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Marco Andretti inks part-time ARCA, Truck Series rides in 2024

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Joe Skibinski (Penske Entertainment).

Marco Andretti will be elevating his racing resume to new heights by competing on a part-time basis across the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series divisions in 2024.

The 36-year-old, third-generation Andretti from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, will be joining forces with Cook Racing Technologies for 14 ARCA events, beginning at Daytona International Speedway in February, and make seven Truck Series starts with Roper Racing, which is aligned with Cook Racing Technologies, beginning at Circuit of the Americas in late March.

Andretti’s other Truck starts with Roper Racing will include Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in July, the Milwaukee Mile in August, Bristol Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway in September, Homestead-Miami Speedway in October and the finale at Phoenix Raceway in November.

The news comes as Andretti is coming off an eventful season, where he competed in his 18th consecutive Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May, where he finished 17th. He also competed in the Camping World SRX Series, where he finished in the runner-up spot in the final standings, and made his first three Truck Series career starts with Spire Motorsports, where he notched two top-20 results and a season-best 18th-place result at Homestead-Miami Speedway last October.

“I’m really happy with the program we’ve put in place for my racing schedule in 2024,” Andretti said. “This plan is a good mixture of races with the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series that provides maximum track time, which is what I’m after. It will answer a lot of my unknowns in stock cars. I also want to do it the right way and not go right to the top of their sport on my INDYCAR and SRX merit as I respect the amount of talent in all of the various stock car series. I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun with Bruce and the team. I’m confident that we can be pretty competitive right out of the gate.”

To date, Andretti, the grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti and the son of former racer Michael Andretti, has achieved two victories, six poles, 20 podiums and 1,035 laps led in 251 starts in the NTT IndyCar Series, with his best result in the Indy 500 being a runner-up result during his event’s debut in 2006. Having achieved championships in Skip Barber National division and the SRX Series along with making a single start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Andretti made his NASCAR national touring series debut in the Xfinity Series level at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course in October 2022 with Big Machine Racing Team, where he ended up in 36th place.

The addition of Andretti to Cook Racing Technologies brings excitement for Bruce Cook, co-owner of the team who will serve as Andretti’s crew chief, as the organization is coming off the 2023 ARCA Menards Series West owner’s championship and three victories produced between Landen Lewis and Kaden Honeycutt.

“I am looking forward to working with Marco and helping him to develop and grow as a driver in stock cars,” Cook said. “Marco has a proven track record across multiple racing platforms. I think with some more seat time and guidance in the stock car world, he’ll be able to compete up front on a regular basis.”

Marco Andretti’s part-time campaign in the ARCA Menards Series is set to commence at Daytona International Speedway on February 17 and air at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1. His part-time campaign in the Craftsman Truck Series is set to occur at Circuit of the Americas on March 23 and air at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Innovative Trends And Solutions in The Pharmaceutical Industry

By
SM
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Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash

Technology is transforming the pharmaceutical industry. New drugs are emerging, patient therapies are being personalized, and more. No aspect of the medical product lifecycle is being overlooked. New developments continue to be seen today. Areas of focus include automated processes, drug delivery mechanisms, and more. What should a person be watching for in this industry?

Improving Drug Development Processes

The pharmaceutical industry is working to make drug delivery more efficient and to improve drug development efficiency. It is using big data analytics, machine learning, and automation to do so. Thanks to recent innovations, effective therapies get to market faster. Artificial intelligence and simulation technologies are also being used to model drug interactions and predict outcomes.

In addition to these advancements, more sophisticated computational tools are further enhancing how researchers simulate and evaluate drug behavior. For example, solutions such as AQBioSim apply advanced computational models to simulate molecular behavior and support more efficient drug discovery workflows. Ultimately, the industry continues to leverage these technologies to improve efficiency, reduce development time, and accelerate innovation.

Overall, the industry aims to take full advantage of advanced computational methods and digital tools.

Adopting Novel Drug Delivery Mechanisms

The search continues for optimal drug administration methods that are convenient, comfortable, and cost-effective. Oral dissolvable films, pre-filled syringes and auto-injectors, and smart insulin pens are among the innovative delivery solutions gaining traction. These mechanisms can improve patient adherence, provide more accurate dosing, and enable easier self-administration. Many novel delivery formats also integrate connected technology and data-sharing capabilities. Companies also seek to develop administration solutions tailored to geriatric and pediatric patients. In all cases, patient-centric design principles lead the way.

IV Rooms and Services

Healthcare settings increasingly provide dedicated intravenous (IV) therapy suites to serve patients requiring regular infusions. These rooms offer comfortable reclining chairs or beds in an environment optimized for relaxation during extended treatments.  A dedicated iv room also improves workflow for pharmacy and nursing staff who prepare and administer infusions. Other patient conveniences can include TVs, blankets, and snacks. Overall, IV rooms aim to provide a warmer care experience during necessary long-term or intravenous treatments.

Implementing Automation and Robots

Robotics and automation represent a major opportunity for gains in pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain processes. Highly automated production lines can improve quality control, output efficiency, and safety. Automated warehouses and logistics solutions also optimize inventory and order fulfillment. Pharmacy operations are testing prototype robots for handling prescriptions, too.

Across administration, manufacturing, and distribution channels, automated systems enable pharmaceutical companies to achieve higher precision while redirecting human efforts to more value-added tasks. Despite high upfront costs, the long-term benefits of consistency, accuracy, and scalability make investments in pharmaceutical industry automation well worthwhile.

Focusing on Personalized Medicine

The advent of genetic testing and advanced data analytics tools allows more targeted therapies catered to individual biomarkers and disease processes, an approach known as personalized medicine. Pharmaceutical companies can now develop complex specialty treatments for defined patient subgroups expected to respond better to customized regimens. Although still an emerging field, personalized medicine could transform treatment paradigms across oncology, rare diseases, and chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

Along with improved response rates, personalized regimens can reduce exposure to unnecessary medications and side effects. However, making such individualized approaches practical and cost-effective remains a challenge. Significant progress will rely on stronger diagnostic testing capabilities and solving health data interoperability barriers.

The pharmaceutical sector is embracing disruptive innovations in several key areas, from digitally enhanced R&D to robotics to hyper-customized patient therapies. Technology both enables and necessitates continual advances in drug development and healthcare delivery. Patients stand to benefit greatly from this ongoing push for faster, cheaper, smarter, and more tailored pharmaceutical products and services.

