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NASCAR reveals 2024 Xfinity Dash 4 Cash, Craftsman Trucks Triple Truck Challenge schedules

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Mike Biskupski for SpeedwayMedia.com.

As the 2024 NASCAR season nears its approach, the Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash and the Craftsman Truck Series’ Triple Truck Challenge initiatives are set to return and retain their spots in the first half of the upcoming racing season with one new and a bevy of familiar circuits also returning.

For the Xfinity Series, the Dash 4 Cash program will launch its 16th consecutive season by hosting its qualifying event at Richmond Raceway on March 30, where the top four highest-finishing Xfinity regulars in the final running order will contend for the first round of bonus money. The first Dash 4 Cash event of the 2024 season will then occur at Martinsville Speedway on April 6 followed by the series’ lone visit of the season to Texas Motor Speedway on April 13, which is new to the initiative’s schedule, and Talladega Superspeedway on April 20 before concluding at Dover Motor Speedway on April 27.

The highest-finishing Xfinity Dash 4 Cash contender in each event will receive the cash-winning prize of $100,000, with opportunities for the prize to increase should a competitor achieve the bonus more than once.

This past season, where all Dash 4 Cash events occurred in April, Justin Allgaier claimed the first Dash 4 Cash bonus and the fifth of his career at Richmond Raceway despite finishing in 13th place, but by finishing ahead of his initiative rivals Sam Mayer, Sammy Smith and Daniel Hemric. John Hunter Nemechek claimed the second bonus at Martinsville in an event where he led a race-high 198 of 250 laps en route to his second Xfinity victory of the season. Cole Custer, the 2023 Xfinity Series champion, would conclude the initiative by claiming the final two bonuses at Talladega Superspeedway and at Dover Motor Speedway, where he finished fourth and seventh, respectively.

Ironically, the trio of Allgaier, Custer and Nemechek would square off against one another along with Sam Mayer for the 2023 Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix Raceway in November for the Championship 4 round event. Allgaier and Custer are set to run another full-time Xfinity season and bid for more bonuses in 2024 with JR Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing, respectively, while Nemechek has moved up to the Cup Series to drive for Legacy Motor Club.

For the Craftsman Truck Series, the Triple Truck Challenge initiative will occur in three events for a sixth consecutive season, beginning at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, which will also serve as the series’ 700th race in history. The initiative will continue at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 1 before concluding at Nashville Superspeedway on June 28, a three-race schedule that resembles last year’s schedule.

Each event will offer Truck Series regulars three opportunities to notch a $50,000 bonus for themselves per race victory, with opportunities for the bonus to increase to $150,000 if two Triple Truck Challenge events are won by any eligible competitor or even to $500,000 if all three events are won.

Last season, Ben Rhodes, the 2023 Truck Series champion, claimed the first Triple Truck Challenge bonus after achieving his first victory of the season at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. Grant Enfinger, the 2023 championship runner-up finisher, would earn the second bonus with his second victory of the season at Gateway’s World Wide Technology Raceway in early June. Carson Hocevar capped off the program by winning at Nashville Superspeedway in mid-June for his second career victory in the Truck circuit. Rhodes and Enfinger are slated to remain in the Truck Series with ThorSport Racing and CR7 Motorsports, respectively, and contend for additional opportunities while Hocevar is set to campaign in his first full-time season in the Cup Series for Spire Motorsports.

Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

With the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Dash 4 Cash and Craftsman Truck Series’ Triple Truck Challenge schedules set, the 2024 Truck Series season is set to commence at Daytona International Speedway for the Fresh From Florida 250 on February 16 with the event’s air coverage to occur at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The 2024 Xfinity Series season is scheduled to occur the following day, February 17, for the United Rentals 300 and air at 5 p.m. ET on FS1.

FLEXJET NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN TO COMPETE AT 10 EVENTS IN 2024, FINALE SET FOR ST. LOUIS

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 23, 2024) – NHRA officials announced that Flexjet, a global leader in private aviation, will continue as the title sponsor of the exciting NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class for the upcoming 2024 season.

The fan-favorite Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown category will have 10 races at NHRA national events for the second straight year during the 2024 campaign, beginning its year as part of the 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on March 7-10 at Gainesville Raceway. The class will finish its season at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis on Sept. 27-29 as part of the NHRA Midwest Nationals.

As part of the multi-year extension, Flexjet will also continue as the Official Private Aviation Partner of the NHRA.

“We are so delighted to continue our sponsorship of the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown,” said Flexjet’s Chief Administrative Officer Robert Sullivan. “Last year we added this event to our recruitment plan and met lots of great candidates in our search for aircraft mechanics and mechanic apprentices. This year we look forward to meeting more candidates while also continuing to create engaging employee experiences at the races across the country.”

