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Kyle Busch fends off Heim for record-tying sixth Truck victory at Texas

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

With a bevy of young guns squaring off and pounding against him through a series of late-race restarts, Kyle Busch had enough horsepower to fend off all of the youngsters’ challengers, including protege Corey Heim on the final lap, to score a big NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, April 12. 

The two-time Cup Series champion from Las Vegas, Nevada, led a race-high 112 of 167 scheduled laps in an event where he started in fourth place and swept both stage periods. After cycling his way back into the lead during an extensive caution period starting with 37 laps remaining that interrupted a late green-flag pit stop sequence and prior to a restart period with 26 laps remaining, Busch would then be challenged by a bevy of young challengers that included Heim, Nick Sanchez and Christian Eckes during two late-race restarts. Despite losing the lead to Eckes during the final restart with 10 laps remaining, Busch would reassume the top spot two laps later and then fend off a late charge from Heim to clinch his second Truck victory of the 2024 season and his record-tying sixth at Texas.

With on-track qualifying that determined the starting lineup occurring on Friday, Nick Sanchez notched his first Truck pole position of the 2024 season after posting a pole-winning lap at 184.811 mph in 29.219 seconds. Joining him on the front row was Christian Eckes, who clocked in the second-fastest qualifying lap at 184.363 mph in 29.290 seconds. 

Prior to the event, Tyler Ankrum and Tanner Gray dropped to the rear of the field in backup trucks after both wrecked their respective primary trucks separately during the event’s practice session earlier in the day. Rajah Caruth, Bret Holmes and Memphis Villarreal also dropped to the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments made to their respective entries. 

When the green flag waved and the race started, Nick Sanchez and Christian Eckes battled for the lead through the first two turns and the backstretch until Sanchez managed to muscle his No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado RST ahead on the inside lane through Turns 3 and 4, where he would lead the first lap. 

Just past the first lap, the event’s first caution flew after rookie Thad Moffitt, who was running outside of the top 20, went up the track through Turns 1 and 2. Despite avoiding the outside wall, Moffitt then tried to steer his truck to the left to regain his momentum, where he just missed hitting Kris Wright before he collided with Tyler Ankrum. Memphis Villarreal was also involved as Moffitt’s damaged truck spun back across the track in the backstretch, thus knocking Ankrum, Moffitt and Villarreal out of the competition. 

As the event restarted under green on the eighth lap, Sanchez and Eckes battled dead even for the lead through the first two turns as the field fanned out entering the backstretch. Through the following two turns and back to the frontstretch, Sanchez again muscled ahead to retain the lead from Eckes while Stewart Friesen and Kyle Busch battled for third in front of Daniel Dye, Grant Enfinger and rookie Layne Riggs. 

Three laps later, the caution returned after Rajah Caruth, who barely dodged the event’s multi-truck incident on the first lap, spun his No. 71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Silverado RST through Turn 2, but he was able to keep his truck from hitting the outside wall as he proceeded without any damage. During the caution period, a handful of competitors including Caruth and Bayley Currey pitted while the rest led by Sanchez remained on the track. 

During the following restart on Lap 16, Eckes received a strong push from Busch on the outside lane to assume the lead just past the frontstretch and he would retain the top spot through the backstretch and during the proceeding lap while Busch proceeded to battle Sanchez for the runner-up spot. With Sanchez and Busch battling for the runner-up spot in front of Friesen and Zane Smith, Eckes retained the lead in his No. 19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet Silverado RST just past the Lap 20 mark. 

Through the first 25 scheduled laps, Eckes was leading over Sanchez followed by Busch, Zane Smith and Daniel Dyle while Friesen, Layne Riggs, Enfinger, Corey Heim and Taylor Gray were running in the top 10. Behind, Dean Thompson occupied 11th place in front of Matt Crafton, Chase Purdy, Johnny Sauter and Ty Majeski while Jake Garcia, Stefan Parsons, Ben Rhodes, Connor Jones and Lawless Alan were racing in the top 20 ahead of Bret Holmes, Matt Mills, Bayley Currey, Ty Dillon and Tanner Gray. 

Ten laps later, Eckes retained the lead by four-tenths of a second over a hard-charging Busch while third-place Sanchez trailed by eight-tenths of a second. Behind, Zane Smith and Dye were running fourth and fifth, respectively, while Friesen trailed in sixth by five seconds along with Riggs, Enfinger, Heim and Taylor Gray. 

When the first stage period concluded on Lap 40, Kyle Busch, who assumed the lead from Eckes two laps earlier, proceeded to capture his fourth Truck stage victory of the 2024 season. Eckes settled in second ahead of Sanchez, Zane Smith and Friesen while Dye, Riggs, Enfinger, Heim and Taylor Gray were scored in the top 10. 

Under the stage break, the entire field led by Busch pitted for service. Following the pit stops, Busch retained the lead after he exited first followed by Eckes, Sanchez, Taylor Gray, Heim and Matt Mills. 

The second stage period started on Lap 46 as Busch and Eckes occupied the front row. At the start, Busch, who restarted on the inside lane, retained the lead while Heim overtook Eckes to claim the runner-up spot amid a brief three-wide battle that also involved Sanchez. As a series of battles within the field ensued, where even four-wide action occurred, Heim started to challenge Busch for the lead, where he would draw his No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro dead even against Busch’s No. 7 Realtree Chevrolet Silverado RST nearing the Lap 50 mark, before Busch retained the top spot ahead of Heim as Sanchez tried to join the battle. 

At the Lap 55 mark, Busch was leading by six-tenths of a second over Heim followed by Sanchez, Eckes and Taylor Gray while Zane Smith, Dye, Enfinger, Riggs and Matt Crafton followed suit in the top 10. Busch would proceed to extend his advantage to more than a second over Heim and by more than two seconds over Sanchez by Lap 60 while Eckes and Taylor Gray continued to run in the top five. 

