Home Blog Page 1143

Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 03.27.24

By
Official Release
-

This Week in Motorsports: March 25 – 31, 2024

  • NCS/NXS: Richmond Raceway – March 30-31
  • ARCA WEST: Irwindale Speedway – March 30

PLANO, Texas (March 27, 2024) – On Easter Weekend, NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity Series head to Richmond Raceway for the annual ToyotaCare 250 and Toyota Owners 400. The ARCA Menards Series West holds its second race of 2024 at Irwindale Speedway.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

Toyota leads Cup Series points … After Sunday’s affair at the Circuit of the Americas, Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, Martin Truex Jr. and Ty Gibbs, sit atop the Cup Series points standings. Truex has been in the top two of the standings the past few weeks, while Gibbs – coming off his fifth consecutive top-10 finish – now sits in second just five points back. They are joined inside the top 16 in points by Toyota teammates Denny Hamlin (fourth), Christopher Bell (seventh), Tyler Reddick (10th) and John Hunter Nemechek (15th).

Hamlin returns to home track … Virginia native, Hamlin, has had a plethora of success at his home track of Richmond Raceway. The 43-year-old has four career wins at the 0.750-mile short oval, along with 18 top-fives and 22 top-10s. A fifth career Richmond Raceway triumph would give Hamlin his second win of the season and second in three races following his victory at Bristol two weeks ago.

Bell aims to continue Richmond success … After a near victory on Sunday in Austin, Bell heads back to Richmond Raceway where he’s had strong runs in his Cup Series career so far. The Oklahoma native has five top-10 finishes in his seven Cup starts at the Virginia oval. Bell has also had a strong start to the short track portion of the Cup Series schedule this season, winning the first short track race in Phoenix a few weeks back, part of a Toyota-dominated race.

Supra drivers continue near top of points … Through five races of the 2024 season, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chandler Smith and Sheldon Creed find themselves inside the top 10 in the Xfinity Series points standings – Smith in second and Creed in 10th. Smith has finished inside the top-10 in each race this season, including his win at Phoenix two races ago. In his first season with Toyota, Creed has three top-five finishes, including a second at Daytona to begin the season.

Gray makes Xfinity Series debut … Toyota Development Driver, Taylor Gray, will make his Xfinity Series debut this weekend with Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra. The 19-year-old is in his first full-time Truck Series season, where he’s currently fourth in the series standings driving for TRICON Garage and is coming off a second-place finish in Austin last weekend.

Smith seeks Richmond three-peat … Already having a short track win in-hand this season, Smith returns to a favorable Richmond Raceway. The 21-year-old captured his first Xfinity Series victory at Richmond last season and was also the Truck Series winner in 2022, now looking for a third consecutive season of triumph at the Virginia short track.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA West

Robusto makes second ARCA start … After a great showing at Phoenix earlier this month, Toyota Development Driver, Isabella Robusto, makes her second career ARCA start in the ARCA Menards Series West race at Irwindale Speedway this weekend. The 19-year-old started and finished sixth at Phoenix Raceway in her debut as she continues her development with Toyota. Robusto will drive the No. 15 Toyota Camry this weekend for Venturini Motorsports.

Hingorani seeks Irwindale repeat … Defending ARCA Menards Series West champion, Sean Hingorani, comes to Irwindale this weekend seeking a repeat victory at the California short track. The 17-year-old captured victory at Irwindale last April, which was the first of his four wins in 2023 that propelled him to the series title.

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.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview | Richmond 1

By
Official Release
-

CLUB ENTRY LIST

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
POINT STANDINGS: 15TH

ERIK JONES
POINT STANDINGS: 21ST

CLUB NOTES

Easter with family: With the NASCAR Cup Series racing on Easter Sunday again this year, Erik Jones will take the time to celebrate his racing family. Before the race on Sunday, Jones will treat the No. 43 team, family and friends to an Easter meal at Richmond.

READwithErik: Jones will appear in the NASCAR Kid’s Zone for a book reading at Richmond Raceway on Sunday, March 31. This at-track edition of #READwithErik will feature a special furry friend, as Jones will read “How To Catch the Easter Bunny” by Adam Wallace to children and families in attendance at 4:00 p.m. on race day.

Second Cup start: This weekend marks John Hunter Nemechek’s second career NASCAR Cup Series start at Richmond Raceway. Over the last three years (2021-2023) in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Nemechek has finished in the top-three at Richmond Raceway (a third place and two seconds consecutively.) He has completed all but one lap (1,499 out of 1,500) – which is impressive for a short track – and has led 182 laps. Nemechek has an average finish of seventh in his six starts at the 0.75-mile Virginia short track.

Dollar Tree’s Gold Star: Primary partner Dollar Tree will honor Richmond-based store #2335 this weekend as a part of the company’s “Go For G.O.L.D.” (Grand Opening Look Daily) program. The Dollar Tree and Family Dollar primaries will highlight these stores on the deck lid of all three LEGACY M.C. entries throughout the race season.

Familiar colors: The No. 42 Safeway Toyota Camry XSE will have a similar paint scheme that was seen in Las Vegas and Phoenix, but with a slight twist. The No. 42 will have bold red stripes across the side of this week’s entry as Nemechek will represent Safeway and ACME in Richmond.

National Reading Month: The Erik Jones Foundation (EJF) has been celebrating National Reading Month throughout March by auctioning off books that Jones read during the #READwithErik program on Facebook. Anyone interested in learning more about the program and books available for auction can check out the listings here. The proceeds from this event will directly support the mission of the EJF.

Running at Richmond: Jones has four starts in the Xfinity Series at Richmond Raceway. During these starts, Jones has not started outside of the top 10 and has only finished outside of the top five once. Jones holds an average start of 3.8 and an average finish of 11.3 in the Xfinity Series at Richmond.

Xfinity success: Crew chief, Dave Elenz, has an impressive resume at Richmond Raceway in the Xfinity Series. Elenz boasts two wins (2016 and 2021), three top-five, and nine top-10 finishes with 166 laps led in 13 attempts.

NASCAR Q&A: Nemechek will join host Monica Palumbo on race day at Richmond for a Q&A session at 5:00 pm local time on the Victory Lane Stage in the infield fan grounds.

Move over Jones: LEGACY M.C.’s No. 43 mechanic, David Cropps, tackled Salisbury, N.C.’s local dirt track Milbridge Speedway on Monday night during the A1 Feature Buggy race. Cropps qualified 15th for the 50-lap event and raced his way into the top 10, where he finished seventh with a handful of the LEGACY M.C. CLUB members in attendance. Among those at the track was Jones, who can be seen celebrating the top-10 finish in the CLUB’s photo of the week.