For nearly 30 years, Flexjet has set the standard in private aviation with exceptional service and award-winning safety programs, providing its loyal and growing customer base with precise, efficient and personalized experiences on every trip. With a strong presence at NHRA races, Flexjet will also look to recruit aviation technicians throughout the season at NHRA national events. Flexjet employs more than 4,000 employees globally, including more than 1,300 people in its Flexjet’s Global Maintenance and Product Support division and nearly 1,300 pilots.

The Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown category has enjoyed steady growth and delivered remarkable action for years, with some of drag racing’s top drivers competing for the prestigious Wally behind the wheel of Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets, and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks. In 2023, Aaron Stanfield clinched his third world championship in four years, continuing his spectacular run in the class. The talented young driver has 11 wins in the category, winning at both Bristol and Reading in 2023. Other top standouts include Mark Pawuk, Stephen Bell, Lenny Lottig, Jesse Alexandra, Lee Hartman and Del Holbrook.

Following the opener in Gainesville, the category will take part in the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona on March 21-24 and will race in the four-wide event in Las Vegas the following month, April 12-14. From there, the class will compete at the Gerber Collison & Glass, NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance on May 17-19 in Chicago. They will race twice in June, first in Bristol on June 7-9 and then in Norwalk for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on June 27-30. After taking July off, Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown will make an appearance at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals on Aug. 15-18 in Brainerd and then the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis on Aug. 28-Sept. 2. The class will finish its season with stops at Maple Grove Raceway for the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals on Sept. 12-15 and then the finale in St. Louis.

The popular Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown Bounty Program will also return in 2024. Established during the 2021 season, the program puts a “bounty” on the winner of the previous event.

“We’re thrilled to have Flexjet continue as the sponsor of our NHRA Factory Stock Showdown category and as Official Private Aviation Partner of the NHRA,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “After another great year of racing, Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown continues to establish itself as one of the most exciting classes in NHRA. The class continues to grow and with another 10-race schedule in store for 2024, we’re looking forward to a great season at stops across the country.”

For more information about Flexjet, please visit www.flexjet.com. For more information about the NHRA, including the 2024 schedule, please visit www.NHRA.com.

2024 FLEXJET NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE

March 7-10: 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fl.

March 21-24: 64th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, Calif.

April 12-14: 24th annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas

May 17-19: 24th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago

June 7-9: 23rd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn.

June 27-30: 18th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio

Aug. 15-18: 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.

Aug. 28-Sept. 2: 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis

Sept. 12-15: 39th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pa.

Sept. 27-29: 13th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis

About Flexjet

If maintaining performance vehicles is your passion – translate those skills into becoming a Flexjet aircraft maintenance technician (AMT). Explore a career with the world-class Flexjet Maintenance group today.

Flexjet, Inc., a global leader in subscription-based private aviation, first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing and is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 24 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, a 4AIR Bronze Sustainable Rating and is IS-BAO compliant at Level 2. Red Label by Flexjet, a market differentiator, which features the most modern fleet in the industry, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are more than 40 different interior designs across its fleet of nearly 270 aircraft, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300 and Praetor 500, Bombardier Challenger 350, the Gulfstream G450 and G650. Flexjet’s European fleet includes the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G650. Flexjet’s FAA helicopter division sells fractional, lease, and on-demand charter access to its fleet of owned and operated Sikorsky S-76 helicopters serving locations throughout the northeastern United States, United Kingdom and Florida. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com or follow us on Instagram @FlexjetInc.

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 21 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Infinity Communications to Back Layne Riggs in Rookie Season

By
Official Release
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Wireless Telecom Company partners with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 23, 2024) – Infinity Communications Group and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) are excited to announce a nine-race partnership with Layne Riggs and his 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) campaign. The Durham, NC based company will support FRM’s newest driver as he competes in the No. 38 truck for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award and the 2024 NCTS championship.

“Infinity Communications is one of my biggest supporters. Jeff (Coffey) and his team have built a company that provides the best services in getting communication restored during disasters. The people are amazing at what they do and how quickly they can help a community affected by a disaster and I’m proud that I can represent them,” said Riggs.

In addition to Layne’s sponsorship, during the 2024 racing season, Infinity Communications will debut its “Put your career in gear!” initiative where NASCAR fans and first responders will be introduced to Infinity and its vast array of exciting employment opportunities. For more information, people can visit www.gocinfinity.com.

“We are proud of Layne for his success on and off the track,” said Jeff Coffey, President and Owner, of Infinity Communications. “He’s a great representative of our company and we look forward to watching him race for the Championship and educating fans about Infinity Communications and our services.”

