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KALITTA, TASCA AND J. COUGHLIN TAKE PROVISIONAL NO. 1 SPOTS AT NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS

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LAS VEGAS (April 12, 2024) – Reigning world champion Doug Kalitta made the quickest Top Fuel run on Friday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, powering to the provisional No. 1 spot at the 24th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals.

Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the fourth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Kalitta went to the top position with a run of 3.779-seconds at 332.02 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster, putting the defending champ in line for his first No. 1 qualifier this season and the 54th in his career. He also looks to add to Kalitta Motorsports’ success this season, after teammate Shawn Langdon has won two of the first three races in Top Fuel, while J.R. Todd also sits in the points lead.

“That was a really nice run for us,” Kalitta said. “We just switched to that car (last week) in Phoenix, so we’re just kind of trying to figure out a new car, which is much different than what we’ve been running. The conditions are probably going to be a little warm tomorrow, so we’ll have the same opportunity tomorrow to see if we can run those numbers again, and we’re looking forward to it.

“We’ve been qualifying well, and for whatever reason we got beat early in the rounds on Sunday, so we’re definitely looking for a good long day here (on Sunday).”

Steve Torrence took the second spot thanks to his 3.800 at 332.75 and defending event winner Antron Brown is right behind with his 3.803 at 329.99.

Bob Tasca III impressed in both Funny Car sessions on Friday, making the quickest run of both sessions, including his 3.931 at 332.02 to close out the day in his 11,000-horsepower BG Products Ford Mustang. If that run holds, Tasca would earn his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and 17th in his career. Making a pair of strong runs on a warm day also meant a lot to Tasca, who is searching for his first victory of the season after a strong 2023 campaign. Tasca is also after his second 4-Wide Nationals win in Las Vegas following his victory at the track in 2021.

“This morning, I told my crew chiefs [Aaron Brooks and Todd Okuhara] that I didn’t want to be going quicker than 3.95 and do not want to break 330 mph,” Tasca said. “I wanted them to prove to me that they can go slow when the weather’s hot. In the first round, and they were everything was good, they listened to me, we ran 3.96. Everything’s beautiful.

“I told them the exact same thing, not to change anything for the second run, then Austin [Prock] goes 3.94 right in front of us. Aaron goes in the [tuning] box, he looks at me and says, ‘I’m really sorry, but we’re going to break out,’ and it left and felt good and ran a huge speed. The number that impressed me the most was the 332. It was exactly what we needed to do after two very tough races for us.”

Austin Prock, who won last weekend in Phoenix, is second with a strong run of 3.947 at 321.42, while his team owner, John Force, sits third thanks to his run of 3.962 at 313.73. Force won the Winternationals last weekend in Phoenix as well.

Things continue to round into form for Jeg Coughlin Jr., as the five-time Pro Stock world champ went to the provisional No. 1 spot with a run of 6.641 at 206.89 in his Scag Power Equipment car. It puts the veteran in line for his second straight top spot as he looks to build on his Phoenix success. Things are coming together quickly for Coughlin, who came out of retirement to run a full season in 2024, and he’s been impressed with how well his team has come together in such a short time. Coughlin has five career wins at Las Vegas but is looking for his first here in a four-wide format.

“This shows that our team is beginning to jell, from the crew chiefs to myself behind the wheel,” Coughlin said. “We’ve managed to make solid qualifying runs all season long. In Pomona, I had an unfortunate early exit and that stung a bit but we made a nice rebound in Phoenix.

“Now, here we are in Las Vegas, and I made a nice 6.64 run in Q1 and that held through Q2 after the heat set in. Tomorrow, the track should be a little better, and the weather might be better so that 6.64 might be in jeopardy. Hopefully, if that happens, it’s the SCAG-mobile that does it.”

Greg Anderson is currently qualified second thanks to his run of 6.657 at 205.38, while Jerry Tucker moved to third to close out the day with a pass of 6.670 at 206.16.

Qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

LAS VEGAS — Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 24th annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, fourth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.779 seconds, 332.02 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.800, 332.75; 3. Antron Brown, 3.803, 329.99; 4. Clay Millican, 3.820, 330.80; 5. Brittany Force, 3.820, 326.56; 6. Justin Ashley, 3.839, 320.66; 7. Jasmine Salinas, 3.848, 326.32; 8. Tony Stewart, 3.852, 323.50; 9. Shawn Reed, 3.863, 320.43; 10. Shawn Langdon, 3.954, 247.34; 11. Terry Totten, 4.092, 287.78; 12. Krista Baldwin, 4.329, 195.68; 13. Billy Torrence, 4.538, 178.24; 14. Josh Hart, 4.543, 180.19; 15. Tony Schumacher, 5.525, 121.44.

