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SIX-TIME PRO STOCK CHAMP ERICA ENDERS LOOKS TO FINALLY CONQUER AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS

By
Official Release
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 8, 2024) – Of all Erica Enders’ incredible accomplishments throughout a sterling Pro Stock career, there has only been one thing that has eluded the six-time NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and that’s a win at legendary Gainesville Raceway.

She’ll have an opportunity to grab that victory at this weekend’s 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and Enders is determined to knock that off her bucket list. It’s the only track on the current NHRA tour where motorsports’ winningest female has not won and Enders would love to change that to kick off the year.

Last year, Enders’ car wouldn’t start before the first round of eliminations, the latest in a string of unfortunate and downright unlucky occurrences in Gainesville. But the back-to-back world champ remains determined to pick up a Gatornationals win in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/SCAG Power Equipment car and add another notch to her impressive legacy.

“This is the one that has evaded us for 20 years,” Enders said. “We had a car good enough to win last year and then it wouldn’t fire for the first round. We’ve not had the greatest luck here, but we’re looking to change that. What happens in the past doesn’t dictate the future.

“We know we have a fast car and we’re ready to change things here. That (Golden Gator) trophy looks pretty cool and this is the last (track) we need to get a Wally. I promise this one is high on our to-do list.”

Mike Salinas (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won in Gainesville last year. The Gatornationals will be broadcast on FS1 in 2024, including qualifying action, the Pep Boys Top Fuel All-Star Callout at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, live coverage on Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and continuing finals coverage at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Last year’s struggles in Gainesville represented an uncharacteristic slow start for Enders and her Elite Motorsports team last year, but it simply made for a memorable turnaround to close the year.

That led Enders to her sixth world championship – tying her with Warren Johnson for the second-most in NHRA Pro Stock history – while a late-season win in Dallas made her the winningest female in all of motorsports.

She added another victory in Las Vegas and heads into 2024 with 47 Pro Stock wins and 48 overall national event victories. That adds another milestone on the horizon for Enders, but it won’t be easy in a loaded category that includes Greg Anderson, Matt Hartford, Aaron Stanfield, defending event winner Coughlin and Dallas Glenn.

Enders would love a quick start this year, but the veteran also learned valuable lessons while overcoming the early-season struggles to end the season with a championship.

“When I first started Pro Stock, I never got that many wins and here we are. A 50th victory would be really cool and it’s a milestone within reach if we continue to do our jobs,” Enders said. “What we were able to accomplish last year was really cool to me. The biggest personal lesson for me is to not get too wrapped up in it. I can only control what I can, and I want to go out there have fun and make every round count.”

Reigning Top Fuel world champ Doug Kalitta looks to keep rolling after winning his first world title to close out 2023, taking on Brittany Force, Steve Torrence, Antron Brown, Justin Ashley and class newcomer Stewart. The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout is back to open 2024 as well, pitting eight standouts (Torrence, Kalitta, Salinas, Force, Brown, Ashley, Shawn Langdon and Josh Hart) against each other in a big-money specialty race on Saturday. Hart is the defending Callout winner.

Funny Car’s Hagan, who ended last season with a world title, can win for a third straight year in Gainesville, taking on Ron Capps, Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd and class newcomer Austin Prock. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Herrera is after a repeat win by knocking off the likes of Matt Smith, Steve Johnson, Hector Arana Jr. and Angie Smith.

Action will also take place in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ and Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown.

Race fans in Gainesville can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk, which benefits the Darrell Gwynn Foundation in Gainesville, as well as a ring ceremony for the 2023 world champs (Kalitta, Hagan, Enders and Herrera) and a flyover from the United States Air Force. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

The Nitro Alley Stage is a huge attraction all weekend and is the main entertainment hub in the pits when the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, NHRA Insider Podcast, Shirley Muldowney Q&A, meet and greets and much more. Marching bands will also entertain the crowd each day, including the University of Florida on Sunday.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 2 and 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 8, and the final two qualifying rounds on Saturday, March 9 at 12 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 10.

The first round of the Pep Boys Top Fuel All-Star Callout takes place on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET and the semifinals at 2:45 p.m. The finals are slated for 4:25 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the 2024 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, 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 because these will sell out. For more info on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

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.

Young’s Motorsports Phoenix Raceway Spring Xfinity Team Preview

By
Official Release
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Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway | Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200.

Fast Facts

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Leland Honeyman Jr.
Primary Partner(s): Young’s Building Systems | Randco Industries Inc.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott
2024 Driver Points Position: 22nd
2024 Owner Points Position: 24th
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

Movin’ on Up!: In January, Young’s Motorsports announced it would graduate from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2024 with rising star Leland Honeyman Jr. behind the wheel of the team’s No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the entire 33-race season continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200. at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

About Leland: The Phoenix, Ariz. native began honing his racing skills at the tender age of two racing Quads. By four years old, he moved into Trophy Karts and then collected three series championships in off-road racing Trophy Karts.

