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Kaulig Racing and Food City Team Up to Bring Iconic Brand Back to NASCAR Cup Series

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Justin Haley to Pilot No. 31 Mountain Dew Camaro ZL1 for Bristol Night Race

LEXINGTON, N.C. (September 12, 2023) – Kaulig Racing and Food City announced today they are teaming up once again to bring back the iconic Mountain Dew brand to the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“Food City is proud to team up with our friends from Kaulig Racing and Mountain Dew to sponsor Justin Haley and the Kaulig Racing No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the running of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

Kaulig Racing and the supermarket retailer will partner with Pepsi Beverages of North America’s Mountain Dew, as the thirst-quenching, citrus beverage returns as a primary partner in the NCS for the first time since 2020.

“Pepsi Beverages of North America is honored, proud and excited to partner with Food City and Kaulig Racing to showcase our iconic Mountain Dew brand on Kaulig Racing’s No. 31 Chevrolet piloted by Justin Haley,” said Jason Smith, senior account manager for Pepsi Beverages of North America. “Let’s Go Racing!”

Born and bottled in Johnson City, Tennessee, to where Mountain Dew is the highest consumed soft drink per capita, not only in the United States, but in the world, creating the perfect opportunity to showcase the brand in its return to NASCAR.

“We are super excited to be teaming back up with Food City at the Bristol night race to showcase yet another one of its great retail partners,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “It is our hope we continue to strengthen this partnership for many years to come and bring back Mountain Dew’s iconic brand into the NASCAR Cup Series.”

Kaulig Racing and Justin Haley will #DotheDew with Food City and Mountain Dew at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 16 at 7:30pm ET.
 
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 Food City:

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, Food City is a local, family-owned company operating 152 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama. The company serves as the title sponsor of the spring Cup Series Food City Dirt Race and fall Food City 300 Xfinity race. Celebrating more than 30 years of racing, Food City is Bristol Motor Speedway’s longest running sponsor and the second longest in NASCAR Motorsports.

About Mountain Dew:

Born in the great state of Tennessee, Mountain Dew is a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse brand with deep roots in the sport of NASCAR! Mountain Dew’s first sponsorship with NASCAR dates back to 1982 and the brand could not be more excited to re-enter the sport at Bristol Motor Speedway! Mountain Dew has been “tickling the innards” of proud DewNation supporters in the Volunteer state since 1940 and continues to be one of the most popular soft drinks in the nation!

Wyatt Coffey signs with MPM Marketing

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Official Release
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Wyatt Coffey; Summer Shootout; 2023; Charlotte Motor Speedway (Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Sept. 11, 2023) – McCallister Precision Marketing officials are excited to announce the signing of 10-year-old up-and-coming racer Wyatt Coffey.

The young racer from Waynesboro, Virginia, is the latest addition to MPM Marketing’s growing client list that includes some of the fastest rising racing stars from the Southeast region.

“We’re honored that Wyatt and his parents, Jeremy and Amanda, trust MPM Marketing to help prepare Wyatt for what I’m sure is going to be an incredible future in racing,” said MPM Marketing founder Tonya McCallister. “He’s already enjoyed so much success at such a young age and I’m certain it’s just the beginning.

“We’ve already got some exciting things lined up for Wyatt. You’ll be seeing a lot of him in the coming years.”

This year alone Coffey has done more than many young racers accomplish in 10 years. He started the season with the goal of capturing the INEX Bandolero Bandit National Championship and is currently second in the standings in that division.

Racing all across the Southeast, this season Coffey has captured 30 victories, 20 of which have counted towards the National Championship.

His victories have come at a variety of tracks, including Charlotte Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Auburndale Speedway, Florence Motor Speedway, Caraway Speedway, Wake County Speedway and Dominion Raceway.

This year Coffey has already captured three championships at Atlanta Motor Speedway: the Atlanta Motor Speedway Track Championship, the Furious 5 championship and Thursday Thunder championship. He also captured the Bandolero Bandit Winter Nationals championship this season and currently leads the Virginia State Bandolero Bandit championship standings.

“We are very excited to partner with MPM Marketing,” said Amanda Bradley, Wyatt’s mom and his biggest supporter. “We feel Tonya and her staff are going to do all they can to get Wyatt’s name out there to help him pursue his dreams. She has already helped us in numerous ways and I cannot wait to see where this partnership takes us.

“Her business longevity and what they do as a company speaks for itself. I see and hear things about MPM and their clients everywhere. I can’t wait to see how they help promote Wyatt.”

Coffey is excited for the opportunity to work with McCallister and MPM Marketing as he looks ahead to his racing future.

“I’m really happy I get to work with Miss Tonya,” Coffey said. “She’s already helping me in a lot of ways and I know she’s going to help me as I work towards my dream of racing in NASCAR.”

