Home Blog Page 1302

Kevin Manion named crew chief for Nick Sanchez, Rev Racing for 2024 Truck Series season

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by Chad Wells for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Kevin “Bono” Manion will be joining Rev Racing to serve as Nick Sanchez’s new crew chief for the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

The news comes as Rev Racing prepares to embark on its second season in the Truck Series and first in a technical alliance with Spire Motorsports. It also comes as Manion is coming off a full 2023 Truck Series schedule with Spire Motorsports, where he worked with nine different competitors while calling the shots atop the No. 7 Spire Chevrolet entry pit box.

“I am really looking forward to working with Nick [Sanchez] in the upcoming season,” Manion said. “He is incredibly committed to his craft and I know we are going to work really well together. We have a great group of guys surrounding this effort and we are positioned for success, we just need to execute.”

Manion, a native of Boylston, Massachusetts, joins Rev Racing amid an illustrious NASCAR career that includes two Xfinity Series championships with Martin Truex Jr. (2004-05), 17 Xfinity career victories, and five Cup career wins, including the 2010 Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 titles with Jamie McMurray, all while being a crew chief.

In 2016, Manion became a crew chief in the Truck Series for the first time as he joined Kyle Busch Motorsports to lead the team’s No. 51 “all-star” entry that was piloted between four competitors. He would then spend the next two seasons at DGR-Crosley before transitioning to GMS Racing for the following two seasons as he led Zane Smith to three career victories and back-to-back runner-up results in the final driver’s standings. For the previous two seasons, Manion moved to Spire Motorsports, which expanded to the Truck Series for the first time, beginning on a part-time basis in 2022 before expanding to a full schedule in 2023. Throughout the two seasons, Manion worked with a total of 12 competitors and achieved two victories.

Manion achieved his first Truck victory as a crew chief with Daniel Suarez at Phoenix Raceway in November 2016 and has since compiled a total of nine Truck victories with six competitors, with his latest occurring with Kyle Larson at North Wilkesboro Speedway last May.

Manion’s move to Rev Racing brings excitement for Sanchez, who retains driving responsibilities of the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado RST for a second full-time Truck campaign. The 22-year-old Sanchez from Miami, Florida, is coming off the first Truck campaign for himself and Rev Racing after winning the 2022 ARCA Menards Series championship. Throughout the 2023 season, Sanchez achieved five poles, two top-five results, 12 top-10 results, 309 laps led and an average-finishing result of 13.0, with his best result being a runner-up finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March. He qualified for the 2023 Truck Series Playoffs and settled in sixth place in the final driver’s standings after missing the Championship 4 cutline in a tie-breaker. Nonetheless, he managed to achieve the 2023 Rookie-of-the-Year title as he prepares for another bid for both a Championship 4 berth and his first series’ victory.

“I am thrilled to be returning to Rev Racing for a full season in the [NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series],” Sanchez said. “I certainly have some unfinished business. I am grateful for another opportunity to compete with [owner] Max [Siegel] and appreciative for the returning support of my partners at Gainbridge. They truly are catalysts in my career and continue to drive positive change in our sport. I am energized by the new talent I have surrounding me in 2024, but feel foundationally grounded by those that are returning for a second season. The team makeup is positioned for success and we are all focused on the same goal, to win a Championship.”

In addition to Manion, Allen Hart, a former engineer and technical director who recently served as crew chief for Sam Hunt Racing in the Xfinity Series, will join Rev Racing to serve as the team’s chief engineer.

Rev Racing’s 2024 Craftsman Truck Series season is set to commence at Daytona International Speedway for the Fresh From Florida 250. The event is scheduled to occur on February 16 and air at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Racing to End Alzheimer’s to contest Michelin Pilot Challenge event at Daytona

By
Official Release
-

Mark Kwamme and Nick Galante will be joined by Matt Forbush, partnering with Hattori Motorsports

LOS ANGELES (January 16 2024) – The Racing to End Alzheimer’s colors are set to compete on one of the premier race weekends of the season, as the team partners with Hattori Motorsports to field the No. 51 Toyota Supra GT4 in the Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) – the lead-in race to the 62nd Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway (Friday, January 26, 1:45 p.m. ET on Peacock).

Two of the Racing to End Alzheimer’s champions – 2023 Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America Am class champion Mark Kvamme and 2016 and 2018 IMPC champ Nick Galante – will be joined by longtime Toyota Supra racer Matt Forbush in the four-hour BMW Endurance Challenge.

First up for the team will be this weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24, which offers Kvamme, Galante and Forbush five practice sessions to get up to speed with the Toyota Supra. Galante raced with Forbush Performance in the Toyota in the 2022 IMPC race at Daytona and will look to build on that with a return to the high banks this year.

