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CHEVROLET NCS AT NORTH WILKESBORO: Chase Elliott Media Availability Quotes

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Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
NORTH WILKESBORO SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MAY 17, 2024

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Media Availability Quotes:

Did you hear the announcement about the tournament bracket that they’re going to have for next year?

“Yeah.. I don’t know probably every single detail about it, but I have heard of it. Yeah, it sounds interesting, especially starting at Atlanta (Motor Speedway) with it now being a speedway thing. But yeah, I think it has potential to add some excitement to our year and doing something a little different. I don’t have any issues with that.”

Should they give a playoff spot to the winner?

“A playoff spot to the winner? They’re already going to be in.”

This place for so long was lost relic. Last year, everyone was so excited to see this place be revived and revitalized. Coming back this year and to know that we’re coming back for the All-Star Race next year, as well, what is it like now to come to North Wilkesboro and know that it’s normal for us to be racing here?

“Yeah, I think it’s a good thing. This place has been around for a long time. It’s kind of in the heart of ‘NASCAR land’, with Charlotte being right down road and all that stuff. So yeah, I think it’s a good thing. Personally, I was excited to see that NASCAR or whoever spent a bunch of money to repave the place because that just told me that it was going to be around for a while, and they made that commitment pretty quickly. Yeah, I think it’s all positive. The fan turnout was great last year, and I hope that continues. I’ve seen a couple times in my career where we’ll have something new; it’ll go really good the first time and then it won’t after that. So, I just hope that this continues to be a positive event because it was last year, and I think that led to the money being spent on the racetrack, the resurface and all that stuff. Seemingly, it’s sticking around, so I hope the fans’ support and excitement continues now that the racetrack got the support that it needed to live on.”

You were a part of the first attempt to revive this place back in 2010. That revival was pretty short-lived. What do you think is the biggest difference between that and now what SMI and NASCAR has done with it?

“Just money.. They have the money to spend and the resources to support it like it needs to be supported. Nowadays, asphalt racetracks across the country that aren’t affiliated with NASCAR, ISC, SMI or whatever you want to call them, struggle. They just do and I hate to say that, but a lot of them do. This place needed NASCAR’s involvement to become what it once was.”

If Richmond goes away and we take that race to Mexico City or whatnot..

“So Richmond will go away totally.. that’s the rumor?”

Well one of the two.. so, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had said on his podcast that he felt like it was the beginning of this kind of movement to get away from short-track racing again. The 1.5-mile racing is so good.. Are you worried as a short-track, pavement guy, that even at the Cup Series level, we might be getting rid of more short-tracks to have more 1.5-mile tracks, more road courses, stuff like that?

“Yeah, I could kind of see where he’s coming from on that, right? Because the short-track racing has been so bad the last couple of years. And we all see it – the races at the mile-and-a-half tracks have been really good. But I don’t think that’s always a reason to get more of them. I always feel like less is more. The Bristol night race is a perfect example of less is more because you go there once a year; it’s super exciting and everybody loves the Bristol night race. And it’s because it only happens one time a year and it makes it special. Road course racing was really special and really cool because we used to do it twice, and now we do it 12 times, seemingly, a year and it’s become not-so-cool. So, I just think that the more that you do that, you lean into a direction and you just add more, more, more.. You can easily make things that are really exciting and neat still really quickly. So, I think we just need to be careful not to do that and put enough emphasis and importance into making our short-track package better because we do have great short-tracks around the country that we can lean into and race at. We just need to make our cars structured into a position that we can put on better shows, and I think we can do that. There’s no reason why we can’t. We’ve had it before, so why can’t we recreate that moving forward? So, I would rather see just a better product on the short-track stuff than taking them away, for sure.

And I don’t think they’re taking them away, but I would hate to see a movement away from that, just because it’s an important part of our sport.”

How excited are you to get back into a super late model?

“I’m looking forward to it. The last time I guess was New Smyrna there at the beginning of the year, so I’m excited to go run with those guys again. I hope we continue to progress and improve. It’s tough hitting one every two or three months, but I am excited to go and hopefully have a little fun. We’ll see.”

A lot of professional athletes, you can go and look at their contracts or look at their money situation. Where do you fall in that idea?

“I don’t have a preference. It’s not up to me, I guess, at the end of the day, but I don’t really care one way or another.”

 

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher All-Star Media Availability

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Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
All-Star Media Advance | Friday, May 17, 2024

Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher came to the infield media center prior to today’s All-Star Race practice and qualifying sessions to answer questions about last week’s race at Darlington and expectations for Sunday night.

CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang Dark Horse – HOW HAS QUALIFYING EVOLVED? “At least now we get laps on racetracks. It’s certainly quick. Twenty minutes. Fortunately, we have a lot of SMT data to go through. It turns into a lot of your practice time that used to be on track is now spent studying, trying to prep and be ready for those handful of laps. I think the next part of it is our adjustments are just extremely limited. The same can really be said for our teams, where our setup development is not done at a racetrack near as much now as it is back at the shop and back on simulation and trying to be prepped to where we can get to where we need to be within the tight parameters that we have on practice day now.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 2 Nexlizet Ford Mustang Dark Horse – HOW IMPORTANT IS SPEED IN QUALIFYING IN TERMS OF PIT ROAD SELECTION? “Week to week it varies. Last week, I thought it was critically important. The way that Darlington played out with the first pit stall and the proximity that it had to the timing lines and the pit out line is just such a significant advantage, and then I think we see other tracks where it’s not a big deal. It seems like Daytona and Talladega and those places the way it plays out there it’s not a factor in the race. So, week to week I think it varies significantly. Obviously, you always want to qualify well. There’s nothing bad about qualifying well usually, although we had that race at Atlanta this year where the 22 car started a lap down and it was the best thing that happened to him. Usually, qualifying well is a good thing and pit stalls are one of the reasons why.”

AS INTERMEDIATES BECOME THE BETTER RACING WE HAVE ARE SHORT TRACKS BECOMING A MORE ENDANGERED SPECIES? “It’s always interesting to see, at least from my perspective, how the racing evolves and there’s all these kind of lagging indicators. When you think about the schedule and the races, it’s like it takes the schedule three to five years to catch up with the racing, maybe even longer sometimes, where you’re like, ‘Oh, this type of racing is excellent. We should have more of these types of races.’ And inherently our racing seems to evolve, for whatever reason, in those time spans and what might be a good racetrack for us competitively changes. I think I would go back to the start of the Next Gen era when we were coming off the Gen 6 erar and the mile-and-a-half races were probably less compelling than short track races, and I feel like when we went to the Next Gen race car that completely flipped to where the mile-and-a-halves are more compelling than the short tracks. So it’s funny how that dynamic works. I’m almost positive with my experience in the sport that that will evolve again and it will evolve to where eventually short track racing seems to be really, really good and the mile-and-a-half racing not as good and by then we’ll have evolved to having more mile-and-a-half races. It always seems to be a struggle to get the schedule in step with the racing and how it works as far as the most compelling events for whatever reason. I think that puts more emphasis on the moves that NASCAR has made and even SMI to some extent of going private with the tracks, so that time cycle can be more in tune with the racing that you see and what’s more prevalent. I think you’re gonna see that in the years to come get utilized perhaps in a more equitable way, but it is interesting right now to see our circuit and schedule and the mile-and-a-halves being so great. I don’t know how you can argue that the mile-and-a-half racing isn’t the best racing in NASCAR right now and three years ago if I would have told you that, you would have probably laughed. It’s just funny how that shifts so quickly and it’s so important for our sport to be nimble to be able to adapt and really capture that.”