Funny Car — 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.931, 332.02; 2. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.947, 321.42; 3. John Force, Camaro, 3.962, 313.73; 4. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.993, 323.27; 5. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 4.006, 313.37; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.010, 323.12; 7. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 4.010, 318.09; 8. Steven Densham, Mustang, 4.020, 308.78; 9. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 4.035, 319.98; 10. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.049, 315.05; 11. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.052, 311.05; 12. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 4.058, 307.79; 13. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.064, 312.57; 14. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.065, 314.31; 15. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 4.086, 312.64; 16. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 4.117, 275.73. Not Qualified: 17. Terry Haddock, 4.150, 299.60; 18. Jim Campbell, 4.215, 284.27; 19. Alex Miladinovich, 4.285, 281.07; 20. Buddy Hull, 4.310, 289.32.

Pro Stock — 1. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.641, 206.89; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.657, 205.38; 3. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.660, 206.16; 4. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.672, 206.13; 5. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.672, 204.70; 6. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.676, 206.16; 7. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.679, 204.63; 8. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.682, 204.82; 9. David Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.683, 205.91; 10. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.689, 205.16; 11. Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 6.690, 205.72; 12. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.694, 205.26; 13. Sienna Wildgust, Camaro, 6.698, 204.88; 14. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.704, 203.71; 15. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.715, 205.60; 16. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.719, 204.98. Not Qualified: 17. Kenny Delco, 6.725, 203.55; 18. Steve Graham, 6.759, 203.80; 19. Aaron Stanfield, 6.783, 205.54; 20. Joey Grose, 13.051, 94.44.

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes – Cole Custer Texas Media Availability

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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR XFINITY Series
Texas Motor Speedway | Friday, April 12, 2024

Cole Custer, driver of the No. 00 Andy’s Frozen Custard Ford Mustang, met with media members Friday afternoon at Texas Motor Speedway prior to Xfinity Series practice and qualifying sessions.

COLE CUSTER, No. 00 Andy’s Frozen Custard Ford Mustang Dark Horse – JUST WALK US THROUGH THIS RACE THIS WEEK HERE, AND REALLY WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN HERE AT THE TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY. “Well, I think you can see already in truck practice, I mean, the track’s just always treacherous here. I mean, two guys already wrecked, it looks like. So, it’s just the track always starts out really edgy, and people are always on each other’s doors just because there’s only one lane really around here. So, it makes it pretty treacherous for everybody on restarts and everything just because you’re so tight racing. It’s a really hard place to get ahold of with how treacherous it is and then also trying to balance the two ends. One end’s flat, one end’s banked. So getting the car to handle how you want it is not an easy task for the crew chiefs, but I think we have a solid piece coming here, so we’re looking forward to it.”

WHERE DO YOU GRADE YOURSELF AT THIS POINT OF THE SEASON AS WE START KIND OF GETTING INTO THE MOMENTUM OF THINGS? “I would say we’re at an A or A- maybe right now. I feel like our team is doing a great job executing. I think our pit crew does a great job our guys really go over the details and make sure that everything’s right going into the weekend and we make the most of it. We’re always looking for that last little bit. We have speed, we’ve gotten poles, we’re always in the top five, it seems like, but just trying to get that last little bit to try and win is what we’re looking for. So I think we’ve been working hard, all our guys have been working hard at the shop. It’s just a matter of putting it all together. But I think we’ve tried to make our cars a little bit better coming here and hopefully that shows.”

BOB ASKED YOU OUTSIDE ABOUT THE CAUTIONS AND WHY YOU THINK THIS TRACK JUST NATURALLY PROMOTES YELLOWS? “I think in the Xfinity cars, it’s just how narrow the groove is. On restarts everybody’s door-to-door crowding each other and when you have somebody on your door in an Xfinity car it gets the guy on the bottom really loose, so everybody’s trying to manage that throughout the whole day and eventually guys just make mistakes. They just try and get in too deep on the bottom and you end up washing up into the guy next to you. So you just have to know what position you’re in if you have a position to be aggressive into the corner if you’ve got to be a little conservative, so you don’t wreck the guy outside of you.”

