STATESVILLE, NC (October 26th, 2023): Heading into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series finale at Phoenix Raceway, GMS Racing will pay homage to its winning heritage with two very special paint schemes in the team’s send-off race. In what will be the organization’s final start in NASCAR, current drivers Rajah Caruth and Daniel Dye will plan to run these schemes as a tribute to both of the team’s past Truck Series champions, Johnny Sauter and Sheldon Creed.
From the team’s first race in 2014 to present day, GMS Racing has solidified itself in the record book as one of the most storied organizations in the Truck Series. Starting with humble beginnings, the team has grown immensely under the tutelage of Maury Gallagher, Mike Beam, and Ron Booth, all who have been instrumental to the team’s success. A true powerhouse organization, GMS has accounted for a total of 71 race victories (one in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, 45 in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, 15 in the ARCA Menards Series, nine in the ARCA Menards Series East, and one in the ARCA Menards Series West), 42 pole positions (28 in the Truck Series, seven in ARCA, four in ARCA East, and three in ARCA West), 260 top-fives and 465 top-10 finishes in nearly 1,000 combined starts. GMS Racing was a five-time championship-winning team, conquering the 2015 ARCA Menards Series title, 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championships, as well as the 2019 and 2020 ARCA Menards Series East championships, delivered by Grant Enfinger, Johnny Sauter, Sheldon Creed, and Sam Mayer, respectively. Its departure will undoubtedly leave a mark in the series, while its lasting legacy will continue on in several forms for hopefully many years to come.
At the start of the 2016 season, Necedah, Wisconsin native, Johnny Sauter made the transition to GMS Racing, and the partnership was quick to produce success early. Sauter would open the season with a bang by winning the first race at Daytona International Speedway, becoming the team’s first driver to qualify for the Playoffs in the process. From there, Sauter and his No. 21 Allegiant team would advance to fight for the championship, picking up wins at Martinsville Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway along the way.
With a spot in the Championship 4 secured, Sauter would bring the fight to Homestead-Miami Speedway, and out-duel his competitors to win the championship. It was a monumental night for the organization, and for Sauter, as it marked both of their first series titles. During Sauter’s post-race celebration, he keyed up on the radio and said “I never thought it would happen. It’s because of you guys; I didn’t do nothing different.”
Rajah Caruth will bring Sauter’s 2016 paint scheme – with the original blue and white Allegiant colors to the racetrack for one final time, thanks to a strong relationship with The Wendell Scott Foundation, who has supported him throughout his entire rookie campaign in the Truck Series.
“First and foremost, this paint scheme just looks good. I love how the colors match the No. 21 truck and am a huge fan of the neon numbers on the roof. I remember watching Johnny win the championship in 2016 and win a bunch of races from the time span of when he was at GMS. When he won at Dover, I was in the grandstands watching, so I’ve always had fond memories of this truck. I think it’ll be a great tribute to the history and everything that Mike (Beam), Maury (Gallagher), and Ron (Booth) have made here at GMS Racing. Hopefully we can give it a good run, especially at a track like Phoenix where I’ve raced at a handful of times before. I’m thankful to our partners at The Wendell Scott Foundation for playing along and allowing us to run this truck. It will be special.” said Caruth.
Fast forward a few years to 2020, a year that saw GMS Racing win 10 Truck Series races out of 23 on the schedule. Alpine, California’s Sheldon Creed, who was only in his second full-time season, would win his first race at Kentucky Speedway – followed by his second at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course – then by his third at World Wide Technology Raceway – and then his fourth at Texas Motor Speedway, the last of which qualified him for the Championship 4 in Phoenix.
Creed would step up to bat against two of his teammates, Zane Smith and Brett Moffitt, as GMS Racing would field three of the Championship 4 drivers, along with current driver, Grant Enfinger. As it appeared that he would finish third, a late-race caution would prompt a gutsy strategy call to bring Creed down pit road. In an overtime restart, Creed would rally his No. 2 Chevy Accessories Silverado all the way from ninth place to claim the championship.
Daniel Dye will drive Creed’s 2020 paint scheme – with the accompanying GMS team logo on the hood, in partnership with his Race To Stop Suicide initiative. On the rear of his truck reads a message thanking the team, highlighting the 71 total victories and five championship seasons in the Truck and ARCA Menards Series.
“It’s going to be really cool to honor Sheldon with his championship truck paint scheme. He and I have worked alongside each other in the gym as part of the Chevrolet Drivers Edge program for a few years now, so I think that’s neat in its own right. It’ll be a great way to look back on everything that GMS Racing has accomplished over the years and I think that it’s really neat that both Rajah and I can be a part of telling that story on the track. I’ve really enjoyed my time with the team since joining back in 2021 and am certainly going to miss the memories made and the relationships we’ve built over the years.” said Dye.
Grant Enfinger will keep GMS Racing in the fight for the championship in the team’s last race at Phoenix Raceway after locking himself into the Championship 4 last race out at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Enfinger is in search of his first Truck Series championship and would love to send the team off in a storybook ending by delivering the organization’s third title.
“These truck schemes bring back so many great memories from past championships. We appreciate Daniel, Rajah, and our partners for agreeing to participate on these. Being able to see these trucks on track again will be so special for us being our final Phoenix effort as an organization.” said GMS Racing Team President, Mike Beam. “Hopefully we can add Grant to our list of Truck Series champions and end our era on a high note. Grant got our first championship and it would be awesome to see him claim our last. A true storybook ending.”
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will crown its 2023 champion at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, November 3rd. Tune-in to the CRAFTSMAN 150 race live on FS1 at 10:00 PM Eastern Time to see Grant Enfinger, Rajah Caruth, and Daniel Dye compete in GMS Racing’s final NASCAR race. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. #WeAreGMS
ABOUT THE WENDELL SCOTT FOUNDATION:
Founded in 2011, The Wendell Scott Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization inspired by Wendell Scott, Sr. and provides services such as job-skill training, STEM education opportunities, mentoring, and other supportive services to at-risk, underserved youth between the ages of 8-18 years in Danville, Virginia and surrounding areas.
The Foundation’s mission of using educational attainment to end racial disparities in education and health is vital in addressing economic inequality and improving future success in African-American communities. For more information, please visit www.wendellscott.org.
ABOUT RACE TO STOP SUICIDE:
Race to Stop Suicide was co-founded by Daniel and Randy Dye. The nationally trademarked 501(c)3 non-profit works to create awareness, normalize the conversation, and remove the stigma surrounding suicide. Additionally, provide an entry-level amount of education, what to look for, symptoms, and a plan to check in and check up on family and friends. Race to Stop Suicide prioritizes ensuring folks have easy access to helpful resources, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and 988. For more information, please visit www.racetostopsuicide.com.
ABOUT GMS RACING:
GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series operating the No. 23, No. 24, and No. 43 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs for drivers Grant Enfinger, Rajah Caruth, and Daniel Dye. Since the team was formed in 2012, GMS Racing has won five titles across multiple series, including the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championship, the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship, as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA East championships. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. including operations for GMS Fabrication. The GMS Racing campus also houses operations for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, a team that competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Salisbury, N.C. (Oct. 26, 2023) – Bayley Currey will return to Niece Motorsports in 2024 – this time for a full season effort – piloting the No. 41 Chevrolet in the Craftsman Truck Series. The news comes on the heels of a strong top-five finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway for Currey in the No. 41 Unishippers Silverado.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to race for Niece Motorsports full-time next season,” said Currey. “Al [Niece] and everyone at Niece Motorsports have always been good to me, so it means a lot to get to race for them next year. I’ve been working in the shop for the majority of this season, so I’ve seen firsthand the preparation that goes into bringing quality Chevrolets to the track every week. I’m looking forward to running up front and contending for wins.”
In 2023, Currey impressed while running a partial schedule in the No. 41 Chevrolet. In 10 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts, Currey has earned three top-five finishes and four top-10 finishes. His best finish of the season was a fourth-place result at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“Bayley is incredibly talented and we are excited to have him on board fulltime next year,” said Niece Motorsports General Manger Cody Efaw. “Bayley has been in the shop this season working alongside everyone here. He puts in the work on and off the track, and it continues to show in his performance. We have high expectations next season across the board at Niece Motorsports.”
Though next season will mark Currey’s first fulltime effort in the Truck Series, he is not short on experience. The Driftwood, Texas native has 43 Truck Series starts to his credit, along with 111 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts and 12 NASCAR Cup Series starts.
Sponsorship details for the No. 41 will be announced in early December.
Currey returns to the track for the Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, November 3. The season-finale will air live on FS1, The Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 10:00 p.m. ET.
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2023, Niece Motorsports enters its eighth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.
