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Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Tally Second-Straight GT America powered by AWS Win Sweep

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Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Tally Second-Straight GT America powered by AWS Win Sweep and a String of Podium Finishes in Competitive SRO America Championships Race Weekend at Sebring International Raceway

George Kurtz and the No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3 Team Secure Second Consecutive Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing GT America Win Sweep in Competitive SRO America Race Weekend at Sebring

SEBRING, Florida – George Kurtz and the No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3 team secured a second consecutive win sweep for a Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing team in the GT America powered by AWS series to anchor a competitive SRO America Championships race weekend at Sebring International Raceway. Kurtz led every lap of the twin 40-minute GT America sprints on Saturday and Sunday to lead a haul of six podium finishes for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams across three SRO America racing series at Sebring. CrowdStrike’s Sebring victories followed a similar win sweep one race ago at the Grand Prix of Long Beach where GT America championship leader Jason Daskalos won both weekend races in the No. 27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.

The Sebring sweep was just what CrowdStrike needed after missing the Long Beach rounds when Kurtz was a late withdrawal for personal reasons. Daskalos won the season-opening GT America race at Sonoma, where Kurtz finished third in both weekend sprints, and the drivers resumed their early-season battle at Sebring.

Daskalos kept the pressure on Kurtz from the start in Saturday’s first race but ultimately took the checkered flag 2.239 seconds behind the No. 04. With the Long Beach wins and Sonoma and Sebring podiums, Daskalos continues to lead the GT America championship, but the double-win weekend by Kurtz and CrowdStrike closed the gap on the points leader.

Kurtz and co-driver Colin Braun also reached the podium in Sunday’s 90-minute Fanatec GT World Challenge race with a second-place Pro-Am finish in another No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3. The runner-up result made up for a race start penalty assessed early in Saturday’s first GT World Challenge race that forced Kurtz and Braun to fight back for a fifth-place finish.

Sunday’s recovery likely keeps the CrowdStrike team and drivers first in the Pro-Am class standings, a lead they took by sweeping the class victories in the year’s opening races at Sonoma.

The fourth Mercedes-AMG GT3 entry to reach the podium at Sebring was the No. 91 Regulator Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Jeff Burton and Philip Ellis. Once again using a reverse driver strategy in the Pro-Am class first employed at Sonoma, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport driver Ellis started the race while the No. 91’s bronze-rated “Am” Burton was the closing driver.

Running against mainly Am drivers, Ellis repeatedly set fastest race laps in his opening stint as he built a large lead on the field. Burton took over and continued in the lead at the start of his shift while taking on a field of faster Pros. Burton was passed for the lead but held second until the closing minutes of the race, losing the runner-up position just a few turns before the leaders took the white flag. He crossed the finish line third in Pro-Am and fifth overall for his first podium result in his first full season co-driving with Ellis.

In Pirelli GT4 America series competition at Sebring, the debuting RySpec Racing team broke through for a second-place Pro-Am finish in Saturday’s first 60-minute race. Co-driven by 16-year-old Danny Dyszelski and Johan Schwartz, the No. 635 RySpec Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 quicky caught the eye of the competition in the GT4 paddock.

Schwartz battled with the other leaders from the start in Saturday’s race before handing off to Dyszelski. From there, the talented teenager took the lead and held it for several laps before giving way to the eventual winning car being driven by a veteran driver with Rolex 24 and IMSA GTD race-winning experience. Dyszelski then held off a late challenge from the third-place competitor to take the checkered flag just 1.820 seconds behind the winner.

Saturday’s runner-up showing was backed up by a fourth-place result by Dyszelski and Schwartz in Sunday’s final Pirelli GT4 race, which brought the Sebring weekend to a close.

Next up for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer teams on the SRO America schedule is Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, May 17 – 19, where GT World Challenge, GT America and Pirelli GT4 will all be in action.

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer teams in IMSA competition return to action next weekend, May 10 – 12, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, where GT3 and GT4 teams will compete in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge, respectively.

George Kurtz, Driver – No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3: “We minimized the damage from Saturday. It was unfortunate, but we finished in a good spot on the podium on Sunday. We’re just trying to knock out podiums. Sebring is a tough track for us, but the CrowdStrike by Riley guys gave us the best car they had today, and we’ll take a second and look forward to Austin in two weeks. In GT America, we’re fighting through a gap after missing Long Beach. We’re not going for podiums we are going for race wins. We put our heads down and did what we needed to do this weekend and will keep it up all season.”

Colin Braun, Driver – No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Overall, it was a great weekend for us. George did a great job on the GT America side and did a really good job on the GT World Challenge side. The CrowdStrike by Riley guys nailed it with the pit stops and the execution. We came in with pretty high expectations, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 was really strong on the long runs, but we just couldn’t quite get that last change on the car we needed to get it dialed in. So, to have a weekend like that and to finish it off as strong as we did shows we have a championship-contending team. That’s the way you win these championships. Overall, it was a really good effort.”

Jason Daskalos, Driver – No. 27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “The competition is awesome. George Kurtz drove great. His car handled well. My car was really good in the beginning Saturday, but at the end I was struggling. I really lost the rear and I just had to back up a little bit. But it was a great race and, as long as we got points, we are good with it. With the points lead that we have, if we’re consistent, we’ll be good at the end.”

Jeff Burton, Driver – No. 91 Regulator Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “We always felt we could put ourselves on the podium. I kind of like the different strategy that we’re doing. There’s competition out there, but nobody’s rolling over for you. Nobody’s letting you just go by, so you’ve got to be very competitive in your approach. There’s even more for us to try to achieve. There’s second place and there’s first place and that’s what we’re looking for. Saturday’s podium was because of Philip and our engineers. They’ve worked tirelessly with me ‘technique wise’ in the car. Most people think it’s not a big deal. You just turn the wheel, you push the gas and you hit the brake, but here’s a lot of technique you’ve got to have.”

