Home Blog Page 1248

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Saturday Quotes Package

By
Official Release
-

Final day of Roar weekend features qualifying shootout to set Rolex 24 grid

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2024) – The four first-year Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs will roll into Sunday’s qualifying session for the Rolex 24 At Daytona following three test sessions Saturday as part of the Roar Before the 24 weekend on Daytona International Speedway’s road course.

Through two days and five sessions, Corvette Racing factory driver Tommy Milner has the best time in the GT Daytona (GTD) PRO class for Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports in the No. 4 Oshkosh/Mobil 1 Corvette Z06 GT3.R. The 2016 Rolex 24 GTLM class-winner and lead development driver for the Z06 GT3.R set a best lap of 1:45.844 (121.084 mph) in a tight and crowded field; 11 GTD PRO cars were within a second after Saturday.

Milner set his best lap in Saturday morning’s session. On the opposite end of the spectrum, new factory teammate Daniel Juncadella was the quickest driver in the No. 3 Z06 GT3.R with a 1:46.387 (120.466 mph) effort in night practice that was good enough to put the No. 3 sixth in class. Both GTD PRO entries spent time in the garage during the day to address an intermittent electrical issue. The pair of Corvettes returned to record laps in Saturday’s night session.

In GTD, customer team AWA steadily continued its progress during its first event weekend with the Corvette brand.

The No. 13 Z06 GT3.R, in the hands of Alex Lynn, was the 12th fastest car in class after five sessions with a lap of 1:46.314 (120.548 mph) during the night-time running.

First-year factory driver Charlie Eastwood was 17th in GTD after two days of Roar testing in the No. 17 Corvette. Eastwood’s best time was a 1:46.383 (120.470 mph) during Saturday morning’s session. Despite the running order, Eastwood was still within 0.644 seconds of the class leader – a testament to the depth of the 23-car field, which is the largest of the four WeatherTech Championship classes.

The Roar Before the 24 concludes with Sunday’s GTD PRO and GTD qualifying for the Rolex 24 scheduled for 1:55 p.m. ET. The session will stream live around the world on IMSA.com.

CORVETTE RACING MEDIA INFORMATION

Corvette Racing media information is updated and available ahead of the Roar Before the 24 as well as next week’s Rolex 24 At Daytona for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Materials include Corvette Racing event advance and quotes, Corvette Racing stats and figures, Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecar comparisons, Corvette Racing Fast Facts, driver biographies and Corvette Racing photography, among other items.

CORVETTE RACING BY PRATT MILLER MOTORSPORTS SATURDAY DRIVER QUOTES

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Overall I’m pretty happy with how the Corvette Z06 GT3.R has been in both days of practice so far. Every time I’ve been in, it has felt very good and I’m happy with the balance. Realistically at this point we’re still trying some things to find some speed in a couple of the high-speed sections like the Bus Stop, so there is still work to do. All things considered, from where we were during testing in December to what things feel like now, we’re very happy.”

DANIEL JUNCADELLA, NO. 3 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m loving it so far. It’s great to be in a new environment. Everything that I have seen so far is very exciting. On the car side, the Corvette feels very good. There are still some miles to go and things we need to go through, but the first feeling is very good. We seem to be competitive as well. On the team side and with our personnel, it feels great. This is a great environment. I feel very much at home so far. I don’t want to get my expectations too high because it’s a long race, it’s still a long way away and many things need to go in your direction to have a chance. But so far so good.”

AWA SATURDAY DRIVER QUOTES

ALEX LYNN, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “So far, so good to be honest. I think we’ve had a really productive first couple of days at AWA. It’s the first time we’ve really run the Corvette hard in anger. We’ve had a lot of help from Corvette Racing and Pratt Miller, which has been great. The team is finding its feet really well with this car. We’re ticking boxes. We feel like we have a really great car under us and are just working through our stuff. It’s going to be a big fight next weekend. You can feel the intensity ramping up. There are a lot of great cars and a lot of great teams that are up for this one. I’m excited to get going.”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 17 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Yesterday was a steep learning curve for everybody. We did a test in December, but once you go into the pressure of a race weekend it all ramps up. I think we were all just finding our feet early. The transformation from yesterday afternoon to this morning – in terms of car feel, performance and everything the team was putting together – was incredible. To be fair, in both the sessions today we looked quite strong. It’s looking very positive but we are continuing to go through all the normal procedures… for example the guys have never changed a set of brakes, we’ve never done an oil dump. Getting all these contingencies and what-ifs are things we continue to try to get through. That list of stuff that we needed to run through felt like it was endless, but we’ve gone through so much and I feel like within in the team we are confident in our own ability. To go through that in basically two race event days is pretty promising.”

