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Cadillac grabs Rolex 24 runner-up finish

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Pole-winning No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R takes Endurance Cup points lead

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2024) – A twice-around-the-clock race evolved into a 30-minute sprint Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, which started first, finished second in the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona to begin defense of its Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) championship and Cadillac’s Manufacturer title.

Tenacity of drivers Pipo Derani, Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist and the Action Express Racing team complemented a reliable and fast hybrid racecar and efficient pit stops to start the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season in the physically demanding race on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn course.

The runner-up finish is Cadillac’s 223rd podium in all classes/series since 2000, including seven in the GTP era. The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R grabbed the early lead in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.

“It’s great to make it to the podium, building on last year’s success. Every member of the team can be very proud of their efforts on preparing the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R for success, from both a technology and durability standpoint,” said John Roth, global vice president of Cadillac. “For more than a century, racing has provided a testbed for Cadillac to transfer knowledge and technology between race cars and production vehicles, and our V-Series portfolio demonstrates how we seamlessly bring learnings from the track to the road.

“The podium finish today demonstrates the remarkable capabilities and determination of the people at Cadillac and is a significant milestone as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of V-Series. Of course, our goal is always to win so we will enjoy the moment, learn and look to Sebring.”

The 72nd Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is March 16. The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R is the defending GTP pole and race winner, and Derani has been victorious four times at the 3.74-mile course.

Derani earned the Rolex 24 pole with a track-record lap time in the 15-minute qualifying session January 21, and the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R led multiple times for multiple laps throughout the race.

Blomqvist, who was aiming to become the second driver to win the Rolex 24 three consecutive years, drove the final 2 hours, 56 minutes and battled drivers of eventual winner No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsports, taking the lead in Turn 1 with 1 hour, 18 minutes left. The No. 7 Porsche nosed in front exiting pit lane under full-course caution with 43 minutes left, held off multiple Blomqvist challenges over the duration won by 2.112 seconds.

The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R, with drivers Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, Scott Dixon and Alex Palou, also started on the front row and was a serious contender for the victory until a surprise development in the wee hours Sunday.

van der Zande was making significant headway hours after the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R fell off the lead lap because of a cut tire and drive-thru penalty for a pit lane speed violation when, just shy of 3 a.m. ET, the Dutch driver coasted onto the Turn 1 apron without power.

After examination in the garage, the Chip Ganassi Racing-campaigned GTP entry retired.

Cadillac Racing issued a statement: The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R experienced a mechanical powertrain issue in the second half of the grueling race that resulted in retirement of the entry. Cadillac Racing will investigate to find the root cause and prepare for the 72nd Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Runner-up finishes in Rolex 24 At Daytona

2023: Cadillac Racing (Pipo Derani, Jack Aitken, Tom Blomqvist)
2021: Action Express Racing (Jimmie Johnson, Simon Pagenaud, Mike Rockenfeller, Kamui Kobayashi)
2019: Whelen Engineering (Eric Curran, Felipe Nasr, Pipo Derani)
2018: Whelen Engineering Racing (Eric Curran, Felipe Nasr, Mike Conway)
2017: Mustang Sampling Racing (Joao Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi, Filipe Albuquerque)

An interview with Pipo Derani, Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist, drivers of the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R:

TOM, TALK ABOUT THE CLOSING STAGES OF THE RACE, AND THE BATTLE WITH FELIPE (NASR)…

“First, I want to say what a fantastic job that the whole Whelen Cadillac team has done this whole two weeks. My teammates have been absolutely fantastic. Not a single stint wrong all race, really. It was kind of between the last, well, what feels like the whole race, between the No. 7 Porsche, they were really, really quick at times. We were quick at times. I think, if I look back, we were maybe a little bit better taking care of tires when we were double-stinting. They were really strong at the restarts, especially during the night when it was a little bit cooler and there was rubber on the track. It kind of came down to those that couple of stints. I was slowly chipping away. Managed to close the gap. We then decided to take an early stop to try and undercut them. Thankfully, I was able to get by on-track. The whole goal there was then to make a gap, because obviously we were going to have a little bit longer of fuel stoppage time at the next stop. That yellow basically ended our chances, really, especially where we are on pit lane, coming under yellow and not really being able to react to the car behind in terms of pulling early, for example. That hurt us, really. I think it was going to be a bit closer if that yellow hadn’t of come out, because I felt there at the end of the race we had the pace advantage. It was just so difficult to pass. The Porsche was really strong on the straight. We were really good in the infield. It was hard to make anything count. I felt like there weren’t many cars there at the end of the race in terms of traffic to find an opportunity. And then Felipe (Nasr) at the end there, I think he made one small mistake where he went wide by a few meters, but other than that, there was no opportunity. Huge hats off to them. They were fantastic, really.”

TOM, YOU DID A TRIPLE (STINT) AT THE END. WAS THAT ALWAYS THE PLAN FOR YOU TO BE IN FOR THE END?

“We didn’t change our driver rotation the whole race. It was always kind of the way it was going to work out was for me to finish, even if we were running a completely green race. And then we decided to just put more time because there was only three of us. Obviously, we had to spend more time in the car to maximize rest out of the car. That was kind of the strategy we went with. These guys did some math and stints during the night doing four so I could get enough rest to jump in and not have to do four, basically. That was always the plan. We just basically extended our driving, so there was a lot of tenuous seat time. It worked out. I think overall it was a good way to go.”

TOM, ROUGHLY 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE END OF THE RACE, THE GAP WAS DOWN TO 0.8 SECONDS. YOU MENTIONED ALREADY THE YELLOW AND TRAFFIC. WAS THIS THE REASON THE GAP INCREASED AT THE END?

“At the end there, I think Felipe (Nasr) just got a little bit more lucky on the last two laps where some of the traffic was slowed up into the bus stop. It just kills you. He got away there at the very end because of that. And then in terms of the fuel consumption, we had the least amount of energy to use. Obviously, our car was the lightest, but we had the least amount. Maybe they were a little bit better, but we also rolled the dice a little bit in terms of stopping early to try and create an opportunity to actually get ahead on track. It’s always easier, you know, when you’ve got track position. You can figure out a way to maintain that. They maximized what they had.”

PIPO, TALK US THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE TEAM IN THE PITBOX AT THE END.