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About McCallister Precision Marketing

McCallister Precision Marketing (MPM) focuses on assisting up-and-coming race car drivers with career advancement and promotion. McCallister Precision Marketing helps drivers build confidence in front of and behind the camera, giving them the tools they need to advance to the next level. The company also provides companies with a strategic plan for their sales, marketing and promotional needs. We believe in building positive relationships with our clients so that we may provide them with the most professional, yet personal guidance they need, in order to achieve their racing goals. Our clients include race car drivers, race team owners, companies and racing series’. We also work closely with charities and charity events. For more information on McCallister Precision Marketing, visit www.MarketWithMPM.com, email TonyaMac44@MarketWithMPM.com or call 803-361-6199.

Sam Mayer Inks 2024 Extension with JR Motorsports

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Official Release
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Wisconsin native to return to Xfinity Series competition with No. 1 team

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 12, 2023) – Sam Mayer will return to a familiar seat in 2024 as JR Motorsports announced today that the 20-year-old will drive its No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season, marking what will be Mayer’s third full-time season with JRM’s NXS program.

A native of Franklin, Wis., Mayer is in the midst of a breakout season in which he has raced into the playoffs for the second consecutive year through a pair of victories. The first was a popular win at his home track of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., and the second at Watkins Glen International. He enters the opening round of the playoffs this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway seeded fifth in points.

“We’ve seen so much potential in Sam and we’re proud of all he’s accomplished this year,” said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “The victory at Road America was huge for him and his family. Getting things solidified for next year will allow him to focus on the remainder of 2023 as he competes for the championship.”

Mayer began his journey with JRM in the company’s Late Model program in 2018 before graduating to make his NXS debut in 2021 via a part-time schedule. He has competed full-time in the No. 1 Chevrolet the past two seasons with career stats totaling two victories, 21 top-five and 40 top-10 finishes.

“It’s been a great year for our No. 1 team,” said Mayer, who will make his 100th series start with JRM next season. “Finally getting that first win was like a weight lifted and so energizing. I’m really grateful to continue my career with JR Motorsports and thankful to Dale Jr., Kelley and Mr. Hendrick for making it happen. Now we can turn our attention to a championship run this year.”

Crew duties and sponsorship details for Mayer and the No. 1 team will be announced at a later date.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 22nd year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also races in Late Model competition and owns five championships in regional Late Model divisions and added a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

RFK Advance | Bristol II

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Official Release
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Bristol II Event Info:
Track Info: Bristol Motor Speedway, .5-mile concrete short track
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Bristol, Tennessee
Format: 500 laps, 266.5 miles, Stages: 125-125-250
TV: USA
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 4:35 p.m. ET, Practice (USA, NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 5:20 p.m. ET, Qualifying (USA, NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 7:30 p.m. ET, Race (USA, NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • Bristol Motor Speedway hosts its annual night race, and third race in the Round of 16 in the NASCAR Playoffs.
  • Chris Buescher enters as the defending race winner, as RFK in total led 278 laps in this race a season ago.
  • Brad Keselowski is coming off three-straight top-10 results dating back to Daytona, and is also coming off his 500th consecutive start in the Cup Series. He’s the seventh driver to pilot a Ford for Jack Roush to have accomplished the feat.
  • In support of The Dale Jr. Foundation (TDJF) and Nationwide Children’s, both Keselowski and Buescher will participate in the Driven to Give Glove campaign and wear the skeleton gloves made famous by Jr. Signed by each respective driver and Jr., the gloves will be available for auction from Sept. 14-18, with all proceeds benefitting TDJF and Nationwide Children’s.

6 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Matt McCall
Partner: Castrol Edge

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

Keselowski at Bristol
Starts: 24
Wins: 3 (2011, 2012, 2020)
Top-10s: 8
Poles: 2 (2020 x2)

  • Keselowski makes his 25th Cup start on the concrete at Bristol this weekend, a track where he has a 16.7 average finish with three wins and eight top-10 finishes.
  • Last season, Keselowski led 109 laps, won the opening stage, and was leading with 86 laps remaining when his right-front tire went down, pushing him to put road with no caution. He went on to finish 13th as teammate Chris Buescher earned the victory.
  • Keselowski’s three wins at BMS came back in 2011-12, and most recently in 2020. He’s finished 13th or better in four of the last five races overall at Bristol, including a sixth-place finish in the 2021 fall race, and a third-place result in 2019.
  • Keselowski has led laps in 14 different Bristol races totaling 1,013 laps, his best total of any track on the circuit outside Richmond (1,280).
  • Keselowski has started top-10 in four-straight Bristol races, including a pair of poles in 2020. Overall he has a 9.6 average starting position – his best of any track outside of Homestead (9.2). He has 15 starts inside the top-10 in 24 Bristol events.
  • Keselowski also made 14 Xfinity starts at Bristol with one win and eight top-10s, and seven Truck starts with one win and three top-10s.

Buescher at Bristol
Starts: 13
Wins: 1 (2022)
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

  • Buescher enters the weekend as the defending race winner of the Bristol Night Race, as he earned his second Cup victory (at the time) last September. The victory snapped a then 223-race winless streak, as he led 169 laps in total.
  • Overall, Buescher has three Cup top-10s at Bristol, with an eighth-place finish in the 2020 fall race, and a fifth-place run back in 2016.
  • Buescher has an average starting position of 23.4 with a career-best starting position of 12th (2016).
  • Buescher made five Xfinity Series starts at Bristol with three top-10s and a best finish of third (2015).

