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Jimmie Johnson and Cal Wells, III Named to West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2024

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif., February 28, 2024 – Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, is among this year’s five inductees into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame.

The El Cajon, Calif. competitor, winner of 83 NASCAR Cup Series events in 16 consecutive seasons and recent inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will be joined for enshrinement by the late Dick Cobb, Las Vegas, Nev., winner of eight track championships over a 45-year racing career in Nevada and California; Eric Holmes, Escalon, Calif., winner of three NASCAR West (now ARCA Menards Series West) titles; Jimmy Vasser, Canoga Park, Calif., 10-time Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) winner, Indianapolis 500 co-owner champion and 2023 IMSA GTD championship co-owner; and Calvin (Cal) Wells III, NASCAR Cup Series race-winning team owner, Off-Road Hall of Fame inductee and current chief executive officer of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.

“I’m so honored to be inducted into the West Coast Stock Car/ Motorsports Hall of Fame,” said Johnson.”As I look back on my career, I was so proud to be from the West Coast, and early on there weren’t many of us competing in NASCAR at the time. I always have carried so much pride when being announced ‘from El Cajon, California”. Starting with Jeff Gordon, a group from the West Coast started to emerge in NASCAR. Jeff and a few others really opened the door in what was typically a Southern sport. I was able to win at California Speedway in my 13th start which just made everything come full circle for me. Winning in Fontana, six times was just so incredible, I had so many fans out there, it was always a homecoming of sorts. Winning at Sonoma Raceway was special too – the West Coast has a special place in my heart.”

Wells shared a similar sentiment. “I’m honored to be inducted into the West Coast Motorsports Hall of Fame with such an esteemed group of professionals. Growing up in Southern California, I, like Jimmie, was focused on off-road racing. I was blessed to partner with Toyota so early on and they carried me through many disciplines of motorsports. To be inducted with my longtime friend Jimmie Johnson is truly rewarding and again, such an honor.”

The Class of 2024 – the hall’s 21st – will be enshrined Thursday, June 6, during the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s induction gala, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway, at Sonoma Raceway’s Turn 11 Club VIP/Hospitality complex encircling the road course’s iconic Turn 11.

“Our Class of 2024 is second to none in diversity of competition,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. “Jimmie Johnson, Eric Holmes and Dick Cobb mastered three different levels of NASCAR competition. Jimmy Vasser, a Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) champion and Cal Wells, an off-road racing Hall of Famer and team executive add two more racing disciplines to this year’s Class.

The organization also will induct its seventh Heritage class, comprised of individuals whose careers largely ended prior to 1971. The 2024 Heritage inductees will be named in March. Also to be named is the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s Pioneers of Speed, whose careers preceded or spanned the World War II era.

Televised highlights of the 2024 induction ceremonies will be broadcast later this summer; network, air dates and times to be announced.

Media Contact for West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:

Owen A. Kearns okearns@bak.rr.com

About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame: The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was conceived in 2001 as a means of recognizing significant contributors and contributions to the sport of stock car/motorsports competition. The mission of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is founded to preserve history and heritage of the important role west coast stock car and motorsports figures have played in the sport’s development and continuation and to recognize, through annual enshrinement, of outstanding individuals and groups within the sport such as, but not limited to, designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media. The Hall is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, dedicated to supporting a variety of organizations and groups from coast to coast. The Hall has raised more than $800,000 during the past six years for youth, health and safety, hospitals, animal rescue, military and other charitable causes.

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

SOCIAL MEDIA:

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

PATRICK EMERLING PARTNERS WITH FIRST RESPONDER COMPANIES AT LAS VEGAS

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MOORESVILLE, NC, February 28, 2024 – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Patrick Emerling announced today his partnership with three companies aimed at supporting first responders when he hits the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend: Frontline Optics, American Fire Brigade and Williams Key.

