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WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP Teams’ Starting Positions Set for Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

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(LONG BEACH, California) April 19, 2024 —The duo of Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) Acura ARX-06 GTPs took on the 11-turn street circuit to set the grid for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. In a competitive 10-car GTP field, Jordan Taylor completed his first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship qualifying session behind the wheel of the No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06. Taylor navigated the 1.968-mile for a lap time of 01:11.745 landing sixth on the grid. Filipe Albuquerque took control of the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 for the 15-minute qualifying session. For Albuquerque, his best lap time of 01:11.940 placed the blue and black machine to start eighth for tomorrow’s sprint race.

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is set for 4:35 p.m. ET (1:35 p.m. PT) tomorrow with a 100-minute showdown on Shoreline Drive. Broadcast coverage from the streets of Long Beach will be hosted on USA Network and Peacock from green to checkered flag.

TOP FIVE GTP STARTING GRID

  1. No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac Racing (Cadillac V-Series.R) P. Derani, J.Aitken (99.243 mph)
  2. No. 25 BMW M Team RLL (BMW M Hybrid V8) C. De Phillippi, N. Yelloly (99.231 mph)
  3. No. 01 Cadillac Racing (Cadillac V-Series.R) R. van der Zande, S. Bourdais (99.211 mph)
  4. No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsports (Porsche 963) N. Tandy, M. Jaminet (98.909 mph)
  5. No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsports (Porsche 963) D. Cameron, F. Nasr (99.755 mph)
  6. No. 40 WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 (Acura ARX-06) J. Taylor, L. Delétraz, C. Herta (98.749 mph)
  7. No. 10 WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 (Acura ARX-06) R. Taylor, F. Albuquerque, B. Hartley (98.482 mph)

Filipe Albuquerque, No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06: “Qualifying we went for a different strategy than the 40 car, we used two sets of tires. We need to investigate as it maybe was not ideal, the front tires were still coming in, but always learning. I don’t think we had the pace to challenge the pole position, unfortunately. So tomorrow it’s race time. It’s not always been the fastest one, last year was a good example of that. So, let’s stay clean and do a good race. Even if it’s a short race, many things can happen. And the walls still are not going to move.”

Jordan Taylor, No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06: “So, it was limited running in practice with the tire allotment that we had, so most of our running leading up was for race prep than I would say for qualifying prep. We saw some guys take an extra set of tires in practice and maybe that was a benefit for qualifying, but our goal was to play the long run and go for a good race package. I think we have a very good race car, so hopefully this pays off for us in the long run in tomorrow’s race.”

ABOUT WTRANDRETTI
Andretti Global and Wayne Taylor Racing announced a new, long-term partnership in 2023 that combines the resources of the two championship-caliber teams to compete in IMSA’s top classes. In 2024, Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) has expanded to a two-car GTP program as well as competes in the GTD class. Coming off its 2023 championship winning effort, WTRAndretti continues its Driver Development Program competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series with a full stable.

WTRAndretti’s global motorsports enterprise boasts two IMSA driver championships (2013 and 2017), and back-to-back IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championships (2020, 2021) which contributed to nine IMSA manufacturer championships for Acura, Pontiac, Corvette and Cadillac. In its brief 17-year history, WTRAndretti has accumulated multiple victories in sportscar racing’s most iconic events: Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Mid-Ohio, Road America and the Six Hours of The Glen. With its back-to-back PRO Class Championship wins (2022, 2023), WTR also has ten North America Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship titles and a Lamborghini World Finals title.

Andretti Global, a Championship-winning motorsports organization, competes in additional racing categories worldwide, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Extreme E, Australian Supercars and the Mexico SuperCopa Championship. Additionally, the racing enterprise commits to driver development through competition in INDY NXT by Firestone and through support of Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon’s racing careers.

WTRAndretti’s long term partnerships include Acura, Honda Racing Corporation US (HRC), Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA, DEX Imaging, Harrison Contracting Company and Gainbridge.

CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT LONG BEACH: Team Chevy Practice Report

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
ACURA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH
STREETS OF LONG BEACH
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE REPORT
APRIL 19, 2024

CHEVROLET STARTS OUT STRONG ON THE STREETS OF LONG BEACH WITH SIX FINISHING IN THE TOP-10 AFTER FIRST PRACTICE

  • Continuing the trend established in St. Petersburg, Chevrolet occupied the first three positions on the leaderboard after first NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice, with six of the top-10 representing Team Chevy.
  • Pato O’Ward, driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, led first practice with his fastest lap of 1:06.6875 seconds.
  • All three Team Penske Chevrolets finished in the top-five, with Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet, finishing second, Scott McLaughlin, driver of the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet, finishing third, and Josef Newgarden, driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, finishing fifth.
  • Christian Rasmussen, driver of the No. 20 Ed Carpenter Chevrolet, finishing his first practice session on the Streets of Long Beach 10th, with his fastest lap of 1:07.2773 seconds.
  • Saturday sees Team Chevy take to the track for second practice at 11:25 a.m. ET, as well as qualifying and the Firestone Fast Six at 2:25 p.m. ET for Sunday’s race on the Streets of Long Beach.

TEAM CHEVY TOP-10 FIRST PRACTICE RESULTS:

1st Pato O’Ward

2nd Will Power

3rd Scott McLaughlin

5th Josef Newgarden

8th Alexander Rossi

10th Christian Rasmussen

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“It was a good first session. I felt like we had good speed right away, which is positive for a Friday. But the track is going to change a lot tomorrow. It’s going to build a lot of grip, but feeling in the mix in qualifying, which is going to be critical for the race. Qualifying up front here is always critical. I got a lot of confidence in the Hitachi crew, and Team Chevy has really brought us something good to work with. All around, I think we’re really encouraged for the weekend.”