RFK Historically at Bristol
Cup Wins: 12 (Mark Martin, 1993, 1998; Kurt Busch, 2002, 2003, 2003, 2004; Matt Kenseth, 2005, 2006; Carl Edwards, 2007, 2008, 2014; Chris Buescher, 2022)

  • Runner Up: RFK’s storied history at Bristol began on April 10, 1988 with the No. 6 NCS car earning a second-place finish. Since that time, in addition to the organization’s 11 NCS wins at the track, RFK Fords have finished second at Bristol on 15 occasions (7 NCS, 4 NXS, 4 NCTS).
  • History and Hot Streaks at “Thunder Valley”: RFK’s history at Bristol has been one of hot streaks, including trips to victory lane in 10 of the last 21 seasons at the famed short track. RFK swept the track in 2003 and put a NCS car in victory lane at least once in every season from 2002-2008.
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has started 219 NCS races at Bristol, recording 12 total wins with 51 top-five and 89 top-10 finishes. RFK Fords have an average finish of 15.9 with 3674 laps led all-time.

RFK Bristol Wins

1993-2 Martin Cup

1996-1 Martin NXS

1997-1 Burton NXS

1998-2 Martin Cup

2002-1 Busch Cup

2003-1 Busch Cup

2003-2 Busch Cup

2004-1 Busch Cup

2004 Edwards Truck

2005-2 Kenseth Cup

2006-2 Kenseth Cup

2006 Martin Truck

2006-2 Kenseth NXS

2007-1 Edwards NXS

2007-2 Edwards Cup

2008-2 Edwards Cup

2009-2 Ragan NXS

2014 -1 Edwards Cup
2022-2 Buescher Cup

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Kansas: RFK again had a strong showing in Kansas last weekend, until a blown tire with seven laps to go ruined Buescher’s day. He was 11th at the time, and earned stage points along the way, but was credited with a 27th-place finish. Keselowski finished ninth after winning stage two, and leading laps en route to his 13th top-10.

Points Standings (6: 5th, 17: 9th): Keselowski enters the weekend with a 33-point advantage to the cut line in 12th. Buescher sits tied for ninth with a 13-point advantage.

By the Numbers at Bristol

Race      Win       T5           T10         Pole       Laps       Led        AvSt      AvFn     Miles

219         12           51           89           11           103681  3674       18.2        15.9        51840.5
98           5              23           37           4              24218    1653       13.2        15.8        12109
23           2              4              9              3              4097       318         12.6        14.5        2048.5
340         19           78           135         18           131996  5645       16.4        15.8        65998

GEARWRENCH Racing: Kevin Harvick Bristol Night Race Advance

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Official Release
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KEVIN HARVICK
Bristol Night Race Advance
No. 4 GEARWRENCH® Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Round 29 of 36)

● Time/Date: 7:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Sept. 16

● Location: Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway

● Layout: .533-mile, concrete oval

● Laps/Miles: 500 laps/266.5 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 125 laps / Stage 2: 125 laps / Final Stage: 250 laps

● TV/Radio: USA / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Kevin Harvick comes into the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway 12th among the 16 drivers in the NASCAR Playoffs. Only the top-12 drivers in points after Bristol advance to the next playoff round, and Harvick sits on the playoff bubble with just a seven-point advantage over 13th-place Martin Truex Jr. Harvick can either maintain that advantage at the end of Saturday night’s 500 lapper around the .533-mile oval or punch his ticket to the Round of 12 with a victory. Of Harvick’s 60 career NASCAR Cup Series victories, 26 have come at playoff tracks, and since the advent of elimination rounds in 2014, the driver of the No. 4 GEARWRENCH Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has scored 11 playoff victories.

● Harvick is a three-time winner at Bristol, and his last two victories at the high-banked half-mile have come in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Harvick’s first NASCAR Cup Series win at Bristol was in April 2005. It was his ninth start at the concrete-clad track, and Harvick beat Elliott Sadler by an impressive 4.652 seconds for his fifth career Cup Series victory. It would be another 23 races before Harvick scored his second Bristol win. In the 2016 Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Harvick beat Ricky Stenhouse Jr., by 1.933 seconds to take his 33rd career Cup Series victory. Harvick only had to wait four years to collect his third Bristol Cup win. He won the 2020 Bass Pro Shops Night Race in dominating fashion by leading four times for a race-high 226 laps, including the final 32 tours where Harvick beat Kyle Busch by .310 of a second to take his 58th career Cup Series victory, his third at Bristol and his 35th since joining SHR in 2014.

● How did Harvick do in his last race at Bristol? It doesn’t matter, because the track was covered in dirt. Harvick finished ninth in the April 9 Food City Dirt Race to score his first top-10 in the event. Still, with 1,209 laps led on Bristol’s concrete and zero laps led when it has been covered in dirt, count Harvick among the drivers happy to return to traditional racing at Bristol.