CHRIS BUESCHER CONTINUED – IS THE MILLION DOLLARS ENOUGH INCENTIVE FOR THE IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT OR SHOULD THERE BE A PLAYOFF POINTS INCENTIVE AS WELL TO MAKE THAT MORE IMPORTANT? “I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that I don’t think it’s gonna change what we do week in and week out. It is gonna be another storyline and something we can talk about and lean into at times, but I don’t think it’s gonna change how we show up at the racetrack at any point during that timeline. I think we’re gonna show up to figure out how to win races. A million dollars is significant.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI CONTINUED – “It goes to the team? I thought it went to a gambler. This might change my answer. OK. That’s good. You (looking at Chris) get like 100-grand and I get the rest (laughter). That’s gonna get negotiated in some driver contracts. I thought it went to a fan. I have no idea how this works.”

CHRIS BUESCHER CONTINUED – “We actually had this conversation this week, neither of us gamble so this is kind of uncharted territory for me and Brad both.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI CONTINUED – “We can only race one year at a time and that’s next year, so I have no idea.”

CHRIS BUESCHER CONTINUED – “We’re going to the racetrack to win races every week, so from where I’m at I don’t know how it changes your initial look on the weekend or how you approach it. I guess it may change if you end up in a strange situation with damage and laps down you may work a little harder knowing the situation. You could certainly see Daytona, Atlanta, something like that if there’s some of that in the bracket. I have no clue.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI CONTINUED – “So it’s kind of like a Winston Million for the whole field? Yes? OK. Clearly, we have a lot more studying to do. I don’t know if that answered your question, but I thought it was all like a gambling thing. We don’t gamble, so that shows us what we know. I still want to win it now that I know I can win it, but being that it’s a year from now it’s kind of like, ‘OK, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.’ A lot can happen in a year.”

CHRIS BUESCHER CONTINUED – WHERE IS THE LINE IN THAT SPORTS CROSSES A LITTLE TOO FAR AND BECOMES MORE ENTERTAINMENT? HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT? “I ran heat races while racing locally growing up, so that was actually a throwback to more of your grassroots type of racing for me. We’ve gone a little bit beyond that in some ways and I know we’re staring at (a set of Goodyear tires). They’re all black from this side, but I know one of those is red and yellow and we have different options to give it a go here. I guess with that it’s opening up opportunities for this race as a perfect example. It gives us an opportunity to go try something. I think we actually tried heat races on the Xfinity side close to 10 years ago, didn’t we? I actually enjoyed that, but I also remember Bristol there is a fear of getting something wadded up and not being able to continue on in your primary. It can really mess up your year long outlook on it just by doing that, so it’s a little tricky in that sense. Heat races growing up a lot were to make sure that we established a field and sent home 40 percent of the cars that were at a racetrack. For us, we’re all on track and most always we’re all making the race, so it has a little different purpose here, I guess, and it becomes a little bit more of an entertainment value, but I don’t see anything wrong with a lot of it to keep the entertainment up and keep us searching for different strategies and different ways to go about our weekends.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI CONTINUED – DO YOU THINK DRIVER SALARIES AND CONTRACT DETAILS SHOULD BE MORE TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC? “Generally, I’m a fan of transparency in all aspects of my life. Generally, I think I’m a fan of that stuff being more public. It’s not and the way this sport is structured the drivers work for teams as independent contractors in most cases and that creates contracts that for a number of reasons tend to be more private in nature. I wouldn’t have an issue at all with that stuff being more public personally as long as it was public for everyone. It doesn’t make sense to be public for one person and not for everyone, so I don’t know that I would say that’s the number one thing in our sport to be working on. I probably wouldn’t prioritize that, but transparency is generally a good thing in my eyes.”

CHRIS BUESCHER CONTINUED – “To add a little bit to that, I feel like when I was a kid watching on the couch, and I may be way off base on this, but it used to be advertised a little bit more of what the purse was for a weekend and where everything paid out. I know we really don’t know that. This is the one weekend where we actually talk about it. I think we talked about it at the 500 this year because it has exponentially grown as an event, but you really don’t talk about it on the race side of things either. Like Brad said, it’s not at the top of our minds I guess most times until you put it on the billboard that it’s a million to win this weekend.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI CONTINUED – “Most of us are, we’re incentivized to win by money don’t get me wrong. I don’t ever want to leave the impression that we’re not, but for the most part, I think most of the drivers are incentivized by pride and probably a little ego, maybe a lot of ego in some cases, and the money is a complement to that, but I don’t think, I can’t speak for everyone, but I don’t think it’s a primary factor in what race car drivers at this level compete for.”

CHRIS BUESCHER CONTINUED – WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE BACK AT THIS TRACK KNOWING IT HAS GONE FROM A LOST SPEEDWAY TO A PLACE WE GO TO REGULARLY AGAIN? “It’s kind of neat sitting here right now, actually me and Bayley Currey, who is out there in a truck right now, came up here and volunteered when Dale Jr. was asking for volunteers to come clean up this place when it was at its absolute worst. I remember that pretty clearly, walking into this room and it looking like a post apocalyptic war zone. Gurneys were flipped over across the floor. Medical equipment just thrown out and trashed. It was rough, so to see where it came from for last year, understanding and seeing what the surface did and how it changed into a repave for this season and getting the news we’re gonna be here beyond is really exciting from way back when I used to be watching on TV. I don’t know growing up if I ever got to watch a race live or on TV that was current year at North Wilkesboro. We haven’t been here in a really long time, so it’s been special to be a part of coming back and a miniscule part of helping that clean up to and just see it have the potential to come back online and be a part of our schedule. It is really neat to see where it’s come from and see it stick to its roots and Marcus and their group working so hard to make sure that it has a lot of that nostalgic feel to it so that we can keep true to what it was, too.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI CONTINUED – YOU ARE WATCHING BRENDEN QUEEN INTENTLY. ANY THOUGHTS ON HIM? “Yeah, he ran the late model race here last year and kicked our butts. I’m just glad he’s getting the opportunity. I haven’t seen cars on the track here since they repaved it, so we’re all eager to get back to the hauler and watch some truck practice.”

