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Miner Racing: Josh Berry Texas Advance

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Official Release
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JOSH BERRY
Texas Advance
No. 4 Miner Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (Round 9 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 14
● Location: Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 267 laps / 400.5 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 85 laps / Final Stage: 102 laps
● TV/Radio: FS1 / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Josh Berry will take on the 1.5-mile oval at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth for the first time in the NASCAR Cup Series ranks during Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. The 33-year-old rookie has enjoyed success on other intermediate tracks, scoring three of his five NASCAR Xfinity Series victories on 1.5- mile ovals, twice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (fall 2021 and 2022 races) and once at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway (spring 2022), all under the JR Motorsports banner. He led a combined 192 of 602 possible race laps in those three victories.

● Berry showed speed at his second consecutive short-track race last Sunday at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, where the driver of the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing started seventh and finished ninth and 10th, respectively, in the opening two stages. A loose tire penalty during a green-flag pit stop in the final stage forced Berry to serve a drive-through penalty, relegating him to the tail of the field and left him with a disappointing 25th-place result. However, the valuable stage points he earned in the first two stages helped Berry maintain his lead over his three fellow Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders.

● Crew chief Rodney Childers climbs atop the pit box for the 33rd time in the Cup Series at Texas and brings a wealth of notes on the 1.5-mile layout. Childers’ drivers have amassed four pole positions, three Cup Series wins, 11 top-five finishes, 16 top-10s, an average start of 13.3 and an average finish of 14.3 at Texas. The most recent win for Childers came in November 2019, when former No. 4 driver Kevin Harvick won the pole position, the first stage, and led 119 of the 334 laps.

● On Tuesday, Berry and Childers unveiled the No. 4 throwback scheme for this year’s May 12 race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway at the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion. The No. 4 will don the silver, red, and black colors of Childers’ No. 54 Late Model car he ran in 1998. During that season, Childers won the inaugural Fall Brawl at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Partner Harrison’s, the family-owned clothing and footwear chain based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, ditched it’s brand colors to embrace the true nature of the throwback weekend and will feature two grassroots tracks – Greensville-Pickens Speedway in Easley, South Carolina, and Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds Speedway in Spartanburg – along with several South Carolina-native Cup Series Hall of Fame drivers, including Ned Jarrett, Fireball Roberts and Lee Petty. Click here to see the social graphic posted by Stewart-Haas Racing.

● The No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will host a new partner this weekend, sporting the vibrant red, black and silver colors of MINER. MINER is North America’s industry-leading facility expert. Whether you have equipment down today or want to maximize uptime tomorrow, trust MINER to install, repair, and maintain your warehouse dock doors and levelers, commercial sectional overhead doors, HVLS fans, and related facility accessories. Through both proactive maintenance strategies and emergency responses, MINER maintains every important piece of logistics equipment in your facility. Its nationwide service coverage, ability to self-perform and strong affiliate network mean you’re never far from same-day or next-day service, solutions for every application, technical expertise, and safer, higher uptime equipment. Learn more at minercorp.com.

Josh Berry, Driver of the No. 4 Miner Ford Mustang Dark Horse

You’ve had a mixed bag of results at Texas Motor Speedway in the Xfinity Series, and now you’re heading there for the first time in the Cup Series. What translates and what doesn’t?

“Texas (Motor Speedway) is a high-grip track and really fast. Each corner is significantly different and takes a slightly different approach, which makes it challenging. But all of the skills from Xfinity I think will translate. Ultimately, my results from Xfinity don’t matter in my mind because I am with a new team, a new car, a new manufacturer, so it’s almost a clean slate, but I am excited for the opportunity to go with Stewart-Haas Racing. It’s obviously our second race on the intermediates but, on the team side, we know that’s where we need to improve the most. It’s a great opportunity to learn and keep improving before we get into the summer months.”

Rodney Childers has a deep wealth of knowledge about the track and has had drivers show speed at Texas. What does he help you with in your preparation that is specific to Texas?

“It depends on the track. I think, for Texas, it will take a little bit of a different approach than what a short track or a road course would. He gave me the freedom over the past few weeks when we were going to the short tacks to take the lead on preparing for the races. Texas is going to take more of a specific regimen to prepare, just knowing my background, but as long as we stay focused and continue to do the best we can, I think we can have a solid day at Texas.”

The intermediate package has been a focus for Ford heading into this season. Talk about how Ford has helped Stewart-Haas Racing prepare differently than years prior.

“The new Ford Mustang Dark Horse is going to be new and going to be evolving and getting better throughout the season. The car has definitely improved from last year and it will just take time to continue to learn the intricacies of the new package and get the car where we need it to be, but I feel like we have a great jumping off point.”

The No. 4 team has sung your praises about how well you prepare for a race weekend. Talk about your week and what you do day-to-day to get ready for each weekend?

“Typically, on Monday, I try to take a little bit of time off and just reset for the next week, but I will review the race a little bit from the day before while it is still fresh in my mind – whether that is film or our data. Tuesday is usually filled with team meetings to get the No. 4 group together and review the previous race, preview the next race, and just make sure we are all rowing in the same direction. Wednesday is usually a simulator day and more preparation work that I will do to tie up any loose ends before we get ready to travel. It is a busy week, but it ensures the No. 4 team and Stewart-Haas as a company are ready for Sundays.”

