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Short Track Star Layne Riggs Joins Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity Series Program in Multi-Race Deal

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Official Release
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Infinity Communications partners with Kaulig Racing beginning at Texas Motor Speedway

Lexington, N.C. (September 18, 2023) – Kaulig Racing announced today that 2022 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series (NAAWS) champion, Layne Riggs, will drive the No. 11 Infinity Communications Chevrolet in a multi-race NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) deal. He will make his series debut at Texas Motor Speedway on September, 23 for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300.

Son of Scott Riggs, a NASCAR veteran who made 383 national series starts, Riggs became the youngest driver to win the NAAWS title, which is the combined national championship for all NASCAR-affiliated short tracks, at 20 years old in 2022. He won 16 races and recorded 30 top-five finishes in 43 starts across runs at Dominion Raceway, Hickory Motor Speedway, Motor Mile Speedway, South Boston Speedway and Wake County Speedway. Now age 21, Riggs will bring a unique background to his first start with Kaulig Racing.

“I’m so excited to be making my first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Texas Motor Speedway with a team that has had success in the Xfinity Series,” exclaimed Riggs. “I am super thankful to Jeff Coffey at Infinity Communications along with the whole Kaulig Racing organization for giving me this opportunity. I am so ready to get on track!”

While this will be Riggs’ first start in the NXS, he has made six starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), and earned one top five and two top-10 finishes.

The Kaulig Racing All-Star Car, which has been piloted by the likes of AJ Allmendinger, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Justin Haley and Jordan Taylor, has so far yielded three wins in 2023. It has also provided up-and-coming drivers like Derek Kraus valuable seat time. Riggs will be the 11th driver to feature in the car this season.

“I’ve been watching Layne (Riggs) on the short-track circuit for a couple of years now and I am impressed what he has earned so far in his young career,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “He’s had a couple of starts in the truck series and I look forward to seeing what he can do in one of our cars.” Rice continued, “Infinity Communications has been a huge supporter of Layne’s career so far, so I’m happy that he is able to bring them along for the ride”.

The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway will air at 3:30 p.m. EDT on USA and will be the second race in the NXS Playoffs Round of 12.


About Kaulig Racing™

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started and has won back-to-back regular-season championships. Before becoming a full-time NCS team, Kaulig Racing made multiple starts in the 2021 NCS season and won in its seventh-ever start with AJ Allmendinger’s victory at “The Brickyard” for the Verizon 200 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team expanded to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 with Justin Haley piloting the No. 31 Camaro ZL1, and an all-star lineup featured in the No. 16 Camaro ZL1. Haley will continue to drive the No. 31 full-time in 2023, alongside AJ Allmendinger, who will drive the No. 16 Camaro ZL1. The team will continue to field three, full-time NXS entries; the No. 10 Chevrolet driven by Daniel Hemric, the No. 11 Chevrolet driven by an all-star lineup, and the No. 16 Chevrolet driven by Chandler Smith. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

About Infinity Communications:

Founded in 2012, Infinity Communications Group has leveraged a diversified portfolio of experience that began in the mid 80’s. Their experience includes, but is not limited to, erecting new towers, system upgrades, maintenance, power outages, generator support and storage, generator and fleet refueling, and disaster recovery. Infinity provides qualified and experienced professionals and crews with at least 10-15 years of experience. Infinity holds to the belief that customers deserve an immediate response from qualified personnel. As a primary provider of repair and maintenance services for major wireless carriers, Infinity stores, maintains, and deploys emergency generators from our strategically placed facilities around the United States. The Infinity Communications Group is a member of the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating safety, education and standards for the tower erection, service and maintenance industry. For over twenty years, NATE has been recognized as the industry leader in promoting safety, standards, education and uniform practices and procedures.wireless communication towers, managing large-scale power outages and assisting in disaster recovery. Infinity Communications partnered with Riggs for his previous starts in the NCTS this season.

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin wants to finish on the momentum of the last races

By
Official Release
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SASKATOON, SK - JULY 26: The NASCAR Pinty’s series at Sutherland Automotive Speedway in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada on Wednesday, 26, 2023. (Photo by Matthew Manor/NASCAR)
EventNASCAR Pinty’s Series Fall Brawl Championship
TrackDelaware Speedway – September 24, 2023
BroadcastTSN app | TSN.ca | RDS (tape delayed) | FloRacing (USA)
Race4:30 PM E.T. – nascar.ca/race-center/

Trois-Rivières (Quebec), September 18, 2023.- The 2023 season of the NASCAR Pinty’s series will end this Sunday, September 24, with the presentation of the fourteenth and final event. Among the major challenges of this final event, the fight for third place in the championship standings will certainly attract attention while three drivers can still claim to finish on the final 2023 podium. Among them, Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, who obviously hopes to conclude the season with another good result after taking pole position and finishing second in the previous event, at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park at the beginning of the month.