By Lap 70, Busch continued to extend his advantage as he was leading by more than two seconds over Heim while third-place Sanchez also trailed by more than two seconds. Behind, Eckes continued to run in fourth place as he trailed the lead by three seconds while Taylor Gray occupied fifth place as he trailed the lead in his No. 17 JBL Toyota Tundra TRD Pro by nearly five seconds. As Zane Smith, Riggs, Dye, Enfinger and Sauter occupied the top-10 spots on the track, Busch would stabilize his advantage to two seconds by Lap 75 while Sanchez and Eckes overtook Heim for second and third. 

When the second stage period concluded on Lap 80, Busch captured his second consecutive Truck stage victory of the night and the fifth of his part-time campaign after stabilizing his lead to more than two seconds. Sanchez and Eckes followed suit in second and third, respectively, along with Heim and Taylor Gray while Riggs, Zane Smith, Dye, Enfinger and Sauter were scored in the top 10. 

During the stage break, the lead lap field led by Busch returned to pit road for service. Following the pit stops, Busch retained the lead after exiting pit road first while Taylor Gray, Eckes, Sanchez and Heim followed suit in the top five. 

With 81 laps remaining, the final stage period commenced under green as Busch and Taylor Gray occupied the front row. At the start, Busch and Gray battled dead even for the lead in front of Eckes and Sanchez before Busch muscled ahead from the inside lane through the first two lanes. With Busch leading, Eckes would follow suit in second place before Heim would assume the spot shortly after. Eckes would then return the favor with 80 laps remaining as he would reclaim the runner-up spot while Sanchez was in fourth ahead of Taylor Gray, who dropped to fifth in front of Enfinger, Riggs and Ty Majeski. 

With 75 laps remaining, Busch was leading ahead of a tight battle for the runner-up spot between Heim and Eckes while Taylor Gray followed suit in fourth place ahead of Sanchez, Enfinger, Riggs, Zane Smith, Dye and Majeski. Busch would extend his advantage to nearly a second over both Heim and Eckes with less than 70 laps remaining while Sanchez and Taylor Gray trailed by a second in the top five. 

Down to the final 50 laps of the event, Busch, who was mired in lapped traffic, stabilized his advantage to more than a second over Eckes while Sanchez, Heim and Taylor Gray trailed by within four seconds in the top five on the track. A lap later, Johnny Sauter pitted his Niece Motorsports entry under green. Chase Purdy would pit his Spire Motorsports entry a few laps later along with Daniel Dye before Sanchez pitted with 46 laps remaining along with Grant Enfinger.  

Starting with 45 laps remaining, more names that included Heim, Majeski, Taylor Gray, Bayley Currey and Dean Thompson pitted under green while Busch, who was among multiple names who have yet to pit, continued to lead ahead of Eckes. Then with 40 laps remaining, Busch surrendered the lead to pit under green. By then, more names that included Crafton, Stefan Parsons, Ben Rhodes and Friesen pitted before Eckes, who assumed the lead, pitted a lap later.  

With 37 laps remaining, the caution flew after Layne Riggs, who pitted on Lap 110 under green due to a right-rear tire issue and was off the lead lap category, spun and slapped his No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150 against the outside wall in Turn 2. By then, Zane Smith, who pulled off the track to pit road for service, opted to drive his No. 91 SpeedyCash.com entry through pit road, past his pit stall and back onto the track without pitting as he retained the lead ahead of Busch, Heim, Taylor Gray, Eckes, Sanchez and Lawless Alan, all of whom were scored on the lead lap.  

During the caution period, Zane Smith surrendered the lead to pit while the rest of the field led by Busch remained on the track as Busch cycled back into the lead. In addition, the following drivers including Enfinger, Majeski, Friesen, Daniel Dye, Sauter, Dean Thompson, Crafton and Stefan Parsons took the wave around to cycle back onto the lead lap, thus placing 16 competitors on the lead lap. 

Following an extensive caution period, the race restarted under green with 26 laps remaining as Busch and Heim occupied the front row. At the start, Busch and Heim battled for the lead ahead of Eckes and Taylor Gray before Busch muscled ahead with the lead on the inside lane. Behind, Taylor Gray assumed the runner-up spot as he was battling Eckes to retain the spot while Heim was trying to fend off Sanchez and Zane Smith for fourth place. As Riggs endured another on-track incident while running in the rear of the field, the event remained under green flag conditions.  

Shortly after, the caution returned with 22 laps remaining after Kris Wright, who was piloting TRICON Garage’s No. 1 entry and mired a lap down, made contact with Mason Massey before he spun sideways in between Turns 1 and 2, where he would get hit by Stewart Friesen’s No. 52 Chili’s entry that caused Wright to collide back against the outside wall while Friesen spun sideways. 

Down to the final 17 laps of the event, the field restarted under green, where a three-wide action for the lead ensued between Eckes, Busch and Heim before Eckes and Busch both muscled ahead and battle for the lead themselves while Heim dropped to fourth behind teammate Taylor Gray. Amid the tight battles towards the front, the caution, however, quickly returned when Dean Thompson, who was running 12th, got loose and tapped Enfinger entering Turn 3, thus sending both spinning through the turn as Enfinger backed his truck against the wall and Matt Crafton hit Thompson while trying to avoid the incident while Sauter got loose as he just avoided the incident. At the moment of caution, Eckes was scored the leader ahead of Busch. 

During the following restart with 10 laps remaining, Eckes muscled away from the field with the lead as Busch, who struggled to launch on the outside lane, was left to battle Heim for the runner-up spot through the first two turns. Busch would fend off Heim for the runner-up spot through the backstretch before he ignited his battle with Eckes for the lead during the following two laps. Busch would then overtake Eckes for the lead through the frontstretch with eight laps remaining while Heim, who drafted Busch into the lead, followed suit. Eckes would then go wide entering the backstretch, which allowed Sanchez to assume third place. 

