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This will be the Final Season for Multi-Time Championship Winning Team GMS Racing

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Official Release
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STATESVILLE, NC (August 23rd, 2023) – This morning, GMS Racing officials announced it will cease operations at the conclusion of the 2023 race season. GMS Fabrication, a separate entity which has operated alongside the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race team, will also close its doors following the championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

”During the past nine years, GMS Racing has become one of the top teams in the Truck and ARCA Series garage. The people that made this happen have been the hard-working men and women at GMS Racing and GMS Fabrication. Every employee, new and old at GMS has always strived to be the very best,” said Maury Gallagher. “Without their effort and dedication, we would have never been able to win two Truck championships, three ARCA championships and 68 wins. Leadership is always critical in any success story. Since 2015, Mike Beam has been the catalyst of this race team’s success. Chevrolet and GM has also been critical to our success. With the combination of Chevrolet plus Mike at the helm, we became the team I always dreamed of owning. I can’t thank Mike enough for all his leadership and hard work. We are looking to finish out this year on a high note and close our legacy in this era with another Truck Series championship.”

GMS Racing, or as it was formerly known as Gallagher Motorsports, was founded by entrepreneur and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company, Maury Gallagher, in 2012. Initially competing in the ARCA Menards Series with Gallagher’s son, Spencer Gallagher, as the team’s primary driver, the team fielded the No. 23 as a tribute to Spencer Clark, a young driver from Las Vegas who tragically passed away at the beginning of his career in 2006. In 2013, the team grew to include part-time operations of a NCTS race team, in which Gallagher would compete in three races.

In 2014, the then-renamed GMS Racing began full-time in the Truck Series, partnering with Joey Coulter. The team also expanded its ARCA program, fielding two cars for Spencer and Grant Enfinger. Enfinger won the first race at Berlin Raceway for Gallagher as Team Owner. Spencer finished the year by winning the season finale at Kansas Speedway. Enfinger would finish runner up in the points in his first full-time season competing in ARCA.

2015 would be a banner year for the race team, as Gallagher joined forces with one of the most respected names in motorsports, Mike Beam. Mike joined as Team President, a position he still holds today. He oversaw the race team and GMS Fabrication’s efforts. The year started off with a bang, as Ty Dillon won the team’s first pole award in the Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The team’s first truck win was soon in hand as Austin Dillion won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, solidifying their spot as a race-winning organization on a national level. Enfinger was on a tear in the ARCA Menards Series, winning a total of three poles and a division-high six races en route to winning the series championship, a remarkable feat for Beam and the crew members associated with GMS.

Coming off the ARCA Menards Series championship, GMS Racing wanted more. In addition to the ARCA Series, GMS upped its game in its Truck efforts in 2016, fielding two full-time entries for Gallagher and Johnny Sauter, along with two part-time trucks split between several drivers. Race wins were plentiful that year, as Kyle Larson, Ben Kennedy, and Grant Enfinger would each score Truck Series victories. Sauter won three races of his own and captured the series championship, checking off a monumental accomplishment for the still relatively new race team. This would make it two championship seasons in a row for Beam and Gallagher, further emphasizing that this team was on the pathway to building a legacy.

The 2017 season saw the team go full-time Xfinity Series racing with Spencer, in addition to a part-time second car. The Truck Series operations expanded yet again, this time making it three full-time entries with Sauter, Kaz Grala, and Justin Haley, along with a fourth truck that ran three times. Six wins would be earned by the team; one each by Grala and Chase Elliott, and four by Sauter, who fell one spot short of defending his title, finishing second overall.

In 2018, Spencer Gallagher would earn both his and GMS Racing’s first Xfinity Series win at Talladega Superspeedway. Later that year he announced he was stepping away from driving to take on a managerial role within the team. It would be one of the organization’s most formidable years in the Truck Series, fielding four full-time trucks that combined to win 10 races. Six of those races were won by Sauter, three by Haley, and one by Timothy Peters. Sauter advanced to the Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, ultimately finishing fourth in points.

