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HighPoint.com Racing: Chase Briscoe Richmond Advance

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

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

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).

Perseverance pays, Crawford scores two top-10 finishes in Australia after rough start to F2 weekend

Jan CRAWFORD #7 Dams. © 2024 Dutch Photo Agency MELBOURNE (AU), 21 - 24 March 2024: Australian Grandprix at Albert Park Street Circuit.

MELBOURNE, Australia (25 March 2024) – Jak Crawford rebounded from a difficult qualifying session to run a pair of competitive FIA Formula 2 Championship races in his third weekend driving for DAMS Lucas Oil, finishing 10th in both the Sprint Race and Feature Race despite having to start 22nd in both events.

The 18-year-old Texan also scored the first fastest lap of his F2 career in the Feature, leading the race with two laps remaining before his mandatory pit stop.

The strong pace and impressive forward progress in the races followed a challenging start to the weekend.

On the first lap of qualifying, Crawford took a trip into the grass and subsequently cut a tire, forcing him to pit lane for a new set. His final qualifying run was truncated following contact with a barrier, leaving him without a representative time from the critical session.

“It was very unfortunate the way it started out,” Crawford said of the Australian weekend. “I had a technical issue in practice, which was no fault of the team, and then we didn’t get it right in qualifying. We struggled and I was off a little. That forced me to push the limits, and I ended up crashing. So instead of getting something, I wound up last. This weekend showed just how important qualifying is.”

Without a competitive lap, Crawford was slotted 22nd and last for both races. He gained five positions on the opening of the 23-lap Sprint Race, and went up to 13th after a pair of early cautions. Crawford battled to 14th over the opening nine laps, and worked his way to 11th with six laps remaining. He ended up strong, passing the current championship leader on the final lap to place 10th.

“Everyone was on the same tire, and it was a carnage, with a lot of safety car laps,” he said. “At the end, the speed was quite good. [On the last lap] it didn’t mean anything as far as the points, but it felt quite good to make the move and get the position.”

DAMS opted for an alternative strategy for the 33-lap Feature, one of the few teams to start on the medium compound tire that was used in the Sprint Race. Crawford went from starting 22nd to move up to 15th by the time a virtual safety car arrived on lap nine, and then went up to fifth when the competitors who started on the super-soft compound took their mandatory stop.

Unfortunately, another caution – this time involving a safety car – bunched the field up behind him. When racing resumed on lap 16, Crawford made a pass to take third, and then began running down second place with 12 laps remaining.

He set fast lap on the medium tire three times, taking second position with five laps remaining and then passing the race leader with two laps to go. He then made his mandatory stop, falling to 13th, but once again setting another fastest race lap on the softer compound as he raced into the final points paying spot with a 10th place result.

“It was very, very positive to set those fastest laps,” he said. “We were really fast on the medium compound after more than 20 laps. My tires were old, but I had more pace than the guys running on the other newer tires. I was working my way up the field but it was unfortunate the way it fell with the safety car. But we did really well, and we learned a lot. We had really good race pace. But on my side, I’m disappointed on how it went down in qualifying.”

The two points for 10th and fastest lap have him tied for seventh in the standings with 26 points.

After three race weekends in March, Crawford gets nearly a two-month break in F2 competition. He will have an official F2 test in Barcelona from April 23-25, with the next race at Imola May 18-19.

“We ended up with a lot of positives, so now we go back to Europe and really start the season.”

Ty Dillon Joins Kaulig Racing’s 2024 Cup Driver Lineup

Dillon Set to Compete in Limited Schedule in the No. 16 Camaro ZL1

Lexington, N.C. (March 25, 2024) – Kaulig Racing announces that Ty Dillon will make his first 2024 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) start in the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Richmond Raceway on March 31.

Dillon, a 10-year NCS veteran with over 200 career starts, will compete in a limited schedule for Kaulig Racing.

“I’m excited to be back in the NASCAR Cup Series with Kaulig Racing,” said Dillon. “This is the highest level of our sport and allows me to go out and prove what I can do with great leaders in Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice, Travis Mack, and the entire team. Kaulig Racing gives me the best opportunity to showcase what I can do on the track.”

Dillon, grandson of Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress, is currently competing for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title.

“We’re excited to have Ty Dillon compete for Kaulig Racing this season in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Chris Rice, President of Kaulig Racing. “With our continued success in the sport and support from Richard Childress Racing, it made perfect sense to lean on a veteran driver to help pilot the No.16 NCS.”