Layne will debut the Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150 at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in April. The complete schedule of races sponsored by Infinity Communications includes the following races:

April 5th – Martinsville
April 12th – Texas
May 10th – Darlington
May 24th – Charlotte
June 1st – St. Louis
July 12th – Pocono
August 25th – Milwaukee
September 27th – Kansas
November 1st – Martinsville

About Infinity Communications Group

Infinity prides itself on the quality of service it provides to its customers, covering all aspects of the wireless telecommunications industry. As a result of our diverse portfolio of expertise and strategically positioned facilities nationwide, we can meet all the needs of major wireless providers. From network configuration to network recovery, Infinity Communications’ services are actively expanding and introducing new cutting-edge technologies to the world of wireless communication.

About Front Row Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Shift Focus to Rolex 24 At Daytona Strategy and Race Preparation Following Productive Roar Before the 24 Test

By
Official Release
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ROAR Before the 24, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL, January 2024. (Photo by Brian Cleary/bcpix.com)

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams quickly shifted to race preparation and strategy for next weekend’s 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona following a productive three-day Roar Before the Rolex 24 test this past weekend at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). Four Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries compete in this weekend’s twice-around-the-clock race on the 3.56-mile DIS road course with live coverage on the flagship NBC network starting at 1:30 p.m. EST this Saturday, January 27. From there, all 24 hours of the season opening IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race can be viewed live across the NBC family of networks and its online offering Peacock before returning to NBC for the Rolex 24’s conclusion from noon through 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 28.

The lineup of four Mercedes-AMG GT3 teams competing in the Rolex 24 includes the GT Daytona (GTD) Pro-class SunEnergy1 Racing entry and a trio of GTD-class competitors anchored by full-season competitors Winward Racing and Korthoff Preston Motorsports, and debuting Rolex 24 team Lone Star Racing.

Reigning GTD Pro Rolex 24 winning drivers Jules Gounon and Maro Engel co-drive the No. 75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Luca Stolz and team owner and driver Kenny Habul. SunEnergy1 Racing’s best Rolex 24 finish was second to race winners Winward in the 2021 Rolex 24, while Gounon and Engel were part of last year’s win with WeatherTech Racing.

Winward and Korthoff Preston kick-off their respective full-season campaigns with familiar driver lineups. Last year’s Rolex 24 team of Russell Ward, Philip Ellis, Indy Dontje and Daniel Morad once again wheel the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 this weekend as the team looks for another GTD-class victory to go along with 2021’s win. Ward, Ellis and Dontje joined Engel in securing the ’21 victory in the team’s Rolex 24 debut.

Korthoff Preston also returns its 2023 Rolex 24 lineup of Mike Skeen, Mikael Grenier, Kenton Koch and Maximilian Götz in the No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3. The team and drivers led the most GTD laps in last year’s Rolex 24 only to be knocked from winning contention by a Sunday morning mechanical issue.

The strong Rolex 24 showing, however, set the foundation for a championship campaign in the 2023 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) that saw the Korthoff Preston team, Mercedes-AMG and Skeen, Grenier and Koch sweep all IMEC GTD honors.

Race-winning and experienced Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing team Lone Star Racing makes its Rolex 24 debut with returning team driver Scott Andrews, Adam Christodoulou, Salih Yoluç and Rui Andrade.

The three-day Roar schedule concluded Sunday with Rolex 24 qualifying. The SunEnergy1 No. 75 with Engel was the fastest Mercedes-AMG GT3 and starts on the outside of GTD Pro row five after a top-10 qualifying run.

The three GTD teams also qualified for the Rolex 24 with Winward’s Ellis and Korthoff Preston’s Grenier side-by-side in row nine on the starting grid after posting nearly identical lap times. Christodoulou qualified the Lone Star No. 80 that will line up just one row behind the No. 75 and the No. 32.

Three Mercedes-AMG GT4 teams were also in action at the Roar across a pair of IMSA racing series. The lineup included former Mercedes-AMG GT4 IMSA race winner Marc Miller who once again shined in a substitute driver role in Saturday’s VP Racing SportsCar Challenge race in the No. 37 Thaze Competition Mercedes-AMG GT4.

Filling in for full-season driver Eddie Killeen, Miller battled in the lead pack throughout the 45-minute sprint and took the checkered flag in third, just over a second behind the race winner. Miller’s podiium came in Thaze’s debut VP Challenge race and followed similar strong showings last year with the team in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competition with a fourth place run at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and a third place showing at the Detroit Grand Prix.

