Home Blog Page 1271

What to Look for When Buying an SUV

By
SM
-
Image by Mike from Pixabay

The need for versatility and practicality in our vehicles has never been greater. Whether you’re embarking on a cross-country road trip, navigating city streets, or simply shuttling the family around town, the Sport Utility Vehicle, or SUV, has become the go-to choice for many. But with a plethora of options on the market, finding the perfect SUV can be a daunting task. 

Fear not, as we embark on a journey to discover the essential factors to consider when purchasing your next SUV. From size and fuel efficiency to safety features and technology, we’ll guide you through the maze of options to ensure you drive away with the SUV that perfectly suits your needs and desires. Let’s get started.

Understand Your Needs

Before embarking on the journey of buying an SUV, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand your unique needs and priorities. Consider how you plan to use the vehicle in your daily life. Are you seeking a family-friendly SUV with spacious seating for kids and gear? Or perhaps you prioritize fuel efficiency for daily commuting in urban areas. Your need for off-road capability, towing capacity, or advanced safety features may also vary. 

By identifying your specific requirements and preferences, you can narrow down your choices and select an SUV that aligns perfectly with your lifestyle, ensuring a more satisfying and practical ownership experience.

Brand and Dealership Availability

When purchasing an SUV, it’s essential to consider the availability of the brand you desire and the proximity of dealerships. Some brands have a broader network of dealerships and service centers, which can simplify maintenance and repairs, as well as provide better access to parts and support. For instance, you can find Subaru Forester for sale in Brisbane at an authorized dealership in the city, with maintenance and repair options ensuring that your SUV stays in top condition and retains its resale value.

Additionally, certain brands may have a reputation for reliability or specific features that cater to your needs. Research the availability of the brand you prefer in your region and evaluate the dealership’s reputation for customer service. This will ensure a smoother ownership experience, with convenient access to maintenance and support when required.

Size and Space

When selecting an SUV, one of the primary considerations is its size and interior space. The size of the SUV you choose should align with your specific needs and lifestyle. Compact SUVs are ideal for urban commuting and offer better fuel efficiency, while midsize and full-size SUVs provide more passenger and cargo space, making them suitable for larger families or those who require ample storage capacity. 

Assess the interior layout, seating configurations, and cargo space to ensure the SUV can comfortably accommodate your passengers and belongings, providing both convenience and comfort for your daily activities and road trips.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency is a critical factor to consider when buying an SUV, especially with the growing emphasis on environmental consciousness and rising fuel costs. A more fuel-efficient SUV not only saves you money at the pump but also reduces your carbon footprint. It’s important to research and compare the miles per gallon (MPG) ratings of different SUV models and engines. 

Keep in mind that hybrid and electric SUVs offer even greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Evaluate your daily driving habits and the distances you’ll cover to determine the most economical choice, balancing your need for power and space with your desire for fuel savings.

Safety Features

Safety should be a paramount consideration when purchasing an SUV. Modern SUVs come equipped with a wide array of advanced safety features designed to protect you and your passengers. Look for features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rearview cameras. These technologies enhance your awareness on the road and mitigate the risk of accidents. 

Additionally, check the SUV’s crash test ratings from organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Prioritizing safety features ensures you and your loved ones are well-protected during your journeys, providing peace of mind on the road.

Performance and Handling

The performance and handling of an SUV play a significant role in your overall driving experience. Consider the type of driving you’ll be doing most frequently when choosing the right performance characteristic. SUVs offer a variety of engine options, from fuel-efficient four-cylinders to powerful V6 or V8 engines, catering to different preferences. Assess the horsepower, torque, and acceleration to ensure it meets your requirements. 

Equally important is how the SUV handles on the road. Take it for a test drive to evaluate factors like steering responsiveness, ride comfort, and stability. A well-balanced SUV with suitable performance characteristics enhances your driving pleasure and confidence behind the wheel.

Technology and Infotainment

Technology and infotainment features are pivotal considerations when purchasing an SUV. The quality of the infotainment system, touchscreen interface, and connectivity options can significantly impact your driving experience. Look for user-friendly interfaces, responsive touchscreens, and compatibility with smartphone integration systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Additionally, explore the availability of advanced technology packages, including features like GPS navigation, premium sound systems, and driver assistance tools. These innovations not only keep you connected and entertained but also enhance convenience and safety during your travels, making your SUV a hub of connectivity and functionality.

Price and Resale Value

Price is a crucial factor when buying an SUV, and it’s essential to establish a budget that aligns with your financial capabilities. Consider not only the initial purchase price but also long-term ownership costs, including insurance, maintenance, and fuel expenses. 

Furthermore, research the expected resale value of the SUV model you’re interested in. Some vehicles retain their value better than others, which can significantly impact your total cost of ownership over time. Evaluating both the upfront cost and potential resale value ensures you make a sound financial decision and get the most value from your SUV purchase in the long run.

Purchasing an SUV involves a multifaceted decision-making process. It requires a careful balance of personal preferences and practical considerations. Understanding your needs, assessing safety features, and factoring in performance and handling are crucial steps in finding the right fit. Additionally, considering technology offerings and evaluating the overall cost, including resale value, ensures a well-rounded decision. By taking all these factors into account, you can confidently select an SUV that not only meets your current requirements but also enhances your driving experience in the long term.

Why Private Number Plates Are a Growing Trend Worldwide?

