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Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love’s RV Stop Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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Official Release
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Kansas Speedway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 30, 2024) – Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love’s RV Stop Ford Mustang Dark Horse team travel west to the Kansas Speedway.

McDowell will be making his 26th Cup Series start at the 1.5-mile oval, with the iconic Love’s RV Stop paint scheme back on the car.

The Cup Series will have practice and qualifying on Saturday, May 4th at 5:00 p.m. ET. The 400-mile event will take place Sunday, May 5th at 3:00 p.m. ET and will be televised live on FS1. Fans can also listen in on the action live from Sirius XM and the Motor Racing Network.

No. 34 Love’s RV Stop Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“We’ve been pretty good at Kansas where we’ve been close to a top-10 finish the past few races. These are challenging tracks, but we’ll work hard to be ready. Every race is important going forward and we just need to bring our best car and execute with no mistakes.”

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“We’ve had a lot of things go wrong lately, but the cars have had speed. If we can continue to show up with fast cars each week, sooner or later all the issues and execution errors will go away and we will get back to finishing where we are capable of. Last race at Kansas we qualified really well, and we need to repeat that again to keep good track position. We just need to put together a complete race and score a good result to get the momentum back on track.”

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.

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: Kansas Speedway I

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Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: KANSAS SPEEDWAY
Race: Heart Of America 200 (134 laps / 201 miles) | Race 8 of 23
Track: Kansas Speedway
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
Date & Time: Saturday, May 4th | 8:00 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | Motor Racing Network (MRN) | Sirius XM Ch. 90

No. 41 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman, Jr.
Bayley Currey
@BayleyCurrey
@BayleyCurrey05

  • BC in KC: Currey has made five NCTS starts at Kansas Speedway since 2018, producing a best finish of 12th driving for Niece Motorsports in 2021. In addition, he has also competed in five Xfinity Series starts here along with one Cup Series race. His most recent start in last fall’s NCTS event at the 1.5-mile intermediate track resulted in a 21st place finish.
  • On the Truck: Currey’s No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from AutoVentive and Precision Vehicle Logistics. Starting this week, there’s a new look to the No. 41 as the partners have elected to revert to the bright colors seen last year.
  • Hillman’s First Win: Kansas Speedway is the site of Mike Hillman, Jr.’s first win as a Truck Series crew chief, which came in 2005 while working with Todd Bodine. On that day, Bodine drove his No. 30 entry fielded by Germain Racing to the victory in dominant fashion, leading 81 laps in the process.
  • Hillman’s Kansas Stats: Hillman, Jr. has called 21 Truck Series races at Kansas Speedway during his career. Counting his win in ’05, Hillman has navigated his drivers to a total of six top-fives and 11 top-10 finishes, including a fifth-place run last spring with Ross Chastain. Hillman has also made three Xfinity Series starts here with one top-10 (Brandon Jones, eighth in 2016) and one Cup Series start in 2014 with Timmy Hill.
  • Points Rundown: Through seven races in the 2024 season, Currey is positioned 14th position in the drivers standings. With a tight battle for the final spot in the Playoffs, Currey enters Kansas 24 points below the cutline.
  • Recapping Texas: Currey earned his second top-10 qualifying run with an eighth-place start last time out in Texas. Despite suffering damage from contact with another competitor, the No. 41 Chevrolet would hold tough for the remainder of the night. Currey and team would rally to a 14th-place result marking their third top-15 finish of the year.
  • Quoting Currey: With three intermediate tracks in a row, how important is it to string together a solid opening race in Kansas?

“I think obviously it’s super important. We’re probably going to turn this truck around to race somewhere soon, whether that be in Darlington or Charlotte. So, being able to start off with momentum and build some confidence heading into this string of races will be important. I feel like we’ve had speed at the other mile-and-a-half tracks with our No. 41 Chevy, so I don’t see anything different here.”

  • Quoting Hillman: You’ve seen plenty of success at Kansas before, so what does it take to be fast on both the short and the long run here?

“I think your truck has to be able to run well on both the top and the bottom lanes here. I think you have to be able to keep the grip in it for a long time so that you can maintain on the short run and be better on the long run, especially in the Truck Series.”

  • About AutoVentive: AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.
  • About Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
Matt Mills Racing
@MattMillsRacing
@MattMillsRacing

  • MM in KC: Matt Mills has made two Truck Series starts at Kansas Speedway, posting a best finish of 17th in 2017. Though he did not compete in a NCTS race here last season, he’s gained experience through five Xfinity Series starts here as well as one Cup Series start in the race where he made his NCS debut in 2021.
  • Leonard’s Kansas Stats: Jon Leonard has called three Truck Series races at Kansas before, with highlights of two top-10 starts (best with Stewart Friesen, fifth in 2022) and one top-10 finish (Jake Drew, 10th last year). In 2017, he made his Cup Series debut as a crew chief here with Michael McDowell and went on to make one more start the following season with Regan Smith.
  • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra.
  • Recapping Texas: Mills and the No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra team showed speed early in the weekend at Texas Motor Speedway by posting the third-quickest lap in practice. Starting the race from the 20th spot, Mills fought for track position throughout the night but was unable to advance further through the field. At the checkers, he would be scored with a 26th-place result.
  • Points Rundown: Following race seven of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season, Matt Mills currently sits 28th in the points standings. He is only six points behind his nearest competitor, Jack Wood, who holds down the 27th spot, and is 20 points behind Spencer Boyd in the top-25 for the driver standings.
  • Quoting Mills: You’ve had experience in several types of vehicles at this track before, so what are some of the characteristics that make Kansas fun to race on?

