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Blue Wolf Partners with ARCA Menards Series Driver Christian Rose

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Official Release
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Brand signs associate partnership deal with AM Racing

BLUEFIELD, Va. (March 26, 2024): Blue Wolf is pleased to announce its support of Christian Rose, driver of the No. 32 Ford Mustang for AM Racing in the ARCA Menards Series.

The partnership marks the brand’s first foray into motorsports and will introduce powerful Blue Wolf cleaners and degreasers to a broader audience.

“We have really enjoyed getting to know Christian Rose and the folks at AM Racing,” said Sean Lester, President and Co-Owner of Blue Wolf. “Their faith-based values align closely with our own and we look forward to a great relationship with the team.”

While Blue Wolf is new to the ARCA Menards Series, the brand has been around since 1986. “Blue Wolf has always been the best kept secret in the Appalachian region. We are excited to grow to new markets through our relationship with AM Racing,” said Jeff Cline, Vice President and Co-Owner of Blue Wolf.

Originally created by a West Virginia coal miner and a chemist to clean and degrease mining equipment, Blue Wolf quickly became trusted as a proven product for getting the job done.

As miners began taking the product home, they soon discovered that Blue Wolf worked great on everything from removing grease and coal dust from carpets and work clothes to pressure washing houses.

Today, Blue Wolf offers a full line of cleaners and degreasers for household, automotive, and industrial use.

“I’m thankful for this new partnership with Blue Wolf,” said Rose who currently sits second in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings. “It’s always a great feeling to welcome new partners into the Motorsports world and I look forward to growing our relationship on and off the track this season.”

Blue Wolf plans to support the AM Racing partnership through a digital media campaign and activations at key retailers and race events.

The brand is available at Food City, select Walmart locations, and independent hardware stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

“We are thrilled to have Blue Wolf on board this year,” added AM Racing president Wade Moore. “Their products really work and we look forward to growing our partnership with them.”

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

For more on Christian Rose, please like him on Facebook (Christian Rose Racing), or follow him on Instagram (@christianroseracing) and X | Twitter (@CRoseRacing).

About Blue Wolf:

Blue Wolf Sales & Service, Inc. has been creating powerful and effective cleaning products since 1986. Blue Wolf brand products are proudly made at the company’s plant and R&D center in Bluefield, VA.

Formulated for professionals to the highest standards in the industry, Blue Wolf is the only brand that puts true industrial strength, American-made cleaning power in the hands of consumers and pros alike.

For more information, please visit https://bluewolfcleaner.com

About AM Racing:

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

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

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

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

O’Reilly Auto Parts joins as title sponsor of new IMSA sports car weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

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Official Release
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2024 racing schedule opens with O’Reilly Auto Parts Four Hours of Mid-Ohio, June 7-9

LEXINGTON, Ohio (March 26, 2024) – O’Reilly Auto Parts has joined as title sponsor for the new season-opening event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, headlined by the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, June 7-9. The exciting weekend of world-class sports car racing, which the motorsports facility was built to showcase, will be named the O’Reilly Auto Parts Four Hours of Mid-Ohio.

In addition to the name entitlement rights to the IMSA weekend, O’Reilly Auto Parts will continue to serve as a season-long sponsor of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. With locations in 48 U.S. states, including more than 225 stores in Ohio, O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive parts, tools, supplies and equipment and accessories in the U.S.

Since 1957, O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., has grown from a family-owned company to a leader in the automotive replacement parts industry. It supplies equipment, tools, parts, and accessories to professional service providers and do-it-yourself customers across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Canada. With more than 6,100 store locations and growing, the O’Reilly Professional Parts People deliver excellent customer service, knowledge and value to the communities they serve.

“The return of IMSA is a great way to launch our 2024 expanded season. We look forward to welcoming all of our loyal fans back to the track with the inaugural O’Reilly Auto Parts Four Hours of Mid-Ohio, featuring a brand new four-hour Pilot Challenge race as well as the kickoff of the Mustang Challenge sprint races,” said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “We are grateful to O’Reilly for continuing to support road racing at Mid-Ohio and working with us to bring this exciting new event to the track.”

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Four Hours of Mid-Ohio highlights the return of IMSA sports car racing to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a spectacular weekend which features a four-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge endurance race, the second of only two on its 2024 schedule. This race connects to IMSA’s long history at Mid-Ohio dating back to the “Six Hours of Mid-Ohio” in 1972, the series’ first-ever race at the legendary road course.

Additionally, the ultra-competitive Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin and VP Racing SportsCar Challenge also make their Mid-Ohio returns as part of the schedule. The all-new Mustang Challenge will hold its very first race ever on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course to round out the on-track racing action.

Advance pricing for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Four Hours of Mid-Ohio tickets is available until April 22. A Weekend General Admission ticket is currently $75, and daily tickets are $45 for Friday or Saturday and $55 for Sunday. Paddock access is free to get up close to the transporters, cars and drivers. Children 12 and under receive free general admission to any event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Mid-Ohio Season Race Passes are also on sale providing the best access and greatest value to attend all five major spectator events plus more weekends not open to the general public.

Visit midohio.com to purchase tickets or for more information. Follow the O’Reilly Auto Parts Four Hours of Mid-Ohio on social media with #IMSAatMO.

About Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course:

A comprehensive motorsports facility in Lexington, Ohio, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course sits on 380 acres and features a permanent road-racing circuit with two primary race track configurations: 2.4-mile, 15-turn or 2.258-mile, 13-turn layout. Located 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland near Mansfield, the natural terrain road course is commonly referred to as the “Most Competitive in the U.S.” and annually hosts a diversity of locally, regionally and nationally-sanctioned race events for amateur, club and professional drivers and riders. It is also home to The Mid-Ohio School, featuring over 20 driving and riding courses, for teenagers to professional racers using Honda vehicles. Opened in 1962, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has been owned and operated by Green Savoree Mid-Ohio, LLC since 2011, just the raceway’s third private ownership group in its history.

For more information, visit midohio.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @MidOhioSportsCarCourse or follow updates on X (formerly Twitter) @Mid_Ohio and Instagram @officialmidohio.

Tide to Sponsor ARCA Menards Series Race at Kansas

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Official Release
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TEMPERANCE, Mich. (March 26, 2024) – Tide, America’s #1 Trusted Laundry Detergent Brand*, will sponsor the ARCA Menards Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, May 4. The race, set for a 1 pm CT green flag, will be the opening act of a day/night doubleheader with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, set for a 7 pm CT green flag.

Tide has been involved in motorsports since sponsoring three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Darrell Waltrip’s famed No. 17 “Tide Ride” from 1987 through 1990. The iconic orange, yellow, blue and white colors have also adorned cars driven by Ricky Rudd, Scott Pruett, Ricky Craven, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick and Erik Jones among others. The agreement with Kansas Speedway marks the first time Tide has served as an entitlement sponsor of an ARCA Menards Series race.

“Tide is proud to continue its legacy of supporting the sport of racing,” says Alex Perez, Senior Director of NA Laundry at P&G. “In a world where performance matters on the racetrack, Tide has you covered off the track. Tide is designed to deliver superior cleaning performance you can trust – making it the perfect partner for a winning experience.”

The Tide 150 will be the 28th race for the ARCA Menards Series at Kansas Speedway dating to the track’s opening weekend on June 3, 2001. Previous winners include Jason Jarrett, Frank Kimmel, Shelby Howard, Ryan Hemphill, Chad Blount, Scott Lagasse, Jr., Scott Speed, Parker Kligerman, Ty Dillon, Alex Bowman, Spencer Gallagher, Mason Mitchell, Chase Briscoe, Michael Self, Sheldon Creed, Christian Eckes, Bret Holmes, Corey Heim, Ty Gibbs, Nick Sanchez, Jesse Love, and Connor Mosack. Kimmel’s third and final win in 2013 was his record-breaking 80th career win, breaking the tie with Iggy Katona to become the series’ all-time leading winner.

The Tide 150 will be broadcast live on FS1 starting at 2 pm ET; it will also be broadcast live on select affiliates of the MRN Radio network nationwide. Please visit ARCARacing.com for live Timing & Scoring data from all on-track activities and follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly Twitter) for up-to-the-minute updates.

*Voted most trusted laundry detergent brand by shoppers based on the 2023 BrandSpark® Trust Survey

About ARCA

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly racing all across the country, the organization administers more than 100 events annually, including the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing).

Ford Performance NASCAR – 2024 Richmond 1 Advance

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Official Release
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RICHMOND 1

Saturday, March 30 — NASCAR Xfinity Series, 1:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, March 31 — NASCAR Cup Series, 7 p.m. ET (FOX)

The month of March comes to a close this weekend as Richmond Raceway hosts the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series on Easter weekend. The track has been a fixture on the schedule since 1953 and has hosted 134 Cup races during that time, which includes 35 Ford victories.

BACK-TO-BACK?

The last time the NASCAR Cup Series came to Richmond Raceway, Chris Buescher claimed his third victory of the season by leading 53 of the final 54 laps. Despite his late-race dominance, he had to endure a caution that brought the field back to him with nine laps remaining. That resulted in one final round of pit stops with Buescher’s crew getting him out in the lead and the option to choose where to start. Buescher opted for the inside line and was able to get away from Denny Hamlin on the restart with three laps to go to claim the win. He comes into Sunday’s Richmond race on the heels of three straight top-10 finishes, including an eighth-place run last weekend at Circuit of the Americas.

ONE OF LOGANO’S BEST

It would be easy to look at Joey Logano’s two career wins at Richmond and say it’s got to be one of his best tracks on the circuit, but the statistics provide further proof. In 29 career starts, Logano has 13 top 5 and 18 top 10 finishes, which gives him an average finish of 10.0. That’s his second-best average finish on tracks where he’s run more than five races and includes a current stretch that has seen him finish seventh or better in six of the last seven Richmond races.. The only track where Logano has a better average finish is Las Vegas, where his three wins and 13 top-10 finishes in 22 starts that works out to a 9.9 average finish.

Austin Cindric: “I’m not sure I’ve ever started Richmond in the Cup Series inside the top 30 and I can give you a number of reasons why, and the one time I did I lost a cylinder about six laps into the race. It’s a very difficult racetrack. It’s a challenging race from a strategy standpoint with long green flag runs. It’s a tough track, but I really do enjoy Richmond, so I am looking forward to going there. I’m certainly not discouraged, but it’s a racetrack where you can’t hide if you have a weakness or an issue throughout the race.”

KESELOWSKI SOLE RICHMOND WINNER IN 2020

Richmond Raceway hosted two NASCAR Cup Series events a year from 1959-2019, but in 2020 the track had only one event due to COVID and Team Penske’s Brad Keselowski took the checkered flag in dominating fashion. Keselowski led 192-of-400 laps in recording his second career Cup win at the Virginia short track, and automatically advanced to the Round of 12. Overall, Ford led 297 laps on the night and had five drivers finish in the top 10, including Joey Logano (3rd), Kevin Harvick (7th), Aric Almirola (8th) and Clint Bowyer (10th).

