2023 DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION RICKYSTENHOUSE JR. AIMS FOR ANOTHER SUPERSPEEDWAY WIN WITH NO. 47 SARA LEE® ARTESANO™ BREAD / COUNTRY CROCK® CAMARO
We’re welcoming cooler temperatures and Stenhouse Jr.’s sides of his Camaro will feature a delicious grilled cheese sandwich for the 188-lap event on Sunday and help drive awareness for Kroger Racing partners offers both online and in-store.
HARRISBURG,N.C. (September 28,2023) – – Now that fall is here, cooler temperatures will soon prevail, which means it’s time for warm classic comfort food. Right now, Sara Lee® Artesano™ and Country Crock® are coming together for the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich and are taking advantage of the Kroger Racing program to engage with consumers and drive awareness about special offers online and in-store.
Additionally, Sara Lee Artesano is the primary sponsor of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 47 Camaro ZL1 with co-primary partner Country Crock at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. The race car will have a unique design featuring a sliced loaf of Sara Lee Artesano bread and a delicious grilled cheese sandwich made with Country Crock spread.
“We’re thrilled to partner with JTG Daugherty Racing to cheer on the first ever No. 47 Sara Lee® Artesano™ Bread Camaro ZL1 at Talladega Superspeedway.” said Taylor Burgess, Senior Omnichannel Marketing Manager, “We know that many of the enthusiastic NASCAR Cup Series fans choose Sara Lee® Artesano™ as their preferred bread and we are looking forward to sharing the excitement of this partnership with them.”
“The Country Crock team is thrilled to be a partner of Kroger Racing this year,” said Michelle Svecharny, Senior Brand Manager of Country Crock. “We can’t wait to showcase how JTG Daugherty Racing brought the iconic Country Crock branding to life on the No. 47 Camaro. Thank you to Bimbo Bakeries USA and Artesano Bakery Bread for teaming up with us again to make this race car legendary. We hope the fans are excited to see us at the track and are inspired to make their own grilled cheese with Country Crock and Artesano while they watch the race.”
The Sara Lee Artesano / Country Crock Camaro will also be outfitted with an in-car camera for the race on NBC and will spotlight Sara Lee Artesano. The two brands have selected a good track knowing Stenhouse Jr. has a nice shot at his fourth NASCAR Cup Series victory, one of which occurred at Talladega Superspeedway in May 2017.
“We definitely want to go for the win at Talladega with our No. 47 Sara Lee® Artesano / Country Crock Camaro,” said Stenhouse Jr. “We’ll discuss our strategy going into the weekend and determine what we want to do for the race. You look back at the final regular season race at Daytona (International Speedway) and we got to the front. However, while running in the top 6, we got wrecked.”
The team “might” go the conservative route during the 180-lap YellaWood 500 to make certain Stenhouse Jr. is there at the end to go for the win.
“We know stage points are important, but we would rather have the race win,” said Stenhouse Jr. “I think when it comes down to it, we will see how the race plays out, but like I said, we want to win it.”
It’s hard to bet on who will grab the trophy at a superspeedway, but you cannot deny Stenhouse Jr. is a frontrunner based on his credentials. Additionally, his Crew Chief Mike Kelley and the JTG Daugherty Racing team enters Talladega following back-to-back top-10 finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.
“The last two weeks we’ve had top-10 finishes,” said Kelley. “The team has shown great resilience after we got bounced out of the Playoffs. No one is rolling over and playing dead. We’re focused on getting as high up in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings as possible. Winning at a superspeedway this year – the iconic Daytona 500 – gives us high hopes going back to another superspeedway. Of course, Ricky’s won at Talladega. We want to keep the momentum going, collect a lot of points and win. We want to finish the season strong and get ready for 2024.”
Live coverage of the YellaWood 500 on Sunday begins at 2 PM ET on NBC, MRN and SIRIUSXM NASCAR Radio. Also, visit kroger.com/f/racing to stay fresh with Kroger and shop fan favorites!
NASCAR, Speedway Motorsports and officials from the North Carolina Legislature pose in front of the N.C. Legislative Building in Raleigh after announcing that the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race will return to North Wilkesboro Speedway. (CMS/Anna Bonifay photo)
NASCAR President Steve Phelps and Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith joined N.C. Speaker of the House Tim Moore and Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton at the N.C. Legislative Building in Raleigh to announce the NASCAR All-Star Race will return to North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2024
Starting tomorrow, customers who purchased 2023 All-Star Race weekend packages will receive a pre-sale opportunity by email to purchase 2024 ticket packages, camping and parking; On Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, all remaining ticket packages, camping, parking and CARS Tour tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. ET
Complete race week schedules and broadcast information will be released at a later date; Visit northwilkesborospeedway.com for up-to-date ticket and schedule information
RALEIGH, N.C. (SEPT. 28, 2023) – NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports made a special delivery to the North Carolina Legislature Thursday, announcing that the 40th running of the NASCAR All-Star Race will take place at historic North Wilkesboro Speedway as part of a three-day weekend of motorsports entertainment on May 17-19, 2024.
The announcement was made in front of the North Carolina Legislative Building in Raleigh as NASCAR President Steve Phelps and Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith arrived in a NASCAR All-Star Race Chevrolet Camaro pace car and a classic 1940 Ford from Wilkes County to share the good news. Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) along with Wilkes County officials including Rep. Jeffrey Elmore and Sen. Eddie Settle were also on hand. Smith presented the legislature with the 2023 victory lane backdrop sign autographed by 2023 All-Star Race winner Kyle Larson.
North Wilkesboro, then a dirt track, hosted its first race in May of 1947 and its first NASCAR race in 1949. Over the next five decades, the track’s list of winners is a variable who’s who of NASCAR royalty, including Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough and hometown hero Benny Parsons. This past May, in the first Cup Series event at North Wilkesboro Speedway since 1996, Kyle Larson captured the $1 million prize and the coveted NASCAR All-Star Race trophy.
In November of 2021, an $18 million allocation from federal American Rescue Plan funds was designated for infrastructure improvements at North Wilkesboro Speedway through the North Carolina state budget. The General Assembly also approved a $4 million economic grant in the 2024 budget toward support of hosting a national motorsports event such as the NASCAR All-Star Race. To date, renovations at North Wilkesboro Speedway have included infield paving; new pit road and outside retaining walls; new wheel fencing and SAFER barrier; suite, hospitality, media center, bathroom and driver’s lounge upgrades; plus new LED track lighting, sound system and internet. Before the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend, the 0.625-mile track will be repaved for the first time since 1981.
Complete schedules for on-track competition, fan entertainment and broadcast information will be announced at a later date, as will the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race format.
TICKETS:
Tickets to the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race will be sold as part of a three-day weekend package starting at $229, which will include all practice sessions, qualifying, the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race. Five-day race week packages including the CARS Tour events will start at $259. 2023 All-Star Race weekend ticket buyers will receive a pre-sale opportunity to purchase next year’s events, camping and parking by email during the next week. Remaining weekend ticket packages, camping, parking and CARS Tour tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m., Oct. 5, 2023 at www.NorthWilkesboroSpeedway.com.
FOLLOW ALONG:
For the latest news, schedules and ticket information, visit www.NorthWilkesboroSpeedway.com. Fans can also follow North Wilkesboro Speedway on X, Instagram and Facebook.
ENNIS, Texas (Sept. 28, 2023) – The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series gallops into the Texas Motorplex to conclude the third annual Stampede of Speed with the main event of the 10-day event, the 38th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals on Oct. 12.-15. The stakes will be high as the second half of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs takes place at the fan-favorite event in Dallas.
The 19th event of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season is the fourth event of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, and it promises to deliver all the thrilling 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph race action fans have enjoyed for nearly four decades at the legendary Texas Motorplex.