A pair of familiar and race-winning Michelin Pilot Challenge Mercedes-AMG GT4 teams in turn took part in five Grand Sport (GS) practice sessions during the three-day Roar test. Two-time 2023 GS race winners Bryce Ward and Morad reunite this year in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 while Pirelli GT4 America standouts Michai Stephens and Jesse Webb enter Pilot Challenge GS this year in the No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4.

The 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona official schedule begins this Wednesday, January 24, with a one-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge practice session at 3:05 p.m. EST. Four WeatherTech Championship practice sessions are scheduled over Thursday and Friday, including Thursday night practice from 6:35 – 8:05 p.m. EST in addition to GS qualifying Thursday and the four-hour season-opening Pilot Challenge race Friday at 1:45 p.m. EST.

The 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona starts at 1:40 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 27, with live coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. EST on the flagship NBC network.

International viewers can watch all of the races and more from the Rolex 24 weekend live at www.IMSA.tv.

Maro Engel, Driver – No. 75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “We worked really well throughout the Roar. We made some good setup improvements, got some laps for all of the drivers and ran through procedures. A good part of the crew is from last year’s WeatherTech Racing team, some are new, so getting everyone together for the first time was really positive and everybody has been doing a good job. The pace situation has been tough from the beginning of the weekend, so we will try and focus on what we have within our hands. We’ll work on improving the car, making it a good race car, it handled well in qualifying, and it was a decent lap.”

Adam Christodoulou, Driver – No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “I was super excited to get the last-minute call up from the Lone Star Racing guys. It has all been late putting everything together, but it’s great to be here even though we have a little bit of mixed emotions after qualifying. We will work on what we got and see what we can squeeze out of it. There’s a little bit of setup we can do just to work on the balance, and we can use the final practice sessions later this week to make sure that we have a solid car for the race. It’s 24 hours so anything can happen.”

Mike Skeen, Driver – No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3: “We got a lot done this week. We also ran here in the December test, learned the new Michelin tire there and worked on that some more this week. We have the car in a place where it is really handling great, and we are very happy with that. The time sheets didn’t look to good at the Roar, but I am pretty confident going into the Rolex 24 that we will have a competitive car and we have a great lineup and great crew, so hopefully we can fight for it in the 24.”

Russell Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It’s not really the qualifying result we wanted. We spent the last two years on the pole here but now the car is not really where it could be. We are just going to have to leave it in IMSA’s hands to see where we end up, but it feels good, and I have a lot of faith in the guys and hopefully we can find something. We have a good understanding of the new Michelin tire and where we want to be setup wise, so I think we are in good shape. I am really looking forward to this race. It is my favorite event of the year. Such a cool atmosphere and such a cool racetrack.”

Bryce Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4: “I’m really happy with the car and look forward to starting the year with getting some points in the four-hour race. I always want a clean race to the end, let’s go see what we can do. Once we get halfway through a stint, we may be on pace with everybody else. The first half will be a little difficult but in the second half I think we can match the cars in front of us. If we can be fairly close up there at the end, we have a chance with Daniel in there.”

Marc Miller, Driver – No. 37 Thaze Competition Mercedes-AMG GT4: “It’s a great way to start out the season. This is the first race, legitimately, of the season and we were on the podium. I was a little upset we didn’t pull off some sort of miracle win so it took me a minute to realize we were on the podium, so I was really excited about that. The management of the Thaze team and how they approach everything is just rock solid. They are a wonderful team to race with, but I really wasn’t even planning on being in this race. I want to thank Eddie Killeen for letting me race his car and I know he is going to do great behind the wheel for the rest of the season.”

Kaz Grala to Attempt Daytona 500 with Front Row Motorsports

By
Official Release
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Ruedebusch Development and Construction to Primary Sponsor No. 36 Entry

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 23, 2024) – Front Row Motorsports (FRM) will once again attempt a third entry in the Great American Race. This year, Kaz Grala will be behind the No. 36 Ford Mustang Dark Horse during Daytona Speedweek. Ruedebusch Development and Construction will partner with FRM and Grala to qualify for the most prestigious race in NASCAR.

FRM has had recent success with its third entry at the Daytona 500. In 2019, Matt Tifft raced the No. 36 into the “500” before David Ragan qualified the No. 36 in the race in both 2020 and 2021. In partnership with Rick Ware Racing, Ragan finished fourth in the FRM-prepared No. 36 Ford in the Daytona 500. FRM did not attempt a third entry in 2022 and last year Zane Smith put the No. 36 Ford back in the event with a 13th-place finish.

On a streak of his own, Grala will be attempting his third Daytona 500 start. He has made the Super Bowl of Racing in his two previous attempts on the famed superspeedway, finishing 28th in 2021 and 26th in 2022. He did not attempt last season.