COLE, WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHAT LANE YOU WANT TO PICK FOR THE RESTART, DO YOU PREFER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WITH HOW CRAZY THINGS ARE WITH HOW NARROW THE GROOVE IS ON THESE STARTS? “That’s always such a toss-up every single time. I think either lane can win. It just really depends on who gets to turn one first and who has the positioning going in there. I think more so than not, the bottom usually wins in the Xfinity race. So I think the bottom is probably the place to be, but it’s always a toss-up and after the race you’re always like, ‘Man I wish I would have done that restart a little bit different or picked a different line.’ But you just try and go with the odds and that’s all you can really do.”

COLE, OBVIOUSLY IT IS THE ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD 300, YOU GOT THE NAME RAIL, YOU GOT THE NAME FOR IT TOO, AND YOU GOT THE CAR. IN TERMS OF PREPPING FOR THIS WEEKEND, WHAT OTHER FESTIVITIES OR SO ON WOULD BE ADDED TO YOUR SCHEDULE THIS WEEK UNLIKE OTHER WEEKS? “Well, we already went out to the fan zone and got to spend some time out there with the fans. They actually have a whole truck out there of frozen custard, so definitely be sure to get out there. But just meet and greets and stuff like that. This is a huge race for them and their market. They’re based in Missouri, and they’re here in Texas, and I think Phoenix and this is a big race that they want to get their product out there. So hopefully, we can do a good job and get them victory lane.

DR. PHIL NAMED HONORARY PACE CAR DRIVER FOR SUNDAY’S AUTOTRADER ECHOPARK AUTOMOTIVE 400

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  • Dr. Phil McGraw will be behind the wheel helping lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race.

FORT WORTH, Texas (APRIL 12, 2024) – Dr. Phil is making a weekend house call.

Dr. Phil McGraw is heading to Texas Motor Speedway to serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway (2:30 p.m. CT, TV: FS1, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM, Lone Star 92.5 FM locally).

The television personality and author will drive one of the Chevrolet Camaro pace cars that will help lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag for the start of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400.

Dr. McGraw, one of the most well-known and trusted health professionals, is in the midst of his 22nd season hosting daytime television’s top-rated program, Dr. Phil. The award-winning show hosted by the Dallas resident and University of North Texas graduate continues to provide the most comprehensive forum on mental health issues in the history of television.

Dr. Phil has earned 31 Emmy® nominations and has held the No. 1 spot for the last decade. Dr. McGraw himself has earned two Emmys as an executive producer, induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Dr. McGraw, who received the coveted Presidential Citation by the American Psychological Association for his significant contributions to the field in 2006, also is an award-winning author. He has penned nine No. 1 New York Times bestsellers and has been published in 39 languages with more than 50 million copies in print.

McGraw will be joined by fellow dignitaries – U.S. Army Major General Kevin D. Admiral and TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes – for Sunday’s event. Admiral is serving as the Honorary Starter and will wave the green flag while Dykes will be the Grand Marshal and provide the start command to the drivers.

Tickets are still available for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at four price points, beginning at $115. For those looking for a more premium experience, limited tickets remain for the Turn 1 Terrace ($160). For those unable to attend Sunday’s marquee event, tickets including for the Restart Bar, also are available for Friday night’s SpeedyCash.com 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 Xfinity Series race (12:30 p.m.). Weekend camping spots are still available as well.

Click here for the full weekend schedule.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR tripleheader weekend April 12-14. The race weekend begins April 12 with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250 (7:30 p.m. CT on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90), continues with the April 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 (12:30 p.m. CT on FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90) and concludes with the April 14 NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (2:30 p.m. CT on FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90 and Lone Star 92.5 – local).

Tickets are on sale now at www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

The balance of Texas Motor Speedway’s 2024 major event season includes the High Limit Sprint Car Series (April 13), Fuel Fest (April 20), the Goodguys Rod & Custom/American Flat Track/Pate Swap Meet tripleheader weekend (April 25-28), C-10 Nationals (May 10-12), LS Fest (May 18), Bandas y Trocas (May 25), Solar Car Challenge (July 11-17), SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff 2 (Sept. 14), Goodguys Rod & Custom (Sept. 27-29), American Sprint Car Series (Oct. 4-5), the High Limit Sprint Car Series inaugural season finale (Oct. 11-12) and the Gordy’s Hwy 30 Fest Texas (Oct. 17-20).

ABOUT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Texas Motor Speedway is among the largest sports and entertainment venues in the United States and features an array of amenities such as the largest single LED screen of any sports facility in North America, making it one of the premier venues in the world of sports. The 1.5-mile superspeedway located in Fort Worth hosts all three NASCAR national series among its various races and specialty events throughout the year. Texas Motor Speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, LLC, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit texasmotorspeedway.com.

