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FUNNY CAR’S BOB TASCA III IN THICK OF TITLE HUNT HEADING TO NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS

By
Official Release
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ST. LOUIS (Sept. 26, 2023) – The opening stretch of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship features three straight weeks of racing, capped off by this weekend’s 12th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway.

It’s an intense span of races and can go a long way in shaping championship journeys across all four classes in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Funny Car’s Bob Tasca III has made a strong impression over the first two races and looks to close out the first half of the Countdown to the Championship in style this weekend in St. Louis.

He won on Sunday in Charlotte, getting past points leader Robert Hight in a thrilling final round to move to second in points. He trails Hight – the defending Funny Car winner in St. Louis – by just 25 points, firmly putting his name in the championship mix. But Tasca, who qualified No. 1 at the first race of the playoffs, is eager to keep rolling in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway.

“I can’t wait to get to St. Louis,” Tasca said. “This is a grueling stretch for the teams and the drivers, the points and your psyche. If you slip up during this three-in-a-row, you’re looking through binoculars to try to get to first place. You’ve got to come out of St. Louis within striking distance of the points lead. You’ve got to stay close to Robert, and you throw in Matt Hagan and Ron Capps, you have to be on your A-game to beat them. We’re going to have to win another one to (keep) our hat in the game and we know that, and that’s what we’re focused on doing (in St. Louis).”

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), 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 18th of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA season and the third of six playoff events, and Tasca and his team, led by crew chiefs Todd Okuhara and Aaron Brooks, have shown steady and impressive improvement all year.

They’ve had one of the quickest cars from the outset of the year, qualifying No. 1 five times and running well in all conditions. Going against a loaded Funny Car field that also includes back-to-back world champion Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, John Force, Tim Wilkerson, Chad Green, Alexis DeJoria and J.R. Todd, Tasca and his team have also become more consistent, which is pivotal this time of year.

He’s already posted six round wins during the Countdown to the Championship but knows he will need plenty more to try and track down Hight, as well as hold off Capps and Hagan, who are both 69 points behind Hight. Tasca, though, is ready for the challenge.

“The pressure, the level of competition, it only does one of two things – it makes or breaks you,” Tasca said. “This team all year long has performed flawlessly, but it’s our consistency is what is making us a championship contender. That’s something we’ve been working hard on. We know we can run low E.T. whether it’s hot or cool and now you’re seeing us string together three, four, five runs in a row when it’s like that. It just shows their mindset is we’re not going to get picked off if there’s anything we can do about it. We’re going to go up there and try to press because that’s what it’s going to take a win a 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.

Nobody has dominated World Wide Technology Raceway more than Pro Stock’s Erica Enders. The reigning world champion won for the sixth time in St. Louis last year and she’s also won the race four straight years. She’s just four points back of Matt Hartford, with Dallas Glenn trailing by only 15 points.

Speaking of dominant performances in St. Louis, defending Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Matt Smith has five wins at the facility, including the last two. He’s chasing Gaige Herrera, who leads Smith by 52 points and Hector Arana Jr. by 54 following his seventh win of the season on Sunday.

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.

Packing for Long Road Trips: 3 Space-Saving Tips You Need to Know

By
SM
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There are few things as cathartic as driving down long highways with not a care in the world. There’s a reason that 97% of summer travel is via cars in the U.S. The journey becomes a mini-vacation in itself. Moreover, if you bring friends along, it can be some of the most fun you have. 

That said, there are a couple of challenges that road trips pose. From frequent rest stops to heat, it can be difficult for the unprepared traveler. Today, we will be exploring something else. We will be looking at how to pack effectively for a road trip. It’s an often overlooked aspect since it isn’t that glamorous. 

However, efficient packing and space-saving will be critical for ensuring you are able to bring everything you need. So, without further delay, let’s dive in. 

1. Reorient Your Seats for Space

A lot of people need to remember that you can and should move around your seats. People tend to leave their seats in the most comfortable positions, and that’s fine. However, if you are looking to maximize space, start moving those seats around. 

Before you change anything, start by removing all items from your car. This includes all the unnecessary clutter and personal belongings you may have left. When you start with a clean slate, you gain a clearer picture of what is possible. First, start by folding down the rear seats. If your car allows split-folding, you can fold one and leave the other up. 

Removing the rear headrests is also a good idea. Next, push your front seats as far as possible to create more space in the back. (Of course, don’t do this to the point that driving becomes a hazard.) Naturally, you want to place heavy items on the floor rather than on the seat. 

This ensures that the car’s center of gravity isn’t too disturbed. If there are a lot of items, try to organize them into manageable containers, and bags. You don’t want things to be lying around in a haphazard manner. Lastly, check if everyone can still sit inside comfortably.  

2. You Have a Roof: Remember to Use It

It’s easy to forget that the roof of your car is a fantastic place to store items. Sure, you might need to do some minor upgrades before it’s ready, but that would be a one-time thing. 

Roof racks are a handy way to unlock extra storage space. These days, you can easily find a roof rack bundle that comes with everything you need at an affordable price. Unlike most car modifications, installing a roof rack is a simple process. Spend a couple hundred dollars, and you have a great new storage option. 