Danny Dyszelski, Driver – No. 635 RySpec Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4: “It was just a great race. I could not have done it without Johan. He is the one who put me in this position. We were leading most of the race Saturday, and then just battling it out for second at the end. That was the most fun I’ve had wheel-to-wheel battling in a long time. You can follow and you can run side-by-side so well in these cars. The difference in how these cars all gain time is very impressive because it makes the racing very entertaining. I would say we had quite a good top end compared to the winner, in the mid-corner sections I was able to get a lot better, and the balance of the car never changed.”

Johan Schwartz, Driver – No. 635 RySpec Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4: “It was just incredible. I’ve worked with Danny for a little over a year now, I knew he was a very, very fast driver, but the composure that he showed, and the maturity and the race craft that he had here were absolutely incredible. And he’s only 16 years old. He’s got a great, great future ahead of him, and he’s humble when he gets out of the car. I had a blast out there in my stint. My main concern was to get a good start, keep all four wheels on, no contact and bring it back in the box for him to do his work. This is for Danny. I enjoy working with him. My job is to bring him to this kind of result.”

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Kansas 1

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AdventHealth 400 – Kansas Speedway
Kansas City, KS – May 5, 2024
NASCAR TRACKS – KANSAS SPEEDWAY – NASCAR 101

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 SNAP-ON FORD MUSTANG

START: 7TH STAGE ONE: 12TH STAGE TWO: 18TH FINISH: 37TH POINTS: 20TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 2 Snap-on Tools Ford Mustang, was credited with a 37th-place finish after an unfortunate early retirement in Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. Cindric jetted off from the seventh position and hovered around the top 10 for the duration of Stage 1, finishing 12th as he endured a tight condition. Crew chief Brian Wilson called the 25-year-old driver to pit road for the second time for a service of four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment under the Stage break. Cindric restarted 11th on Lap 89 when the race resumed but dropped to 18th after a hectic restart. He returned to the attention of the Snap-on crew on Lap 117 under green for a four-tire stop and finished Stage 2 in the 16th position. Pleased with the handling improvements, Cindric told the team over the radio that the car was the best it had been all day. After another trip down pit road, he restarted 14th for the third and final Stage. Calamity struck with just under 85 laps to go, heavily damaging the No. 2 Ford Mustang and forcing its retirement.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “A lot of cars there trying to overdrive the corner to try to get in front of one another. The 22 slid up on the 20, the 20 slid up on the 11 and I was the first thing to hit before the wall. I tried to back out when I saw the situation the 11 was getting put in. It is just racing. Nobody I can really be frustrated with. It is unfortunate. I felt we had a really solid run going, nothing overly spectacular but I thought the guys did a really good job all weekend and executed a great race up until that point.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/CARDELL CABINETRY FORD MUSTANG

START: 26TH STAGE ONE: 16TH STAGE TWO: 18TH FINISH: 12TH POINTS: 6TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney secured a 12th-place finish Sunday night at Kansas Speedway in the No. 12 Menards/Cardell Cabinetry Ford Mustang. Following a lengthy delay to the start of the race due to rain, Blaney made up ten spots in the first 20 laps prior to the start of green flag pit stops on lap 32 as three 12 team’s adjustments worked on the balance in the early going. Despite reporting a tight-handling condition on the ensuing run, Blaney came away with a 16th-place finish in Stage 1. Blaney continued to fight the tight condition at the start of the second segment but maintained pace as he searched around for grip on the track. After cycling to 16th in the running order following green flag stops that included an adjustment to free him up, Blaney raced to an 18th-place result in Stage 2. The final stage featured several cautions as the restarts produced three and four-wide racing, allowing the 12-team to go off-sequence with their strategy, but a caution with under 70 laps to go brought all the lead lap cars to pit road prior to the final run of the night. Blaney began his charge through the field and made his way into the top-10 with 32 laps to go before a single-car incident with seven laps to go set up one final round of stops prior to the overtime restart. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler made the call for right side tires only, gaining Blaney five spots on pit road before he lined up on the inside of row three to take the green flag. Blaney held his line in the inside lane but was unable to carry the momentum off of turn two before taking the checkered flag 12th.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “Proud of the effort from everyone on the 12 group tonight – [crew chief] Jonathan [Hassler] made a great call at the end there to get us in the first few rows for the final restart. We just fought the balance all day and couldn’t make up enough track position early on. We’ll take what we can from it and shift our focus to Darlington.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG

START: 11TH STAGE ONE: 21ST STAGE TWO: 21ST FINISH: 34TH POINTS: 17TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano was involved in a late-race incident Sunday night at Kansas Speedway, resulting in a 34th-place finish for the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang. After a nearly three-hour rain delay, Logano took the green flag from 11th before issues with front turn saw the Shell-Pennzoil Ford settle into 15th in the running order during the opening run. During the first green flag pit cycle, Logano hit pit road with the second wave of cars on lap 33 for four tires and a round of adjustments before crossing the line 21st in Stage 1. Logano struggled with a lack of rear grip and a loose Ford Mustang on exit of the corners during the second segment, but the balance began to neutralize over the course of the run in a 21st-place showing in Stage 2. A trio of cautions to begin the final stage stemming from three and four-wide racing on the restarts tightened up the field as Logano was scored 15th coming to the green flag with 70 laps to go, but the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford broke loose off the exit of turn four on the opening lap of the restart, sending Logano sliding into the infield to bring out the yellow. With both rear tires down, Logano was towed to the 22 team’s pit stall for four fresh tires before rejoining the field in 35th, two laps down before taking the checkered flag 34th Sunday night.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “Tough end to the night for our 22 team, for sure. I liked the direction we were going with our balance but we just lacked pace on the longer runs. We got ourselves towards the front there late but, unfortunately, lost all that momentum in one corner and that was it for us.”

