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Quincy Compressor Returns to NASCAR Cup Series, Front Row Motorsport

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Compressor Manufacturer to Sponsor Todd Gilliand’s No. 38

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 20, 2024) – Quincy Compressor, the Bay Minette, Alabama-based compressor manufacturer, will make a return to the NASCAR Cup Series and Front Row Motorsports (FRM). The program will feature several distributors of Quincy on board the No. 38 and 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horses as primary and associate sponsors.

“Our relationship with Front Row Motorsports allows us to continue to grow the Quincy brand, it’s distributors and showcase our products and capabilities,” said Michael Campbell, President of Quincy Compressor. “The Front Row Motorsports team are great ambassadors for our company, and we want to be a part of their continued success.”

One of their distributors, Warthog Air Compressor Store, will be on Todd Gilliland’s No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600. Quincy will be an associate sponsor on Michael McDowell’s No. 34 Coca-Cola 600 car.

Quincy will also appear on the No. 38 for the Kansas Speedway race in September, featuring another valued distributor, Rasmussen Air and Gas Energy, as the primary scheme.

“It is really cool to have Quincy Compressor back on board,” said Gilliland. “They were great partners for us in past years with the 38 team and FRM. It’s great to see the support they have for the team going forward.”

Founded in 1920, Quincy Compressor is a leading designer and manufacturer of reciprocating and rotary screw air compressors, vacuum pumps and a full line of air treatment components. Headquartered in Bay Minette, Alabama, Quincy has built its reputation on quality and rugged reliability, building tough air compressors for the most demanding applications. With a legacy spanning over one hundred years, they are excited to bring their “True Blue” brand to NASCAR’s premiere series and to its millions of passionate fans.

To learn more about Quincy Compressor, fans are encouraged to visit their website at www.quincycompressor.com. Learn more about Warthog Air Compressors at www.aircompressorstore.com.

ABOUT QUINCY COMPRESSORS

Quincy Compressor is a leading designer and manufacturer of reciprocating and rotary screw air compressors, vacuum pumps and a full line of air treatment components. In business since 1920, Quincy has built its reputation on quality and rugged reliability, building tough air compressors for the most demanding applications. The Quincy brand is synonymous with quality, delivering “Performance You Demand. Reliability You Trust.” Quincy’s dedicated network of authorized distributors offers top-notch installation and after-sales services for reliable, efficient air year after year. To learn more and locate an authorized dealer, visit www.quincycompressor.com.

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.

Wright Motorsports, Dempsey, and Long Reunite for Porsche Endurance Challenge North America

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BATAVIA, OH., (May 20, 2024) – Wright Motorsports and Patrick Dempsey have joined forces again with the announcement of the actor and driver’s return to sports car racing competition. The duo has reunited to compete in the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America, a four-race championship for Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and GT4 entrants. Racing the No. 98 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Dempsey will be mentored by former Porsche works, Wright Motorsports driver, and co-driver Patrick Long. Dempsey-Wright Motorsports will proudly partner with longtime Porsche partner Mobil 1, paying homage to a 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning GT1 car adorned with the branding of the motor oil company. The first event of the season will take place next weekend at Circuit of The Americas, a fitting site for Memorial Day weekend.

“Racing is like an addiction,” said Dempsey. “Once you start, it’s hard to stop. During pre-production on the recent Ferrari film, I got a lot of seat time and fell off the wagon, of sorts. Having an opportunity to get back with John Wright and his team, I realized how much I was missing the culture and really wanted to get back in. I really enjoy the camaraderie.”

Both Dempsey and Long have each stepped back from professional racing in recent years to expansive roles as Porsche Motorsport ambassadors. Dempsey’s return to competition with Long at his side will be a welcome reunion for the Wright group.

Dempsey’s interest in racing dates back to his childhood. The actor began actively pursuing his dream of becoming a professional race car driver with amateur racing and gradually progressed to higher levels of competition. Dempsey’s racing career saw considerable success, achieving podium finishes at prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2015), the 24 Hours At Daytona (2011, 2015), and Petit Le Mans (2013, 2014). He eventually reached the dream driving alongside Patrick Long and for longtime Porsche team Wright Motorsports. He and Long raced together under various banners from 2013 to 2015, and celebrated a win in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Six Hours of Fuji in 2015.

Feeling the pull to return to competition, Dempsey conducted a private test with Wright Motorsports in 2023. His longstanding relationship and record of success with Wright Motorsports, a team that has solely raced Porsches since its inception in 2020, along with its impeccable record and decades of knowledge make the team the prime choice for this new effort in the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America. This new series offers the perfect opportunity for Dempsey to get back in the racing waters, with the right blend of competition and fun for Porsche enthusiasts.