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“Pretty good day for the No. 3 Odyssey Battery Chevy team. We rolled out of the truck really strong and that makes the whole day heaps easier. We are in a really good spot for the weekend. Obviously, we showed a lot of pace at St. Pete to start the year. Street circuits were a big focus of ours in the off season so it’s nice to see that work paying off. The goal is to continue building on that, qualify well tomorrow and be up front on Sunday when it matters.”

Will Power, No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“It was a good Friday at Long Beach. Very happy with the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet. We certainly can improve in some areas, driving-wise. I think we are right in the window. Now we have to take that base that we had in practice and apply it in qualifying because that has been an issue. We are really focused on that.”

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I think there’s been some track progression. I think it’s a solid half-second at least. The car is in the window, and we’ve been making small tweaks here and there. Some things worked; some things didn’t work. (We’ll) debrief and see where we want to be for P2 tomorrow.”

Théo Pourchaire, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It felt incredible. I’m super happy to be back driving. The car felt great. Pato (O’Ward) did the fastest lap. I was pretty good on the alternative tires. Unfortunately, I didn’t complete any laps due to traffic, so it’s alright. I’m learning. I think it could have been a good position at the end. It’s good, track is great. The track is really bumpy. It’s really hard physically as well, so I’m really happy.”

You mentioned on the radio you felt your driving getting better, grip improving. Is that a big deal for you?

“Yes, sure. It’s super important for me lap after lap to understand everything. I also pushed the limits a bit, I did one small mistake in Turn 8. It’s good to be able to feel the limits. I love the street course. I enjoy it so much, and I feel like tomorrow is going to be a better day, again as I’m learning quick. I’m happy. The team is helping me a lot. Without the traffic, I think it could have been a great position the end. It doesn’t really matter at the moment, I’m just trying to learn, but I’m super happy. You can tell on my face, I’m smiling all the time.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It’s good to be back in Long Beach. The car is in the window; I just think we need to fine-tune a couple things to find a little bit of speed. But overall, that was a really good start, and I’m just happy to be back here. I can’t wait to get back out tomorrow and see what we can do in qualifying.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

“That was a good and very productive session. It’s great to see Pato put up a good time on the Firestone Alternate tires, but you have to take that with a grain of salt in a busy, crowded session like that. It’s still a good reference point for the other guys to learn off of, which is always nice. We have a couple things to figure out to unlock a touch more speed out of Alexander, but I think he’s in the mix. I’m really impressed with Théo’s approach through the session. He just kept building up to it. There are a couple corners where I think he’s going to improve on as we keep going, but I’m very encouraged with his approach. There’s a lot for him to learn today, and I told him to just enjoy it, find a rhythm and just keep building. I think he did that.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“I feel great about it. First top-10 is very nice, especially on a track I haven’t been to before. I think we rolled out strong. I feel like I got up to speed quick. I got comfortable quick. Thanks to all the time we’ve spend in the Chevy sim. The prep has been good for this weekend, and I think it pays off. I think just having one weekend under my belt, a lot of the firsts are out of the way. My first practice session on an official weekend, my first race, all of that stuff, that kind of takes some of the nerves away. Love being here, love the track, and obviously we were decently quick.”

Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

“The car felt okay (in Long Beach practice one) in the beginning. We had a mechanical issue towards the end so we didn’t get to run the green tires at the end, but I think we have a decent balance to start the weekend, and I’m excited for tomorrow.”

Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

“Much better, much better. This track honestly is really, really tricky. I remember last year the session on Friday, it was complicated, honestly. I’ve been enjoying it a lot. This tricky track because the braking zones are very demanding and you have the wall in front of you, waiting for you. It’s a good track, and we were really good. We were P12 with the blacks. My lap wasn’t good, honestly, with the greens. I can get two or three-tenths more. I’m really happy with the start of the weekend. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

PATO O’WARD, NO. 5 ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET – First Practice Press Conference Transcript:

THE MODERATOR: Wrapping up day one, practice today. Joined by Pato O’Ward, P1 at practice session.

Pato, your thoughts on day one today.

PATO O’WARD: Really solid start for us in the 5 car. I wouldn’t say it’s quite different to last year. We were really, really strong. Just every other INDYCAR weekend, you have to execute every single session. Every opportunity you have, you have to really see what way you want to go. There’s quite a bit of track evolution, I’d say. Although the times were quicker than I thought.

Q. Pato has said he’s very happy to see the start of the season that you’ve gotten off to, Felix. Now you’re competing against each other, but you always had that bond. How important is that, to be able to share that relationship?

FELIX ROSENQVIST: I think it’s pretty simple. We’re always competing against each other. I think still, like if he does a good lap, I can kind of read into it. Like, I know his strengths and weaknesses in a way.

Yeah, like he did his lap today. It’s kind of a good benchmark, when I’m in another team, how you want to set the car up, those kind of things.

Yeah, it’s pretty straightforward: you go out there, you try to beat them.

PATO O’WARD: No, I mean, what he said. I think it’s important to have competitors that have mutual respect for each other. I wish I could say the same for everybody, but it’s clearly not (smiling).

Yeah, he’s one of the good ones.

Q. Pato, you were quickest first session last year, this year as well. Is there any particular style of track where you have found you can make time over your teammates? Is there a spot to attack?

PATO O’WARD: Honestly…

FELIX ROSENQVIST: Turn eight. That’s the corner.

