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Top Forex Brokers in Motorsport Sponsorship | 2024

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SM
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In the fast-paced world of motorsport, where speed and precision are paramount, the synergy between racing teams and their sponsors is crucial for achieving pinnacle performance and visibility. Recognizing this dynamic, SpeedwayMedia, in collaboration with IamForexTrader, has meticulously curated a list of Forex brokers who are not just participants in the global financial markets but are also key sponsors in the thrilling realm of motorsport. This partnership highlights the intersection of finance and speed, showcasing how Forex brokers leverage motorsport’s high-octane world to enhance their brand visibility and connect with an audience that values speed, reliability, and performance.

1. FxPro & McLaren F1 Team

FxPro & McLaren F1 Team

Since 2018, FxPro has proudly served as the official sponsor of the iconic McLaren Formula 1 team. This partnership is more than just a sponsorship; it’s a collaboration that elevates performance to new heights on the racetrack and in the financial markets.

FxPro and McLaren Racing are united by a unique sponsorship partnership that embodies their shared values of innovation, technology, speed, and a profound passion for pushing the limits. Both entities relentlessly pursue excellence, constantly seeking to outdo themselves and set new benchmarks in their respective industries.

This collaboration is a testament to the natural synergy between FxPro and McLaren Racing. It provides a robust platform to showcase their unwavering commitment to innovation, precision, and performance. By joining forces, FxPro and McLaren are not just sponsors and partners; they are leaders in their fields, driven by a shared vision to excel and inspire greatness in others.

2. InstaForex & Dragon Racing

InstaForex & Dragon Racing

InstaForex, a leader in the forex industry, has strategically partnered with Dragon Racing in the Formula E series, aligning with its vision for innovation and technology in finance and motorsport. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to pushing technological boundaries and achieving excellence. Dragon Racing, known for its pioneering spirit since its inception, has made significant strides in Formula E, a series that represents progress, high technology, and environmental sustainability.

The partnership with Dragon Racing, which has also attracted major companies like McAfee and Microsoft, positions InstaForex at the forefront of technological advancement in sports sponsorship. Through these collaborations, InstaForex promotes its brand and supports the evolution of motorsport towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

3. Vantage & NEOM McLaren Extreme E

Vantage & NEOM McLaren Extreme E

Vantage has formed a strategic partnership with NEOM McLaren Extreme E, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and high performance. As the Official Trading Partner, Vantage supports NEOM McLaren in the Extreme E Championship, a racing series that emphasizes environmental awareness by competing in remote areas affected by climate change. This collaboration showcases electric vehicles equipped with advanced EV technology, capable of 400 kW power and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, demonstrating excellence across various terrains. The partnership underlines a commitment to highlighting and addressing climate change while promoting sustainable technology in motorsports.

Investing in Forex

Enjoy a journey of success where innovation meets community with Orexbot, and your trading aspirations become a reality. With its cutting-edge features, you will be able to make informed decisions and trade with more accuracy thanks to its advanced algorithms that precisely identify market directions.

Why Do Forex Brokers Sponsor Motorsports?

Forex brokers sponsor motorsport for several strategic reasons, aligning their brand with the dynamic and fast-paced nature of racing. This sponsorship offers visibility to a global audience, enhancing brand recognition and credibility. Motorsport, known for its technological innovation and high performance, mirrors the competitive and advanced environment of forex trading. Sponsoring teams or events in motorsport allows brokers to convey their commitment to excellence, speed, and precision, qualities essential in forex trading and racing. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for brokers to engage with potential clients in a thrilling setting, fostering community and loyalty among motorsport fans who may have an interest in forex trading. Ultimately, the partnership between forex brokers and motorsport teams is a strategic move to merge racing excitement with the financial world, creating a unique marketing and client engagement platform.

Rick Ware Racing: Justin Haley/Kaz Grala Richmond Race Advance

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Official Release
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JUSTIN HALEY | KAZ GRALA
Richmond Advance
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

Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 Walmart Health & Wellness Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 Walmart Health & Wellness Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing (RWR), heads to Richmond (Va.) Raceway for his seventh NASCAR Cup Series start at the .75-mile oval. Best of his previous Cup Series starts there was a 21st-place finish earned in August 2022.