The following season in 2019 saw John Hunter Nemechek take over the reins of the GMS Xfinity Series car, finishing seventh in the points standings. The Truck Series operations would shrink to two full-time trucks driven by Sheldon Creed and Brett Moffitt, who won four races, along with an additional part-time truck. GMS started an ARCA East entry driven by Sam Mayer, who won four races on his way to the series championship in his rookie season. At the conclusion of 2019, the decision was made to exit the Xfinity Series and focus more on driver development in Trucks and ARCA.

Arguably the most successful season throughout the team’s history was 2020. Its drivers combined to win 19 races across three series. The Truck Series fielded five full-time teams with drivers Creed, Moffitt, Zane Smith, and Tyler Ankrum competing for the championship, and a rotation of drivers in the fifth truck. This combination racked up 10 wins, five by Creed, two by Smith, one each by Moffitt, Chase Elliott and Sam Mayer. Heading into the championship race at Phoenix Raceway, GMS qualified for three of the four championship contenders places and finished the year with a remarkable 1-2-3 finish, led by Creed, who won the organization’s second Truck Series championship. Mayer continued to dominate the ARCA Menards Series East, boasting an unheard-of 80% win ratio with five wins in six races, cruising to the championship. He also won one time in ARCA West, driving a special paint scheme that honored the late Spencer Clark in front of Clark’s hometown Las Vegas.

GMS Racing once again fielded five full-time trucks in 2021 for Creed, Smith, Ankrum, and Chase Purdy. The fifth was split by multiple drivers, coupled along with a part-time ARCA entry. The Truck team won a total of four races – Creed won three races while Smith brought home one checkered flag. Smith advanced to the final round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, finishing second in points. Daniel Dye won his first, and the team’s final ARCA win at Berlin Raceway, fittingly book-ending the team’s series wins at the same racetrack.

Gallagher announced in late 2021 that he would field a NASCAR Cup Series in 2022, purchasing controlling interest in Richard Petty Motorsports. The new team, Petty GMS, began competing in 2022 in tandem with the Truck Series teams.

Last year saw the team transition to two full-time trucks driven by Grant Enfinger and Jack Wood along with a full-time ARCA entry for Dye. Enfinger would win once that season, and Dye finished runner up in the ARCA championship and was named ARCA’s Rookie of the Year. He would later make the jump up to the Truck Series heading this season. 2022 was the finale for GMS Racing’s ARCA team.

This season, GMS welcomed rookie drivers Dye and Rajah Caruth to its Truck Series roster in addition to Enfinger, returning to form and contending for wins throughout the year. Wins at Kansas Speedway and World Wide Technology Raceway solidified Enfinger as one of the threats poised to win the 2023 Truck Series championship. The latest victory, win number 44 in the Truck Series, positioned the team as the overall winningest Chevrolet organization within the series. With six races remaining in the year, all three drivers will look to add fuel to the legacy of one of the most successful organizations in NCTS history.

“I just want to start off by saying how grateful I am for Maury (Gallagher) and these incredible nine years at GMS Racing. A lot of people, including myself, have poured their hearts and souls into this organization to make it where it’s at today. Our success wouldn’t have been possible without the talented drivers, crew members, fabricators and administrators that have walked through our doors over the years,” responded Mike Beam. “I also want to thank Chevrolet. Chevrolet has been such a key partner of ours over our entire existence. They have been along for every success GMS has obtained and we couldn’t have done it without their support. As for the rest of this year, we will continue business as usual and chase after a Championship in our final season.”

While the ending of an era with the closing of the race team is undeniably a difficult circumstance, bright futures lie ahead. Heading into 2024, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ Co-Owners Maury Gallagher and Jimmie Johnson look to strengthen the team on all fronts with their NASCAR Cup Series efforts to become a force to be reckoned with for years to come. #WeAreGMS

ABOUT GMS RACING:

GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series operating the No. 23, No. 24, and No. 43 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs for drivers Grant Enfinger, Rajah Caruth, and Daniel Dye. Since the team was formed in 2012, GMS Racing has won five titles across multiple series, including the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championship, the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship, as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA East championships. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. including operations for GMS Fabrication. The GMS Racing campus also houses operations for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, a team that competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Stewart-Haas Racing: Daytona NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