CORVETTE RACING BY THE NUMBERS AT DAYTONA

  • 0.034: As in seconds – the winning margin of victory in Corvette Racing’s 1-2 finish at the 2016 Rolex 24. Up until last year’s LMP2 finish, it was the closest finish in race history
  • 1: Rolex 24 class win for AWA; the team won in LMP3 in 2023. Current team drivers Nico Varrone, Anthony Mantella and Thomas Merrill were part of that lineup
  • 2: Number of the overall winning Corvette C5-R in the 2001 Rolex 24. Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Chris Kneifel and Franck Freon completed 656 laps for 2335.36 miles in the winning effort
  • 4: Number of Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries for the 2024 Rolex 24 – two from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports (GTD PRO) and two from AWA (GTD)
  • 4: Rolex 24 wins for Corvette Racing as an entrant: 2001 overall, 2015 GTLM (Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen/Ryan Briscoe), 2016 GTLM (Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler) and 2021 GTLM (Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg)
  • 9: Corvette/General Motors factory drivers piloting the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in this year’s race: Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Dani Juncadella, Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg, Earl Bamber (Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller) plus Charlie Eastwood, Nico Varrone and Alex Lynn (AWA). Bamber and Lynn also are Cadillac Racing factory drivers in FIA WEC
  • 14: IMSA Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
  • 24: Drivers who have driven for Corvette Racing at Daytona – Justin Bell, Ryan Briscoe, Nicky Catsburg, Kelly Collins, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Marcel Fässler, Ron Fellows, Franck Freon, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, John Heinricy, Chris Kneifel, Robin Liddell, Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner, Simon Pagenaud, John Paul Jr., Andy Pilgrim, Mike Rockenfeller, Scott Sharp, Alexander Sims, Marco Sorensen, Nick Tandy and Jordan Taylor
  • 27: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Fuji Speedway, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
  • 32: Number of drivers for Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 71: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
  • 127: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 115 in North America, nine at Le Mans and three in the FIA WEC
  • 284: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 99,600: Total number of racing laps completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. Barring any issues, the program will go over the 100,00-lap mark at the Rolex 24 of Daytona
  • 361,990.52: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles

Corvette Racing at Daytona (wins in bold)

1999

No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 3rd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Scott Sharp/John Heinricy – 12th in GTS

2000

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 10th in GTS

2001

No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Chris Kneifel/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS (overall win)

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Dale Earnhardt/Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2nd in GTS

2014

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 10th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Robin Liddell – 5th in GTLM

2015

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 1st in GTLM (Magnussen fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Simon Pagenaud – 3rd in GTLM (Gavin pole)

2016

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 2nd in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 1st in GTLM (Winner by 0.034 second)

2017

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 9th in GTLM

2018

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 3rd in GTLM (Magnussen pole)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GTLM

2019

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLM

2020 (Rolex 24 – January)

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 7th in GTLM

2020 (WeatherTech 240 – July)

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 5th in GTLM

2021

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 2nd in GTLM

2022

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 6th in GTD PRO

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Marco Sorensen – 10th in GTD PRO

2023

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTD PRO

About Chevrolet

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

Cadillac Racing continues strong showing

By
Official Release
-

Reigning GTP champion paces field in three of five sessions heading into quals

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 20, 2024) – Consistency was a key takeaway in three sessions totaling 4.5 hours Saturday as Cadillac Racing continued preparations for Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) qualifications for the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Lap times were uniform among drivers of the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R and the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R through changeable track and ambient temperature conditions.

Cadillac Racing entries paced the 10-car GTP field in three of the five test sessions and placed in the top five of the other two.

Qualifying will be streamed on Peacock and IMSA.com beginning at 1:55 p.m. ET Sunday.

Reigning IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP champion. Pipo Derani, who set the quickest lap time on the first day of the Roar Before The 24 at 1 minute, 35.217 seconds, also topped the time chart in the Saturday late morning session at 1:35.372 on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway course. Scott Dixon drove the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R the entire session with a best lap of 1:35.848.

Sebastien Bourdais recorded a best lap of 1:35.488 in the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R in the one-hour afternoon practice that will most closely resemble track and ambient conditions for the 15-minute qualifying. Tom Blomqvist posted a best lap of 1:35.506 as the winner of the Rolex 24 the past two years completed all 29 laps in the session in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R.

Reigning INDYCAR champion Alex Palou closed out the day with the quickest lap of the field in the evening session at 1:35.705 as the ambient temperature dipped to 46 degrees. Jack Aitken drove the No.. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R for the duration, with a best lap of 1:36.251.

The Cadillac V-Series.R racecars combined for 335 laps over the two days of on-track activity.

Cadillac has won the overall Rolex 24 title four times since the inception of the DPi era.

Sebastien Bourdais, No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R: “We’re all just kind of chasing track conditions a bit and working to figure out what we might need. Today felt great with it being my first time back in the car in 2024. We’ll continue to work toward qualifying tomorrow, working through our programs, and getting everybody up to speed as we get ready for the big one, the Rolex 24 At Daytona.”

Scott Dixon, No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R: “These days are interesting because you’re obviously trying to look ahead for the race next week and work with tire allocation. But it’s a lot of fun. We worked through a lot more traffic of course than when we were here in December for the test, but the car was very good. I think it will be pretty good over the long run. The prep has gone well for everybody and we’re just trying to tune in a little bit better as we go.”

Tom Blomqvist, No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R: “Today was kind of an outlier when you look at the forecast what’s in store for us for the race, so with the temperature the car changes. We went through our paces, the normal progression of preparations and not really chasing anything. Qualifying is important and the car is in a good spot, it’s working well. I believe we’re in position to fight for the pole. That is the mini target for now until we get to the main prize next week.”

Working the Roads: What it Takes to be a Professional Driver

By
SM
-
Photo by Craig Adderley

Navigating the highways, bypassing the byways, and moving mountains of cargo, professional truck drivers are the unsung heroes of the highways, ensuring our interconnected world stays that way. But what does it take to become a king or queen of the road? It’s more than just starting the engine and steering the wheel. Let’s explore the lane-by-lane details of a professional driver’s journey.

Mastering the Machine

The first gear in becoming a professional driver is mastery over your rig. It’s not enough to simply drive; one must understand the nuances of their vehicle, from its turning radius to its load limit. Navigating roads of varying conditions, weather changes and varied terrains demands not only knowledge but instinct honed through countless miles on the road.