CLUB QUOTES

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

“Richmond has been one of my favorite racetracks to go to for some time now. I won there in the Truck Series and ran second in Xfinity a few times, so I should have won a few more but gave a few away. Overall Richmond really just fits my driving style tire degradation and fall off being able to manage your equipment a lot of different lines being a day-to-night race. But Richmond feels like a short track that I used to race on coming through the Late Model ranks. I’ve hit the SIM this week and am working with Ben and Trevor (Bayne) on preparation so we are ready.”

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

“Regarding the tire fall off, at times you are at the mercy of what everyone else is doing just in the sense if you get off strategy and are the only one on a certain strategy then you have to do a lot of passing. Richmond has a lot of tire fall off and managing tire fall off is huge so having to put any extra stress on the tires is not a good thing. Staying on the top of our game, is key.”

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

Talk about the new short-track package and how you hope to see it perform at Richmond.

“The new package is obviously a lot different. I think Richmond will be a great test for it to see how much it has improved in traffic or hasn’t. At Richmond, we have qualified well and had speed; we just need to have more speed during the race, so hopefully, we can go there and figure that out. I am hoping that the new package gives us the opportunity to move around and try some different stuff.”

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

Talk about the difference in setup when you are looking at this run of short tracks.

“It’s nice that we have a stretch of short tracks to work on our short track program and get it a little bit better. Phoenix went really well for us and we hope to bring some of that stuff into Richmond; there is a little bit of carryover to Martinsville, but not as much. Richmond and Phoenix are pretty close, so we feel like we have a good start there. Bristol has some higher loads and less braking into the corners, so it doesn’t really transfer into Richmond as much as Phoenix will for us, but we are excited based on our results from Phoenix and looking forward to a good Easter weekend at Richmond.”

PETTY 75TH ANNIVERSARY

ABOUT PETTY 75th: 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.

Petty history in Richmond: The Petty Family has an established history that will likely remain untouched at Richmond Raceway as three generations of Pettys have won a collective 16 times at this historic short track. Lee Petty won during his first and last attempts (’53 & ’60), Richard Petty won a record-setting 13 times (Spring ’61, both ’67, Spring ’68, both ’70-’73, Fall ’74, and Spring ’75), and Kyle Petty won a nail-biter in 1986 as he narrowly avoided a major wreck between Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip, earning his sole win during the 1986 season.

Petty Fest: Race fans far and wide will have the chance to celebrate their affinity with the Petty family at the 14th Annual PettyFest on April 20th. This historic event celebrates all things Petty and will take place at the Petty Museum in Level Cross, NC., from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event will feature meet and greets with Kyle and Richard Petty, tours of the original Petty homestead, food trucks, vendors, and much more. Meet and greet wristbands are limited to the first 100 guests.

BROADCAST INFO

RICHMOND RACEWAY
SUNDAY, MARCH 31ST @ 7:00 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.

Standout Sammy Smith to Pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevy Silverado in Four NCTS Races

By
Official Release
-

Iowa Native named to Spire Motorsports All-Star Lineup

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 27, 2024) – Sammy Smith will steer Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in four NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) races in 2024, beginning with the April 5 Long John Silver’s 200 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

In addition to the Martinsville Friday-night-under-the lights 200-lap tilt, Smith will be in the cockpit of the No. 7 Chevy Silverado May 18 at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, July 19 at Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) and August 25 at the Milwaukee Mile.

Smith, 19, is the full-time driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS). He has logged three top-10 finishes in five races this season and earned a season-best eighth-place effort earlier this month at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In 2023, the talented prospect scored his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Phoenix Raceway in just his 13th start and went on to score the division’s rookie-of-the year honors.

The Johnston, Iowa native has three previous NXS starts at the legendary Virginia speedway where he finished second and third, respectively last season. Smith, a two-time ARCA Menards East Series Champion, is also a previous Milwaukee race winner in ARCA Menards Series competition.

TMC Transportation will serve as Smith’s primary sponsor at Martinsville. Pilot Flying J will assume the same role at North Wilkesboro and Golden Harvest will round out Smith’s time behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevy Silverado at IRP and Milwaukee.

“I am looking forward to these four races with Spire Motorsports,” said Smith. “These tracks are good tracks for me, and I know that Spire knows how to bring fast trucks, capable of winning. I am thankful for the support of TMC Transportation, Pilot Flying J, Golden Harvest, and all of my partners. We hope to make them proud of our results.”

Smith made his lone NCTS start in last year’s season opener at Daytona International Speedway where he started 20th and raced his way to a respectable 14th-place finish.

Smith is a six-time ARCA Menards Series national tour race winner, who has won eight times in the ARCA Menards Series East and once in the ARCA Menards Series West. The talented teenager earned a CARS Pro Late Model Tour victory in 2021 at Jennerstown (Pa.) Speedway and four pavement super late model wins that same season. A year later, he picked up another super late model victory in a combination ARCA CRA Super Series/Southern Super Series race at North Wilkesboro.

He has also earned wins in some of the United States’ most notable late model races including the Winchester 400, Red Bud 400 and Florida Governor’s Cup.

“Sammy Smith is a versatile talent who is a great addition to our all-star driver lineup for Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevy Silverado,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “He’s a remarkably talented short-track racer who has already won at the Milwaukee Mile and North Wilkesboro, so he’s a perfect fit for this four-race schedule. We’re excited to see him in the seat in a couple weeks at Martinsville.”

The Long John Silver’s 200 from Martinsville Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Friday April 5, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The sixth of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About TMC Transportation …
TMC Transportation, celebrated its 50th anniversary 2022 and is the nation’s largest employee-owned open deck transportation company. TMC provides expert transportation services and supply-chain management solutions throughout the 48 contiguous states. Founded in 1972, TMC is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, and is known for its integrity, innovation, superior safety record, and dedication to quality and customer service. The company’s claim-free, on-time delivery record is the best in the business and is consistently recognized by its customers. Visit tmctrans.com.

About Pilot Travel Centers LLC…
Pilot Travel Centers LLC keeps North America’s drivers moving as the leading energy and experience provider people rely on to fuel their journeys. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Travel Centers LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and employs approximately 30,000 team members. As the largest network of travel centers, Pilot Travel Centers LLC has more than 870 Pilot, Flying J and One9 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.3 million guests per day. In addition to travel center services, Pilot Travel Centers LLC offers trucking fleets a variety of solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, maintenance and rewards. The company operates the third largest fuel tanker fleet in North America and supplies approximately 14 billion gallons of fuel per year. Pilot Travel Centers LLC is committed to shaping the future of energy as the largest provider of biodiesel and renewable fuels and through the development of a coast-to-coast EV charging network and low carbon fueling alternatives. For additional information about Pilot Travel Centers LLC, visit pilotflyingj.com.