● Haley owns two runner-up finishes at Richmond in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, earned in 2020 and 2021, and he’s finished in the top-10 four times. He made one start at Richmond in the ARCA Menards Series East in 2015, finishing 12th out of 35 cars.

● In the Cup Series’ most recent short-track race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway two weekends ago, Haley ran within the top-15 for most of the 500-lap race. In a race that saw drivers battle significant tire fall-off, he was on track for a top-10 finish until the final five laps when tire wear became too much to manage. He finished the race 17th, the best result RWR has earned at Bristol to date.

Kaz Grala, Driver of the No. 15 N29 Capital Partners Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Boston native Kaz Grala makes his first Richmond start Sunday the No. 15 N29 Capital Partners Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RWR. Grala finished 19th at Bristol in the first short-track race of the season.

● In five Xfinity Series starts at Richmond, Grala has three top-10 finishes. His best was a fourth-place result earned in April 2023, the first of his nine top-10 finishes earned last season.

● Grala also owns one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Richmond, and he competed in two ARCA Menards Series East races at the .75-mile oval with a best finish of eighth in 2015.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● NHRA Top Fuel driver Clay Millican competed at the Lucas Oil Winternationals in Pomona, California, last weekend with the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series. The Parts Plus driver topped Antron Brown in the first round of eliminations to advance to the quarterfinals, where he was defeated by Brittany Force.

● In Senoia, Georgia, rain forced a one-day show for Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) drivers Briar Bauman, Kody Kopp and Shayna Texter-Bauman. Kopp took home his second win of the year in the AFT Singles feature by a margin of 1.522 seconds. It was his third podium finish in three races so far this year. In the Mission SuperTwins feature, Bauman missed out on the podium by .160 of a second, finishing fourth to match his best result of the season so far.

● Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age six when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the LMP3 class of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), where RWR won the 2022 SX2 championship with rider Shane McElrath.

Justin Haley, Driver Q&A

Final result aside, the No. 51 team had a great run in the last short-track race at Bristol. Now that you’ve had time to think it through, what are your thoughts on how that weekend went and how that plays into what we may see this weekend at Richmond?

“We just try to do the best we can and every week we unload and we’re not really sure where we’re going to be once we get on track. I feel like we’ve shown a lot of speed at the short tracks. At the Clash, we were really fast, and then at Bristol we were quick, too. This is just a growing year. It’s taking time but the scenario at Bristol kind of played into our hands a little bit and our cars were just quick. I saw people saying that we were just running to the front and waiting for the tires give up, but I was conserving all day. That’s a situation where the car was good and it was on me to manage that and try to keep us up there. We’ll see more conserving at Richmond, it’ll just be a matter of how much. We’ll be racing at night rather than during the day, like we have been, and that could mean a big difference in what we see with the car. We’ll have to take that into consideration during practice and come up with a good plan for the race.”

It seems as though everyone is seeing a completely different Rick Ware Racing as compared to years past. Does that feel accurate with what you are seeing inside the shop?

“Absolutely, and trying to change that narrative has been one of the biggest things we face. We have completely different intentions than the RWR of the past and we’re just trying each week to do the best that we can with what we have. RFK has been a big, big help to that. Ford has been a big help to that. We’re on the simulator every week, we get the same time the bigger Cup teams get, and we’re all working hard. It felt good to show that at Bristol. I guarantee we’re working just as hard or harder than anyone else out here just because of how small our team is. Our people have to work triple as hard as a big organization would. So it’s been a lot of long nights, but it’s awesome to see that effort that all the men and women in the shop are putting in come to fruition.”

Kaz Grala, Driver Q&A

The RWR cars have been strong on short tracks so far this year, but what are some of the challenges you could face at Richmond?

“Our cars have been really fast on the short tracks and I think we’ll see the same this weekend. The surface at Richmond is really abrasive and a lot of times you’ll see guys that are really quick on the short run but kind of fade later in the race. We’ve already had a race where we had to manage tires and get the most out of them late in a run, so I think we’ve got something we can work with. The biggest question will be how that changes under the lights. The last few years, the Cup cars have run during the day and you definitely see more parity when the sun is out.”