Down to the final five laps of the event, Busch was leading by three-tenths of a second over Heim, who kept Busch within his sights, while third-place Sanchez trailed the lead by half a second. As Eckes and Daniel Dye trailed in the top five, Heim started to close in on Busch for the lead. Despite narrowing the gap to within a tenth of a second on Heim’s side, Busch, who was trying to navigate his way around different lanes around the Texas circuit while trying to break Heim’s draft and pull away, retained the lead over Heim. 

When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Busch remained as the leader by a tenth of a second over a hard-charging Heim. Following the first two turns, Heim then closed in on Busch’s rear bumper with momentum and made a brief move on the inside lane before Busch blocked and stalled his momentum. While Heim kept Busch close within his sights and within a tenth of a second, he could not generate another charge to Busch as Busch was able to cycle back to the frontstretch and beat Heim to claim the checkered flag by a tenth of a second. 

With the victory, Busch notched his 66th career win in the Craftsman Truck Series, his sixth in the Lone Star state, which ties him with Todd Bodine for the most series victories at Texas, and his second of the 2024 season, with his first occurring at Atlanta Motor Speedway in late February. He also recorded his second series victory driving for Spire Motorsports and his fourth with veteran crew chief Brian Pattie. 

Tonight’s victory at Texas makes Busch two-for-four in this year’s Truck Series season, where he previously finished 15th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and second at Bristol Motor Speedway in March to coincide with his Atlanta victory. He is scheduled to make his fifth and final Truck start of the 2024 season at Darlington Raceway on May 10. 

“Great team, everybody here at Spire [Motorsports],” Busch said on FS1. “[I] Appreciate [crew chief] Brian Pattie and everybody that was able to work so hard to prepare us a really fast Realtree Silverado. There’s cooler [wins], but [the competition] definitely kept me honest, I’ll give them that. Corey [Heim] kept us honest right there. He started to find that top [lane] over there and to get some momentum over there. I tried it with three [laps] to go. I chattered really bad, so my front just wasn’t working over there. I needed more laps on my tires to be able to get up there to make that work, but he made it. [He] Got to my rear bumper getting into [Turn] 3 and I just kind of was like, ‘I don’t know which way to go.’ So I ran the middle [lane] and darted bottom and then, he slipped up top. So, I guess we had enough of a gap after that.” 

Heim, who won at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, in late March, settled in the runner-up spot for the second time and for his fifth top-three result through seven events on the 2024 schedule. The result also marks his second time finishing in second place on the track behind his former team owner, Kyle Busch.

“I did all I could there, trying to take [Busch] through in the last restart and got the caution, unfortunately, and then just trying to build a run on him,” Heim said. “He’s just too good. He does a really good job. Really happy with our run tonight. To finish second is a good day for us and we’ll build on it and get better.” 

Sanchez, the pole winner, came home in third place while Eckes and Zane Smith finished in the top five. Daniel Dye, Taylor Gray, Tanner Gray, Stefan Parsons and Ty Majeski ended up in the top 10 on the track. 

There were seven lead changes for four different leaders. The race featured seven cautions for 40 laps. In addition, 17 of 34 starters finished on the lead lap. 

Following the seventh event of the 2024 Craftsman Truck Series season, Christian Eckes continues to lead the regular-season standings by two points over Corey Heim, 12 over Ty Majeski, 27 over Nick Sanchez and 38 over Taylor Gray. 

Results. 

1. Kyle Busch, 112 laps led, Stages 1 & 2 winner 

2. Corey Heim 

3. Nick Sanchez, 16 laps led 

4. Christian Eckes, 31 laps led 

5. Zane Smith, eight laps led 

6. Daniel Dye 

7. Taylor Gray 

8. Tanner Gray 

9. Stefan Parsons 

10. Ty Majeski 

11. Lawless Alan 

12. Rajah Caruth 

13. Stewart Friesen 

14. Bayley Currey 

15. Matt Crafton 

16. Dean Thompson 

17. Johnny Sauter 

18. Connor Jones, one lap down 

19. Jake Garcia, one lap down 

20. Mason Massey, one lap down 

21. Timmy Hill, one lap down 

22. Bret Holmes, one lap down 

23. Ty Dillon, one lap down 

24. Ben Rhodes, two laps down 

25. Chase Purdy, two laps down 

26. Matt Mills, two laps down 

27. Spencer Boyd, five laps down 

28. Keith McGee, eight laps down 

29. Grant Enfinger – OUT, Accident 

30. Kris Wright – OUT, Accident 

31. Layne Riggs – OUT, Accident 

32. Thad Moffitt – OUT, Accident 

33. Memphis Villarreal – OUT, Accident 

34. Tyler Ankrum – OUT, Accident 

Next on the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule is the Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. The event is scheduled for May 4 and airs at 8 p.m. ET on FS1. 

KALITTA, TASCA AND J. COUGHLIN TAKE PROVISIONAL NO. 1 SPOTS AT NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS

By
Official Release
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LAS VEGAS (April 12, 2024) – Reigning world champion Doug Kalitta made the quickest Top Fuel run on Friday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, powering to the provisional No. 1 spot at the 24th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals.

Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the fourth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Kalitta went to the top position with a run of 3.779-seconds at 332.02 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster, putting the defending champ in line for his first No. 1 qualifier this season and the 54th in his career. He also looks to add to Kalitta Motorsports’ success this season, after teammate Shawn Langdon has won two of the first three races in Top Fuel, while J.R. Todd also sits in the points lead.

“That was a really nice run for us,” Kalitta said. “We just switched to that car (last week) in Phoenix, so we’re just kind of trying to figure out a new car, which is much different than what we’ve been running. The conditions are probably going to be a little warm tomorrow, so we’ll have the same opportunity tomorrow to see if we can run those numbers again, and we’re looking forward to it.

“We’ve been qualifying well, and for whatever reason we got beat early in the rounds on Sunday, so we’re definitely looking for a good long day here (on Sunday).”

Steve Torrence took the second spot thanks to his 3.800 at 332.75 and defending event winner Antron Brown is right behind with his 3.803 at 329.99.