Frontline Optics is a retired firefighter-owned sunglasses brand based out of San Diego. They manufacture durable, affordable sunglasses for first responders and supporters of the first responder community. A portion of each sale is donated to the First Responders Children’s Foundation, which provides assistance to the children and families of first responders killed or injured in the line of duty. Order your “Sunglasses Designed with the Frontline in Mind” at https://frontline-optics.com/ and follow Frontline Optics on Instagram (@frontlineoptics) or Facebook (@frontlineopticseyewear).

“We are excited for the opportunity to sponsor Patrick and the SS-GreenLight Racing team on a national stage and hope to raise some awareness for our brand and the mission behind our products to the NASCAR community,” said Frontline Optics founder Mike Ettenberg.

American Fire Brigade was created by an American Navy Veteran and current firefighter to entertain the fire front and share the humor that embodies all first responders. The brand sells real deal off-duty fire slayer apparel for all, even those who “almost” signed up for the job. Apparel that tells a story, even if it’s bull. Get your “Smart Ass Fire Apparel” at https://americanfirebrigade.com/ and follow them on Instagram (@americanfirebrigade).

The Williams Key is an emergency entry tool that was developed by a firefighter in Los Angeles to gain quick access to doors on the scene of emergency calls. It’s fast, efficient and causes no damage. It works well on gates with anti-vandal plates, elevator control rooms, commercial utility doors, and many other outward swinging metal and wood doors. There is also a heavy-duty shove-knife built in to allow for the piercing of wood trim on the frame of a residential inward swinging door. Learn more at https://williamskey.com and https://www.facebook.com/thewilliamskey.

“Williams Key, Inc is grateful to be a part of supporting Patrick’s team and the NASCAR vision of uncompromising American spirit,” said creator and founder Trevor Williams.

“First responders are a special breed. They sacrifice a lot to keep our communities safe no matter the risk, yet they manage to keep a sense of humor and humility,” said Emerling. “I am proud to partner with Frontline Optics, American Fire Brigade and Williams Key. I can’t wait to have them out to the track!”

Additionally, Emerling will welcome back season-long partners Southern Tier Security (https://www.southerntiersecurity.net/), a watch patrol company based in Olean, NY, and SimForge (https://simforge.in/), which sells sim racing equipment and accessories.

Emerling finished 17th in the United Rentals 300 race at Daytona International Speedway on February 19 after several lengthy rain delays. Handling issues contributed to a frustrating 33rd place finish in the RAPTOR King of Tough 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 24. Emerling is hopeful that Lady Luck will be on his side in Las Vegas.

In addition to his duties with SS-GreenLight, Emerling will be competing full-time in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour with car owner Rich Gautreau. He finished fourth in the Tour’s season opener at New Smyrna Speedway on February 10.

The green flag drops for the The LiUNA! at 5:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 2. You can watch the race on FS1 or listen live on PRN or SiriusXM.

For more information on Patrick Emerling, visit https://www.patrickemerlingracing.com/ or follow him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PatrickEmerling07), X (https://twitter.com/PatrickEmerling) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/patrickemerling/).

Connor Mosack – Victoria’s Voice 200 Race Advance

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Official Release
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Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway (134 laps / 201 miles)
Friday, March 1 | Las Vegas, Nev. | 9:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team: No. 45 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Connor Mosack (Charlotte, N.C.) | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Connor: Twitter: @ConnorMosack | Instagram: @ConnorMosack | Facebook: /ConnorMosackRacing | Web: connormosackracing.com

Connor Mosack on Friday’s at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: “I’m very much looking forward to getting on track with this Niece Motorsports group this week in Vegas,” said Mosack. “They’ve brought fast trucks to the track the past two weeks, and I know they’re working hard to do the same this weekend. I know we’ll have a strong Chevy Accessories Silverado. We’re going to do our best to run a clean race and put ourselves in contention when it counts.”

By The Numbers: Saturday’s race marks Mosack’s first start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The start will be his third overall in the Truck Series. Mosack has one NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas track, which came last season.

On the Truck: Mosack’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado will race with support from Chevy Accessories. Visit chevy.com/accessories to browse the latest accessories to personalize and enhance your vehicle.