A PENSKE SEASON SWEEP

Thanks to Team Penske, Ford dominated the 2014 season at RR as both Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski made it to victory lane. Keselowski clinched the top seed for the ensuing Chase with a dominating performance that saw him lead all but 17 of the 400 laps, including the final 274 circuits. The win was his fourth of the season and marked the third time Ford swept both NCS races at the three-quarter-mile track, and the first since 1997. Logano won the first RR race after passing Matt Kenseth with four laps to go to claim his fifth career series victory.

KYLE PETTY’S FIRST WIN

The Wood Brothers have 99 all-time NASCAR Cup Series victories and many of those have been first-time wins for whoever was lucky enough to be behind the wheel. Kyle Petty was that man in the mid-1980s and on Feb. 23, 1986 found himself in the right place at the right time. Driving the No. 7 Ford for Glen Wood – the car carried that number because of sponsor 7-Eleven – Petty was the beneficiary of an ongoing battle between Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt. After Waltrip passed Earnhardt to take the lead with two to go, Earnhardt made contact with Waltrip and both cars went spinning into the wall. Others got collected in the aftermath, but Petty was able to get through unscathed and took the checkered flag under caution for his first series triumph.

CUSTER CONTINUES TOP FIVE STREAK

Cole Custer has found a rhythm of late and comes into Saturday’s race at Richmond Raceway riding a streak of three straight top five finishes. After a runner-up finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Custer has finished fifth at Phoenix and fourth last weekend at Circuit of the Americas to climb from 11th to third in the series point standings. That stretch also includes back-to-back poles at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway. In eight career NXS starts at Richmond, Custer has one victory (2019), three consecutive top-fives and five top-10 finishes.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES

WINNERS AT RICHMOND

1957 – Paul Goldsmith

1959 – Tom Pistone and Cotton Owens

1960 – Speedy Thompson (2)

1963 – Ned Jarrett (2)

1965 – Junior Johnson (1)

1968 – David Pearson (1)

1969 – David Pearson (1)

1970 – James Hylton (1)

1979 – Bobby Allison (2)

1980 – Bobby Allison (2)

1981 – Benny Parsons (2)

1984 – Ricky Rudd (1)

1986 – Kyle Petty (1)

1988 – Davey Allison (2)

1990 – Mark Martin (1)

1992 – Bill Elliott (1)

1993 – Davey Allison (1)

1994 – Ernie Irvan (1)

1995 – Rusty Wallace (2)

1996 – Ernie Irvan (2)

1997 – Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett

1998 – Jeff Burton (2)

1999 – Dale Jarrett (1)

2001 – Ricky Rudd (2)

2002 – Matt Kenseth (2)

2005 – Kurt Busch (2)

2013 – Carl Edwards (2)

2014 – Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski

2017 – Joey Logano (1)

2020 – Brad Keselowski

2022 – Kevin Harvick (2)

2023 – Chris Buescher (2)

Auto-Owners Insurance Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Richmond Advance

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Official Release
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Martin Truex Jr.
Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Advance
No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Toyota Owners 400 (Round 7 of 36)
● Time/Date: 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday, March 31
● Location: Richmond (Va.) International Raceway
● Layout: .75-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/300 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 70 laps / Stage 2: 170 laps / Final Stage: 160 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● At the Point: With yet another top-10 finish last weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, Truex moved into the points lead for the first time this season. The New Jersey native heads into Richmond (Va.) Raceway with 220 points, five ahead of second-place JGR teammate Ty Gibbs. All four JGR entries are currently inside the top-10 in points heading to the seventh race of the season, with Denny Hamlin fourth and Christopher Bell seventh.

● Truex has three wins, nine top-five finishes and 17 top-10s and has led a total of 1,359 laps in 35 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Richmond. His average Richmond finish is 15.3.

● Truex notched his most recent Richmond win in September 2021 when he led 80 laps en route to his third victory at the .75-mile oval. All three of Truex’s Richmond wins have come in a JGR car. In fact, over the last 10 races at Richmond, Truex has only finished outside the top-10 just once.

● In those last 10 races at Richmond, Truex has amassed six top-five finishes and nine top-10, which included the aforementioned three victories.

● Laps Led: Of all the Cup Series currently races on, Truex has led the most laps at Richmond with 1,359. His next-best is Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, where he’s led 1,059 laps.

● Looking for 35: Truex’s win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon last July was his most recent Cup Series win, the 34th of his career, tying him with 2004 champion Kurt Busch for 25th on the all-time Cup Series win list.

● Ahead at this Stage: Truex has accumulated 61 stage wins since the beginning of the stage era in 2017. He is the only driver with 10 or more stage sweeps, with his latest sweep coming at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn last August.

Martin Truex Jr., Driver of the No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry XSE

Did Richmond go from toward the bottom to toward the top of tracks you like once you had some success there?

“I’ve always really liked it, to be honest. From the first time I raced there in 2003, I’ve always enjoyed the track. There was a long period where I didn’t have great numbers there, but I felt like I loved the track and always ran well there and had a lot of crazy things happen there throughout my career. Once I got to Furniture Row (Racing), we started leading a ton of laps there. We also had a couple of heartbreaking finishes there where we should have won the race but didn’t and I wondered if it was ever going to happen. Then we went on a streak there, so it’s been a great track and it’s a ton of fun. Last year, the short tracks were tough to make passes and we would get stuck a car length behind someone. You would run them down and get a car length back and you couldn’t make any moves because of the dirty air. Hopefully we’ve been able to help that some and we can go back to putting on a great show at places like Richmond, and I hope for myself and my team we can get our Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota back in victory lane there like we’ve done before.”