An extra element of excitement will also return to the Texas NHRA FallNationals with the addition of “Friday Night Live,” which offers more than $40,000 in bonus money to the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
The low qualifier under the lights on Friday at the famed Texas Motorplex will net Top Fuel and Funny Car stars $15,000 each in bonus money, with $7,500 going to the quickest qualifier in Pro Stock and $5,000 in Pro Stock Motorcycle. That leads into final qualifying on Saturday and championship Sunday, where winners will be crowned at the legendary facility to close out a memorable weekend of adrenaline-filled action.
Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home victories last season. This year’s race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) as the playoffs heat up for NHRA drivers.
Top Fuel standout Ashley claimed his second consecutive Texas NHRA FallNationals win last year when he defeated Austin Prock in the final round. Ashley has been hot this season with six wins to his credit. If he wants to claim an NHRA world championship, he’ll need to get past current points leader Doug Kalitta, who has won the first two races in the Countdown to the Championship, Texas native Steve Torrence, defending world champion Brittany Force, Leah Pruett and Antron Brown.
Reigning Funny Car world champion Capps defeated Matt Hagan in the 2022 Dallas final, giving Capps his second consecutive Dallas win and third from the facility. Capps then went on to claim his third NHRA championship and second in a row. If he wants to make it three Dallas wins in a row, he’ll need to power past current points leader Robert Hight, Bob Tasca III, who won the most recent race to pull within 25 points of Hight, Hagan, John Force, J.R. Todd and Texan Chad Green.
Enders, a Texas native, wowed fans all throughout 2022 by collecting 10 NHRA titles en route to her fifth Pro Stock world championship. One of those 10 victories was her 2022 Texas NHRA FallNationals win, helping her clinch a championship a race later. If the Texan will want to earn her third Dallas win, she’ll need to get past points leader Matt Hartford, who holds a four-point lead over Enders, Troy Coughlin Jr., Dallas Glenn, who is 15 points out of first, Charlotte 2 winner Greg Anderson and Kyle Koretsky.
Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Arana Jr. picked up his first win from Dallas last year when he took down Jerry Savoie, who has three wins from the facility, in the final round. Arana has one win on the 2023 season and is currently sitting third in the NHRA points standings. Leading the way is points leader Gaige Herrera, who has seven wins this season. Also hot in the mix is Eddie Krawiec, defending world champ Matt Smith, rookie Chase Van Sant and Angie Smith.
The Texas NHRA FallNationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers, as well as the penultimate race of the season in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown. The weekend will also include the Jr. Dragster Shootout, as well as a jet dragster and wheelstander exhibition after nitro qualifying on Friday.
Fans will also be treated to the JEG’s Allstar event, which pits sportsman racers from across the country against each other for the ultimate drag racing battle. The popular competition will take place at the famed Texas Motorplex for the first time and the unique specialty race is one of most highly-anticipated events of the year.
Race fans at Texas Motorplex can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the Texas NHRA FallNationals event winners.
Leading into the race, fans can take part in several events as part of the Stampede for Speed, including a cattle drive and Scott Palmer Nitro Sideshow (October 6), Stars Over Texas Festival (October 7-8), celebrity media race and stampede warmup (October 9), Stampede of Speed Shootout (October 10), NHRA Fall Nationals professional testing (October 11), Champions’ Dinner (October 11, 6pm) and the NHRA FanFest in downtown Waxahachie (October 12), where fans can meet and get autographs from all the top stars in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series.
Fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage all weekend, which will help create a festive atmosphere leading into Nitro Alley. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits when the Camping World Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets and much more. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 13, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 16. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and as well as action from eliminations at 3 p.m.
To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit tickets.texasmotorplex.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.
About Camping World Holdings, Inc.
Camping World Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, (together with its subsidiaries) is the World’s largest retailer of RVs and related products and services. Our vision is to build a long-term legacy business that makes RVing fun and easy. Our Camping World and Good Sam brands have been serving RV consumers since 1966. We strive to build long-term value for our customers, employees, and shareholders by combining a unique and comprehensive assortment of RV products and services with a national network of RV dealerships, service centers and customer support centers along with the industry’s most extensive online presence and a highly trained and knowledgeable team of employees serving our customers, the RV lifestyle, and the communities in which we operate. We also believe that our Good Sam organization and family of programs and services uniquely enable us to connect with our customers as stewards of the RV enthusiast community and the RV lifestyle. With RV sales and service locations in 43 states, Camping World has grown to become the prime destination for everything RV. For more information, visit www.campingworld.com.
About NHRA
Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 21 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown™ and Top Fuel Harley Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
PLANO, Texas (Sept. 28, 2023) – Toyota captured its eighth overall, and its seventh-consecutive, manufacturer’s championship in the ARCA Menards Series following racing action from Bristol Motor Speedway.
Toyota drivers have won 15 of the 18 races in the 2023 season and come into the race at Indiana’s Salem Speedway having won the last nine consecutive events.
“It was another wildly successful season in the ARCA Menards Series, and we couldn’t be prouder of the efforts from our partners and team members,” said Paul Doleshal, Group Manager, Motorsports, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “The complete on-track performances we’ve had throughout the year have been impressive and historic. We’re thankful toward each for helping Toyota achieve our seventh-consecutive ARCA manufacturer’s title.”
Toyota supports two ARCA Menards Series teams, Venturini Motorsports (VMS) and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). The 2023 season’s success was highlighted by Jesse Love’s sensational championship run. The Toyota development driver, who will officially be honored as the champion at the season finale at Toledo Speedway, has had a dominating season with nine wins and 15 top-five finishes. Brent Crews, added another victory for VMS, capturing his first career win at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in August, as the 15-year-old impressed with three podium finishes in his three starts this season.
Toyota development driver, William Sawalich, also notched three wins with JGR at Berlin Raceway, the Milwaukee Mile and Bristol Motor Speedway to go along with the ARCA Menards Series East title, while Connor Mosack earned his first victory in the series at Kansas Speedway earlier this month to add to JGR’s victory total. Toyota’s ARCA success also included former ARCA East champion Tyler Ankrum. In his only ARCA Menards start for Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) this season, Ankrum captured a victory at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Toyota first entered the ARCA Racing Series in 2007 and has captured eight manufacturer’s titles (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) and eight driver’s titles (2009, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023). Toyota now sits at 143 national ARCA Menards Series wins.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 24 electrified options.
TALKIN’ TEXAS: Kyle Larson started 11th in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. In stage two, he scored his fifth stage win of the season and now has 24 playoff points. While battling for the lead with 19 laps to go, Larson was involved in an on-track incident that brought an end to his race. He is now eighth in the NASCAR Cup Series driver point standings, two points above the elimination line with two more races in the Round of 12. Larson’s 99 laps led at Texas moved him to the series lead (897) in that statistical category this season. In addition, his stage win moved him to second all-time with 47 stage wins.
PUSHIN’ THROUGH THE PLAYOFFS: In the Round of 16, Larson earned the best average finish all-time in the opening round of the elimination playoffs and the second-best average finish through the first three playoff races all-time (2.33). During the playoffs, the 31-year-old driver has the most laps run in the top five (976) and is second in laps led (273), average running position (6.66) and most laps run in the top 10 (1,130).
THE ROAD TO PHOENIX: The 2021 Cup Series champion is no stranger to navigating the championship road to Phoenix Raceway. Larson has earned a spot in the Cup Series playoffs seven times and won at five of the remaining six playoff tracks. With victories at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix, Talladega Superspeedway is the only track remaining at which the driver of the No. 5 has yet to win.
