Noah Gragson’s career seemed to come to a screeching halt this past August. The 25-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada, had been suspended by Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR after allegedly liking an insensitive post on social media. Add his dismal results to that point in the year, and it seemed his career might have crashed and burned before it left the runway.
Fast forward to December of 2023, and Gragson is once again in the spotlight, but this time, for a good reason: he’s been signed to arguably a top-5 team in the NASCAR Cup Series, taking over the No. 10 Mustang Dark Horse for a retired Aric Almirola. While Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has lost some of its luster over the past few years, turning in relatively subpar results and only garnering two wins over the past three seasons, its history can’t be denied. Two championships and a slew of wins from legends such as Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick make those like myself believe that there is a chance for Stewart-Haas Racing to recapture the glory days of 2018, where all four cars made the playoffs and won at least one race.
Fresh faces in Gragson and his former JRM teammate Josh Berry provide a sense of promise in the office, while incumbent drivers Chase Briscoe and Ryan Preece revise their 2023 roles. Briscoe arguably has the most upside of the four, but Berry has proven to be a championship-caliber star in the Xfinity Series, as has Gragson. Preece seems to be a bit more of a work-in-progress, but he showed flashes of potential last season, dominating the spring race at Martinsville before a pit road penalty doomed his day.
Stewart Haas Racing’s rebuild isn’t guaranteed to be quick or even guaranteed to work at all, as Berry and Gragson are largely unproven in the NASCAR Cup Series. But if the rebuild does pan out, and SHR once more becomes a powerhouse, or even the top Ford team in the NASCAR Cup Series, Stewart and Gene Haas will be sitting in their offices laughing at everyone who called their organization dead at the start of the 2020s. If it doesn’t pan out and the team flops? Everyone who called the team dead will seem to be proven right until another rebuild begins.
25-Year-Old Racer To Drive No. 10 Ford Mustang in NASCAR Cup Series
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Dec. 13, 2023) – Stewart-Haas Racing has signed driver Noah Gragson to a multiyear agreement that will see the 25-year-old Las Vegas native pilot the team’s No. 10 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2024.
Gragson is a 13-time winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series – the stepping-stone division to the elite Cup Series – and has made 39 Cup Series starts over the course of two seasons (2022-2023) with a best finish of fifth in the 2022 regular-season finale at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
“Noah deserves to be in the NASCAR Cup Series and we’re very happy to have him as the driver of our No. 10 Ford Mustang,” said Tony Stewart, the NASCAR Hall of Famer who co-owns Stewart-Haas with Haas Automation founder Gene Haas. “Noah has performed at every level where he’s competed and has regularly been in championship contention. That’s the kind of driver we need at Stewart-Haas and that’s why Noah is a part of our team.”
In four fulltime seasons in the Xfinity Series (2019-2022), Gragson finished among the top-10 in points each year and made it to the Championship 4 twice, finishing third in 2021 and second in 2022 with a series-high eight victories.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity with Stewart-Haas Racing and while most people in the industry are happy that the offseason is here, I want to get started on 2024 and go racing as soon as I can,” Gragson said. “Stewart-Haas is filled with racers and I saw that and felt it as soon as I walked onto the shop floor. There are high expectations here and a strong desire to compete and win races. I have high expectations for myself and I want to deliver for Tony and Gene and everyone at Stewart-Haas.”
Before joining the Xfinity Series fulltime in 2019, Gragson competed in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2017 and 2018. He won twice and finished second in the 2018 championship. Those Truck Series results were a continuation of the kind of talent Gragson showcased in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. In 2015 and 2016, Gragson raced in this developmental league, regionally split into two divisions – K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West. Gragson won six races between the two entities and narrowly missed out on the 2015 West title by a scant seven points. Gragson also owns victories in two of the United States’ most prestigious Late Model races – the 2017 Winchester 400 at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and the 2018 Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.
“I race to win and winning at the Cup level is what I’ve been working toward since I started racing Bandoleros as a 13-year-old at the Bullring in Las Vegas,” Gragson said. “To be with an established team with a history of winning is what every driver wants. I’ve got exactly that here at Stewart-Haas and I aim to make the most of it.”
Paired with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer, Gragson will make his debut in the No. 10 Ford Mustang during the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 4 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before kicking off his 36-race slate of points-paying events with the 66th Daytona 500 on Feb. 18 at Daytona. Both events will be broadcast live on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
About Stewart-Haas Racing:
Stewart-Haas Racing is the title-winning NASCAR team co-owned by three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation – the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. The Kannapolis, North Carolina-based organization has won two NASCAR Cup Series titles, two NASCAR Xfinity Series championships and 100 NASCAR races, including such crown-jewel events as the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500. For more information, please visit us online at StewartHaasRacing.com and on social at Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.
BATAVIA, Ohio (December 13, 2023) – Following a highly successful inaugural season competing in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America’s Pro/Am class, Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer are poised to ascend to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTD class for the upcoming 2024 season. The dynamic duo will participate in the five races of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, in addition to an extra race at the prestigious Long Beach Grand Prix. Teaming up with seasoned Wright Motorsports veteran Jan Heylen, the trio will pilot the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R for the endurance rounds, while Porsche factory driver Fred Makowiecki will complete the lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“We’re proud to see another Wright Motorsports effort move up to face new challenges,” said Team Owner John Wright. “Adam and Elliott had a strong season last year in SRO America’s GT World Challenge America, and our team is well-equipped to ensure a strong debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. With Jan and Fred alongside them, we are eager to see what we can achieve in this fiercely competitive series.”
