Spire Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway: In 16 NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) Spire Motorsports has logged one win, two top-five and six top-10 finishes. Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at DIS on July 7, 2019. The Mooresville, N.C.,-headquartered team will field the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the Daytona 500 with drivers Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively.

Flag-to-Flag Coverage: The 66th running of the Daytona 500 will be televised live on FOX, Sunday, February 18 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The first of 36 races on the 2024 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Corey LaJoie – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Corey LaJoie is heading into his fourth full-time season behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports in the NCS. 2024 marks LaJoie’s eighth career start in The Great American Race.
• As the series heads to the high banks of Daytona, Chili’s Bar & Grill will serve as the primary sponsor of LaJoie in the prestigious event. Chili’s known for their margarita beverages will showcase their ‘Rita’ branding on LaJoie’s race car as the ‘Catch a Rita’ No. 7 Chevy takes to the track on February 18th.
• Since joining Spire in 2021, LaJoie has finished no worse than 16th in the Daytona 500 with that 16th-place finish coming last February. His other two finishes in the 500 in the No. 7 include a ninth-place finish in 2021 and a 14th-place finish in 2022.
• The 32-year-old North Carolina native had a career year in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023 earning two top-five, three top-10 and eight top-15 finishes while leading a total of 66 laps. LaJoie’s best career finish in NASCAR’s premiere series is a fourth-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March of 2023.
• 2024 will mark LaJoie’s eighth start in the Daytona 500.
• LaJoie has two-top 10 finishes in The Great American Race coming in 2020 (eighth) and 2021 (ninth). Overall, in his seven previous starts, he has only finished worse than 18th twice (2017 – 24th & 2018 – 40th).
• LaJoie has led one lap in the Daytona 500, which came in the 2020 race but has led 8 laps total at the speedway in NCS competition. Furthermore, he has completed 86.6 percent of the laps he has attempted (2,205 of 2,546).
• LaJoie’s average finish at Daytona International Speedway is 18.1 with four Top-10 finishes overall.

Corey LaJoie Quotes:
Daytona 500. New season. New opportunity. Obviously Spire made a lot of moves in the last six months and its bursting at the seams. There’s a lot going on. You’re a good speedway racer. Talk about your thoughts as we head towards the Daytona 500.
“It’s the granddaddy. Everybody is pumped up. Everything is new. We’re all excited. New paint schemes. New people coming for different places. Also, bringing in a new partner like Chili’s into the fold is huge for our team. I was texting with (Spire Motorsports co-owner) Jeff Dickerson when we were doing a 12-hour production day with those guys for their TV spot and I said ‘Look at us. We literally went from a white board in the conference room to 150 people and we’re filming a commercial with Chili’s to be on national television.’ It’s a pretty wild journey that we’ve been on. For us to get to a place where a brand like Chili’s would consider partnering with us for the biggest race of the year is something I take a lot of pride in. I’m proud of us. Hopefully we can do a great job for them. They’re investing heavily outside of the partnership with Spire Motorsports to activate the program and hopefully we can continue to grow that.

“Everybody has a chance to win Daytona. With T.J. Bell, my spotter and I have really dialed in what communication we need throughout the race to put ourselves in a good position to try and take advantage at the end. My crew chief Ryan Sparks and I have really worked on strategy in terms of fuel timing of where we need to be and when we need to be there. But, it also comes down to fate. Hopefully we can put ourselves in position to take advantage of a little luck and whatever happens, let it happen.”

The million-dollar question is always when is the right time to make a move and go? Is it three laps to go or two to go? Is it one to go? Is it coming off Turn Four, heading to the checkered flag?
“I think, anymore, you have to go from lap one. These Next Gen cars don’t build runs. It’s hard to get track position. You can’t drive them like the old cars and go from 20th to the lead in three laps. The cars don’t punch as big of a hole in the air as the old ones, so the runs don’t come as quick. The mirrors in these cars are a lot easier to cover. You can see runs coming from further away with the rear-view camera. So, if someone wants to make a move on you, you can cover it easier than you could with the old mirrors and the spotters are so good. They can see energy. The can see things building. That’s why you don’t see a whole lot of mixing, and moving and shaking, because everyone knows how guys are trying to get positions. It’s really a track position game all day. I feel like we have to have the same demeanor about track position at Daytona as we do at Martinsville. We want good track position early and maintain it all day long.