Depending on what you are storing, your roof rack may also need some cargo tie-down hook straps. According to RoofPax, there are several types, such as S-hooks, J-hooks, grab hooks, and clevis hooks. Each of them has different use cases. S-hooks, for instance, are known for their versatility. Grab hooks, on the other hand, are great for cargo with irregular shapes. 

The main thing to remember is to ensure you know what your car’s roof capacity is. Check your car owner’s manual and find out what the maximum weight your roof can carry. You also want to check for clearance issues. If your trip will take you under bridges and through tunnels, you don’t want your cargo to get smashed up. 

Lastly, remember that the extra weight on top can affect your car’s handling during turns or in windy conditions. Don’t make sudden turns while driving, as you risk flipping your car.

3. Learn How to Pack the Trunk Effectively

Packing your trunk is more or less a straightforward operation. The space you have is clearly defined, and besides lowering the rear seats, there isn’t much else you can do. That said, there are a couple of ways you can take advantage of the space more effectively. 

If you’ve ever played Tetris, you want to use those skills now. You will need to pack on and around each item, forming a snug fit between everything. The key point is that you don’t want to leave gaps and extra space unused. Sometimes, this means prioritizing soft duffel bags over hard suitcases. 

If there are heavy pieces, try to push them as far forward as you can. This will ensure they don’t move around too much if you suddenly hit the brakes. 

Lastly, remember to pay attention to the packing order. If you are at a rest stop and need access to something, you don’t want it to be deep inside. Pack in such a way that you can easily access items you may use often. This includes water, snacks, toiletries, and even your tent bag if you are going to be camping out each night. 

Conclusion

Knowing how to pack your car effectively is a skill that will help you forever. It allows you to pack more and ensures you have everything you need for a fun and fulfilling trip. Remember to always prioritize safety. There is such a thing as overpacking, and you don’t want your cargo to endanger you on the road. Stay safe out there!

Preece confirms return to Stewart-Haas Racing for 2024 Cup Series season

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Ryan Preece scratched his name off of this year’s Silly Season list after announcing that he will retain driving responsibilities of the No. 41 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The announcement, which was made through SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, comes as the 32-year-old Preece from Berlin, Connecticut, is campaigning in his fourth full-time season in the Cup Series level and first with Stewart-Haas Racing, where he has notched a single top-five result, one pole position, 141 laps led and an average-finishing result of 21.9 through 30-scheduled starts.

“I’m gonna be here with the No. 41 at [Stewart-Haas Racing] next year,” Preece said on SiriusXM. “Definitely looking forward to it.”

Preece, the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion and race winner across the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series divisions who made his first five Cup career starts for Premium Motorsports in 2015, first became a full-time competitor in NASCAR’s premier series in 2019 when he replaced AJ Allmendinger in the No. 47 entry for JTG-Daugherty Racing. Transitioning to the team’s No. 37 entry in 2021, Preece recorded a combined two top-five results and nine top-10 results with his best points result being 26th in 2019.

After JTG-Daugherty Racing scaled down to a one-car entry in 2022, Preece spent the season competing in 15 events across NASCAR’s top three national touring series, two occurring in the Cup level with Rick Ware Racing. During the season, he became a reserve competitor for Stewart-Haas Racing and was eventually named a full-time Cup competitor for SHR’s No. 41 entry for the 2023 season last November, where he replaced Cole Custer.

Through 30 starts this season, Preece’s highlights include a fifth-place run at Richmond Raceway in August and winning his first pole position at Martinsville Speedway in April, where he would lead a race-high 135 laps before finishing 15th after being nabbed with an early pit road speeding penalty. Amid the strong performances, Preece’s season has been mired with on-track difficulties, including 16 results outside the top 20 and five DNFs, including his harrowing barrel-roll accident at Daytona International Speedway last August while vying for a 2023 Cup Series Playoff spot.

Despite the struggles endured throughout this season, Preece remains optimistic about the progress made by Stewart-Haas Racing that can enable him to still be competitive with six races remaining in this year’s Cup Series schedule and prior to the 2024 season.

“We’ve made a lot of gains,” Preece added. “Moving forward, I like the direction of the things that we’ve been working on here at SHR. We have a good couple races coming up.”

Preece’s announcement adds another missing element to Stewart-Haas Racing’s 2024 Cup Series lineup as he will compete alongside Chase Briscoe, who is signed through 2026, and incoming rookie Josh Berry, who will be replacing the retiring Kevin Harvick at season’s end. Additional announcements regarding SHR’s No. 10 entry, veteran Aric Almirola and program for the 2024 season remain to be determined.

With his plans for next season set, Preece’s next scheduled NASCAR Cup Series start of this season will occur at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, October 1. The event’s broadcast time is slated to occur at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ Drivers Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar Help Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer at Charlotte Motor Speedway

By
Official Release
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CONCORD, N.C. (September 26th, 2023) – Today, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ drivers Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar, among other competitors, joined several breast cancer survivors at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) to paint the pit wall pink for next weekend’s Bank of America ROVAL 400.

A tradition that has been held for now eleven years straight, the act of painting the wall pink has been a well-received gesture by CMS to promote breast cancer awareness during its races held in October. The speedway hosted over 50 breast cancer survivors, and invited the drivers as well as various media outlets, to join in the cause in the fun-filled event.