“I think it’s fun because of the fact that it’s got a lot of grip. You can move around throughout the whole race depending on what your car or truck is doing. Obviously, ripping around the fence is the biggest thrill for us drivers if everything’s working right. Going there in a truck is a little bit more risky to get close to the wall, so hopefully we’ll have a good enough truck to be able to move around and make time so we can race a little more than some of the other mile-and-a-half tracks.”

  • Quoting Leonard: Does having a top-10 run here last year with a different driver give you added confidence with Matt this week?

“I think so. Jake [Drew] was new to the Truck Series similar to Matt, and Niece Motorsports has run well at Kansas before, so I’ll try to use that as a baseline to work on Matt’s technique and his skillset. I feel like between my history and the team’s history, we have a pretty good idea where to start, and where the track goes, and where to run.”

  • About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.
  • About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

No. 45 Niece Products of Kansas Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Kaden Honeycutt | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Kaden Honeycutt Racing
@KadenWHoneycutt
@KadenHoneycutt10

  • KH in KC: Kaden Honeycutt returns to the No. 45 Chevrolet this week for his fourth start of the season. Honeycutt has made two prior NCTS starts at Kansas Speedway, posting a best result of 21st in 2022. Last season while driving for Young’s Motorsports, he brought home a 27th place finish. In his lone mile-and-a-half start this year at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Honeycutt scored his best-career finish with a sixth-place effort.
  • On the Truck: Honeycutt’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Niece Equipment and Niece Products of Kansas.
  • Niece Motorsports’ First Win: In 2019, Phil Gould guided Ross Chastain to a thrilling victory in the Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway. After taking the lead with three laps to go, Chastain held on to deliver Niece Motorsports’ first win as an organization, which kickstarted a three-win season for the No. 45 team en-route to a second-place finish in the championship standings.
  • Gould’s Kansas Stats: Gould has made nine Truck Series starts atop the pit box at Kansas Speedway, all of which have came while working with Niece Motorsports drivers. Including his ’19 win, Gould has a total of two top-fives and four top-10 finishes, most recently finishing sixth with Carson Hocevar last fall. He has also made six Xfinity Series starts here, earning three top-10 finishes (best with Ryan Reed, seventh in 2018).
  • Live, Laugh, Late Model: Honeycutt rocketed to the points lead by securing his second-career win in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model Series on Saturday, April 20th at Orange County Speedway. Later that night, he also competed in the CARS Tour Late Model Stock division and followed the performance up with a runner-up finish. Honeycutt plans to compete in the Tour’s next event at Ace Speedway this Friday night before making the trek to Kansas Speedway.
  • Stepping up on Saturdays: Last weekend, Honeycutt was called upon with the opportunity to make his second-career NASCAR Xfinity Series start for DGM Racing at Dover Motor Speedway. Honeycutt started the weekend off by qualifying 18th, and began to make his way up the running order until a mid-race issue with the battery placed him a couple of laps down, relegating him to a 23rd-place result.
  • In the Sim: Last week, Honeycutt put together another impressive outing in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series at the virtual Dover Motor Speedway. Following his best qualifying effort of the season with a fifth-place starting spot, Honeycutt would lead 35 laps as a threat to win the 120-mile race. A chaotic overtime restart set up a shuffling of the top spots, but Honeycutt would cross the line in seventh and secure his fourth top-10 finish of the season. The JR Motorsports driver currently is tied for the final spot in the eNCCiS Playoffs ahead of round seven at the virtual Talladega Superspeedway next Tuesday.
  • Recapping Texas: Johnny Sauter took the wheel of the No. 45 Karl Chevrolet Silverado RST for his second start of the 2024 season in the most recent NCTS race at Texas Motor Speedway. Sauter qualified 18th, but it didn’t take long before he was contending for a spot in the top-10 running order. As the race went on, Sauter would bring his truck home with a 17th-place finish at the completion of the SpeedyCash.com 250.
  • Owner Points Outlook: Through seven races, drivers Johnny Sauter, Connor Mosack, Ross Chastain, and Kaden Honeycutt have placed the No. 45 team 11th in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner points. Entering Kansas, the No. 45 team is only a mere 12 points behind the Playoffs cutoff line. Highlights so far this season include one top-five (Chastain, fifth at COTA) and three top-10 finishes, along with a pair of top-five qualifying efforts (Sauter, second at Daytona & Chastain, fifth at COTA).
  • Quoting Honeycutt: What are some of the most important driving techniques that you’ve been able to pick up while racing on a mile-and-a-half track compared to the short tracks that you’re accustomed to?

“I feel like one of the biggest things I’ve learned is getting used to the dirty air. You have to run opposite lanes and make stuff work, while sure you’re not directly behind someone entering the corner. I feel like Kansas is really good for two-lane racing, especially the bottom was good last last year. It changes so much, but that was one of the biggest things was making sure I’m out of line from the truck in front. On the restarts, you need to be in the lane to move to the front on either the top or the bottom lane, whichever is moving forward. You’re just having to constantly search for the air that’s making ground up.”

  • Quoting Gould: Five years removed from the team’s first win in Kansas, how much growth have you seen come from the organization?

“There’s been a lot of growth, honestly. At that time, we were just getting going. Now, to see what it’s grown to, there’s a huge difference. We’re building our own chassis and hanging our own bodies, so definitely a lot of good changes that have happened since. It’s been great to see all of the improvements that have been made.”

  • About Niece Equipment:
    For over 30 years, Niece Equipment has provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Our reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability.

Each of our water and fuel/lube trucks are engineered with quality and durability in mind. Our capability ranges from 2,000 gallon water trucks to 12,000 gallon water towers. The fuel/lube trucks we offer range from 600 to 4,000 gallons.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

Wright Motorsports Leads Points Charge Heading into Sebring International Raceway

By
Official Release
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SEBRING, Fla., (April 30, 2024) – Following consecutive victories in the first two rounds of the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, Wright Motorsports enters the upcoming double header weekend at Sebring International Raceway as the current overall points leader. The No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R, piloted by Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer, will defend its point lead in a pair of 90-minute races this Saturday and Sunday, May 4 – 5 at the legendary Sebring, Florida race circuit.