With the success you’ve had there, what are the challenges when you’re racing at Richmond?

“I love the track, it’s great. Been very successful there, especially lately with our Auto-Owners Insurance Camry. Been lucky enough to win some races there. I really enjoy the track because it’s kind of unique. It’s a short track but it races like a bigger track than it is. You can really move around there the way the tires wear out and the track is really slippery. That makes it fun and a challenge and always a good race for the fans.”

How has the NextGen car changed your approach to short tracks?

“Short tracks have been a challenge, but I feel like we’ve been gaining on it in the last year and certainly, starting at Phoenix, we had a strong car. It was a lot harder to pass than years past, for sure. With the shifting and with how the brakes are on these cars, it’s so different than it was before. I think shifting has been the biggest difference, but you have the braking to go along with that. Then you have the independent rear suspension and the differential and all those things go along with each other to what we have now. We almost have more than the brakes and tires can even take, so it’s been tough to try and modulate that and try not to lock up the rear tires. It’s been a challenge. This is the first true short track with some of the tweaks they’ve made to the package, so we’ll see if that has helped some of that or not and what we need to work on with our Auto-Owners Insurance Camry this weekend at Richmond.”

How important is qualifying at short tracks?

“It’s very important. At all of the short tracks, qualifying has been huge from starting up front and having a good pit stall. You need both of those at Richmond to be successful. Track position is going to be everything, and we want to start up front and stay there. I’ve been able to lead a lot of laps at Richmond over the years and staying up front is a key for the success we’ve had there over the years.”

No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Martin Truex Jr.

Hometown: Mayetta, New Jersey

Crew Chief: James Small

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Car Chief: Chris Jones

Hometown: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Race Engineer: Jaik Halpainy

Hometown: Blockville, New York

Engineer: Jeff Curtis

Hometown: Fairfax Station, Virginia

Spotter: Drew Herring

Hometown: Benson, North Carolina

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Ryan Martin

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Virgina

Mechanic: Todd Carmichael

Hometown: Redding, California

Interior/Tire Specialist: Tommy DiBlasi

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Engine Tuner: Beau Morton

Hometown: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Transporter Driver: Kyle Bazzell

Hometown: Fairbury, Illinois

Transporter Driver: Eddie DeGroot

Hometown: Baldwinsville, New York

Over-The-Wall Crew Members

Gas Man: Matt Tyrrell

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Jackman: Caleb Dirks

Hometown: Riverside, California

Tire Carrier: CJ Bailey

Hometown: Outer Banks, North Carolina

Front Tire Changer: Lee Cunningham

Hometown: Leaf River, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Marquill Osborne

Hometown: Cornelius, NC

RFK Advance | Richmond I

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Official Release
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Richmond Event Info:
Date: Sunday, March 31
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Format: 400 Laps, 300 miles, Stages: 70-160-170
TV: FOX
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 10:30 a.m. ET, Practice (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 11:15 a.m. ET, Qualifying (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 7 p.m. ET, Race (FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • Richmond hosts its first of two race dates of the season as the Cup Series embarks on a 300-mile Easter Sunday night race.
  • Chris Buescher is the defending winner at Richmond as he visited victory lane at the ¾-mile track last July. That win began a stretch of three victories in a five week span for the No. 17 team, who later won Michigan (the next week), and Daytona the next month.
  • Jack Roush has 16 wins all-time at Richmond, including now six in the Cup Series.
  • Take out Buescher’s spring finish in 2023, and he and Brad Keselowski have finished top-15 in every Richmond race since the beginning of the 2022 season.

6 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Matt McCall
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

17 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe)

Keselowski at Richmond
Starts: 28
Wins: 2 (2014, 2020)
Top-10s: 14
Poles: 2 (2014, 2019)

  • Keselowski, a two-time winner at Richmond, makes his 29th Cup start at the ¾-mile track on Sunday. He won the lone race at Richmond in 2020 after leading 192 laps.
  • More recently, Keselowski led 102 laps and finished sixth in the race last fall where Buescher won. He’s finished inside the top-15 in every Richmond race since the spring of 2015, and in that stretch has led laps in 11 different races. In total he’s led 1280 laps at Richmond in 14 different races, his most of any track on the circuit.
  • Keselowski won back in 2014 after starting on the pole, leading 383 of the 400 laps.
  • His 12.31 average finish holds as one of his best among all tracks with 14 top-10s overall and six finishes inside the top five.
  • He also has two poles – 2014 and 2019 – for an average starting position of 11th, also one of his best marks. Last season he qualified 24th (spring) and 13th (fall).
  • Keselowski made 17 Xfinity Series starts from 2006-17 earning four victories and 10 top-10s. He won his last NXS start there in 2017 and also went to victory lane in 2010 once and 2013 twice.

Buescher at Richmond
Starts: 15
Wins: 1 (2023)
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

  • Buescher is the defending winner at Richmond, having led 88 laps en route to his first of three victories last season, and the first of three in a stretch of five weeks.
  • He makes his 300th Cup Series start this weekend at Richmond, now in his ninth full season in the series. He first made a Cup start back in 2015 at age 22.
  • Despite a 22.5 average finish at the track, Buescher has two top-3 finishes in the last three Richmond races. He finished third in the 2022 fall event, and qualified seventh last spring before finishing 30th due to late troubles.
  • Buescher has a 20.4 average qualifying effort with a best effort of seventh (twice) last spring and in 2019.
  • Buescher made five NXS starts for Jack Roush from 2011-15, earning three top-10s with a best finish of seventh (2014).