Adelson and Skeer’s promotion to the GTD class comes on the heels of an impressive season in the GT World Challenge Pro/Am class, where they secured six victories and an additional podium finish. The pair, along with Wright Motorsports, clinched second place in the championship standings, taking the title fight to the season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The move to the WeatherTech GTD class positions Adelson and Skeer against some of the most renowned names in sports car racing, promising robust competition as they embrace new challenges. As the largest field in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the GTD class consistently delivers thrilling competition.
In addition to the heightened competition, Adelson and Skeer will face longer races, transitioning from the World Challenge’s 90-minute format to races spanning six hours to 24. Jan Heylen, a seasoned coach and driver for Wright Motorsport, will bring invaluable endurance experience to the team, boasting a Rolex 24 At Daytona win in his impressive track record.
Adding to the formidable lineup, Frenchman Fred Makowiecki will join the trio for the season-opening and longest race of the year, the Rolex 24 At Daytona. With victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Twelve Hours of Sebring, and Petit Le Mans, Makowiecki, is no stranger to endurance racing success.
The eagerly anticipated 2024 season will kick off with the Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 25-28, following the Roar Before the 24, the first full-series test weekend preceding official practice sessions. Visit imsa.com for schedule information.
2024 Schedule
January 27-28 Rolex 24 At Daytona
March 16 Twelve Hours of Sebring
April 20 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
June 23 Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen
September 22 Tirerack.com Battle on the Bricks
October 12 Motul Petit Le Mans
Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.
Joe Gibbs Racing revealed its highly anticipated driver lineup for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season that will feature two new full-time additions, a notable veteran and a combination of new and familiar part-time faces that will result into a four-car expansion for the organization.
The organization’s first new addition features Sheldon Creed, who will be piloting the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra on a full-time basis. The 26-year-old Creed from Alpine, California, joins JGR following a two-year campaign at Richard Childress Racing, where he recorded seven runner-up results, 11 top-five finishes and 28 top-10 results during the stint. He also made the 2023 Xfinity Series Playoffs before settling in a career-best seventh place in the final standings.
The 2024 season is set to mark Creed’s first campaign driving a Toyota within NASCAR’s top three national touring series as he spent his entire career piloting a Chevrolet (2016-23). Having previously won the 2018 ARCA Menards Series and the 2020 Craftsman Truck Series championships, Creed approaches the 2024 season with aims of both achieving his first victory in the Xfinity circuit and returning to the Playoffs.
Another new full-time addition to JGR’s lineup for next season is Chandler Smith, who will be assuming the reigns of the No. 81 GR Supra. Smith’s move to JGR comes as the 21-year-old native from Talking Rock, Georgia, is coming off his first full-time campaign in the Xfinity circuit with Kaulig Racing, where he notched his first career victory at Richmond Raceway in April. He also claimed three poles, eight top-five results, 13 top-10 results, an average-finishing result of 15.6 and a spot in the 2023 Xfinity Playoffs, where he ended up in ninth place in the final standings. Despite being initially locked into a three-year deal with Kaulig, Smith ended up paying a buyout of his contract to depart the organization early, with the official announcement of his departure from Kaulig being made last October.
Smith’s move to Joe Gibbs Racing also marks his return to the Toyota Racing family following a one-year absence. He previously achieved 10 ARCA Menards Series victories with Venturini Motorsports (2018-20 & 2022) and five Craftsman Truck Series victories with Kyle Busch Motorsports (2021-22), all while piloting Toyota entries. With the 2024 season within the horizon, Smith, who ended up in the runner-up spot in the 2023 rookie standings, strives to return to the Playoffs and contend for both additional victories and the title in the Xfinity circuit.
With Creed and Smith locked in as full-time competitors, Joe Gibbs Racing will also be fielding two additional entries that will each be piloted by multiple competitors throughout the 2024 season.
The first All-Star entry features the No. 20 Toyota GR Supra that will be primarily split between Aric Almirola and John Hunter Nemechek.
The 39-year-old Almirola from Tampa, Florida, is coming off his 12th full-time campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series and sixth driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, where he settled in 22nd place in the 2023 final driver’s standings on the strength of two poles, two top-five results and five top-10 results. Despite announcing his retirement from full-time NASCAR competition following the 2023 season in late October, Almirola remained interested in pursuing a part-time campaign within the Xfinity circuit for the 2024 season.
Almirola’s upcoming part-time campaign with JGR reunites both parties as the Floridian commenced his NASCAR career with the organization between 2005 and 2007. Having achieved three victories in 460 career starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, Almirola has also made 104 career starts in the Xfinity circuit. During the span, he recorded a total of four victories, with his latest occurring at Sonoma Raceway in June as he delivered the first victory for RSS Racing. The move to JGR will mark his first campaign in a Toyota since the 2010-11 Truck Series seasons.