NHRA releases 2024 schedule for eight-race Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 17, 2024) – With a new stop at Woodburn Dragstrip slated for this season, the NHRA announced an exciting eight-race schedule for the 2024 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, which will also include a pair of Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals events.

The popular series features thrilling, must-see racing action from the nitro-burning Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters and Nostalgia Funny Cars, which continue to be a fan favorite at each stop, as well as additional classes. Among those trying to defend their championships from the standout 2023 season are Tyler Hilton (Top Fuel), Bobby Cottrell (Funny Car) and Wayne Ramay (A/Fuel).

“We’re really thrilled for the 2024 season in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series, which includes an exciting first by racing at Woodburn Dragstrip,” NHRA Senior Director of Competition Mike Rice said. “The series made its first appearance at Redding last year and after a great initial event there, we’re excited to go back twice this season. We’ve expanded our schedule and added some new events, so we’re all looking forward to a terrific 2024 season.”

This season opens on its standout high note with the Good Vibrations March Meet on February 29 – March 3 at Famoso Dragstrip in Bakersfield, Calif. The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series will make the first of two stops at fan-favorite Firebird Raceway in Boise, as the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Opener takes place on May 17-19 and is reserved for Funny Cars.

Following a successful debut a year ago at Redding Motorsports Park in Redding, Calif., the series returns for a pair of dates in 2024, the first being Funny Car Fever on May 24-25. That race leads into the famed Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals East, which takes place at historic Beech Bend Raceway Park on June 13-15 and features a weekend of must-see nostalgia displays and memorable racing action.

The series resumes in August in a major way with a second trip to Firebird Raceway and the track’s famed Nightfire Nationals presented by Bi-Mart on Aug. 2-4. That event features both Top Fuel and Funny Car and three weeks later, the series makes its debut at historic Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Ore. for the Summer Nationals on Aug. 24-25. Fans at Woodburn Dragstrip will be able to take in standout Funny Car action, as well as Groups 1 and 2.

The penultimate race of the year is the second event at Redding Motorsports Park, Thunder Under the Lights on Sept. 20-21. The Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals West then closes out the season in spectacular season on Oct. 25-27 at Famoso Dragstrip.

Nostalgia Top Fuel will compete for points at four events during the season (March Meet, Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals East and West, and Nightfire Nationals). Nostalgia Funny Car will compete for points at six races (March Meet, Ignitor Nitro Opener, Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals East and West, Nightfire Nationals and Summer Nationals) with their best five of six events counting for the championship.

In addition to Nostalgia Top Fuel dragster and Nostalgia Funny Car, there are two groups of other classes. Group 1 includes A/Fuel, Jr. Fuel, and 7.0 Eliminator, while Group 2 includes Nostalgia Eliminator l, Nostalgia Eliminator ll, Nostalgia Eliminator lll, A/Gas, B/Gas, C/Gas, D/Gas, and Hot Rod Eliminator. Drivers in each class can compete at five events to earn points toward their respective championships.

The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series was developed in 2008 to help preserve NHRA’s rich history and tradition while providing racing opportunities for enthusiasts who enjoy nostalgia drag racing competition.

For more information about the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series, please visit www.nhrahotrodheritage.com. For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

2024 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Schedule

Feb. 29-March 3: Good Vibrations March Meet, Famoso Dragstrip, Bakersfield, Calif. (TF, FC, Group 1, Group 2)

May 17-19: NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by The Blower Shop, Firebird Raceway, Boise, Idaho (FC)

May 24-25: Funny Car Fever, Redding Motorsports Park, Redding, Calif. (G1, G2)

June 13-15: Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals East, Beech Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green, Ky. (TF, FC)

Aug. 2-4: Nightfire Nationals presented by Bi-Mart, Firebird Raceway, Boise (TF, FC)

Aug. 24-25: Summer Nationals, Woodburn Dragstrip, Woodburn, Ore. (FC, G1, G2)

Sept 20-21: Thunder Under the Lights, Redding Motorsports Park, Redding, Calif. (G1, G2)

Oct 25-27: Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals West, Famoso Dragstrip, Bakersfield (TF, FC, G1, G2)

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.

Michelin Named Official Tire Supplier and Presenting Sponsor for Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup

By
Official Release
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January 17, 2024 – The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup series continues to add world-class partners to its ecosystem by welcoming Michelin as the official tire supplier for the one-make championship. With an unparalleled level of support, Michelin additionally becomes the presenting sponsor for Mazda MX-5 Cup.

Joining other IMSA-sanctioned series such as the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge, Mazda MX-5 Cup cars will now be outfitted with Michelin tires. Every vehicle in the series is now required to run Michelin Pilot Sport Competition 20/61-17 racing slicks on all four corners.

MX-5 Cup previously raced on BFGoodrich® tires, a company owned by Michelin, making the transition an easy one.

“We are thrilled to continue being a part of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup with the Michelin brand as the new tire supplier for the series,” said Jason Anzalone, director of North American Motorsports for Michelin. “It is an honor to be a part of the development and growth of these drivers and teams, and we are excited to support another season of action-packed racing.”

Michelin approaches motorsports as a way to develop and prove its technologies in a wide variety of cars, circuits and conditions. With a heritage of endurance racing, including 26 consecutive overall race wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Michelin constantly challenges itself to achieve continuous improvement. As the Official Tire of IMSA, Michelin is a technical partner for many of the world’s top vehicle makers.

“Having Michelin join the Mazda MX-5 Cup family is a perfect fit,” Mazda Motorsports Senior Program Manager Jonathan Applegate said. “The quality of their product is what our drivers need for the close, door-to-door racing the series is known for. Michelin’s sizeable presence in IMSA makes the change seamless for our competitors.”

The new Michelin tires will make their Mazda MX-5 Cup debut in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway, January 24 – 26 as part of the Rolex 24 at Daytona event. Race One takes place Thursday, January 25, at 4:15pm ET. Race Two is scheduled for Friday, January 26, at 10:15am ET. Both races will be streamed live on RACER.com and imsa.com/tvlive.

About: The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

Molson Coors Extends Partnership with IMS, INDYCAR

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024) – Molson Coors – a global leader in brewing beverages for all of life’s moments – has extended its multiyear partnership with Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR.

The beloved and iconic beers produced by Molson Coors will continue as the Official Beer of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Brickyard Weekend, IMS, INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

“We are delighted to see Molson Coors continue this decade-long relationship with INDYCAR,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “The momentum and growth of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is due, in part, to valuable partnerships and activations with iconic brands. It is gratifying to begin 2024 with this terrific news, and we look forward to continuing our upward trajectory with Molson Coors for many years to come.”

