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Three Time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Justin Bonsignore Pairs with Rette Jones Racing for ARCA Menards Series Debut at Daytona

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Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C.: Rette Jones Racing confirmed today the signing of three-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) Champion Justin Bonsignore to drive the No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang in this month’s ARCA Menards Series season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Feb. 17, 2024.

A phenomenal career in the Modifieds that boasts 40 wins, the 36-year-old Bonsignore will manhandle a stock car at the “World Center of Racing” for the first time as he looks to deliver the Mooresville, N.C.-based team a victory in the Daytona ARCA 200.

Bonsignore picked up his first championship in 2018 and followed it up with two more in 2020 and 2021.

Over 17 years of competing on NASCAR’s oldest touring series, Bonsignore has amassed 40 career wins, along with 118 top-fives and 154 top-10s. His 40 wins rank him fourth all-time on the series win list, just two behind the late Ted Christopher for third.

Bonsignore also has 30 career Tour pole awards – also fourth on the all-time list. In the last six years with crew chief Ryan Stone, Bonsignore has 28 of his 40 wins.

The New York native started his career young, in go-karts, then jumped to compete at Riverhead Raceway. From there, his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opportunity started with Ken Massa Motorsports full-time in the No. 51 in 2010.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to drive for Rette Jones Racing,” Bonsignore said. “They have a really strong program, and that should help with my learning curve into the ARCA Menards Series.

“I can learn from Mark (Rette, crew chief and co-car-owner) and all of his experiences to understand the small details that go into Superspeedway style racing. I feel really confident going into the race that I have a team that is capable of contending for the win – it will just be about getting myself up to speed and comfortable to go out there and get the job done.”

The Holtsville, N.Y. native participated in the preseason ARCA Menards Series test at the 2.5-mile superspeedway last month with Fast Track Racing. The two-day session proved beneficial for Bonsignore in familiarizing himself with an ARCA car and the track’s characteristics. He hopes to apply what he learned in January during his ARCA debut weekend.

“The test laps in January with Andy Hillenburg and his Fast Track Enterprises team as part of the Road to Daytona program were important,” Bonsignore said. “I needed to run the test to be approved to compete in the ARCA race, but Andy and I spoke about the opportunity to maybe run the race, and he shared some crucial insight with me during the test.

“He ran through multiple different scenarios and possibilities that could take place and that was important to me. Andy and his team were great to work with. They are a great asset to the ARCA Menards Series and I can’t thank them enough for everything they did to help me get up to speed.”

For former ARCA champion crew chief and co-team owner Mark Rette, the opportunity to put Bonsignore behind the wheel of his No. 30 Ford Mustang is a privilege.

“We are so thrilled about this opportunity with Justin for Daytona,” said Rette, whose team finished 11th in last year’s ARCA race at Daytona with rookie Frankie Muniz at the helm. “Justin is incredibly focused on making the most of this opportunity, and we believe we are bringing him a Ford Mustang that he can not only contend with for a top-10 finish but challenge for a win.

“Justin is the complete package for a driver, and we have worked with many drivers since our tenure began with Rette Jones Racing in 2016. He will take care of the car throughout the race but press the attack when the checkered flag is on the line.

“Even though we did not participate in the test, I was staying in touch with a lot of people who were there, and they all believe Justin can jump in our No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang and surprise a lot of people.”

For Bonsignore, the 80-lap preamble to the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener will be one of the biggest races of his career.

“If this isn’t the biggest race of my career, it’s definitely up there,” Bonsignore said. “The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is my home and forever will be. But, to make a start at Daytona International Speedway… it’s something every kid in racing dreams of, and I’m lucky enough to be able to live out my dream.”

For more on Justin Bonsignore, please visit justinbonsignore.com, like him on Facebook (Justin Bonsignore), and follow him on Instagram (@jbonsignore) and X | Twitter (@jbonsignore).

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).

The Daytona ARCA 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Thurs., Feb. 15, with a fifty-minute session from 4:05 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Group qualifying is set for Fri., Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. The season-opener for the 72nd consecutive ARCA season is set for the following afternoon on Feb. 17 to take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM channel 391 | online channel 981) handling the radio waves. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities.

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.