In its inaugural season, the Porsche Endurance Challenge is a four-round, one-make championship that will host three 60-minute races at Circuit of The Americas, Sonoma Raceway and Road America, culminating the season finale at Circuit of The Americas in a six-hour spectacle of competition. In the 60-minute races, is not required for each entry to have two drivers, it remains possible for Dempsey to be joined by another driver in the first three rounds. The season-ending six-hour race will require a co-driver, with Long potentially eyeing the opportunity to join his former co-driver back behind the wheel.

Dempsey will also race in the Porsche Sprint Challenge events that are scheduled on the same weekends, racing a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. These shorter, single-driver Sprint Challenge events are 40-minutes plus one-lap long races offering five different classes of competition, visiting some of North America’s favorite road courses.

For event information, visit wrightmotorsports.com or porschesprint.com.

Event Schedule

Round One | Circuit of the Americas

Austin, Texas

May 26, 2024

Round 2 | Road America

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

August 11, 2024

Round 3 | Sonoma Raceway

Sonoma, California

September 29, 2024

Round 4 | Circuit of the Americas

Austin, Texas

November 22-23

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

Cisco Named Partner of NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, May 20, 2024) – Penske Entertainment today announced a partnership with global technology leader Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) that will see the company become an official partner of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Through the partnership, Penske Entertainment will leverage a wide range of Cisco’s industry-leading technology solutions, including networking infrastructure, collaboration, wireless, cloud management and more to securely connect all aspects of their business. Additionally, the two organizations – along with existing partners like NTT – will explore opportunities for technological enhancement across the Penske Entertainment portfolio and the use of Webex collaboration technology for fan engagement opportunities and press interviews.

“The Penske Entertainment portfolio includes some of the marquee races and venues in all of motorsports, and we are thrilled to build upon our existing customer relationship to continue to provide a wide range of Cisco technology solutions to meet the demands of their first-in-class properties,” said Ashley Marusak, Leader, Global Sports Marketing at Cisco.

Through the partnership, Cisco will also become the presenting sponsor of the NTT INDYCAR Series Business Hub – a customer hospitality area that will be seen on-site at highlight events on the 2024 season calendar. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES Business Hub Presented by Cisco will host tech forums and roundtable events centered on information technology at marquee races throughout the 2024 season, including the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at IMS, the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on the Streets of Detroit and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway.

“We are pleased to welcome Cisco to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “Their focus on industry-leading innovation and premier customer service matches that of INDYCAR. As the demand increases for technology, networking, and security in a fast-paced world, it is gratifying to know Cisco is by our side. We look forward to leveraging each other’s strengths to enhance fan experiences while continuing to drive our sport.”

The new partnership builds upon Cisco’s expertise across the sports and entertainment industry, connecting and protecting premier venues, teams, events and organizations around the world, including Formula 1’s McLaren Racing, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Real Madrid F.C., the National Football League and many more.

The next event for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 26. Live coverage begins at 11 a.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Audio coverage is also available from the INDYCAR Radio Network via the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA, a Cisco Global Gold Integrator, and SiriusXM channel 218.

About Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the world’s largest spectator sporting facility, has been the worldwide leader in motorsports entertainment since opening in 1909. IMS will host the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge – the world’s most prestigious auto race – on Sunday, May 26, 2024. That race is the climax of an exciting Month of May schedule for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES that also includes the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday, May 11 on the IMS road course. NASCAR returns to the famous 2.5-mile oval during Brickyard Weekend on July 19-21, featuring the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG for the NASCAR Cup Series and Pennzoil 250 presented by Advance Auto Parts for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship also returns to IMS on Sept. 20-22 for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Other events in 2024 at IMS will feature the NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series, Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli and Sportscar Vintage Racing Association. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, IMS and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit IMS.com.

About INDYCAR

INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou, two-time series champion Will Power, six-time series champion Scott Dixon and two-time series champion and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2024 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on INDY NXT by Firestone, please visit www.indynxt.com.

Blue Wolf Increases Partnership Commitment to AM Racing and Christian Rose with Charlotte Partnership

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STATESVILLE, N.C.: Officials from AM Racing confirmed today that Blue Wolf, a leader in All-Purpose Cleaners and Degreasers forged to take on the dirtiest places on earth, will increase its commitment to AM Racing and ARCA Menards Series driver Christian Rose with a full-race partnership for Friday night’s General Tire 150 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

In a mutually beneficial partnership announced in March, AM Racing and Blue Wolf have been focusing on a digital media campaign and activation at key retailers and race events.