TICKETS:

For ticket information about Texas Motor Speedway’s 2024 events schedule, please visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

MORE INFO:

Keep track of all of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the speedway website and TMS mobile app.

Toyota Racing – NXS Texas Quotes – Sheldon Creed – 04.12.24

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Toyota Racing – Sheldon Creed
NASCAR Xfinity Series Quotes

FORT WORTH (April 12, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Sheldon Creed was made available to the media prior to practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday.

SHELDON CREED, No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

What is it going to take for you to win the Dash 4 Cash bonus?

“Beat the other three (laughter). The car is very capable of winning, now it’s just up to Sam (McAulay, crew chief) and I to put a whole weekend together.”

What does the bonus mean for the team and crew?

“it’s great for the crew guys and stuff. For the way my deal works this year, I don’t get – I guess – winnings, so for me, it’s not like I get 100 grand if I won the thing – which would be cool, but for the guys that work on it – they are all going to get a bigger bonus this week. We are still trying to find a sponsor, so it will help get us to the next track or help us pay bills.”

What has it been like with the new team and manufacturer?

“I felt like we fired off really good the first two – Daytona and Atlanta, and then we had two or three tough weeks there. Was really fast at COTA, had issues. Richmond – just had issues off the truck, and then through the races, but last week was the most comfortable I’ve felt yet. I was really happy with that, and just how the car drove all day. Sam (McAulay, crew chief) and I learning each other – we weren’t as good as we could have been at the end of the race as we were at the beginning. We just really needed that – last week – to have a solid day, now we can build – because it’s hard to build off your bad weeks, right? Your Vegases and your Richmonds – it’s hard to take anything from that, so I felt like last week was a great place to start with that.”

Based on Las Vegas, how do you look to this weekend?

“Great question. I felt like we weren’t very good at Vegas all day, but our teammates – pretty much dominated all day and won the race. Really, we just looked at their notes. We took a little bit of what we had, and learned from Vegas, but obviously what our teammates ran was pretty fast, so we built our setup around that and that is what we are going to work with this week.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 26 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Faction46 to Celebrate Petty 75th During Darlington Throwback Weekend

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Thad Moffitt to Race STP/Bobby Hamilton Scheme

 SALISBURY, N.C. (April 12, 2024) – Faction46 will use the present to celebrate the past. The team today announced its Darlington Throwback Weekend paint scheme with an unveil of the No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado that pays tribute to Bobby Hamilton and the STP 25th Anniversary scheme that Hamilton debuted in 1996 while racing the famed No. 43 at Petty Enterprises.

Thad Moffitt, the grandson of Richard Petty and the rookie driver for Faction46, will race the No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado during the NASCAR Throwback weekend at Darlington which will begin with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on Friday, May 10.

The unveiling is part of the Petty 75th Anniversary.

“This is a really special scheme and one that I’m proud to race and represent the history and the legacy of Bobby Hamilton with my family,” said Moffitt. “After my grandfather (“The King” Richard Petty), it was Bobby who took the STP 43 back to victory lane in 1996. That was a celebration of STP’s 25 years with Petty Enterprises, and it ties in perfectly with the Petty 75th Anniversary. It is really cool that we can do this, and I want to thank everyone for allowing us to celebrate this occasion. It is going to bring back a lot of memories for a lot of NASCAR fans.”

Hamilton won twice in the No. 43 STP car for Petty Enterprises and eventually became a legend in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series where he won 10 times and a championship. Hamilton became family to the Petty’s and will now be celebrated again by Faction46.

“We are proud to carry the same colors that Bobby Hamilton raced with the Petty family and help celebrate the Petty 75th Anniversary,” said Faction46 Owner, Lane Moore. “It was Bobby who made the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series as great as it is today. We all know he was a great guy, an unbelievable driver, but he was one of the drivers who built and grew the truck series and its popularity. We are looking forward to seeing this great scheme on the track and pay tribute to Bobby and the Petty 75th Anniversary.”

Fans will also be able to get into the action as the Petty 75th Anniversary truck will be offered as Moffitt’s first diecast with the Faction46 team. Pre-orders will be available exclusively by visiting www.dailydownforce.com. In addition, fans can also visit the site to purchase an exclusive shirt, a signed hero card, and even the opportunity to have your name on the decklid of the truck during the throwback weekend.