RFK Historically at Richmond
Cup Wins: 6 (Mark Martin, 1990; Jeff Burton, 1998; Matt Kenseth, 2002; Kurt Busch, 2005; Carl Edwards, 2013; Chris Buescher, 2023)

  • History in the Commonwealth of Virginia: Overall, RFK has 366 starts at Richmond Raceway, earning a total of 16 wins, 91 top-five and 154 top-10 finishes. RFK Fords have sat on the pole 14 times and led 5,151 laps across NASCAR’s three major touring series.
  • To Xfinity and Beyond: RFK has earned nine victories, 43 top-five finishes, 66 top-10 finishes and an average finish of 11.8 at Richmond in the Xfinity Series. All in all, three different drivers are responsible for the nine victories at the Virginia short track (Edwards, Mark Martin and Jeff Burton).
  • Nine and Counting: RFK’s nine victories at Richmond rank fourth among all tracks the organization has competed on in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, trailing Darlington Raceway (15), Charlotte Motor Speedway (12) and North Carolina Speedway – formerly known as Rockingham – (11).
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has started 225 NCS races at Richmond with 77 top-10 and 39 top-five finishes along with seven poles. Former drivers Mark Martin (1990), Jeff Burton (1998), Matt Kenseth (2002), Kurt Busch (2005), and Carl Edwards (2013) are responsible for RFK’s five Cup wins, with Buescher adding his name to that list in 2023, and a Jack Roush Cup Series Ford has led 2,633 laps at the .75-mile track.

RFK Richmond Wins

1990-1 Martin Cup

1993-1 Martin NXS

1993-2 Martin NXS

1997-1 Martin NXS

1998-1 Burton NXS

1998-2 Burton Cup

1999-1 Martin NXS

1999 Biffle Truck

2000-2 Burton NXS

2002-2 Kenseth Cup

2005-1 Edwards NXS

2005-2 Busch Cup

2008-2 Edwards NXS

2009-2 Edwards NXS
2013-2 Edwards Cup

2023-2 Buescher Cup

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
COTA: Buescher drove through the field to an eighth-place finish at the 3+-mile road course for his third-straight top-10 overall, and third consecutive on a road course dating back to 2023. Keselowski earned stage points with a P6 stage two finish, before finishing 34th.

Points Standings (17: 12th, 6: 16th): Buescher advanced two positions to P12 while Keselowski dropped three spots to 16th in the standings through six races.

NHRA RELEASES DETAILS FOR CONCLUSION OF LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, MISSION #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE IN PHOENIX

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Official Release
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PHOENIX (March 25, 2024) – The NHRA announced details for the racing action at the 39th NHRA Arizona Nationals on April 5-7 at Firebird Motorsports Park, including the final rounds of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, as well as the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge.

In what promises to be an epic weekend with two race finishes and a specialty event in Phoenix, fans can expect non-stop action during the return to Firebird Motorsports Park. The opening round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge will take place during Friday’s qualifying session that begins at 4 p.m. PT. The finals of the bonus event follows during the second round of qualifying at 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday.

That sets up a marquee finish to the day on Saturday, with the final rounds in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals taking place as part of final qualifying, which begins at 2 p.m. The final rounds from Pomona, which were postponed on Sunday due to inclement weather, will be the final pair in each category.

It adds up to an incredible, can’t-miss weekend at the “Duel in the Desert” in Phoenix, with final eliminations of the NHRA Arizona Nationals to follow at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 7. Television coverage includes action on FS1 at 9:30 p.m. ET. on Friday and then a special NHRA in 30: Pomona Finals show at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. Sunday coverage includes qualifying at 10:30 a.m. and eliminations at 6:30 p.m. ET.

A handful of drivers will also have the opportunity to win three times in one weekend, including Top Fuel standout Justin Ashley. He accomplished that feat last year in Bristol, winning the delayed NHRA New England Nationals and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday at Bristol Dragway, and taking the victory the next day at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

To do that in Phoenix, he’ll have to get past the winningest driver in Top Fuel history, Tony Schumacher, who advanced to his first final round of the year in Pomona. That makes for an epic Winternationals final round in Phoenix, with Ashley also looking for his third straight victory at the historic race. The young standout is also the defending event winner of the NHRA Arizona Nationals.

In Funny Car, the final run of the day on Saturday in Phoenix will be a spectacular one, as the legendary John Force will face off with reigning world champion Matt Hagan with a victory at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals on the line. Force, a 16-time world champion and the winningest driver in NHRA history, will aim for his first victory since 2022, while Hagan is after a repeat Winternationals triumph and his 50th career win.

The Pro Stock final round from Pomona includes defending and six-time world champion Erica Enders, who will try for back-to-back wins to open her 2024 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. The winningest female in motorsports can also pick up her 50th career national event victory with a win in Phoenix on Saturday. She takes on Dallas Glenn, who qualified No. 1 and is also the defending Winternationals winner.

The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge features a wealth of intriguing matchups, too, as a full slate of stars look to win the bonus event that provides a bonus purse and bonus championship points, bringing competitive racing to both Friday and Saturday qualifying in Phoenix. In Top Fuel, Ashley will take on two-time world champion Brittany Force, while Schumacher will meet up with Billy Torrence.