RSS Racing with Lefcourt Brothers | NASCAR Xfinity Series Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | Dead On Tools 250
Fast Facts No. 38 RSS Racing with Lefcourt Brothers Team: Driver: Joe Graf Jr. Primary Partner(s): Bucked Up Manufacturer: Ford Mustang Crew Chief: Steve Addington Spotter: Joe Campbell Engine: Roush-Yates Engines Driver Championship Point Standings: 23rd Team Championship Point Standings: 30th
Notes of Interest:
Settled In: After spending the last three seasons with SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt (2020 – 2022), Joe Graf Jr. moved to RSS Racing during the offseason, where he’ll spend the majority of the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season competing for the Sugar Hill, Ga.-based team.
In addition to RSS Racing, Graf will also compete in a limited NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule, driving the No. 19 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Saturday afternoon’s race from Martinsville (Va.) Speedway signifies the 14th race of the second half of the 2023 Xfinity Series season. It continues the stretch drive for NASCAR’s secondary national series, with just two races remaining on its calendar.
Welcome Aboard: Joe Graf Jr. and RSS Racing welcome Bucked Up as the primary partner of the team’s No. 38 Ford Mustang for Saturday afternoon’s Dead On Tools 250.
The annual fall Martinsville Speedway short track race marks the 32nd race of the 2023 Xfinity Series season and the fourth race of the year where Bucked Up’s colors have flown with Graf.
A long-time partner of Joe Graf Jr. since the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, Bucked Up will utilize the penultimate race of the season to promote its full line of products.
Bucked Up is a sports nutrition and lifestyle brand focused on helping all athletes and individuals achieve their health and fitness goals. Offering over 500 different products ranging from supplements and energy drinks to apparel and accessories,
Bucked Up is committed to providing customers with the best products available. Dedicated to using
high-quality ingredients and non-proprietary blends, Bucked Up’s pre-workout is the No. 1 best-selling product in its class.
The brand’s products are now offered in over 25,000 stores worldwide, including Walmart, Amazon, GNC and Vitamin Shoppe.
Things Are Getting Hot: For Saturday afternoon’s anticipated 250-lap thriller, the team and Bucked Up welcome Hot Spot convenience stores as a major associate marketing partner.
Hot Spot is the newest retailer to offer Bucked Up.
R. L. Jordan Oil Company is a family-owned and operated business headquartered in Spartanburg, SC. They currently operate 41 Hot Spot convenience stores, 10 Hottie’s Kitchens, 2 Hardees, 7 Subways and 8 Hunt Brothers Pizza Shops in North Carolina and South Carolina.
The company grew out of a small country store in Franklin, North Carolina. Gas 4 Less was the first gasoline station in the area to offer high-quality, unbranded gasoline.
Hot Spot continues to serve its customers by constructing and operating state-of-the-art fueling facilities, convenience stores, and branded food stores. Presently, Hot Spot management is focusing on maintaining and enhancing a competitive edge in the markets they serve.
A dedication to innovation and a desire to offer great products at competitive prices has always been our goal.
Thanks For Your Support: With a little more than 93 percent of the 2023 Xfinity Series season complete, Joe Graf Jr. and RSS Racing would like to thank their associate marketing partners: ArmsList.com, AVOID, Bass Reaper Bait Company, Bucked Up Energy Drink, CoverSeal, EAT SLEEP RACE Apparel, fgrACCEL, G-Coin®, GTECHNIQ, JACOB Companies, Lefcourt Brothers Racing, Love Motorsports, Model Electronics, ShopRite and Wawa for their continued support.
Catch Him On The Dial: Before Joe Graf Jr. straps into his No. 38 Bucked Up Ford Mustang on Saturday, the RSS Racing with Lefcourt Brothers driver will be featured on “The Frontstretch” on SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90, with host Pat Patterson on Saturday morning, October 28, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m. ET.
Graf will also spotlight a commercial featuring Bucked Up in several spots throughout the weekend, including the complete four-hour program on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Martinsville Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Dead On Tools 250 will mark Graf’s seventh start at the historic 0.526-mile paved oval.
In his previous six Martinsville efforts, he delivered a track-best of 15th during the fall edition of the 2021 Dead On Tools 250 after starting 32nd driving for SS GreenLight Racing with Jeff Lefcourt.
Joe Graf Jr. Xfinity Series Career Short Track Stats: At tracks classified as a short track, Graf has competed in 18 NASCAR Xfinity Series races. He holds an average starting position of 25.2 and an average result of 24.8.
Joe Graf Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In 124 career Xfinity Series starts Graf has earned five top-10 finishes, including a seventh-place outing at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in February 2023. During that tenure, he also holds an average finishing position of 25.7.
He earned a career-best Xfinity Series qualifying effort of fifth in 2020 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with SS GreenLight Racing.
With Joe Gibbs Racing, he earned his non-superspeedway career-best qualifying effort of 11th at Kansas Speedway in September 2023 and most recently at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway in October 2023.
Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway | Contender Boats 300 Race Recap: In his final start of the season for Joe Gibbs Racing aboard the No. 19 Wawa Toyota Supra, Graf was able to pick up the pace considerably from practice to qualify a non-superspeedway career-best 11th and battled a loose race car throughout the race to challenge for a top-10 finish in Stage 3.
Graf succeeded and backed up his recent top-10 finish at Kansas Speedway with his third top-10 run of the year at Homestead by taking the checkered flag 10th and on the lead lap.
The former ARCA Menards Series winner will return to RSS Racing with Lefcourt Brothers for the final two NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway respectively.
Sneaker Mania: Along with the adrenaline of the Motorsports competition, Joe Graf Jr. also has a vogue for hype sneakers. In his current collection, he owns and wears at least 90 limited edition sneakers – and his collection continues to grow monthly.
The current estimated value of his collection tops $100,000.
From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Steve Addington is Joe Graf Jr.’s crew chief.
He will be crew chief for his 295th NASCAR Xfinity Series race as crew chief on Saturday afternoon and his fourth race at the iconic short track in the Old Dominion.
In his previous 294 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected 11 wins, 10 poles, 68 top-five and 118 top-10 finishes.
Hello From The Other Side: Graf Jr. has three teammates at RSS Racing.
Veteran Ryan Sieg will drive the No. 39 Sci Apps Ford Mustang, while younger brother Kyle Sieg will drive the No. 29 RSS Racing Ford Mustang and CJ McLaughlin returns to steer the No. 28 Sci Apps Ford Mustang.
Ryan Sieg is set to make his 333rd career Xfinity Series start overall and seventh at Martinsville.
Kyle Sieg is poised to make his 49th career Xfinity Series start and second at Martinsville.
CJ McLaughlin is set to make his 39th career Xfinity Series start and second at Martinsville.
Follow on Social Media: For more on Joe Graf Jr. visit JoeGrafRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Joe Graf Jr.), follow him on TikTok (@JoeGrafJr), X | Twitter (@JoeGrafJr) and Instagram (@joegrafjr).
For more on RSS Racing, please like them on Facebook (RSS283839) and follow them on Instagram (@rss283839) and X | Twitter (@RSS283839).
Joe Graf Jr. Quoteboard:
On Martinsville Speedway: “I have always enjoyed competing at Martinsville Speedway. In my last few trips to Martinsville, I have had really fast race cars, even if I don’t have the finishes to show for it.
“It’s essential to make sure that with Martinsville’s characteristics, you can utilize the top lane as much as you can, especially when you are trying to carry momentum off the corners. Like most short tracks, track position is critical to staying out of trouble.
“Staying on the lead lap is also super important, too. It will be warmer than it traditionally is during the fall Xfinity Series race at Martinsville, so I am curious to see if that comes into play during the race weekend. With this being a cut-off race for the Championship 4, too, you never know what to expect, but it should be an excellent race for the fans.
“It’s been a little bit of a bumpy ride with my RSS Racing with Lefcourt Brothers team the last couple of races, but fresh off a top-10 finish at Homestead, I’m eager to bring some good mojo back to our No. 38 Bucked Up Ford Mustang team and have a good showing on Saturday afternoon.”
On The 2023 Season: “The end of the season is nearly here, and I am working hard between my responsibilities with RSS Racing with Lefcourt Brothers Racing to ensure I can give 100 percent behind the wheel.
“I want to make the most of these last two weekends. I need to stay focused, communicate with my team, and utilize the knowledge I’ve gained over the past three years to recover and end the season on a high.”
Race Information:
The Dead On Tools 250 (250 laps | 131.5 miles) is the 32nd of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2023 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, October 27, 2023, from 5:05 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. Qualifying immediately follows. The 38-car field will take the green flag the next afternoon, Saturday, October 28 shortly after 3:30 p.m. with live coverage on the USA Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).
About RSS Racing:
RSS Racing fields multiple entries in the NASCAR Xfinity Series led by mainstay driver Ryan Sieg.
RSS Racing has competed in NASCAR events since 2009 from its headquarters in Sugar Hill, Ga.
