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Dive into Savings: The Benefits of Swimming Pool Covers

Photo by Joe Ciciarelli on Unsplash

Swimming pools are a pleasing addition to any home, providing a fresh break at some stage in warm weather. However, preserving a swimming pool may be stressful, with challenges ranging from keeping it smooth to coping with power expenses. While choosing the right pool tiles melbourne residents often prioritize for durability and style helps create a beautiful foundation. One powerful solution for those troubles is the usage of swimming pool covers. Here, we explore the advantages of investing in a pool cover, highlighting how it can decorate your pool experience and provide realistic benefits.

1. Enhanced Safety

One of the primary reasons to invest in a swimming pool cover is protection. Uncovered pools can pose a huge risk for households with young kids or pets to drown. Many pool covers are designed to support a person’s weight, preventing unintentional drownings. Safety covers, in particular, are strong and secure, providing peace of mind by ensuring the pool is inaccessible when not in use.

2. Reduced Maintenance and Cleaning

A pool cover also serves as a filter from some particles, along with leaves, twigs, and bugs that may fall into the pool. You significantly reduce the dust and other contaminants entering your pool and, hence, the work and time needed for cleaning when you build a shade over your pool. Thus, less time is wasted just ‘floating’ over the pool’s surface, and more time is spent ‘involved’ with the water.

3. Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

Heating a pool can be expensive, especially in cooler climates. Pool covers help retain warmth by reducing evaporation, the primary cause of water loss in swimming pools. Keeping the water temperature extra warm reduces the need for constant heating, leading to huge power savings. Solar pool covers are designed to harness the sun’s energy, heat the water, and reduce heating costs.

4. Water Conservation

Evaporation no longer leads to heat loss but also to tremendous water loss. Using a pool cover can dramatically lessen water evaporation, which is particularly useful in areas with water restrictions or during droughts. By retaining water, pool covers help maintain the pool’s water level, reducing the frequency and cost of refilling.

5. Chemical Savings

The chemical balance is very important, as it serves as a safety measure to ensure the pool water remains clean. Pool covers help reduce the loss of chemical compounds due to evaporation and UV degradation. This leads to more stable water chemistry and reduces the desire to constantly make chemical changes. Therefore, pool proprietors can reduce the amount of money spent on pool chemicals and maintenance time.

6. Extended Pool Season

A pool cover can expand the swimming season for those who stay in areas with wonderful weather. By preserving heat and keeping the water temperature more stable, pool covers allow swimming earlier in the spring and later into the fall. This prolonged usability maximizes the funding for your pool and enhances the general swimming experience.

7. Protection Against Harsh Weather

Pool covers provide a layer of protection against harsh weather conditions, such as storms and strong winds. They prevent particles from entering the pool during these activities, which may otherwise lead to widespread cleaning and potential harm. Covers shield the pool from direct environmental exposure, reducing wear and tear on pool surfaces and equipment.

Conclusion

Investing in a swimming pool cover is a sensible decision for any pool owner. The advantages are well-sized, from enhancing protection and reducing maintenance to holding electricity and water. Protecting your pool with a cover ensures a cleaner, safer, and more price-powerful swimming experience. Whether you opt for a guide, computerized, solar, rectangular, or oval pool cover, the advantages make it a worthwhile addition to your pool renovation. Enjoy the benefit and peace of mind that comes with a properly blanketed pool, and dive right into a season of worry-free swimming.

Moreover, a key advantage of modern pool covers is their ease of use, as some can be operated smoothly with automatic systems. This provides the necessary convenience, which boosts the covers’ everyday applications. The use of an appropriate pool cover will help you convert your pool from a high-maintenance asset into a form of recreation that will last you for many years.

Ultimately, a swimming pool cover is not merely an added material to the pool; it is one of the main conditions for successful and safe pool ownership. There are numerous ways pool covers can benefit the pool; they are simply a positive step towards realizing the pool’s potential and maintaining its lustrous appearance.

Richard Childress Racing Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Marine Toys for Tots®

Austin Dillon to Race the No. 3 Toys for Tots Chevrolet at Darlington Raceway in September to Highlight America’s Premier Children’s Christmastime Charity and Year-Round Giving

WELCOME, N.C. (May 21, 2024) – Marine Toys for Tots®, America’s premier children’s Christmastime charity, is partnering with Richard Childress Racing to highlight the charity’s year-round programs to help underprivileged children, both during the Christmas season and beyond. The dynamic, multi-year partnership includes primary race sponsorship of the No. 3 Toys for Tots Chevrolet for select races, kicking off with the NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway this September. The race is scheduled to air live on USA Network beginning at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 1.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Richard Childress Racing and Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Car,” said LtGen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “This collaboration is a powerful way to drive the message of giving and community support across the finish line, reaching millions of NASCAR fans who can help significantly impact disadvantaged children’s lives during the holiday season and beyond.”

Established in 1947, Toys for Tots is the U.S. Marine Corps’ premier community action program and America’s most popular children’s Christmastime charity. Toys for Tots is the combined efforts of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Toys for Tots’ mission is to provide hope and emotional support to economically disadvantaged children through toys, books, and other gifts at Christmastime and throughout the year. Because needs aren’t seasonal, Toys for Tots has evolved into a year-round force for good – ensuring that no child is forgotten any day of the year.

Dillon, a two-time NASCAR Champion and the 2018 Daytona 500 Champion, joins a long list of celebrity ambassadors who have contributed their time and efforts to assist Toys for Tots. Dillon and RCR will help highlight Toys for Tots’ charitable campaigns throughout the year.

“Toys for Tots is an incredible organization, and we could not be more excited to build a relationship with them and the U.S Marine Corps Reserve,” said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. “We are honored to be able to debut the No.3 Toys for Tots Chevrolet and are eager to work closely with Toys for Tots to highlight their Christmastime charitable efforts and year-round commitment to ensuring that no child is forgotten.”

For more information on Toys for Tots and to find a chapter in your community, visit https://www.toysfortots.org/.

Toys for Tots, a 77-year National charitable Program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides year-round joy, comfort, and hope to economically disadvantaged children across the Nation through the gift of a new toy or book. Providing toys, books, and other gifts to disadvantaged children offers recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Since 1947, the Program has evolved and grown exponentially, having delivered hope and the magic of Christmas to over 301 million children in need. Because the need isn’t just at Christmastime, the Marine Toys for Tots Program also provides support year-round to families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus fulfilling the hopes and dream of millions of disadvantaged children beyond the holidays. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2024 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview | Charlotte Motor Speedway I

CLUB ENTRY LIST

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
POINT STANDINGS: 24th

ERIK JONES
POINT STANDINGS: 27th

JIMMIE JOHNSON

CLUB NOTES

A new look: The No. 43 entry for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB will be wrapped in a patriotic scheme to celebrate Memorial Day. This weekend, the Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE will feature the traditional Family Dollar red along with navy blue and white stars to mimic the nation’s flag this weekend, a nod to those who serve and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

EJF at CMS: This weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Erik Jones Foundation will work with team sponsors Dollar Tree and Family Dollar and their supplier, Edgewell Personal Care, to distribute over 4,000 sun safety bags. The EJF will hand out Banana Boat sunscreen samples and sun safety materials to fans enjoying the Memorial Day race weekend, encouraging them to keep their skin safe throughout the weekend.

JJ’s House: Throughout Jimmie Johnson’s career, he practically resided in victory lane at Charlotte (then Lowe’s) Motor Speedway. Johnson has won on the speedway oval a record eight times across a span of 38 starts. Johnson won four races in a row at the 1.5-mile speedway, including two Memorial Day Coca-Cola 600’s during the 2004 and 2005 race seasons. In the 2004 600-mile event, Johnson dominated the field by leading a whopping 334 out of 400 total laps. In addition to the eight wins, Johnson has 16-top five, and 22 top-10 finishes while leading 1,936 laps around the circuit

A double of his own: Johnson never lets the grass grow under his feet for too long. He signed a deal with NBC Sports to do a ‘double’ of his own on Sunday, May 26. Johnson will practice and qualify the No. 84 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE at Charlotte and then hop on a plane to Indianapolis, Ind. Bright and early, Johnson will have production meetings and rehearsal, and the broadcast will start at 9 a.m. ET. Johnson joins NBC veteran analysts Mike Tirico, Danica Patrick, Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe to cover storylines of the Indianapolis 500. Johnson will head back to Charlotte at a pre-determined time in order to make the driver’s meeting and introductions, before strapping in to drive 600 miles in the Coca-Cola 600. He will most likely beat NASCAR points leader Kyle Larson to the track as Larson has a chance to win two races on Sunday as Larson takes on 1,100 miles in the true driving double.