In Funny Car, Force and Ron Capps will continue their storied rivalry in the opening round, while Hagan takes on Gainesville winner J.R. Todd. Enders and longtime rival Greg Anderson meet in one of the Pro Stock matchups, while the other pairing in the opening round of the specialty race features Glenn and Mason McGaha.

Ashley (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Camrie Caruso (Pro Stock) all won at Phoenix in 2023. The NHRA Arizona Nationals also includes thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, featuring the top racers in the country. It also marks the debut of the NHRA Pro Mod category in Phoenix. There will also be exciting performances from Team “Muy Caliente” and Curt White “Iceman” Jet Cars.

All weekend long, fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, which will help create a festive atmosphere leading into the nitro pits. The Nitro Alley Stage is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Firebird Motorsports Park can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk.

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

To purchase tickets to the final NHRA Arizona Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

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

HighPoint.com Racing: Chase Briscoe Richmond Advance

By
Official Release
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CHASE BRISCOE
Richmond Advance
No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: Richmond 400 (Round 7 of 36)
● Time/Date: 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday, March 31
● Location: Richmond (Va.) Raceway
● Layout: .75-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/300 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 70 laps / Stage 2: 160 laps / Final Stage: 170 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Chase Briscoe comes into Richmond (Va.) Raceway on a streak of quiet consistency that emulates his overall history at the .75-mile oval. The driver of the No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing has had three straight finishes of 13th or better. He finished a season-best ninth March 10 at Phoenix Raceway and 13th March 17 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway before earning another 13th-place drive last Sunday at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The runs have placed Briscoe a respectable 17th in the championship standings, just three points and one position away from the top-16 – the cutoff spot for the 10-race championship, which is still 20 races away. In the marathon that is the NASCAR Cup Series, consistency is key, and just as Briscoe has shown top-15 reliability in the early races of 2024, he’s been similarly reliable at Richmond across both the Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

● Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond will mark Briscoe’s seventh career Cup Series start at the track. He has three finishes of 12th or better, including a pair of 11th-place drives, the most recent of which came last July in the series’ prior visit to Richmond.

● In five career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Richmond between 2018 and 2020, Briscoe finished outside the top-16 only once, with three results of 11th or better. His best run came in September 2019, when he started fifth and finished fifth in his No. 98 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas.

● The story of how HighPoint.com came together with Briscoe and Stewart-Haas is one that could’ve been scripted in Hollywood. In November of 2019, while walking to dinner after attending the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Kevin Briscoe was stopped by a stranger who noticed his No. 98 Stewart-Haas hat. The man was Mike Mendiburu, founder and CEO of HighPoint.com, and he said he was a big fan of Chase Briscoe, then a young NASCAR Xfinity Series driver from Mitchell, Indiana. Kevin informed Mendiburu that Chase was his son and the two carried on a conversation like they were old friends. The two walked away with Kevin accepting Mendiburu’s business card, just in case the Briscoes ever needed anything. Months passed and Chase Briscoe was told that he may not have a ride in the No. 98 for the 2020 season if funding couldn’t be found. So, Stewart-Haas was given Mendiburu’s information and an agreement was reached for HighPoint.com to sponsor Briscoe. That chance encounter in Las Vegas led to a nine-win season in 2020. In October of that year, midway through the playoffs, Briscoe arrived at Tony Stewart’s house in Indiana for what he thought was a discussion with his team owner about whether HighPoint.com would be returning as his sponsor for the next season. The group sat down for dinner and Briscoe, joined by his parents, was informed a decision had already been made – he would be leaving the No. 98 Xfinity Series program to become the next driver of the team’s No. 14 Cup Series entry, the car first driven by Stewart himself. “I wouldn’t have a career if it wasn’t for Mike and everyone at HighPoint.com,” Briscoe said. “Going into 2020, I was going to be done. They literally came in fourth quarter with 30 seconds left and kept things going. Without them, I think my career would’ve been over.”

● Riding along with Briscoe this weekend at Richmond is HighPoint.com, a leading provider of technology infrastructure solutions. HighPoint has been a partner of Briscoe and Stewart-Haas since 2020 when the company supported Briscoe’s NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign, a collaboration that netted a season-best nine victories and earned Briscoe a promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series. HighPoint has climbed the NASCAR ladder with Briscoe and has helped Stewart-Haas maximize its IT investments. Said Briscoe about the partnership: “Even though we race stock cars, there’s nothing stock about what we do. The science of our cars is impressive, but the technology that goes into building our Ford Mustangs and then making them perform is even more advanced. Our IT needs are pretty complex, and we demand a lot from our technology every day, whether it’s at the shop or at the track. HighPoint provides efficiency and security. They’re more than just a sponsor – HighPoint is a partner that helps us perform.” As an IT Solutions Integrator focused on all things that connect, HighPoint helps its customers with the selection and supply of network infrastructure, mobility, collaboration, data center, security solutions and the risk-mitigated implementation and management of their technology. The company, founded in 1996, is a minority-owned business headquartered in Sparta, New Jersey. HighPoint serves markets in its nearby tri-state region (New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware) and the southeastern United States via its presence in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as globally with offices in Amsterdam and London. To learn more about HighPoint’s solutions, please visit HighPoint.com.

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang

The tire wear we saw in the last short-track race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway – did you like it or dislike it?