No. 4 Miner Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Josh Berry

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith

Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Dax Gerringer

Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Billy Kuebler

Hometown: Saline, Michigan

Spotter: Eddie D’Hondt

Hometown: Levittown, New York

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Mason Flynt

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Jack Man: Brandon Banks

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal

Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Tyler Trosper

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Mechanic: Chris Capaldi

Hometown: Armada, Michigan

Tire Specialist: Zac Lupien

Hometown: Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Jake Zierhoffer

Hometown: Billerica, Massachusetts

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell

Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

Spire Motorsports SpeedyCash.com 250 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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  • The SpeedyCash.com 250 will mark the first time Spire Motorsports will field a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) entry at Texas Motor Speedway (LVMS). Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NCTS. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets in the No. 77.
  • The SpeedyCash.com 250 will be televised live on FS1 Friday April 12, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The seventh of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Kyle Busch – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Kyle Busch will be making his fourth of five NCTS starts for Spire Motorsports in Friday’s SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.
  • The 38-year-old driver has made 70 starts at Texas Motor Speedway across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series. In 33 races in NCS competition, Busch has logged four wins, 14 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. His resume includes 10 NXS wins in 23 starts, 17 top fives and 18 top 10s. In 14 NCTS races at the venerable Fort Worth, Texas oval, Busch has compiled five wins and 10 top-four finishes. He’s won the last three times he has raced a truck at Texas (2014, 2019 and 2020).
  • In three NCTS starts for Spire Motorsports, Busch has one win (2/24 – Atlanta), led 151 laps and collected two top-five finishes. In his most recent event, he finished second at Bristol Motor Speedway. His fifth and final Truck Series race this season will be May 11 at Darlington Raceway.
  • Realtree is the world’s leading camouflage designer and provides innovative products and experiences for hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts. With a commitment to quality, authenticity, and unparalleled customer service, Realtree continues to shape the outdoor industry with its iconic designs and industry-leading partnerships.
  • Realtree is an Official Partner of Turkey’s for Tomorrow – a non-profit group dedicated to wild turkey conservation, formed by veteran turkey hunters who were concerned about the future of the wild turkey and the turkey hunting tradition.
  • In addition to being the winningest driver in Truck Series history with 65 wins, Busch also leads the series all-time with an average finish of 6.4 and ranks second in laps led (7,938).
  • ‘Rowdy’ has won 37.6 percent (65/173) of the Truck Series races he has entered and finished first or second in 57.6 percent (99/172). Over his last 34 Truck Series starts he has posted an average finish of 3.3, while registering 17 wins and 20 runner-up finishes.
  • With his win at Atlanta, he extended his series-best streak of winning at least one race to 12 consecutive NCTS seasons (2013-2024).
  • After six races, the No. 7 team ranks fifth in the 2024 NCTS owner point standings. The No. 7 team has complied an average starting position of 5.3 and an average finish of 8.3 while leading 156 laps this season. Busch led a race-high 33 laps en route to the team’s victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Most recently, Sammy Smith raced the No. 7 Silverado to an eighth-place finish at Martinsville Speedway.

Kyle Busch Quotes
How cool is it for you to be carrying Realtree’s iconic camouflage design?
“Realtree has partnered with some of the most iconic names in NASCAR over a very proud history in the sport, so I’m honored that Bill and Tyler Jordan have chosen me to be the latest driver to carry Realtree’s iconic camouflage design on the race track. We’ll head to Texas hunting another Truck Series victory with our No. 7 Silverado and, at the same time, we’ll raise awareness for Turkey’s for Tomorrow with a really cool paint scheme guaranteed to stand out on the track.”
Do you enjoy racing in the Truck Series at Texas?
“The fast mile-and-a-half tracks like Texas, Charlotte and Las Vegas are ones that I’ve really enjoyed racing in the Truck Series, and I’ve had a lot of success at, so I’m looking forward to Friday night. When we were putting together my five-race schedule this offseason, it was definitely high on my list of races that I wanted to do and I’m glad that it worked out and we were able to get Realtree to come onboard for it. If you look back at last year’s race, Nick (Sanchez) dominated the race and Chase (Purdy) and Jack (Wood), had a lot of speed as well, so I think that we should have a really fast Realtree Silverado Friday night. Texas has one of the coolest Victory Lane celebrations on the circuit and that camouflage and neon green scheme would look really good parked in there.”

Rajah Caruth – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Rajah Caruth will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado in Friday night’s SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.
  • Caruth started 16th and finished seventh last week in the Long John Silver’s 200 at Martinsville Speedway.
  • HENDRICKCARS.COM is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop thousands of new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protections programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
  • Caruth started 15th and finished 19th in last season’s annual NCTS stop to the Fort Worth oval.
  • With his first career NCTS win and pole position earlier this season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Caruth became the third African American driver, alongside NASCAR Hall of Famer, Wendell Scott and current NASCAR Cup Series regular Bubba Wallace, to win a NASCAR National Touring Series race.
  • Caruth is currently seventh in the NCTS championship point standings after six races. He has logged one pole, one win, five top-10’s and six top-15 finishes. He’s recorded a 11.0 average start, a 7.0 average finish and completed 100 percent of the laps contested this season.
  • Caruth started racing professionally online for the first time in the eNASCAR Ignite Series. He finished 20th in points. Caruth still races with iRacing for recreation.
  • Rajah Caruth Quotes

How are you feeling about Texas this week?
“I feel similar to how I did going into Vegas. I know that tracks like these are not only a strength for our program but also myself in terms of my driving style with the higher speed on mile-and-a-half race tracks. I’ve only been to Texas once though, whereas Vegas I’d been to four or five times before, but I do feel pretty dang good going into the race this weekend.”
What is it about mile-and-a-half tracks that make them your favorite?
“They just come more natural to me. The short tracks have been something I’ve had to work towards just because I don’t think I’m as good as I need to be, yet. Whereas, mile-and-a-half tracks, I feel like I’m further along in my progression. So, for my driving style and kind of track I enjoy, it is more of my bread and butter at the moment.”