Dealing with the Unexpected

No journey is without bumps, and for truck drivers, those are often literal. A professional behind the wheel knows that breakdowns and problems are not a matter of if, but when. They are equipped with basic mechanical skills, troubleshooting prowess, and a calm demeanor to handle hitches from blown tires to engine troubles without missing a beat—or a deadline. Along the way, knowing where to find reliable services is invaluable, such as having a link to semi trailer repair in Dallas when you need quick fixes to stay on schedule.

Energy Management

The road can be monotonous, hypnotizing even the most vigilant. Professional drivers understand the importance of managing energy and attention. Rolling rest stops, strategic caffeine consumption, and the art of the power nap become tools as essential as the fuel in the tank. But it’s not all about staying awake; it’s about staying focused and alert, primed to react in a split second to keep safe on the road.

Rule Knowledge and Compliance

A professional driver’s route is plotted on a map laden with legal tape. Compliance with transport laws, understanding the regulation-laden landscape, such as Hours of Service, and staying current with ever-evolving road rules ensures that they don’t just drive—they do so within the guardrails of the law.

Communication and Customer Service

Professional drivers are the bridge between business and customer, a rolling customer service representative. Hence, expert communication skills, patience, and a pleasant demeanor are as crucial as their ability to navigate a hairpin turn.

Stress Management Skills

Driving professionally entails handling stress effectively. The isolation of the road, deadlines, and traffic can all contribute to a high-stress environment. Successful drivers develop robust strategies for managing this stress, ensuring that it does not impact their driving ability or their overall well-being.

Logistical Savvy

The dance of a driver with logistics is delicate. It involves balancing delivery schedules, load management, and route optimization, all while keeping an ever-watchful eye on efficiency. A professional driver is often the first to spot ways to shave miles and minutes, proposing detours that dodge delays and blocks, delivering not just cargoes but solutions.

Health and Lifestyle Balance

Professional drivers know that the seat of an 18-wheeler is more than a workplace—it’s a way of life. Balancing time on the road with personal health and family requires a robust lifestyle strategy. From workout routines cramped into sleeper cabins to creatively healthy meals over a cab stove, they find innovative ways to keep fit and stay connected with loved ones.

Technological Proficiency

In our digital age, professional drivers must also be technologically proficient. The modern cab is equipped with GPS navigation, electronic logging devices, and communication tools that require a tech-savvy touch. Drivers must be able to navigate these systems with ease to ensure they are maximizing their efficiency and compliance with regulations.

Continuous Learning and Improvement

The road to becoming a professional driver is also one of continuous learning and self-improvement. Whether it’s staying updated on industry practices, learning from fellow drivers, or improving their driving techniques, the process of growth never stops for those who wish to excel in this career.

In conclusion, the journey of a professional driver is paved with more than just asphalt. It’s a demanding career that requires skill, adaptability, and a hefty dose of determination. From mastering their mechanical beast to spinning the steering wheel with finesse, these road warriors are a testament to the power of hard work, focus, and a love for the long haul.

Cadillac Racing rises to top of the charts

By
Official Release
-

Reigning GTP champion sets the pace on first day of the Roar Before the 24

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 19, 2024) – A productive opening day of the Roar Before the 24 for Cadillac Racing was punctuated by the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R recording the best lap time of the two sessions on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway.

Reigning IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) champion Pipo Derani set the pace at 1 minute, 35.217 seconds with 12:30 left in the 90-minute session.

Teammates Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist also saw significant seat time in the hybrid racecar.

“It’s getting back into the rhythm,” Derani said “You’ve got to be on your toes. It was a good day, but still you’ve got to keep digging. It’s great to be back. I think the three of us are running fairly similar and want the same thing from the car. We still have our program to go through, and we are ticking those boxes, and hopefully we’ll be as ready as we can for the race week.”

The prelude to the Jan. 27-28 season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona includes three sessions Saturday and a warmup Sunday before the 15-minute GTP qualifying that will set the field for the twice-around-the-clock test.

Ten hybrid GTP racecars are entered in the 62nd edition of the endurance classic.

The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, Scott Dixon and Alex Palou was sixth quick in the second session at 1:36.160 as Palou – the reigning INDYCAR champion – took the lion’s share of the laps. He rejoins the stellar lineup after co-driving for the Chip Ganassi Racing-run team in 2022 at the Rolex 24. The roster features drivers who have combined for 12 INDYCAR championships.

“First time with the GTP and it was a really good day. It was a ton of fun,” Palou said. “I had to learn all of the controls and learn how the car drives with the differences between GTP, DPi and also INDYCAR. We ran a lot of laps and found a few things that can help with the race. We did a long run in the afternoon and also worked on running in traffic. It’s going to be a great weekend.”

Cadillac has won the overall Rolex 24 title four times since the inception of the DPi era. Van der Zande is a two-time winner (2019, 2020) with Cadillac Racing, while third-year teammate Bourdais is also a double winner (2014, 2017). Blomqvist, endurance driver for the championship-winning No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, has won the Rolex 24 the past two years.

Qualifying Jan. 21 will be streamed on Peacock and IMSA.com beginning at 1:55 p.m. ET.

Cadillac Racing Roar Before The Rolex 24 roster

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R: Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, Scott Dixon, Alex Palou

Van der Zande and Bourdais are in their third season as teammates for the full IMSA Grand Touring Prototype season. They won the IMSA GTP race at Laguna Seca in May 2023 and teamed with six-time INDYCAR champion Dixon to place third in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona and runner-up in the season-concluding Petit Le Mans. The trio also finished fourth overall in the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. … Bourdais, van der Zande and Dixon are Cadillac Racing teammates for the Rolex 24 for the third consecutive year. … In 2022, van der Zande and Bourdais co-drove the No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R to three victories — at Long Beach, at Belle Isle and at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park — starting from the pole in the former two. … Laguna Seca 2023 was the 19th IMSA victory for van der Zande and 11th for Bourdais. … Bourdais is a four-time INDYCAR champion. … van der Zande is in his 11th season of IMSA competition. … Palou is the reigning and two-time INDYCAR champion. He teamed with the stellar trio in 2022 for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. In total, the lineup represents 12 IndyCar championships.