In addition, the No. 45 will carry the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation colors. The organization’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers and to raise awareness through their Adopt-A-Child, Safe on the Sidelines and Guardian Angel Programs.

Recapping the Last Race: With no practice, Kaden Honeycutt’s first laps of the weekend were turned during qualifying. Honeycutt and the No. 45 Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety team ended up with a 25th-place starting position for Saturday afternoon’s race. Honeycutt ran a clean race and gradually worked his way through traffic, making his way into the top-10 by the final stage. Honeycutt would cross the finish line sixth in his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of the 2024 season.

Honeycutt on Saturday’s Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway: “It was a good day,” said Honeycutt. “We were tight from the green flag, and did the best we could with it. I want to thank Phil Gould and everyone on the team for the hard work. I’m looking forward to building off of this performance with my team at Bristol in a few weeks. I think at a place like Bristol this team will shine. Thank you to everyone at the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety/ ‘Protect Your Melon’, Niece, and Chevrolet.”

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

Matt Mills – Victoria’s Voice 200 Race Advance

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Official Release
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Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway (134 laps / 201 miles)
Friday, March 1 | Las Vegas, Nev. | 9:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team: No. 42 J.F. Electric/Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Matt Mills (New Philadelphia, Ohio) | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Matt Mills: Twitter: @MattMillsRacing | Instagram: @MattMillsRacing | Facebook: /OfficialMattMillsRacing | Web: mattmillsracing.com

Matt Mills on Friday’s Race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: “We’ve started the year with two really fast J.F. Electric/Utilitra Silverados, so I’m excited to get back to the track this week,” said Mills. “We don’t have the finishes yet to show that speed, but we are looking to turn our luck around this weekend. I really like racing at Las Vegas and have a lot of laps on this track in the Truck Series and Xfinity Series. We’re going to do our best to run a clean race and put our truck in contention at the end.”

By The Numbers: Friday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway marks Mills’ fourth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at the track. His best finish of 15th came in 2022.

Mills also has nine NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile track.

On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra.

Public Appearances: Mills will participate in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series autograph session on Friday, March 1 at 3:30 pm, located in the Neon Garage.

Recapping the Last Race: With no practice before qualifying Matt Mills and the No. 42 J.F. Electric/Utilitra team turned the first laps of the weekend during qualifying on Friday. With trucks impounded after qualifying, the team opted for a setup that would race well, ending up with a 21st-place starting spot. Mills and team showed speed in the race, battling to the front of the pack by the beginning of the final stage. A pit road penalty late in the race forced the No. 42 to restart at the tail end of the field. Contact with the wall ultimately left the team with a 27th-place finish.

Mills on Last Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway: “We knew our J.F. Electric/Utilitra Chevrolet was fast and am looking forward to Vegas,” said Mills. “Everything was going well. We were trying to have a smart race and that’s what we did in the first two stages. In the final stage we got to lead a few laps. Ultimately, we had to serve a pit road penalty and from there I made a mistake trying to get back to the front when I shouldn’t have pushed for a position.”

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com www.niecemotorsports.com

About J.F. Electric
J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Utilitra:
Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

Bayley Currey – Victoria’s Voice 200 Race Advance

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Official Release
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Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway (134 laps / 201 miles)
Friday, March 1 | Las Vegas, Nev. | 9:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team: No. 41 Niece Equipment Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Bayley Currey (Driftwood, Texas) | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman Jr.
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Bayley Currey: Twitter: @BayleyCurrey | Instagram: @bayleycurrey05 | Facebook: /bayleycurrey05 | Web: www.bcurrey.com/

Bayley Currey on Friday’s Race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: “The last two weeks we’ve had trucks that were capable of winning, but just didn’t have luck on our side,” said Currey. “I feel confident if we keep brining trucks that fast to the track, we’ll be able to get the job done. I enjoy racing at Las Vegas and have a decent amount of experience here that should help us Friday night.”

