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Camburg Engineering and MagnaFlow join Unlimited Off-Road Racing as Series Sponsors

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The MagnaFlow Group’s brands Camburg Engineering and MagnaFlow have come on board the newly formed Unlimited Off-Road Racing program as series sponsors.

“We are thrilled to have Camburg and MagnaFlow partner with us for the 2024 season!” said Unlimited Off-Road Racing CEO Matt Martelli. “Camburg has been one of the leading brands in high-end suspension systems. They race what they sell and have been a part of off-road racing culture for over two decades. For 2024 they are fielding a Camburg-built Unlimited Spec Truck with championship driver Kyle Jergensen behind the wheel which will undoubtedly prove to be a championship combo. MagnaFlow has a tremendous brand with a global reach and has been making the best products in the category for over four decades. We are excited to work with them to unlock the value of off-road racing with their brands and products.”

In December of 2022 the MagnaFlow Group acquired Camburg Engineering, diversifying their portfolio beyond its traditional business. A leader in performance exhaust and emissions control products, the MagnaFlow Group extended their reach into suspension. These two iconic brands now take their next steps together, as they take part in the Unlimited Off-Road Racing series.

“The Martellis and I have always shared a common vision of bringing off-road racing to the masses. Now being a part of the MagnaFlow Group we can support the future and growth of off-road racing in the United States. Unlimited Off-Road Racing knows how to promote off-road races. Keep your eyes on us, more is coming,” stated MagnaFlow VP of the Camburg Division Jerry Zaiden.

Jason Campbell, MagnaFlow VP of Engineering Camburg Division, stated, “We are excited to be a part of the race community and give back to the space that we use to develop and test our products. When we say race proven we mean it, and racing in the California, Arizona and Nevada deserts gives us the world’s most challenging test bed to truly prove our products.“

“We have a global brand and amazing products, and now we get to activate in off-road culture in an authentic way with off-road racing as the proving ground for our products and technology. Partnering with Unlimited Off-Road Racing is the next stage in the growth of the MagnaFlow group as we move into suspension and beyond. We are also proud to be supported by the best sponsors for our race team including the Beast Unleashed, Scosche Industries, Sig Sauer, 5.11, KMC Wheels, Rigid Industries, Decked, Bully Dog, Optima Battery, Scrubblade, FK Rod Ends, Steel-It and BFGoodrich.” stated MagnaFlow VP of Strategic Business Growth Jeff Hermann.

Details regarding racer registration, sponsorship packages, exhibitor vending, spectator tickets, camping, and parking passes for Unlimited Off-Road Racing are live on Unlimitedoffroadracing.com.

About Unlimited Off-Road Racing

Unlimited Off-Road Racing was formed in 2023 to promote the sport of desert off-road racing, the off-road industry, and to expand the reach of off-road companies beyond the industry and into the homes of every off-road race fan, globally. The Parker 400, Mint 400, and California 300 comprise the Unlimited Off-Road Racing Series.

About The MagnaFlow Group

The MagnaFlow Group is a family held company based in Southern California that specializes in undercar and performance automotive products. The MagnaFlow Group brands have a proven reputation for over 40 years for delivering quality and innovation in the automotive industry. MagnaFlow Group serves the industry with its MagnaFlow, BRExhaust, ECT (Environmental Catalyst Technology), and Camburg Engineering brands.

Zane Smith Prepares for Final Ride with Front Row Motorsports

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Two Seasons with Team Brought Wins, a Championship, and Many Memories

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 31, 2023) – Zane Smith will make his final start with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) Friday evening in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series finale at the Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway. Smith will pilot the Speedco/Delo Ford F-150 for the last time before moving to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2024.

Coming to FRM at the beginning of the 2022 season to compete in the truck series, Smith and the team made an immediate impression. They went down to Daytona and won in their first race together. It began what was a dominating campaign. The team waited only a few races before winning again at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) as Smith continued to lead the points. A third win came only four races later at the Kansas Speedway.

With three wins, Smith cruised to the regular season championship in the truck series in 2022. The top seed in the playoffs, Smith and the team easily advanced to the championship in Phoenix. Smith then finally won his first championship by winning the race- the team’s fourth of the season. It was also FRM’s first championship in NASCAR.

The historical 2022 season for Smith and FRM was capped by leading 492 laps, 19 top-10s, 14 top-fives, four wins, the regular season, and series championship. There was no team better.

This season, Smith and the team picked up right where they left off by winning at Daytona. Smith and FRM also teamed together to qualify for the Daytona 500. They finished 13th. Smith made six more starts in the NASCAR Cup Series for FRM and earned his first Cup top-10 during the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway this past May.

Back in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Smith repeated and made it a three-peat for FRM with another win at COTA. Smith has earned 10 top-five finishes with the two wins, but just barely missed returning to compete for the championship this weekend.

Instead, Smith and the Speedco/Delo team will go for their seventh win together at the Phoenix Raceway and cap off a memorable run together.