No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R: Pipo Derani, Jack Aitken, Tom Blomqvist

Derani is reigning and two-time IMSA Driver champion. He teamed with Aitken and Alexander Sims to win the 2023 Michelin IMSA Endurance Championship. … The trio co-drove to victory March 18 in the Twelve Hours of Sebring. The No. 31 Cadillac started from the pole. Also earned pole at Road America. … They also placed 10th in the Hypercar class in the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans. … Derani is in his sixth season with Action Express and Cadillac Racing. … Derani, who has four overall wins at Sebring, has 12 IMSA wins and eight poles. … Aitken, a Williams F1 reserve driver in 2020-22, moves to full-season driver in 2024. … Blomqvist, the 2022 IMSA DPi Driver champion, won the 2023 and 2022 overall Rolex 24 titles and drove to 2023 pole start. … He will compete in endurance races for the team in addition to a full-time INDYCAR schedule. … Action Express Racing has earned IMSA Team and Driver Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023 as well as securing the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023 Endurance Championships titles.

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Friday Quotes Package

By
Official Release
-

Following first official on-track action for Corvette Z06 GT3.R at Roar Before the 24

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 19, 2024) – The full complement of four Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecars hit the track together for the first time Friday – the opening day of the annual Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway.

The three-day Roar is a lead-in to next week’s Rolex 24 At Daytona and the start of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. A pair of Friday sessions and another three Saturday will lead into Sunday’s 15-minute qualifying session for the two classes in the GT categories – GTD (GT Daytona) PRO and GTD.

Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports in GTD PRO and new Corvette team AWA in GTD are running the Z06 GT3.Rs full-time in IMSA with the Rolex 24 serving as the new Corvette’s worldwide competition debut.

Factory driver Nico Varrone was the quickest Z06 GT3.R driver Friday in the AWA No. 17 Corvette at 1:46.925 (119.859 mph) to rank fourth on the day among the 23 cars in GTD. The 2023 GTE Am champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Corvette Racing, Varrone also won the Rolex 24 a year ago in the LMP3 class with current teammates Anthony Mantella and Thomas Merrill. They’re joined this year by Charlie Eastwood.

Varrone’s best time came in Friday morning’s session.

AWA teammate Matt Bell was ninth in class in the No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R and only 0.157 seconds off the sister car with a lap of 1:47.082 (119.684 mph) in the afternoon session.

In GTD PRO, Alexander Sims was fifth quickest in GTD PRO on Friday for Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports. His best lap of 1:46.971 (119.808 mph) in the No. 3 Oshkosh/Mobil 1 Corvette Z06 GT3.R during the second session put him less than a half-second off the quickest time in class.

Nicky Catsburg was only 0.037 seconds behind his teammate in the No. 4 Oshkosh/Mobil 1 Z06 GT3.R. His best lap was a 1:47.008 (119.776 mph), also from the afternoon.

The Roar Before the 24 continues Saturday with Sunday’s GTD PRO and GTD qualifying for the Rolex 24 scheduled for 1:55 ET p.m. The session will stream live around the world on IMSA.com.

CORVETTE RACING BY PRATT MILLER MOTORSPORTS FRIDAY DRIVER QUOTES

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “This was a useful day. It’s been pretty smooth running where we’ve been able to make quite a few changes and get a good read on them. For me personally, each time I’ve gotten into the car it’s taken a little bit of time to adjust to the ABS again. But it’s nice to get a couple of runs into that zone. We’re working with the team, working through changes. The base setup feels pretty nice and predictable. It’s not killing the tires, and degradation seems OK at the moment. It drives like a Corvette!”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It honestly was a nice day. We started at a certain baseline point and worked our way up to a better feeling car. Honestly, I feel like we still need some additional time, but it already feels like a good starting position. Today was nice. It was kind of nice to get some laps in and get ready for the race. I feel like we now need to work on some of the basics – driver changes, pulling away, stuff like that. But overall I was quite pleased.”

AWA FRIDAY DRIVER QUOTE

NICO VARRONE, NO. 17 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I feel like it was a nice day. First day of the Roar, first official practice. It was really nice to see all the Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs on track all together. In Practice 1, I think I nailed a good lap and that’s why we were near the top. There are still some things we need to work on, and we are working for tomorrow and for sure for the race. Over the lap it was quick, but you never know until it’s race day or at race time. In my opinion, there is a lot to work on. We still need to find traction. That was our biggest issue, and on a long run we were struggling quite a bit. All in all, it was good to get in the car and good to get some feeling back again. I’m looking forward to more practice tomorrow and be ready to keep improving.”