After an instrumental tenure in Go Karts, he moved into the Bandolero competition in 2015 and was crowned a Bandolero National Champion two years later. From there, he moved into Limited Late Models before graduating to the Carolina Pro Late Model Series division in 2021, where he earned championship-runner-up honors and picked up an astounding victory in the annual Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway Fall Brawl.

Honeyman, 19, returns to the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization, where he ran an impressive ARCA Menards Series East Series campaign, finishing third in the 2022 championship standings.

During the 2023 season, he made eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, highlighted by a 21st-place finish at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course.

All-Aboard!: For the fourth of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, Texas-based Young’s Building Systems and Randco. will serve as the anchor partners on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 200-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

Since 1981, Young’s Building Systems has been providing West Texas with all their metal building needs. This family-owned and operated business has become an industry favorite due to the experience gained and the professional results completed. Young’s Building System is a division of Randco Industries, Inc. We have expanded into a company that has the ability to erect any type of building, from a small single story to a city high-rise.

Our customers have multiple uses for our buildings, including commercial, residential, agricultural, industrial, skid-mounted buildings, and compressor station buildings. We also have a team that specializes in stairs and railings of all shapes and sizes. Young’s Building Systems is fully insured for your peace of mind so we carry workmen’s compensation and general liability that go above and beyond State requirements.

Our company is fully equipped with moving and lifting equipment along with compressors, generators and welding equipment. We have the tools and equipment needed to support large, demanding projects. Our work ethic is based on the principles of quality, promptness, and customer experience.

Young’s Building Systems approaches each job with the mindset. We continuously raise our standard of excellence and work hard to make sure that each and every one of your needs are met.

Leland Honeyman Jr. Xfinity Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s spring Phoenix Raceway race will mark Honeyman’s second NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 1.0-mile speedway.

In his inaugural Phoenix showing in 2023, which also happened to be his Xfinity Series debut, Honeyman finished 27th after starting 23rd in the No. 45 Klean Freak Body Wipes Chevrolet Camaro in the United Rentals 200, driving for Alpha Prime Racing.

Leland Honeyman Jr. Xfinity Career Stats: Entering Phoenix, Honeyman has 11 career NASCAR Xfinity Series races to his credit, earning a career-best 18th place finish at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway after starting 19th in the LiUNA! NASCAR Xfinity Series Race for Young’s Motorsports in March 2024.

Since 2023, he has carried an average finish of 24.7.

Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway | The LiUNA! NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Recap: Honeyman continued to impress during his NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie campaign with Young’s Motorsports last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Starting his No. 42 LH Waterfront Construction Chevrolet from a career-best 19th, Honeyman maintained his competitive presence inside the top 20 throughout the entire race with a well-balanced race car and captured a career-best 18th-place finish at the checkered flag.

Calling the Shots: Guiding Honeyman Jr. as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

On Saturday, he will be crew chief in his 101st NASCAR Xfinity Series race. In his previous 100 races, he has three top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.

The season’s fourth race will be his seventh tango at Phoenix as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series at Phoenix Raceway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Avondale’s Phoenix Raceway.

However, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team has 19 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts at the south-central portion of the Arizona race track.

The organization posted a Truck Series team-best finish of eighth at the track on November 3, 2023, with Late Model standout Kaden Honeycutt at the wheel in the 2023 CRAFTSMAN® 150.

Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series History: Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, the Mooresville, N.C. – based organization has logged three starts and maintains an average starting position of 26.0 and an average finish of 23.0.

Follow on Social Media: For more on Leland Honeyman Jr., please visit LelandHoneymanRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Leland Honeyman Racing) and follow on Instagram (@lelandhoneymanjr) and X |Twitter (@lelandhoneyman3).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Leland Honeyman Jr. Pre-Race Quote:

On Phoenix Raceway: “After an exciting weekend in Las Vegas and scoring a career-best starting position and a career-best finishing position, I am excited to head to my hometown Phoenix, Arizona to hopefully score another best career starting and finish on top of this past weekend with us coming into the fourth race of the season.

“This weekend I’m excited and confident with my Young’s Motorsports team to get it done!”

Race Information:

The Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200. (200 laps | 200 miles) is the fourth of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. A twenty-minute practice is slated for Sat. March 9, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The field will take the green flag later in the day shortly after 2:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. ET), with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (MT).

AM Racing | Hailie Deegan Phoenix Raceway Spring Xfinity Preview

By
Official Release
-

AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway | Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200.

Fast Facts
No. 15 AM Racing Team:
Driver: Hailie Deegan
Primary Partner(s): AirBox
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Joe Williams Jr.
Spotter: Michael Fisher
Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. X-1058
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

Notes of Interest:

Sophomore Journey: After a successful rookie campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last season with driver Brett Moffitt, AM Racing will embark on its sophomore journey in 2024 with driver Hailie Deegan for the entire 33-race tour, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200. at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

The Statesville, N.C.-based team plans to expand its footprint in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to also run two cars throughout the season with its No. 25 AM Racing entry.

Future Focused: Last October, AM Racing announced that Hailie Deegan joined the family-owned operation to pilot the team’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in a multiyear agreement.