Meanwhile, Nemechek returns for his third Xfinity campaign with at least one start in the series for JGR. He will commence the 2024 campaign by competing in the series’ first two-scheduled events at Daytona International Speedway and at Atlanta Motor Speedway, both in mid-February, before returning to compete at Nashville Superspeedway in late June, all while sponsored by Pye-Barker Fire & Safety. The events at Daytona, Atlanta and Nashville are just three of 10-scheduled starts planned for Nemechek, with the remaining seven venues yet to be revealed. The 26-year-old Nemechek from Mooresville, North Carolina, is coming off a full-time campaign with JGR in the Xfinity Series, where he drove the No. 20 entry to a season-high seven victories, two poles, 17 top-five results, 24 top-10 results, 1,083 laps led and an average-finishing result of 9.5. He would also make the Playoffs and claim a Championship 4 berth, where he would settle in fourth place in the final driver’s standings. In addition to his part-time Xfinity campaign, Nemechek is set to compete in the Cup Series on a full-time basis for Legacy Motor Club.
For JGR’s second All-Star entry, the following names that include Joe Graf Jr., Taylor Gray, William Sawalich and Ryan Truex will be splitting driving responsibilities of the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra.
For Truex, the 31-year-old native from Mayetta, New Jersey, is coming off his second consecutive part-time campaign with JGR, where he achieved his first career victory both in the Xfinity circuit and within NASCAR’s top three national touring series at Dover Motor Speedway in April. He also recorded two additional top-five results in six total starts, all occurring in JGR’s No. 19 entry.
The 2024 season will mark Truex’s fifth part-time Xfinity campaign with JGR (2011-12, 2022-23). In 24 Xfinity starts with JGR, Truex has achieved one victory, six top-five results and 14 top-10 results. In total, he has made 90 career starts in the Xfinity Series, where he has accumulated eight top-five results and 30 top-10 results.
For Graf, the 25-year-old native from Mahwah, New Jersey, returns for a second part-time campaign with JGR after making his first six starts with the organization this past season. During the stint, he recorded two top-10 results while making the rest of his 27 series starts at RSS Racing as he ended up in 23rd place in the final standings. Currently, he has made 126 career starts in the Xfinity Series and has accumulated a total of five top-10 results.
For Gray, the 18-year-old native from Artesia, New Mexico, joins both JGR and the Xfinity Series as a newcomer, though his first part-time schedule with the organization has yet to be announced. In addition to the Xfinity Series, Gray is set to compete on a full-time basis in this year’s Craftsman Truck Series season with TRICON Garage after competing in nearly the entire schedule this past season, where he recorded six top-10 results and settled in 15th place in the final standings. He previously recorded nine victories across the ARCA Racing Series divisions, including three in the ARCA Menards Series.
Lastly, Sawalich, another newcomer to the Xfinity Series, will compete in the closing stretches of the upcoming Xfinity schedule once he turns 18 years of age on October 3. His schedule will involve the final three events at Homestead-Miami Speedway in mid-October followed by Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway, respectively, in early November.
The 17-year-old Sawalich from Eden Prairie, Minnestoa, is coming off a 25-race schedule across the ARCA Racing Series for JGR. Throughout his stint, Sawalich secured the 2023 ARCA Menards Series East championship on the strength of four victories and finishing no lower than fourth place throughout the eight-race schedule. He would also record four victories in the ARCA Menards Series and a single victory in the ARCA West finale at Phoenix Raceway in November.
In addition to his part-time Xfinity schedule, Sawalich will pilot JGR’s No. 18 entry for a majority of the 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule as he will share the ride with Tanner Gray, who competes in the Truck Series for TRICON Garage.
The amount of races that will occur between Almirola, Graf, Gray, Nemechek and Truex between the Nos. 19 and 20 entries remain to be determined.
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.
“Over the last couple of months, we’ve been working diligently to put together our 2024 Xfinity program which will include the addition of a fourth team,” Steve DeSouza, EVP NASCAR Xfinity Series/Development at JGR, said. “Our 2024 roster has a great balance of experience, youth, wisdom, and talent. We believe the veteran drivers will continually benchmark our program, compliment, and challenge each other, as well as assist our younger drivers to further develop their skill set. We are also excited about our crew chiefs and the teams they have assembled. We take a lot of pride in not only our program’s on-track success, but also in the opportunity to develop and promote our team members.”
The crew chief lineup for JGR’s four-car entry will feature a bevy of first-timers alongside a notable name. Veteran Jeff Meendering returns for his sixth season with JGR as he will be paired with Chandler Smith and the No. 81 entry. Meanwhile, Tyler Allen, a former Xfinity and Cup engineer for JGR, will graduate to the role of crew chief for the No. 20 entry that will be split between Almirola and Nemechek while Seth Chavka, a former lead race engineer for JGR, will campaign in his first full-time season as a crew chief for the No. 19 entry that will be split between Graf, Gray, Sawalich and Truex. Lastly, Sam McAulay, who previously served as a lead race engineer for veteran Denny Hamlin in the Cup Series, will assume the role as crew chief for JGR’s No. 18 entry that will be piloted by Creed.
With the driver and crew chief lineup set, Joe Gibbs Racing’s campaign in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season is scheduled to commence at Daytona International Speedway for the United Rentals 300. The event’s broadcast time is scheduled to occur on February 17, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET on FS1.
Supercar Champ Will Run Full-time Xfinity, Part-Time Cup Schedule
WELCOME, N.C.(December 13, 2023) – Beginning what will be one of the top international racing stories in the 2024 season, three-time Supercar champion Shane van Gisbergen has touched down in America and is ready to embark on his NASCAR career.