RCR Event Preview – North Wilkesboro Speedway

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Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway… In 44 NASCAR Cup Series starts at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has five wins, all by Dale Earnhardt: 1986 (spring), 1987 (spring), 1989 (spring), 1991 (fall) and 1995 (spring). Earnhardt was running at the finish in all 27 races at North Wilkesboro that he ran with RCR. Team Owner Richard Childress made 19 starts at North Wilkesboro as a driver, racking up eight top-10 finishes.

RCR in the All-Star Race…RCR has four wins in the NASCAR All-Star Race, three with Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990, 1993) and one with Kevin Harvick (2007). Earnhardt is also tied with Jimmie Johnson for most top-five finishes in the All-Star race (9).

Pacing the Field … Childress, a legendary NASCAR team owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer, has been named as the Honorary Pace Car Driver to help get the NASCAR All-Star race underway on Sunday evening on the historic 0.625-mile short track where one driver will earn a lucrative $1 million pay day. Childress will lead the field to green in a Chevrolet Camaro.

All-Star Race Format… The All-Star race will consist of 200 laps (all laps count) with NASCAR Overtime rules in effect. There will be two All-Star cautions at lap 100 and lap 150. At the 100-lap break, teams must perform a four-tire stop using any tire of their choosing. Starting positions are set via two 60-lap All-Star heat races on Saturday, with the lineup for the heat races determined by a Pit Crew Challenge event on Friday evening in which teams will make a four-tire pit stop without fuel. The signature new element in this season’s format centers around tire type and allotment. Potentially, three different tires will be utilized throughout the event weekend— a “prime tire” (the baseline tire assessed in last month’s Goodyear Tire Test at North Wilkesboro Speedway), an “option tire” (slick tires, but made with the same rubber as the wet weather tire, making it a softer tire with more grip and faster wear) and “wet weather” (the wet weather tire only used if the track is wet).

Wide-Open Opportunity…The All-Star Open will give drivers who are not guaranteed a spot in the main event a chance to race their way into the All-Star Race. The 100-lap Open will have an All-Star caution at Lap 50, at which time teams must perform a four-tire pit stop. Three Open drivers will advance to the main event: the top two race finishers plus the Fan Vote Winner. NASCAR All-Star Race Fan Voting is now open on www.NASCAR.com/fanvote.

New Surface at North Wilkesboro…North Wilkesboro Speedway has been repaved just in time for the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race. Prior to the fresh pavement, the last time the track was repaved was in 1981.

Saturday Night Heat Races…Saturday night will feature two 60-lap heat races that will determine the starting lineup for the All-Star Race among drivers already locked into the field. There will be an All-Star caution at lap 30 of each heat race; teams must perform a four-tire pit stop. The results of Heat 1 will establish the inside row, and the results of Heat 2 will establish the outside row.

Happy Anniversary to the All-Star Race…The 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race will be the 40th running of the special event, which debuted in May 1985 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Perhaps the most popular finish in All-Star Race history came in 1987, when Dale Earnhardt won the race in a fender-banging classic battle with Bill Elliott, highlighted by Earnhardt’s thrilling save on the frontstretch in the closing laps.

Follow Sunday’s Action at North Wilkesboro… The NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, May 19 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. The All-Star Open will be televised live beginning at 5 p.m. ET on the same broadcast channels.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 SENIX Tools Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at North Wilkesboro Speedway… Austin Dillon, who has made four previous All-Star race starts, will have to race his way into Sunday’s main event this year. A top-two finish in Sunday afternoon’s All-Star Open will transfer him to the main event. Dillon finished 17th in last year’s All-Star race.

A Family Tradition … Dillon’s father, Mike Dillon, earned two trophies at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the Late Model division and had a second-place finish there in the early 90’s.

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Meet Dillon… Dillon is scheduled to appear at the SENIX Tools display in the Fan Midway at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday at 12:45 p.m. ET. He’s also scheduled to stop by the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the North Wilkesboro Speedway Fan Midway on Sunday at 1:15 p.m. ET. Stop by to meet the driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet and get new merchandise to wear on race day.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

What are your thoughts on racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway?

“I look forward to going back to North Wilkesboro Speedway and welcoming everyone from SENIX Tools to the track this weekend. I love the format NASCAR came up with getting the pit crews involved again this year and the new tire compounds teams can choose from. People are excited about it. We will have to race our way into the All-Star race from the Open race on Sunday, but I think everyone on the No. 3 team is excited and up for the challenge. I am looking forward to seeing how the different compound tires will affect the strategy for 100 laps.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Lenovo Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at North Wilkesboro Speedway…Kyle Busch will make his second start at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the NASCAR All-Star Race. In 18 previous All-Star starts, Busch has collected six top-five and 11 top-10 finishes, including winning the non-points racing in 2017. In the 2017 race, Busch started second and led the race just once, covering the final 10 laps. His average running position in the event was 3.27. The driver of the Lenovo Chevrolet is tied with Bill Elliott for most poles (four) all-time at the All-Star race.

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KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

What did you learn last year at North Wilkesboro Speedway that you can apply for this race?

“I think the only things we learned at North Wilkesboro Speedway last year were where the outside wall is and I think the apron in Turns 3 and 4 is the same. That’s about it. I think everything else has changed. The asphalt has changed and they moved the inside wall some. It’s going to be a completely different race.”

North Wilkesboro has been repaved. How do you prepare to race on the new surface when you haven’t been able to test there?

“I think the preparation for how to get ready for the race is now going to be based on the notes and the test that happened there. Our Chevy key partner teammate William Byron did the test there so we’re relying on him and his notes and the video capture that they got and being able to just watch and listen to the throttle on time and the things they did when they were there.”

This year’s All-Star race will have several new features including a tire strategy element. What effect do you think that will have in the race? Do you think it has the potential to make the racing better?

“I don’t know if the tire strategy will really factor in as much as people think because we all know when the strategy will be and when you want to put those tires on. We all have to start the race on the option tires. We all know we’re probably going to want to finish on those tires, so the two other sets that you’re going to have you’re probably going to run one of those sets in the middle of the race. I don’t know that it’s really going to create much pit strategy separation. The race isn’t long enough for that.”

The NASCAR All-Star Race Returns To North Wilkesboro in 2025

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Official Release
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  • The 41st running of the NASCAR All-Star Race will take place at historic North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18, 2025
  • In addition, the Wright Brand 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race will also return to the iconic, 0.625-mile oval
  • Race fans can get tickets to the 2025 All-Star Race, as well as Sunday’s 40th running, by shopping online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com. Fans at this weekend’s events can also conveniently renew their tickets on site

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (May 17, 2024) – NASCAR’s biggest and brightest stars will again shine on North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2025. Speedway officials announced Friday that North Wilkesboro will host the 41st running of the NASCAR All-Star Race on May 18, 2025, with affordable ticket and camping packages now on sale for what promises to be a spectacular weekend of fan and family friendly entertainment.

Race fans can also look forward to the return of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Wright Brand 250 in 2025, with the race maintaining its positioning as a featured event in the Saturday portion of All-Star Race weekend.