PUSHING THROUGH THE PLAYOFFS: Kyle Larson has won the opening race in two of the three rounds of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs (Round of 16 at Darlington Raceway and Round of 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway). His win at Vegas locked him into the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway. The driver that won the opening race of the Round of 8 has gone on to win the championship in three of the last five seasons, including Larson in 2021. Looking ahead, the driver of the No. 5 has claimed victories at the remaining two tracks on the schedule (Martinsville Speedway in 2023 and Phoenix in 2021).
CONTENDING FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP: The 2021 Cup Series champion returns to Phoenix next weekend where he will contend for his second title in the sport’s top series. Larson won the championship in 2021 in his only year transferring to the final round. Since the start of 2021, the 31-year-old driver has had the most wins in the playoffs (eight) and is ahead in that category by five victories. Throughout the 2023 playoffs, Larson leads the field in average running position (7.08), most laps run in the top five (1,480) and the most laps run in the top 10 (1,762).
MARTINSVILLE MEMORIES: This spring, Larson earned his first victory at Martinsville and Hendrick Motorsports’ 28th Cup Series win at the Ridgeway, Virginia, track. With crew chief Cliff Daniels’ strategy calls setting up the team to have track position late, Larson led the final 30 laps to earn the victory. In his 17 starts on the 0.526-mile short track, Larson has earned one win, four top-five finishes, five top-10s and led 210 laps. In his last two races at Martinsville, he has an average finish of 1.50.
SHORT-TRACK STRENGTH: In 2023, the HendrickCars.com driver has two wins and one runner-up finish in short-track races in the Cup Series. In addition, Larson won the All-Star Race during the series’ historic return to the 0.625-mile track of North Wilkesboro Speedway. Larson has four points-paying short-track wins in the Cup Series (Richmond Raceway in September 2017, Bristol Motor Speedway in September 2021, Richmond and Martinsville in April 2023), with the latter three coming in his time at Hendrick Motorsports. On short tracks in the Next Gen car (since 2022), Larson has led the fifth-most laps (256).
IN 2023: This season, Larson leads the series in laps led (1,127) and is tied with Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron for the most top-five finishes (14). He is in a six-way tie for the fifth-most top-10 finishes (16). Larson ranks third in the following statistical categories: average running position (11.02), most laps run in the top five (3,664) and most laps run in the top 10 (5,285). He also ranks second-best on restarts, based on information from Racing Insights.
FOUR TIRES FAST: After 34 races this season, the No. 5 HendrickCars.com pit crew has the second-fastest average four-tire pit stop time of 11.068 seconds. The team’s five-man pit crew consists of Blaine Anderson (front-tire changer), R.J. Barnette (tire carrier), Brandon Harder (fueler), Brandon Johnson (jackman) and Calvin Teague (rear-tire changer).
EXTRACURRICULAR: In addition to Larson’s full-time Cup Series schedule, he races late models and sprint cars in his spare time. On Monday, Larson and his brother-in-law Brad Sweet acquired the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series from NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart. Following the inaugural season of the High Limit Sprint Car Series, the mid-week series that Larson and Sweet co-own, the two learned a lot and wanted to further contribute to and grow the sport of sprint car racing.
WIN A CHEVROLET COLORADO Z71: Want to drive Larson’s 2023 Chevrolet Colorado truck? One lucky winner will win his ride. Fans can donate now to enter a drawing for a chance to take home the Z71 Crew Cab 4WD package with custom features and styling. This special sweepstakes raises funding for the Kyle Larson Foundation’s “DRIVE FOR 5” campaign that supports youth, families and communities in need. The campaign is nearing its fundraising goal of $500,000. Click here to check out this sweet custom ride and enter to win today. The drawing closes on Sunday, Dec. 3, and the winner will be chosen on Monday, Dec. 11.
9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 27 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 17th
No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
WIN AND IN: Chase Elliott and the No. 9 team need to win Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway to advance to the Championship 4 in the owner playoffs. The team’s most recent start at Martinsville marked the return of Elliott to the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 following his leg injury in early March. After qualifying 24th, Elliott and the team rallied to finish 10th – the latest in a three-race streak of top-10s at the track for the group. Elliott and crew are no strangers to victory at the 0.526-mile track as they earned the win in 2020, punching their ticket to the Championship 4 in the Cup Series playoffs. They went on to capture the championship after scoring the victory the very next week at Phoenix Raceway.
PAPERCLIP PERFORMANCE: Elliott is set to make his 17th Martinsville start in the Cup Series this weekend. The 27-year-old driver made his Cup Series debut for Hendrick Motorsports at the track on March 29, 2015. Since then, he has led a total of 957 laps there – his most laps led at any track – including pacing the field for 185 circuits or more in three of the last six Cup events. Across his 16 Cup starts at Martinsville, he has one win (fall 2020), five top-five finishes and 10 top-10s. He leads all drivers there in stage wins (six) and is also in a three-way tie for the second-most top-10s (six) in the last eight Martinsville races. Elliott’s 10 top-10 finishes at Martinsville are tied for his most at a single track (with Kansas Speedway and Michigan International Speedway). Since the start of 2020, the driver of the No. 9 has earned the most points (306) at the Virginia short track.
GOING BACK TO ‘22: Last season, Elliott was one of only six drivers, including teammate William Byron, to finish in the top 10 in both Martinsville Cup Series races. In the spring 2022 race, Elliott and the No. 9 team started from the pole and swept the first two stages. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native led 185 laps during the race, including the 10,000th lap led by a Hendrick Motorsports driver at Martinsville – the only track to see a team lead over 10,000 laps at one venue. Elliott ultimately took the checkered flag in the 10th position after the race was sent into overtime. In the fall, the driver of the No. 9 started the race in second and finished second in each of the first two stages, leading 54 laps en route to a 10th-place result.
SHORT-TRACK STATS: On Sunday, Elliott will make his 45th short-track start in the Cup Series. In those races, he has garnered one win (Martinsville 2020), 14 top-five finishes, 23 top-10s, two pole awards and 1,491 laps led. His 240 laps led on short tracks in the Next Gen car (since 2022) are seventh-most in the series. This season in three Cup starts on short tracks, Elliott has two top-10 results – 10th at Martinsville and seventh at Bristol Motor Speedway. In the spring Richmond Raceway race, which Elliott missed due to his injury, Josh Berry filled in as the driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, earning a runner-up finish.
AG’S PAPERCLIP PAST: No. 9 team crew chief Alan Gustafson is set to call his 38th Martinsville Cup Series race from atop the pit box. In his previous 37 Cup Series starts at the track, he has three wins, 15 top-five finishes, 27 top-10s and 1,934 laps led at the venue. Gustafson most recently visited victory lane at the Virginia short track with Elliott in November 2020 to solidify the No. 9 team’s spot in the Championship 4. The veteran crew chief’s other two wins came with NASCAR Hall of Famer and team vice chairman Jeff Gordon in October 2013 and November 2015.
GET UP AND GO: NAPA Auto Parts is on board the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend at Martinsville. The Atlanta-based company has been Elliott’s primary partner for 11 of his 16 Cup Series starts at the short track, including his 2020 victory. This season marks NAPA’s 10th year partnering with the five-time National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver, dating back to his first season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Get a closer look at the 2023 paint scheme here.
24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 25 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 1st
No. 24 PODS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
CAREER SEASON: Heading into the Round of 8 finale for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, William Byron continues to add to his already impressive 2023 season stats. After 34 races, Byron leads the series in wins (six), stage wins (eight), average finishing position (11.12) and top-10 finishes (20). He is tied for the most top-five finishes with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson (14). In addition, he has also led a single-season career-best 921 laps – second to Larson (1,127). Byron ranks second for the season in average running position (9.96), laps run in the top five (3,783) and laps run in the top 10 (5,382).
PLAYOFF OUTLOOK: Byron enters Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway leading the points standings. He is the highest driver without a win in this round, 30 points above the elimination line to advance to the Championship 4. So far in the playoffs, Byron has the fourth-best average finish (5.50) all-time through the first eight races of the elimination-style playoffs. He also has victories at both of the remaining tracks: Martinsville (2022) and Phoenix Raceway (2023). The 25-year-old driver is looking to advance to his first Championship 4 at the Cup Series level. No matter what any other competitor does on Sunday, Byron and the No. 24 team need just 36 points to lock themselves in for the championship fight.
DIME PIECE: Over the last 10 races of the season, Byron leads the series in points (413), top-five finishes (six), top-10s (nine) and average finish (5.30). In that stretch, he is tied for the most wins (two) and runner-up finishes (two).
MARTINSVILLE MINUTES: Despite his young age, Byron’s time at Martinsville goes back to when he attended his first Cup Series race at the paperclip-shaped track in 2006 as a fan. Since then, he has moved through the NASCAR ranks and is poised to make his 12th Cup Series start at the 0.526-mile track. Of his 11 Cup Series starts at the half-mile short track, Byron has one win (April 2022), four top-five finishes (tied for his most at a track), six top-10s and 221 laps led (tied for his third-most at a track).