The success of this collaboration has paved the way for an enhanced commitment, culminating in primary race placement on the team’s No. 32 Ford Mustang on Friday, May 24.

The partnership this season marks the brand’s first foray into motorsports and will continue to introduce powerful Blue Wolf cleaners and degreasers to an even broader audience in the sixth ARCA Menards Series race of the season.

While Blue Wolf is new to the ARCA Menards Series, the brand has existed since 1986.

Originally created by a West Virginia coal miner and a chemist to clean and degrease mining equipment, Blue Wolf quickly became trusted as a proven product for getting the job done.

As miners began taking the product home, they soon discovered that Blue Wolf worked great on everything from removing grease and coal dust from carpets and work clothes to pressure washing houses.

Today, Blue Wolf offers a complete line of cleaning products for household, automotive and industrial use.

“We are pleased to have this opportunity to grow our brand through our partnership with AM Racing,” said Sean Lester, president and co-owner of Blue Wolf.

“We look forward to seeing the No. 32 Blue Wolf Ford Mustang run at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24,” added Jeff Cline, vice president and co-owner of Blue Wolf.”

Sophomore ARCA Menards Series driver Christian Rose returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway this week looking for his third top-10 of the season and second straight at Charlotte.

Last year, as a Rookie-of-the-Year contender, the Martinsburg, W.V. native used a bold strategy to contend for his first career ARCA victory.

While the strategy did not pay off with a victory, Rose and crew chief Ryan “Pickle” London survived a wild and chaotic green-white-checkered finish for a strong eighth-place finish.

“I’m looking forward to carrying the Blue Wolf colors at Charlotte Motor Speedway,” added Rose. “My AM Racing team has brought me amazingly fast race cars this season, and Charlotte will no doubt be the same case.”

“Our No. 32 Blue Wolf Ford Mustang definitely stands out, and I look forward to challenging for not only another top-10 but hopefully our first win on Friday night.”

The brand is available at Food City, select Walmart locations, and independent hardware stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

“We are thrilled to see our partnership expand with Blue Wolf,” added AM Racing president Wade Moore. “Charlotte is our hometown race, and nothing would make the race better than Christian delivering his first career ARCA win in the Blue Wolf colors.”

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

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

The General Tire 150 (100 laps | 150 miles) is the sixth of 20 races on the 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule in the 72nd consecutive ARCA season. Practice begins Friday, May 24 from 11:40 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. General Tire pole qualifying in a timed session will begin a short time later at 12:40 p.m. The race is set to take the green flag later in the day shortly after 6:00 p.m. ET. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM channel 391 | online channel 981) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

About Blue Wolf:

Blue Wolf Sales & Service Inc. has been creating powerful and effective cleaning products since 1986. Blue Wolf brand products are proudly made at the company’s plant and R&D center in Bluefield, Va.

Formulated for professionals to the highest standards in the industry, Blue Wolf is the only brand that puts true industrial strength, American-made cleaning power in the hands of consumers and pros alike.

For more information, please visit https://bluewolfcleaner.com

About AM Racing:

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

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

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

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

Bayley Currey & Niece Motorsports to Promote Foundation for Pops at Charlotte Motor Speedway

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Salisbury, NC (May 20, 2024) – Niece Motorsports officials announced today a partnership with Foundation for Pops and Bayley Currey for the NASCAR Truck Series event held on Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Currey’s No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado RST will feature a patriotic design in Friday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Covered in camouflage, his Foundation for Pops truck carries red, white, and blue accents along with stars down the side. Amidst a current bid for the NCTS Playoffs, Currey runs 15th in the points standings, not far below the cutoff line.

Foundation For Pops is a charitable organization founded by DQS Solutions & Staffing CEO, Josh Morris, who built the nonprofit in honor of his grandfather, Lloyd “Pops” Matthews. Matthews served in the United States military during the Vietnam war, but upon returning from service he was faced with the challenges of being a homeless veteran.

Morris’ vision for the organization was to help the tens of thousands of veterans in situations similar to his grandfather’s. The organization provides support through monetary, time and goods donations, which it especially welcomes during this Memorial Day holiday. By setting up Foundation for Pops, Morris and his team aim to empower veterans and those experiencing homelessness through education, resources, and supportive services, helping them to live more prosperous lives.