Deegan, a native of Temecula, Calif. has been a staple in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for the past three seasons but will embrace her rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as part of the Ford Performance program.

Deegan grew up racing off-road and on dirt but transitioned to competing on asphalt in 2016 to pursue a career in stock car racing. She began that transition in 2018 in the ARCA Menards Series West (previously NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), She became the first female driver to have won races in the West Series, doing so in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively.

Deegan, 21, arrives at AM Racing after a stint driving for ThorSport Racing in 2023.

Giving You Piece of Air: For the third time in 2024, AirBox will serve as the primary marketing partner of Deegan’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200. at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

In 2017, AirBox was established to focus on building the world’s best air purifiers for indoor occupied spaces. This coincided with people starting to wake up to issues with indoor air quality. With new challenges to air cleanliness, such as COVID-19 and wildfire smoke, people are looking for effective and proven solutions to ensure they receive cleaner air, at last.

Their history in delivering clean air systems gives them an expertise that is unmatched. AirBox uses some of the most effective air filtration technologies that exist with Certified HEPA and Advanced Molecular Adsorption and manufactures products that meet the stringent new ventilation standard, ASHRAE Standard 241.

Today, AirBox filtration systems are used across the country, purifying the air and capturing harmful irritants to create healthier, safer spaces. They’ve become the trusted choice for hospitals, educational centers, offices, warehouses, construction zones, public assembly, sports facilities, and more.

They’re proud to build all products to the highest standards in the USA at their North Carolina production facility. Every day, AirBox is working hard to give the American people the safer learning, working, and living environments they deserve—helping people breathe easy and live better.

Hailie Deegan NASCAR Xfinity Series Phoenix Raceway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200. will mark Deegan’s inaugural Xfinity start at the 1.0-mile speedway.

Deegan, however, does own three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts at Phoenix.

Her track-best result occurred during the 2023 Lucas Oil 150 when she steered to a 15th-place finish after starting 23rd for ThorSport Racing.

Hailie Deegan NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Deegan has a career-best 13th-place finish after starting 20th for SS-GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in October 2022.

In addition to four Xfinity Series starts, she has achieved 70 ARCA Menards Series starts, including three wins and 69 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts to her credit.

AM Minute: It was a relatively quiet weekend for the Statesville, N.C.-based team.

The AM Racing Dirt Division was in action with both AM Racing drivers Austin Wayne Self and Christian Rose at Fayetteville Motor Speedway in Fayetteville, N.C.

Rose’s ARCA Menards Series team will return to action on March 8, 2024, and join Deegan at Phoenix Raceway for Friday night’s General Tire 150.

Thanks For Your Support: With the start of the 2024 season just underway, AM Racing and Hailie Deegan would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: Flying Circle, Klutch Vodka, Mechanix Wear, Monster Energy Drink, Mobil 1, Viva Tequila Seltzer and WIX Filters.

Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway | The LiUNA! NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Recap: The third race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series kicked off from Sin City on Saturday, March. 2.

After battling gusty winds during practice and qualifying on Friday, Deegan started her No. 15 AirBox Ford Mustang from the 28th position and methodically climbed the running order throughout the race.

By Stage 3, crew chief Joe Williams had Deegan dialed in on the race track and she continued to maneuver through the field, running as seventh during green flag pit stops before finishing 15th at the checkered flag to capture her best result so far in 2024.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Joe Williams Jr. is Hailie Deegan’s crew chief.

He will be crew chief for his 135th NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday and his ninth race at the south-central portion of Arizona race track.

In his previous 134 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one win (Auto Club Speedway | February 2022), eight top-five and 30 top-10 finishes.

Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Hailie Deegan, please visit hailiedeegan.com, like her Facebook page (HailieDeegan4), or follow her on Instagram (@hailiedeegan), YouTube and X | Twitter (@hailiedeegan).

Hailie Deegan Quoteboard:

On Phoenix Raceway: “We have some great momentum for our AM Racing team heading to Phoenix Raceway this weekend. We had a strong performance with our No. 15 AirBox Ford Mustang and I’m eager to get to Phoenix and see if we can build on that finish on Saturday afternoon.

“With every lap behind the wheel of an Xfinity Series car, I am getting more comfortable and I hope that my previous Truck Series starts will prove to be beneficial as well this weekend.”

Race Information:

The Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200. (200 laps | 200 miles) is the fourth of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. A twenty-minute practice is slated for Sat. March 9, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The field will take the green flag later in the day shortly after 2:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. ET), with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (MT).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events in its eighth year of competition.

The team has named Hailie Deegan, Christian Rose, and Austin Wayne Self as their primary drivers for the 2024 Xfinity, ARCA Menards Series, and Dirt Modified seasons, respectively.

GAIGE HERRERA RETURNS TO GAINESVILLE RACEWAY WITH HOPES TO CONTINUE HIS NHRA PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE DOMINANCE

By
Official Release
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Mar. 7, 2024) – After his incredible showing in the 2023 NHRA season, reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Gaige Herrera returns to where his dominance started last season: the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

The NHRA returns to the famed Gainesville Raceway for its season kick-off this weekend for a new era as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins its multi-year partnership as the new title sponsor of the pro classes.