Watch Smith behind the wheel of the No. 38 Speedco/Delo F-150 one last time on Friday at 10:00 p.m. ET on FS1.

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.

Action Sports Legend Brian Deegan Joins Nitrocross Phoenix Driver Roster

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16-TIME X GAMES MEDALIST TO FACE OFF AGAINST TRAVIS PASTRANA AND MORE IN GROUP E TOP CLASS
Decorated Lineup to Compete Under the Lights at Wild Horse Pass Motorsport Park November 10-11

(Los Angeles, CA / Tuesday, October 31, 2023) Today Nitrocross, a new revolution in motorsport created by global icon Travis Pastrana, announced that action sports icon Brian Deegan will join the Group E field at its upcoming November 10-11 Phoenix doubleheader. He will pilot the Dreyer & Reinbold JC #38 1,000+ hp-equivalent FC1-X, the fastest electric vehicle in racing. This will bring Deegan’s remarkable talent and racing expertise to Nitrocross’ marquee top class for the first time.

Deegan, a household name in the action sports world, has spent his career pushing the limits of what is possible in freestyle motocross, rallycross, and off-road racing. With a decorated career spanning decades, Deegan is known for his fearless approach and a relentless pursuit of excellence, making him a natural fit for the electrifying world of Nitrocross. He has consistently demonstrated his exceptional driving skills across multiple different disciplines and is excited to make his Nitrocross Group E debut with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing roster.

Deegan said: “I’m really looking forward to this new challenge. Nitrocross is a whole different animal, but I love pushing my limits and trying new things. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has a strong track record winning the team championship along with going 1-2-3 in the driver’s championships, and I believe this partnership will be a winning one.”

Deegan stands as one of the most decorated freestyle motocross (FMX) riders in X Games history, boasting an impressive collection of achievements. In all of X Games competition he sits with a remarkable tally of 16 medals including four gold medals at the X Games. His extraordinary skills and unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of the sport have cemented his legendary status among action sports enthusiasts. Notably, his versatility as a competitor extends beyond freestyle motocross, as he clinched a gold medal in rallycross, showcasing his remarkable adaptability and ability to conquer multiple disciplines within motorsports.

In 2009, Brian Deegan made a daring switch from two wheels to four, venturing into the heart-pounding world of short course off-road racing in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series’ Unlimited Lites division. With his characteristic fearlessness and unwavering determination, Deegan conquered this new frontier, ultimately clinching the championship.

In 2011, he solidified his prowess by winning the World Championship race at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway in the Traxxas TORC Series, further establishing his dominance in the discipline. Deegan’s racing journey didn’t stop there; he went on to win the Pro Lite Unlimited and Pro 2 class championships in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, showcasing his versatility and adaptability as a formidable force in off-road racing. Additionally, Deegan’s competitive spirit led him to the Global RallyCross Championship, where he finished as the runner-up in the championship in 2012 and secured a third-place finish in 2016, underlining his ability to excel in diverse motorsport arenas.

Deegan, who has prior experience in Nitrocross’ Side-by-Sides division, is now stepping up to race in its Group E top class, where he will face off against the world’s best in rallycross. The stacked field includes Deegan’s longtime rival Travis Pastrana (USA), who topped the Round Two podium in Utah.

Reigning 2022-23 champion, and Round Three winner, Robin Larsson (SWE). Is also confirmed, along with European rallycross champion Andreas Bakkerud (NOR), last season’s runner-up, as well as Round One winner Fraser McConnell (JAM) and current standings leader Kevin Eriksson (SWE).

Rounding out the Group E field is Benito Guerra (MEX), a versatile driver with experience in WRC and Race of Champions, along with Oliver Eriksson (SWE), Conner Martell (USA), and Oliver Bennett (GBR).

Nitrocross 2023/24 PHX Round 4-5: Group E Entry List             

Driver NameVehicle #NationalityTeam
Andreas Bakkerud13NORDRR JC
Oliver Bennett42GBRXITE Energy Racing
Brian Deegan38USADRR JC
Kevin Eriksson23SWEOMSE
Oliver Eriksson16SWEOMSE
Benito Guerra71MEXOMSE
Robin Larsson4SWEDRR JC
Conner Martell21USAVermont SportsCar
Fraser McConnell35JAMDRR
Travis Pastrana199USAVermont SportsCar

*New driver just added in bold

In addition to Group E, Phoenix fans will see rising star Lia Block, daughter of the late Ken Block, as a younger generation gets ready to step up onto the big stage in NEXT, Nitrocross’ developmental class. Lia is already making a name for herself: she also competes in Extreme E, drove in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and is an ARA titleholder. But she has her sights set on winning a trophy in Phoenix.   

Rough-and-ready Side-By-Sides, high-performance UTV’s rocketed by 1,000 cc engines, will offer even more high adrenaline excitement, along with a special class of classic Baja Bugs desert racers,

Championship Stakes:

Nitrocross 2023-24 includes 10 rounds set at venues across North America. Following its June season kickoff in Oklahoma and August’s Utah action, Phoenix is the next stop on the road to the Nitrocross series championship.