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, May 12. Coverage begins at 3:00 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Rick Ware Racing: AdventHealth 400 from Kansas

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Official Release
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RICK WARE RACING
AdventHealth 400

Date: May 5, 2024
Event: AdventHealth 400 (Round 12 of 36)
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Kansas Speedway in Kansas City (1.5-mile oval)
Format: 267 laps, broken into three stages (80 laps/85 laps/102 laps)
Note: Race extended one lap past its scheduled 267-lap distance due to a green-white-checkered finish.
Race Winner: Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Stage 1 Winner: Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Stage 2 Winner: Chris Buescher of RFK Racing (Ford)

RWR Race Finish:

● Justin Haley (Started 35th, Finished 18th/ Running, completed 268 of 268 laps)
● Riley Herbst (Started 37th, Finished 35th/ Running, completed 266 of 268 laps)

RWR Points:

● Justin Haley (32nd with 134 points)

● Note: Herbst is a fulltime driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and is not eligible for points in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Haley Notes:

● Haley earned his third top-20 of the season and his third top-20 in his seventh start at Kansas.

● Haley equaled his previous best finish at Kansas – 18th, first earned May 2023.

● Haley’s 18th-place finish was a team-best for RWR at Kansas. The previous best-result was J.J. Yeley’s 22nd-place finish in July 2020.

Herbst Notes:

● This was Herbst’s sixth Cup Series start, his first at Kansas and his first at an intermediate track.

Race Notes:

● Kyle Larson won the AdventHealth 400 to score his 25th career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his second of the season and his second at Kansas. His margin of victory over second-place Chris Buescher was .001 of a second, the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history.

● There were seven caution periods for a total of 43 laps.

● Thirty-one of the 38 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.

● Kyle Larson remains the championship leader after Kansas with a 29-point advantage over second-place Martin Truex Jr.

Sound Bites:

“It was a really good day for the No. 51 team. Our Ford Mustang Dark Horse was really good on the long run. If we didn’t have that caution at the end, I think we could’ve ended up with a few more spots, but it was still a great finish. We’re gaining each race and it’s been a lot of fun to see the improvement coming out of RWR.”– Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 Children’s Mercy Kansas City Ford Mustang Dark Horse

“I can’t think everyone at Monster Energy and RWR enough for the opportunity to race today. Cup Series racing is tough, but I feel like I learned a lot that I can take back and work on for the next one.” – Riley Herbst, driver of the No. 15 Monster Energy Zero Sugar Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, May 12 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. The race begins at 3 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Buescher Finishes Second in Closest Finish in NASCAR History

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No. 17 Castrol Edge Ford Leads 53 Laps at Kansas; Brad Keselowski Finishes 11th

KANSAS CITY (May 6, 2024) – Chris Buescher finished second Sunday in what was likely the most heartbreaking scenario possible, a photo finish that is now known as the closest in NASCAR’s history.

The No. 17 Castrol Edge Ford Mustang led 53 laps in total, won stage two, and took the white flag as the leader, but was scored second when all angles were reviewed by NASCAR late Sunday night at Kansas Speedway. Teammate Brad Keselowski finished 11th in what was an up-and-down afternoon for RFK altogether.

“It sucks to celebrate on the backstretch and then pull up to the front straightaway and be told no,” Buescher said following the race. “I don’t know how everything transpired honestly. Not right now. It sucks in a lot of ways. Second hurts, a whole lot worse than third. To be that close a couple of times this year now and not be able to get the win, the speed is great and we did a good job today and was a good recovery from the end of Stage 2 there, but we don’t have a trophy right now.”

6 Recap
Keselowski and the No. 6 team experienced a rollercoaster race, one that was initially delayed by rain the area for several hours. Once the green flag eventually dropped just past 5 p.m. local time, Keselowski fired off 30th. He quickly began a surge through the field though, gaining 16 spots alone in the first stage to finish 14th at the end of the opening 80 laps.

Stage two ran caution-free as the Consumer Cellular Ford remained inside the top-15 the duration of the run, ultimately crossing the stripe 13th at the end of the stage (lap 165). From there, a flurry of cautions flew – three within 20 laps – as Keselowski lost spots on pit road due to various issues.

He fought back inside the top-15 by lap 199 when the yellow waved for the sixth time. With varying pit strategies playing out over the final 100 laps, Keselowski ultimately worked his way into the top-10 with a handful of laps remaining. The race looked to run green until the end, but a caution with five laps remaining changed everything.

Scored fourth at the time, Keselowski joined the field on pit road, taking four fresh tires with nearly 10 cars in front taking just two tires. That put the No. 6 just outside the top-10 on the final restart, and he went on to cross the line 11th.

17 Recap
Buescher experienced one of the better comeback efforts of the season, all in all leading the race four different times. A solid qualifying effort on Saturday put him 12th on the grid to start the 400-mile race.

Like teammate Keselowski, Buescher surged through the field early, advancing into the top five just 25 laps in. He drove to a fifth-place finish to end the first stage, earning key stage points early. He began stage two in the same position, and by lap 110 had driven to second. During a green-flag pit cycle around lap 120, Buescher inherited the lead and maintained it for the next 43 laps, driving to the stage two win, picking up a valuable playoff point.

In the ensuing pit stop in the stage break, the No. 17 team was called for a penalty (over-the-wall too soon), setting Buescher to the tail end of the field on the restart. What seemed like a feat too tall to overcome at the time, Buescher began his comeback trail with 93 laps remaining.