For Phil Frengs, Racing to End Alzheimer’s founder, it’s a chance to bring his message of hope back to one of the world’s great endurance race weekends. After the team’s most successful year to date (a record-setting 216 names adorned the team’s Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America entry at the season finale as part of an effort that raised over $220,000 in 2023), Frengs looks forward to hitting the ground running in 2024.

“It’s always a thrill to race at Daytona,” said Frengs. “This is a great opportunity to pair two of our Racing to End Alzheimer’s champions with our friend, Matt Forbush, who has a great deal of experience as well. Daytona brings out so many passionate sports car racing fans, and we’ll look forward to sharing our story – and to hear so many stories from people who have experienced dementia and Alzheimer’s in their families.”

The No. 51 Toyota will carry the Racing to End Alzheimer’s colors, but not the familiar “names” livery.

The Daytona car will not include loved-ones names, the traditional Racing to end Alzheimer’s livery will return in 2024 in the Porsche Carrera Cup competition, with the organization already accepting donations from family members eager to honor loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“The ‘names’ livery is near and dear to our hearts,” said Frengs. “Last year was our best year to date, with 216 names on the car.”

The distinctive “names” livery highlights the purple Alzheimer’s colors For a $250 donation, the family member’s name and hometown is placed on the car, and their photo can be posted on the R2EndAlz’s Wall of Champions. All donations are matched by Frengs’ company Legistics and 100% of all donations go to the two beneficiary organizations.

Owned by former open wheel driver Shigeaki Hattori, the Hattori Motorsports team has a short but impressive record in the series, having won their first IMPC race last year, at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The Mooresville, SC-based team, who regularly competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, also contested a limited schedule in SRO with the same car.

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge takes the green flag a week from Friday, January 26, at 1:45 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on Peacock, with international viewing available at IMSA.tv.

About Racing to End Alzheimer’s

In 2013, Phil Frengs’ wife Mimi was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Their experience with the disease led Frengs to a seminal moment: his company, Legistics, had long sponsored a team in IMSA sports car racing and he realized an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the fight against the disease. In 2017, he formed Racing to End Alzheimer’s, giving fans the opportunity to honor loved ones by putting their names on the race car via donation – with Legistics matching each donation. 100% of those donations go to the two organizations the team supports:

The Nantz National Alzheimer’s Center at Houston Methodist Hospital is exploring cutting edge strategies in therapy, care and research to find a cure for these dementias. NNAC was founded by longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz III and his family in honor of his father, Jim, Jr., who passed away after a 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s. It is a world-class research, referral and care center that combines comprehensive patient services with the resolute pursuit of scientific breakthroughs in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s.

The UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program is a nationally-recognized grant-funded program designed to help patients and their families with the complex medical, behavioral and social needs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. UCLA is renowned for its compassionate, personalized Alzheimer’s care; innovative social and psychological programs; and robust support services for patients, caregivers and families. Via webinars and on-site education, UCLA works with Alzheimer’s and dementia programs across the country to improve care for patients and families alike.

Jeffrey Earnhardt returns to Sam Hunt Racing for part-time Xfinity campaign in 2024

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by Bruce Nuttleman for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Jeffrey Earnhardt will be reuniting with Sam Hunt Racing in a multi-race deal for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season that will commence at Atlanta Motor Speedway in late February.

The news comes as the fourth-generation racer from Mooresville, North Carolina, is coming off a part-time campaign in the Xfinity circuit, where he competed in the Nos. 44 and 45 Chevrolet entries for Alpha Prime Racing. Competing in 24 of the 33-race schedule, Earnhardt recorded a total of six top-20 results and a season-best 11th-place finish at Daytona International Speedway in August.

“I’m really excited to be returning to Sam Hunt Racing and the [Toyota Racing Development] family,” Earnhardt said. “We had strong races in 2022 and I feel like we have some unfinished business. Sam’s program continues to impress, and Toyota makes me feel so welcome. I know this is the right move and can’t wait to get back in the ForeverLawn GR Supra with Sam & team.”

Earnhardt, the son of former NASCAR competitor, Kerry Earnhardt, and the grandson of the late NASCAR Hall of Famer, Dale Earnhardt, made his inaugural presence in the Xfinity circuit at Watkins Glen International in August 2009. Since then, he has amassed a total of 168 starts with 13 organizations in the Xfinity circuit. Within the 168 starts, he has recorded a single pole, two top-five results, five top-10 results, 47 laps led and an average finishing result of 24.3. His best on-track result is a runner-up finish at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2022, the same weekend where he notched his first career pole while piloting his grandfather’s iconic No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing and with championship-winning crew chief Larry McReynolds calling the shots.

In 2022, Earnhardt made nine of his 13 Xfinity starts with Sam Hunt Racing, where he recorded six top-20 results and his highest result being a seventh-place run at Nashville Superspeedway in June.