Street cred in the booth: Johnson is no stranger to the Indy 500. He competed in the 2022 event, starting 12th before crashing with six laps to go in the event. He was crowned the 2022 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. The Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year is awarded annually by vote to the racing driver deemed to have been the best-performing rookie in the Indianapolis 500. Criteria include drivers’ performance during practice, qualifying, and the race, their relationship with fans and the media, their sportsmanship, and having a positive impact on the race.

Do-over from Kansas: Johnson is hopeful this weekend goes according to plan, as he had a fast Toyota Camry in the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway earlier this month before his day ended early in a crash. He and the No. 84 team were making gains throughout the race and showed top-10 potential before the day ended early.

Boys and Girls Club: Team partner Family Dollar will host the Boys & Girls Club of America this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Family Dollar works with the Boys & Girls Club of America to outfit youth with the proper tools and resources to support their communities. The program with Family Dollar is focused on helping children think, learn, and create change. LEGACY MOTOR CLUB entries will support this program by hosting a group from the Boys & Girls Club of America at the track, along with a decal near the roof numbers on No. 42 and No. 43 entries. To learn more about this program, click here.

Operation Homefront: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and team partner Dollar Tree will host guests from “Operation Homefront” at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. Operation Homefront is a nonprofit organization that aids military families in their growth and development with resources such as housing and financial assistance. In 2023, the organization helped over 1,400 military families who applied for critical financial assistance, with over $4 million in support. Operation Homefront will be represented on the roof of Nos. 42 and 43 throughout the weekend.

EJ in the Booth: Jones will join Fox for the annual “Drivers Only” broadcast team to call this weekend’s Xfinity race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jones will be in the booth as an analyst along with Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric. Fellow competitors Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Carson Hocevar, and Josh Berry will round out this year’s broadcast as studio hosts, pit reporters, and play-by-play commentary.

Xfinity Success: Jones has earned nine wins, 15 pole positions, 37 top-five, and 50 top-10 finishes across 79 attempts in the Xfinity Series. Jones competed in the Xfinity Series between 2014 and 2021, only running one full-time season in 2016. He earned four of his nine wins during the 2016 season.

Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma: Last week, two-time Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year and multi-platinum award-winning star Luke Combs released a new music video to accompany his new single, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”. The video features tornado storm chasers and is the theme song for the summer blockbuster movie release of “Twister”. The music video starred Combs and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s Nemechek through the partnership with OLIPOP. To see the full video visit, www.lukecombs.com or on Nemechek and LEGACY M.C.’s social media channels.

That Jones Baby: Jones and his wife Holly announced late last week that the family will be expanding with a new addition to the Jones family. The two shared through their social media accounts that the family is expecting their first child in November of this year, just in time for the off-season.

NBC and JJ: In addition to this weekend’s Indianapolis 500, Johnson will also serve as an analyst on NBC Sports’ NASCAR coverage of the events at Daytona International Speedway on Aug. 24 and Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 6, one of three Cup Series Playoff races in the Round of 12. Johnson will also contribute to NBC Sports’ coverage for select NASCAR races in which he is competing this year, including the NASCAR Cup Series Championship from Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 10.

Better Half Dash: On Wednesday evening, May 29, the “better halves” of the NASCAR industry will be competing for great causes in the Better Half Dash event hosted by Motor Racing Outreach (MRO). The go-karting event will take place at Trackhouse Motorplex in Mooresville, N.C. This year, John Hunter’s wife, Taylor Nemechek, will be competing for the second time, while raising money for a special cause that is near to her heart, the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. To support Taylor in finding a cure for this terrible disease, visit, www.go2mro.com/bhd-drivers/taylor-nemechek

Keeping fans safe: Jones will make several public service announcements throughout the weekend that will play on the big screen at Charlotte Motor Speedway reminding fans to stay sun safe. May is “Melanoma Awareness Month”, and the Erik Jones Foundation (EJF) has been working hard to raise awareness for the most common type of cancer found in adults. This is a cause close to the Jones family, as Erik’s father, Dave Jones, passed away from melanoma in 2016.

JHN and the Longest Race of the Year: Nemechek’s first and only attempt at the longest race of the year came back in 2020. At the end of the 405-lap affair, Nemechek finished in the 16th position. Nemechek is no stranger to Charlotte Motor Speedway with multiple starts across the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series where he won in 2021.

Thinking of DC8: All LEGACY M.C. entries will run decals through the Charlotte Motor Speedway race in support of the Dollar Tree Distribution Center 8 (DC8) in Marietta, Okla. DC8 was impacted by the devastating tornadoes that hit the Oklahoma region last weekend. Although the distribution center was severely damaged, fortunately, none of the 456 associates employed by the distribution center were injured by the disaster.

Pit Crew: The Coca-Cola 600 is one of the most unique races of the year for not only the drivers but also the over-the-wall crew. LEGACY MOTOR CLUB pit crew members are expected to make 10-12 pit stops throughout the race, which will prove to be a marathon of precision and efficiency. All three CLUB entries will have plenty of opportunities to showcase their true athleticism and teamwork during the 600-mile marathon.

Going for G.O.L.D.: Partners Dollar Tree and Family Dollar will honor store #5424 this weekend as a part of the company’s “Go for G.O.L.D.” (Grand Opening Look Daily) program. The Dollar Tree and Family Dollar primaries will highlight these stores on the deck lid of all three LEGACY M.C. entries throughout the race season. Store #5424 is located in Charlotte, N.C.

CLUB members who served: Carl Garcia, the interior mechanic on the No. 43 for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, served in the military from 1997-2000. Garcia was a member of the 82nd Airborne Infantry Regiment and worked as an E-4 during his service at Fort Bragg, N.C. Earl Barban, Jimmie Johnson’s longtime spotter served from 1983-1988 in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and is a Navy Achievement Medal recipient. No. 42 mechanic Zach Casada served in the U.S. Army from June 2008 to April 2016.

CLUB QUOTES

John Hunter Nemechek, Driver of the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:

“This is your second Coke 600, what do you like about Charlotte and how important is it to stay on top of your Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE throughout the race?

“This is my second 600, and I ran well in the first one. I like Charlotte a lot, it has a lot of characteristics and bumps while trying to get your car to work. They’re spraying resin in the top groove this year so that’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out. It’s a long day to night race so the track is going to change a lot, so relying on Ben for notes and past experience during the 600 to kind of figure out what we need balance wise just so I myself as a driver can understand what I feel like I need. Not knowing how much it changes and kind of the balance that you’re looking for I think that’s the hardest part about the 600. You see a lot of guys that are really good early in the race, and you see a lot of guys that are good at the end of the race, and part of that is because the track changes so much, trying to keep up with adjustments during that is very hard. Charlotte hometown!”

During the Coke 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and everyone at NASCAR does a great job of honoring the men and women that serve this country, what does it mean to represent the fallen soldier [Spc. Dustin J. Feldhaus] and all the families that will be there at the track as well as all of the men and women that will be watching from afar?

“It means a lot to be able to represent a fallen soldier and without them fighting for our country and for our freedom we wouldn’t be able to do the things that we love to do and that’s race every Sunday during the year and be able to have the freedom that we do, so I think that being able to honor and remember them on Memorial Day weekend for the Coke 600 it’s such a big celebration and remembrance of not only the soldier that’s going to be on our card but every single one that has fallen and given their life to our country and fighting for freedom

Ben Beshore, Crew chief of the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:

What are the keys to a strong run at the Coke 600?

“This track is a mix of handling and aerodynamics. It’s a fast track but the bumps get a little bit worse every year. So, blending a setup that has good aero platform but gets through the bumps well is a big part of making a fast car at Charlotte.”

With the Coke 600 being the longest of the year and it going from day to night, how important is it to stay on top of the changing conditions and adjustments for the car?

“It’s very important. The track will go through a couple transitions, so we’ll have to have a plan in place ahead of time to be able to adapt and try to be ahead of the adjustments we need as the sun sets and the track cools off.”

Each team will have a fallen soldier’s name riding along with them on the car, what does it mean to be able to represent the name that is on the car, the surviving families and all the men and women that serve our country?

“Seeing the Gold Star Flags this time of year is always a reality check. We are very privileged to be able to do the things we do because of all the brave soldiers who made great sacrifices for this country. It means a lot to the team to have one of those soldiers riding with us during the race to be able to tell their story of that sacrifice.

Erik Jones, Driver of the No. 43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE:

What makes the 600 such an important race for the sport and how does the length of the race change your strategy as a driver?