THE FUGLE FILES: This Sunday’s race will mark crew chief Rudy Fugle’s sixth in the Cup Series at Martinsville. In his first five Cup Series starts at the 0.526-mile short track, Fugle has one win (2022), three top-five finishes and four top-10s with the No. 24 team. Aside from his Cup Series starts, the Livonia, New York, native has 14 races at the Virginia venue under his belt, all in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In those 14 races, Fugle has accumulated one win (March 2019), six top-five finishes and 12 top-10s. Two of those previous starts were with Byron in 2016, where the duo started seventh in both races and raced to a third-place result in the spring and an eighth-place finish in the fall.
PIT ROAD PROWESS: After 34 races in the 2023 season, the No. 24 pit crew remains in the top spot with the fastest average four-tire pit stop time of 10.940 seconds. On Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the No. 24 team had the fastest average four-tire pit stop time of 9.986 seconds. The No. 24 pit crew consists of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler).
WELCOME PODS: Last week, Hendrick Motorsports announced that PODS Enterprises LLC, the industry leader in portable moving and storage solutions, will join Byron and the No. 24 team as the primary sponsor for this weekend’s Round of 8 finale at Martinsville. PODS has assisted with more than six million moves with locations serving 46 states and was recently recognized on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Customer Service 2024 in the “Moving Services” category. For a closer look at Byron’s No. 24 PODS Chevy, click here.
48 Alex Bowman
Age: 30 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Resides: Concord, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 21st
No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
FOND MEMORIES: This Sunday, Alex Bowman returns to Martinsville Speedway, a track where he has previously won. The 30-year-old driver captured the victory in the 2021 penultimate race – his fourth win in his career-best season in the NASCAR Cup Series. In that race, Bowman finished eighth in the first stage and second in stage two before leading the final eight circuits en route to victory. His win is one of four victories for Hendrick Motorsports in the last six races at the 0.526-mile short track.
SHORT-TRACK SURGES: Bowman is no slouch at short tracks. The Tucson, Arizona, native has two wins (Richmond Raceway and Martinsville both in 2021). He has also finished fourth this year in the exhibition race at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and eighth at Richmond in the spring.
SET FOR THE RESTART: Bowman is tied as the sixth-best driver on restarts in 2023, according to data from Racing Insights. That mark is the second-best among the Hendrick Motorsports quartet, as teammate Kyle Larson is second in this statistical category.
THE BOYS OF FALL: The No. 48 pit crew currently holds the 10th-best four-tire pit stop average in 2023, clocking in at 11.369 seconds. The over-the-wall crew is made up of Andrew Bridgeforth (rear-tire changer), Jacob Conley (fueler), Brandon Grier (tire carrier), Allen Holman (jackman), and Donnie Tasser (front-tire changer).
SAVE THEM ALL: Bowman and his primary partner Ally are teaming up this year to bring back the Best Friends Animal Society donation effort. This week, the duo will make charitable contributions to the SPCA of Martinsville and Henry County, which serves the local community in Martinsville, Virginia. Bowman and Ally will donate $4,800 to Best Friends and the SPCA of Martinsville and Henry County. Ally will increase its donation to $10,000 if the No. 48 team wins on Sunday. Bowman and Ally have won at the 0.526-mile oval, donating $10,000 to the Pittsylvania Pet Center in Chatham, Virginia.
SHINING BRIGHT IN THE DAYTIME: For the race at Martinsville, the No. 48 Ally Chevy will adorn its “day” scheme. This scheme hosts a white base with bright plum, grapefruit and seafoam stripes down the sides. Check out all the angles of the ride here.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS /
Hendrick Motorsports
2023
All-Time
Martinsville
Races
34
1,343
79
Wins
10*
301*
28*
Poles
6
245*
19*
Top 5
40*
1,230*
90*
Top 10
64*
2,109*
145*
Laps Led
2,262
79,579*
10,531*
Stage Wins
18*
97
7
*Most **Most (tie)
PLAYOFF LOWDOWN: For the fourth straight season, Hendrick Motorsports has had at least one driver qualify for the Championship 4 in the NASCAR Cup Series. Kyle Larson’s win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway locks him and the No. 5 team in as one of the four drivers and teams chasing after the title next week at Phoenix Raceway. William Byron remains in the playoff field on the driver’s side of things, while the Nos. 9 and 24 teams are battling for the owner championship. This year’s playoffs have seen the organization triumph in the opening races in the Round of 16 (Larson at Darlington Raceway), the Round of 12 (Byron at Texas Motor Speedway) and the Round of 8 (Larson at Las Vegas).
CHAMPIONSHIP COUNT: With 14 Cup Series championships, Hendrick Motorsports has the most titles in the sport’s top series. NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductee Jimmie Johnson accounts for half of those with seven (2006-10, 2013 and 2016). NASCAR Hall of Famer and team vice chairman Jeff Gordon racked up four titles (1995, 1997-98 and 2001). NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte (1996), Chase Elliott (2020) and Larson (2021) each have one championship for the team. Nine of those titles have come in the playoff era (2004-present).
FINAL FOUR: The organization has had four drivers reach the Championship 4 in the elimination-style format. Gordon (2015), Johnson (2016), Elliott (2020, 2021 and 2022) and Larson (2021 and 2023) have all accomplished that feat.
RECORD SETTERS: Hendrick Motorsports has posted a series-best 58 wins in the playoffs, which is 21 more than the closest team. Johnson has the most with 29 victories. Among the current driver lineup, Larson tops the board with eight wins, then Elliott at seven victories and Byron and Alex Bowman with one each. At Martinsville Speedway, the organization has won 12 of the 19 playoff races, including seven of the last 11.
GOOD SIGN: In six of the last seven occurrences where a Hendrick Motorsports driver has won at least six races, that driver has gone on to win the title (Johnson in 2007-10 and 2013 and Larson in 2021). Byron has a half dozen wins in the 2023 season.
CLOCKING IN: With its 28 victories at Martinsville, Hendrick Motorsports holds the Cup Series record for the most wins at a single circuit. Nine different drivers (the greatest number of different winners at Martinsville) have won at this track for the organization, led by Gordon and Johnson with nine victories apiece. Darrell Waltrip recorded four wins. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Geoff Bodine and current drivers Byron, Bowman, Elliott and Larson have each taken home one victory. The team is the only one to lead over 10,000 laps at any one track with 10,531 circuits out front.
MARTINSVILLE MOJO: In the past six races at Martinsville, each of the four current drivers for the Concord, North Carolina-based team have scored a win. Larson is the most recent driver to triumph at the short track with a win in April. Byron took home a win in April 2022, while Bowman was victorious in October 2021 and Elliott visited victory lane in November 2020 in the playoff race. Over the same stretch of six races, the organization’s best finish has been no lower than second.
NO SHORTAGE: Hendrick Motorsports leads all active Cup Series teams with 57 points-paying victories on short tracks, which is 11 more than the next closest team. Gordon’s 17 short-track wins lead all drivers in team history. The active driver lineup has combined for seven of those short-track successes: Larson (three), Bowman (two), Byron (one) and Elliott (one).
VICTORY IN VIRGINIA: Team owner Rick Hendrick grew up in Palmer Springs, Virginia, and his teams have won 40 Cup Series races in his home state. Hendrick Motorsports has gone to victory lane in Virginia at least one time in 28 different seasons, including each of the past four. The most recent 12 races in Virginia have seen one of his cars emerge victorious on six occasions with all four active drivers winning.
NEXT GEN NUMBERS: With three wins on short tracks since 2022, Hendrick Motorsports has the most victories on that track type in the Next Gen car. Those victories came by Larson at Martinsville and Richmond Raceway (both in 2023) and Byron at Martinsville (in 2022). Three drivers are among the top seven in laps led in the Next Gen era on short tracks: Byron (third at 451), Larson (fifth at 256) and Elliott (seventh at 240).
STUDYING THE TRENDS: In the last 12 Cup Series races, the organization has had at least one driver finish in the top five. Those top fives came at Michigan International Speedway (Larson), the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (Elliott and Bowman), Watkins Glen International (Byron), Daytona International Speedway (Elliott), Darlington (Larson and Byron), Kansas Speedway (Larson), Bristol Motor Speedway (Larson), Texas (Byron), Talladega Superspeedway (Byron), the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (Byron), Las Vegas (Larson) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Byron). This is the best streak by any team since Hendrick Motorsports’ 14-race streak with at least one top-five finish in 2021.
QUOTABLE /
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his mindset heading to Martinsville Speedway: “It’s obviously both comforting and exciting to know that the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team is locked into the Championship 4 by our (Las) Vegas (Motor Speedway) win. Martinsville (Speedway) had historically been a challenging track for me and transparently not a favorite. In April, our team was able to help change that. Securing my first win at the Virginia short track was super rewarding. Our team is always actively trying to build consistency, so really focusing on another solid weekend in Martinsville would help us build a good mindset to tackle the championship at Phoenix (Raceway).”
Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the No. 5 team’s confidence at Martinsville: “We certainly enjoy going to Martinsville (Speedway). It’s a track I’ve gone to since I was a kid and it’s also just a tough track in general. I know Kyle (Larson) doesn’t give himself the credit he deserves coming to Martinsville (Speedway) and he has come a long way. We’ve had some strong runs there lately but would recognize the fact that you’ve got to be sharp on your setup, balance and approach to the race. We’ve got to do the things we can do to make sure Kyle (Larson) is comfortable making speed. We have all of those things on our minds. We want to perform at a very high level and keep our strength at a high level to keep us operating at the level that we need to go into Phoenix.”
Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Martinsville: “Martinsville (Speedway) is very challenging because it’s very hard to get your balance right there. I feel like getting the balance proper and perfect is like a knife edge at that track. You can go from being really good to really bad with not even changing anything potentially, just the track adjusting throughout a race and laying rubber or picking up rubber after a restart or something. It’s a very fine line of getting it right. Hopefully, we’re on the good side of that this weekend.”
Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the significance of having Elliott back behind the wheel for the spring Martinsville race: “That race was unique for a lot of reasons. Chase (Elliott) getting the chance to qualify was important. We made a few collective errors there that hurt us and I think we should have had a much better lap than that. Being able to go over that and prepare for that helps a lot. Hopefully, we qualify better and it results in getting a good pit stall. We were just going over some pit road stuff that we feel like we can improve on. So yeah, just having that firsthand experience generates a lot of valuable areas of improvement. It was really good to be able to have him back for the race in the spring, for sure.”
William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what his preparation and goals are for this weekend at Martinsville: “We spent this week digging through notes from earlier this year and last at Martinsville (Speedway). There was a wheel force test last week running the new tire so the teams could get information. We’re just trying to use what we have to hopefully get the car in a good place for when it’s unloaded. The fun thing about racing is you’re trying to get to the final four to go for a championship but it comes down to we all want to win every week. When you peel away all the layers of racing, it’s all about winning. We do the same processes every week with the goal of winning. That’s our number one goal still and there’s nothing like having winning momentum heading into Phoenix (Raceway).”
Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what the car needs for a good setup at Martinsville: “It starts with a good practice and qualifying on Saturday at Martinsville (Speedway). I think with this new tire we should have more grip but we’re supposed to have more fall off. You never really know about that until you get to the race. The tire was designed to make the car harder to drive, so that’s definitely something we have to tackle. It always starts with the entry to the corner and at Martinsville it’s hard because you can’t be loose in but you can’t be tight either. You have to be able to get to the curb in the center of the turn at the right spot and the right angle and that comes down to having the correct braking. If you do those things, you should have some turn at the center point and then the exit takes care of itself.”
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what it takes to win at Martinsville: “Martinsville (Speedway) is such a tough place to win at. You have to have good pit stops, a clean race car and make changes as the track evolves – a lot has to go your way to run well here. Obviously, we finished 11th in the spring and I won there in 2021, so those good runs give me confidence to go be competitive again this weekend. We know it’s a long race and we will do everything we can to prepare for this Sunday and try to be there at the end.”
Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on returning to Martinsville this weekend: “Last time we were in Martinsville, Alex (Bowman) narrowly missed out on a top-10 day. We had decent speed for most of the day and just got caught out on a pit cycle. Kyle (Larson) won in the spring and along with Hendrick Motorsports’ rich history of success at this track, I am confident we can bring a solid car to compete with this Sunday. This weekend will be about building our notebook for next year and getting Alex in contention. The goal remains the same – get our No. 48 up front and contend for the win. These last two races will be about building momentum into the 2024 season.”
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 26, 2023) – After a dominant season in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks, NHRA rider Gaige Herrera could wrap up the world championship at this weekend’s 23rd annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, while reigning Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders looks to win for the tenth time at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Herrera, who has nine wins this season, could claim his first NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series world title this weekend. He currently leads his Vance & Hines teammate Eddie Krawiec by 156 points and reigning world champion Matt Smith by 174.
“You can’t take anything for granted,” Herrera said. “It would be cool to wrap it up in Vegas and I think Vegas will be good. That’s where I first rode for Vance & Hines. I want to say that’s where this whole thing started.”
If Herrera claims the championship this weekend, it will mark his first NHRA title and 14th for the Vance & Hines juggernaut. Titans of the field Matt Hines, Andrew Hines and Krawiec have all delivered the team multiple championships and have mentored Herrera throughout this season.
“It’s cool to get to race with Ed. I’ve learned a lot from him this season. He helps with every race. It’s very intimidating to race him,” Herrera said. “We flipped a coin for lanes in St. Louis. I’ve held him back three times this season from getting his 50th (career) win but he’s going to get it, I’ve got a good feeling.”
Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Enders (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won the 2022 NHRA Nevada Nationals. This season’s race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including eliminations at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday. It is the 20th of 21 races during the 2023 season and the fifth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship.
Enders heads to Vegas with the Pro Stock points lead and with more NHRA wins at the facility than any other competitor. She has an impressive nine wins from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In 2022, she won both the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in the spring as well as the NHRA Nevada Nationals in the fall, where she also clinched her fifth NHRA championship.
“To have things go well in Dallas is huge,” Enders said. “To spread the lead just a little bit going into Vegas where we’ve won nine nationals there and it’s no secret that it’s my favorite place to race because it’s just been so good to us. Coming off a win from Dallas, we’re obviously hopeful to carry that momentum into Las Vegas but then you have Pomona that’s points-and-a-half and it can throw a wrench into your spokes. You just have to put your head down and go to work.”
Following her win in Dallas, Enders became the winningest female across all of motorsports, dethroning Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Angelle Sampey. The win gave Enders 47 national event wins and nudged her into the lead. She’ll also go into Vegas with an 85-point lead over Greg Anderson, with Dallas Glenn and Matt Hartford still in contention.
“As a little kid growing up, Angelle was one of my idols. We had her t-shirts and her autographs and to come full circle, it’s pretty incredible. When we made our pro debut in 2005, I only had one national event Wally in Super Gas and the first seven seasons of my pro career went winless. So, it took us a long time to get here. I can remember it like it was yesterday, tying Shirley Muldowney at 18 when we won the U.S. Nationals in 2015 and now here we are at 47. It’s pretty crazy and to not just have it be drag racing but worldwide throughout all of motorsports is pretty substantial.
“While I want to just be viewed as a driver, it’s pretty badass and I’m super thankful for the opportunity. I never thought we’d be racing that long to get that many wins but here we are. It’s been a long journey and it’s been really fun, and it goes to show if you don’t give up, great things can happen.”
In Top Fuel, Leah Pruett enters the Vegas weekend with a slim four-point lead over Doug Kalitta. Steve Torrence is also just 13 points back. In Funny Car, Pruett’s Tony Stewart Racing teammate, Matt Hagan, jumped into the lead with a Dallas win, but he’ll look to hold off the likes of Bob Tasca III and Robert Hight as he seeks his second straight fall Vegas win.
The NHRA Nevada Nationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers, and the Summit Racing Series ET Finals, where national champions will be crowned, including the first EV national championship in NHRA history. The weekend will also include action in the thrilling Nostalgia Funny Car class, while fans can watch a spectacular jet dragster exhibition from Team “Muy Caliente” after nitro qualifying on Friday and Saturday.
It’s also the final race of the season in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports and the new Factory X presented by Holley category. Fans can also enjoy the finale of the NHRA Summit Series, with drivers competing for a national championship.
As an added attraction, a special drag-and-drive exhibition will take place during the event, with participants in Sick The Magazine’s “Death Week” will be on display for fans interested in NHRA Street Legal Drag Racing. The cars will be paraded in front of the crowd, with fans getting to see the unique cars taking part in the drag-and-drive event.
Before the race weekend, the NHRA’s biggest stars will take over the Fremont St. Experience for the annual fan fest from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26. An autograph session takes place from 5:30-6:30, allowing fans to meet their favorite drivers as part of this great event leading into the race weekend.
On Saturday, the Las Vegas Golden Knights marching band will also perform. Race fans at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the NHRA Nevada Nationals event winners.
Fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage all weekend, which will help create a festive atmosphere leading into Nitro Alley. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits when the Camping World Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, influencer interviews and much more. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. PT on Friday, Oct. 27, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PT on Sunday, Oct. 29. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday with eliminations on FS1 at 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, call 800-644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.
About Camping World Holdings, Inc.
Camping World Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, (together with its subsidiaries) is the World’s largest retailer of RVs and related products and services. Our vision is to build a long-term legacy business that makes RVing fun and easy. Our Camping World and Good Sam brands have been serving RV consumers since 1966. We strive to build long-term value for our customers, employees, and shareholders by combining a unique and comprehensive assortment of RV products and services with a national network of RV dealerships, service centers and customer support centers along with the industry’s most extensive online presence and a highly trained and knowledgeable team of employees serving our customers, the RV lifestyle, and the communities in which we operate. We also believe that our Good Sam organization and family of programs and services uniquely enable us to connect with our customers as stewards of the RV enthusiast community and the RV lifestyle. With RV sales and service locations in 43 states, Camping World has grown to become the prime destination for everything RV. For more information, visit www.campingworld.com.