Bob Tasca III impressed in both Funny Car sessions on Friday, making the quickest run of both sessions, including his 3.931 at 332.02 to close out the day in his 11,000-horsepower BG Products Ford Mustang. If that run holds, Tasca would earn his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and 17th in his career. Making a pair of strong runs on a warm day also meant a lot to Tasca, who is searching for his first victory of the season after a strong 2023 campaign. Tasca is also after his second 4-Wide Nationals win in Las Vegas following his victory at the track in 2021.

“This morning, I told my crew chiefs [Aaron Brooks and Todd Okuhara] that I didn’t want to be going quicker than 3.95 and do not want to break 330 mph,” Tasca said. “I wanted them to prove to me that they can go slow when the weather’s hot. In the first round, and they were everything was good, they listened to me, we ran 3.96. Everything’s beautiful.

“I told them the exact same thing, not to change anything for the second run, then Austin [Prock] goes 3.94 right in front of us. Aaron goes in the [tuning] box, he looks at me and says, ‘I’m really sorry, but we’re going to break out,’ and it left and felt good and ran a huge speed. The number that impressed me the most was the 332. It was exactly what we needed to do after two very tough races for us.”

Austin Prock, who won last weekend in Phoenix, is second with a strong run of 3.947 at 321.42, while his team owner, John Force, sits third thanks to his run of 3.962 at 313.73. Force won the Winternationals last weekend in Phoenix as well.

Things continue to round into form for Jeg Coughlin Jr., as the five-time Pro Stock world champ went to the provisional No. 1 spot with a run of 6.641 at 206.89 in his Scag Power Equipment car. It puts the veteran in line for his second straight top spot as he looks to build on his Phoenix success. Things are coming together quickly for Coughlin, who came out of retirement to run a full season in 2024, and he’s been impressed with how well his team has come together in such a short time. Coughlin has five career wins at Las Vegas but is looking for his first here in a four-wide format.

“This shows that our team is beginning to jell, from the crew chiefs to myself behind the wheel,” Coughlin said. “We’ve managed to make solid qualifying runs all season long. In Pomona, I had an unfortunate early exit and that stung a bit but we made a nice rebound in Phoenix.

“Now, here we are in Las Vegas, and I made a nice 6.64 run in Q1 and that held through Q2 after the heat set in. Tomorrow, the track should be a little better, and the weather might be better so that 6.64 might be in jeopardy. Hopefully, if that happens, it’s the SCAG-mobile that does it.”

Greg Anderson is currently qualified second thanks to his run of 6.657 at 205.38, while Jerry Tucker moved to third to close out the day with a pass of 6.670 at 206.16.

Qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

LAS VEGAS — Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 24th annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, fourth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.779 seconds, 332.02 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.800, 332.75; 3. Antron Brown, 3.803, 329.99; 4. Clay Millican, 3.820, 330.80; 5. Brittany Force, 3.820, 326.56; 6. Justin Ashley, 3.839, 320.66; 7. Jasmine Salinas, 3.848, 326.32; 8. Tony Stewart, 3.852, 323.50; 9. Shawn Reed, 3.863, 320.43; 10. Shawn Langdon, 3.954, 247.34; 11. Terry Totten, 4.092, 287.78; 12. Krista Baldwin, 4.329, 195.68; 13. Billy Torrence, 4.538, 178.24; 14. Josh Hart, 4.543, 180.19; 15. Tony Schumacher, 5.525, 121.44.

Funny Car — 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.931, 332.02; 2. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.947, 321.42; 3. John Force, Camaro, 3.962, 313.73; 4. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.993, 323.27; 5. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 4.006, 313.37; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.010, 323.12; 7. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 4.010, 318.09; 8. Steven Densham, Mustang, 4.020, 308.78; 9. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 4.035, 319.98; 10. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.049, 315.05; 11. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.052, 311.05; 12. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 4.058, 307.79; 13. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.064, 312.57; 14. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.065, 314.31; 15. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 4.086, 312.64; 16. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 4.117, 275.73. Not Qualified: 17. Terry Haddock, 4.150, 299.60; 18. Jim Campbell, 4.215, 284.27; 19. Alex Miladinovich, 4.285, 281.07; 20. Buddy Hull, 4.310, 289.32.

Pro Stock — 1. Jeg Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.641, 206.89; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.657, 205.38; 3. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.660, 206.16; 4. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.672, 206.13; 5. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.672, 204.70; 6. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.676, 206.16; 7. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.679, 204.63; 8. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.682, 204.82; 9. David Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.683, 205.91; 10. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.689, 205.16; 11. Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 6.690, 205.72; 12. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.694, 205.26; 13. Sienna Wildgust, Camaro, 6.698, 204.88; 14. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.704, 203.71; 15. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.715, 205.60; 16. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.719, 204.98. Not Qualified: 17. Kenny Delco, 6.725, 203.55; 18. Steve Graham, 6.759, 203.80; 19. Aaron Stanfield, 6.783, 205.54; 20. Joey Grose, 13.051, 94.44.

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes – Cole Custer Texas Media Availability

By
Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR XFINITY Series
Texas Motor Speedway | Friday, April 12, 2024

Cole Custer, driver of the No. 00 Andy’s Frozen Custard Ford Mustang, met with media members Friday afternoon at Texas Motor Speedway prior to Xfinity Series practice and qualifying sessions.

COLE CUSTER, No. 00 Andy’s Frozen Custard Ford Mustang Dark Horse – JUST WALK US THROUGH THIS RACE THIS WEEK HERE, AND REALLY WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN HERE AT THE TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY. “Well, I think you can see already in truck practice, I mean, the track’s just always treacherous here. I mean, two guys already wrecked, it looks like. So, it’s just the track always starts out really edgy, and people are always on each other’s doors just because there’s only one lane really around here. So, it makes it pretty treacherous for everybody on restarts and everything just because you’re so tight racing. It’s a really hard place to get ahold of with how treacherous it is and then also trying to balance the two ends. One end’s flat, one end’s banked. So getting the car to handle how you want it is not an easy task for the crew chiefs, but I think we have a solid piece coming here, so we’re looking forward to it.”