NASCAR Announces Launch of NASCAR Regional

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Official Release
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Daytona Beach, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2024) – NASCAR officially announced the launch of the NASCAR Regional brand and platform, which encompasses the touring and weekly series of NASCAR – the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series. NASCAR Regional debuted on Saturday during the season-opening Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum via a national television spot on FS1.

Formerly NASCAR Roots, the NASCAR Regional brand and platform will better position the sport to grow awareness around those series. In addition, the rebrand ushers in a more organized and recognizable platform that provides concise sightlines of a ‘ladder system’ from beginning to end.

“NASCAR stands on a foundation built by local short tracks and our touring series, and we couldn’t be more excited to launch the NASCAR Regional brand and platform to highlight these important series,” said Ben Kennedy, Sr. Vice President Racing Development & Strategy. “Their history runs deep, and the continued growth of these series is vital to NASCAR’s success. This update better positions NASCAR to grow awareness around these series for many years to come.”

In addition to the announcement, a new website is available at NASCAR.com/Regional with the latest news, ticket information and schedules for the upcoming 2024 season.

NASCAR Regional action begins with the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series at New Smyrna Speedway with the World Series of Asphalt from February 9-17. Then on Saturday, February 10, Late Model Stock cars will compete at Florence Motor Speedway in The Icebreaker at 2:30 p.m. ET, and later that evening the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour starts their engines at New Smyrna Speedway with the New Smyrna Beach Visitors Bureau 200 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tune-in to Flo Racing for live coverage of all the events. A week later the ARCA Menards Series gets underway with the ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 17 at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1. For additional schedules and information please visit at NASCAR.com/Regional.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), five regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Snapchat.

Mitsubishi Motors Begins Exports of Xforce from Indonesia

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Official Release
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TOKYO, Feb 5, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) announced today that it has begun exports of the all-new Xforce compact SUV manufactured at PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (hereafter, MMKI), Mitsubishi Motors’ factory in Indonesia.

The commemorative ceremony was held at the port of Tanjung Priok, located approximately 10 km north of the capital city of Jakarta, with many guests, including officials from the Indonesian and Japanese governments, as well as Mitsubishi Motors’ related parties.

The Vietnam will serve as the first export market for the vehicle in ASEAN, and the vehicle will be rolled out in stages to other ASEAN countries such as the Philippines, followed by South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

“We are very proud to export from our production hub in Indonesia. Going forward, we hope to export to various regions, thereby making a further contribution to the Indonesian economy and the development of the Indonesian automobile industry.” said Takao Kato, president and chief executive officer, Mitsubishi Motors.

In December last year, Mitsubishi Motors began production of the Minicab EV in Indonesia, a kei-car1 class electric commercial vehicle, the first such production at one of the company’s overseas affiliates. Efforts will continue to build a production and supply system that can respond flexibly to the times and new demand.

  1. Kei-car is a vehicle category in Japan for microcars.

Xforce features (Vietnam specifications)
Drive System: 2WD
Overall length x width x height (mm): 4,390 x 1,810 x 1,660
Engine: 1.5L DOHC 16-valve MIVEC engine
Max. output (kW/rpm) : 77 / 6,000
Max. torque (Nm/rpm) : 141 / 4,000

About Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211) —a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan—, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities around the world. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification—launched the i-MiEV –the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV –the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company’s website at https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/

Chiyoda Corporation and Toyota Jointly Developing Large-scale Electrolysis System

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Official Release
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Fusing fuel cell and plant construction technologies for hydrogen production markets in Japan and overseas

Toyota City, Japan, Feb 5, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – Chiyoda Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation have agreed to jointly develop a large-scale electrolysis system and construct a strategic partnership and have signed a basic agreement on cooperation. The goal is to contribute to achieving the government targets(1) for the introduction of electrolysis equipment both in Japan and overseas as part of the Basic Strategy on Hydrogen formulated by the government.

The production and mass production technologies for electrolysis cell stacks using the fuel cell technology held by Toyota and the processing plant design technologies and large-scale plant construction technologies held by Chiyoda will be brought together to develop a large-scale electrolysis system that can be competitive. This will allow adaptation to the rapidly expanding hydrogen production markets both inside and outside Japan. Specifically, the goal is to develop an electrolysis system with high hydrogen production efficiency while being the world’s smallest in size.

