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AFTER HISTORIC FUNNY CAR WIN, BOB TASCA AFTER MORE AT CHARLOTTE’S NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS

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Official Release
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CONCORD, N.C. (April 23, 2024) – Bob Tasca III knows all about how difficult it is to win a four-wide drag race, doing so two weeks ago in Las Vegas under the rarest of circumstances in NHRA Funny Car history.

The talented veteran pulled off the first triple holeshot in Funny Car to defeat Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and Austin Prock at the four-wide event in Vegas, winning one of the most thrilling final rounds in four-wide history. Next up is a chance to sweep the four-wide events at this weekend’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.

Tasca feels right at home at the “Bellagio of Dragstrips,” winning the fall race at the state-of-the-art facility and bringing plenty of momentum into this weekend following his historic win. But Tasca, who is seeking his first Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals victory in his 11,000-horsepower Ford Performance Mustang, knows just how difficult it is to win one of the biggest spectacles in motorsports.

His Vegas win proved that and things definitely won’t get any easier in the loaded Funny Car ranks this weekend at zMAX Dragway.

“It would definitely be nice to sweep (the four-wide races) and we’re definitely going to try,” Tasca said. “Nobody is going to try harder than us. Last week was a big moment and you have rise to the occasion. We’ve got a good car and a great team, but this is tough to do. It’s really hard to win an NHRA race when you’re racing against one car in the finals, but do you know how hard it is to win when you’re racing three people in the finals? It is, by far, the hardest race to win.”

Austin Prock (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Deric Kramer (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed victories in 2023 and this event will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. It is the fifth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and Tasca was thrilled to find his groove in Las Vegas.

After an up-and-down start to his campaign, Tasca struck gold in Vegas, qualifying fourth and picking up his first victory of the season. The team had qualified well, taking the second spot twice already this year, but back-to-back losses in Phoenix and Pomona dropped the team to sixth. After the win, Tasca is back to third in a star-studded field that includes Prock, J.R. Todd, John Force, Capps and Hagan. Tasca, though, is determined to compete for a championship a season after staying in the title hunt until the final day of the season. That means nothing comes easy, but it makes for a spectacular show and the triumphs even more special.

“You can see the energy in the sport right now and that’s what it’s all about,” Tasca said. “When the product is that good on the track, it just fosters growth and excitement. I’m thrilled about the state of the sport and Ford is committed to drag racing, and that’s very exciting. We’re four races into a 20-race season, so we’ve got a lot more action we’re going to show fans this season.”

Tasca is also part of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge in Charlotte. It’s the first time the specialty event takes place at zMAX Dragway, bringing competitive racing to Saturday qualifying – four-wide style. Tasca’s quad includes, Prock, Alexis DeJoria and Chad Green, while the other foursome features Capps, Hagan, Todd and Paul Lee.

The two top finishers in each quad will advance and the final Challenge round will feature a quad of racers running for the bonus purse and championship points.

In Top Fuel, the Challenge features Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley, Clay Millican and Antron Brown, with Doug Kalitta, Steve Torrence, Brittany Force and Josh Hart making up the other foursome. The Pro Stock Challenge features Jerry Tucker, Brandon Foster, Glenn and Erica Latino in one group and Enders, J. Coughlin, Anderson and David Cuadra in the other. In PSM, one Challenge quad includes Herrera, John Hall, Johnson and A. Smith, with Marc Ingwersen, M. Smith, Richard Gadson and LE Tonglet making up the other quad.

Each competitor will also try to make it a double-up on Sunday with an event win, ensuring the 4-Wide Nationals are loaded with action the entire weekend.

The NHRA 4-Wide Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which features some of the sport’s top drivers, as well as the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock and the new Holley EFI Factory X category. The Summit Racing Equipment Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout will also take place in Charlotte. Fans can also look forward to the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Autograph Session at the Mission Foods Display and the Toyota Autograph Display, both of which take place on Saturday morning.

All weekend long, fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage at zMAX Dragway. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the SealMaster Track Walk. The final experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners of the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals.

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

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, April 26 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 27 at 12 and 2:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 28. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday and then eliminations action at 6 p.m. ET to follow.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, please visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 800-455-3267. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

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

Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Pete Store Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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Official Release
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Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 23, 2024) – Michael McDowell and his No. 34 Pete Store Ford Mustang Dark Horse travel to the Dover Motor Speedway to tackle the Monster Mile.