WHERE DO YOU GRADE YOURSELF AT THIS POINT OF THE SEASON AS WE START KIND OF GETTING INTO THE MOMENTUM OF THINGS? “I would say we’re at an A or A- maybe right now. I feel like our team is doing a great job executing. I think our pit crew does a great job our guys really go over the details and make sure that everything’s right going into the weekend and we make the most of it. We’re always looking for that last little bit. We have speed, we’ve gotten poles, we’re always in the top five, it seems like, but just trying to get that last little bit to try and win is what we’re looking for. So I think we’ve been working hard, all our guys have been working hard at the shop. It’s just a matter of putting it all together. But I think we’ve tried to make our cars a little bit better coming here and hopefully that shows.”

BOB ASKED YOU OUTSIDE ABOUT THE CAUTIONS AND WHY YOU THINK THIS TRACK JUST NATURALLY PROMOTES YELLOWS? “I think in the Xfinity cars, it’s just how narrow the groove is. On restarts everybody’s door-to-door crowding each other and when you have somebody on your door in an Xfinity car it gets the guy on the bottom really loose, so everybody’s trying to manage that throughout the whole day and eventually guys just make mistakes. They just try and get in too deep on the bottom and you end up washing up into the guy next to you. So you just have to know what position you’re in if you have a position to be aggressive into the corner if you’ve got to be a little conservative, so you don’t wreck the guy outside of you.”

COLE, WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHAT LANE YOU WANT TO PICK FOR THE RESTART, DO YOU PREFER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WITH HOW CRAZY THINGS ARE WITH HOW NARROW THE GROOVE IS ON THESE STARTS? “That’s always such a toss-up every single time. I think either lane can win. It just really depends on who gets to turn one first and who has the positioning going in there. I think more so than not, the bottom usually wins in the Xfinity race. So I think the bottom is probably the place to be, but it’s always a toss-up and after the race you’re always like, ‘Man I wish I would have done that restart a little bit different or picked a different line.’ But you just try and go with the odds and that’s all you can really do.”

COLE, OBVIOUSLY IT IS THE ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD 300, YOU GOT THE NAME RAIL, YOU GOT THE NAME FOR IT TOO, AND YOU GOT THE CAR. IN TERMS OF PREPPING FOR THIS WEEKEND, WHAT OTHER FESTIVITIES OR SO ON WOULD BE ADDED TO YOUR SCHEDULE THIS WEEK UNLIKE OTHER WEEKS? “Well, we already went out to the fan zone and got to spend some time out there with the fans. They actually have a whole truck out there of frozen custard, so definitely be sure to get out there. But just meet and greets and stuff like that. This is a huge race for them and their market. They’re based in Missouri, and they’re here in Texas, and I think Phoenix and this is a big race that they want to get their product out there. So hopefully, we can do a good job and get them victory lane.

DR. PHIL NAMED HONORARY PACE CAR DRIVER FOR SUNDAY’S AUTOTRADER ECHOPARK AUTOMOTIVE 400

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Official Release
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  • Dr. Phil McGraw will be behind the wheel helping lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race.

FORT WORTH, Texas (APRIL 12, 2024) – Dr. Phil is making a weekend house call.

Dr. Phil McGraw is heading to Texas Motor Speedway to serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway (2:30 p.m. CT, TV: FS1, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM, Lone Star 92.5 FM locally).

The television personality and author will drive one of the Chevrolet Camaro pace cars that will help lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag for the start of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400.

Dr. McGraw, one of the most well-known and trusted health professionals, is in the midst of his 22nd season hosting daytime television’s top-rated program, Dr. Phil. The award-winning show hosted by the Dallas resident and University of North Texas graduate continues to provide the most comprehensive forum on mental health issues in the history of television.

Dr. Phil has earned 31 Emmy® nominations and has held the No. 1 spot for the last decade. Dr. McGraw himself has earned two Emmys as an executive producer, induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Dr. McGraw, who received the coveted Presidential Citation by the American Psychological Association for his significant contributions to the field in 2006, also is an award-winning author. He has penned nine No. 1 New York Times bestsellers and has been published in 39 languages with more than 50 million copies in print.

McGraw will be joined by fellow dignitaries – U.S. Army Major General Kevin D. Admiral and TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes – for Sunday’s event. Admiral is serving as the Honorary Starter and will wave the green flag while Dykes will be the Grand Marshal and provide the start command to the drivers.

Tickets are still available for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at four price points, beginning at $115. For those looking for a more premium experience, limited tickets remain for the Turn 1 Terrace ($160). For those unable to attend Sunday’s marquee event, tickets including for the Restart Bar, also are available for Friday night’s SpeedyCash.com 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 Xfinity Series race (12:30 p.m.). Weekend camping spots are still available as well.

Click here for the full weekend schedule.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR tripleheader weekend April 12-14. The race weekend begins April 12 with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250 (7:30 p.m. CT on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90), continues with the April 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 (12:30 p.m. CT on FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90) and concludes with the April 14 NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (2:30 p.m. CT on FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90 and Lone Star 92.5 – local).

Tickets are on sale now at www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

The balance of Texas Motor Speedway’s 2024 major event season includes the High Limit Sprint Car Series (April 13), Fuel Fest (April 20), the Goodguys Rod & Custom/American Flat Track/Pate Swap Meet tripleheader weekend (April 25-28), C-10 Nationals (May 10-12), LS Fest (May 18), Bandas y Trocas (May 25), Solar Car Challenge (July 11-17), SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff 2 (Sept. 14), Goodguys Rod & Custom (Sept. 27-29), American Sprint Car Series (Oct. 4-5), the High Limit Sprint Car Series inaugural season finale (Oct. 11-12) and the Gordy’s Hwy 30 Fest Texas (Oct. 17-20).