Kaulig Racing and Trackhouse Racing announced today that van Gisbergen, the winner of the inaugural Chicago Street Race in his NASCAR debut in July, will race full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driving the No. 97 Chevrolet Camaro with Kaulig Racing, while also driving in a minimum of seven Cup Series races in 2024.
The 34-year-old Auckland, New Zealand native landed in the United States Monday ready to take on the greatest racing challenge of his lifetime.
“After winning in Chicago, I could not stop thinking about racing full time in NASCAR,” said van Gisbergen who won Supercars Championships for the Australian Triple Eight Race Engineering team in 2016, 2021 and 2022.
“I am still stunned at how quickly this has all come together. I must thank the NASCAR industry and fans for embracing me and allowing me to chase this dream. I respect every driver who has put in the work to make it to the Cup Series, and I am ready to put in that same effort. I am anxious to get started.”
In addition to full Xfinity duties, van Gisbergen will participate in the following Cup races:
Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin on March 24
Talladega Superspeedway on April 21 and October 6
Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26
Chicago Street Race on July 7
Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on Sept. 15
Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 20.
Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks brought van Gisbergen to NASCAR and Trackhouse last year as part of the team’s PROJECT91 program created to give international stars a chance to compete in the sport. Through PROJECT91, 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen raced in NASCAR in 2022 and 2023.
“We know Shane will be incredibly competitive at the road course events in both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity series, but we wanted to get him as much experience on NASCAR ovals as possible, so I am really excited about his 2024 schedule,” said Trackhouse Racing founder and owner Justin Marks. “Kaulig Racing has a history of winning in the Xfinity Series and as a fellow Chevrolet team, we are so thankful Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice see the potential in Shane that we see. The anticipation for this season is palpable.”
Van Gisbergen’s Chicago victory and 10th-place finish on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 13 are his only two Cup Series starts. His only other NASCAR experience came Aug. 11 at Indianapolis Raceway Park where he made his paved oval career debut. He kept a lead lap position until the final few laps, finishing 19th.
After taking over the lead from former Kaulig Racing driver Justin Haley at Chicago with five laps remaining, Van Gisbergen became one of six foreign-born drivers to win a Cup Series race and the first driver since Johnny Rutherford in 1963 to win his first Cup Series start. It was just the latest entry in a resume that includes three Supercar titles, 78 wins and 47 pole positions making him the fourth most successful driver in Supercar series history.
He also won the Bathurst 1000, the premier race in Australia, in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
Van Gisbergen joins a Kaulig Racing organization that has won two Cup races and 23 Xfinity races since the team’s inception in 2016. The Welcome, North Carolina team won the 2023 Bank of America ROVAL 400, as well as four Xfinity races with a variety of drivers. Van Gisbergen will join Kaulig Racing teammates Josh Williams, driver of the No. 11 Chevrolet and AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 in 2024 Xfinity season.
“We started our talks with Trackhouse about the possibility of putting SVG in a Xfinity car for a few races quite some time ago, and from there the talks evolved to discussions about how much it would cost to run a full season,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “Once we knew we had an open seat for next season, it became the perfect scenario to put him in the car. We partner with Trackhouse’s pit crew department, and with their key support from Chevrolet, it made teaming up an easy decision.”
About Kaulig Racing™
Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started and has won back-to-back regular-season championships. Before becoming a full-time NCS team, Kaulig Racing made multiple starts in the 2021 NCS season and won in its seventh-ever start with AJ Allmendinger’s victory at “The Brickyard” for the Verizon 200 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team expanded to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and added a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. In 2024, the team will once again field two, full-time entries in the NCS and continue to field three, full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.
About Trackhouse Racing
The addition of van Gisbergen is the latest chapter in the Trackhouse Racing story that began when Justin Marks retired from a full-time driving career in NASCAR and sports car racing to create Trackhouse Entertainment Group in 2020 with the goal of creating a racing brand that transcends the sport. Marks formed Trackhouse Racing which took to the track in 2021 with Suárez behind the wheel. In January 2021, the team announced a partnership with international superstar entertainer Pitbull who has been a frequent guest at NASCAR races and elevated Trackhouse’s presence through inclusion in several of his songs, music videos and named his current album “Trackhouse.” Midway through the 2021 season, Trackhouse Racing bought the NASCAR assets of Chip Ganassi Racing and began the 2022 season as its own two-car team with Suárez and Chastain as drivers. Chastain gave the organization its first victory at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas and won again at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Suárez became the first Mexican (Monterrey) driver to win a Cup race when he dominated the Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway race that year. Chastain returned to victory lane in 2022 when he won at Nashville Superspeedway in June and at Phoenix Raceway in November. In December, Trackhouse announced its entry in the FIM MotoGP World Championship motorcycle racing series.
PHOENIX, Ariz., (December 13, 2023) – With the start of the 2024 race season four months away, Flying Lizard Motorsports is running full steam ahead to prepare for an exciting new year of sports car racing. The 2023 GT4 America and GT America team champions will advance to the Fanatec GT World Challenge with Elias Sabo and Andy Lee, while Jason Bell is set to continue another season in the GT America Powered by AWS, advancing from the GT4 class to the GT3 class. Todd Parriott and Tom Dyer, who joined the team for the season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will return to continue their quest in the Pirelli GT4 America championship while Parriott also competes in the GT4 class of GT America.