This final event of the season will take place as usual at the Delaware Speedway, a beautiful half-mile oval track located a few minutes west of the city of London, Ontario. It’s one of the oldest operating motorsports complexes in Canada and for the driver of car #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare | Omnifab, the Delaware Speedway is one of the most appreciated ovals. “The owners did a very good job renovating the track last year and it’s a track that I really like because it allows you to run two cars side-by-side during a full lap” says Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, which was crowned there in 2021. It was then his third championship title in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series.

The car used by Dumoulin for this event is the one with which he scored a podium finish in Saskatoon last July. « Preparing our car #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare | Omnifab of the oval track went perfectly and I am confident of being able to finish the season in style, building on the momentum of our last races” mentions Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, who adds: “the goal of finishing third in the championship is of course in my mind and I would especially like to finish the 2023 season with a fifth podium, or even a victory, while already thinking a lot about the 2024 season.”

For the driver of car #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare | Omnifab, this event will also serve as a basis for preparations for the next season: “We want to collect as much data as possible, refine our settings in anticipation of the 2024 season because we have made constant progress this year in the development of our oval car. We have reached an optimal level and finishing this season with a good result at Delaware Speedway would certainly positive for us and confirm that we are already off to a good start for 2024!”

The Dumoulin Compétition team did not made any testing session prior to this final round at Delaware Speedway this summer. The event, scheduled for late Sunday afternoon (green flag around 4:30 p.m.) will be preceded by a single free practice session (between 12:00 p.m. and 12:45 p.m.) which will therefore be important. Qualifying will take place from 3:20 p.m.

In the drivers’ championship, after 13 of the 14 races contested, Louis-Philippe is in fourth place, three points from third place.

2023 SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Date                 Site                                         Location                      Track                          Start     Race

May 13             Sunset Speedway                     Innifil, ON                     Oval                             7th        7th       

May 21             Canadian Tire Motorsport Park  Bowmanville, ON          Road race                    7th        5th

June 10            Autodrome Chaudière               Vallée-Jonction, QC      Oval                             3rd        5th

June 24            Eastbound Speedway               Avondale, TN                Oval                             8th        8th       

July 14             Honda Indy Toronto                  Toronto, ON                  Urban track                  3rd        4th       

July 22             Edmonton International Raceway Wetaskiwin, AB             Oval                             6th         3rd       

July 26             Sutherland Automotive Speedway  Saskatoon, SK             Oval – Race 1               10th       18th     

July 26             Sutherland Automotive Speedway  Saskatoon, SK             Oval – Race 2               8th        3rd       

August 06         Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières      Trois-Rivières, QC        Urban track                  2nd        2nd       

August 14         Ohsweken Speedway               Ohsweken, ON             Dirt Oval                       21nd      16th

August 16         Ohsweken Speedway               Ohsweken, ON             Dirt Oval                       16th       6th

August 26         Complexe ICAR                        Mirabel, QC                  Road race                    9th        5th       

September 03   Canadian Tire Motorsport Park  Bowmanville, ON          Road race                    1st        2nd       

September 24   Delaware Speedway                 Delaware, ON               Oval

Cadillac at Indy: Back to the front in title chase

By
Official Release
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Cadillac V-Series.Rs finish fourth, seventh in 2-hour, 40-minute race at IMS

Updates Cadillac Racing place in the GTP Manufacturer Championship standings.

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 17, 2023) – From a 17-point gap to the championship lead, the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R will look to wrap up the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Grand Touring Prototype title Oct. 14 at the Motul Petit Le Mans.

After missing nearly all the initial practice session Friday because of a brake issue and qualifying a season-low eighth, Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims drove the hybrid Cadillac racecar to fourth place in the 2-hour, 40-minute TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande overcame a first-lap incident to finish seventh.

The No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R takes a three-point advantage in the GTP Team/Driver Championship into the 10-hour race on the 2.54-mile, 12-turn Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Derani, Sims and Jack Aitken also lead the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup in points.