For the 2024 season, Earnhardt’s Xfinity starts with Sam Hunt Racing will occur in the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra entry with ForeverLawn returning to sponsor him. The North Carolina native also becomes the second competitor confirmed to make select starts for Sam Hunt Racing alongside Corey Heim, who will make his first of select starts with the team at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in early March.

“Jeffrey is a great guy that everyone enjoys being around and working with,” Sam Hunt, owner of Sam Hunt Racing, added. “We’ve had some great conversations over the past couple months and know he is committed to the program, as well as to the TRD family. His experience and full perspective view on the sport is always refreshing, and feel we had great speed together in 2022. I’m excited to build on that momentum and pick up where we left off and look forward to welcoming the ForeverLawn family back to the Sam Hunt Racing camp.”

Sam Hunt Racing’s full driver lineup along with Earnhardt’s part-time schedule for the 2024 Xfinity Series season remains to be determined.

Jeffrey Earnhardt’s 2024 part-time campaign in the Xfinity Series with Sam Hunt Racing is set to commence at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the RAPTOR King of Tough 250. The event is scheduled to occur on February 24 and air at 5 p.m. ET on FS1.

Daniel Dye Joins Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity Series Driver Lineup for Part-Time Schedule in 2024

By
Official Release
-

Dye to run 10 races in the No. 10 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing

 LEXINGTON, N.C. (Jan. 16, 2023) – Kaulig Racing announces that Daniel Dye will run the No. 10 Chevrolet in 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) races in the 2024 season.

In 2023, Dye competed full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), earning one top-10 finish and ending his rookie season 18th in driver points. Additionally, Dye made two NXS starts, earning a 17th-place finish in his series debut at Texas Motor Speedway.

“We’re excited to welcome Daniel [Dye] to our driver lineup at Kaulig Racing,” team president Chris Rice says. “We’ve brought a lot of young drivers into the Xfinity Series, and we’re looking forward to seeing him grow as a driver throughout the season with our team.”

Champion Container Corporation, a family-owned business specializing in industrial packaging and container solutions, will serve as the primary partner on Daniel Dye’s No. 10 Chevy. Champion Container Corporation is committed to meeting the unique needs of each customer by offering a wide range of products, including steel, plastic and fiber containers, along with a variety of services such as container reconditioning and recycling to support sustainable practices in the industry.

“Daniel is a driver that is easy to root for on and off the racetrack. He is an incredible ambassador of Champion Container, and we are proud to be represented by him in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing,” says Champion Container CEO, Tom Miskewitz. “Additionally, the Daniel Dye Racing (DDR) organization’s work with Race to Stop Suicide is immensely important and reaches a massive audience through its efforts. We are proud to be mental health advocates alongside DDR.”

Race to Stop Suicide (R2SS), founded by Randy and Daniel Dye, will also be featured on the car. R2SS focuses on delivering essential resources to those seeking help, spreading the important message that nobody is alone, and encouraging open conversations about mental health.

“I’ve been a fan and follower of Kaulig Racing for several years now, and to have the opportunity to race for Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice is really special,” says Dye. “I’m excited to drive the No. 10 Champion Container Chevy in the Xfinity Series and lean on my teammates that have experience in all aspects of racing. I’m especially looking forward to working with AJ Allmendinger and having him on my side as I learn as much as I can from this opportunity.”

Dye will join Kaulig Racing teammates AJ Allmendinger, Shane van Gisbergen, and Josh Williams on-track for the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17, 2024.

Kaulig Racing will enter the NXS No. 10 Champion Container Chevrolet in the following races:

Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway
April 6 at Martinsville Speedway
April 27 at Dover Motor Speedway
June 15 at Iowa Speedway
July 13 at Pocono Raceway
July 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Aug. 17 at Michigan International Speedway
Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway
Oct. 19 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Nov. 9 at Phoenix Raceway
 
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 and added a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. In 2024, the team will once again field two, full-time entries in the NCS and continue to field three, full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

WTRAndretti Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 Team Ready for 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD Class Debut

By
Official Release
-

(BROWNSBURG, Indiana.) January 16, 2024 — Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) heads to Daytona International Speedway to begin the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with a new full-time entry in the GTD class. The No. 45 WTRAndretti Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 team will make its’ debut with the Roar Before the Rolex 24 as part of the newly WTRAndretti expanded fleet alongside a factory two-car Acura ARX-06 effort. Dressing the No. 45 WTRAndretti Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 will be the sharp design of black and red of WTRAndretti partner, DEX Imaging.

Familiar faces of the WTRAndretti family of drivers and Lamborghini Squadra Corse are reigning Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America PRO Champions Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal who will handle the full season driving duties for the No. 45 team. Rookie Graham Doyle will make his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut as the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup driver while Ashton Harrison will return for her second Rolex 24 At Daytona to round out the driver lineup behind the wheel.