TURNING TO TALLADEGA: This weekend, the Elk Grove, California, driver returns to Talladega. In his 17 Cup Series starts at the 2.66-mile track, Larson has led 53 laps, with 40 of those circuits out front coming in his last three runs there. His best finish at a drafting track came at Talladega in April 2022 when he earned a fourth-place result.
IN 2023: This season, Larson leads the way in top-five finishes (13) and is in a five-way tie for the third-most top-10s (15). He’s also third in average running position (11.38) and laps run in the top five (3,160). In addition, he has the second-most laps run in the top 10 (4,653). Larson ranks second-best on restarts, based on data from Racing Insights.
FAST TIMES ON PIT ROAD: The No. 5 HendrickCars.com pit crew now has the second-fastest average four-tire pit stop time of the season at 11.110 seconds. The group has two of the nine fastest four-tire pit stops this year. The team’s five-man pit crew consists of Blaine Anderson (front-tire changer), R.J. Barnette (tire carrier), Brandon Harder (fueler), Brandon Johnson (jackman) and Calvin Teague (rear-tire changer).
HENDRICKCARS.COM IS HOME: This Sunday’s race at Talladega marks the 14th home race for the HendrickCars.com team this season. The Birmingham/Hoover, Alabama area is home to three Hendrick Automotive Group dealerships. Respectively, the No. 5 driver and crew can be found in their white firesuits this weekend. For every HendrickCars.com home race this season (15 total), there is a unique hat released the week of the race and only available for sale on the trackside merchandise haulers or available to win on HendrickCars.com. Less than 100 of each limited-edition hat will be made available to the public. This week’s Alabama-themed hat will be revealed Thursday and can be seen here.
WIN A CHEVROLET COLORADO Z71: Want to drive Larson’s 2023 Chevrolet Colorado truck? One lucky winner will win his ride. Fans can donate now to enter a drawing for a chance to take home the Z71 Crew Cab 4WD package with custom features and styling. This special sweepstakes raises funding for the Kyle Larson Foundation’s “DRIVE FOR 5” campaign that supports youth, families and communities in need. The campaign is nearing its fundraising goal of $500,000. Click here to check out this sweet custom ride and enter to win today. The drawing closes on Sunday, Dec. 3, and the winner will be chosen on Monday, Dec. 11.
9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 27 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 17th
No. 9 LLumar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
RELIVING THE MOMENT: Chase Elliott heads to Talladega Superspeedway as the defending winner of the fall NASCAR Cup Series race. The driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 led a total of 10 laps that day. He finished third in the first stage and won stage two before ultimately taking the lead again on the final lap to capture his 18th career Cup Series win. It was Elliott’s fifth victory of the season and his second series win on the high banks of Talladega, making it the fourth track at which he has earned multiple Cup victories. The win locked him into the Round of 8 in the Cup Series playoffs. Elliott eventually went on to advance to the Championship 4 for the third consecutive season, ultimately finishing fourth in the series standings.
WORTH FIGHTING FOR: Last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, the No. 9 team made headway in its quest for the owner championship. After entering the Round of 12 at Texas in the 12th position, Elliott and the No. 9 group earned points in each stage, propelling them to ninth in the owner playoff standings. They are now just two points below the elimination line with two races remaining before the owner playoff field is narrowed down to eight.
CUT TO THE CHASE: Elliott has a history of being strong on drafting-style tracks in the Cup Series. Across his last 16 Cup starts on tracks of that type (Atlanta Motor Speedway since 2022, Daytona International Speedway and Talladega), the driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has two victories – second only to teammate William Byron – and two runner-up finishes, which are tied for second-most. His impressive six top-five finishes and average finish of 11.25 in that span are tops in each category. The 27-year-old driver’s 10 top-10 results and five stage wins are tied for best in the series, while Elliott’s 269 laps led are the third-best mark across those 16 races. In his Cup Series career, he has three wins on drafting-style tracks: Talladega in 2019 and 2022 and Atlanta in 2022.
‘DEGA NUMBERS: This weekend, Elliott will make his 16th Talladega Cup Series start. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native has two victories on the 2.66-mile superspeedway – most recently last October – and has collected five top-five finishes and seven top-10s across his 15 starts at the track. Elliott has the best average finish (14.07) at Talladega among active full-time drivers, which is also fourth-best on the all-time list of drivers with at least six Cup starts at the Alabama track. In the spring race, Elliott won the first stage and finished second in stage two, leading 18 laps en route to a 12th-place finish.
PART OF THE LEGACY: Hendrick Motorsports achieved its 300th Cup Series victory last weekend. Elliott is one of 20 drivers to score wins for the organization. His 18 Cup victories are the third-most by a driver for Hendrick Motorsports – trailing only NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Jimmie Johnson. While on the topic of milestones, Elliott is only 11 circuits away from 5,000 laps led in his Cup Series career. His 4,989 laps pacing the field are third-best among all Hendrick Motorsports drivers, behind only Gordon and Johnson.
FOUR TIRES FAST: The No. 9 pit crew had the fastest four-tire pit stop of the race last weekend at Texas with a time of 9.409 seconds. The over-the-wall squad currently holds the eighth-best average four-tire pit stop time of 11.306 seconds. The 2021 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew award-winning group is comprised of Chad Avrit (rear-tire changer), Jared Erspamer (tire carrier), John Gianninoto (fueler), Nick O’Dell (front-tire changer) and T.J. Semke (jackman).
LLUMAR RETURNS: LLumar, a brand of automotive window tint and paint protection film manufactured by Eastman Performance Films, LLC, will have its colors carried on the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend at Talladega. It’s the third of four races that the brand is serving as a primary partner during the 2023 season. Following this Sunday’s race, LLumar will be back onboard Elliott’s No. 9 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 15. Earlier this season, Elliott drove the LLumar Throwback Chevrolet to a third-place finish at Darlington Raceway and a fourth-place result at Daytona. In June, it was announced that LLumar extended its sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports, Elliott and the No. 9 team through 2026. Get a look at the 2023 No. 9 LLumar Chevy here.
24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 25 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 1st
No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
TEXAS-SIZED WIN: After qualifying 18th at Texas Motor Speedway for last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, William Byron and the No. 24 team went to work making up track position. Utilizing pit strategy, Byron finished stage one in fourth to secure stage points. As the race went on, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native continued to improve and ultimately found himself in a prime position with under 10 laps to go. Restarting third with six laps remaining, Byron made a three-wide pass to take the lead and never looked back. Sunday’s victory was his first in both the playoffs and at Texas. It also marked his 10th win at the highest level of racing and his series-best sixth of the 2023 season. On top of those accomplishments, Byron’s triumph secured the 300th win for Hendrick Motorsports.
WHAT’S IN A NUMBER?: With his win at Texas, Byron continues to extend the history of the No. 24. The iconic car number is now third on the all-time list with 103 Cup Series wins, trailing only the No. 43 (200 wins) and the No. 11 (231 wins). Byron’s six wins in the No. 24 in the 2023 season are also tied for the sixth-most wins in a single season with the number. Team vice chairman and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon accounts for 93 wins in the No. 24.
NEXT GEN DUO: Since the introduction of the Next Gen Cup Series car in 2022, Byron and crew chief Rudy Fugle have now collected eight wins together. Not only is that the most by a driver but it is also the most by a crew chief in the same time period – two more than anyone else.
KEEP IT ROLLIN’: Heading into the second race in the Round of 12, Byron’s win locked him into the next round of the playoffs and he continues to lead the driver point standings. After 30 races, Byron leads the series in wins (six) and stage wins (eight). His 883 laps led are a single-season career-best for the 25-year-old driver and rank second on the year to Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson (897). Byron’s 11 top-five finishes are the third-most in the sport’s top division, while his 16 top-10s are tied for the most. In addition, Byron ranks second in both average running position (10.40) and laps run in the top five (3,252) while he ranks third in laps run in the top 10 (4,639).