“We’ve kicked off the 2024 season on a high note at Sonoma Raceway and are poised to maintain that level of performance this weekend at Sebring,” said Team Owner John Wright. “Thanks to the continued consistency of our drivers and crew, we approach this weekend with the points lead. With our past successes at Sebring, we’re aiming to extend our lead further by the end of the weekend.”

The infectious enthusiasm of Adelson and Skeer injects a new level of energy into the team as they embark on another GT World Challenge America weekend. Having secured two wins already this season, Wright Motorsports currently holds a 14-point advantage over ST Racing. The dynamic duo clinched consecutive victories at Sebring in 2023, when the race served as the penultimate event of the championship. Now positioned earlier in the season as the second race weekend, competitors anticipating cooler weather will be disappointed as temperatures are still forecasted to reach the low 90s Fahrenheit throughout the three days of practice and competition.

The team boasts recent successes at the 3.741-mile, 17-turn road course, having just celebrated a third-place finish in the prestigious IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Twelve Hours of Sebring. The pair of 90-minute races this weekend will be less physically demanding on the drivers, with each expected to take the wheel for 40-50 minutes in each event. However, the challenging and bumpy surfaces of Sebring demand respect, often playing a pivotal role in race outcomes.

Qualifying for race one kicks off on Saturday, May 4th at 9:00 AM, where one driver will have 15 minutes to set a blistering lap time to determine the team’s starting position for the initial race. Following a five-minute break, the team will swap drivers, allowing the second driver to set a quick lap for race two. The entire 30-minute qualifying session for race one will begin on Saturday, May 4th at 3:05 PM ET, followed by race two on Sunday, May 5th at 11:15 AM ET. Fans tuning in online can stream both races in their entirety for free on YouTube.com/GTWorld. Attendees with general admission tickets can enjoy open paddock access, open seating, and a full-field autograph session. Tickets, starting at $15.00, are available for purchase at www.sebringraceway.com.

DRIVER QUOTES

Adam Adelson

I’m really looking forward to coming back to Sebring this year! We already have had massive success there this year, so I think it’s safe to say we’re all feeling great about our chances for good results. In addition, we’re coming off quite the season opener for us at Sonoma, and it’s important for us to keep the momentum up and build on that success.

Elliott Skeer

Back to the place I love! I cannot think of greater momentum to carry into GT World Challenge America at Sebring than our strong performance in the 12 Hour and our season opener at Sonoma. Our team at Wright is firing on all six cylinders, giving us an incredible Porsche time and time again. Adam is driving at a level above this season and cannot wait to see how he performs once again.

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

Atlas Roofing to Sponsor ARCA Menards Series Race at Iowa Speedway

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Official Release
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TEMPERANCE, Mich. – Atlas Roofing will become the entitlement sponsor of the ARCA Menards Series race at Iowa Speedway, the opening act of what is sure to be a historic weekend of racing. The Atlas 150, set for Friday, June 14, will be followed by the return of the NASCAR Xfinity Series to Iowa Speedway on Saturday, and then the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at the 0.875-mile oval located just 30 minutes east of downtown Des Moines.

“We have a long history at Iowa Speedway dating back to the track’s opening in 2008,” said ARCA president Ron Drager. “We’ve consistently had tremendous support from the community and the race fans in Iowa, and we’re thrilled to be a part of this historic weekend.”

Previous ARCA Menards Series winners at Iowa Speedway include inaugural winner Steve Wallace, son of track designer and 1989 NASCAR Cup Series champion Rusty Wallace, NASCAR on NBC pit reporter and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Parker Kligerman, current NASCAR Cup Series drivers Ty Dillon, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs, NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers Sheldon Creed, Chandler Smith, and Brandon Jones, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Grant Enfinger. West Des Moines native Mason Mitchell, the 2014 ARCA Menards Series champion and 2015 Iowa Speedway winner, has recently announced his intentions to compete in the Atlas 150 as well.

The decision to come on board for the biggest weekend of stock car racing in the state of Iowa was helped by the simple fact Atlas, a leading North American manufacturer of innovative, high quality building products, is opening a $200 million manufacturing facility with 100 full-time employees in nearby Clinton, Iowa.

“Atlas is excited to sponsor the ARCA Menards Series race at Iowa Speedway,” Matt Erdman, National Sales Director at Atlas shared. “It’s a chance for us to celebrate our newly announced state of the art Iowa manufacturing facility that is currently in construction, and it gives us another great opportunity to further support our partnership with both Menards and ARCA.”

Based in Atlanta, Atlas Roofing Corporation manufactures roof shingles, polyiso insulation, molded polystyrene, and paper and coated facers for new construction, remodels, and renovations.

Ticket information for the Atlas 150 can be found at IowaSpeedway.com; for complete event information, including live timing & scoring of all on track activities, the complete weekend schedule, and broadcast updates, please visit ARCARacing.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, please follow @ARCA_Racing on Twitter.

About ARCA

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly racing all across the country, the organization administers more than 100 events annually, including the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing).

About Menards

A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states. Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building. You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more. To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!

Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture. Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries. And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more.

Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too! For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

About Atlas

Atlas is an innovative, customer-oriented provider of asphalt shingles, roof underlayments, roof ventilation, rigid insulation, architectural and industrial molded components and solutions, and cutting-edge coated and paper facers and underlayments for a diverse set of markets. From a single asphalt shingle manufacturing facility in 1982, Atlas has grown to 33 manufacturing facilities in North America providing worldwide product distribution. Products from the company’s four major divisions, Polyiso Roof & Wall Insulation, Shingles & Underlayments, Molded Products, and Web Technologies, are manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities and shipped from our network of manufacturing plants and distribution facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Atlas’ mission is to deliver leading products and solutions that enrich the lives of those they touch, by nurturing a culture of agility, teamwork, and accessibility that attracts the most talented people in our industries. For more information please visit www.atlas-arc.com.

Rette Jones Racing Expands Footprint with Addition of Part-Time Xfinity Series Team with Noah Gragson

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Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C.: Rette Jones Racing (RJR) confirmed today that it is expanding its Motorsports platform this season to include a part-time NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule with Cup Series driver Noah Gragson, beginning with the BetMGM 300 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway on May 25, 2024.

The Mooresville, N.C.-based team has formed a technical alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing for its limited schedule, which includes Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway on June 29, Michigan International Speedway on August 17 and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on August 31, 2024.

The two-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series race winner is also a two-time Xfinity Series race champion at Darlington, the iconic track dubbed “Too Tough to Tame.”

Gragson, a native of Las Vegas, Nev., is no stranger to the Rette Jones Racing team. Gragson and RJR have partnered for various Super Late Model events, including the Snowball Derby at Five Flags (Fla.) Speedway in December 2023.

Gragson, who pilots the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang Darkhorse in the NASCAR Cup Series, will return to the Xfinity Series for the first time since Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway on November 22, 2022.

Since 2018, Gragson, 25, has made 135 Xfinity starts, earned two poles, won 13 races, delivered 62 top-five and 96 top-10 finishes, and finished a career-best second in the Xfinity Series championship standings driving for JR Motorsports during the 2022 season.

“Having had strong runs in their Super Late Model at the grassroots level, I’m excited to partner with Rette Jones Racing as we take on the next challenge in the Xfinity Series,” said Gragson. “Terry, Lisa, Kasey, Mackie Jones, Jonathan Aarts and Mark Rette have played an instrumental role in my racing career and have become like family.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to compete in the Xfinity Series again and hope to pick up where we left off.”

Gragson will pilot the No. 30 Ford Mustang in the Xfinity Series competition for Rette Jones Racing. Stewart-Haas Racing, AM Racing, and RSS Racing are the other Xfinity Series teams carrying the famous blue oval livery.

“This is an important step for the overall long-term plans for Rette Jones Racing,” offered RJR co-owner Terry Jones. “Noah has been instrumental in helping our Late Model program excel, but his presence thrives outside of the cockpit as he is instrumental in the growth and development of the other young drivers who funnel through our other motorsports programs.

“He is the perfect driver to launch our Xfinity Series program and we expect him to deliver strong results right away.”

Mark Rette, the other co-owner of Rette Jones Racing and the 2009 ARCA Menards Series championship crew chief, is thrilled to not only extend another branch of competition for Rette Jones Racing but also to have the opportunity to lead the organization as crew chief with Gragson at the helm.

“Expanding Rette Jones Racing to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series is no small task, but we believe that with our technical alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing and the support of Ford and Ford Performance, we will execute our debut with flying colors and not only put a competitive product on the track for Noah but also contend for strong results in our upcoming races this summer.

“As Terry said, Noah is not just another driver to walk through our doors; he is family, and his enthusiastic and ambitious attitude will help make our NASCAR Xfinity Series presence memorable, starting in Charlotte.”

In addition to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Gragson will compete for Rette Jones Racing in two ARCA Menards Series races in 2024. Gragson will compete in the upcoming ARCA Menards Series West race at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in June and bookend his two-race ARCA program with RJR in the ARCA Menards Series final road course race of the season at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in September.

RJR will continue to field a full-time ASA STARS National Tour effort for Canadian Kyle Steckly while also competing in other select ARCA Menards Series races through October 2024.

For more on Noah Gragson, like him on Facebook (Noah Gragson Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@noahgragson), TikTok and X | Twitter (@NoahGragson).

For more on Rette Jones Racing, please visit RetteJonesRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Rette Jones Racing), or follow them on Instagram (@RetteJones30) and X | Twitter (@RetteJones30).

The BetMGM 300 (200 laps | 200 miles) is the 12th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., May 24, 2024, from 3:35 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 4:05 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Sat., May 25, 2024, shortly after 1:00 p.m., with live coverage on FOX, the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

About Rette Jones Racing:

Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, Rette Jones Racing (RJR) was founded in 2015 with the intent of building a successful racing operation built around the fundamentals of hard work and a never-give-up attitude.

Owned by racers Terry Jones and Mark Rette, RJR plans to field a full-time entry in 2024 in the ASA STARS National Tour Series while also planning to field vehicles in the ARCA Menards Series platform and NASCAR respectively.

Rette Jones Racing also offers technical and setup intel as part of its technical alliance partnership program.

Ford Performance NASCAR – 2024 Kansas 1 Advance

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Official Release
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KANSAS 1

Saturday, May 4 — NASCAR Craftsman Series, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, May 5 — NASCAR Cup Series, 3 p.m. ET (FS1)

The month of May kicks off with the first of two trips this year to Kansas Speedway, where the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series returns to action on Saturday night. That will be followed on Sunday afternoon by the NASCAR Cup Series. Ford has 15 combined wins at the 1.5-mile facility.

LOGANO GOING FOR FOURTH

KANSAS VICTORY

Joey Logano will be looking for his fourth career win at Kansas Speedway this weekend, which would be a personal best. Logano currently has three career wins at five series tracks, including Kansas, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Phoenix Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway. He won for the first time at Kansas in 2014, and then did it again one year later in a well-documented battle with Matt Kenseth that resulted in contact as the two entered turn one with five laps to go. That controversial finish marked Logano’s second straight playoff win and led to a sweep of the round as he took the checkered flag the following week at Talladega. His last Kansas win came in 2020 when he led the final 45 laps to beat Kevin Harvick across the finish line and clinch a spot in the Championship 4.