Chase Purdy – Driver, No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Chase Purdy will Pilot Spire Motorsports’ No.77 Bama Buggies Chevrolet Silverado in Friday night’s SpeedyCash.com 250.
  • In four NCTS starts at Texas Motor Speedway, Purdy has earned a 22.3 average start and a 13th-place average finish. He has logged 618 of 620 laps contested over all four races.
  • Last season, Purdy started 14th and finished a career-best runner up in the SpeedyCash.com 250.
  • Last Friday at Martinsville Speedway, Purdy started 11th and finished with a season-best third-place finish. Purdy jumped from 20th to 16th in the NCTS championship point standings.
  • The SpeedyCash.com 250 will mark Purdy’s 82nd career NCTS start and seventh behind the wheel of Spire Motorsports’ No.77 Bama Buggies Chevy Silverado.
  • Purdy’s crew chief Jason Trinchere has five starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at TMS with Kaulig Racing. In Trinchere’s five starts, he has called three top 10s, including back-to-back sixth-place finishes in 2021 with A.J. Allmendinger.

Chase Purdy Quotes
How do you run well at Texas?
“Honestly, the better you can qualify, the better you are. It’s a very aero dependent track and depending on whether they put any track compound down, it can really make or break your day. I think just making sure you have a good qualifying lap, don’t make any mistakes or beat yourself on pit road. You need to maximize as much as you can on the restart and you should be pretty good.”
How much confidence does last week’s run at Martinsville give you?
“Certainly, running well will give you confidence to run well anywhere, but we’re going to try and take that momentum that we had in Martinsville and bring it into Texas. We’re happy with finishing up front but the job’s still not done. We want to win races and lock ourselves in the playoffs so that’s what we’re focused on. Hopefully, everything goes according to plan.”
What can you take from last year’s great day at Texas and apply it to this one?
“That’s a good track for me, and I think after watching film, there’s already a bunch of things that I would do differently to help us run better and be better, myself. I just think that minimizing mistakes and learning from what I did wrong last year can make all the difference.”

From the Top of the Box

Brian Pattie – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado

  • Brian Pattie earned two NCTS victories last year, both with Kyle Busch. The duo started off the 2024 campaign with a victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
  • In addition to his three NCTS triumphs with Busch, he also won with Ron Fellows at Watkins Glen International in 1999.
  • Pattie was atop the pit box for six wins across 14 seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series and has 11 career victories as a crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
  • In last year’s NCTS race at Texas, Pattie guided Jack Wood to a starting spot on the outside pole and a ninth-place finish.

Chad Walter – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado

  • Chad Walter has over two decades of experience and began his career with Hendrick Motorsports in 1996.
  • Walter guided Caruth to his first NCTS win March 1, 2024 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
  • Some of his most notable accomplishments include a pair of Daytona 500 victories (2001 & 2003) with Michael Waltrip, along with Cup Series wins with Steve Park and Terry Labonte.

Jason Trinchere – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado

  • Jason Trinchere earned his Bachelor of Science from Penn State University and began his professional career in 2005 as the race engineer for the iconic No. 75 Spears Manufacturing NCTS team, owned by series’ pioneers Wayne and Connie Spears.
  • Notable accomplishments include Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 wins with both Ganassi Racing and Penske Racing. He was a key member of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Championship team with driver Joey Logano.

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

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on March 1, 2024, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

U.S. ARMY MAJOR GENERAL KEVIN D. ADMIRAL NAMED HONORARY STARTER FOR SUNDAY’S AUTOTRADER ECHOPARK AUTOMOTIVE 400

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Official Release
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U.S. Army Major General Kevin D. Admiral will wave the green flag as the Honorary Starter for Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo credit: U.S. Army.
  • The highly decorated military officer will wave the green flag to start the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race.
  • Texas Christian University football coach Sonny Dykes serving as Grand Marshal and will provide the start command to the drivers.
  • Retiring PRN President and lead anchor Doug Rice to introduce the top-10 Cup Series drivers during pre-race activities.

FORT WORTH, Texas (APRIL 10, 2024) – U.S. Army Major General Kevin D. Admiral will serve as the Honorary Starter for Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Admiral will have the honor of waving the green flag from the starter stand for the NASCAR Cup Series field competing in the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (2:30 p.m. CT, TV: FS1, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM, Lone Star 92.5 FM locally).

Admiral is a highly decorated officer who served three commands in combat: 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry (SBCT), 3d Cavalry Regiment (SBCT) and Task Force Southeast in Afghanistan. His military honors and achievements include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards including C Device), Bronze Star Medal (four awards), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (seven awards), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (four awards), Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and Army Staff Identification Badge.