● The Bass Pro Shops Night Race will be Harvick’s 43rd career NASCAR Cup Series start on Bristol’s concrete, and it will be the most among active Cup Series drivers. The only active driver even close to Harvick in this category is Kyle Busch with 33 starts. In fact, there are only two other active drivers with 30 or more starts at Bristol – Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr., with 32 starts apiece.

● Harvick enters Bristol riding a wave of front-running consistency on the track’s concrete surface. He has an average finish of sixth in his last four races, with his best result being a victory in the 2020 Bass Pro Shops Night race and his worst effort being an 11th-place drive in May 2020. Harvick finished second in 2021 and 10th last year.

● Harvick has proven prolific at Bristol outside of the NASCAR Cup Series. He has made 29 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the track, winning five times and scoring 15 top-fives and 24 top-10s while leading 1,217 laps. Harvick also has five NASCAR Truck Series starts at Bristol, winning once and finishing in the top-10 in his last four starts on the concrete surface.

● GEARWRENCH is a premier mechanic hand-tool brand built for technicians who crave more. GEARWRENCH understands the environment techs work in because GEARWRENCH works side-by-side with them to learn about their frustrations firsthand to develop innovative, new hand tools that solve day-to-day problems. GEARWRENCH forges quality and innovation into everything it makes, so techs don’t have to settle for anything less than the highest professional quality. It started with a ratcheting wrench that changed the industry and it continues with a full lineup of mechanic hand tools, tool storage and automotive lifting equipment. These tools are built to help techs do their job on their terms, no matter what.

Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 GEARWRENCH Ford Mustang

With eight races to go in your final season, fans are rallying behind you, wanting you to win. Do you feel that support?

“It’s definitely something that you recognize, feel and try to appreciate, just because that’s what our goal was this year? You want to go out and do everything right, as you walk out the door and have everybody’s respect and like the things you’ve done throughout your career. Really, your first impression is kind of like your last impression, right? As you walk out, you try to do as many things right as possible, and one of our main goals this year was to be competitive and be in contention, and try to have a chance to win races… race for the championship and walk out that way. Obviously, being in position to win the Southern 500, and having all those people root for you and want that to happen is exactly what we want. There’s no way to force that stuff. You can’t control so many things that happen, but I can definitely sense the support and it’s really been that way since we started this season. The fan support and the industry support has been over the top. I told somebody, ‘You almost can’t screw this up.’ But, it would be spectacular if you could win, and do those things that so many people are coming to the racetrack hoping that they get to witness in person, no matter what market it is. But, it’s a brutal sport – you win one week, and the next week you’ll be wrecked-out and finish last. It’s been that way for as long as I’ve been around it, but I think it is different this year just because it’s the last year with the fans, the people and everything they have going on. They want you to achieve that moment.”

With this being your final season, do you view the playoffs as more work or is it actually fun?

“It’s always work, and I’m fortunate to have this ability to kind of separate the two, because when you plug yourself into that car and turn the rest of it off, it’s just work. That’s my job, that’s what I do, that’s what we do together as a team. This year is a little bit different because of all the things that are happening around the last season that you can enjoy, but I’ve never really had a problem turning it on or off.”

Does being a part of the playoffs in your final year mean more because it is your last season and there are only eight races left?

“The expectation is really no different. I think the biggest difference this particular year is you’ve got a lot of things going on outside the car with it being the last year, and to be able to celebrate all the things that we’ve done in the past and making sure that we’re still competitive. Really, this all started at the end of last year in laying out a good plan, and I think everybody’s done a good job in executing that plan and allowing us to execute that plan. Executing that plan has allowed us to be competitive in the car and do the things that we need to do on the racetrack because of everything being structured and organized. The expectation is always to be competitive and be in this position to have a chance to at least go for a championship, and it all starts by qualifying for the playoffs. For us, that’s been the expectation since I came to SHR and we’ve been fortunate to succeed at that through the years.”

Bristol at night has a different vibe, as if there’s more adrenaline flowing. Do you feel that way too?

“Bristol, the night race, especially, is a place that just has a special feel. Being in the playoffs now and being a part of that event for a long time just gets you jacked up as a driver. It’s just a very intense place to race. It’s an intense place to just make laps, honestly. As you get into that race and understand the magnitude of the situation, especially with Bristol being in the playoffs, it’s something that I just think is very challenging and exciting to be a part of.”

Is Bristol about survival, or is it more involved than that?

“I think the thing that people kind of lose track of in these playoffs, and especially in this particular instance with Bristol, is that a lot of your strategy is dictated off of what happened the first two weeks. Last year for us, going into Bristol we needed to win because of what happened at Darlington when the car caught on fire and then you were behind right off the bat. The ‘just survive’ strategy at Bristol is great as long as you’re up in the points or in the middle of the pack in the points. But if you’re in the bottom third of those points, you’ve got to make some stuff happen and try to get points in the stages and try to win the race.”

How do you stay out of trouble at Bristol?