Cadillac is eight points out of first place in the GTP Manufacturer Championship standings and will seek to claim its ninth manufacturer title (three in IMSA DPi, three in the Pirelli World Challenge GT, two in the SPEED World Challenge GT).

The No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R took the point following a round of yellow flag pit stops and Derani kept the Cadillac, powered by the 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V-8 engine, out front for 35 minutes at the midpoint of the race on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course.

Derani was overtaken in Turn 1 with 1 hour, 3 minutes left by the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsports entry and the eventual race-winning No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsports car. Sims held his own over the final 47 minutes after a full-service stop.

Bourdais, who qualified fourth, was tagged from behind in Turn 1 of the green flag lap, spun and hit again. He continued and brought the crippled car onto pit lane under yellow for a front bodywork change assembly and right-rear tire change. He returned to pit lane five minutes later under green for tires and fuel. Van der Zande took over the wheel for the final 1 hour, 51 minutes left.

The USA Network and Peacock (in the U.S.; IMSA.TV outside the U.S.) will air the Motul Petit Le Mans on Oct. 14.

What they’re saying

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R

Sebastien Bourdais: “The run down to Turn 1 at the start is so long and you get a crazy amount of tow. They were all bunched to the right, so the only option was to go left. You know at that point that you’re in a three-wide situation and I was just trying to hold my position. In the process, I got turned and got hit and we had to come in for a new nose and got a drive-thru. It was a frustrating race after the team prepared hard for this race. We’ll keep at it and hope to finish on a better note at Petit.”

Renger van der Zande: “I was disappointed with our pace after the first-corner crash because it didn’t feel right. I was hanging on to it much of the time. We hopefully can improve at the upcoming test and understand a little more what the tire does and take it from there at Petit Le Mans.”

No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R

Pipo Derani: “I’m proud of the whole team. After missing practice 1 and to be in position to lead the race, we fought hard to bring home a solid finish for the championship. We moved up the grid from P8 to P4 and back in the championship lead. Obviously, not the race result we were looking for when we arrived here. We always want to win, but if you can’t win you always try to get your best finish. Considering how we started the weekend, it was a very good effort. Thank you to our Whelen team, Cadillac Racing for always fighting hard.”

Alexander Sims: “Honestly, from where we started, the end was pretty good. The middle of the race it was looking pretty rosy the was the strategy played out. Ultimately, we didn’t quite have the long-run pace of the guys up front. When I got in we were fourth and we finished fourth. I didn’t have the strongest of stints and there is work to do to keep improving. Nevertheless, we go into the last race in a good position and as always in IMSA it’s pretty exciting down to the end. I’m looking forward to it.”

Paint Protection for Your New Vehicle: Paint Protection Film vs. Ceramic Coating

By
SM
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Photo by Eyosias G on Unsplash

Keeping your new car looking brand-new is something most of us strive for, and car protection film is an excellent way to preserve its appearance by protecting it from scratches and environmental damage. Whether it’s waxing daily, cleaning weekly, or finding the right cover to protect from harsh weather, there are plenty of ways to keep your vehicle in top shape and maintain its shine. In this blog post, we take a look at two popular solutions — paint protection film vs. ceramic coating — to help you find the best way to extend your vehicle’s life and ensure it remains that showroom quality for longer. Let’s get started!

Understanding Paint Protection Film and Ceramic Coating

Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a clear film applied to the vehicle’s body panels that serves as a barrier against chips, scratches, rock dings, and other damaging elements. This film provides an additional layer of protection for your car’s paint job and can be quite effective when properly installed.

Ceramic coating goes on top of the existing paint job and works by creating a nano-thin layer of protection. This layer acts as an additional skin that not only helps protect against minor abrasions but also serves to seal your vehicle’s color, deter chemical staining, and reduce oxidation.

Benefits of Paint Protection Film vs. Ceramic Coating

When comparing paint protection film and ceramic coating, there are a few key benefits to consider. Firstly, the paint protection film is generally more durable than ceramic coatings and provides greater protection against road debris and other hard impacts. On the other hand, ceramic coatings offer superior protection from UV radiation and environmental pollutants that can cause fading of the paint job over time.

Additionally, PPF requires regular maintenance and reapplication every two to three years while ceramic coating can last up to five years. Ceramic coating is also more expensive than paint protection film but requires less frequent maintenance and upkeep so it may be a better option for those with tighter budgets who still want the added benefits of protectant.