ABOUT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Texas Motor Speedway is among the largest sports and entertainment venues in the United States and features an array of amenities such as the largest single LED screen of any sports facility in North America, making it one of the premier venues in the world of sports. The 1.5-mile superspeedway located in Fort Worth hosts all three NASCAR national series among its various races and specialty events throughout the year. Texas Motor Speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, LLC, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit texasmotorspeedway.com.

TICKETS:

For ticket information about Texas Motor Speedway’s 2024 events schedule, please visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

MORE INFO:

Keep track of all of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the speedway website and TMS mobile app.

Toyota Racing – NXS Texas Quotes – Sheldon Creed – 04.12.24

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Official Release
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Toyota Racing – Sheldon Creed
NASCAR Xfinity Series Quotes

FORT WORTH (April 12, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Sheldon Creed was made available to the media prior to practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday.

SHELDON CREED, No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

What is it going to take for you to win the Dash 4 Cash bonus?

“Beat the other three (laughter). The car is very capable of winning, now it’s just up to Sam (McAulay, crew chief) and I to put a whole weekend together.”

What does the bonus mean for the team and crew?

“it’s great for the crew guys and stuff. For the way my deal works this year, I don’t get – I guess – winnings, so for me, it’s not like I get 100 grand if I won the thing – which would be cool, but for the guys that work on it – they are all going to get a bigger bonus this week. We are still trying to find a sponsor, so it will help get us to the next track or help us pay bills.”

What has it been like with the new team and manufacturer?

“I felt like we fired off really good the first two – Daytona and Atlanta, and then we had two or three tough weeks there. Was really fast at COTA, had issues. Richmond – just had issues off the truck, and then through the races, but last week was the most comfortable I’ve felt yet. I was really happy with that, and just how the car drove all day. Sam (McAulay, crew chief) and I learning each other – we weren’t as good as we could have been at the end of the race as we were at the beginning. We just really needed that – last week – to have a solid day, now we can build – because it’s hard to build off your bad weeks, right? Your Vegases and your Richmonds – it’s hard to take anything from that, so I felt like last week was a great place to start with that.”

Based on Las Vegas, how do you look to this weekend?

“Great question. I felt like we weren’t very good at Vegas all day, but our teammates – pretty much dominated all day and won the race. Really, we just looked at their notes. We took a little bit of what we had, and learned from Vegas, but obviously what our teammates ran was pretty fast, so we built our setup around that and that is what we are going to work with this week.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 26 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Faction46 to Celebrate Petty 75th During Darlington Throwback Weekend

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Official Release
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Thad Moffitt to Race STP/Bobby Hamilton Scheme

 SALISBURY, N.C. (April 12, 2024) – Faction46 will use the present to celebrate the past. The team today announced its Darlington Throwback Weekend paint scheme with an unveil of the No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado that pays tribute to Bobby Hamilton and the STP 25th Anniversary scheme that Hamilton debuted in 1996 while racing the famed No. 43 at Petty Enterprises.

Thad Moffitt, the grandson of Richard Petty and the rookie driver for Faction46, will race the No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado during the NASCAR Throwback weekend at Darlington which will begin with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on Friday, May 10.

The unveiling is part of the Petty 75th Anniversary.

“This is a really special scheme and one that I’m proud to race and represent the history and the legacy of Bobby Hamilton with my family,” said Moffitt. “After my grandfather (“The King” Richard Petty), it was Bobby who took the STP 43 back to victory lane in 1996. That was a celebration of STP’s 25 years with Petty Enterprises, and it ties in perfectly with the Petty 75th Anniversary. It is really cool that we can do this, and I want to thank everyone for allowing us to celebrate this occasion. It is going to bring back a lot of memories for a lot of NASCAR fans.”

Hamilton won twice in the No. 43 STP car for Petty Enterprises and eventually became a legend in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series where he won 10 times and a championship. Hamilton became family to the Petty’s and will now be celebrated again by Faction46.

“We are proud to carry the same colors that Bobby Hamilton raced with the Petty family and help celebrate the Petty 75th Anniversary,” said Faction46 Owner, Lane Moore. “It was Bobby who made the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series as great as it is today. We all know he was a great guy, an unbelievable driver, but he was one of the drivers who built and grew the truck series and its popularity. We are looking forward to seeing this great scheme on the track and pay tribute to Bobby and the Petty 75th Anniversary.”

Fans will also be able to get into the action as the Petty 75th Anniversary truck will be offered as Moffitt’s first diecast with the Faction46 team. Pre-orders will be available exclusively by visiting www.dailydownforce.com. In addition, fans can also visit the site to purchase an exclusive shirt, a signed hero card, and even the opportunity to have your name on the decklid of the truck during the throwback weekend.

“We really wanted to make sure that this truck could be offered as a diecast and also give fans so much more to be a part of NASCAR’s Throwback weekend,” said Moffitt. “It’s a special part of history and it’s the perfect way for Faction46 to debut its first diecast to all our fans and allows them to get a complete package of one-of-a-kind memorabilia.”

The new Faction46 team can be found online at www.faction46.com and on social media on Twitter (@TeamFaction46), Instagram (@TeamFaction46), TikTok (@TeamFaction46), and on Facebook and YouTube.

Road America Partners with Plymouth Dirt Track for Winged Sprint Car Event Before the NTT INDYCAR Series Race

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Official Release
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XPEL Grand Prix at Road America is Scheduled for June 9

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., April 12, 2024 – Mark your calendars for Saturday night action June 8, 2024, as the Plymouth Dirt Track, a stone’s throw away from Road America at Sheboygan County Fair Park, is set to host the adrenaline-pumping Road America Challenge. Witness the clash of titans as the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series takes center stage, setting the scene for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES XPEL Grand Prix at America’s National Park of Speed on June 9th.