CORVETTE RACING BY THE NUMBERS AT DAYTONA

  • 0.034: As in seconds – the winning margin of victory in Corvette Racing’s 1-2 finish at the 2016 Rolex 24. Up until last year’s LMP2 finish, it was the closest finish in race history
  • 1: Rolex 24 class win for AWA; the team won in LMP3 in 2023. Current team drivers Nico Varrone, Anthony Mantella and Thomas Merrill were part of that lineup
  • 2: Number of the overall winning Corvette C5-R in the 2001 Rolex 24. Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Chris Kneifel and Franck Freon completed 656 laps for 2335.36 miles in the winning effort
  • 4: Number of Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries for the 2024 Rolex 24 – two from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports (GTD PRO) and two from AWA (GTD)
  • 4: Rolex 24 wins for Corvette Racing as an entrant: 2001 overall, 2015 GTLM (Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen/Ryan Briscoe), 2016 GTLM (Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler) and 2021 GTLM (Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg)
  • 9: Corvette/General Motors factory drivers piloting the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in this year’s race: Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Dani Juncadella, Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg, Earl Bamber (Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller) plus Charlie Eastwood, Nico Varrone and Alex Lynn (AWA). Bamber and Lynn also are Cadillac Racing factory drivers in FIA WEC
  • 14: IMSA Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
  • 24: Drivers who have driven for Corvette Racing at Daytona – Justin Bell, Ryan Briscoe, Nicky Catsburg, Kelly Collins, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Marcel Fässler, Ron Fellows, Franck Freon, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, John Heinricy, Chris Kneifel, Robin Liddell, Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner, Simon Pagenaud, John Paul Jr., Andy Pilgrim, Mike Rockenfeller, Scott Sharp, Alexander Sims, Marco Sorensen, Nick Tandy and Jordan Taylor
  • 27: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Fuji Speedway, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
  • 32: Number of drivers for Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 71: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
  • 127: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 115 in North America, nine at Le Mans and three in the FIA WEC
  • 284: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 99,600: Total number of racing laps completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. Barring any issues, the program will go over the 100,00-lap mark at the Rolex 24 of Daytona
  • 361,990.52: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles

Corvette Racing at Daytona (wins in bold)

1999

No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 3rd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Scott Sharp/John Heinricy – 12th in GTS

2000

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 10th in GTS

2001

No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Chris Kneifel/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS (overall win)

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Dale Earnhardt/Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2nd in GTS

2014

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 10th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Robin Liddell – 5th in GTLM

2015

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 1st in GTLM (Magnussen fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Simon Pagenaud – 3rd in GTLM (Gavin pole)

2016

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 2nd in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 1st in GTLM (Winner by 0.034 second)

2017

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 9th in GTLM

2018

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 3rd in GTLM (Magnussen pole)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GTLM

2019

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLM

2020 (Rolex 24 – January)

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 7th in GTLM

2020 (WeatherTech 240 – July)

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 5th in GTLM

2021

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 2nd in GTLM

2022

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 6th in GTD PRO

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Marco Sorensen – 10th in GTD PRO

2023

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTD PRO

About Chevrolet

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

Wright Motorsports Ready for IMSA WeatherTech Action as Team Heads to Daytona International Speedway

By
Official Release
-

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (January 19, 2024) – After a brief but busy off-season, the drivers and crew at Wright Motorsports are descending on Daytona International Speedway to kick off the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This week, January 19 – 21, the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R and its drivers will take part in the Roar Before the 24, the first full-season test of the 2024 WeatherTech season before official sessions get underway in preparation for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 27-28. The team has put great preparation into the event, eager to repeat their 2022 GTD class win at the iconic event.

While the co-drover combination of Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer is nothing new, the pair are set to make their IMSA WeatherTech and Rolex 24 At Daytona debuts this weekend. The pair have previously celebrated success together in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America series, as well as the Michelin Pilot Challenge. In 2023, the duo were leading the season-opening Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Daytona International Speedway when a mechanical issue dashed all hope of victory. The racing craft and speed they demonstrated sets a strong done for the beginning of 2024.

Wright Motorsports veteran and Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Jan Heylen will join as the third driver in the lineup, and the trio will contest all five races in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, in addition to April’s Long Beach Grand Prix. A Florida native, Heylen has celebrated victory on the top step of the grueling endurance race once in 2022 with Wright Motorsports and finished in third place both in 2014 and 2015. Heylen has been a longtime member of the team, acting as a coach and driver for many seasons. His experience and leadership will be an important key to the weekend as they enter an exciting new season ahead.

Porsche factory driver Fred Makowiecki completes the team’s stout lineup, also in the hunt for his first Rolex 24 win. The 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans race winner has participated in the race six times, each time racing a Porsche 911. He holds three podium finishes at the event, with his most recent, 2020, resulting in a third place. This season marks his 10th anniversary as a Porsche Motorsport factory driver, bringing to the team extensive experience with the German manufacturer.

On-track test sessions for the Roar Before the 24 begin on Friday, January 19, and go through the afternoon of Sunday, January 21. That afternoon starting at 1:55 PM ET, all entrants will then qualify by class to set the grid for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. A free and live stream for the qualifying session will air globally on IMSA.TV. For fans in the USA, the entire Rolex 24 At Daytona event will stream live on Peacock, or cable subscribers can watch intermittent hours on NBC (1/27 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, 1/28 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM E) and USA (1/27 2:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET, 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM, and 1/28 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM. IMSA Radio will continue their free and live audio coverage, available on imsaradio.com. for full event information, visit wrightmotorsports.com or imsa.com.

DRIVER QUOTES

Adam Adelson

Coming into 2024, I never thought I’d be participating in my first Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. I’m beyond excited to start this new chapter of my career, and to be able to do it with such incredible talent in Elliott, Jan, Fred, and the whole Wright Motorsports crew makes it all the more special. We’ve been putting in the work in the offseason to make sure we’re coming into this race in top form, and I’m excited to see how all of that hard work will pay off.

Elliott Skeer

It’s finally here, the 2024 season, and for me to call this year special would be an understatement. It is such an incredible feeling to not only make it into the big show and race in the events I’ve grown up watching every second of, but to do it alongside Adam and with the race team I call family. The Roar will be a great test for us to show how all the work over the offseason has paid off, but it is more about gelling with Jan and Fred, and being as prepared as possible for what lies ahead the week after.