“I have to thank Bob (Jenkins) and Carl (Ruedebusch) for this opportunity to return to the Daytona 500,” said Grala. “Qualifying is so unique for the 500 and it is the toughest challenge, mentally, on a driver and team as you prepare a car, qualify, and then race the 150. But I know the car we have will be fast, the Ford engine from Roush Yates Engines will be the best out there, and I am ready. I feel this is one of my best chances at the Daytona 500 with everyone involved.”

Grala will first take a qualifying time on Wednesday, February 14 to attempt to lock into the race through speed. Grala and the team can also race their way into the Daytona 500 through Thursday night’s Duel event qualifying races.

About Front Row Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

MatchBox Twenty to Rock Out Coca-Cola 600 Pre-Race Concert

By
Official Release
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  • Multi-time GRAMMY Award-nominated Matchbox Twenty will bring a catalog of more than 30 years of hits to a rocking pre-race concert before the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 26
  • The infield concert is free for all Coca-Cola 600 race ticket holders; fans can get stage-front access, including the concert and driver introductions, with a Track Pass upgrade; visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com for tickets and more information

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 23, 2024) – Cranking out hit after hit for more than three decades, the multi-time GRAMMY Award-nominated band, Matchbox Twenty, is set to rock the infield of Charlotte Motor Speedway with an electric pre-race concert on Sunday, May 26. The platinum-recording band will rev up America’s Home for Racing before the green flag falls on the historic 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600.

Matchbox Twenty will get fans’ motors running with a 60-minute set, featuring songs woven into American pop culture’s fabric with generational hits including the diamond-certified, 12x-platinum “Yourself or Someone Like You,” quadruple-platinum “Mad Season,” double-platinum “More Than You Think You Are” and gold-certified “North,” which marked their first No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

“Matchbox Twenty’s music embodies the meaning of rock and roll,” said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We are excited for fans to experience the magic of Matchbox Twenty at the track. Their live performances are legendary and it’s a fantastic addition to an already spectacular race weekend.”

For their first album in 11 years and fifth overall LP “Where The Light Goes,” the band that includes Rob Thomas, Brian Yale, Paul Doucette and Kyle Cook are ready to rock the house at Charlotte Motor Speedway and celebrate their journey throughout the past 30 years.

We’ve heard there’s no place like Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day Weekend to get NASCAR Nation rocking,” said Thomas. “We’re looking forward to bringing the party to the fans and having a blast to kick off the Coca-Cola 600.”

The pre-race concert, which will take place on the infield of the 1.5-mile superspeedway, is free for fans with a Sunday Coca-Cola 600 ticket. Fans can upgrade to a Track Pass for stage-front access to the concert and driver introductions.

Matchbox Twenty will headline three days of music at Charlotte Motor Speedway as Circle K Speed Street is again set to bring big-name concerts to the 10-acre fan zone throughout the weekend. Friday and Saturday concert acts will be released at a later date.

TICKETS:

The pre-race concert is free for all Coca-Cola 600 ticket holders. Those who upgrade to a Track Pass will get stage-front access to the concert, driver introductions and more. Tickets to the Coca-Cola 600 start at only $49 for adults. Kids 12 and under get in for $10 with an adult. Track Pass upgrades are just $75. For tickets, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets.

FOLLOW US:

Keep track of all of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s events by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

Chili’s Announces Partnership with Spire Motorsports for 2024 Race Season

By
Official Release
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The fan-favorite grill and bar will debut as the primary sponsor for Spire’s No. 7 Chevy, driven by Corey LaJoie at the Great American Race

DALLAS (January 23, 2024) – Chili’s Grill & Bar is off to the races in its new partnership with Spire Motorsports for the upcoming 2024 NASCAR Cup Series race season. Chili’s will be the primary sponsor of Spire’s No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driven by Corey LaJoie, at the Daytona 500 on February 18.

In addition to the season opener, Chili’s will also be showcased as an associate sponsor on February 25 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, March 3 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and March 24 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

“We strive to partner with brands that want to embrace the spirit of motorsports and share our love for pushing the limits both on and off the track,” said Jeff Dickerson, Spire Motorsports co-owner. “Our partnership with Chili’s at the Daytona 500 will set a fun precedent for the season to come — we can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store.”

A fan favorite on and off the racetrack, Corey LaJoie is a third-generation racer and fixture in the NASCAR community. Last season was a career year for LaJoie with two top-five and three top-10 finishes in NASCAR’s premier division. He earned a career best fourth-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March 2023, going on to match that effort at Talladega Superspeedway last fall. Recently named NASCAR Fan Choice’s ‘Best Driver on Social Media” and host of the popular podcast ‘Stacking Pennies,’ Corey’s fun, genuine and lighthearted personality make him the perfect driver for both Spire Motorsports and Chili’s.