The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend will also feature a new pricing structure. Sunday grandstand tickets will start at just $49, with three-day NASCAR ticket packages starting at $95 and five-day packages – including zMAX CARS Tour action – starting at just $125, providing fans unmatched value at one of NASCAR’s most historic venues.

Friday’s announcement comes just days before the All-Star Race’s highly anticipated second running at North Wilkesboro.

Kyle Larson swept the weekend last year – scoring victories in the Wright Brand 250 as well as the NASCAR All-Star Race – but the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who is also locked into the 2025 event, will face a tall task in replicating his dominance on Sunday.

Additional 2025 race-weekend details, such as concerts, format and starting times for the Wright Brand 250, All-Star Open and All-Star Race, will be announced at a later date.

TICKETS:

Tickets, camping and parking for 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend events, as well as 2025 tickets, 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.

Pennzoil, INDYCAR Launch Pennzoil Performance+Racing Oil at Indianapolis 500

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Official Release
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New Racing Oil To Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions[1] throughout NTT INDYCAR SERIES

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 17, 2024) – Shell, Pennzoil and INDYCAR continue to advance their sustainability journey by unveiling the new Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil[2] using re-refined base oil (RRBO) to deliver top engine performance with less greenhouse gas emissions.1 INDYCAR teams will use Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil during the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and throughout the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

“We are thrilled to have Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil as the Official Lubricant of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and to help showcase the advancements in technology and performance of motor oil made with a re-refined base oil,” said Bree Sandlin, vice president, Shell Lubricants Marketing North America. “INDYCAR is a premier testing ground to prove the reliability and durability of our lubricant technologies for use in demanding road conditions.”

The use of RRBO in Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil conserves non-renewable resources by reducing its use of base oils made from primary fossil material. The re-refined base oil component used reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 50%[3] compared to the base oil used in the Pennzoil products formulated for the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

When combining RRBO with our premium additives, Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil delivers a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions1 compared to the Pennzoil products formulated for the 2023 racing season.

“Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil has been rigorously tested and approved by INDYCAR, Chevrolet and Honda to meet the high-performance requirements for racing without compromise to performance,” said Bassem Kheireddin, Shell Motorsports technology manager.

“The addition of Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil using re-refined base oil is another significant milestone as we continue to move toward a more sustainable future for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the motorsports industry,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said.

Re-refined base oil (RRBO)

The re-refined base oil (RRBO) used in Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil is created from used lubricants that undergo advanced re-refining processes, resulting in high-quality base oil that can be used as a component to formulate new lubricant products. Generally, when oil has reached the end of its ‘useful’ life and has been drained from a vehicle or equipment, re-refining can remove depleted additives and contaminants that accumulate in motor oil during use.

[1] For the purpose of claims related to Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil, references to “less/reduced greenhouse gas emissions” or “reduced carbon footprint” are limited to “Cradle-to-Gate” emissions attributed to this Pennzoil product compared to the Pennzoil products formulated for the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES “Cradle-to-Gate” means the life cycle stages of a product from raw materials through the production process. For the avoidance of doubt, “Cradle-to-Gate” excludes emissions associated with distribution, a customer’s use and end-of-life of the Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil. Biogenic credit has been applied to “Cradle-to-Gate” estimation, meaning the CO2 that has been removed from the atmosphere during the growth phase of bio-material in the product has been accounted for as a credit. Biogenic CO2 removals can be due to actual and mass balanced attributed content, meaning that part of the biogenic content can be assigned via an accounting approach, rather than be physically present. “Cradle-to-Gate” emissions may be subject to change as a result of changes in the product specifications, changes in emission factors, or otherwise.

[2] Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil is a high-performance motor oil for use in racing engines, containing Pennzoil 0W formulations specifically engineered for the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The “plus” (+) symbol in Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil denotes the inclusion of re-refined base oil in the formulation. For the avoidance of doubt, Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil is not formulated for use in consumer vehicles.

[3] For the purpose of claims related to the re-refined base oil component used in the formulation of Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil™, references to “reduced greenhouse gas emissions” refer to “Cradle-to-Refinery Gate” emissions of the re-refined base oil component only attributed to this Pennzoil product. “Cradle-to-Refinery-Gate” includes raw materials and production of the base oil only and for the avoidance of doubt, this excludes emissions associated with other raw materials, production, distribution, a customer’s use and end- of- life of the Pennzoil Performance+ Racing Oil™. The carbon intensity associated with re-refined base oil is calculated based on primary activity data from the producer following industry best practice guidance, including API Technical Report 1533 (Lubricants Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprinting—Methodology and Best Practice). This Technical Report, published by the American Petroleum Institute, defines terminology and identifies and captures industry practices. “Cradle-to-Refinery Gate” emissions may be subject to change as a result of changes in the product specifications, changes in emission factors, or otherwise.

Burton, Motorcraft/DEX Imaging Team Preparing For All-Star Weekend At North Wilkesboro

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Official Release
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Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/DEX Imaging team are headed to North Wilkesboro Speedway for this weekend’s All-Star races.

It’s a familiar venue for the No. 21 team as the Wood Brothers ran 46 races there from 1957 until the track lost its Cup date in 1996. They had two poles there, both by the late team founder Glenn Wood (in 1958 and 1959) and two wins, both by the late Marvin Panch (in 1963 and 1964).

All told the team had 14 top-five finishes and 23 top-10s.

The 5/8-mile track lay dormant after the 1996 races and the prospects of racing there again seemed unlikely, but has experienced a revival in recent years, and this weekend’s event is the second straight All-Star race to be held there.

“Obviously it’s really cool to be racing again at such a historic venue as North Wilkesboro,” said Jeremy Bullins, crew chief of the Motorcraft/DEX Imaging Mustang Dark Horse, which is entered in the Open race as drivers in that preliminary event seek to earn a starting berth in the All-Star race.

Bullins said this year’s All-Star weekend events will be unique due to the different tires available to teams this year and because of the new pavement that has been added since last year.

Goodyear will offer a convention tire known as the “Prime” tire, and fans can identify them by the yellow lettering on the tires.

An “Option” tire will be offered as well. The Option tires are essentially a wet weather tire but with slick tread.

These tires, which will carry red lettering, are expected to offer more grip initially but wear quicker, leading to more fall off of lap times.

Then, if rain wets the track, there’s the regular wet weather tire, which will have visible treads and carry white lettering.

“This year, with the repave, is likely to look like a much different race,” Bullins predicted. “And everyone has a lot of questions about how the Option tire is going to drive and how long will it last.

“Hopefully we can learn what we need to in practice to race our way through the Open and get in the big show for the All-Star race.”

Practice at North Wilkesboro is set for Friday at 4:35 p.m. Eastern Time to be followed by Open qualifying at 5:40 and All-Star qualifying at 6:20.

The 100-lap Open race is scheduled to start just after 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The top two finishers will advance to the All-Star race along with one driver selected by a fan vote.

The 200-lap main event should get the green flag just after 8 p.m. Sunday.