Choosing the Right Paint Protection Product for Your Vehicle

Whether you choose paint protection film or ceramic coating for your vehicle, both products have their merits and will help keep your car looking brand-new for longer. When deciding between the two, consider the type of environment you’ll be driving in as well as your budget to ensure you find the best solution for your needs.

For example, if you’re looking for maximum protection against abrasions and rock chips, PPF may be the better option. However, if you want to protect yourself from UV rays and environmental pollutants, a ceramic coating may be a better choice.

DIY Installation or Professional Installation – Pros & Cons

DIY installation of paint protection film and ceramic coating can be a great way to save money as long as you are confident in your ability to apply it properly. However, if done incorrectly, the results could affect the appearance of your car and even damage the paint job.

On the other hand, professional installation provides peace of mind that the product will be applied correctly and provide the best protection. This comes at a higher cost, but it ensures there will be no lasting damage to your vehicle’s paint job. The experts also have access to special tools and materials that may not be available to DIYers, which can lead to superior results.

Whether you choose paint protection film or ceramic coating, you can trust that both products will keep your car looking brand-new for longer. With a bit of research and know-how, you can find the right paint protection product for your vehicle and extend its life even in harsh conditions. Happy driving!

Reach Your Goals as a Remote Entrepreneur

By
SM
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  • Clear business plans and SMART goals are integral for entrepreneurs starting home-based businesses.
  • Leveraging technology boosts organization and efficiency with tools for customer support, task management, and secure file sharing.
  • Networking and promotion, even when working independently, opens doors to opportunities and beneficial relationships.
  • Discipline and focus, including maintaining daily routines and work hours, are vital to staying motivated and achieving goals.
  • Continual learning and adaptation enable entrepreneurs to stay up-to-date with business trends and maintain competitiveness.

Nowadays, people are living in a golden age of entrepreneurship. With technological advancement, many people can start their businesses from the comfort of their homes. Being an entrepreneur does not necessarily require a brick-and-mortar store; it can be a thriving online business venture. Being a successful entrepreneur from home requires dedication and hard work, but it can be highly fulfilling. This blog post will discuss tips on achieving success as an entrepreneur from home.

Have a Clear Business Plan:

A clear business plan is one of the most critical steps in starting a business. For instance, if you’re starting a Singapore holding company, a clear business plan is essential for laying the foundation, setting the direction, and ensuring the success and sustainability of your company.

This plan should include details about your product or service, funding, target market, and pricing. It should also include the operational logistics, such as whether you want to use a physical office location or a virtual office. Including virtual offices in your business plan is crucial for several reasons. Virtual offices like Your Virtual Office London offer flexibility, cost-efficiency, and the ability to establish a professional presence in multiple locations without the overhead of traditional office spaces. This can be particularly beneficial for startups or businesses looking to scale while minimizing expenses. By highlighting virtual offices in your business plan, you demonstrate a modern, adaptable approach to business operations, which can be appealing to investors and partners.

A clear business plan will help you to stay on track, and it’s a way to measure your performance and achievements. If you are unsure how to create a business plan, many online resources can help, such as the Small Business Administration’s website.

Set Achievable Goals:

Success is easier when you have a plan and clear goals. Make sure your goals are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound). Here are some tips for setting SMART goals:

Decide what you want

Break down your big goals into smaller ones. This will help you to stay focused and motivated without getting overwhelmed. Make sure that your goals correspond with your business plan and have an end date in sight. To help you with reaching the goals you have set out, it would be a good idea to take a look at essential balanced scorecard concepts for improving performance. You can focus on big picture items within your business so that your goals become a lot more achievable in the long-run. Strategic planning is always needed in a business. If you overlook this, you are doing yourself, and those who work under you, a disservice.

Create a timeline

Set a timeline for your smaller goals and tasks. This will help you to track your progress and stay on top of deadlines. Some people use visual aids such as Gantt charts to keep track of their goals and tasks.

Track your progress

Tracking your progress will help to keep you accountable. It will also aid you in making strategic business decisions. For example, you’ll know when it’s the right time to find a CFO to grow your business, ensuring you have the financial expertise to scale your business effectively. Additionally, tracking progress keeps you motivated, especially during times of frustration or discouragement. Your goals should be realistic and achievable, so don’t forget to celebrate your successes, even with just a bit of progress.

Avoid comparison.