Additionally, 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Kurt Busch, announced that his Window of Hope initiative will be returning for a third season, as part of a new collaboration with the Erik Jones Foundation (EJF). Jones’ foundation will support its efforts in the area of “cancer prevention and early detection and care”. Every driver in the field for the race at CMS will run a uniquely colored pink window net to signify breast cancer awareness, which will then be autographed and put up for auction through the EJF, which will receive the proceeds to then be donated to multiple beneficiaries to support early cancer detection. The auction for the signed pink window nets will open October 9th and close October 16th.

Both NASCAR Cup Series drivers Jones and Hocevar have close family ties to breast cancer, as each of their mothers have battled, and thankfully, overcame as survivors of the disease. Carol Jones, Erik’s mother, was first diagnosed in 2013, and courageously fought into remission in the years since.

“It’s been so great that Kurt (Busch) would let us take this program over, and a huge thanks to him. It’s been a program that I have had a lot of fun watching and participating in over the last few years, it’s really a huge day for The Erik Jones Foundation.” said Jones. “We have worked a lot on the cancer side of things with melanoma, and early detection with that, but we haven’t been able to do anything with breast cancer, which for us is close to the heart with my mom going through it. So, to have a program that has continued to round the foundation out is really important. It has been a big goal of ours to continue the growth of these pillars on each side of the foundation, but just really excited to see the window nets on the car and be able to have a program in the Cup Series like that. You see the other guys and what they do, so to have a program of our own with the foundation is super special.”

Amy Hocevar was diagnosed when her son Carson was only six years old, and fought behind closed doors, initially shielding the news from him so he wouldn’t be afraid at such a young age. Carson recalls that he only recently found out about her diagnosis, and admires her strength and commitment as a mom through the tough battle.

“My mom hid that she had breast cancer from me when I was a kid. Luckily, it was shorter and not as severe as some cases, but obviously any type of cancer diagnosis such a scary situation. She battled through it for about a year-and-a-half to two years from my recollection as a six year old. Cancer is a very scary word, and as a six-year-old, I’m not sure if I would even be able to process what it meant. Looking back now, it all makes sense, because it was hard to understand what she was going through, and I didn’t realize how scary that time must have been. I’m super glad that at least for me though, that time wasn’t as scary as it should have been, and that my parents did a great job of avoiding that tough sit-down with me when I was so young.” remembered Hocevar.

“It was cool to be a part of today’s event with Erik, with him being my teammate at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and the fact that he has been attached to breast cancer as well with his mom fighting. Being able to come out to the racetrack and just show a little bit of support and put a paint brush to the pit wall is something big to be a part of. I’m glad I was able to come out and do this with some of the guys that I race with on Sunday to show our support for all of the brave people who were and are still fighting breast cancer.”

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Talladega Superspeedway this week, but will return to Charlotte Motor Speedway the following weekend on Sunday, October 8th. Fans can watch the Bank of America ROVAL 400 race live on NBC, or listen to the radio broadcast on the local MRN Radio affiliate station as well as Sirius XM NASCAR Radio at 2:00 PM ET. For more updates on LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™, follow along on the team’s official social media pages.

About The Erik Jones Foundation:

Erik’s success in his racing career has given him the opportunity to give back to his community. In 2021, the Erik Jones Foundation was officially started as a Non-profit 501c-3 and allows him to continue his efforts to support initiatives close to his heart. The mission of the Erik Jones Foundation is to change lives by igniting children’s passion for reading, encouraging early cancer detection and care, and promoting animal welfare. For more information or to make a donation to the EJF go to: www.erikjonesfoundation.org.

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (NCS) Jimmie Johnson. The club competes full-time in the NCS fielding the Nos. 42 and 43 Chevrolet Camaro entries, respectively, along with the No. 84 part-time entry for Johnson in 2023. Richard Petty “The King” serves as team ambassador.

In 2021, Gallagher acquired Richard Petty Motorsports and renamed the team to Petty GMS. With the addition of Johnson to the ownership structure in 2023, the organization rebranded to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY M.C.). With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level.

Based in Statesville, N.C., LEGACY M.C. operates alongside GMS Racing (GMS), which currently fields three full-time entries in the NASCAR Truck Series. Since the formation of GMS in 2012, Gallagher and Mike Beam, team president, have shared incredible success. GMS Racing captured the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship, the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championships and the 2019 and 2020 ARCA East championships, accumulating over 65 wins across six national racing circuits.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

Hendrick Motorsports adds Boris Said, Rajah Caruth to Xfinity Series lineup for Charlotte Roval, Phoenix

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Jeff Clemons for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Hendrick Motorsports will be fielding the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro entry for two additional NASCAR Xfinity Series events in the closing stretches of the 2023 season as Boris Said and Rajah Caruth will be taking turns piloting the entry.

As part of the entry’s two-race feature, Said will be piloting HMS’ No. 17 entry at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course on October 7 while Caruth will be driving the car at Phoenix Raceway on November 4 to cap off the 2023 Xfinity Series season.