By The Numbers: Friday’s race marks Currey’s third NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, both coming in 2018, and resulting in top-20 finishes.

Currey has eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile track, with a best finish of 13th coming in the fall of 2021.

On the Truck: Currey’s No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado will race with support from Niece Equipment.

Public Appearances: Currey will participate in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series autograph session on Friday, March 1 at 3:30 pm, located in the Neon Garage.

Recapping the Last Race: Bayley Currey and the No. 41 AutoVentive/DealBadger team lined up 20th for Saturday afternoon’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. From the drop of the green flag, Currey began working his way to the front of the field, closing out Stage One in the top-10. With varying pit strategies playing out in the second stage, Currey once again earned stage points before entering the final stage. As the laps wound down, Currey was battling for position in the top-five before damage to the No. 41 ended his day.

Currey on Last Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway: “We had another really, really good truck this weekend,” said Currey. “Our AutoVentive/DealBadger Chevrolet, I think, was a race winning truck. It was an unfortunate end to our day, but I’m looking forward to Vegas. We brought two fast trucks to both Daytona, and Atlanta and hope we can get it done next week.”

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com www.niecemotorsports.com

About AutoVentive:
AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.

About Precision Vehicle Logistics:
Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

XPEL Sponsors Road America NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race

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XPEL Grand Prix at Road America is Scheduled for June 9

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., Feb. 28, 2024 – INDYCAR is excited to announce its partnership with XPEL, the industry leader in paint protection film, ceramic coatings, window tint films, and more, as the title sponsor of the annual NTT INDYCAR SERIES event at historic Road America.

The XPEL Grand Prix at Road America will take place on Sunday, June 9, on the famed 4.048-mile layout located in Wisconsin’s scenic Kettle Moraine, offering race fans the opportunity to witness history in the making. The brand will have activations and demonstrations at the race for attendees to enjoy.

“XPEL is a great fit for Road America,” said Mike Kertscher, Road America’s President and General Manager. “They have a unique cadre of offerings and services that have been instrumental in improving the automotive industry. We feel that XPEL will incorporate itself very well with Road America’s fan base, and we are very excited to have them on board in such a prominent capacity.”

XPEL is known to car fanatics and racing fans worldwide for its quality products and is used and trusted by OEMs, automotive dealers, high-end automobile collectors, and INDYCAR racers to protect their cars, homes, and other valuable assets. XPEL is also a partner of Team Penske and previously sponsored other NTT INDYCAR SERIES events.

“At XPEL, we’re passionate about racing and dedicated to protecting what we love,” said Michael Mejia, Senior Director of Marketing of XPEL. “That is why we’re excited to be a part of INDYCAR history and sponsor the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America. We’re looking forward to interacting with fans at XPEL’s on-site demonstrations and watching drivers battle it out on this legendary track. It should be an incredible weekend for racing fans”

The XPEL Grand Prix at Road America will be the seventh round of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and will air live on June 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Audio coverage will be provided by the INDYCAR Radio Network, SiriusXM channel 218, and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins Sunday, March 10, at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, presented by RP Funding.

Anyone 16 and under gets in FREE when accompanied by a paying adult at the gate. For full event details and information, visit www.roadamerica.com.

For more information about INDYCAR and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, please visit INDYCAR.com or www.roadamerica.com. Fans can learn more about XPEL and the company’s product offerings on their official website, XPEL.com.

About XPEL, Inc.

XPEL is a leading provider of protective films and coatings, including automotive paint protection film, surface protection film, automotive and architectural window films, and ceramic coatings. With a global footprint, a network of trained installers and proprietary DAP software, XPEL is dedicated to exceeding customer expectations by providing high-quality products, leading customer service, expert technical support and world-class training. XPEL, Inc. is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “XPEL”.