Setting goals should be about your own business, not someone else’s. Comparing yourself to others can cause you to lose focus and motivation. Focus on the journey that is unique to you and your business. The only time you should be doing comparisons is when you are conducting market research. Using Conjointly Claims Test, for example, can be highly beneficial in deciding how to price products as well as what consumer’s are more receptive to. Claims from businesses are taken seriously, so you need to be aware of what to look out for and how you can use that to your advantage to help be a cut above the rest.

Take Advantage of Technology:

When starting a business from home, use technology to help you stay organized and efficient. Invest in resources that will help you save time while still maintaining quality. Look into services such as automated customer support software, task management systems, or online accounting tools to help make your job easier.

If you also have to manage remote employees, you can benefit significantly from cloud storage systems allowing for secure file sharing. This will help to streamline collaboration and communication between team members, no matter where they are based. Some common tools include Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, but there are also cloud storage services that cater specifically to businesses.

Network and Promote:

Although you may be working independently, networking is crucial to entrepreneurship. Meeting other entrepreneurs or joining business communities can lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and beneficial relationships. Social media platforms like LinkedIn are excellent resources for networking purposes.

Be Disciplined and Focused:

As an entrepreneur, you must be disciplined and focused. It is easy to become distracted while working from home, but avoid procrastination and stay focused. Create a consistent daily routine that includes work hours, breaks, and leisure time. Staying motivated and focused will help you to achieve your goals. Finding a mentor or support group may be beneficial if you find yourself struggling.

Continuously Learn and Adapt:

Finally, you must be willing to learn new things and adapt quickly. The business world is constantly changing, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technological advancements is important. Take advantage of online courses, read books, and attend business seminars. Different approaches to problem-solving, marketing strategies, and customer service techniques can help you evolve and remain competitive.

Achieving success as a remote entrepreneur requires dedication and hard work. Following these tips will help you to create a strong foundation and set you on the right path to achieving your business goals. Remember to always stay focused, network, and continuously learn and adapt. With the right plan in place, you can successfully start and grow your business from home.

Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum returning in 2024

By
Official Release
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NASCAR Mexico Series race added to power-packed lineup on Sunday, Feb. 4

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 17, 2023) – NASCAR isn’t just returning to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2024. It’s adding more racing to a power-packed lineup.

NASCAR announced today that a NASCAR Mexico Series race on Sunday, Feb. 4, will precede its season-opening exhibition featuring the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series, the third-annual Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. That means fans can enjoy two great races in one day inside “The Greatest Stadium in the World.”

“This is a tremendous win for our fans and our sport,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “Not only will the fans see the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series in action, they will also bear witness to the talent and skill that is found within the NASCAR Mexico Series. I can’t think of a better way to begin our 2024 season.”

NASCAR has opened its season with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum for the past two years. Joey Logano won the inaugural event in 2022, while Martin Truex Jr. hoisted aloft the 2023 trophy beneath the Olympic cauldron in February. Now a NASCAR Mexico Series driver will also have an opportunity to celebrate a triumph inside an international stadium that’s hosted two Super Bowls, two Olympics, a World Series and countless other major events over the past 100 years.

“This is an incredible honor for the NASCAR Mexico Series and its drivers,” said Jimmy Morales, President and General Manager of the NASCAR Mexico Series. “The competition in our series is always intense, but I know our drivers will want nothing more than to become the first Mexican driver to win inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This is going to be a race we will not soon forget.”

The roots of the NASCAR Mexico Series were planted in 2004, and three years later, it became NASCAR’s first internationally sanctioned series. It competes on tracks throughout nine major cities in Mexico, providing racing fans with some of the most intense stock car racing on the planet. Current NASCAR Cup Series star and 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Daniel Suárez began his stock car racing career in the NASCAR Mexico Series in 2008, and other NASCAR Mexico Series alumni like Max Gutierrez and Andres Perez de Lara are working their way up the NASCAR touring ladder.

The list of NASCAR Mexico Series drivers competing at the Coliseum on Feb. 4 will be announced at a later date, along with the full day’s schedule of racing and entertainment. NASCAR on FOX will once again broadcast the Busch Light Clash to set the stage for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. The NASCAR Mexico Series race will be broadcast on Fox Sports 3 in Mexico, and available pan regionally on Claro Sports and the D Motors channel on DirecTV.