Action for the Roar Before the Rolex 24 weekend will begin with the first on-track session on Friday, January 19th at 11 a.m. ET. The Roar Before the Rolex 24 will conclude with qualifying set for 1:55 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 21st, broadcast on Peacock. Green flag for the 62nd Running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona will fly at 1:40 p.m. ET with NBC and Peacock providing flag-to-flag coverage on its’ family of networks.

Wayne Taylor, Team Principal, WTRAndretti: “This year is a totally different year for this team because we’ve always run one car, now we have three including GTD. Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal, who have been with us for a while now and have won many races with us in Lamborghini Super Trofeo series, will do the full championship. An exciting part is adding Graham Doyle, only 17-years-old, never driven anything in life before getting into a 600 horsepower Lamborghini and winning races last year, and then coming on board for the long-distance races in IMEC this year. Ashton Harrison who has been with us for about four to five years now, will get her second chance at a Rolex this year. I think we have a strong lineup across the team and contend for the win. I want to thank DEX Imaging for their continued support as well as Harrison Contracting Company and Gainbridge.”

No. 45 WTRAndretti Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2
Kyle Marcelli, 2024 Full Season Co-Driver: “IMSA is thriving right now. We are seeing maximum capacity grids filled with the best teams, drivers, and manufacturers. A whopping 36 cars combined in GTD and GTD Pro, wow! This race will be more difficult than ever to win, but, with so much that can and will happen in 24 hours of racing, it’s everyone’s race to win and everyone’s race to lose. WTRAndretti is one of the best in the business and have been working tirelessly to prepare. I’m very confident in our entry and with that, I’m also very excited to kick off the 2024 season. There’s a lot of positive energy inside WTRAndretti right now, we are all eager to get going.”

Danny Formal, 2024 Full Season Co-Driver: “2024 is upon us and the dream about to begin. To be a part of WTRAndretti and start the season off at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona with the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, it’s a dream come true. I’ve been in the Lamborghini family now for a couple years and so excited to start my career in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a GTD. Super grateful for Wayne, Travis, and DEX Imaging for this opportunity. Super excited to share the car with Kyle Marcelli, Graham Doyle, and Ashton Harrison. I think we have a great team in WTRAndretti. Excited to get going and hope we have a great qualifying – I know it’s a 24-hour race, but these races have become a 24-hour sprint.”

Graham Doyle, 2024 Endurance Co-Driver: “It’s truly hard for me to put into words how excited I am to get to Daytona for both the Roar and especially the Rolex 24 At Daytona. This race has always been special to me, and I cannot wait to participate and be a part of it with such a great team in WTRAndretti. Working as a team at the December test and at the Roar, I believe we are truly going to be able to make strides in our setup of the car and as a team to set ourselves up as a candidate to hopefully do well come race day.”

Ashton Harrison, 2024 Rolex 24 Co-Driver: “The WTRAndretti team has so much experience and success at the Rolex, it’s benefited us in the GTD program. We’ve been able to get straight to business and focus on the key items that help us to dial in our Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2. With this only being my second attempt at a Rolex, I’m looking forward to continuing to gain experience and work together with my teammates for the overall goal to win a Rolex. For me personally, I want to become the first woman to win the Rolex 24 which is a task all in itself. There is something about the Rolex that sticks with you all season, rather if you win or lose, you learn something new every lap.”

ABOUT WTRANDRETTI
Andretti Global and Wayne Taylor Racing announced a new, long-term partnership in 2023 that combines the resources of the two championship-caliber teams to compete in IMSA’s top classes. In 2024, Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) has expanded to a two-car GTP program as well as competes in the GTD class. Coming off its 2023 championship winning effort, WTRAndretti continues its Driver Development Program competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series with a full stable.

WTRAndretti’s global motorsports enterprise boasts two IMSA driver championships (2013 and 2017), and back-to-back IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championships (2020, 2021) which contributed to nine IMSA manufacturer championships for Acura, Pontiac, Corvette and Cadillac. In its brief 17-year history, WTRAndretti has accumulated multiple victories in sportscar racing’s most iconic events: Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Mid-Ohio, Road America and the Six Hours of The Glen. With its back-to-back PRO Class Championship wins (2022, 2023), WTR also has ten North America Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship titles and a Lamborghini World Finals title.

Andretti Global, a Championship-winning motorsports organization, competes in additional racing categories worldwide, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Extreme E, Australian Supercars and the Mexico SuperCopa Championship. Additionally, the racing enterprise commits to driver development through competition in INDY NXT by Firestone and through support of Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon’s racing careers.

WTRAndretti’s long term partnerships include Lamborghini Squadra Corse, DEX Imaging, Harrison Contracting Company and Gainbridge.