DRAFT DAY: When it comes to tracks that involve drafting, Byron is normally running up front. He has three wins on these types of tracks – his first Cup Series win at Daytona International Speedway in August 2020 and at the re-configured Atlanta Motor Speedway in March 2022 and in July of this season. The two Atlanta wins came with the Next Gen car, which ties Byron with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott for the most drafting wins by a driver in the Next Gen car. Since the start of the 2022 season, he also has led the most laps (214) at drafting tracks of any driver.
TALLADEGA TELL-ALL: Byron will be making his 12th Cup Series start at the 2.66-mile oval when the No. 24 team hits the track Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. In his previous 11 starts, Byron has led 96 laps and earned a track-best finish of second coming in April 2021. In addition to that runner-up finish, Byron has two stage wins at Talladega, including winning stage two in the spring 2022 race.
DIGGIN’ DEGA: When the Cup Series heads to the Alabama-based track this weekend, it will mark Fugle’s sixth race at the venue as a Cup Series crew chief. In his first five Cup Series starts, Fugle and the No. 24 team have a track-best result of second in the spring race of the 2021 season. Aside from those five races, the Livonia, New York, native has eight other national series starts at the 2.66-mile track already under his belt with seven of those coming in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In those Truck Series races, Fugle has accumulated three top-five finishes and five top-10s. One of those previous starts was with Byron, in 2016, where the duo started eighth and raced to a 10th-place result.
PIT ROAD PROWESS: After 30 races in the 2023 season, the No. 24 pit crew remains in the top spot with the fastest average four-tire pit stop time of 10.988 seconds. The No. 24 pit crew consists of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler).
AT IT AGAIN WITH AXALTA: For the fifth time in the 2023 season, Axalta will be back onboard Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. This is Axalta’s 31st year of partnership with Hendrick Motorsports. The company has been a primary partner for two of Byron’s wins this year – the May victory at Darlington Raceway and the July triumph at Atlanta.
WELCOME HP: On Wednesday, Hendrick Motorsports announced its expanded partnership with HP Inc. While HP Inc. joined Hendrick Motorsports in October 2022, the new agreement includes primary sponsorship with Byron and the No. 24 Chevrolet for the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL race next weekend plus two primary races with the team each season from 2024-2026. HP takes pride in providing innovative, high-performance solutions that empower high-performance and data-driven teams. For a better look at Byron’s No. 24 Z HP Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, click here.
48 Alex Bowman
Age: 30 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Resides: Concord, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 20th
No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
DOWNRIGHT FAST IN ‘DEGA: While Alex Bowman shows speed at every drafting-style track that the NASCAR Cup Series competes at, he has yet to get to victory lane. His best superspeedway finish in his Cup Series career came at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2019. In that race, Bowman finished second in both stages and led seven circuits en route to his runner-up finish behind teammate Chase Elliott. The 30-year-old driver is one of four active drivers along with his teammate, William Byron, to finish second but not yet win at the Alabama venue. In 15 starts at Talladega, Bowman has one top-five finish and four top-10s. This spring, he finished second in the opening stage before a 13th-place result.
DOING WELL IN THE DRAFT: Bowman has two top-10 finishes on drafting tracks in 2023. In the season-opening DAYTONA 500, he finished fifth and backed that up with a sixth-place run in the summer race at the “World Center of Racing.”
THAT’S MY CREW CHIEF: Blake Harris, the crew chief of the No. 48 Ally Racing team, will make his fourth start atop the pit box at Talladega this Sunday. In two races at this track in 2022, Harris led the No. 34 team to one top-five finish and two top-10s, finishing eighth in April and third in October. In Harris’ first superspeedway race with Bowman – the 2023 DAYTONA 500 – the duo won the pole and finished fifth.
SET FOR THE RESTART: The Tucson, Arizona, native ranks as the fifth-best driver on restarts in 2023, according to data from Racing Insights. That mark is the second-best among the Hendrick Motorsports quartet, as teammate Kyle Larson is second in this statistical category.
FUELING FUTURES: Ally will host its annual Fueling Futures event on the campus of Hendrick Motorsports on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The primary partner of the No. 48 team has created four individual “pit stops” for students from Charlotte’s Garinger High School and Harding University High School, providing a behind-the-scenes look at various job opportunities within the racing industry, including engineering, marketing, financial education and pit crew. After completing each pit stop, the group will come together for a Q&A with Bowman. The driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will also be available to the media that day. To RSVP to attend the event, members of the media can email jarneson@hmsracing.com for further details.
SAVE THEM ALL: Bowman and primary partner Ally are teaming up this year to bring back the Best Friends Animal Society donation effort. This week, the duo will make charitable contributions to Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue, which serves the local community in Hoover, Alabama. Bowman and Ally will donate $4,800 to Best Friends and Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue. Ally will increase its donation to $10,000 if the No. 48 team wins on Sunday.
SHINING BRIGHT IN THE DAYTIME: During Sunday’s race at Talladega, the No. 48 Ally Chevy will adorn its “day” scheme. This scheme hosts a white base with bright plum, grapefruit and seafoam stripes down the sides. Check out all the angles of the ride here.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS /
2023
All-Time
Talladega
Races
30
1,339
79
Wins
9*
300*
14*
Poles
6
245*
13*
Top 5
36*
1,226*
63*
Top 10
56*
2,101*
97*
Laps Led
1,958
79,275*
3,048*
Stage Wins
14
93
5*
*Most **Most (tie)
300 WINS REACHED: With William Byron’s win at Texas Motor Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports has become the first team to reach 300 NASCAR Cup Series victories. Twenty drivers have combined to reach this total across 31 different racetracks. With nine points-paying victories in 2023, the team has posted its 36th multi-win season in the Cup Series while maintaining a streak of at least two per season for the past 30 years. To see a full breakdown of the win total by driver, track, car number and more, click here.
PLAYOFF LOWDOWN: For the 10th straight season, Hendrick Motorsports has at least two drivers in the Round of 12. Byron and Kyle Larson remain in the playoff field. In addition, the Nos. 5, 9 and 24 teams are battling for the owner championship. Byron’s victory at Texas locks him into the Round of 8 and marks the 10th straight season that the organization has had at least one driver in the Round of 8.
CHAMPIONSHIP COUNT: The Rick Hendrick-owned team has a series-best 14 Cup Series championships. NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductee Jimmie Johnson accounts for half of those with seven (2006-10, 2013 and 2016). NASCAR Hall of Famer and team vice chairman Jeff Gordon racked up four titles (1995, 1997-98 and 2001). NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte (1996), Chase Elliott (2020) and Larson (2021) each have one championship for the team. Nine of those titles have come in the playoff era (2004-present).
GOOD SIGN: In six of the last seven occurrences where a Hendrick Motorsports driver has won at least six races, that driver has gone on to win the title (Johnson in 2007-10 and 2013 and Larson in 2021). Byron now has half a dozen wins in the 2023 season.
RECORD SETTERS: Hendrick Motorsports has posted a series-best 57 wins in the playoffs, which is 21 more than the closest team. Johnson has the most with 29 victories. Among the current driver lineup, Elliott and Larson top the board with seven wins apiece in the playoffs followed by Byron and Alex Bowman with one.
VICTORY FORMATION: Gordon’s six wins at Talladega Superspeedway top the board for the organization followed by Johnson and Elliott’s two triumphs each. Labonte, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ken Schrader and Brian Vickers each have one victory at Talladega while driving for the organization. The seven drivers to win at this track are the most for one team.