Other components of the partnership extension include:

  • Continued sponsorship of Miller Lite Carb Day, a high-octane party featuring some of the most exciting action on (and off) track with the final day of practice for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring a national recording act to kick off race weekend.
  • Expanded title sponsorship of the Coors Light Snake Pit, an epic EDM concert staged in Turn 3 during the Indianapolis 500.

“For more than 45 years, Molson Coors has been a key part of the festivities surrounding the Indianapolis 500 and other events at the Racing Capital of the World,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “As we look forward to a new year of exciting action on and off track at IMS, there’s no chiller partner to ensure our fans can continue to celebrate both at home and at IMS. Help us cheers to many more years together.”

The extension of the partnership between IMS and Molson Coors continues a bond that started in 1977 when Miller Brewing Company first sponsored the Indianapolis 500 Pit Stop Challenge. Miller’s first involvement at the Indianapolis 500 came in 1973, when Miller High Life sponsored the car driven by Jim Hurtubise.

“We are so excited to extend our partnership once again with IMS, INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” Molson Coors Vice President of Marketing Activation Bill Averill said. “For nearly half a century, Miller Lite and Coors Light have helped celebrate motorsport’s greatest moments both on and off track. We can’t wait to fuel this historic partnership for years to come.”

Coors has been involved with IMS and the Indianapolis 500 since 1996, when it started sponsorship of the Pit Stop Challenge. Coors also has sponsored Carb Day and other Indianapolis 500 activities since then.

For more than two centuries, Molson Coors Beverage Company has been brewing beverages. From Coors Light, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, Carling, and Staropramen to Coors Banquet, Blue Moon Belgian White, Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Miller High Life and more, Molson Coors produces many beloved and iconic beer brands. While Molson Coors’ history is rooted in beer, Molson Coors offers a modern portfolio that expands beyond the beer aisle, as well. To learn more about Molson Coors Beverage Company, visit molsoncoors.com.

The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins Sunday, March 10 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Coverage will be available via NBC and Peacock with audio coverage provided by the INDYCAR Radio Network, SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

Tickets for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, all Month of May events at IMS – including Miller Lite Carb Day and Coors Lite Snake Pit – as well as Brickyard Weekend are on sale at IMS.com.

Brazilian artist creates one-of-a-kind helmet for Felipe Nasr

By
Official Release
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Artist Adonis Alcici Creates Exclusive Helmet for Felipe Nasr 24 Hours of Daytona 

Daytona, FL – Brazilian artist Adonis Alcici has once again partnered with renowned racecar driver Felipe Nasr to design a unique helmet for the upcoming 24 Hours of Daytona race. As one of the most prestigious events in motorsports, the duo aims to combine art and racing in this special collaboration. 

Known for his innovative and captivating artwork, Adonis Alcici brings the world of motorsports alive with his creative vision. Working closely with Felipe Nasr, Alcici has crafted a striking helmet that represents Nasr’s racing identity mixed with art that captures the essence of speed, power, and passion. The helmet is a continuation of Nasr’s Porsche 963, the design’s livery is inspired by and incorporates the vibrant red of the car, mixed with Alcici’s signature lines. 

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with Felipe again, after designing his helmet for Porsche at the 24th of le Mans in 2023, I’m eager to share this experience with him again,” Adonis Alcici, Brazilian Automotive Artist said. “The automotive community is universal, we all have deep admiration for the power of being behind the wheel. Speed and adrenaline move me, and each brush stroke I make.” 

Adonis Alcici’s collaboration with Felipe Nasr has garnered attention from both the art and racing communities before when Alcici created the ArtHelmet for Nasr’s drive for Porsche at Le Mans in 2023. This project’s fusion of art and motorsports continues to create buzz and generate excitement among fans and enthusiasts. The unique helmet design is expected to become a conversation piece and symbolize the airflow and wind, giving the feeling of speed. 

The 24 Hours of Daytona race, organized by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), brings together some of the most skilled drivers worldwide. The race tests the endurance and skill of the participants, making it a thrilling event for both drivers and spectators. Felipe Nasr, a former Formula One driver and IMSA champion, is set to make a mark with his one-of-a-kind helmet design. 

“I’m extremely happy to collaborate with Brazilian artist Adonis Alcici once again, this time on the iconic 24 hours of Daytona. We are creating together a unique piece which evokes my passion for racing, speed and identity,” said Felipe Nasr, Porsche Penske Motorsport driver, 2 times IMSA champion and Daytona 24h winner. “Adonis also became a great friend and I really admire the way he translates his art into something special. I’m looking forward to seeing this art helmet at full speed and hopefully stepping into victory lane.” 

Fans will be able to witness Felipe Nasr’s extraordinary helmet design in action during the 24 Hours of Daytona race. The event will be broadcast live, allowing viewers around the world to admire the artistic masterpiece and witness Nasr’s incredible racing skills.

For more information about Brazilian artist Adonis Alcici and his collaboration with Felipe Nasr, please visit https://www.adonisalcici.com.br/. Please see here for photos. 

About Adonis Alcici 

Adonis Alcici is a Brazilian artist who expresses the universe of speed in his art. 33 years old, he operates in the luxury market with his work driven and inspired by adrenaline and movement. Adonis Alcici has developed a series of special projects and participated in events for major brands and companies, such as TagHeur, Porsche and more. Alcici has had a great impact, especially during activations and events for major brands, doing live painting experiences and talking fans through the artistic process. To learn more about Alcici, please visit his official website at https://www.adonisalcici.com.br/ or see his portfolio here. 

About Felipe Nasr 

Felipe Nasr is a renowned racecar driver, whose exceptional skills have earned him success across various motorsport disciplines. From Formula One to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Nasr’s talent has been recognized globally. His partnership with artist Adonis Alcici for the 24 Hours of Daytona race highlights his dedication to both speed and aesthetics. 

About 24 Hours of Daytona 

The 24 Hours of Daytona is an endurance race held at Daytona International Speedway in Florida, United States. Organized by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), the event showcases both prototypes and sports cars competing in a grueling 24-hour race. It is considered one of the premier events in motorsports. 

Kaz Grala on Cup Grid with Rick Ware Racing in 2024

By
Official Release
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25-Year-Old Racer To Drive No. 15 Ford Mustang in 25 NASCAR Cup Series Races

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 17, 2024) – Rick Ware Racing (RWR) has named Kaz Grala to its 2024 driver lineup with the 25-year-old Boston native piloting the organization’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in 25 NASCAR Cup Series races.