How To Watch:

Nitrocross is coming to The Valley of the Sun on Veterans Day weekend, Friday, November 10th and Saturday, November 11th. Tickets are available now at nitrocrossracing.com. 

For fans unable to make it out to the track, Rumble Sports, the leading platform for live-streaming action sports, will stream the pulse-pounding Nitrocross excitement, live and all free for fans across the globe, with an immersive production featuring incredible first-person view drone coverage that puts viewers at the heart of the action.

ABOUT NITROCROSS

Originally launched in 2018 by global icon Travis Pastrana and the limit-pushers of Nitro Circus as Nitro Rallycross, this dynamic motorsport property – home of cars that fly and tracks that thrill – is now Nitrocross.

Fusing intuitive short-form competition with the adrenaline rush of action sports, Nitrocross has revolutionized racing. Featuring innovative purpose-built courses packed with huge jumps and banked turns, Nitrocross delivers intense action. Each event is part of a full standalone series headlined by Group E and the groundbreaking FC1-X, the most dynamic electric race car ever built. At every round, the world’s best drivers are put to the test in a variety of environments as they battle for the prized Ken Block Championship Trophy. Each stop also showcases additional motorsport disciplines along with fun live entertainment to offer fans a full festival experience.  

Off the track, Nitrocross creates engaging original content, going inside the cockpit and behind the scenes to showcase the strong personalities and compelling stories on the road to the championship. For more information, visit: nitrocrossracing.com

Five Can’t-Miss Attractions at World of Outlaws World Finals

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The famed 3X4 salute will highlight a bevy of fan-friendly activities that will take place this weekend at The Dirt Track of Charlotte for the World of Outlaws World Finals. (Photo: Michael Anderson)
  • From rockin’ pre-race concerts and a Halloween Hauler Parade to high-flying motocross exhibitions, driver appearances and a championship celebration, the World of Outlaws World Finals returns this weekend to The Dirt Track
  • Single-day tickets start at $40 on Wednesday and $60 Thursday through Saturday; tickets are available online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com

CONCORD, NC (Oct. 31, 2023) — Fans from 48 states and six foreign countries will be on hand to witness the greatest spectacle in dirt racing as the World of Outlaws World Finals returns to the famed four-tenths-mile clay oval at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for four days of non-stop action this week.

The event marks the season finale for the three most popular series in dirt racing – the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Models and Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds – including on-track action with each series each night. With tight points battles and plenty left to be decided before champions are crowned Saturday night, sparks are sure to fly on track. But the action isn’t just limited to the track, as fans will have plenty of engaging ways to enjoy the biggest dirt event of the year.

Can’t-miss attractions at this week’s World of Outlaws World Finals include:

No Tricks, Just Treats: World of Outlaws World Finals weekend kicks off tonight with a spooky twist as the Halloween Hauler parade rolls through from 4-6 p.m. Fans are invited to dress in their most ghoulish and festive Halloween attire to watch as their favorite drivers’ haulers load in for a weekend of high-speed fun. Hauler drivers will have candy on hand for the kids, and fans may even catch a glimpse of their favorite driver.

Fan Fest: Fan Fest, which kicks off at noon Wednesday, will get race fans revved up for the weekend ahead with a bevy of activities on the Sage Fruit Stage near the main entrance. Southern rock and alternative country band Dirty Grass Soul will get the party started with a 90-minute performance at 1:30 p.m. The DirtVision Race Day Live kickoff show will follow and give fans a chance to hear from the biggest names in the sport, get the latest updates and more. Race Day Live is scheduled daily, with shows from 3-4 p.m. on Wednesday, 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Fan Fest is free for race fans.

Two-Wheeled Fun: In addition to hosting dirt racing’s top three series, World Finals will also feature high-flying exhibitions throughout the weekend from the KSFMX, a freestyle motocross team known for thrilling showcases of aerial acrobatics. Fans will have a front-row seat to the astonishing motocross stunts throughout the World of Outlaws World Finals competition, including during Saturday night’s four-wide salute.

Four-Wide Salute: The greatest spectacle in dirt racing – the famed 3×4 salute – returns to The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Friday and Saturday nights. Immediately prior to the first feature race each night, drivers from all three series will circle the four-tenths-mile clay oval four abreast in the ultimate tribute to fans. Fans will experience a breathtaking fireworks display that will light up the sky, setting the stage for an extraordinary night of racing.

Champions’ Celebration: All dirt roads lead to Charlotte, and as the weekend of racing concludes, fans will have the chance to celebrate the champions from dirt racing’s three premier series. Immediately following the final feature of the night on Saturday, fans will witness history as the newest champion is crowned in each series, capping another unforgettable season and what’s sure to be a memorable World Finals.