“I don’t really know how I feel about it, to be honest. I thought that it was definitely unique. I did like the fact that there was a little more strategy involved. And I even felt like, on the driver’s side, it put a little more in your hands instead of whoever had the best car was going to be really good. We probably don’t need it as drastic to where they just blow out, but I do think a good mix of that would be really cool to have, especially for the short-track races, for sure.”

It seemed like a return to old-school racing where tire management was the key to success. In all the racing that you’ve done in your career, was there a track or style of car where you had to manage your tires that you ended up relying on for that Bristol race?

“I’d never done any of that type of racing at any time in my career where you had to save tires. Everything I grew up doing was the complete opposite of that. But last year, I was able to run two Late Model Stock races, one at North Wilkesboro and one at Florence, South Carolina, and the Florence race, specifically, at the beginning of the race I remember we rode around quarter throttle just saving tires and it felt very similar to that. I texted the guy I drove for, Chad Bryant, after the Cup race and I was like, ‘Man, I was so glad I got to run those races because I would’ve been so lost without them.’ Definitely felt like it was a lot like that and I feel like you saw all those guys with Late Model experience run so well.”

How do you save your tires? You have to continue to race, but what is that balance between racing for the position you have now and the position you want to have later?

“It’s just a risk-versus-reward thing. You know you have to get to X-amount of laps. Tony (Stewart) actually told it to me that your tire is like a battery. You only have 100-percent battery at the beginning and every time you push it or use more energy or use more of that tire, you’re never getting that percentage back. You have to just understand what that risk versus reward is and if you feel like you can get a couple of spots and only use maybe eight percent of your tire wear, then maybe that’s worth it.”

Would you like to see that kind of tire fall-off at Richmond?

“For sure. Richmond, just naturally, has that fall-off and you definitely see a little bit more of that, in general. I wouldn’t mind it being a little bit more extreme, but you will just naturally see it at Richmond just because of how the racetrack is versus how a place like Bristol is, typically.”

If you had tire fall-off where the track still rubbered up, would you need 1,000 horsepower, or are you in the camp that wants both tire fall-off and more horsepower?

“If we can have both, might as well take it. If you have more horsepower, it’s just going to make things harder for the drivers. I think if the tire is where it normally is, then 1,000 horsepower only helps. But if we have a tire that lasts only 30 laps, then you might only use 600 horsepower, so you don’t really even need 1,000. It just depends on how the tire is and how the race is playing out. It’s different every week, so I’d say it’s what you have versus what you need.”

You had a good race at Phoenix and scored your best finish of the season, so far (ninth). Even though the Richmond oval is shorter, it embodies some of the same characteristics of Phoenix. Does that give you confidence and an idea of what to expect when you unload at Richmond?

“Just because you’re good at Phoenix doesn’t mean you’re going to be good at Richmond, and that’s because the track is so different. But I do think we’ve had a good short-track package the last year or two. Richmond’s been a place where we’ve been OK. We haven’t been great, but we definitely haven’t been terrible. I think we’ll be in the mix. If we can get our car a little bit better, then we’ll be right where we need to be. We’ve been able to run in the top-five up there, just haven’t been able to get that little bit extra that we need, so hopefully this time we’ll be able to do that.”

HighPoint is back on your car at Richmond, and it’s a good reminder that if it weren’t for HighPoint and its founder and CEO, Mike Mendiburu, your racing career may have ended in the Xfinity Series. How crucial was that support, and what’s your advice to someone who’s been grinding away and just needs a break to get to the next level?

“Without Mike and HighPoint, I’m definitely not in the Cup Series and my career probably would’ve been over in 2020. That was the year when I leaped up into the Cup Series. It’s always special for me to have the HighPoint colors on my car, just because of what that family’s done for me and what that company’s done for me. It’s just special every single time. My advice for someone grinding away trying to make it all work would be to just keep your eye on what you want to achieve because you never know when that opportunity’s going to come. There have been multiple times when I thought my career was over, and then another door opens. You just have to trust the process. It’s not always going to be open doors because there are going to be a lot of closed doors, but it just takes those few open doors that you get and being able to capitalize on them. Fortunately, I’ve been very blessed to be able to do that.”

No. 14 HighPoint.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe

Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: Richard Boswell

Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

Car Chief: J.D. Frey

Hometown: Ferndale, California

Engineer: Mike Cook

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Spotter: Joey Campbell

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala

Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Dakota Ratcliff

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal

Hometown: Holland, Michigan

Jack Man: Dylan Moser

Hometown: Monroe, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams

Hometown: Plymouth, Wisconsin

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads

Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Shock Specialist: Brian Holshouser

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips

Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable

Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Dale Lackey

Hometown: Taylorsville, North Carolina

Gear Up for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix

By
SM
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The roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber – NASCAR’s adrenaline-pumping world descends upon Austin, Texas, for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on March 24th! This high-octane event promises a thrilling display of driving prowess on the iconic Circuit of the Americas (COTA) track. Whether you’re a seasoned racing aficionado or a curious newcomer, here’s everything you need to know to get ready for this heart-pounding spectacle.

Know the Track: Circuit of the Americas

COTA, a purpose-built racing facility, is no ordinary track. This 3.4-mile behemoth boasts 20 exhilarating turns, challenging drivers with elevation changes that mimic legendary circuits around the world. Nicknamed “America’s Playground,” COTA offers a unique blend of high-speed straights and technical corners, pushing the car and driver to their limits. Strategize for race day – understanding the track’s layout will enhance your viewing experience and allow you to appreciate the driver’s masterful control as they navigate COTA’s twists and turns.