“First of all, it’s always a thrill. We are here to enjoy those moments. It’s made it a fantastic race to watch for the fans. Obviously we are competitors and we want to be out there. But there is nothing better than fighting wheel-to-wheel with great competitors and having such an amazing finish to a race that had been like that for the beginning to the end. So yeah, a nail-biter I think. We had our moment. Tom did a fantastic job to come out to undercut and get by Felipe. Obviously with Daytona being the way it is, the pit is inverted so they could see where we were and short-fueled to come out ahead. At the end of the day, that is part of the game. We gave everything we could. It was definitely harder to be on the outside than in the car. I’m sure it was the same for Jack. We knew Tom was going to do the job, and we came up just short. I’m really proud because I think we did a fantastic job… everyone involved in the team. We didn’t make a single mistake the whole week. We came here with a very competitive car. We were out front from the beginning to the end of the race. I had great battles. There is nothing better to enjoy and celebrate motorsport with a race like this. Next time if I’m not finishing the race, I hope these guys can make it a little bit easier on the heartbeat.”

PIPO, TALK ABOUT STARTING YOUR TITLE DEFENSE WITH A STRONG RESULT.

“It’s great. I think last year if you look at how we started the year, I think we finished fifth here in an up-and-down season. So we had a winter where we said we have to improve this and this and this. We’ve been checking those pockets and mark sure we can come back stronger in ’24. We certainly rolled out with a very competitive car and we did a fantastic race. Hats off to the entire team. We were flawless the whole race. So to begin the season with a pole position and a second-place, it gives us great hope that we are on the right path to fight for another championship. Hopefully it’s not going to be as up-and-down as it was last year. But we’re very happy with how Daytona went, despite coming just short. Everyone should be proud and looking forward to the next one.”

JACK, TALK US THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE TEAM IN THE PITBOX AT THE END.

“It’s a different kind of pain finishing second by that little. We’ve said it many times already this week that we have a lot of confidence in our lineup that we felt comfortable with anybody being in the car for the finish. Tom did a great job, and I really thought he possibly secured us the win with the move on Felipe before the yellow. Just watching from the sidelines like Pipo said, it’s definitely a bit hard on the nerves because you can’t really do anything at that point. It was still heartwarming to see the reaction in the garage that everyone on the Cadillac crew were able to hold their heads high because they put a lot in over the last two weeks after a pretty intense year last year as well. It’s not a long offseason. We’ve come out swinging. So hopefully that is a good indication for the rest of the year. But it definitely stings right now, rightly or wrongly.”

TOM, DID YOU THINK YOU WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FORCE THE PORSCHE INTO A MISTAKE?

“I tried. But like I said before, I remember him running wide just one. We were both really on it because the lap times came down at the end. We did all we could to secure victories for our teams. It was fun. There was a lot of adrenaline in the car, but it was so close. That’s motorsports sometimes.”

No. 1 Cadillac V-Series.R quotes

Renger van der Zande: “I was really moving; I came through the field so easily. The car was lightning fast and credit to Cadillac and the Ganassi team to give us such a big car to win a race like this. It’s just a shame it has to end like this so early. This is motorsport, we’re fighting with the very best and we’re on the limit with everything to have a competitive car. I have three amazing teammates, a whole team here to win and I think we had the best chance to win. It’s just a shame.”

Sebastien Bourdais: “This end result is obviously disappointing because everyone at Cadillac and Chip Ganassi Racing has put in so much work to get to this point. We showed that we had the pace to compete in this race, but things just didn’t fall our way. We continued to push until the very last minute.”

Scott Dixon: “The team did an amazing job. We worked well together and had great speed with a lot of possibilities, but it’s sad to go out of the race like we did so early on. That’s the way it rolls sometimes. I’m just thankful for everyone from the team at GM and Cadillac. I know there’s an amazing amount of effort that goes into this race and the whole season. The only way is up from here.”

Alex Palou: “Very sad that we couldn’t finish the race after an amazing couple of weeks in Daytona preparing for this big race. We were looking really good, and the Cadillac was super quick in all track conditions. It was an absolute pleasure to drive the 01 and share car with Renger, Sebastien and Scott. Thank you to the team for all the hard work and I know it will pay off down the road.”

Disappointing opener for Sean Creech Motorsport and Ligier at Daytona

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Official Release
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IMSA Rolex 24 2024

After several trips to the garage, the No. 33 Ligier JS P217 LMP2 retires from the Rolex 24 with electrical and bodywork-related issues ahead of the checkered flag

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (28 January 2024) – Despite months of preparation and team effort, the 2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Rolex 24 at Daytona was not the opening event that the Sean Creech Motorsport (SCM) team was looking for, as a multitude of issues with the reintroduced Ligier JS P217 saw the team end the day in the garage.

The result was especially difficult given the pace and reliability the Ligier had displayed at last weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex. But it was a case of “that was then, and this is now” for the team, as they finished the race ninth in the LMP2 class.

The Jupiter, Fla.-based team, in concert with Ligier engineers and Ligier North America motorsport manager Chris Lowe, have worked to develop an information database for the Ligier JS P217 through several pre-season test sessions, with steady progress at the Roar that saw the team lead the LMP2 class early in two sessions. The car’s continued pace in official sessions this past week had drivers Lance Willsey, João Barbosa, Jonny Edgar, and Nolan Siegel feeling confident in their No. 33 SCM Focal One Ligier JS P217 going into the race weekend.

However, near the end of final practice on Friday, Willsey experienced an issue coming out of turn one that sent him into the turn two wall. With significant damage to the Ligier, the team set about repairing both mechanical parts and bodywork damage. Team mechanics worked hard and fast to be ready for Saturday morning, when the red, white, and blue-liveried Ligier assumed its position on the sixth row of the LMP2 class.

Over the first two hours of the race, multiple incidents depleted both the LMP2 and GT fields while Willsey stayed out of trouble and laid down consistent laps. Barbosa took the next double stint, taking the car to P7 before handing back to Willsey on used tires – but with increasing braking and rear stability issues.

Those issues came to the fore as Willsey’s stint continued, with several quick spins, including one to avoid a GTP car who’d made a very tight pass. But shortly after sunset, a slowly draining battery began showing up on the pit box telemetry. Realizing there was an ongoing battery/alternator issue, the team made several trips to the garage to diagnose and fix the issue.