To be able to respond to the various needs of customers, such as the amount of hydrogen used or limitations on plant floor area, 5 MW-class equipment will be used as the basic unit (floor area: 2.5 m x 6 m, hydrogen production capacity: approx. 100 kg/hr) for development, and will be combined to create a standard package, allowing the construction of large-scale electrolysis systems.

The merits of this equipment include the fact that it only takes up about half the floor area of conventional equipment and offers ease of maintenance while allowing easier shipping, shortened on-site construction times, and lower civil engineering and construction costs. Toyota’s particular expertise in industrial products and Chiyoda’s particular expertise in plant engineering will be combined and optimized, allowing benefits such as lower costs, increased production efficiency, and more stable quality for the electrolysis systems required to produce green hydrogen.

With the signing of this basic agreement on cooperation, the introduction of an electrolysis system in Hydrogen Park at the Toyota Honsha Plant will start in FY2025. It will be expanded in the future to the 10 MW class and used for verification and development. Any further developments will be released as they happen.

Both companies will exhibit at the H2&FC EXPO (organized by RX Japan Ltd., held from Feb. 28 to Mar. 1, 2024) held at Tokyo Big Sight (Koto-ku, Tokyo).

Toyota will continue working on “Producing Happiness for All” with the aim of achieving a hydrogen-based society through a multi-pathway approach in the value chain of “Produce / Transport / Store / Use” which aims for the social implementation of hydrogen.

(1) The government targets for the introduction of electrolysis equipment are set at about 10% (approx. 15 GW) of the share of Japan-based companies (including parts manufacturers) within the 134 GW forecast for introduction globally by 2030. (Source: IEA, Global Hydrogen Review 2022)

URL: https://plus.google.com/+toyotaglobal | Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ToyotaMotorCorporation/ | Twitter : https://twitter.com/TOYOTA_PR/ | Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/toyotajpchannel/ | Linkedin : https://linkedin.com/company/toyota |

Zero Down Payment for Car Lease – Pros and Cons

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SM
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Leasing has a lot of benefits, and the possibility to take a car without paying anything at signing the contract is one of them. It differs from financing where down payment usually becomes a prerequisite.

You might have seen such offers as Ford lease deals at $0 down payment, for example, and perhaps thought about how it can be implemented. Well, let’s explore this feature and define if it is for your or paying some money at the moment of signing a lease contract seems to be more reasonable.

Zero Down Car Leases – What Is It and What Are the Types

In fact, zero down payment means just what it sounds like – getting into a new car without paying anything at the moment you are signed up. However, leasing companies can use this term in other cases when you still have to deposit some cash at the beginning of the contract.

Сегодня lessees can choose among four types of zero-down lease deals:

  • No Capitalized Cost Reduction: In this case, a lessee doesn’t make a down payment, as the company regards it as eliminated. However, you have to pay the first month of your contract and appropriate official fees if there are any. As you can see, money is still withheld from the very beginning in this case.
  • No Capitalized Cost Reduction + Zero First Month Payment: When this type of option is applied, the lessor includes down payment into your further payments and gives you the opportunity to skip the first payment at signing the contract. Still, you need to pay official fees, so make sure you take some cash with you.
  • Zero Down Payment + First Payment from the Dealer: Some car makers are loyal enough to take over the first monthly payment, and the down payment is not required at all. These deals are among the most lucrative, though few manufacturers offer this incentive today.
  • Zero Due/Sign and Drive: It is a pure zero down payment lease! You really don’t pay anything to get behind the wheel, and the first payment is made within the next month following the month of signing.

As you can see, there are some intricacies that imply paying some money even if the deal is positioned as a zero-down lease. To avoid misunderstanding, figure it all out at the moment of negotiating your deal. Reliable companies like Grand Prix Motors, an auto brokerage firm from Brooklyn, for example, always highlight all the terms of the contract, so you see at once if you pay something or not at the moment of signing.

When Zero Down Payment Can Help?

As a rule, this feature becomes a lifesaver for those who do not want to miss a profitable leasing offer and at the same time does not have the opportunity to scrape together several thousand dollars at once for the first installment. If this is temporary financial difficulties and you are quite willing to make slightly increased payments in the future, zero down lease is just what you may like.