A single ticket purchased is good for both races, and tickets begin at $65, with kids 12-and-under at $10. Fans who want to take their race-day experience to the next level can upgrade to the NASCAR Pre-Race Party, which includes brunch, cocktails, musical entertainment, surprise guests and more! It also includes track walk access, signing the start / finish line and exclusive on-track photo opportunities. Fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting www.nascarclash.com.

College students can experience the Busch Light Clash from the Torch Party Porch for just $40. This standing-room-only general admission section, located on the Coliseum’s peristyle steps, provides college students with up-close access to all the musical entertainment, driver introductions and racing action. College students can take advantage of this exclusive offer by visiting www.nascarclash.com/student.

NASCAR Clash Experiences will serve as the Official Travel and Experience Package Provider for the 2024 Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum, offering attendees specialized access to unique experiences such as driver interactions, VIP garage area tours, exclusive hospitality options, and much more to enrich the overall spectator experience. Experience Packages now available at nascarclashexperiences.com.

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

About The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a living memorial to all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I, has been a civic treasure for generations of Angelenos.  Located in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA, the Coliseum is a 77,500 capacity multi-purpose stadium which opened in 1923. Home to the USC Trojans, the legendary stadium has been named as one of the nation’s 40 best stadiums to experience college football by Sporting News, and ranked USC football at the Coliseum as the nation’s No. 3 stadium experience by StadiumJourney.com.  Following a recent renovation in 2019, the stadium is now home to a newly added seven-story suite and press tower which includes luxurious suites, loge boxes, club seats, a new press box, and the rooftop 1923 Club with a 360-degree view of the Los Angeles basin; along with several upgrades including new seating, updated technology and concession stands, additional food options for guests, and much more. 

The legacy of events and individuals hosted in nine-plus-decades reads like no other, including  the only venue to host two Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and the Track and Field Competition for the Summer Olympics (Xth Olympiad in 1932, XXIIIrd Olympiad in 1984) and soon a third (XXXIVth Olympiad in 2028); home to college football’s USC Trojans since 1923 and the UCLA Bruins (1928-1981);  professional football’s Los Angeles Rams (1946-1979 and 2016-2019); appearances by U.S. Presidents Franklin D Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan; and international dignitaries such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, and Nelson Mandela, to name a few. Additionally, the Coliseum, designated a National Historic monument in 1984, has hosted some of the greatest acts in entertainment, including Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Prince, and many more. For more information please visit lacoliseum.com.

Will 2023 be the ‘The Year of Hamlin’?

By
Quinn McCullough
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Each year when the NASCAR Playoffs start, fans ask who will win the championship. One driver who is always in these conversations is Denny Hamlin, the driver of the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Throughout his career, Hamlin has been close to winning his first NASCAR Cup Series championship many times but has always seemed to fall short.

But, maybe this year could be different. Hamlin had a dominating performance in the final Round of 16 race at Bristol Motor Speedway last Saturday night.

After the race, however, he was booed immensely by many NASCAR fans which led to an entertaining post-race interview with NBC Sports Reporter, Marty Snider, with Hamlin telling the fans, “I beat your favorite driver!” Marty would follow up by asking him “And who would that be? Denny responded by saying, “All of them!” Once the interview was over the crowd fell silent.

https://youtu.be/Qhbb4gsS94w

It is too early to say that this year could be different for Hamlin, as the points for the Playoffs are reset following each round. But Hamlin also had a great finish at Kansas Speedway last weekend, finishing second to Tyler Reddick who drives for Hamlin’s team, 23XI Racing that he co-owns with NBA legend Michael Jordan.

Hamlin has three total wins this year including Kansas Speedway in May, Pocono Raceway in July and Bristol.

When asked on the post-race show at Bristol about his confidence in this year’s Playoffs, Hamlin said they are looking better this year and having improved finishes. And though he is doing well now, things can change quickly during the Playoffs

Cadillac at Indy: Back to the front in title chase

By
Official Release
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Cadillac V-Series.Rs finish fourth, seventh in 2-hour, 40-minute race at IMS

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 17, 2023) – From a 17-point gap to the championship lead, the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R will look to wrap up the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Grand Touring Prototype title Oct. 14 at the Motul Petit Le Mans.

After missing nearly all the initial practice session Friday because of a brake issue and qualifying a season-low eighth, Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims drove the hybrid Cadillac racecar to fourth place in the 2-hour, 40-minute TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande overcame a first-lap incident to finish seventh.

The No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R takes a three-point advantage in the GTP Team/Driver Championship into the 10-hour race on the 2.54-mile, 12-turn Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Derani, Sims and Jack Aitken also lead the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup in points.