DRAFTING DARLINGS: The Concord, North Carolina-based team has 32 wins on drafting tracks, which is the highest total in the series. The drafting tracks on the circuit are 2.66-mile Talladega, 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway and 1.54-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway (since its reprofiling for the 2022 season). In addition to its 14 victories at Talladega, the team has 15 wins at Daytona and three triumphs at Atlanta.
NEXT GEN NUMBERS: Byron and Elliott are tied for the most wins (two) on drafting tracks in the Next Gen car. Byron was victorious at Atlanta in March 2022 and July 2023. Elliott scored wins at Atlanta in July 2022 and Talladega in October 2022. Those victories have all occurred in the last 10 races on drafting tracks.
STUDYING THE TRENDS: In each of the last eight 2023 Cup Series races, Hendrick Motorsports has had a driver finish in the top five. Those top fives came at Michigan International Speedway (Larson), the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (Elliott and Bowman), Watkins Glen International (Byron), Daytona (Elliott), Darlington Raceway (Larson and Byron), Kansas Speedway (Larson), Bristol Motor Speedway (Larson) and Texas (Byron).
TWO MORE XFINITY RACES ADDED: Hendrick Motorsports will enter two additional 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season with its No. 17 Chevrolet Camaro. Veteran road racer Boris Said will drive in the Oct. 7 Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL event while Rajah Caruth will be in the seat at the season-ending race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 4. Both will be sponsored by HENDRICKCARS.COM. The No. 17 entry has made five starts in the Xfinity Series this year, with a combined three top-five finishes, four top-10s and one pole position.
QUOTABLE /
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Talladega Superspeedway: “I’m just trying to do good every weekend. Texas (Motor Speedway) didn’t pan out the way the No. 5 team necessarily wanted, but our race cars have been crazy fast. I’m just trying to get through Talladega with some decent track position and hopefully, we can get a win at Talladega (Superspeedway).”
Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on how the No. 5 team approaches superspeedway races: “We’ve had a very similar strategy at all of the superspeedway races this year. We’re trying to do what’s right as far as keeping our car upfront. Obviously, we try to avoid trouble the best we can, which can certainly be tough to do at these plate races. I feel like we always have fast cars and Kyle (Larson) always does a great job at trying to get our car upfront and in position. You certainly have to execute a good race. If we do all the things that we can control right and put ourselves in position, with a healthy dose of luck, hopefully, we’ll have a good finish coming our way soon.”
Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the key to racing at Talladega: “Talladega (Superspeedway) is just about some good timing and good fortune. I mean, you can certainly make better or worse decisions at certain times. I do think there is a bit of a method to the madness. You see certain drivers that run really well there. They might not get it right all the time, but they get it right more than others. That being said, there must be a way to better your odds at least. A lot of it is just feel and what you’re seeing, what you’re feeling with what everybody else around you is doing. A big thing with plate racing is just staying on offense. You see those that are on offense that are really good pushers. Those guys tend to find themselves at the front of those races more than not. That’s a hard thing to do because you have to have your car driving like you want it to. You’ve got to be able to have the opportunity to push and make pace that way. The people who have the ability to be on offense are going to find themselves in a good spot more times than not.”
Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the team’s outlook for Talladega: “We want to win. We want to try to qualify a little better to get a little bit of a pit selection. It’s been hurting us a little bit in recent speedway races. So, we’re working on that. We’ve had a pretty good race setup there for the last couple races, so looking forward to building on that. And certainly, I think Hendrick Motorsports’ speedway game has been pretty good. The collaboration between the team cars has been really good, so I’m looking forward to building on that. The Chevrolets, in general, have worked well together. I think we have an opportunity to win and do good. We’ve had really solid runs here lately. The finish at Texas (Motor Speedway) was super disappointing, but I think we were in position to win there, which was great. We want to do the same thing again this week. Try to put ourselves in position when it matters and see what happens.”
William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on how he approaches the rest of the Round of 12: “Our focus has changed some now for this round of the playoffs. We now can go to Talladega (Superspeedway) and focus on helping our teammates, the Nos. 5 and 9. We just need to make our way up front and find our teammates to help them get to the next round as well. If we have an opportunity to get playoff points in the process, great, but our priority will be to help our teammates. Same thing at the (Charlotte Motor Speedway) ROVAL. We can’t help as much there, but we can possibly get more playoff points to help for the next round. Otherwise, we’re focused on Las Vegas (Motor Speedway) and working towards that round.”
Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what it means to get Hendrick Motorsports’ 300th win: “You think about the last few weeks with 500 engine shop wins across the top three series and then to get 300 Cup Series wins, those are some amazing accomplishments for Hendrick Motorsports. Mr. Hendrick is such a great leader and he is so good to all of us. He cares and he is so passionate about the sport. The fact that we (No. 24 team) were able to do it was huge. From day one when I got to Hendrick Motorsports, you walk by tables and meeting rooms that have picture books with all the photos of the wins and milestones. To be able to get him to 300 wins and to be the car that did it is huge. We get to sign our name next to that forever.”
Fugle on the mindset of the No. 24 team: “I didn’t realize that people thought we were struggling. We think we can win any race. Whether it’s practice, qualifying or the race. We have the car, the driver and the pit crew to win any session. Sometimes we get off here and there but we have the capability. If you give us a shot, we have the knowledge and the speed to win every session. There’s not a race we can’t win. We’re going to keep growing, though, to be a little bit more consistent in the top five. But we’re in the Round of 8, we have 41 playoff points and we can start getting ready for Las Vegas (Motor Speedway). Take that however you want to take it but we’re going to keep working hard.”
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his mindset heading to Talladega this weekend: “We had a good No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the spring race at Talladega (Superspeedway) and I think Blake (Harris) and I learned a lot about what I need in my set up to help us for this weekend. Our crew has done a lot of work looking at SMT data and leaning on our teammates at Hendrick Motorsports. I feel like we are very prepared to go compete this weekend. Blake and I have talked a ton this week and we already know that having a clean race car at the end is super important. We are going to do our best to unload in Alabama as close as we can get to having the car right, make some good adjustments and try to go execute a clean race. Hopefully, that will be enough to be competitive.”
Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what it will take to win at Talladega: “I think Talladega (Superspeedway) has a lot of different challenges. Obviously, having a fast No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is important, but trying to give Alex (Bowman) a car that can handle well in traffic will also be key. We have good superspeedway notes and feel confident we can be in contention if we stay out of trouble. We have great teammates to work with throughout the race and it will take all of us to pull off a win this weekend.”
Following a spectacular return by NASCAR to one of its original race tracks in May, the 40th running of the NASCAR All-Star Race will take place at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2024 as part of a May 17-19 three-day weekend of motorsports entertainment
Event weekend to also feature the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (Saturday, May 18) and the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear (Friday, May 17)
The historic short track will also host two days of grassroots racing featuring the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Cars and the CARS Tour Pro Late Models on Tuesday and Wednesday of race week, May 14-15
Tomorrow (Sept. 29), customers who purchased 2023 All-Star Race weekend packages will receive a pre-sale opportunity by email to purchase 2024 ticket packages, camping and parking; On Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, all remaining ticket packages, camping, parking and CARS Tour tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. ET
Complete race week schedules and broadcast information will be released at a later date; Visit www.northwilkesborospeedway.com for up-to-date ticket and schedule information
RALEIGH, N.C. (SEPT. 28, 2023) – NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports announced today that the 40th running of the NASCAR All-Star Race will take place at historic North Wilkesboro Speedway as part of a three-day weekend of motorsports entertainment on May 17-19, 2024.
The announcement was made in front of the North Carolina Legislative Building in Raleigh as NASCAR President Steve Phelps joined Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith for an economic development “special delivery.” Phelps and Smith arrived in a NASCAR All-Star Race Chevrolet Camaro pace car and a classic 1940 Ford from Wilkes County to share the good news. Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) along with Wilkes County officials including Rep. Jeffrey Elmore and Sen. Eddie Settle were on hand at the legislative building, which houses both the North Carolina Senate and House of Representatives. Smith presented the legislature with the 2023 victory lane backdrop sign autographed by 2023 All-Star Race winner Kyle Larson.