MORE INFO: The on-track action kicks off Wednesday with qualifying sessions to line up heat races for Thursday and Friday’s racing programs. Points accumulated on those two nights will set the lineups for Saturday and one final night to punctuate the World of Outlaws’ 46th season of racing. Visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com for the latest schedule and updates.

TICKET: Single-day tickets start at $40 for Wednesday’s qualifying session and $60 for Thursday through Saturday’s feature events. Four-day packages are available starting at just $139. Tickets are available online at CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com or at the gate.

FOLLOW US: Keep track of AutoFair attractions and events by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

Finalists for 2023 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout Revealed

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Names of the 12 finalists set to compete in the 16th running of the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout have been revealed. The list features a number of familiar faces along with some promising bright new stars.

After being selected as a nominee, drivers were asked to submit a racing resume with career highlights, a bio explaining why they are a great fit for Mazda and a video detailing their interest in MX-5 Cup, what makes them successful and what they do away from the track to support their racing career. A panel of racing professionals and Mazda Motorsports staff reviewed the videos before selecting 12 individuals to invite to the Shootout.

Drivers selected for 2023 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout:
Alex Bertagnoli
Cam Ebben
Chase Jones
Hannah Greenemeier
Julian DaCosta
Laurin Brallier
Nathan Nicholson
Nathan Saxon
Noah Harmon
Taylor Ferns
Westin Workman
Wyatt Couch

These finalists will converge on Carolina Motorsports Park, November 15 – 16. There, each will be fitted to one of three Mazda MX-5 Cup cars prepared by Flis Performance. All drivers will have several timed lapping sessions around the track and debrief sessions with a driving coach afterwards.

“Mazda is committed to helping aspiring racers achieve their dream and the long history of the MX-5 Cup Shootout, which was first launched 2008, demonstrates that,” said Jonathan Applegate, Senior Manager, Mazda Motorsports. “It’s no secret that funding can play just as important of a role as talent when it comes to motorsports. If our shootout scholarship gives a driver the extra financial push they need to reach their goals, then we’ve accomplished a great thing.”

Lap times are not to be the sole determining factor in a winner; drivers will also be judged on their ability to understand data, improve over the course of the weekend, media savvy and general attitude and composure.

The winner of the Shootout will receive a scholarship valued at $110,000 to compete in the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup season. A runner-up will receive a $75,000 value scholarship and the best performing female driver will also receive a $75,000 scholarship.

Numerous drivers who have won the Shootout have gone on to become an MX-5 Cup Champion and collect the $250,000 prize that comes with it. That impressive list of successful Shootout graduates includes the most recent and first repeat champion in series history, Jared Thomas.

About: The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires 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 Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

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

Jack Wood – No. 51 Rubbin’ is Racing Craftsman Trucks Phoenix Preview

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Jack Wood: Driver, No. 51 Rubbin’ Is Racing Chevrolet
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:
Event: Craftsman 150, Race 23 of 23, 150 Laps- 45/45/60; 150 Miles
Location: Phoenix Raceway (one-mile, oval)
Date/Broadcast: Nov. 3, 2023, at 10 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Get to Know Jack:

Jack Wood will make his 13th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of 2023 for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) behind the wheel of the No. 51 Rubbin’ is Racing Chevrolet in Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix Raceway. The 23-year-old driver has two prior starts in the Truck Series at Phoenix, with a best result of 20th coming in the 2021 event.

Friday night’s race will be the final race in a storied chapter for KBM. The organization holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (100) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). Owner-driver Kyle Busch picked up his organization’s first-ever win at Nashville Superspeedway in April of 2010 and also picked up its 100th Truck Series victory at Pocono Raceway in July of 2023. In addition to collecting a series-record seven owner’s championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017). With 42 victories, the No. 51 is the winningest number in KBM’s Truck Series fleet. The 51 has been victorious at Phoenix three times, 2013 and 2014 with Erik Jones and 2016 with Daniel Suarez.

Wood has finished inside the top 10 in two of his 12 Truck Series starts this season, including a career-best ninth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April. The California native has qualified inside the top 10 for seven of 12 Truck Series events this season, with a season-best qualifying effort of second coming at Texas. Across 47 career Truck Series starts, Wood has produced five laps led and three top-10 finishes.

The No. 51 Chevrolet Silverado will carry primary sponsorship from Rubbin’ Is Racing, a NASCAR podcast presented by Barstool Sports. Hosts Large and Spider team up to go behind the scenes of one of the world’s more interesting sports. The duo will interview some of the most well-known racers on the track and dive into the sports betting element of NASCAR. Tune in to hear everything that happens on and off the asphalt. New Episodes release once a week, every Thursday and can be found at https://www.barstoolsports.com/shows/106/rubbin-is-racing or you subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Wood will be pulling double duty this weekend at Phoenix, driving the No. 28 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards West Series race. He has two top-five and six top-10 finishes with an average result of 10.4 across eight ARCA Menards Series starts this season. Across 17 career ARCA Menards Series starts he has recorded three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.2. He has two prior ARCA Starts at Phoenix, including earlier this year when he qualified second and was running inside the top-five when he got turned from behind by another competitor and was relegated to a 28th-place finish.