Why Zero Down Lease Is Not What You Need?

Despite the obvious benefits of the feature, there are situations where it is worth giving up and entering the lease on the usual terms.

The first reason to sign up for a lease with a zero down payment are the smaller monthly fees in future! Yes, the outstanding payment does not dissolve completely; lessor just distributes it for the entire leasing period in equal shares, so that increased payments are quite logical in this case. If this is not what you are looking for and you can afford to relieve a part of your obligations at once, take the opportunity.

Besides, zero down payment may be just unavailable to you because of your poor credit score. Лизинговые компании нередко предоставляют услугу индивидуальным порядком и только так называемым qualified customers whose scores are excellent. If it is not your case, then there are fewer chances to get behind the will without paying anything at the moment of signing.

How to Get a Zero Down Lease Offer?

If the idea of not paying anything at the time of the transaction still seems attractive to you, it’s time to do what’s necessary to qualify for a lease on these terms. Experts of Grand Prix Motors give some helpful tips:

  1. Build up your credit score: The best way to do it is to make all your payments on time. Leasing companies track compliance with obligations, so try to show your reliability.
  2. Pay out all current obligations – or at least most of them: You may not qualify if you still pay a lot on some other financing agreements. Close your debts or a bigger part of them to get more chances.
  3. Find the right moment for a zero down leads: There are periods when leasing companies are more willing to offer options like this. The most typical situations are subcompact and compact car leases and taking vehicles of past model years.

As you see, there is nothing too intricate in zero down payment lease deals and if you are sure it will provide a more comfortable leasing experience, just try it with a reliable dealer!

The Competitive Edge: Fuel Management Strategies in Racing

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SM
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Photo by ALE SAT on Unsplash

Fuel management is an essential factor in motorsports, providing racing teams with a competitive advantage. This article examines the significance of fuel management strategies, as well as how Fuel Logic’s on-site fuel services and management systems improve racing teams’ performance. These advanced fuel management techniques improve race day operations by ensuring precise and efficient fuel supply tailored to the unique demands of the racing industry. They also contribute to strategic planning and sustainability efforts in motorsports.

The Significance of Fuel Management Strategies in Racing

Fuel management strategies have significance in the competitive racing arena, influencing both team success and vehicle performance. Beyond mere conservation, these strategies are critical to optimizing the complex balance of power, efficiency, and speed, ensuring that racing vehicles perform at their peak.

Firstly, by focusing on performance enhancements:

a. Maximizing Performance: Efficient fuel management strategies allow racing teams to optimize their vehicle’s performance by ensuring the right fuel mixture and consumption rates. Precise fuel management contributes to better engine power, acceleration, and overall performance, ultimately enhancing a team’s chances of success.

Secondly, by addressing the crucial aspect of vehicle weight:

b. Weight Optimization: Effective fuel management ensures that teams carry the appropriate amount of fuel necessary for the duration of a race. Reducing excess weight can enhance speed and maneuverability, giving teams a competitive advantage.

These two elements, performance maximization, and weight optimization, form the foundation of effective racing strategies, emphasizing the importance of fuel management in achieving racing excellence.

Fuel Logic’s On-Site Fuel Services and Management Systems

a. Precision Fuel Supply: Fuel Logic’s on-site fuel services provide racing teams with the convenience of having fuel delivered directly to their garage or pit area. This eliminates the need for teams to source fuel off-site, saving time and reducing logistical challenges.

b. Fuel Management Systems: Fuel Logic offers advanced fuel management systems that help teams track and optimize their fuel consumption. These systems provide real-time data on fuel levels, usage rates, and consumption patterns, enabling teams to make informed decisions to improve performance.

Optimization of Race Day Operations

a. Strategic Pit Stops: Fuel Logic’s on-site fuel service ensures that teams have a reliable and constant supply of fuel during races, minimizing the time spent on pit stops. This allows teams to strategically plan their refueling intervals, enhancing their overall race strategy and reducing the risk of running out of fuel.

b. Safety and Reliability: Fuel Logic’s precise fuel supply ensures that racing teams have access to high-quality fuel that meets industry standards. This enhances vehicle reliability and reduces the probability of technical issues that could compromise safety and performance during races.