Grala comes to RWR with seven Cup Series starts already under his belt, a mark that includes a top-10 finish in his Cup Series debut on Aug. 16, 2020 when he drove to a seventh-place finish on the road course at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. It was a milestone moment in a series of milestones for Grala, beginning with a breakout NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win in the 2017 season opener on Daytona’s 2.5-mile oval. Grala won in just his 10th career Truck Series start, becoming the youngest race winner in Daytona history at 18 years, 1 month and 26 days old.

“Kaz Grala is a talented and tenacious driver who brings a lot to our race team,” said Rick Ware, owner, RWR. “He has an incredible work ethic and leverages every opportunity to its full potential. He’s an asset inside and outside of the car who will help make our program better.”

Despite his early success, Grala has had to scratch and claw for opportunities. Since running the full Truck Series schedule in 2017 when he finished an impressive seventh in the championship standings, Grala has pieced together an assortment of races across NASCAR’s top-three series – Truck, Xfinity and Cup. It wasn’t until 2023 that Grala was able to run another full season, competing in the Xfinity Series for Sam Hunt Racing, earning nine top-10 finishes for the young team.

“I’ve found myself as an underdog at each level of NASCAR, and I feel I thrive in that position,” said Grala, who began racing go karts as a 4-year-old in Massachusetts. “It’s important to get the most out of the car on restarts and in the closing laps of a race, all while taking care of the equipment, and those are my strengths. I also like to be hands-on with the team during the week, involved in what the next step is to advance our program.”

The addition of Grala, an accomplished yet hungry racecar driver, and pairing him with crew chief Billy Plourde, is another important move by Ware as he continues to advance his NASCAR operation. Last July, Ware signed Justin Haley, a winner in Cup, Xfinity and Truck, to drive RWR’s No. 51 Ford Mustang.

“Kaz is another crucial piece of our organization and for the same reasons we brought Justin Haley on board, we feel Kaz can also contribute immediately,” Ware said. “Kaz wants to make a difference and, above all, he wants to perform. That’s the kind of drive and determination all of us have at RWR.”

In 2023, RWR won three NHRA Drag Racing Series events in the Top Fuel class with driver Clay Millican and scored two Progressive American Flat Track wins with rider Briar Bauman. And coming off its 2022 FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) with rider Shane McElrath, RWR continued to score WSX victories between McElrath and teammate Joey Savatgy.

“I’ve been really impressed by RWR’s vision and the plan they’ve laid out to get where they want to be,” Grala said. “This sport is all about people, and I’ve learned that having everyone pulling in the same direction is the key to success. Every single person at RWR is a racer, and they want to prove themselves in the Cup Series just as badly as I do, so it’s a perfect fit. I’m excited to see what we’re able to accomplish together. I think we’re going to surprise some people this year.”

After racing go-karts, a 9-year-old Grala moved to Bandoleros, where he first experienced oval racing. He proved a quick study, winning track titles in Massachusetts and New York in 2011. Grala moved up to Legends Cars in 2012 and won the Winter Heat championship at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in the Legend Cars Pro division. From there, it was on to Late Models and Super Late Models, where Grala won his UARA-STARS debut in 2013 at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway before scoring victories in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in 2014 at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, North Carolina, and Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Grala spent 2014-2015 in the ARCA Menards Series East before making a handful of NASCAR Truck Series starts in 2016 that ultimately led to his breakthrough win at Daytona in 2017. It’s culminated with this moment at RWR.

“I’ve gotten the chance to race in the Cup Series a handful of times already, so I know how big of a jump it is from the Xfinity Series,” Grala said. “The depth of talent in Cup is steep. It really is the highest level of motorsport in the U.S., with both the quality of teams and the drivers. Last year, the Xfinity Series had a particularly deep field of fulltime competitors, so I feel like 2023 was the right year for me to gain experience ahead of this next step in my career.

“Anytime you sit in a Cup car, you have more eyes on you than at any other level. There’s more pressure, but at the same time I feel like there’s something more calming about racing on Sundays, considering I’ve been pushing to make that a reality since I was single digits in age. As a competitor, you love the idea of competing against the best of the best, so I couldn’t be more up for the challenge that’s ahead of me this year.”

Grala will make his RWR debut in the exhibition Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Feb. 4 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. His first regular-season race will be the Ambetter Health 400 Feb. 25 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

About Rick Ware Racing:

Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age 6 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, but injuries eventually forced him out of the drivers seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 2004, 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 race-winning teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the NTT INDYCAR Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX).

One month to go until Extreme E Season 4 begins in Saudi Arabia

By
Official Release
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17 January 2024, London: After three years of thrills and spills Extreme E is set to return for its fourth instalment, with only a month to go until Rounds 1-2 of the 2024 campaign in Saudi Arabia.

Season 4 will deliver even more thrilling wheel-to-wheel action showcased across some of the toughest terrains on the planet.

The deserts of Saudi Arabia have opened each of Extreme E’s three previous campaigns, and another spectacular is expected in Jeddah when the championship arrives for the Desert X Prix on 17-18 February.

This is the first time since the series launched that Extreme E has raced in Jeddah, which has been home to the country’s Formula One races since 2021.

The focus of Extreme E’s legacy initiative at the Desert X Prix will be coral restoration. The initiative will be led by Carlos Duarte, Head of Extreme E’s Scientific Committee and Professor of Marine Science at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), as well as collaborating with Ocean Revive and AEON Collective.

Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: “We are excited to return to Saudi Arabia for our fourth season of Extreme E.

“The championship is undoubtedly one of the most competitive in world motorsport, and we are looking forward to another year full of fantastic battles out on track visiting some incredible locations, some of which have been hugely impacted by climate change.

“Saudi Arabia has been a great host for Extreme E since we launched, and has also showcased some memorable on track moments, and we look forward to more of the same in Jeddah.”

His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Motorsport Company, stated: “Our partnership with Extreme has a rich history, extending far beyond the realms of sports and racing. We envision this collaboration to endure for the long term. This time around, the race takes place in a fresh and iconic setting, Jeddah, a location renowned globally for its significance, which has played a pivotal role in establishing Saudi Arabia’s reputation in the world of motorsports.