He returned Central Texas at Fort Cavazos in Killeen following two years serving as the HQDA G-3/5/7 Director of Force Management.

The lineup of dignitaries will have a very distinctive military theme that includes 98-year-old U.S. Marine veteran and Iwo Jima survivor Don Graves singing “God Bless America,” the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team delivering the American flag and the presentation of colors by the 1CD Honor Guard from Fort Cavazos. The U.S. Air Force will be represented during the flyover with an E-3 Sentry from the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

Joining Admiral in a prominent dignitary role will be Texas Christian University football coach Sonny Dykes. Dykes will serve as the Grand Marshal and provide the command to the NASCAR Cup Series drivers to start their engines.

Dykes, who recently completed his second season with the Horned Frogs, led TCU to a College Football Playoff National Championship runner-up finish in 2022. TCU became the first team from the state of Texas to make the CFP and first from the Big 12 Conference to advance to the CFP National Championship. Dykes also became the first coach in TCU and Big 12 history to start the season 12-0 in his first season with the team en route to earning 10 National Coach of the Year awards in 2022.

Texas Motor Speedway also will honor Performance Racing Network President and lead anchor Doug Rice, who is set to retire at the close of the 2024 season and culminate a distinguished 36-year career in NASCAR broadcasting. Rice, a three-time National Motorsports Press Association Broadcaster of the Year, will introduce the top-10 drivers during the pre-race activities for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400.

Dignitaries list for Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400:

  • Grand Marshal: Texas Christian University football coach Sonny Dykes.
  • Honorary Starter: U.S. Army Major General Kevin D. Admiral.
  • Top-10 Driver Introductions: Performance Racing Network President and lead anchor Doug Rice.
  • National Anthem: Texas Boys Choir.
  • God Bless America: Don Graves, a 98-year-old U.S. Marine veteran and Iwo Jima survivor.
  • Arrival of American Flag: U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team.
  • Color Guard: 1CD Honor Guard, Fort Cavazos.
  • Invocation: Joe Gibbs Racing owner and founder Joe Gibbs.
  • Flyover: E-3 Sentry from the 552 Air Control Wing, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

Dignitaries list for Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 Xfinity Series race:

  • Grand Marshal: Andy’s Frozen Custard Chief Executive Officer Andy Kuntz.
  • Honorary Starter: Andy’s Frozen Custard franchisee Chris Plumpe.
  • National Anthem: MU3 Bernadette Rocks, U.S. Navy Band Southeast.
  • Color Guard: 1CD Honor Guard, Fort Cavazos
  • Invocation: Bret Sisler of TXARM.
  • Flyover: Three AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Carson, Colo.

Dignitaries list for Friday’s SpeedyCash.com 250 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race:

  • Grand Marshal: SpeedyCash Regional Vice President of Operations Eric Kirk.
  • Honorary Starter: SpeedyCash Chief Financial Officer Julie Torkelson.
  • Trophy Presenter: SpeedyCash President Bill Baker.
  • National Anthem: Worship singer Paige Johnsey.
  • Color Guard: 1CD Honor Guard, Fort Cavazos.
  • Invocation: Bret Shisler of TXARM.
  • Flyover: Three AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Carson, Colo.

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.

Vixen Cycle and LTK Rolling Down to the Deep NOLA Trans Am

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Official Release
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Avondale, LOUISIANA – April 10, 2024 – The Damon Racing team and the beautiful new Vixen Cycle LTK Mustang are poised to make an entry for Round 3 of the 2024 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Championships at NOLA Motorsports Park. Tom Sheehan and the Mike Cope stable, alongside a fierce line-up of TA2 competitors, will seek out a top performance at the SpeedTour event taking place April 11 – 14.

The official practice session for the weekend is slated for Saturday, April 13 at 9:50 AM. Qualifications for the two TA2 groups will take place in the afternoon following practice at 3:55 PM.

The No. 97 Vixen Cycle LTK Mustang prepped by Mike Cope will grid up for Round 3 on Sunday, April 14 at 12:05 PM. The CUBE 3 Architecture race will feature 37 laps or 75-minutes of heart pounding racing.

You can watch the race live on MAVTV or online by visiting the Trans Am YouTube channel for the full race broadcast on the live stream. Check your local listing for MAVTV details and information.

NOLA Motorsports Park is an FIA Grade 2 facility built in 2009 with the Trans Am Series first visiting the course in 2015. It’s an asphalt surface consisting of 2.67 miles and 14 turns located just southwest of downtown New Orleans.

Get tickets and join the fun down in New Orleans this weekend by going here: https://speedtour.net/st/?lib=product&pid=904&cat=16

Follow Tom’s social media channels via his Facebook page, Damon Racing, Instagram account (@TomSheehanTA97), and X account (@TomTA2_97). For more information on LTK Insulation Technologies and the line of high-quality products go to: https://ltkinsulationtechnologies.com.

About Vixen Cycle Co.

Founded by women with a passion for motorcycles, Vixen Cycle Co is a trailblazing brand that not only caters to female riders but also empowers and equips them with a unique blend of stylish clothing and motorcycle parts. Our clothing line is a testament to meticulous design, offering a wide range of trendy and functional apparel that allows women to embrace their love for motorcycles without compromising on style. From sleek and stylish designs to powerful and efficient motorcycle parts, Vixen Cycle Co is committed to enhancing both the look and performance of Harley Davidson motorcycles.