Foundation for Pops takes a thoughtful approach on these difficult circumstances through their “Revive in 5 Program” which determines the following on each unique situation: needs assessment, tailoring an action plan, personal development, job placement, and financial capability & housing. By focusing on their core values of positive mindset, empowerment, respect, innovation, and community collaboration, the Foundation’s goal is to be seen as a beacon of hope for veterans across the nation.

“I saw the difficulties and distress my great-grandfather endured after his days in the military,” Morris said. “When he returned from the war, he got a job as a police officer, but he was unable to stay clean and eventually ended up homeless. Our goal is to provide at-risk veterans the services and support they need to get a fresh start.”

“Supporting my fellow veterans is incredibly important to me. Having seen their challenges firsthand, being able to be a guiding light for them is not just fulfilling—it’s a true honor,” said Lakesha Hancock, Executive Director of Foundation for Pops.

Niece Motorsports team owner, Al Niece, is a former Marine who, similar to Lloyd “Pops” Matthews, also fought in the Vietnam war. Throughout his life, Niece has made several contributions of his own to those in the military, keeping his dedication as a pillar of his success in both the equipment and motorsports industries.

“As a Marine and Vietnam veteran, the United States military has meant so much to me.” said Niece. “To be able to honor our service members through this race team is a really special experience for me. I’m so appreciative of all the organizations that support our military members and their families. We are excited to have Foundation for Pops on Bayley’s truck this weekend. The work they’re doing to look after our veterans is important, and we are proud to highlight that.”

DQS Solutions & Staffing, also known as Detroit Quality Staffing, announced their partnership with Currey and Niece Motorsports in December through a collaboration with Precision Vehicle Logistics, AutoVentive, and Masked Owl Technologies. DQS will support Currey’s efforts at the following races this year: Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24th, World Wide Technology Raceway on June 1st, Nashville Superspeedway on June 28th, Kansas Speedway on September 27th, Talladega Superspeedway on October 4th, Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 26th, and Martinsville Speedway on November 1st.

“I think what DQS is doing with the Foundation for Pops is such a great initiative.” said Currey. There are so many veterans that go over and fight for our freedom in this country, but it’s sad to see how many come back missing their sense of purpose. The resources that the Foundation gives these veterans can help make a big difference in their lives. When we race on Memorial Day weekend in Charlotte, our sport does such a fantastic job at making tributes and honoring our military. I’m proud to represent this cause on this special weekend, and hope our team can help spread as much awareness as we can for them.”

To support the Foundation for Pops cause, please call 1-833-POPS-111 or visit their website, www.foundationforpops.org. Learn more about DQS Solutions & Staffing online at www.dqstaff.com.

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.

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.

Mike’s Hard Lemonade Joins Meyer Shank Racing for Indianapolis 500 and Music City GP

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Indianapolis, Ind. (16 May 2024) – With the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 right around the corner, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is excited to welcome Mike’s Hard Lemonade onboard for both the Indianapolis 500 and Music City Grand Prix.

In collaboration with SiriusXM, Mike’s Hard Lemonade will appear on all three MSR Indy 500 machines during the Month of May as the team prepares for the biggest race of the year.

Produced by the fourth largest brewer in the United States, Mike’s Hard Lemonade has been brewing its beverages since 1999. Mike’s Hard Lemonade prides itself in selecting hand-picked lemons sourced from family-owned farms.

Now, Mike’s Hard Lemonade will join forces with Meyer Shank Racing as it enters its first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race as a three car team. Rookie and MSR IMSA Championship winning driver, Tom Blomqvist will look to make his Indianapolis 500 debut in the No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda while six-year INDYCAR veteran Felix Rosenqvist (N0. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) will aim to bring his strong run of results so far this season into the Indy 500.

MSR and Helio Castroneves (No. 06 Cleveland Cliffs Honda) are hoping to make history on Memorial Day weekend as the Brazilian driver looks to take a history-making fifth Indianapolis 500 victory this Memorial Day weekend.

The 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will be on Sunday May 26th with live broadcast coverage beginning at 11:00am ET on NBC and Peacock. INDYCAR Radio will also host live radio coverage on SiriusXM Ch. 218.

Buescher Leads RFK in All-Star Race with P3 Finish

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Brad Keselowski P16 in Exhibition Race

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (May 19, 2024) – RFK put its Ford Mustangs in the mix throughout the weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the 2024 All-Star Race as Chris Buescher led the way with a third-place finish Sunday night after both cars started inside the top five.