More information about Chili’s sponsorship at the Great American Race and the car design reveal will be announced closer to the race, but for more information about Spire Motorsports, please visit spire-motorsports.com.

About Chili’s® Grill & Bar …
Hi, welcome to Chili’s! We are a leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). We are known for our big mouth burgers, Chicken Crispers, full-on sizzling fajitas and hand-shaken margaritas. We take our food seriously – but not ourselves – because dining out should feel like a celebration even if there is nothing to celebrate. Our passion is making everyone feel special, and every day, our ChiliHeads make it their job to spread #ChilisLove across our more than 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories. And Chili’s cares. We host local Give Back Events to support kids, education and hunger and have raised more than $100 million benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through generous Guest donations. Find more information about us at chilis.com, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, like us on Facebook or join us on TikTok.

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. 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.

Hennessey Plotting 1,700-HP Twin-Turbo Upgrade for Dodge Demon 170

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Official Release
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  • The Hennessey ‘Demon 1700 Twin-Turbo’ will have a target ¼ mile performance of 7.9s @ 175+ mph
  • ‘Demon 1700 Twin-Turbo’ production will be limited to just 12 vehicles, with pricing starting at $200,000 — exclusive of donor Dodge Demon 170
  • Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) creates a new specialty in-house department, “Hennessey Special Operations” (HSO), to deliver ultra-exclusive, ultra-high-horsepower vehicles

SEALY, Texas, Jan. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE), the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer and high-performance vehicle creator, has been making fast cars, trucks, and SUVs faster since 1991. Over the past 33 years, HPE has built a variety of ultra-powerful vehicles that have set numerous speed records in magazine shootouts and at ¼ mile, standing mile, and top speed events. With requests for Hennessey vehicles at an all-time high (over 1,100 vehicles have been delivered to clients worldwide since 2022), the company is focusing resources to meet the requirement.

Hennessey is announcing a new bespoke in-house department called “Hennessey Special Operations” (HSO) to build ultra-exclusive, ultra-high-horsepower vehicles for its most discerning customers. The HSO division will make only 15 to 20 vehicles per year, with potential customers applying via the unique Hennessey HSO website.

“Demand for our powerful vehicles over the past several years has been so strong that we had to shift from being a high-volume tuning company to more of a factory with assembly lines and all of the logistics that go with delivering over 500 vehicles per year,” said Founder & CEO, John Hennessey.

“The transition to becoming a manufacturer with a factory producing lots of vehicles meant that we had to shift some of our resources away from the high horsepower vehicles that have kept the Hennessey name in the automotive headlines for the past 33 years,” explains Hennessey. “We are happy to announce that we’ve created a new division within the company that allows us to build mega-powerful vehicles in small production runs. Taking my new Dodge Demon 170, removing the blower, adding a pair of turbos, and increasing power from 1,025 to 1,700 horsepower was exactly what we’ve been wanting to do.”

Hennessey’s ‘Demon 1700 Twin-Turbo’ is a comprehensive build with an all-new blueprinted motor and transmission (the factory-supercharged V8 from the Demon 170 will be shrink-wrapped and preserved for safekeeping). A pair of massive turbochargers provide boost, while a more robust powertrain ensures the maximum power goes to the pavement. Performance from the ‘Demon 1700 Twin Turbo’ will be astounding — burning E85 ethanol, the coupe will have a target ¼ mile time of 7.9 seconds @ 175 mph.

Production will be extremely limited – HSO will only build 12 ‘Demon 1700 Twin-Turbo’ models, each with a base price starting at about $200,000 (exclusive of donor Demon 170). Those interested in owning the world’s most potent and exclusive Demon, with unmatched muscle car performance, are encouraged to contact HSO at +1 979.885.1300 or visit Hennessey HSO.

About Hennessey
Based in Sealy, Texas, the Hennessey business comprises Hennessey Special Vehicles, Hennessey Performance (HPE), Tuner School, and the Lonestar Motorsports Park. The company has re-engineered more than 12,000 vehicles for performance enthusiasts worldwide to deliver unparalleled driving thrills. Alongside modifying a diverse range of sports and muscle cars since 1991, the company has also applied its high-performance expertise to trucks and SUVs – and boasts its hypercars – the Venom GT and the Venom F5.

Every Hennessey product is dyno-proven, fully track-tested, street-legal, and warrantied. Customers can choose from road-ready performance-enhanced cars by Hennessey from various brands, including Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and Jeep, all benefitting from a host of high-performance upgrades.