About LTK Insulation Technologies

Putting LTK insulation jackets and covers to work on your project saves real money and time for your firm.

No matter the application, take charge of protecting your hydronic and process controls and valves with a quality insulation cover. With LTK Insulation Technologies, you can be proactive and save money and headaches with high quality material. Insulating in-line controls in your process facility or central hydronic HVAC system from heat loss and condensation. Cover the range of your challenging conditions with an LTK Pro-Fit or LTK Fast Fit Insulation Jacket.

With LTK Insulation Technologies, your imagination is the only limit. Go LTK today!

For more information on LTK Insulation Technologies please visit the website online: https://ltkinsulationtechnologies.com/

Layne Riggs and the No. 38 Infinity Communications Ford F-150

By
Official Release
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Texas Motor Speedway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 10, 2024) – Layne Riggs returns to the Lone Star State for a 250-mile race at the Texas Motor Speedway.

This will be Riggs’ second ever start at TMS, his first coming with Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he started 38th and finished 19th-place.

Infinity Communications Group is back on the No. 38 for the second-consecutive week after being the primary sponsor for last weekend’s event in Martinsville, where Riggs earned a 15th place finish.

It’s a one day show for Riggs and the 38 team. Track activity will begin on Friday, April 12th with practice and qualifying at 4:00 p.m. ET. The 250-mile event will take place Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted live on FS1. Fans can also listen in on the action from Sirius XM and the Motor Racing Network.

No. 38 Infinity Communications Ford F-150:

DRIVER LAYNE RIGGS:

“I feel like our luck is about to turn around. We made some mistakes in Martinsville that kept us out of the top-5, but that’s in the past, we brought home our Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150 in one piece. I’m confident in going to Texas this weekend, it’s one of the few half-miles I have experience at, and I know Dylan (Cappello) and the team will bring me a fast truck.”

CREW CHIEF DYLAN CAPPELLO:

“Martinsville definitely feels like a missed opportunity, but we came out of there with a solid 15th-place finish. Texas is a track that Layne (Riggs) has some experience at, it just comes down to showing up and executing, as well as minimizing mistakes.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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Official Release
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Texas Motor Speedway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 10, 2024) – Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 team return to the great state of Texas for 400-miles at the Texas Motor Speedway.

This will only be Gilliland’s third Cup Series start at TMS, but not without experience. He does have 3 top-10s and a pole in seven CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts.

Track activity will begin with practice and qualifying on Saturday, April 13th at 10:30 a.m. ET. The AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway will take place Sunday, April 14th at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised live on FS1. Fans can also listen in on the action live from Sirius XM and the Performance Racing Network.

No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“I don’t have a lot of Cup experience at Texas, but I have some experience in the trucks there. We know that it’s been tough to pass on. I think eventually throughout the day the track takes some rubber and it gets better, but we need to really think about strategy. Martinsville gave us some much needed momentum, we just need to build off of it and bring a fast race car that I can execute with. I’m looking forward to a solid weekend.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“Yeah, like Todd said, Martinsville left him and the team in a good spot to build off of. I think we have a good chance of bringing home another top-15 or even a top-10, we just have to give Todd (Gilliland) a race car he can execute with.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Burton, Freightliner Team Hoping To Turn Their Season Around At Texas

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Official Release
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As Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Freightliner team head into this weekend’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, the team’s focus is on digging their way out of an early season slump.

After eight races, the biggest highlight has been an 11th-place finish in the second race of the season, at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Poor finishes put Burton and the team at a disadvantage in upcoming races because the metrics NASCAR uses to determine the qualifying order are based on recent performances.

That means starting the race weekend as one of the first to qualify, which usually means less-than-ideal track conditions relative to the rest of the field. Struggles in qualifying then put the team behind from the start of the race and working from a less-desirable pit stall.

“There’s no getting around the fact that we aren’t where we want to be, and it’s a vicious cycle,” crew chief Jeremy Bullins explained. “Going out early in qualifying has been terrible for us, and track position is such a huge deal, probably more than ever.”

But Bullins remains hopeful that the Freightliner team can work its way out of the slump and begin accumulating points.

“One good week can help us get the whole thing turned around, so we will keep fighting until we get there,” he said.

The next chance to do that begins with practice at Texas on Saturday at 9:35 a.m. Central Time (10:35 Eastern) to be followed by qualifying at 10:20 (11:20 Eastern).

Sunday’s 267-lap, 400-mile race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 2:30 p.m. (3:30 Eastern). Stage breaks are planned for Laps 80 and 165.

FOX Sports 1 will carry the TV coverage both days.

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 WoodBrothers 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.

Spire Motorsports Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Race Advance

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Official Release
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  • In 10 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) races at Texas Motor Speedway, Spire Motorsports has led three laps, logged one top-15 and three top-20 finishes with eight different drivers. Corey LaJoie, driver of the No. 7 Schluter Systems Chevy Camaro earned a team-best 14th-place finish at the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 September 25, 2022. The Mooresville, N.C., team fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NCS with LaJoie, and fellow drivers Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
  • The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 from Texas Motor Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, April 14, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The ninth of 36 races on the 2024 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR RaceDay’s pre-race coverage on FS1 will take the green flag at 2 p.m. EDT.