The flurry of three cautions between lap 177-193 allowed the No. 17 to knife through traffic. He again pitted from the 20th spot at lap 195 and would restart 27th at lap 198. One more caution just a lap later brought most of the field down pit road, splitting a handful of cars with varying strategy. This put Buescher back in position and P3 when the race went back green at lap 206. He took the lead again – this time from the No. 11 – at lap 208, just 40 laps after he last held it. He and the 11 swapped it a handful of times in that stretch of laps as Buescher tried different lines to again gain advantage.

Then, with just five laps to go, the race’s final caution was displayed which ultimately saved those in fuel-saving mode, and set up a final pit stop and restart. Buescher was one of nine lead cars to take two tires, putting him second on the NASCAR Overtime restart. He gained the advantage on the restart, took the white flag as the leader, and went toe-to-toe with the No. 5 to the line, earning the runner-up result.

“We got a great push,” Buescher added. “Chase got us a good restart and we got into the corner. We were able to run the bottom pretty well and we had some good momentum down the back but Kyle (Larson) certainly had a run.

“I was trying to cover what I could but we just left too much space around the top side. Unfortunately, that ended up getting us, and it hurts. It was a good race. We were banging doors all the way to the checkers. I knew it was going to be close but certainly it hurts to be that close and miss out.”

Up Next
Darlington Raceway hosts race No. 13 of the season next weekend. Race coverage is set for 3 p.m. next Sunday on FOX, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

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

Stewart-Haas Racing: AdventHealth 400 from Kansas

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Official Release
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STEWART-HAAS RACING
AdventHealth 400

Date: May 5, 2024
Event: AdventHealth 400 (Round 12 of 36)
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Kansas Speedway in Kansas City (1.5-mile oval)
Format: 267 laps, broken into three stages (80 laps/85 laps/102 laps)
Note: Race extended one lap past its scheduled 267-lap distance due to a green-white-checkered finish.
Race Winner: Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Stage 1 Winner: Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Stage 2 Winner: Chris Buescher of RFK Racing (Ford)

SHR Finish:

● Noah Gragson (Started 3rd, Finished 9th / Running, completed 268 of 268 laps)

● Josh Berry (Started 17th, Finished 15th / Running, completed 268 of 268 laps)

● Chase Briscoe (Started 10th, Finished 21st / Running, completed 268 of 268 laps)

● Ryan Preece (Started 32nd, Finished 28th / Running, completed 268 of 268 laps)

SHR Points:

● Chase Briscoe (14th with 290 points, 177 out of first)

● Noah Gragson (19th with 216 points, 251 out of first)

● Josh Berry (23rd with 196 points, 271 out of first)

● Ryan Preece (29th with 172 points, 295 out of first)

SHR Notes:

● Gragson earned his fifth top-10 of the season and his first top-10 in four career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kansas.

● This was Gragson’s third straight top-10. He finished a career-best third April 21 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and sixth last Sunday at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.

● This was Gragson’s sixth straight top-20.

● Gragson’s ninth-place result bettered his previous best finish at Kansas – 18th, earned twice (May 2022 and September 2022).

● Gragson finished ninth in Stage 1 to earn two bonus points and 10th in Stage 2 to earn one more bonus point.

● After scoring his career-best starting spot last weekend at Dover when Gragson qualified fifth in his milestone 50th career NASCAR Cup Series start, the 25-year-old Las Vegas native bettered that mark at Kansas by qualifying third for the AdventHealth 400.

● Berry’s 15th-place result bettered his previous best finish at Kansas – 25th, earned last May.

● This was Berry’s third straight finish of 16th or better. He finished 16th April 21 at Talladega and 14th last Sunday at Dover

● Berry was the highest finishing rookie.

● This was Briscoe’s 10th straight finish of 21st or better.

Race Notes:

● Kyle Larson won the AdventHealth 400 to score his 25th career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his second of the season and his second at Kansas. His margin of victory over second-place Chris Buescher was .001 of a second, the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history.

● There were seven caution periods for a total of 43 laps.

● Thirty-one of the 38 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.

● Kyle Larson remains the championship leader after Kansas with a 29-point advantage over second-place Martin Truex Jr.

Sound Bites:

“I thought we had a really good car all weekend. We started third and was fourth in practice and we came home ninth tonight. Overall, a good weekend. We were trying some strategy stuff there at the end, putting two tires on it with about 60 laps to go on that caution. It kind of hurt us on the short run, but started making up ground on the long run. We thought it would’ve been the opposite. Super-thankful for everyone at Bass Pro Shops and Winchester, everyone at Stewart-Haas and Ford and everyone who has been working really hard. That’s our third top-10 in a row. Third at Talladega, sixth at Dover and ninth here at Kansas. Three, six, nine, damn were doing fine. We still want a little more, but we’re doing well compared to what our goals were at the start of the year and we just want to keep in building on it.” – Noah Gragson, driver of the No. 10 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse

“I think we definitely struggled in the early part of the race and really never got the feeling like I wanted, but we stayed after it all day and got a decent finish with our Overstock.com Ford Mustang.” – Josh Berry, driver of the No. 4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

“We just weren’t very good for whatever reason. Yesterday in practice, I thought our car was pretty good. I didn’t feel like it was a race-winning car per say, but I felt like it was going to be in the mix for the top-10. We qualified inside the top-10, but when the race started, our car didn’t drive anything like it did in practice. Got into the wall in qualifying and I don’t know if it did something that we didn’t catch or what, but we definitely just fought the balance all day long. You can’t really have days like that when you’re in our position points-wise, but we have a couple of good racetracks for us coming up and, hopefully, we can capitalize.” – Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 14 Rush Truck Centers/Cummins Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, May 12 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. The race begins at 3 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Toyota Racing NCS Post-Race Recap – Kansas 05.05.24

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Official Release
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TRUEX NEARLY MISSES VICTORY IN CLOSEST-EVER CUP SERIES FINISH
Truex, along with Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell, earn Toyota three top-10s at Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (May 5, 2024) – In a hectic, rain-delayed race at Kansas Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. was just 0.075 seconds from his first win of the 2024 season, in a four-wide finish where Kyle Larson captured victory. Truex, who started 13th, battled his way steadily through the field, finding himself second to teammate, Denny Hamlin, late in the race thanks to differing pit strategies. However, a caution with under 10 laps to go caused for a last round of pit stops and a green-white-checkered finish, with the two finishing fourth and fifth.