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Adds to Team Ahead of 2024

By
Official Release
-

Two Key Leadership Appointments Announced

STATESVILLE, N.C. – (Jan. 16, 2024) – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport owners Jordan Anderson and John Bommarito today announced two key personnel moves ahead of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. The strategic placements reinforce the team’s commitment to success and growth on and off the racetrack. NASCAR industry veteran Bruce J. Mosley will become the team’s Head of Business Operations and Chad Kendrick will serve as crew chief for the No. 31 Chevrolet team with Parker Retzlaff. Shane Whitbeck will return to the No. 27 team again with driver Jeb Burton.

Mosley, a seasoned veteran, has been an integral figure in the motorsports industry for almost three decades. Mosley most recently held the position of President, Business Operations for LEGACY M.C. following an eight-year tenure as the chief revenue officer at Roush Fenway Racing (now RFK Racing) leading sales and partnership development efforts. Mosley previously served in strategic leadership roles associated with The Kroger Company, Walmart, Sunoco, and Office Depot’s NASCAR industry activation programs, and prior to that in executive capacities with the former NASCAR team owned by Chip Ganassi and International Speedway Corporation (ISC).

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the Florida State University and participated in Stetson University’s Master of Business Administration program. Mosley currently serves as the Executive in Residence for Belmont Abbey College’s Motorsports Management Program and is a member of the Lowe’s YMCA branch board of directors in Mooresville, N.C.

“I am extremely excited to work with Jordan and this team,” said Mosley. “I’ve watched Jordan’s career progress since he was a student at Belmont Abbey College and have admired his success over the past decade. I hope to be able to contribute to the growth plans Jordan and John have in place.”

“Bruce brings a business experience skill set to the team that aligns with our partnership development growth plans,” said Anderson “His proven experience, professional integrity, demonstrated success, and leadership abilities align perfectly with our needs on the business operations side as we continue to add depth to our team and instill a long-term commitment to achieving success for our marketing partners.”

The team also announced the appointment of Chad Kendrick to crew chief of the No. 31 FUNKAWAY team as Parker Retzlaff readies for his sophomore season behind the wheel. Kendrick most recently served as crew chief on the No. 25 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet Silverado the last three seasons and has earned seven wins, ten poles, and over 128 Top 10’s in the series to his credit.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to work at Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport and work with such a talent like Parker alongside the team Jordan and John have assembled.” Said Kendrick “Not often you get an opportunity to work at such a great place, with one of the best up and coming drivers in the sport.”

“Our team thrives off a dedication from people who love this sport, and Chad has hit the ground running with his hands on approach,” said Anderson. “His commitment to excellence and diverse experience will add to our ability to be competitive this season as we continue to make a push on track and in the shop to give Parker and the team everything they need – as well as building for the future.”

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport is a NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito. Established in 2017 the organization is fueled by an incredible, close-knit team of employees, fans, and sponsors with a focus on integrity in the pursuit of excellence. Our goal is to embrace the journey we’re on and to never give up – whether on the track, in the pits, or in life. Every single team partner, and fan of ours, is what keeps our race cars running strong and our team performing at the highest level.

Justin Haley To Drive No. 51 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing

By
Official Release
-

24-Year-Old Racer Paired with Crew Chief Chris Lawson for 2024 Cup Season

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 16, 2024) – It was last July when Justin Haley announced he would drive for Rick Ware Racing (RWR) in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2024, but other pertinent details such as car number and crew chief were unknown despite the multiyear agreement.

With NASCAR’s 76th season just 18 days away with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Feb. 4 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, RWR can confirm that Haley will drive its No. 51 Ford Mustang with crew chief Chris Lawson.

“Justin is an exceptionally talented racecar driver and all of us at RWR are looking forward to having him in our equipment,” said Ware, whose eponymous team celebrated its 20th NASCAR anniversary in 2023. “We’re building RWR into a competitive NASCAR team that is on par with the success we enjoyed last year in drag racing and motorcycle racing. Justin wants to win, Chris Lawson wants to win, and that’s the kind of mindset we need to elevate our NASCAR program.”

In 2023, RWR won three NHRA Drag Racing Series events in the Top Fuel class with driver Clay Millican and scored two Progressive American Flat Track wins with rider Briar Bauman. And coming off its 2022 FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) with rider Shane McElrath, RWR continued to score WSX victories between McElrath and teammate Joey Savatgy.

Haley, a winner across all three of NASCAR’s top national touring series – Cup, Xfinity and Craftsman Truck – is relishing his opportunity with RWR.

“RWR has a long history in this sport and a bright future. Working together will only help us achieve what both me and Rick are looking to do,” Haley said. “Rick and the RWR guys genuinely believe in my ability on the track and back at the shop, and that means the world to me. This is already a great fit for me as a driver looking to take the next step and improve. Having a solid team behind me that truly wants me to be a part of their organization and drive their racecars has given me a lot of confidence.”

It’s confidence on top of confidence for Haley. The 24-year-old from Winamac, Indiana, brings one Cup Series victory to RWR and four NASCAR Xfinity Series wins, three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series triumphs and five ARCA Menards Series victories along with a championship – the 2016 ARCA Menards Series East title.