Once the team had affected repairs, Siegel headed out on track just after 9:30pm. After Siegel’s double stint, Edgar took the helm for the first time in the race, and his first laps of night racing – and proceeded to set lap times consistent with the leaders.

Willsey drove a solid early morning double stint before the round of Barbosa-to-Siegel-to-Edgar that the team hoped would take them to the finish. The trio took the car easily through the morning’s racing, until a sudden failure of the rear decklid – which had been checked to be secured on the pit stop – sent the car back to the garage and out of the race.

All four drivers expressed significant disappointment that the crew’s hard work and dedication did not show in the final result – full season drivers Willsey and Barbosa (who have 36 Rolex 24 appearances between them), Edgar (experiencing his first endurance race), and Siegel (who helped the team to a second place finish last year at Daytona).

“Coming off the highs that we experienced at the Roar to, well, to the agony of defeat that we faced here in the race, it’s very, very unfortunate,” said Willsey. “It’s also, quite frankly, unacceptable. The team did a great job throughout; it was all hands-on deck. We especially appreciate the heroic efforts by Chris Lowe, who helped us wherever he could all weekend.

“We lost over half our test days (to either weather or the Bus Stop re-pave) and that lack of testing became quite obvious to us and to everyone who saw our performance here,” continued Willsey. “It’s not who we are. But we will learn from this and come back stronger at Sebring. We have a long list of things we need to go through and accomplish and while it’s a gravely disappointing race performance, it was through no fault of the team. It was just a variety of circumstances, primarily electrical related loss of power steering at inopportune times, and a lack of available parts when we needed them. It was unfortunate but we will learn from it and come back stronger.”

“We had such a promising performance at the Roar, a great baseline setup for the car,” said Barbosa. “But obviously it’s a new car for the team and this was the first time we’d really run the car for this long – and unfortunately, some of the weak points of the car came through and that put us behind a little bit. But the pace was there. We were not the fastest, but we were very consistent, able to keep up with the guys up front. It’s just a shame not to be able to finish the race, given all the hard work that the team put in.”

“Over the past week, there have been times that I think the car’s been quick, quicker than any of us – and probably the rest of the grid – expected, which was nice to see,” said Edgar. “But obviously there are some issues that came forward, most of them unfortunately showing up in the race. We expected problems with the car, since it hadn’t been raced in a few years. But for me, plenty of positives throughout the race – my first proper endurance race and two double stints running at night. So in those terms, I’m happy with the experience: I’m just sorry we didn’t have a better result to show for all the work that all of us, everyone in the team, put in this last week. But I’m still very thankful for the opportunity to race and happy to have been here.”

“It was a super challenging day,” said Siegel. “Probably the most challenging day that a lot of people on this team have ever had in racing. But when you start a program like this with a new car, new everything, I don’t think anyone expected us to go through the race with no issues. The team is working through all the issues, and I know things will get sorted out for the future. I was appreciative of all of the guys on the crew for pushing through and staying up all night during the race, working on the car – we came to the garage multiple times and each time everyone got straight to work, with no complaint: everyone was just fully focused on the task at hand. We had some really competitive hours in the car overnight, and I felt the pace and balance of the car was the best that I’d felt it – which in a way is even more frustrating, but we made a ton of progress and I think it’s promising that there’s pace there and hopefully, when everything gets sorted out, the car will have a fighting chance in the rest of the races.”

For Creech, the work toward the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring has already begun.

“We’ve spent a great deal of time with Ligier this weekend, and we anticipate that will continue as we figure out everything that happened here this week,” said Creech. “We have an idea of where the weaknesses are and we will all address that in the coming weeks, in the shop and in testing.”

SCM thanks partner Focal One for its continued support.

Next up for Sean Creech Motorsport will be the second of two home state events to start the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring March 13-16.

About SCM

Team leader Sean Creech has competed in a multitude of sports car series from 1990 until the present day, including Group C, IMSA GTP, WSC, Grand-Am, SRO World Challenge, and IMSA. SCM will contest the full WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023 with João Barbosa and Lance Willsey. http://seancreechmotorsport.com/

About Focal One

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime in the United States. The Focal One® HIFU Prostate treatment offers patients a non-invasive outpatient procedure to target prostate tissue while avoiding the common side effects such as loss of urinary continence and sexual function. The Focal One treatment uses high-performance, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to precisely target and ablate the prostate, allowing patients to quickly return to normal activities. http://www.focalone.com/

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Rolex 24 Final Report

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  • Corvette Z06 GT3.R made its worldwide competition debut to open the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Daytona.
  • Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports No. 3 and No. 4 Z06 GT3.Rs combined to lead 118 of 773 laps in incredible GTD PRO fight
  • Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Daniel Juncadella led the Corvette Z06 GT3.R runners with a fifth-place finish in No. 3 Oshkosh/Mobil 1 Corvette.
  • New Corvette showed impressive performance in deep GT field with 36 entries from 11 manufacturers
  • Despite retirements, first Corvette Z06 GT3.R customer team AWA logged a considerable number of laps and miles in first race with the Corvette brand
  • Focus for Corvette Racing program is to learn from Daytona experiences ahead of FIA WEC race in Qatar and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in IMSA competition

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2024) – The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R showed promise during its competition debut in the Rolex 24 At Daytona with four of Corvette GT3 cars in the hands of teams Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports and AWA.

Although Sunday’s checkered flag flew without a Corvette win, there are plenty of positives and lessons to carry forward to the Z06 GT3.R’s upcoming events in IMSA, the FIA World Endurance Championship and GT World Challenge America.

Both Corvettes from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports completed the full 24 hours with the No. 3 of Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims and Daniel Juncadella led the way with a fifth-place finish. The trio led 118 laps during Saturday and Sunday with the sister No. 4 Z06 GT3.R of Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg and Earl Bamber leading 38 additional laps.

Both of the Pratt Miller Corvettes experienced separate mechanical issues – the No. 3 had a cracked oil tank and the No. 4 had to replace a power steering pump inside the final six hours.