Hamlin, the Stage 1 winner, led the most laps of the day at 71, marking the 16th consecutive Cup Series race he has led. Bell, who started from pole, had an up and down day but fought hard to come home in sixth and put himself back in the top 16 of series points standings.

The Cup Series next heads to Darlington Raceway for another 400-mile race next Sunday afternoon.

Toyota Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Kansas Speedway
Race 12 of 36 – 400.5 miles, 267 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, Kyle Larson*

2nd, Chris Buescher*

3rd, Chase Elliott*

4th, MARTIN TRUEX JR.

5th, DENNY HAMLIN

6th, CHRISTOPHER BELL

13th, JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK

17th, BUBBA WALLACE

20th, TYLER REDDICK

22nd, COREY HEIM

32nd, TY GIBBS

38th, JIMMIE JOHNSON

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 4th

Can you walk us through what you saw on that last restart?

“Umm, just trying to find somewhere to go, you know? Restarting from 10th with four tires is tough to do in two laps. Just needed to clear the 9 (Chase Elliott) a little quicker and needed to get into (turn) three single file, and then I probably had a chance, but we were two-wide and that made me tight off turn four. Couldn’t quite get the run I needed to get to the win. I don’t know, just frustrating. We were looking really good until that last caution, as always. I don’t know what we need to do to close one out, but the guys did a good job with our Auto-Owners Camry. We were in position to steal one there. Definitely had the best car, but fought hard all night, made good decisions and made the car better and better. That was great, but always stinks when you see the lead and can’t get it.”

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 5th

What more did you need there at the end to contend for the win?

“Well, a difficult spot, right? I needed to get the push from the 5 (Kyle Larson), but I knew he wasn’t going to stay in line, that he was going to go for the win. Unfortunately, it left me in a spot where I was vulnerable there in the middle. I’ll tell you, with 70 (laps) to go, it wasn’t looking really good. We had some pit road miscues that set us back, but Chris (Gabehart, crew chief) and the guys did a great job coming up with a strategy there to pit and then jump the field back. We were right on task there with about four to go. Felt good about getting another one, it’s just one of those things.”

CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 Yahoo! Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 6th

How would you describe your day?

“Yeah, it was a day we needed for sure. We were lacking a little bit to run with the top guys, but to walk out of here with a solid points day and sixth-place finish is something I’m proud of and hope we can build on.”

COREY HEIM, No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB

Finishing Position: 22nd

In your second career Cup race, what did you learn out there and how would you overview your day?

“Yeah, I mean, a long day for sure. Got behind early from a speeding penalty and just situationally, couldn’t get on the lucky dog (free pass) until the end of the race. Just struggled with track position, of course, at the end of the longest line, one lap down most of the race. But, once we got back on the lead lap in Stage 3 and free’d the car up, I thought we were pretty good. Huge thank you to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB for having me along these two weeks. Dollar Tree, Family Dollar for everything they do and their support. Definitely wish we could’ve run close to the front today, but a good learning experience and we move forward.”

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.

CHEVROLET NCS: Larson Claims Record-Setting Victory at Kansas Speedway

By
Official Release
-

NASCAR CUP SERIES
KANSAS SPEEDWAY
ADVENTHHEALTH 400
TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE REPORT
MAY 5, 2024

Larson Claims Record-Setting Victory in Overtime Finish at Kansas Speedway

  • In an overtime finish, Kyle Larson edged out Chris Buescher by a mere .001 seconds to take the checkered-flag in the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway.
  • The victory – Larson’s second triumph of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season and his second in NASCAR’s top division at Kansas Speedway – put the former series champion in the record books as the winner in the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series’ history.
  • Larson delivered Chevrolet its seventh NASCAR Cup Series victory this season; the manufacturer’s 14th all-time NASCAR Cup Series victory at Kansas Speedway; and it’s 858th all-time victory in NASCAR’s premier series – all of which are series-leading feats.
  • The victory keeps Chevrolet undefeated on non-drafting 1.5-mile ovals thus far this season – marking the manufacturer’s third victory on the intermediate-style track configuration (Larson at Las Vegas Motor Speedway; and Chase Elliott at Texas Motor Speedway).
  • The victory also marked Larson’s sixth top-five result in 12 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races this season – the most among his competitors.
  • Larson grabbed points in both stages of the 400-mile race en route to the victory – keeping the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion atop the driver’s points standings for the fourth consecutive week.
  • Chevrolet drivers drove the Camaro ZL1 to four top-eight finishes at the 1.5-mile Kansas oval, with Larson leading his Hendrick Motorsports’ teammates Chase Elliott in seventh and Alex Bowman in eighth, and Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch in the eighth position.
  • The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season continues at Darlington Raceway with the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, May 12, at 3 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

 
TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10:
POS. DRIVER

1st Kyle Larson, No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro ZL1
3rd Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1
7th Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1
8th Kyle Busch, No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Camaro ZL1

 
TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE QUOTES:

Kyle Larson, No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro ZL1

Finished: 1st

TELL US ABOUT THE FINISH IN THAT RACE.