Contributions to Strategic Planning and Sustainability Efforts

a. Data-Driven Decision Making: Fuel management systems provided by Fuel Logic generate valuable data on fuel consumption, helping teams make informed strategic decisions. This data can be analyzed to optimize fuel efficiency, devise new strategies, and improve future race performances.

b. Sustainability in Motorsports: Efficient fuel management contributes to sustainability efforts in motorsports by reducing fuel waste and carbon emissions. Customized fuel supply solutions mitigate the potential environmental impact while keeping racing teams competitive.

Conclusion

Fuel management strategies are important in gaining a competitive advantage in racing by optimizing performance, reducing weight, and ensuring reliability. Fuel Logic’s on-site fuel services and management systems provide racing teams with the precision, efficiency, and tailored solutions necessary to excel in motorsports. Moreover, these advanced fuel management techniques also contribute to strategic planning and sustainability efforts, making it an essential aspect of success in the dynamic world of racing.

Burton, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Miss Cut For Clash

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Official Release
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Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team were among 13 drivers and teams that came up short in qualifying for the third-annual Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

With the forecast for Sunday calling for heavy rain, NASCAR officials on Saturday made the decision to move the main event to Saturday night and eliminate the heat races and last-chance feature that normally determine the line-up for the feature race.

The field for the non-points exhibition race was set based on speeds in the final practice session with 22 drivers earning starting spots based on their best lap time in the session, with one provisional starting spot that went to defending series champion Ryan Blaney.

Burton had a best lap at 66.094 miles per hour. It took a lap at 66.746 mph to make the cut.

Burton and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team now turn their focus to preparing the No. 21 Mustang Dark Horse for the regular season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 176,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com.
*See seller for limited-warranty details.

Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

Jett Lawrence Dominates Detroit Supercross

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

Austin Forkner Wins 250SX Class East Coast Kick-off

Detroit, Mich., (February 3, 2024) Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence became the first Monster Energy AMA Supercross repeat-winner in 2024 with an impressive victory in front of 52,961 fans inside Ford Field in Detroit.

Ford Field, the first covered stadium to host a Supercross race in 2024, provided great action for the Michigan race fans. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton, the defending series champion, took over second place on the opening lap and held it throughout the 20-minute plus one lap Main Event. Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen recovered from a mid-pack start to work his way up on the rutted track and earned the final spot on the podium. When the scores were tallied Chase Sexton took over the championship points lead by a single point over Jett Lawrence. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger now sits third in the standings just a one point behind Lawrence. The Detroit round kicked off the Eastern Regional 250SX Class championship with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner riding smooth, steady, and fast to grab the win and the points lead in the 9-round championship.

“I think the biggest difference for me is more this [points to his head]. My decision making, the past few weeks, it’s been kinda not as good… My speed’s been not too bad, but it’s just more poor executing and that stuff. So I think what I mean [when I said on the podium ‘Jett Lawrence showed up’ is] …more just kind of mentally, decision wise.” – Jett Lawrence, when asked about his podium comment, “I think Jett Lawrence just finally showed up to a race.”

“It’s nice to have the red plate but it really only matters… who ends with it. So it’s nice to have it back, we’re all pretty close in points, but tonight was one of my best rides on the new bike, I think. We’ve had so many mud races, last week it was a Triple Crown, and this week it was our first real main event [since the opening round], and I felt pretty solid in the conditions. I didn’t have a great heat race and after seeing the 250 start, I was pretty far outside [on my gate]; I was a little bit nervous that if I didn’t get a good jump I was going to get pushed off the track. So I got a good start and I had some good speed, [made] some mistakes obviously, but it was a good main event and looking forward to build off that.” – Chase Sexton

“I’m not the kind of guy that plays the ‘I can’t catch a break’ type thing. It’s just part of racing … I had a streak of, you know, if you want to call it bad luck, that can happen to anybody. And you know, we fought our way back to the podium. And I know we have everything that it takes to be on the top step, but… before I think about winning all the time, I want to get some consistency and being on the podium [regularly]… I just really want to get a little bit further up to the front in the point standings.” – Ken Roczen, when asked how he’s dealt with a string of unfortunate events at the past three races.

