Official Release
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Mixed Schedule Includes Four Xfinity and Five Truck Series Races, 12 ARCA Menards Series Races, and Eight zMAX CARS Tour Races

HIGH POINT, N.C. (April 25, 2024) – Connor Zilisch may have graduated from his fulltime role behind the wheel of a Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro the past two seasons competing in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, but the High Point, North Carolina-based race team remains in lockstep with the 17-year-old driving prodigy this season as he tackles a mixed bag of racing disciplines, including NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series, the ARCA Menards Series, and the zMAX CARS Tour.

Silver Hare Racing will serve as the primary sponsor on Zilisch’s No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado for two Truck Series events – Aug. 9 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway and Sept. 19 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway – and as an associate sponsor Oct. 4 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and Nov. 1 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Spire Motorsports will also coordinate a separate entry for Zilich for the Oct. 26 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway with Silver Hare serving as the primary sponsor. In Zilisch’s Truck Series debut last month at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, the native of Mooresville, North Carolina, qualified on the pole with a track-record lap of 2 minutes, 11.98 seconds (93.012 mph) around the 3.4-mile, 20-turn road course, then rallied from deep in the pack for a fourth-place finish in the closing laps.

After Zilisch celebrates his 18th birthday July 22, he will be eligible to compete in the Xfinity Series, where he signed a four-race agreement to drive the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Silver Hare Racing will serve as an associate sponsor for those four events – Sept. 14 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Oct. 26 at Homestead following his run in that day’s Truck Series race, and Nov. 9 at Phoenix Raceway.

Silver Hare Racing will also serve as the primary sponsor for Zilisch’s slate of 12 ARCA Menards Series races and eight CARS Tour events, all in Pinnacle Racing Group (PRG) Chevrolets. The ARCA slate includes the full, eight-race East Series schedule, plus three additional national series events (Aug. 16 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Sept. 13 at Watkins Glen and Sept. 27 at Kansas) and one West Series event (Nov. 8 at Phoenix).

Zilisch opened his 2024 ARCA campaign the evening of his March 23 Truck Series race at COTA with a fourth-place finish at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. His next ARCA outing is Friday at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway. Zilisch drove to his first career CARS Tour victory in a PRG Late Model Stock Chevrolet earlier this month at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

“From the very beginning when Maurice and I first met Connor and took him to his first test in a TA2 car at VIR, we clearly recognized the talent and the uniqueness of his ability and his level of maturity even at 15 years old,” said Laura Hull, team manager and co-owner of Silver Hare Racing alongside her husband Maurice. “His personality is infectious. You can’t help but like him and be drawn to him. He drove one of our Silver Hare Racing Camaros fulltime the past two seasons with great success and made us realize he’s a talent that we wanted to continue to support as he climbs his way up the racing ladder. This opportunity with PRG, Spire and JRM just couldn’t come at a better time and we’re proud to work with them, to work with the Zilisches, and just help Connor move forward, which he’s doing at such a rapid pace. All of us at Silver Hare Racing have been proud to work with Connor, and we’ve enjoyed great success together. One of the primary missions of our organization is the development of young driving talent, and Connor’s is a success story that’s only just begun.”

The season started on a high note for Zilisch before racing action even began when Trackhouse Racing signed the Team Chevrolet driver to a multiyear development contract Jan. 11. He then debuted in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition by co-driving to the LMP2-class victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona Jan. 27-28 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, becoming the second-youngest driver ever to win the iconic endurance classic. He followed up that feat with the LMP2-class victory March 16 at the 12 Hours of Sebring at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway. Between those milestone victories, Zilisch returned to Silver Hare Racing to drive the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro to a pole-to-checkered-flag victory in the Feb. 24 Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Series season opener at Sebring. It was his sixth TA2 victory in 12 races and the third time in four events that he qualified on the pole and led every lap of the race.

“It’s super exciting for me to be able to continue my relationship with Maurice and Laura and everybody at Silver Hair Racing,” said Zilisch, who’s expected to return to Silver Hare to compete in the season’s final two TA2 rounds Oct. 5 at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, and Nov. 3 at COTA. “Obviously, they gave me my first opportunity in a stock car when I was 15 years old and took a chance on me at a young age, and that meant a lot to me. And then now to continue to support me on my way up through the ranks is even cooler and adds to the story that we’ve been building together. Maurice and Laura are super passionate about their team, and motorsports in general, and it means a lot that they choose to support me and know that they’re willing to invest their time and are willing to help me get to the next level. It takes a lot of people to make it in this sport, and considering all Maurice and Laura have done for me in the past and are continuing to do for my future, I also have the opportunity to help grow the Silver Hair Racing brand. The TA2 program has had a lot of success over the last few years. It’s a first-class organization, and the drivers who are fortunate to be a part of the team really benefit from all they have to offer, and everybody who joins and becomes a part of the team enjoys it. I’ve got to do what I can to support them and give back to them.”

Next up for Silver Hare Racing on the TA2 Series schedule is the WWTR SpeedTour, the season’s fourth of 12 rounds, set for May 10-11 at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis. Drivers Connor Mosack, Boris Said Jr., and Jake Drew will anchor the driver lineup for last year’s race-winning team.