By
SM
-

In an age where personalisation reigns supreme, vehicles have become more than just a mode of transportation; they’ve become a canvas for self-expression. One striking way individuals make their mark on their cars is by acquiring private number plates. This trend, which has been gaining momentum across the globe, allows people to fuse their distinct personalities with their vehicles, making each journey a unique statement of identity. From personalised phrases to cherished dates, the allure of these plates knows no bounds, and its worldwide appeal is rising. This article dives deeper into the captivating world of personalised vehicle identifiers.

Personal Expression:

It allows individuals to express their unique personalities or sentiments through vehicles. Whether it’s a favourite phrase, a special date, or a clever abbreviation, these plates provide a canvas for creative self-expression. People appreciate the ability to add a personal touch to their cars, making them more than just modes of transportation but an extension of their identity.

Status and Prestige:

While personalisation is key, these have long been associated with prestige and status. Many individuals view them as a symbol of success or exclusivity. Owning a unique plate can elevate the perceived value of a vehicle, making it a desirable choice for those who value status symbols.

Investment Potential:

These aren’t just about aesthetics or status; they can also be a savvy investment. Unique combinations and sought-after sequences can be appreciated over time. Collectors often buy plates with the hope that they will become more valuable as they become rarer. This investment potential adds an extra layer of allure to these number plates.

Easy customisation:

The ease of customisation is a significant factor contributing to the popularity of these number plates. In many countries, the process is straightforward and accessible, allowing individuals to choose their combination of letters and numbers. This simplicity makes it an attractive option for those who want to personalise their vehicles without hassle.

Memorable Marketing:

Businesses have also recognised the marketing potential of these number plates. Companies can create a memorable and mobile advertisement by featuring their brand or a catchy slogan on a vehicle’s plate. This form of marketing catches the eye and leaves a lasting impression on potential customers.

Regional Variations:

The popularity of these number plates varies from region to region. In the United Kingdom, private plates, or “cherished plates” as they are often called, have been a tradition for decades. The combination of letters and numbers, like “BO55” (which resembles “BOSS”), has been particularly popular. 

Technological Advancements:

Advancements in technology have made it easier than ever to design and create unique number plates. Digital printing and laser etching techniques allow for intricate designs and a wide range of customisation options. This technological progress has made it more accessible and attractive to a broader audience.

Summing it Up:

In conclusion, private number plates are more than a growing trend; they reflect our desire for personalisation, status, and investment. Whether it’s a whimsical combination, a symbol of success, or a smart financial move, private plates hold a unique appeal that transcends borders. As technology continues to advance, and as individuals seek new ways to stand out and express themselves, the popularity of these number plates will likely continue to grow worldwide. So, whether it’s for personal expression, status, or investment, it’s no wonder that these have become a global phenomenon.

Fueling Your Luck: NASCAR-Inspired Online Slots for Big Wins

By
SM
-
Photo by Carl Raw on Unsplash

Delving into the high-adrenaline world of NASCAR-inspired online slots, enthusiasts discover a thrilling arena of big wins and undeniable entertainment. 

Imbued with the compelling aura of motor racing, these slots intricately incorporate the dynamic aspects of NASCAR, making the gameplay electrifying for both racing and gaming aficionados. 

Engage with these gaming modules and you’ll find yourself immersed in a vibrant atmosphere where the roar of the engines, the speed of the cars, and the thrill of the race are seamlessly integrated into every spin and win.

Dynamic Gameplay Features

NASCAR-themed slots offer distinctive gameplay elements reflecting the intensity and excitement inherent in car racing. These games are designed not only to entertain but also to provide a lucrative gaming experience. 

They often feature symbols and icons synonymous with the racetrack, providing a visual feast for players while enhancing the game’s authenticity and immersion level. The various game symbols, from helmets and trophies to race cars and drivers, are meticulously designed to mirror the high-energy, competitive spirit of NASCAR races.

In-game features typically include wild symbols that boost the player’s chances of landing winning combinations, scatter symbols that unlock bonus rounds or free spins, and multipliers that exponentially increase winnings. 

Players can engage in a riveting race while watching the reels spin, reflecting the game’s exhilarating speed and momentum. Additionally, bonus rounds often simulate racing scenarios where players can select cars, drivers, and race tracks, further deepening the interactive and immersive gaming experience.

Unique NASCAR-Inspired Themes

The thematic expressions found in NASCAR slots are as varied and captivating as the sport itself. 

Game developers meticulously craft these themes to resonate with the essence of motor racing. These themes generally embody the vigor, competition, and triumph associated with NASCAR events, fostering a deeper connection between the player and the game. 

Players will also notice the accurate representation of various NASCAR circuits, each with its unique set of challenges and characteristics, rendered with high-quality graphics and sound effects for an immersive experience.

Examples of prominent themes include but are not limited to:

  • Legendary Drivers: Games may showcase iconic NASCAR personalities, paying tribute to their legacy and achievements on the racetrack.
  • Famous Races: Some slots are inspired by notable NASCAR events, incorporating elements and memorabilia from these celebrated races to add historical value and nostalgia.
  • Car Workshops: These themes delve into the technical side of racing, focusing on vehicle tuning, modifications, and the overall preparation that precedes each race. The meticulous attention to detail in these themes allows players to explore the nuanced world of NASCAR from a unique perspective.