About Golden Harvest …
Golden Harvest Seeds has been working with and listening to farmers with intention since 1973, offering in-depth seeds expertise combined with the local agronomic know-how of an independent Golden Harvest Seed Advisor to help identify custom solutions for every corn and soybean acre. Today, each Golden Harvest hybrid or variety is bred with the individual needs of hardworking farmers in mind. Golden Harvest® corn hybrids feature elite genetics with proven performance and the most complete above- and below-ground insect control solutions with the Duracade® and Viptera® trait stacks. Golden Harvest soybean varieties include the industry’s broadest trait choice and exclusive genetics that set a new standard for performance and yield potential.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively. The team will also field the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets in the No. 77.

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on March 1, 2024, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

JR Motorsports — NXS Richmond Preview

By
Official Release
-

JR Motorsports Team Preview
TRACK – Richmond Raceway (.75 mile tri-oval)
NXS RACE – ToyotaCare 250 (250 laps / 187.5 miles)
TUNE IN – FS1, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 1:30 p.m. (EST)

Sam Mayer

No. 1 – 10X Health Chevrolet

Mayer 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 5

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 0

Avg. Finish: 25.6

Points: 19th

Sam Mayer heads to Richmond Raceway for his fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series career start at the .75 mile short track in Richmond, VA.

The young driver is coming off a top-10 finish last weekend at Circuit of the Americas, finishing ninth.

In 11 starts on short tracks, the Wisconsin native has tallied four top-five and six top-10 efforts with his best of third coming at Richmond in this event back in 2022.

Mayer and the No. 1 team welcome 10X Health on board their JRM Chevrolet for this weekend in Richmond.

Sam Mayer

“Road course racing was exciting last week but I am super-pumped to get back to a short track these next two weeks at Richmond and Martinsville. We had a good run last week and were able to snag a solid top-10 finish. I am looking forward to taking that momentum to Richmond to be in contention for not only a good finish but to get the victory as well. I am pretty excited to have 10X Health on the car and introduce them to the NXS.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 DeCA / Hellmann’s Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 5

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 2

Laps Led: 70

Avg. Finish: 17.6

Points: 8th

Justin Allgaier is a two-time NXS winner in Richmond, having swept the double-header weekend at the Virginia short track in 2020, leading a combined 213 out of a possible 500 laps in the process.

Overall, Allgaier boasts strong numbers at the .75-mile tri-oval, having scored eight top-fives and 11 top-10s to accompany the two victories.

In 73 career starts on short tracks in the NXS, Allgaier has amassed six wins, 27 top fives and 45 top 10s.

The Illinois native has also won the previous two events on short tracks in the NXS, scoring victories at Bristol Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway last fall.

The No. 7 Camaro will be carrying special colors this weekend, as Hellmann’s and the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) come on board for the first time this season. This marks the second time that the DeCA logo has been prominently featured on Allgaier’s Chevrolet and first since Charlotte Motor Speedway last May.

Justin Allgaier

“We have always had really strong cars on the short tracks at JRM and I see no reason why that won’t be the case again this weekend. I feel like Richmond is falling at the right time for us to get that positive momentum back going and I know that Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and everyone on this No. 7 team is ready to go once we hit the track on Saturday. This weekend is also a special one as we have the Defense Commissary Agency back on board, as well as Hellmann’s. We had good luck with them on our car last season and hopefully we can replicate that same success when we hit the track and give them another great show. I know that we are ready to go.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Flying J Salted Caramel / Toffee Cold Brew Chevrolet

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 5

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 3

Laps Led: 6

Avg. Finish: 17.2

Points: 11th

Sammy Smith has one start at Richmond coming in this race last season, where he started second on the .75-mile tri-oval.

Of Smith’s seven career NXS starts at a track less than one mile over the past two seasons, he has amassed two top-five and four top-10 finishes.

In the last four starts at a track less than one mile, Smith has finished in the top-five twice.

Smith’s Chevrolet will carry Pilot Flying J’s new coffee flavors, Salted Caramel and Toffee Cold Brew this weekend as well as at Texas and Talladega.

Sammy Smith

“Our Pilot Flying J Chevrolet was fast at COTA last weekend and I’m hoping we can bring that speed to the short track at Richmond. I’ve only run there once but I have strong finishes at short tracks and I know that my No. 8 team’s dedicated preparation is going to pay off soon. I’m looking forward to putting Pilot Flying J’s new coffee flavors in front of our fans.”

Brandon Jones

No. 9 Menards / NIBCO

Chevrolet

Jones 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 5

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 3

Laps Led: 1

Avg. Finish: 11

Points: 9th

Brandon Jones has made 13 starts at the .75-mile tri-shaped oval and has recorded three top-10 finishes, with his best being an eighth-place finish (2018 and 2020).

Jones’ No. 9 Chevrolet will carry the colors of NIBCO on the hood this weekend. This is the third time in a row NIBCO will be featured on his car at Richmond.

Of the 323 laps Jones has led at short tracks, 24 of those came in his last trip to Richmond in the spring of 2023.

Jones will have the opportunity to qualify for the Dash 4 Cash this weekend if he places inside the top-four among NXS regulars. He last qualified for the bonus prize in 2022 after his win at Martinsville.

Brandon Jones

“I am ready to get back to Richmond this weekend with this No. 9 team. Phillip (Bell, crew chief) and I have been working on our strategy and the rest of my crew have been working hard to put a fast racecar on the track, so I am determined to put on a good show this weekend. Hopefully we can keep this Menards/NIBCO Chevrolet clean and be fighting for the checkered flag at the end putting us in the running for that $100,000 next week.”

Bubba Pollard

No. 88 Rheem Chevrolet

Pollard 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 0

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 0

Laps Led: 0

Avg. Finish: N/A

Points: N/A

Bubba Pollard will make his NXS debut in the No. 88 Rheem Chevrolet at Richmond this weekend.

The 37-year-old Senoia, Ga. native comes off a strong performance last weekend at Five Flags Speedway where he finished third in the ARCA Menards Series East Pensacola 150.

Pollard, one of the top Late Model drivers in the Southeast, is Rheem’s most recent example of its dedication to grassroots racing and providing talented drivers opportunities at higher levels.

The NXS rookie has gone to Victory Lane in more than 100 Late Model races in his career, including the prestigious All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and most recently at Speedfest for the third time.

Bubba Pollard

“I couldn’t be more thankful to Rheem and JR Motorsports for giving me this opportunity. I have been working hard with the team to prepare for this weekend and am looking forward to showing everyone what I can do. I feel like it’s a perfect fit among Rheem, JR Motorsports and myself to go out and have a good run.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Richmond Raceway: JR Motorsports has competed at Richmond Raceway a combined 93 times with the NXS since its first trip there in 2006. In those starts at the .75-mile tri-oval, the organization has recorded six wins, 30 top-fives and 55 top-10s, with an average finish of 11.1.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, Brandon Jones and Bubba Pollard will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, March 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST.