Herrera, rider of the RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, kicked off his 2023 season with an impressive win in Gainesville. From there, he continued to impress fans and reign supreme over the Pro Stock Motorcycle field.

“Coming back to Gainesville as now the defending champion, I feel like there’s more pressure now than there was last year,” Herrera said. “I raised the bar for myself very high last year. I have a lot I have to live up to. All in all, I’m very excited. I have a new teammate (Richard Gadson) and a new primary sponsor in RevZilla. There’s going to be a lot of awesome things to happen in the offseason, so it’s definitely every exciting to get back to Gainesville.”

Not only did Herrera win the season-opener in Gainesville, he was also the No. 1 qualifier, which proved to be a theme for the year. He collected 14 of the 15 No. 1 positions of the 2023 season, which set a single-season mark in the class, as did his 11 victories.

2024 Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Gaige Herrera

Last year, Mike Salinas (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock), and Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won in Gainesville and this year’s race will be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations action on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.

After his impressive season in 2023, the rest of the field will be eager to dethrone Herrera at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Atop that list is six-time champ Matt Smith, a two-time Gatornationals winner. Also in the mix will be Hector Arana Jr., Jianna Evaristo, Steve Johnson, Marc Ingwersen, 2023 Rookie of the Year winner Chase Van Sant, and Kelly Clontz.

“I just need to keep my head on straight,” Herrera said. “I can’t come in this weekend and expect to dominate again like I did last year. It’s a new year and I kind of have to put last year behind me and not really think about it and come back into it as last year and start at ground zero.”

Reigning Top Fuel world champ Doug Kalitta looks to keep rolling after winning his first world title to close out 2023, taking on Brittany Force, Steve Torrence, Antron Brown, Justin Ashley and class newcomer Stewart. The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout is back to open 2024 as well, pitting eight standouts (Torrence, Kalitta, Salinas, Force, Brown, Ashley, Shawn Langdon and Josh Hart) against each other in a big-money specialty race on Saturday. Hart is the defending Callout winner.

In Funny Car, defending world champ Hagan looks for his third straight Gainesville win, and will try to get past the likes of J.R. Todd, Ron Capps, John Force and Bob Tasca III.

Six-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders will try to win in Gainesville for the first time, facing off against Greg Anderson, Aaron Stanfield, Matt Hartford and Dallas Glenn.

Action will also take place in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ and Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown.

Race fans in Gainesville can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk, which benefits the Darrell Gwynn Foundation in Gainesville, as well as a ring ceremony for the 2023 world champs (Kalitta, Hagan, Enders and Herrera) and a flyover from the United States Air Force. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

The Nitro Alley Stage is a huge attraction all weekend and is the main entertainment hub in the pits when the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, NHRA Insider Podcast, Shirley Muldowney Q&A, meet and greets and much more. Marching bands will also entertain the crowd each day, including the University of Florida on Sunday.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 2 and 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 8, and the final two qualifying rounds on Saturday, March 9 at 12 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 10.

The first round of the Pep Boys Top Fuel All-Star Callout takes place on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET and the semifinals at 2:45 p.m. The finals are slated for 4:25 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the 2024 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, 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 because these will sell out. For more info on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

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.

PATRICK EMERLING PARTNERS WITH PHOENIX TANK COMPANY

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, NC, March 7, 2024 – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Patrick Emerling announced today that MMI Tank & Industrial Services, based in Phoenix, will join him as a new marketing partner for this weekend’s race at Phoenix Raceway.

“When we learned of the opportunity to collaborate with Patrick Emerling, a distinguished NASCAR driver, we seized the moment with enthusiasm,” said Division Tank Manager Stace Heckart. “MMI Tank is honored to have sponsored this race, showcasing our commitment to excellence and high-speed performance, both on the track and in our services.”

MMI Tank & Industrial Services is a full, turnkey tank contractor serving clients throughout North America. MMI provides customers design, fabrication and erection of tanks that meets API/AWWA standards, process piping, silos, pressure vessels, and industrial process. With their in-house engineering & design team, they can accommodate any size project. Safety and quality are paramount at MMI Tank & Industrial Services. They have a full time safety director that reports directly to their president. Safety is their highest priority and core company value. They hold ASME “S” and “U” stamps to cover the fabrication and assembly of high pressure boilers, pressure vessels and power piping. They’ve also been given the National Board “R” stamp, allowing them to repair and alter all boilers and pressure vessels. Their field superintendents have over 30 years in the tank and industry services and have consistently proven that their products are built to the highest quality standards.

“I’m proud to represent MMI Tank & Industrial Services,” said Emerling. “Their dedication to excellence and performance in their craftsmanship matches the drive of all of us at SS-GreenLight to continually improve our on-track performance.”

Additionally, Emerling will welcome back season-long partners Southern Tier Security (https://www.southerntiersecurity.net/), a watch patrol company based in Olean, NY; SimForge (https://simforge.in/), which sells sim racing equipment and accessories; and Frontline Optics, a San Diego sunglasses brand owned by a retired firefighter.