The news comes as Hendrick Motorsports is coming off its milestone 300th career victory in the NASCAR Cup Series after Playoff contender William Byron won at Texas Motor Speedway, which also locks him and the No. 24 HMS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team a spot into the Round of 8 as they pursue their quest to win the 2023 Cup title.

Said, a 61-year-old veteran from New York City, is a well-accomplished sports car racer, having achieved two-time 24 Hours of Daytona class winner along with being the 1998 12 Hours of Sebring class winner and the 2004 Rolex Sports Car Series GT Class champion. He also became the first American to win the 24 Hours Nürburgring in 2005.

In addition to his sports car accomplishments, Said has made a total of 149 career starts across NASCAR’s top three national touring series, 29 of which occurred in the Xfinity Series. He achieved his first and only recorded Xfinity victory to date at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2010 after edging road-ringer Max Papis in a photo finish while driving for RAB Racing. Coupled with a total of two poles, seven top-five results and nine top-10 results, Said’s latest Xfinity start occurred at Circuit of the Americas for MBM Motorsports in 2021.

Meanwhile, Caruth, a 21-year-old native from Atlanta, Georgia, is currently competing as a full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitor for GMS Racing, which marks his first full-time campaign within NASCAR’s top three national touring series. Through 20-scheduled starts, Caruth has achieved three top-10 results and an average-finishing result of 19.3 as he is ranked in 17th place in the driver’s standings.

In addition to his full-time Truck campaign and previous full-time stint in the ARCA Menards Series for Rev Racing in 2022, Caruth has also made a total of 15 Xfinity Series starts to date, eight of which occurred this season but all with Alpha Prime Racing. His best on-track result to date is a 12th-place finish at Martinsville Speedway last October. He has also recorded a total of five top-20 results in the series.

The addition of Said and Caruth to Hendrick Motorsports’ Xfinity Series program will make them the fifth and sixth competitors, respectively, to pilot the team’s No. 17 entry throughout the 2023 season.

The No. 17 HendrickCars.com entry made a total of five appearances this season with HMS’ Cup Series drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson piloting the entry while Greg Ives and Kevin Meendering served as crew chiefs. The entry’s best on-track result this season is a runner-up result at Circuit of the Americas in March with Byron driving. The entry proceeded to finish third at Sonoma Raceway with Larson, third at Pocono Raceway with Elliott, ninth at Watkins Glen International with Bowman and 38th at Darlington with Larson, respectively.

Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 17 entry debuted last season and appeared in four events as Larson, Bowman and Byron took turns driving the entry. The entry achieved a pair of runner-up results at Road America with Larson and at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course with Bowman.

To date, Hendrick Motorsports has achieved one championship (Brian Vickers in 2003) and 26 career victories in the Xfinity Series. The team’s latest Xfinity victory occurred at Daytona International Speedway in 2009 with three-time Cup champion Tony Stewart.

With the team’s Xfinity Series plans for the remainder of this season set, Said will make his lone Xfinity start for Hendrick Motorsports at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course on October 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Meanwhile, Caruth’s Xfinity start for HMS will occur in the championship event at Phoenix Raceway on November 4 at 7 p.m. ET on USA Network.

Jack Wood – No. 51 TrueTimber Silverado Craftsman Trucks Talladega Preview

By
Official Release
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Jack Wood: Driver, No. 51 TrueTimber Chevrolet
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:
Event: Love’s RV Stop 250, Race 21 of 23, 94 Laps- 20/20/54; 250.4 Miles
Location: Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-mile, tri-oval)
Date/Broadcast: Sept. 30, 2023, at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Get to Know Jack:

Jack Wood will make his 11th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of 2023 for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) behind the wheel of the No. 51 TrueTimber Chevrolet in Saturday’s Love’s RV Stop 250 at Talladega Superspeedway. TrueTimber – the most realistic, performance-drive camouflage brand in the industry – will serve as the primary sponsor on Jack Wood’s No. 51 Silverado for Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. TrueTimber offers a wide array of clothing items and accessories, featuring a variety of distinct camo patterns that perfectly blend with their surroundings. The company spends countless hours researching, testing and seeking new technology to produce the most effective and lifelike camouflage patterns possible. TrueTimber products can be found in retailers across the United States and Canada, and it continues to be one of the fastest-growing camouflage companies in the world. For more information about TrueTimber, visit TrueTimber.com.

Wood has finished inside the top 10 in two of his 10 Truck Series starts this season, including a career-best ninth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April. The California native has qualified inside the top 10 for six of 10 Truck Series events this season, with a season-best qualifying effort of second coming at Texas. Last week at Bristol, he qualified seventh and was running inside the top 10 when he got turned from behind early in the opening stanza, ending his night and relegating him to a 36th-place finish. Across 45 career Truck Series starts, Wood has produced four laps led and three top-10 finishes.

The 23-year-old driver has two top-five and six top-10 finishes with an average result of 10.4 across eight ARCA Menards Series starts this season for Rev Racing. Across 17 career ARCA Menards Series starts he has recorded three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.2.

The No. 51 team qualified for the owner’s playoffs after finishing seventh in the regular season owner point standings but did not make it out of the Round of 10. Across 20 starts in 2023, the team has recorded two wins, one pole, 170 laps led, seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 14.2. Owner-driver Kyle Busch recorded both of the 51 team’s victories winning the second race of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and most recently collecting his organization’s historic 100th win July 22 at Pocono Raceway.