About NHRA
Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 21 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown™ and Top Fuel Harley Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Wisconsin Native to Pilot Second Entry at Phoenix Raceway
CONCORD, N.C. (October 26, 2023) – Spire Motorsports will field a second NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) entry in next weekend’s Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix Raceway for Wisconsin native Derek Kraus.
Kraus will pilot the No. 77 Western States Flooring Chevrolet Silverado alongside teammate Marco Andretti, who will drive the No. 7 Parity Week by Gainbridge® Chevy, in the division’s final race of the season.
As part of an ongoing technical support relationship with JR Motorsports, Andrew Overstreet and Mike Hoffman will serve as crew chief and truck chief, respectively.
Kraus was nothing short of impressive while handling the driving chores for Spire Motorsports earlier this season at the Clean Harbors 175 at the famed Milwaukee Mile, where he started deep in the field and raced his way to a spirited eighth-place finish. He is a veteran of 75 NCTS starts with four poles, four top-five and 27 top-10 finishes.
“I’m really looking forward to racing at Phoenix with Spire Motorsports and all the guys on that team,” said Kraus. “Phoenix Raceway is one of my favorite races on the schedule, just because of how competitive the track is. I’m thankful to have Western States Flooring on board and looking forward to putting on a good show for that group. We had a good day at Milwaukee earlier this season so hopefully we can pull some notes from that weekend and put them to good use in Phoenix.”
In five previous NCTS starts at the uniquely configured one-mile Avondale, Ariz., oval, the 22-year-old standout has recorded three eighth-place finishes and, coincidently enough, finished 23rd in the other two.
Kraus, a native of Stratford, Wis., has made seven NASCAR Xfinity Series starts for Kaulig Racing in 2023, recording three top-10 finishes. Of those seven starts, he has only finished outside the top 12 twice, and outside the top 20, once.
Most recently, Kraus raced Kaulig’s No. 11 Celsius Chevrolet to an 11th-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In 10 NCTS starts in 2023, Spire Motorsports has recorded one win, two top-five and three top-10 finishes.
Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, snared the checkered flag at the Tyson 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, while rising star Layne RIggs finished third in August at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Kraus is credited with adding a third top 10 to the team’s 2023 stat sheet after his eighth-place showing in Milwaukee.
“We’re happy to have Derek back in a Spire Motorsports Chevy Silverado next weekend,” said team manager Mike Greci. “He did a nice job when he drove for us at the Milwaukee Mile and we think a lot of that success should translate to Phoenix. He’s incredibly mature for his age and has a knack for getting the most out of his equipment. When the opportunity came about to put him in a second truck for Phoenix, it was kind of all-hands-on-deck to figure out a way to make it happen. He’ll be a great compliment to Marco Andretti and vice versa, so we’re optimistic about the chances for both our trucks.”
The Lucas Oil 150 from Phoenix Raceway will be televised live on FS1 Friday, November 3 beginning at 10 p.m. EDT. The 23rd and final NCTS race of the 2023 season will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
About Western States Flooring … Western States Flooring Inc. is a premier provider of flooring and installation services in the southwest United States. Established in 1991, Western States Flooring continues to be one of the largest providers for flooring services in the southwest.
As one of Arizona’s Shaw Design Centers, consumers can rely on beautiful products, professional installation, and great communication throughout their project. Western States Flooring has a public showroom in Chandler, Ariz., and flooring-services partnerships with Home Depot and Costco. With strong ties to the community and a long track record of happy customers, clients can rely on Western States Flooring Inc. to handle their project and provide a beautiful, finished product.
About Spire Motorsports … Spire Motorsports is a full-time, two-car NASCAR Cup Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2023, Spire Motorsports fields the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for driver Corey LaJoie and No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Ty Dillon. The team also fields NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series teams in select events.
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFSTMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 20, 2023 when Kyle Larson took the checkered flag in the Tyson 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Race Information Round: NASCAR Cup Series Race No. 35 of 36 (Playoffs Round of 8) Track Location: Martinsville Speedway – Ridgeway, Virginia Race Name: Xfinity 500 Broadcast: Sunday, October 29th at 2:00 PM ET live on NBC (TV), MRN (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Team Entrants:
No. 42 | Carson Hocevar & Luke Lambert – Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 No. 43 | Erik Jones & Dave Elenz – Allegiant Allways Reawards Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Carson Hocevar, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Martinsville Speedway Stats
-NCS: Carson Hocevar will make his first NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend at Martinsville.
-NCTS: Starts: 4; Best Start: 7th (2023); Best Finish: 12th (2021); Laps Led: 10
2023 NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats
-Starts: 7; Best Start: 16th (Bristol); Best Finish: 11th (Bristol); No. 42 Owners Points: 32nd
2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Season Stats
-Starts: 22; Wins: 4 (Texas, Nashville, Richmond, Homestead-Miami); Best Start: 2nd (twice); Top-5s: 11; Top-10s: 13; Laps Led: 271; Current Points Position: Tied for 1st
About Sunseeker Resort: Opening in 2023, Florida’s newest luxury resort located in Charlotte Harbor is the first resort property of Sunseeker Resorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company. Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor occupies over 22 waterfront acres with 785 guest rooms, including 189 Signature Sunsuites™. Set upon the Peace River and Florida Gulf Coast, this premier resort offers 20 original food and beverage concepts; including seven stand-alone restaurants, eleven bars and lounges, two poolside offerings and a 25,000-square-foot multi-dining experience. Additional hotel amenities include a waterfront promenade, two unique rooftop and waterfront pool experiences, 60,000-square-feet of combined convention space, full-service spa and salon, a 7,100-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center with four group exercise studios with specialty instructor lead classes, three retail and market shops, and an 18-hole championship level golf club exclusive to hotel guests only. The resort is conveniently located within a short drive of Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Sarasota, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Tampa airports. For more information, visit www.sunseekerresorts.com. Follow us on Instagram: @sunseekerresorts and like us on Facebook: @sunseekerresorts.
Returning for More: After briefly stepping aside to let John Hunter Nemechek pilot the No. 42 entry last weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Carson Hocevar returns to the seat for the final two races of the season at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 29th and Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 5th. Hocevar has driven the Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet for LEGACY M.C. in six races this year, producing a best finish of 11th at Bristol Motor Speedway. He was signed to drive the No. 77 Camaro for Spire Motorsports full-time next year and is expected to compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.
Sights on a Championship: Hocevar is coming off of a huge win in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and is now locked into the Championship 4. Seeking his first Truck Series championship, Hocevar has had a dream season up to this point. Capturing four victories at Texas Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, Richmond Raceway, on top of last weekend’s win at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he has the most wins of any competitor within the series. Joining him in the Championship 4 are the likes of GMS Racing’s Grant Enfinger, Corey Heim, and Ben Rhodes. The NCTS season finale will be hosted at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, November 3rd.
On The Air: On Thursday, Hocevar will co-host Sirius XM NASCAR Radio’s “On Track” show with Danielle Trotta and Larry McReynolds from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern Time. He will break down the weekend’s news and highlights from Homestead-Miami as well as preview the upcoming race at Martinsville. Hocevar has shown interest in adding a broadcasting role to his resumé, and has the desire to commentate races in other series next year.
Hot Diggity Dog: Hocevar will be serving up the famous Martinsville hot dogs at the “Hot Dog Stand” in the infield on Sunday morning as a fun piece of content to be documented by NASCAR Productions and shown on the big screens placed around the racetrack for the fans to enjoy.
Luke at Martinsville: Luke Lambert has made 20 NASCAR Cup Series start as a crew chief at Martinsville Speedway. Lambert’s best finish at ‘The Paperclip’ was a third-place result in the fall, 2014 race while working with Ryan Newman. His drivers have had six top-10 finishes in the Cup Series races, and have led for a total of seven laps. Lambert has also made two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Martinsville, posting a best result of fourth place in last year’s fall race. In April this year, the No. 42 team started 29th and finished in 30th place.
Carson Appearances: Fans attending the Martinsville race will have opportunities to meet LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet:
Merchandise Rig Autograph Session | Sunday, Oct. 29th: Carson will sign autographs at the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB merchandise trailer in the Martinsville Speedway Fan Zone from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM on race day. Team Chevy Stage Q&A Session | Sunday, Oct. 29th: Following his autograph session at the merchandise trailer, Hocevar will hold a Q&A session at the Team Chevy stage from 11:30 AM to 11:45 AM. Breast Cancer Awareness: For the final race held in October, a team tradition that has taken place for many years will continue at Martinsville Speedway. Both LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ cars will carry pink ribbons onboard to honor family members of the respective car’s crew members that have been affected by breast cancer.