Optimal Strategies for Success

Approaching NASCAR-inspired slots with an informed strategy can significantly increase the likelihood of securing big wins. Implementing effective money management techniques is crucial. 

Set a budget, understand the betting limits of the selected slot, and adjust the bet size accordingly to prolong the gaming session and enhance the chances of hitting bonus features. Being disciplined in managing your bankroll ensures sustained gameplay, preventing any hasty decisions made in the heat of the moment that could lead to significant losses.

Understanding the game’s paytable is equally important. The paytable displays the worth of each symbol and provides information on the game’s special features and bonus rounds. Players should also identify the Return to Player (RTP) percentage, which indicates the slot’s payout potential over time. 

Slots with higher RTP rates are generally more rewarding. Familiarizing yourself with the game’s volatility can also be insightful, as it gives an indication of the frequency and size of potential payouts. A game with low volatility will offer frequent but smaller wins, whereas a high volatility game will provide larger wins but less often.

Conclusion

Navigating through the exciting domain of NASCAR-inspired online slots unveils a landscape where the electrifying spirit of racing harmoniously merges with the enticing prospects of gaming wins. 

By understanding the dynamic features, embracing the unique themes, and applying informed strategies, players position themselves on the virtual starting line, ready to fuel their luck for a triumphant gaming experience. 

With each spin, the player is offered a front-row seat to a fusion of the intense competition found on NASCAR tracks and the tantalizing possibility of achieving significant financial victories on the slot floor.

For those seeking additional avenues for online gaming success, be sure to check out this comprehensive article on the best real money online slots.

Spire Motorsports, Carson Hocevar, Agree to Multi-Year Contract

By
Official Release
-

CONCORD, N.C. (October 10, 2023) – Today, Spire Motorsports announced it has agreed to a multi-year contract with three-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race winner and 2023 championship contender Carson Hocevar to drive the team’s No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS).

Hocevar, 20, made his NCS debut for Spire Motorsports June 4 at World Wide Technology Raceway and has since competed five more times in NASCAR’s premier division for Legacy Motor Club. He earned an impressive career/series best 11th-place finish at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in just his fourth start.

The Portage, Mich., native has been a standout at every level in which he’s competed, beginning with USAC quarter midgets and now, culminating at NASCAR’s highest level.

“I mean, anybody in my position wants to be a Cup Series driver,” said Hocevar. “That’s what you dream about when you’re young. You want to race on Sundays. So, my opportunity to run a few times this year, to run on Sunday and get ready, I feel more than prepared to get in the No. 77 car with Spire. That team is growing exponentially and I’m just excited for everything. I have a unique opportunity to build something and grow with it, while growing myself at the same time. For what we’ve been able to do from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to Cup is pretty crazy. I know it seems like a big jump. With all the tools and resources, and everybody at Spire Motorsports, they have put a lot of faith in me, and I have a lot of faith in them. We all have faith in the whole program. I feel like we can come out of the gate like we’ve done this for years.”

Spire Motorsports was founded in 2018 and has logged 280 Cup Series starts, posting one win, five top fives and nine top 10s. Since then, its teams and drivers have become Cup Series mainstays.

Hocevar will be teamed with Corey LaJoie, driver of the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet and rising star Zane Smith, who will campaign the team’s third entry on behalf of Trackhouse Racing.

Following the 2023 season, the team will relocate from its current Concord, N.C., headquarters to Mooresville, N.C. Earlier this month, Spire Motorsports announced the acquisition of a third NASCAR charter and will house an additional NCS entry for Smith.

“Corey and I have a great relationship,” said Hocevar. “Obviously, that’s going to exponentially grow when we spend day-to-day and week-on-week together, talking in the same meetings, working with the same people and same group, trying to pull the rope in the same direction. We’ve already started. He seems to have a lot of interest in what I’m doing, what my cars are driving like, and vice versa. We’ve started to compare driving notes a little bit. We talk about what each other is doing. I’m sure we’ll constantly be making ourselves go faster. There’s not a race within the shop, but we’ll work to make each other better.

“Me and Zane have talked a little bit and compared driver notes, too, at the Cup race at Texas a couple weeks ago. Obviously, he’s coming in for a year at Spire so we talked a little bit. But, at the same time, we’re racing each other for a Truck Series championship so we compared Cup notes but stopped right there.”

Hocevar is currently second in the NCTS championship standings with two races remaining, just 10 points outside the top spot heading into the division’s penultimate race next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

He made his NCTS debut August 1, 2019 at Eldora Speedway and, since then, has collected one pole, 20 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes, including five runner-up efforts. He finished 10th in NCTS points in 2021 and 2022.

Hocevar began racing USAC quarter midgets when he was seven-years-old and amassed 79 feature wins and 15 national championships. He has close ties to fellow Michigan driver Johnny Benson Jr., a former NASCAR Xfintiy Series (NXS) and NCTS Champion.

Hocevar earned his first super late model victory at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway at just 13-years-old and went on to win the track’s premier division championship in 2017. He won the famed Winchester 400 super late model race at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway in 2020 and continues to be a regular at some of the nation’s most high-profile pavement super late model races.

In addition to his NCS debut, Hocevar has made four NXS starts for Spire Motorsports in 2023, with a pair of top-10 finishes coming in May at Darlington Raceway (sixth) and Charlotte Motor Speedway (eighth).