“We are very grateful that NASCAR and FOX Sports have supported our efforts to bring the NASCAR All-Star Race back to North Wilkesboro in 2024,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “While NASCAR’s current 75th anniversary season still has some memorable moments to come, it’s hard to imagine a more magical moment than what we witnessed with NASCAR’s return to North Wilkesboro Speedway this past May. The success of the 2023 All-Star Race with fans coming from all 50 states and seven foreign countries would not have been possible without the support of the NASCAR industry, our state legislature, Gov. Roy Cooper and the Wilkes County community. We’re thankful to have the opportunity to bring back an international spotlight for the second consecutive year to North Wilkesboro and the great state of North Carolina.”
North Wilkesboro, then a dirt track, hosted its first race in May of 1947 and its first NASCAR race in 1949. Over the next five decades, the 0.625-mile circuit hosted 93 NASCAR Cup Series races. The track’s list of winners is a variable who’s who of NASCAR royalty, including Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough and hometown hero Benny Parsons. This past May, in the first Cup Series event at North Wilkesboro Speedway since 1996, Kyle Larson captured the $1 million prize and the coveted NASCAR All-Star Race trophy.
“As part of NASCAR’s 75th anniversary, the return to racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway was one of the indelible moments of the 2023 season,” said Ben Kennedy, Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “We look forward to bringing the NASCAR All-Star Race with the NASCAR Cup Series, along with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, back to North Wilkesboro next season to create new generational memories at this historic venue.”
In November of 2021, an $18 million allocation from federal American Rescue Plan funds was designated for infrastructure improvements at North Wilkesboro Speedway through the North Carolina state budget. The General Assembly also approved a $4 million economic grant in the 2024 budget toward support of hosting a national motorsports event such as the NASCAR All-Star Race. To date, renovations at North Wilkesboro Speedway have included infield paving; new pit road and outside retaining walls; new wheel fencing and SAFER barrier; suite, hospitality, media center, bathroom and driver’s lounge upgrades; plus new LED track lighting, sound system and internet. Before the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend, the 0.625-mile track will be repaved for the first time since 1981.
Complete schedules for on-track competition, fan entertainment and broadcast information will be announced at a later date, as will the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race format.
TICKETS: Tickets to the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race will be sold as part of a three-day weekend package starting at $229, which will include all practice sessions, qualifying, the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race. Five-day race week packages including the CARS Tour events will start at $259. 2023 All-Star Race weekend ticket buyers will receive a pre-sale opportunity to purchase next year’s events, camping and parking by email during the next week. Remaining weekend ticket packages, camping, parking and CARS Tour tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m., Oct. 5, 2023, at www.NorthWilkesboroSpeedway.com.
ST. LOUIS (Sept. 28, 2023) – With as quickly as things change in Pro Stock, Greg Anderson knows he can’t get too comfortable with last week’s win in Charlotte, especially with another huge NHRA Countdown to the Championship race taking place at this weekend’s 12th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway.
But the five-time world champion got new life when it comes to the title chase with his first win of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season and the 102nd in his career. After struggling during the regular season, Anderson has put things together at the right time, pulling within 61 points of points leader and KB Titan Racing teammate Matt Hartford.
Anderson, though, knows he can fall back out of the title hunt just as quick as he got back in it, which is why this weekend in St. Louis is so important for the veteran in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro.
“Things are great and I can’t wait to get to St. Louis,” Anderson said. “I know I’m back in the fight and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. We feel great as a team and our effort, and I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a battle. All these cars are fast and it seems like everyone has stepped up when we got to the playoffs. You better find something special and we were back on the dyno trying to find something for St. Louis. If not, you’re going to get waxed and that’s how fast everything changes in this class.”
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won last year in St. Louis and this year’s playoff event will again be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), with action from eliminations set to air at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1. It is the third of six playoff events during the 2023 NHRA season, and if Anderson is to find success at World Wide Technology Raceway, where he has a pair of wins, he’ll likely have to defeat Enders to do it.
She has won four straight races in St. Louis and her six victories at the popular track are the most for any driver in NHRA history. Enders is also just four points outside of first and has qualified No. 1 at each of the first two playoff races.
Anderson got by the reigning and five-time world champion in Charlotte, but he knows it will take an incredible effort to do it again in St. Louis. Plus, he also has to deal with the likes of Dallas Glenn, who is only 15 points behind Hartford, Troy Coughlin Jr., Kyle Koretsky, Aaron Stanfield and Deric Kramer.
“There’s so many people that can win in this class and you can absolutely get your butt whipped in any round you go up there,” Anderson said. “That’s what makes Pro Stock so great and that’s why it feels so good when a win light comes on. It’s going to be an exciting Countdown the rest of the way. We’re back in the game and back in the hunt with four races to go, and it’s going to be exciting. You’re only as good as your last race and you’ve got to appreciate every opportunity you have.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, it was back to business as usual – at least in 2023 – for Gaige Herrera, as the points leader won for the seventh time this year, taking a 52-point lead over Matt Smith with his Charlotte triumph.
It was a big moment for Herrera, who didn’t win in Indy or the playoff opener and watched Smith take the points lead with his Reading win. Herrera, though, bounced back with his first career playoff win and will look to continue that momentum in St. Louis. Smith, though, has impressed at the facility, winning two straight races and five overall at the facility. Herrera will also have to contend with standouts like Hector Arana Jr., who is 54 points out of first, Angie Smith, rookie Chase Van Sant, Eddie Krawiec and Jianna Evaristo.
“My bike was consistent again (in Charlotte),” Herrera said. “Losing the last two races (in Indy and Reading) kind of lit a fire under me. After Reading I was kind of upset because we really couldn’t pinpoint what happened and that basically made me dig down. The bike came off the trailer (in Charlotte) flying.
“I’ve got a really fast motorcycle compared to a lot of others out here, so it makes it look easy, but at the same time, they’re all very tough competitors. I love the pressure. My dream would be to race Matt in the final in Pomona for the championship.”
Torrence heads to St. Louis second in Top Fuel points, trailing Doug Kalitta by 63 points. Kalitta has taken the lead by winning the first two playoff races against the likes of Justin Ashley, defending world champ Brittany Force, Leah Pruett and Antron Brown.
Defending Funny Car event winner Hight holds a 25-point lead over Bob Tasca III, who knocked off Hight last weekend in Charlotte. Other championship hopefuls include defending world champ Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, John Force and Chad Green.
The NHRA Midwest Nationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown and the new Factory X presented by Holley category. It is also the penultimate race in the Pro Mod’s “Road to the Championship” as they get close to crowning a championship. The ET Racing Showcase, Jr. Arch Shootout, Budweiser Challenge, high school challenge and Jr. Dragster Shootout will all take place during the weekend as well.
Fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage all weekend, which will help create a festive atmosphere leading into Nitro Alley. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits when the Camping World Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets and much more. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.
Race fans at World Wide Technology Raceway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the St. Louis event winners.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 29, and the final two rounds on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 1. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 29 and 2 p.m. ET on Sunday Oct. 1, with eliminations starting at 3 p.m. ET on FS1 on Sunday.
Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information on NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.
About Camping World Holdings, Inc.