Don’t wait; the time is right to dive into the action with adult tickets at an enticing $25 and children’s admissions11-6 just $5 and children five and under are FREE, available until June 3rd. Seal the deal with an advance purchase and get a complimentary pit pass. Road America Challenge advance tickets also include a scannable QR code where fans can enjoy a cool $15 off your Sunday Ticket for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES XPEL Grand Prix. Just click this link to purchase your Road America Challenge ticket: https://www.myracepass.com/series/1012/tickets/1393284

Experience the raw power of 900 horsepower winged outlaws and the agility of PDTR/MSA 360 winged sprints. The Plymouth Dirt Track pits will open at 2 p.m., gates at 4 p.m., warmups & hot laps start at 5:30 p.m., qualifying begins at 6 p.m., and racing is at 7p.m.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES amplifies the thrill on Sunday at Road America by showcasing international talent across a diverse range of tracks, where speeds soar up to 240 mph. The weekend is packed with excitement, featuring the INDY NXT Series by Firestone, USF Pro 2000, and USF 2000 series, nurturing the next generation of racing legends.

But there’s more! Revel in the nostalgia at Road America with Vintage Indy, open karting, and Super Moto at the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex. Road America ensures a family-friendly atmosphere where kids 16 and under enjoy free general admission with a paying adult. From camping on one of over 1,000 sites to races that go on, rain or shine, Road America promises an unforgettable weekend. Don’t miss out – visit www.roadamerica.com or call 800-365-7223 for more information. Join us for a celebration of speed, heritage, and community!

Certified Hustler Apparel Named Primary Partner of The #4 JD Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro at Texas Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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Gaffney, SC – JD Motorsports is proud to announce its partnership with Certified Hustler Apparel as the primary sponsor of the #4 Chevrolet Camaro for the upcoming race this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.

As a leader in streetwear fashion, Certified Hustler Apparel embodies the spirit of hustle, determination, and excellence – qualities that are mirrored in the adrenaline-fueled world of motorsports. This partnership marks an exciting collaboration between two entities dedicated to pushing boundaries and achieving success.

“We are really excited to be a part of JD Motorsports and the NASCAR Xfinity Series.” Said Bo, Owner of Certified Hustler Apparel.

“As a brand that celebrates the hustler mentality, we see this partnership as a natural fit. Their passion for success and dedication to quality and helping the community resonate with our team values, and we are excited to represent their brand on the track.” – Johnny Davis, Owner of JD Motorsports.

The #4 Chevrolet Camaro, piloted by Dawson Cram, will proudly showcase the Certified Hustler Apparel logo, demonstrating the shared commitment to excellence and determination. Certified Hustler donates part of every sale to B3 Against Bullying. B3 is a non profit that was started in 2017, to help Fort Worth area kids who were experiencing bullying, as well as the kid doing the bullying, to feel better about themselves.

The partnership between Certified Hustler Apparel and JD Motorsports represents a fusion of style and speed, bringing together two dynamic forces in their respective fields, while also bringing awareness to bullying in the area.

The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 is on Saturday, April 13th at 1:30pm. The race is available on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM Nascar Radio.

For more information about Certified Hustler Apparel, visit www.thecertifiedhustler.com and for more information on B3 Against Bullying visit www.facebook.com/b3againstbullying/

About Certified Hustler Apparel:

Certified Hustler Apparel is a leading streetwear brand known for its bold designs and uncompromising quality. Founded on the principles of hustle, determination, and excellence, Certified Hustler Apparel empowers individuals to chase their dreams and conquer their goals.

About JD Motorsports:

JD Motorsports is a professional motorsports team competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. First fielding cars in 1983, the team has a rich history of success in one of the premier racing series in North America. JD Motorsports is committed to excellence both on and off the track, with a focus on performance, innovation, and teamwork. To find out more please visit www.teamjdmotorsports.com

For Partnership Inquiries please visit: www.teamjdmotorsports.com/partnership-inquiries

AM Racing | Hailie Deegan Texas Motor Speedway Xfinity Preview

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Official Release
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AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Texas Motor Speedway | Andy’s Frozen Custard 300

Fast Facts
No. 15 AM Racing Team:
Driver: Hailie Deegan
Primary Partner(s): AirBox
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Joe Williams Jr.
Spotter: Michael Fisher
Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. X-006
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

Notes of Interest:

Sophomore Journey: After a successful rookie campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last season with driver Brett Moffitt, AM Racing will embark on its sophomore journey in 2024 with driver Hailie Deegan for the entire 33-race tour, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.

The Statesville, N.C.-based team plans to expand its footprint in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to also run two cars throughout the season with its No. 25 AM Racing entry.

Future Focused: Last October, AM Racing announced that Hailie Deegan joined the family-owned operation to pilot the team’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in a multiyear agreement.

Deegan, a native of Temecula, Calif. has been a staple in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for the past three seasons but will embrace her rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as part of the Ford Performance program.

Deegan grew up racing off-road and on dirt but transitioned to competing on asphalt in 2016 to pursue a career in stock car racing. She began that transition in 2018 in the ARCA Menards Series West (previously NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), She became the first female driver to have won races in the West Series, doing so in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively.

Deegan, 21, arrives at AM Racing after a stint driving for ThorSport Racing in 2023.

Giving You Piece of Air: For the sixth time in 2024, AirBox will serve as the primary marketing partner of Deegan’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.

In 2017, AirBox was established to focus on building the world’s best air purifiers for indoor occupied spaces. This coincided with people starting to wake up to issues with indoor air quality. With new challenges to air cleanliness, such as COVID-19 and wildfire smoke, people are looking for effective and proven solutions to ensure they receive cleaner air, at last.

Their history in delivering clean air systems gives them an expertise that is unmatched. AirBox uses some of the most effective air filtration technologies that exist with Certified HEPA and Advanced Molecular Adsorption and manufactures products that meet the stringent new ventilation standard, ASHRAE Standard 241.

Today, AirBox filtration systems are used across the country, purifying the air and capturing harmful irritants to create healthier, safer spaces. They’ve become the trusted choice for hospitals, educational centers, offices, warehouses, construction zones, public assembly, sports facilities, and more.