As inclement weather dominated the headlines throughout the weekend, Sunday’s 200-lap exhibition event turned out to be picture-perfect, as NASCAR introduced additional strategy options with two different tire options for teams.

Teams were given four sets of softer (red) tires, along with its normal, primary tires for use throughout the weekend. The softer tires initially proved to be quicker in lap times, as NASCAR forced teams to start on those red tires for the 200-lap race. The event featured pre-determined breaks in the action at lap 100 – where teams were required to pit for four tires – as well as a final caution at lap 150.

“We stayed on reds all night, so that worked out pretty good for us,” Buescher said after the race. “I’m really proud of our team. Friday wasn’t very good to be straight up about it and they worked really hard and pulled some strings, hit some buttons and got us a whole lot better for tonight, so I was proud of that to bring our Fastenal Mustang home third.

“I felt like we had a decent shot at it there. I was able to pace the 22 pretty good, but there at the end just took too long to get around the 5 car and really didn’t have sight of the leaders at that point. It’s a good night on a night where only one position matters, but I’m proud of the group. It’s good to keep our momentum up and we’ll go onto the 600 and go win us one.”

6 Recap
Keselowski’s weekend got off to a solid start as the No. 6 pit crew turned in the second-best time in the pit crew challenge, which was ultimately rescheduled for Saturday morning. Keselowski finished second overall in that qualifying session, which would have put him on the pole for the second heat race.

However, inclement weather would wash away the pair of heat races, as the qualifying session set the lineup for the feature event, putting the No. 6 second on the grid Sunday night.

Keselowski maintained the top-5 position for much of the race in the NEXLIZET Ford as he ran third at the time of the halfway break. His lone pit stop came at the halfway point as the team again put on the softer Goodyear tires. Following the final caution at lap 150, Keselowski restarted sixth with 41 laps remaining, but fell back late to finish 16th.

17 Recap
Buescher would have started third for his heat race Saturday night, but ultimately lined up fifth for Sunday based off results from Saturday’s qualifying and pit crew challenge.

Just 50 laps in, Buescher showed his speed in the Fastenal Ford by advancing to second, trailing the eventual winner in the No. 22. He maintained the P2 position at the halfway break, and restarted there at lap 109 once teams put on fresh tires.

Following a pair of chaotic restarts – the final coming with just over 40 to go – Buescher used the long run to again chase down the leaders, ultimately bypassing the No. 5 in the final five laps to finish third, his best finish ever in the All-Star event.

Up Next
Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts the annual Coca-Cola 600 this weekend with race coverage Sunday set for 6 p.m. ET on FOX, with radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 37th season in 2024, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

Concerts, Driver Appearances and Military Tributes Highlight Can’t-Miss Fun Ahead of Coca-Cola 600

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Scenes from the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 2023. Photo by Adam Glanzman

CONCORD, N.C. (May 20, 2024) – NASCAR’s best will descend upon Charlotte Motor Speedway this Memorial Day Weekend for the historic 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600, but there’s more than just on-track thrills in store this Friday through Sunday. As race fans gear up for the ultimate test of man and machine, here’s a look at some of the other can’t-miss attractions to enjoy at the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway during the most patriotic race weekend of the year:

Click here for a full weekend schedule.

Get Into the Groove

Charlotte Motor Speedway will become a one-stop shop for high-energy entertainment as America’s Home for Racing welcomes a truly impressive lineup of concerts to the track throughout the weekend. Hairball will kick off Friday night with a plethora of arena-rock hits before rising country music star Kameron Marlowe heats up the BetMGM Speed Street stage. On Sunday afternoon, the Tim Dugger and Friends Tour will get fans’ motors running as they make a pit-stop at one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races. Finishing the weekend off is GRAMMY-award nominated band Matchbox Twenty, who will fire up the crowd with an electric pre-race concert in the infield just before the Coca-Cola 600 goes green on Sunday.

Headlining the daily musical fun is:

  • Hairball – Friday, May 24, 2024 / 10:30 p.m. (BetMGM Speed Street)
  • Kameron Marlowe – Saturday, May 25, 2024 / 8:30 p.m. (BetMGM Speed Street)
  • Tim Dugger and Friends – Sunday, May 26 / 1:00 p.m. (BetMGM Speed Street)
  • Matchbox Twenty – Sunday, May 26 / 3:30 p.m. (Infield Pre-Race Stage)

Driver Appearances and More

Fans can fuel up with free coffee during the EchoPark Coffee Cup Series before settling in for an exclusive Q&A session with former Cup Series driver Michael Waltrip on Saturday, then kick Sunday off in style as they eat breakfast provided by Famous Toastery side-by-side with NASCAR driver Michael McDowell.