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Official Release
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COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Daytona NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

  • Event: Daytona 250 (Round 24 of 33)
  • Date: Friday, Aug. 25
  • Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway
  • Layout: 2.5-mile oval
  • Time/TV/Radio: 7:30 p.m. EDT on USA/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

  • Cole Custer and the No. 00 Ford Mustang team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) will be back in their Haas Automation colors this weekend at the track where this season’s journey started in February. Friday night’s Daytona 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway will mark the second time this season the Xfinity Series will make laps at the 2.5 mile oval. Having made the move back to the Xfinity Series, Custer was strong out of the gates in February, earning a third-place starting spot for the 125-lap race. He ran in the top-10 for a majority of the race and, despite being shuffled back on numerous occasions, he was able to recover for a ninth-place finish. It was his best Daytona finish in 15 total starts across NASCAR’s Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and the ARCA Menards Series. He would follow it up with strong performances at the next three superspeedway-style races, finishing 12th March 18 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, fourth April 22 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, and third July 8 at Atlanta.
  • Friday’s Daytona 250 will mark Custer’s eighth Xfinity Series start at Daytona. Prior to his ninth-place finish in February, he scored a pair of top-15 finishes at the track. Of Custer’s eight starts outside of the Xfinity Series at Daytona, six came in the Cup Series, one in the Truck Series, and one in the ARCA Menards Series. He earned a best ARCA finish of 10th in February 2016 after starting on the pole and leading 42 laps. His best Cup Series finish was 11th, earned in his sophomore Cup Series season in the 2021 Daytona 500.
  • In last weekend’s road-course race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, Custer showed his perseverance and ability to rebound in tough situations. It was a roller coaster of a day that started with the No. 00 Ford Mustang being sent from its fourth spot on the starting grid to the rear of the field for unapproved adjustments. But Custer wasted little time in working his way toward the front, passing 25 cars by the 10th lap of the race. He was up to ninth when the first stage ended on lap 20, earning two stage points. He ran in the top-five for a majority of the race the rest of the way. While fighting for third with the No. 17 car of Alex Bowman on lap 63, the two made contact going into turn one. Both cars were able to continue, but Custer went off into the esses later that lap, forcing him to pit for four tires, fuel, and to clean the grille. He would rejoin the field 22nd, but on the lead lap with less than 20 laps to go to the scheduled 82-lap distance. With the prospects for a top-10 finish in jeopardy, the caution flag flew on lap 80, sending the race into overtime. Custer was able to stay out while the majority of cars ahead of him pitted for fuel and he found himself fourth on the ensuing restart. As the field approached turn one in overtime, the leaders made contact and Custer sustained damage in the melee but again was able to continue. He held on for a seventh-place finish.
  • Three races remain before the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs begin Sept. 15 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Custer has already locked in his spot in the 12-driver playoff field by virtue of his two wins this season, but he’s still on the hunt for more playoff points to help him advance through the postseason – all the way to the Championship 4 finale Nov. 4 at Phoenix Raceway. He and the team have this weekend’s race at Daytona, the Sept. 2 race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway and the regular-season finale Sept. 9 at Kansas Speedway to perfect their performance and collect stage wins to gain points. Prior to the 2023 season, Custer was the Xfinity Series championship runner-up in both 2018 and 2019.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