FOX Sports 1 will carry the TV coverage.

#

About DEX Imaging
DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
Reducing Operating Costs
Reducing Paper Consumption
Increasing Productivity

DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.”

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

About Ford Performance
Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.

Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Thursday Practice Report

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE REPORT
MAY 16, 2024

CHEVROLET TOPS INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE FOR SECOND DAY AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

  • Pato O’Ward, driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, and Scott McLaughlin, driver of the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet, led Team Chevy in first and second respectively on the third day of practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
  • O’Ward’s fastest lap of 228.861 mph set speed over the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field, with McLaughlin trailing slightly with 227.316 mph.
  • Chevrolet finished with five in the top-ten representing the Bowtie brand at the conclusion of Thursday’s practice session.
  • A total of 1,896 laps were completed during Thursday’s on-track activity, with Chevrolet completing 878 laps.
  • Friday’s practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is scheduled from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow.
  • Fast Friday will see the boost turned up, where drivers and teams get a bump to 1.5 bar from 1.3 bar, adding approximately 100 horsepower ahead of Saturday’s practice and the first day of Indianapolis 500 qualifying.

TEAM CHEVY TOP-10 PRACTICE RESULT:
Pos. Driver
1st Pato O’Ward (228.861 mph)
2nd Scott McLaughlin (227.316 mph)
5th Josef Newgarden (226.684 mph)
8th Ed Carpenter (226.115 mph)
9th Will Power (225.675 mph)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes);

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“That was a good day for us. The No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet team just keeps working hard to get the car in the window. We did some qualifying runs today, and while I wish we had more time for those, the rain had other plans. There are no big issues, though, so I’m happy. Tomorrow is Fast Friday; time to go fast.”

Callum Ilott, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“That was a really good day for the team. The No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet team made some big improvements overnight and did a good job sorting everything out. We started the day with race runs, and the car continues to feel better and more comfortable. The afternoon was cut short a bit by weather, but I got a good feeling for our qualifying setup, as well. I think we’re in a good place going into tomorrow when everything gets turned up a bit. The team is working well together right now, and tomorrow we’ll see where we really stand.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“We had another very good day today, and I’m leaving the day feeling pretty strong in traffic. The No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet is in a good window. I’m looking forward to turning up the boost tomorrow for Fast Friday and focusing on qualifying.”

Kyle Larson, No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“The day didn’t go as we hoped. When we wanted to do runs in a pack, there were no packs on the track. When we wanted to do single-car runs, cars would pull out in front of me. It was frustrating.”

Brian Campe, Technical Director at Hendrick Motorsports and Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 17 Arrow McLaren’s Indianapolis 500 Race Strategist:

“We haven’t got as much running as we’d like to today, which happens around here with rain and things like that. We’re prepared. Kyle (Larson) is just working through all of the procedures for qualifying. We’ve got a lot of those boxes ticked there. Kind of got bit by some traffic, and then by the rain, so we haven’t got a full qualifying sim in but we’re trying to check as many boxes as we can.”

You’ve worked with many great ones at the speedway. You’re talking about some of the most well-rounded drivers of the last ten years or so – Juan Pablo Montoya, Kyle Larson’s name comes to mind. Do you see similarities in the two?

“Sure. I think you could easily draw the similarities. I think while you’re in it, you don’t realize it but in maybe a couple of weeks, we’ll talk about it in, and it’ll be come more clear. We’re focused on making the best qualifying effort with the weather. Not sure what’s going to happen the next two days. We’re just really focused on that.”

When you were here with Juan (Pablo Montoya), including winning in 2015, you had the benefit of experience. He was a former winner. How different is the process with a true INDYCAR Rookie in Kyle Larson?

“The driving part is well taken care of; the skill part is checked. It’s just the procedure differences – leaving pit lane, all the buttons to push and all those things, things to remember, and the fact he can actually adjust the car, which is just laps – he’ll get that figured out.”

He adjusts his sprint car and midget a lot, but I don’t think he bothers…

“I think that speaks to his skill and focus on his driving. We’ll certainly help him out here. We have the telemetry and we’ve been adjusting ourselves too, and just telling him what we think he needs to do and then he responds. So, it’s going well.”

When you left Team Penske to join Hendrick Motorsports, did you think you would be back for the Indianapolis 500?

“No. I never thought this would be a possibility, so I really appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Hendrick, Jeff Andrews, Gavin (Ward), Zak (Brown), and everyone at Arrow McLaren to put that trust in me to come back over here after being away for a while. I’m really enjoying it.”

How much translation do you have to do with Kyle (Larson) from INDYCAR jargon into NASCAR dialect?

“There is a little bit, but it’s a racecar, right? He speaks racecar pretty well, and everyone here understands. It’s just a racecar, right? Sure, they look different, but when you get down to the stuff that matters, it’s all the same.”

You didn’t get the start today you may have wanted with the engine change and put you behind timing-wise. Where do you stand with qualifying looming?

“I think we’re probably a run or two behind from where we want to be. You know, it happens. We had the unfortunate of changing an engine, but the reliability and power are most important. Chevrolet, we didn’t want to ruin a day by having an engine change in the middle of the session, so it the best thing for us to do and it’s just part of the month of May. Things come you don’t expect, and you just adjust.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 23 Dreyer & Reinbold Chevrolet:

“Weather was another issue (today), a little bit of a stop and start, but we got through some things we needed to. Found a comfort level that I needed in the race trim. We came back out for qual sims, but of course it rained. Looking forward to going fast and left tomorrow a whole lot tomorrow with the added boost. Added horsepower, higher speeds, good times.”

Conor Daly, No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Chevrolet:

“There’s a few bits and bobs and I think they know definitely know what it is (referring to issues on his run that ended his day). That’s good. We can fix it. It could have been way worse, so pretty thankful for that not being way worse. Honestly, that run alone makes me feel a lot better because that was our first time actually going into qual trim and the car was super easy to drive. It was pretty decent in qual trim. We didn’t even have to change gears or anything in the course of the qual run. Just to have that speed in it that we had, I think we’re not upset about it, and overall in the race running, we’re okay. We want to win this race, so we need to fight with the Palous and the McLaughlins, and those guys look really good. I haven’t seen Colton (Herta) out there yet, but he looks good as well. We just need a couple more pieces, but obviously now we’re in qual mode. We’ll see what happens. We’re going to gain, we just need a few more things.”

Ed Carpenter, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“It was an awkward day and not totally how we planned it. We had an issue earlier in the day that cost us some track time which is frustrating. We were able to sort everything out, but I wasn’t able to get as many laps as I wanted to. My teammates were able to do more work on qualifying simulations so we will look at what they were able to do. We will be in a good place heading into tomorrow.”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“We started the day with qualifying simulations, and it felt good. We checked off our list today and are continuing to work through everything we need to ahead of this weekend. We tried to get some race running in at the end, but the weather didn’t cooperate long enough to do that. Ready for Fast Friday!”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 33 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“We didn’t get too much running in, but we were able to focus on our qualifying simulations. I am learning and practicing everything that I need to do during a qualifying attempt, and I am feeling good. Each lap it gets easier and easier to keep my foot flat. Everyone wished for a bit of traffic running towards the end, but the weather in Indy this time of year is unpredictable. We will take what we worked on today into the rest of the week before we go all in on Saturday.”

Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

“We finished the second day of (Indianapolis) 500 practice. We had good progress. We finished 26th today, which is better than the last day. We are going to try to do another step tomorrow and try to do a good qualifying (run) on the weekend.”

PATO O’WARD, NO. 5 ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET – Thursday Practice End of Day Press Conference Transcript:

THE MODERATOR: Wrapping up this Thursday practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge looking ahead to Fast Friday tomorrow,

But P1 today overall, Pato O’Ward in his 56 laps turned, top speed of 228.861 miles an hour, at least a top average speed around this two-and-a-half-mile oval. Driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet set to qualify for his fifth Indianapolis 500, best finish was second a couple of years ago.

Did you get all the boxes checked and that sort of thing today?

PATO O’WARD: Yeah, we did. We got a pretty fat tow lap on the board, which was unexpected, I would say. But yeah, I’m happy with my car.

We did race runs. We did qualifying runs. Obviously it doesn’t necessarily translate perfectly to when the boosts come up just because the speed is so different.

But I mean, tomorrow if it does rain out, at least we got a bit of a feeling of what the car is tending to want to do on a bit more trim level.

Q. Looks like maybe rain ends towards the morning, maybe some afternoon running, so it could be crucial with another 100 horsepower tomorrow?

PATO O’WARD: Oh, yeah, you feel it. It’s so cool. Honestly, it’s one of the coolest parts about the whole process is just those four laps in qualifying. They can be very enjoyable, but they can be miserable, as well. Like you’ve got to get it right, and puts a lot of emphasis on — you’ll really see a lot of the work that these teams go through in the off-season making those things go as fast as possible.

Q. When you get that extra boost, does the track visually look different because things are coming at you a little bit faster?

PATO O’WARD: Yeah, I mean, everything just gets — you feel the difference. I think the biggest thing is there’s so much more speed that you’re carrying through the corner. Front right takes a bit more of a beating, and whenever it does decide not to give you that peak grip from lap 1 to lap 4, that wall comes fast, really, really fast.

Q. Alex said last week that you also can hear the speed because the wind sounds a little bit different going —

PATO O’WARD: You can hear the engine. You can hear the different pitch of the engine that it’s producing. It’s freaking badass.

Q. Is that a pitch you’d like to have all the time here?

PATO O’WARD: Oh, my God, those boosts for racing would be gnarly. Too gnarly I’d say. I wouldn’t say no. Why not?

Q. You should have seen the engines in the ’90s, early ’90s. With the lack of running on Tuesday, like 20-something minutes, and then a couple hours yesterday, what’s the level of frustration that you have knowing that this forecast is just stopping all this extra running that you could have done and checked even more boxes off instead of just doing almost everything today?

PATO O’WARD: Zero, I’d say. I don’t mind it. If it rains, it rains. If it doesn’t rain, it doesn’t rain. I’m enjoying the process either way. It’s really cool to be a part of it, and I feel like every year it goes on, you really get to kind of see what it is to Indianapolis and what it is to the INDYCAR community.

No, I mean, if it rains, I’ll just go to my bus. I had a lot of hours at the bus yesterday.

But when we’ve actually had some time on the track, it’s been pretty intense. Like I didn’t get out all afternoon basically until it started raining again, and we got quite a few running laps.

Then today, it was a beautiful day. Right now it got a little cloudy. We almost got through our whole list of testing.

Q. With the cars being a little bit lighter, how much different does the car handle, especially in traffic?

PATO O’WARD: I feel like that’s very weather dependent. To be honest, at least from my side, I haven’t really been able to tell the difference of balance shift with this new lighter aeroscreen on the superspeedway. I felt it on the road course and street course car balance, but I haven’t really felt it on the superspeedway. It’s not like last year we were slower. We weren’t. I think the speeds are pretty much what — you’ll probably see the same thing as you saw last year. It would be cool to go a little bit faster. It always makes it better for the spectacle.

Yeah, not really, not much change I’d say.

Q. I’m trying to be an optimist, but if tomorrow there is no running, presumably they would give you some time with the boost before qualifying. How much practice would you need say —

PATO O’WARD: Oh, yeah. We’re going to need to get a few runs in with the boost. You’ll see guys today getting super consistent four-lap runs, but as soon as those boosts come up, some fourth laps for people are going to be like — I mean, you feel it. It’s just so much faster.

The car just goes to a different dimension with the boost. It’s really almost incomparable to what it is now. Right now you try and pepper it in as good as you can, but you’re going way faster. It’s a lot more downforce, but you’re also trimming more. It’s a very different — yeah, very different car at that point.

Q. They need to give you at least a couple hours —

PATO O’WARD: Yeah. I think everybody would like to get at least two outings I would say. Problem around here is that there’s 34 cars, and if there’s another car on track, you’re getting towed, no matter how far back you are. You try and have maybe two, maybe three cars on track at the same time, nicely spaced out, but sometimes you just can’t time it, or people obviously will put their program in front of yours.

But as long as we can get a read of what it’s like.

Q. I understand where you are. You’re obviously in a good place. You’ve got a good car. But your teammate Kyle Larson had an engine change. I don’t know how many laps he ended up with, but he only had like 11 through mid-afternoon before he got out there and did some qual sims. Do you feel empathy for those guys who haven’t had much experience who haven’t gotten a lot of time over the last three days and do you feel like you have an edge over them?

PATO O’WARD: I didn’t know they were going to do an engine change, and then I asked around and it seemed like it was a mileage thing, like it was going to happen. But obviously it’s not ideal for them to not get the same amount of laps, considering he’s new to INDYCAR. He’s new to the Indy 500. He’s new to basically everything that has to do with the Indy 500 and with the car and everything.

For them, I do hope that it doesn’t rain much more because I’m sure they’ll enjoy to get some laps in.

But Kyle looks comfortable. I think he’s fine. Like I said, today guys can be looking so comfortable, but as soon as the boosts come up, it might completely change direction, or it might be, oh, I feel as good or even better. Really got to see tomorrow.

Q. Obviously you got a little bit of full-field action the past few days, but today just consistently with a more packed track, was that something that you were looking forward to just to be on the track with a lot of the other drivers, as well?

PATO O’WARD: Yeah, I was. It’s always fun to go out there and start playing around with everybody and just seeing kind of what cars are fast, what cars are not as strong as you or stronger than you. Just every lap around here, you learn.

Q. You said that you were pleased with your car and it felt good. What about it felt good, and why do you feel like you were able to go so fast today?

PATO O’WARD: Just when it’s not trying to kill you, it’s a lot more enjoyable.