“If you happen to be in position where a wreck catches you up, that’s just part of the deal. I love the fact that we’re in a place now where we don’t have to go in and ride around in the back all day and then try and make something happen with five to go. We can afford to put ourselves in position to win the race. However we see necessary to do that, we can go do it.”

Zane Smith – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Zane Smith will start his first full-time NCS Season at Daytona International Speedway, debuting his No. 71 WeatherTech Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. The Bolingbrook, Ill. company founded by CEO David MacNeil, will be part of the 2024 Daytona 500 serving as the primary sponsor for the Trackhouse Racing development driver.
• For decades, WeatherTech has delivered on its promise of quality and craftsmanship through a commitment to American-made auto, home and pet products. Globally renowned for its laser-measured FloorLiner™ and innovative CupFone®, the Bolingbrook, Illinois headquartered company continues to push industry boundaries through superior design, engineering and international brand recognition. More information can be found at weathertech.com.
• On Sunday at 9:30 a.m. EST, Smith will appear for a Q&A at the Midway Stage. Following that Smith will make an appearance at the Chevy Display at 10 a.m. in the midway.
• Smith will join the U.S. Air Force on Friday in a F-16 Fighting Falcons Thunderbird. These Thunderbirds are the same jets that will be flying over track on Sunday, for the start of the 66th running of the Daytona 500.
• Smith made his Daytona 500 debut in 2023 where he started 17th and finished 13th driving the No. 36 car for Front Row Motorsports. Smith competed in eight Cup races but retains his rookie status and will be one of the favorite’s to win the rookie of the year honors in 2024.
• To learn more about Smith, visit his website at www.zanesmithracing.com.
• Sunday will also mark the debut of Stephen Doran as a full-time NCS crew chief. The Pennsylvania native worked as an engineer on Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 4 team in 2023.

Zane Smith Quotes:
What does it mean to have WeatherTech as the primary sponsor of your No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet for the Daytona 500?
“You always want a sponsor who does cool things or makes cool stuff and it looks like we got one of the best for Daytona. I’ve already gone to WeatherTech’s website to find things for my personal cars. I feel this paint scheme is the perfect fit for the ‘Great American Race’ and I’m eager to get out on the track to show all the fans. I wish this race started tomorrow.”
Second time ever running the Daytona 500, how do you feel?
“It is a dream come true to race in the Daytona 500, especially with this No. 71 Spire Motorsports team. This is going to be a fun season, but I know it’s going to be challenging, as well. I’m ready to get our year going.”
What are your thoughts on Crew Chief Stephen Doran?
“We laugh about which one will be more nervous at the start. Me behind the wheel or Stephen on top of the pit box. I am very fortunate to have someone like Stephen leading my team. We are going to learn a lot together this year.”

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• The 2024 season will mark Carson Hocevar’s first full season in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and will make his Daytona 500 debut behind the wheel of the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with co-primary sponsorship from Zeigler Auto Group and Gainbridge. The Daytona 500 will mark Hocevar’s first NCS start at Daytona International Speedway.
• Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers. Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top one percent of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2023. The family-owned and -operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor’s top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.
• Gainbridge Insurance Agency, LLC (“Gainbridge”), a Group 1001 company, is an insurtech which strives to offer products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Gainbridge’s digital-first distribution model underpins its mission to reach all communities, including those that have been historically underserved by the national financial system.
• Hocevar will greet fans and participate in a question-and-answer session at the Chevy display in the DIS midway Sunday, February 18 at 11 a.m. EST.
• Hocevar will be featured on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. ET following each race weekend to discuss his rookie season.
• Hocevar has competed in three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) races at Daytona International Speedway, earning a venue-best fifth-place finish February 12, 2021. Over those three starts, the Plymouth, Mich., driver hasn’t finished worse than 12th.
• Luke Lambert, a native of Mount Airy, N.C., will serve as Hocevar’s crew chief in 2024. Lambert comes to Spire Motorsports from LEGACY MOTOR CLUB where he guided the team’s No. 42 NCS effort last season, connecting with Hocevar when he drove for the team in eight of the final 10 races of 2023. In 20 NCS races calling the shots from a top the pit box at the “World Center of Racing,” Lambert has collectively led six different drivers to two top-five and six top-10 finishes. Meanwhile, the veteran NASCAR top kick has called four NASCAR Xfinity races at DIS, accumulating two top-three and three top-six finishes. The 2005 North Carolina State graduate has led the competition efforts for some of the sport’s most notable names including Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler and Chris Buescher. In 2014, Lambert led Newman to a berth in the Championship 4, and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings.