  • Riley Herbst heads to Daytona looking to change his luck at a place where he was extremely lucky earlier this year. After an early ending to his run last Saturday at Watkins Glen due to a mechanical issue, the driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang sees Friday night’s Daytona 250 as a chance to turn things around with the playoffs fast approaching. When the series last visited Daytona in February, Herbst looked to be a favorite to contend for the win. He started 10th but found himself struggling with the balance of his racecar. Adjustments by the No. 98 Monster Energy team improved the balance of the racecar throughout the race, and Herbst found himself starting third for both the final two stages. He held his position in the top-five for a majority of both stages before losing the draft and dropping back to 12th in the closing laps. Perseverence enabled him to work his way back up to sixth by the checkered flag. It would be his first of six consecutive top-10s to open the 2023 season.
  • Friday night’s race under the lights will mark Herbst’s ninth Xfinity Series start at Daytona. In his prior eight starts, he earned a best finish of fourth twice – in the February 2022 season opener and the August 2020 race. He has finished in the top-15 in five of his eight Daytona starts. Herbst also has six starts outside of the Xfinity Series at Daytona – three in the ARCA Menards Series, two in the NASCAR Truck Series, and one in the NASCAR Cup Series. All resulted in top-12 finishes with his seventh-place finish in the February 2020 ARCA race best among them.
  • Herbst will be pulling double duty this weekend in Daytona as he will pilot the No. 36 Monster Energy Zero Sugar Ford Mustang for Front Row Motorsports in Saturday’s Daytona 400 NASCAR Cup Series race. It will be his third career Cup Series start and his second at Daytona. His first came in February’s 65th running of the Daytona 500, when he survived mayhem in the final laps for a 10th-place finish, making him only the second driver in NASCAR history to record a top-10 in his Cup Series debut in the Daytona 500. He joined Terry Ryan, who made his debut in the 1976 edition of The Great American Race and finished sixth. In addition, Herbst became just the fourth driver in NASCAR history to earn a top-10 in each of his debut races in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series.
  • With only three races remaining before the 12-driver NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs begin Sept. 15 at Bristol, Herbst is defending his 12th-place position in the playoff standings. Herbst now sits three points ahead of 13th-place Parker Kligerman, the first driver on the outside looking in, after his early exit at Watkins Glen last weekend. A win during the final three regular-season races would lock Herbst into the playoff field for the fourth time in his four seasons racing fulltime in the Xfinity Series.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang

You’re heading back to the track where the 2023 season started. How far do you think you and the No. 00 Haas Automation team have come since the first race in February at Daytona?

“The growth for this team has been huge. That first race of the season, especially that practice in Daytona, everybody kind of held their breath, you know. That whole practice was just used to make sure nothing went wrong and to see what you know as a team to start the year. We didn’t exactly start how we wanted, but through great communication and getting to know the team more, we’ve come a long way from that first time on track in Daytona. I’ve spent a ton of time with the guys and JT (Jonathan Toney, crew chief) since then, and that connection helps, at the end of the day. The guys have worked extremely hard to give me fast racecars. We found what we needed from that first race, and we’re really starting to hit our stride now. I think we’ll have a great playoff run because of the hard work we’ve put in.”

While the NASCAR Cup Series is wrapping up its regular season this weekend at Daytona, the Xfinity Series will still have two more races after this one before the playoffs begin Sept. 15 at Bristol. How does it feel to already have your spot locked into the playoffs via your two wins this season?

“It’s definitely huge to have the weight lifted off your shoulders. It can get nerve-racking when you’re on the bubble, or have to focus on points racing. With that being said, we have to make sure that we keep running as hard as we can to try and build up points as a cushion when they reset for the playoffs. You can do that by winning stages and winning races. It’ll help you out so much in the playoffs in case you have a bad race, so it’ll make life a little easier in those situations. We just have to keep at it. You can’t let your guard down or feel too secure because the playoffs reset everything.”

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang

Daytona is a wild card, but you seem to have figured out superspeedway racing and seem to be a contender whenever you go to those tracks. What do you need to do this weekend to protect your spot in the NASCAR Playoffs, but also have a chance at the win?

“It’s a tough situation. You don’t want to put yourself in a bad situation in points, but you also don’t want to play it too safe and lose out on a chance to win. Daytona has been good to me in the past, so I’m hoping we can just have a strong weekend to help put us in a better position heading into Darlington and Kansas for the final races of the regular season. We have fast Ford Mustangs on the No. 98 Monster Energy team, so it’s just about turning our luck around at this point. In order to be there at the end, we have to have a fast car, fast pit stops, and make no mistakes. It’s easier said than done, but I know we can do it.”

You’ll also be making your third career NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend and your second at Daytona after an impressive 10th-place finish in the Daytona 500 in February. Talk about how you’re feeling and what you learn from your starts in the Cup Series that you can take to the Xfinity Series.