The No. 34 team will sport a returning brand on their Ford Mustang Dark Horse. The Pete Store will make their 2024 season debut. A three-time Peterbilt North American Dealer of the Year (2004, 2016, and 2018), The Pete Store is a respected dealer in the transportation industry with locations spanning the eastern United States. The Pete Store offers sales, services, leasing, parts, and financing of Peterbilt trucks.

The Cup Series will have practice and qualifying on Saturday, April 27th at 10:30 a.m. ET. The 400-mile event will take place Sunday, April 28th at 2:00 p.m. ET and will be televised live on FS1. Fans can also listen in on the action live from Sirius XM and the Performance Racing Network.

No. 34 Pete Store Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“Dover is such a fast track. It’s also a really tough track on both drivers and equipment. It’s one of those places where you really feel challenged, both physically and mentally. I’m confident that Travis and the team will be able to bring us a fast Pete Store Ford Mustang Dark Horse.”

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“Dover is a fun track and a fast track that makes it even more challenging. I think we’ll be able to take the information from earlier this season at places like Bristol and apply it at the Monster Mile to get some good speed out of our car.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 A&W All American Food Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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Official Release
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Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 23, 2024) – Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 team make their annual trip to the Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway. Carrying the momentum from his 8th place finish at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Gilliland looks to rack in another top-10 finish.

Gilliland has a career best finish of 4th at the one-mile track in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, driving the No. 38 Ford F-150 for Front Row Motorsports. In the NASCAR Cup Series, Gilliland has a career best finish of 25th in just two starts.

Track activity will begin on Saturday, April 27th with practice and qualifying at 10:30 am ET. The 400-lap event will take place Sunday, April 28th at 2:00 pm ET. Fans can watch the event live on FS1 or listen in from the Performance Racing Network and Sirius XM channel 90.

No. 38 A&W All American Food Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“We’re in a good spot now as a team. We have a lot of good momentum going to a track I haven’t been historically good at, but I have a feeling that will change this weekend. Dover is a wild race, for sure. You feel like you’re flying when dropping into the corner and on the exit with all the banking. It’s a roller coaster.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“Dover is a tough track. Like Todd said, he hasn’t been great there in the past on the Cup side, but in trucks, he’s done pretty well. I think we can translate that success to Sunday.”

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.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CONTINUES TITLE SPONSORSHIP OF NHRA JR. DRAG RACING LEAGUE FOR ACTION-PACKED 2024 SEASON

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (April 23, 2024) — NHRA officials announced today that Summit Racing Equipment will again be the title sponsor of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, a popular racing league for kids ages 5-17, which features a host of special events during the 2024 season.

Summit Racing Equipment has been a longtime supporter of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, which celebrates its 32nd year with a host of thrilling races, providing a memorable platform for young racers to perform at a high level. Back in 2024 are the exciting eight-car shootouts that take place at seven different NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national events.

“We’re proud to continue to support the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, which has enjoyed terrific growth and an incredible level of competition. For so many young racers, this is the start of a long career in drag racing and we believe this is a great program to get their start,” said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports & Events Manager. “Now in its third year, the Summit Racing JDRL National Shootouts have helped create more national exposure to junior drag racing and give the racers an even bigger and well-deserved platform.”

The eight-car shootouts debuted two years ago and will take place sat NHRA national events across all seven divisions, beginning with the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals on April 26-28 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte. The final round will take place on Sunday and be included on the television broadcast during eliminations on FS1, with racers running alongside the stars in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

In addition to the exciting television spotlight for the young racers, the event winner will also be included in the parade of championships, giving the rising stars in the sport the chance to be recognized at the track and on NHRA.tv.

“It’s really meaningful to see Summit Racing Equipment’s tremendous support of these talented young racers in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League and provide an even bigger opportunity to shine with these eight-car shootouts,” NHRA Sportsman Racing Manager Sara Walker said. “Our member tracks and partners have been strong supporters of Jr. Drag Racing, which has played a huge role in the growth of the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, and we’re excited for further development in 2024.”

The special eight-car shootouts for NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League will also take place at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond on June 21-23, Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk on June 27-30, Pacific Raceway in Seattle on July 19-21, Brainerd International Raceway on Aug. 15-18, Texas Motorplex in Dallas on Oct. 10-13 and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Nov. 14-17.