The No. 51 team qualified for the Truck Series owner’s playoffs after finishing seventh in the regular season owner point standings but did not make it out of the Round of 10. Across 22 starts in 2023, the team has recorded two wins, one pole, 170 laps led, seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 14.1. Owner-driver Kyle Busch recorded both of the 51 team’s victories winning the second race of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and most recently collecting his organization’s historic 100th win July 22 at Pocono Raceway.

Veteran crew chief Brian Pattie is calling the shots for the No. 51 team this year in his first season at KBM after spending the last 14 seasons atop the pit box in the NASCAR Cup Series. It took the veteran signal caller just two races to get his first win at KBM, winning with owner-driver Kyle Busch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The duo won again in July at Pocono Raceway and collected KBM’s 100th career Truck Series victory. In the Cup Series, his drivers produced six wins, nine poles, 57 top-five and 131 top-10 finishes across 528 starts. The Florida native has also recorded 11 wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and now has three wins as a crew chief in the Truck Series. This will be Pattie’s first time atop the pit box for a Truck Series race at Phoenix. In Cup Series action, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s fourth-place finish in the spring of 2017 was his best result across 28 starts. He was victorious with Jamie McMurray in the fall NASCAR Xfinity Series race in 2004.
Jack Wood, Driver Q&A:

You showed speed in the ARCA race earlier this year at Phoenix. Does that excite you for this race?

“When you go to a place that you’ve run well at, it gets you excited about going back. Of all the tracks on the Truck Series schedule, Phoenix is the track that I’ve been to the most. It was close to home growing up and I got the chance to race there in an ARCA West car a couple times with my family. Of all the races on the schedule, I’ve probably looked forward to this one the most. Obviously, with this being the last race under the KBM banner, it has motivated me more to go out and get the last win in the last race for the organization. I’m excited about going there, our sim stuff has gone well and we’ve had speed there in the past as an organization.”

Will doing double duty and getting extra track time driving the ARCA car benefit you this weekend?

“I think it will help. I will end up with around 100 minutes of practice. When I’ve ran the ARCA car before a truck race it has helped knock the rust off and helps me fire off better on the short run in the truck. I’m lucky to be able to get in the No. 28 ARCA car, I think we will have a good shot at it there and hopefully it will be a good confidence builder going into the truck race that night.”

You’ve got another cool sponsor this week with Barstool Sports on the truck. Talk about that.

“It will be fun. For me, as a younger kid, Barstool Sports has been a fun thing to follow with what those guys have done over the last 10 years. It’s exciting to have them on the truck, especially on the west coast at a track that they’ve been a part of the last couple of years. Their presence in NASCAR is growing so it will be fun to have Large and Spider (Hosts of Rubbin’ is Racing Podcast, Barstool Sports) out there for that. Hopefully, we can put on a good show for them and then go have some fun at the Barstool bar down in Scottsdale, Arizona.”

Jack Wood Career Highlights:

  • Has produced three top-10 finishes across 47 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Posted a series-best ninth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April.
  • Has compiled 14 laps led, three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes across 17 career ARCA Menards Series events.
  • Has totaled three top-five and eight top-10 finishes across 12 career starts in the ARCA Menards West Series.
  • Compiled one top-five and three top-10 finishes across 24 starts in the SRL Spears Southwest Tour from 2017 to 2021.
  • Jack Wood’s No. 51 Chevrolet Silverado RST:

The No. 51 Rubbin’ is Racing team will unload KBM-69 for Friday night’s season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Across 10 career starts, this chassis has recorded a best result of second twice, both with KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2021 and 2022). KBM-69 has hit the track three times in 2023, with Matt Mills fifth-place finish at Richmond Raceway being the best result.

KBM Notes of Interest:

KBM drivers have collected six wins, six poles, 1011 laps led, 17 top-five and 27 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 8.8 across 37 starts at Phoenix Raceway. The organization’s six victories at the Arizona track have come with five different drivers, with Chandler Smith’s victory in 2021 event being the most recent. Kyle Busch won in 2011, Brian Scott in 2012, Erik Jones went back-to-back in 2013 and 2014 while Daniel Suarez claimed the top spot in 2016.

Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops / Chevron Delo Ford Mustang Team Phoenix Raceway Competition Notes

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TEAM AND RACE NOTES:

Love’s Travel Stops and its partner Chevron Delo return to the No. 34 Ford Mustang this weekend for the NASCAR Cup Series season finale at the Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

The team looks to finish the season in the top-15 in points. It would be the best finish in Front Row Motorsports (FRM) history.

Track activity will begin on Friday with practice at 8:00 p.m. ET. Qualifying will take place on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET. Sunday’s 312-lap race is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

COMPETITION NOTES:

After racing at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, McDowell sits 15th in championship points.