ONE OF BRAD’S BEST

Brad Keselowski comes into this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race looking for his first win of the season, but Kansas Speedway could provide the proper medicine for a trip to Victory Lane. That’s because Kansas ranks as his fifth-best venue when it comes to average finish on tracks that currently make up the 2023 circuit. In 28 career starts at Kansas Speedway, Keselowski has a pair of wins, seven top-5 and 14 top-10 efforts for an average finishing position of 12.3 (same as Michigan). Only Loudon (9.8), Pocono (10.9), Las Vegas (11.6) and Richmond (12.0) are better.

JOEY LOGANO: “I believe Kansas has become the best racetrack for the Next Gen car. You look at how wide the racetrack is and the racing that is there, the groove has moved around as it has weathered over the years since it’s been repaved. It’s been a really good race track for these cars, so I look forward to going there for sure. It’s definitely one of those tracks where it takes everything. Downforce is king. Horsepower is a big deal. You’re on the gas a lot. You’ve got to have a car that’s versatile enough to run the bottom on restarts and also be versatile enough on the long run to where you can move up or down to make passes, so the car that can do a lot of different things pretty good is usually the one that is the strongest.”

CHASE BRISCOE: “I feel really good about Kansas and just where our mile-and-a-half program has been. Texas was really good for us and at Vegas we were pretty good, too, so I feel like if we can take some of those things and apply it to Kansas, we’ll be in a pretty good spot. Honestly, I just need to survive these next two weeks and see where we stand from a points standpoint.”

NOAH GRAGSON: “I feel like Kansas is pretty good. Those tracks where they’re a mile-and–a-half and you have progressive banking you have options. You can go to the bottom. You can go to the middle. You can go to the top. It seems like we do well up against the outside wall, but it gives you options to move around, so I think those kind of mile-and-a-halves are really good for the Next Gen car. I noticed at Vegas and Texas that we had good speed in our Mustangs, so that’s been a lot of fun. That’s more of our bread-and-butter this year, so I’m super excited for the next handful of weeks.”

CHRIS BUESCHER: “Kansas is one of those that even after the repave on the Xfinity side, I was there very shortly after that, was really good at that point and then as its aged and moved around and gotten a lot of character I still love it. I still think it’s a really good racetrack. It’s got a lot of different options. You can run top to bottom. It’s got character and I think that’s always a big hitter for me is when we go places that they’re not too smooth or they’re not too clean-cut, I like that. I think that just creates options. I think about the old Atlanta. That was my absolute favorite mile-and-a-half, and you look at Kansas now that Atlanta has been repaved and it’s starting to slowly take that spot.”

JOSH BERRY: “I think Kansas just races really well with the Next Gen. I think just having the different lane options – top, middle, bottom, against the fence, the restarts are crazy – I think it just puts on a really good race there and Kansas is unique. It’s kind of to the point where it’s starting to age and wear the tires a little bit, so there’s that side of things. You’ve got to be conscious of how you’re pushing the tires and sliding the tires, which is more fun as a driver just to know you have to pay a little bit more attention to that, so I just think all of those things together it just puts on a good show.”

ON THE MARK

Ford went to Victory Lane for the first time at Kansas Speedway on Oct. 9, 2005 when Mark Martin took the checkered flag in what was a Roush Fenway Racing runaway with teammates Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards finishing second and third, respectively. Martin led a race-high 139 laps, including 81 of the final 83 circuits, to win by one-half second. It marked the second time in as many months that RFR swept the top three spots, a feat it did two more times during that season. In addition, the victory ended up being Martin’s last with Ford. His 35 series wins with the manufacturer ranks third all-time behind leader Ned Jarrett (43) and second-place Bill Elliott (40).

CALLED DUE TO DARKNESS

A couple of rain delays and impending darkness couldn’t keep Greg Biffle from winning a shortened Lifelock 400 on Sept. 30, 2007. The race was delayed for more than three hours and NASCAR decided to shorten the distance from 267 laps to 210 laps when it became evident there wouldn’t be enough daylight to finish. Biffle passed Kevin Harvick on lap 274, but when Juan Pablo Montoya blew a tire to bring out the caution with four laps to go it appeared he would have to survive a green-white-checker finish in order to win. NASCAR, however, decided to end the race under caution due to darkness. The win was Biffle’s first of the season and snapped a 32-race winless drought.

CRAFTON A TOP 10 FIXTURE

Matt Crafton enters this weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway eighth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings, but being in the top 10 isn’t anything new to the veteran Ford driver. Crafton is currently on a streak that has seen him in the top 10 for 52 consecutive weeks and 73 of the last 74 dating back to the 2021 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway. In 27 career starts at Kansas Speedway, Crafton has a career-best three wins, including one with Ford in 2020, and 14 top-10 finishes.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT KANSAS

2005 – Mark Martin

2007 – Greg Biffle

2010 – Greg Biffle

2012 – Matt Kenseth (2)

2014 – Joey Logano (2)

2015 – Joey Logano (2)

2018 – Kevin Harvick (1)

2019 – Brad Keselowski (1)

2020 – Joey Logano (2)

FORD NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT KANSAS

2003 – Jon Wood

2004 – Carl Edwards

2006 – Terry Cook

2007 – Erik Darnell

2020 – Matt Crafton (2)

2022 – Zane Smith (1)

Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports Partner with Razzle Dazzle Grapes for Darlington Throwback Weekend

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Official Release
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Third-Generation Racer to Showcase First NASCAR Regional Touring Series Victory

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 30, 2024) – Spire Motorsports and Corey LaJoie have partnered with DLJ Produce, via its Razzle Dazzle brand of grapes, to commemorate LaJoie’s first ARCA Menard’s Series East victory with a special look for the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway.