“It started off (turn) two, and I got a really good run and was able to get into his draft. He was trying to break it and you could tell he was probably going to try and take my line away. I just drove in as hard as I felt like I could. My car cut really well and I was able to get to his right side, and I don’t know if the camera caught it, but I was sideways and then got it kind of back under control. Then I had the run back to his right side off of four and was just too afraid to get too far out in front because a lot of times when you get someone inside close you get tight and into the wall. So I got off of four good and I thought, ‘man, I have got to kill his run quick’, so I just hung a left; doored him and just tried to stall his momentum. He had it slowly coming back to me at the line, so just thankful that it was enough and those guys behind us didn’t get a huge run and get to our outside.

Just incredible and I need to see the replay. I don’t know what it all looked like, but it was pretty damn cool from my seat.”

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU AS A RACE CAR DRIVER TO BE ABLE TO MIX IT UP LIKE YOU DID ALL DAY TODAY?

“Yeah, it was a lot of fun. It was stressful for sure racing that hard in Stage One, but I was having so much fun with Ross (Chastain). It was super-aggressive, but clean. We never put each other in compromising positions and were able to swap positions there a couple of times. At the end of the second stage, it was getting kind of dicey and the whole third Stage was pretty crazy with all the cautions and strategy working out. (Chris) Beuscher was really fast and pressuring Denny (Hamlin) the whole time and we were fading. So that caution played out good for us. Just the restarts are wild as we talked about earlier, so just an awesome race. Wish we had more mile-and-a-half’s because that was so much fun.”

THE MONTH OF MAY HAS STARTED AND YOU HAVE THE INDY 500 COMING UP. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT YOU KEEP MOMENTUM AND GET A GOOD, SOLID WIN HERE TO START THIS BUSY MONTH FOR YOU?

“Yeah, I think it definitely helps confidence anytime you can run good. It’s been a while since I have had consecutive podiums. I was able to finish second last week at Dover; second in Jacksonville in a Sprint Car; third the first night at Lakeside and second last night; and then carried it on into a win today. So, another good track for us next week at Darlington and hopefully go back-to-back there. Then get in the INDYCAR and hopefully learn a bunch and just be competitive when we get to the 500.”

Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1

Finished: 7th

“We were really good all day, minus the second run of the day – we kind of fell off pretty hard there. We had a really fast No. 48 Ally Camaro, we just needed some track position. The start of the last long run, we broke the nose on the restart; it’s all separated. We got really slow down the straightaway and really tight after that, so a seventh-place finish is probably like a win.” 

 
 

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.

NCS Kansas Post Race (Chris Buescher Edged Out in Closest Finish in NASCAR History)

By
Official Release
-

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Advent Health 400 Post Race| Sunday, May 5, 2024
Kansas Speedway

FORD PERFORMANCE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

2nd – Chris Buescher

9th – Noah Gragson

10th – Michael McDowell

11th – Brad Keselowski

12th – Ryan Blaney

14th – Todd Gilliland

15gth – Josh Berry

18th – Justin Haley

21st – Chase Briscoe

28th – Ryan Preece

34th – Joey Logano

35th – Riley Herbst

36th – Harrison Burton

37th – Austin Cindric

CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 Castrol Edge Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Finished 2nd)

THAT WAS THE CLOSEST FINISH IN NASCAR HISTORY, 0.001 SECONDS. WALK US THROUGH THAT LAST LAP: “We got a great push. Chase got us a good restart and we got into the corner. We were able to run the bottom pretty well and we had some good momentum down the back but Kyle (Larson) certainly had a run. I was trying to cover what I could but we just left too much space around the top side. Unfortunately, that ended up getting us, and it hurts. It was a good race. We were banging doors all the way to the checkers. I knew it was going to be close but certainly it hurts to be that close and miss out. The photo I have seen, I can’t make out anything from the photo finish at this point. Maybe we will see something a little bit clearer and get a better understanding.”

YOUR CREW WAS CELEBRATING AND THOUGHT YOU HAD THE WIN. WHAT WERE THEY TELLING YOU ON THE RADIO? “We were celebrating down the backstretch and looked at the pylon and we were P1 up there. Everything we had said we had gotten it. Obviously not. Like I said, the only thing I have to go off of is a grainy photo right now and at this point it just sounds like I am complaining, and I guess I am because I don’t see it in that. I don’t understand how the timing system can read it out one way and not the other. We just gotta understand it better.”

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW AS YOU DIGEST IT? “I don’t really know what to say right now. All I have seen is the picture and I sure can’t see it in that picture. It sucks to be that close. It was a great finish though. We had a really strong day with a lot of speed in this Castol Edge Ford Mustang and we really needed that. We needed a win more. I thought we had that one. We had a lot of speed there firing off, we were really good all day. I am really proud of that. We had good strategy to get us back up there and I tried to cover what I could but I gave him half a lane too much I suppose. That was a good hard race there down to the line. It hurts.”

YOU MENTIONED THE SPEED. HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT GOING FORWARD? “Yeah, speed is good. Wins are better. We need to be in that situation again and need to get some trophies and checkered flags and put ourselves in a much better spot.”

WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK YOU COULD HAVE DONE ON THE LAST RESTART? “Yeah, it was a great restart for us. Our Mustang was really good firing off and I certainly could have blocked more but at the end of the day I felt like I was pretty defensive on it. I felt like I was going to make a drag race out of it coming to the finish line. We got to banging doors there a little bit and lost some momentum and I was aggressive trying to cover it. I just needed a draft to keep speed up down the straightaway. I am really proud of that work. I just watched the replay and I just can’t see it right now. It hurts to see the pylon say we get it and then not.”