“I’m excited to make another start at Daytona. The Daytona 500 was a dream come true with just being able to drive a Cup car in that iconic race, and I’m thankful to have Monster Energy onboard with me in the No. 36 Monster Energy Zero Sugar Ford Mustang. These experiences really just help you with track time and experience. The Cup cars and Xfinity cars are so different now that there’s not much you can carry over, but track time is everything for a young driver like me. It helps you get comfortable in making moves and navigating a racetrack. Hopefully, we can have a good run in the No. 36 Ford Mustang this weekend, but I’m just excited for another chance to make a start in the Cup Series.”

Toyota Racing – NXS Daytona Post-Race Report – 08.25.23

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Official Release
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GRALA LEADS TOYOTA IN INCIDENT-FILLED DAYTONA EVENT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 25, 2023) – Kaz Grala (20th) led Toyota in an incident filled race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday evening. All five Toyota drivers in the race were involved in accidents at some point of tonight’s NASCAR Xfinity Series event.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Daytona International Speedway
Race 22 of 33 – 250 miles, 100 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, Justin Allgaier*
2nd, Sheldon Creed*
3rd, Daniel Hemric*
4th, Parker Kligerman*
5th, Cole Custer*
20th, KAZ GRALA
21st, SAMMY SMITH
28th, JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
29th, TREVOR BAYNE
37th, CONNOR MOSACK
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

KAZ GRALA, No. 26 Island Coastal Lager Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

Finishing Position: 20th

How was your race and what happened on that final lap?

“It was a good day. We did exactly what we were trying to do. It felt like we were pretty much in sync that whole race, and right where we wanted to be. At times, we that was safe, at times that was mixing it up. That had us in the right position there at the end when it mattered. We just got run over. Not really sure why, but unfortunately, that killed our finish, but we were going to have a good night. Proud of everyone at Sam Hunt Racing. Our superspeedway program hasn’t been very strong this year, but I felt like tonight was a massive step forward. I felt like we were competitive and could make the moves that we wanted to make there, so definitely a great job by everyone back at the team bringing a pretty good Supra. I wish we could have seen the checkered flag there instead of the white.”

SAMMY SMITH, No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 21st

Can you talk about the day as a whole?

“Yeah, it was really fun. Great job to all of my Pilot Flying J Toyota guys, Frankie (Kimmel, spotter). The car was phenomenal. I feel like it was the best speedway race I’ve had. I’m comfortable with the car, and Frankie and I were working really good together. It’s the last one of the year, so we will move to next year and learn from it.”

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK, No. 20 Yahoo Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 28th

What happened?

“I was just a bystander at the top, and nothing I could do to miss it. I was committed to the top lane after the damage that we got. I had a really good run going. I don’t know where we were running at that time, but we had some good momentum, and I want to say it was the 92 (Josh Williams) got turned and then I hit him square – just t-boned him. Just nowhere to go. That’s Daytona racing for you.”

What do you do these next two races, points race?

“Try and go win races. That’s about it – win stages, win races, try and get some more Playoff points. That is what we are here to do. I definitely think we can accomplish that.”

TREVOR BAYNE, No. 19 He Gets Us Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 29th

Strong run, but it didn’t end the way you wanted.

“No, it didn’t. I feel like it was great day for us. I feel like we were pretty calm and collected in the first two stage. I went up and led some laps in stage two to show those guys that we were there, get them thinking about us a little bit. Backed up, got with our teammates, drove back up to the front with all three cars and eventually got the lead. With 10 to go, I was just evaluating how to make that last lap block. When we chose lanes, I knew the 21 (Austin Hill) behind me was a worst case scenario. He’s really aggressive. I knew he was going to pull of out lane as soon as he had a chance. Of course, he did. He pushed me, and when he got to my bumper and turned out of line, it got me kind of loose and I went up for the block and just got hooked. I could have stayed down probably, maybe, could have done something different there, but definitely would have lost the race either way, once he got me loose like that. Had to go for it. Just thankful to be here. Thankful for the opportunity that He Gets Us gave me to run this race. Hopefully, we showed them that we mean business.”

CONNOR MOSACK, No. 24 Toyota Racing Development Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

Finishing Position: 37th

What happened from your perspective?