“We really wanted to make sure that this truck could be offered as a diecast and also give fans so much more to be a part of NASCAR’s Throwback weekend,” said Moffitt. “It’s a special part of history and it’s the perfect way for Faction46 to debut its first diecast to all our fans and allows them to get a complete package of one-of-a-kind memorabilia.”

The new Faction46 team can be found online at www.faction46.com and on social media on Twitter (@TeamFaction46), Instagram (@TeamFaction46), TikTok (@TeamFaction46), and on Facebook and YouTube.

Road America Partners with Plymouth Dirt Track for Winged Sprint Car Event Before the NTT INDYCAR Series Race

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XPEL Grand Prix at Road America is Scheduled for June 9

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., April 12, 2024 – Mark your calendars for Saturday night action June 8, 2024, as the Plymouth Dirt Track, a stone’s throw away from Road America at Sheboygan County Fair Park, is set to host the adrenaline-pumping Road America Challenge. Witness the clash of titans as the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series takes center stage, setting the scene for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES XPEL Grand Prix at America’s National Park of Speed on June 9th.

Don’t wait; the time is right to dive into the action with adult tickets at an enticing $25 and children’s admissions11-6 just $5 and children five and under are FREE, available until June 3rd. Seal the deal with an advance purchase and get a complimentary pit pass. Road America Challenge advance tickets also include a scannable QR code where fans can enjoy a cool $15 off your Sunday Ticket for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES XPEL Grand Prix. Just click this link to purchase your Road America Challenge ticket: https://www.myracepass.com/series/1012/tickets/1393284

Experience the raw power of 900 horsepower winged outlaws and the agility of PDTR/MSA 360 winged sprints. The Plymouth Dirt Track pits will open at 2 p.m., gates at 4 p.m., warmups & hot laps start at 5:30 p.m., qualifying begins at 6 p.m., and racing is at 7p.m.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES amplifies the thrill on Sunday at Road America by showcasing international talent across a diverse range of tracks, where speeds soar up to 240 mph. The weekend is packed with excitement, featuring the INDY NXT Series by Firestone, USF Pro 2000, and USF 2000 series, nurturing the next generation of racing legends.

But there’s more! Revel in the nostalgia at Road America with Vintage Indy, open karting, and Super Moto at the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex. Road America ensures a family-friendly atmosphere where kids 16 and under enjoy free general admission with a paying adult. From camping on one of over 1,000 sites to races that go on, rain or shine, Road America promises an unforgettable weekend. Don’t miss out – visit www.roadamerica.com or call 800-365-7223 for more information. Join us for a celebration of speed, heritage, and community!

Certified Hustler Apparel Named Primary Partner of The #4 JD Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro at Texas Motor Speedway

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Gaffney, SC – JD Motorsports is proud to announce its partnership with Certified Hustler Apparel as the primary sponsor of the #4 Chevrolet Camaro for the upcoming race this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.

As a leader in streetwear fashion, Certified Hustler Apparel embodies the spirit of hustle, determination, and excellence – qualities that are mirrored in the adrenaline-fueled world of motorsports. This partnership marks an exciting collaboration between two entities dedicated to pushing boundaries and achieving success.

“We are really excited to be a part of JD Motorsports and the NASCAR Xfinity Series.” Said Bo, Owner of Certified Hustler Apparel.

“As a brand that celebrates the hustler mentality, we see this partnership as a natural fit. Their passion for success and dedication to quality and helping the community resonate with our team values, and we are excited to represent their brand on the track.” – Johnny Davis, Owner of JD Motorsports.

The #4 Chevrolet Camaro, piloted by Dawson Cram, will proudly showcase the Certified Hustler Apparel logo, demonstrating the shared commitment to excellence and determination. Certified Hustler donates part of every sale to B3 Against Bullying. B3 is a non profit that was started in 2017, to help Fort Worth area kids who were experiencing bullying, as well as the kid doing the bullying, to feel better about themselves.

The partnership between Certified Hustler Apparel and JD Motorsports represents a fusion of style and speed, bringing together two dynamic forces in their respective fields, while also bringing awareness to bullying in the area.

The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 is on Saturday, April 13th at 1:30pm. The race is available on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM Nascar Radio.

For more information about Certified Hustler Apparel, visit www.thecertifiedhustler.com and for more information on B3 Against Bullying visit www.facebook.com/b3againstbullying/

About Certified Hustler Apparel:

Certified Hustler Apparel is a leading streetwear brand known for its bold designs and uncompromising quality. Founded on the principles of hustle, determination, and excellence, Certified Hustler Apparel empowers individuals to chase their dreams and conquer their goals.