In GTD, AWA decided to withdraw the No. 13 Corvette (power steering) and the No. 17 Corvette (electrical), also in the last quarter of the event. The team and Chevrolet Competition Engineering will work together to determine the root causes and address ahead of the next race at Sebring. Chevrolet thanks the AWA team for its hard work and collaboration leading up to and during the Rolex 24.

Despite missing out on a fifth class victory for the Corvette Racing brand since 2001, the competition groups learned a considerable amount while running all four cars in the season-opening race. Throughout its history, Corvette Racing has prided itself in taking lessons away from the racetrack and making its racecars – and production vehicles – better. That will continue being the case as the Corvette Z06 GT3.R moves forward.

The next race for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R is the Qatar 1812 Kilometers to open the FIA World Endurance Championship on Saturday, March 2. TF Sport will field two of the Corvette GT3 racecars for the full season. Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports and AWA will next compete at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March 16.

ANTONIO GARCIA/ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 OSHKOSH/MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – FINISHED FIFTH IN GTD PRO: “This is always a tough race, and this one was flat-out. The Rolex 24 is hard on equipment, and unfortunately we had our one issue. It is always great to be in the hunt and put pressure on our competitors so they may make mistakes. It’s a shame, for sure. I would have loved to be in contention late with the new Corvette. We learned a lot that we can use to push the Z06 GT3.R forward. We will use all those lessons to improve for the next race Sebring. It’s a classic event for us and we’ll definitely try to go for the win there.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 OSHKOSH/MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – FINISHED EIGHTH IN GTD PRO: “Overall I’m proud of our effort today and what we showed with this new Corvette Z06 GT3.R. The pace was good and the balance was good. I think all of us as drivers were happy. Unfortunately for us, we had one main item that set us back and cost us time. But this is a new car and we’ve never seen that problem in testing. That’s why these 24-hour races in some ways feel like sprint races. This is a great learning opportunity for us, as well. There are things we will find and be better for the rest of the year. Realistically when you look at all the cars in the GT classes today, I don’t think anyone had a clean run. It shows how hard everyone was pushing, especially us. So yes, it’s somewhat disappointing because both cars led and were in the top-three for most of the race. These require perfection from everybody. Our race wasn’t perfect, but it was close. We can be proud of that.”

About Chevrolet

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

Cooper Webb Wins Anaheim 2 Triple Crown Supercross

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Official Release
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First place 450SX Class - Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Levi Kitchen Wins 250SX Class, Marking Eight Different Winners In Four Events

Anaheim, Calif., (January 27, 2024) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb became the fourth different Monster Energy AMA Supercross winner in four rounds when he took the victory at the Anaheim 2 Supercross in front of 43,753 fans in Angel Stadium. Anaheim 2 was the first of three Triple Crown events this year which combine the results from three races to determine one winner on the night. Webb won the overall with (2-2-5) race results.

Angel Stadium delivered clear skies for the racers and great racing for the fans. After two consecutive mud races many riders went into the Anaheim 2 Supercross viewing it as the “real” start of the season due to the normal conditions. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Going (5-7-1), Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac had the crowd cheering when he earned second place overall with a win in the final race of the evening as the sport celebrates 50 years of racing this year. Last week’s winner, Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, earned third place with (6-4-3) and retains the points lead heading into Round 5. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen fought hard for the overall win with (1-2-3) race scores. And Supercross Futures, a part of SMX Next, held its first of five races to feature the future stars of Supercross; in what was the best battle of the night. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Cole Davies emerged with the victory over Monster Energy Star Yamaha’s Gavin Towers.

“If you do really well the first two [races], the third one sometimes is easy… I had a lot of wiggle room [in Race #3] and could just, honestly, have a solo ride in fifth place. But it is a little bit weird, for sure, to not go over the checkered flag first. But I think that’s kinda the unique thing about the Triple Crown, is we’ve seen a lot of this happen. You can have big point swings, and you can have one bad race and then have two good ones [and] you end up on the podium and something like that. So it’s never over for sure in these kind of situations… I saw Jason [Anderson] right in front of me [in Race #3], he went down, and it probably wasn’t the best thing for me, because it was instantly like, ‘All right, I can just kinda chill,’ but I was grateful to put myself in that situation.” – Cooper Webb

“I was pretty frustrated after those first two [races]. I was like, ‘Okay, here I’m just – what am I now, fifth – seventh place guy right now?’ I don’t know. I just had to go do something, I had to get off the gate there, so it was good. It was good. Had a good flow. I was able to get the whoop combo down, and I felt like that was important for me, and yeah, felt good.”.” – Eli Tomac

“I knew Detroit was the next race and I really, really wanted to carry the red plate into Detroit given the events that happened last year.” [Plessinger crashed while leading Detroit 2023] “That’s gonna be a special race and yeah, I’m ready for it. I’m ready to get back to Florida this week and put in some work and then go up to the freezing cold and hopefully my moustache doesn’t break off in the 20 degree weather [laughs]. But no, I’m ready to get back up there and do some damage.” – Aaron Plessinger

The Western Regional 250SX Class held its second round and Levi Kitchen became the fourth rider in four rounds to take home a win. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire battled hard in the first two races but a flat tire in the third Race took his chances at an overall victory. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher followed up a win last weekend with a third place finish at Anaheim 2.

“We’re all really close right now. Obviously I want to be the dominant guy, but yeah, it’s closer now. You can’t start in like fifth and sixth with these guys and have them up front. You’d have to have a pretty amazing – I don’t even know what you’d have to do to be able to get up to them. I think it’s tighter than in years’ past. Especially the top five of us, we’re all pretty experienced by now, so it’s definitely tight racing.” – Levi Kitchen

“For the first time in my career I had a flat tire on a Supercross track, so yeah, it was eventful. I knew something was wrong, didn’t necessarily know what until it shot me off in the whoops… I was fine the next couple laps, and then once that rear tire breaks the bead and it’s off the rim, that’s when it gets really, really scary. But overall it was an awesome night. That first and second moto were sick. If we could do that every weekend, I mean, we’d probably get paid a lot more because that was a show. [smiles]. But like I said, that was fun. All in all, it was a really solid day.” – RJ Hampshire