PATO O’WARD: Did you like turn eight? You’ve been watching telemetry.

There used to be a bump there last year. You have to wait after the hump, then come into power. Now that the hump is gone, it’s a lot quicker. That is definitely somewhere where I found quite a bit of lap time compared to last year.

I don’t know, man. I feel like I approach every corner the same. I’m always just kind of flirting with the limit of the car. I mean, I went over it significant amount of times in practice. You have to explore. If you never get there, you leave it to qualifying, there’s more chances for you to screw your lap. You don’t want to be doing that in qualifying.

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

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.

CORVETTE RACING AT LONG BEACH: Ready to Roll

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Official Release
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Bell, Fidani showing pace, potential of No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R

LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 19, 2024) – AWA’s No. 13 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R is set to make its debut at the famed Long Beach Street Circuit after Friday’s qualifying session for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Orey Fidani piloted the Corvette that he will share with Matt Bell to the eighth row of the GT Daytona (GTD) grid for Saturday’s 100-minute race.

This is the first race on a street circuit for AWA and the Corvette Z06 GT3.R, and the first time at Long Beach for Bell and Fidani, whose best lap in qualifying was a 1:20.072 (88.480 mph).

Friday began well for AWA as Bell set the fastest GTD lap in the opening practice – a 1:18.911 (89.782 mph) lap, good enough to put AWA on the top of the time sheets for the first time with Corvette. Bell backed that up with the fourth-fastest time in the afternoon’s final practice.

The AWA duo is coming off ninth-place class finish in last month’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Cadillac. This time around it’s an all-out sprint race for the No. 13 Corvette with close-quarters racing the norm between the concrete barriers along the 1.968-mile, 11-turn Long Beach street circuit.

Chevrolet and the Corvette brand have been a fixture at Long Beach since the Corvette Racing program first visited Long Beach in 2007. In 15 visits, Corvette GT cars have captured eight victories with two others in the Corvette DP era.

Combined with results from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Chevrolet boasts a total of 22 victories in the Grand Prix’s two premier events.

The Grand Prix of Long Beach for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is scheduled for 4:35 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 20. The race will air live on USA Network starting at 4:30 p.m. ET with full streaming coverage also on Peacock. IMSA Radio will have coverage of the race at IMSA.com with Sirius 211, XM 206, SiriusXM Online 996 also providing radio coverage of the race.

OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – QUALIFIED 15TH IN GTD: “It was a challenging but overall positive day on the demanding streets of Long Beach. I feel like every corner tests the limits of our car. Qualifying was tough but it sets us up for a day of fighting hard, learning and pushing forward. We’re ready to take on the challenges of this iconic urban track. From here, the only way is upwards, and we’re excited to show what we can do in the race tomorrow.”

MATT BELL, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R (after Practice 1): “The team’s first P1 in the Corvette era, so I’m really happy with that. It’s nice to roll out very competitive. The Corvette Racing guys have given us a lot of help coming into here. They’ve passed on a little bit of their knowledge of this place onto us. They’ve been very successful here in the past, and we’ve rolled out pretty good. I wasn’t expecting that in my first time here. I have heard a lot of stories about how daunting this place is, and on my first couple of laps I was in 100 percent in agreement! But I got a clear lap later on and the car was hooked up and I could put something together. Hopefully we can continue in the vein and find another couple of tenths yet.”

2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Points

GTD Drivers Standings

  1. Indy Dontje/Philip Ellis/Russell Ward – 725
  2. Antonio Fuoco/Giorgio Sernagiotto/Roberto Lacorte – 589
  3. Adam Adelson/Elliott Skeer/Jan Heylen – 570
  4. Albert Costa Balboa/Cedric Sbirrazzuoli/Manny Franco – 545
  5. Francois Heriau/Miguel Molina/Simon Mann – 485
  6. Lars Kern/Matthew Bell/Orey Fidani – 347

GTD Teams Standings

  1. No. 57 Windward Racing – 725
  2. No. 47 Cetilar Racing – 589
  3. No. 120 Wright Motorsports – 570
  4. No. 34 Conquest Racing – 545
  5. No. 21 AF Corse – 485
  6. No. 13 AWA – 347

GTD Manufacturers Standings

  1. Mercedes-AMG – 751
  2. Porsche – 634
  3. Lamborghini – 616
  4. McLaren – 550
  5. Lexus – 527
  6. Chevrolet – 505

CORVETTE RACING BY THE NUMBERS: Long Beach

  • 3: Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs in competition this weekend – No. 13 of AWA at Long Beach, No. 81 and No. 82 of TF Sport at Imola
  • 4: Generations of Corvette ZR1 (C3, C4, C6 and C7). The eighth-generation Corvette ZR1 will be revealed this summer
  • 6: Iterations of Corvette GT entries at Long Beach since 2007 – Corvette C6.R GT1 (2007-09, Corvette C6.R GT2/GT (2010-13), Corvette C7.R (2014-2019), Corvette C8.R GTE (2021), Corvette C8.R GTD (2022-2023) and now the Corvette Z06 GT3.R
  • 8: Number of drivers who have competed at Long Beach for Corvette Racing – Olivier Beretta, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner, Johnny O’Connell, Nick Tandy and Jordan Taylor. That list grows this year with addition of Orey Fidani and Matt Bell in the No. 13 AWA Corvette Z06 GT3.R
  • 8: Number of Long Beach victories in 15 appearances for the Corvette Racing program
  • 10: Number of Long Beach sports car victories for Chevrolet. Throw in 12 INDYCAR wins, and Chevrolet has claimed 22 victories in the event’s two premier races.
  • 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
  • 19: Number of street circuit victories for Corvette Racing – more than any other IMSA entrant at the circuit.
  • 27: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
  • 45: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. Rui Andrade, Sebastien Baud, Hiroshi Koizumi and Tom Van Rompuy joined the list at Qatar to open the WEC season
  • 71: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
  • 127: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 115 in North America, nine at Le Mans and three in the FIA WEC
  • 287: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 4,225.27: Number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing in its 15 previous trips to Long Beach. That represents 2,147 laps around the 1.968-mile street circuit.
  • 371,612.71: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles

Corvette Racing at Long Beach (wins in bold)

2007

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT1 (Magnussen fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1 (Gavin pole)

2008

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1 (Magnussen pole)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2009

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1 (Beretta pole, fastest race lap)

2010

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT2

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 9th in GT2 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2011

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Tommy Milner – 5th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 2nd in GT (Magnussen fastest race lap)

2012

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GT (Gavin fastest race lap)

2013

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 5th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 4th in GT (Gavin fastest race lap)

2014

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 1st in GTLM (Magnussen pole)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 3rd in GTLM (Milner fastest race lap)

2015

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 3rd in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 7th in GTLM

2016

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 9th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTLM

2017

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 5th in GTLM (Magnussen pole)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GTLM

2018

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GTLM

2019

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 2nd in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 3rd in GTLM

2021

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 1st in GTLM

2022

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 3rd in GTD PRO (Taylor pole)

2023

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GTD PRO

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.

O’Ward Takes Top Spot in Tight Opening Long Beach Practice

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Official Release
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LONG BEACH, Calif. (Friday, April 19, 2024) – Pato O’Ward once again showed why he’s overdue for an NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory, leading practice Friday for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

O’Ward turned a top lap of 1 minute, 6.6874 seconds in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet on the 11-turn, 1.968-mile temporary street circuit. O’Ward finished second in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, as he seeks to earn his first series victory since July 2022 at Iowa Speedway, a dry spell of 24 races.

“The car is in the window, and we’ve been making small tweaks here and there,” O’Ward said. “Some things worked, some things didn’t work.”

Less than a second separated the top 15 drivers in the session Friday, setting up an exciting Saturday of practice and NTT P1 Award qualifying. Practice starts at 11:25 a.m. ET, followed by three rounds of qualifying starting at 2:25 p.m. Both sessions will be broadcast on Peacock, INDYCAR LIVE and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Two-time series champion Will Power was the quickest of three Team Penske drivers in the top five Friday, ending up second at 1:06.7811 in the No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet. Power won this prestigious event in 2008 and 2012.

Scott McLaughlin helped Chevrolet-powered teams sweep the first three spots on the time sheet, as he was third at 1:06.8258 in the No. 3 Odyssey Batteries Team Penske Chevrolet.

McLaughlin and Power finished in the top three despite both brushing the concrete barriers lining the tricky street circuit in separate incidents during the 75-minute session, which was divided into an all-car session to start and finished with two separate groups.

Felix Rosenqvist continued his early-season strong form by ending up fourth at 1:06.8600 in the No. 60 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda fielded by Meyer Shank Racing. Rosenqvist moved to MSR this season after three years at Arrow McLaren, and he has responded by finishing seventh at St. Petersburg and third at the non-points The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge last month.

Series points leader Josef Newgarden rounded out the top five at 1:06.8976 in the No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet. Newgarden earned a dominant victory in the season opener at St. Petersburg.

Two rookies also captured headlines Friday under sunny skies in Southern California.

2023 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Christian Rasmussen was ninth overall at 1:07.2773 in the No. 20 Guy Care Chevrolet fielded by Ed Carpenter Racing, the quickest of the six rookies in the field by more than a second.

Reigning FIA Formula 2 champion Théo Pourchaire was the second-quickest rookie in his first-ever laps in an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car, ending up 21st at 1:08.2857 in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Frenchman Pourchaire was summoned this week to drive for Arrow McLaren full-time driver David Malukas, who continues to recover from surgery to repair a wrist injury suffered in a preseason mountain biking accident.

Sunday’s 85-lap race will be at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Rick Ware Racing: Justin Haley/Cody Ware Talladega Race Advance

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Official Release
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JUSTIN HALEY | CODY WARE
Talladega Advance

Event Overview

● Event: GEICO 500 (Round 10 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 21
● Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway
● Layout: 2.66-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 188 laps/500 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 60 laps / Final Stage: 68 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 Parts Plus/Grady Health Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Justin Haley makes his ninth NASCAR Cup Series start at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway Sunday in the No. 51 Parts Plus/Grady Health Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing (RWR). The 2.66-mile oval was the site of Haley’s first Cup Series start in April 2019. He was running inside the top-20 when, with 10 laps to go, the racing at the front of the field started to get dicey. Haley dropped to the back of the lead pack but was unable to avoid trouble when a multicar accident involving competitors in the top-10 with just eight laps remaining.

● Haley’s best Cup Series finish at Talladega was his last, a sixth-place effort in Ocotber 2023. He’s finished inside the top-20 in all but two of his eight previous starts there.

● Two of Haley’s four superspeedway wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series came at Talladega, when he swept the June and October 2020 races. In five Xfinity Series starts at Talladega, he finished no worse than eighth and completed all 536 laps available. In two starts in the Craftsman Truck Series at Talladega, the 24-year-old has one top-five – a fourth-place finish earned in October 2018.