Silver Hare Racing leverages its Trans Am effort to promote its arrive-and-drive program, where aspiring racers and even tenured professionals hone their road-racing skills on some of the most revered tracks in North America. NASCAR Cup Series drivers Daniel Suárez, Christopher Bell, William Byron and Harrison Burton have all wheeled Silver Hare Racing-prepared cars to burnish their road-racing abilities in top-flight equipment.

The team offers six, professionally built and maintained TA2 chassis from Howe Racing for both competition and private testing. Silver Hare Racing has a dedicated, fulltime crew and operates out of a state-of-the-art facility in High Point, North Carolina. At the track, two 53-foot Featherlite transporters serve as the team’s base, each outfitted with a lounge and smart TVs for data and video review, as well as for hospitality.

To further Silver Hare Racing’s driver development capabilities, the team’s race shop in High Point is now equipped with a SHOCKWAVE Simulator, a tool specifically developed for drivers to accelerate racetrack familiarity, improve car control and confidence, and build stamina. SHOCKWAVE has been involved in racing since 1965 and is currently actively participating in NASCAR, ARCA, Trans Am, Late Models, and Sprint cars. Its Trans Am package replicates a Howe Racing TA2 chassis, complete with cockpit controls and sounds.

“With NASCAR having so many more road-course races, it’s our goal for Silver Hare Racing to be the preferred team for drivers to get that road-course experience,” Laura Hull said. “We want to be that important step in the ladder for the young, up-and-coming drivers like Connor. We want people to know we have an arrive-and-drive program, where for people who want to run this track or another, we provide the opportunity to do that and be successful.”

About Silver Hare Racing:

Silver Hare Racing is a fulltime competitor in the TA2 division of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli. The multicar team has won the TA2 masters class championship three times (2018, 2019 and 2020) with driver and team co-owner Maurice Hull. Under the leadership of Hull’s wife, co-owner and team manager Laura Hull, Silver Hare Racing provides a variety of services that includes private testing and arrive-and-drive programs. The team offers six, professionally built and maintained TA2 chassis from Howe Racing and operates from a state-of-the-art facility in High Point, North Carolina. For more information, please visit SilverHareRacing.com.

RAFA Racing By JDX Brings Porsche Sprint Challenge Lead To Rounds Three and Four at Barber Motorsports Park

By
Official Release
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Ian Porter and Caroline Candas Enter the Weekend Top Two in Cayman Pro-Am Points, with Rafael Martinez and Paige Morales Just Behind as the Team Continues to “Race As Family Always” in Front of IndyCar Crowd

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (April 25, 2024) – It’s been a seven-week break between the season opener at Sebring International Raceway and this weekend’s Porsche Sprint Challenge North America rounds at Barber Motorsports Park, but the four-car RAFA Racing Team by JDX has every reason to believe the momentum built in the opener will carry through the hiatus.

Drivers Ian Porter and Caroline Candas went one-two in both races of the opening doubleheader, while Rafael Martinez and Paige Morales found their own successes at Sebring. All four return to action this weekend, April 26-28, in support of the IndyCar Series event at Barber Motorsports Park. The pair of 35-minute sprint races will be run at 12:35 p.m. CDT on Saturday, April 27 and at 3:15 p.m. CDT on Sunday, April 28. Both races can be seen live on the Series YouTube page YouTube.com/@porschesprintchallengena.

The team put the motto of “Race As Family Always” to the test in the opening weekend when they made their U.S. debut as a full-fledged race team. Pulling together with both drivers and crew, the team capitalized on each of its opportunities.

RAFA Racing by JDX currently holds three of the top five positions in the Cayman Pro-Am class standings heading into the second weekend of the year, with Porter leading, followed by Candas and Martinez in fifth. All four drivers recognize the difference between the fast, long layout of Sebring International Raceway and the tight, twisty elevation changes prevalent in the 16-turn, 2.38-mile and the challenges that entails.

But all four also recognize the opportunity that presents for a strong drive, and the opportunity to place the RAFA Racing Club and its community in front of the stars of the IndyCar paddock and the fans in place to see both.

Porter enters the weekend in the No. 86 Grid Finder Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport as the championship leader, having gone two-for-two in his road racing debut. The three-time Call of Duty World Champion is used to pressure packed situations and handled the season-opener flawlessly. Porter was quickest in practice, qualified on pole, and led every lap of both races on his way to a pair of victories.

Right behind him the entire way, however, was Candas. The recently turned 21-year-old French racer made her American professional racing debut at Sebring and chased Porter to the checkered flag in her No. 84 8Twelve Wheels Porsche Cayman, finishing as runner-up each time. With a race under the belt, both she and Porter expect it to get even tighter up front between the two teammates. Like Porter, Candas has proven her ability to handle pressure, winning the RAFA Racing Shootout for up-and-coming female drivers last fall to earn her spot in this championship.

Martinez has been the busiest on the track since the season opener. Since a pair of fifth-place finishes at Sebring in the No. 85 RAFA Racing Club Porsche Cayman, Martinez has been in his SRO GT4 McLaren Arturo for testing and the SRO GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club opener, adding four different race tracks, albeit in an entirely different car, to his seat time. And though the two seem to have entirely different characteristics, that should help his overall driving and race craft at Barber Motorsports Park and beyond.