“The 600 is one of my favorite races of the year, and it’s obviously our longest; that challenge is unique to Charlotte. The sport does a really great job of giving us the opportunity to honor those who served on Memorial Day, and it is always neat to see those names ride along with us. I always get excited for this weekend; it is obviously a unique race in the way that it starts in the day and goes into the night; the track changes so much, and you see so many guys come and go in the last few years with this car that race has seemed to get pretty wild as the day goes on. Charlotte has been a good race for me, and for us at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, we showed some pretty good speed but ran into some unfortunate circumstances last year. So, hopefully, we can get our 1.5-mile stuff rolling and get the result that we want.”

Dave Elenz, Crew chief of the No. 43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE:

How does the 600 miles of racing change your strategy and where can you find success?

“I think Charlotte is always a fun race, 600 miles gives you the opportunity to really get into a rhythm during the race, and it really brings out the most prepared drivers, and you’ll see those teams rise to the top. It is pretty fun to see how the stages are broken up, it’s four 100-lap stages that make things easier to get into a rhythm for each one of those and set up for the runs that entail from those. We look forward to it. We had a lot of speed there last year, so hopefully, we can bring a great car again.”

Jimmie Johnson, Driver of the No. 84 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE:

“I’m ready to get back on track after Kansas. It was the best I felt in these cars and I really hate we couldn’t finish that race. We have 600 miles to sort it out on Sunday night and I’m here for it. The opportunity with NBC to call the pre-race and participate in the broadcast for the Indianapolis 500 is just so cool. The first time I did the broadcast I got the itch to run the 500 (laughs) and we made that happen in 2022. It will be a long day on Sunday as we hit the airwaves bright and early, but I really can’t wait. It’s one of the greatest days in auto racing. Also, the 600 is so special with the Gold Star family of SSG James “Jimmy” Patton joining us. It’s an honor for his family to be with us for this event and we want to do well for Jimmy.”

Jason Burdett, Crew chief of the No. 84 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE:

“The good thing about Charlotte is that Jimmie ran last year’s 600 in this NextGen car, so he already has a starting point of where he needs to be and what he will want out of the AdventHealth Toyota. It’s only been two races since he has been out of the car so the momentum we had in Kansas should carry into Charlotte. The format of stages is like four races in one race for us. So we plan to take it stage by stage – it’s a long night but a great racetrack for us.”

PETTY 75TH ANNIVERSARY

ABOUT PETTY 75th: The 2024 season marks a significant milestone in the history of the Petty family as they have helped define stock car racing for 75 years. Their commitment to the sport and the people who make it possible – behind the wheel, under the hood, in the back office, and beyond – has shaped the growth and success of NASCAR. Their LEGACY lives on with the countless fans, drivers, technicians, and team members they touched. Throughout 2024, LEGACY M.C. will celebrate the Petty family and share countless memories with friends and fans at race tracks across the country.

The First: Lee Petty was a part of NASCAR’s first race at the short track of Charlotte Speedway in 1949. The eldest Petty qualified ninth in a car that he borrowed (or rumored to have stolen) from the service station where he worked. Petty was collected in a wreck on Lap 102 and finished 17th in the race. This race kickstarted the passion for the Petty family to compete in NASCAR.

Career Win for Petty: Adam Petty won in his first career ARCA start in 1998 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Petty qualified sixth and led 27 of the possible 67 laps in the No. 45 entry for Petty Enterprises. Petty only had two starts in his ARCA career, and his second attempt came at Talladega Superspeedway that same year.

Lee Petty in Charlotte: Lee Petty raced at three different Charlotte-based tracks throughout his storied career. The patriarch of the Petty family raced at Charlotte Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Southern States Fairgrounds between the years between 1949 and 1961. Of these three tracks, he dominated Southern States Fairgrounds with three wins (1954, 1957, 1959) in 17 attempts with nine top-five, 15 top-10, four pole positions, and 313 laps led. The Petty that started it all holds an average start of 5.4 and an average finish of 6.8.

Richard Petty: “The King” has six starts at Southern States Fairgrounds between 1959 and 1961, including a trip to victory lane in the spring of 1960. Petty only finished one race in these six starts, being his win during the 1960 season. “The King” led 18 laps that day in his only win at the short track. “The King” made 64 starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway dating back to the track’s inaugural race in 1960 until he retired in 1992. Of those starts, Petty was victorious five times (1961, 1975, 1977, 1983), won three pole positions, 23 top-five, 31 top-10 finishes, and 1,702 laps led.

KP at CMS: Kyle Petty went to Victory Lane once during his 53 attempts at Charlotte Motor Speedway while driving the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing. That day, Petty led 35 laps during the 600-mile event in 1987. Coupled with the win, Petty has six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes with 321 laps led between 1979-2008.

HONORARY CLUB MEMBERS

42: Spc. Dustin J. Feldhaus – The No. 42 Dollar Tree LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team will have the name of Spc. Dustin J. Feldhaus riding along with them on the Toyota Camry at the Coke 600. Feldhaus hailed from Glendale, Ariz., and was nicknamed “Mouse” because of his short stature and slender frame, weighing in at 112 lbs. What Feldhaus may have lacked in height he made up for in heart and tenacity. Feldhaus is survived by his mother, Niki Etchells, stepfather Lance; his father, Bernard Feldhaus-Mahaljevic; and stepmother, Sandra; siblings, Nicholas, Dorian, Patrick, and Alana; and many other relatives.

43: LCDR Charles Thomas Butler of Paintsville, KY. was a valued husband, father, and decorated service member who served in the Marine Corps until his graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1953. Butler worked in the electronic and special weapons departments for various units across the country, including time in New Mexico, Texas, and Florida. During a refresher training course in Pensacola, FL., Butler was involved in an accident as his RA-C5 crashed due to a loose clamp in the starboard engine. Butler and his co-pilot, ENS John B. Smith, both ejected and while Smith survived, unfortunately, Butler lost his life due to his injuries. Butler was laid to rest with full military honors on June 20th, 1967, and was posthumously promoted to the rank of commander during his service. Butler is survived by his wife, Barbra Ann, and his five children, Sharon Kaye, Mary Lee, Richard Wallace, John Charles, and Robert Winston. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

84: SSG James Richard Patton: Jimmy Patton was known for his qualities as a soldier and for being “the life of his platoon.” Patton, 23, was killed in a helicopter crash April 18 in Tikrit, Iraq while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to Fort Benning, N.C., and a native of Vincennes, Ind. Patton was on his seventh deployment, having previously served twice in Iraq and four times in Afghanistan. Patton enlisted in the Army in 2004. His awards include, the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

BROADCAST INFO

CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
SUNDAY, MAY 26th @ 6:00 PM ET

Mahindra Tractors Racing: Chase Briscoe Charlotte Advance

CHASE BRISCOE
Charlotte Advance
No. 14 Mahindra Compact Tractors Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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

Notes of Interest

● Chase Briscoe comes into the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway with the kind of momentum any driver wants heading into the longest race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The driver of the No. 14 Mahindra Compact Tractors Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing finished an impressive fifth in the series’ prior points-paying race May 12 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. It was his best finish in the 13 races run this season and it was his first top-five in seven career Cup Series starts at Darlington. The fifth-place drive was the 11th top-five of Briscoe’s Cup Series career, a mark highlighted by his March 2022 win at Phoenix Raceway.

● The Coca-Cola 600 will mark Briscoe’s fourth career NASCAR Cup Series start at Charlotte’s 1.5-mile oval. His best result came in the 2022 Coca-Cola 600, when Briscoe started 15th and worked his way into the lead on lap 260 before finishing fourth.

● Briscoe has made four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte with his best result coming in his most recent drive at the intermediate-style track – sixth in May 2021. It was a bittersweet run as Briscoe qualified his Ford Mustang second and led three times for 60 laps. But as eventual race-winner Ty Gibbs muscled past Briscoe on lap 181, Gibbs’ No. 54 machine took the air off Briscoe’s spoiler, sending Briscoe into a spin. That Briscoe recovered in the race’s final seven laps to finish sixth was a testament to his strength that day.

● Before Briscoe turned a lap at Charlotte in a NASCAR Xfinity Series car, he raced at the D-shaped oval in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Driving a Ford F-150, Briscoe started second and finished 11th in May 2017. It was his first and only Truck Series race at Charlotte.