● Haley’s prowess on racing’s largest ovals started when, at 18 years of age, he drove to the win in the first superspeedway start of his career in the May 2017 ARCA Menards Series race at Talladega. He started 23rd and led just six laps in the rain-delayed race en route to victory.

● Haley began the season with a 26th-place effort in the Daytona 500 after starting 22nd. He ran well within the top-five before a mistake on pit road during the second stage set him back. A lack of cautions in the final stage prevented Haley from returning to the lead lap. He heads to Talladega with a 98.4-percent lap completion rate (2,848 of 2,893 laps available) on superspeedways.

● The Parts Plus brand, part of the The Pronto Network, the largest and most diverse automotive program distribution group in North America, will make its debut on the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend as co-primary partner. Parts Plus began 2024 with an expansion of its partnership with RWR and its Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Clay Millican.

● Grady Health makes its second appearance of the season on Haley’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse. It first rode along with Haley during his top-20 finish in February at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Grady Health will kick off its annual Move For Grady event next Saturday, April 27, in downtown Atlanta. Register to ride, run or walk at your pace, with three different distances to choose from and help raise money for Grady Health along the way.

Cody Ware, Driver of the No. 15 Jacob Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Cody Ware, driver of the No. 15 Jacob Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RWR, will make his eighth Cup Series start at Talladega this Sunday. His best finish at the 2.66-mile superspeedway was a 19th-place result earned in October 2020.

● Ware also made one Xfinity Series start at Talladega in 2019, finishing 21st for car owner B.J. McLeod, and one Truck Series start in 2015.

● In 13 Cup Series starts on superspeedways to date, Ware has completed 2,251 of 2,410 laps available – a completion rate of 93.4 percent. His career-best sixth-place superspeedway finish was secured Aug. 28, 2022 in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

● Earlier this year, Ware finished third in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Jan. 20 on the Daytona road course. The following weekend, Ware and teammate Preston Pardus participated in the twin Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup races at Daytona.

● Jacob Construction returns to the No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the first time in 2024. Jacob is a nationally certified, WBENC, woman-owned, multifaceted construction firm with a focus on construction, design-build services, structural concrete and technology.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● RWR driver Millican and the Parts Plus team competed in the Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend. He qualified fourth, then scored the victory in the first round of eliminations to advance to the semifinals.

● Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age six when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), where RWR won the 2022 SX2 championship with rider Shane McElrath.

Justin Haley, Driver Q&A

You’ve been strong on superspeedways, and February’s Daytona 500 was a good event for the No. 51 team in terms of getting on track and starting to build a notebook. Has that helped with preparation and confidence heading into Talladega?

“Yeah, I think Talladega is where I’ve probably done the best, if I had to compare. I really enjoy superspeedway racing and I’ve been lucky to have a lot of success on these bigger tracks. It takes a lot of patience and understanding of what is going on ahead of you or even behind you. I think we learned a lot in Daytona and we have a really good shot at getting a great finish if we can clean up the little things.”

You made your first Cup Series start at Talladega. Do you remember what it felt like to complete that first race?

“I believe it was on my 19th birthday. I had my whole family there and ran in the top-10 for the majority of the day. We had my longtime sponsor Fraternal Order of Eagles on the car and it was just an awesome day. The feeling of finally achieving the dream of making it to the Cup Series. I had dreamed of it my whole life and put in so much work to get there.”

Grady Health will be back on the car this weekend. What has that partnership meant to you?

“I’m excited to continue the relationship with Grady and have them back on the car at Talladega. They’ve been a great partner and supporter of everything we’ve been doing, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to give them the same support for their Move for Grady event. The work they do as a level one trauma center, combined with all they do to give back to the Atlanta community, is amazing, and I’m proud to represent them both on the track and off.”

Cody Ware, Driver Q&A

What is the best strategy for superspeedway racing?

“I think the uncertainty of it all definitely makes for a more interesting race from start to finish, especially for the smaller teams. There’s a lot more strategy that goes into how you attack the race. For me personally, I think that I’ve had success on plate tracks because I do a good job of keeping out of trouble and I’m there the last five or 10 laps where it matters the most. So, I think my strategy for this race is the same as it always is at Daytona or Talladega, which is survive stage one and stage two, and just make sure we have a good race piece for the last couple laps of the race.”

What makes the racing at Daytona and Talladega so different?

“I think wreck avoidance is the biggest thing. It’s a lot easier at Talladega. You have a lot more room, especially on the backstretch with everything being concrete and paved. So to go from a place like Daytona with a lot of sharp changes in the banking to a place like Talladega, where you can easily race four- and five-wide, I think that you can be a little more aggressive at Talladega without taking as many risks. That just translates to a slightly safer plate-racing experience. But then, at the same time, not really because there’s a lot four-wide racing instead of three-wide racing. So I think that you know, again, it all goes out the window once the last couple of laps of the race come into play.”

You started the season with some IMSA racing. Is there anything at all that you can bring from that experience over to NASCAR?

“I’d say with what I was doing in the prototypes, when it comes to the stock car, it’s night and day. There’s not really anything to compare as far as horsepower, the braking, acceleration, downforce. To compare them is almost impossible. But just having any kind of seat time before Talladega is better than nothing. The prototype racing got my feet wet and got me ready to get back in the Cup car for the 2024 season.”

Increase the Winning Chance with Different Casino Bonuses

By
SM
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Photo by Ben Lambert on Unsplash

In the exciting world of online casinos, bonuses help as tempting rewards that can pointedly enhance your gaming experience and boost your chances of winning big. From welcome offers to loyalty bonuses, the bonus land has a huge variety. 