“As Bristol goes, you can wind up in somebody else’s mess. You can create your own mess too, but it’s usually something that’ll jump out and bite you in a hurry. As soon as you let your guard down, something happens, and the next thing you know, your hood’s up over your windshield because they’ve spun out and wrecked, or you’ve been hit in the back, whatever the case may be. It just happens really quickly there. Bristol is a high-speed racetrack, but it’s also a racetrack where you can’t see the exit of the corner until you round the center part of the corner. Sometimes you come up on the wrecks before you even see them, and you can hit stuff really hard there.”

No. 4 GEARWRENCH Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Kevin Harvick

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith

Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Stephen Doran

Hometown: Butler, Pennsylvania

Engineer: Dax Gerringer

Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Spotter: Tim Fedewa

Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jeremy Howard

Hometown: Delhart, Texas

Jack Man: Brandon Banks

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal

Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Tyler Trosper

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Mechanic: Nick DeFazio

Hometown: Orange, California

Tire Specialist: Jamie Turski

Hometown: Trumbull, Connecticut

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Rick Hodges

Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell

Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

Cadillac at Indy: Searching for gold at Brickyard

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Official Release
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Scoring maximum points the goal for Cadillac V-Series.R cars in penultimate race

DETROIT (Sept. 12, 2023) – “Everybody wants to kiss the bricks, right?”

Sebastien Bourdais, co-driver with Renger van der Zande of the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R, is looking forward to earning that reward this weekend when the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship charges into Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.

The 2-hour, 40-minute race will mark the first time the premier North American sports car racing series competes on the IMS road course since 2014. The event will expand to a six-hour race in 2024.

Bourdais is no stranger to the Brickyard. The four-time CART champion has made 10 INDYCAR starts on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course (best finish of fourth in 2014, ’15 and 2018) and nine Indianapolis 500 starts.

He co-drove a Daytona Prototype with Alex Popow to victory in the 2012 NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series race and co-drove a Chevrolet Corvette DP to 11th place in 2013 on the previous (2.534-mile) circuit configuration.

A decade later, the hybrid Grand Touring Prototype racecar he and van der Zande drove to victory in May at Laguna Seca makes its debut at the iconic racetrack.

“It’s a very different era,” Bourdais said. “Those DP cars back then were a little lighter but not a crazy amount. The biggest difference is the redesign of the track. We used to go backward in Turn 1 and it was a cool track. This one is a whole different challenge. With our cars not having as much downforce, being heavy and having quite a bit of power, we’ll get to Turn 1 and the backstraight quite quickly. But the feel is actually not all that different from back then. There are just a few nuances.”

Bourdais and van der Zande teamed with No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R drivers Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims to work through a testing program in late July at IMS that they hope delivers results. Derani and Sims enter the penultimate race of the season a close second in the GTP Team and Driver Championship standings. They sit atop the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup standings ahead of the 10-hour season finale at Road Atlanta in October.

Bourdais and van der Zande are sixth in the regular-season championship chase, though only 118 points out of the top spot. Cadillac Racing paces the field in both the GTP regular season and endurance Manufacturer Championship points.

“I think we have a solid baseline coming away from the test, so hopefully we can hit the ground running and be strong as we felt we were during the test,” said Bourdais, who recorded the third-quickest lap over the two days of testing. “Conditions could be very different compared to the heat that we had to deal with during the test, but overall looking forward getting there and scoring maximum points. We’re in the (championship) mix and have to stick with it and see what we can do.”

NBC will telecast the race live at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 17. Peacock streaming in the U.S. begins at 1 p.m. ET, while viewers outside the U.S. can tune in to IMSA.com. Both Peacock and IMSA.com will stream qualifications at 12:55 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 16. IMSA Radio will air on-track sessions at IMSA.com with the race call also on XM 207 and SiriusXM Online 992.

What they’re saying

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R

Sebastien Bourdais: “I’m looking forward to the Indy road course. As far as the racing community and us in IMSA and Cadillac, it’s one that everybody wants to be a part of. It’s a very different setting as far as the racetrack is concerned compared to most of the other places we go. Very heavy braking, which will open up opportunities for passing. I think it will be extremely challenging in traffic because it’s a track that isn’t easy to manage multi-class racing. Once you hit Turn 4 and then the Esses, you’re kind of stuck. Same thing with (Turns) 7, 8, 9, it’s a one-groove place. You can try to divebomb someone, but that’s until the marbles build up and it will be a lot trickier. It will be a game of patience and a game of aggression. I think it’s easy to make a mistake and end up in the grass in Turn 1 or the last couple of corners. I think we have a solid baseline coming away from the test, so hopefully we can hit the ground running and be strong as we felt we were during the test. Conditions could be very different compared to the heat that we had to deal with during the test, but overall looking forward getting there and scoring maximum points. We’re in the (championship) mix and have to stick with it and see what we can do.”

Renger van der Zande: “Indianapolis is a home race for the team and that brings a great atmosphere to the team for the race weekend. It will be nice to see the families coming to the racetrack. Indianapolis is a track that is not my favorite, but most of favorite tracks are the ones that I have won on. Hopefully, after this weekend I can say this will be one of my favorite tracks.”