Jan Heylen

I’m really excited to be going back to Daytona with Wright Motorsports, Porsche, and my new teammates Adam, Elliott, and Fred. We have a year under our belt with the new car and feel good about the work we’ve done as a team to develop the car. As always, the team is super well prepared, and I feel confident that we can come away with a good result. I’m excited for Adam and Elliott to be doing their first Daytona with us and I hope they will enjoy it as much as I have over the years. I’m also looking forward to be sharing the car with Fred and working with him over the next two weeks.

Fred Makowiecki

I’m very happy to join Wright Motorsports for this race. The Rolex 24 At Daytona is one of the big endurance races in the world and I never got the chance to get this race win, though I have finished several times on the podium. We have a very strong package and I’m looking forward to fighting on track, and to finally be there in the last hour to fight for the win.

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

Kevin Harvick Inc. To Compete for eNASCAR Championship

By
Official Release
-

Will Field Two iRacing Entries With Veteran Drivers in 2024

Harrisburg, N.C. (January 19, 2024) – Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced today it has entered into the world of eSports and will field two entries in the 2024 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series.

Veteran iRacing drivers Matt Bussa and Jimmy Mullins are the newest addition to KHI’s driver line up.

“This is definitely a new chapter for KHI,” said Kevin Harvick. “My introduction to iRacing really came during Covid, and it turned into something my son Keelan and I could do together. Since then, iRacing has been a great tool to help him hone his skills and get virtual seat time for his up-coming races. We’re excited to welcome Matt and Jimmy into the KHI family.”

Matt Bussa, a native of Naperville, Ill., will pilot KHI’s No. 62 Chevrolet. 2024 will mark Bussa’s 12th-consecutive season at eNASCAR’s highest level. The 29-year-old is one of iRacing’s most experienced and multi-talented drivers. His iRacing career includes over 1,200 poles, 2,200 top-five finishes, 1,200 wins and over 45,000 laps led. Additionally, Bussa has a number of years of experience in iRacingGT3 as well as Rallycross World Championships, and was a Skip Barber Formula scholarship winner via the iRacing Skip Barber Race Series.

“I could not be more excited to join the KHI family for the 2024 eNASCAR season,” said Bussa. “This is the perfect home to grow my career and I look forward to accomplishing great things together on and off the track. Thanks to everyone at KHI for this opportunity.”

Mullis, a consistent figure in the iRacing world for nearly a decade, will drive the No. 29 Chevrolet in pursuit of the 2024 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series championship. The Midland, N.C. native is one of the top-10 all-time drivers on iRacing ovals, with thousands of victories and thousands of laps led. A four-year win streak came to an end in 2022, but a dramatic victory at the virtual Nashville Superspeedway landed Mullis a spot in the 2023 playoffs where he would finish ninth in the standings.

“I am extremely excited to be a part of the KHI family for 2024,” Mullins said. “I’m grateful to be driving the 29 car in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series as KHI takes a step into the eNASCAR world. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together both on and off the track. A huge thank you to everyone at KHI for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.”

You can follow KHI’s eNASCAR iRacing journey on Facebook, Instagram and X.

eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series 2024 Schedule

About Kevin Harvick Inc.

Established in 2001 by NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Truck Series and ARCA Series from 2001 through 2011. During that time, KHI earned 10 Xfinity Series wins, 45 Truck Series wins and three Truck Series championships, including two championships with NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday, Jr. Following the 2011 season, KHI stepped away from full-time competition until its return in 2023.

Rette Jones Racing Tabs Kyle Steckly for Full 2024 ASA STARS National Tour Slate

By
Official Release
-

MOORESVILLE, N.C.: Rette Jones Racing confirmed today the signing of second-generation driver Kyle Steckly for the entire 2024 ASA STARS National Tour schedule beginning at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway on Feb. 13, 2024.

The first of a 10-race schedule also confirms the expansion of Rette Jones Racing’s Motorsports platform, which is expected to include ASA, the ARCA Menards Series, and NASCAR throughout the 2024 season.

Steckly, the son of four-time NASCAR Canada Series champion Scott Steckly, arrives at Rette Jones Racing with healthy and impressive racing credentials, including the 2023 APC United Late Model Series championship.

Moving his racing endeavors to the United States in 2024, Steckly, 18, is ready for his newest endeavor. With the leadership of former ARCA Menards Series championship crew chief Mark Rette at his side, the combo hopes for an impressive rookie season that leads to contending for the championship.

“I am so thankful for this opportunity to compete in the 2024 ASA STARS National Tour schedule this year,” said Steckly, a native of Milverton, Ontario, Canada. “With the support of the Rette Jones Racing team, I believe we can have a competitive season and a year with wins and hopefully bring home the championship.

“I know it’s going to be a year of learning – tackling new tracks for the first time in my career, but with the support of my team, our partners, and others, I believe this will be a season to remember.”

Auto Parts Centres (APC) | Canusa will be the primary marketing partner for Steckly’s full ASA STARS season aboard the No. 30 Ford Mustang.

APC Auto Parts Centres | Canusa is a family-owned automotive parts business started in 1981 with over 50 branches stretching across Ontario. APC’s target market is purely trade-based, supplying garages, specialty installers, dealerships, and muffler shops throughout the province.

Auto Parts Centres takes full advantage of the marketing power of motorsports by sponsoring numerous race cars and speedways around the province. APC is the proud title sponsor in the APC Pro Late Model Touring Series that has been recognized as one of Canada’s top series.