“Having our drivers Elias Sabo and Andy Lee move up to GT3 racing in the GT World Challenge as Jason Bell also moves into GT3 class racing is a great step forward,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “Flying Lizard has a long history and a lot of success in GT3 racing and we look forward to sharing our experience and continuing this success to build this program. They have put in the time, hard work and effort to refine their skills in GT4 and this is a natural progression for them. We also are looking forward to continuing the relationship with Aston Martin. Based on the previous success the current model has had and from what we see from the upgrades in the new EVO GT3 it should be a very competitive car. It is also exciting to have Todd Parriott and Tom Dyer joining us for a full season next year. They showed great potential in the season finale at Indianapolis, and we look forward to seeing their growth and success as well in such a competitive series. We have several test days scheduled over the winter at our new facility at Apex Motor Club and plan to hit the ground running for the season opener at Sonoma.”
Elias Sabo and Andy Lee first joined Flying Lizard Motorsports in 2022, competing together in the GT4 America series while Sabo contested a solo pursuit in the GT4 class of GT America. Together, the pair finished third in the GT4 America championship with one win and eight podiums. They retuned in 2023 with a determined effort to again fight for the title. With one win and four podiums in the competitive series, they again finished third in the driver standings, but still played a critical role in Flying Lizard earning the team championship title. Following two years of racing an Aston Martin Vantage GT4, they will upgrade to an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, competing in SRO’s main series, the Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS. The pair’s race time will now move up from 60 minutes to 90 minutes, with a mandatory driver change still required in each race. The move up from GT4 to GT3 machinery will be a welcome challenge for the duo, who will kick off the 13-race season in April at Sonoma Raceway.
Jason Bell, the reigning GT America champion will also return for the 2024 season in GT America, selling his pair of Aston Martin Vantage GT4s to upgrade to the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo. With Michael Cooper as his coach, and possibly the occasional co-driver, Bell will again compete in GT America, a bronze-only sprint series comprised of GT2, GT3, and GT4 machines. He clinched the GT4 driver title last season with two wins and an additional 13 podium finishes in the 18-round championship. The 2024 championship will host its first two of 16 rounds in April at Sonoma Raceway.
After first racing with the Lizards at the GT4 America season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the fall, Todd Parriott will now complete in two full-season efforts with the reigning champions. Competing in the bronze-only GT America series, Parriott will run an Aston Martin GT4 in the GT4 class, while also racing an Aston in the GT4 America series alongside co-driver Tom Dyer in the 14-round season.
The season will mark the start of the team’s 20th year in operation, and 10th year under the ownership of Darren Law, Thomas Blam, and Tommy Sadler. The team is celebrating the occasion with the move from their shops in Sonoma Raceway to a new facility built at APEX Motor Club in Phoenix, Arizona.
DRIVER QUOTES
Elias Sabo
We are looking forward to our 2024 campaign with Flying Lizard. Andy and I couldn’t be more excited for our inaugural season of GT World Challenge.
Andy Lee
I’ve dreamt of racing in the GT3 category for a very long time so to say I’m excited for next season would be a huge understatement! Elias and I are coming off back-to-back podium finishes in the GT4 America championship, and it felt like the right time to take the leap. We face a steep learning curve with the new car, new competition, and a new race format so we’re excited to get testing underway with Flying Lizard at their new home at Apex in Arizona
Jason Bell
I am thrilled to announce my return to the esteemed Flying Lizard race team for the upcoming 2024 GT America season. This return signifies a continuation of our successful partnership, and I couldn’t be more excited about the prospects that lie ahead.
After a tremendously triumphant run in the Aston Martin GT4, where we secured victory in the GT America GT4 Championship with an outstanding record of 16 podium finishes and no mechanical failures, the 2024 season promises an exhilarating new challenge.
This season, I’ll be steering the new Aston Martin GT3 EVO—a thrilling transition and a significant leap for both the team and me. The GT3 category poses a new adventure, and I’m eager to take on the challenge with the Flying Lizard team by my side.
Joining forces once again with Michael Cooper as my driver coach and potential co-driver for upcoming events further strengthens our pursuit of excellence. His expertise and partnership have been pivotal in our past successes, and I am confident that our collaboration will continue to elevate our performance in the GT3 realm.
Additionally, I am elated to work alongside my esteemed friend and teammate, Elias Sabo, who will be venturing into the GT3 category in an Aston Martin as well. Our shared enthusiasm and dedication to the sport promise an exciting journey ahead.
The Flying Lizard race team has been an incredible foundation for my career, and I am honored to rejoin this exceptional group of professionals. The team’s legacy of excellence and dedication aligns perfectly with my aspirations for the 2024 season.
Together, we aim to push boundaries, pursue excellence, and uphold the esteemed reputation of the Flying Lizard race team in the GT America series. I am eager to hit the track and showcase our potential in the forthcoming season.
Todd Parriott
In 2023 I got my first opportunity to compete in GT4 and GT America, what an exciting group to compete with, an unforgettable experience. Wanting to compete on a high level with such a strong group requires me to find a team capable of making it happen. Lizard racing is that, they produce winners and to have an opportunity to work with them is awesome. I looking forward to 2024 to see what hard work and a great team will produce.