“Carson Hocevar is a proven winner and excels with every opportunity,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “He’s an undeniable talent and reminds me a lot of a young Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski. We’re thrilled to have him join the Spire Motorsports family and help us continue to raise our competitive bar. Carson has driven the wheels off everything he’s ever raced and done more with less on multiple occasions. He has a knack for getting the most out of his equipment and that speaks directly to his desire behind the wheel. His attitude is infectious and he’s the kind of guy who’s just fun to be around. We think he’ll complement Corey and Zane very well.

“We’re also very grateful to Ty Dillon for everything he’s done for our organization and the No. 77 team, in particular. Ty came to Spire Motorsports after the 2022 season and has put his best foot forward. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him. We know he’ll land with a top-flight race team and wish him the very best.”

In the meantime, Hocevar is determined not to be distracted from the task at hand – pursuing NCTS championship honors for Niece Motorsports. He’ll also continue in his role with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB at the controls of the No. 42 Chevrolet for the final four races of the 2023 season.

“I’ve always been super easy going and I just kind of let things do what they need to do,” offered Hocevar. “If it was anything other than racing, I’d be overwhelmed and stressed and worried but, once I’m in a race car and put a helmet on, I forget anything (else) is happening.”

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 will field 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 CRAFTSMAN 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.

DRUMSTICK® CO-BRANDS NO. 47 SMITHS® CAMARO AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

By
Official Release
-

2023 DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION Ricky Stenhouse Jr. set to appear at Smith’s

raced-themed activation event in Las Vegas on Friday.

HARRISBURG, N.C. (October 10, 2023) – – With four NASCAR Cup Series races remaining, Smith’s® and Drumstick® are joining forces both in-store and online, as well as on the track, supporting Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 47 Camaro ZL1 team at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the South Point 400. This is the second race for both Smith’s and Drumstick this year and they have similar goals of capturing the attention of millions of NASCAR’s brand loyal fans.

“A Drumstick® sundae cone is the perfect snack to enjoy during a long day on the track,” said Scott Wun, Associate Brand Manager for Drumstick®. “We’re excited to continue supporting DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at the South Point 400 in Las Vegas this upcoming weekend and look forward to seeing America’s favorite sundae cone in action.”

Prior to the No. 47 Smith’s / Drumstick Camaro hitting the 1.5-mile oval, Stenhouse Jr. will be making an appearance at Smith’s located at 9710 W. Skye Canyon Park Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89166 on Friday at 4:30 PM Pacific. The race-themed activation (from 3 PM to 7 PM Pacific) is presented by Drumstick®, Entenmann’s®, Cottonelle®, Cheez-It®, Tree Top® Apple Sauce and Blue Buffalo™.

“We’re looking forward to having Drumstick on our Camaro with Smith’s and appearing at the store on Friday,” said Stenhouse Jr.

Also, on site at Smith’s there will be a ‘Race to Vaccinate’ mobile unit, which provides consumers a convenient and unique way to get vaccinated against preventable and common illnesses. Then on the following day after the store appearance, Stenhouse Jr. practices and qualifies his No. 47 Smith’s / Drumstick Camaro ZL1. The Olive Branch, Mississippi native has one top-five and two top-10 finishes in 16 starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“We learned some things at Vegas earlier this year,” said Stenhouse Jr. “The car was tighter than what we anticipated. It started to get better the last two runs, and we were more competitive from where we were at the beginning of the race. We’ll apply what we learned to our No. 47 Smith’s / Drumstick Camaro this weekend.”

Live coverage of the South Point 400 on Sunday starts at 2:30 PM ET on NBC, PRN and SIRIUSXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90).

About Drumstick®:

Drumstick® is the original sundae cone and America’s Favorite since 1928. But we’re not your run-of-the-mill snack. We are more nutty, more layered, more textured, and more bold. Add a little sprinkle of ridiculous and it makes sense why we were originally named after a chicken leg! So, the next time you’re looking for a lift, break your routine, get a little loose, and embrace the unexpected with us. From our King size cones to our Mini Drums™, to our caramel & fudge filled centers and crushed cookie coatings, our delicious portfolio of flavors, sizes, and textures means we have a cone for you!

Code 3 Associates Racing: Chase Briscoe Las Vegas Advance

By
Official Release
-

CHASE BRISCOE
Las Vegas Advance
No. 14 Code 3 Associates Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: South Point 400 (Round 33 of 36)

● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 15

● Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

● Layout: 1.5-mile oval

● Laps/Miles: 267 laps/400.5 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 85 laps / Final Stage: 102 laps

● TV/Radio: NBC / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 14 Code 3 Associates Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), is set to make his sixth NASCAR Cup Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Sunday’s South Point 400.

● In five Cup Series starts at Las Vegas, Briscoe has a best finish of fourth earned last year during the NASCAR Playoffs. He took the lead on a lap-246 restart and held it for the next six laps when the race quickly returned to caution. Briscoe lost the lead on the ensuing restart on lap 252 but maintained his position in the top-five over the final 15 laps.

● In 2020, Briscoe earned his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win of the season in the March race at Las Vegas, then returned in September to complete the sweep. He also made one NASCAR Truck Series start there in 2017, which resulted in a third-place finish.

● Joining Briscoe and the No. 14 team at Las Vegas will be longtime SHR partner Code 3 Associates, which has been a hero to animals for more than 30 years. If disaster strikes, Code 3 will deploy its Animal Rescue Team to help in emergencies like hurricanes, fires and floods.