“Auto Parts Centres is proud to support the efforts of Rette Jones Racing and Kyle Steckly to compete in what we believe to be one of the most competitive racing series in the world,” offered Corinne Mallough, Marketing Manager APC.

“As a supporter of grassroots racing, we are excited to help showcase the amount of talent the Canadian racing scene really has to offer.”

Steckly added, “I appreciate Luke (Ramsay), Corinne (Mallough) and the entire Auto Parts Centres | Canusa team for continuing my journey and expanding their footprint to partnering with Rette Jones Racing in the United States this season.

“They are such a great ambassador for Motorsports in Canada, and I hope we can continue to build some exposure for them throughout the season, along with some trophies.

“It’s also an honor to represent the Rette Jones Racing brand. Mark (Rette) and Terry (Jones) have built a great identity with strong results and race wins. I am looking forward to driving for them and I cannot thank them enough for the opportunity.”

Mark Rette, team principal of Rette Jones Racing alongside Canadian entrepreneur and former race car driver Terry Jones, believes the team’s expansion to the ASA STARS National Tour will benefit the team’s current and future path.

“It is so awesome to be partnered with Kyle and Auto Parts Centres | Canusa for the full 2024 ASA STARS National Tour schedule,” said Rette. “Kyle comes to Rette Jones Racing with an impressive racing resume and a strong racing family heritage behind him.

“We have high hopes for the year, and with Kye’s talent and the investment our team has made for the ASA STARS National Tour, it will be a season to remember.”

In addition to his 2023 APC United Late Model Series championship, Steckly’s accolades include two APC United Late Model Series wins, the 2023 Grisdale Triple Crown Champion and Gold Rush 123 winner, second-place at Oshweken Speedway with the NASCAR Canada Series on dirt, and winning the pole in the 2023 season finale Pinty’s Fall Brawl at Delaware Speedway in Delaware, Ont.

For more on Kyle Steckly like him on Facebook (Kyle Steckly Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@kyle_steckly) and X | Twitter (@KyleSteckly).

For more on Rette Jones Racing, please visit RetteJonesRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Rette Jones Racing), or follow them on Instagram (@RetteJones30) and X | Twitter (@RetteJones30).

About Auto Parts Centres (APC) | Canusa:

Auto Parts Centres (APC) | Canusa is a family-owned automotive parts business started in 1981 with over 65 branches stretching across Ontario. APC’s target market is purely trade-based, supplying garages, specialty installers, dealerships, and muffler shops throughout the province.

Auto Parts Centres takes full advantage of the marketing power of motorsports by sponsoring numerous race cars and speedways around the province. APC is the proud title sponsor in the APC Pro Late Model Touring Series that has been recognized as one of Canada’s top series.

About Rette Jones Racing:

Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, Rette Jones Racing (RJR) was founded in 2015 with the intent of building a successful racing operation built around the fundamentals of hard work and a never-give-up attitude.

Owned by racers Terry Jones and Mark Rette, RJR plans to field a full-time entry in 2024 in the ASA STARS National Tour Series while also planning to field vehicles in the ARCA Menards Series platform and NASCAR respectively.

Rette Jones Racing also offers technical and setup intel as part of its technical alliance partnership program.

Rackley W.A.R President Willie Allen, a blue-collar executive in a white-collar world

By
Samuel Stubbs
-
Willie Allen President & Chief Operating Officer Photo Credit: Rackley W.A.R.

If you’ve ever wondered what the W.A.R. in Rackley W.A.R. racing stands for, I have your answer.

I had the opportunity to speak with Rackley W.A.R. team president Willie Allen recently, and we talked about everything from the feeling of the team winning at Talladega to his expectations for Ty Dillon and the No. 25 team for 2024. But no story is complete without a green flag.

Allen’s start in racing cycles back to where many current drivers begin – On the go-kart track. 

“I started racing go-karts in high school,” Allen says. “My girlfriend’s dad owned a go-kart shop in Central Tennessee. I always wanted to race, but really didn’t know how to do it. So when I started dating her, I realized he had a go-kart shop there. Casey Atwood drove some for him, built motors and whatnot. I started working after school there to earn some money to build a go-kart and went and raced that. My cousins raced at the Nashville Fairgrounds in Trucks. My father-in-law, Keith, he raced a little bit too. So I got involved with them, and that’s how I got started in Nashville.”

Allen’s driving career then took him to the bright lights of the NASCAR Truck Series in 2007. 

“I started running the Truck Series in ‘07, started doing that and building shocks. While I was racing there in ‘08, I started doing a lot more work with shocks and suspensions. I was also doing some side work with kids, being a crew chief and engineering stuff. I started helping some kids with their driving. I felt I could help kids dial in their braking, throttle trace, steering, brake trace, stuff like that. Somebody wanted to put one of their kids in one of our cars. That idea kind of took off, and that’s how I met Curtis Sutton at Rackley Roofing at the track a few years ago. We were running a car for Brittany Zamora, and she was bringing on Rackley Roofing to sponsor her in the All-American 400, racing our Super Late Model there, and we met Curtis and talked there.”

Both sides agreed to start a truck program while continuing their Late Model venture. 

“It had always been a dream of mine to own a Truck Series team and continue the progression through racing. We formed the team and the rest was history. It’s a dream partnership.”

The team got its first win at Talladega in the fall of 2022 with Matt DiBenedetto, and to say it was a special moment for Allen would be an understatement. 

“It’s unreal. Definitely a dream come true. There’s a lot of people that get into NASCAR. I feel like most of them never win, so to be able to do that is special. It’s not something we take lightly. We put a lot of hard work and effort into the team. For it to come through like that was an exciting and special day. With everything that’s been built over the years, everything Curtis and I have sacrificed. There’s so much sacrifice in racing, as we know. It’s a traveling circus. Everyone works all the time and puts their heart and soul into it. Most of the teams out there have great equipment. It just comes down to the people and how to train and put everyone in place.”

