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What Will Happen At NASCAR

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SM
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The highly popular 2024 championships have already begun for NASCAR, with some of the best teams, drivers, cars, and practice. The 2024 championship will not occur until the 10th of November, with Phoenix Raceway being the last and final race of the season. In April of this year, there are already scheduled four races that you can watch, and if you do want to do so, it’s possible to bet on those races. 

Many people look forward to watching NASCAR, especially when bets can be made with almost no problems. With all the technology advancing and even bonuses that can help, such as stake bonus codes, you can expect to have fun. 

Having already started on February 12th, this event is not only unpredictable but also loved by many people all over the world. No one knows what can happen, and the slightest change can make all the difference regarding who will win the 2024 NASCAR championship this year. 

So, when betting and even watching all of these events that are going to happen soon, you need to know about previous winners, the best cars, those who were able to finish first at the best time, and other factors. Since many previous events didn’t go forward due to heavy rains, the weather is also something to consider when making bets in these races. 

Qualification for NASCAR isn’t similar to other sports, such as football or Formula 1. It will happen gradually, over time, and with many races to be made. Besides, there is a Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and many others.

Knowing all about the qualifications and how the events function will ease the way you make your bets and give you a higher probability of actually winning and profiting from them. Gathering as much information as possible is essential and valuable since all of that data can be used when making your bets.

All the events can be watched on television and will be broadcast on radio as well. So it doesn’t matter where you are; accessing anything regarding these events will be easy and fast. 

NASCAR has been a worldwide event for many years, and this year, it promises a lot of asphalt wrecked due to the incredible cars and drivers participating in all the events throughout the 2024 championship. Making a bet will be easy, but you shouldn’t forget that you need to predict or try to, using your knowledge and even statistics from previous races and championships. 

The more information you have regarding everything that has happened before, the better for you since it will surely increase your chances of profiting from the bet you made. This isn’t counting the fun you can have while watching these excellent races with a lot of stamina, thrill, and adrenaline.

CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT ST. PETERSBURG: TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE
MARCH 7, 2024

CHEVROLET KICK-STARTS DRIVE FOR NINTH NTT INDYCAR SERIES MANUFACTURER TITLE IN ST. PETERSBURG

DETROIT (March 7, 2024) – The Team Chevy drivers and teams of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES kick off the 2024 season on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. this weekend with the 20th running of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Chevrolet earned its eighth NTT INDYCAR SERIES Engine Manufacturer Championship of the 2.2-liter twin turbo direct-injected era since 2012 after the 2023 season and carries significant momentum heading into 2024. The drive for a ninth title starts in Round 1 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., a 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary circuit featuring city streets and a section of the Albert Whitted Airport’s runway, with long straights and heavy braking zones.

“While 2023 is in the rearview mirror, 2024 is a great opportunity for everyone at Chevrolet to drive towards our ninth engine manufacturer title, potentially our third-in-a-row in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, said Mark Stielow, Director of Motorsports Competition Programs at General Motors. “We’re carrying positivity, talent, and momentum from our successful season last year with all our teams and drivers, and look forward to racing with new drivers, engineers, and team members as well.”

“St. Petersburg provides an excellent opportunity to kick the new season off successfully and provides a strong challenge with a field that’s ever-evolving competitively,” continued Stielow. “We’re looking forward to getting on track in St. Petersburg soon.”

Entering the weekend for the 200th race of Chevrolet’s V6 era, the Bowtie brand holds eight victories on the Streets of St. Pete as well as eight earned NTT P1 Pole Awards. Team Chevy has also scored 20 podiums and 684 laps led since 2012 at St. Petersburg and looks to return to Victory Lane this year.

Leading 23 of Chevrolet’s 61 laps in the 2023 event and finishing on the podium, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, driver of the No. 5 for Team Chevy, notes of excitement heading into a new year.

“I’m always pumped to go back to St. Pete every year because that means we’re starting a new season,” said O’Ward. “It’s a track that I’ve had the pleasure of driving on multiple types of open wheel cars through the years and can’t wait to add another one to the books. The team and I are coming off a strong test in Sebring and are ready for the challenges that lie ahead this year.”

With a strong showing in 2022 that saw Team Penske and Chevrolet capture both the NTT P1 Pole Award and the St. Pete victory, and a solid race effort in 2023, Scott McLaughlin returns searching for his fifth career NTT INDYCAR SERIES win.

“I’m really excited to head to St. Pete for the first round of the season,” said McLaughlin. “2024 is going to be a really big year for the Thirsty 3s. I’m back to DEX Imaging’s home round at the Tampa region. St. Petersburg is awesome, and I just have really good vibes heading into it. We nearly won it; we nearly went two-for-two last year and were really close without the problem we had toward the end of last year’s race. I have a lot of confidence in my group and the DEX Imaging Chevrolet to make sure we can get to the front again and start the season off strong.”

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg kicks off with Practice 1 at 2:45 p.m. ET on Friday. Practice 2 starts at 9:35 a.m. ET on Saturday, with qualifying following at 2 p.m. ET. A final warm-up at 9:10 a.m. ET on Sunday will lead into the noon ET race start. All practice and qualifying will be live on Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 160.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“It has been a very long, very busy off-season. From the residual effect of winning the Indianapolis 500 to helping push the hybrid program forward, it has been nice to settle in and get ready for St. Pete over the last few weeks. I love starting the season down there. It has become one of the top events on our schedule. I couldn’t imagine starting the season anywhere else. Fans will get to see our beautiful No. 2 PPG Chevrolet this weekend too. Hopefully we can qualify well, stay up front and get another St. Pete win.”