“[The new bike is] the same motor package but a whole different chassis. So all the suspension characteristics are completely different. So we’re still leaning, but I think I got a good package this weekend. I felt like it was a big step in the right direction for me, and we’re still learning, still working, still trying to get a little bit better, but last week [in testing] I think we found a little bit and it showed this weekend… It was a very hardpack track out there today and on the bike I was racing a couple weekends ago I was struggling pretty bad with the hardpack. So yeah, it was definitely a little bit better spot for me.” – Nate Thrasher

“It was an awesome battle. We were just going back and forth. And it was super tiring, I was breathing so hard and, you’re just glad to be on top… I couldn’t even feel myself. I was like so frickin – I was like in a dream it felt like.” – Cole Davies (#17)

Off the track, members Green Day were in attendance at Angel Stadium to take in the Triple Crown action. Drummer Tre Cool showed up with keyboardist Jason Freese ahead of the band’s 2024 The Saviors tour. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Others in attendance include: USA Olympic Skateboarder Nyjah Huston, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire director Gil Kenan, Influencers Ben Azelart and Hayes Grier, world-renowned drummer Jason Bonham of Bonham and Sammy Hagar’s “The Best of All Worlds” Van Halen Tour, rock guitarist Carlos Cavazo of Quiet Riot and Ratt, who was also recently inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame. Images HERE.

Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan hosts Round 5 of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship next Saturday, February 3rd. The Detroit Supercross will run on a daytime schedule rather than under the lights. The racing starts at 3:00PM Eastern Time. Doors open for fans attending the race at 8:00AM Eastern Time. The race will kick off the 9-round Eastern Regional 250SX Championship.

Each Supercross round also pays points toward the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In its second year, the SuperMotocross League combines the Supercross season and the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross season to seed riders into two Super Motocross World Championship Playoffs and a Final in September.

Every race is available live on PeacockTV, with select rounds also viewable on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Fans around the globe can catch the action live, with both English and Spanish commentary, through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv).

For video highlights, race results, schedule information, broadcast airtimes, and to purchase tickets, please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

Facebook: facebook.com/supercrosslive
X: twitter.com/supercrosslive
Instagram: instagram.com/supercrosslive
YouTube: youtube.com/supercrosslive
TikTok: tiktok.com/supercrossliveofficial
Official Merch: SupercrossSuperstore.com

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About the SuperMotocross World Championship:

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Unveiling the Best Remote Computer Monitoring Software: A Comprehensive Guide

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SM
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Photo by Firosnv. Photography on Unsplash

Businesses are embracing flexibility, but with it comes the challenge of ensuring productivity and security. This is where the importance of monitor computer software usage and PC screen monitoring tools becomes paramount. As teams spread across different locations, the need for effective remote computer monitoring solutions has never been more crucial.

The Rise of Remote Work and the Need for Monitoring Solutions

In recent years, the global workforce has witnessed a paradigm shift towards remote work. According to a survey conducted by FlexJobs and Global Workplace Analytics, remote work has grown by 159% since 2005. As businesses adapt to this new normal, monitoring employee productivity and safeguarding sensitive information have become top priorities.

The Role of PC Screen Monitoring Tools

To monitor computer software usage and ensure optimal productivity, businesses are turning to PC screen monitoring tools. These tools provide employers with a real-time glimpse into their employees’ screens, offering insights into task progress, time management, and overall efficiency. This proactive approach not only fosters accountability but also helps in identifying areas for improvement.

Controlio: Standout in Remote Computer Monitoring

One notable player in the PC screen monitoring tool is Controlio. Known for its user-friendly interface and robust features, Controlio stands out as a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to monitor computer software usage effectively. With Controlio, employers can track applications, websites, and even keystrokes, providing an in-depth understanding of how time is spent during work hours.

Key Features to Look for in Remote Computer Monitoring Software

Choosing the right software for remote computer monitoring requires careful consideration of features. Look for tools that offer:

  • Real-Time Monitoring: Opt for software that provides live insights into employee activities, allowing you to address issues promptly.
  • Productivity Analysis: Effective software should offer detailed reports on time spent on various applications and websites, aiding in performance evaluation.
  • Security Measures: Ensure the selected tool prioritizes data security, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Controlio seamlessly integrates these features, offering a holistic solution for businesses seeking comprehensive remote computer monitoring.

Complementing monitoring platforms, organizations should consider secure remote access options that let employees run centralized Windows applications without full desktop sharing. For example, a remote access solution tool can enable teams to access server-hosted apps directly, reducing the need for local installs and minimizing data-exfiltration risks.

The Impact of Remote Monitoring on Productivity

Investing in PC screen monitoring tools and polygraph assessments has proven to boost productivity significantly. A study conducted by Prodoscore, a productivity-tracking software company, revealed that remote employees’ productivity increased by 47% in 2020 compared to the previous year. Additionally, the use of polygraph technology ensures employee integrity and commitment, further enhancing workplace efficiency. This statistic underscores the positive correlation between effective monitoring, including polygraph implementations, and enhanced work output.

Overcoming Challenges with Remote Computer Monitoring

While the benefits of remote monitoring are clear, businesses must also address concerns related to employee privacy. Striking a balance between monitoring productivity and respecting privacy is crucial. Communicating transparently about the purpose and extent of monitoring can help build trust among employees.

Conclusion

In the landscape of remote work, the right choice of monitor computer software usage, and PC screen monitoring tools can make all the difference. As businesses continue to navigate this new era of work, the emphasis on productivity, security, and employee well-being remains paramount. Controlio emerges as a standout solution for providing a comprehensive suite of features to monitor computer software usage effectively. By leveraging the power of PC screen monitoring tools, businesses can not only enhance productivity but also ensure a secure and transparent remote work environment.

TUNE IN: Magnus Racing Brings Adventure, Video, and More This Weekend to the 24 Hours of Daytona

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Official Release
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Gear up for an epic adventure as Mangus Racing takes on the legendary Daytona International Speedway for the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona! This year, the team is set to embark on a thrilling journey with their chosen theme, “Magnus Racing and the Dial of Daytona.” This weekend, the team is ready to uncover the mysteries of the track and race against time in pursuit of victory.

Join drivers John Potter, Andy Lally, Spencer Pumpelly, and Nicki Thiim as they commandeer the No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in a quest for glory, digging up the iconic track’s secrets of the past to find success for the future. Expect daring maneuvers, strategic pit stops, and the thrill of the chase as Mangus Racing brings this archaeological adventure to life at the Rolex 24.