With its own test track, engineering curriculum for aspiring tuners, more than 100 team members, and capacity to simultaneously work on 40-50 vehicles, Hennessey Performance is one of the world’s leading specialist vehicle engineering companies. HennesseyPerformance.com

About Hennessey Special Vehicles
The Hennessey Special Vehicles team was formed to create the world-record-breaking hypercars, the Hennessey Venom GT (270.49 mph in 2014) and the current world-record-holding ‘fastest convertible’ the Hennessey Venom GT Roadster (265.5 mph in 2016).

In 2020, Hennessey Special Vehicles launched the 100% bespoke, twin-turbocharged, 6.6-liter V8 Venom F5 Coupe, which sold out in 2021. An open-top Roadster and track-focused Revolution variant joined the F5 Coupe in 2022 and 2023, boasting the F5’s prodigious 1,817 bhp ‘Fury’ engine. In mid-2023, the Texas-based company revealed the Venom F5 Revolution Roadster, which combines visceral open-air motoring with a racing circuit focus. The company is delivering like never before on its mission of ‘making fast cars faster.’ HennesseySpecialVehicles.com

Social media
Instagram: HennesseySpecialVehicles / HennesseyPerformance | YouTube: HennesseyPerformanceF5 |
Facebook: @hennesseype | X: @HennesseyPerf

Racing to End Alzheimer’s set to begin 2024 campaign with four-hour IMSA race at Daytona

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Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL (23 Jan. 2024) – Looking to get the 2024 racing season off to a strong start, Racing to End Alzheimer’s prepared for its return to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) with three days of testing in the traditional “Roar Before the Rolex 24” at Daytona International Speedway last weekend.

The weekend gave the team five lengthy sessions to test the No. 51 Toyota Supra GT4 that will be fielded by Hattori Motorsports in the four-hour BMW Endurance Challenge in the lead Grand Sport class, set for Friday, Jan. 26, at 1:45 p.m. ET on Peacock.

Two of Racing to End Alzheimer’s champions – Mark Kvamme and Nick Galante – will be joined by Matt Forbush in the event. Veteran Toyota/Lexus driver and 2023 IMSA Champion Jack Hawksworth, who will race in the sister No. 50 Hattori Motorsports entry this weekend, also spent time in the car during the Roar testing.

The best lap for the No. 51 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Toyota was 1:54.230-seconds, which was eighth-fastest in Saturday’s fourth session.

Kvamme, who did not participate in the Roar test, repeated as Am class champion in the 2023 Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America, sweeping the final weekend to come from behind for the title. Kvamme is a 10-time competitor in the Rolex 24, with a best finish of third (LMP2 for BAR1 Motorsports) in 2017.

Galante raced with the Racing to End Alzheimer’s team to IMSA IMPC titles in the 2016 and 2018 IMPC.

“The Roar is a great place for us ‘old guys’ to wake our brains up and get out the cobwebs, moving from Christmas parties to going fast,” Galante smiled. “Seriously, we learned quite a bit at the Roar, especially with a car I haven’t run a whole season with. I ran a one-off at Daytona two years ago, so this gave me an opportunity to learn the car again, how it feels under heavy braking and especially how it feels throughout its tire life. That really helps you out in preparation for a long four-hour race. Feeling a full run from sticker tires all the way to a degrading tire is super-important, and the Roar gave us that opportunity. We pushed the tires to the limit, and even stretched that stint out to see how the car balances. Then you set up the car for the middle of the tire life, so we can find the happy medium for the four-hour race.

“Also, the Racing to End Alzheimer’s charity starts here at Daytona,” said Galante, whose aunt and grandmother suffered from the disease. “When I look back through the years, and all that that charity has done – and what we’re about to do – it all starts here at Daytona. It’s the first race of the season, and the first race for the charity that really helps out millions all across the country.”

Forbush will be competing professionally at Daytona for the first time.

“It’s exciting to be in the IMSA paddock,” he said. “I’ve been here as an owner, I’ve run the HSR race here, and in the Supra a lot competitively, but this is my first time in a real competition setting at Daytona. “It’s a great experience, and it’s fun to run in IMSA. There’s some of the best drivers in sports car racing out on the track with you, including Jack Hawksworth in our other car and some of the NASCAR guys in another Supra, so there’s some real benchmarks to see how you stand as a driver.”

For Racing to End Alzheimer’s founder Phil Frengs, the first race of the season always marks a renewal of the organizations’ commitment: to help raise awareness and funds to fight dementia and Alzheimer’s. Fans can find Frengs in his familiar purple pop-up tent near the team’s garage in the IMPC paddock.