In addition to Richmond, Dillon will run in the No. 16 Camaro ZL1 at the following races:

  • Texas Motor Speedway (April 14)
  • New Hampshire Motor Speedway (June 23)
  • Richmond (August 11)
  • Kansas Speedway (September 29)

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.

King of the Road: Byron Completes Perfect Weekend At EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix

William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports celebrates his second win of the season in Victory Lane following Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas outside of Austin, Texas. Photo Credit: NASCAR at COTA/Harold Hinson Photography
  • After topping the charts in practice and earning the pole in qualifying, Byron outpaced the field in Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas.
  • Fans can renew tickets to the 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix online at NASCARatCOTA.com.

AUSTIN, Texas (March 24, 2024) – William Byron had the car to beat all weekend at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, but when the checkered flag fell, nobody could catch the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 machine.

Byron held off a hard-charging Christopher Bell in the closing laps and managed to outpace the field to complete the perfect weekend, which included being fastest in practice and winning the pole. That pole was the 13th of his career and the first he converted into a victory.

Bell and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs finished second and third, respectively, with Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman finishing fourth and 23XI’s Tyler Reddick in fifth. The performance by Gibbs matched his career-best performance established this season at Phoenix.

“I feel like I made a lot of mistakes in the last 10 laps,” Byron said. “This sport is just so hard. Week in and week out to show up and have fast cars, I’m just thankful for the team I have around me. It’s a lot of fun to win races, but it’s really difficult too.

“It was a really challenging race. It was a really fast middle portion of the race. The 48 (Bowman) was coming on strong, and the 20 (Bell) at the end.”

Despite a late charge, which closed the final margin of victory to just 0.692 seconds, Bell said he would have had a difficult time making a pass for the win.

“It seems like another lap and I would have gotten (to him), for sure,” he said. “Passing him was going to be difficult. I needed him to make a mistake, and he didn’t.”

Byron’s pit crew came up big on the final stop of the day, getting the Charlotte native out three seconds faster than the next closest team and providing the cushion he needed to pull out the victory.

“When we’re on, we’re firing on all cylinders,” Byron said of his team following the race. “We prepared really well this week.”

Byron, who notched six wins in 2023, now has two just six races into his 2024 season. The other came in the season-opening Daytona 500.

Outside of two stage breaks, the 68-lap affair went caution-free.

Bell, already locked into the Playoffs by virtue of a win at Phoenix earlier this season, earned his first-ever stage win at Circuit of The Americas at the end of the first stage, while his teammate Denny Hamlin powered his No. 11 Toyota to victory in the second stage.

Tickets:

Fans can renew their tickets for the 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix online at NASCARatCOTA.com. Those who renew in the next 30 days will receive a free pair of Shady Rays sunglasses.

Follow Us:

Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Circuit of the Americas

EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
Austin, Texas – March 24, 2024

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 DISCOUNT TIRE FORD MUSTANG

START: 11TH STAGE ONE: 4TH STAGE TWO: 28TH FINISH: 18TH POINTS: 19TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang, fought to an 18th-place finish in Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Cindric showcased the speed of his car right from the start, powering to the seventh position after starting 11th. The Discount Tire machine sustained heavy nose damage in the opening laps but remained on track through the end of Stage 1 to finish fourth as other drivers pitted early. Under the caution period, crew chief Brian Wilson called Cindric to pit road for the team to assess the damage and make repairs to the grille and fenders. With heavy damage to the duct work, the Team Penske driver restarted 39th for the launch of Stage 2, gradually elevating a few positions to conclude the segment in the 28th position. After pitting just prior to the Stage-end, Cindric remained on track during the break and fired off 18th for the third and final chunk. Cindric’s drive never faltered as he battled through to notch an 18th-place result.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “We made some progress at the start and then it all pretty much came to an end with a couple of guys getting spun off turn 11. I got a ton of damage and the guys had to pretty much take the air box out of it which makes the engine extremely inefficient and down on power. It was a fight from there, but we made some improvements in the car over the weekend and thought we had something to compete inside the top-10 today. It’s frustrating to not fully see our potential today.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/JACK LINK’S FORD MUSTANG