One of the other major highlights this year will be the NHRA Right Trailers Western and Eastern Conference Finals. Texas Motorplex will host its first Western Conference Finals race, welcoming competitors June 8-15, with Capco Contractors coming on board as a presenting sponsor as well. Bristol Dragway will again be the site of the Eastern Conference Finals with racing slated for July 12-20, with Mike Bos serving as the presenting sponsor. Each event’s schedule will include more than a week of racing activities, culminating in the crowning of eight individual champions.

“The NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League continues to grow and receive amazing support from so many great partners,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “From the eight-car shootouts to the Right Trailers Western and Eastern Conference Finals, there are so many great opportunities for these young drivers to excel. Having a strong Jr. Drag Racing League is imperative for the future of the sport and we’re excited for a great season.”

The division championship competition is expanding again in 2024, with Division 1 joining Divisions 2, 6 and 7 in contesting season championship points series throughout their season. Complete schedules are available at www.jrdragster.nhra.com.

NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League competitor’s race cars, called Jr. Dragsters, are half-scale versions of the iconic Top Fuel dragsters. They go as fast as 85 mph and as quick as 7.90 seconds in the eighth-mile using a five-horsepower, single-cylinder engine, though younger age groups are restricted to slower times and speeds.

Since its start in 1992, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League has provided a place for young racers to compete and been the start for many top NHRA professional drivers. The list includes world champions like Pro Stock’s Erica Enders and Top Fuel driver Shawn Langdon, who won a JDRL national championship in 1997, as well standouts such as Top Fuel’s Leah Pruett; Funny Car driver J.R. Todd; Pro Stock competitors Deric Kramer and Chris McGaha; Pro Stock Motorcycle riders Gaige Herrera, Cory Reed and many more.

For more information on the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, please visit http://jrdragster.nhra.com/.

About Summit Racing Equipment

Summit Racing Equipment has been the World’s Speed Shop® for over 50 years! Summit Racing is the world’s largest e-commerce, mail order, and retailer of performance automotive parts and accessories. Summit Racing offers a huge selection of parts in stock from over 1,500 manufacturers for all forms of racing, street performance, off-roading, restoration, tools, and yes, diesel. It also offers fast ground service shipping to most areas of the country and same-day shipping on in-stock items. Summit Racing has the industry’s top-rated customer service and a full-time technical department to answer your questions. With headquarters in Tallmadge, Ohio, Summit operates distribution and retail stores in Tallmadge, Sparks, NV, McDonough, GA, and Arlington, TX.

Summit Racing Equipment
www.summitracing.com
1-800-230-3030

About NHRA

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

Erik Jones to Miss Race at Dover Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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STATESVILLE, N.C. (April 23, 2024) – Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™, will not compete in this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Dover Motor Speedway. LEGACY M.C.’s reserve driver Corey Heim will substitute for Jones in this weekend’s 400-mile race.

Jones was involved in a multi-car accident on Lap 157 during Sunday afternoon’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway and the 27-year-old was checked and released from the track infield care center. He was then transported to UAB University Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., for further evaluation and testing. Jones returned home to North Carolina on Sunday night and met with specialists in the Charlotte area where it was determined that Jones suffered a compression fracture in a lower vertebra.

Although there has been no timeline set for Jones’s return behind the wheel, he will be in attendance in Dover to help call the race with his crew. Heim, 21, a native of Marietta, Ga., currently competes in the NASCAR Truck Series for TRICON Garage and in the Xfinity Series for Sam Hunt Racing.

“Erik’s long-term health is our number one priority,” said Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of LEGACY M.C. “It will be great to see him at the track Sunday and we intend to give him the time it takes to recover properly. I know Corey will do a great job behind the wheel for the CLUB. In the meantime, our thoughts are with Erik and his wife Holly – they have our total support.”

LEGACY M.C. will request a medical waiver for Jones to remain eligible for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

ABOUT

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice “Maury” J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The CLUB competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series fielding the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE of John Hunter Nemechek, the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE of Erik Jones, and the No. 84 limited schedule entry for Johnson. LEGACY M.C. also competes in the Extreme E Series. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty “The King” serves as Club Ambassador. With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

Meyer Shank Racing Carries Long Beach Momentum To Alabama

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Official Release
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Pataskala, Ohio (23 April 2024) – The last thing a hot team wants is a break in the schedule, and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar complied as Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) heads to Alabama following a successful weekend where the team earned its first-ever INDYCAR pole and another top-10 finish to start the young season.

Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) etched himself in MSR lore last Saturday when he paced qualifying at Long Beach, before finishing ninth in the race, marking the first time in its 123 series’ starts that the MSR colors led the field to the green flag.

This week the pairing of Rosenqvist and Tom Blomqvist (No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda) will trade the narrow streets of Long Beach to the relatively wide-open spaces of Barber Motorsports Park, for Sunday’s Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix (1:00pm ET, NBC, SiriusXM Ch. 218).

Rosenqvist has started his MSR career in style, qualifying on the front row in St. Petersburg, then leading his qualifying session at the exhibition event at The Thermal Club before taking the NTT P1 Award last weekend at Long Beach.

Blomqvist has continued to show improvement in his rookie campaign, again setting a new personal best last week by starting 15th before coming home in 22nd.

The 17-turn Alabama road course has never been an easy one for MSR as the team has yet to start or finish in the top 10 on the 2.3-mile circuit. Simon Pagenaud made up 13 positions to finish 11th in 2022, which matched Jack Harvey’s team best in . Rosenqvist, who is seventh in the 2024 series’ standings, has shown his ability to learn at Barber as he set a new personal mark by finishing ninth there a year ago, the best result in his four previous starts.

Although Blomqvist will be making his first career start at Barber, he is heading into the weekend with a Barber test session under his belt. Barber will be Blomqvist’s fourth new track since making his series debut last year in Toronto.

Sunday’s Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix will air on NBC and Peacock starting at 1 p.m. ET. Saturday’s qualifying will be shown live on Peacock beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. SiriusXM will also host live IndyCar Radio coverage of both sessions on XM Ch. 218.

Meyer Shank Racing Driver Quotes:

Felix Rosenqvist: “We tested there a couple of weeks ago, which is helpful. It’s good to have that under your belt going into the race weekend where most of the teams haven’t. I still think it’s a track that we pointed out that we want to work on. I feel pretty good about it, I’m not 100% that our package will be as strong as it was here, but I think we have a good baseline to work with. First road course of the season and I’m excited to see how the car is going to feel.”

Tom Blomqvist: “There’s no better way to put a bad weekend behind you then getting thrown into another one. I’m really excited that we can roll straight into Barber. I’ve tested there in IndyCar, so it’s the first track that I’ve come into with some limited INDYCAR experience which I am excited about; although it is a challenging, big commitment track. I actually really enjoyed driving there. Let’s see if we can continue to make those small steps in the right direction.

Ford Performance NASCAR – 2024 Dover Advance

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Official Release
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DOVER

Saturday, April 27 — NASCAR Xfinity Series, 1:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, April 28 — NASCAR Cup Series, 2 p.m. ET (FS1)

Dover Motor Speedway will host its annual NASCAR race this weekend featuring the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series. The last Ford driver to reach Victory Lane at the Monster Mile was Kevin Harvick, who registered the manufacturer’s 700th all-time Cup Series win in 2020.

ANOTHER FRONT ROW SWEEP

When Michael McDowell won the pole and Austin Cindric qualified second at Talladega, it marked the fourth time this season Ford has swept the front row in NASCAR Cup Series qualifying. The pole was McDowell’s second of the season and second of his career, and was Ford’s fifth pole overall. The four front row sweeps matches Ford’s total from each of the last two seasons.

FORD FRONT ROW SWEEPS

Daytona – Joey Logano and Michael McDowell

Atlanta – Michael McDowell and Joey Logano

Bristol – Ryan Blaney and Josh Berry

Talladega – Michael McDowell and Austin Cindric

BERRY AT DOVER

Josh Berry made his NASCAR Cup Series debut on May 16, 2021 at Dover Motor Speedway after he was tabbed to drive the No. 77 for Spire Motorsports. He filled in for Alex Bowman a year ago in the No. 48 and finished 10th, so this will mark his third start at the Monster Mile with his third different team. In addition to his two Cup starts, Berry was dominant in three NASCAR Xfinity Series races with one win (2022) and two runner-up finishes.

BRISCOE AND CINDRIC LOOK TO ADD DOVER CUP WIN

Chase Briscoe and Austin Cindric are looking to add a NASCAR Cup Series win at Dover to go with their NASCAR Xfinity Series victories. Briscoe won the second race of a weekend doubleheader in 2020 and eventually went on to win nine NXS races that season while Cindric won the only time the series visited the one-mile track in 2021.