No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R

Pipo Derani: “We had a productive test at Indianapolis back in July; learned quite a few things about the car in general and how it performs in extreme heat. I don’t think we’ll see those conditions for the race weekend. It is an important race for the team as we’re right in the mix for the championship. We won the pole at Road America in our last race, though we didn’t have the results we were looking for. Still, the car is fast and we look forward to putting on a great race for the fans as IMSA returns to Indianapolis.”

Alexander Sims: “I’m looking forward to racing at Indianapolis for the first time. The July test was useful – even under hot conditions. Nevertheless, we collected a lot of useful information to understand how the car performs at the track. The track itself is fairly straightforward, so it’s mainly fine-tuning things from a driving point of view. We have two races left and we’re right in the hunt for the championship. It’s a very tight championship at the moment, so it is crucial for us to have two very strong races. That’s going to come about by us doing the basics right and executing well to maximize our performance. The car is fast; the team is operating well and generally I’d say Pipo and I are in a good place for Indianapolis. We were very competitive at the test. The race at Indy will be a challenge with traffic. There are a lot of corner combinations at Indy where you turn left-right, left-right continuously and it’s difficult to get past cars in those sequences of corners without taking sometimes an unnecessary amount of risk or sometimes it’s just not possible to get past. Sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it goes against you. It’s just part of multi-class endurance racing.”

3 Things to Consider Before Buying an Electric Car

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SM
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Photo by Rathaphon Nanthapreecha

Electric cars— the future of driving. What once was deemed nothing more than a distant idea, hasn’t just come to fruition, but electric vehicles are expected to be the primary form of mobility in the future.  

And while initially, the idea of being able to simply plug in your car as opposed to filling it with gas may seem appealing, there are a few factors to consider. Some people may not realize the limitations that electric cars impose until it’s too late. Before you buy your first electric car, here are some important things to consider.

​Home Setup

One of the appeals of an electric car is the capability of charging at home.  You could conceivably plug your car in, play your piano or even do some gardening all while your car charges which is incredibly convenient.   

However, before you assume that it’s possible, it’s important that you determine whether your home has the correct elements to be able to set up an at-home charging station. You might want to consult with an electrician before you purchase your car to ensure you can charge it at home. 

Otherwise, you may find yourself struggling to find a charging station close enough and convenient enough. One of the most unpleasant aspects of electric car life is having to charge in a location where there’s nowhere to comfortably wait. If there are no restaurants or cafes nearby, you could find yourself sitting on the side of the road potentially for hours, waiting for your battery to top up.

Your Driving Range

Electric cars are not ideal for people who drive for long periods of time. If you have a two-hour commute every day, then an electric car is not the way to go. This is because charging takes a considerable amount of time. Even quick charging stations take as long as 30 minutes, with traditional charging stations more along the line of two hours for a full charge. 

When you compare this kind of time commitment to being able to simply fill up your tank at a gas station and immediately hit the road, you start to realize that an electric car may not be the best choice when it comes to time management. However, if you’re the kind of person who only drives a few miles a day for errands or short distances then an electric vehicle may just be perfect.  In other words, people who work at home, are retired, or work close to home are likely to be the kind of people who will get the most out of their electric car.

Maintenance and Repairs

Although electric cars have been around for a while, they’ve only recently started being produced on a wide scale. The truth is that electric car batteries last less time than a car engine. They need replacement more often and can be a significant expense. Make sure that you take this into consideration when calculating all of your costs.

Unraveling the Truth – Investigating Personal Injuries in Car Accidents

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SM
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Photo by Mike Bird

Car accidents are a harrowing experience, often leaving victims with physical and emotional scars. When personal injuries are involved, unraveling the truth behind the incident becomes crucial. Investigation plays a pivotal role in determining liability, insurance claims, and, most importantly, ensuring justice for the injured parties.

  • The Initial Moments

The aftermath of a car accident can be chaotic. Tires screeching, metal crunching, and the shock of impact can leave everyone involved disoriented. In such moments, safety is prioritized. Ensuring that all parties receive immediate medical attention is paramount. Once safety is confirmed, the process of investigating personal injuries can begin.

  • Gathering Information

To conduct a comprehensive investigation, gathering accurate information is the foundation. This starts with collecting contact information from all parties involved, including witnesses. Eyewitness accounts can provide valuable insights into the events leading up to the accident.

In addition to eyewitness accounts, photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries are crucial. These visual records serve as tangible evidence during insurance claims and legal proceedings.

  • Police Reports

In most car accidents, the police are called to the scene. They will conduct an initial investigation and create an accident report. This report contains essential information, such as statements from involved parties, witnesses, and their assessment of fault. Obtaining a copy of this report is often vital for insurance claims and potential lawsuits.

  • Medical Records

In personal injury cases, obtaining medical records is crucial. It provides a clear picture of the injuries sustained, the treatment received, and the associated costs. Medical records are concrete evidence of the extent of personal injuries and can significantly influence compensation negotiations.