The Eastern Regional 250SX Class’ Main Event started with a first turn pile up that ensnared nearly half of the field. Austin Forkner was ahead of the crash and set sail for a decisive win to earn his 13th Supercross victory. Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie got a decent start and battled his way into second place on the challenging track. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s rookie Daxton Bennick made an impressive debut and brought home a third place finish from his first pro Supercross race.

“I just made it kind of a point to surround myself with people who are there to lift me up, basically. I feel like that’s just really important in this sport. You can have one good race and be on top of the world and you can have a bad one and get so down. So having people around you that keep you on the right track and keep you focused on what you need to be focused on, I think is really important. I’ve done that this year. Also the mental change was trying to have more fun riding. Obviously anybody knows, injuries in any sport… you don’t want to do it as much. You start being scared of what you fell in love with, essentially, and that being dirt bikes for me. To ride a dirt bike scared, at this level is – you can’t do it. So [we also worked on] just keeping the whole preseason [work] fun… We did quality work over quantity so much, and we kept it fun and kept me in a good mental space coming into this season, and I think it shows.” – Austin Forkner on how he approached 2024 after missing all of 2023 with an injury sustained at Round 1.

“It took me a little longer than what I would’ve liked to get around Chance but, you know, at the end of the day he’s riding great. …as soon as I got around him, I thought, ‘All right, let’s stretch my legs a little bit.’ But I got caught with a few lappers the wrong way, and honestly Austin was riding really well. I kinda wanted to go, and then I was like, ‘I’m not going to take the bait and drag a footpeg up some of these rhythm sections [and crash],’ and just kept it solid.” – Max Anstie

“I was definitely going fast at the [pre-season] test track, but that’s one thing, racing’s a completely different thing. I didn’t know how it would be on Saturday. The nerves were high, for sure, and I knew I just had to keep calm. And we had that replica [of the Detroit track layout] at The Farm [team training facility] so I just had to, you know, imagine I was at The Farm. And once I got I think into fourth, I saw Chance in third and I started laying my laps down. I felt really strong at the end, so that was also a thing – I didn’t know if I was going to be strong at the end of the moto ‘cause I’ve never raced a full pro moto. So yeah, check that box and I’m really happy with it.” – Daxton Bennick, when asked to comment on rumors he was fast at the test tracks coming into his debut rookie pro race.

The series heads back west for Round 6 inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on February 10th. The schedule returns to night racing, with the opening ceremonies commencing at 8:00 PM EST. Each Monster Energy Supercross race also pays points for the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. The SuperMotocross League brings together the thrills of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross season, two Playoff Rounds, and one Final to determine an overall winner for both the 450SMX and 250SMX classes.

Each SuperMotocross World Championship round is streamed live on PeacockTV, with select rounds also broadcast or streamed domestically on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. CNBC airs next-day encore presentations of all 31 rounds. International coverage is available live and on-demand through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv), in both English and Spanish.

Tickets are on sale now for the remaining Monster Energy Supercross events. For tickets, video highlights, race results, feature stories, and full streaming and broadcast information please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

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

About Feld Motor Sports:

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

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

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

About the SuperMotocross World Championship:

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

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

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

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – L.A. Clash

By
Official Release
-

L.A. Clash
Los Angeles, California – February 3, 2024

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 FREIGHTLINER FORD MUSTANG

FINAL PRACTICE: 27TH FINISH: DNQ

RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 2 Freightliner Ford Mustang, participated in his first on-track activities of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season today at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. As incoming inclement weather forecasts headlined the local Los Angeles news, NASCAR officials adjusted the weekend schedule, condensing all competition into Saturday and altering various aspects of the qualifying procedures. Cindric was among the drivers in Group 1 for practice, and from the onset, the Team Penske racer battled an ill-handling Ford Mustang. Despite the adjustments made by the No. 2 team within the limited window, Cindric’s Ford Mustang fell shy of advancing to the main event.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “Obviously, not excited about not being able to make the show. This place has been pretty challenging for me. We made a lot of progress between the first group of practice and second group of practice. We kind of did a Hail Mary on changes for qualifying, so I think we learned some stuff. We tried to apply some things that will hopefully help us with directions in the season, but it’s not fun to be able to watch it. I’d much rather be driving.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/GREAT LAKES FORD MUSTANG