RYAN BLANEY: “I feel like Dover is always, at least since I’ve been on the Cup side at Penske, a struggle racetrack for us and for our cars. Whatever we do as a group just doesn’t really suit that place as good, so we’ve been really trying a lot of things to try to figure out, ‘OK, what can we do differently?’ I know our three cars went with a pretty different mindset on each car, each team to try to figure out, ‘Alright, how can we run better at this racetrack and be more competitive,’ and our group just kind of hit it and had a pretty decent day. We were able to run in the top five pretty much the whole day, so hopefully we can take what we learned last year and apply it.”

JOEY LOGANO: “The atmosphere around Dover with the fans and everything is unique because the track itself is scary fast. It’s wicked, wicked fast to get around there. I like where it’s located because when I lived in Connecticut, Dover and Loudon were the two closest racetracks, so you get a good New England crowd in Delaware for that race. Everyone seems to have a good time there and with the casino right next to it, it seems like it’s a fun time for everybody.”

NOAH GRAGSON: “It’s a tough, challenging racetrack. I didn’t get too many laps there last year. Qualifying being rained out was tough to prepare for this year, but I feel like we’ve got a solid plan. Last year, I wrecked 30-40 laps into the race, so that was a challenge, but just being patient. I feel like I’ve been a lot more patient this year in general. Dover is a fun, fast racetrack and really challenging with these Next Gen cars.”

HARVICK RECORDS FORD’S 700TH CUP WIN

Kevin Harvick recorded Ford’s 700th all-time series victory when he won at the Monster Mile in 2020. Harvick dominated the second half of the weekend doubleheader, sweeping all three stages and leading 223-of-311 laps to win for the seventh time in 2020. The victory also clinched the regular season championship for Harvick, who went on to lead the series with nine victories.

ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE KING

Ford won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Raceway in 1969 when Richard Petty drove to victory lane on July 6. That marked the only year in which The King drove a Ford and was the fourth of nine wins for him that season, and it came in dominating fashion as he led half of the 300 laps, including the final 109. It was a Ford day all-around as the Blue Oval led every lap in the race with Lee Roy Yarbrough (124) and David Pearson (26) combining to lead the ones Petty didn’t, and had nine of the top 11 finishers.

FROM 500 TO 400

In 1997, Ford swept both Dover events, but it’s remembered for historical reasons because when Ricky Rudd won the spring event on June 1, 1997 it marked the speedway’s final 500-mile event. Rudd took advantage of being in the right place at the right time after leader Ernie Irvan was involved in an accident with 29 laps remaining. Rudd took over the lead and held off Mark Martin over the final few laps to lead a Ford sweep of the top four spots. Martin bounced back a few months later by winning the fall event, which marked the inaugural 400-mile race at the track. That started a streak that saw him win three straight fall events at the Monster Mile.

JUNIE GOES TO VICTORY LANE

Dover proved to be magical for the late Junie Donlavey, who won the only NASCAR Cup Series race of his career at Dover on May 17, 1981 in the Mason-Dixon 500 when driver Jody Ridley took the checkered flag. Ridley had a good car that day, but it was even more reliable and that proved the difference. Neil Bonnett was the dominant driver as he led 404 of the first 459 laps, but he blew an engine that ended his day. Cale Yarborough appeared to be the main beneficiary as he inherited the lead, but the same fate befell him 20 laps from the finish and sent him to the garage. That left Ridley to assume the top spot and he held on from there to register his first and only Cup win. It also ended up being Donlavey’s only trip to victory lane. The Richmond native made 863 starts and fielded strictly Ford products from 1965-2002 in NASCAR’s top series that featured names like LeeRoy Yarbrough, Fred Lorenzen, Harry Gant, Ricky Rudd, Ken Schrader and Dick Trickle.

DEEGAN MAKING DOVER DEBUT

Hailie Deegan has 10 career NASCAR Xfinity Series and 69 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts, but none of them have taken place at Dover Motor Speedway. That will change this weekend when she tackles the Monster Mile in Saturday’s 200-mile race, which comes after her career-best 12th-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway. That marked Deegan’s third finish of 15th or better and second this season to go with her 15th-place run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March.