Veteran crew chief Brian Pattie is calling the shots for the No. 51 team this year in his first season at KBM after spending the last 14 seasons atop the pit box in the NASCAR Cup Series. It took the veteran signal caller just two races to get his first win at KBM, winning with owner-driver Kyle Busch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The duo won again in July at Pocono Raceway and collected KBM’s 100th career Truck Series victory. In the Cup Series, his drivers produced six wins, nine poles, 57 top-five and 131 top-10 finishes across 528 starts. The Florida native has also recorded 11 wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and now has three wins as a crew chief in the Truck Series. This will be Pattie’s first time atop the pit box for a race at Talladega in the Truck Series. He captured the pole and was victorious in the spring Cup Series race at the 2.66-mile track with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 2017. Juan Pablo Montoya captured two Cup Series poles (2009 and 2010) with Pattie. Joe Nemechek won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race with Pattie calling the shots in 2000 and the duo also won two Xfinity poles (2001 and 2003).

Wood’s Chevrolet will carry associate sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops – North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company – and Zariz – a fast growing intermodal drayage company specializing in transporting containers from the ports – for Saturday’s 94-lap event.
Jack Wood, Driver Q&A:

After having speed at Daytona and Atlanta, how excited are you for this race?

“Obviously the KBM trucks were fast at Atlanta and Daytona. Talladega is a fun race, but it is a race for survival. I think it’s a good chance for the two KBM trucks and our alliance partner, Rev Racing, to work together and have ourselves a good finish. We should have strength in numbers and be able to qualify up front and be in control of the race. The truck races are so short that you don’t have time to drop to the back and try to avoid wrecks. You’ve got to be up front and be one of the five trucks or so in the first two rows to go win. It should be fun.”

How does racing at Talladega compare to racing at Daytona?

“I think the apron isn’t as aggressive at Talladega so you can race harder in the corners. Guys are willing to race a little harder than they are at Daytona. We don’t have another superspeedway race until next season now, so a lot of guys are going to be aggressive, especially the playoff drivers that need to win. It’s going to be hotter, and the surface is a little more worn out and the track is wider so it will be more aggressive racing than Daytona.”

Talk about having TrueTimber on the truck this week?

“It’s exciting to have TrueTimber on the truck as well as our associate sponsors Bass Pro Shops and Zariz Transport. It’s great having everyone come together to help us get out to the track. This is probably one of my favorite paint schemes I’ve ever had on a race car — it turned out pretty sweet. Thankful to Rusty Sellars (CEO, TrueTimber) and all the people at TrueTimber that helped back this. I had the opportunity to go down to their plant near Spartanburg, South Carolina and had the opportunity to meet a lot of the people and check out what they do there. It will be fun to have them at the racetrack, especially at a cool place like Talladega.”

Jack Wood Career Highlights:

  • Has produced three top-10 finishes across 45 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Posted a series-best ninth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April.
  • Has compiled 14 laps led, three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes across 17 career ARCA Menards Series events.
  • Has totaled three top-five and eight top-10 finishes across 12 career starts in the ARCA Menards West Series.
  • Compiled one top-five and three top-10 finishes across 24 starts in the SRL Spears Southwest Tour from 2017 to 2021.
  • Jack Wood’s No. 51 TrueTimber Chevrolet Silverado RST:

KBM-27: The No. 51 TrueTimber team will unload KBM-27 for Saturday’s race at Talladega. Wood qualified third and was relegated to a 27th-place finish with this same Silverado in a rain-shortened Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway in February. The other start KBM-27 made was at Talladega in 2021 with Drew Dollar.

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have collected two wins, three poles, 116 laps led, 10 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.0 across 34 starts at Talladega. Raphael Lessard collected the first victory of Truck Series career at the 2.66-mile tri-oval in 2021 and owner-driver Kyle Busch was victorious in the 2010 event when he finished 0.002 seconds ahead of Aric Almirola in the closest finish in Truck Series history since electronic scoring was instituted.
  • KBM holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (100) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). Kyle Busch picked up his organization’s first-ever win at Nashville Superspeedway in April of 2010 and also picked up its 100th Truck Series victory at Pocono Raceway in July of 2023. In addition to collecting a series-record seven owner’s championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • With 42 victories, the No. 51 is the winningest number in KBM’s Truck Series fleet.

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Talladega Advance

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ARIC ALMIROLA
Talladega Advance
No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: YellaWood 500 (Round 31 of 36)

● Time/Date: 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 1

● Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway

● Layout: 2.66-mile oval

● Laps/Miles: 188 laps / 500.8 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 60 laps / Final Stage: 68 laps

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

Notes of Interest

● History at Talladega: In 27 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Almirola has one win, nine top-10 finishes, five top-fives, and has led 107 laps. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series on the 2.66-mile oval, Almirola visited victory lane in May 2017. Statistically speaking, Talladega is the track where he’s shown the most consistency. With his third-place finish in the June 2020 race there, Almirola tied the record of eight consecutive Talladega top-10s set by Dale Earnhardt Jr., from April 2001 to October 2004. Despite seeing his streak come to an abrupt end thanks to a multicar accident on lap 57 of the October 2020 race, followed by his 15th-place finish there a year ago this weekend, Almirola’s average finish in his last 10 Talladega outings is 14.4.