“We take immense pride in welcoming Extreme E back to Saudi Arabia for the fourth consecutive year, as it embarks on yet another thrilling round of the competition. Extreme E perfectly aligns with the core pillars of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, championing the nation’s commitment to lead in the advancement and advocacy of alternative energy, protecting our environment for generations to come, and forging a sustainable future.”

Extreme E’s ten-race championship is set to captivate on track once more. Alongside returning to Saudi Arabia and Sardinia, the series will also make its debut in the USA, with a further X Prix in Europe still to be confirmed.

Two-time champions Rosberg X Racing (RXR) have been the most successful team in Saudi Arabia, taking two victories and two additional podiums from the fourth races held so far. As Season 3 champions, Nico Rosberg’s outfit will be the team to beat. Nevertheless, last year’s Desert X Prix showed that they can be beaten despite their formidable form, with Veloce Racing and ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team both taking their debut wins the in the series.

With less than five weeks to go until the opening X Prix of the campaign, anticipation continues to build ahead of Extreme E Season 4 with plenty more news ahead of another exciting year still to come.

To learn more about Extreme E, visit – www.Extreme-E.com

About Extreme E:

Now heading into its third season, Extreme E is a radical off-road racing series, founded by the same team behind Formula E, which showcases electric SUVs and futuristic technologies in some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments.

This five-event global voyage utilises its sporting platform for the purpose of promoting electrification, environment and equality. The series’ goal is to highlight the impact of climate change in some of the world’s most endangered environments, promote the adoption of electric vehicles to pave the way for a lower carbon future, and provide a world-first gender-equal motorsport platform.

The first sport to ever be built out of a social purpose, Extreme E aims to minimise environmental impact while maximising awareness, racing in places that have already been damaged or affected by climate change or human interference and taking fans deep into the heart of the most pressing issues facing our planet’s future.

Not only that, but Extreme E is also helping the car industry to develop future-facing technology using racing as a platform for road innovation, which accelerates change ten-fold.

Season 3 Calendar
Saudi Arabia: 11-12 March 2023
Scotland, UK: 13-14 May 2023
Sardinia, Italy: 08-09 July 2023
Sardinia, Italy: 16-17 September 2023
Chile: 02-03 December 2023

About Continental Tires: Founding Partner and Official Tire Partner

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. Continental generated preliminary sales of €37.7 billion in 2020 and currently employs more than 235,000 people in 58 countries and markets. In 2021, the company celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The Tires business area has 24 production and development locations worldwide. Continental is one of the leading tire manufacturers with more than 56,000 employees and posted preliminary sales of €10.2 billion in 2020 in this business area. Continental ranks among the technology leaders in tire production and offers a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial and special-purpose vehicles as well as two-wheelers. Through continuous investment in research and development, Continental makes a major contribution to safe, cost effective and ecologically efficient mobility. The portfolio of the Tires business area includes services for the tire trade and fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for tires.

About Enel X Way: Official Smart Charging Partner

Enel X Way is the Enel Group’s company fully dedicated to electric mobility. With around 25,000 managed public charging points, Enel X Way operates in 16 countries, both directly and through joint ventures such as Ewiva in Italy and Chargeway in India. As a global platform for e-Mobility, the company is focused on developing flexible charging technologies and solutions to improve the customer experience and to enable the electrification of transport for consumers, businesses, cities and public administrations.

LinkedIn: Enel X Way
Twitter: @enelxway
Instagram: @enelxway
Facebook: @enelxway

About Zenith: Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner

Zenith exists to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams and make them come true – against all odds. Since its establishment in 1865, Zenith became the first watch manufacture in the modern sense of the term, and its watches have accompanied extraordinary figures that dreamt big and strived to achieve the impossible – from Louis Blériot’s history-making flight across the English Channel to Felix Baumgartner’s record-setting stratospheric free-fall jump. Zenith is also highlighting visionary and trailblazing women – past and present – by celebrating their accomplishments and creating in 2020 its first-ever collection dedicated entirely to them, Defy Midnight.

With innovation as its guiding star, Zenith features exceptional in-house developed and manufactured movements in all its watches. Since the creation of the El Primero in 1969, the world’s first automatic chronograph calibre, Zenith has gone on to master fractions of the second with the Chronomaster Sport and its 1/10th of a second precision and the DEFY 21 with a precision of 1/100th of a second.

About ENOWA: Official Green Hydrogen Partner

About ENOWA: ENOWA is a world-class energy, water and hydrogen company founded in NEOM, Saudi Arabia. ENOWA produces and delivers clean and sustainable resources for industrial and commercial applications using a customer-centric smart and connected system, designed to be circular and takes advantage of NEOM’s optimal solar and wind energy profile. ENOWA benefits from NEOM’s greenfield site, which has no legacy infrastructure, to advance Energy, Water, and Hydrogen innovation.

ENOWA will act as a catalyst and incubator for developing new, sustainable energy and water businesses while creating a robust economic sector regionally. Through its commitment to renewable energy and efficient water management, ENOWA seeks to become a global reference for industry leaders and setting a benchmark for sustainable economic circular systems around the world.

For more information, please visit enowa.neom.com

About Vodafone Business: Official Technology and Communication Partner

With expertise in connectivity, global scale and the leading IoT platform, Vodafone Business is a leading technology communications company helping organisations succeed in a digital world and keeping society connected. Vodafone’s purpose is to connect for a better future, enabling an inclusive and sustainable digital society, and many of its solutions have sustainability and inclusivity embedded.

Unique in its scale as the largest pan-European and African technology communications company, Vodafone transforms the way we live and work through its innovation, technology, connectivity, platforms, products and services. Vodafone operates mobile and fixed networks in 21 countries, and partners with mobile networks in 52 more. As of 31 December 2021, they had over 300m mobile customers, more than 28m fixed broadband customers and over 22m TV customers.

This collaboration will see Vodafone Business leading innovations and capabilities such as 5G, MPN, IOT and MEC, integrated into Extreme E’s global operations and will include full involvement in the purpose- driven elements of the series, with special prominence on Extreme E’s Legacy Programmes and the Science Laboratory on board the St Helena.Through its IOT solutions, Vodafone Business is helping sustainability efforts, including agriculture, forestation and decarbonisation of energy grids.

Find out more on http://www.Vodafone.com/business and follow Vodafone on its social media channels:

Twitter: @VodafoneGroup

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone

About EY: Official Sustainability Partner

EY is a global leader in assurance, consulting, strategy, transactions and tax services, and already plays a significant role in working with Extreme E. Originally announcing its collaboration with the championship back in 2020, EY came on board to help Extreme E achieve its commitment to minimising its overall footprint whilst creating a positive legacy.