NASCAR’s home track will once again deliver unique opportunities to interact with drivers as fan favorites Kenny Wallace and John Roberts take the Speed Street Stage for Trackside Live, an entertaining and energetic pre-race show featuring interviews with NASCAR’s top stars. Daniel Hemric, Austin Dillon, Justin Haley and Chris Buescher are slated to appear on Sunday while Martin Truex Jr., Chase Elliot, Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric take the pre-race stage before the green flag falls.

Click here for the latest schedule of driver appearances.

Salute to Service

As is tradition at the Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway will once again roll out the red carpet for men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces as part of its moving pre-race salute. Highlighting each of the six branches of service, the patriotic homage will feature aerial support by U.S. Army Blackhawks, Howitzer demonstrations and performances of God Bless America, God Bless the USA, and Carolina in My Mind by the 82nd Airborne Division Band. Fans will enjoy a State of Freedom address from Lt. Gen. Jody J. Daniels, chief of the Army Reserve and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command and a C-17 flyover from the 145th Airwing of the N.C. Air National Guard, among other patriotic displays.

Tip of the King’s Hat

Richard Petty, NASCAR’s undisputed “King,” will be honored during Friday’s STEAM Expo as the season-long celebration of the Petty Family’s 75th year in NASCAR continues. In conjunction with Legacy Motor Club, 28 one-of-a-kind art installations featuring the likeness of Richard Petty’s iconic cowboy hat are being unveiled at NASCAR facilities across the country, and it’s Charlotte Motor Speedway’s time to shine. The six-foot tall, 1,000-pound fiberglass and concrete statues will become permanent displays at tracks across the country, and will each feature a uniquely personalized tribute to the Petty legacy.

Detailed with photographs of four generations of the Petty family celebrating their victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway, fans can find “The King’s Hat” this weekend near the Legacy Motor Club hauler in Speed Street.

STEAM Expo

The weekend kicks off Friday morning with nearly 1,000 children taking over Speed Street to learn the principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) through hands-on activities as Charlotte Motor Speedway looks to build future generations of NASCAR professionals. From Central Piedmont Community College and the U.S. Armed Forces to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the STEAM Expo will feature dozens of vendors and demonstrations for students to learn from industry experts about coding, robotics, fitness and more. The interactive exhibition will be open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and requires advanced registration here.

Camper Appreciation

For the second year in a row, campers and race fans alike will have the opportunity to get an up-close look at their favorite NASCAR Cup Series teams during Saturday morning’s Haulers and Hash Browns parade sponsored by THOR. After staging at zMAX Dragway, the brilliantly colored haulers will make their way through the campground and past Speed Street beginning at 8:15 a.m. before heading to the infield to prepare for an iconic weekend of racing. Guests can end their afternoon with an exclusive concert by bluegrass artist Christian Davis, who will take the stage at 5:30 p.m.

In need of a repair or replacement? As the Official RV Partner of Speedway Motorsports, the THOR Family of Companies will provide complimentary mobile service to RVers camping on the Charlotte Motor Speedway grounds from May 23-26. The camper appreciation activities don’t stop there, as THOR will also be leading campground promotions, sweepstakes, RV support, and more throughout the weekend.

Back in the Saddle

Giddy up to the Fan Zone on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. for a special appearance by the Budweiser Clydesdale horses, who will be on site pulling the Budweiser beverage cart alongside a dalmatian and four massive tractor trailers. The iconic horses will remain in Speed Street throughout the afternoon, and fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to see these magnificent animals up close before the action on the track begins.

TICKETS:

Fans can purchase tickets to the May 24-26 Coca-Cola 600 online at charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

KEEP TRACK:

Stay on pace with what’s happening at Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on X and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

RAFA Racing Brings Home Season-Best Top Five Finish From Misano in GT4 European Series

By
Official Release
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Lancaster and Martinez Drove to P5 in Pro-Am, While Lawrence and Hepworth Qualified on the Overall Front Row Before Bad Luck Shortened The Day

MISANO, Italy (May 20, 2024) – In a weekend of highs and lows, the RAFA Racing Team ultimately escaped Rounds Three and Four of the SRO GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club with a front row qualifying effort and a season-best finish from two different McLaren Arturo GT4s. “Race As Family Always” was on full display for the American team who receives overseas technical assistance from Greystone GT.