McDowell earned his career-best finish of 13th at the Phoenix Raceway earlier this season.

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“This season is another one for the Front Row Motorsports history books. I am so incredibly proud of this team and Michael. We really grew together and showed that we can be and should be competitive every weekend. We expect to be up front no matter the race.

“I am excited to do that one final time this year in Phoenix.”

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“I always enjoy racing at the Phoenix Raceway. It’s a special race for me because it gives me the opportunity to race in front of my hometown friends and family. This season has been great for us and we’re going to keep improving.

“I really want to thank all our partners this season for their support. Love’s Travel Stops, and this weekend their partner Chevron Delo, they are a huge part of why we can continue to succeed.”

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.

Ford Performance NASCAR – Phoenix Championship Advance

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PHOENIX CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES

Friday, Nov. 3– NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 10 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, Nov. 4 – NASCAR XFINITY Series, 7 p.m. ET (USA)
Sunday, Nov. 5 — NASCAR Cup Series, 3 p.m. ET (NBC)

The 2023 NASCAR season comes to an end this weekend as champions will be crowned in all three major touring series at Phoenix Raceway, beginning with Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. That will be followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Ford drivers Ben Rhodes (NCTS), Cole Custer (NXS) and Ryan Blaney (NCS) are Ford’s title hopefuls in those events.

BLANEY MAKING CHAMPIONSHIP 4 DEBUT

Ryan Blaney will be making his first appearance in the Championship 4 after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. It was his third victory of the season and second in the playoffs (Talladega). In the Round of 8, Blaney was solid with finishes of sixth (Las Vegas), second, (Homestead) and first (Martinsville).

BLANEY AT PHOENIX RACEWAY

Sunday will mark Ryan Blaney’s 16th career NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway and he’s looking to continue a roll that has seen him post four straight Top-5 finishes.

After registering back-to-back fourth-place finishes in 2021 and 2022, Blaney has gone on to post second-place efforts in his last two starts. Overall, Blaney has 10 Top-10 and six Top-5 performances at the one-mile track.

A year ago in this event, Blaney qualified second and led 109 laps. He finished second in Stage 1 and won Stage 2 before ending up second overall to Penske teammate Joey Logano, who won the race and the championship.

FORD’S CUP SERIES CHAMPIONS

Ford has won the NASCAR Cup Series championship 10 times by eight different drivers, including last season when Joey Logano won for the second time in his career (2022 and 2018). The only other multiple Ford champion is David Pearson, who won titles back-to-back in 1968 and 1969 while driving for Holman-Moody. Ford’s other champions include: Ned Jarret (1965), Bill Elliott (1988), Alan Kulwicki (1992), Dale Jarrett (1999), Matt Kenseth (2003), Kurt Busch (2004), and Matt Kenseth (2005).

CELEBRATING KEVIN HARVICK

Sunday marks the last race of Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR Cup Series career and for the last seven seasons since Stewart-Haas Racing joined Ford, he has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments that include:

  • 251 starts going into this weekend at Phoenix
  • 14 poles (most among Ford drivers during that time)
  • 97 Top-5 and 159 Top-10 finishes
  • 25 wins (10th on the all-time Ford list)
  • Made NASCAR history by winning on consecutive days at the same track (Aug. 8-9, 2020 @ Michigan)
  • Won Ford’s 700th all-time Cup race (Aug. 23, 2020 @ Dover)
  • Kissed the bricks at Indianapolis (July 5, 2020)
  • Won the Southern 500 at Darlington (Sept. 6, 2020)
  • Led all drivers with nine wins in 2020
  • Qualified for the playoffs every year
  • Advanced to the Championship 4 three times

HARVICK HOLDS PHOENIX RECORD

Sunday’s season finale will mark the end of Kevin Harvick’s Hall of Fame career and there isn’t a more appropriate place on the circuit to celebrate his accomplishments than Phoenix Raceway.

That’s because Harvick holds the record with nine career NASCAR Cup Series wins at the facility with his latest coming in 2018. That represents the most victories for Harvick at any track currently on the NASCAR schedule. Michigan International Speedway ranks second with six while New Hampshire and Richmond are next with four apiece.

In addition, Harvick goes into Sunday’s scheduled race having posted 20 consecutive top-10 finishes at Phoenix. The streak started in 2013 when he won the next-to-last race of the season, igniting a six-race stretch that saw him win five times, including four straight, and finish second once.

THIRD TIME A CHARM FOR CUSTER?

Cole Custer earned his third career NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4 berth with his gutsy performance at Martinsville.

In his previous two appearances, Custer has done everything but win. He captured the pole and finished second in the race to Tyler Reddick in 2018, but managed to claim the owner’s championship for Stewart-Haas Racing. History repeated the following year as Custer qualified second and finished in the runner-up position once again to Reddick.