Understanding the different types of Casino Bonuses and their benefits is most useful for players who looking for an increase in their winnings. A person with knowledge of bonuses can make the most attractive gambling adventures.

1. Welcome Bonuses for newbies

    Initial bonuses, also called sign-up bonuses, are the most common types of encouragement offered by online casinos to secure their beginners. These bonuses are made by casinos to attract beginners and naturally come in the method of a match bonus, where the casino matches a percentage of the player’s initial deposit money. 

    Explaining that a 100% match bonus would twice a player’s deposit, effectively giving you double the amount to perform with. Some welcome bonuses may include additional or free turns on famous slot games to boost the value of the offer.

    2. Deposit-less Bonuses

      Deposit-less bonuses are most liked by players because these bonuses allow players to try games without having the risk of losing any of their money. These bonuses are awarded to the gamers without demanding a deposit. 

      This is an excellent option for beginners who want to test before committing themselves financially. No deposit bonuses regularly come in the form of free chips or free spins and may have certain betting requirements involved with them.

      3. Free Spins

        Free spins bonuses are specially modified for slot fans and offer players with a fixed number of spins on selected slots. These bonuses can provide separate offers or come as part of a huge promotional package. 

        Free spins allow players to enjoy spinning reels without risking their money, and any winnings made from free spins are credited as a bonus with gambling necessities.

        4. Reloaded Bonuses

          Reload bonuses are made for existing players and they are designed for more profitable to them. These will help to make additional deposits into their casino accounts. 

          These bonuses naturally provide a match percentage on deposits deposited after the welcome bonus, giving players additional funds to extend their playing sessions. Such bonuses are part of current promotions and may differ by regularity and value based on the casino’s promotional schedule.

          5. Cashback Bonuses

            These bonuses offer players with a particular percentage of their losses return as a bonus, offering a form of assurance against unlucky play rounds. Cashback bonuses can’t erase losses, but they can help take the bite from a losing game and provide players with a second chance to play their luck better. 

            Money-back bonuses are usually calculated based on a percentage of the player’s net losses over a particular time and are credited as bonuses with betting needs.

            6. Rewards for Loyalty

              To reward players who are ongoing for their loyalty, casinos designed these loyalty rewards. Players can earn a loyalty score for every bet placed by them, which can be exchanged in the future for various rewards. The more you wage to play, the higher your loyalty level, and you can unlock greater rewards.

              7. No wagering free spins

              No wagering free spins bonuses are a popular type of bonus that allows players to spin the reels without a playthroug requirement This means that any winnings from these free spins can be immediately withdrawn, providing an excellent opportunity to increase your earnings without risking additional funds.

              This is still a bonus that is quite rare, but free spins are quickly growing in popularity. Nowadays, you can find a fair amount of no wagering free spins at Hityah. These types of offers are generally more valuable than bonuses and free spins with high wagering requirements.

              Knowledge and understanding of the different types of Casino Bonuses are important for players. If you are looking to boost your winnings and improve your overall gaming experience, be focused on bonuses. 

              By understanding these types of online bonuses and their related terms and conditions, you can make decisions that can optimize your chances of winning big. Start discovering the world of casino bonuses now and get on a journey of unbelievable rewards!

              Betclic Promotional Codes Demystified: Everything You Need to Know

              By
              SM
              -

              In the realm of online gambling, promotional codes have become a significant aspect of attracting and retaining customers. Betclic, one of the prominent names in the online betting industry, employs promotional codes as part of its marketing strategy. These codes offer users various incentives, from bonuses to free bets, enhancing the overall betting experience. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of Betclic promotional codes, providing you with everything you need to know to make the most of them.

              Betclic Promotional Codes

              Betclic promotional codes are alphanumeric strings that users can redeem for special offers and bonuses on the platform. These codes serve as a marketing tool for Betclic to attract new users, retain existing ones, and encourage increased betting activity. They are often associated with specific promotions or campaigns run by the platform.

              How Promotional Codes Work

              When users sign up on Betclic or participate in certain promotions, they may be prompted to enter a betclic kod promocyjny during the registration process or when making a deposit. Entering the correct code activates the associated offer, granting users access to bonuses or other benefits. Promotional codes can vary in terms of the rewards they offer. Some may provide users with bonus funds that can be used for betting, while others may offer free bets or enhanced odds on selected events. The terms and conditions accompanying each promotional code specify the exact nature of the offer, including any wagering requirements or restrictions.

              Types of Betclic Promotional Codes

              Betclic offers a variety of promotional codes catering to different types of users and betting preferences. Some common types of codes include:

              • Welcome Bonus Codes

              These codes are designed to attract new users to the platform by offering them enticing welcome bonuses. Typically, users need to enter the code during the registration process or when making their first deposit to qualify for the bonus.

              • Deposit Match Codes

              Deposit match codes reward users with bonus funds based on the amount they deposit into their Betclic account. For example, a code might offer a 100% match on the user’s first deposit up to a certain limit.

              • Free Bet Codes

              Free bet codes allow users to place bets without risking their own funds. If a user receives a free bet code, they can use it to place a bet on a specified event without having to stake their own money. If the bet wins, the user receives the winnings minus the stake.

              • Event-Specific Codes

              These codes are tied to specific sporting events or promotions run by Betclic. They may offer enhanced odds on selected matches or tournaments, providing users with greater potential returns on their bets.

              How to Find Betclic Promotional Codes

              Betclic promotes its promotional codes through various channels, including its website, email newsletters, and social media platforms. Users can also find codes on affiliate websites or through promotional partnerships with other brands.