About Road America: Established in 1955, Road America is conveniently located between Milwaukee and Green Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The world’s best racers have competed at this legendary four-mile, 14-turn road circuit for over 67 years. Along with over 500 events held seasonally at the 640-acre facility, several major weekends are open to the public, which include the INDYCAR Series, the MotoAmerica Series, three vintage racing events, numerous Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events, and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Road America’s park-like grounds offer amazing viewing opportunities, numerous camping options, fantastic concessions, and high-speed excitement to hundreds of thousands of spectators each year. Fans can also stay and play in cabins conveniently on the grounds and find all sorts of souvenirs, collectibles, and apparel at the 7,500 sq. ft Paddock Shop. Affectionately known by many as America’s National Park of Speed, Road America can accommodate groups of all sizes, including weddings and corporate events in the Tufte Conference Center. In addition to public race weekends, Road America offers various group event programs, including geocaching, disc golf, and off-road adventure tours, karting, and the Road America Motorcycle and Driving Schools. For more information, visit www.roadamerica.com Follow Road America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube or call 800-365-7223

Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 02.28.24

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This Week in Motorsports: February 26 – March 3, 2024

· NCS/NXS/NCTS: Las Vegas Motor Speedway – March 1-3

PLANO, Texas (February 28, 2024) – NASCAR continues the opening swing of its 2024 season as all three national series travel to the West Coast to compete at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After two superspeedways to begin the year, the first mile-and-a-half track arrives on the schedule.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS | NCTS

Wallace off to strong start in 2024 … 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace has had a knack for superspeedway racing, which he showed in the first two races this season with back-to-back top-five finishes. Currently sitting fourth in the Cup Series point standings, the driver of the No. 23 Camry XSE looks forward to a mile-and-a-half this weekend, where he, 23XI Racing and Toyota have had strong runs since the introduction of the Next Gen race car.

Reddick returns to favorable Las Vegas … Wallace’s teammate, Tyler Reddick, will be happy to see Las Vegas Motor Speedway next on the Cup Series schedule. The California native has four top-10s in the last five races at the Nevada circuit, as well as a pole in the fall 2022 race. Reddick has also claimed victory in the Xfinity Series (2019) and Truck Series (2016) at Las Vegas.

Truex looks to keep strong Las Vegas form … Like Reddick, Joe Gibbs Racing’s, Martin Truex Jr., is a fan of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 43-year-old has 12 top-10s in the last 13 Las Vegas Motor Speedway races, which includes wins in 2017 and 2019. Currently 10th in the Cup Series points standings, another top-10, or higher, for Truex would continue his solid start to 2024.

Creed, Smith towards top of points standings … Following back-to-back top-fives to start the season, Joe Gibbs Racing teammates, Sheldon Creed and Chandler Smith, sit second and fourth in the Xfinity Series point standings heading to Las Vegas. Smith will be making his third career start at Las Vegas, where he has two top-fives, while Creed is making his fifth career start here.

Heim makes first Xfinity start of 2024 … After making four Xfinity Series starts last season, Toyota Development Driver Corey Heim returns to Sam Hunt Racing and will make his first start in the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra this weekend. He captured a top-10 in his second start with the team last year at Darlington. Also continuing his full-time efforts in the Truck Series, the Georgia-native will look to build upon back-to-back top five finishes in his No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro with TRICON Garage in Friday night’s Truck race.

Almirola debuts in GR Supra … Long-time NASCAR Cup Series driver, now part-time Xfinity Series driver, Aric Almirola, makes his first start of the season with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend piloting the No. 19 GR Supra. Almirola previously drove in the Xfinity Series for JGR in 2006 and 2007 and raced a Tundra in the Truck Series with Toyota (2009 – 2011). The 39-year-old is making his first Xfinity Series start since Sonoma last year, where he captured victory. Saturday will be his 29th overall start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Bell to pilot No. 1 Tundra TRD Pro … Christopher Bell makes his return to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series this weekend with TRICON Garage, taking the wheel of the No. 1 Mobil 1 Tundra TRD Pro. The Oklahoma-native will make his first Truck Series start since Pocono last season, where he finished fourth. Las Vegas has been favorable to Bell as he’s started on pole in all three NASCAR national series at the track, and he nearly captured victory in the Cup Series race last fall, coming home second by 0.082 seconds.