Cameron Lawrence qualified he and Jem Hepworth’s No. 81 RAFA Racing Club McLaren Arturo GT4 on the front row of the 49-car field for Sunday’s second race of the weekend. In Saturday’s race, the duo drove from 30th on the grid to 17th overall and 13th in a very competitive Silver class with a rough and tumble run through the field.

Sunday’s qualifying effort had spirits high for the entire team, but the moment was short-lived. Failed alternator belts meant the McLaren didn’t fire when it was time to head to the grid, and despite an attempt at an emergency repair and starting from pit lane, Lawrence didn’t get started on time. The team kept working, and he was able to run four laps later in the race, turning the second-quickest lap of the race to prove the car’s speed.

With the No. 81 essentially out of the race, Sunday’s attention went to the No. 812 RAFA Racing Club McLaren of Rafael Martinez and Jon Lancaster. Martinez started the race 38th overall and 12th in the Pro-Am class.

Martinez kept pace with the field, improving class positions during his stint before handing the car to Lancaster during the mandatory pit stop. Lancaster had a deep deficit to overcome, but after a safety car period bunched the field he was 34th overall, ninth in Pro-Am and could see his competitors on the track.

The final 17 minutes of the 60-minute race were spectacular for Lancaster and the No. 812 McLaren. Lancaster picked up an additional 20 positions on the overall field, including four in the Pro-Am class, finishing 14th overall and fifth in class. That was an improvement from Saturday’s 26th overall finish, ninth in class.

Depsite the rollercoaster of ups and downs throughout the weekend, both RAFA Racing McLarens showed a step forward in pace from the season opener. Hepworth and Lawrence were the second-finishing McLaren in the field on Saturday, and Lancaster and Martinez took the same position during Sunday’s race.

RAFA Racing Team’s GT4 European Series season resumes in just over a month, June 27-30 at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. It’s four-car domestic team is in action this week at the Texas-based team’s home track of Circuit of the Americas, where it continues to chase a Porsche Sprint Challenge North America championship in the Cayman Pro-Am class. Martinez, along with Ian Porter, Paige Morales and Caroline Candas, are the team’s drivers in that championship.

RAFA Racing Quote Board

Rafael Martinez, Driver, No. 812 McLaren Arturo GT4: “It’s a bittersweet feeling for me and I am sure for the whole team. Our car performed extremely well, I showed a lot of progress getting much closer in speed to the top of the AM drivers in the Pro-Am class, and Jon showed his class making up ground to deliver our best result of the season. Coming into this year I am not sure I would have set expectations as high for only the second round of the Championship so it is just very telling how much all of the work we have put in has brought us along. Unfortunately the No. 81 car has continued to have mechanical issues and it really hurt us Sunday after Cameron put us in an incredible spot at P2 to start. What could have been a special day for the team turned out to be a big deflating moment when we had to basically retire the car with an alternator issue before the race even started. Having had both cars finish in the top 15 and potentially on the Silver Class podium would have been incredible, but that’s racing. We have Round Three at Spa in a month to look forward to, we must get the cars right and hope to come away with a good result there!”

Cameron Lawrence, Driver, No. 81 McLaren Arturo GT4: “The weekend was a big improvement from Paul Ricard. The team and drivers all had more pace and confidence going through the weekend. Our first race wasn’t perfect but we moved up nicely and had a decent result. Race two was our chance to push for our first podium but luck wasn’t on our side after losing two alternator belts. We’ll be stronger and ready for the next round at Spa.”

Jem Hepworth, Driver, No. 81 McLaren Arturo GT4: “It was an interesting weekend, but there are a lot of positives for sure. My qualifying wasn’t amazing, but Cameron was great to get second. I got my lap deleted for track limits, so that was frustrating for me. From practice and into race one, we showed we have the pace to be at the front of the grid. Today was a really, really hard one to take because we were ready to give that one a shot. It’s a real shame, but at least we know we’ve got the pace and we can take that to Spa. We just have to look forward now and hope we can get a little bit of luck.”

Jon Lancaster, Driver, No. 812 McLaren Arturo GT4: “I’m really pleased in general. Everything across the board, on track and off track, we’ve all put some effort in to really progress things and we have done that. I think it shows on track with Rafa’s performance and the general car performance, both cars have been better in general feel and car drivability. Everything has just been a good step forward. Now it just shows the potential that Rafa has and we have to keep that going. He’s fully committed to doing that, and I’m fully committed to helping him. The team is fully committed to giving him the tools to that, we just have to keep it going. I’m super pleased with my second half of Sunday’s race as well, that’s always fun to do. Bring on Spa! Hopefully we can take a few more steps, start a bit further up and walk away with our first bits of silverware.”