Will Power, No. 12 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“I really feel as ready for the start of the season as I have in a long time. It was a long off-season, but it has been anything but quiet with helping get the hybrid system into a good spot. Our test at Sebring last week was very strong. Chevy has done a lot of work to the current car while working on the hybrid, which is amazing. They’ve absolutely gone to work to improve the 2.2-liter product with an eye on the hybrid, which takes a lot of work. So, we’re all ready to get the No. 12 Verizon Business Chevy on track at a place I love in St. Pete.”

Callum Ilott, No. 6 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren:

“It’s been a crazy schedule to make this all work, and I’m very grateful to finally be here and to make it happen. The Homestead test was very positive, and then we got the ball rolling again at the shop this week to get last minute preparations in. It’s going to be good, I think. I’m very impressed with the team and how they operate, and I’m excited to see what we can do. I had a good race last year at St. Pete and I’m coming off the back of a good race in Qatar in the World Endurance Championship, so the mindset is good. There’s a lot to discover and a lot to learn.”

*Note: Ilott is filling in for David Malukas in St. Petersburg who is currently recovering from a hand injury sustained off track.

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren:

“I am so excited to get to St. Pete to kick off 2024. It has been a very long off-season, but at the same time, it has been incredibly productive. It is amazing to see how far we’ve come since the season opener last year, and we have a lot of confidence as an entire organization. As always, it’s important to start the year off with some positive momentum and that is exactly what we are looking to do this weekend. I can’t wait to see everyone at the track wearing papaya.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

“It’s been a long off-season, but we’re finally here. I’m excited to get down to St. Petersburg and compete with a really talented group that’s worked hard all winter to improve many of our processes. I think we’re in a really strong place and hopefully we can roll off the truck strong to, frankly, take care of some unfinished business here from last year. I couldn’t imagine a better group to go racing with, and I’m looking forward to getting this season started the right way.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“I am very excited to get back to racing! The anticipation has been extra big this year with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg being my debut in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES! This has been my dream for many years now and I can’t wait to get started with Ed Carpenter Racing and Team Chevy!”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“St. Pete is right around the corner! I am really excited to get the season going, it’s been a pretty quiet offseason for us with not many days of testing. We are ready to show the progress that we have made as a team and get started on the right foot! Of course, the car looks great in its new color thanks to askROI! Green has been a successful color for me, now to make that translate to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES!”

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:

“Very much looking forward to another year with Chevrolet power and being part of AJ Foyt Racing. I think St. Pete can be a solid kickoff. Chevy has made some incredible improvements over the offseason. I think that showed in preseason testing and I’m excited to see what we can do during the race weekend.”

Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:

“St. Pete is a great place to kick off the start of the NTT INDYCAR season. I’m looking forward to heading back there with more experience and with a new team in AJ Foyt Racing. Joining Team Chevy is a welcome change as well, as it will be the first time in my career, I get to race the brand associated with my namesake. There’s a lot to look forward to.”

Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:

“Looking forward to start the adventure for Juncos Hollinger Racing, after limited but positive testing, I am looking forward to going back to St Pete. I really like the race track, I’ve had some great memories there, and I’m looking forward to see what we can do with the car and the team, during the first race of the season. Very happy to get back to racing after a long time of non-IndyCar racing.”

Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:

“We start a season with great enthusiasm to be able to continue our evolution, on a personal size and with the team. We finished in very good shape last season and the tests were also positive, the team has grown during the break and all of us who are part of it are in better shape. The objective will be to start this first race by adding as many points as possible, in an always very demanding circuit where anything can happen throughout the 100 laps.”

CHEVROLET IN ST. PETERSBURG:

Wins at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (since 2012): 8

2012 – Helio Castroneves

2013 – James Hinchcliffe

2014 – Will Power

2015 – Juan Pablo Montoya

2016 – Juan Pablo Montoya

2019 – Josef Newgarden

2020 – Josef Newgarden

2022 – Scott McLaughlin

Earned Pole Awards in St. Petersburg: 8

2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 – Will Power

2022 – Scott McLaughlin

Chevrolet Driver with the Most St. Petersburg Street Course Wins (since 2012): Juan Pablo Montoya (2015, 2016), and Josef Newgarden (2019, 2020) – 2

Chevrolet Driver with the Most St. Petersburg Street Course Pole Awards (since 2012): Will Power, 7 (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)

Number of Team Chevy Podiums on the St. Petersburg Street Course (since 2012): 20

Number of laps led by Team Chevy on the St. Petersburg Street Course (since 2012): 684

2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:

199: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.

111: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

127: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 132 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather.

8: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.

7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.

12: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

5: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era.

26: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.

9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.

46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.

*Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

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.

United Rentals Racing: Ryan Preece Phoenix Advance

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Official Release
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RYAN PREECE
Phoenix Advance
No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: Shriners Children’s 500k (Round 4 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, March 10
● Location: Phoenix Raceway
● Layout: 1-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 312 laps/312 miles (502 kilometers)
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 125 laps / Final Stage: 127 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Ryan Preece and his NASCAR Cup Series counterparts head to Phoenix Raceway this weekend for the Shriners Children’s 500k NASCAR Cup Series race. Sunday’s 312-lap contest around the 1-mile oval debuts a new short-track rules package, as Preece’s No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing will be outfitted with a simplified rear diffuser and a higher rear spoiler compared to last year’s specifications. The aim is to put more of the race in the driver’s hands, where nuanced throttle control will be key to maintaining grip and managing tire wear. The updated package is a welcome one for Preece, who honed these exact traits on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour – NASCAR’s oldest division and the only open-wheel series sanctioned by NASCAR. Preece won the Tour championship in 2013 and properly leveraged that title and his 26 Tour victories into additional opportunities across NASCAR’s top-three national touring series – Craftsman Truck, Xfinity and Cup.