Quoting Carson Hocevar: Martinsville hot dogs or shifting at short tracks, which are you more a fan of?
“I’m a fan of Martinsville hot dogs, but I probably need to be more of a fan of eating them post-race though. I ate some before the race when we had a rain delay last year. Ross (Chastain) and I didn’t think we were going to race so we started ‘pounding dogs’ and all of the sudden they told us we were going to go racing and we just looked at each other and said, ‘oh no’. I’m excited to get back there though, because it’s always been a fun racetrack with the trucks. I don’t know if I’m going to be a fan of shifting at short tracks; it just seems like there’s a bunch going on, but I’ve never done it before so I can’t say yes or no yet. Hopefully we can qualify up front for the race with our Sunseeker Resort Chevy, because that’s going to be the key for sure. It’ll be good to hop back in the No. 42 car to finish out the year with these last two races for LEGACY M.C.!”
Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Allways Rewards Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Martinsville Speedway Stats
NCS Starts: 13; Best start: 8th (Fall 2017 & Fall 2019) Best finish: 8th (Fall 2021); Top-10s: 1
NCTS Starts: 5; Best start: 4th (Spring 2014 & Spring 2015) Best finish: 3rd (Spring 2015); Top-5s: 2; Top-10s: 4; Laps led: 2
2023 NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats
Starts: 34; Best start: 8th (COTA); Best finish: 3rd (Kansas II); Top-5s: 1; Top-10s: 7; Laps led: 24; Points position: 27th
About Allegiant: Las Vegas-based Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at its heart, focused on connecting customers with the people, places and experiences that matter most. Since 1999, Allegiant Air has linked travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop flights and industry-low average fares. Today, Allegiant’s fleet serves communities across the nation, with base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. For more information, visit us at Allegiant.com.
Homestead in the Rearview: Erik Jones’s weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway proved to be a bit of a roller coaster as he qualified in 19th position for the 4Ever 400. The No. 43 team ran into early challenges to find a competitive balance, which led to Jones slipping as far back as 34th in the field. However, after adjustments at the end of Stage 1, Jones steered the team back into contention, making his way just outside of the top-10. To start the final stage, Jones sat in the 20th position but made significant progress, ultimately finishing 14th for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.
Best finish at the Paper Clip: Jones has just one top-10 finish to his name at Martinsville Speedway, which came in the 2021 fall race. Jones began that race in 28th position and steadily advanced through the field. He came close to being lapped at the end of Stage 1 but rebounded during the second stage, where he ran up to the 15th position. Jones staged an impressive comeback 30 laps from the finish, reentering the top-10 and putting the No. 43 car back into contention, bringing home an eighth-place finish.
Trucking along: Jones has five career starts in the NASCAR Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway where he has earned two top-five and four top-10 finishes. Despite his consistent performances, Jones has led just two laps at Martinsville, with both laps being led during the spring race of 2015. On average, Jones started from 10th position with an average finishing position of 8.8 at the track known for its intense racing and famous hot dogs.
Petty in Martinsville: Richard Petty has a commanding record at Martinsville Speedway, with a record-breaking 15 victories in 67 starts. The King’s success extends to 30 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes with 2,823 laps led, showcasing his dominance at the iconic short track. Additionally, Petty maintains an average finish of 11.2, as his father Lee Petty, holds the all-time highest average finish at Martinsville, with an average of 5.5, requiring a minimum of 10 races run.
Dave at Martinsville: Crew Chief Dave Elenz has built an impressive track record at Martinsville Speedway, being a pivotal part of two winning teams. First, as an engineer with Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports, and again as a crew chief in the Xfinity Series during his time with JR Motorsports. In 2021, Elenz and his team began the race from the ninth position. Their performance was nothing short of dominant, as they led an impressive 153 laps, ultimately taking the checkered flag. This marked Elenz’s first career Xfinity Series victory at the track, and his second Martinsville grandfather clock.
Off-Track Efforts: Erik Jones will serve as the co-chair for the Melanoma Research Foundation Gala, an event taking place on October 26th in New York City. Representing the Erik Jones Foundation, he will actively contribute to raising awareness and funds for melanoma detection and research, a cause that holds a personal significance to him and his family. For more information on the Melanoma Research Foundation, click here.
Meet Erik: Young fans and families in Martinsville will have a special opportunity to sit with Erik Jones during a #READwithErik in the NASCAR Kids Zone on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The first 50 fans in attendance will receive a copy of “Little Blue Truck’s Halloween” by Alice Schertle, giving kids the chance to follow along with Erik as he reads.
Quoting Erik Jones: “Martinsville is always a crazy race this time of year, with it being a cutoff for the playoff guys, and going into Phoenix, there is a lot of chaos that normally happens there. I feel like we have improved our short track package, in general, so going into Martinsville hopefully, we can get there and have a solid day.”
ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (NCS) Jimmie Johnson. The club competes full-time in the NCS fielding the Nos. 42 and 43 Chevrolet Camaro entries, respectively, along with the No. 84 part-time entry for Johnson in 2023. Richard Petty “The King” serves as team ambassador.
In 2021, Gallagher acquired Richard Petty Motorsports and renamed the team to Petty GMS. With the addition of Johnson to the ownership structure in 2023, the organization rebranded to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY M.C.). With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level.
Based in Statesville, N.C., LEGACY M.C. operates alongside GMS Racing (GMS), which currently fields three full-time entries in the NASCAR Truck Series. Since the formation of GMS in 2012, Gallagher and Mike Beam, team president, have shared incredible success. GMS Racing captured the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship, the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championships and the 2019 and 2020 ARCA East championships, accumulating over 65 wins across six national racing circuits.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
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Accidents happen in the blink of an eye, often leaving those involved disoriented and overwhelmed. Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath is crucial, whether it’s a car accident, a slip and fall, a workplace incident, or any other type of accident. Taking the proper steps can ensure your safety and protect your legal rights and potential compensation claims. This comprehensive guide discusses the seven most important things to do after an accident to help you navigate the situation with confidence and efficiency.
Consult an Attorney
Consulting with an attorney is essential in some cases, especially if you believe the accident resulted from someone else’s negligence and seek compensation. If you’ve been harmed due to another party’s negligence, consult a personal injury attorney. They can assess your case and guide you on your legal options, representing your interests. In the case of a car accident, a car accident lawyer specializes in navigating the complexities of auto accident claims, including dealing with insurance companies and pursuing legal action if necessary. If your accident occurred on the property of another, a premises liability attorney can help you determine if the property owner’s negligence played a role and assist in pursuing compensation. For work-related accidents, a workers’ compensation attorney can guide you through filing a claim, helping ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to. Consulting a legal practitioner can help you understand your rights and options, especially when dealing with significant injuries, property damage, or a complex legal situation.
Ensure Safety First
In the aftermath of an accident, the primary concern is the safety of everyone involved. Assess yourself and others for injuries. If someone is seriously hurt, call 911 immediately. Move yourself and others out of harm’s way if possible and safe. For example, in a car accident, move your vehicle to the side of the road if it’s obstructing traffic. If you’re in a vehicle, activate your hazard lights, alerting other drivers to the accident. Stay as calm as possible, and encourage others to remain composed. Panic can exacerbate the situation.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you believe your injuries are minor, seeking medical attention after the mishap is essential. Some injuries are not immediately apparent but could worsen over time. Remember that even if you feel fine right after the accident, some injuries may have delayed symptoms, so seeking medical attention for a thorough evaluation is crucial. Call an ambulance if someone is severely injured or there’s any doubt about the extent of injuries. Get a medical evaluation as soon as possible, either at the accident scene or by visiting an emergency room or urgent care center, or even a primary care physician. Comply with all medical advice as well as treatment plans. This ensures your well-being and creates a record of your injuries, which may be essential for legal and insurance purposes.
Contact the Authorities
In many accident scenarios, it’s necessary to involve the appropriate authorities. If it’s a car accident, report the incident to the police. An official accident report can be valuable for insurance claims and legal actions. In other accidents, such as slips and falls at a business, ensure an incident report is filed with the responsible party. Ask for a copy of the report for your records. The involvement of authorities, such as the police or incident reports, can provide an objective account of the accident, which is crucial in determining fault and liability and seeking compensation. If applicable, remember to gather the names and badge numbers of any responding officers or personnel and any contact information for the individual responsible for filing the incident report.
Document the Accident
Thorough documentation is crucial for insurance claims and potential legal actions. Take photos or videos of the accident scene, including relevant details like damaged property, road conditions, or safety hazards. Document your injuries with photographs and written descriptions. This should be done as soon as possible, as injuries may change in appearance. Additionally, exchange contact and insurance information with other parties involved in the accident, as this information will be essential for insurance claims and potential legal actions. Keep copies of all relevant records, including the accident report, medical records, and correspondence with insurance companies. Create a timeline of events leading up to, during, and after the accident. Include any conversations, actions, or observations.