Camping World Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, (together with its subsidiaries) is the World’s largest retailer of RVs and related products and services. Our vision is to build a long-term legacy business that makes RVing fun and easy. Our Camping World and Good Sam brands have been serving RV consumers since 1966. We strive to build long-term value for our customers, employees, and shareholders by combining a unique and comprehensive assortment of RV products and services with a national network of RV dealerships, service centers and customer support centers along with the industry’s most extensive online presence and a highly trained and knowledgeable team of employees serving our customers, the RV lifestyle, and the communities in which we operate. We also believe that our Good Sam organization and family of programs and services uniquely enable us to connect with our customers as stewards of the RV enthusiast community and the RV lifestyle. With RV sales and service locations in 43 states, Camping World has grown to become the prime destination for everything RV. For more information, visit www.campingworld.com.
About NHRA
Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 21 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown™ and Top Fuel Harley Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
GMG Racing Founder and Principal James Sofronas Competes in the Flacht Cup in GMG Racing’s Historic and Championship-Winning Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car
Kyle Washington drives the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the contemporary IMSA Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America series
Longtime GMG Racing Teammate Blake McDonald Set for Porsche Carrera Cup Debut in No. 11 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
GMG Racing in Booth Space No. 23 at the Hagerty Marketplace Throughout Rennsport Reunion 7 Weekend
MONTEREY, California (September 28, 2023) – This weekend’s Rennsport Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is the seventh edition of the largest gathering of Porsche enthusiasts in the world and GMG Racing will be an active part of the event on and off the track. A premier Porsche race shop and street high-performance center based in Southern California, GMG Racing fields a pair of Porsches in two different Rennsport Reunion 7 (RR7) on-track events in addition to running a pair of contemporary 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars in the weekend’s IMSA Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America doubleheader.
GMG Racing will also be in full force in RR7’s Hagerty Marketplace in booth space No. 23 where fellow Porsche enthusiasts can learn all about the latest GMG Racing product information and talk racing and high-performance for the street with the GMG Racing team.
“We had one of our first major professional race wins at Laguna Seca back in 2009 and, along with another win that year at Long Beach (pictured at top), it really launched GMG Racing to the next level as a top Porsche team almost 15 years ago,” James Sofronas, GMG Racing Founder and Principal, said. “For me, it’s just sentimental and means a lot, and Rennsport Reunion is a special event. We’ll be running both IMSA Carrera Cup and our 2009 winner and another car in Rennsport events, and we consider WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca our home track. For me, I’m super excited.”
Kyle Washington leads GMG Racing’s IMSA Carrera Cup effort and arrives in Monterey with the momentum of back-to-back podium finishes two weeks ago in the most recent series doubleheader at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Washington drove the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (pictured above) to third-place Pro-Am class finishes on both Saturday and Sunday and looks to step further up on the podium this weekend at WRLS.
The GMG Carrera Cup entry also includes the No. 11 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for longtime GMG Racing teammate Blake McDonald who makes his series debut. Sofronas and the team have worked closely with McDonald since he purchased a Porsche 911 GT2 RS from GMG Racing over two years ago.
“Blake has really come a long way since we first started working with him and is ready for another step in his driver development,” Sofronas said. “As this is the first Rennsport Reunion in five years, and the first with Carrera Cup North America that debuted just a few years ago, Blake and GMG thought this would be the ideal venue for his series debut.”
An accomplished race and championship-winning driver in his own right, Sofronas will get behind the wheel this weekend of the same 997-generation No. 14 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car he drove to the Laguna Seca and Long Beach Speed World Challenge GT victories in 2009. The car was sold to a customer in 2010 and remained in that ownership until Sofronas purchased the car back last year. The highly-competitive Flacht Cup race at RR7 – which features pristine and period-correct 993, 996 and 997 GT Cup RSR and RS cars from around the world – has been the target event for Sofronas ever since this important part of GMG’s history returned to the team in 2022.
“The guys worked hard to get that car back together since its been dormant for 12 years,” said Sofronas (pictured below). “Business first, client-work first and then we worked on this one on some late nights and on the weekends. That car was my first real pro effort for a championship and is an important part of our history at GMG Racing.
“Back then, the (Randy) Pobsts and (Michael) Galatis and (Andy) Pilgrims of the world were great competitors and forced me to step up my game when I was just up and coming,” Sofronas said. “Those were factory efforts and we were a small, customer team. Competing at that level meant a lot and really helped us launch our business. I’m nostalgic and it’s a little emotional. I’m 55 years old now, so to look back, those were some glory years.”
The Flacht Cup race Sunday at 2:25 p.m. PDT will be the first for Sofronas since sustaining a back injury in an incident at Road America in mid-August. Sofronas has made an ahead-of-schedule recovery but still doesn’t plan to race the 997 as hard as he did when he won in the car in World Challenge competition 15 years ago in Monterey.
“I’ve just got to take care of my back,” Sofronas said. “I’m going to take it easy in the race per doctor’s orders and remember all those amazing races we had 15 years ago. I’m happy to have the car back under our stable.”
In addition to the Flacht Cup, GMG Racing fields a more contemporary classic for Washington in RR7’s GT Exhibiton Lap sessions. Washington will wheel his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 991.2 GT3R in the exhibition sessions run throughout the four days off RR7 on-track activity.
Off the track, GMG Racing products and personnel can be found at the RR7 Hagerty Marketplace in booth space No. 23 where fellow Porsche enthusiasts can talk racing and high-performance for the street with GMG Racing team members and learn about the latest GMG Racing products for the street and the track.
About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a 30,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility located in Santa Ana, California in Orange County and with a trackside motorsports facility at 28,000 sq. ft. currently being built at The Thermal Club. The staff, attention to detail, and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped us support our customers to the highest level possible. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona and Spa, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.
CHEVROLET IN NHRA 2023 NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY MADISON, ILLINOIS TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE
SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 1, 2023
CHEVROLET LOOKS TO REPEAT VICTORY AT WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY ON THE HUNT FOR A 28TH NHRA MANUFACTURERS CUP
DETROIT (September 28, 2023) – Only four events remain in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season as the Chevrolet drivers and teams race on in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship. With Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown in competition at this weekend’s NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) plays host as the Bowtie brand continues to race towards their 28th Manufacturers Cup since 1966.
With a strong winning history at the track, including with Erica Enders, driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock for Elite Motorsports, looking to not only continue to solidify herself in the history books with her 47th NHRA win, she also seeks her fifth-in-a-row victory at the Madison, Ill. track after winning consecutively in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Adding to Chevy’s winning ways in St. Louis, Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing, looks to capture a repeat Wally trophy after not only qualifying No. 1 with his run of 3.853 ET at 336.32 MPH in 2022, but also winning over opponents Tim Wilkerson, Matt Hagan, and Ron Capps to capture the event win. Additionally, Hight currently enters the weekend first in Countdown points and looks to continue his march toward a fourth championship crown.
“We’ve hit our stride at the right time. This AAA team, we had a rough patch but we got through it. My crew chiefs, Jimmy and Thomas Prock and Nate Hildahl, and all our guys stuck through it. I don’t think any of us had any doubt we’d be right in the thick of things when it mattered most,” Hight said. “We’ve got to keep it going. It’s going to take wins to get this championship locked up, going rounds is good and we’ve done that so far, we just need more of it. Those small points in qualifying will be important too. We lost last year by three, we’re not going to let that happen again.”
Striking success early in the weekend with a strong qualifying run, the 16-time NHRA champion and drag racing legend John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, set the No. 2 qualifying pace last year to give John Force Racing occupation of the top two ladder positions heading into race day with his run of 3.853 ET at 334.15 MPH. Despite facing a tough year, J. Force looks optimistic heading to WWTR.
“It’s been a tough season, we’ve struggled, but we’re not out of it yet. It’s competitive in Funny Car, maybe the most competitive it’s been, so no one is running away with it yet,” Force said. “We’ve had some consistency lately, figured some things out, so we just need to keep at it, keep our heads up. I think we’re all looking forward to St. Louis and hopefully ending these three back-to-back races on a good note.”