● The Shriners Children’s 500k will mark Preece’s 10th career NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix. The best of his previous nine outings came last year in his first season with Stewart-Haas. Preece finish 12th in the March race and 14th in November’s season finale.

● Outside of the NASCAR Cup Series, Preece has three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Phoenix with his best result being a fifth-place drive in November 2018.

● Joining Preece this weekend at Phoenix is United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI), the largest equipment rental company in the world. United Rentals has an integrated network of 1,449 rental locations in North America, 13 in Europe, 27 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 24,700 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers approximately 4,700 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $19.3 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index®. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Additional information about United Rentals is available at UnitedRentals.com.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Phoenix isn’t necessarily a short track as it’s a mile in length, but it features qualities that are similar with its minimal banking and relatively flat straights. What approach are you and the team taking into this race?

“I feel like last year, our strength as a company was at the short tracks. Phoenix falls under that category to us. In the last race at Phoenix, I felt like we had a top-15 car. My hope for this year, with the improvements that have been made, is that we can continue to take steps forward and consistently be where we want to be on performance. We’re excited for the short tracks coming up and want to kick off the first one by running a clean race with a car that is able to do everything right.”

Stewart-Haas has been historically strong at Phoenix. Does that bring added motivation to you and the No. 41 team this weekend?

“I think it has to add motivation. We’re going to know exactly some of the gains that have been made with the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse body, as well as some things that we need to work on as a team after Las Vegas. All of us were able to have good days at Phoenix last year, so we expect them to be even better this year with some the updates that have been and made to the cars.”

Cars will run a simplified diffuser and a higher rear spoiler. How will the changes impact the racing at Phoenix?

“It’s pretty much a reset from what we experienced last year. The cars will be so much different. The effects that it will have on the racing at Phoenix is kind of an unknown until we hit the track this weekend.”

This is your second season with Stewart-Haas. How has the dynamic evolved now that you’ve had more than a year to get to know the team and for the team to get to know you?

“I feel like there has been more time to develop communication, to figure out exactly where we need to be balance-wise, and then to determine what we’re all happy with and what makes it feel like home. It’s the same team and same group of people as last year, so it definitely helps in developing those relationships, which are important to help us go out and capitalize on strong runs.”

No. 41 United Rentals Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Jeremy West

Hometown: Gardena, California

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen

Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Tony Raines

Hometown: LaPorte, Indiana

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Kevin Teaf

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher

Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Interior Mechanic: Robert Dalby

Hometown: Anaheim, California

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgeway

Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

Hometown: Orange County, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

AMERICA’S FAVORITE ’80S BAND THE BREAKFAST CLUB TO PERFORM THROWBACK-STYLE DURING PRE-RACE CONCERT TO REV UP THE CROWD FOR FOOD CITY 500

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Official Release
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BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 7, 2024) – America’s favorite 1980s tribute band, The Breakfast Club, will perform throwback style to get the crowd ignited for the Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday afternoon, March 17, at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The Breakfast Club covers all the greatest hits from the 1980s and is the perfect fit for this pre-race concert given the throwback theme of the race weekend. Some of the artists the band covers include Duran Duran, The Cure, INXS, Beastie Boys, Journey, The Cars, Modern English, Prince, Simple Minds and Wang Chung, to name a few.

“Our guests are going to have a blast singing along with The Breakfast Club as they get revved up for the start of the Food City 500,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “Their catalog of songs is so deep and it’s all of the very best tunes from the 1980s. This weekend we are back on the concrete on the racetrack and at the same time, we are taking our guests back in time with some activities at the track and this band certainly fits the bill to accomplish that.”

The pre-race concert will run from 1:30-2:30 p.m. live from the pre-race stage in the infield near the start/finish line and lead straight into pre-race ceremonies, which will include driver introductions for the Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race. Guests are able to add-on a Pre-Race Infield Experience for front-row action for $110 per adult and $45 for children 12-and-under.

Formed in 1993, The Breakfast Club was the first band of its kind that embodied the enigmatic, creative and buoyant spirit of music and live performances of the original MTV generation on the 1980s. The band includes DavayRay on vocals and guitars, Colleen on vocals and keyboard, Matt on bass and vocals and Kevin on drums.

The Bristol race weekend will feature action in the NASCAR Cup Series with the tradition-rich Food City 500 on Sunday afternoon, March 17 (3:30 p.m., FOX and PRN Radio) with current champ Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Daytona 500 winner William Byron, Joey Logano, Atlanta winner Daniel Suarez, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin leading the way.

Saturday afternoon’s (March 16) Bush’s Beans Practice and Bush’s Beans Qualifying for both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will set the starting lineups for each race and precede Saturday night’s WEATHER GUARD® Truck Race. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series stars Ben Rhodes, Grant Enfinger, Nick Sanchez, Las Vegas winner Rajah Caruth, Corey Heim, Ty Dillon and Christian Eckes, among others, are scheduled to take the green flag at 8 p.m. ET for the 250-lap thriller (FS1, MRN Radio).

To purchase tickets for the Food City 500 or the WEATHER GUARD® Truck Race, please visit the BMS website, or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158. For a limited time tickets can also be purchased at your neighborhood Food City store.

About Bristol Motor Speedway

Forged amid the scenic mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line, Bristol Motor Speedway is The Last Great Colosseum, a versatile multi-use venue that hosts major auto races, football games, concerts and many other captivating events. The facility features a 0.533-mile concrete oval race track with 28-degree corner banking and 650-feet straightaways that offers racing in several NASCAR touring series, highlighted by two major Cup Series weekends each year. In 2020, the track also served as host of the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race, and from 2021-2023 converted to a temporary dirt track each spring to take the Cup Series back to its racing roots. While at the track, fans are offered a unique viewing experience courtesy of Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided video screen with a 540,000-watt audio system. The adjacent quarter-mile dragstrip, Bristol Dragway, offers more than 50 events annually, including the marquee NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health transforms Bristol Dragway into a premier outdoor concert venue for the world’s greatest music performers. Three football games have kicked-off inside the oval, most notably the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol, where border rivals the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech met before an NCAA-record crowd of 156,990. In existence since 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway was purchased in 1996 by Speedway Motorsports, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States.