Stewart-Haas Racing: Richmond NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

By
Official Release
-

COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Richmond NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

  • Event: Richmond 250 (Round 6 of 33)
  • Date: Saturday, March 30
  • Location: Richmond (Va.) Raceway
  • Layout: .75-mile oval
  • Time/TV/Radio: 1:30 p.m. EDT on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

  • Cole Custer is transitioning from intermediate tracks and road courses to back-to-back short-track races starting with Saturday’s Richmond 250 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. The driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse showed his strength on short tracks in his return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series last season. His fifth-place finish at Richmond last April 5 kicked off his run of 11 consecutive top-10 finishes, which featured his victories June 3 from the second starting position at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway and from the pole July 1 in the Inaugural Chicago Street Race. The week after his fifth-place finish at Richmond, he qualified on the pole and finished third at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Eight of Custer’s top-10 finishes during that spring-summer run were top-fives. In his four short-track starts in 2023, Custer qualified in the top-three for three of them, including the Martinsville pole and another Sept. 15 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, and top-five finishes in three of them. He now looks to continue that short-track success this season wearing the crown of reigning Xfinity Series champion.
  • The Richmond 250 will be Custer’s ninth Xfinity Series start at the .75-mile oval. Since his first start at the track in 2016, he has never finished outside the top-15. Prior to his fifth-place finish in his most recent Xfinity Series visit to Richmond last April, Custer was victorious there in April 2019 after starting fourth and leading a race-high 122 laps in his No. 00 Ford Mustang. He beat runner-up Austin Cindric by 2.639 seconds for his second of seven wins that season. Custer posted a third-place finish when the series returned to Richmond in September. Custer and his Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) Ford also started on the pole and led 43 laps en route to a sixth-place finish in the April 2018 race at Richmond. In his first Xfinity Series start at the track in April 2016, he scored a sixth-place finish driving the No. 5 JR Motorsports entry.
  • In addition to his NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Custer has six starts there in the Cup Series and two in the K&N Pro Series East. His best Cup Series finish was 14th in his first Cup Series race there with Stewart-Haas in September 2020. Custer’s first career Richmond outing was his 2013 start in the K&N Pro Series East, which he started and finished third after leading 24 of 100 laps. His second was his 2014 win in the K&N Pro Series East race, in which he qualified second and led a race-high 52 of 100 laps en route to his fourth of four career victories in that series.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

  • Riley Herbst is ready to take on the first short track of the 2024 season during Saturday’s Richmond 250 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. After his past success on short tracks, the No. 98 Monster Energy driver hopes to keep the momentum going in 2024. The opening five races of the season saw the Las Vegas native score a pair of top-five finishes and a boat load of stage points to put him fifth in the driver standings. He’s been looking forward to his return to Richmond, his favorite track on the circuit. Herbst has come to excel on the short tracks in the Xfinity Series, as was evident the past two seasons. In the four races at tracks less than a mile in length in 2022, he scored three top-fives, including a fifth-place finish in the April race on the .75-mile oval. He was third that following November at the half-mile Martinsville (Va.) Speedway paperclip, and fifth at the half-mile Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway concrete oval in September. There was no slowing him down in 2023.. Of the four short tracks in 2023, Herbst finished in the top-10 in September’s Bristol race (eighth) and October’s Martinsville race (fourth). His first career Xfinity Series start came on a short track, the .875-mile Iowa Speedway oval in Newton, in June 2018. He finished that race an impressive sixth, and has since gone on to on to earn 13 more short-track top-10s, including his last two short-track starts dating back to that eighth-place finish in at Bristol.
  • Saturday’s Richmond 250 will mark Herbst’s seventh at Richmond. In addition to his fifth-place finish in April 2022, he earned a fifth-place finish there in April 2021. In his five Richmond starts since debuting at the track in April 2019, Herbst has finished outside the top-10 just once. Strategy calls by former crew chief Richard Boswell and Herbst’s savvy driving led to the 25-year-old’s top-fives in his 2021 and 2022 visits to the track. Both came as a result of late-race calls to take tires, and solid restarts by Herbst.
  • Richmond was the “one that got away” for Herbst last spring. He looked to be on his way to victory lane after qualifying fourth, leading 27 laps and finishing second in each of the opening two stages. But bad luck reared its ugly head in the final stage as contact with another car forced him to make an unscheduled pit stop – the kind that are particularly costly on a short track like Richmond. He fell off the lead lap and had to settle for a 23rd-place finish, his only result outside the top-five at the track since joining Stewart-Haas in 2021. He’s out for redemption this weekend.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Do you feel last year’s Richmond race was where it all came together for you in your return to the Xfinity Series?

“In a way, yes. Richmond was the start of a really strong run leading into the summer months for the No. 00 team. The first few races were ones where we struggled to find our footing and figure out what we needed. We didn’t qualify well at Richmond, and honestly it didn’t look like it would be a strong weekend for us. Our speed was off in practice and qualifying. We never gave up, though, and found ourselves in fifth by the end of the race. It locked us into the Dash 4 Cash for Talladega, which we won, and was the start of a string of top-10 finishes. A few weeks later, we got our first win at Portland and we just kept proving why we were championship contenders.”

The team has been working on its short-track program over the last few years and has seen success between the two cars. How much confidence do you have at short tracks with the No. 00 Ford Mustang?

“I have a ton of confidence in the Stewart-Haas Racing short-track cars. You’ve seen it with Riley (Herbst, teammate) and the No. 98 team, and now the No. 00 team. We have the speed to compete for wins at these tracks. There’s been a lot of hard work put into making these cars better and you saw it pay off last year with the strong runs from both cars. In addition to all of that, though, I just enjoy short-track racing like most drivers in the garage. It’s what we grew up racing, so it’s just more familiar to us. I can’t wait to get back to Richmond and see what we’ve got this weekend.”

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse

You’re heading to the first true short track of the 2024 season at Richmond Raceway, a track that has treated you well in the past. Last year, you looked to be well on your way to a first career victory there until contact with another car put you back in the field. Do you feel like that race was the “one that got away” in your career?

“Definitely. We were riding such a high going into that race with our consistency in those initial races. To go to Richmond, one of my favorite tracks, and run up front for the first two stages just gave me the confidence that we could win it. Obviously, that wasn’t what happened in the end, though. Even when we got shuffled back because of pit stops, we had that speed to go back up to the front, but damage from contact with another car, and then being forced to pit just threw that all down the drain. Richmond is one that I’ll look back on and think about what I could’ve done differently, but you can’t keep looking back. I’m pumped to get back there and try to go for the win again. Our cars have had the speed, so hopefully we’ll stay out of trouble and be in contention to win it at the end.”

You’re going from a tricky road course to back-to-back short-track races this weekend at Richmond and next weekend at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Are you more confident heading to these next two races given your strong history on short tracks versus road courses?

“As a driver, there’s definitely a lot more confidence from me at a short track versus the road courses. I grew up racing on short tracks, so it’s what I know best. In the past, I’ve struggled at road courses, and, while I’ve gotten better, I’m just more comfortable on a track like Richmond, Martinsville, or Bristol. These are the races that I have circled on my calendar from the start of the year. Stewart-Haas Racing has spent years perfecting this package and I think everyone has seen the speed from our racecars when we roll into a short track.”