● Almirola’s Cup Series win at Talladega on October 14, 2018, came at a clutch moment in the 39-year-old veteran’s career. In his first year at Stewart-Haas Racing, the trip to victory lane catapulted Almirola to the semifinal round of the playoffs. He finished the season a career-best fifth in the championship standings.

● Almirola has led laps in all five superspeedway-style races this year. He led 16 laps Feb. 19 in the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, 17 laps March 19 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, 11 laps April 23 at Talladega, 46 laps from the pole July 9 at Atlanta, and three laps Aug. 26 at Daytona.

● Driver Standings: Almirola arrives at Talladega 22nd in the driver standings.

● Almirola’s career: In 454 career NASCAR Cup Series starts, Almirola has three wins, 28 top-five finishes, 93 top-10s, five poles, and has led 1,068 laps.

● Last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Almirola battled difficult handling conditions throughout the race while running in and around the top-15. He was contacted by the No. 48 car in the opening laps, causing him to spin with minimal damage. The No. 10 team rallied its way back for a top-20 finish.

● Smithfield has been a sponsor of Almirola’s for the entirety of his fulltime NASCAR Cup Series career – making it one of the longest-lasting partnerships in NASCAR. Smithfield is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. Its 63,000 team members are dedicated to producing “Good food. Responsibly.®” Smithfield is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated protein companies. The company has pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including its industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across its entire U.S. value chain by 2030. Smithfield believes in the power of protein to end food insecurity and has donated hundreds of millions of food servings to local communities.

● Beyond the 10 YouTube Series:In 2023, Almirola is continuing to share his life beyond the No. 10 Ford with season five of his award-winning YouTube series. Fans and media can subscribe on YouTube to see Almirola’s personality on and off the track. Episodes have already featured life as a dad, a husband and an athlete, and the show gives fans a unique perspective on what goes on in the life of a professional NASCAR driver. Fans can also follow Almirola’s social media channels: @Aric_Almirola on Twitter and Instagram, and @AricAlmirola on Facebook.

Aric Almirola, Driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

How does the intensity ramp up when you head to Talladega?

“Talladega is always intense, but it’s even more intense at the end of the season and in the playoffs. Everyone knows they have a shot to win at Talladega if they can be there at the end. It levels the playing field, so you have all the guys racing for a playoff spot and all the guys who want to get a win in the 2023 season that aren’t in the playoffs. The stakes are high and a lot of aggressive racing happens. I love Talladega and have always seemed to find my way up front. The 10 team always brings the speed to superspeedway races and they give me a great-handling car to make it happen. A lot of guys have Talladega circled on the calendar and a lot of guys don’t love it in the playoffs. It could either make or break your playoff run. I’m excited to just get out there knowing we’ll have a shot to run up front and bring home the bacon like we did in 2018.”

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Aric Almirola

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Jerry Cook

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Lead Engineer: Lee Deese

Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

Engineer: James Kimbrough

Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Joel Edmonds

Hometown: Dobson, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder

Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard

Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotton

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener

Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Jacob Cooksey

Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Tire Specialist: Russel Simpson

Hometown: Medford, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Steven Casper

Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Ford Performance NASCAR – Talladega Superspeedway 2 Advance

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TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY NOTES

Saturday, September 30 – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 1 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, October 1 – NASCAR Cup Series, 2 p.m. ET (NBC)

The middle races in the Round of 12 and Round of 8 for the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, respectively, are slated for this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Ford’s bid for consecutive championships in both series remains alive with Chris Buescher, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney on the Cup side, and Zane Smith, Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes in the Truck series.

CURRENT CUP PLAYOFF STANDINGS

The Round of 12 continues on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Here’s where Ford’s three contenders sit going into the weekend.

3rd – Chris Buescher (+22)
7th – Brad Keselowski (+8)
11th – Ryan Blaney (-11)

NOTE: The top 8 drivers will advance after Charlotte

TALLADEGA PLAYOFF SUCCESS

No track has provided more playoff success for Ford than Talladega Superspeedway, which has seen nine Blue Oval wins in the postseason. A bulk of those came during a six-year winning streak from 2014-19 when Team Penske drivers Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney combined to win five times.

FORD PLAYOFF WINS AT TALLADEGA

2005 – Dale Jarrett, Robert Yates Racing

2009 – Jamie McMurray, Roush Fenway Racing

2012 – Matt Kenseth, Roush Fenway Racing

2014 – Brad Keselowski, Team Penske

2015 – Joey Logano, Team Penske

2016 – Joey Logano, Team Penske

2017 – Brad Keselowski, Team Penske

2018 – Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing

2019 – Ryan Blaney, Team Penske

KESELOWSKI CLIMBING ALL-TIME TALLADEGA WIN LIST

Brad Keselowski, who will be making his 30th career start at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, is the winningest active driver at the track with six NASCAR Cup Series victories. That ties him for second on the all-time list with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon and puts him four behind all-time winner Dale Earnhardt Sr., who won 10 times during his NASCAR Hall of Fame career. In 29 races, Keselowski has registered 10 top-5 and 14 top-10 finishes while completing almost 98 percent of the laps (5306-of-5459).