              To ensure they don’t miss out on any offers, users should regularly check the promotions section of the Betclic website and subscribe to email updates. Additionally, following Betclic on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook can provide access to exclusive promotional codes and offers.

              Making the Most of Betclic Promotional Codes

              To maximize the benefits of Betclic promotional codes, users should keep the following tips in mind:

              Read the Terms and Conditions

              Before using any promotional code, it’s essential to read and understand the accompanying terms and conditions. This includes any wagering requirements, minimum odds requirements, and expiry dates associated with the offer.

              Plan Your Bets Wisely

              Take advantage of promotional codes by strategically planning your bets. Look for opportunities where the code’s offer aligns with your betting strategy, such as using a free bet code on a high-stakes event or leveraging a deposit match code to boost your initial bankroll.

              Stay Informed About Promotions

              Stay informed about the latest promotions and codes offered by Betclic by regularly checking their website and subscribing to email updates. Following Betclic on social media platforms can also provide access to exclusive offers and promotional campaigns.

              Manage Your Bankroll

              While promotional codes can enhance your betting experience, it’s essential to gamble responsibly and manage your bankroll effectively. Avoid chasing losses or wagering more than you can afford to lose, even when using bonus funds or free bets.

              Conclusion

              Betclic promotional codes play a crucial role in attracting and rewarding users on the platform. By understanding how these codes work and making the most of them, users can enhance their betting experience and potentially increase their winnings. Whether you’re a new user looking to claim a welcome bonus or a seasoned bettor seeking enhanced odds, Betclic promotional codes offer something for everyone. Stay informed, gamble responsibly, and enjoy the excitement of online betting with Betclic.

              Austin Hill tops Xfinity Series qualifying to win the pole at Talladega

              By
              Angie Campbell
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              Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, poses for photos after winning the pole award during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 19, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

              Austin Hill captured the Pole Award Friday evening at Talladega Superspeedway in the No. 21 Richard Childress Chevrolet with a qualifying lap of 181.629 mph and will lead the field to green for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300. It was his third consecutive pole at the 2.66-mile track and his fifth career pole in the series.

              Hill, who has two wins this year at drafting tracks, Daytona International Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, explained his strategy for these types of tracks.

              “I’ve been asked this question a lot and when I was first asked it, I didn’t feel like I did anything different than others,” he said. “First and foremost, you have to have a fast car and our Richard Childress Racing Camaros are always fast when we come to a superspeedway.

              “But as I have gone back and watched races to prepare, I noticed that I make a lot of the right decisions at the right time and take all the runs that I can get. Even if those runs don’t work out early in the race, I try to learn from those and not make the same mistake twice.

              “Some sort of luck is involved, but if you can position yourself in the top four or five, you have a higher percentage of getting the job done. I don’t like to be one of the guys that runs in the back and then when it’s go time, try to drive through the field. I prefer to control the race all day if I can. Take all the runs and be aggressive.”

              His RCR teammate, rookie Jesse Love, will start beside him on the front row after posting a 181.120 mph lap. Parker Kligerman qualified third with a lap of 180.693 mph. Custer (180.169 mph) and Sammy Smith (180.054) completed the top five qualifiers.

              Ryan Truex (179.942 mph), Chandler Smith (179.861 mph), Riley Herbst (179.774 mph), Josh Williams (179.568 mph) and Sheldon Creed (178.767 mph) rounded out the top 10.

              You can tune into Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 with race coverage beginning at 4 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

              Liquid Death Becomes Official Iced Tea Sponsor of NASCAR

              By
              Official Release
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              DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – (Apr. 19, 2024) – Liquid Death, the healthy beverage platform and one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic brands, is now officially a NASCAR® partner. The brand will be on-site this weekend in Talladega to jumpstart the partnership with an interactive display featuring the “Thirst Hearse” and offering samples of select iced tea flavors to fans.

              As part of a wide-ranging, multi-year agreement that makes Liquid Death the Official Iced Tea of NASCAR, fans will see Liquid Death iced teas at select NASCAR-owned racetracks, including social and digital content, on-site experiences, activations, and more.

              “Liquid Death is a healthy beverage brand that not only produces high-quality iced tea, but also looks to bring death to plastic bottles by using humor and entertainment,” said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, NASCAR senior vice president and chief sales officer. “With so many synergies between our companies, this partnership is a perfect fit. We’re thrilled to have them on board.”

              Iced tea, one of the company’s newest product lines, saw tremendous growth throughout 2023. Shortly after the line’s launch, Liquid Death’s iced tea now holds the #1 best seller position in the RTD tea beverage category on Amazon as defined by total retail sales. The brand’s line of low calorie, low sugar iced teas contain B vitamins and a microdose of caffeine and comes in five flavors: Green Guillotine, Slaughter Berry, Grim Leafer, Rest in Peach and Dead Billionaire. All cases of iced tea also include limited edition art on the bottom of each case.

              “This is our first official iced tea sponsorship, and NASCAR is the ideal home for it,” said Ryan Heuser, Liquid Death’s senior vice president of experiential marketing. “We’re thrilled to be bringing our infinitely recyclable, ice-cold cans of Liquid Death to the extremely passionate NASCAR fanbase. We’ll be carried at select NASCAR tracks, campgrounds and tailgates across the U.S. and can’t wait to kick off our partnership at the iconic Talladega Superspeedway.”

              Liquid Death uses comedy and entertainment to promote both sustainability and healthy products. Liquid Death’s social following captures more than 8 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, making it the third most followed beverage brand globally. A portion of proceeds goes to nonprofits as part of their partnership with 5Gyres and the Thirst Project.