LaJoie’s No. 7 Razzle Dazzle Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will showcase a similar paint scheme to the one he raced to his first career NASCAR Regional Touring Series win, coming on June 2, 2012 in the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 at historic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Concord, N.C., native went on to win four more ARCA Menard’s Series East (formerly K&N Pro Series East) races in 2012 driving his family-owned No. 07 machine.

“It’s always fun when we can bring a new partner to the track and introduce them to the sport,” said LaJoie. “I really appreciate the team at Razzle Dazzle for being willing to participate in Darlington’s initiative and help us throw it back to my first NASCAR win at Bowman Gray. Our Razzle Dazzle Chevy Camaro looks awesome and we’re going to work our tails off to have a great day on the race track.”

DLJ Produce, through its Razzle Dazzle brand, has become synonymous with quality and trust in the Fresh Produce industry. With decades of experience, DLJ Produce has consistently delivered the finest produce, nurturing strong partnerships with local and international growers, and upholding uncompromising standards of excellence.

Razzle Dazzle table grapes are meticulously grown and harvested to ensure a premium taste experience. Each grape is carefully selected for its natural sweetness, offering a burst of flavor in every bite. From classic favorites to unique varieties, Razzle Dazzle brings a spectrum of taste and color to consumers’ plates, elevating every moment with its brilliance.

“Partnering with Spire Motorsports under our Razzle Dazzle brand is a thrilling extension of our commitment to excellence and community engagement,” said Bill Coombs, President/CEO DLJ Produce. “Just as we strive to deliver the finest produce to our customers, we’re excited to see Corey Lajoie bring the brilliance of Razzle Dazzle to the exhilarating world of the NASCAR Cup Series, enriching experiences for fans nationwide.”

LaJoie has 12 previous NCS starts at the “Track Too Tough To Tame” dating to 2017 and has logged one top 15 and six top-25 finishes, completing just shy of 92 percent of the laps contested over that span.

The 32-year-old father of two recorded a team- and venue-best 15th-place finish in the 2021 Southern 500. In the series most recent visit to Darlington Raceway, LaJoie started and finished 22nd.

The Goodyear 400 from Darlington Raceway will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, May 12, beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 13th of 36 races on the 2024 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About DLJ Produce …
As a responsible corporate citizen, DLJ Produce is deeply committed to giving back to the communities it serves. Through sustainable farming practices, reducing environmental impact, and actively supporting local initiatives, DLJ Produce enriches lives and fosters a stronger connection between consumers and their source of nourishment. DLJ Produce is at the forefront of innovation, constantly seeking new ways to improve quality and streamline operations. By embracing sustainable farming methods and investing in cutting-edge technology, DLJ Produce ensures that every product delivered is a testament to its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

DLJ Produce prioritizes its customers at every stage of its operations. From sourcing the finest produce to ensuring timely delivery and providing exceptional service, DLJ Produce is dedicated to meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of its customers. With a commitment to quality, freshness, and satisfaction, DLJ Produce builds lasting relationships with its customers, empowering them to enjoy the best nature has to offer with confidence and trust.

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 April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Harrison and Doyle Team Up to Take On Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America AM Championship

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(Indianapolis, Ind.) April 30, 2024 — Graham Doyle and Ashton Harrison announced today plans to co-pilot the No. 10 DEX Imaging Huracán for the remainder of the 2024 Lamborghini Super Trofeo (LST) North America Championship season. Within the Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) stable of four LST Huracán entries, supported by Lamborghini Palm Beach, the duo has big plans to make their mark in the fiercely competitive AM class.

“I think this is a perfect pairing,” said Wayne Taylor, Team Principal. “Ashton is a great choice and part of our family. Ashton brings a lot of experience in Super Trofeo as well as climbing the ladder in these series. Graham and I think that this is a great next step for him as well. Both Graham and Ashton are committed to sportscar racing, and endurance racing specifically, and working together as teammates will support their continued growth as drivers.”

After recently serving as the Rolex 24 At Daytona co-driver in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the No. 45 DEX Imaging Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, Harrison will make her return to the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Championship alongside GTD teammate, Doyle.

“I’m really excited to join Graham and WTRAndretti for the reminder of the LST season in the No. 10 DEX Imaging Lamborghini Super Trofeo,” said Ashton Harrison, co-driver of the No. 10 DEX Imaging WTRAndretti LST. “I enjoyed sharing a car with Graham at Daytona this year and am so thrilled to go racing full-time him with a goal of many podiums and wins for the remainder of the LST season and World Finals. Thank you to the Doyles and Graham for the opportunity to join his LST program and I look forward to a great season!”

Harrison previously competed in a four-year stint the LST North America Championship with WTRAndretti, where she became the first female to win a Lamborghini World Finals race (2019). Prior to her return in the LST North America Championship, Harrison broadened her experience in sportscar racing after competing as a GTD category co-driver in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup in 2023 as well as earning Vice Champion honors in the PRO class of the 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge America Championship.

“I’m eagerly anticipating working with Ashton again,” said Graham Doyle, co-driver of the No. 10 DEX Imaging WTRAndretti LST. “Over the past year, notably at the Rolex 24, Ashton and I have not only collaborated positively but also pushed each other to excel on the track. Continuing as teammates for the rest of the Super Trofeo season will enhance our partnership and team dynamics. This new chapter marks the beginning of an exciting journey together.”