Whilst Extreme E strives ‘to race without a trace’, the framework provided by EY has helped the series to minimize its environmental impact across each of its remote race locations. Both prior and post-racing impact assessments have supported Extreme E to strategically plan their actions within these areas.

EY and Extreme E will work closely together to promote the five pillars of Extreme E (or “Five Es”) through the adoption of ‘XE Talks’. These informative presentations, facilitated by Extreme E’s Scientific Committee, will shed light on the Five Es, showcasing the joint commitment of EY and Extreme E.

About CBMM: Founding Supplier

CBMM is the world leading supplier of niobium products and technology. Headquartered in Brazil, with offices and subsidiaries in China, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States.

CBMM offers technical innovation to customers around the globe through a team of over 2,000 highly trained, dedicated professionals providing cutting-edge niobium products and technology to over 400 clients in around 40 countries.

About Kaizen Clean Energy: Official Clean Energy Technology Provider

Kaizen Clean Energy (KCE), a manufacturer of hydrogen generators, is developing integrated solutions for electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen fuelling, and distributed power for the grid and critical assets.

KCE offers its mobile microgrid to customers through an Energy as a Service contract, which eliminates large capital expenses and provides customers with the flexibility to scale with energy needs over time.

Kaizen Clean Energy will support ENOWA – NEOM’s energy, water, and hydrogen subsidiary and Green Hydrogen Power Partner to Extreme E – in delivering a pioneering hydrogen microgrid solution to the championship.

Find out more on: www.kaizencleanenergy.com.

About ALLCOT: Official Environmental Contribution Partner

Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, ALLCOT works together with communities, organizations, and governments worldwide in climate actions, to accelerate the transition to Net Zero. ALLCOT develops Climate action through projects and solutions with triple impact: environmental, social, and economic, using four strategies:

Sustainability strategies: Innovative, comprehensive, and tailored solutions for businesses to reduce and compensate greenhouse gas emissions and measures the socio-economic co-benefits through the SDGs.
Project development & implementation: Implementation of carbon projects in developing countries, rooted in community engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic viability, driven by integrity, equity, and transparency.
Capacity building: Providing individuals and communities with practical skills and knowledge, possible to apply in their daily lives.
Advocacy: Creating systemic change to work closely with policymakers and stakeholders to promote sustainable policies and practices at the local, national, and international levels.

Find out more on: www.allcot.com

Corvette Racing at Daytona: It’s a New Era!

By
Official Release
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Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports, AWA to debut Corvette Z06 GT3.R (Fixes driver quotes)

DETROIT (Jan. 16, 2024) – A new season of racing marks a new start to the Corvette Racing program. The three-day Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway is the annual preview ahead of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which will look very different for familiar with the Corvette brand.

Instead of one or two Corvette GT cars running around the 3.56-mile infield road course as has been tradition for the 25 years, a quartet of the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecars are set for the Roar – one week before the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The quartet of Corvettes will be spread out in two classes of the WeatherTech Championship: Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports in GTD (GT Daytona) PRO and AWA in GTD. Nine GM factory drivers dot the roster of four cars.

· Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports: Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Daniel Juncadella (No. 3 Oshkosh / Mobil 1 Corvette); Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg, Earl Bamber (No. 4 Oshkosh / Mobil 1 Corvette)

· AWA: Orey Fidani, Matthew Bell, Lars Kern, Alex Lynn (No. 13 Corvette); Anthony Mantella, Nico Varrone, Thomas Merrill, Charlie Eastwood

The official competition debut of the Corvette Z06 GT3.R comes almost 15 months from the first time the initial test car turned its wheels for the first time on a track. Since that time, continued testing and development has come at circuits around the United States and at Chevrolet’s Driver in the Loop (DIL) simulator.

The Corvette Z06 GT3.R is Chevrolet’s first car built to global GT3 regulations. It’s based on the production Corvette Z06 supercar with the two sharing a significant amount of DNA.

The racecar is built on the same production aluminum chassis frame – from Chevrolet’s Bowling Green (Ky.) Assembly plant – as the road-going Z06. Similar carbon-fiber splitters for front downforce, and the surface area from the top of the windshield to the rear of the Z06 remained intact on the Z06 GT3.R. That includes side air ducts behind the doors — directly inspired by Z06 production road car — that help to cool the engine, transaxle and rear brakes.

The similarities carry over to the hand-built 5.5L, flat-plane crankshaft V8 engine in the Z06 GT3.R. Both original from the Bowling Green factory with the racing version sharing 80 percent of the production content from the Z06, including the crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder heads, fuel injectors, coils, gaskets and a variety of other sensors.

Corvette’s latest racing challenger benefits from a legacy of previous race- and championship-winning racecars. Three previous generations of Corvette – C5-R, C7.R and C8.R – have visited Victory Lane at Daytona with the program claiming four previous class victories. The goal for this year’s Rolex is to claim Victory No. 5… and No. 6.

The Roar Before the 24 is set for Friday-Sunday with GTD PRO and GTD qualifying for the Rolex 24 scheduled for 1:55 ET p.m. on Sunday. The session will stream live around the world on IMSA.com.

CORVETTE RACING BY PRATT MILLER MOTORSPORTS PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’ve raced the Rolex 24 many times but I think I’m looking forward to this year more than almost any previous ones. Obviously we have the new Corvette to debut in a race for the first time, and that is exciting for all of us. It’s a new chapter for us as drivers and everyone at Corvette and Pratt Miller. The Z06 GT3.R has a lot of potential as we’ve seen in testing so let’s see how things play out first at the Roar. Sharing the No. 3 car with Alexander and Dani also is something new for me, and I’m very happy about it. Of course Alex has a good history with this team, and Dani is a very tough and fast competitor as he has proven against us in the past. I’m happy to race with him and not against him!”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’ll be great to do some more laps in the new Corvette and get a better feeling for it following the testing we’ve already had. We keep improving things, which is what you want. There are some things that I’m still trying to get my head around like the ABS, so having some more laps is always a good thing. It’s cool and exciting to get the season kicked off. The Roar is a nice, soft start to the year with three days at Daytona. Hopefully the weather is friendly for us. It should be nice. Overall I’m looking forward to getting everything kicked off with Antonio, Dani and the team. I’ve never worked directly with Antonio, Dani or Andy Ramsey, our engineer. So it will be nice to start working together in a more competitive environment as the season progresses. So far it seems like it is a recipe for good things to come.”