The difference between those two opportunities and this one is that the track for the final race has changed from Homestead-Miami Speedway to Phoenix Raceway, where Custer will be making his eighth series start. In the previous seven, he has an average finishing position of 8.9 and is coming off a pole run during the last series visit in March.

FORD’S NXS CHAMPIONS

Ford has captured the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship six times with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. being the only multiple title winner when he won back-to-back in 2011-12. Greg Biffle claimed Ford’s first series championship in 2002 for car owner Jack Roush and Carl Edwards did the same in 2007. Chris Buescher gave Roush his fifth title in 2015 before Austin Cindric came through in an overtime restart to win the championship in 2020.

BEN RHODES GOING FOR SECOND TITLE

This will mark the third straight Championship 4 appearance for Ben Rhodes and he’s hoping to win just like Zane Smith did a year ago when he accomplished the same feat. Rhodes, who won the title with ThorSport in 2021, finished second in the race and second in the championship to Smith last season. Friday night’s race will be Rhodes’ ninth series start at Phoenix Raceway and while he has yet to reach victory lane, his results have been impressive. He has never qualified outside the top 10 and has finished fourth or better three times in the last four years.

FORD’S NCTS CHAMPIONS

Ford has produced three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champions, including two of the last four overall. Greg Biffle was the first to lift the trophy in 2000 while driving for Jack Roush. He was followed by Matt Crafton in 2019, which marked his third overall title, and then Zane Smith in 2022 as Front Row Motorsports celebrated its first championship in one of NASCAR’s major series.

FORD’S PHOENIX CUP SERIES

WINNERS

1988 – Alan Kulwicki

1989 – Bill Elliott

1991 – Davey Allison

1992 – Davey Allison

1993 – Mark Martin

1995 – Ricky Rudd

1997 – Dale Jarrett

1998 – Rusty Wallace

2000 – Jeff Burton

2001 – Jeff Burton

2002 – Matt Kenseth

2005 – Kurt Busch (1)

2010 – Carl Edwards (2)

2013 – Carl Edwards (1)

2016 – Joey Logano (2)

2018 – Kevin Harvick (1)

2020 – Joey Logano (1)

FORD’S PHOENIX XFINITY SERIES

WINNERS

2000 – Jeff Burton

2001 – Greg Biffle

2003 – Bobby Hamilton Jr.

2005 – Greg Biffle (1) and Carl Edwards (2)

2006 – Matt Kenseth (2)

2008 – Carl Edwards (2)

2009 – Greg Biffle (1) and Carl Edwards (2)

2010 – Carl Edwards (2)

2014 – Brad Keselowski (2)

2015 – Joey Logano (1)

2018 – Brad Keselowski (1)

2020 – Austin Cindric (2)

2021 – Austin Cindric (1)

FORD’S PHOENIX TRUCK SERIES

WINNERS

1997 – Joe Ruttman

1998 – Mike Bliss

2001 – Greg Biffle

2022 – Zane Smith

RFK Advance | Phoenix II

By
Official Release
-

Phoenix II Event Info:
Track Info: Phoenix Raceway, 1-mile tri-oval
Date: Sunday, Nov. 5
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Avondale, Arizona
Format: 312 laps, 312 miles, Stages: 60-125-127
TV: NBC
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 8 p.m. ET, Practice (USA, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. ET, Qualifying (USA, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3 p.m. ET, Race (NBC, Peacock, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

6 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Matt McCall
Partner: Castrol Edge

17 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Fastenal

Pace Laps:

  • The 2023 season comes to a close this weekend at Phoenix Raceway, as both RFK drivers sit top-8 in points entering the finale.
  • Brad Keselowski has been Mr. Consistent as of late, and is the only driver to finish top five in every stage in the Round of 8 (Las Vegas, Homestead, Martinsville). He amassed 41 stage points in that stretch, third-most among all drivers, and the most among non-playoff cars.
  • In tracks the Cup Series visits twice, Chris Buescher has seen significant improvements in the return race, netting 52 total positions in the eight two-time races this season (Daytona, Vegas, Atlanta, Richmond, Martinsville, Talladega, Kansas, Darlington).

Keselowski at Phoenix
Starts: 28
Wins: —
Top-10s: 13
Poles: 2 (2014, 2021)

  • Keselowski makes his 29th Cup start in Phoenix this weekend where he has 13 top-10s with an average finish of 13.9. He has three top-10s in his last six starts, and finished 18th there this spring.
  • He’s led 284 laps in 15 different races and has six top-10s in the spring race alone at the 1-mile track.
  • Keselowski has two poles (2014, 2021) with an average starting position of 13.2, and is coming off a fourth-place qualifying effort this spring.
  • He is a two-time Xfinity Series winner in Phoenix including winning the 2018 race in the No. 22 entry, and in 2014 for Team Penske. Overall he has 21 NXS starts with 5 top-10s. He also made two Truck Series starts in 2005 and 2008 with a best finish of sixth in his own No. 19 truck for BKR.