Back in competition this weekend, the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown Chevrolet COPO Camaros hit the track looking to take home yet another Wally trophy this weekend. Last competing at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Aaron Stanfield pulled double-duty in the class while also in Pro Stock, and ultimately taking home the Factory Stock Showdown win.
“I want to keep going rounds and hold onto this lead for sure,” said Stanfield. “The biggest thing is how much support I have gotten this season. Everyone on this team has chipped in to get us where we are now. I have the FlexJet bounty on me now and I would like to make sure it keeps growing for a few races.
The 2023 NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill. kicks off Friday, Sept. 29, with qualifying airing at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Saturday qualifying airs Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on FS1, with eliminations following at 3 p.m. ET on FS1. Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:
“The Midwest Nationals is race three of six in this Countdown. It’s easy to stay motivated when you’re coming right out of one event into another. We competed in Reading, Pennsylvania then Charlotte and now St. Louis for three back-to-back races. This Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team enters this event sitting sixth and we still have complete confidence we can make some big moves to get us closer to the top. Our qualifying has improved the last several weekends, we’ve been more consistent and earning bonus points to put us higher in the field. With three attempts this weekend, we want to take full avenge of those small points with some solid runs to put us at least in the top five. We need to go rounds on race day, we set the track record speed last year, but this year, we need to bring home a St. Louis win.”
Austin Prock, driver of the Rocky Mountain Twist / Montana Brand Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:
“We’re coming off a bit of momentum in Charlotte at the Carolina Nationals. I think we’re all looking forward to firing off strong in St. Louis at World Wide Technology Raceway. We have all the pieces to the puzzle to succeed on this Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team, we just need to utilize them efficiently. Once we do that, we will come out victorious.”
Camrie Caruso, driver of the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car for KB Titan Racing:
“I feel so much better in this Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro at this point of the season than when we started. There wasn’t anything wrong, but it was a new car and I was still getting adjusted to it. Now I love rolling up to the starting line. I know I have good power from KB Titan Racing and this team is awesome. We have started winning rounds in the Countdown and now we just need to make a move up the points.”
Discussing last year’s Countdown:
“Last year during the Countdown I was worn out mentally and physically. I had a better idea of what to expect this year and I think we can keep improving these last four Countdown races. I am looking forward to getting to St. Louis because I know I have a race car that can win. I am working on making sure I do everything correctly and three races in a row help keep me in a groove.”
On her second year in Pro Stock, comfort level, and competing in the All-Star Callout:
“I am still figuring a lot of things out in my second year but after getting that first win at the Arizona Nationals and thenx the Pro Stock All-Star Callout win, I definitely feel like I belong. Winning and running well helps with confidence but you still have to drive the car and get more experience. I am looking forward to getting that first qualifying run Friday night in St. Louis and then building on it on Saturday.”
On working with KB Titan Racing and teammates:
“Working with KB Titan Racing has been incredible every way you look at it,” said Caruso. “The power we have under the hoods is great and the team of people we have is incredible. My teammates are awesome drivers and when you look at how well Greg (Anderson), Dallas (Glenn), Matt Hartford, and Kyle (Koretsky) are doing I have a lot of confidence when I go to the races. I want to do my part for the team and for everyone at Tequila Comisario, DENSO, Big Jeff Audio, Powerbuilt Tools, and VP Racing Lubricants.”
Aaron Stanfield, driver of the Stanfield Racing Engines Chevrolet COPO Camaro in FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown:
“I want to keep going rounds and hold onto this lead for sure. The biggest thing is how much support I have gotten this season. Everyone on this team has chipped in to get us where we are now. I have the FlexJet bounty on me now and I would like to make sure it keeps growing for a few races. Getting the win in Reading was a big boost with only three races left. I have had good luck in St. Louis, and I am looking forward to getting back there.
TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:
1,437: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time).
620: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 624.
378: Number of wins in Pro Stock since 1970; 259 won in the Chevrolet Camaro body.
166: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).
158: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.
82: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.
78: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro body.
46: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.
27: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.
24: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.
18: Number of Pro Stock championships.
20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.
16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.
7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.
2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.
UPCOMING NHRA MILESTONES:
950: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) is second all-time with 929 elimination round wins. He could reach 950 round wins with a decent run in the 18-race schedule.
624: Robert Hight achieved 620 Funny Car elimination wins in Chicago to rank 13th on the all-time NHRA list; Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car) sits 12th with 624.
450: By qualifying for his next race, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) will extend his NHRA record from 449 to 450 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2002 at Pomona 2, and he holds the longest career qualifying streak in NHRA.
138: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) ranks third on the NHRA all-time list with 122 No. 1 qualifiers. He will tie Warren Johnson (Pro Stock, 138) for second to John Force (Funny Car, 166) on the list.
276: By qualifying for his next race, Robert Hight will extend his NHRA record to 276 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2010 at Pomona 2, and he currently sits seventh in career qualifying streaks in NHRA (Doug Kalitta is sixth at 284).
65: Robert Hight moved into the top-10 in 10th on the all-time NHRA victory list with his win in Reading with 64. Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock, retired) is next ninth on list with 65.
47: Erica Enders has 46 career NHRA victories (45 Pro Stock, one Super Gas; all with Chevrolet). Her first win in Pro Stock came at Chicago, 2012, and her last win at Topeka, 2023 in Pro Stock. Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Alcohol Dragster) and Enders are tied as the all-time NHRA female leader with 46.
18: Brittany Force (16 Top Fuel career wins) will move past Shirley Muldowney (18 wins) into third on the NHRA all-time victory list for females. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 46) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 46) are ahead.
6: Erica Enders (Pro Stock) could tie Warren Johnson (6 Pro Stock championships) for second on the class list. The same holds for Greg Anderson. Bob Glidden is the leader with 10. Enders currently holds five Pro Stock championships, the most of any female in NHRA.
3: Brittany Force (Top Fuel, two championships) would tie Shirley Muldowney (Top Fuel) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) for second on the NHRA all-time championship list by females with another title in 2023. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, five) is the leader.
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.
Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging team are headed to Talladega Speedway, one of their best tracks and one of the best for Ford Motor Company.
At Talladega in April, Burton led 11 laps, and he led 14 this season at Talladega’s sister track, Daytona International Speedway. Ford has long been strong at Talladega, with 10 wins in the past 16 races, and nine in the fall race since NASCAR adopted the Playoff format. And the Wood Brothers have five wins on the giant, 2.66-mile track.
Crew chief Jeremy Bullins said he’s optimistic as he and the DEX Imaging crew prepare for Sunday’s YellaWood500.
“I’m really looking forward to taking our Wood Brothers Ford Mustang to Talladega, a track where all the Fords have been competitive over the years,” Bullins said. “Roush Yates Engines puts a lot of work into continued improvements and finding more power.”
But Bullins knows that despite all the preparation that goes into a Talladega or Daytona weekend and the strategy decisions made once the green flag flies, a key factor is avoiding the “Big One” multi-car crashes that often occur in the tight racing at those tracks.
“We all go into the speedway races knowing there could be some big wrecks and things beyond our control,” he said. “But we will focus on the things we can control and try to be there at the end.
“Anyone can win this week, and we will try to be in the right spot at the right time.”
Per NASCAR policy, there will be no practice at Talladega. Qualifying is set for 3:30 p.m. Central Time (4:30 Eastern) on Saturday.
Sunday’s 188-lap race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 1 p.m. (2 p.m. Eastern Time) with Stage breaks planned for Laps 60 and 120.
NBC will carry the broadcast of the race, while USA Network will cover qualifying.
About DEX Imaging DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES: Reducing Operating Costs Reducing Paper Consumption Increasing Productivity
DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.
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.