“Rick has shared his goal of changing the narrative of RWR by creating a team that is competitive and capable of running up front,” Haley said. “I fully believe in Rick’s vision and admire his dedication to the sport. He’s been a staple in the garage for years and I want to be the guy to see Rick’s vision through and make it a reality.”

Since 2004, RWR has fielded entries across Cup, Xfinity and Truck, making well over 1,300 starts. That tenacity has been embraced by Haley, who is taking a methodical approach to his first season with RWR, but his third fulltime year in Cup.

“There are a lot of factors that will play into our success in 2024. I really see the full year as being broken down into smaller seasons,” Haley said.

“The first few races are great to baseline and see where we are as a team. With a lot of new faces and parts on our cars, it’ll take some time to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses.

“The second stretch of races will be the building phase, where we take what we learned from the first stretch of races and tackle our weaknesses.

“Then in the third stage, we apply those changes and really start to make big strides. That’s where we’ll continue to develop while really starting to make gains and, hopefully, find success.”

Following the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, Haley and Lawson kick off their 36-race slate of points-paying events with the 66th Daytona 500 on Feb. 18 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Both events will be broadcast live on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Rick Ware Racing:

Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age 6 when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR, but injuries eventually forced him out of the drivers seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 2004, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning race-winning teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the NTT INDYCAR Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX).

Newly expanded WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 Team set for 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship beginning with Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona

By
Official Release
-

(BROWNSBURG, Indiana.) January 16, 2024 —Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) will make the team’s multi-car debut as the factory outfit for the duo of Acura ARX-06 GTP entries this weekend at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 event. The 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season kicks off with the Roar Before the Rolex 24 weekend which is comprised of three days on-track with six testing sessions for the GTP field. The weekend concludes with the traditional qualifying format of a single 15-minute session in an effort to collect pole position honors for the 62nd Running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

As a newly expanded two-car team, WTRAndretti’s stable features a stout roster of drivers in each Acura ARX-06 GTP entry. The No. 10 WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 will continue to bolster the iconic blue and black livery alongside tenured WTRAndretti partner Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA. The No. 40 WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 will feature a bold red and black scheme with DEX Imaging as the primary partner.

Returning to the No. 10 WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP lineup are Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque as the full season drivers. Taylor and Albuquerque will be joined by 2023 Rolex 24 At Daytona teammate and reigning World Endurance Championship Hypercar Champion, Brendon Hartley, as the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) driver for 2024. Rounding out the roster of drivers for the No. 10 Acura ARX-06 is 2022 Indianapolis 500 Winner and newly announced NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver for Andretti Global, Marcus Ericsson.

Joining the WTRAndretti team for 2024 is the No. 40 WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP entry. Piloting the new No. 40 Acura ARX-06 GTP entry includes 2023 IMEC driver for WTRAndretti, Louis Delétraz, and the return of Jordan Taylor to the family team as the full-time drivers. In addition to Delétraz and Taylor for the No. 40 stable, Andretti Global NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver, Colton Herta, is set for the IMEC events throughout the upcoming IMSA season. Entering his first Rolex 24 At Daytona, Formula One Champion, Jenson Button, completes the No. 40 Acura ARX-06 lineup as Button reunites with his NASCAR Garage 56 Driver Coach, Taylor, to add another accolade to his extensive racing resume.

Action for the Roar Before the Rolex 24 weekend will begin with the first on-track session at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, January 19th at 11 a.m. ET. The Roar Before the Rolex 24 concludes with qualifying set for 2:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 21st, broadcast on Peacock. Green flag for the 62nd Running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona will fly at 1:40 p.m. ET with NBC and Peacock providing flag-to-flag coverage on its’ family of networks.
Wayne Taylor, Team Principal, WTRAndretti: “This year is a totally different year for this team because we’ve always only run one car. We’ve always wanted to run two and now we have the opportunity to do that. It’s made everybody really excited internally that we can now go compete against the big teams with two cars. We just have to do the best job in executing everything. I feel really good about the people we have hired and our existing people that we’ve had for a while – everybody seems very motivated. Having a two-car factory program, you really are now racing the whole field. I’m really looking forward to Daytona. I want to thank Acura, HRC, Konica Minolta, DEX Imaging, Harrison Contracting Company and Gainbridge for their continued support as our team grows and goes for the win.”

No. 10 WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers (Key Partner: Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA)
Ricky Taylor, 2024 Full Season Co-Driver: “Everyone at WTRAndretti, Acura, HRC, and Oreca did an amazing job in year one to develop a brand-new race winning car, we beat the others in the development race to win on debut. This year returning to Daytona everyone has had a full season to learn about their cars and try to catch up. We cannot assume that we will have that same advantage coming in this year and we have also been working hard to maintain the edge. We will have to execute on our plan perfectly to beat the others this year without any mistakes. The team has been working tirelessly in the offseason to prepare for the Rolex 24 this year. Having a second car as an ally will be a fantastic tool not only in the lead up to the event when further developing the car, but also on track during the race strategically. A WTRAndretti team win is the most important thing this year.”