Tom Dyer
I’m excited and looking forward to the 2024 season teamed together with Todd and Flying Lizard for our first full season of racing together. To race with and represent a team that’s iconic like the Lizards, who have such a rich history in sports car racing is really cool. They’re a top team for a reason and we plan to leverage that together in 2024. We got a preview working together at the last race of the 2023 and it gives us a little head start going into the new season. The goal is to grow and build into a championship contender in the Pro-Am category. First things are first and with that in mind it’s important to help Todd and my learning curve with the team and car improve one session, race, and day at time through consistency. Through consistency, we can achieve the ultimate goal of constant progress towards those first podiums, wins and championships. It’s a journey that we collectively are ready and looking forward to embracing in 2024!
About Flying Lizard Motorsports Based out of Sonoma, California, Flying Lizard Motorsports is one of the most iconic sports car teams in motorsports, having celebrated ten driver and team championships, as well as competed internationally at the 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times.
The Lizards burst on the American Le Mans Series scene in 2004, competing in the GT class until 2012. In 2013, the team moved to the GTC class, still competing in legendary events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2014, the team expanded its program to include running two Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR Championship, and in 2015, again expanded the program to include two Porsches in Porsche Club racing. Flying Lizard closed out the season with a dominating win at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Toyo Tires, a win they repeated in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The 2020 season proved the team’s most successful to date, earning four titles in the GT4 America championship. Flying Lizard Motorsports has proven to be a championship contender no matter the race series or race car. For more information, visit lizardms.com.
PAHRUMP, Nev. – Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club has doubled the program availability in 2024 for its highly popular Radical Racing Academy. The program already boasted the largest fleet of Radical SR3 racecars in the nation for racing drivers and the general public to sample and hone their craft in.
Designed much like Spring Mountain’s other driving programs, which include Corvette’s Ron Fellows Performance Driving School and the Cadillac V-Performance Academy, the Radical Racing Academy caters to aspiring racers and seasoned drivers alike, offering a progressive curriculum that will target and expand student’s skillsets on a personalized level.
“The Radical Racing Academy in one of the only racing schools to feature Le Mans prototype style machines, and returning customers a new challenge, allowing them to graduate from a sportscar to a world-class racecar.” said Dave Petrie, CEO of Spring Mountain. “Graduates receive an elevated experience in a racecar they will likely want to buy.”
Attendees will drive the cutting-edge Radical SR3 and experience its unparalleled race technology. By utilizing its integrated data and feedback while performing car control exercises and open-lapping sessions, students will become better technical drivers with increased confidence and comfortability on track. Some students may also be eligible to receive their SCCA permit upon completion of the course.
The combination of Spring Mountain’s facility and Radical equipment is a proven formula, having been instrumental throughout the formative years of a number of drivers including 2023 Le Mans Winner (LMP2 Pro-Am) George Kurtz, four times Le Mans starter and 2017 European Le Mans Champion (LMP3) John Falb, multi-time Radical Cup North America champion and 2023 Radical World Champion (Platinum) Alan Miller as well as 2023 Petit Le Mans winner (GTD), 2022 Radical World Champion (Pro 1340) and Official Lamborghini Young Driver Patrick Liddy.
Spring Mountain will now host multiple 2-Day Radical Racing Academy per month. Tuition starts at $5,495, and enrollment includes clubhouse access with breakfast and lunch prepared by Spring Mountain’s onsite chef. Accommodations in Spring Mountain’s condominiums are available for an additional fee. Call 800-381-6891 or view online at www.radicalracingacademy.com.
ABOUT SPRING MOUNTAIN MOTOR RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB
Founded in 2004 by partners John Morris and Brad Rambo, Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club is a 933-acre state-of-the-art racing facility and exclusive motorsports country club located just 55 miles west of downtown Las Vegas. With over 9 miles of challenging racetrack and an array of resort-style amenities, including a clubhouse, condominiums, and SM Estates, Spring Mountain boasts not only the longest road course in North America, but also delivers a world-class motorsports experience to driving enthusiasts of all levels, with plans to continue track and facility growth.
Home to the renowned Ron Fellows Performance Driving School, Cadillac V-Performance Academy, Radical Racing Academy, Club Spring Mountain, Spring Mountain Racing, and the Spring Mountain Radical Cup Challenge series for club members, the resort offers a variety of services, including performance driving instruction, track rentals, team building activities, performance vehicle sales, and more.
SPRING MOUNTAIN MOTOR RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB is an independently owned and operated Nevada LLC, privately funded and headquartered in Pahrump, Nevada. For more information, call toll free (800) 391-6891 or (775) 727-6363, and visit our website at www.racespringmountain.com.
Legendary Legacy Brand in British Coachbuilding Creates New Bespoke Creation for Motorsports Enthusiasts with Exclusive New Racing Edition Now Available
Following this year’s Exhibition Class win at Pikes Peak with Driver Tanner Foust posting a record-breaking time of 09:37.326, Radford Motors is proud to introduce the company’s new Type 62-2 Track Car Edition series. With a limited production run of only 12, the gorgeous new track machine represents a custom coachbuilt racer engineered for track day thrills. With commissions from Radford Motors starting at $1 million, each 710-hp bespoke Type 62-2 Track Car is a race-ready work of art made in the same grand tradition of Harold Radford’s celebrated British coachbuilding company founded in 1948.