Meanwhile, Morales has taken the RAFA Racing motto of “Race As Family Always” to a new level. In addition to off-track physical training and sim work to prepare for this weekend’s race, Morales attended the season-opener of the SRO GT4 European Series at Circuit Paul Ricard to support her family of teammates and soak in the atmosphere. Morales is making her racing debut this season as well in the highly competitive Porsche Sprint Challenge North America Cayman class, and drove the No. 87 RAFA Racing Club Cayman to a seventh and sixth place class finish at Sebring, the second best Porsche Junior driver (behind Candas) in each race.

All four drivers participated in a pre-season test session at Barber Motorsports Park to gain experience and have been working closely with driver coach Cameron Lawrence on the simulator to gain experience and hit the ground running during Friday’s opening practice. The Porsche Sprint Challenge North America Cayman class field will get just a total of one hour of practice on Friday, April 26, followed by qualifying at 7:45 a.m. CDT on Saturday. Saturday’s race begins at 12:35 p.m. CDT, with Sunday’s race at 3:15 p.m. CDT immediately following the IndyCar Series race.

RAFA Racing by JDX Quote Board

Caroline Candas, Driver, No. 84 Porsche Cayman: “I can’t wait to get back in the car! We did a test at Barber before the start of the season and I felt at ease. I really like the circuit, it’s very fast and very hilly. It’s going to be a big event this week. We’re sharing the meeting with IndyCar, which is great because it puts the series in the spotlight. I’ve got a number of objectives this weekend, but the first is to go for the overall championship lead by continuing my learning curve and gaining as much experience as I can. It promises to be a great weekend, and I can’t wait!”

Rafael Martinez, Driver, No. 85 Porsche Cayman: “It’s been a busy few weeks for me on the track, but I’m looking forward to getting back with this group and doing it all in front of the IndyCar paddock. I was so proud of how this team handled the opening weekend at Sebring, and if we continue to come together like that we’re all going to have a great season. All of us have our individual goals, but no matter the result we want to continue to grow as drivers and get better each weekend.”

Paige Morales, Driver, No. 87 Porsche Cayman: “It feels incredible to finally be back in the driver’s seat. Barber Motorsports Park is a challenging and technical track, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. The elevation changes and tight corners make it a true driver’s track, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out in the upcoming races. Being a part of the IndyCar weekend is really cool. The atmosphere and energy are electric, and I’m honored to be racing in front of such a passionate crowd. My goal for the weekend is to push myself to the limit and deliver the best possible results for my team. I’m confident in my abilities and can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

Ian Porter, Driver, No. 86 Porsche Cayman: “It’s been the longest break that we’ll have during the season. We tested at Barber before the season but we haven’t really done any testing in this time frame. It was nice to go into the break with the wins at Sebring, but I’m itching to get back into the car. Going from Sebring to Barber, it’s probably the most drastic change in track layout, elevation, surface, it’s all different. Sebring is a large track, Barber feels small. It’s a track with a lot of short, micro straights but there’s not any time to relax or have a moment to get your bearings right. There’s no time to chill out. We’re going to be racing in front of a lot of people, which is cool. It’s something I’m used to from playing professional video games and I’m curious to see how it stacks up. But either way I probably won’t be looking out into the car much, I’ll be focused on the race track and the cars around me. The goal remains the same as Sebring, to drive as fast as possible, improve myself throughout the weekend, and to win.”

About RAFA Racing Club:

RAFA Racing, utilizing the motto “Race As Family Always,” is a motorsports club and race team founded by and made for high-performance auto drivers, supporters, and fans of all types. Started by Rafael Martinez, the Club aims to create a space for high-performance car enthusiasts to enjoy like-minded individuals, network and share ideas on and off the track, and bond as one team with a common interest. The RAFA Racing Team made its debut in 2023 with a runner-up finish in the McLaren Trophy Europe Series, and expands that footprint to include Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and SRO GT4 Europe in 2024. The Club’s off-track presence can be felt on social media and beyond, including YouTube, Instagram and Facebook and at RafaRacing.Club.

Rick Ware Racing: Justin Haley/Kaz Grala Dover Race Advance

By
Official Release
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JUSTIN HALEY | KAZ GRALA
Dover Advance

Event Overview

● Event: Dover 400 (Round 11 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 28
● Location: Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1-mile, concrete oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 120 laps / Stage 2: 130 laps / Final Stage: 150 laps
● TV/Radio: FS1 / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 Walmart Health & Wellness Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 Walmart Health & Wellness Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing (RWR), makes his third NASCAR Cup Series start at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway on Sunday.

● Haley made his first start at the 1-mile, concrete oval on May 2, 2022. He led 19 laps en route to an 11th-place finish, his best Cup Series result at Dover to date. In that same race, RWR earned its best result at Dover, a 25th-place finish with driver Ryan Preece.

● Outside of the Cup Series, Haley owns one top-five finish and two top-10s over four NASCAR Xfinity starts. He also competed in two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races at Dover with a best finish of third in May 2018.

● On September 20, 2016, Haley arrived at Dover just 200 laps away from claiming his first NASCAR championship. Leading the ARCA Menards Series East standings by 29 points, he needed only to finish 25th or better in the season finale. Until that point, the then-17-year-old had put together an astonishingly consistent season, finishing no worse than ninth in 13 starts. After leading the first 42 laps, Haley captured a fourth-place finish to clinch the championship.