About RAFA Racing Club:

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

Million-Dollar Sunday: Logano Speeds To Second NASCAR All-Star Race Victory

By
Official Release
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Joey Logano celebrates after winning Sunday's NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. (HHP/Harold Hinson photo)

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (May 19, 2024) — If two or three drivers could hang with Joey Logano in Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, there were none who could out-run him.

Logano started Sunday’s 200-lap race from the pole and withstood challenges from Chris Buescher, Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin en route to his first NASCAR Cup Series win of any kind since March 19, 2023, at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The result capped off a dream Sunday for Team Penske, who qualified 1-2-3 at the Indianapolis 500 in the afternoon and added a million-dollar All-Star Race winner’s prize at night.

Hamlin finished second with Buescher third and Kyle Larson fourth. Larson flew to North Wilkesboro after he qualified fifth at Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier in the day. The defending All-Star Race winner had to start last in the 20-car field and wasn’t a factor until the final 50 laps, when he pitted for the soft, red-badged Goodyear tires brought to the event to give teams an additional strategy option.

Larson gave up seventh place to take on a set of soft tires, and needed only six laps to jump from 12th to third. His bid for an unexpected victory fell short when he couldn’t clear Hamlin for second, and ultimately lost third to Buescher in the closing laps. Larson and defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney completed the top five.

Logano led an All-Star Race-record 199 of 200 laps in securing his first All-Star Race victory since 2016.

Bubba Wallace finished sixth with Ross Chastain seventh and Chase Elliott eighth. Martin Truex Jr. and Michael McDowell rounded out the top 10. Bell, whose Toyota slid up into Logano’s Ford as the two raced side-by-side for the lead on Lap 113, faded from contention soon after and ended up 17th at the finish.

The race was slowed by two organic caution periods: on Lap 2 for Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s crash after contact with Kyle Busch, and on Lap 117 — when Busch nudged Ty Gibbs into a spin in Turn 2.

Sunday’s race marked the first night-time race on North Wilkesboro’s brand-new pavement. The zMAX CARS Tour and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will race on the 0.625-mile oval prior to the return of the NASCAR All-Star Race May 16-18, 2025.

JOEY LOGANO, NO. 22 TEAM PENSKE FORD (RACE WINNER): “It feels good. It’s funny, because the first thing going through your mind is, ‘Gosh, I wish this counted for points.’ But a million bucks, that’s a lot of money. We had a great weekend. We learned a lot at the test (in March) I ran 800 laps over two days. I thought when we got here this weekend, that it’d be a single-groove track like most repaves, but they did a fantastic job with this one. You could race all over the race track. The fact they made a race track that’s not a single-groove is a major success. To see guys racing three-wide was crazy.”

PAUL WOLFE, NO. 22 TEAM PENSKE FORD (WINNING CREW CHIEF): “You had to have a really well-balanced car to make (the soft tires) work for the whole race, and we had a well-balanced car. Hopefully, tonight was a good boost for everybody. It wasn’t a points race and it didn’t lock us into the Playoffs, but it showed we could put together a weekend like this from qualifying through the race. We didn’t do anything super-fast (in qualifying), but Joey did a good job, the pit crew had a solid stop and that’s what it took to get that track position today and control the race from there.”

DENNY HAMLIN, NO. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing TOYOTA (RUNNER-UP): “It would’ve been really tough to get around (Logano) without really just knocking him out of the way (on the final restart). Maybe it’s coulda-woulda-shoulda, but I thought I’d have a little more time. I thought the tires would fall off a little bit more to give us an advantage late in the run, but we just kept hanging on there. I think we ran, on the last lap, an 18.60. It’s incredible how well the tires hold up. It’s live and learn. Certainly, coming in second, I don’t think it pays anything, but at least we had some fun today.”

CHRIS BUESCHER, NO. 17 RFK RACING FORD (THIRD PLACE): “There at the end, it just took too long to get around (Larson). It’s a good night on a night where only one position matters. I’m proud of the group. I’m pumped for the Coke 600 next week. Last year we led laps there and had a stage win at a time when we weren’t hitting our stride. Tonight, we needed two more (positions), but we’ve got good momentum. It was a really strong night for us overall.”

TICKETS:
Tickets and camping for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend can be purchased online by visiting www.NorthWilkesboroSpeedway.com.

MORE INFO:
Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding NASCAR All-Star week and North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on X and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.

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