Kaulig Racing Weekly Preview | Richmond Raceway

By
Official Release
-

Race Details

Richmond Raceway
Toyota Owners 400
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, March 31 at 7:00PM EST
FOX | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing has made nine NCS starts at Richmond Raceway and has earned one top-20 finish.
  • So far in the 2024 season, the team has earned two top 10s, five top-20 finishes and has led 12 laps.

TY DILLON

“I’m excited to be back in the NASCAR Cup Series and working with Kaulig Racing. Richmond is a track I’ve always felt confident in as a driver, and I’m eager to hit the ground running this weekend.” – Ty Dillon on Richmond Raceway  

No. 16 Chevy Accessories Camaro ZL1

  • Ty Dillon will make his 2024 NASCAR Cup Series debut this weekend at Richmond Raceway.
  • Dillon has made 11 NCS starts at Richmond, earning two top-20 finishes.

DANIEL HEMRIC

“Richmond has been an interesting package from what I’ve gathered as far as trying to find what this car wants and needs. This will be my first time driving this NEXTGen car at Richmond, but it’s going to be a fun night race. It’s always good short-track racing under the lights. If we can maximize the day, we can have a solid outing.” – Daniel Hemric on Richmond Raceway  

No. 31 LA Golf Camaro ZL1

  • Daniel Hemric has made three NCS starts at Richmond Raceway and has earned one top-20 finish.
  • Hemric made seven starts at Richmond in the NXS, earning three top five and five top-10 finishes.
  • So far in the 2024 NCS season, Hemric has earned three top-20 finishes.

Race Details

Richmond Raceway
ToyotaCare 250
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Saturday, March 30 at 1:30PM EST
FS1 | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing has made 22 NXS starts at Richmond Raceway, earning one win, six top five and 13 top-10 finishes.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS series, Kaulig Racing has earned one top five and five top-10 finishes and led 61 laps.

JOSH WILLIAMS

“Short-track racing is right up my alley. I love rough, worn-out race tracks. Tire fall-off is pretty big at Richmond. I’m looking forward to getting to a track where we can manage our equipment and be there at the end.” – Josh Williams on Richmond Raceway  

No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet Camaro

  • Williams has made six starts in the NXS at Richmond Raceway.
  • In each of those six races, Williams completed 99 percent of the leaders’ laps.

AJ ALLMENDINGER

“Richmond is a racetrack that is super tricky. The way it uses tires, it’s easy to go too fast early in a run and you pay the price. It’s a fun track as a driver to try to dictate your race car setup and how to use the tires. It’s been a racetrack that has been good for Kaulig Racing with Chandler [Smith] winning last year, and the previous couple years we ran up front and led laps. It’s challenging for the driver, but it’s a racetrack that we have good history from that we can build from.” – AJ Allmendinger on Richmond Raceway  

No. 16 Action Industries Chevrolet Camaro

  • AJ Allmendinger has made three NXS starts at Richmond. Allmendinger has led 39 laps and earned one time-five finish.
  • So far in the 2024 season, Allmendinger has earned three top-10 finishes, led 31 laps and is currently sixth in NXS driver points.

SHANE van GISBERGEN

“I had a lot of fun this past weekend at COTA, but I’m looking forward to making my first short- track start of the season this weekend. We have some good momentum heading into the race, so hopefully we can continue to capitalize on that and have a good showing Saturday afternoon.” – Shane van Gisbergen on Richmond Raceway  

No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro

  • Shane van Gisbergen will make his first NXS start at Richmond Raceway this weekend.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season, van Gisbergen has earned one top five, two top-10 finishes and has led 20 laps.
  • He currently sits 14th in the driver standings.

About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started and has won back-to-back regular-season championships. Before becoming a full-time NCS team, Kaulig Racing made multiple starts in the 2021 NCS season and won in its seventh-ever start with AJ Allmendinger’s victory at “The Brickyard” for the Verizon 200 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team expanded to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and added a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. In 2024, the team will once again field two, full-time entries in the NCS and continue to field three, full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Chris Buescher to make 300th Cup career start at Richmond

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Competing in his ninth full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, Chris Buescher is set to achieve a milestone start. By competing in this weekend’s event at Richmond Raceway, the driver of the No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse will make career start No. 300 in NASCAR’s premier series. 

A native of Prosper, Texas, Buescher made his inaugural presence in the Cup Series at Auto Club Speedway in March 2015. By then, he was campaigning in his second full-time season in the Xfinity Series for Roush Fenway Racing. Driving the No. 34 Ford Fusion for Front Row Motorsports as an interim competitor for David Ragan, who was serving as an interim competitor for the injured Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing, Buescher started 33rd and finished a season-best 20th place in his Cup debut. He would pilot FRM’s No. 34 Ford for five additional Cup events, where he would earn three top-25 results at Martinsville Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and at Talladega Superspeedway, respectively.  

Nearly a month after winning the 2015 Xfinity Series championship, Buescher was announced as a full-time Cup Series competitor in Front Row Motorsports’ No. 34 Ford for the 2016 season. Through the first 20 regular-season events, the Texan finished no higher than 14th place on the track, which occurred at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July, and was mired outside the top-30 mark in the standings. Then at Pocono Raceway in August, Buescher capitalized on a pit strategic call to assume the lead on Lap 127 and retain the lead prior to the event being red-flagged on Lap 138 and eventually being deemed official due to inclement weather, which resulted with NASCAR declaring Buescher the race winner as he notched his first Cup career in his 27th series start. With the victory, Buescher became the first Cup rookie candidate to win a NASCAR premier series event since Joey Logano won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2009 and he recorded the second career win for Front Row Motorsports.

Following the Pocono victory, Buescher, who still needed to race his way above the top-30 cutline in the standings to be eligible to make the Playoffs, finished fifth at Bristol two races later. Despite finishing 30th, fifth, 35th, 17th and 24th, respectively, during the final five regular-season events, Buescher managed to vault himself above the cutline and make his inaugural presence in the Playoffs. Following respective finishes of 28th, 30th and 23rd throughout the Round of 16, however, he was eliminated from title contention. Finishing no higher than 16th during the final seven events on the schedule, Buescher capped off his first full-time Cup campaign in 16th place in the final standings. 

The 2017 season presented another new beginning for Buescher, who joined JTG-Daugherty Racing to pilot the team’s second entry, the No. 37 Chevrolet SS. After finishing no higher than 11th during the first 16 events on the schedule, he notched his first top-10 result of the season after finishing 10th at Daytona in July. He then finished ninth at Indianapolis two races later before finishing sixth at Michigan International Speedway another three races later. Amid the results, Buescher did not qualify for the 2017 Cup Series Playoffs. Managing a sixth-place finish at Kansas Speedway in October, Buescher settled in 25th place in the final standings. Despite recording zero top-five results throughout the 2017 season, he managed to double his top-10 results in a season from two to four and boost his average-finishing result from his rookie Cup season from 26.1 to 21.4. 