INDYCAR, Dirty Mo Media Form Partnership To Promote Content

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, March 7, 2024) – INDYCAR and Dirty Mo Media, the multimedia content platform of NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., announced March 7 that they have formed a partnership to promote INDYCAR content created by Dirty Mo, specifically the podcast “Speed Street,” hosted by INDYCAR SERIES driver Conor Daly and content creator Chase Holden.

The weekly podcast, which began in 2021, will feature the winner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race each week in 2024. Excerpts of the podcast will also be featured on INDYCAR’s social media and YouTube channels.

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with the team at Dirty Mo Media, provide access to our drivers and help build an INDYCAR audience within their brand,” said Kate Davis, director of communications for INDYCAR. “Conor is a fan favorite who excels at sharing our sport with new audiences and brings his authentic and engaging personality to all of his creative endeavors.”

Daly is a second-generation driver who has been racing in the INDYCAR SERIES for more than a decade. He made his debut in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 and has since competed 10 times in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” He began podcasting in 2021 with the inception of “Speed Street” and immediately brought a unique brand of candor and insight to the show. Earnhardt’s company added “Speed Street” to its lineup in 2022. Since that merger, “Speed Street’s” audience has increased 800%.

“Conor’s goal has always been to move the sport forward, grow the fanbase and educate his listeners on exactly what they are watching in an INDYCAR race,” said Mike Davis, president and executive producer of Dirty Mo Media. “That whole approach provides an exceptional value to race fans, and it is why ‘Speed Street’ plays such an important role in our lineup. It’s also why a partnership between INDYCAR and the ‘Speed Street’ brand is an exciting development that has tremendous potential.”

New episodes of “Speed Street” drop every Wednesday throughout 2024 and are available across all major podcasting platforms. INDYCAR SERIES winners will begin making guest appearances on “Speed Street” following this weekend’s season debut, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Coverage of the race starts at noon ET on Sunday, March 10, on NBC, Peacock, Universo and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

About INDYCAR

INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou, two-time series champion Will Power, six-time series champion Scott Dixon and two-time series champion and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2024 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on INDY NXT by Firestone, please visit www.indynxt.com.

About Dirty Mo Media

Dirty Mo Media is the original entertainment and creative production company of Dale Earnhardt Jr. The company launched in 2013 and, since then, has become the go-to destination for race fans. Original content can be found at DirtyMoMedia.com and all major podcasting networks.

Burton, No. 21 Draiver Team Ready for Short-Track Action at Phoenix

By
Official Release
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This weekend’s Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway will offer Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Draiver team their first at-track experience with NASCAR’s new short-track aero package. The first three races of the 2024 season were held at different types of tracks, with Daytona and Atlanta offering superspeedway drafting, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway a more traditional intermediate-track race.

Phoenix’s one-mile oval is treated by race teams like a short track despite being longer than traditional shorter tracks such as the half-miles at Bristol and Martinsville.

Also new this week is the primary sponsor. The No. 21 Mustang Dark Horse will carry the colors and logos of Draiver, a technology-based company that connects independent drivers with companies needing to move vehicles.

“We’re excited to have a new sponsor on the car with Draiver this week,” said crew chief Jeremy Bullins.

“Our Mustang Dark Horse looks great in their colors, and we will get a longer practice this week to get the set-up dialed in.

“It’ll be interesting to see how the new short-track aero package affects the racing.

“Hopefully we can make the most of it.”

Burton told reporters that he too is anxious to try out the new package.

“The cars certainly might drive worse, which is going to be fun for us,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be crazy different, but it’s definitely going to be a little bit less grip and more to manage.”

He predicts the change will be appreciated by drivers and fans alike.

“It should make the racing a little bit better, so I’m excited for that,” he said. “I’m excited to get out there and feel what it’s like.

“I know there’s been some testing done with that package, and from what I saw it looked like a good time to drive it so I’m excited.”

Burton also said he’s anxious to visit the Arizona track and its surroundings.

“I love Phoenix,” he said. “It’s a cool area, cool race track, cool fan base, so its always fun to go out there.”

Practice for Sunday’s 500-kilometer race is set for Friday from 3:05 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. local time (5:05-5:55 p.m. Eastern Time).

Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday at 12:10 p.m. local time (2:10 p.m. Eastern).

Sunday’s 312-lap race is expected to get the green flag just after 12:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. Eastern) with TV coverage on FOX.

Stage breaks are planned for Laps 60 and 185.

ABOUT DRAIVER
Draiver is a market-leading on-demand vehicle delivery company offering elevated delivery solutions and experiences. Through best-in-class AI logistics software and a vetted, insured driver marketplace, the company moves cars faster, and more efficiently, to improve bottom lines for global fleet and rental companies, OEMs, large automotive groups, and single location businesses.

The company’s expertise has enabled rapid expansion to three continents, where the platform moves over 6,000 cars a day through an elite network of 20,000 drivers. The company’s full suite of services is available throughout North and South America, and their software solves logistics needs for large automotive companies in Peru, Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Peru and the GCC.

Draiver’s mission is to redefine the standard of excellence in vehicle delivery and offer unmatched opportunities for the gig economy in a people-first environment. Follow Draiver on Twitter, LinkedIn and www.draiver.com.

Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

RCR Race Preview: Phoenix Raceway

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Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway… In 139 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Phoenix Raceway, Richard Childress Racing has scored six victories, led by Kevin Harvick with four wins (a sweep of both races in 2006 plus the fall races in 2012 and 2013). Ryan Newman was victorious in the 2017 Spring event. Dale Earnhardt won in 1990 to claim his ninth victory of the season enroute to his fourth of seven Cup Series championships.

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Phoenix Raceway… RCR has three NASCAR Xfinity Series wins by three different drivers at Phoenix Raceway: Elliott Sadler (2012), Clint Bowyer (2007) and Kevin Harvick (2006). The victory by Sadler ended a 91-race winless streak, while Bowyer led the most laps (120 of 200) on the way to the Winner’s Circle. The win by Harvick was one of nine victories he claimed on the way to his second Xfinity Series title with RCR.

Catch the Action on Saturday… The NASCAR Xfinity Series Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 at Phoenix Raceway will be televised live on Saturday, March 9, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Follow Sunday’s Action at Phoenix Raceway… The NASCAR Cup Series Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway will be televised live on Sunday, March 10, beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Phoenix Raceway… Austin Dillon has 20 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Phoenix Raceway to his credit, earning two top-10 finishes. He earned his best finish of eighth in November 2018. In his most recent appearances at the track, Dillon finished 16th (Spring) and 12th (Fall). He has 11 starts at the 1.0-mile oval in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with a career-best finish of second in November 2016. Dillon has three top-10 finishes and one top-five finish in three starts in the NASCAR Truck Series at Phoenix Raceway.

By The Numbers… According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Dillon ranks fifth among all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Average Speed Late In A Run at Phoenix Raceway. He ranks ninth in Green-Flag Passes.

Welcome Morgan & Morgan… As America’s largest injury law firm, Morgan & Morgan has recovered more than $15 billion for over 300,000 clients. Throughout the United States, our attorneys fulfill our “For The People” commitment in over 50 practice areas, including national mass torts and class actions, labor and employment, civil rights, and product liability, among many others. We co-counsel with hundreds of other law firms, who refer thousands of cases to us. Our firm has taken on some of the biggest corporations across the globe, including BP, Facebook, Google, Monsanto, and Lockheed Martin, and recovered billions in complex national litigation, including $1.8 billion in the Porter Ranch Gas Leak case in 2021. Learn more at www.forthepeople.com.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

What are your thoughts on Phoenix Raceway?

“Phoenix Raceway is a tough short track and one of those places where you hit it or don’t. In the last few years, Phoenix has seen changes and I think it’s made the track more challenging and that makes it fun for drivers. It could be a good place for the No. 3 Morgan & Morgan team.”

Where do you see yourself now in the sport, and where do you see yourself in five years?

“I feel like I’m at a place where I need to step up and take that next step, to try and get to a multi-win season and go further than I’ve ever gone in the NASCAR Playoffs. My ultimate goal since I’ve got to the Cup level is to be the first guy to win a championship at all three levels. That is still where my head is at. I’ve been able to see a lot of changes throughout my career, starting when Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Dale Jr. were in the NASCAR Cup Series and I got to race against those guys. Now, we’re experiencing a whole new car, a new racecar, new style of racing, so I’m going to try and do my best to put myself and my name back in that top tier of guys. Last year was one of those years where you just got kicked and kicked, and I was wondering when it was going to end. This year is a fresh start. Everybody is excited to go, my family, everybody being at the track to support us, so it’s going to be a good year. I just want to put myself where I feel I can be, and that’s in that top tier. I’ve been there before, and I want to be a multi-win guy at the Cup level.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 zone Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Phoenix Raceway… Kyle Busch will be making his 38th career Phoenix Raceway start in the NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend. Busch has three wins (2005, 2018, and 2019) along with 12 top-five finishes. The Las Vegas, Nev., native is the youngest winner in track history (20 years, 6 months, and 11 days). He is tied with Ryan Newman for most pole positions all-time at Phoenix (4). Busch has 26 top-10 finishes, the most among active Cup drivers at the 1.0-mile desert oval. His average finish of 10.946 is best among active drivers and he has logged a top-10 in 70.27 percent of his starts. The driver of the zone Chevrolet is also the all-time lap leader at Phoenix (1,190).

Points Update…Busch is sixth in the NASCAR Cup Series driver standings, 23 points behind the leader.

Did You Know?… Busch has led at least one lap in all three Cup Series races this season (58 total laps) and is one of just seven drivers to complete all 727 laps.

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KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

Is there a fine line at Phoenix between hitting the setup and running well versus being really off the mark?

“Phoenix has always been a tricky track to hit the proper setup and making sure that you are fast. Kevin Harvick has had a really good time of being able to hit that ever since the repave at this track where I feel as though I might have been better at the old surface but have still seen success in Trucks, Xfinity and Cup winning races.”

How does having the practice session on Friday change your strategy for the weekend?

“Anytime you’re able to get a little bit more practice should allow you time to dissect the car and make the necessary changes that you think you need as a driver to be able to have a good race car. I felt like we had a pretty decent race car there last fall when we had the added practice and if it weren’t for getting set behind on pit road, we would have had a pretty good race.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Camaro SS at Phoenix Raceway… Jesse Love will make his inaugural Xfinity Series start at Phoenix Raceway this Saturday. Despite making his maiden voyage at the Arizona speedway behind of the wheel of the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet, the 19-year-old has completed over 1,000 laps at the one-mile track. Love has one NASCAR Truck Series start at Phoenix Raceway, earning a fourth-place result (2023) in just his third series event. In addition, Love has seven starts in ARCA Menards Series competition at the facility, posting a best finish of second (2022) and three top-10 results.

ROTY Leader… Through three races, Love continues to lead the Sunoco Rookie of the Year point standings. After a competitive outing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Menlo Park, California native extended his lead to 36 points over second-place Shane van Gisbergen.