Friesen looks to add another Las Vegas top-10 … Canadian Stewart Friesen has found continued success at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The 40-year-old comes into the weekend with five top-10s in the last six races in Las Vegas. Keeping the streak alive would provide a boost of momentum early in the season for the No. 52 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro team.

About Toyota

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

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

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

HendrickCars.com Extends Partnership with Rajah Caruth, Spire Motorsports for Full NCTS Season

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Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 28, 2024) – HENDRICKCARS.COM has extended its partnership of driver Rajah Caruth and Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) team to include the entire calendar of races on the 2024 schedule.

It was previously announced HENDRICKCARS.COM would serve as Caruth’s primary sponsor for 10 races this year. The 21-year-old Washington D.C. native opened the season with a third-place finish at Daytona International Speedway and backed it up with an eighth-place showing last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

“Rajah has had a tremendous start to 2024,” said Gary Davis, executive vice president, Hendrick Automotive Group. “When you combine his on-track potential, how he represents himself and HENDRICKCARS.COM, his impressive social media presence, and the incredible fan support he receives, we couldn’t pass on supporting him for the entire season.”

HENDRICKCARS.COM is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop thousands of new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.

“It’s pretty special to have HENDRICKCARS.COM on my chest,” said Caruth. “I think about Phoenix last year when I drove the Xfinity car for Hendrick Motorsports that, within itself, was an incredible moment. Knowing that HENDRICKCARS.COM has extended their relationship with Spire Motorsports and my No. 71 team kind of leaves me speechless. I’m super-grateful because they don’t do that for just anyone. For me to be affiliated with that group and have their support is an honor. I’m excited to get on with the rest of the season. We’ve gotten off to a good start and I think the race in Las Vegas on Friday night is going to show our potential for the rest of the season.”

Caruth is currently fifth in the NCTS championship point standings and heads into Las Vegas Motor Speedway with an impressive 5.5 finishing average to open his 2024 NCTS campaign. Caruth has one prior NCTS start and three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas oval and looks to better his venue-best 20th-place effort in Friday night’s 200-miler.

“After a strong start to the season, Rajah Caruth and the No 71 team have a lot of positive momentum heading into Las Vegas,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “This is great news and we’re really proud HENDRICKCARS.COM has decided to extend its support to fill out the entire season. Rajah is one NASCAR’s brightest young driving talents he’s been very impressive in the first two races of 2024. He has tremendous potential, and we expect to see him racing for wins on a regular basis. We’re confident we’ll see Rajah and the HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado in Victory Lane before long.”

The Victoria’s Voice 200 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Friday, March 1, beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The third of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About HENDRICKCARS.COM …
HendrickCars.com is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop thousands of new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.

About Hendrick Automotive Group …
Representing 131 franchises and 25 manufacturer nameplates from the Carolinas to California, Hendrick Automotive Group is the largest privately held automotive retail organization in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company employs more than 10,000 people in its 94 dealership locations, 21 collision centers and four accessories distributor installers in 13 states. For more information, please visit HENDRICKCARS.COM.

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

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

JR Motorsports — NXS Las Vegas Preview

By
Official Release
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JR Motorsports Team Preview
TRACK – Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile tri-oval)
NXS RACE – The LiUNA! (200 laps / 300 miles)
TUNE IN – FS1, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 5 p.m. (EST)

Sam Mayer

No. 1 Club Car Chevrolet

Mayer 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 2

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 0

Laps Led: 0

Avg. Finish: 23.5

Points: 20th

Sam Mayer returns to Las Vegas Motor Speedway coming off an 11th-place finish after a hard-fought battle at Atlanta last Saturday.

In five starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, the Franklin Wis. native has tallied one top-five and three top-10 efforts with his best finish of fifth coming in his most recent start at Vegas in the fall of last year (2023).