Buescher at Phoenix
Starts: 15
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Buescher makes his 16th Cup start in Phoenix this weekend. Last spring he ran his best race there to date with a P10 finish. He most recently finished 15th this spring.
  • Buescher’s best qualifying effort stands as 17th (2019, 2021) as he has an average starting position of 25.1.
  • Buescher also made four Xfinity Series starts in Arizona for Jack Roush with a best finish of 12th (2014).

RFK Historically in Phoenix
Cup Wins: 7 (Mark Martin, 1993; Jeff Burton, 2000, 2003; Matt Kenseth, 2002; Kurt Busch, 2005; Carl Edwards, 2010, 2013)

  • Hooked on Phoenix: RFK has 303 combined starts at Phoenix, totaling 17 wins, 75 top-five and 135 top-10 finishes. RFK Fords have nine poles and have led 4,032 laps at the 1-mile track.
  • Winning in the Desert: RFK has won at Phoenix in all three of NASCAR’s major divisions, with the organization’s first win coming in the fall of 1993 with NASCAR Hall of Famer and former driver Mark Martin in the NCS. RFK won the second-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix in 2000 and former driver Greg Biffle claimed the organization’s 100th overall NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Phoenix in 2009.
  • Former driver Carl Edwards also won at the track that fall to give RFK the season sweep. All in all, six drivers have won NASCAR races for RFK at Phoenix (Martin, Biffle, Edwards, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Joe Ruttman). In addition, Edwards swept Phoenix in the fall of 2010, winning both the NXS and NCS events.
  • Xfinity Success: Phoenix was one of the strongest tracks for RFK’s Xfinity program. In 93 starts, the organization won eight times, earned 27 top-fives, 53 top-10s and has led 1,406 laps. RFK most recently went to victory lane with Edwards in Nov. 2010. Its eight wins rank most of any track on the circuit behind only Charlotte (12), Darlington (15), Richmond (9) and Rockingham (10).
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has started 174 NCS races at Phoenix, recording a total of seven victories, 35 top-five finishes, 61 top-10 finishes, four poles and has led 2,292 laps. Edwards earned RFK’s most recent victory at Phoenix in the March 2013 event.

RFK Phoenix Wins

1993 Martin Cup

1997-2 Ruttman Truck

2000 Burton Cup

2000 Burton NXS

2001 Biffle Truck

2001 Burton Cup

2001 Biffle NXS

2002 Kenseth Cup

2005-1 Busch Cup

2005-2 Edwards NXS

2006-2 Kenseth NXS

2008-2 Edwards NXS

2009-1 Biffle NXS

2009-2 Edwards NXS

2010-2 Edwards Cup

2010-2 Edwards NXS

2013-1 Edwards Cup

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Martinsville: Buescher earned his best finish in the Round of 8, and best career finish at Martinsville, crossing the line P8 Sunday. Keselowski again finished top five in both stages, but ran into a multi-car incident, which ultimately relegated him towards the end of the race.

Points Standings (6: 7th, 17: 8th): Keselowski and Buescher sit 7-8 in points entering the final weekend of the season.

By the Numbers at Phoenix

Race      Win       T5           T10         Pole       Laps       Led        AvSt      AvFn     Miles
174         7              35           61           4              52169    2292       18.3        16.3        52169
93           8              27           53           5              17917    1406       11.3        11.7        17917
36           2              13           21           0              5195       334         12.3        12.4        5195
303         17           75           135         9              75281    4032       15.5        14.4        75281

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Boot Barn Ford Mustang Team Phoenix Raceway Competition Notes

By
Official Release
-

TEAM AND RACE NOTES:

It’s the season finale for the NASCAR Cup Series, and for Todd Gilliland and for the No. 38 team, the focus is on collecting another good finish to complete their year. Gilliland has improved his finishes in his sophomore year and wants to end Phoenix with another positive result.

Boot Barn will return to Gilliland’s Ford Mustang for the final race of the 2023 season at the Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

Track activity will begin on Friday with practice at 8:00 p.m. ET. Qualifying will take place on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET. Sunday’s 312-mile race is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

COMPETITION NOTES:

The 2023 season has been Todd Gilliland’s best in the NASCAR Cup Series, doubling his total number of top-15 finishes from 2022 (Gilliland has 11 top-15 finishes). Gilliland and the team look to close out the 2023 season with a win at the Arizona track.

Gilliland has a career best finish of seventh at the one-mile oval in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and 19th in the Cup Series.

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“We have a good season together. This was our first year together, and you have ups and downs, but overall, Todd has been great. We can be better and Todd is only going to get more experience, too. But, we want to celebrate this year with a good result on Sunday.”

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“The team and I have shown a lot of improvement from last year. The 10 top-15 finishes is double what I had in my rookie season. I’m already looking forward to what the 2024 season has in store.

“I can’t thank Boot Barn enough for their partnership this year. They have really engaged with the fans, and I enjoy being a part of that. It has been fun.”

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.

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