About Whelen Engineering… Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

Meet Love… On Friday, March 8 at 4 p.m. local time, Hill and his RCR teammate, Austin Hill, are scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Trailer located in the Midway at Phoenix Raceway. Stop by to meet the RCR Xfinity Series driver lineup and purchase new gear.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

Talk about your relationship with new crew chief, Danny Stockman.

“I could talk about Danny Stockman for a long time. Anyone who knows him, knows how good he is. Anyone who knows him, knows how high strung he can be, because he’s so intense. I think his intensity has woken up part of the shop, and he focused on building a really great team around us on the No. 2 team. To start the season with the speed that our Whelen Chevrolets have had, it speaks to how good our cars are and how good Danny is at building fast race cars. There are small things that crew chiefs can do right now to make speed, and I still feel like it’s being conservative to a point. Danny has been awesome to work with so far, but so have all of the guys on this team. Everyone is working so hard. I’m looking forward to having a bad night one race to see how Danny and we as a team react to that, since we are pretty much the same.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevrolet Camaro SS at Phoenix Raceway… Austin Hill has four career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Phoenix Raceway, earning a best finish of seventh twice (both 2023 races) while piloting the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. In addition, Hill has five NASCAR Truck Series starts at the Arizona speedway, notching one pole (2019) and one top-10 result (2021).

Top of the Standings… Through three races, Hill remains the Xfinity Series driver championship points leader. The 29-year-old holds a 22-point lead over second-place Chandler Smith.

Did You Know? Hill is one of four drivers who currently hold the longest active streak (three races) for top-10 finishes at Phoenix Raceway.

About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies is a woman-owned, Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified, diversified transportation and logistics company. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies delivers integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Bennett has 4,625 drivers/owner-operators, over 1,000 employees and 600 agents located across the United States. For more information, visit www.bennettig.com.

Meet Hill… On Friday, March 8 at 4 p.m. local time, Hill and his RCR teammate, Jesse Love, are scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Trailer located in the Midway at Phoenix Raceway. Stop by to meet the RCR Xfinity Series driver lineup and purchase new gear.

Following the autograph signing, on Friday, March 8 at 5 p.m. local time, the Winston, Georgia native is scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the Fanshield Infield Stage located behind Victory Lane at Phoenix Raceway.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

You are returning to Phoenix Raceway, after what was one of your best runs at the track since joining RCR. What is the outlook heading into the race this weekend?

“I thought we had improved on our package last fall when we went back to Phoenix Raceway for the season finale. That should allow us to have a solid starting point when we hit the track for practice on Saturday morning, and we can fine tune it from there. There isn’t a lot that we can take from these first three races and apply to Phoenix, but I do think there is some knowledge with the new slits in the rear glass that can be applied. Our Bennett Transportation & Logistics team has good momentum as a team with three straight top-five finishes, so hopefully, we can keep that rolling.”

STANDOUT FIELD KICKS OFF CONGRUITY NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES SEASON IN GAINESVILLE

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Official Release
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 7, 2024) – A huge field loaded with championship contenders ensures a must-see start for the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ this weekend as part of the 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

The star-studded field includes an impressive 26 Pro Mod entries to kick off the 2024 season. It’s the first of 10 races during the 2024 season and this weekend’s event is powered by FuelTech, a company well-represented in the NHRA Pro Mod world.

“We are thrilled to be the Pro Mod sponsor for Gatornationals, kicking off the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Series Presented by LearnEV+. Pro Mod exemplifies FuelTech’s continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive performance, it is where adrenaline meets precision engineering, and we are proud to support this exceptional racing community,” said Luis de Leon, Chief Operating Officer at FuelTech USA.

The kickoff event in Gainesville will also include the FTI Pro Mod Showdown, which was introduced last year at the historic event. The FTI Pro Mod Showdown will consist of the driver putting together the best E.T. average over the course of the four qualifying rounds. The winner will receive $7,500 from FTI Performance, adding another big incentive for the standout racers competing this weekend in Gainesville.

“FTI Performance and NHRA Pro Mod racing go hand-in-hand,” said Krista Baldwin, Director of Marketing of the Wharton Automotive Group. “What better way to celebrate that relationship than with the FTI Pro Mod Showdown. FTI Performance owner and Funny Car racer Paul Lee will present the winning check to the winner, and we are super excited to get to Gainesville and get the 2024 NHRA season underway.”

There should be plenty of racing highlight on the track as well, especially considering the diverse and talented field in the category. Mike Castellana is back to defend his championship and after a late-season surge last year to win the crown, which included a victory at the finale in Vegas, he’ll look to continue that momentum in Gainesville.

Justin Bond won the season-opener at the Gatornationals last year and stayed in the championship hunt throughout the year. To defend that victory, he’ll have to deal with a wealth of talented racers in the class, including 2022 world champion Kris Thorne, NHRA Pro Mod champs Jose Gonzalez and Khalid AlBalooshi and top drivers like Lyle Barnett, Sidnei Frigo, Doug Winters, Jason Scruggs and J.R. Gray.

Featuring the world’s fastest doorslammer race cars, the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ offers something unique and exciting for every drag racing fan. The class continues to grow in popularity and is highlighted by historic muscle cars and a variety of late-model American muscle cars, as well as a number of different power adders.

Two rounds of qualifying in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ presented by Type A Motorsports take place on Friday at 12:45 and 6:30 p.m. ET at the legendary facility in Gainesville, while the final two qualifying rounds set for 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. The first round of eliminations is slated for 12:15 p.m. ET on Sunday. The FTI Pro Mod Showdown will consist of the driver putting together the best reaction time and E.T. average during the three qualifying rounds, as well as the first round of eliminations on Friday and Saturday. The winner will receive $7,500 from FTI Performance.