“As a coachbuilder, Radford revels in creating one-off cars. Each bespoke to client wishes in terms of build and performance. Our Pikes Peak-winning car this year was the first example of our new Type 62-2 Track Edition car. A single seat weapon born to tame the mountain,”comments F1 Champion and Radford Motors Co-Founder Jenson Button. “The Pikes Peak car received an additional cooling package to combat the overheating risks at altitude as well as a F1 engineered aero to keep the car planted. Tiptronic controls at the steering wheel and an increased turning circle to tackle the bends and curves of Pikes Peak all combined to not only allow us a class win, but to set a new class record. Quite the debut.”
Each new subsequent Type 62-2 Track Edition car presents Radford Motors clients with the once in a lifetime opportunity to work with the company’s incredible team that includes automotive and motorsports luminaries such as F1 championship-winning driver Jenson Button, Ant Anstead, and Roger Behle. One of the truly special aspects of commissioning a bespoke Type 62-2 Track Edition is that Radford Motors can also work with clients (if they wish) to field their car in a specific, special race such as Pikes Peak or The Hillclimb at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed.
Upon its founding almost seventy-five years ago, British coachbuilder Harold Radford became synonymous with works of automotive art, including custom channeling and metalwork, lavish interiors, the creation of the first shooting brake style car, and even worked on the street version of the GT40. Synonymous with style, Radford Motors grew into a quintessentially British brand adored by celebrities and aristocrats alike. The successful coachbuilder worked with almost every major British auto marque, customizing luxury automobiles of all kinds for well-heeled clientele.
Today, the legacy that Harold Radford started continues courtesy of the three new founders of the revived Radford Motors, Button, Anstead, and Behle. Each Type 62-2 Track Edition car represents thousands of hours of engineering and exclusive design work to realize a client’s dream vehicle.
“Under the skin of each Radford Motors Type 62-2 Track Edition is a highly tuned supercar that leans into our F1 partners and engineers as well as Colin Chapman’s ethos of simplifying everything and adding lightness,” comments Radford Motors Co-Founder Ant Anstead. “Our cars are some of the lightest supercars on the planet and offer an exhilarating driving experience that we believe has been lost in recent years. As increasingly complex features seem to be added more and more by many car manufacturers, Radford Motors works to actively remove them. ”
The new Radford Motors Track Edition boasts an array of enhanced engineering and chassis upgrades that depart from the road car version, encompassing a broader body constructed with a full carbon composite monocoque, an updated underbody design, revamped subframes, a fresh suspension system, and a newly integrated rear airfoil. Each Track Edition car is capable of producing up to 710 horsepower, propelling from 0-60 mph in under 2.2 seconds with a remarkable top speed of 160 mph. Both solo and twin seats are also made available in both left and right hand driver versions. This exclusive package also includes a personalized Sparco racing ensemble and an intimate driver handover experience led by Radford Motor’s visionary founder and Formula 1 World Champion, Jenson Button.
The triumphant return of Radford Motors today represents a nostalgic nod to the golden age of British coachbuilding, seamlessly blending traditional artisanal craftsmanship with cutting-edge modern technology, all in homage to the timeless Radford brand.
For additional details or to commission a Type 62-2 Track Edition car, please visit www.radford.co
CrowdStrike Racing by APR seeks decisive victory in second Rolex 24 at Daytona
Team earned 2023 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championship in its first year
Driver Toby Sowery joins George Kurtz, Colin Braun and Malthe Jakobsen
Cybersecurity leaders to participate in first CrowdStrike/AWS CXO Summit of 2024
Austin, Texas (December 13, 2023) – CrowdStrike Racing by Algarve Pro Racing (APR) is preparing for the IMSA WeatherTech Championship’s Rolex 24 At Daytona with a strong driver lineup and proven team, now entering its second year of operation.
Toby Sowery (ENG), Malthe Jakobsen (DEN), Colin Braun (USA), and George Kurtz (USA) form a potent driver lineup for the team’s second appearance at the 24-hour race. In 2023, CrowdStrike Racing by APR was part of the closest finish in the history of the 24 Hours at Daytona, finishing a mere 0.016 seconds from victory in its first-ever race.
In the past year, the LMP2 Pro-Am team has established itself as a prime contender with IMSA wins at Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen and the Petit Le Mans, an Asian Le Mans win at Sepang, and a WEC win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Additionally, Kurtz earned the Trueman Award for leading the IMSA points for all Bronze drivers, guaranteeing him an invitation to the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The team heads to Daytona with a fresh driver lineup and the goal of securing a definitive victory in January.
Kurtz, winner of the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans Pro-Am class with APR, will race at the 24 Hours at Daytona for the fourth time. He returns with his Le Mans, Asian Le Mans and GT3 co-driver Colin Braun who holds four wins at Daytona, including an overall victory in 2023. Jakobsen, part of the winning driver lineup in Sepang, earned the 2022 European Le Mans series LMP3 class championship and runner-up in the 2023 LMP2 Pro-Am class. Sowery is new to APR but brings a wealth of closed- and open-wheel racing experience, including a third-place finish in the 2019 Indy Lights season.
Onsite at Daytona International Speedway, cybersecurity leaders, on invitation from CrowdStrike and Amazon Web Services (AWS), will experience an up-close look at the inner workings of the championship-winning team. As part of a CXO Summit, they will discuss the key topics of speed, teamwork, and winning, applicable in both cybersecurity and racing.
CrowdStrike Racing by APR will participate in the Roar Before the 24 test in January before the race starts on Saturday the 27th.