● As part of #NASCARSalutes and the 600 Miles of Remembrance initiative during the Coca-Cola 600, the No. 14 Mahindra Compact Tractors team is honoring United States Marine Corps Corporal David W. Smith. A native of Garden City, Michigan, Smith graduated high school in May 2003 and enlisted in the Marine Corps four months later. Smith completed his recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, after which he was promoted to Private First Class on May 1, 2004. Smith reported to Okinawa, Japan and was assigned to Motor Transport Company, 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group as a motor vehicle operator. He was deployed to Iraq from September 2004 through March 2005, and was promoted to Lance Corporal on Jan. 1, 2005. Smith returned to Okinawa and, in less than a year, was promoted to Corporal on Dec. 1, 2005. It was shortly thereafter, on Dec. 11, 2005, that tragedy struck and the 20-year-old Smith faced his untimely death when a seven-ton MTVR (Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement), towing another MTVR, overturned during a training exercise at Camp Fuji in Japan. Throughout Smith’s childhood, adolescence and adulthood, he continuously impressed, commanded respect, and was loved by everyone with whom he crossed paths – family, neighbors, peers, teachers, principals, coaches, pack leaders, preachers, employers, strangers and his fellow brothers and sisters in arms among all U.S. military branches and all ranks. Smith filled his free time with cars, sports, music, family, friends, telling jokes, pulling pranks, video games, more cars and using his magic touch to fix anything someone else deemed unfixable. Smith lived life to the absolute fullest with a laugh that was genuine, full and incredibly contagious. He looked eye to eye with full confidence into any challenge, obstacle, threat or fear that he encountered.

● Mahindra Ag North America is in its third year as the anchor sponsor for Briscoe and the No. 14 team after extending its partnership with Stewart-Haas during the offseason. The multiyear agreement with the NASCAR team co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart and industrialist Gene Haas continues to feature Mahindra Tractors, a brand of Mahindra Ag North America, on Briscoe’s No. 14 Ford Mustang for the majority of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Houston-based Mahindra Ag North America is part of Mahindra Group’s Automotive and Farm Sector, the No. 1-selling farm tractor company in the world, based on volumes across all company brands. Mahindra offers a range of tractor models from 20-75 horsepower, implements, and the ROXOR heavy-duty UTV. Mahindra farm equipment is engineered to be easy to operate by first-time tractor or side-by-side owners and heavy duty to tackle the tough jobs of rural living, farming and ranching. Steel-framed Mahindra Tractors and side-by-sides are ideal for customers who demand performance, reliability and comfort. Mahindra dealers are independent, family-owned businesses located throughout the U.S. and Canada.

● Mahindra Ag North America is using the Coca-Cola 600 to promote its newest line of sub-compact and compact tractors. From a new paint scheme on Briscoe’s No. 14 Ford Mustang Dark Horse to a display on the midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Mahindra is showcasing its 1100 and 2100 tractors, which are designed with features to enhance operation for first-time buyers. Boasting comfort amenities like telematics, leather seats and USB charging ports, the Mahindra 1100 and 2100 models are designed around ease of use for acreage owners, farmers and ranchers, with features like a push-button PTO and side-by-side HST pedals. Other features include a hand throttle on the console, tilt and telescopic steering, implement quick raise and lower, and auto lift at three points while turning and backing. Every model in the 1100 and 2100 series is available in open station or cab configurations, with an HVAC system exclusive to the 2126. This line of compacts have compatible Mahindra attachments, including loaders, backhoes, mowers, snowblowers, post hole diggers and grapples. The loader on the 1100 series has a max lift of 770 pounds, while the 2100 has a max lift of 1,760 pounds. Both can be seen this weekend at Charlotte.

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 Mahindra Compact Tractors Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Before the Coca-Cola 600 goes green, two of motorsports’ biggest races take place earlier in the day – the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. How much racing do you watch prior to the Coca-Cola 600?

“I’ll typically turn on Monaco at some point and I’ll catch a couple of laps, but not a whole lot. I’m normally watching as much Indy 500 coverage as I can, including prerace. But at some point, I’ve got to step away from it. I’m normally doing meet-and-greets right when the Indy 500 is coming to an end, and I feel like during those meet-and-greets I’m kind of in La La Land because my mind’s on the Indy 500. Just growing up in Indiana, that race means a lot. I always watch almost every single practice session and definitely qualifying, and the race is just a super-big deal. It’s something I grew up doing. I remember watching with my family every Indianapolis 500, so that’s something I really enjoy doing.”

Memorial Day weekend is a big weekend for auto racing between Monaco, Indy and Charlotte. What sparked your interest in racing?

“Growing up in a racing family certainly sparked that interest from the get-go. I just didn’t know any differently. I thought when I was 3, 4 years old, that everybody just did the same thing that I did, right? I just didn’t know anything different. I’d go to the racetrack on the weekend, and during the week I’d go to the race shop and play around racecars and stuff like that. It was just normal for me. Looking back, it’s definitely not normal for very many people, but I kind of see it the same now with my son, Brooks. I don’t push racing on him at all, but he’s just naturally growing up around it. He loves playing with racecars and being around racecars, and that’s all he really talks about. He wants to watch the movie ‘Cars,’ or watch racing, and I don’t ask him, ‘Hey, you want to watch a race?’ He just wants to do it. It’s kind of the same for him. When you grow up around it, it becomes something you want to do and look forward to, and for me, growing up in a racing family was certainly that for me.”

Kyle Larson is doing the Double – running the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. How interested are you in his endeavor?

“I’m really excited for Kyle. I know it’s something that he’s wanted to do for a really, really long time. I’m excited from the NASCAR side, but I’m more excited from the sprint car side to see another sprint-car guy go to the Indianapolis 500. It’s kind of the origins of Indy. You had these sprint car guys who would go and run, you had A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Jack Hewitt, Bryan Clauson recently, and that was always the thing, if you were the best sprint car guy, you wanted to run the Indy 500, that was the dream. So it’s cool from that standpoint. Truthfully, I’ve never had the desire to run the Indy 500. I appreciate it so much as a fan, and I really don’t want to thrash at 240 miles an hour. I know I’m not going to put myself in those situations, so I’ve never really had that desire to go do it. But I will say seeing Kyle do it and talking to him about it and, honestly, hearing how similar he feels like it is to our Cup cars as far as how they drive, and the Indy stuff has gotten way safer over the last couple of years, so it very, very, very briefly piqued my interest. During the month of May, I typically get a ton of questions about running the Double, just being from Indiana. I always tell people I would like to just start and park the Indy 500, like I want to go through the prerace ceremonies, I want to do ‘Back Home Again in Indiana,’ do the pace laps, take the green flag and then just bring her down pit road and watch the rest of the race. I don’t think that’s ever going to be a possibility – I’m not going to say it’ll never happen, but I would say it’s a very slim chance, and slim’s probably left town or getting close to leaving town. But it’ll be cool to watch Kyle and I’ll certainly be pulling for him, and hopefully for the sprint car guys he can do it.”

The only person to complete all 1,100 miles between the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on a single day is Tony Stewart. Growing up a Tony Stewart fan, what do you remember about Tony’s attempts at the Double?

“Truthfully, I don’t remember a ton of it just because I was a lot younger and really didn’t understand what was going on with guys running the Double and what that meant. I do remember watching the Coke 600 and seeing him try to get there in time and all that. I remember that part of it, but I don’t remember any of him running the Indy 500. At that point, I didn’t watch any IndyCar races outside of the Indy 500, so I didn’t really know any of the drivers, where in NASCAR I knew every single guy. It’s definitely crazy to think he’s completed all 1,100 miles and just what that day would be like. Even hearing him talk about it, just the difference in how he was physically the first year to the second year, shows just how much Tony loves racing. It’s pretty cool that he’s the only guy who’s done that. I don’t know if that record will stand at the end of this year, but it’s been pretty cool for Tony to do the Double not only once, but twice, and to do it really successfully.”

Much is made about the Coca-Cola 600 being the series’ longest race. Because the race is so long, can it be a good thing where if you’re not where you want to be, you have time to make things right? Or is the other side of the coin being that it’s too long of a race to not be good, as the delta to being off can quickly become insurmountable?

“It can definitely be both, just depending on how far off you are. That’s a race where your car definitely goes through a lot of transitions. Last year we were way off, and it was hard to ever get back. You go back to 2022, I wasn’t great in the beginning part of the race, but then nighttime came and I kind of started creeping up. I probably should’ve won the 2022 Coke 600 and threw it away with three or four to go. It was one of those races where, at the beginning of the race, I definitely didn’t think I was going to be in the mix, and that transition happens when the sun goes down and some guys’ cars come to life and other guys’ kind of fall apart. Ours certainly came to life. It’s a long race. It’s one of those races where a lot of guys just eliminate themselves, whether it’s pit-road mistakes or just putting yourself in bad spots early in the race. I feel like, typically, the longer races kind of suit my style a little bit more. I feel like throughout my career I’ve always run better in the longer races, and the Coke 600 is obviously a long, long race. Hopefully this year we can kind of make up for that mistake I made in 2022.”