Carson Hocevar Quotes:
How does your experience racing a truck at Daytona translate to competing in the Daytona 500? Are there any key differences in car handling, drafting strategy, or mental preparation?
“Yeah, unfortunately I haven’t ran this track in a cup car before but drafting seems pretty similar. The people in my ear are going to be the ones I look to. My spotter Tyler (Green) and Luke (Lambert), they’ve both had success on superspeedways. They’re going to really help my learning curve.”

You mentioned learning valuable lessons from your Daytona truck races. Were any of those learnings sponsored, literally or figuratively, by the support of your family and friends who might be returning to cheer you on this year?
“I have so many friends and family coming and with the support of Gainbridge and Zeigler, it’s going to be amazing to have everyone there this weekend. One year ago, I was sitting watching the Daytona 500 envying those Cup drivers who got to race, and now I’m racing in it. It’s super cool to finally have a role in this race and do my best.”
As a fan, what’s your favorite Daytona 500 memory?
“I went to the Daytona 500 as a kid in 2014 when Dale Jr. won and knew then and there that I wanted to race a Cup car on this track. It’s surreal my dream has come true and sometimes I still don’t believe it.”

From the Top of the Box

Ryan Sparks – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Ryan Sparks serves in a dual role as both Spire Motorsports competition director and crew chief for driver Corey LaJoie and the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• Sparks, a Winston-Salem, N.C., native, has been paired with LaJoie since 2020.
• Combined, Sparks and LaJoie have earned three top-five and six top-10 finishes, including a pair of top fours in 2023.

Stephen Doran – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Stephen Doran begins his first full season as a Cup Series crew chief leading Zane Smith and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet team during the 2024 season.
• In 2006, Doran got his start in NASCAR at Petty Enterprises.
• Since 2012, he has worked at Stewart-Haas Racing as an engineer, most recently on the No. 4 car driven by Kevin Harvick.

Luke Lambert – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Luke Lambert is the crew chief for Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 team with 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year candidate Carson Hocevar
• The 2005 North Carolina State graduate has led the competition efforts for some of the sport’s most notable names including Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler and Chris Buescher.
• In 2014, Lambert led Newman to a berth in the Championship 4, and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings.

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

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 20, 2023, when Kyle Larson took the checkered flag in the Tyson 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

After a disappointing outing in the non-points Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum a week ago, Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/DEX Imaging team are fired up heading into this weekend’s Great American Race – the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

“The Clash is one thing, and I know it’s the first race on the schedule, but there’s something special about loading up to head to the Daytona 500,” said the team’s crew chief Jeremy Bullins, who won the 500 two years ago with Team Penske’s Austin Cindric as his driver and was runner-up in 2017 with Ryan Blaney in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford.

“It’s the obvious race on the schedule that everyone wants to win,” Bullins said. “While it’s changed a lot over the years with different cars and rule packages, you never stop getting excited about it.”

“We can’t wait to see how competitive our Mustang Dark Horse is and look forward to having some practice sessions to get the handling dialed in and try to kick the season off with a great finish for this Wood Brothers Racing team.”

The Wood Brothers have a long and storied history in the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s biggest race. They have five 500 victories beginning with their win in the 1963 event with Tiny Lund at the wheel of the iconic No. 21 Ford. Trevor Bayne delivered the Woods their most recent 500 victory in 2011.

In between were 500 triumphs with three giants of the sport – Cale Yarborough in 1968, A.J. Foyt in 1972 and David Pearson in 1976.

Preliminary events prior to the start of Sunday’s 66th-annual Daytona 500 kick off with pole qualifying on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 8:35 p.m. Only the top-two starting positions will be determined in this session.

The twin Bluegreen Vacations Duel qualifying races that will determine the remainder of the 500 starting grid will be run Thursday evening, with the first 60-lap, 150-mile race getting the green flag at 7 p.m. The second race will start at approximately 8:45.