Cadillac continues to pace the GTP Manufacturer Championship standings and will to claim its ninth manufacturer title (three in IMSA DPi, three in the Pirelli World Challenge GT, two in the SPEED World Challenge GT).

The No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R took the point following a round of yellow flag pit stops and Derani kept the Cadillac, powered by the 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V-8 engine, out front for 35 minutes at the midpoint of the race on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course.

Derani was overtaken in Turn 1 with 1 hour, 3 minutes left by the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsports entry and the eventual race-winning No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsports car. Sims held his own over the final 47 minutes after a full-service stop.

Bourdais, who qualified fourth, was tagged from behind in Turn 1 of the green flag lap, spun and hit again. He continued and brought the crippled car onto pit lane under yellow for a front bodywork change assembly and right-rear tire change. He returned to pit lane five minutes later under green for tires and fuel. Van der Zande took over the wheel for the final 1 hour, 51 minutes left.

The USA Network and Peacock (in the U.S.; IMSA.TV outside the U.S.) will air the Motul Petit Le Mans on Oct. 14.

What they’re saying

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R

Sebastien Bourdais: “The run down to Turn 1 at the start is so long and you get a crazy amount of tow. They were all bunched to the right, so the only option was to go left. You know at that point that you’re in a three-wide situation and I was just trying to hold my position. In the process, I got turned and got hit and we had to come in for a new nose and got a drive-thru. It was a frustrating race after the team prepared hard for this race. We’ll keep at it and hope to finish on a better note at Petit.”

Renger van der Zande: “I was disappointed with our pace after the first-corner crash because it didn’t feel right. I was hanging on to it much of the time. We hopefully can improve at the upcoming test and understand a little more what the tire does and take it from there at Petit Le Mans.”

No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R

Pipo Derani: “I’m proud of the whole team. After missing practice 1 and to be in position to lead the race, we fought hard to bring home a solid finish for the championship. We moved up the grid from P8 to P4 and back in the championship lead. Obviously, not the race result we were looking for when we arrived here. We always want to win, but if you can’t win you always try to get your best finish. Considering how we started the weekend, it was a very good effort. Thank you to our Whelen team, Cadillac Racing for always fighting hard.”

Alexander Sims: “Honestly, from where we started, the end was pretty good. The middle of the race it was looking pretty rosy the was the strategy played out. Ultimately, we didn’t quite have the long-run pace of the guys up front. When I got in we were fourth and we finished fourth. I didn’t have the strongest of stints and there is work to do to keep improving. Nevertheless, we go into the last race in a good position and as always in IMSA it’s pretty exciting down to the end. I’m looking forward to it.”

CORVETTE RACING AT INDIANAPOLIS: Difficult Brickyard Return

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Official Release
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CORVETTE RACING AT INDIANAPOLIS: Difficult Brickyard Return

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 17, 2023) – Corvette Racing struggled home to a fifth-place GT Daytona (GTD) PRO class finish Sunday in its return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.

Teammates Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor had hoped to build on their momentum from a victory in the last IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race at Virginia International Raceway. Unfortunately for Corvette Racing, they were powerless to challenge for a repeat win, much less a class podium finish. The positive out of the race is that the drivers, Chevrolet and the No. 3 squad remain second in GTD PRO Drivers, Manufacturers and Teams points.

Taylor qualified the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R began fifth in class but had a good run into the tight and difficult first corner to take fourth before a first-course yellow on the opening lap. Once the race went back green, Taylor’s day got better as the pole-sitting Porsche was penalized for changing lanes at the start to move the Corvette to third.

A large part of Taylor’s 50-minute stint saw him and the three other leading GTD PRO cars stuck behind a slow prototype. That hold-up allowed the Corvette to stay in touch with the leaders and Taylor to save a prodigious amount of fuel before the C8.R’s first stop of the race.

He came in with the championship-leading Lexus under the race’s second full-course yellow while the No. 79 and No. 23 entries had stopped 10 minutes earlier under green. Thanks to a speedy stop for fuel, tires and the change to Garcia, the No. 3 jumped the No. 14 Lexus in the pitlane and restarted third in class.

With no slower traffic ahead, Garcia was helpless to hold off the challengers behind him. He fell behind the faster Lexus after the restart with the two cars on the same pit strategy to the end. They both stopped with an hour left – one lap after the two other class contenders – but came out with a significant gap behind the eventual winning Mercedes and second-place Aston Martin.