To purchase tickets to the 2024 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. Get your tickets now for the Top Eliminator Club because these will sell out. For more info on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

About FuelTech

FuelTech offers four versions of its PowerFT engine management systems with its top-of-the-lineFT600, followed by FT550, FT550 LITE, and FT450. The systems are powerful and known for their extensive list of standard features including sequential injection and ignition, O2 Closed Loop, data logger, delay box, Boost Controller, Nitrous Controller, and so much more. Additionally, the company has developed FTSPARK, a very powerful CDI ignition system that is offered in two versions and can fit nearly any high-powered application. The stand-alone ignition setup can be utilized in mechanical fuel injection combinations, commonly found with Roots and Twin-screw supercharger packages, or can be combined with EFI applications regularly seen with supercharged, nitrous oxide, or twin turbocharged engines. From humble beginnings nearly 20 years ago to sponsoring the renowned Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, there is a reason you’re seeing #FuelTechEverywhere.

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 21 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Arrowhead Brass Partners With RWR in NHRA

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Official Release
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Top Plumbing, Irrigation Products Brand Makes Drag Racing Debut in 2024

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 7, 2024) – Arrowhead Brass, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of plumbing valves and irrigation products, enters a new racing arena in partnership with Rick Ware Racing for the 21-event Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season for 2024, which opens with the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Thursday through Sunday at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.

The rich history of Arrowhead Brass dates back to 1936 and, in the 88 years since, the company has created long-lasting plumbing and irrigation valves that have been a staple in homes for generations. The company’s mission is to be the North American premier provider of plumbing and irrigation products and stay true to its seven core values: customer commitment, quality, integrity, teamwork, respect, personal accountability and good citizenship. Arrowhead Brass now has more than 1,000 lead-free products in an effort to keep households and their families safe and healthy. The company’s quality products can be found in national retail stores and plumbing supply wholesalers throughout the country. For more information, visit www.arrowheadbrass.com

“Having a company like Arrowhead Brass commit to a season-long marketing program is very exciting and is proof of the continued evolution of the multi-series format that RWR has built,” said team owner Rick Ware, whose first full NHRA season in 2023 featured three Top Fuel victories by its veteran driver Clay Millican. “Arrowhead Brass has been a sponsor of ours in years past and has also been involved in other series, and the company is now expanding into NHRA. They are a fantastic group of people with a great product and a lot of enthusiasm, which is a perfect fit for everyone at RWR. The Arrowhead Brass branding and accompanying marketing and hospitality opportunities will be visible all year long.”

The 2024 season unofficially kicked off Feb. 8-10 with the PRO Superstar Shootout exhibition event in Bradenton, Florida, where RWR’s Millican promptly was fastest in the first round of qualifying with an elapsed time of 3.688 seconds at 336.49 mph, remained atop the leaderboard to secure the No. 1 qualifying position, then advanced all the way to the final round of eliminations against 2023 Top Fuel champion Doug Kalitta before having to settle for the runner-up spot.

Millican’s three Top Fuel victories for RWR in 2023 came in May at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago, in July at Bandimere Speedway near Denver, and in October at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis, doubling the veteran driver’s career win total in the series dating back to 1998. Millican debuted the No. 51 RWR Top Fuel Dragster in September 2022 at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

“We are very excited to partner with RWR and Clay as we launch into NHRA,” said Jim Kapparos, Arrowhead Brass Managing Director, for M&S Americas. “Working with RWR in our inaugural NASCAR Cup and Xfinity seasons in 2021 was such a positive experience that we couldn’t think of anyone we would rather work with in the NHRA community. Our limited interactions with Clay and the team to this point have been far and away some of the most rewarding experiences we have been able to provide to our customers since our involvement in motorsports began three years ago. I am very happy that Arrowhead Brass and RWR have reunited for the 2024 NHRA campaign.”

About Rick Ware Racing:

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, the NTT INDYCAR Series, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX).

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview | Phoenix 1

By
Official Release
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JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
POINT STANDINGS: 16TH

ERIK JONES
POINT STANDINGS: 15TH

CLUB NOTES

Leaving Las Vegas: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek battled through windy conditions at Las Vegas Motor to a 14th-place finish for Jones and a 22nd-place finish for Nemechek.

Double the Fun: Nemechek led 99 laps on his way to earning his 10th career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He will look to make it back-to-back wins in Phoenix when he straps into his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota GR Supra for the fourth time this season. For the second consecutive race, both of his cars will share the same primary partners, Safeway and Albertsons.

Kenseth and Johnson know Phoenix: LEGACY M.C. co-owner Jimmie Johnson and competition advisor Matt Kenseth have visited victory lane on several occasions at Phoenix Raceway. Johnson won four times at this track in his career (including Nov. ’07, April, ’08, Nov. ’08, and Nov. ’09). Kenseth has won twice in Cup (first in 2002 and later in Nov. ’17), in addition to one Xfinity Series win in Nov. ‘06.

Phoenix test-ed: Jones had the opportunity to test LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s first Toyota Camry XSE in December during a closed test at Phoenix Raceway. With just a few weeks to prepare a car, the No. 43 team tested different aero and tire build combinations with the task of improving NASCAR’s short-track package.

Jones’s first win: Jones earned his first career NASCAR Truck Series victory at Phoenix Raceway in 2013 and backed it up by winning again in 2014. With an average start of 1.3 and an average finish of 3.7, Jones started on the pole or won the race in all three of his Truck Series starts.

ASU homecoming: Kellen Mills, jackman of the No. 43 team, returns to his home track this week as a Mesa, Arizona native. Before joining the “over the wall” crew, Mills played defensive end for Arizona State University’s football team in the early 2000s and was an all-state fullback at Mesa Mountain View High School before joining the Sun Devils. After college Mills moved to North Carolina and has been a pit crew member for the last five years.