“We are delighted to be back at Daytona again teaming up with our friend Matt Forbush, longtime driving partner Nick Galante and current Racing to End Alzheimer’s driver Mark Kvamme,” said Frengs. “This past weekend we worked with Hattori Motorsports to get our Toyota Supra up to speed and ready to compete next Friday in the BMW Endurance Challenge.

“We are so happy to get another chance to create awareness of our Foundation’s effort to fund the care and fund the cure at Daytona in this world class weekend of speed,” Frengs continued. “We are grateful to Hattori Motorsports for the invitation to join them to compete and are pointing towards the podium! We want to start that winning feeling before we launch our Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America season in Sebring in March, and as we launch a new partnership with the Porsche Owners Club. We encourage fans to join us and add their loved one’s name to debut on our car at Sebring – just go to r2endalz.org.”

This weekend’s on-track activities begin on Wednesday at 3:05 p.m. (all times ET) with a one-hour practice session. The second one-hour practice will be held Thursday at 8:45 a.m., with GS qualifying getting underway at 1:35 p.m. There will be a 30-minute Friday morning session at 9:25 a.m., prior to the four-hour race at 1:45 p.m.

About Racing to End Alzheimer’s

In 2013, Phil Frengs’ wife Mimi was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Their experience with the disease led Frengs to a seminal moment: his company, Legistics, had long sponsored a team in IMSA sports car racing and he realized an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the fight against the disease. In 2017, he formed Racing to End Alzheimer’s, giving fans the opportunity to honor loved ones by putting their names on the race car via donation – with Legistics matching each donation. 100% of those donations go to the two organizations the team supports:

The Nantz National Alzheimer’s Center at Houston Methodist Hospital is exploring cutting edge strategies in therapy, care and research to find a cure for these dementias. NNAC was founded by longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz III and his family in honor of his father, Jim, Jr., who passed away after a 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s. It is a world-class research, referral and care center that combines comprehensive patient services with the resolute pursuit of scientific breakthroughs in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s.

The UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program is a nationally-recognized grant-funded program designed to help patients and their families with the complex medical, behavioral and social needs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. UCLA is renowned for its compassionate, personalized Alzheimer’s care; innovative social and psychological programs; and robust support services for patients, caregivers and families. Via webinars and on-site education, UCLA works with Alzheimer’s and dementia programs across the country to improve care for patients and families alike.

Ordering Custom Car Parts: 3 Key Things to Keep in Mind

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SM
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Image by Denis from Pixabay

From custom electrical transformers to custom jewelry pieces, getting what you want specially made is often the right call. Of course, you want to make sure you get exactly what you need. 

In particular, take car parts for example –  from safety to taste, there are plenty of reasons to order yours custom made, and here are 3 tips for you when you do. 

The Right Fit

Picking the wrong fit can cause all sorts of headaches – think performance glitches, safety hiccups, and a possible hit to your wallet. When a custom part doesn’t sync up with your ride, it’s inviting trouble into your car.

You want to really get into your car’s manual or have a chat with people in the know about your car’s make, model, and year. Then, use the insight to gauge what the custom part seller is throwing at you. It’s a bit like matchmaking for your car – you want compatibility to avoid a bad date, or in this case, a bad drive.

Say you’re eyeing some flashy custom rims – but before you hit “buy,” make sure the size and bolt pattern align with your car’s wheel specs. Mismatching these could turn your smooth ride into a bumpy roller coaster.

Materials and Performance

Really, the stuff your custom part is made of is a big deal. It’s like choosing between a sturdy, reliable sidekick and one that’s just there for the show. 

So, you want to take a moment to dig into the materials commonly used in the custom part you’re eyeing. 

Say you’re looking into a custom exhaust system. You want to check out how the material handles heat, resists corrosion, and plays nice with exhaust flow so that opting for material like top-notch stainless steel means having a part that can handle what the road throws at it for a long time to come. 

Warranty and Support

A solid warranty and support system means the supplier’s got your back. If something goes south with your new gear, you’re not left in the lurch. It’s having a safety net for your investment.

So before you hit that “checkout” button, you want to give the supplier’s warranty and customer support policies a once-over. Look for a straightforward deal and a team that’s quick on the draw when it comes to helping out customers.

Say you’re grabbing a custom suspension kit. It’s a good idea to aim for a supplier with a warranty that covers your back in case those shocks or springs decide to act up, a guarantee that your ride stays smooth for the long haul.

Prioritizing just the right parts for your car is valid. Of course, you want to make sure you’re getting just what you need. Consider these tips and save yourself time, money, and headaches!

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