WHAT ARE THE EMOTIONS LIKE WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE IT AND THEN YOU DON’T? “It sucks to celebrate on the backstretch and then pull up to the front straightaway and be told no. I don’t know how everything transpired honestly. Not right now. It sucks in a lot of ways. Second hurts, a whole lot worse than third. To be that close a couple of times this year now and not be able to get the win, the speed is great and we did a good job today and was a good recovery from the end of Stage 2 there but we don’t have a trophy right now.”

NOAH GRAGSON, No. 10 Bass Pro Shops Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Finished 9th)

“I thought we had a really good Mustang all weekend. We qualified third and was fourth in practice and then come home ninth tonight. Overall a really good weekend. We were trying some strategy stuff there at the end swinging two-tires at it with about 60 to go at that caution. It kinda hurt us on that short run but we were able to run them back down on the long run, which, I would have thought it would have been the opposite. I am super thankful for everybody at Bass Pro Shops and Winchester and Ford. Everybody has been working really hard and this is our third top-10 finish in a row. We were third at Talladega, sixth and Dover and now ninth here. 3-6-9, damn I guess we are doing fine. Still want a little bit more, but these have been good days compared to what our goals were at the start of the year.”

AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Snap-On Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Involved in accident on lap 184)

WHAT HAPPENED FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE? “A lot of cars there trying to overdrive the corner to try to get in front of one another. The 22 slid up on the 20, the 20 slid up on the 11 and I was the first thing to hit before the wall. I tried to back out when I saw the situation the 11 was getting put in. It is just racing. Nobody I can really be frustrated with. It is unfortunate. I felt we had a really solid run going, nothing overly spectacular but I thought the guys did a really good job all weekend and executed a great race up until that point.”

LOOKED LIKE YOU GUYS WERE HOPEFUL TO FIX IT AT FIRST. WHAT PUT YOU OUT? “Never give up but I had a right-rear toe linc broken and the the upper control arm was broken on the left front. The car was killed. I would drive it if they let me.”

WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU GUYS LEARNED FOR THE 1.5 MILE TRACKS THIS WEEKEND? “Quite a lot to be honest. We have played a lot with a very similar package, at least for us, and this was probably our best intermediate, if we aren’t counting Dover. it is definitely our best just on the 2 car. As a company obviously it was a bit of a struggle today and I think we have learned a lot. Just not good enough.”

The Impact of Technology on the Future of Online Gambling

By
SM
-

In recent years, technology has profoundly impacted various aspects of our lives, and one of the most dynamic areas it has transformed is online gambling. What once was confined to brick-and-mortar casinos has now evolved into a vibrant digital ecosystem that is readily accessible through our devices. This transformation isn’t just about digitalization; it’s about how technology shapes the entire industry, redefining the experience for both players and operators. Let’s dive into how technology has shaped and continues to shape the future of online gambling.

The Dawn of Online Gambling

The rise of the internet in the late 20th century laid the foundation for the online gambling industry. In the mid-1990s, the first casino online singapore appeared, offering rudimentary games compared to today’s standards. With dial-up internet, games loaded slowly, and player interaction was minimal. However, these initial platforms ignited a revolution, proving that online gambling had immense potential. Over time, advancements in software development, internet speed, and data security significantly improved the gaming experience, making it more appealing to a broader audience. From simple card games to immersive slot machines, online gambling started gaining traction, creating new revenue streams and transforming gambling from a physical to a digital activity.

The Mobile Era: Gambling Anytime, Anywhere

The advent of smartphones and the mobile internet significantly expanded the reach of online gambling. Today, people no longer need to be tethered to a desktop to place a bet. Mobile gambling apps offer users the flexibility to play their favorite casino games, wager on sports, and more, right from the palm of their hand. With intuitive user interfaces and optimized gameplay for smaller screens, mobile gambling has redefined convenience in betting. This accessibility has opened the doors to a new demographic of players, further accelerating the industry’s growth. Mobile apps also bring features like live betting, allowing users to place wagers on games and sports events as they unfold, enhancing engagement.

Live Dealer Games: Bridging the Gap

For many, one of the main drawbacks of online gambling was the lack of atmosphere compared to land-based casinos. Enter live dealer games: these innovative setups stream real dealers to the player’s screen in real time. Through live video feeds, players can interact with dealers, place bets, and experience the feel of a real online casino free credit from their homes. Live dealer games blend digital convenience with a more traditional casino experience, setting a new standard for online gambling. The high-definition video streams, combined with interactive chat features, bring a social aspect that was previously missing from online platforms, providing an experience that closely mimics the excitement of a physical casino.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency: Secure, Transparent Transactions

Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have brought a new level of transparency and security to online gambling. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin offer anonymity and fast transactions, making them attractive to many players. Moreover, blockchain-based casinos leverage the decentralized nature of blockchain to ensure fair gameplay and transparent operations. Smart contracts automate payouts, eliminating disputes and building trust between players and operators. Blockchain also allows for provably fair gaming, a system that lets players verify the fairness of each bet, further reinforcing trust in an industry often plagued by skepticism. The decentralized nature of blockchain also reduces transaction fees, benefiting both operators and players.

Artificial Intelligence: Tailored Experiences and Improved Security

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how online gambling platforms operate, enhancing both player experience and security. AI algorithms analyze player behavior to provide personalized game recommendations, promotions, and responsible gambling alerts. On the security front, AI aids in detecting fraud and unusual betting patterns that may indicate cheating or addiction. These intelligent systems work tirelessly to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for users. Additionally, AI is used to streamline customer support, with chatbots providing instant assistance to players around the clock. The combination of personalized experiences and robust security measures helps build player loyalty, which is crucial in this competitive industry.