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 Code 3 Associates Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

The No. 14 team has shown a lot of improvement on the intermediate tracks since the series’ first visit to Las Vegas earlier this year. What has changed?

“I think it’s been a combination of changes. Stewart-Haas Racing has put a lot of work in to get better as an organization and we’ve made a lot of changes in how we do things on the No. 14 team that have led us to find a little more consistency on the intermediates. We really struggled to find some middle ground earlier this season, we were either really good or really bad. If you look at the last few intermediates – Darlington, Kansas, and Texas – we were able to find something that worked. I think our worst finish out of those was Darlington, and that was a struggle but turned out better than we could’ve hoped. Texas was a good day for us and I think we can use something from those races to help us continue to improve on the intermediate tracks.”

You’re down to the last four races of the season. What are you most looking forward to in the final stretch?

“We’ve got four more chances to learn on the track for next year and I feel like two of those may also be chances to get a win. We’ve been really good at Martinsville and Phoenix and I don’t see that changing. I’d love to finish the season with a win but, no matter what, we’ve come a long way this year and have turned a tough start into a decent finish. We have learned a lot and have a good start on next season. We’ll just keep taking advantage of every opportunity to improve and hopefully that pays off for us in the end.”

No. 14 Code 3 Associates Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe

Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: Richard Boswell

Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

Car Chief: J.D. Frey

Hometown: Ferndale, California

Engineer: Mike Cook

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Spotter: Joey Campbell

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala

Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Dakota Ratcliff
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Jack Man: Dylan Moser

Hometown: Monroe, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams
Hometown: Naples, Florida

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips
Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Rob Fink

Hometown: Mocksville, North Carolina

Ryan Reed Returns to the Xfinity Series

By
Official Release
-

Alpha Prime Racing in a partnership with MBM Motorsports is excited to announce Ryan Reed as the driver of the #66 Tandem Diabetes Care Chevy for the “Alsco Uniforms 302” at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this Saturday.

It’s been a five year gap for Ryan Reed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with the two-time winner’s last start occurring in 2018 where finished 12th at Homestead-Miami Speedway. 

“It is so cool to be able to make my return to Xfinity racing,” Ryan commented. “The Xfinity Series was my home for many years, so it just feels right to be back!”

Team owner Tommy Joe Martins said, “Ryan has been so great to work with, and it’s fun to see a pro like him have another chance in our series, and bring new sponsors like Tandem along with him.” 

Tandem Diabetes Care is an American medical device manufacturer based in San Diego, California. The company develops medical technologies for the treatment of diabetes and specifically insulin infusion therapy. 

“I can’t thank Tandem Diabetes enough for coming on board and helping make this happen.” Ryan said, “Also Scott and Mandy Critchley and all the folks from Critchley Family Farms!”

Martins went on to thank MBM Owner/Crew Chief Carl Long saying, “if it wasn’t for Carl helping us with this effort, it wouldn’t be possible. He’s a racer through and through and I have a ton of respect for him and his race team.”

The Las Vegas effort is the 2nd time in 2023 MBM & Alpha Prime Racing have partnered together, the other at Atlanta Motor Speedway with APR Owner/Driver Caesar Bacarella earlier this spring.

You can tune into practice & qualifying for the Alsco Uniforms 302 Friday at 7:05 pm ET on USA.

PT Autosport to host iRacing eSeries

By
Official Release
-

Winner of the eSeries earns entry into the 2024 Aspiring Driver Shootout final

MILLVILLE, NJ (10 October 2023) – PT Autosport has announced a new iRacing Sim-based winter series that offers a real-world prize to the winner: automatic entry into the finals at the team’s 2024 Aspiring Driver Shootout.

The four-round iRacing winter series will take place each Saturday from November 18 to December 16 at Noon EST, with a break for Thanksgiving weekend. But the series comes with a significant twist: the car and track combinations will be announced within an hour of the competition, removing the chance to test cars and setup in advance, which significantly levels the playing field.

In addition, various secret twists will test drivers on their adaptability and determination, just like in real world scenarios.

The first race will act as qualifying, with subsequent weekends as the quarter finals, semi-finals and the series finale. The winner will receive a direct entry into the 2024 Aspiring Driver Shootout final, where he or she will have the opportunity to compete for a prize fund scholarship that will help start their racing career.

Competitors can sign up for the series on the PT Autosport website. Each of the 2023 Aspiring Driver Shootout entrants received free entry.

“In the two years of doing the Shootout, we’ve had a number of candidates who had massively impressive Sim experience and large online followings,” said PT Autosport team principal Jason Myers. “We realized after the second Shootout just how important it is to try and cultivate a field of up-and-coming drivers both in the Sim and in the real world, because making the jump from serious Sim racing to actual driving has proven on occasion to be very successful. In fact, (2022 Shootout winner) Henry Drury and (2022 Shootout Runner Up) Bryce Rodriguez along with numerous other Shootout participants are accomplished Sim racers.”

PT Autosport is committed to providing opportunities to young racers who would not otherwise have the chance to compete. Drury has competed in select PCA and SCCA races during the 2023 season, with 2023 Shootout winner Brenna Schubert in a to-be-announced series for the 2024 season. Schubert was also recently announced as a nominee for the Mazda Spec MX-5 Shootout, which will select two drivers to become part of the Mazda Club Racing factory team.