FINAL PRACTICE: 26TH START: 23RD FINISH: 3RD

RACE RUNDOWN: Despite starting at the tail end of the field of Saturday night’s Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Ryan Blaney methodically made his way through the field to come away with a third-place finish in the No. 12 Menards/Great Lakes Flooring Ford Mustang. Blaney battled issues with low grip on the initial run of the night but worked his way up to 15th in the running order by the halfway break at lap 75. After getting four fresh tires and an air pressure adjustment, Blaney raced his way into the top-10 on lap 85 and continued his way forward to fifth when the caution flag flew with 10 laps to go. As the leaders put the bumpers to each other on the following restart, Blaney evaded the carnage to get up to third before the final caution came out to set up a green-white-checkered finish. Blaney chose the outside of row one for the ensuing restart and fought for the lead in the final two laps, but ultimately settled for a third-place finish.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “We did a good job all night just kind of staying clean, and our car was fast to drive up through the field. A couple restarts went our way as to where our lanes went, and just had a shot. I got a terrible restart on the last one. Probably wouldn’t have won anyway, but came from a long way back, so it was fun. I think every time I’ve been here, I’ve been spun backwards about two or three times, so it’s nice to have that one at the last one, so it’s good.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG

FINAL PRACTICE: 17TH START: 2ND FINISH: 4TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano started from the outside of row one in Saturday night’s Clash at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and kept the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang in the mix for the race win throughout the 150-lap event. After running third for a majority of the opening run, Logano took the lead after coming out ahead of a three-wide battle off of turn two and maintained the top spot heading into the halfway break on lap 75. The No. 22 team serviced Logano’s Ford Mustang with four tires and an air pressure adjustment before Logano settled into second in the running order on the ensuing run. A caution with 10 laps remaining saw the 2022 Clash champion take the outside of row one for the restart, but was shuffled out of line causing him to drop to fourth in the running order. A subsequent caution set up a green-white-checkered finish that saw Logano battle his way to a fourth-place finish.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “Sometimes it’s real frustrating when you’re out there because it’s a tight bullring and you’ve got big cars and they’re sliding around, especially on refires with old tires – you’re sliding a lot. But I know from rewatching races and sitting in the grandstands for one of the LCQs last year or a couple years ago, it was like, this is really entertaining to watch. It becomes pretty crazy at the end, obviously. But you kind of see that. I think we were actually a little better than we were last year.”

The 66th running of the DAYTONA 500 will be held on Sunday, February 18 with live coverage on FOX, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

RCR NCS Race Recap: L.A. Memorial Coliseum

By
Official Release
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Austin Dillon and the No. 3 BetMGM Chevrolet Team Unable to Defend Last Year’s Podium Finish at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

N/A
DNQ
N/A

“I applaud NASCAR for the way they recognized the impending weather and got the race in tonight. Unfortunately for us, it meant no last chance race and we needed it after struggling in practice and qualifying. I had high hopes leading into the weekend because we’ve been able to earn podium finishes the last two years. We just struggled with the handling of the No. 3 BetMGM Chevrolet in practice and qualifying today. The left front of our Chevy would lock up into the corner and we just couldn’t go anywhere. I’m looking forward to Daytona International Speedway to kick off our 2024 season.” -Austin Dillon

Kyle Busch and The No. 8 Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet Team Earn Strong Second-Place Finish at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

2nd
5th
N/A

“It was a good run for us tonight at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The No. 8 Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet Camaro was good. It was solid. I felt like we were a little bit better in the first half of the race. In the second half, we were not as good, but we still came out of Los Angeles with a second-place finish. I’m happy with that, but we know we have work to do on our short track program. Maybe some of the stuff we tried today will help us get there. We had a decent shot at the end of the race. We had a decent start, and I knew the No. 11 car was going to keep blowing off the bottom because he kept locking up his tires. I knew there was going to be a hole at the bottom and I got there off of Turn 2, but I couldn’t accelerate late in the run. There was just too much wheel spin to keep that position on him and to be close enough on the next end to get to the inside of him while he locked up. It definitely stings, but all-in-all, I’m glad to have a good night and come out of here in one piece, even with all of the bumping and banging and everything else that happens.” -Kyle Busch

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