  • Witness Statements

Witnesses can offer impartial accounts of the accident, shedding light on the sequence of events. These statements can corroborate or challenge the versions of those directly involved in the accident, making them valuable assets during an investigation.

  • Expert Opinions

Sometimes, expert opinions are necessary to determine the cause of an accident and the extent of personal injuries. Accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and engineers can provide insights that help establish liability and assess damages accurately. 

  • Legal Counsel

Navigating the complexities of personal injury investigations and negotiations can be daunting. Seeking legal counsel from experienced San Diego car accident lawyers can be immensely beneficial. They can guide you through the process, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation for your injuries. 

When selecting a personal injury lawyer in San Diego, consider experience, specialization, and a proven track record. Research their past cases, client reviews, and credentials. A local attorney familiar with California law and San Diego’s unique circumstances can maximize your chances of a successful outcome in your personal injury case.

Investigating personal injuries in car accidents is a multifaceted process that demands attention to detail, patience, and dedication. Gathering accurate information, including eyewitness accounts, police reports, medical records, and expert opinions, is essential for a successful investigation. With the proper support and guidance from legal experts, victims of car accidents can secure the justice and compensation they deserve. Ultimately, the truth behind these incidents can be uncovered, holding responsible parties accountable and providing closure to those who have suffered personal injuries.

Legal Advice for Handling Car Accident Situations

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SM
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Photo by Sora Shimazaki

Whether you are a seasoned driver or a novice behind the wheel, understanding your legal rights and responsibilities in the event of a car accident is crucial. This document aims to provide readers with comprehensive and insightful legal advice to handle car accident situations. We will explore key concepts such as post-accident procedures, documenting evidence, communicating with insurance companies, and seeking legal support from Lawkarma. Through this educational endeavor, our goal is to equip you with the knowledge to navigate the aftermath of an accident calmly and confidently, safeguarding your interests while fulfilling your legal obligations.

Ensure Safety First

Prioritizing safety above all else in the aftermath of a car accident is not just a moral duty, but also a legal obligation. The law requires individuals involved in an accident to stop, assess the situation, and provide aid when necessary. It’s your responsibility to check if anyone involved requires emergency medical attention and to call 911 immediately if so. You can always get more information from youraccidentattorneys.com or whomever your attorney is during the events of the incident. Turning a blind eye could lead to serious legal repercussions and exacerbate injuries for the victims. This step also protects you, as it allows for official documentation of the accident scene and injuries – which can be pivotal in any ensuing legal proceedings or insurance claims. In essence, ensuring safety first sets the groundwork for legal compliance and compassionate response in an accident scenario.

Contact Authorities

Report the accident to law enforcement. They can create an official accident report, which can be crucial in legal proceedings. In some jurisdictions, an accident report must be filed within 24 to 48 hours of the incident. Be sure to have a copy of the reports you obtain from the authorities during this process. As much as possible, obtain contact information from witnesses at the scene and document any physical evidence – such as vehicle damage or skid marks – that can be beneficial in resolving insurance claims or other disputes later on. In addition, the police may issue a ticket to any party determined at fault in the accident.

Document the Scene

Take photographs of the accident, capturing the vehicles involved, any visible injuries, and the overall scene. These can serve as evidence if needed. If there are any statements made by the parties involved and law enforcement, make sure to document them as well. There may also be other key pieces of evidence such as debris, skid marks, or gouges on the road, which should be noted. Finally, seek medical attention if needed. Obtaining a medical report can further verify your health condition and provide proof of injury in the event of a legal dispute.

Gather Information

Note down the details of any witnesses present. As mentioned earlier, it’s important to ask the authorities for a copy of the accident report. If you’re filing an insurance claim, have your policy number handy and provide all necessary documentation to the insurer. For legal advice, you can visit youraccidentattorneys.com or call an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss the specifics of your case.

Seek Medical Attention

Some injuries are not immediately apparent. It’s recommended to get a medical examination after an accident as injuries might emerge later. Even if you don’t experience any pain or discomfort, obtaining a medical report can help establish the extent of any bodily harm in the event that legal action is taken. Additionally, keep track of all your medical costs and bills related to the accident. Many insurance companies will reimburse those costs should you choose to pursue a claim.

Notify your Insurance Company

Provide them with an honest account of the incident. As mentioned earlier, you should have all the necessary documents at hand for reference. Be aware that in some cases, insurance companies may try to lowball you on your claim or delay payments. To protect yourself and ensure a fair outcome, it’s wise to consult an experienced car accident lawyer before signing any settlement agreement with your insurer.

Consult a Lawyer

If the accident is serious or if it’s unclear who is at fault, it’s wise to consult a car accident attorney to understand your legal rights and options. A lawyer can provide valuable counsel on negotiating with insurance companies, filing a lawsuit, and receiving fair compensation for any damages and losses incurred. Even if you are not actively seeking legal action, understanding the law pertaining to car accidents is essential for your safety and protection.  Even if you think the accident isn’t serious, consulting an attorney is still a good idea. An experienced lawyer can help you understand your rights and options even in minor accidents. They can also provide insights on how to navigate insurance claims and other disputes with full knowledge of the law.