● #HaleYES! On Tuesday, Haley announced his candidacy for the NASCAR All-Star Race Fan Vote in conjunction with the May 19 event at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. The 24-year-old racer from Winamac, Indiana, promises to rip down the wall, lower inflation and fight the establishment in the 200-lap race around the .625-mile oval. And the fans enable him to prevail, Haley promises that puppies will never age, every day will be 70 degrees and sunny, and the Jibbitz charms you put on your Crocs won’t ever fall off.

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

● Boston native Kaz Grala returns to the No. 15 N29 Capital Partners Ford Mustang Dark Horse to make his first Cup Series start at Dover this weekend.

● In four Xfinity Series starts at Dover, Grala has two top-five finishes, both earned in 2018. Grala also has two Truck Series starts there with a best finish of second in 2017. His current RWR teammate Haley – and GMS Racing teammate at the time – finished eighth in the same 2017 Truck Series race.

● Grala has two ARCA Menards Series East races under his belt at Dover with a runner-up finish in the 2014 season finale.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● NHRA Top Fuel driver Clay Millican and the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series look for continued improvement at this weekend’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the previous round two weekends ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Parts Plus driver qualified fourth, then scored the victory in the first round of eliminations to advance to the semifinals.

● The Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) tour returns to action with RWR drivers Briar Bauman, Kody Kopp and Shayna Texter-Bauman taking on the half-mile dirt track at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Following three rounds, Kopp owns two wins and is on his way to claiming a third-straight championship. Texter-Bauman returns to Texas looking to add to her win tally at the track. The 450 rider scored victories at Fort Worth in 2017 and 2019. In the Mission SuperTwins class, Bauman looks for his first podium finish of the year after matching his season’s best result of fourth during the last round in Senoia, Georgia.

● 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, the LMP3 class of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup, 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

The No. 51 team performed really well at Talladega. Should we expect that to continue this weekend at Dover?

“I’ve always really enjoyed racing at Dover. I feel like I’ve done well there in the past and experience has been a huge help while we work to get things moving in the right direction. We’ve had really good speed and I think we’re showing how much things have changed at RWR, we just need a little bit of luck to get the finishes that match the effort.”

Why is it so tough to find success at Dover?

“I think everything has to go right. You aren’t going to come back from being two laps down and win. It takes a lot of commitment to driving harder into the corners than you may be used to, you’re going to have a pretty big drop in elevation coming off the corner, and if your car isn’t handling great, it’s going to be a really long race. You don’t have to be perfect from the start. The track is going to change a lot as it starts to take rubber, so everyone will have some work to do, but you’ve got to be close and I think we can get close in practice.”

Kaz Grala, Driver Q&A

You’re back in the No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Dover. Are you looking forward to taking on the Monster Mile?

“Dover has always been a really good track for me. I’ve finished well there in ARCA, Trucks and Xfinity, and I feel like we’re on the right track with the No. 15 team to come out with a good finish. This is a track where you have to do every little thing right, so if we can keep putting the pieces together, it’ll be a good day for RWR.”

What is it about Dover that suits your driving style?

“It’s a tricky track, but you have to be very precise and I feel like that’s where I do my best, but you also need to be able to commit to moving around to make something work. You carry so much speed and, if you’re off by the smallest amount, that’s when things tend to go wrong.”

Stewart-Haas Racing: Dover NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

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Official Release
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COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Dover NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

  • Event: BetRivers 200 (Round 10 of 33)
  • Date: Saturday, April 27
  • Location: Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway
  • Layout: 1-mile oval
  • Time/TV/Radio: 1:30 p.m. EDT on FS1/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

  • Cole Custer’s top-10 streak lived on with his 10th-place finish last Saturday at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. It was his seventh consecutive top-10 of the season, which tied him with Chandler Smith for longest top-10 streak in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season. Custer looks to make it eight in a row this weekend, ideally by way of a trip to victory lane, in Saturday’s BetRivers 200 at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway. Smith’s top-10 run started at the season-opening race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and came to an end two weekends ago with his 15th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Custer hopes another strong run on the high-banked, concrete mile oval at Dover will give him sole possession of the season’s longest top-10 streak. Last weekend at Talladega, Custer’s solid victory bid was foiled by 11 laps of overtime, during which he was forced to pit for a splash of fuel to get him through the final green-white-checkered finish. The driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse has ridden his top-10 streak and 83 stage points earned this season to his second position in the driver standings, just 14 points behind leader Smith.
  • The Monster Mile has been the scene of some monster efforts by “Stone Cole” Custer. Saturday’s 200-lap race will mark his eighth Xfinity Series start on the Delmarva Peninsula. During his most recent start there last April, he earned a seventh-place finish after starting second and led 13 laps in the early part of the race. He also won the $100,000 Xfinity Dash 4 Cash prize as the highest finisher among his three competitors – Jeb Burton, Sheldon Creed, and Parker Kligerman. Custer was victorious in the October 2019 Xfinity Series race at Dover, leading 31 of the final 32 laps and taking the checkered flag one second ahead of runner-up Justin Allgaier. In the May 2019 race, Custer qualified on the pole and led a race-high 155 of 200 laps before finishing fourth. That came on the heels of his runner-up finish in the October 2018 race, when he led 38 laps and crossed the finish line .525 of a second behind Christopher Bell. Custer finished fourth in his Dover Xfinity Series debut in May 2017 and eighth in the October 2017 race. That all adds up to six top-10 finishes in seven starts at Dover, the lone outlier being his 13th-place finish in the May 2018 race, with 237 laps led, an average start of 9.9, and an average finish of 5.6.
  • Custer has nine starts at the Monster Mile outside of the Xfinity Series – four in the NASCAR Cup Series, three in the Truck Series, and two in the K&N Pro Series East. He never finished outside the top-15 at Dover in the Cup Series, earning best finishes of 10th in the May 2020 and 2021 races. In Truck Series competition, Custer has a best finish of fifth in the most recent of his three Dover outings, when he drove the No. 00 entry for JR Motorsports in the May 2016 race. He led a race-high 67 of 200 laps en route to a 13th-place finish in the May 2015 Truck Series race for JR Motorsports.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