The Coca-Cola 600 used to be about pushing drivers and their cars to the limit, as attrition was once a key factor. But today, drivers are fitter than ever and cars seem to be built better than ever before. Is that extra 100 miles noticeable anymore, be it from your perspective behind the wheel or from your team’s when it comes to building your racecar?

“From a performance standpoint, I don’t really notice the extra 100 miles. Now, the first 100 laps of that race does feel like it takes forever. It’s one of those deals where in that race we have that extra stage, you get done with Stage 1 and you’ve got 100 laps down and you have 300 laps to go and it’s like, ‘Man, how am I going to make it?’ It’s just super long and I think some of the reason it feels so long is that you start that first stage in the daylight and that first stage is when that transition is typically from day to night, and it just feels like it takes two or three hours for that transition to happen, and in the car you just don’t realize how fast it happens. You get to halfway, I feel like the final 200 laps go fairly quickly, but that first 200 laps there, it definitely takes a long time. But from a performance standpoint, this car definitely seems to take it.”

The Coca-Cola 600 is considered one of NASCAR’s crown jewels because it is the only 600-mile race on the schedule. But in this short-attention-span era, is a 600-mile race still needed?

“Yeah, I think so. I think it’s different than every other race that we have. I feel like all of our other races are fairly similar. If the Coke 600 was a 400- or 500-mile race on a mile-and-a-half, it probably wouldn’t be as special. I think even with it being on Memorial Day weekend, if it wasn’t 600 miles, that’s what makes that race unique. In the past, it was more of a battle for the machine than what it probably is now, but it’s still different. It’s different from any other race we have all year long. And because it’s different, it makes it significant, and obviously with it being on Memorial Day weekend, with how much racing goes on that day, it’s always been a crown jewel. I don’t think you can change a crown jewel and have the same significance. Look at the Brickyard 400. When it went from the oval to the road course, it wasn’t a crown jewel anymore. Now that we’re going back to the oval, it’s a crown jewel instantly again. I feel like it’d be the same if you took any mileage off the Coke 600.”

No. 14 Mahindra Compact Tractors Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe

Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: Richard Boswell

Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

Car Chief: J.D. Frey

Hometown: Ferndale, California

Engineer: Mike Cook

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Spotter: Joey Campbell

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala

Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Dakota Ratcliff

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal

Hometown: Holland, Michigan

Jack Man: Dylan Moser

Hometown: Monroe, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams

Hometown: Plymouth, Wisconsin

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads

Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Shock Specialist: Brian Holshouser

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips

Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable

Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Dale Lackey

Hometown: Taylorsville, North Carolina

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: Charlotte Motor Speedway

NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Race: North Carolina Education 200 (134 laps / 201 miles) | Race 11 of 23
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Location: Concord, North Carolina
Date & Time: Friday, May 24th | 8:30 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | Motor Racing Network (MRN) | Sirius XM Ch. 90

No. 41 Foundation for Pops Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman, Jr.
Bayley Currey
@BayleyCurrey
@BayleyCurrey05

  • Currey’s Charlotte Stats: Bayley Currey has made a total of four Truck Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, earning a best finish of 13th place in last year’s race. He has also made three Xfinity Series starts at this track, producing a best finish of 15th in 2022. In 2019, Currey made a start in the Coca-Cola 600 which was cut short due to a crash.
  • Hillman’s Charlotte Stats: In 17 Charlotte Truck Series races on top of the pit box, Mike Hillman, Jr. has secured four top-five results. Two of those were runner-up finishes – first with Todd Bodine in 2010, and most recently with Kyle Busch in 2018. Notably, Hillman scored a pole in the 2013 event while working with driver, Jeb Burton. He has also called six NASCAR Xfinity Series races here, including two top-10 finishes with a best result of seventh (Brandon Jones, 2016) along with one Cup Series start in 2014.
  • On the Truck: Currey’s No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Foundation for Pops, a charitable organization founded by DQS Solutions & Staffing CEO, Josh Morris. Foundation for Pops was created to assist homeless veterans by giving them resources to live more prosperous lives.
  • Family Ties to the Military: Bayley’s grandfather, G.C. Waters, fought in the U.S. Navy as a 2nd gunners mate on the USS Guadalcanal escort carrier in World War II.
  • Recapping North Wilkesboro: Currey started his weekend off on a high note at North Wilkesboro by placing fourth in practice. With qualifying rained out, Currey was relegated to a 19th-place starting position. Fighting a tight handling condition, the No. 41 slipped to 24th at the conclusion of stage one before the rain washed all activity out in postponement for Sunday. Fighting for track position, Currey worked his way up to 20th in stage two, and made up one more position at the end to finish 19th.
  • Points Rundown: Following the 19th-place finish in North Wilkesboro, Currey slid one spot back in the points standings to 15th. Entering Charlotte, he is four points behind Jake Garcia in 14th and 50 points below the Playoffs cutline holder, Tanner Gray.
  • Quoting Currey: 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.”

  • Quoting Hillman: How much does Charlotte change from practice in the day to racing at night?

“Charlotte is one of those places that can be two completely different racetracks from day to night. You use the daytime to set your heights and let your driver get into a rhythm, but then you have to take some pretty big swings at it to get everything ready to race well at night.”
Foundation for Pops Mission Statement: Foundation for Pops aims to empower people experiencing homelessness and veterans through education, resource development, assistance, and supportive services to enhance their economic mobility and secure quality, affordable housing.

DQS Solutions & Staffing Mission Statement: The core mission of DQS Solutions & Staffing is to attain unparalleled excellence in our specialized domains, specifically staffing and security. Simultaneously, we maintain the flexibility required to collaborate closely with our clients in the creation of innovative products and services within the framework of DQS.

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

  • Mills’ Charlotte Stats: Matt Mills has started three Truck Series races held at Charlotte, posting a best finish of 24th in 2017. Mills also made four Xfinity Series starts here, finishing a highest of 20th in 2022. He did not compete at this track last season.
  • Leonard’s Charlotte Stats: Jon Leonard has called two NCTS races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, both of which resulted in top-10 finishes with driver, Stewart Friesen. Friesen’s best run with Leonard on the box was a fourth-place finish in 2021.
  • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra.
  • Family Ties to the Military: Matt’s father, Jamie Mills, is a Recon Marine veteran who served in the Special Operations Forces while fighting in Desert Storm.
  • Recapping North Wilkesboro: Mills started in 15th at North Wilkesboro due to the cancelation of time trials. Mills and the No. 42 team fought tight handling conditions which dropped them to 21st at the conclusion of stage one. When the race resumed on Sunday, Mills dropped to 27th at the end of stage two, but the crew made huge swings on the setup. The adjustments worked out well, and Mills ended the race in the 18th position.
  • Points Rundown: For the third week in a row, Matt Mills gained a spot in the points standings. Now shown in the top-25, Mills is only three points behind his nearest competitor, Lawless Alan, who is 24th in points.
  • Quoting Mills: 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.”

  • Quoting Leonard: Does having a few recent intermediate races before this week give you a good sense of direction on where the program is?