There are several key steps to take in the aftermath of a car accident. You should prioritize safety first, contact authorities, document the scene, gather pertinent information, seek medical attention, notify your insurance company, and consult a lawyer. By following this advice, you can ensure that you are in compliance with legal obligations while protecting your own interests. With the right knowledge and support from experienced professionals, you can navigate an accident scenario calmly and confidently.

5 SEO Tips for Muffler Shops: Supercharging Your Online Visibility

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SM
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In today’s digital world, running a muffler shop means boosting your online presence. Did you know 93% of online journeys start at a search engine and 75% of users don’t pass the first page? That’s where SEO steps in. So, ready for some serious online visibility action? Dive into this definitive guide to supercharge your muffler shop’s digital footprint. Let’s rev up your potential!

How SEO Works for Muffler Services

When users type queries into search engines and hit enter, they get a list of web results related to their keywords. Sites appearing at the top are considered more relevant than others. Now, relevance is not only about having a page with the words you searched for. 

Search engines, such as Google, use complicated algorithms to define site relevance. While these algorithms are confidential, years of analysis and practice have provided SEO professionals with useful insights into aspects that help increase visibility.

Crucial Elements of an Effective SEO Strategy

An effective SEO strategy requires consistent effort in various critical areas. Understanding your target audience is one aspect; knowing how they search and the kind of content they are interested in should influence your SEO strategy. 

Also, it is essential that you produce engaging and useful content. Besides this, ensuring your website is easy to navigate and loads quickly on all devices, and securing quality backlinks should also be at the forefront of your efforts.

The SEO checklist for Muffler Shops

Boom! You’ve hit the sweet spot. I bet as a muffler shop mastermind, these concepts seem mind-boggling, right? You’re probably—and rightly—asking, “How can I use these in my business?” 

Fret not! Check out this handy-dandy SEO checklist that breaks down the main areas you need to turbocharge. It’s time to bring your A-game and accelerate your success. Ready… Set… SEO!

Keyword Research

One of the first steps in the SEO process, keyword research involves identifying popular words and phrases people enter into search engines when looking for services like yours. These keywords need to be included naturally within your website’s content to increase its visibility.

Quality Content Creation

Content is king in the world of SEO. Once you have targeted keywords, create relevant, engaging, and informative content around those terms. Your content should resolve a problem, answer a question, or provide information that will benefit your potential customer.

Maintaining Optimal Site Performance

Your website’s performance significantly impacts its ranking on search engine pages. Ensure your website is responsive, has fast loading times, and has a user-friendly interface. Renovate any outdated components and regularly check for issues that might throttle performance. As you optimize your website’s speed and responsiveness, considering expert SEO services can also offer significant advantages. A deeper understanding of search engine algorithms and tailored strategies by professionals at digitalspotlight.com can elevate your site’s visibility and drive more organic traffic. Their approach ensures that your site performs well and aligns perfectly with SEO best practices.

On-Page SEO

On-page SEO deals with optimizing individual pages of your website. Elements like meta tags, title tags, headers, URLs, image alt-texts come under on-page practices. Make sure all these aspects have clear, concise descriptions containing your targeted keywords.

Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO refers to activities outside your website that affect rankings within search engine results pages. These primarily involve earning backlinks from other reputable sites in your industry. Remember – building high-quality links takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it.

Social Media Integration

Social media channels are powerful tools that can impact your SEO indirectly. By regularly sharing content and engaging with your followers on social media, you may increase traffic to your website and improve search engine rankings.

Mobile Optimization

In this age of mobile technology, it’s vital for your website to be designed for mobile use as well as desktop browsing, which is a key aspect of small business website management. Google considers mobile optimization an important ranking signal; hence, neglecting this aspect can harm your visibility.

Strategic Positioning of Keywords

Strategically positioning keywords in your content is another key SEO tactic to help you achieve higher visibility. Placing them correctly within your headers, titles, and throughout the content helps search engines understand the relevance of your content with specific keywords.

Implementing Local SEO

If you’re a local business like a muffler shop, incorporating local SEO can make a vast difference. Local citations (online mentions) on directories like Google My Business listing and Yelp use your business’s name, address, and phone number, helping you rank higher in near me searches.

Reputation Management

Reviews and online reputation can significantly influence your SEO rankings. Maintaining a positive online image and managing your reputation effectively has a direct impact on how your business is perceived both by search engines and potential customers.

Tracking Your Progress

Finally, tracking your progress is essential for understanding the effectiveness of your SEO strategies. Use tools like Google Analytics to continuously monitor your website’s performance and make necessary adjustments along the way.

Final Thoughts

SEO optimization is not a one-time task – it is a continuous and strategic process. With regular updates in search engine algorithms, staying up-to-date with trends and adapting accordingly is vital. These steps give you an upper hand in the virtual competition war and keep your potential customers only a click away from choosing you over your competitors.

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