NASCAR CUP SERIES

DOVER WINNERS

1969 – Richard Petty

1978 – Bobby Allison (2)

1980 – Bobby Allison (1)

1981 – Jody Ridley and Neil Bonnett

1985 – Bill Elliott

1986 – Ricky Rudd (2)

1987 – Davey Allison and Ricky Rudd

1988 – Bill Elliott (Sweep)

1990 – Bill Elliott (2)

1994 – Rusty Wallace (Sweep)

1997 – Ricky Rudd and Mark Martin

1998 – Dale Jarrett and Mark Martin

1999 – Mark Martin (2)

2004 – Mark Martin (1)

2005 – Greg Biffle (1)

2006 – Matt Kenseth (1)

2007 – Carl Edwards (2)

2008 – Greg Biffle (2)

2011 – Matt Kenseth (1)

2018 – Kevin Harvick (1)

2020 – Kevin Harvick (2)

FORD’S NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

DOVER WINNERS

1987 – Mark Martin (1)

2001 – Jeff Green (2)

2002 – Greg Biffle (1)

2004 – Greg Biffle (1)

2007 – Carl Edwards (1)

2011 – Carl Edwards (Sweep)

2013 – Joey Logano (Sweep)

2015 – Chris Buescher (1)

2017 – Ryan Blaney (2)

2019 – Cole Custer (2)

2020 – Chase Briscoe (2)

2021 – Austin Cindric

TRICON Adds Brett Moffitt to No. 1 Lineup

By
Official Release
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2018 Champion Joins TRICON For Multi-Race Slate

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 23, 2024) – TRICON Garage (TRICON) announced today that 2018 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) champion Brett Moffitt has signed with the team to pilot the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro in multiple events.

The longtime Truck Series standout will make his season debut at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, MO on May 4, and is currently slated to compete alongside veteran signal-caller Seth Smith. Last year, Smith helped make NASCAR history at Kansas Speedway, guiding Toni Breidinger to a top-15 finish – the best debut by a female in NCTS history.

Moffitt brings a lengthy and decorated Truck Series resume with him to TRICON. In 93 career starts, the Grimes, Iowa native has tallied 13 victories, 40 top-fives and 54 top-10s with over 12,500 laps led. Nearly half of those victories have come at speedways between one and two miles in length, including a victory at Kansas in October of 2020.

The 31-year-old’s Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will feature support from Concrete Supply, Destiny Homes, JMT Trucking and Aspen Aire.

“I’ve been eager to get back behind the wheel and I’ve been looking for the right team that can consistently compete for wins. TRICON has shown a lot of speed this year and I’m looking forward to getting in the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro at Kansas Speedway in a couple of weeks,” said Moffitt. “Thanks to Toyota, TRICON, Concrete Supply, Destiny Homes and all of our partners for giving me the opportunity to get back on track and chase trophies.”

The Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday, May 4, with radio coverage provided by the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About TRICON Garage

TRICON Garage is Toyota Racing Development’s flagship NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series organization fielding five full-time Toyota Tundra TRD Pros. Under ownership by former NASCAR driver David Gilliland, businessman Johnny Gray and industry veteran Kevin Ray, TRICON is actively involved in three different industries – racing, fabrication and transportation. The team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Connor Mosack to Make Select Starts Aboard Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevy Silverado

By
Official Release
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Former Kansas ARCA Winner Primed to Hone Intermediate Track Skills

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 23, 2024) – Connor Mosack has been given the nod to join Spire Motorsports’ all-star lineup and handle the driving chores in select NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) races, beginning with the May 4 Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway.

Pinnacle Racing Group will be represented on the hood of Mosack’s No. 7 Silverado at the mile-and-a-half Kansas City (Kan.) oval, while Chevrolet Accessories will be showcased on his truck’s upper quarter panels. The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation will appear on the lower-rear quarter panels.

In addition to the Heart of America 200, Mosack will also pilot to the No. 7 Silverado later this summer at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24 and Pocono Raceway on July 12. He’ll be back in the seat during the NCTS playoffs when the division returns to Kanas Speedway September 27 and again at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 26.

“I’m really excited to run these handful of races with Spire this year,” said Mosack. “The 7 team has been really strong and the tracks we’re going to are some of my favorites. Thank you to Spire, Chevrolet, and PRG for giving me the opportunity.”

Over the first seven races of the 2024 NCTS campaign, Spire Motorsports No. 7 team has earned one pole, two wins, five top fives and led 268 laps with four different drivers including Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Connor Zilisch and Sammy Smith.

Mosack, 25, is an accomplished and versatile racer who began his career in 2017 in the US Legends Cars ranks and has since made multiple starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NCTS and ARCA Menards Series.