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. His next race is Friday, March 29 at Richmond Raceway.

The green flag drops for the Call 811.com Every Dig, Every Time. 200 at 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 9. You can watch the race on FS1 or listen live on MRN or SiriusXM.

Learn more about MMI Tank and Industrial Services at https://mmitank.com/ and follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mmitank/).

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/).

What Will Happen At NASCAR

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SM
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The highly popular 2024 championships have already begun for NASCAR, with some of the best teams, drivers, cars, and practice. The 2024 championship will not occur until the 10th of November, with Phoenix Raceway being the last and final race of the season. In April of this year, there are already scheduled four races that you can watch, and if you do want to do so, it’s possible to bet on those races. 

Many people look forward to watching NASCAR, especially when bets can be made with almost no problems. With all the technology advancing and even bonuses that can help, such as stake bonus codes, you can expect to have fun. 

Having already started on February 12th, this event is not only unpredictable but also loved by many people all over the world. No one knows what can happen, and the slightest change can make all the difference regarding who will win the 2024 NASCAR championship this year. 

So, when betting and even watching all of these events that are going to happen soon, you need to know about previous winners, the best cars, those who were able to finish first at the best time, and other factors. Since many previous events didn’t go forward due to heavy rains, the weather is also something to consider when making bets in these races. 

Qualification for NASCAR isn’t similar to other sports, such as football or Formula 1. It will happen gradually, over time, and with many races to be made. Besides, there is a Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and many others.

Knowing all about the qualifications and how the events function will ease the way you make your bets and give you a higher probability of actually winning and profiting from them. Gathering as much information as possible is essential and valuable since all of that data can be used when making your bets.

All the events can be watched on television and will be broadcast on radio as well. So it doesn’t matter where you are; accessing anything regarding these events will be easy and fast. 

NASCAR has been a worldwide event for many years, and this year, it promises a lot of asphalt wrecked due to the incredible cars and drivers participating in all the events throughout the 2024 championship. Making a bet will be easy, but you shouldn’t forget that you need to predict or try to, using your knowledge and even statistics from previous races and championships. 

The more information you have regarding everything that has happened before, the better for you since it will surely increase your chances of profiting from the bet you made. This isn’t counting the fun you can have while watching these excellent races with a lot of stamina, thrill, and adrenaline.

CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT ST. PETERSBURG: TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE
MARCH 7, 2024

CHEVROLET KICK-STARTS DRIVE FOR NINTH NTT INDYCAR SERIES MANUFACTURER TITLE IN ST. PETERSBURG

DETROIT (March 7, 2024) – The Team Chevy drivers and teams of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES kick off the 2024 season on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. this weekend with the 20th running of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Chevrolet earned its eighth NTT INDYCAR SERIES Engine Manufacturer Championship of the 2.2-liter twin turbo direct-injected era since 2012 after the 2023 season and carries significant momentum heading into 2024. The drive for a ninth title starts in Round 1 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., a 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary circuit featuring city streets and a section of the Albert Whitted Airport’s runway, with long straights and heavy braking zones.

“While 2023 is in the rearview mirror, 2024 is a great opportunity for everyone at Chevrolet to drive towards our ninth engine manufacturer title, potentially our third-in-a-row in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, said Mark Stielow, Director of Motorsports Competition Programs at General Motors. “We’re carrying positivity, talent, and momentum from our successful season last year with all our teams and drivers, and look forward to racing with new drivers, engineers, and team members as well.”

“St. Petersburg provides an excellent opportunity to kick the new season off successfully and provides a strong challenge with a field that’s ever-evolving competitively,” continued Stielow. “We’re looking forward to getting on track in St. Petersburg soon.”

Entering the weekend for the 200th race of Chevrolet’s V6 era, the Bowtie brand holds eight victories on the Streets of St. Pete as well as eight earned NTT P1 Pole Awards. Team Chevy has also scored 20 podiums and 684 laps led since 2012 at St. Petersburg and looks to return to Victory Lane this year.

Leading 23 of Chevrolet’s 61 laps in the 2023 event and finishing on the podium, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, driver of the No. 5 for Team Chevy, notes of excitement heading into a new year.

“I’m always pumped to go back to St. Pete every year because that means we’re starting a new season,” said O’Ward. “It’s a track that I’ve had the pleasure of driving on multiple types of open wheel cars through the years and can’t wait to add another one to the books. The team and I are coming off a strong test in Sebring and are ready for the challenges that lie ahead this year.”

With a strong showing in 2022 that saw Team Penske and Chevrolet capture both the NTT P1 Pole Award and the St. Pete victory, and a solid race effort in 2023, Scott McLaughlin returns searching for his fifth career NTT INDYCAR SERIES win.

“I’m really excited to head to St. Pete for the first round of the season,” said McLaughlin. “2024 is going to be a really big year for the Thirsty 3s. I’m back to DEX Imaging’s home round at the Tampa region. St. Petersburg is awesome, and I just have really good vibes heading into it. We nearly won it; we nearly went two-for-two last year and were really close without the problem we had toward the end of last year’s race. I have a lot of confidence in my group and the DEX Imaging Chevrolet to make sure we can get to the front again and start the season off strong.”