              The NASCAR season continues this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway when the NASCAR Cup Series hits the track for the GEICO 500 on Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m. ET. All the action will air live on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.

              About NASCAR

              The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

              About Liquid Death

              As one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic beverage brands, Liquid Death uses comedy and entertainment to make health and sustainability 50 times more fun. We take the healthiest thing you can drink and package it into infinitely recyclable cans that can actually compete with the fun marketing of unhealthy brands across energy drinks, beer, and junk food. A portion of Liquid Death’s proceeds goes to nonprofits who are helping to fight plastic pollution and bringing clean drinking water to those in need. For more information on Liquid Death please visit liquiddeath.com.

              Young’s Motorsports Talladega Superspeedway Xfinity Spring Team Preview

              By
              Official Release
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              Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR Xfinity Series
              Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway | Ag-Pro 300

              Fast Facts
              No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:
              Driver: Leland Honeyman Jr.
              Primary Partner(s): Mezrano Law Firm
              Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
              Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott
              2024 Driver Points Position: 21st
              2024 Owner Points Position: 23rd
              Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

              Notes of Interest:

              Movin’ on Up!: In January, Young’s Motorsports announced it would graduate from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2024 with rising star Leland Honeyman Jr. behind the wheel of the team’s No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro for the entire 33-race season continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

              About Leland: The Phoenix, Ariz. native began honing his racing skills at the tender age of two racing Quads. By four years old, he moved into Trophy Karts and then collected three series championships in off-road racing Trophy Karts.

              After an instrumental tenure in Go Karts, he moved into the Bandolero competition in 2015 and was crowned a Bandolero National Champion two years later. From there, he moved into Limited Late Models before graduating to the Carolina Pro Late Model Series division in 2021, where he earned championship-runner-up honors and picked up an astounding victory in the annual Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway Fall Brawl.

              Honeyman, 19, returns to the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization, where he ran an impressive ARCA Menards Series East Series campaign, finishing third in the 2022 championship standings.

              During the 2023 season, he made eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, highlighted by a 21st-place finish at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course.

              All-Aboard!: For the ninth of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, Mezrano Law Firm will join the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as the primary partner on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 113-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

              In times of crisis, we lean on the people and institutions which give us strength: our family, our friends, our places of worship, and our community. As attorneys, we find strength in another institution, the justice system.

              At Mezrano Law Firm, we believe in the power of the Constitution and are called to uphold the rights granted to us by that document. That is why we take our responsibility as your Alabama injury law firm so seriously.

              When you are hurt and need help, we do more than just assert those rights: we lend you our strength so you can begin to heal. Let our family take care of you!

              Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Series Talladega Superspeedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Ag-Pro 300 will mark Honeyman’s inaugural Xfinity Series start at the 2.66-mile superspeedway, the largest oval on the 2024 Xfinity Series schedule.

              Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Career Stats: Entering Talladega, Honeyman has 16 career NASCAR Xfinity Series races to his credit, earning a career-best 11th place finish at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway after starting 24th in the Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 for Young’s Motorsports in March 2024.

              Since 2023, he has carried an average finish of 24.1.

              Texas Motor Speedway | Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 Race Recap: In the eighth race of the 2024 Xfinity Series season, Young’s Motorsports and Honeyman searched for another solid finish in the Lone Star State.

              After starting his No. 42 Distributor Wire & Cable Co. Chevrolet Camaro 31st, Honeyman’s steady approach forward would be derailed with a spin in Turn 2 on Lap 80.

              Attempting to muscle back through the field, Honeyman would be collected in a Lap 173 incident when the leader of the race broke loose underneath Honeyman and sent the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro into the Turn 2 and backstretch wall.

              The Young’s Motorsports team diligently repaired his race car, allowing the NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie to return to the track and take the checkered flag in the 31st position.

              Calling the Shots: Guiding Honeyman Jr. as crew chief of the No. 42 Mezrano Law Firm Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

              On Saturday, he will be crew chief in his 106th NASCAR Xfinity Series race. In his previous 105 races, he has three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.

              The season’s ninth race will be his sixth tango in the Cotton State as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

              Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega Superspeedway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Talladega Superspeedway.

              However, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team has 19 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts at “Dega.”

              The organization posted a team-best first-place finish twice at the track, most recently on Saturday, October 2, 2021, with rookie Tate Fogleman at the wheel in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 250.

              Truck Series mainstay Spencer Boyd delivered the team’s inaugural Truck Series victory at the famed Alabama superspeedway on October 12, 2019, during the 2019 Sugarland Shines 250 contest.

              Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series History: Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, the Mooresville, N.C. – based organization has logged eight starts and maintains an average starting position of 27.1 and an average finish of 22.8.

              Follow on Social Media: For more on Leland Honeyman Jr., please visit LelandHoneymanRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Leland Honeyman Racing) and follow on Instagram (@lelandhoneymanjr) and X |Twitter (@lelandhoneyman3).

              For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

              Leland Honeyman Jr. Pre-Race Quote:

              On Talladega Superspeedway: “I’m excited to get back to superspeedway racing with my Young’s Motorsports crew. After two rough weeks, it’s time to get back into a rhythm and knock out top-20 finishes or better starting on Saturday afternoon with our No. 42 Mezrano Law Firm Chevrolet!”

              Race Information:

              The Ag-Pro 300 (113 laps | 202 miles) is the ninth of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Qualifying will occur on Friday, April 19, 2024, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Saturday, April 20, 2024, shortly after 3:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. ET), with live coverage on FOX, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

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