Corvette Racing closes the IMSA season with the 10-hour Petit Le Mans on Saturday, Oct. 14 from Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – FINISHED FIFTH IN GTD PRO: “A frustrating day. We had a little bit of track position before the first stop thanks to the slow traffic and Jordan being able to save fuel. Once we went back to green and no one was holding us up, there was no chance to stay with the leaders. The only way for us to create laptime was no traffic and momentum. The others could go whenever they wanted while we struggled to stay up to speed getting through the traffic. And there was a lot of that. Even the GTDs had a pretty easy time getting by. The car was fine and ran well. We just couldn’t fight. I hope that gets better at Road Atlanta.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – FINISHED FIFTH IN GTD PRO: “I was very surprised at the start (to stick with the GTD PRO leaders). We got lucky with an LMP3 car holding guys up for a good portion of that stint. We were able to sit in the train and save fuel. It was going to be difficult to make a move on anyone, so we saved fuel and hoped jump those guys in the pits, which the guys did with a great stop. The car was decent. Like Antonio said, we had no power to race with anyone. It was wild out there. You could gain and lose a second or two a lap depending on when they get you and how aggressive they are.”

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.

McDowell and Gilliland Finish Sixth and 16th at the Bristol Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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McDowell Misses Round of Twelve

Front Row Motorsports traveled to Bristol, Tennessee and the Bristol Motor Speedway for NASCAR’s infamous night race.

Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops/Chevron Delo Ford Mustang qualified fourth for the 500-lap race. McDowell and team started strong in stage one, only pitting for right-side tires and fuel during a caution for an on track incident involving fellow competitors, Austin Cindric and A.J. Allmendinger. Rain brought out the caution again, forcing NASCAR to bring the cars down pit road. Back on track, McDowell was shuffled back to 15th after pitting for tires and fuel. He finished stage one 15th. Stage two proved the 34 team strong, gaining eight spots to finish stage two sixth. The final stage was rather quiet with McDowell riding consistently in the top ten to cross the start/finish line sixth.

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Speedy Cash Ford Mustang made up solid ground with a 16th place finish after qualifying 30th for Sunday’s event. With a long night ahead of them, Gilliland and crew made the decision to stay out during the first caution, setting the pace for the remainder of the night. Stage two provided a big jump for Gilliland, who sat 27th for the restart and quickly made up positions to sit 14th. Similar to McDowell, the 38 team had an uneventful stage three, consistently running in the teens and crossing the line 16th.

Michael McDowell, Driver No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops/Chevron Delo Ford Mustang:

“It’s disappointing not to advance, for sure, but we dug ourselves such a big hole those first two races that we were in a must-win situation. We weren’t good enough to do that tonight, but I’m still really proud of the speed that we brought and the effort that we brought. We still needed a little bit more to contend for that win, but we gave ourselves a fighting chance. Unfortunately, at the end there wasn’t enough action. Normally at Bristol you get a late-race caution and get the front row beating and banging and maybe you get an opportunity, but that just never happened. We’re learning. It’s a learning experience for us. This is only the second time we’ve been in the playoffs. We’ve had a good season. We’ve showed good speed and we’ll learn from the mistakes that we made here in this first round and we’ll keep working hard the rest of the season to try to treat it like we are in and we’re fighting for a championship because hopefully next year we will be. So, it’s a learning experience for us. It’s not what we wanted, but I’m still proud of the effort.”

THE FIRST TIME YOU MADE THE PLAYOFFS YOU WERE JUST HAPPY TO BE THERE. THIS TIME WAS A DIFFERENT FEELING, RIGHT? “The performance was there. I don’t want to downplay that, but we just didn’t execute well and we had some issues. We qualified in the second round of all three races, which you need to do if you want to advance, so we got that part down. At Darlington, we got into that crash at the end and that’s 10-15 spots. That’s all you need to make it, so a lot of things could have gone differently that would have put us in a position to advance, but it just didn’t work out. It wasn’t meant to be. We’ll learn from it and get better for the next time.”

Todd Gilliland, Driver No. 38 Speedy Cash Ford Mustang:

“We had a really solid night for where we qualified. It’s so hard to pass here so we had to rely on cautions and pit strategy. Still really proud of this team and the what we accomplished.”

The team next races Sunday at the Texas Motor Speedway. The race is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network.

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.

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