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg kicks off with Practice 1 at 2:45 p.m. ET on Friday. Practice 2 starts at 9:35 a.m. ET on Saturday, with qualifying following at 2 p.m. ET. A final warm-up at 9:10 a.m. ET on Sunday will lead into the noon ET race start. All practice and qualifying will be live on Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 160.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“It has been a very long, very busy off-season. From the residual effect of winning the Indianapolis 500 to helping push the hybrid program forward, it has been nice to settle in and get ready for St. Pete over the last few weeks. I love starting the season down there. It has become one of the top events on our schedule. I couldn’t imagine starting the season anywhere else. Fans will get to see our beautiful No. 2 PPG Chevrolet this weekend too. Hopefully we can qualify well, stay up front and get another St. Pete win.”

Will Power, No. 12 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“I really feel as ready for the start of the season as I have in a long time. It was a long off-season, but it has been anything but quiet with helping get the hybrid system into a good spot. Our test at Sebring last week was very strong. Chevy has done a lot of work to the current car while working on the hybrid, which is amazing. They’ve absolutely gone to work to improve the 2.2-liter product with an eye on the hybrid, which takes a lot of work. So, we’re all ready to get the No. 12 Verizon Business Chevy on track at a place I love in St. Pete.”

Callum Ilott, No. 6 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren:

“It’s been a crazy schedule to make this all work, and I’m very grateful to finally be here and to make it happen. The Homestead test was very positive, and then we got the ball rolling again at the shop this week to get last minute preparations in. It’s going to be good, I think. I’m very impressed with the team and how they operate, and I’m excited to see what we can do. I had a good race last year at St. Pete and I’m coming off the back of a good race in Qatar in the World Endurance Championship, so the mindset is good. There’s a lot to discover and a lot to learn.”

*Note: Ilott is filling in for David Malukas in St. Petersburg who is currently recovering from a hand injury sustained off track.

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren:

“I am so excited to get to St. Pete to kick off 2024. It has been a very long off-season, but at the same time, it has been incredibly productive. It is amazing to see how far we’ve come since the season opener last year, and we have a lot of confidence as an entire organization. As always, it’s important to start the year off with some positive momentum and that is exactly what we are looking to do this weekend. I can’t wait to see everyone at the track wearing papaya.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

“It’s been a long off-season, but we’re finally here. I’m excited to get down to St. Petersburg and compete with a really talented group that’s worked hard all winter to improve many of our processes. I think we’re in a really strong place and hopefully we can roll off the truck strong to, frankly, take care of some unfinished business here from last year. I couldn’t imagine a better group to go racing with, and I’m looking forward to getting this season started the right way.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“I am very excited to get back to racing! The anticipation has been extra big this year with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg being my debut in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES! This has been my dream for many years now and I can’t wait to get started with Ed Carpenter Racing and Team Chevy!”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“St. Pete is right around the corner! I am really excited to get the season going, it’s been a pretty quiet offseason for us with not many days of testing. We are ready to show the progress that we have made as a team and get started on the right foot! Of course, the car looks great in its new color thanks to askROI! Green has been a successful color for me, now to make that translate to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES!”

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:

“Very much looking forward to another year with Chevrolet power and being part of AJ Foyt Racing. I think St. Pete can be a solid kickoff. Chevy has made some incredible improvements over the offseason. I think that showed in preseason testing and I’m excited to see what we can do during the race weekend.”

Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:

“St. Pete is a great place to kick off the start of the NTT INDYCAR season. I’m looking forward to heading back there with more experience and with a new team in AJ Foyt Racing. Joining Team Chevy is a welcome change as well, as it will be the first time in my career, I get to race the brand associated with my namesake. There’s a lot to look forward to.”

Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:

“Looking forward to start the adventure for Juncos Hollinger Racing, after limited but positive testing, I am looking forward to going back to St Pete. I really like the race track, I’ve had some great memories there, and I’m looking forward to see what we can do with the car and the team, during the first race of the season. Very happy to get back to racing after a long time of non-IndyCar racing.”

Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:

“We start a season with great enthusiasm to be able to continue our evolution, on a personal size and with the team. We finished in very good shape last season and the tests were also positive, the team has grown during the break and all of us who are part of it are in better shape. The objective will be to start this first race by adding as many points as possible, in an always very demanding circuit where anything can happen throughout the 100 laps.”

CHEVROLET IN ST. PETERSBURG:

Wins at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (since 2012): 8

2012 – Helio Castroneves

2013 – James Hinchcliffe

2014 – Will Power

2015 – Juan Pablo Montoya

2016 – Juan Pablo Montoya

2019 – Josef Newgarden

2020 – Josef Newgarden

2022 – Scott McLaughlin

Earned Pole Awards in St. Petersburg: 8

2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 – Will Power

2022 – Scott McLaughlin

Chevrolet Driver with the Most St. Petersburg Street Course Wins (since 2012): Juan Pablo Montoya (2015, 2016), and Josef Newgarden (2019, 2020) – 2

Chevrolet Driver with the Most St. Petersburg Street Course Pole Awards (since 2012): Will Power, 7 (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)

Number of Team Chevy Podiums on the St. Petersburg Street Course (since 2012): 20

Number of laps led by Team Chevy on the St. Petersburg Street Course (since 2012): 684

2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:

199: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.