Richmond is one of the tracks where you have the most experience, dating back to your time racing Late Models. Does that give you added comfort as you continue to build your relationship with the No. 15 team?

“I’ve really enjoyed racing at Richmond and I do have a lot of track time there. I think there are a few ways that can help. I know the characteristics of the track and what I need to focus on as a driver to make it to the end. One of the great things about Richmond is you really don’t know what kind of race you’ll get. We could have long, green-flag runs or we could end up with a race where we see a lot of cautions and frustration. It’ll be important for me to manage my patience as the race goes on and just let Bill (Plourde, crew chief) and the guys give me what I need in the car.”

United Rentals Racing: Ryan Preece Richmond Advance

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Official Release
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RYAN PREECE
Richmond Advance
No. 41 United Rentals 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

● Ryan Preece and the No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing are headed to the Commonwealth of Virginia for an old-fashioned short track battle during Sunday night’s Richmond 400. It will be Preece’s 158th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series and his eighth at the .75-mile oval. Preece earned his best result at the track in the series’ prior visit last July when he finished fifth.

● With Richmond’s worn-out asphalt and low-banked, 14-degree turns, the track echoes characteristics of the Northeast venues where Preece honed his skills on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Preece underscored those parallels during a Modified Tour event at Richmond in 2021 when the Berlin, Connecticut-native scored a dominating victory. It was the 25th of his 26 career wins on the Modified Tour.

● Last Sunday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin Texas, Preece rallied to a 23rd-place finish after late contact in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. Preece was forced to start at the rear of the 39-car field due to a change of valve springs after qualifying, but crew chief Chad Johnston orchestrated a strategy that propelled Preece to a fifth-place finish at the end of the second stage to earn him six valuable bonus points.

● Preece has competed in four NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Richmond with his best result coming in his most recent Xfinity Series start at the track –16th in April 2022.

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

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

You earned a top-five finish in your most recent NASCAR Cup Series start at Richmond last July. You’ve also been victorious there in a Modified. What is it like to race at Richmond?

“Richmond is a large short track, but it’s still a short track. The track surface is worn out, so tire heat and falloff is a real thing at Richmond. Turns one and two, and turns three and four are completely different corners, so being disciplined in hitting your marks and having a car with good balance is important at Richmond. If you’re fighting a car that’s too tight or too loose, the issue will only be exaggerated the longer the run goes.”

Is it important to have a car that handles well in traffic at Richmond?

“I think it’s important to have a versatile car that you can move around and take to places on the track where others can’t. It’s definitely important to have a good-driving car in traffic, but it’s also extremely important to have a car that’s able to go where others can’t.”

Will there be a noticeable change on-track with the race taking place under the lights on Sunday night?

“I think Richmond is very sensitive to tire heat, so I’m not sure if you will necessarily experience as much of a balance change or encounter some of the issues that we normally would during the day. However, as the track cools off, you will probably see cars begin to turn better, but on the flip side, they could potentially become looser. It will be important to stay ahead of the track on adjustments.”

What are your thoughts on tire wear at Richmond? Could we see something like what we saw at Bristol?

“I think Bristol has always been a place where we have never expected tire wear, so if we had that amount of tire wear there, and now we’re going to Richmond where tire wear is always a big part of the racing, yes, I think we could potentially see something similar to Bristol. At that point, I think it just comes down to setting up your racecar differently, driving it differently, the whole thing. How you attack the race will be different. Going into Richmond, I don’t know what to expect. Last year, our car drove well the entire race and didn’t fall off that badly, but this year it could be about tire conservation and having a car that drives really well on lap 30 and not lap five, as in the past.”