Corey LaJoie – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Corey LaJoie heads to Texas Motor Speedway 28th in the NCS championship point standings. He started 32nd and finished 32nd last weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Schluter®-Systems, a key partner for Corey LaJoie and Spire Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) efforts over the last several seasons, will return to the primary position on the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for four races in 2024, beginning with this weekend’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway.
  • Schluter Systems provides innovative, easy to use installation systems to support the durability, integrity and design of tile installations. With over 8,000 products within its growing portfolio, Schluter Systems is continuously improving the landscape of the tile industry. Their educational workshops and intuitive approach to product design supports Schluter’s position as an industry leader in quality and service. Schluter Systems services North America with multiple Training, Distribution and Manufacturing facilities in Plattsburgh, NY, Montreal, QC, Reno, NV, and Fort Worth, TX. For more information, visit www.schluter.com.
  • Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 will mark LaJoie’s 11th NCS start at Texas Motor Speedway and 245th career NCS start.
  • In 10 previous NCS starts at Texas Motor Speedway, LaJoie has logged one top 15 and three top 20s including a venue best 14th-place finish. The Concord, N.C. native recorded a 31.2 average start, a 27.8 average finish and completed 2,809 of 3,276 laps contested (85.7 percent).
  • Last September, LaJoie started in the 27th and finished 26th in the No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet Camaro.

Corey LaJoie Quotes
It’s been a challenging couple of weeks but you’ve got Schluter Systems on board at Texas Motor Speedway so that’s gotta provide an extra boost heading into this weekend.
“We’re all ready for a rebound at Texas Motor Speedway for Schluter Systems’ first primary race of the season. These guys have supported my career from the beginning, so the timing couldn’t be any better for a comeback.”

Zane Smith – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Sunday will mark Zane Smith’s second NCS start at Texas Motor Speedway, but his first driving the No. 71 Ambetter Health Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports.
  • This will be his first race driving the Ambetter Health paint scheme. Ambetter Health is on a mission to get everyone affordable, high-quality health insurance. Our drive to break down barriers and help make insurance more accessible to all has made us America’s No. 1 Marketplace health insurance. Learn more about how we are paving the way to better coverage at ambetterhealth.com.
  • Race fans can meet Smith on Sunday at the Ambetter Health activation in the TMS Fanzone at 11 a.m. local time.
  • Following his visit to the Ambetter Health display, Smith will stop at the Chevrolet activation for a Q&A at 11:45 a.m.
  • Last September at TMS, Smith started 33rd and finished 24th in the No. 36 Front Row Motorsports entry.
  • Smith started 24th and finished 31st last Sunday at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
  • Smith will drive the No. 91 Chevrolet Silverado in Friday’s SpeedyCash 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race at TMS. It marks the 2022 NCTS champion’s third of four scheduled races with the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing team.
  • Smith owns five NCTS starts at TMS. He’s led 38 laps and posted two top-10 finishes.

Tell us about your excitement to run the Ambetter Health paint scheme for the first time this season.
“This is the first race this season that I will be carrying Ambetter Health on my No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevy Camaro. This paint scheme is really cool and I know it will stand out on the track. I’m fortunate for the partnership with Ambetter Health as we work together to help make insurance more accessible to all. Sunday, I will be doing a Q&A at the Ambetter Health Activation in the Fanzone, so I’m looking forward to meeting lots of fans on race day.”

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 will mark Carson Hocevar’s second career NCS start at Texas Motor Speedway where Premier Security will return to the primary position aboard the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro.
  • TMS is home to Hocevar’s first NCTS win. The four-time NCTS race winner took the checkered flag in last April’s Speedycash.com 250. He went on to earn three more NCTS wins in 2023 and finished third in the division’s championship point standings.
  • In his lone NCS start at Texas Motor Speedway, Hocevar started 19th and finished 16th in last September’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. This was the fifth NCS race of his career.
  • In three NCTS starts at Texas Motor Speedway, Hocevar has logged a 9.3 average start, a 5.3 average finish and recorded two top-five finishes. The 21-year-old racer has led five laps and completed 100 percent of the laps contested in NCTS competition at the Fort Worth oval.
  • Hocevar finished 17th in last Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. After qualifying 25th, the Portage, Mich. native worked his way through the field to bring home his fourth top-20 finish of the season.
  • Premier Security is a long-time supporter of Hocevar’s career. The Flint, Mich.-headquartered organization has been prominently featured alongside Hocevar dating to his time racing short tracks in the pavement late model ranks.
  • From the famous bricks of Saginaw Street in Flint, Mich., to industrial, residential, and commercial sites across North America, Premier Security Solutions has built an unmatched standard of security. Today, Premier has taken steps to advance technology and utilize new tools to combat theft and become an anti-crime organization. Premier’s Global Security Operations Center is a state-of-the-art facility, working around the clock to protect assets, corporations, schools, and families.
  • Premier deploys more than 1,000 guards around the country and protects homes, families, executive-level leaders, and major corporations. Premier’s team of retired law enforcement professionals protects more than 50 school buildings and high net-worth families, delivering an unparalleled level of service. Premier prides itself on a standard of service ensuring its customers receive the protection and peace of mind they deserve.
  • Hocevar is currently 25th in the NCS championship point standings. He sits two spots and four points behind fellow Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year contender Josh Berry.
  • Hocevar will greet fans and participate in a question-and-answer session at the Trackside Live/EchoPark stage in the TMS Fan Zone Sunday at 11:15 a.m. CT.