111: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

127: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 132 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather.

8: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.

7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.

12: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

5: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era.

26: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.

9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.

46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.

*Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet

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

United Rentals Racing: Ryan Preece Phoenix Advance

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Official Release
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RYAN PREECE
Phoenix Advance
No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: Shriners Children’s 500k (Round 4 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, March 10
● Location: Phoenix Raceway
● Layout: 1-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 312 laps/312 miles (502 kilometers)
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 125 laps / Final Stage: 127 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Ryan Preece and his NASCAR Cup Series counterparts head to Phoenix Raceway this weekend for the Shriners Children’s 500k NASCAR Cup Series race. Sunday’s 312-lap contest around the 1-mile oval debuts a new short-track rules package, as Preece’s No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing will be outfitted with a simplified rear diffuser and a higher rear spoiler compared to last year’s specifications. The aim is to put more of the race in the driver’s hands, where nuanced throttle control will be key to maintaining grip and managing tire wear. The updated package is a welcome one for Preece, who honed these exact traits on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour – NASCAR’s oldest division and the only open-wheel series sanctioned by NASCAR. Preece won the Tour championship in 2013 and properly leveraged that title and his 26 Tour victories into additional opportunities across NASCAR’s top-three national touring series – Craftsman Truck, Xfinity and Cup.

● The Shriners Children’s 500k will mark Preece’s 10th career NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix. The best of his previous nine outings came last year in his first season with Stewart-Haas. Preece finish 12th in the March race and 14th in November’s season finale.

● Outside of the NASCAR Cup Series, Preece has three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Phoenix with his best result being a fifth-place drive in November 2018.

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

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

Phoenix isn’t necessarily a short track as it’s a mile in length, but it features qualities that are similar with its minimal banking and relatively flat straights. What approach are you and the team taking into this race?

“I feel like last year, our strength as a company was at the short tracks. Phoenix falls under that category to us. In the last race at Phoenix, I felt like we had a top-15 car. My hope for this year, with the improvements that have been made, is that we can continue to take steps forward and consistently be where we want to be on performance. We’re excited for the short tracks coming up and want to kick off the first one by running a clean race with a car that is able to do everything right.”

Stewart-Haas has been historically strong at Phoenix. Does that bring added motivation to you and the No. 41 team this weekend?

“I think it has to add motivation. We’re going to know exactly some of the gains that have been made with the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse body, as well as some things that we need to work on as a team after Las Vegas. All of us were able to have good days at Phoenix last year, so we expect them to be even better this year with some the updates that have been and made to the cars.”

Cars will run a simplified diffuser and a higher rear spoiler. How will the changes impact the racing at Phoenix?

“It’s pretty much a reset from what we experienced last year. The cars will be so much different. The effects that it will have on the racing at Phoenix is kind of an unknown until we hit the track this weekend.”

This is your second season with Stewart-Haas. How has the dynamic evolved now that you’ve had more than a year to get to know the team and for the team to get to know you?

“I feel like there has been more time to develop communication, to figure out exactly where we need to be balance-wise, and then to determine what we’re all happy with and what makes it feel like home. It’s the same team and same group of people as last year, so it definitely helps in developing those relationships, which are important to help us go out and capitalize on strong runs.”

No. 41 United Rentals Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Jeremy West

Hometown: Gardena, California

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen

Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Tony Raines

Hometown: LaPorte, Indiana

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Kevin Teaf

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher

Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Interior Mechanic: Robert Dalby

Hometown: Anaheim, California

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgeway

Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

Hometown: Orange County, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

AMERICA’S FAVORITE ’80S BAND THE BREAKFAST CLUB TO PERFORM THROWBACK-STYLE DURING PRE-RACE CONCERT TO REV UP THE CROWD FOR FOOD CITY 500

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Official Release
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BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 7, 2024) – America’s favorite 1980s tribute band, The Breakfast Club, will perform throwback style to get the crowd ignited for the Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday afternoon, March 17, at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The Breakfast Club covers all the greatest hits from the 1980s and is the perfect fit for this pre-race concert given the throwback theme of the race weekend. Some of the artists the band covers include Duran Duran, The Cure, INXS, Beastie Boys, Journey, The Cars, Modern English, Prince, Simple Minds and Wang Chung, to name a few.

“Our guests are going to have a blast singing along with The Breakfast Club as they get revved up for the start of the Food City 500,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “Their catalog of songs is so deep and it’s all of the very best tunes from the 1980s. This weekend we are back on the concrete on the racetrack and at the same time, we are taking our guests back in time with some activities at the track and this band certainly fits the bill to accomplish that.”