Two practice sessions are scheduled, the first on Friday at 5:35 p.m. and the second on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

The green flag for Sunday’s 200-lap Daytona 500 is set to fly just after 2:30 p.m., with Stage breaks planned for Laps 65 and 130.

FOX Sports 1 will televise the preliminary events, with the coverage switching to FOX for the 500.

About DEX Imaging
DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
Reducing Operating Costs
Reducing Paper Consumption
Increasing Productivity

DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.

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.

NOAH GRAGSON
Daytona Speedweek
Pole Qualifying | Duel | Daytona 500
No. 10 Black Rifle Coffee/Ranger Boats Ford Mustang

Event Overview

Wednesday, Feb. 14:

● Daytona 500 qualifying (single-lap qualifying to determine pole for the Daytona 500

● Time/TV/Radio: 8 p.m. ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Thursday, Feb. 15:

● Bluegreen Vacations Duel (twin 150-mile qualifying races that set the field for the Daytona 500)

● Time/TV/Radio: 7 p.m. ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Sunday, Feb. 18:

● 66th annual Daytona 500 (first of 36 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races in 2024)

●  Time/TV/Radio: 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Noah Gragson comes to Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with a new team in Stewart-Haas Racing, but with familiar colors. His No. 10 Ford Mustang carries a similar paint scheme to the one he ran for the majority of his NASCAR Xfinity Series career where Gragson was a 13-time race winner and perennial championship contender. Black Rifle Coffee, Ranger Boats, TrueTimber and Winchester Repeating Arms will adorn Gragson’s car throughout Speedweek and will reappear on the No. 10 Ford Mustang for multiple races in 2024, including the series’ second race – the Ambetter Health 400 Feb. 25 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

● The 66th Daytona 500 will mark Gragson’s third appearance in The Great American Race and just his fourth overall NASCAR Cup Series start at Daytona. The driver of the No. 10 Black Rifle Coffee/Ranger Boats Ford Mustang earned his best Daytona 500 result in his second Daytona 500 start – 24th last year. However, it was the 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona where Gragson secured an impressive fifth-place finish. It was Gragson’s first top-five and it came in just his 11th career Cup Series start.

● With only 39 career NASCAR Cup Series starts, Gragson is still relatively new to the Cup Series, but he is not new to NASCAR. Gragson spent 2015-2016 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, known today as the ARCA Menards Series. He then ran the full NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule in 2017-2018 before graduating to the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In four fulltime seasons (2019-2022) in the stepping-stone division to the elite Cup Series, Gragson won 13 races and finished among the top-10 in points each year, earning the series’ most popular driver award in his final season. Gragson made it to the Championship 4 twice, finishing third in 2021 and second in 2022 with a series-high eight victories.

● Gragson won twice in the Truck Series – Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in October 2017 and Kansas Speedway in May 2018 – and finished second in the 2018 championship, where he picked up the Truck Series’ most popular driver award. Those Truck Series results were a continuation of the kind of talent Gragson showcased in the K&N Pro Series. Gragson raced in this developmental league, regionally split into two divisions – K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West – for two years (2015-2016), winning six races between the two entities and narrowly missing out on the 2015 West title by a scant seven points, but handily securing the rookie-of-the-year title.

● Gragson has made 12 starts on the Daytona oval outside of the NASCAR Cup Series. He has eight Xfinity Series starts and two apiece in the Truck and ARCA Series.

● Gragson’s first career Xfinity Series win came at Daytona in the 2020 season opener. He started 12th and led twice for 15 laps, including the final two, to take the victory over Harrison Burton. Gragson also owns four other Xfinity Series finishes of 15th or better at Daytona, including a third-place drive in the 2022 season opener and a seventh-place finish in August 2021.

● In two career Truck Series starts at Daytona, Gragson got a taste of Daytona’s fickle nature. He completed just one lap in the 2017 season opener before getting taken out in an accident. He then made only 79 of the race’s 200 laps in the 2018 season opener when another multi-vehicle accident ended his day.

● Seventh is Gragson’s best ARCA result at Daytona, earned in the 2018 season opener.