BLANEY GOES BACK-TO-BACK

Ryan Blaney heads into this weekend with eight career NASCAR Cup Series wins and two of those came back-to-back at Talladega Superspeedway in 2019 and 2020. Blaney advanced to the Round of 8 with his photo finish victory over Ryan Newman in 2019 after the race had to be completed on Monday due to rain forcing a postponement following the first stage one day earlier. The race came down to the final inch as Newman got past Blaney for the lead coming off turn three, only to see the Team Penske driver battle back on the inside and nip him by a bumper at the stripe. The script was much the same in 2020 as rain forced the race to Monday with Blaney this time beating Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by inches in an overtime finish.

BUESCHER LOOKING TO BACK UP DAYTONA WIN

Chris Buescher is coming off the best Talladega Superspeedway finish of his career, a third-place effort in April that saw four Fords in the top 5. That marked the Texas native’s third top-10 finish at the track and second in the last four races. Buescher, who is in the midst of a career year with three wins (Richmond, Michigan and Daytona), has already surpassed his only other playoff appearance by advancing to the Round of 12. In his last superspeedway appearance, Buescher won the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway in large part to his teammate and car owner, Brad Keselowski, who pushed him to victory on the final lap.

ROBERT YATES RACING’S FINAL WIN

When Dale Jarrett won the UAW-Ford 500 on Oct. 2, 2005 it ended up being the final trip to victory lane for Robert Yates Racing. This race came down to a green-white-checker restart, where Jarrett was positioned fourth. He was still in that spot when they came around to start the final lap, but quickly moved to the outside as Tony Stewart grabbed the lead on the inside lane. The two drivers battled side-by-side down the backstretch before Jarrett powered his way in front. Seconds after getting the lead, Kyle Petty was involved in a single-car accident that brought out the caution as the cars entered turn three. Jarrett was declared the winner after NASCAR verified that he was in front at the time the yellow flag was thrown. The win was RYR’s 57th triumph in the NASCAR Cup Series, and came six years after the team won its only championship with Jarrett in 1999.

CURRENT NCTS PLAYOFF STANDINGS

After a week off, the Round of 8 will resume for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Ford’s three championship contenders needing a good day to move above the cut line. Here’s where they stand with two races remaining in the round.

5th – Zane Smith (-14)

6th – Ben Rhodes (-19)

8th – Ty Majeski (-22)

NOTE: The top 4 drivers will advance after Homestead

MARTIN LEFT HIS MARK

Mark Martin is the only Ford driver to have won in all three of the major series offered by NASCAR at Talladega. Martin won the Cup series race in 1995 and 1997, Xfinity in 1996 and lastly in the Truck series’ debut 2006 event. Martin went a lap down in that NCTS victory after only 10 laps when his engine began to overheat due to debris getting stuck on the grille of his F-150. Once that was removed, Martin was able to get back on the lead lap and team up with Mike Wallace to work his way to the front. He passed Ted Musgrave with four laps to go and was still leading when a multi-truck accident occurred on the final lap to end the race and allow Martin to complete his Talladega series sweep.

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS AT TALLADEGA

1975 – Buddy Baker (Sweep)

1976 – Buddy Baker (1)

1979 – Bobby Allison (1)

1983 – Dale Earnhardt (2)

1985 – Bill Elliott and Cale Yarborough

1987 – Dave Allison and Bill Elliott

1989 – Davey Allison and Terry Labonte

1992 – Davey Allison (1)

1994 – Jimmy Spencer (2)

1995 – Mark Martin (1)

1997 – Mark Martin (1)

1998 – Dale Jarrett (2)

2005 – Dale Jarrett (2)

2009 – Jamie McMurray (2)

2012 – Matt Kenseth (2)

2013 – David Ragan (1)

2014 – Brad Keselowski (2)

2015 – Joey Logano (2)

2016 – Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano

2017 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Brad Keselowski

2018 – Joey Logano and Aric Almirola

2019 – Ryan Blaney (2)

2020 – Ryan Blaney (1)

2021 – Brad Keselowski (1)

FORD’S NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT TALLADEGA

2006 – Mark Martin

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Georgia Peanuts Ford Mustang Team Talladega Superspeedway Competition Notes

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Official Release
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TEAM AND RACE NOTES:

Back again at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Front Row Motorsports (FRM), Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Ford Mustang team will feature Georgia Peanuts as its partner.

The popular peanut scheme comes back to Talladega a year after Gilliland earned a seventh-place finish at the superspeedway with Georgia Peanuts on the Mustang.

Always a favorite of NASCAR fans, the website, www.gapeanuts.com is the home to download educational materials for the classroom, get health and nutrition information, recipe ideas, and more.

There will be no practice session before qualifying on Saturday. Qualifying will begin on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET. Sunday’s 500-mile race is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

COMPETITION NOTES:

Gilliland returns to the Alabama track to make his fourth NASCAR Cup Series start at the track. Already a previous winner at the track in the ARCA Series, Gilliland has two top-10 finishes in the premier NASCAR Series.

Gilliland and the No. 38 team have finishes of seventh and 10th in their last two races at Talladega.