In 2024, Doyle stepped up to the AM class in the series in his No. 10 DEX Imaging LST as well as expanded his sportscar racing resume as the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup co-driver in the No. 45 DEX Imaging Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. In his rookie debut last season in the LB Cup Class, the 18-year-old was able to contend for podiums straight out of the box and went on to win four races, four poles and eight podiums on his way to become the 2023 Vice Champion in the LB Cup category. Doyle also received 2023 World Finals accolades with a LB Cup race win at Vallelunga.

Doyle and Harrison will begin their journey as co-drivers at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, for Rounds 3 and 4 of the LST North America Championship on May 11-12, 2024. The doubleheader will be broadcast with each 50-minute race featured on Peacock with Race 1 set for 8:40 p.m. ET (5:40 p.m. ET) on Saturday, May 11, followed by Race 2 at 12:40 p.m. ET (9:40 a.m. PT) on Sunday, May 12.
ABOUT WTRANDRETTI’S DRIVER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Wayne Taylor Racing, now with Andretti Global (#WTRAndretti), is a leader in sportscar racing, recognized worldwide for fielding championship winning racing efforts since 2007. WTRAndretti has run a stable of championship winning cars and drivers in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series for over half a decade, forming the basis of its Driver Development Program. Since its inception in 2015, the team has clinched eight North American PRO Driver, Team and Dealer Championship titles, fielded the first woman World Finals race winner and became the overall 2017 Champions at the World Finals in Imola, Italy. In addition to its Lamborghini Super Trofeo stable, WTRAndretti fields a two-car GTP program with it Championship winning No 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 and No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 effort as well as GTD program with the No. 45 DEX Imaging Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2.

For more information on WTRAndretti’s Driver Development Program and how to get involved, contact Travis Houge at info@waynetaylorracing.com.

WTRAndretti’s long term partnerships in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Championship include DEX Imaging, Harrison Contracting Company and Lamborghini Palm Beach.

Auto-Owners Insurance Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Kansas Advance

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Martin Truex Jr.
Kansas Advance
No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing

Event Overview

● Event: AdventHeatlth 400 (Race 12 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 5
● Location: Kansas Speedway in Kansas City
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Format: 267 laps, 400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 85 laps / Final Stage: 102 laps
● TV/Radio: FS1 / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Where We Stand: The New Jersey native heads to Kansas Speedway in Kansas City second in the driver standings with 395 points, 15 behind leader Kyle Larson. Three of the four Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) entries are currently inside the top-10 in the standings heading to the 12th points race of the season, with Denny Hamlin fourth and Ty Gibbs eighth.

● Up Front: All four JGR Toyota Camry XSE drivers are among the leaders in total laps led this season. Larson’s 570 laps tops the list for the Cup Series, followed by Hamlin (535), Truex (437) and Gibbs (201) in second, third and fourth, respectively. Bell is 10th on the list with 120 laps led.

● Truex has two wins, 10 top-five finishes, 17 top-10s and has led a total of 906 laps in 31 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kansas. Truex’s average Kansas finish is 12.9.

● Strong in the Heartland: Truex’s two Kansas wins came by way of a season sweep of the spring and fall races there in 2017. The feat kicked off a 13-race stretch on the 1.5-mile oval during which he earned six top-fives and finished inside the top-10 all but once.

● While he doesn’t like to play favorites, Truex certainly excels at tracks with worn-out surfaces, where driver skill is key to managing the tires and the racecar over the course of a long race. At four such tracks, Kansas, Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway, Truex has notched six wins, 23 top-five finishes and 45 top-10s, and has led 2,209 laps. After Kansas this weekend, the Cup Series will race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway next week.

● Looking for 35: Truex’s win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon last July was his most recent Cup Series win, the 34th of his career, tying him with 2004 Cup Series champion Kurt Busch for 25th on the all-time Cup Series win list.

● Ahead at this Stage: Truex has accumulated 63 stage wins since the beginning of the stage era in 2017. He is the only driver with 10 or more stage sweeps, with his latest sweep coming at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn last August. Truex scored his second stage win of the season at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway last weekend, leading the field across the line at the end of Stage 1.

Martin Truex Jr., Driver of the No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry XSE

You have had success at Kansas Speedway over the years, but your most recent visit turned out to be a challenge. Can you talk a little bit about what it takes to have a solid day there?

“Yeah, for sure. I felt really good about our car there last year, but it didn’t last very long with the tire issue. Kansas (Speedway) is a really fun racetrack. It’s a place where you can move around.The tires wear out and it gets slippery. It’s just a fun place to race and we’re looking forward to it with our Auto-Owners Insurance Camry. At the same time, I think it’s a real measuring stick of your cars and where you’re at. It takes everything to get around there. You have to have horsepower and downforce, a good setup with a lot of tire grip and things like that. It’s a big challenge and usually the guys that have the fastest cars are up front there, so hopefully we’ll be one of those guys because it seems like our Camrys have been really strong this year.”

You head to Kansas this weekend looking for the first win of the season. What will it take to break through and get that first win of 2024?

“Building on what we’ve done so far this year, I feel like Kansas is one of those places that has always suited my style. It’s a place you can move around, it gets really slick and there’s a lot of tire falloff. I really enjoy that. As good as our cars have been lately, I feel good about our chances that we’ll go there and have race-winning speed. And then it’s all about execution, which we are working on right now. If we can have a straightforward strategy race and good pit stops, I think we are going to be in the mix at Kansas, for sure.”

What is racing at Kansas like, and what other track is most similar?

“I would say Kansas is a lot like Homestead but with a tri-oval. Similar corners and a little bit of progressive banking. The wall has really come into play the last couple of years there since the asphalt has worn out. So, running high is very important there, and also momentum is very important at Kansas. You have a big, wide, front straightaway that gives you the option to make big bold moves on the restarts where it can get pretty wild there. Kansas is definitely high on my list of places I like to race, and we are hoping for a great weekend there with our Auto-Owners Insurance Camry.”