● On-track action for Gragson at Daytona begins with single-lap qualifying Wednesday night when the front row for the Daytona 500 will be set. The Bluegreen Vacations Duel – twin 150-mile qualifying races that set the 40-car field for Sunday’s race – follows on Thursday. Drivers in odd-numbered qualifying positions compete in the first Duel and those in even-numbered qualifying positions battle in the second Duel to fill out the remainder of the starting grid for the Daytona 500.

Noah Gragson, Driver of the No. 10 Black Rifle Coffee/Ranger Boats Ford Mustang

What is your mindset as you begin your first season with Stewart-Haas Racing?

“I’m excited. We’re going to build our confidence together and build our communication, and just grow closer to each other. Going into Daytona, there are definitely things we want to improve and work on, but I feel really comfortable with this group, and I feel confident with them and believe in them. With all of us coming together to start the season off, I think we’re all in a really good head space with a lot of confidence in each other and in our race team.”

As a kid growing up in Las Vegas, what did the Daytona 500 mean to you, and was competing in the Daytona 500 something you always aspired to do?

“Yeah, absolutely. Being a part of the Daytona 500, it’s the biggest race in NASCAR. So, to make it to the Cup level is a big dream fulfilled, but also to have the opportunity to race in the Daytona 500, it’s just a special day, it’s a special atmosphere at the racetrack. It’s a different feeling walking out, going to driver intros, the drivers meeting, and staying on the grid prerace and looking up at all the fans. There’s a different atmosphere of excitement and it’s a privilege to be a part of it. To be there is special, but to be in the race and a part of the show, it’s very special for a kid who was racing Bandoleros at 13 years old at the biggest bullring, and then to literally the biggest race in our sport, to be a part of that is pretty wild.”

Is there a “pinch me” moment amid all the buildup to the Daytona 500?

“I think the ‘pinch me’ moment is probably the buildup of the whole day, with the atmosphere in the pits and the excitement level, and just all the people is a big part of it. Everywhere is packed with people, from the time you leave the hotel and you’re driving to the racetrack, there’s people everywhere. And that buildup throughout the day of putting your suit on and walking out of the hauler and the whole garage area is full of people, you go to the drivers meeting, that room is packed full of people, more than any other place we go to – all that buildup. You get out to pit road and you can’t even walk because there’s so many people. Being able to just take a moment to stand behind the car and look up into the grandstand, appreciate the moment and say, ‘Dang, this is pretty cool to be a part of.’ I remember watching races as a kid and still watch them, it feels a little different, but seeing the prerace of all the cars lined up and everyone on pit road, and to think that I’m one of those people on pit road and I get to wear a firesuit that day, it’s crazy to think about. Once you get that helmet on and you start the engines and you’re rolling off, down pit road and waving at all the pit crew guys who are standing out there giving you a thumbs up and waving back at you, time kind of stops and you’re focused on the task at hand.”

You scored your first top-five in a Cup Series race at Daytona in August 2022. That race had some chaotic moments and you not only managed to be there at the end, but you capitalized on the opportunity. Walk us through some of the moments in that race where you had to make split-second decisions and zig while others zagged, to ultimately put you in a strong position at the end of the race.

“I definitely had a lot of luck. I didn’t initially have a car capable of contending, so I just rode around in the back and waited for them to wreck. The way we were handling all day – the front tires were bouncing around the racetrack – I was super tight, so I couldn’t hold it wide open. But then we got the red flag for rain and before the race went back to green while we were still under caution, we were able to work on the car and kind of diagnose it during that rain delay. It really made it a lot better when we went back racing. I know there were fewer cars on the track, but it was like a completely different car and we were a contender. I guess the wreck before the red flag was pretty hairy, but other than that, we didn’t really get racing until after that red flag, and it ended up working out for us.”

You were running sixth in the 2022 Daytona 500 but you were caught up in a big wreck close to the end. What happened?

“Five to go, running sixth, passing for sixth and then I was going to have a good shot at a top-five or the win but got clipped with (Kyle) Larson and (Kevin) Harvick. They got me in the right rear as I was passing them through the tri-oval. That was a bummer. It was also going to be a dang good payday, too. That’s a big one, that Daytona 500. Unfortunately, I didn’t get it, but I learned a lot during that race, and that’s really what that race was for, just to learn as much as I could. It was my first-ever Cup race, so to be able to go out there with the big boys and run around and be in the top-10 at the end of the deal, we were close, but not close enough.”