Virtual and Augmented Reality: A Glimpse into the Future

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are emerging technologies poised to revolutionize online gambling further. VR casinos immerse players in a fully digital environment where they can walk around, interact with other players, and play games just as they would in a physical casino. AR, on the other hand, overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing the gaming experience without fully replacing reality. Although still in the early stages, VR and AR have the potential to redefine online gambling once more. Imagine putting on a VR headset and being transported to a virtual casino where you can interact with players and dealers from around the world, creating an unparalleled immersive experience.

Regulation and Responsible Gambling

With technology advancing rapidly, regulatory frameworks must evolve to ensure fair play and protect players. Authorities worldwide are increasingly focusing on enforcing responsible gambling measures, especially in the digital space. Technologies like AI assist in monitoring player behavior to identify signs of problem gambling, while blockchain ensures the integrity of the platforms. Regulations also aim to curb underage gambling and promote a safe betting environment. Ensuring compliance with these regulations requires significant investments in technology and staff training, but it ultimately fosters a safer gambling environment. Moreover, collaboration between regulators and operators is crucial to creating a consistent and fair regulatory framework across different jurisdictions.

Social Gaming and Gamification: Making Betting Fun

The online gambling industry has embraced social gaming and gamification to make betting more engaging. Leaderboards, challenges, and achievements turn gambling into a social experience, fostering a sense of community among players. Social betting platforms allow friends to wager against each other, adding a competitive edge. Gamification elements incentivize players to keep playing, enhancing retention and adding an extra layer of excitement to the experience. By incorporating elements like daily challenges, tournaments, and loyalty rewards, online gambling platforms can make the experience more interactive and rewarding for players. This approach not only keeps players engaged but also helps build long-term loyalty.

Big Data: Powering Insights and Enhancing User Experience

Big data analytics is another key player in the transformation of online gambling. Operators collect massive amounts of data on player preferences, behaviors, and trends. Analyzing this data helps refine marketing strategies, optimize game offerings, and improve user experience. It also aids in detecting fraudulent activities and ensuring compliance with regulations. Big data-driven insights help platforms stay competitive and responsive to changing player needs. Furthermore, the use of data allows operators to tailor bonuses and promotions to individual players, creating a more personalized and engaging experience. In an industry where customer retention is paramount, leveraging big data effectively can give operators a significant edge.

Conclusion

The future of online gambling is undoubtedly intertwined with technology, which has already reshaped the industry in numerous ways. From mobile apps to blockchain, AI to VR, technological innovations continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. These advancements bring both opportunities and challenges, as platforms strive to offer engaging and secure experiences to players. As technology continues to evolve, so too will online gambling, and it is sure to remain one of the most dynamic and exciting industries to watch. In the years ahead, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions that will continue to redefine the online gambling landscape.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Kansas

By
Jeffrey Boswell
-
Photo by Mitchell Pavel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Kyle Larson: Larson edged Chris Buescher by the slightest of margins to win the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas.

“That’s what you call winning by a fraction of a second,” Larson said. “For Chris Buescher, the operative word is ‘second.'”

2. Denny Hamlin: Denny Hamlin won Stage 1 at Kansas and finished fifth.

“I really had some bad luck in a few of my pit stops,” Hamlin. “It seems that your favorite driver was in my way as I tried to leave the pits.”

3. Chase Elliott: Elliott took third at Kansas, right behind the Kyle Larson-Chris Buescher photo finish for the win.

“A thing called ‘aero blocking’ is really a hot topic in NASCAR right now,” Elliott said. “Back in the good old days, ‘aero blocking’ was also a thing; only it was called ‘keeping the car behind you behind you.'”

4. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex finished fourth in the AdventHealth 400.

“I made the bold strategy move to take four tires on the final pit stop,” Truex said. “I came up just short. If the race just could have gone one lap longer, there would not have been a Kyle Larson-Chris Buescher photo finish, and I would have ‘pictured’ myself as the winner.”

5. Chris Buescher: Buescher easily won Stage 2 at Kansas and battled Kyle Larson to the finish line, but came up short by just .001 seconds.

“That was the closest finish in NASCAR history,” Buescher said. “And I was unfortunately on the short end. It was truly a photo finish, so I guess I came up just a bit camera shy.”

6. William Byron: Byron was a non-factor at Kansas, coming home 23rd, one lap down.

“It was a tough day for me,” Byron said, “and a tough one for NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, as well. He was in an accident on Lap 176 that collected several cars. I know Jimmie is co-owner of Legacy Motor Club; maybe he should change that name to ‘Tarnished Legacy Motor Club.”

7. Alex Bowman: Bowman finished seventh at Kansas.

“There were quite a few instances of five-wide racing at Kansas,” Bowman said. “Let me tell you, it helps to trust the other four drivers when you’re going five-wide. Some drivers, like Ross Chastain, will actually lobby for your trust. Like, he’ll say ‘Trust me, I’m gonna cause an accident.'”

8. Ryan Blaney: Blaney finished 12th at Kansas.

“Ford is still winless this season,” Blaney said. “‘Built Ford Tough’ is Ford’s motto. For NASCAR’s purposes, maybe that should be ‘In A Ford? Tough.'”

9. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished 11th at Kansas.

“My car was primarily sponsored by Consumer Cellular,” Keselowski said. “As you might know, that’s cell phone service for old people, or people who remember my Cup championship.”

10. Tyler Reddick: Reddick finished a disappointing 20th at Kansas.

“Jimmie Johnson gave the ‘Start your engines’ command from inside his car,” Reddick said. “One thing’s for sure, though: Jimmie won’t be inside his car when a race ends.”

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