About JD Motorsports:

JD Motorsports is a professional motorsports team competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. First fielding cars in 1983, the team has a rich history of success in one of the premier racing series in North America. JD Motorsports is committed to excellence both on and off the track, with a focus on performance, innovation, and teamwork. To find out more please visit www.teamjdmotorsports.com

For Partnership Inquiries please visit: www.teamjdmotorsports.com/partnership-inquiries

AM Racing | Hailie Deegan Texas Motor Speedway Xfinity Preview

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AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Texas Motor Speedway | Andy’s Frozen Custard 300

Fast Facts
No. 15 AM Racing Team:
Driver: Hailie Deegan
Primary Partner(s): AirBox
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Joe Williams Jr.
Spotter: Michael Fisher
Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. X-006
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

Notes of Interest:

Sophomore Journey: After a successful rookie campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last season with driver Brett Moffitt, AM Racing will embark on its sophomore journey in 2024 with driver Hailie Deegan for the entire 33-race tour, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.

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

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

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

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

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

Giving You Piece of Air: For the sixth time in 2024, AirBox will serve as the primary marketing partner of Deegan’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.

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

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

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

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

Hailie Deegan NASCAR Xfinity Series Texas Motor Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 will mark Deegan’s Xfinity Series debut at the 1.5-mile speedway just outside Fort Worth, Texas.

Deegan, however, does own three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway from 2021 – 2023.

Her track-best result occurred during the 2023 SpeedyCash.com 250 when she steered to a sixth-place finish after starting 25th for ThorSport Racing.

Hailie Deegan NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Deegan has a career-best 13th-place finish after starting 20th for SS-GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in October 2022.

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

AM Minute: While the ARCA Menards Series was enjoying another spring off-weekend, the AM Racing Dirt Division was back in action with drivers Christian Rose and Austin Wayne Self at Farmer City Raceway.

The ARCA Menards Series resumes action next weekend at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Saturday, April 20.

Thanks For Your Support: With 21 percent of the 2024 Xfinity Series season complete, AM Racing and Hailie Deegan would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AirBox, Flying Circle, Klutch Vodka, Mechanix Wear, Monster Energy Drink, Mobil 1, Viva Tequila Seltzer and WIX Filters.

Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | DUDE WIPES 250 Race Recap: The seventh race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season kicked off in Martinsville, Virginia on Saturday, April 6.

Flying the AirBox colors for the second consecutive weekend, Deegan continued to progress from practice to qualifying and made the 250-lap race on speed with her 28th-place qualifying result.

Moving forward from the drop of the green flag, Deegan would be heading toward the top 20 when she was spun by another competitor and suffered heavy front-end damage to her race car.

After repairs from her AM Racing team allowed her to continue in the race, Deegan would later return to the lead lap, begin an impressive climb through the remaining 100 laps of the race, and avoid the late race chaos to earn a respectable 18th-place finish at the checkered flag.

The effort was Deegan’s second top-20 finish of the 2024 Xfinity Series season and her best on a short track for AM Racing this season.

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

He will be crew chief for Saturday’s 139th NASCAR Xfinity Series race, his eighth at Texas Motor Speedway.

In his previous 138 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one win (Auto Club Speedway | February 2022), eight top-five and 30 top-10 finishes.

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

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

Hailie Deegan Quoteboard:

On Texas Motor Speedway: “After some much-needed good luck at Martinsville Speedway last Saturday night, I’m optimistic about heading to Texas Motor Speedway with my AM Racing team.

“The last time I raced there, I had a strong top-10 finish and I’d like nothing more than to take the little momentum we have and leave Texas Motor Speedway with another top-15 finish or better with our No. 15 AirBox Ford Mustang.

“We are working hard to climb out of the hole we’ve been in since Daytona.”

Race Information:

The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 (200 laps | 300 miles) is the eighth of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., April 12, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Sat., April 13, 2024, shortly after 12:30 p.m., with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

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.

How Can I Find The Best Car Insurance Rates In Virginia?

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SM
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Photo by ixography on Unsplash

Finding applicable car insurance rates can be challenging. Not all insurers are interested in meeting their clients’ expectations. Some only seek to fulfill legal requirements that give their clients the bare minimum in coverage.

Likewise, even those with the benefits and coverages you’d expect may not be cost-effective. Finding an insurance rate that falls under a helpful policy and protection plan without breaking the bank requires that you research your options. Even then, you want to compare the quotes you receive to determine the best of what’s available. 