Collect Witness Information
Witnesses can provide vital testimony and evidence to support your account of the accident. Politely approach witnesses and ask for their names and contact information. Ask them if they’d be willing to describe what they saw. A brief written or recorded statement can be immensely valuable. Express your appreciation for their cooperation and provide them with your contact information if needed later. It’s important to remember that witness statements can significantly impact the outcome of insurance claims or legal proceedings, so be sure to collect this information promptly and professionally. Keeping open lines of communication with witnesses may prove valuable if their testimony is required during an investigation or legal action.
Notify Your Insurance Company
If your accident involves an insurance claim, whether a car accident, a slip and fall on someone else’s property, or any other insured incident, notify your insurance company promptly. Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the accident. Be prepared to provide the necessary information, including the accident’s date, time, location, details about other parties involved, and any witness information. Follow your insurer’s instructions for providing documentation and information related to the accident. Keep detailed records of all communication with your insurance company.
Accidents can be distressing and chaotic, but taking the proper steps in the aftermath is crucial. By prioritizing safety, seeking medical attention, notifying authorities, documenting the accident, collecting witness information, and notifying your insurance company, you can navigate the aftermath of an accident effectively. In negligence cases, consulting with an attorney is often the best course of action to protect your legal rights and seek compensation. Remember that the steps you take after an accident can profoundly impact your well-being and your ability to recover losses or damages. Hence, it’s essential to be informed and proactive.
Scheduled or appropriate reactive maintenance is crucial for reducing the overall costs of car ownership. By intercepting a problem before it grows significantly, one can reduce the damage done to parts of vehicle operation. If the problem is left to develop, these faults can result in larger issues, which will then require more money to sort out. Not only would it help maintain the value of resale and ensure that safety features function the right way, but regular maintenance would also help a vehicle owner avoid any costly repairs in the future.
Regular Car Maintenance
When a vehicle has gone through regular maintenance, there is a lesser likelihood that repairs will be needed. A regular check will allow the owner to detect small-scale issues before they become large, requiring a costly repair to handle. It increases the level of safety and the longevity of the vehicle by maintaining health over a period of time. It also ensures all warranties remain valid if something happens to go wrong. Initiating a preventive approach can save one money later on when unexpected repairs arise. Engine oil, gearbox fluid, and coolant all need to be checked once the mileage reaches a certain level. It depends on the vehicle, though; some require changing after 3,000, 5,000, or 10,000 miles.
Inspections and Checks
Car ownership inspections are done by the users, dealers, or government agencies to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate on public roads. Not only do inspections extend the life of the vehicle, they also keep the insurance costs low. Driving a faulty car can lead to injury or even fatalities if it is involved in a collision.
Tire Inspections
Tires are the only thing holding the vehicle to the road, and it may be the size of a hand. So, the vehicle relies on them for acceleration, braking, handling, comfort, and steering. With this in mind, they must be maintained appropriately by performing tire repair, balancing, alignment, and tread depth. Regularly monitoring your tire’s conditions will prevent you from experiencing inconveniences at best and fatal accidents at worst.
Brake and Suspension Checks
Brake and suspension components are essential to the vehicle’s safety systems. Brakes are responsible for stopping and controlling a car, so they prevent accidents. If they do not work well, a vehicle can be unsafe to operate at any speed. If a driver cannot stop their vehicle moving at 10 miles an hour on local roads, it can still cause damage or injury to people and their property. Likewise, suspension systems maintain the comfort and overall control of the vehicle. If the suspension has a fault, it can cause an uncomfortable ride and inconsistent handling, which may lead to accidents.
Electrical System and Battery Checks
Unfortunately, even wiring systems and electrical components wear out following continued vehicle operations. If the battery or alternator on a vehicle is dead, it will be hard to start the car. Regular part maintenance and electrical repair service, including a check on the terminals and voltage, will illustrate that the battery has enough power to start. Similarly, routine inspection of the alternator to ensure it is clean and free of debris should increase its lifespan.
Barring loose connections, if the vehicle has starting problems, faint headlights, or electrical warning lights, it may be time to change the battery or alternator. If you cannot start the vehicle due to a bad battery, then mobile car battery replacements can help you quickly get a new battery and be back on the road in no time.
DIY Car Maintenance Tips
Preventive maintenance can be done at home without special tools or skills. These can save the owner the costs of taking their car to the shop. Similarly, when the maintenance is done regularly, these practices may extend the vehicle’s life. These include checking and changing the engine oil, cleaning battery terminals, changing air filters, and replacing wiper blades. One may also check their coolant levels or the spark plugs if they are accessible in the engine bay. None of these require technical mastery to perform and would not cost anything other than the replacement parts. Tasks that are complicated or dangerous, if done the wrong way, may cause more issues. In these cases, they should be handled by a repair shop.
Emergency Preparedness
Car ownership should come with a basic emergency kit to use in distress. These tools would assist the passengers medically or safely through dangerous situations, depending on the nature of the emergency. At some point, one may find themselves in an emergency when driving their vehicle. It could be a tire burst or a dead car battery, causing the car to stall. During these situations, the driver should have an emergency kit to work as a quick fix or as a placeholder before assistance arrives. These include jumper cables, a first aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, duct tape, baby wipes, a tarp, drinking water, multipurpose tools, road flares, and a seat belt cutter.
Always Keep Up with Preventative Maintenance for a Safer Vehicle
Preventive car maintenance is essential for safety and regular vehicle operations. A primary benefit of scheduled maintenance is cost reduction. Fixing an issue when it is small prevents larger problems from forming later on, and that comes at a higher expense. This is true of tire inspections, brake and suspension maintenance, or electric system checks. It is also possible to do some of the maintenance checks at home. Doing this will save time and money, which would be spent at the garage.
In the rapidly evolving world of finance, cryptocurrencies have marked their significant place. Even the most traditionally conservative governments are gradually adjusting their lenses to view cryptocurrencies, not as a fleeting trend, but as the catalysts of the future economy. While the turbulence of major digital coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum often make headlines, the underlying opportunity to carve a niche and profit within this ecosystem is substantial. And among the myriad of avenues, cryptocurrency exchanges stand out as formidable giants.
However, for aspiring entrepreneurs and businesses, launching a successful cryptocurrency exchange is no walk in the park. It demands a strategic, holistic approach that finely blends technical prowess, legal astuteness, and an unwavering focus on user experience.
Delving Into the Types of Exchanges
Soft targets for hackers, and their stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures can deter many privacy-conscious users.
Decentralized (DEX): Embodying the true spirit of decentralization, DEX operates autonomously through smart contracts, effectively sidelining any central authority or intermediary. Their trump card is heightened security. Yet, they’re often criticized for low liquidity, less-than-stellar user interfaces, and the absence of fiat gateways.
Hybrid: An innovative fusion, hybrid exchanges aim to bring together the best of both CEX and DEX worlds. They’re in their nascent stages, and the market is closely watching their growth trajectory and adaptability.
Navigating Regulation and Jurisdiction
Choosing the geographical heart of your exchange isn’t a mere logistical decision—it’s a strategic one. Your chosen jurisdiction will set the rules of the game, shaping regulations related to taxation, business management, and accounting. Notably, regions such as Malta, Gibraltar, Singapore, and Switzerland have positioned themselves as crypto-friendly havens. However, the dynamic nature of crypto legislation means businesses must remain vigilant and adaptive.
Software
The Pillar of Your Exchange: The foundation of your crypto exchange will be its underlying software. It’s what powers transactions, safeguards user funds in wallets, and crafts the overall user experience. Entrepreneurs have three primary pathways:
Homegrown Development: A route that offers unparalleled control and customization but demands significant resources, time, and capital.
White-label (WL) Purchase: A quicker gateway to launch, WL solutions are off-the-shelf products that have been tested and proven. While cost-effective, they might lack the flexibility some businesses seek.
WL Customization: Marrying the best of both worlds, businesses can buy a WL product and tailor it to their unique requirements.
Liquidity
The Lifeblood of Your Exchange: An exchange’s vitality is intricately linked to its liquidity. Higher liquidity attracts traders, fostering trust and ensuring seamless transactions. When selecting a liquidity provider, businesses should assess efficiency, associated costs, and the breadth of services offered. Established methods like the Prime of Prime (PoP) and independent aggregation serve different needs and come with their distinct advantages.
Promotion, Growth, and Longevity
With the infrastructure in place, the spotlight shifts to promotion. A well-rounded promotional strategy encompasses both client acquisition—via avenues like digital advertising, collaborations, and content marketing—and client retention, by constantly enhancing the platform’s features and offering. Beyond this, two pillars will define an exchange’s longevity: stellar customer support and a robust, forward-thinking recruitment strategy.
Next Step in the Crypto Odyssey
Launching a cryptocurrency exchange might seem daunting, but with the right partner, it becomes a path of innovation and growth.