Within the young driver’s 23 starts on tracks measuring 1.5 miles in length, Mayer has one win (Homestead 2023), six top fives and 13 top 10s. Mayer’s victory at Homestead last season propelled the JRM driver into the Championship 4 for the first time.

The 20-year-old will carry his third new partner of the season into Las Vegas with Club Car riding on board the No. 1 Chevrolet.

Sam Mayer

“I am eager to get back to the mile-and-a-half tracks as those are truly my favorite to race on. We had a really good run at Las Vegas last fall and then to go to Homestead to get that first win on a mile-and-a-half gave me a lot of confidence heading into these intermediates. I’m happy to have Club Car on board for this weekend and I hope we can have a nice finish for them or even better, get them to Victory Lane.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 2

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 7

Avg. Finish: 18

Points: 11th

Justin Allgaier has been strong in recent years in “Sin City,” finishing no worse than sixth in each of the last five NXS events dating back to the fall of 2021.

Overall, in 19 NXS starts at Las Vegas, Allgaier has scored 10 top fives and 16 top 10s, with an additional 277 laps led.

Four of those 10 top-fives were in the runner-up position for Allgaier, including this event last season.

In his career on tracks between 1 and 2 miles in length, Allgaier has amassed a combined 12 wins, 76 top fives and 144 top 10s in 231 starts in the NXS.

Justin Allgaier

“JRM as a whole has been really strong at Las Vegas over the past couple of years and I see no reason why that won’t continue again this weekend. Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and everyone on this No. 7 team knows what we need to do to get our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet up front throughout the day on Saturday. If we just go out and execute like we know we can, I feel extremely confident we will be in contention for the win on Saturday afternoon.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 2

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 6

Avg. Finish: 16.5

Points: 10th

Sammy Smith only has two starts at Las Vegas thus far in his NXS career, but he has a solid average starting position of 8.5 and has finished 17th in both events.

Smith has scored one top-five and three top 10s over his last four starts on 1.5-mile tracks in the NXS, with a best finish of third coming at Texas last fall.

In 18 career NXS starts on tracks measuring 1-2 miles in length, Smith has scored one win (Phoenix 2023), three top fives and 11 top 10’s.

Through the opening two races of the season, Smith has recorded one top-10, coming this past weekend in Atlanta.

Sammy Smith

“After our first race together at Atlanta, my crew proved once again that we’re here to be competitive. They remained levelheaded even after that late-race caution that pushed us over our fuel window and got me back out in time to charge to a top-10 finish. Our Pilot Flying J Chevrolet has been strong these first two races so I’m eager to get to the intermediates and see what we can do, starting with Las Vegas.”

Brandon Jones

No. 9 Menards / Jeld-Wen Chevrolet

Jones 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 2

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 0

Avg. Finish: 11.5

Points: 13th

Brandon Jones has made 14 NXS starts at Las Vegas and has tallied two top-five and 10 top-10 finishes with a best of third coming during the 2019 and 2021 seasons.

Additionally, Jones has made two starts at Las Vegas in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and scored one top-five and one top-10 finish (fifth in 2015).

On tracks measuring between 1-2 miles in length in the NXS, Jones has four wins, 19 top-five and 59 top-10 finishes in a combined 133 starts.

Jeld-Wen will adorn the hood of the No.9 Chevrolet at Las Vegas this weekend, the third time in a row the company will appear on the hood at the 1.5-mile tri-oval.

Brandon Jones

“This No. 9 team has put some really fast cars on the track and up to this point I don’t think the results show that. We had some setbacks last week in Atlanta and I am hoping we can refocus as a team and put on a good show in Vegas this weekend. With a little luck on our side in ‘Sin City’ we will park our Menards/Jeld-Wen Chevrolet in Victory Lane. After all the hard work this team has put in, they deserve it.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: JR Motorsports has competed at Las Vegas Motor Speedway a combined 76 times in the NXS. In those starts at the 1.5-mile tri-oval, the organization has recorded three wins, including the first for the organization in 2008 with NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, 33 top fives and 51 top 10s. The average finish is 10.6. The most recent trip to Victory Lane at Las Vegas was in Oct. 2022 with Josh Berry.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Justin Allgaier and Brandon Jones will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Friday,

March 1 from 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. PST.