  • Riley Herbst and Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway are an appropriate pairing as the driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing hunts for a win in Saturday’s BetRivers 200 at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway, affectionately known as The Monster Mile. It’s a high-banked, concrete track that can chew up and spit out even the most seasoned racers, but Herbst has acquitted himself quite well there in his six career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts there. He has three top-10 finishes with a best result of sixth in the August 2020 race there, and he’s never finished outside the top-25. Herbst’s solid runs at Dover aren’t confined to the Xfinity Series. He also has a pair of starts there in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, which produced finishes of eighth and seventh, respectively, in the 2016 and 2017 races. In addition, he’s driving for a two-time Dover Xfinity Series winner. Stewart-Haas scored its first victory at the track in October 2019 with Herbst’s teammate, Cole Custer, and its second in August 2020 with Chase Briscoe.
  • In last Saturday’s mayhem at the end of the scheduled 300-mile race at Talladega, Herbst continued to show the speed he’s consistently carried for most of the 2024 season and finally left his recent spate of bad luck behind him. After qualifying eighth, Herbst ran in the top-10 for a majority of the race, leading three times for a total of 13 laps. An untimely pit stop near the end of the race to check for damage and a splash of fuel seemed to end Herbst’s bid for the win. Several overtime restarts, though, proved to work in Herbst’s favor, as he not only gained his spots back but avoided mayhem on the last lap to capture a second-place finish. It was his best finish at Talladega and his second top-10 of 2024. Since the season opener at Daytona, the Monster Energy driver has earned a total of 90 stage points and one playoff point via his stage win on March 23 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. He arrives at Dover sixth in the driver standings.
  • By virtue of his runner-up finish last Saturday, Herbst has successfully qualified himself for the fourth and final Xfinity Dash 4 Cash race of the season. He will now have a chance to race for the $100,000 prize by finishing ahead of his three fellow Xfinity Series drivers who also qualified last week – Ryan Sieg, Anthony Alfredo and Jesse Love. Custer won two of last year’s four Dash 4 Cash bonuses, including the final one last May at Dover.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Dover is a tricky track, where trouble can sneak up on you quickly. How do you stay out of the grasp of Miles the Monster and get out of that race cleanly with a win?

“When you’re going to Dover, you have to be really smart about different situations that happen, and being in traffic. The key is knowing when to be aggressive and when not to be aggressive. You can get yourself into a really bad bind getting into traffic or trying to pass people when you really shouldn’t. You can also have somebody on your bumper trying to pass you, and then you just get turned. This track can come out and bite you pretty fast if you’re not smart. The key to success at Dover is patience and knowing when to be aggressive and when to play it safe. That’s the key to making it to victory lane.”

You scored your seventh straight top-10 of the season at Talladega last Saturday, tying for the longest streak of the season with Chandler Smith. Yet, your first win of the season has been elusive. What more do you need to seal the deal this weekend at Dover?

“Man, we’ve been so fast but we just need that little bit more. We have seemed to have it all, but we’re searching for what else we need to be the best of the best. It’s more difficult than a lot of people realize because the Xfinity Series field is filled with a bunch of strong drivers. It’s not like it used to be where you had your big three drivers who were winning week after week. Now, there are a solid 12 to 15 cars that can compete for wins. It’s obviously exciting to be a part of that competition, but we’re trying to figure out what we’re missing so we can be the ones in victory lane. We’ve been trying new stuff every week, and I think we’re getting closer. Hopefully, it’ll be our weekend at Dover.”

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse

You’re going for the Dash 4 Cash prize this week after your runner-up finish at Talladega. How would it feel to win it at Dover, a track where you’ve had some strong runs?

“I’m pumped to be part of the Dash 4 Cash this year. We missed out on it last year due to some bad luck, but I’ve always thought this was a great initiative by Xfinity. They’ve been such a great partner for our series, and this is a program that a lot of teams look forward to during the season. Our runner-up finish last weekend seemed to be a turnaround point for us and I’m hoping that continues so that this weekend we can not only bring home the win, but also a $100,000 check for my No. 98 Monster Energy team, which has stuck it out with me during the rough times.”