They’re proud to build all products to the highest standards in the USA at their North Carolina production facility. Every day, AirBox is working hard to give the American people the safer learning, working, and living environments they deserve—helping people breathe easy and live better.

Hailie Deegan NASCAR Xfinity Series Texas Motor Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 will mark Deegan’s Xfinity Series debut at the 1.5-mile speedway just outside Fort Worth, Texas.

Deegan, however, does own three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway from 2021 – 2023.

Her track-best result occurred during the 2023 SpeedyCash.com 250 when she steered to a sixth-place finish after starting 25th for ThorSport Racing.

Hailie Deegan NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Deegan has a career-best 13th-place finish after starting 20th for SS-GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in October 2022.

In addition to seven Xfinity Series starts, she has achieved 70 ARCA Menards Series starts, including three wins and 69 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts to her credit.

AM Minute: While the ARCA Menards Series was enjoying another spring off-weekend, the AM Racing Dirt Division was back in action with drivers Christian Rose and Austin Wayne Self at Farmer City Raceway.

The ARCA Menards Series resumes action next weekend at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Saturday, April 20.

Thanks For Your Support: With 21 percent of the 2024 Xfinity Series season complete, AM Racing and Hailie Deegan would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AirBox, Flying Circle, Klutch Vodka, Mechanix Wear, Monster Energy Drink, Mobil 1, Viva Tequila Seltzer and WIX Filters.

Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | DUDE WIPES 250 Race Recap: The seventh race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season kicked off in Martinsville, Virginia on Saturday, April 6.

Flying the AirBox colors for the second consecutive weekend, Deegan continued to progress from practice to qualifying and made the 250-lap race on speed with her 28th-place qualifying result.

Moving forward from the drop of the green flag, Deegan would be heading toward the top 20 when she was spun by another competitor and suffered heavy front-end damage to her race car.

After repairs from her AM Racing team allowed her to continue in the race, Deegan would later return to the lead lap, begin an impressive climb through the remaining 100 laps of the race, and avoid the late race chaos to earn a respectable 18th-place finish at the checkered flag.

The effort was Deegan’s second top-20 finish of the 2024 Xfinity Series season and her best on a short track for AM Racing this season.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Joe Williams Jr. is Hailie Deegan’s crew chief.

He will be crew chief for Saturday’s 139th NASCAR Xfinity Series race, his eighth at Texas Motor Speedway.

In his previous 138 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one win (Auto Club Speedway | February 2022), eight top-five and 30 top-10 finishes.

Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Hailie Deegan, please visit hailiedeegan.com, like her Facebook page (HailieDeegan4), or follow her on Instagram (@hailiedeegan), YouTube and X | Twitter (@hailiedeegan).

Hailie Deegan Quoteboard:

On Texas Motor Speedway: “After some much-needed good luck at Martinsville Speedway last Saturday night, I’m optimistic about heading to Texas Motor Speedway with my AM Racing team.

“The last time I raced there, I had a strong top-10 finish and I’d like nothing more than to take the little momentum we have and leave Texas Motor Speedway with another top-15 finish or better with our No. 15 AirBox Ford Mustang.

“We are working hard to climb out of the hole we’ve been in since Daytona.”

Race Information:

The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 (200 laps | 300 miles) is the eighth of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., April 12, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Sat., April 13, 2024, shortly after 12:30 p.m., with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events in its eighth year of competition.

The team has named Hailie Deegan, Christian Rose, and Austin Wayne Self as their primary drivers for the 2024 Xfinity, ARCA Menards Series, and Dirt Modified seasons, respectively.

How Can I Find The Best Car Insurance Rates In Virginia?

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SM
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Photo by ixography on Unsplash

Finding applicable car insurance rates can be challenging. Not all insurers are interested in meeting their clients’ expectations. Some only seek to fulfill legal requirements that give their clients the bare minimum in coverage.

Likewise, even those with the benefits and coverages you’d expect may not be cost-effective. Finding an insurance rate that falls under a helpful policy and protection plan without breaking the bank requires that you research your options. Even then, you want to compare the quotes you receive to determine the best of what’s available. 

We’ve compiled a list of steps to help you find the best car insurance rates in Virginia. Review the following suggestions and start working towards aligning with a rate that’ll work for you. For more information on how to find the best rates for car insurance VA, read on. 

Compare car insurance via rates to find the lowest options.

There are many commercials boasting the best auto insurance rates, but these claims do not necessarily reflect reality. 

  • No one company offers the cheapest options. Insurance that is affordable for one person in one location could be the most expensive choice for someone living elsewhere. 
  • The only way to determine whether you’re finding the best possible rates is to compare your options. 
  • By looking at the insurance rates you’re given for car insurance VA, you can see which offers the lowest rates and go from there. 

Don’t overlook local insurers for big-scale providers.

A handful of national auto insurance companies control over half of the business. Although these companies are well-known, they do not always offer better rates; therefore, you should consider regional insurance providers with high customer satisfaction reports in your area. These smaller companies may have lower rates for car insurance VA, which may work better for you than alternative insurers. 

Improve your credit before shopping for quotes. 

Your insurance credit score will influence the insurance quotes you receive. You can act to improve the quotes you receive by taking time to improve your credit history first. Start paying your credit card bills, loans, etc., and reduce your debt. With these changes in effect, you should find more accommodating options in rates for car insurance.

Look for applicable discounts.

Car insurance providers may offer car insurance discounts that you can use to reduce your rate if you meet the following qualifications:

  • You’ll bundle car insurance with homeowner insurance or similar policies.
  • You’ll hold more than one car under the policy. 
  • You’ll pay a large sum of your premium at one time (the total or your six-month.)
  • You have a vehicle with specific safety features.
  • You have a clean driving history.

Work your way to the best possible rates.  

To find the best rates in car insurance, shop around and compare your quotes and discounts. Do your part to search for local insurers and build your credit to improve the rates you receive. Follow the steps above and work your way to finding the best car insurance rates in Virginia. 

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