Q. Pato, to piggyback, if Friday and Saturday are washed out, how crazy is Sunday going to be?

PATO O’WARD: What happens if that happens? Do we just push everything back two days? Like Saturday would be Sunday —

Q. Full field qualifying on Sunday. We’ll see. Depends on television, too.

ALEX PALOU: It’s TV, so we would —

PATO O’WARD: Would they shorten up the 34 qualifying to get Fast 12 and —

Q. I’m sure we’d try to get it all in on Sunday.

PATO O’WARD: Yeah, I don’t know. Yeah, it’s beyond my knowledge, I guess.

Q. Pato, you mentioned earlier about everybody needs to have a shot at the extra boost if it does rain tomorrow, but is the scheduled amount of practice Saturday morning enough?

PATO O’WARD: For everybody to get a shot? Probably not. But we’ll just see. It’s Indianapolis, man. It could say it was raining and then it’s like, oh, cleared out, and we’ll get two, three, four hours of running. It is what it is.

Q. We’ve all been at this track for a lot of years. You are relatively new but you’ve been here long enough to know that it’s really rare when you get full days in consecutively. How difficult is that from a team standpoint, a preparation standpoint? I guess a lot of people say the downtime or the boredom is probably the hardest part to deal with for you guys.

PATO O’WARD: Honestly, sometimes I think it’s not a bad thing to have the rain because sometimes there is so much time to be doing so many changes, it’s so easy to get out of rhythm. Yeah, it is what it is.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

O’Ward Fast in Traffic, Herta Speedy Solo as ‘Fast Friday’ Looms

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 16, 2024) – Pato O’Ward led the overall speed chart Thursday during practice for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, while Colton Herta led the “no-tow” speeds that gain more importance as qualifying approaches.

O’Ward was fastest at 228.861 mph in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, a speed turned with the help of an aerodynamic tow from leading cars around the 2.5-mile oval.

“We got a really fat tow lap on the board, which was unexpected,” O’Ward said. “I’m happy with my car. We did race runs. We did qualifying runs. Obviously, it doesn’t necessarily translate perfectly to when the boosts come up just because the speed is so different. But tomorrow if it does rain out, at least we got a bit of a feeling of what the car is tending to want to do on a bit more trim level.”

Speeds will jump during the next practice, from noon-6 p.m. ET on “Fast Friday.” The Honda and Chevrolet engines that power the field will feature approximately 100 more horsepower due to increased boost levels that also will be available during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday and Sunday.

Scott McLaughlin, fastest Wednesday at 229.493, was second Thursday at 227.316 in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet. Reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou ended up third at 226.915 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Herta was fourth at 226.828 in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda fielded by Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian. While that lap – like all of the top five drivers of the day – was turned with the help of a tow, Herta was fastest when running alone in a qualifying simulation, turning a best lap of 224.182.

Reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden rounded out the top five overall at 226.684 in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet.

The eight-hour session was halted for 68 minutes late in the afternoon and ended 13 minutes early due to rain, the third straight day precipitation has hampered practice. In between raindrops, all 34 drivers alternated focus between honing car setups for qualifying and the race, combining to turn 1,896 laps.

There also were two caution periods for separate crashes – the first contact of the month – involving rookie Linus Lundqvist and 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson. Neither driver was hurt.

At 11:30 a.m. ET, Lundqvist’s No. 8 American Legion Chip Ganassi Racing Honda slid through Turn 2, making contact with the SAFER Barrier with the right rear wheel. The car then made light secondary contact with the inside wall on the backstretch. Lundqvist’s machine suffered significant damage and turned no more laps.

Lundqvist ended up as the fastest rookie of the day despite his crash, as his best lap of 226.261 was seventh overall.

At 3:49 p.m., Ericsson’s No. 28 Delaware Life Honda fielded by Andretti Global spun in Turn 4 and hit the SAFER Barrier, continuing to spin and making contact with the inside barrier and then hitting the pit lane attenuator. The car suffered heavy damage, Ericsson turned no more laps, and the team confirmed it will move to a backup car.

The 108th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 26 (11 a.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Universo, INDYCAR Radio Network).

Various Forms of Compensation Available for Car Accident Victims: Useful Insights

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SM
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Photo by Matt C on Unsplash

In Georgia, road rage and aggressive driving were factors in about 23,800 crashes last year, illustrating the diverse and often unexpected circumstances leading to car accidents. Understanding the forms of compensation available to victims is about covering immediate costs and ensuring long-term security and recovery from such traumatic events.

Victims of such accidents can greatly benefit from the expertise of the top Savannah car accident attorneys. These legal professionals specialize in assessing the full impact of an accident, advocating for compensation that covers medical treatments, psychological counseling, and other damages like pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Their comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a victim’s recovery are considered, paving the way for a more stable future.

Let’s take a look at various forms of compensation victims of car accidents can rightfully get.

Medical Expenses

One of the primary forms of compensation is coverage for medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident. This includes hospital bills, doctor’s visits, diagnostic tests, medications, rehabilitation services, and any necessary future medical treatments. When filing a claim, it is essential to keep detailed records and receipts to provide evidence of these expenses.

Lost Wages

A car accident can cause severe injuries that result in temporary or even permanent disability. During the recovery period, victims may be unable to work, leading to significant economic losses. Compensation can cover lost wages and potential future earnings that are disrupted due to the accident. To support such claims, it is advisable to maintain employment records and testimonies from employers or colleagues.

Pain and Suffering

Beyond financial losses, victims may experience immense pain and suffering after a car accident. This includes physical discomforts such as chronic pain or loss of enjoyment in life due to disabilities caused by the accident. Determining the exact dollar value of these intangible damages may be challenging, but seeking professional assistance from car accident lawyers in Savannah and other areas can ensure fair compensation.

Emotional Distress

Car accidents can leave individuals emotionally scarred with long-term psychological effects like anxiety disorders, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compensation for emotional distress aims to address these non-economic damages caused by the incident. Regular therapy sessions or consultations with mental health professionals can validate expenses related to this type of suffering.

Property Damage

Apart from bodily harm or emotional distress suffered by individuals involved in car accidents, compensation for property damage is also important. Insurance claims can help victims recover the costs of repairs or the fair market value of a vehicle that was rendered unusable due to the accident.

Wrongful Death

In unfortunate cases where car accidents result in fatalities, certain family members may seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. This type of claim encompasses damages such as funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional toll on surviving relatives. Though no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, seeking rightful compensation can alleviate some financial burdens during grieving periods.

Things to Consider When Seeking Compensation

Proving Liability

To obtain any form of compensation, accident victims must establish liability. This entails proving that another party involved in the accident was responsible for causing the injuries and damages. Gathering evidence such as photos, witness statements, police reports, and any supporting documentation will strengthen your case when seeking deserved compensation.