“PT Autosport is all about reducing the barrier to entry for those with the talent to succeed in motorsport,” said Alex Sedgwick, the team’s Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America driver and the driver development director. “With that in mind, I’m really looking forward to our eSports series, where all competitors will be on a totally level playing field and the brightest talents will shine through. The format is super exciting, with minimal practice and lead time for each round, meaning that drivers will not be able to spend hours practicing to find an advantage. It will really be down to those with the best natural ability to adapt and learn that will shine!”

About PT Autosport

PT Autosport is a newly formed racing team currently based at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ. The team campaigns rising star Alex Sedgwick (U.K.) in the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America series for the 2023 season with JDX Racing, 2022 Aspiring Driver Shootout winner Henry Drury (UK) in select PCA and SCCA races during the 2023 season, and 2023 Aspiring Driver Shootout winner Brenna Schubert in a to-be-announced series for the 2024 season.

PT Autosport is working towards bringing diversity and opportunity to the motorsport industry, hosting their annual Aspiring Driver Shootout, in which aspiring drivers aged 18-23 can compete for a $100,000 racing partnership with the team. Visit PTAutosport.com for more info.

PT Autosport social media

Instagram: @pt_autosport
TikTok: @ptautosport
Twitter: @PtAutosport
Facebook: PT Autosport

CORVETTE RACING AT PETIT LE MANS: Win… and Nothing Else

By
Official Release
-

10-hour race brings end of Corvette C8.R era in IMSA championship

DETROIT (October 10, 2023) – Corvette Racing will close its 25th season with a race where it badly wants to return to Victory Circle: Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and the finale of this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The 10-hour endurance race isn’t just the close of the IMSA season; it also closes the era of the Corvette C8.R, which Corvette Racing has fielded since 2020. The race also marks a point of transition to a factory-supported effort for what will become the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R customer program for 2024 – including two Corvette GT3 cars for Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports.

But first things first. There’s no better way to end the season and the life of the C8.R by winning Petit Le Mans for the first time since 2010. Full-season teammates Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor welcome back Tommy Milner with the trio sharing the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in the GT Daytona (GTD) PRO category.

Garcia and Taylor – twice winners this year – still have a remote chance to secure the GTD PRO Drivers, Manufacturers and Teams titles for themselves, Chevrolet and the No. 3 C8.R squad, respectively. A second-place points finish looks more likely as the No. 14 entry only needs to start the race to win the championship.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to race for in the Corvette camp. A victory at 2.54-mile, 12-turn Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta would mean a first victory in Petit Le Mans for both Garcia and Milner, plus give Taylor a victory in his final event with Corvette Racing before returning to prototype competition next year.

A total of 53 cars in five classes make up the entry list for the Road Atlanta round, including eight entries for GTD PRO. Add that to the roller-coaster nature of the track – plus going from day to night – and the risk for incidents and accidents goes up. That will put a premium on car consistency and reliability in addition to patience by each of the three Corvette drivers.

Chevrolet On Display at Road Atlanta

In addition to the many series and events competing during the Petit Le Mans weekend, race fans will have plenty to see and experience from Chevrolet. The Chevrolet Motorsports Display will be full of Chevy vehicles that spectators can learn more about throughout the weekend.

The Chevrolet Motorsports Display opens at 8 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and is located in the Fan Midway above the Road Atlanta main paddock. Numerous Chevrolet vehicles and other highlights include:

  • The 2024 Corvette GT3.R race car that will compete next year in IMSA, the FIA World Endurance Championship at SRO’s GT World Challenge
  • The 2024 Corvette E-Ray convertible and cutaway chassis, plus a Corvette C8.R engine
  • Additional Chevrolet products such as Colorado ZR2, Camaro ZL1 1LE, Silverado 1500 RST, Traverse Premier Redline and Tahoe Z71, plus a variety of Chevrolet Performance parts and accessories
  • An opportunity to receive a 2023 Chevrolet Motorsports t-shirt

The 10-hour Petit Le Mans from Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is scheduled for 11:40 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 14. The race will air live on USA beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET and with the full race stream beginning at 11:35 a.m. on Peacock inside the United States and IMSA.com outside the U.S. IMSA Radio will air all on-track sessions beginning with Thursday’s opening practice at IMSA.com with the race call also on XM 207 and SiriusXM Online 992.

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “This is the same situation as last year. Not being able win this race in the past is always in the back of my mind. We’re also coming off a poor performance at Indianapolis, which wasn’t a very promising preview. That doesn’t mean I’m giving up. I’m definitely going to go for the win. I hope we have a chance; that’s all I ask. Just to have a chance and then it’s up to us if we can manage to win or not.”