There’s a lot of variety in the schedule now – you go from short tracks, to concrete, to road courses, and this week to a 1.5-mile oval. How do you take on the challenge of the variety of tracks you go to in the Cup Series?

“I feel like the schedule nowadays is all over the place with all the variety we have, it’s just that every week is so different and you have to do your homework and study and think back to last year and past races just to remind ourselves. We have really short practices now, so you don’t get a lot of time to get dialed in and get comfortable, and not getting in that rhythm and just getting the car dialed in. We don’t have a lot of time and we need to show up and be ready to go. For the most part, I’ve been doing to these tracks for quite a while, now, and you lean on that past experience a lot.”

No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Martin Truex Jr.

Hometown: Mayetta, New Jersey

Crew Chief: James Small

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Car Chief: Chris Jones

Hometown: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Race Engineer: Jaik Halpainy

Hometown: Blockville, New York

Engineer: Jeff Curtis

Hometown: Fairfax Station, Virginia

Spotter: Drew Herring

Hometown: Benson, North Carolina

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Ryan Martin

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Virgina

Mechanic: Todd Carmichael

Hometown: Redding, California

Interior/Tire Specialist: Tommy DiBlasi

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Engine Tuner: Beau Morton

Hometown: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Transporter Driver: Kyle Bazzell

Hometown: Fairbury, Illinois

Transporter Driver: Eddie DeGroot

Hometown: Baldwinsville, New York

Over-The-Wall Crew Members

Gas Man: Matt Tyrrell

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Jackman: Caleb Dirks

Hometown: Riverside, California

Tire Carrier: CJ Bailey

Hometown: Outer Banks, North Carolina

Front Tire Changer: Lee Cunningham

Hometown: Leaf River, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Mike Laheta

Hometown: Gibraltar, Michigan

RFK Advance | Kansas I

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Official Release
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Kansas I Event Info:
Date: Sunday, May 5
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
Format: 267 Laps, 400.5 miles, Stages: 80-85-102
TV: FS1
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 5:05 p.m. ET, Practice (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 5:50 p.m. ET, Qualifying (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3 p.m. ET, Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • Kansas hosts its first of two race dates in 2024 as the NASCAR Cup Series embarks on its 12th points race of the season. Kansas marks just the third 1.5-mile race of the season.
  • RFK is coming off a P2 finish in the last 1.5-mile track (Texas – Brad Keselowski), and the No. 6 earned a ninth-place finish in the last trip to Kansas. Chris Buescher has three-straight qualifying efforts of 14th or better at Kansas.
  • Jack Roush has four wins in the Cup Series at Kansas and nine overall, the most recent in 2012.

6 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Matt McCall
Partner: Consumer Cellular

17 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Castrol Edge

Keselowski at Kansas
Starts: 28
Wins: 2 (2011, 2019)
Top-10s: 14
Poles: 2 (2015, 2021)

  • Keselowski makes his 29th start at Kansas this weekend, a track where he carries a 12.3 average finish. He’s coming off a ninth-place run last fall, his 14th top-10 at the 1.5-mile track. He finished 19th in the 2023 spring race.
  • Keselowski has an average starting position of 11.3 with 17 starts inside the top-10. He most recently qualified 20th last spring and 12th in the fall, and has two career poles (2015, 2021) in Kansas.
  • He also made a combined 10 starts in the Xfinity and Truck Series with one win and five combined top-10s.

Buescher at Kansas
Starts: 16
Wins: —
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

  • Buescher makes his 17th start at Kansas this weekend. He has three top-10s at the 1.5-mile track with a best finish of sixth (2017).
  • He’s coming off a 27th-place finish in the 2023 fall race where he lost a tire with less than 10 laps remaining. He finished 17th in the spring, but qualified top-15 in both races.
  • Dating back to the 2022 fall event, Buescher has qualified 14th or better in all three races, including a career-best 10th in that 2022 fall race. His average starting position stands at 19.6.
  • Buescher made three Xfinity starts at Kansas from 2013-15 with a best finish of sixth (2015).

RFK Historically at Kansas
Cup Wins: 4 (Mark Martin, 2005; Greg Biffle, 2007, 2010; Matt Kenseth, 2012)

  • Follow the Yellow Brick Road: Overall, RFK has started 183 races across the three national series, earning nine wins, 41 top-five finishes, 77 top-10 finishes and has an overall average finish of 15th.
  • Winning at Kansas: RFK swept both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NCS races at Kansas in the fall of 2012 with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Matt Kenseth. Stenhouse became the sixth driver to win at the track for the organization via his Xfinity victory. NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin earned RFK’s first NCS win at Kansas in 2005 and former driver Greg Biffle bested the 1.5-mile track in 2007 and 2010. RFK’s first overall win at Kansas came in 2002 via Jeff Burton in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Three drivers (Jon Wood in 2003, Carl Edwards in 2004 and Erik Darnell in 2007) have won in the NCWTS at Kansas for RFK.
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has started 114 NCS races at Kansas, recording four victories, 20 top-five finishes, 37 top-10 finishes, an average finish of 16.7 and has led 993 laps. Kenseth earned the most recent victory at Kansas in the fall of 2012.

RFK Kansas Wins

2002 Burton NXS
2003 Wood Truck
2004 Edwards Truck
2005 Martin Cup
2007 Biffle Cup
2007 Darnell Truck
2010 Biffle Cup
2012-2 Kenseth Cup
2012 Stenhouse NXS

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Dover: Buescher led the RFK charge with a 17th-place result in Dover last weekend. Keselowski spun early on and later suffered a blown tire to finish 30th.

Points Standings (17: 14th, 6: 16th): Buescher advanced two positions to P14, while Keselowski sits 16th. Just 17 points separate 11th-17th.

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