The pre-race concert will run from 1:30-2:30 p.m. live from the pre-race stage in the infield near the start/finish line and lead straight into pre-race ceremonies, which will include driver introductions for the Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race. Guests are able to add-on a Pre-Race Infield Experience for front-row action for $110 per adult and $45 for children 12-and-under.

Formed in 1993, The Breakfast Club was the first band of its kind that embodied the enigmatic, creative and buoyant spirit of music and live performances of the original MTV generation on the 1980s. The band includes DavayRay on vocals and guitars, Colleen on vocals and keyboard, Matt on bass and vocals and Kevin on drums.

The Bristol race weekend will feature action in the NASCAR Cup Series with the tradition-rich Food City 500 on Sunday afternoon, March 17 (3:30 p.m., FOX and PRN Radio) with current champ Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Daytona 500 winner William Byron, Joey Logano, Atlanta winner Daniel Suarez, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin leading the way.

Saturday afternoon’s (March 16) Bush’s Beans Practice and Bush’s Beans Qualifying for both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will set the starting lineups for each race and precede Saturday night’s WEATHER GUARD® Truck Race. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series stars Ben Rhodes, Grant Enfinger, Nick Sanchez, Las Vegas winner Rajah Caruth, Corey Heim, Ty Dillon and Christian Eckes, among others, are scheduled to take the green flag at 8 p.m. ET for the 250-lap thriller (FS1, MRN Radio).

To purchase tickets for the Food City 500 or the WEATHER GUARD® Truck Race, please visit the BMS website, or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158. For a limited time tickets can also be purchased at your neighborhood Food City store.

About Bristol Motor Speedway

Forged amid the scenic mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line, Bristol Motor Speedway is The Last Great Colosseum, a versatile multi-use venue that hosts major auto races, football games, concerts and many other captivating events. The facility features a 0.533-mile concrete oval race track with 28-degree corner banking and 650-feet straightaways that offers racing in several NASCAR touring series, highlighted by two major Cup Series weekends each year. In 2020, the track also served as host of the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race, and from 2021-2023 converted to a temporary dirt track each spring to take the Cup Series back to its racing roots. While at the track, fans are offered a unique viewing experience courtesy of Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided video screen with a 540,000-watt audio system. The adjacent quarter-mile dragstrip, Bristol Dragway, offers more than 50 events annually, including the marquee NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health transforms Bristol Dragway into a premier outdoor concert venue for the world’s greatest music performers. Three football games have kicked-off inside the oval, most notably the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol, where border rivals the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech met before an NCAA-record crowd of 156,990. In existence since 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway was purchased in 1996 by Speedway Motorsports, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States.

INDYCAR, Dirty Mo Media Form Partnership To Promote Content

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, March 7, 2024) – INDYCAR and Dirty Mo Media, the multimedia content platform of NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., announced March 7 that they have formed a partnership to promote INDYCAR content created by Dirty Mo, specifically the podcast “Speed Street,” hosted by INDYCAR SERIES driver Conor Daly and content creator Chase Holden.

The weekly podcast, which began in 2021, will feature the winner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race each week in 2024. Excerpts of the podcast will also be featured on INDYCAR’s social media and YouTube channels.

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with the team at Dirty Mo Media, provide access to our drivers and help build an INDYCAR audience within their brand,” said Kate Davis, director of communications for INDYCAR. “Conor is a fan favorite who excels at sharing our sport with new audiences and brings his authentic and engaging personality to all of his creative endeavors.”

Daly is a second-generation driver who has been racing in the INDYCAR SERIES for more than a decade. He made his debut in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 and has since competed 10 times in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” He began podcasting in 2021 with the inception of “Speed Street” and immediately brought a unique brand of candor and insight to the show. Earnhardt’s company added “Speed Street” to its lineup in 2022. Since that merger, “Speed Street’s” audience has increased 800%.

“Conor’s goal has always been to move the sport forward, grow the fanbase and educate his listeners on exactly what they are watching in an INDYCAR race,” said Mike Davis, president and executive producer of Dirty Mo Media. “That whole approach provides an exceptional value to race fans, and it is why ‘Speed Street’ plays such an important role in our lineup. It’s also why a partnership between INDYCAR and the ‘Speed Street’ brand is an exciting development that has tremendous potential.”

New episodes of “Speed Street” drop every Wednesday throughout 2024 and are available across all major podcasting platforms. INDYCAR SERIES winners will begin making guest appearances on “Speed Street” following this weekend’s season debut, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Coverage of the race starts at noon ET on Sunday, March 10, on NBC, Peacock, Universo and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

About INDYCAR

INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series, INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou, two-time series champion Will Power, six-time series champion Scott Dixon and two-time series champion and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden – who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2024 season consists of 17 races in the United States and Canada and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com. For more information on INDY NXT by Firestone, please visit www.indynxt.com.

About Dirty Mo Media

Dirty Mo Media is the original entertainment and creative production company of Dale Earnhardt Jr. The company launched in 2013 and, since then, has become the go-to destination for race fans. Original content can be found at DirtyMoMedia.com and all major podcasting networks.

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