MAJOR accomplishment: Earlier this week, Kenseth joined an elite group of athletes as he completed the Tokyo Marathon with a time of 3:06:52. With the completion of this race, Kenseth earned his sixth and final “major” to complete the famed “Six Star Medal”. Upon completion of the race, runners are inducted into the “Six Star Hall of Fame” as a nod to their hard work and dedication to over 150 miles of running.

Another Hall of Fame: Johnson will head back to the beach on Monday, March 11-12th for the 36th Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s (MSHFA) annual Induction Celebration presented by Toyota Racing. MSHFA’s Class of 2024 features past and present motorsports stars including Austin Coil (Drag Racing), Scott Dixon (Open Wheel), Earl B. Gilmore (Historic), Jim Downing & Dr. Robert Hubbard (Technology), Bud Ekins (Motorcycles), Johnson (Stock Cars), Paul Newman (At Large), John Surtees (Sports Cars) and Phil Walters, aka “Ted Tappett” (Historic).

CLUB QUOTES

John Hunter Nemechek, Driver of the No. 42 Safeway / Albertsons Toyota Camry XSE:

“I’m looking forward to the longer practice sessions in the No. 42 Safeway /Albertsons Toyota Camry this weekend and also another weekend of double duty. With Erik testing out here in December we have some good notes to go on as it will be my first time in this car on the track at Phoenix.”

Ben Beshore, Crew chief of the No. 42 Safeway / Albertsons Toyota Camry XSE:

On full-length practice sessions:

“I think it will be good for us, it’ll give John Hunter some more laps. We’ve got a new aero package, so it should give us some opportunities to try some different packages in practice and work on the car a little bit more than what we can on a normal condensed weekend.”

Erik Jones, Driver of the No. 43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE:

Will anything from the test translate to the race weekend?

“I think the test that we got to do in Phoenix was good, it was our first-ever time with the new Toyota Camry XSE and getting used to that. We worked on a lot of aero packages and tire options during those days. We all settled on an aero package and tire that we thought would be better for racing at the short tracks and road courses going forward. So, we will get a chance to try those out this weekend with a full field, but having notes on that is really beneficial. We were able to work through a lot of different setups and packages with that aero package to see what it liked and didn’t like. Hopefully, we can apply some of that this weekend and start off strong.”

Dave Elenz, Crew chief of the No. 43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE:

On the Phoenix test in December:

“It’s nice that we had the opportunity to test at Phoenix Raceway with the new rules package. It looked like it raced a little bit better than the other packages that we had out there. I am excited to see what it brings to the race and even more excited that we have a little bit of a head start on what the setup is going to be. Hopefully, we can unload a little bit better than we have been and show our speed right away, rather than delaying it until the race.”

PETTY 75TH ANNIVERSARY

The 2024 season marks a significant milestone in the history of the Petty family as they have helped define stock car racing for 75 years. Their commitment to the sport and the people who make it possible – behind the wheel, under the hood, in the back office and beyond – has shaped the growth and success of NASCAR. Their LEGACY lives on with the countless fans, drivers, technicians and team members they touched. Throughout 2024, LEGACY M.C. will celebrate the Petty family and share countless memories with friends and fans at race tracks across the country.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Petty! Lynda Petty was born on March 6, 1942, in Guilford County, North Carolina. She would have been 82 this year.

Petty history in Phoenix: “The King” Richard Petty made five starts at Phoenix Raceway toward the tail end of his career from the inaugural race in 1988 to 1992. Kyle Petty made several starts at the 1.0-mile track, including a best finish of third in 1993. In 2008, Kyle made his 829th and final Cup Series start at the track. Adam Petty made one Xfinity Series start here back in 1999, where he finished in 38th.

King’s Hat: This week’s “King’s Hat” statue will feature a unique theme for Phoenix Raceway. Many signature cacti will line the brim of the cowboy hat as a reflection of Phoenix Raceway’s logo along with blue and yellow design accents. Fans can find the “King’s Hat” located throughout the race weekend in the midway/fan zone located near Gate 3.

Kyle Petty Charity Ride: Announced last week, the 28th annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride is planned to kick off May 4-10 as 150 motorcycle riders will make the trek from South Dakota to North Carolina. The ride began in 1995 and has benefited Victory Junction, a camp that was created by Kyle in honor of his late son, Adam Petty.

BROADCAST INFO

PHOENIX RACEWAY

SUNDAY, MARCH 10TH @ 3:30 PM ET

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

ABOUT DOLLAR TREE, INC.: Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 16,622 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of October 28, 2023. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

ABOUT SAFEWAY: In 1915, M.B. Skaggs, an ambitious young man in the small Idaho town of American Falls, purchased a tiny grocery store from his father. M.B.’s business strategy, to give his customers value and to expand by keeping a narrow profit margin, proved spectacularly successful. By 1926 he had opened 428 Skaggs stores in 10 states. M.B. almost doubled the size of his business that year when he merged his company with 322 Safeway (formerly Selig) stores and incorporated as Safeway, Inc. Two years later, M.B. listed Safeway on the New York Stock Exchange. M.B. did not let the difficulties of the Great Depression dilute his pioneering focus on value for customers. In the 1930s, Safeway introduced produce pricing by the pound, added “sell by” dates on perishables to assure freshness, nutritional labeling and even created some of the first parking lots.

M.B. Skagg’s value vision still drives Safeway, though on a dramatically larger scale. Today, Safeway operates as a banner of Albertsons Companies, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. With both a strong local presence and national scale, the company operates stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners. Albertsons Companies is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2017 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave nearly $300 million in food and financial support. These efforts helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities and veterans outreach.

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

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