No. 41 United Rentals Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Jeremy West

Hometown: Gardena, California

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen

Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Tony Raines

Hometown: LaPorte, Indiana

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Kevin Teaf

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher

Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Interior Mechanic: Robert Dalby

Hometown: Anaheim, California

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgeway

Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

Hometown: Orange County, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

Erik Jones Marks Fourth Anniversary of #ReadwithErik Program with Book Auction

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Official Release
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Charlotte, NC (March 27, 2024) – Following four year of reading some of his favorite children’s books to fans, NASCAR driver Erik Jones celebrates the fourth anniversary of his program, #ReadwithErik, and National Reading Month with a book auction. The auction began on March 18 and will continue through March 30. Each book auctioned off will include a personalized note from Jones to the new owner and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Erik Jones Foundation (EJF).

“Read with Erik has been a great program over the years and has grown to be a key component of the Erik Jones Foundation,” said Jones. “It’s been a unique way for fans to get to know a side of me that they don’t see on the track, and for me to meet new fans both online, at racetracks and schools where we’ve been able to take this program. The book auction is new this year and came from us looking at all the books around my house, shop and even the bus at the track, and wanting to do something fun and unique with them. The auction allows us to give fans an opportunity to get some of my favorite books, with a special note from me, as well as raise funds for EJF to allow us to continue growing the #ReadwithErik program.”

Started in 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Jones began sharing one of his passions and favorite past times with fans by creating the #ReadwithErik program to read books to children via Facebook Live. What started as a way to stay connected with fans throughout the pandemic has since turned in to one of the cornerstone pieces of the Erik Jones Foundation.

Throughout the program, Jones has engaged with audiences by reading nearly 100 children’s books. Jones started reading the books from his home, but since has taken #ReadwithErik on the road to racetracks and schools around the country.

As the program has continued to grow over the last four years, many of the children’s books Jones reads today have been donated by authors or are suggestions from fans of their favorite childhood book.

Not to skip the older audience, Jones also utilizes his platform to highlight books he enjoys and is currently reading. Those book highlights and suggestions often fall under the autobiography category, specifically covering historical figures.

To view the books available for auction and to place your bid, please visit ErikJonesRacing.com/shop/.

Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 03.27.24

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: March 25 – 31, 2024

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

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

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

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

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

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

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

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

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

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA West

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

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

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 26 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview | Richmond 1

By
Official Release
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CLUB ENTRY LIST

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
POINT STANDINGS: 15TH

ERIK JONES
POINT STANDINGS: 21ST

CLUB NOTES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CLUB QUOTES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PETTY 75TH ANNIVERSARY

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

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

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

BROADCAST INFO

RICHMOND RACEWAY
SUNDAY, MARCH 31ST @ 7:00 PM ET

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

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

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

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

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

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

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Official Release
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Iowa Native named to Spire Motorsports All-Star Lineup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JR Motorsports — NXS Richmond Preview

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

Sam Mayer

No. 1 – 10X Health Chevrolet

Mayer 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 5

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 0

Avg. Finish: 25.6

Points: 19th

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

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

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

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

Sam Mayer

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

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 DeCA / Hellmann’s Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 5

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 2

Laps Led: 70

Avg. Finish: 17.6

Points: 8th

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

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

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

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

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

Justin Allgaier

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

Sammy Smith

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

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 5

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 3

Laps Led: 6

Avg. Finish: 17.2

Points: 11th

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

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

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

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

Sammy Smith

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

Brandon Jones

No. 9 Menards / NIBCO

Chevrolet

Jones 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 5

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 3

Laps Led: 1

Avg. Finish: 11

Points: 9th

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

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

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

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

Brandon Jones

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

Bubba Pollard

No. 88 Rheem Chevrolet

Pollard 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 0

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 0

Laps Led: 0

Avg. Finish: N/A

Points: N/A

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

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

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

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

Bubba Pollard

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

JRM Team Updates

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

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

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

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

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

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

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

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kaulig Racing Weekly Preview | Richmond Raceway

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Official Release
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Race Details

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

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

TY DILLON

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

No. 16 Chevy Accessories Camaro ZL1

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

DANIEL HEMRIC

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

No. 31 LA Golf Camaro ZL1

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

Race Details

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

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

JOSH WILLIAMS

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

No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet Camaro

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

AJ ALLMENDINGER

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

No. 16 Action Industries Chevrolet Camaro

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

SHANE van GISBERGEN

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

No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro

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

About Kaulig Racing

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

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