We’ve compiled a list of steps to help you find the best car insurance rates in Virginia. Review the following suggestions and start working towards aligning with a rate that’ll work for you. For more information on how to find the best rates for car insurance VA, read on. 

Compare car insurance via rates to find the lowest options.

There are many commercials boasting the best auto insurance rates, but these claims do not necessarily reflect reality. 

  • No one company offers the cheapest options. Insurance that is affordable for one person in one location could be the most expensive choice for someone living elsewhere. 
  • The only way to determine whether you’re finding the best possible rates is to compare your options. 
  • By looking at the insurance rates you’re given for car insurance VA, you can see which offers the lowest rates and go from there. 

Don’t overlook local insurers for big-scale providers.

A handful of national auto insurance companies control over half of the business. Although these companies are well-known, they do not always offer better rates; therefore, you should consider regional insurance providers with high customer satisfaction reports in your area. These smaller companies may have lower rates for car insurance VA, which may work better for you than alternative insurers. 

Improve your credit before shopping for quotes. 

Your insurance credit score will influence the insurance quotes you receive. You can act to improve the quotes you receive by taking time to improve your credit history first. Start paying your credit card bills, loans, etc., and reduce your debt. With these changes in effect, you should find more accommodating options in rates for car insurance.

Look for applicable discounts.

Car insurance providers may offer car insurance discounts that you can use to reduce your rate if you meet the following qualifications:

  • You’ll bundle car insurance with homeowner insurance or similar policies.
  • You’ll hold more than one car under the policy. 
  • You’ll pay a large sum of your premium at one time (the total or your six-month.)
  • You have a vehicle with specific safety features.
  • You have a clean driving history.

Work your way to the best possible rates.  

To find the best rates in car insurance, shop around and compare your quotes and discounts. Do your part to search for local insurers and build your credit to improve the rates you receive. Follow the steps above and work your way to finding the best car insurance rates in Virginia. 

From the Race Track to the Betting Slip: NASCAR’s Acceleration into Sports Betting

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SM
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Photo Credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cars-on-the-track-at-a-nascar-race-17194345/

The 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision was a pivotal moment in sports betting, granting individual states the power to regulate it. For NASCAR, the legal shift became a fruitful chance to enlarge the number of its fans, a strategy that is showing positive results.

Joe Solosky, the NASCAR Director of Sports Betting has noted a stunning rapid increase in wagering engagement around NASCAR events. Apparently, the growth of sports betting has surpassed other sports by far.

Notable statistics on this trend show a 73% increase in bets on the Daytona 500 during the recent half-year, and a substantial 51.5% rise in total wagers on NASCAR in 2022 compared to 2021. They also show a 4% bump in NASCAR television viewership and an 11% growth in fans attending races.

Solosky connects this betting growth to a public understanding and acknowledgment of the sport by the general public. While betting action is centered on the Cup championship during these events, athletes of the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck series also tend to noticeably generate interest among bettors. Data from the bets on last month’s Speedweeks reveal that the Daytona 500 was the most popular of the three races. Bets placed on it represent almost 85% of all bets whereas the Xfinity Series got around 10%, and the Craftsman Truck Series race only got 5%.

NASCAR, A Low Volume Bet Sport

Solosky holds the view that given its status as a very low-volume bet sport, the NASCAR betting industry is supposed to have a growth momentum that outruns that of other sports. Providing context, Solosky opined that about 42% of the US wagers are on football and any possibility of the sport having a 20% increment is huge.

NASCAR enjoyed its largest exploitation of the betting market and was near the top, just before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. He described a transition from an uncontested market globally to a strong player position after the legalization of sports betting. In contrast with other seasoned leagues that have established betting culture, NASCAR started from level zero with Betting in 2018.

NASCAR’s negative view of gambling during the 1960s was best highlighted in the monumental effort to prohibit organized betting by its founder Bill France Sr. This is in stunning contrast to the environment of post-2018 when the Supreme Court lifted the ban and legalized sports gambling. This targeted turn came as a breath of fresh air to NASCAR and allowed for a wider betting audience to comfortably start betting on their favorite racing teams, thus marking a transition from a seek-first-withdraw stance.

NASCAR’s Popularity

With NASCAR being one of the most popular Motorsports in the United States, it’s always fun to watch because there’s always something exciting happening at every turn. Whether at the prestigious Daytona International Motor Speedway, Talladega, or even the road course at Watkins Glen, you never know what might happen during the race itself. If you enjoy watching these races, you can even start placing bets on who could win the race or who might also be one of the most improved drivers moving up the ranks throughout the race. Either way, be sure to visit this page before you start betting on NASCAR.