“Yeah, I think you use Vegas, Texas, Kansas, and even Darlington to maintain a similar setup on the mile-and-a-half tracks like Charlotte. We basically use the same box of a package and try to see where our aero balance is at. It’s all about what you need when tires fall off and trying to figure out how to meld all those together to figure out what the best package is. It all ends up being very similar at these tracks, varying slightly depending on how much track position matters compared to tire falloff.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

No. 45 R.D.C. Shoe Company Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Kaden Honeycutt | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Kaden Honeycutt Racing
@KadenWHoneycutt
@KadenHoneycutt10

  • Honeycutt Returns: After stepping out of the No. 45 Chevrolet for the past two races with Ross Chastain taking over the driving duties, Kaden Honeycutt returns to make his fifth start of the season for Niece Motorsports. In Honeycutt’s last race at Kansas Speedway, he earned his best-career finish with a fourth-place result.
  • Honeycutt’s Charlotte Stats: Kaden Honeycutt will make his first-career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Friday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200.
  • Gould’s Charlotte Stats: Phil Gould has two top-fives and four top-10 finishes in a total of five Truck Series starts at Charlotte. Gould’s personal-best result came in 2021 when Carson Hocevar finished in the runner-up spot, and last year, his team finished fourth. In 11 Xfinity Series races, Gould has one top-five and four top-10s with a best run of fifth (Brian Scott; Spring, 2014).
  • On the Truck: Honeycutt’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from R.D.C. Shoe Company. R.D.C. is owned by a disabled United States Marine Corps veteran who sells patriotic-designed tennis shoes to support Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, as well as foundations that support military heroes. In every box of shoes, a Medal of Honor recipient card is placed in the box that tells the story of that recipient.
  • Family Ties to the Military: Kaden’s family has plenty of ties to the military. His paternal grandfather, Jimmy Honeycutt, served in the U.S. Air Force, and his maternal grandfather, Douglas Brown, along with his uncle, Kevin Honeycutt, both served in the U.S. Army.
  • Tune-In: Honeycutt and team owner, Al Niece, will be featured in a pre-race interview during the showing of the NASCAR Race Day show on FS1 at approximately 8:15 PM ET before the race.
  • Recapping North Wilkesboro: Ross Chastain and the No. 45 team experienced a rear gear pinion failure in the practice session on Friday afternoon, but the crew was able to make repairs and prep for the race. As the rain canceled qualifying, Chastain was slated to start the highest of the Niece Motorsports drivers in third. Chastain fought for the lead in stage one, but later dropped to 11th with varying strategies. The loss of track position hurt the No. 45 team, and they dropped to 19th at the end of stage two. A late pit stop helped the team gain some positions to finish in 15th place.
  • Points Rundown: Despite running only a partial schedule, Kaden Honeycutt has stayed inside the top-25 in the driver points standings with only four starts. He currently sits in 23rd position, 11 points behind Mason Massey in 22nd.
  • Owner Points Outlook: The No. 45 Niece Motorsports team dropped two positions in the owner points this week following their 15th-place finish in North Wilkesboro. Now shown in ninth, the team is eight points behind the No. 71 Spire Motorsports team. They are locked into the owner Playoffs by virtue of Ross Chastain’s victory in Darlington.
  • Quoting Honeycutt: 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.”

  • Quoting Gould: Why is Kaden’s versatility in racing different vehicles so important in the Truck Series?

“I think that definitely helps him. He studies a lot, and he’s always in the game. Really, he’s fast in anything he drives, so I don’t expect Charlotte to be any different. I’ve always thought that Charlotte has ben really similar to Darlington, and we’ve had a good history there. Our setup should be good, and I think he’ll be quick at adapting to it, so hopefully he can go out there on Friday night and have a good run.”

About R.D.C. Shoe Company:

R.D.C. Shoe Company is a disabled veteran-owned company that produces and sells patriotic tennis shoes. Founded after the September 11th attacks in 2001, R.D.C. was created to bring patriotism to consumers by offering uniquely-designed shoes draped in the stars and stripes of the American flag. Every purchase arrives in a commemorative shoe box accompanied with a card that tells the story of a Medal of Honor recipient. A portion of all sales proceeds is given back to charitable organizations that support the families of fallen soldiers. These organizations include the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the Woody Williams Foundation, Wreaths Across America, Special Operations Wounded Warriors, Warrior Rising, Folds of Honor, and Ree Medical. To learn more, please visit www.RDCShoes.com.
About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

NASCAR Announces NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025, Landmark Award

Rudd, Edwards, Moody Comprise Hall’s 15th Class

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 21, 2025) – NASCAR announced today that Ricky Rudd, Carl Edwards and Ralph Moody have been selected as members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025. In addition, Dr. Dean Sicking was named the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

The members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in an in-person closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate and vote upon the 15 nominees for the induction class of 2025 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.

Ten nominees appeared on the Modern Era ballot, which was selected by the traditional Nominating Committee. The same committee selected the five Landmark Award nominees. The Pioneer ballot, which included five nominees whose careers began in 1965 or earlier, was selected by the Honors Committee. Beginning with the Class of 2021, each Hall of Fame class features two inductees from the Modern Era ballot and one from the Pioneer ballot.

The Class of 2025 was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, including representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and the last two NASCAR Cup Series champions (Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson). In all, 62 votes were cast, with two additional Voting Panel members recused from voting as potential nominees for induction (Jeff Burton and Ricky Rudd). The accounting firm of EY presided over the tabulation of the votes.

Rudd received 87% of the Modern Era ballot votes, Edwards received 52%. Harry Gant finished third, followed by Jeff Burton and Harry Hyde. Ralph Moody received 60% of the Pioneer ballot votes. Ray Hendrick finished second.

Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote were: Ray Hendrick (Pioneer); Carl Edwards and Harry Gant (Modern Era).

The two inductees came from a group of 10 nominees that included: Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Randy Dorton, Carl Edwards, Harry Gant, Harry Hyde, Ricky Rudd and Jack Sprague.

Nominees for the Pioneer Ballot included: Ray Hendrick, Banjo Matthews, Ralph Moody, Larry Phillips, Bob Welborn.

Nominees for the Landmark Award included Alvin Hawkins, Lesa France Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Les Richter, Dr. Dean Sicking.

The Class of 2025 Induction Ceremony is set for Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony will be available later this month on NASCARHall.com.

Class of 2025 Inductees:

Ricky Rudd

Tough. As. Nails. There is no other way to describe Ricky Rudd. Known as NASCAR’s Ironman for more than a decade, the Virginia native held the Cup Series record for consecutive starts (788) before Jeff Gordon broke it in 2015. His 906 series starts rank second to Richard Petty’s 1,185. During his 32-year Cup Series career, Rudd posted 23 wins, 194 top fives, 374 top 10s (seventh all-time) and 29 poles. One of the few successful driver / owners in the modern era, Rudd won six races for his Rudd Performance Motorsports team he operated from 1994-99, including the 1997 Brickyard 400. Rudd, the 1977 Cup Series Rookie of the Year, earned a best points finish of second in 1991. He scored at least one win in 16 consecutive seasons (198398), which is tied for the third-longest streak in Cup Series history. Rudd was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Carl Edwards

“If you’re looking for a driver, you’re looking for me.” Working as a substitute teacher while chasing his racing career, Edwards would hand out business cards with that phrase. His persistent efforts led him to Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing and ultimately a NASCAR national series career that featured 72 victories – each usually capped by a celebratory backflip. Edwards’ quick Truck Series success earned him full-time rides in both the Cup and Xfinity Series in 2005. He won his first races in each series during an early season weekend sweep at Atlanta Motor Speedway and never looked back. Edwards finished in the top two in the Xfinity Series standings five straight years, including his 2007 championship, and amassed 38 wins over seven full seasons. Over 13 years in the Cup Series, he won 28 races, including the Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500, both in 2015. He was the championship runner-up twice, including the closest finish in NASCAR history, losing by tiebreaker in 2011. Edwards was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Ralph Moody

For Massachusetts native Ralph Moody, it all started with a Motel T Ford he built in 1935 and raced on nights and weekends. After driving a tank under the command of General George S. Patton in World War II, he moved to Florida in 1949 so he could race year-round. Moody won five NASCAR Cup Series races from 1956-57. The mechanically skilled Moody paired with business-minded John Holman to form Holman-Moody Racing in 1957, forming the foundation of a powerhouse NASCAR team. Holman-Moody competed from 1957-73 winning consecutive championships with David Pearson (1968-69) and taking the checkered flag with Mario Andretti at the 1967 Daytona 500. Some of the sport’s most legendary figures piloted cars owned by Holman-Moody Racing, including NASCAR Hall of Famers Joe Weatherly, Fred Lorenzen, Fireball Roberts, Bobby Allison and Pearson. Overall, the Holman-Moody partnership earned 96 wins and 83 poles in 525 premier starts.

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:

Dr. Dean Sicking

The impact Dr. Dean Sicking has made in keeping drivers safe cannot be overstated. Sicking is best known as an inventor of the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier, an advancement that has saved countless lives over the past 20 years. Following the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001, NASCAR partnered with Sicking and the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to better understand the circumstances and help prevent future tragedies — a partnership that remains in place today. In addition to designing the SAFER barrier, Sicking studied each track’s incident history and helped implement a plan to cover the most dangerous areas immediately. Currently, all NASCAR national series race tracks feature SAFER barriers. For his efforts, Sicking was named winner of the Bill France Award of Excellence in 2003 and was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President George W. Bush in 2005.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Snapchat.

About the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio. The venue is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week and has an attached parking garage on Brevard Street. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000-square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. Learn more at nascarhall.com.