For more information, visit CrowdStrikeRacing.com. Follow CrowdStrike Racing on Facebook, X and Instagram for updates. For in-race updates from Algarve Pro Racing Team, follow the team’s Facebook page or follow @APRacingTeam on Twitter and Instagram.
DRIVER QUOTES
GEORGE KURTZ: “My overriding feeling is excitement about CrowdStrike Racing by APR and its driver line-up, particularly as Colin (Braun) has a winning pedigree at Daytona. Malthe (Jakobsen) is incredibly quick, Toby (Sowery) is a rising star for us and, having put in a lot of work during the off-season, we have an eye towards winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“We have some unfinished business after the highs and lows of 2023. The Rolex 24 is the only North American endurance race I’m yet to win, having already had successes at Sebring, Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans. Victory in 2024 would be a significant result for me personally, while also setting us on the road to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship titles.”
COLIN BRAUN: “I’m very excited about the CrowdStrike Racing by APR line-up for the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Malthe (Jakobsen) and Toby (Sowery) will be great additions. It was very nice to drive together in the Asian Le Mans Series, to all gel and understand our individual driving styles. The experience of the team and this driver line-up is very strong and we are fully focused on executing. This will be my 20th consecutive Daytona 24 Hours so I’m very excited!”
MALTHE JAKOBSEN: “It isn’t my first time doing the Rolex 24 at Daytona, so I know how special and challenging it is. It’s an historic event that every driver wants to win, and it’s cool that the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship starts with the biggest race of the season. Of course, my partnership with CrowdStrike Racing by APR began with the opening round of the 2023-24 Asian Le Mans Series at Sepang earlier in December, and we showed we have a strong car and driver line-up. It was good preparation with both positives and negatives that we will learn from moving forwards. As always, we will arrive at Daytona with the sole aim of winning.”
TOBY SOWERY: “I’m very excited to be joining CrowdStrike Racing by APR’s driver line-up for the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona. I know Algarve Pro Racing puts very strong cars on the track and, having seen George (Kurtz), Colin (Braun) and Malthe (Jakobsen) race in the opening round of the 2023-24 Asian Le Mans Series at Sepang, I know I have some very fast teammates. They’re all great people as well as complete racing drivers. I’d like to thank APR and George for trusting me with this opportunity.”
About CrowdStrike
CrowdStrike (Nasdaq: CRWD), a global cybersecurity leader, has redefined modern security with the world’s most advanced cloud-native platform for protecting critical areas of enterprise risk — endpoints and cloud workloads, identity and data.
Powered by the CrowdStrike Security Cloud and world-class AI, the CrowdStrike Falcon® platform leverages real-time indicators of attack, threat intelligence, evolving adversary tradecraft and enriched telemetry from across the enterprise to deliver hyper-accurate detections, automated protection and remediation, elite threat hunting and prioritized observability of vulnerabilities. Purpose-built in the cloud with a single lightweight-agent architecture, the Falcon platform delivers rapid and scalable deployment, superior protection and performance, reduced complexity and immediate time-to-value.
Australia, a land renowned for its vibrant culture and diverse landscapes, has recently witnessed the enchanting arrival of the magic wand that shoots fire from Incendio https://incendiomagicwand.com/en-au. This innovative product has sparked a newfound interest in magical arts and performances across the continent. In this article, we delve into the various workshops, events, and gatherings that have emerged, offering Australians an opportunity to explore the world of magic through the Incendio Wand.
Workshops: Learning the Art
Perhaps one of the most exciting recent developments involves the organization of specialized workshops. These workshops are intended to enable persons at the beginner level through the seasoned enthusiast to learn hands-on abilities concerning the Incendio Wand. Skilled magicians and performers led the way in such workshops as participants learn the technical aspects involved in handling the wand in creating the magic tricks. From the thriving artistic hub of Sydney to the quieter, more subdued cityscape of Perth, these workshops are fast becoming one of the hottest attractions, building a community of wand aficionados.
Events: A Magical Experience
Aside from the workshops, numerous events organized across Australia present the Incendio Wand. These range from small, intimate performances in local cafes to large-scale magic performances that showcase the art in major cities such as Melbourne and Brisbane. In these, wands-wielding professionals demonstrate the capturing of fireballs, which results in an enthralling experience, generally leaving audiences spellbound. Of course, these events are not a matter of demonstrating the features of a wand; rather, it is a celebration of the magic culture whereby people unite in wonder and surprise.
Community Get-togethers and Meet-and-Greet Sessions
An unexpected yet pleasing outcome of this has been the rise of community get-togethers. The magic lovers, Harry Potter fans, and onlookers alike get together to share some tips and tricks and experiences with the Incendio Wand. In Adelaide and Canberra, these casual meet-ups have evolved into regular gatherings to support the hobbyists with their magic tricks and to make it an engaging one. The session has turned interactive with the participants able to practice and demonstrate their newly learned tricks without any inhibitions, as the others in the group would again need those in the near future, binding the Australians together into a magic community.
Conclusion
In fact, Incendio Wand has been running workshops, events, and community meet-ups to actualize this fantasy in wizardry. It is a phenomenon beyond just the product; it’s about experiences, connections, and the journey of magic. The more popular Incendio Wand became, the wider the world of magic around it opened its arms to welcome in more and more Australians into this enthralling aura of amazement.