Buescher would remain at JTG-Daugherty Racing for the following two Cup seasons. During the two-year stint, he accumulated a total of two top-five results, six top-10 results and 14 laps led, with his best on-track results being a pair of fifth-place finishes during both Daytona events in 2018. In 2018, Buescher ended up in 24th place in the final standings and recorded an average-finishing result of 21.0 as he also surpassed 100 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series. During the 2019 season, he gained four spots to 20th place at season’s end and boosted his average-finishing result to 17.8. 

Two months prior to the 2019 season’s conclusion, Buescher was announced to return to Roush Fenway Racing to pilot the No. 17 Ford Mustang for the 2020 season, where he replaced Ricky Stenhouse Jr. as Stenhouse made the transition to JTG-Daugherty Racing. Buescher commenced the season by finishing in third place during the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 after dodging a final lap harrowing accident involving teammate Ryan Newman. He then only accumulated an extra top-five result at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course in August, where he finished fifth, and a total of six top-10 results throughout the 26-race regular-season stretch, which were not enough for him to make the Playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. He would proceed to accumulate two additional top-10 results during the Playoffs before settling in 21st place in the final standings and with an average-finishing result of 19.6. 

Throughout the 2021 Cup season, Buescher’s highest on-track result was a third-place finish at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course in October. He initially finished in second place during the regular-season finale at Daytona in August, but was demoted to last place after his car failed post-race inspection amid a rear sub-frame assembly violation. With a total of eight top-10 finishes and 93 laps led, Buescher, who did not make the 2021 Cup Playoffs, settled in 19th place in the final standings and with an average-finishing result of 17.3. By then, he also surpassed 200 Cup career starts. 

In 2022, Buescher, who commenced the season by winning the second Bluegreen Vacations Duel event at Daytona, settled in 16th place during the 64th running of the Daytona 500 before notching back-to-back top-10 results in March. At Dover Motor Speedway, the Texan nabbed his first Cup career pole position, where he would proceed to finish eighth. Then following a difficult May and early June period that included Buescher enduring a late rollover accident during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte followed by missing the inaugural event at World Wide Technology Raceway due to a positive COVID-19 test, he recorded a strong runner-up finish at Sonoma Raceway. Despite finishing third at Richmond Raceway in August and earning four additional top-10 results during the final 10 regular-season events, he fell short of making the 2022 Cup Playoffs.

Buescher then rallied three races later by notching his second Cup career victory at Bristol in September after leading a race-high 169, including the final 61. The victory not only snapped a 222-race winless drought for Buescher, but it also snapped a five-year winless drought for the Roush organization as the Texan also recorded the first victory for the organization that had been rebranded to Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. Finishing no higher than sixth during the final seven events on the schedule, Buescher settled in 21st place in the final standings. By then, he achieved double digits in top-10 results (10), led 194 laps throughout the season and recorded an average-finishing result of 17.9. 

The 2023 Cup season was a career year for Buescher, who commenced the season by finishing fourth during the 65th running of the Daytona 500 after dodging a final lap multi-car wreck. After only recording a single top-10 result during his next nine starts, he then finished no lower than 18th during the following 12 regular-season events. Mired within the 12-race stretch were two top-five results and six top-10 results that kept Buescher and the No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing team in the mix of contending for a Playoff spot.

Then at Richmond in July, Buescher led 88 laps and fended off Denny Hamlin during a three-lap shootout to score his first victory of the season and the third of his Cup career, which also enabled Buescher to clinch his spot for the 2023 Cup Playoffs. The following weekend, he led a race-high 52 laps and fended off a late challenge from Martin Truex Jr. to achieve back-to-back Cup victories for the first time in his career at Michigan International Speedway. Three races later, Buescher capped off the regular-season stretch by winning at Daytona after assuming the lead during an overtime shootout and leading the final two laps amid a 1-2 finish for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, with teammate/owner Brad Keselowski settling in second place.

With two top-five results and three top-10 results achieved during the first six Playoff events of the 2023 season, Buescher managed to transfer from the Round of 16 to 8. Amid respective finishes of 11th, 21st and eighth throughout the Round of 8, however, his title hopes came to a late end as he was unable to transfer into the Championship 4 round.

Nonetheless, Buescher proceeded to lead 18 laps and finish fifth during the season-finale event at Phoenix Raceway in November, which was enough for him to settle in a career-best seventh place in the final standings. Along with a career-high three victories, Buescher achieved career-high stats in top fives (nine), top 10s (17) and laps led (255) along with a new average-finishing result (12.1).  

Through 299 previous Cup starts, Buescher has achieved five victories, one pole, 20 top-five results, 59 top-10 results, 626 laps led and an average-finishing result of 19.2. He has recorded four top-10 results through the first six events on the 2024 schedule, with his best result being a runner-up finish at Phoenix Raceway in early March. He is currently ranked in 12th place in the 2024 regular-season standings.

Buescher is scheduled to make his 300th Cup Series career start at Richmond Raceway for the Toyota Owners 400 on Easter Sunday, March 31, with the event’s broadcast time slated to occur at 7 p.m. ET on FOX. 

Guenther Steiner partners with the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2024 to drive the sport’s continued growth and elevate experience for fans at America’s premier F1 event

By
Official Release
-
Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1 in the paddock during the F1 Miami Grand Prix on Saturday, May 7th, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Zak Mauger/LAT)
  • A leading and charismatic voice in the motorsport world with nearly 40 years of experience, Steiner will serve as a key partner and Ambassador to this year’s Formula 1® race in Miami
  • Former Team Principal will help promote the 2024 festivities in addition to attending the Grand Prix at Miami Gardens

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – South Florida Motorsports (SFM), organizers of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2024, have partnered with former Team Principal and Drive to Survive star Guenther Steiner as an Ambassador for this year’s race. Steiner, who established himself as a fierce proponent of Formula 1’s potential for success in America, well before the sport gained widespread traction with domestic audiences, is partnering with the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX to continue bolstering the sport’s growth in the United States.

Steiner has partnered with FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX for this year’s race, which takes place from May 3-5 at the Miami International Autodrome, after concluding a 10-year stint as Team Principal for the US-owned Haas F1 Team. He will help build and promote an exciting race weekend experience, including appearances before and during the event itself. For the past 18 years, Steiner has called America home, managing his own composites business specializing in automotive/motorsport while also establishing the Haas F1 Team from the ground up. During his time as a Team Principal, Steiner witnessed first-hand the rapid growth of the sport in the United States and has been impressed by the organization of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX in its first two years hosting a world championship event.