The Monster Mile has been known to chew up even the most seasoned of drivers and spit them out. How do you avoid trouble at Dover to give yourself a chance to go for the win?

“Dover is such a difficult track to navigate, but for a driver, it can be fun. You have to stay out of trouble in order to be there at the end. Honestly, it’s about being patient, which I’ve struggled with in the past. It’s a good skill to learn at these difficult tracks because you have to know when to pass and when not to. You can’t be too aggressive or it’ll bite you. That’s a lesson that I’ve had to learn in my career, but I’ve had good people behind me to help me grow as a driver and teach me to take it lap by lap. I’m excited to head to Dover and not only race for a win, but also that Dash 4 Cash bonus check.”

The Quick and Easy Way to Remove Sap from Your Windshield

By
SM
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Although springtime is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, with flowers blooming and leaves beginning to grow, you may encounter a sticky residue on your vehicle’s exterior, especially if you have a habit of parking under pine trees. 

This sticky stain is known as tree sap, and it can be tricky to deal with. While all trees exude sap, pine trees are notorious for their abundant production. This concoction of fluids and sugars forms a hard, resin-like layer on surfaces like windshields. 

Unfortunately, typical washer fluids for cars don’t effectively remove sap, and attempting to use wipers may only smear it, complicating the cleanup. You might also need new windshield wiper blade refills if your current blades are worn out or malfunctioning.

Why It’s Important to Remove Sap Immediately

Due to the resin and sugar content in tree saps, it tends to adhere strongly to surfaces and can harden and bond firmly to your windshield, making it more difficult to remove the more time you wait. 

Once the sap hardens on your windshield, traditional cleaning methods such as using your windshield wipers or washer fluid are less likely to work. 

Over time, the acidic properties of sap can corrode the glass surface, potentially leaving behind permanent stains or harm. Additionally, when driving, sap residue can obstruct your view, creating a safety hazard.

How To Get Sap Off Windshield

There are two kinds of tree sap: hard and soft. Hard sap, thick and sticky, comes from coniferous trees like pines, while soft sap, thin and watery, is found in deciduous trees like maples. 

How you remove the sap from your windshield may depend on the type, with hard sap being tougher to remove, but both can be tackled with proper tools and techniques.

How To Remove Hardened Tree Sap From Car Windshield

Due to the strong adhesive properties of hard tree sap, it tends to be less responsive to solvents and cleaning agents and may require specialized methods and techniques to effectively remove them from your windshield. Here are a few techniques you can try: 

  • Rubbing Alcohol: Rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, dissolves tree sap effectively. Simply apply it to a cloth and gently dab it onto the sap to break down its adhesive properties. It evaporates quickly, leaving a clean surface. Make sure the cloth is damp but not soaked to prevent excessive dripping.
  • Commercial Sap Remover: Automotive stores offer specialized sap removers designed to tackle tough stains. These products contain powerful solvents or surfactants that break down sap without causing damage. Follow manufacturer instructions for proper use.
  • Nail Polish Remover (Acetone): Nail polish remover has acetone, a strong solvent that breaks down tough tree sap. Apply a small amount to a cotton ball and gently dab onto the sap. Work in sections to prevent dripping onto car paint. Wipe off softened sap with a clean cloth.
  • WD-40: Another effective solution for removing stubborn, hardened sap from your windshield is WD-40. It’s a versatile solvent that can be sprayed onto the sap. Just wait for the solution to soften, and then wipe it clean with a soft cloth. 
  • Vinegar: Mildly acidic white vinegar effectively softens and dissolves hardened tree sap. Apply the soaked cloth to the sap, wait, then wipe off the softened sap. Rinse the windshield to remove any vinegar residue.

How to Remove Soft Tree Sap From Your Windshield 

Soft tree sap is relatively easier to remove from windshields. Unlike hard tree sap, which has hardened and become sticky, soft sap remains in a liquid or semi-liquid state. 

Anmar from auto glass oshawa advised to immediately remove soft tree sap from your windshield within under 5 hours of discovering and also gave some simple yet effective ways to remove soft tree sap from your windshield: 

  • Warm, Soapy Water: Soak a cloth in warm, soapy water and gently rub the sap-covered area. The soap helps break down the sap, while the warm water aids in loosening its grip on the windshield.
  • Microfiber Cloth and Water: Wet a microfiber cloth with water and gently rub the sap-covered area in circular motions. The soft texture of the microfiber cloth helps lift the sap without scratching the windshield.
  • Olive Oil: Apply a small amount of olive oil to the sap and let it sit for a few minutes. The oil helps loosen the sap, making it easier to wipe away with a cloth.
  • Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda with water to create a paste. Apply the paste to the sap and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it away with a cloth or soft-bristled brush.
  • Commercial Glass Cleaner: Use a commercial glass cleaner specifically formulated to remove tough stains. Spray it onto the sap and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.

How To Prevent Tree Sap On Your Car’s Windshield

There are plenty of ways you can safeguard your vehicle from tree sap. One of the most effective ways is to avoid parking under trees as much as possible. However, if you cannot avoid parking under trees, consider using a car cover or windshield protector to shield your vehicle from sap and debris.