Don your fedoras, grab your bullwhips, and mark your calendars for tomorrow, Saturday, January 27th, at 1:40 PM ET as the action unfolds. Tune in on Peacock to witness Mangus Racing’s quest for the ultimate treasure – victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. It is a prize we have secured twice before as a team, in 2012 and 2016. It’s a race against time, and Mangus Racing is ready to face the challenges head-on. Adventure awaits at the Daytona International Speedway!

Gear up for an epic adventure as Mangus Racing takes on the legendary Daytona International Speedway for the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona! This year, the team is set to embark on a thrilling journey with their chosen theme, “Magnus Racing and the Dial of Daytona.” This weekend, the team is ready to uncover the mysteries of the track and race against time in pursuit of victory.

Join drivers John Potter, Andy Lally, Spencer Pumpelly, and Nicki Thiim as they commandeer the No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in a quest for glory, digging up the iconic track’s secrets of the past to find success for the future. Expect daring maneuvers, strategic pit stops, and the thrill of the chase as Mangus Racing brings this archaeological adventure to life at the Rolex 24.

Don your fedoras, grab your bullwhips, and mark your calendars for tomorrow, Saturday, January 27th, at 1:40 PM ET as the action unfolds. Tune in on Peacock to witness Mangus Racing’s quest for the ultimate treasure – victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. It is a prize we have secured twice before as a team, in 2012 and 2016. It’s a race against time, and Mangus Racing is ready to face the challenges head-on. Adventure awaits at the Daytona International Speedway!

TV Schedule

Saturday, January 27 – Sunday, January 28

1:40 PM – 1:40 PM

Flag-to-Flag Coverage

Peacock (USA)

imsa.com/tvlive (International)

Network TV – Saturday

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM NBC

2:30 PM – 8:00 PM USA

10:00 PM – 11:59 PM USA

Network TV – Sunday

6:00 AM – 12:00 PM USA

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM NBC

Nate Cicero Wins Second Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Race at Daytona After Explosive Last Lap

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Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 26, 2024) – Reigning Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin Rookie of the Year and former MX-5 Cup Shootout winner Nate Cicero (No. 83 McCumbee McAleer) survived a last lap frenzy to win at Daytona International Speedway on Friday. He was closely followed across the finish line by his teammate Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22 McCumbee McAleer Racing) making it a McCumbee McAleer Racing 1-2.

The second Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup race at Daytona played out much like the first, as the draft was key once again ahead of a scrappy final lap.

Connor Zilisch (No. 72 BSI Racing) had an incredible opening lap, going from 11th to fourth. Two laps later, he was in the lead, at the front of an eight-car pack.

Not long after, the dangers of Daytona’s high banks were on display. Preston Pardus (No. 52 Rick Ware Racing), got loose in the draft and hit the wall exiting NASCAR Turn Four. He bounced back down the track to the infield and eventually came to a rest near Turn One. Nathan Nicholson (No. 56 JTR Motorsports Engineering) moved to avoid hitting Pardus, but that turned the car and sent him into the wall at start/finish.

The first and only full-course caution of the race was issued with Zilisch still leading the field.

After four laps behind the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup safety car, the green flag was back on display.

Zilisch continued to lead for several laps afterwards, but his strong defense came to a sad end when his car’s ABS failed. He locked up his brakes several times on a single lap before making his way to pit lane.

At the front, Tyler Gonzalez (No. 57 Saito Motorsport), Cicero and Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) were working together to stay up front.

On the final lap, Cicero led the field into Turn One followed by Thomas and Westin Workman (No. 13 BSI Racing). Entering Turn Five a chain reaction that started at the back of the pack ended with Thomas and Workman spinning into the grass.

Cicero now had a healthy lead going into the Le Mans Chicane, a spot history says you do not want to be in on the final lap of a Mazda MX-5 race at Daytona. However, Cicero managed to build enough of a gap to prevent Gonzalez, Fletcher and Rollan from drafting by him before the checkered flag.

“I was just watching the mirror the whole time,” Cicero said. “They had a whole train coming but my spotter was saying I had a 10- or 12-car gap. I was just hoping we had enough. The MMR car was absolutely on wheels and the team swept the weekend. To have the DNF yesterday after having such a strong start, we needed redemption today. It never gets old winning races, so I’m so happy to do this today.

“I think there was a small crash behind me and so I ended up with a huge lead and just held on.”

Gonzalez crossed the line in second but was issued a 10-second penalty for an incident early in the race, bumping him to ninth in the final results.

That gave the runner-up spot to Fletcher, who got his second podium finish of the weekend.

“It is definitely nice to be consistent here with two podiums,” Fletcher said. “The car was on fire. I can’t thank the whole McCumbee McAleer team enough, all my sponsors: The Holster Store, Home Decor and More. It has been great. On the last lap, going into the Horseshoe I got hit from behind. Everyone kind of got plowed out of the way. Not sure who it was, but I felt it! For the rest of the season, hopefully I can stay up front and stay consistent and start making new drafting buddies.”

Finishing third, Rollan is still waiting to get that elusive Daytona win, but was happy with third after starting the final lap in 11th place.

“It seemed to be similar to yesterday,” Rollan said. “I tried to get as many positions as I could. I saw Jared [Thomas] spinning up top, so I just stayed tight. I got some pushes and I’m happy to be here getting the first podium for Rollan Racing and BSI.”

Thursday race winner Gresham Wagner (No. 5 McCumbee McAleer Racing) finished fourth and rookie Noah Harmon (No. 99 Spark Performance) completed the top five.

Both MX-5 Cup races at Daytona are available to re-watch on the RACER YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TheRacerChannel).

Teams have plenty of time to regroup before Rounds 3 and 4 at Sebring International Raceway, March 13 – 16. For more information visit www.mx-5cup.com.