“I’m excited to serve as an Ambassador for the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, which has become one of my favorite races of the year,” said Guenther Steiner. “I’ve seen first-hand the incredible growth Formula 1 has had in the United States and it has so much potential to continue growing, especially with races like Miami as part of the circuit. The event, which reflects the bold vision of the organizers, pairs American spectacle and F1 racing with a vibrant atmosphere at the track and throughout the city itself. I can’t wait to work with the team this May for what is guaranteed to be another fantastic event.”

“Guenther has become a household name with F1 fans of all ages and is a perfect Ambassador for our race,” said Tyler Epp, President of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. “He embodies the competitive spirit of the sport and has a clear vision of what F1 in America can be. Having someone with his experience, reputation and candor attached to our event will undoubtedly add to the excitement and elevate race weekend to a new level. Guenther understands the cultural relevance of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX and we’re excited that he has chosen Miami as the race he wants to help promote.”

Steiner, 58, studied engineering and began his motorsport career in rallying with Carlos Sainz Sr at the Ford World Rally Team. Soon after, he was appointed to his first Formula 1 role as managing director of Jaguar Racing in 2001. Following the outfit’s purchase by Red Bull, the Italian-American helped establish a NASCAR team and based himself in North Carolina. His time working in the United States led to an introduction with Gene Haas and the pair established a Formula 1 squad — scoring points on their debut in 2016. After nearly a decade at the Haas F1 Team, Steiner left his role with the American side prior to the start of the 2024 season.

Entering its third year, the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX combines exciting racing with luxury hospitality and fan-focused experiences. The event has been chosen as one of only six venues to host an F1 Sprint in 2024 — guaranteeing three days of competitive Formula 1 action this May. Miami will also host a round of the dynamic new F1 Academy, the junior series created to find the next female F1 star.

For tickets or more information about this year’s race, visit f1miamigp.com.

About the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX

The FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, established in 2022 on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar, is the premier culmination of world-class racing, fan experience, entertainment and hospitality, located in the heart of Miami Gardens, Florida. Recognized as Best New Event of 2022 by Sports Business Journal and now entering its third year, the event is hosted by South Florida Motorsports (SFM) at the Miami International Autodrome, a 19-turn, 3.36-mile track within the complex of Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the legendary Miami Dolphins NFL team.

In its first two years, the race attracted more than 240,000 attendees across both weekends and provided an additional tourist boost and economic impact to local businesses in the greater Miami region totaling $798 million. SFM and Formula 1 have also worked closely to engage with and support the local Miami Gardens community, providing over 1,500 tickets for residents, creating a STEM education program through F1 in Schools, offering event internships for local students and featuring 14 local community restaurants on Campus during race weekend each year.

For more information please visit: https://media.f1miamigp.com/

About Formula 1®

The history of Formula 1® began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motorsport competition and the world’s most popular annual sporting series. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1 and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™.

Formula 1 is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, BATRA, BATRK, FWONA, FWONK) attributed to the Formula One Group shares.

The F1 FORMULA 1 logo, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One company.  All rights reserved.

For more information about Formula 1® visit: www.formula1.com

Decoding the Dilemma: Navigating the Choice Between New and Used Cars

By
SM
-

Choosing whether to go for a new or used vehicle is no joking matter while you’re purchasing a vehicle. Indeed, new cars could dent your wallet more. 

However, they ordinarily accompany guarantees directly from the manufacturing plant and will generally have fewer mechanical issues. On the other hand, utilized vehicles can save you a bundle upfront, even though they could have more mileage.

It’s critical to contemplate what you truly need and gauge the advantages and disadvantages of the two decisions before you go with your choice.

Pros of Buying a New Car

Numerous people consider purchasing another vehicle pretty enticing. Fresh off the lot, they’re flawless, loaded with all the most up-to-date well-being elements and super advanced devices. The following are a couple of advantages of catching a spic and span ride:

New Cars Have the Newest Features

Today’s car tech kicks the driving experience up a notch, making your time behind the wheel smoother and more enjoyable.

Newer cars come loaded with cutting-edge computer wizardry. Think driver assistance features that warn you about potential dangers and can slam on the brakes if needed to dodge a crash. Voice commands let you chat and navigate without lifting a finger, making driving safer and more comfortable.

You May be Eligible for a Great Financing Offer

Sellers frequently offer discounts and cash offers to captivate clients to purchase another vehicle. These may incorporate a zero loan fee or money back, which will reduce the cost of the car.

New Cars Might Have a Better Warranty

New cars are less likely to be damaged than older vehicles, and most have factory warranties. Since most new automobile warranties are comprehensive, most repair expenditures are covered. You can also be eligible for free roadside assistance with a purchase.

You Can Customize the Vehicle

You can pick the variety, trim level, accessories, upholstery, and different new vehicle elements when you shop. Likewise, you can update a portion of the car’s technical features.

Cons of Buying a New Car

Purchasing another vehicle has many weaknesses, notwithstanding the entirety of its benefits. Here are a portion of the disadvantages of buying a new vehicle:

It’s More Expensive

New cars are typically less expensive than used ones. Buying a new car might not be feasible if money is limited. Even if you can afford it, you should consider whether purchasing a new car is worthwhile given its high price.

You Will Pay More in Sales Tax

New vehicles are generally more costly than old ones, so you must pay a deal charge when you get one. If you live in a state without a deals charge, this is the main exception.

New Cars Often Depreciate at a Faster Rate

According to research, new vehicles can lose up to 20% of their unique price tag within the first year of ownership. Assuming you chose to sell your car later, you needed more cash for the advance. You can forestall this by buying a handed-down vehicle, as most of the rebate has proactively been applied.

Pros of Buying a Used Car

Regardless of whether you need a top-of-the-line vehicle, purchasing a pre-owned vehicle can be a decent monetary choice for some drivers. A portion of the benefits of buying a pre-owned car are recorded below:

Used Cars are Cheaper Than New Cars

The essential advantage of buying a used vehicle is that it is continually more reasonable, especially if your heart is set on a particular model. 

Buying a couple-year-old secondhand vehicle can end up being a sharp money-related decision. Also, the vast majority of the expense cuts have recently happened, which could engage further vehicle deals.

You Might Find CPO Offers

Clients who buy used (CPO) vehicles can get motivation from specific showrooms. Used cars are certified pre-owned autos from dealers. Furthermore, CPO vehicles regularly accompany a warranty that covers specific upkeep and repairs. If you’re contemplating buying at the showroom, look at their site for accessible offers.

Cons of Buying a Used Car

For some people, there are better options than buying a used car. Here are some of the disadvantages of buying a used car:

Some Used Cars Have Outdated Features

Used vehicles won’t be the best decision if you’re looking for a particular feature, similar to an all-encompassing sunroof, incredible music system, or additional extra safety features. More seasoned vehicles typically come up short on attributes and other hardware standards compared to modern models.