Interstate Batteries Racing: Ty Gibbs Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Advance

Ty Gibbs
Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Advance
No. 54 Interstate Batteries/Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Coca-Cola 600 (Round 14 of 36)
● Time/Date: 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 28
● 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

Notes of Interest

● Outrageously Dependable for 33 Years and Counting: Interstate Batteries has 11 primary sponsorships on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2024, a similar number of schemes to last year’s expanded presence among all four JGR Toyota Camry XSEs. The Coca-Cola 600 is the second of four primary sponsorships on Gibbs’ No. 54 Camry this season with Gibbs sharing Interstate Batteries and Monster Energy as co-primaries this weekend. Bell and Gibbs will run the majority of the Interstate Batteries races with eight primaries total between the two drivers. Denny Hamlin also returns for the second of two races sporting Interstate colors at Iowa Speedway in Newton in June, and Martin Truex Jr., will carry a primary Interstate Batteries sponsorship for one race on the No. 19 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in July.

● Interstate Batteries Stands the Test of Time: Former JGR and Interstate Batteries driver Bobby Labonte created some special memories for sponsor and team during the 1995 edition of NASCAR’s longest race, the Coca-Cola 600. In his first season with JGR, Labonte led 85 of the 400 laps en route to his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series victory. Labonte went on to win 21 total races and the 2000 Cup Series championship in what became a NASCAR Hall of Fame career. Each of Labonte’s 21 wins came with Interstate Batteries adorning his car for JGR. Gibbs is also looking for his first career cup series win this weekend at Charlotte.

● NASCAR Salutes: As part of #NASCARSalutes and the 600 Miles of Remembrance initiative during the Coca-Cola 600, the No. 54 Interstate Batteries/Monster Energy Camry will be honoring Private First Class Mitchel Thomas Morton, who lost his life on March 21, 1969, in Vietnam and led a life devoted to his family, his faith, and, ultimately, his country. In 1968, PFC Morton joined the Marines, and his dedication to his country took him far from his hometown of Norwood, North Carolina, to the challenging terrains of Vietnam, where he served with honor in the Da Nang area of South Vietnam. Tragically, his service was cut short when he was killed in action just four months into his tour, marking a solemn day for all who knew him. PFC Morton’s life, though brief, was a testament to his strong character. He was a member of Porter Baptist Church, a reflection of the faith that guided him. His service and sacrifice are a poignant reminder of the cost of war and the valor of those who serve. Gibbs and everyone on the No. 54 team thank PFC Morton and all those who have sacrificed so much for our great country.

● Semper Fi & America’s Fund and Interstate Batteries: Interstate Batteries continues its collaboration with Semper Fi & America’s Fund to provide crucial support for our Nation’s critically wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, and military families from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. This partnership focuses on funding adaptive transportation to support independence and deliver the best quality of life possible. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cars with adaptive modifications can cost up to $80,000. However, the difference these vehicles make in the lives of service members, veterans, and military families is priceless. This weekend, Gibbs will feature the Semper Fi & America’s Fund logo on his No. 54 car to promote and encourage donations for this vital cause. Contributions can be made at TheFund.org.

● Just a Little Bit Closer. Gibbs makes his 64th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend at Charlotte. He’s had a strong start to his sophomore season in NASCAR’s top series, recording four top-five finishes and seven top-10s, and leading 349 laps in the 13 points-paying races contested so far this season. Sitting at the top of his to-do list is scoring his first career Cup Series win, and he’d like nothing more than to bring home that first victory in his hometown race near JGR headquarters.

● Gibbs heads to Charlotte seventh in the driver standings with 390 points, just 96 behind series leader Kyle Larson. Three of the four JGR drivers reside inside the top-10 in points heading to the 14th race of the season, with Truex. second, Denny Hamlin third, and Gibbs seventh, while JGR’s Christopher Bell is 15th in helping propel Team Interstate’s strong start.

● At the age of 19 years, 9 months and 20 days, Gibbs made his first career NASCAR Cup Series start last July 24 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway for 23XI Racing. He became the 37th driver younger than 20 years of age to make a Cup Series start. He started at the rear of the field but completed all 160 laps on his way to an impressive 16th-place finish.

● Dazzling Debut: Gibbs was victorious in his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the February 2021 race on the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway road course. He led 14 of the 56 laps and became the youngest driver to win an Xfinity Series road-course race at 18 years, 4 months and 16 days. The native of Charlotte, North Carolina, also became the second-youngest winner in Xfinity Series history behind Joey Logano, who won in June 2008 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta at the age of 18 years, 21 days.

Ty Gibbs, Driver of the No. 54 Interstate Batteries/Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE

Where do you think you and the No. 54 team stand as you enter in the summer months with the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend and beyond?

“I think our team is doing a great job. We are slowly getting better and I’m getting better, as well. I love racing with these guys and working on things every week. We have been good on the 1.5-mile tracks this year and hoping we can get our Interstate Batteries/Monster Energy Camry up front this weekend and have a shot at the end of a long night. Bobby (Labonte) won his first Cup race in the Coca-Cola 600 in an Interstate Batteries car and hoping maybe we might be able to do the same thing this weekend. We are going to give it our best shot.”

You are an active guy during the week, biking, workout out, etc. With the Coca-Cola 600 being so long, how do those things help you in such a long race?

“It definitely put me to the test last year when I did the 900 miles with the Xfinity and Cup races ending up on the same day with the rain. It would be really cool some day to do the 1,100 miles with the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. I feel like I prepare really well. I’ve been around a lot of great athletes in my family and I consider myself an athlete.”

How much more do you feel like you have this year when you go to your best tracks versus last year?

“I think just having more experience has really helped. Charlotte – I’ve had a bit more track time with with Xfinity and a little bit of ARCA. It is helpful to have experience there. I feel like it would be a lot different if we had more practice like they did years ago. You just have to use the valuable sim time you can get, study and go after it.”

Joe Gibbs Racing has been very strong over the last few seasons. How do you describe the dynamic at the team right now?

“First of all, we need to give all of the thanks to the Joe Gibbs Racing aero department, along with Toyota. The new Toyota Camry XSE body – they’ve just done a great job with it. They’ve worked really hard on it, so it is great for all of them. Our team is great, and I have great teammates – they all have different characteristics, which is really cool, and I think that is really helpful with a team. We all come from pretty different backgrounds, so it’s a good atmosphere there and, in our meetings on Mondays, I can tell we all want it. All of the great feedback is just going to help us get better and better.”

No. 54 Interstate Batteries/Monster Energy Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ty Gibbs

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Chris Gayle

Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

Car Chief: Nate Bellows

Hometown: Fairfax, Vermont

Spotter: Tony Hirschman

Hometown: Northampton, Pennsylvania

Race Engineer: Kyle Abrahims

Hometown: Spring Grove, Pennsylvania

Race Engineer: Evan Karl

Hometown: Ballston Lake, New York

Road Crew Members

Truck Driver: Ben Smith

Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina

Mechanic: Ryan Towles Hometown: Salem, Virginia

Mechanic: Scott Eldridge

Hometown: Warsaw, Indiana

Truck Driver: Mike Yates

Hometown: Daytona Beach, Florida

Mechanic/Tire Specialist: Jeff Swearengin

Hometown: Elkhart, Indiana

Over-The-Wall Crew Members

Gas Man: Ian Anderson

Hometown: Pffattown, North Carolina

Jackman: Braxton Brannon

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Nick McBeath

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Front Tire Changer: Jackson Gibbs

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Kevon Jackson

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Spire Motorsports Inks Andres Perez for St. Louis Truck Series Tilt

Mexico City Native to Make NCTS Debut at World Wide Technology Raceway

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 21, 2024) – Today, Spire Motorsports announced it has signed 19-year-old ARCA Menards Series points leader Andres Perez to pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for the June 1 Toyota 200 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Perez is the full-time driver of Rev Racing’s No. 2 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series and is part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. He has earned one top-five and three top-10 finishes in the division’s first five races of the 2024 campaign and has a one-point advantage heading into the division’s next stop at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Herdez Brand, Wholly Guacamole, Doña Maria and Telcel will all be featured aboard Perez’s No. 7 Chevy Silverado for his NCTS debut.

“I am very thankful and excited for the opportunity to make my NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut with a team like Spire Motorsports, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet at World Wide Technology Raceway,” said Perez. “Having Herdez Brand involved in the project makes it even better, especially with all the racing background Herdez has in both USA and Mexico and even in my dad’s racing career. That gives me extra motivation to represent my partners, team and country as best as I can. I’m fully committed to making this chance count and I’m really looking forward to the race.”

The Mexico City, Mexico native started racing karts when he was 11-years-old before transitioning to L-A Formula 4 and NASCAR Mexico Trucks competition. Perez is the 2022 NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series Champion and has 26 ARCA Menards Series starts on his resume.