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

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

Trackside Live with Kenny Wallace, John Roberts and Jose Castillo Returns in 2024 to Speedway Motorsports Tracks

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Official Release
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(L-R) Jose Castillo, Kenny Wallace, Austin Cindric and John Roberts discuss the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 on Trackside Live at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Popular, live race-day show to bring driver interviews, competition insights and fun with NASCAR’s biggest personalities to at-track fan zones
  • Trackside Live is scheduled to kick off a nationwide tour at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 25, with eight shows at seven speedways throughout the season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 26, 2024) – The always-entertaining Trackside Live with Kenny Wallace, John Roberts and Jose Castillo is back for 2024. The terrific trio will bring laughs, stories and special guests to eight premier Speedway Motorsports event weekends, with visits to the fan zones at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.

Wallace, Roberts and Castillo are slated to host shows throughout the season, beginning at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 25, ahead of the Ambetter Health 400.

The 2024 Trackside Live race schedule:

  • Feb. 25 Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
  • March 17 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway
  • April 14 Autotrader EchoPark 400 at Texas Motor Speedway
  • May 19 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway
  • May 26 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
  • June 23 NASCAR Cup Series Race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
  • June 30 Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway
  • Sept. 21 Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway

Trackside Live is an energetic and entertaining pre-race show, featuring interviews with NASCAR’s top stars along with a great deal of antics, high-jinks and trips down memory lane with former NASCAR driver Wallace, veteran NASCAR broadcaster Roberts and fan-favorite co-host and producer Castillo.

The original hosts of SPEED Channel’s Race Day Live show, Wallace and Roberts, were wildly popular with fans as they brought their show to fans at every track on the circuit. Their popularity has only increased over the years.

“Charlotte is where it all started all those years ago with thousands of fans and a love of racing,” Wallace said. “We had so much fun last year getting back in the fan zones with the people who matter the most—the NASCAR fans. Thanks to Marcus Smith and everyone at Speedway Motorsports, we’re going nationwide with eight shows across the country this year.

“Anyone who knows me knows I like to have fun at the track, and it just doesn’t get any better than a Trackside Live party with the fans before we drop the flag!”

Wallace competed as a driver in all three of NASCAR’s top touring series and continues to hold the NASCAR record for most starts in the Xfinity Series with 547. His flamboyant personality transferred seamlessly to the microphone when he joined the team at NASCAR on FOX, serving as a pit reporter and race analyst. Wallace retired from his TV duties in 2018 and has since been racing dirt modifieds at events across the country.

“I’m like a kid in a candy store when we get to hang out with the greatest fans in all of sports,” said Roberts. “I can’t thank Marcus Smith and Speedway Motorsports enough for bringing this show back to the race day lineup. Come out to see us this year and I promise nothing but a good time!”

From 2001 to 2019, Roberts hosted a variety of shows during his time on SPEED channel and FOX Sports, including NASCAR Live!, NASCAR Victory Lane and NASCAR RaceDay. “JR” also served as a play-by-play announcer for NASCAR qualifying and practice sessions, and hosted a NASCAR truck series pre-race show. He’s currently a radio host with SiriusXM.

Fans should follow the respective speedway social media platforms and websites for news announcements and further information for timing, fan zone location and more details about the Trackside Live show.

About Speedway Motorsports:

Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. Speedway Motorsports provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiary; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its U.S. Legend Cars International subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary. For more information, visit www.speedwaymotorsports.com.

Georgia Peanut Commission Returns with Front Row Motorsports

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Official Release
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Georgia Peanuts Partners with Gilliland at the Atlanta Motor Speedway

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 26, 2024) – The Georgia Peanut Commission and their Georgia Peanuts brand are proud to announce their continued partnership with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and Todd Gilliland for the NASCAR Cup Series event at the Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway this February.

Representing more than 4,500 peanut farm families in the state of Georgia, and conducting programs in the areas of research, promotion and education, the 2024 season will be the Georgia Peanut Commission’s third consecutive season partnering with Gilliland and FRM.

“We’re excited to be back with Front Row Motorsports in 2024 to support Todd Gilliland,” said Joe Boddiford, Chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “Todd has been a wonderful ambassador for Georgia Peanuts as well as our farmers. Our farmers love seeing the peanut scheme and I know the fans do too while snacking on Georgia Peanuts.”

Gilliland shares his thoughts on continuing his relationship with Georgia Peanuts.

“I’m excited to continue my relationship with the Georgia Peanuts family, it’s one I am proud to be a part of,” said Gilliland. “They play a key role in our on-track success while also supporting their local peanut farmers and communities. They are a wonderful organization to represent and I’m excited to drive the peanut paint scheme again, it’s one of our most popular.

Notably in 2023, the Georgia Peanuts peanut scheme was on board for Gilliland’s 16th-place finish at the newly paved Atlanta Motor Speedway and his 12th-place finish at the Talladega Superspeedway.

Fans can go to www.gapeanuts.com to learn more about the commission, download educational materials for the classroom, get health and nutrition information, recipe ideas, and more.

Fans can watch Todd Gilliland and No. 38 Georgia Peanuts Ford Mustang Dark Horse in action at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

About Georgia Peanut Commission

The Georgia Peanut Commission was established in 1961 under the state’s Commodities Promotion Act. Today, the commission represents Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farmers and conducts programs in the areas of promotion, research and education. To learn more, visit gapeanuts.com or follow @gapeanuts on Facebook and Instagram or X, formerly known as Twitter.

About Front Row Motorsports

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

Connor Mosack Leads Silver Hare Racing Lineup for 2024

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Official Release
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20-Year-Old Boris Said Jr., Also Joins 2023’s Winningest Trans Am TA2 Team; Select Races On Tap for Connor Zilisch and Team Co-Owner Maurice Hull

HIGH POINT, N.C. (Jan. 26, 2024) – Connor Mosack, the versatile 24-year-old driver from Charlotte, North Carolina, headlines the Silver Hare Racing lineup for the 2024 Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Series’ 12-race campaign. He’ll be joined for the full season by 20-year-old Boris Said Jr., of Escondido, California, and at selected events with the return of Connor Zilisch and Silver Hare Racing co-owner Maurice Hull, the three-time TA2 Masters class champion.

Mosack has a pair of victories among his nine podium finishes and 15 top-fives in 31 career TA2 outings from 2020 to 2023, six of which he started from the pole position. He’ll look to add to those numbers driving for Silver Hare, 2023’s winningest TA2 team. With Zilisch behind the wheel, Silver Hare scored a series-high five victories last season, four of those coming in the final eight races.