“I just saw the replay. It kind of looked like the 78 (Anthony Alfredo) might have got loose on the bottom and got in the 9 (Brandon Jones). I was hoping they were going to go low. I was kind of committed to the top there, and then they came up in front of me. It is unfortunate – just didn’t really have anywhere to go. It is kind of just part of racing here. Thank you to Toyota, Sam Hunt Racing. The guys worked really hard on these cars. A rough couple of weeks for us, but I feel good about the rest of the year. We will head to Kansas.”

It was your first time here in the Xfinity Series, did you feel like you learned anything?

“Yeah, for sure. We kind of just rode around in the first stage. We were kind of loose in, and we were just managing that to get to the end of the first stage, where we could get a stop and make an adjustment, and I feel like it definitely fired off better there in the second stage, and we were just working our way through the field and I thought we were in a pretty good spot, but wrong place, wrong time.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships. 

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 24 electrified options.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview: Daytona International Speedway II

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Official Release
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Race Information

  • Round: NASCAR Cup Series race No. 26 of 36
  • Track Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
  • Race Name: Coke Zero 400
  • Broadcast: Saturday, August 26th at 7:00 PM ET live on NBC (TV), MRN (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
  • Team Entrants:

No. 42 | Josh Berry & Luke Lambert – Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
No. 43 | Erik Jones & Dave Elenz – Allegiant Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Josh Berry, No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Daytona International Speedway Stats

-NXS: Starts: 4; Best Start: 5th (2022), Best Finish: 16th (2022); Laps Led: 24

NCS Career Stats (2021-2023)

-Starts: 11; Best Start: 17th (Phoenix, 2023); Best Finish: 2nd (Richmond, 2023); Top 5’s: 1; Top 10s: 3

-About Sunseeker Resort: Opening in 2023, Florida’s newest luxury resort located in Charlotte Harbor is the first resort property of Sunseeker Resorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company. Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor occupies over 22 waterfront acres with 785 guest rooms, including 189 Signature Sunsuites™. Set upon the Peace River and Florida Gulf Coast, this premier resort offers 20 original food and beverage concepts; including seven stand-alone restaurants, eleven bars and lounges, two poolside offerings and a 25,000-square-foot multi-dining experience. Additional hotel amenities include a waterfront promenade, two unique rooftop and waterfront pool experiences, 60,000-square-feet of combined convention space, full-service spa and salon, a 7,100-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center with four group exercise studios with specialty instructor lead classes, three retail and market shops, and an 18-hole championship level golf club exclusive to hotel guests only. The resort is conveniently located within a short drive of Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Sarasota, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Tampa airports. For more information, visit www.sunseekerresorts.com. Follow us on Instagram: @sunseekerresorts and like us on Facebook: @sunseekerresorts.

First Timer: Josh Berry will make his first start at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series on Saturday night. He has 11 total starts in the NCS so far in his career, eight of which came this season when he filled in at Hendrick Motorsports in the Nos. 9 and 48 Chevrolets. Berry also drove the No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 6.

Lambert at Daytona: Crew Chief Luke Lambert has called 19 NCS races at Daytona with five different drivers resulting in two top-five and six top-10 finishes. He has four NXS starts with two different drivers resulting in two top-five and three top-10 finishes, including one start on the front row at the superspeedway.

Quoting Josh Berry: “Making my first Cup Series start at Daytona is definitely a dream come true. It’s what every racer dreams of and I get to do that this weekend. Not long ago I thought I was going to be a career short track racer, so to know that I get to make my first start at Daytona in a Cup car just shows that you should never give up.”

What are your expectations for the race?

“It’s going to be a learning curve to start the race, especially without practice. These cars draft differently than the Xfinity cars do and we’ve seen drivers be able to tandem a little bit to gain momentum and move forward. If we can just keep it clean and be there at the end, that is our plan.”

What has this week been like preparing for this event?

“It’s definitely been a little easier preparing for Daytona knowing ahead of time that I would be in the No. 42. Being able to sit in the car beforehand, get everything where I need it, is key. I have been able to lean on Dale Jr, Erik (Jones) and everyone over at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB to figure out what to expect this weekend, so I feel as ready as can be to get to Daytona.”