START: 28TH STAGE ONE: 23RD STAGE TWO: 2ND FINISH: 12TH POINTS: 3RD

RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Jack Link’s Ford Mustang team fought their way to a 12th-place finish Sunday at Circuit of the Americas in the NASCAR Cup Series’ first road course event of the 2024 season. After starting 28th, Blaney gained seven spots in the first five laps before making his first trip to pit road under green with four laps remaining in the opening stage, resulting in a 23rd-place finish in Stage 1. The No. 12 team’s strategy call to flip the stage saw Blaney line up 15th for the start of Stage 2 as he battled his way towards the top-10. As green flag pit stops began in the latter stages of the second segment, Blaney was scored second with two to go and got within two car lengths of the leader but ultimately settled for a second-place finish in Stage 2. Following a four-tire stop at the stage break, Blaney worked his way up to 18th during the opening laps of the final stage before going for a spin in turn 11 that saw him drop out of the top-20 in the running order. Despite the setback, Blaney worked his way back through the field and made his final pit stop with 17 laps to go and made up 11 positions over the course of the final run to come away with a 12-place finish.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “We didn’t start great. We got some stage points in Stage 2 and then the start of Stage 3 we were really good and drove up to the low teens and I spun out passing somebody into [turn] 11. That set us back. Then we drove back through the field to finish 12th. I thought we had pretty decent at the end, we just didn’t start up front. Spinning out didn’t help. We probably could have run seventh or eighth, but we still have some work to do.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG

START: 35TH STAGE ONE: 24TH STAGE TWO: 24TH FINISH: 11TH POINTS: 22ND

RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang team rallied for an 11th-place finish after starting 35th at Circuit of the Americas Sunday afternoon in the Cup Series’ first of five road course races on the 2024 schedule. Logano made up nine spots in the first four laps before the No. 22 team opted to flip the opening stage by bringing the Shell-Pennzoil Ford to pit road on lap 11 for a four-tire stop, resulting in a 24th-place finish in Stage 1. The strategy call allowed Logano to restart Stage 2 from 17th as the No. 22 team planned to go the rest of the way on only two more stops, prompting Logano to hit pit road with five laps remaining in Stage 2 as Logano was scored 24th at the conclusion of the second, 15-lap segment. Logano lined up to take the green flag from 14th at the start of the final stage and fought his way up to ninth on the leaderboard before hitting pit road for the final time – along with a handful of the leaders – with 24 laps to go. As the race stayed green the rest of the way, Logano worked his way through traffic over the course of the final run to secure an 11th-place finish.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “We passed a few cars and then we always flipped the stages. We were trying to go for a finish. 11th, the way our season has gone so far. We will take that and start scratching and clawing our way up in the points. We probably left a few out there with the stages but, overall, we had decent pace at the end. Nothing to win with but something we can run with in the top-10 if we were up there. On to Richmond. I am looking forward to that one.”

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Richmond Raceway for Round 7 of the 2024 season on Sunday, March 31 for the Toyota Owners 400. Coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Burton Finishes 31st at COTA

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang Dark Horse finished 31st in Sunday’s Echopark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Burton started Sunday’s 68-lap race over the 20-turn road course from 29th place. An early spin dropped him to 36th place. The team made its first pit stop at Lap 10 and ended the first 15-lap Stage in 33rd place.

After a pit stop on Lap 25, Burton ended Stage Two in 32nd place.

The third and final Stage initially looked much more promising for the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team as Burton, having made his stop before the end of the previous Stage, moved into the top 20 when racing resumed following the Stage break.

Burton pitted from 27th place at Lap 42 then moved into the top 25 just past the 50-lap mark and ran there until a pit stop for fuel at Lap 58 dropped him out of the top 30. There were no caution flags in the race other than for the Stage breaks.

Next up for Burton and the Wood Brothers team is a 400-lapper next Sunday at Richmond Raceway.

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.”

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

About Ford Performance
Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.

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

Buescher Leads RFK with Top-10 Effort at COTA

No. 17 Team Earns Third Top-10 in Four Weeks; Keselowski Finishes 34th at Road Course

AUSTIN, Texas (March 24, 2024) – Chris Buescher drove to an impressive eighth-place finish at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) Sunday afternoon to lead all Ford drivers, while Brad Keselowski finished 34th in the Castrol Edge Ford.

The top-10 marks the third-straight for Buescher, who also now has three-straight top-10 efforts on road courses dating back to 2023. Keselowski earned a sixth-place finish in stage two, earning valuable stage points.

6 Recap
Keselowski had an up-and-down day in Austin after starting from the 34th position based on group qualifying Saturday. In a race that ran all green – minus the stage breaks – Keselowski and the Castrol Edge team employed strategy to flip track position by the end of the stage (lap 15). They did just that, finishing 12th by the end of the stage, and would line back up 22nd for stage two.

The team would do the same thing again in stage two, leaving Keselowski on track as a majority of the pack hit pit road by the stage end. The No. 6 would earn a sixth-place finish in the segment, setting him up with stage points and 20th to restart the final stage.

From there, Keselowski battled to a 34th-place result.