“I’m looking forward to coming back to Trans Am,” said Mosack, who competed in just three TA2 events in 2023 as part of a busy schedule that included 24 NASCAR Xfinity Series races and six in the ARCA Menards Series. “Silver Hare won the most races last season and was especially dominant the second half of the season, so I feel like we can keep that momentum going into 2024 and get ourselves a championship, which is definitely the goal. I’m just thankful to (team owners) Laura and Maurice Hull for giving me this opportunity, and I’m excited to get going.”

All 31 of Mosack’s previous TA2 appearances came with TeamSLR, including full-season runs in 2021 and 2022 that resulted in finishes of third and fourth, respectively, in the championship and featured a victory each year at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Mosack qualified on the pole a series-high five times in 2022. He kicked off his three-race run in 2023 by qualifying on the pole and leading the opening 19 laps before finishing third at the Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway season opener.

“The series has done a lot for me with my development and has brought me to be the driver I am today – I don’t think I can say that without Trans Am,” said Mosack, who scored a best 2023 Xfinity Series finish of fifth at Watkins Glen in August, and won his sixth and final ARCA race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City in September. “Obviously, the competition at the front of the TA2 field is really strong, so I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do with that this year. Every time I get back into a TA2 car, I always remember why I love driving them so much and how much fun they are to race.”

Said, the son of veteran NASCAR and sportscar racer Boris Said, embarks on his first full TA2 season after competing in 13 events the past two years. Ten of those 13 starts were with Peterson Racing, and Said’s best finish of seventh came in last year’s season finale at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.

“I’m really excited to finally do a full season in TA2 and to get to do it with Silver Hare,” he said. “It’s been an awesome learning experience for me in TA2 so far. My goals this year are probably a little more general than a lot of people. I just want to make sure I get faster each race. Obviously the overall goal is to run up front and be in position to win. But that goal will come naturally as long as I keep getting faster and faster. It’s an awesome job what Laura and Maurice have done in building Silver Hare Racing. It’s what every race team should strive to be and I’m really excited to be on a team that operates at that level.”

Said began competing in dirt bikes and go-karts, then advanced through two seasons of Spec Miata super tours and major events before making his TA2 debut in October 2022 at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, the home track for High Point, North Carolina-based Silver Hare Racing.

While the 17-year-old Zilisch has graduated to a mixed bag featuring NASCAR, ARCA and Late Model races this season, he plans on being back in Silver Hare Racing equipment as often as his schedule allows, beginning with next month’s season opener at Sebring.

“It’s unfortunate I can’t do a full season like I have the last two years, but I’m still grateful to be able to get back in the seat, and I think a lot of the opportunity that I’ve gotten this season has come from the success I’ve had in TA2 the past two years, and especially last year, with the wins that we had,” Zilisch said. “I’m just really grateful for Laura and Maurice Hull – they took a chance on me two seasons ago. We stuck to it and never gave up and that showed this past season with all the wins we had, and I’m just super excited to see where the team goes from here. Hopefully our success will continue with all the great crew guys and the drivers that we have coming in.”

Meanwhile, Maurice Hull looks to return to the cockpit for the first time since the 2022 season. His first race back will be announced at a later date.

“We are honored to welcome a driver of Connor Mosack’s ability, character and professionalism, and a young, up-and-coming driver with the racing pedigree of Boris Jr., to the Silver Hare Racing family for the 2024 season,” said Laura Hull, who serves as team manager in addition to her co-ownership role with her husband Maurice. “Connor is a proven winner and championship contender in this series who used what he learned here to help establish his presence in the Xfinity and ARCA series. We look forward to working with him and Boris, and we’re excited about the return of Connor Zilisch and Maurice for selected races. Our entire focus is on not just continuing but improving upon the success our team worked so very hard to achieve in 2023. We’re all about winning races and chasing our first TA2 championship.”

The 12-race TA2 Series campaign for 2024 kicks off Feb. 22-24 at the iconic 3.74-mile, 17-turn Sebring circuit. The traditional 27-lap, 75-minute season opener is set for 11:15 a.m. EST on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Silver Hare Racing leverages its Trans Am effort to promote its arrive-and-drive program, where aspiring racers and even tenured professionals hone their road-racing skills on some of the most revered tracks in North America. NASCAR Cup Series drivers Daniel Suárez, Christopher Bell, William Byron and Harrison Burton have all wheeled Silver Hare Racing-prepared cars to burnish their road-racing abilities in top-flight equipment.

The team offers six, professionally built and maintained TA2 chassis from Howe Racing for both competition and private testing. Silver Hare Racing has a dedicated, fulltime crew and operates out of a state-of-the-art facility in High Point, North Carolina. At the track, two 53-foot Featherlite transporters serve as the team’s base, each outfitted with a lounge and smart TVs for data and video review, as well as for hospitality.

To further Silver Hare Racing’s driver development capabilities, the team’s race shop in High Point is now equipped with a SHOCKWAVE Simulator, a tool specifically developed for drivers to accelerate racetrack familiarity, improve car control and confidence, and build stamina. SHOCKWAVE has been involved in racing since 1965 and is currently actively participating in NASCAR, ARCA, Trans Am, Late Models, and Sprint cars. Its Trans Am package replicates a Howe Racing TA2 chassis, complete with cockpit controls and sounds.

“With NASCAR having so many more road-course races, it’s our goal for Silver Hare Racing to be the preferred team for drivers to get that road-course experience,” Laura Hull said. “We want to be that important step in the ladder for the young, up-and-coming drivers like Connor. We want people to know we have an arrive-and-drive program, where for people who want to run this track or another, we provide the opportunity to do that and be successful.”

About Silver Hare Racing:

Silver Hare Racing is a fulltime competitor in the TA2 division of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli. The multicar team has won the TA2 masters class championship three times (2018, 2019 and 2020) with driver and team co-owner Maurice Hull. Under the leadership of Hull’s wife, co-owner and team manager Laura Hull, Silver Hare Racing provides a variety of services that includes private testing and arrive-and-drive programs. The team offers six, professionally built and maintained TA2 chassis from Howe Racing and operates from a state-of-the-art facility in High Point, North Carolina. For more information, please visit SilverHareRacing.com.

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