In 2023, Mosack competed in select ARCA Menards Series events and put the competition on notice with a 3.5 average finish over six races, including a win last September at Kansas Speedway. He is a veteran of 24 Xfinity Series races with his best results coming at Watkins Glen International (fifth) and Portland (Ore.) International Raceway (eighth).

He finished 19th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in his lone NCTS start of 2024 and logged a solid fourth-place finish in ARCA Menards Series competition a week later at Phoenix Raceway.

In additional to his time on the national stage, Mosack has experience racing in the Trans Am TA2 division, on the CARS Tour, and in the Pro and Super Late Model ranks.

“Connor Mosack has proven he has the chops to compete at this level, so we’re eager to see him take the wheel of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “Connor has put in the work and has excelled at practically every level. He’s a versatile racer and a proven winner. We think he’s a great addition to our driver lineup.”

The Heart of America 200 from Kansas Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Saturday, May 4 beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The eighth of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
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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.

About Pinnacle Racing Group …
Headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., Pinnacle Racing Group (PRG) is a professional multifaceted motorsports team specializing in providing productive and fulfilling careers for team members, while also being a leader in on-track performance and driver development primarily in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Series (NAAPWS), zMAX CARS Tour Series and the ARCA Menards Series (AMS).

About the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation …
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers by pairing them with local teams, clubs and community groups. For more information, please log on to Friendsofjaclyn.org.

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.

DIY Car Maintenance Skills for Better Safety and Fewer Road Accidents

By
SM
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Photo by C Joyful on Unsplash

In the realm of driving, safety is paramount. While safe driving practices are essential, the condition of your vehicle is equally important in preventing accidents. Regular, do-it-yourself (DIY) car maintenance can play a significant role in keeping your car in top-notch condition and ensuring you stay safe on the road. Here are some DIY maintenance skills that can help you reduce the risk of auto accidents and enhance your vehicle’s safety.

Regularly Check and Maintain Tire Pressure

Tires are your vehicle’s only contact with the road. Under-inflated or over-inflated tires can lead to decreased handling, longer stopping distances, and an increased risk of blowouts.

Invest in a reliable tire pressure gauge and check your tires at least once a month. Refer to your car’s manual for recommended pressure levels and adjust accordingly.

Inspect Tire Treads for Wear

Tire treads are critical for traction, especially in adverse weather conditions. Worn treads can result in loss of control and increased stopping distances.

Use the penny test by inserting a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.

Keep Lights and Signals in Working Order

Your lights and turn signals are essential for visibility and communication with other drivers. Malfunctioning lights can lead to miscommunication and accidents.

Check all lights and replace bulbs promptly if they burn out. Most vehicles allow easy access to light compartments for straightforward bulb changes.

Monitor and Top Up Fluid Levels

Fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine and systems. Low levels can lead to overheating, brake failure, or steering issues.

Learn how to check oil, coolant, brake, power steering, and transmission fluid levels. Top up as needed, ensuring you use the correct type of fluid for your vehicle.

Replace Windscreen Wipers for Clear Visibility

Windscreen wipers degrade over time and can leave streaks that impair your vision during precipitation.

Changing wiper blades is typically a simple task that only requires buying the correct size and following the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.

Maintain a Clean and Clear Windscreen

A dirty windscreen can scatter light and obscure your view, especially at night or when facing the sun.

Keep your windscreen and other windows clean both inside and out. Ensure your windscreen washer reservoir is filled with a suitable cleaning solution.

Check and Service Brakes Regularly

Brakes are vital for safety; worn brake pads or low brake fluid can increase stopping distance or lead to brake failure.

Learn how to check the thickness of your brake pads and look for signs of uneven wear. Most vehicles allow easy visual inspection without removing the wheel.

Replace Air Filters for Engine Efficiency

A dirty air filter can reduce engine efficiency, leading to decreased acceleration and potential engine damage.

Check and replace your engine’s air filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This usually requires minimal tools and effort.

Practice Battery Maintenance

Your car’s battery health is necessary for startup and to keep electrical systems running.

Inspect battery terminals for corrosion and clean them with a wire brush. Then, ensure the battery is securely mounted and the connections are tight.

By performing regular DIY maintenance on your vehicle, you not only gain a better understanding of its workings but also help ensure that it remains a safe, reliable mode of transport. These maintenance skills can make a significant impact in reducing the risk of road accidents due to vehicle malfunction. Remember, though, more complex issues and regular services should be handled by professional mechanics to maintain vehicle safety and integrity.

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