Here are additional tips on how to prevent tree sap from getting on your car’s windshield: 

  • Regular Cleaning Routine: Maintaining a consistent cleaning schedule for your windshield is essential to prevent sap buildup. By regularly washing your windshield with soap and water, you can remove any sap residue before it has a chance to harden, ensuring easier removal and preserving the clarity of your glass.
  • Get Immediate Windshield Repair: Acting swiftly to repair any windshield damage is crucial to prevent sap from penetrating the glass and causing further deterioration. By promptly addressing chips, cracks, or other damage, you can safeguard your windshield from the tree sap infiltrating through the cracks, affecting your visibility. 
  • Prune Overhanging Branches: Trimming back overhanging branches that pose a risk of dripping sap onto your windshield is crucial for preventing damage. By regularly pruning these branches, you can mitigate the risk of sap accumulation and protect the clarity of your windshield.
  • Apply Protective Coating: Protecting your windshield with a layer of sealant or protective coating provides a barrier against sap and other environmental contaminants. By applying a protective coating, you can create a shield that makes sap removal easier and protects the glass from damage.

Closing Thoughts 

Welcome spring with positive vibes and don’t let tree sap put a damper on your driving experience. By following these tips, you can keep your windshield clear and your car looking its best all season long.

Full Day of Entertainment Scheduled for Miller Lite Carb Day

By
Official Release
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2023 Indianapolis 500 - Pace Car

Final Practice, Air Demonstrations, Music Acts Round Out Schedule

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, April 25, 2024) – From on-track action and high-flying demonstrations to hip DJs and cool rock concerts, Miller Lite Carb Day on Friday, May 24 is the ultimate boost into the Greatest Weekend in Racing.

“Miller Lite Carb Day is the unofficial start to summer and the kickoff to race weekend,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said. “It’s a full day of fun, with something for everyone to enjoy. It’s a day like no other at the Racing Capital of the World.”

Gates will open at 8 a.m. at IMS, allowing fans ample time to explore and find the best seat before the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES take to the famed 2.5-mile oval for the final practice before the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

After practice concludes, the action shifts to the sky with a Thunderbirds practice demonstration and the Red Bull Air Force.

The United States Air Force Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, will perform the flyover during pre-race ceremonies for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26. Fans in attendance on Miller Lite Carb Day will get a special treat as the Thunderbirds conduct a practice demonstration in preparation for Race Day.

The Red Bull Air Force are known for pushing the boundaries of flight and making the impossible possible. Featuring Mike Swanson and Jeff Provenzano, the expert team has completed tens of thousands of successful jumps between them, making them some of the most accomplished and experienced aviation squads on the planet.

The Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge has been a staple of the Indianapolis 500 since 1977. Pit crews compete head-to-head in single eliminations for the opening rounds, meeting for a best-of-three showdown in the final. During each round, the crews conduct a standard pit stop, which includes switching all four tires and simulating refueling, in the shortest possible time on a specially constructed dual pit lane.

Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing won his fourth Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge in 2023 by besting Team Penske’s Will Power in the best-of-three finals.

The 2024 Indy Pit Stop Challenge will feature the high-energy style and versatile genre range of DJ Mystro, who has been recognized as one of the Midwest’s most promising breakout DJs. Mystro, an Indianapolis native, is a party starter and a lifelong musician and drummer. He’s taken his music knowledge and transitioned those abilities to bring the heat to weddings, corporate events, clubs, concerts and festivals across the world. Mystro also performs as an official DJ for the Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Colts.

Gates for the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert will open at 2 p.m. this year, allowing for more entertainment, including Indianapolis recording artist Kid Quill. Headliner George Thorogood & The Destroyers will be joined by special guest Gin Blossoms, which will open the show.

Miller Lite Carb Day Schedule

  • NTT INDYCAR SERIES Indy 500 Final Practice | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET
  • Trackside Intermission | 1-2:30 p.m.
  • U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Practice Demonstration
  • Red Bull Air Force
  • Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge with DJ Mystro | 2:30-4 p.m.
  • Miller Lite Carb Day Concert | 3-6 p.m. (gates open at 2 p.m.)
  • Warmup: Kid Quill
  • Opener: Gin Blossoms
  • Headliner: George Thorogood and The Destroyers

Miller Lite Carb Day general admission tickets start at just $45. All general admission, concert pit and VIP Deck concert tickets include admission to the concert and to on-track activities that day at IMS, which include the final practice for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge. Children 15 and under are free with a paying adult.

The 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 26. Tickets are on sale now at IMS.com, by calling 317-492-6700 or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building.

CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT BARBER: Team Chevy Race Advance

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA INDY GRAND PRIX
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
LEEDS, ALABAMA
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE
APRIL 26-28, 2024

CHEVROLET READY FOR THE CHALLENGE OF BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK IN THE CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA INDY GRAND PRIX

DETROIT (April 25, 2024) – The third race of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season sees Chevrolet drivers and teams facing a quick turnaround from Long Beach to head to Barber Motorsports Park for the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.

Capturing victory eight times in 11 years at the 2.3-mile pavement road course also known as “The Augusta National of Motorsports” for its beauty and picturesque facility, Chevrolet also has nine poles in the 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected V6 era since 2012. Additionally, Team Chevy has led 622 laps in the V6 era, while finishing on the podium 17 times.