NXS Las Vegas Autograph Session: JRM drivers Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Brandon Jones will be signing autographs in the Neon Garage on Saturday March 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m (PST)

DEFENDING EVENT WINNER JOSH HART JOINS PEP BOYS NHRA TOP FUEL ALL-STAR CALLOUT FIELD IN GAINESVILLE

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Official Release
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2024) – Top Fuel standout Josh Hart will have the opportunity to defend his victory in the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, which takes place on Saturday, March 9 as part of the 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway.

Hart, the defending event winner in the big-money specialty race, moved into the final spot after Leah Pruett opted not to compete in the Callout. A year ago, Hart won out of the No. 8 spot in the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, and he’ll try to repeat that effort at his home track to kick off the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

“I have always believed ‘Anything’s Possible’ and this turn of events proves that you have to stay ready because anything can happen,” Hart said. “I am excited to get to mix it up with these other seven drivers. We won from the No. 8 spot last year and we will try and do it again. This R+L Carriers Top Fuel team learned a lot at the end of the season and over the off-season. We will be ready.”

Both Antron Brown and Shawn Langdon will move up one spot to sixth and seventh, respectively, with Hart jumping into the final position in the marquee specialty event. Four-time Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence is the top seed in the big-money specialty race and has the first pick to call out his opening-round opponent.

Doug Kalitta, Mike Salinas, Brittany Force and Justin Ashley make up the next four positions. If Kalitta isn’t called out, the veteran picks next, going down the line until all four first-round matchups are set. Then, the driver who makes the quickest winning run that round selects their semifinal opponent, locking in the other matchup.

The selections take place at 10 a.m. in the Top Eliminator Club. The first round of the Pep Boys Top Fuel All-Star Callout takes place on Saturday at 1:20 p.m. ET and the semifinals at 2:45 p.m. The finals are slated for 4:25 p.m. A special Callout broadcast will air at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday on FS1.

2023 Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout winner Josh Hart

With Pruett not racing in Gainesville, her husband and team owner Tony Stewart, who is making his NHRA Top Fuel debut at the Gatornationals, is expected to compete in both qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday leading into Sunday eliminations.

The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, which started in 2022 and pits eight standouts against each other in a unique specialty shootout, includes a total purse of $130,000, a special Callout trophy and belt, and plenty of bragging rights. It’s also a field that includes five world champions, with Torrence, Kalitta, the 2023 world champion, Force, Brown and Langdon owning 11 combined world titles.

Last year, Hart, who won the Gatornationals in 2021 in his first career Top Fuel start, beat Austin Prock, Brittany Force and Mike Salinas from the No. 8 position to win the Callout.

Salinas (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won the Gatornationals in 2023. Fans will also see action in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ and Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown.

To purchase tickets to the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. Get your tickets now for the Top Eliminator Club before they sell out. For more info on NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

2024 Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout Final Standings

  1. Steve Torrence
  2. Doug Kalitta
  3. Mike Salinas
  4. Brittany Force
  5. Justin Ashley
  6. Antron Brown
  7. Shawn Langdon
  8. Josh Hart

(Note: Torrence will get the first selection for the opening round, followed by the next-highest seeded driver until matchups are set.)

PEP BOYS NHRA TOP FUEL ALL-STAR CALLOUT SCHEDULE (ET):

Friday, March 8:

12:30 PM – Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout autograph session at Pep Boys display

Saturday, March 9

10:00 AM – Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout first-round selections in Top Eliminator Club (Get your TEC Tickets Today!)

12:45 PM – Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout opening ceremonies

1:00 PM – First round for Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout

2:45 PM – Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout for round two. This will be conducted at the top end. The winning driver who makes the quickest run in the first round earns the right to select their semifinal opponent.

4:25 PM – Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout final round

7:00 PM – Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout show airs on FS1

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

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 Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, 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.

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