How important is the driver/spotter relationship at Daytona, and what kind of information do you need from your spotter when you’re in a 200 mph freight train?

“It’s extremely important having good communication with your spotter and just having a bond with your spotter and understanding how he communicates things, his language, his tone, all that stuff is very important. Fortunately, you have the Duels to work on that communication if you need to make some tweaks. With Andy Houston, I’ve never superspeedway raced with him before. We’ve had a Late Model race together and the Clash and he’s done exceptionally well, and I feel comfortable and confident with him. But at the same time, superspeedway racing, you’re all tight together and there’s a lot of trust in the spotter, so that’ll be a good first test, the Duels, to see if we need to make some tweaks.”

Drivers are often asked about their strategy in a superspeedway race. But what strategy is there for the entire week of Daytona, where you want to show speed, but also keep a clean car through qualifying, the Duel and then, finally, the Daytona 500?

“For me, you just want to dial in the car during practice and really learn as much as you can about your racecar. So you want to have the thing drive as good as you can while still keeping the speed in it, but also just learning what you can do and what you can’t do, and just learning about the car and how other competitors are and where you’re getting your runs at, just learning about your car, and just getting dialed in and getting laps. For me, it’s always about just getting comfortable with the balance, getting that as neutral as possible, and being able to have as much speed as possible. I don’t know if you’re really holding back or not showing your hand, but I want to go as fast as possible every single lap.”

The first of your 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series wins came at Daytona in February 2020. What are the differences between racing in the Xfinity Series at Daytona and racing in the Cup Series at Daytona?

“There’s a lot that’s different. I got into a rhythm in Xfinity where I treated it like a go-kart race. Every single superspeedway, no matter if it’s Daytona or Talladega, the fall race or the beginning of the year, I went out there and had a very ‘checkers or wreckers’ mentality and I was going to be aggressive from the initial start of the race, going through the restart zone and taking the green flag. The Daytona 500 is different where you have the best drivers out there and you’re kind of taking your time to get up through the field and really being methodical with it and putting yourself in good positions. It’s a very prestigious race, and the old saying is you can’t win it on the first lap but you can certainly lose it, right? So you first have to finish in order to finish first. You want to be there at the end, but just utilizing the whole day, 500 miles, of learning your racecar. And probably the second-to-last pit stop and the final pit stop, that’s when the real race really starts and you’re really working yourself into position. It’s those last two pit stops where it’s really go time and you start getting aggressive.”

Your No. 10 Black Rifle Coffee/Ranger Boats Ford Mustang looks a lot like the Xfinity Series car that you drove to a lot of race victories. You’re an outdoorsman who has a longstanding relationship with these brands. How does it feel to continue with Black Rifle Coffee, Ranger Boats, TrueTimber and Winchester Repeating Arms at Stewart-Haas Racing?

“It’s fun. That paint scheme, we had a lot of success with it, the silver and the orange wrapping up around the nose and the TrueTimber camouflage on the hood and the roof, going over the top of the car. It’s kind of like a rebuilding year for myself, and I think there’s no better paint scheme to have – that was my identity in the Xfinity Series. If you think of our team in the Xfinity Series and what we were able to do, that was our identity. So to be able to have a rebuilding year for myself and kind of re-identify myself, getting back to the winning roots, that’s where we want to be. And with that paint scheme, I love that paint scheme and I think it’s going to be a big hit on the racetrack, and there’s no better way to have success. The first time we ran that paint scheme was at Daytona and we were able to win the race in the Xfinity Series for my first win. So it’d be pretty cool to do it again in the Cup Series.”

Before you compete in the Daytona 500, you’ll be in a Ranger Boat on Lake Lloyd competing to catch bass as part of Darrell Gwynn’s Hot Rods & Reels charity fishing tournament. You’ve already talked about the keys to success in regard to racing at Daytona. What’s the key to success when it comes to fishing at Daytona?