Reaching a Settlement 

After gathering sufficient evidence and estimating the full extent of your damages, victims often have options when it comes to finalizing their case. One option is negotiating a settlement with insurance companies or other parties involved. Settlements involve an agreed-upon sum without going through a trial. It is crucial to consult with legal professionals before accepting any settlement offers to ensure that your rights are protected.

Navigating through the complexities of personal injury law can be overwhelming for car accident victims already dealing with physical and emotional hardships. Seeking professional legal representation from experienced personal injury attorneys can provide invaluable assistance and guidance throughout this challenging process. They help evaluate potential forms of compensation and advocate for their client’s best interests against insurance companies or other liable parties.

Conclusion

Understanding the various forms of compensation available for car accident victims is vital to ensure fair recovery from physical injuries, property damage, emotional distress, and financial losses resulting from an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. By seeking legal assistance, accident victims can confidently pursue the compensation they deserve and begin their journey toward healing and rebuilding their lives.

What Wheel Type Should You Choose For Your Car?

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SM
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Choosing the right wheel type for your car is critical to improve performance and appearance. Various wheels have several benefits, such as enhanced grip and higher fuel efficiency. Steel wheels are known for their durability and affordability. They function best when the weather is terrible. Conversely, alloy wheels are lighter and can improve your car’s handling and acceleration. They also appear sleek because they are available in various patterns for your vehicle.

However, why is the wheel type so important? The effect on your car’s general feel and response holds the key to the solution. For instance, alloy wheels can significantly enhance your driving experience because of their higher heat dissipation, which leads to improved braking performance, especially in demanding situations. Steel wheels are the most durable for rough terrain because of their strength. Additionally, choosing the right offset wheels can optimize the stance and handling of your vehicle, further tailoring the driving experience to your preferences.

Ultimately, your choice should fit both your car’s needs and your driving style. The most excellent choice if you value performance and style is aluminum alloy wheels. On the other hand, those who value price and durability might consider steel wheels. Remember that the correct wheel can enhance your car’s functionality and look. Make wise choices to provide a pleasurable and comfortable driving experience.

Understanding the Basics: Types of Car Wheels

Steel and alloy are the two primary materials that stand out in car wheels. The two primary metals utilized to create alloy wheels are aluminum and magnesium. This mix makes them light and stylish. They boost your car’s speed and fuel efficiency. Plus, they come in many fabulous designs. Steel wheels, on the other hand, are known for strength. They’re heavier but can take more hits. This makes them a solid pick for rough roads and harsh weather.

The wheels you choose—alloy or steel—will depend on your priorities. Alloy wheels are your most superb option if you’re all about looking beautiful and driving quickly. They make your car handle better and stop quicker. Steel wheels are a safer choice for those facing snow or potholes. They last longer and cost less to replace. So, think about your daily drive and pick the wheels that fit your life.

The Impact of Wheel Material on Performance

The type of wheels on your car significantly impacts how well it performs. Aluminum and other metals are combined to create lightweight alloy wheels. Your vehicle will operate more smoothly and use less gasoline due to its lightweight. They also make your car stop quicker and turn sharper. Because they spread heat out well, they also relax your brakes. This is great for driving fast or in hot weather.

Conversely, steel wheels are heavier. Their added weight gives them great strength and resistance to injury. For severe weather conditions like snow, they are ideal. Steel wheels are an excellent option if you want to cut costs because they are less expensive. But remember, their weight can make your car use more fuel. So, consider your needs: speed, agility, toughness, and savings.

Alloy Wheels: Pros and Cons

Due to their enhanced performance and fashionable design, alloy wheels are very popular. They are lighter than steel and composed of several metals. This light helps the vehicle accelerate and stop faster. Alloys also improve fuel efficiency and handling. They also come in various designs to upgrade your car faster. They are perfect for drivers who value looks and performance. 

However, alloy wheels also have disadvantages. They are more expensive than steel wheels, making them a significant investment. Lakes and rough roads can also damage alloys. Repair costs will be high. These conditions are worth considering for those who are spending money or living in poor-quality areas. In short, alloys have advantages as well as disadvantages.

Steel Wheels: Are They Right for You?

Steel wheels are renowned for being robust and long-lasting. They work well in inclement weather and over the winter. They are more resilient than alloy wheels and can withstand heavy impact. They are, therefore, a wise option for off-road exploration. They’re also less expensive. Those on a tight budget will benefit from this. Steel wheels are less prone to bending or cracking. They continue to move on, mile after mile.

Steel wheels weigh more, though. This may impact how well your car handles and uses gas. They accomplish the same goal as alloys even though they don’t have the same sparkle. Steel wheels are ideal for drivers who choose durability above style. They provide comfort in knowing they can endure nearly anything.

Making a choice: Performance vs. Durability

When picking wheels, think about what matters more: speed or strength. Alloy wheels make cars go fast and look sharp. They’re light and boost speed. But, they can dent easier. Steel wheels are tough. They handle rough roads well and last longer. Yet, they add weight and slow you down a bit. Your choice depends on how and where you drive. Want speed and style? Alloy. Do you prefer a rugged, long-lasting option? Steel’s your best bet. It’s all about matching the wheel to your driving life.

How Wheel Type Affects Your Car’s Aesthetics

The style of wheels you select can significantly alter the appearance of your vehicle. With their elegant shapes, alloy wheels give a contemporary feel. They have several finishes, such as matte or chrome. You can alter the style of your car with this selection. Traditional wheels are made of steel. They provide a conventional, rough look. However, they lack the shine of alloys. Your automobile may stand out with the correct wheels. It all comes down to harmonizing them to your taste and the overall atmosphere of your car.

Final Thoughts: Selecting the Best Wheels for Your Vehicle

Selecting the right wheels for your car involves more considerations than just appearance. It concerns both your safety and the health of your vehicle. Consider your needs. Are you a driver on uneven roads? Your best bet might be steel. Do you want your automobile to perform better and look better? Choose alloy. Recall that it’s more than just a decision. It’s an investment in both your vehicle’s future and your driving pleasure. Make a wise choice. Select wheels based on your driving style and the requirements of your car.

FAQs

Can wheel type affect fuel efficiency?

Yes, lighter wheels like alloys can improve fuel efficiency.

Are bigger wheels better for performance?

Sometimes, bigger wheels offer a smoother ride but also reduce acceleration.

Does wheel material affect braking performance?

Yes, lighter wheels like alloy can improve braking performance.

Will new wheels impact my car insurance?

Possibly, especially if they significantly increase your car’s value.

How often should I check my wheel condition?

Regularly, especially before long trips or after driving on rough roads.

Conclusion

In summary, selecting the appropriate wheels for your vehicle is essential. It’s all about balancing the performance of your car with your demands. Alloy wheels provide better handling and style. Steel wheels are more affordable and durable. Consider your driving style and your driving environment. Think about the aesthetic you desire for your car as well. The proper wheels can improve your car’s appearance and handling. Take time to make your choice. Give your decision careful thought. The right wheels can completely change the way you drive. Make a decision that you will ultimately be pleased with.

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