Filipe Albuquerque, 2024 Full Season Co-Driver: “And just like that, we are starting a new season. As always, we’re very motivated to go for another Daytona win. Daytona is always special, especially now with the Roar. There’s lots of new additions, new things going on, even entering the second year of GTP. A lot of new things going on at WTRAndretti, so looking forward to working with the whole team. We have a lot of drivers, a lot of people, a lot of big changes in the team. The Roar is going to be getting used to everybody around and fine-tuning the cars as always. The excitement is always big and being united with everybody is just awesome.”

Brendon Hartley, 2024 Endurance Co-Driver: “I’m excited to be back at Daytona with WTRAndretti. It’s a great crew of drivers across both cars and believe we have a crew and car that can give us a shot at victory. First priority will be getting everyone comfortable and the car in window at the Roar. I’m sure the team will roll the car off in good shape but there is always something to fine tune and also make sure we are prepared for everything the Rolex 24 at Daytona throws at us.”

Marcus Ericsson, 2024 Rolex 24 Co-Driver: “It’s very exciting to be back at Daytona again following the holidays. It’s been a lot of preparation and focus on this year’s Daytona and everything starts with the Roar. I know that Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti, HRC and Acura have done a lot of work and preparations, so have we as drivers in the team as well. Excited to hit the track again and start working, start preparing for the big race.”

No. 40 WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers (Key Partner: DEX Imaging)
Louis Delétraz, 2024 Full Season Co-Driver: “The Roar and Rolex 24 are such iconic events, and I can’t wait to get started. It will be the start of my first full-time GTP IMSA campaign with WTRAndretti which is exciting. As a team, we now have two Acura ARX-06 GTPs, we can work together and it’ll make us stronger. It also brings a lot of new things which we worked on during the off season to be as ready as possible. We have an amazing lineup; an amazing team and we are all determined to start the season on a high!”

Jordan Taylor, 2024 Full Season Co-Driver: “Daytona is my favorite event of the year. We’ve been prepping for a few months now through the off season and the buildup to the event is always exciting. We had some good days of testing in December and followed that up with some time in the simulator, so I feel like we are as prepared as we can be coming into the event. There is still a lot for us to learn, coming in for the first time as a two-car team, but everyone at WTRAndretti, Acura and HRC have been working well together to maximize what we have. We have an amazing group of people, so I can’t wait to get there and get started.”

Colton Herta, 2024 Endurance Co-Driver: “Daytona’s always an amazing event to kick off the year of racing, and this year should be no different! I’m really looking forward at the chance to go for an overall win at this year’s race. It’s been great to work with the WTRAndretti team and teammates so far and am really looking forward to more of it.”

Jenson Button, 2024 Rolex 24 Co-Driver: “After a good couple of days with Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti testing at Daytona and a really useful simulator day, I feel ready to take on the Roar. This 24-hour race is one that I’ve wanted to do my whole racing career. So, finally, the opportunity has come with such an iconic team. A team that has fought for victory many times over the years and won on multiple occasions here at the Rolex 24. Hopefully after a few good days at the Roar, a good qualifying session, we can be in good shape for the ‘Big One’. The rapport in the team is great. Eight drivers racing for WTRAndretti in the top category of GTP, that’s a big deal! And what’s great is we all come from different backgrounds, but we all get along really well and the team atmosphere is really good. Looking forward to putting that into practice this week.”

ABOUT WTRANDRETTI
Andretti Global and Wayne Taylor Racing announced a new, long-term partnership in 2023 that combines the resources of the two championship-caliber teams to compete in IMSA’s top classes. In 2024, Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) has expanded to a two-car GTP program as well as competes in the GTD class. Coming off its 2023 championship winning effort, WTRAndretti continues its Driver Development Program competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series with a full stable.

WTRAndretti’s global motorsports enterprise boasts two IMSA driver championships (2013 and 2017), and back-to-back IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championships (2020, 2021) which contributed to nine IMSA manufacturer championships for Acura, Pontiac, Corvette and Cadillac. In its brief 17-year history, WTRAndretti has accumulated multiple victories in sportscar racing’s most iconic events: Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Mid-Ohio, Road America and the Six Hours of The Glen. With its back-to-back PRO Class Championship wins (2022, 2023), WTR also has ten North America Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship titles and a Lamborghini World Finals title.

Andretti Global, a Championship-winning motorsports organization, competes in additional racing categories worldwide, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Extreme E, Australian Supercars and the Mexico SuperCopa Championship. Additionally, the racing enterprise commits to driver development through competition in INDY NXT by Firestone and through support of Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon’s racing careers.