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“This has been one of our best tracks and best races. Todd is a really good superspeedway racer and knows how to get up to the front when it counts. I think we all feel good about Sunday.”

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“Talladega is one of my favorite tracks. It gets adrenaline pumping. Just like any other superspeedway, it’s all about surviving and being there in the end. This team can do that.

“It’s super cool to see Georgia Peanuts back on the car. Their peanuts are my go-to snack before any race. The paint scheme is one of the coolest on the track, too. The fans love it and it’s just a lot of fun.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

RFK Advance | Talladega II

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Talladega II Event Info:
Track Info: Talladega Superspeedway, 2.66-mile Superspeedway
Date: Sunday, Oct. 1
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Lincoln, Alabama
Format: 188 laps, 500 miles, Stages: 60-60-68
TV: NBC
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. ET, Qualifying (USA, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 2 p.m. ET, Race (NBC, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

6 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Matt McCall
Partner: Solomon Plumbing

17 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

Pace Laps:

  • Talladega Superspeedway hosts race two in the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Playoffs this weekend.
  • In five speedway races thus far in 2023 – with this weekend being the last – RFK has seven top-10s between Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher, and an overall average finish of 9.5.
  • Buescher finished third at Talladega this spring with Keselowski in fifth, while Buescher’s average finish at Daytona this season was 2.5 with a win in the summer race, with Keselowski finishing runner-up. BK also finished second and sixth in the Atlanta events this season.

Keselowski at Talladega
Starts: 29
Wins: 6 (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021)
Top-10s: 14
Poles: —

  • Keselowski enters the weekend as the winningest active driver at Talladega with six wins in the NCS, tied for second all-time with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon.
  • Since 2014 Keselowski has four wins – two each in the spring race (2016, 2021) and two each in the fall race (2014, 2017). He’s coming off a fifth-place finish this spring.
  • Keselowski won his first-ever start at Talladega back in 2009 in the No. 09 car, and again won the spring race three years later in 2012.
  • He has an average starting position of 12.3 with 13 starts inside the top-10.
  • Keselowski also made five Xfinity Series starts at Talladega with one win (2010).

Buescher at Talladega
Starts: 16
Wins: —
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

Buescher makes his 17th Cup start on the high banks of Talladega this weekend where he has three top-10s. He’s coming off his best finish to date at Talladega, a P3 result this spring. He finished sixth twice, first in the 2020 spring race, and again in the 2021 fall event.
Buescher has an average starting position of 25.6 with a career-best 10th starting spot this spring.
He also made a pair of NXS starts in the No. 60 with finishes of second (2014) and sixth (2015).

RFK Historically at Talladega
Cup Wins: 5 (Mark Martin, 1995, 1997; Jamie McMurray, 2009; Matt Kenseth, 2012; Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2017)

  • Running Clear Across Alabama: RFK has seen its fair share of success at the Alabama track, amassing 283 starts, eight wins, 46 top-fives and 97 top-10s across NASCAR’s three major touring series. Roush machines have also tallied seven poles, including three in cup action, and have led more than 1500 laps.
  • Winning in Greenbow: RFK has won in all three of NASCAR’s major series at Talladega. The team won its first race at Talladega in the NCS event in the spring of 1995. Former RFK driver Mark Martin won for the organization in all three series at the 2.66-mile oval. Most recently, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. piloted his Fifth Third Bank Ford to victory lane four years ago when the NCS rolled through Talladega for the organization’s eighth win at the historic track.
  • Fastest Chicken in the South: Former RFK driver Mark Martin won the fastest Cup race ever recorded on May 10, 1997 at Talladega piloting the No. 6 Ford. Martin, who held off NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt, started from the 18th position and led 47 laps en route to the victory. The race saw 26 lead changes and had an average speed of 188.354 mph.
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has started 224 NCS races at Talladega with 80 top-10 and 39 top-five finishes along with three poles. Former drivers Mark Martin (1995, 1997), Jamie McMurray (2009), Matt Kenseth (2012) and Stenhouse are responsible for RFK’s combined five Cup wins and overall a Jack Roush Ford has led 1529 laps at the 2.66-mile track.

RFK Talladega Wins

1995-1 Martin Cup
1997-1 Martin Cup
1997 Martin NXS
2006 Martin Truck
2009 Ragan NXS
2009-2 McMurray Cup
2012-2 Kenseth Cup
2017-1 Stenhouse Cup

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Texas: Keselowski earned his fourth-straight top-10 Sunday at Texas, finishing seventh. Buescher earned the fourth-most points of any driver in the field, but was stuck in the middle of the pack in late-race chaos to finish 14th.

Points Standings (17: 3rd, 6: 7th): Buescher sits third in the playoff standings, 22 points to the good, while Keselowski is seventh, +8 to the cut line.

By the Numbers at Talladega

Race      Win       T5           T10         Pole       Laps       Led        AvSt      AvFn     Miles

224         5              39           80           3              38350    1160       18.2        18.3        102011
49           2              5              14           1              4634       245         12.5        12.4        12326.4
10           1              2              3              3              865         124         3.0          15.9        2300.9
283         8              46           97           7              43849    1529       16.8        17.4        116638.3

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