Get Your Tickets and Secure Your Spot

The grandstands at COTA offer a variety of viewing experiences. General admission grants access to designated areas around the track, perfect for soaking in the atmosphere. For a more premium experience, consider grandstand seating. Sections like Turn 12’s “Grupo 99” offer dedicated fan sections with exclusive perks. Explore the official COTA website for ticketing options and find a spot that best suits your budget and preference. Remember, the earlier you purchase, the more options you’ll have!

For those traveling from out of town, consider using a service like Shiply to ship some personal belongings ahead of time, allowing you to pack lighter and avoid hefty airline baggage fees.

Embrace the Austin Experience

Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World,” transforms into a racing haven during the Grand Prix. Beyond the track, the city comes alive with a vibrant festival atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the energy – explore the official fan zone with interactive exhibits, driver appearances, and merchandise booths. Austin’s renowned culinary scene caters to every taste bud, so indulge in delicious local fare before or after the race. Don’t forget to explore the city’s iconic Sixth Street, where live music spills out from every bar, making it the perfect place to unwind after a day of high-speed thrills.

What to Expect on Race Day

The gates at COTA open early, allowing ample time to explore the venue and soak in the pre-race buzz. Witness the roar of support as drivers take to the track for qualifying, determining their starting positions for the main event. Once the green flag drops, buckle up for a white-knuckled display of racing prowess. Expect close battles, strategic pit stops, and heart-stopping overtakes as drivers vie for victory. Keep an eye on the big screens for driver updates and real-time race statistics. The electric atmosphere will leave you breathless!

Post-Race Festivities and Making Memories

The checkered flag marks the end of the race, but the memories live on! Celebrate the winner with fellow fans, revel in the excitement, and maybe even catch a glimpse of your favorite driver. Don’t forget to capture photos and videos to document this unforgettable day. As the crowds disperse, take a moment to appreciate the incredible display of motorsport engineering and athleticism you just witnessed. The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix promises an exhilarating experience that will leave you hungry for more.

YFZ450R’s Legacy and Racing Champions Honored at U.S. Manufacturing Facility

By
Official Release
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Iconic Yamaha ATV Celebrates 20 Years with Factory Event

MARIETTA, Ga., March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, a leading manufacturer in the powersports industry, recently hosted a significant event at Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation (YMMC) in Newnan, Georgia, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the YFZ450R sport ATV. The experience brought together media representatives, current and former YFZ racers and champions, as well as Yamaha employees to honor the illustrious history of the beloved vehicle.

The anniversary celebration aimed to showcase Yamaha’s commitment to excellence and highlight the achievements of the YFZ’s bLU cRU racers throughout the decades. Attendees were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Yamaha’s state-of-the-art factory, witnessing the production process of Yamaha’s Proven Off-Road ATVs and Side-by-Sides, as well as their innovative WaveRunners and Golf Cars. In addition, the more than 2,000 factory employees were treated to an autograph session with the esteemed racers, featuring a custom 20th anniversary YFZ poster.

“Yamaha celebrates the enduring legacy of our YFZ450R, from its revolutionary beginnings twenty years ago to its podium success today. We honor the dedication of our racers, employees, and loyal enthusiasts who have made this journey remarkable,” said Ryan Stiver, Yamaha’s ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) Product Line Manager.

Recognized YFZ racers included 9-time Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) champion, Bill Ballance; 7-time GNCC XC1 Pro ATV champion, Walker Fowler; Quadcross champion and former factory tester, Dustin Nelson; GNCC WXC ATV titleholder, Jessica Elioff; bLU cRU ambassador and nearly 30-year pro-level GNCC racer, Johnny Gallagher; former factory tester and first pro racer to compete aboard the original YFZ450, Kory Ellis. YFZ racers unable to attend, but still recognized at the occasion were 8-time ATV MX champion, Chad Wienen; reigning ATV MX champion, Joel Hetrick; current GNCC XC1 Pro ATV titleholder, Brycen Neal.

Also at the celebration, Jessica Elioff recognized International Women’s Day with YMMC staff before securing her third consecutive victory that weekend in a challenging GNCC race at Aonia, GA.

“As a racer, being part of Yamaha’s celebration for the 20th anniversary of the YFZ450R is truly special,” stated 7-time GNCC XC1 Pro ATV champion, Walker Fowler. “The YFZ has been more than just a machine to us; it’s been a part of our lives, our victories, and our passion for racing. To see Yamaha honor its legacy in such a grand way is a testament to their lasting commitment to the sport and the dedication of everyone involved.”

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of the GNCC’s Manufacturer’s Cup award from the Yamaha Motorsports team to YMMC’s president, Taka Imanishi, and YMMC’s VP of manufacturing, Bob Brown. The award is symbolic of the factory’s dedication and hard work in producing championship-winning vehicles for over 35 years.

As Yamaha looks ahead, the company remains dedicated to continuing the legacy of the YFZ450R, fueled by the passion and commitment of ATV enthusiasts worldwide.

Every Yamaha SxS and full-size ATV is proudly Assembled in the USA at Yamaha’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia, for worldwide distribution. For further information on the bLU cRU program, visit YamahabLUcRU.com. REALize Your Adventure and learn more about Yamaha’s 2024 Proven Off-Road line-up at YamahaOutdoors.com, or by visiting your local Yamaha dealer. Connect with Yamaha on social media via @YamahaOutdoors, tune in to the Yamaha Outdoors podcast on listening apps, or search the following hashtags on all platforms: #Yamaha #REALizeYourAdventure #ProvenOffRoad #bLUcRU #YFZ450R #AssembledInUSA

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).

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