From the beginning of the season, starting with the legendary Daytona 500 to the chase for the cup, you’ll never know who might come out on top as the champion for the season. You could bet on favorites such as Chase Elliott or Denny Hamlin. There may also be rising stars you could be watching to the point where you might bet on them to have a strong performance.  Anything can happen on one of four turns in a NASCAR race, with potential betting opportunities such as outright winner, podium finishes, group betting, head-to-head bets and more. You can look at prop betting where you can bet on certain events occurring, such as how many crashes or caution flags there will be during the race. 

With 36 races every season, each one is an opportunity to bet on who might win. Or bet on your favorite driver. You’ll have plenty of races to watch and chances to place a bet with the potential of winning if you get the prediction correct. NASCAR and auto racing can be exciting sports to watch, especially when the stakes are high for the top prize in the sport.

Today, Each State Regulates Gambling

Each state has its own way of regulating sports betting, as shown in an example provided by Sosolosky where Native American tribes are allowed to play sports betting only within their casinos. However, states such as Tennessee only allow bets through online gambling platforms, which are legally regulated by the government with all sportsbooks paying fees for licensing. They are also required to become certified by certain technological standards.

Due to national regulatory disparities, some states cap the number of allowed sportsbooks, whereas others, such as in Tennessee, do not impose such limits. For online sports bettors to participate in their platform, they must supply their personal details such as social security numbers and passport photos. With the legislature of the states always looking at possible revisions for gambling laws, the present legal framework has 23 states and the District of Columbia endorsing online betting, while 5 states have confined gambling to in-person sports betting and 4 states are waiting for new laws to be passed.

NASCAR managed to cross a milestone in September 2020 by hedging into sports gambling through a leading collaboration with the American Gaming Association. NASCAR made agreements this year with major players in the industry including BetMGM, WynnBET, and Penn Entertainment. As opposed to getting the percentage returns from wagers directly, NASCAR follows the pattern of putting forth collaborative work in partnership with data providers. The same model is utilized by major leagues such as NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL where the league provides data to affiliated sportsbooks which is a strategy adopted by these sports leagues.

Sportsbooks Sponsorship Relationship

In particular, Solosky puts an emphasis on the interdependence relations between sportsbooks and sports leagues. These relationships usually revolve around a rather narrow strategy of focusing on marketing and sponsorship agreements, that often take place during the process of annual negotiations.

In establishing this type of arrangement, bookmakers are obligated to pay licenses to NASCAR as return for the right to work with the NASCAR domain, including banners and logos in the racing areas, website promotions, and social media collaborations, which eventually enable the sponsor to display the sportsbook logo.

Such a “mutually beneficial” agreement means the sportsbook will get the NASCAR stamp of approval and in turn the NASCAR will put the logo of the sportsbook on racers’ suits. At the end of every month, NASCAR gets detailed reports from all the hosting sportsbook partners containing all the info about betting activity concerning any event.

NASCAR chooses exclusive fixed odds in order to avoid offering interactive betting systems like parimutuel which depicts the physical in-person betting facilities for racing tracks that are familiar in the context of horse racing. Instead of mobbing betting kiosks on NASCAR circuits, fans can simply place their bets using their mobile devices from anywhere within permitted locations and enable wagering to conclude as the green flag signals the beginning of the race.

NASCAR betting has seen its landscape change to concentrating predominantly on predicting the race winners while in parallel fast growth of betting the top finishers and others is still emerging. Wagers like car numbers, laps led or even a gifted bet like Trifecta or Quinella are found only in select sportsbooks.

In order to maintain the integrity of the sport over and above the widening range of legalized sports gambling, NASCAR cautions its participants to avoid getting involved in the activity as prescribed through stringent policies that are contained in its rule book. These are aimed at eradicating gambling-related issues among the participants and the resultant penalties that may range from fines to losing memberships.

Solosky’s offensive approach consists of educating drivers and team members on responsible gambling manners through seminars, and emphasizing that participating in NASCAR gambling activities may damage the company’s name.

In the period of time that comes before events, Sportradar Integrity Services, along with other entities, assume responsibility for displaying the principles of non-supporter engagement to NASCAR workers in an irrefutable manner and emphasize that none of them should take part in any activities that could be linked to a race. As a preventive measure, all NASCAR members including pit crew members and the team’s associates, are required to undergo online training to cover NASCAR betting policy that determines how the broad base of members should respond accordingly.

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