What does it take to run well at Texas Motor Speedway?
“It’s a lot of things. Being able to carry a lot of throttle to run through (turns) one and two. I don’t think anybody’s really ever going to complain about handling in (turns) three and four, so it’s only one end of the racetrack you’ve got to run really well, and the other end kind of takes care of itself. More important is track position. We need to qualify good. As we all say, we need to run good on Saturday to run really good on Sunday. I think we can make that happen.”
This track is home to your first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win and you also ran well last year in the Cup car. Does this make you more excited for the weekend or do you feel any added pressure to perform well based on your history here?
“I feel more confident about the fact that I did well last year with Luke (Lambert) in a Cup car than I do about winning last year in trucks. Of course, that win means so much to me but they’re both so different and we had the chance for a top-10 car last year in Cup, so I know I can do well. I think the 77 team is plenty capable to make that happen and more than anything, just excited to get back on a mile-and-a-half because I think that’s where we really shine.”

From the Top of the Box

Ryan Sparks – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Ryan Sparks serves in a dual role as both Spire Motorsports competition director and crew chief for driver Corey LaJoie and the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro in the NCS.
  • Sparks, a Winston-Salem, N.C., native, has been paired with LaJoie since 2020.
  • Combined, Sparks and LaJoie have earned four top-five and seven top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place finish in the 2024 Daytona 500.

Stephen Doran – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Stephen Doran begins his first full season as a Cup Series crew chief leading Zane Smith and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet team during the 2024 season.
  • In 2006, Doran got his start in NASCAR at Petty Enterprises.
  • Prior to his arrival at Spire Motorsports, Doran worked at Stewart-Haas Racing as an engineer, most recently on the No. 4 car driven by Kevin Harvick.

Luke Lambert – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Luke Lambert is the crew chief for Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 team with 2024 NCS Rookie of the Year candidate Carson Hocevar
  • The 2005 North Carolina State graduate has led the competition efforts for some of the sport’s most notable names including Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler and Chris Buescher.
  • In 2014, Lambert led Newman to a berth in the Championship 4, and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings.

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

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on March 1, 2024, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

NHRA AT LAS VEGAS 1: Team Chevy Race Advance | Notes & Quotes

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2024 NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS
THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & QUOTES
APRIL 12-14, 2024

CHEVROLET AND JOHN FORCE RACING LOOK TO TACKLE THE NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Notes:

  • Team Chevy next heads to the 2024 NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 12-14, 2024.
  • After a successful double-winning weekend in Phoenix for Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, and John Force, driver of the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, who both captured victories with Chevrolet for the Arizona Nationals and weather-delayed Winternationals from Pomona. Force captured Chevrolet’s 160th in Funny Car, with Prock capturing the 161st for Team Chevy, the 80th and 81st respectively in the Camaro SS Funny Car.
  • Seeking a return to the winner’s circle, Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, looks to defend her No. 1 qualifier from 2023 while besting with her 17th career NHRA victory and Chevrolet’s 21st in Top Fuel.
  • Pro Stock saw Dallas Glenn racing to victory for the Bowtie brand in 2023’s 4-Wide Nationals, after Matt Hartford qualified No. 1. Both look to either defend or capture the 2024 NHRA 4-Wide Nationals Wally trophy.

Quotes:

BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF THE MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:

“(Vegas is) a place we’ve had success in the past and we’re eager to return. The four-wide format there will definitely mix things up, but I believe the testing in Phoenix will have us well-prepared.”

AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“I’m excited to go to Vegas. I always love going there and it’s a beautiful facility. I’ve always wanted to get a win there. We’ve got some good mojo, so hopefully we can take advantage. I’m looking forward to four-wide and I hope the fans are, too. Maybe we can get the job done this weekend. We’ve started the year strong, struggled a little bit (in Pomona) and had to get some revenge (last) weekend (in Phoenix). When you’re getting to race with your family, there’s never a bad day out here. I’ve wanted to race with my dad and brother my whole life and I’m getting to do that, and we sure are having a lot of fun as a family. I’m getting more comfortable every lap, but every time you think you’re comfortable, this thing does something crazy to you. Every time you think you have a handle on it, you don’t and that’s what makes this category so tough. You’ve got to drive off your gut and instinct. Your car is talking to you the whole time you’re on the gas. These cars are no joke and these are the hardest cars I’ve ever driven.”

JOHN FORCE, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE & COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

“It was a fantastic weekend for Cornwell Tools and Chevrolet, clinching a victory like that, especially with (Austin) Prock landing his first NHRA Funny Car win. It’s a big deal. We had to navigate through some changes, with Robert Hight, a three-time champion, stepping back for a bit. But everything’s aligning well for John Force Racing. Our top priority has always been looking after our sponsors, and this win certainly does that. Clinching the victory in Pomona yesterday was thrilling. It’s still early in the season, but this win sets a positive tone we’re all proud of. Yet, we’re mindful of the fierce competition out there; we’ve got our work cut out for us. (Austin) Prock’s got a solid team behind him, with his dad and brother in the mix. Robert’s (Hight) been sharing his wisdom about the car, much like he does with me, and it’s paying off. (Austin’s) got a background in dirt racing before moving to Top Fuel with us, and he’s had stints in our Funny Car too. Transitioning to a new team in Top Fuel was a challenge, but now he’s backed by a seasoned team, and they’re really complementing each other well. I’m incredibly proud of him for securing these victories for Chevrolet and all our sponsors. It’s all part of the job, but it sure was a great weekend for John Force Racing.”