Looking to the 90-lap, 207-mile Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on the 17-turn course with 45 ft. of racing ribbon and 80 ft. in elevation change, Pato O’Ward, driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, talks of his love of Barber Motorsports Park and how it holds a fond place in his heart.

“I’ve had a lot of success at Barber, not just in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES but pretty much every series that has taken me here, so this track holds a special place in my heart,” said O’Ward. “I always get super excited to go back there, so let’s get on the Barber rollercoaster and make it a good weekend for the team.”

The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix from Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Ala. Kicks off with first practice on Friday, April 26, at 3:55 p.m. ET. Saturday sees the second practice at 12:15 p.m. ET, with qualifying and the Firestone Fast Six at 3:30 p.m. ET. A Final warm-up will kick off race day at 10:15 a.m. ET, with the 90-lap, 207-mile Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at 1 p.m. ET on NBC. All practice sessions and qualifications will be live on Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 160.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“The track is just very unique on its own, super elevated, very blind, very quick, a lot of the big braking zones, which was familiar to me as I was coming back from Europe, so I did quite well. And we had a test day there so I could understand the dynamics of the track. Last year we didn’t qualify because we had a mechanical issue. So, that kind of prevented us from doing anything. It’s very difficult to progress in the season now unless you qualify very well.”

Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“Barber is one of my favorite tracks, even though it is quite different from any other track we go to. The elevation changes, varying radius corners, and track surface make it a great place to drive. There are some unique corners like the uphill section at Turns 12 and 13, that make the track physically challenging. It is high grip, fast, and hilly.”

Théo Pourchaire, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I’m looking forward to racing at Barber and discovering another new track. I have a better understanding of the car and the team entering this weekend compared to last weekend in Long Beach, which should be good. Barber seems like a very different track with more high-speed corners, elevation changes and some blind corners. I think it’ll be a great track and I’m sure I’m going to love it. I hope we can perform better in qualifying this weekend, and I trust the team will put me in a position to do so. Arrow McLaren has done well here in the past, so I’m looking forward to learning from them so we can bring home a good result.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“Back to back races make the pain of a difficult weekend disappear pretty quickly. We had a strong test at Barber earlier in the year, so we’ll look to take that positivity into this weekend and generate some positive momentum into the Month of May.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

“Going to Barber this weekend presents some great opportunities for us. It gives us the chance to move on quickly from a mixed race in Long Beach, and we get to compete at a track we’ve been quick at historically. Pato (O’Ward) has a win here and I’m confident we can fight for the win this weekend. Rossi topped the times on a very productive test day we had at Barber. And finally, we are all very excited to see what Théo (Pourchaire) can do in his 2nd race weekend in IndyCar after a strong debut last weekend.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“I am very excited to go back to the Alabama rollercoaster! There is no place quite like it, it is one of my favorites in the country! It’s also one of the few tracks I have already driven an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car on, so I think we are in for a good weekend!”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“I’m very excited for Barber! It’s a cool track and it’s the venue of my last podium. We’ve showed good there in the past and I’m ready to get started on our first official road course race weekend! It should be a good weekend, it’s a track that Christian (Rasmussen) is familiar with and he also did his first test with ECR there. Let’s really get the season started now!”

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“Super excited to go to Barber. I feel like we’re going to have a fast cadence now, that started in Long Beach, and we’re going to go really quickly through May, June, and July. There’s a lot of work to do. We’re focused on the work. But Barber is one of my favorite tracks. It’s the track I had my first INDYCAR win at, so it’s always been special to me. It’s close to my home. It used to be my hometown race before we had a race in Nashville. Can’t wait to get there. I feel like Chevrolet has done a tremendous job in the offseason. I feel like as a complete team and unit, together with Chevrolet, we’re in a great spot to secure more results, and that’s where our focus is.”

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“Barber is one of my favorite road courses in America, and having won there last year, it’s instant confidence heading there. I think as a Team Chevy driver, we’ve improved so much in the offseason which not only is going to help us more at Barber. I think we punched above our weight there last year, so to win was great. I think we can certainly do it again.”

Will Power, No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“I’m looking forward to going back to Barber. The last couple of years we’ve had a few issues. We’ve been really fast in race. Chevy has made some good ground, so I think we’re going to be pretty competitive everywhere.”

CHEVROLET IN BARBER:

Wins at Barber (since 2012): 8

2012: Will Power

2013: Ryan Hunter-Reay

2015: Josef Newgarden

2016: Simon Pagenaud

2017: Josef Newgarden

2018: Josef Newgarden

2022: Pato O’Ward

2023: Scott McLaughlin

Earned Pole Awards at Barber: 9

2012: Helio Castroneves

2013: Ryan Hunter-Reay

2014: Will Power

2015: Helio Castroneves

2016: Simon Pagenaud

2017: Will Power

2018: Josef Newgarden

2021: Pato O’Ward

2022: Rinus VeeKay

Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Barber Motorsports Park (since 2012): 17

Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Barber Motorsports Park (since 2012): 622

2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:

201: NTT INDYCAR Series races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.

112: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

128: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 133 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather.

8: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.

7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.

12: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

5: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era.

26: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.

9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.

46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.

*Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.

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.

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