End of the C8.R era: “The average results with this car have been really, really good. We managed to win very important races like Daytona, Le Mans, Sebring… I’ve managed to win two championships with Jordan and win the big races. I’m happy that I’ve been part of this project since Day One. I started testing in the simulator several years ago. Being part of the whole process of developing that car was special. I’m happy that what we’ve built and developed has gone on to win so many big races and championships.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “Ever since I’ve been Antonio’s teammate, this one has always been on the top of my list and it’s been on the top of my list, as well. Usually the races you go for every year are Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans plus the championship. Those all kind of stand alone as ones you want to win because they are big-ticket items. Corvette Racing hasn’t won at Road Atlanta in many years, and this must be the only race on the planet that Antonio hasn’t won; I know how badly he wants to win it. And with this being my last race with the team and the program, it would be amazing to have a nice send-off like that. Everyone is fully focused with the championship out of reach, so we can take all the risks on track and on strategy to go for the win. The C8.R has won every major endurance race that it’s done – it’s just missing Petit Le Mans. It would be amazing to check off that last box on this last weekend for this car.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “It’s always felt busy around Road Atlanta because of the nature of the track, which is what makes it fun to drive and fun to race on. When you add 50-something cars, it’s going to be chaotic for sure. With it always being the last race of the year, championships on the line, and drivers and teams who are planning to get a little bit of experience before the next season show up, it all makes the race very hectic and even the practices hectic. Bu it’s always been one of my favorite events. The track is amazing and it provides an awesome atmosphere. I’m excited to back in the Corvette. I’ve been away from racing since March although I’m watching everything. But it’s different when you’re directly involved. I’m looking forward to getting back in the C8.R, go racing again and getting back into the rhythm of it.

“Thankfully I haven’t been just sitting at home twiddling my thumbs during the season. I’ve been in the test car and doing quite a bit in that. More than anything, I’m excited about getting back in a racing environment. I haven’t had that since March. The urgency of getting up to speed, the urgency of getting a read on the racecar and getting back into the rhythm of having traffic to deal with… those will all be good to get back into that rhythm again. From driving the racecar, I don’t think that will be any difference. The intensity of a race weekend is what I’ve missed.”

2023 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – GTD PRO (After 10 of 11 events)

Driver Standings

  1. Ben Barnicoat/Jack Hawksworth – 3,495
  2. Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 3,307
  3. Daniel Juncadella/Jules Gounon – 3,268
  4. Klaus Bachler/Patrick Pilet – 3,230
  5. Alex Riberas/Ross Gunn – 3,122

Team Standings

  1. No. 14 Vasser Sullivan – 3,495
  2. No. 3 Corvette Racing – 3,307
  3. No. 79 WeatherTech Racing – 3,268
  4. No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports – 3,320
  5. No. 23 Heart of Racing Team – 3,122

Manufacturer Standings

  1. Lexus – 3,495
  2. Chevrolet – 3,307
  3. Mercedes-AMG – 3,268
  4. Porsche – 3,230
  5. Aston Martin – 3,133

CORVETTE RACING AT ROAD ATLANTA: By the Numbers

  • 1: As in one team, one manufacturer and one model of car for 25 years: Corvette Racing, Chevrolet and the Chevrolet Corvette
  • 3: Tracks where Corvette Racing has competed in each of its 25 years: Sebring International Raceway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and as of this weekend Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
  • 4: Generations of Corvette Racing entries at Road Atlanta since 1999 – Corvette C5-R (1999-04) Corvette C6.R (2005-2013), Corvette C7.R (2014-2019) and the new-generation Corvette C8.R (2020-current), which made its Road Atlanta debut at September’s six-hour IMSA race in 2020
  • 10: Number of Road Atlanta victories for Corvette Racing dating back to 2000 – eight of those at Petit Le Mans
  • 10: Petit Le Mans wins for Chevrolet – eight in GT and two in Prototype. That ranks third among manufacturers in event history
  • 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
  • 27: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
  • 34: Number of drivers for Corvette Racing since 1999. Ben Keating and Nico Varrone joined that list with their participation – and victory – in the 1,000 Miles of Sebring for the World Endurance Championship
  • 127: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 115 in North America, nine at Le Mans and three in the FIA WEC
  • 282: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 41,826.42: Number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing in its 27 previous trips to Road Atlanta. That represents 16,690 laps or more than 653 trips around Atlanta’s Interstate 285
  • 360,734.30: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. 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. That means Corvette Racing has raced to the moon and more than halfway back!

Corvette Racing at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

1999

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 5th in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Scott Sharp – 4th in GTS

2000

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 3rd in GTS (Fellows pole)

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS

2001

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Scott Pruett – 9th in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS (Pilgrim pole)

2002

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 3rd in GTS (Pilgrim fastest race lap)

2003*

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 3rd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Oliver Gavin/Kelly Collins – 1st in GTS

2003

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Franck Freon – 5th in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Oliver Gavin/Kelly Collins/Andy Pilgrim – 3rd in GTS

2004

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GTS (Gavin pole, fastest race lap)

2005*

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 1st in GT1 (O’Connell pole, fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 2nd in GT1

2005

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 6th in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1 (Beretta pole, Gavin fastest race lap)

2006

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 4th in GT1 (O’Connell pole)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 3rd in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2007

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 3rd in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Max Papis – 1st in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2008

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1 (O’Connell pole, Magnussen fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Max Papis – 2nd in GT1

2009

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GT2

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GT2

2010

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Johnny O’Connell/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen/Emmanuel Collard – 1st in GT (Magnussen fastest race lap)

2011

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Tommy Milner/Antonio Garcia – 17th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen/Richard Westbrook – 4th in GT

2012

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Richard Westbrook – 12th in GT

2013

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 6th in GT (Garcia/Magnussen ALMS GT title)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Richard Westbrook – 10th in GT

2014

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 8th in GTLM

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

2015

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

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Ryan Briscoe – 3rd in GTLM

2016

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 – 3rd in GTLM (Gavin/Milner clinch GTLM title)

2017

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

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

2018

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLM (Garcia/Magnussen clinch GTLM title)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 2nd in GTLM

2019

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 – 7th in GTLM

2020**

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 5th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTLM

2020

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 2nd in GTLM

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

2021

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

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 4th in GTLM (Sims fastest race lap)

2022

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 5th in GTD PRO

* Two-hour, 45 minute races

** Six-hour race

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

Ford Performance NASCAR – Las Vegas Motor Speedway 2 Advance

By
Official Release
-

LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY NOTES

Saturday, October 14 – NASCAR Xfinity Series, 3:30 p.m. ET (USA)
Sunday, October 15 – NASCAR Cup Series, 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

The playoffs heat up this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series both open the Round of 8. Ford’s Chris Buescher and Ryan Blaney continue their bid for a first Cup title while Cole Custer does the same on the Xfinity side.