“I’ve done the Darrell Gwynn charity event a couple of times. The first year, we had a lot of success and we were ripping them things up into the boat, left and right. Last year, I don’t know if we even caught one fish on the boat, collectively. The key is to have a good fish-finder – as in boat driver and guide – and being in the right spot and knowing that lake. They have a lot of good guys who volunteer to come down there and bring their Ranger Boats and allow us to go catch fish and have fun. It’s a fun event. It raises a lot of money and we have a good time with our lines in the water and just having a little down time to be able to relax and fish. I enjoy fishing as part of relaxing. Daytona is a heavily scheduled race for us – probably the heaviest schedule that we have, doing a bunch of different appearances – so to be able to go out there and relax, that’s one of the things I like to do in my free time, to go fish and relax and kind of regroup, mentally. It’s a good time to do that at Daytona.”

No. 10 Black Rifle Coffee/Ranger Boats Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Noah Gragson

Hometown: Las Vegas

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Jerry Cook

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Engineer: James Kimbrough

Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Andy Houston

Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder

Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard

Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotten

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener

Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Beau Whitley

Hometown: Carmel, Indiana

Tire Specialist: Jacob Cooksey

Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Steven Casper

Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

STATESVILLE, N.C. (February 13, 2024) – LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ today announced a partnership with multi-platinum, GRAMMY® and American Music Award-winning rock band Creed for the 66th running on the ‘Higher’ banks of Daytona. The livery of Jimmie Johnson’s No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE was unveiled earlier this month by Carvana and is a tribute to “The King” Richard Petty’s No. 43 paint scheme that raced the legendary driver raced in 1964 Daytona 500.

Creed will have associate placement on Johnson’s Toyota Camry XSE as they celebrate their forty-city North American tour, called the “Summer of ’99” Tour. Due to fan demand, the band has extended their tour with an additional twenty dates under the “Are You Ready Tour?” banner. Produced by Live Nation, the tour launches on July 17th and will run through December 5th.

“Unless you have lived under a rock, you know every word to every Creed hit,” said Johnson jokingly. “In seriousness, our partnership with Live Nation is very important to us – last year we had Guns’ N Roses on Erik’s (Jones) car and this season another heavy hitter with Creed. The GNR diecast was NASCAR’s second best-seller last season so I’m proud of our relationship with Live Nation and am happy to welcome Creed ‘With Arms Wide Open’ to the Club.”

LEGACY M.C. released artwork with the addition of Creed’s placement today via the Club’s social media accounts.

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Jimmie and his team at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. Having the Creed logo on a car modeled after the legend Richard Petty’s paint scheme is a new career first for us,” adds Creed.

The official 2024 NASCAR season “tour” kicks off this weekend at Daytona International Speedway for the 66th running of the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 18th. Tune in at 2:30 pm ET on FOX, MRN Radio, and SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 to see Johnson compete in his 21st DAYTONA 500.

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

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To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB on Facebook, X, and Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

Leader in the Science of Natural, Hemp-Based Consumable and Therapeutic Products Returns to RCR for Third Year of Partnership

WELCOME, N.C. (February 13, 2024) – 3CHI, a leader in the science of natural, hemp-based consumable and therapeutic products, will return to Richard Childress Racing to build on their pioneering, industry-leading partnership.

In addition to primary sponsorship on the No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driven by Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Cup Series, 3CHI’s multi-faceted partnership with RCR will include a robust marketing activation, strategic content and communication plan, building on a successful partnership that first began three years ago.

“Our relationship with Richard Childress Racing continues to take 3CHI to higher levels,” said Justin Journay, chief executive officer of 3CHI. “On-track, it’s been fun to see the success of the No. 8 team and Kyle Busch, and off-track it’s been incredibly powerful to showcase the best cannabis company in the world and highlight 3CHI’s vast array of cannabinoid products and science-backed formulations.”

3CHI focuses on bringing technology, innovation, research and development into their industry and has earned thousands of consumer testimonials, pushing the boundaries of what’s conceivable in the cannabinoid world. 3CHI and RCR made history as the first partnership of its kind in sports when they first announced their relationship in 2022.

“Much like RCR, 3CHI has been a pioneer in their industry while focusing on technology and innovation,” said Torrey Galida, president of RCR. “Through their partnership with RCR, 3CHI has been able to highlight their innovative spirit and introduce their products to a new and passionate fan base. We’re proud to continue the relationship in 2024.”

Everything produced by 3CHI follows all federal requirements for full legal compliance. 3CHI’s production and distribution of its products strictly adhere to a policy of safety above all else and sales are for responsible adult use only to consumers aged 21 and older.

For more information and all that is going on at RCR, visit rcrracing.com.

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2024 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).