Will you learn anything from the Xfinity Series race on Friday night that can translate over to Saturday’s Cup Series event?

“There’s not too much that will translate over from the Xfinity car to the Cup car but I’ll be able to feel how the track transitions at different times of the evening and how the cars react to the weather. The line changes a little bit depending on the sun and when it sets, so it’ll be nice to see what lane is preferred on Friday before hopping in the Cup car on Saturday.”

Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Daytona International Speedway Stats

-NCS: Starts: 13; Best Start: 8th; Best Finish: 1st (2018); Top-5s: 2; Top-10s: 3; Wins: 1; Laps Led: 61

-NXS: Starts: 6; Best Start: 3rd; Best Finish: 8th; Top-10s: 2

-NCTS: Starts: 1; Best Start: 7th; Best Finish: 2nd; Top-5’s: 1; Top-10s: 1

2023 NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats

-Starts: 24; Best Start: 8th; Best Finish: 6th; Top-10’s: 5; Laps Led: 17; Points position: 28th

About Allegiant: Las Vegas-based Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at its heart, focused on connecting customers with the people, places and experiences that matter most. Since 1999, Allegiant Air has linked travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop flights and industry-low average fares. Today, Allegiant’s fleet serves communities across the nation, with base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. For more information, visit us at Allegiant.com.

One for the Memory Books: One of Jones’ most memorable quotes came from Daytona when he won his first NASCAR Cup Series race in 2018. In a race with significant wrecks and even more profound emotions, Jones crossed the finish line just ahead of Martin Truex Jr. to capture the checkered flag. During his post-race interview, Jones turned to the crowd and exclaimed, ‘How about that race, boys and girls?’ as they cheered him on loudly.

Just Seconds to Spare: After being collected in one of the wrecks of the night, Jones and his team fought adversity and the damaged vehicle policy (DVP) clock, using 5:15 of the total six minutes allowed after sustaining right rear damage, putting the driver and team down one lap to the leaders. Once back out on the track, Jones avoided another major wreck, where he got his lap back and soon was back into contention. The final result saw Jones securing his first career NASCAR Cup Series win.

Another Daytona Win: Jones not only clinched victory in the 2018 Coke Zero 400, but he also took the checkered in the season-opener Busch Light Clash at Daytona in 2020. In the 18-car exhibition race, Jones was among six cars that reached the checkered flag, as most of the pack had been collected in previous wrecks; one of these wrecks inflicted notable damage to the hood of Jones’ car. Despite the impairment, the pit crew tended to the damage, keeping Jones in contention and ultimately securing the win with a push from his then-teammate, Denny Hamlin.

SUPERspeedway Racing: Throughout the 2023 season, Jones has secured five top-10 finishes, with three of these achievements at superspeedways measuring two or more miles. Notably, Jones achieved top-10 finishes at Pocono, Talladega, and his home track of Michigan this season.

Last Time Around: In last year’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, Jones started eleventh and maintained an average running position of 16.08. Jones sat in the front row during multiple restarts, leading for 22 laps. However, only the top-10 drivers finished on the lead lap. Jones was collected in a wreck, falling victim to the expiration of the DVP clock, but managed to secure a respectable 17th-place finish.

Dave at Daytona: Elenz boasts a total record of 14 starts in the Xfinity Series and three starts in the Cup Series. During his time in the Xfinity Series, Elenz guided six drivers to five top-five, and nine top-10 finishes, while coaching four drivers to victory lane. Under Elenz, his drivers have commanded the lead for a total of 97 laps and achieved an average finish of 11.6. Three of Elenz’s Xfinity Series victories were secured within a span of five races.

True Petty Blue: Daytona stands as one of the most storied tracks in motor racing, and Richard Petty has helped build the sport’s legacy. Across an unparalleled 74 starts, Petty has an extraordinary record of 10 victories, 28 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes with 1,278 laps led. Daytona is the stomping ground of where Petty solidified his nickname as “The King,” reaching a significant milestone by clinching his 200th and final career win at the track in 1984, a special moment that happened in the presence of former President Ronald Reagan.