DANI JUNCADELLA, NO. 3 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s a very special week coming up for me. It’s a new challenge and new beginning in my career to join one of the biggest brands in the racing world. Being part of this lineup in the No. 3 Corvette and all the legacy behind being a Corvette factory driver and joining such an experienced and successful team like Pratt Miller Motorsports is very special and very unique. I’m massively excited for everything. The year starts with a big highlight because you could say this is our biggest race of the year. That makes it even more exciting on top of it. Also with the Z06 GT3.R… when you add all these things together, I really have to come into these weeks controlling my expectations and motivations. It’s like when you’re young and back for the first day at school. I have to control this excitement and focus and go day by day. I’ve enjoyed this process and working with this group that I got to know in December. I feel very good within the team. I’m excited and looking forward to jumping on track and seeing how things are at this Roar.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m ready to go racing. With 2023 being a little bit different year for me with more testing and less racing, coming to Daytona I’m even more anxious and geared up to go racing full-time. There has been a lot of simulator testing – just about a year before the car first hit the track – which is similar to what we did with C8.R. The level of anxiousness for me is a little higher because I’ve not raced full-time for more than a year. This should be a fun year racing with Nicky and adding Earl at the longer races. This team operates as one team and there’s always been collaboration between both cars. It’s a great atmosphere within the team, and I’m happy that’s continuing with the guys we have this year.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m looking forward a lot to starting my first full season in America and with Corvette in IMSA. It’s a big challenge starting with Daytona and such a big race. It will be extra-tough for us because we are coming with a new car built to the GT3 regulations. We will use every single minute at the Roar that we can to improve the cars for the Rolex 24. I’m massively looking forward to working again with the Corvette team, with Tommy and Earl. I also can’t wait to see the GTD PRO class to see where we stand in that field to see if we will be competitive.”

EARL BAMBER, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m really looking forward to the Roar and of course the Rolex 24. This is a big moment for Corvette in debuting the Z06 GT3.R. I was really lucky to be a tiny part of the development, and from what I’ve experienced so far the entire group has done a fantastic job. I’m keen and eager to get on the track and work with the team at Pratt Miller. There were many years where I battled and fought them throughout GTLM. In joining them, I can see why they put up such a tough challenge. It’s a great organization. Joining my good friend Nicky, with whom I won the Nurburgring 24 Hours so there’s a lot of great vibes there. And having Tommy with all his experience with this car through the test and development program is great as well. It’s eyes forward into Daytona, and we’ll give it our best shot.”

AWA PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

ALEX LYNN, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m really looking forward to the Roar and the Rolex 24. Of course it’s the racing debut of the new Corvette, and there has been a ton of work put in by Corvette, Pratt Miller and GM. It’s a thrill to play a small part of it and get the enjoyable job of driving. It’s a fantastic car, and we’re excited to start off 2024 with one of the biggest races in the world. It’s a huge honor. Every time you drive in a Corvette, you fight for the win. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going there with the dream of coming home with a new watch. Going into the Roar, there is still a lot to learn and see and size up the competition. The emotions are a lot of excitement of getting Stateside and getting going.”

NICO VARRONE, NO. 17 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m super excited to go back to the Roar – this time with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. It’s the first time for us in official sessions, and it will be awesome to see the results of the work of a lot of people over the last couple of years. As a team, AWA we haven’t had as much running as we would have wanted, but the car is well-developed with a lot of running and testing. For us, both the Roar and Rolex will be races against the clock to find out what the car likes and doesn’t like in terms of setup, electronics and other things we need to work on and catch up in order to be a contender. But this will be an exciting challenge and super fun. I like our lineup. so everything goes well, we should have a good couple of weeks.”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 17 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “For both AWA and myself, we’re still relatively new to the Z06 GT3.R. We still have plenty to run through. Ultimately the Roar is an event in its own right, but really it is a test item for the big one the next week for the Rolex 24. We have plenty of testing items to go through, all the drivers need more time in the car, but already things are in a fantastic place from the test we did before December. I’m looking forward to getting back into the car and into my first event and race weekend as a Corvette factory driver. It should be a good one.”

CORVETTE RACING BY THE NUMBERS AT DAYTONA

  • 0.034: As in seconds – the winning margin of victory in Corvette Racing’s 1-2 finish at the 2016 Rolex 24. Up until last year’s LMP2 finish, it was the closest finish in race history
  • 1: Rolex 24 class win for AWA; the team won in LMP3 in 2023. Current team drivers Nico Varrone, Anthony Mantella and Thomas Merrill were part of that lineup
  • 2: Number of the overall winning Corvette C5-R in the 2001 Rolex 24. Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Chris Kneifel and Franck Freon completed 656 laps for 2335.36 miles in the winning effort
  • 4: Number of Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries for the 2024 Rolex 24 – two from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports (GTD PRO) and two from AWA (GTD)
  • 4: Rolex 24 wins for Corvette Racing as an entrant: 2001 overall, 2015 GTLM (Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen/Ryan Briscoe), 2016 GTLM (Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler) and 2021 GTLM (Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg)
  • 9: Corvette/General Motors factory drivers piloting the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in this year’s race: Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Dani Juncadella, Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg, Earl Bamber (Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller) plus Charlie Eastwood, Nico Varrone and Alex Lynn (AWA). Bamber and Lynn also are Cadillac Racing factory drivers in FIA WEC
  • 14: IMSA Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
  • 24: Drivers who have driven for Corvette Racing at Daytona – Justin Bell, Ryan Briscoe, Nicky Catsburg, Kelly Collins, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Marcel Fässler, Ron Fellows, Franck Freon, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, John Heinricy, Chris Kneifel, Robin Liddell, Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner, Simon Pagenaud, John Paul Jr., Andy Pilgrim, Mike Rockenfeller, Scott Sharp, Alexander Sims, Marco Sorensen, Nick Tandy and Jordan Taylor
  • 27: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Fuji Speedway, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
  • 32: Number of drivers for Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 71: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
  • 127: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 115 in North America, nine at Le Mans and three in the FIA WEC
  • 284: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 99,600: Total number of racing laps completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. Barring any issues, the program will go over the 100,00-lap mark at the Rolex 24 of Daytona
  • 361,990.52: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles

Corvette Racing at Daytona (wins in bold)

1999

No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 3rd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Scott Sharp/John Heinricy – 12th in GTS

2000

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 10th in GTS

2001

No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Chris Kneifel/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS (overall win)