WTRAndretti’s long term partnerships include Acura, Honda Racing Corporation US (HRC), Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA, DEX Imaging, Harrison Contracting Company and Gainbridge.

Whelen Engineering Becomes Title Sponsor for Mazda MX-5 Cup

By
Official Release
-

January 16, 2024 – Whelen Engineering, a trailblazer in emergency warning products, will partner with Mazda Motorsports to become the title sponsor of the Mazda MX-5 Cup series beginning in 2024.

The relationship marks a new chapter for Whelen, which has a long history of involvement with motorsports that includes supplying tracks with emergency lighting equipment, sponsoring drivers, teams and series in a variety of disciplines, as well as an active engagement with a range of safety response programs in the sport.

Whelen designs and manufactures powerful warning systems (lights and sirens) for the automotive, aviation and mass notification industries worldwide. Founded in 1952, Whelen has been producing products that protect those who protect and serve for more than 70 years.

The Mazda MX-5 Cup safety car has featured Whelen products for numerous seasons.

“We’re thrilled to be part of MX-5 Cup and believe in the value and opportunities this partnership will bring to both of our organizations,” Whelen Engineering Company President & CEO Geoff Marsh said. “I had the pleasure of watching one of the MX-5 Cup races in person at Daytona this past January and I believe the popularity of this series will continue to grow as more people experience the excitement of all these talented drivers.”

“Whelen has been a mainstay of the racing industry for decades and everyone at Mazda MX-5 Cup is thrilled to become a part of that family,” said Applegate. “Having a strong partner like Whelen enables us to take the series to the next level and get more eyeballs on the series.”

The 2024 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup season begins at Daytona International Speedway as part of the Rolex 24 at Daytona event. Race One takes place at 4:15pm ET, Thursday, January 25, while Race Two is slated for 10:15am ET on Friday, January 26. Both races will be streamed live on RACER.com and IMSA.com/tvlive.

About: The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

Harrison’s Joins Josh Berry at Stewart-Haas Racing

By
Official Release
-

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Jan. 16, 2024) – As Josh Berry steps up from the NASCAR Xfinity Series to the elite NASCAR Cup Series in 2024 to drive the No. 4 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing, Harrison’s is stepping up with him.

The family-owned clothing and footwear chain based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, has sponsored Berry since 2022 when in his first full season in the Xfinity Series, Berry competed for the championship. In fact, two of Berry’s five career Xfinity Series wins have come with Harrison’s as his primary sponsor – May 28, 2022 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Oct. 15, 2022 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Just as Berry brought Harrison’s to the Xfinity Series, the 33-year-old racer from Hendersonville, Tennessee, has brought Harrison’s to the NASCAR Cup Series. The Southeast’s leader in Carhartt and Ariat workwear with the most in-stock boots in the region will serve as Berry’s primary sponsor for two NASCAR Cup Series races – Feb. 25 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and May 18-19 during the NASCAR All-Star Race weekend at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. When not the primary sponsor, Harrison’s will have a yearlong associate presence on the No. 4 Ford Mustang with branding on Berry’s firesuit.

“We’ve gotten to know Josh as a person and as a racer ever since he started winning Late Model races across the Southeast,” said Danny Harrison, president and founder, Harrison’s. “We enjoyed immediate success together and have been a part of many of his career milestones. We’re very happy to continue our partnership with Josh at Stewart-Haas as he competes for the rookie-of-the-year title.”

Berry earned his spot in the Xfinity Series by dominating Late Model racing across a variety of grassroots series, winning the 2017 CARS Late Model Stock Tour championship and then the 2020 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series championship.

“After racing against other Late Models with the Harrison’s name on them, it was an honor to represent Harrison’s in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” Berry said. “We were able to win in our first year together. The Harrison family believed in me then and it’s incredibly heartwarming to have their continued support now at Stewart-Haas.”

Berry’s rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series kicks off with the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Feb. 4 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before the official start of the 2024 campaign with the 66th annual Daytona 500 Feb. 18 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Each event will be broadcast live on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Harrison’s:

Since 1998, Harrison’s has served the Carolinas, from the jobsite to the rodeo to the backyard hammock. Harrison’s is a family-owned clothing and footwear chain based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that is the Southeast’s leader in Carhartt and Ariat workwear with the most in-stock boots in the region. For more information, visit HarrisonsUSA.com and enjoy free shipping on every item anywhere in the United States.

About Stewart-Haas Racing:

Stewart-Haas Racing is the title-winning NASCAR team co-owned by three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation – the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. The Kannapolis, North Carolina-based organization has won two NASCAR Cup Series titles, two NASCAR Xfinity Series championships and 100 NASCAR races, including such crown-jewel events as the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500. For more information, please visit us online at StewartHaasRacing.com and on social at Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

1...1,3011,3021,303...6,782Page 1,302 of 6,782