How to Watch:

The 2024 NHRA 4-Wide Nationals kick off Friday, April 12 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with qualifying, airing at 11 p.m. ET. Saturday’s qualifying session airs on Sunday at 11 a.m. ET, with Finals airing at 7 p.m. ET. All sessions from Las Vegas air with NHRA on FOX on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:

1,448: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time).

626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 628.

166: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).

161: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.

84: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.

81: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro SS body.

47: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.

28: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. This is the seventh-consecutive award and ninth in 11 seasons. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

25: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.

20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.

16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.

7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.

2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.

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.

GREG ANDERSON LOOKS TO CARRY PHOENIX MOMENTUM INTO LAS VEGAS AT 4-WIDE NATIONALS

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Official Release
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LAS VEGAS (April 10, 2024) – Pro Stock veteran Greg Anderson is no stranger to the NHRA winner’s circle as proven by his 104 career wins. This weekend at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, he’ll look to add another to his impressive resume at a track that means a great deal to him.

Anderson, the winningest driver in the Pro Stock field, and the rest of the stars of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will again take to the track this weekend at the 24th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Anderson is coming into Las Vegas hot after his win in Phoenix, his first of the year in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro.

“I’m excited to get to Vegas because obviously I love the Black family,” said Anderson. “Ken and Judy Black have been my team owners for 20 plus years. We now have new ownership but they’re still the greatest supporters you could ever imagine. They text, they call at races. They certain are not out of the sport. They’re at home but they’re still watching. They’ll be in Vegas next weekend and I would love nothing better than to show off in front of them so I can’t wait to get there.”

The 2023 event saw Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) take home the coveted NHRA Wally trophies and this season’s race will again be broadcasted on FS1, including eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 14, showcasing all the entertainment from Las Vegas.

This weekend’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals also marks the first four-wide event for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. The bonus race debuted last year and takes place on Saturday, putting a bonus purse and championship points on the line. It happens in Vegas for the first time this year, as two quads will face off during the third round of qualifying on Saturday. The top four advance to the final quad to close out qualifying, with the winner getting a chance to double-up in Vegas.

Because of his win in Phoenix, Anderson will take part in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. In his quad, he’ll meet up with competitors Jeg Coughlin Jr., a five-time Vegas winner, Jerry Tucker and Troy Coughlin Jr. The other quad will made up of reigning champion Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Cristian Cuadra and reigning event winner Glenn.

It all adds up to an opportunity for a double-win weekend for Anderson, who loves the challenge of four-wide racing.

“As far as the four-wide goes, it’s a bigger challenge than most tracks. I love that,” Anderson said. “I absolutely love a bigger challenge. I’m going to accept the challenge and see if I can find a way to do it better than these young guys. It’s kind of strange because sometimes I feel like the four-wide is more difficult to me because I’ve got so many years of doing it the other way and maybe some of these new guys and new gals. They’re in their beginning and they’re not set in their ways. They don’t have bad habits like I have. They’re not used to always racing two wide. They race four-wide now so it’s probably easier for them to adapt than it is me. It’s a huge challenge to me but I look forward to it and love racing in Vegas. Big challenges coming up but bring it on.”

Last season in Top Fuel Brown earned his six Las Vegas title. At this weekend’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge Four-Wide addition, Brown will be in a quad of Steve Torrence, Shawn Reed and Phoenix winner Shawn Langdon. The other quad will consist of Billy Torrence, reigning champ Doug Kalitta and Justin Ashley, who picked up the Winternationals win, and motorsports legend Tony Stewart in his Top Fuel rookie season.

In the Funny Car category, Hagan picked up his fifth Las Vegas win last year. He’s after his first victory in 2024 against the likes of first-year Funny Car driver Austin Prock, who won in Phoenix, Winternationals winner John Force, points leader J.R. Todd, Ron Capps, Bob Tasca III, Alexis DeJoria and Daniel Wilkerson. In the Funny Car Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, one quad includes Prock, Wilkerson, Force and Todd, with the other featuring DeJoria, Cruz Pedregon, Paul Lee and Blake Alexander.

The NHRA 4-Wide Nationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, featuring some of the top racers in the country. Also on deck will be Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown and the 2024 debut of the new Holley EFI Factory X category, while a special jet car exhibition featuring the “Muy Caliente” and the “Iceman” jet dragsters will follow the conclusion of nitro qualifying each day as well.

Fans will also be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which will help create a festive atmosphere leading into the nitro pits. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits when the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans in Vegas can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk.

As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Las Vegas. This opportunity gives fans a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. PT on Friday, April 12, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 13 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 12 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 14. Television coverage includes qualifying action at 11:00 p.m. ET on both Friday and Saturday on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), leading into eliminations coverage at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at FS1.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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