17 Recap
Buescher again drove his way through the field after going to the rear prior to the race for a mechanical change (steering rack). The Fastenal team used somewhat of an opposite strategy than the No. 6, pitting prior to the stage end in both race scenarios.

After starting from the tail end, Buescher drove to 26th by the time of his first stop at lap 12, finishing in the same spot to end the stage (lap 15). He restarted 22nd in the segment, and again hit pit road from the 14th position at lap 25. He went on to end the stage in 18th, which set him up for a top-10 position to begin the final run to the finish.

He fired off eighth at lap 33, and after his final pit stop at lap 44 under green, drove back into the top-10 and remained there to earn the eighth-place result.

“We were behind the eight ball to get started there, having to drop to the rear,” Buescher said following the race. “We had a freak deal happen with a parts failure in practice and qualifying. That was unfortunate but I am proud of everybody on this Fastenal Ford Mustang team to pick ‘em off all day long.

“That was the name of the game. We knew we would be in a really tough spot all day and we knew we would need a handful of things to fall our way if we were going to compete for a win. I am proud of the top-10 finish. We had some big gains. We have some stuff that we learned and we will be better next time.”

Up Next
Richmond Raceway hosts the seventh race of the season next weekend, with a night race set for Easter Sunday. Race coverage is set for 7 p.m. ET on FOX, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 37th season in 2024, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: COTA

William Byron, driver of the #24 RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, and Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 The Beast Unleashed Toyota, race during the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 24, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. William Byron: Byron assumed the lead on Lap 51 when Martin Truex Jr. pitted from the lead. Byron led the final 17 laps and cruised to the win in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, his second win of the season.

“I started on the pole,” Byron said, “and my Chevy was clearly the best on the track all day. Therefore, the outcome of the race was a ‘24-gone conclusion.'”

2. Christopher Bell: Bell won Stage 1 at COTA and tried his best to chase down William Byron for the lead late, but couldn’t catch the Hendrick driver and settled for the runner-up spot.

“Congratulations to William,” Bell said. “His road course acumen really showed and he was clearly the best driver on the track on Sunday. So, at least for a day, he was the ‘GOAT-A’ at COTA.”

3. Ty Gibbs: Gibbs took third in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit Of The Americas. Gibbs has top-10 or better finishes in five of six races this season.

“I can’t believe we went a whole race without a caution for cause,” Gibbs said. “What’s even more unbelievable is that NASCAR allowed it to happen. If there was ever the right time to throw a ‘phantom caution,’ the end of that race was the time. What this race lacked in excitement, it made up for in boredom.”

4. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex finished 10th in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, posting his fourth top 10 of the season.

“I had to make a much too early pit stop for a tire situation,” Truex said. “It seemed I had a shattered tire rim. And that pit stop was punctuated by a ‘rim shot’ on the drums.”

5. Ryan Blaney: Blaney overcame a late spin to finish 12th in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.

“Road course racing may not be my cup of tea,” Blaney said. “But like most NASCAR fans, I don’t drink my tea from a cup, I drink it from a bong.

“I’m still winless this season, but I’m posting solid results on every type of track we race on. And I’m thinking big picture. In other words, the Playoffs, and everybody knows what happened in the Playoffs last year: ‘The Menards were separated from the boys.'”

6. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin led three laps and finished 14th at COTA.

“My car featured the colors and scheme of Interstate Batteries,” Hamlin said.”Interstate Battery” is also known as what Ross Chastain does when he goes state to state to NASCAR tracks and drives into various cars.

7. Ross Chastain: Chastain led 10 laps on his way to a seventh-place finish in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.

“Road course races are like buffets,” Chastain said. “That’s because they have an international flavor. And that’s what makes them so popular. Ask any NASCAR fan; they can definitely relate to a buffet.”

8. Tyler Reddick: Reddick was strong all day at Austin and finished fifth in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.

“I was lucky enough to be a part of Michael Waltrip’s ‘Grid Walk,'” Reddick said. “And, I am unlucky enough to be nearly a foot shorter than Waltrip and ‘Grid Walk’ guest, University Of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.”

9. Kyle Larson: Larson finished 18th at COTA.

“I suffered a spin during Stage 2 that really cost me a lot of track position,” Larson said. “By ‘suffered,’ I mean ‘Christopher Bell did it.’ Bell also did the same to Kyle Busch. So that’s two of us he spun. That left us saying, ‘What the Hells, Bell?'”

10. Alex Bowman: Bowman took fourth at COTA as Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron snagged the win.

“The story of the day was the battle between Toyota and Chevrolet,” Bowman said. “So, I guess the only notable part of the Fords was the back seat.”