He earned 10 top-five finishes in 2023 and finished second in the division’s championship point standings in his first full season competing at the national level.

“Andres Perez is a very capable young driver and we’re looking forward to seeing how he does behind the wheel of Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “This is an exciting opportunity for Spire Motorsports to work with a rising star in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program and we think Andres has shown the potential to take the next logical step in the progression of his career. He’ll have the benefit of Brian Pattie calling the shots and a veteran team behind him so we’re confident he’s going to have everything he needs to make the most of the opportunity.”

The Toyota 200 from World Wide Technology Raceway will be televised live on FOX Saturday, June 1 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The12th of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

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

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

Walmart and RTIC Outdoors Partner with Front Row Motorsports

Will Sponsor Michael McDowell’s No. 34 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 21, 2024) – Front Row Motorsports announced that Walmart Stores and RTIC Coolers, the Official Cooler and Drinkware partner of NASCAR, will come on board the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse of Michael McDowell for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, this Memorial Day weekend.

Founded in 2014, RTIC’s mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable products for all. That includes premium Coolers, Drinkware, and Outdoor Gear that are engineered to perform, built to last, and always priced right. In April 2023, RTIC became the Official Cooler and Drinkware sponsor of NASCAR, offering officially licensed NASCAR Drinkware and Coolers at rticoutdoors.com. As part of their commitment to continue providing quality, affordable products directly to consumers, RTIC has expanded into 3,800 Walmart stores nationwide. The Walmart customer seeks reliable gear for every occasion and adventure, and this expansion helps provide consumers with mass market accessibility to premium coolers and drinkware.

This will be McDowell’s 31st total start at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, which includes an 8th-place finish in the 2022 May race and is excited to carry the Walmart and RTIC Outdoors branding on his No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

“I’m happy to be welcoming Walmart and RTIC Coolers to Front Row Motorsports and our 34 team,” McDowell said. They are a brand that has had a strong presence around our sport, and it is great to have them join us the Memorial Day weekend. I can’t wait to get this partnership started and see what we can all accomplish together.”

The Coca-Cola 600 will be on Sunday, May 26th at 6:00 p.m. on FOX.

ABOUT RTIC OUTDOORS

The premium outdoor gear brand, RTIC Outdoors wants to make incredible outdoor adventures accessible to everyone by offering high-quality drinkware, coolers and outdoor essentials that you can rely on without breaking the bank. From adrenaline boosting expeditions to your routine activities, RTIC’s innovations are expertly designed and crafted with quality materials to be ultra-durable and lock in the cold. Bridging the gap between high-performance gear for every adventure and an affordable price tag, RTIC is here to make the good times last longer. RTIC’s innovations have been crowned by media across the outdoor and lifestyle spaces. RTIC is based in Houston, Texas and its products can be found online rticoutdoors.com, along with in-stores at Walmart.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

‘NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola’ Military Appreciation Program Opens Memorial Day Weekend

Six-week, industry-wide celebration features ‘600 Miles of Remembrance’ tribute at Coca-Cola 600 and new NASCAR IMPACT partnerships to support veterans, service members and military families

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 21, 2024) – This Memorial Day weekend will serve as the launching pad for the NASCAR community to formally honor and recognize the United States Armed Forces through its annual NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola program.

Anchoring the opening weekend is the powerful “600 Miles of Remembrance” tribute, where every NASCAR Cup Series car in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 (6 p.m. ET on FOX) features the name of a fallen service member on the windshield. NASCAR and Coca-Cola will host Gold Star Families at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including many whose loved ones will be honored in the race.

“Coca-Cola North America cherishes the opportunity to honor the valor and sacrifice of our military heroes and their families in such a significant way each NASCAR season,” said Chris Bigda, Senior Director of Sports Marketing at Coca-Cola North America. “We’re looking forward to partnering with Speedway Motorsports, NASCAR and the racing community to show our appreciation throughout the entire NASCAR Salutes window, especially this Memorial Day weekend as we pay tribute during the 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600 to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola officially kicked off with a new 30-second television spot that debuted during FOX’s broadcast of the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway this past Sunday. The campaign will continue celebrating the service and sacrifice of U.S. military members and their families through a multitude of at-track integrations, original content features and fan engagement opportunities through the NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on June 30. Fans can visit www.nascar.com/salutes to learn more.

“NASCAR has always displayed a deep-seated appreciation for our nation’s service members throughout its 76-year history, and we’re proud to continue partnering with Coca-Cola and our entire industry to express our gratitude for the incredible sacrifices those individuals and their families make on behalf of all Americans,” said Pete Jung, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at NASCAR.

In conjunction with NASCAR Salutes, the sanctioning body has announced a new NASCAR IMPACT partnership with Honor and Remember to continue recognizing fallen service members and the sacrifices of their families. For more than a decade, Honor and Remember has collaborated with the NASCAR industry to host Gold Star Families at race weekends and display the organization’s dedicated symbol of remembrance – the Honor and Remember Flag – at racetracks across the country, including Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR IMPACT this week also launched a campaign to support the mission of Sound Off, a nonprofit organization founded to help reduce veteran suicide through free and anonymous mental health support for veterans and service members. Forty-seven percent of military members who show signs of PTSD or depression do not seek help, in part because of fears related to stigma or blowback. Sound Off provides a platform where military members who would otherwise avoid mental health support can engage anonymously with veterans with similar lived experiences. NASCAR is encouraging veterans across its fan base to download the fully encrypted Sound Off app and register as peer supporters.

In addition to those mentioned above, other NASCAR Salutes activities across the industry include:

  • Discounted grandstand tickets are available to military members throughout NASCAR Salutes and all season long with NASCAR MILTIX Presented by GEICO. Active military and veterans can verify their status through SheerID and purchase tickets by visiting NASCAR.com/miltix.
  • At NASCAR events during the campaign, service members from local bases will have access to complimentary grandstand tickets and unique VIP experiences made possible by Vet Tix and the NASCAR Troops to the Track Program.
  • NASCAR Troops to the Track, presented by Chevrolet, honors and pays tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces by inviting service members from local military installations to VIP experiences at NASCAR races, including hosting military personnel at World Wide Technology Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway during NASCAR Salutes.
  • Mechanix Wear will provide NASCAR officials and Cup Series teams special camouflage “MultiCam Mechanix Wear” gloves for the Coca-Cola 600.
  • For the seventh season, Mack Trucks, the “Official Hauler of NASCAR”, will wrap one of its NASCAR haulers in support of NASCAR Salutes for Memorial Day weekend. Fans voted for one of several different paint schemes in April. Mack will reveal the winning scheme on its social media channels leading into the Coca-Cola 600 weekend.
  • In the weeks leading up to the Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway continued its annual Mission 600, pairing the Coca-Cola Racing Family and other drivers with military bases to educate the NASCAR community about the day-to-day lives of the men and women who serve.
  • Xfinity, a Proud Premier Partner, will display red, white, and blue Xfinity windshield headers on their race cars during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Bet MGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This initiative showcases Xfinity’s commitment to hiring veterans, National Guard and reserve service members, and military spouses who bring unique skills and experiences to Comcast NBCUniversal.
  • The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will also display red, white and blue windshield decals on all trucks racing in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Continuing its tradition, Goodyear will replace its iconic “Eagle” sidewall design with “Honor and Remember” during the Coca-Cola 600 in recognition of the organization working closely with the industry to honor Gold Star Families who have lost family members as a result of serving.
  • NASCAR will continue to utilize its handicap enabled “Mobility Pit Box” throughout the NASCAR Salutes campaign to host mobility impaired race fans and veterans attending races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, and New Hampshire Speedway. The Mobility Pit Box was designed and announced by Toyota last year. It was gifted to NASCAR at the beginning of the 2024 season to expand its availability, highlighting Toyota’s vision of “Mobility for All”.
  • Ford Motor Company will pay tribute to veterans and active service members in a special pre-race moment including several specially wrapped vehicles ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on June 30.
  • Universal Technical Institute, NASCAR’s Official Automotive Education partner for more than 20 years, in partnership with the United Service Organizations, will host a group of 50 active-duty military service members at their Mooresville campus for a day of motorsports industry immersion. Service members will tour UTI’s Mooresville NASCAR Technical Institute campus, visit a race shop, and talk about industry training and employment opportunities.
  • NASCAR, Coca-Cola Consolidated, and Charlotte Motor Speedway teamed up with several local community organizations – including Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte and Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region – to complete home rebuild projects for veterans in conjunction with the NASCAR Salutes program.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Snapchat.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.