CURRENT CUP PLAYOFF STANDINGS

The Round of 8 begins this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with Roush Fenway Keselowski’s Chris Buescher and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney still in the hunt for this season’s championship. Both drivers begin the three-race round below the cut line, but have manageable deficits to overcome as Buescher is only three points behind while Blaney is 10.

5th – Chris Buescher (-3)
8th – Ryan Blaney (-10)

NOTE: The Championship 4 field will be determined after Martinsville

Ryan Blaney: “It’s huge (winning the playoff race in Las Vegas). I mean, just having that prep time for two weeks with nothing else on your mind. Joey was able to do it with that group last year and you saw what happened, so it’s a huge advantage. I think Larson did it the year before. I think he won the first race of the Round of 8 and it just gives you so much more prep time for that race. It’s just all you’re thinking about, so that’s a big one. Obviously, everyone is gunning to do it and try to win that one and move on, but it was massive for our group last year and it would be the same big advantage for any group if a playoff car was to win.”

Chris Buescher: “We’ve made a lot of gains across the board and we’ve certainly been a lot more competitive at the last handful of mile-and-a-halves. We don’t have the best results to show for it. We had a tire go down at the end of Kansas and Texas certainly didn’t go the way we hoped, but we’ve had better speed. Going to Vegas, I know we’re gonna be a lot better off this time. Also, that was so long ago that we’ve made a lot of improvements as an organization. I know the garage probably has, but we’ve been able to measure our gains across a lot of different racetracks and mile-and-a-halves certainly being one of those styles. We’re looking at it as a great way to start our Round of 8.”

BLANEY AND BUESCHER AT LAS VEGAS

Ryan Blaney has made 14 career starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and is still looking for his first victory. The Team Penske driver has one pole, eight top-10 and five top-5 finishes during that time with his best result being fifth, which he’s done five times. Chris Buescher, on the other hand, has made 13 Cup Series starts with only one top-10 effort, that being a ninth-place run with RFK in the 2020 playoff race.

VEGAS IS STATISTICALLY LOGANO’S BEST TRACK

Joey Logano has three career victories at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and those wins have helped make the track his best statistically on the circuit. Logano sports an 8.1 average start and 9.9 finish in 20 career starts, including a victory in last season’s playoff race. In fact, it’s the only track in which he’s made more than 10 career starts where his average finish is in single digits. Besides his three victories, Logano has 7 top-5 and 12 top-10 finishes at LVMS since joining the circuit in 2009.

ROUSH RULES

There have been two RFK drivers who have posted consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victories at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jeff Burton won in 1999 and 2000 while Matt Kenseth did it in his championship season of 2003 and 2004. In fact, RFK has been a force in both the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR XFINITY Series at the 1.5-mile facility. The organization has posted seven NCS wins and six NXS victories for a total of 13 overall, which includes back-to-back weekend sweeps in 1999 and 2000. In addition, RFK has three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series triumphs.

SWEEP DELIGHT FOR KESELOWSKI

Brad Keselowski completed a weekend sweep in 2014 after taking the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series events on consecutive days. Even though Keselowski led the most laps in the NCS race, he needed a little bit of luck and got it on the final lap when Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was in conservation mode, ran out of gas on the back straightaway. That enabled Keselowski to win going away and post the first of his six victories that season.

CUSTER OPENS ROUND OF 8

Cole Custer is carrying the Ford postseason banner and heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Round of 8 opener with some ground to make up on the field. Custer is seeded fifth and finds himself two points below the cut line, but has a solid record at LVMS. In six career series starts, Custer has started on the pole three times (consecutively from 2018-19) and does not have a finish worse than 12th as he owns an average finish of 8.0. Custer qualified third and finished 12th on the first trip to Vegas earlier this year.

FORD’S LAS VEGAS CUP SERIES WINNERS

1998 – Mark Martin

1999 – Jeff Burton

2000 – Jeff Burton

2003 – Matt Kenseth

2004 – Matt Kenseth

2008 – Carl Edwards

2011 – Carl Edwards

2014 – Brad Keselowski

2016 – Brad Keselowski

2018 – Kevin Harvick (1) and Brad Keselowski (2)

2019 – Joey Logano (1)

2020 – Joey Logano (1)

2022 – Joey Logano (2)

FORD’S LAS VEGAS XFINITY SERIES WINNERS

1999 – Mark Martin

2000 – Jeff Burton

2002 – Jeff Burton

2005 – Mark Martin

2009 – Greg Biffle

2012 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

2013 – Sam Hornish Jr.

2014 – Brad Keselowski

2017 – Joey Logano

2020 – Chase Briscoe (Sweep)

1...1,2701,2711,272...6,666Page 1,271 of 6,666