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Dale Earnhardt/Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2nd in GTS

2014

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 10th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Robin Liddell – 5th in GTLM

2015

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 1st in GTLM (Magnussen fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Simon Pagenaud – 3rd in GTLM (Gavin pole)

2016

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 2nd in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 1st in GTLM (Winner by 0.034 second)

2017

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 9th in GTLM

2018

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 3rd in GTLM (Magnussen pole)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GTLM

2019

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLM

2020 (Rolex 24 – January)

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 7th in GTLM

2020 (WeatherTech 240 – July)

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 5th in GTLM

2021

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 2nd in GTLM

2022

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 6th in GTD PRO

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Marco Sorensen – 10th in GTD PRO

2023

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTD PRO

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in nearly 80 countries with nearly 2.7 million cars and trucks sold in 2021. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Road Safety: 5 Smart Solutions to Prevent People from Crossing into the Road

By
SM
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In the realm of road safety, one of the critical challenges is to prevent people from crossing into the road in unsafe conditions. Pedestrian safety is a significant concern in urban and suburban areas, where the interaction between vehicles and pedestrians can often lead to a common road accident. This blog aims to explore five smart solutions that can effectively reduce the risks associated with pedestrians crossing roads, enhancing overall road safety for all users.

1. Pedestrian Bridges and Underpasses

The most direct method to prevent pedestrian accidents is to provide alternative crossing options like pedestrian bridges or underpasses. These structures allow people to cross roads without interrupting traffic flow, significantly reducing the chances of accidents. They are particularly useful in areas with high traffic density or where roads divide residential areas from amenities like schools, parks, or shopping centres. Designing these crossings to be visually appealing and easily accessible encourages their use, making them more effective in enhancing pedestrian safety.

Key Considerations:

  • Accessibility for people with disabilities.
  • Adequate lighting and security features.
  • Strategic placement in high-traffic areas.

2. Advanced Crosswalks

Crosswalks are traditional solutions for pedestrian crossings, but their effectiveness can be significantly increased with smart enhancements. Illuminated crosswalks, which light up when a pedestrian is crossing, are an innovative solution. These systems use sensors or push-buttons to activate, alerting drivers effectively. Another approach is the implementation of raised crosswalks, which act as a speed bump for vehicles, naturally slowing traffic at pedestrian crossing points.

Key Features:

  • Enhanced visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.
  • Integration with traffic lights where applicable.
  • Tactile paving for visually impaired pedestrians.

3. Traffic Calming Measures

Traffic calming measures are designed to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for all road users. Examples include speed humps, chicanes, and narrowed roads. These features make drivers more aware of their surroundings and encourage safer driving behaviour, especially in residential areas or near schools. By reducing the speed of traffic, these measures give drivers more time to react to pedestrians, significantly reducing the risk of accidents. Unfortunately, even with traffic calming measures, some road users can still try their luck by going fast and not paying attention. This can result in an accident that could result in a pedestrian accident lawsuit, especially if it is proven that the driver did not pay attention in these areas and slow down for humps or stick to the speed limit. However, putting these in place offer a lot more benefits than if they are left out.

Benefits:

  • Reduced vehicle speeds in critical areas.
  • Enhanced safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Improved traffic flow and reduced congestion.

4. Smart Pedestrian Detection Systems

Technology plays a crucial role in modern road safety strategies. Smart pedestrian detection systems use sensors and cameras to monitor crosswalks and alert drivers when pedestrians are present. Some systems can even integrate with traffic signals, providing real-time adjustments to traffic light timings based on pedestrian traffic. This intelligent use of technology ensures that pedestrians can cross roads safely, without causing unnecessary traffic delays.

Technological Advancements:

  • Real-time monitoring and alerts.
  • Integration with smart city traffic systems.
  • Improved response times to pedestrian presence.

5. Public Awareness and Education Campaigns

Lastly, public awareness and education are vital components of pedestrian safety. Campaigns that educate both drivers and pedestrians about road safety, the importance of using designated crossing points, and adhering to traffic signals can have a significant impact. Schools, community centres, and local media can be instrumental in disseminating this information, creating a culture of safety and respect on the roads.

Focus Areas:

  • Importance of using crosswalks and pedestrian bridges.
  • Safe crossing practices for children and adults.
  • Driver awareness of pedestrian rights and safety.

Conclusions

In conclusion, ensuring pedestrian safety and finding effective ways to prevent people from crossing into the road in unsafe conditions is a multifaceted challenge. These five smart solutions – pedestrian bridges and underpasses, advanced crosswalks, traffic calming measures, smart pedestrian detection systems, and public awareness campaigns – each play a crucial role in addressing this challenge. By implementing these solutions, we can significantly reduce the occurrence of a common road accident involving pedestrians.

Advanced Crosswalks

Enhancing traditional crosswalks with modern technology like illumination and raised structures not only improves their visibility but also serves as a physical reminder for drivers to slow down. These advanced crosswalks are simple yet powerful tools in safeguarding pedestrian crossings, particularly in urban settings where foot traffic is high.

Traffic Calming Measures

Implementing traffic calming measures is a proactive approach to road safety. By designing roads to naturally limit vehicle speeds, particularly in residential areas or near schools, the likelihood of accidents decreases. These measures not only protect pedestrians but also contribute to a more pleasant and safer community environment.

Public Awareness and Education

The role of education and awareness in road safety cannot be ignored. A well-informed public is more likely to adhere to safety practices. Educational campaigns should target all age groups, instilling a lifelong respect for road safety norms. Engaging the community through schools and local media can lead to a more profound and lasting impact.

The Way Forward

These solutions, when implemented effectively, create an environment where pedestrians and vehicles can coexist safely. It is a collaborative effort involving city planners, road safety authorities, technology innovators, and the public. Continuous evaluation and adaptation of these strategies are necessary to meet the evolving challenges of road safety.

In addition to infrastructure and technology, the human element remains central to road safety. Cultivating a culture of mutual respect and caution on the road is essential. Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists all share the responsibility of making our roads safer.

As we advance, it is crucial to stay committed to innovating and improving road safety measures. Each step taken towards enhancing pedestrian safety not only prevents accidents but also contributes to a more harmonious and sustainable urban living environment. Road safety is not just a matter of policy and infrastructure; it is a collective commitment to preserving life and well-being. By embracing these smart solutions, we move closer to a future where road accidents, especially those involving pedestrians, are significantly reduced, if not entirely eliminated.

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