You Might Have Higher Maintenance or Repair Costs

As vehicles age, they might require more successive upkeep. Remember that buying a secondhand vehicle could prompt costly repair bills, especially if the prior owner failed to do routine maintenance. You can likewise take care of the expense of new tires, brake pads, rotors, and oil changes, assuming that the vehicle requires maintenance.

The Car Buying Process Could Take Longer

The process of buying a new vehicle is moderately direct — you visit the showroom, test-drive a couple of models, and pursue your choice. 

Notwithstanding, purchasing a pre-owned vehicle involves more effort. You may need to explore local inventory and visit multiple dealerships, including used car dealers in Bolton, to find the right vehicle. 

Additionally, if your desired car is available later, you might have to wait months to locate it. Once you’ve identified potential options, the process can take longer as you schedule inspections, review the car’s title, and examine the vehicle history report.

New or Used Car: Make the Right Choice Today

Many variables need to be considered when deciding between a new and used car. Although they have more features and financing options, new vehicles are more expensive and lose value quickly. 

On the other hand, although used automobiles offer substantial upfront savings and have already seen depreciation, they might have only some of the latest equipment and may need more upkeep. 

To select the best choice, consider your spending strategy, desired features, budget, and vehicle specifications. Making sure the car fits your demands and budget is essential, regardless of whether you place more value on the affordability of a pre-owned car or the appeal of a new one.

Geocoding for Smart Cities: Enhancing Urban Planning with Advanced API Solutions

By
SM
-

‍As cities grow and evolve, the need for innovative solutions to manage urbanization effectively becomes increasingly apparent. Among the technological advancements transforming city planning, geocoding has emerged as a critical tool. By converting addresses into geographic coordinates, geocoding provides the backbone for a myriad of smart city applications. This article delves into how geocode api are revolutionizing urban planning and development, thus paving the way for more efficient, sustainable, and livable cities.

Smart City Solutions with Geocoding API: Optimizing Urban Planning Efforts

In the quest for smarter urban environments, geocoding APIs are proving to be invaluable. These APIs facilitate the translation of location data into actionable insights, which urban planners can utilize to optimize city layouts, enhance public transportation networks, and manage resources more effectively.

The Role of Geocoding in Urban Analytics

At the heart of urban analytics lies geocoding. By assigning precise latitude and longitude coordinates to street addresses, planners can undertake spatial analysis that informs decision-making. Whether it’s identifying areas with high traffic congestion or mapping out public service coverage, geocoding lays the groundwork for a data-driven approach to urban planning.

Improving Public Transportation with Geocoding

Public transportation systems benefit greatly from geocoding technology. By analyzing geocoded data, city planners can determine the most efficient routes, anticipate potential bottlenecks, and plan new transit lines to meet the needs of a growing population. This not only enhances connectivity within the city but also reduces the environmental impact of urban transport.

Resource Allocation and Geocoding

Effective resource allocation is a cornerstone of urban planning. With geocoding APIs, planners can pinpoint the precise locations where resources such as water, electricity, and waste management are most needed. This targeted approach ensures that resources are not wasted and that the city’s infrastructure can support its residents without unnecessary strain.

Geocoding API for Smart Urban Management: Enhancing Infrastructure Planning

The development and maintenance of urban infrastructure are critical for the sustainability and growth of cities. Geocoding APIs are instrumental in the planning and management of these infrastructures, from roads and bridges to parks and public spaces.

Streamlining Infrastructure Development

When it comes to infrastructure development, precision is key. Geocoding APIs assist engineers and planners in identifying the exact locations for new projects, avoiding potential conflicts with existing structures and natural features. This streamlining results in faster completion times and reduced costs for infrastructure projects.

Maintenance and Upkeep of Urban Infrastructure

The maintenance of urban infrastructure is a continuous challenge for city managers. By employing geocoding APIs, they can track the condition of infrastructure components across the city. This geo-referenced data is critical in prioritizing maintenance tasks and deploying resources where they are needed the most, thus prolonging the life of the city’s assets.

Enhancing Disaster Response with Geocoding

In the event of natural disasters or emergencies, geocoding APIs can be lifesavers. Emergency responders can use geocoded data to locate affected areas quickly, optimize rescue routes, and efficiently distribute aid. Having access to accurate location data is vital in minimizing the impact of disasters on urban populations.

Leveraging Geocoding API for Sustainable City Development: Smart Solutions for Smart Cities

Sustainability is a key objective for modern cities, and geocoding APIs are contributing significantly to this goal. By enabling a more informed approach to development, these APIs help ensure that urban growth does not come at the expense of the environment or the well-being of citizens.

Planning for Green Spaces

Incorporating green spaces into urban environments is crucial for sustainability. Geocoding APIs allow planners to visualize the distribution of parks and natural areas within the cityscape, ensuring that all residents have access to these essential amenities. This not only improves the quality of life but also helps to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands and air pollution.

Energy Efficiency and Geocoding

Energy efficiency is another area where geocoding APIs make a significant impact. By mapping energy consumption patterns across the city, planners can identify areas where improvements are needed and implement measures to reduce overall energy usage. This could involve upgrading to more efficient street lighting, optimizing heating and cooling systems in public buildings, or encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources.

Waste Management Optimization

An effective waste management system is a hallmark of a sustainable city. With geocoding APIs, waste collection routes can be optimized, recycling centers can be strategically placed, and illegal dumping hotspots can be identified and addressed. This leads to cleaner cities and a reduction in the environmental impact of waste.

Enhancing Civic Services with Geocoding API: Improving Livability in Urban Environments

The ultimate goal of smart city initiatives is to enhance the livability of urban environments. Geocoding APIs play a pivotal role in this by improving the delivery of civic services, fostering community engagement, and promoting public safety.

Boosting Service Delivery

For municipalities, providing timely and efficient services to residents is a top priority. Geocoding APIs facilitate this by enabling service requests and reports to be accurately located and addressed. Whether it’s fixing a pothole or responding to a noise complaint, geocoded data ensures that city services are responsive and effective.

Community Engagement and Geocoding

Geocoding APIs also foster community engagement by making it easier for residents to interact with their city. Through apps and online platforms that utilize geocoded data, citizens can report issues, track service requests, and even participate in urban planning initiatives. This level of engagement creates a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents for their city’s well-being.

Public Safety and Geocoding

Public safety is enhanced when geocoded data is integrated into policing and emergency services. Law enforcement can use geocoded crime data to allocate resources and plan patrols more effectively. Similarly, emergency services can respond to incidents with greater speed and accuracy when they have access to precise location information.

As we look to the future of urban development, the integration of geocoding APIs into city planning and management is not just a trend but a necessity. The ability to geocode addresses and locations into usable data is transforming the way cities operate, making them smarter, more sustainable, and more livable for all their residents. With continued advancements in geocoding technology and its applications, the promise of truly smart cities is becoming a reality.

1...1,1421,1431,144...6,728Page 1,143 of 6,728