While he enjoyed reflecting on the past, Allen was visibly excited when I mentioned the future of the team, especially their new signing of Ty Dillon. 

“We’re super excited about Ty. The whole deal came about really quick. We got a call from Team Dillon Management who told us about the opportunity. He’s so fired up. I definitely can see the excitement in his eyes. I can see the passion. He’s put a lot of effort in to hit the ground running. I think the Truck Series is going to be a great fit for him. It’s aggressive. He has a lot of experience racing hard. The help and support from RCR is going to be big for us.”

Allen says the team is also getting upgrades in the people and equipment at the shop, thanks to Dillon’s family ties. 

“We’re definitely stepping up our in-house engineering staff. Combining it with their team of engineers and simulation stuff is really exciting. I feel like we’re on an upswing and trending upwards.”

Allen says expectations are the highest they’ve ever been for the team in their short history. 

“I think we can take that next step. We’ve got to execute and keep working hard. The guys on the team are on fire right now trying to do everything they can to make the most of this opportunity and not leaving anything on the table. I’m really excited about the effort everyone is putting forth here at Rackley W.A.R. (Crew Chief) Shane Wilson coming on board is huge. Having his knowledge and expertise, and just knowing the processes is really cool. I’m really excited to see what he brings to the table. Danny Stockman has also been a big hit. His expertise and knowledge of the Truck Series is second to none.”

Allen added that the long-term future of the team is just as exciting as the short-term future. 

“We’re definitely really excited about the development side of Rackley W.A.R. We’re racing Late Models this weekend with Dawson Sutton, Gavin Boschele, and Ross Chastain. It’s really cool to see the eyes we’re attracting here at Rackley W.A.R. So much has changed in the last 10 years as far as driver development. These kids are working their butts off every day and doing every single thing they can to be the best. They’re working with Chevrolet and Lorin Ranier, who is one of the best talent scouts in the world, especially in NASCAR. He helped get Connor Zilsich here. But we have some really cool stuff happening on the Late Model side.”

Allen’s experience on the national stage along with a love for grassroots racing makes him one of the more relatable figures in the ever-changing world of NASCAR ownership. In a world of suits and ties, Allen’s blue-collar attitude toward team ownership may have once seemed redundant but is now bearing fruit in the form of wins and Playoff appearances. 

If you blink, you may miss them, but Rackley W.A.R. is on a collision course with the big dogs of NASCAR.

Your Guide to Motorsports Betting in 2024

By
SM
-
Photo by Oleksandr Baiev on Unsplash

In 2024, motorsports betting will continue and offer enthusiasts an exciting way to engage with their favorite racing events. From the thunderous roars of NASCAR to the sleek precision of Formula 1, the world of motorsports presents a plethora of betting opportunities. Using websites like 22Bet, you can partake in the exciting upcoming 2024 race seasons. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the various betting types and events you can wager on in the upcoming NASCAR Cup series and more.

Betting Types

Race Winner

They are predicting the driver who will cross the finish line first. It’s a straightforward yet adrenaline-pumping bet.

Podium Finish

It is betting on a driver to finish within the top three. This allows for a broader range of possibilities, increasing the chances of a successful wager.

Top-10 Finish

It is wagering on a driver to finish in the top 10. It is a popular choice for those seeking more conservative bets with lower risk.

Fastest Lap

They predict the driver who will record the fastest lap during the race. This type of bet adds an extra layer of excitement to the competition and benefits those with the knowledge of each team’s car specializations.

Head-to-Head Bets

It is betting on the performance of one driver compared to another. This can be based on finishing position or other race-related metrics. This is markedly more exciting when betting on sub-leaderboards like the NASCAR playoffs.

Constructor Championship

Primarily focused on Formula 1, this bet involves predicting the team that will accumulate the most points over the season. This applies to NASCAR as well, but this bet isn’t as popular in America.

Racing Scenes to Bet On

NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) provides a thrilling array of events to bet on. From individual events like the Daytona 500 to the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Playoffs, each race offers unique challenges and betting depending on many different circumstances.

Formula 1

The pinnacle of motorsports, Formula 1, attracts a global audience. Events like the Monaco Grand Prix, British Grand Prix, and the season-culminating Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are prime candidates for motorsports betting. Constructor Championship bets are also incredibly rewarding in Formula 1.

IndyCar Series

Featuring iconic races such as the Indianapolis 500, the IndyCar Series presents an exciting platform for betting enthusiasts who want a less structured racing scene.

Tips for Successful Motorsports Betting

Research Drivers and Teams

Stay informed about the form, track record, and recent performances of drivers and teams. A good example is knowing how fast each driver is on a given track for the Fastest Lap bet.

Understand Track Dynamics

Different tracks have unique characteristics that can impact race outcomes. Consider factors like track layout, surface type, and weather conditions.

Follow News and Updates

Stay abreast of any changes in team dynamics, technical developments, or unexpected events that could influence race outcomes. A team could have a new technological advancement that offers key benefits for a given race.

Conclusion

As motorsports betting continues to capture the imagination of fans worldwide, the 2024 season promises to be filled with heart-pounding moments and thrilling races. By understanding the various betting types, staying informed about events, and adopting a strategic approach, enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the excitement of motorsports betting while maximizing their chances of success. Buckle up for an exhilarating journey into the fast lane of racing wagers!

1...1,2471,2481,249...6,731Page 1,248 of 6,731