Quoting Erik Jones: “Daytona is always exciting, especially with it being the last race of the year leading into the playoffs, it’s always a pretty wild race. I was able to win that summer race a few years ago for my first cup win and I really hope to add on there and grab a win to get ourselves into the playoffs. I am excited to get there always, and I enjoy superspeedway racing, I feel like we have been really close and just need to close one of these speedway races out, so hopefully this is the one.”

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:

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

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

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

SOCIAL MEDIA:

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

REIGNING DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION RICKY STENHOUSE JR. DEFENDS TURF WITH A BOOST FROM PARTNERS

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Official Release
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HARRISBURG, N.C. (August 22, 2023) – 2023 DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will seek allies to boost him to his fourth superspeedway victory with a fresh look to his No. 47 Camaro at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, August 26. Boost by Kroger Plus will partner with the JTG Daugherty Racing team during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 joining co-primary and longstanding partner Entenmann’s, which is promoting the “Ride with Ricky” sweepstakes currently.

“Thanks to Entenmann’s, which ‘Goes great with people’ we just launched the ‘Ride with Ricky’ sweepstakes, and now we will have a new look on our race car hoods with Boost by Kroger Plus,” said Stenhouse Jr. “It is great to see our partners maximizing their partnership on track and in-store, and we hope to be doing some victory donuts to go along with the donuts on our car at Daytona.”

Boost by Kroger Plus, the membership that brings shoppers exclusive savings on groceries and fuel with free delivery of fresh, affordable food will have prime positioning on Stenhouse Jr.’s hood for the 160-Lap event to help drive awareness.

Customers can join Boost by Kroger Plus free for 30-days or sign up for as little as $7.99 per month. Customers can enjoy exclusive offers, fuel savings and free delivery on purchases of $35 or more.

To make NASCAR’s vast audience of more than 80 million dedicated fans aware of the savings offered through Boost by Kroger Plus, they are teaming up with JTG Daugherty Racing’s very own spotter Tab Boyd, a two-time Daytona 500 winner as eyes in the sky.

“It’s really cool to debut the Boost by Kroger Plus hood at Daytona, especially given our triumph in winning the Daytona 500,” said Boyd. “Boost is a word I use a lot of weekends at superspeedways and some mile-and-a-half tracks like Atlanta Motor Speedway and/or Kansas Speedway down the back straightaway. At a track like Daytona this weekend, we get a boost from another car, which is an extra surge from another car that makes you go faster. A continuous boost is essential for greater speeds to get to the front for success and for spotters.”

“It will be fun to say, ‘here comes the boost’ to Ricky with the No. 47 Boost by Kroger Plus / Entenmann’s Camaro,” continued Boyd. “It is nice to make the in-store / online and on-track connection, where NASCAR consumers can get exclusive savings and the opportunity for free delivery of fresh food when they sign up for Boost by Kroger Plus. I’m looking forward to getting back to Daytona with Ricky and the team and go for another win.”

Prior to competing in the No. 47 Boost by Kroger Plus / Entenmann’s Camaro, Stenhouse Jr. intends to pause for reflection. He will visit Daytona International Speedway’s Museum to view his Champions’ car and participate in the unveiling of his imprinted footprint and handprint concrete block in the Daytona 500 Champions’ Walk of Fame.

“It will be really fun to get back to Daytona,” said Stenhouse Jr. “The last time we were there it was kind of chaotic with all the celebrating, media, and stuff that we did. It will be cool to go back and go to the museum to see our race car for the first time since we won and be at the Daytona 500 Champions’ Walk of Fame reveal. It is always nice to go back to a racetrack where you are trying to defend. Sweeping the races at Daytona would be huge for us.”

To date, this season has brought significant achievements for the single-car team based in Harrisburg, N.C. that has cemented a coveted spot in the 2023 Playoffs.

“I feel good about what we were able to accomplish at the start of the season and winning the Daytona 500,” said Stenhouse Jr. “It is one that we all have circled on our calendar every single year to get the job done when we show up. That was cool to do. It is a tough race to win and one that sticks with you forever.”

Stenhouse Jr. is proud of the team’s accomplishments. To date, they have the Daytona 500 victory, two top-five, 7 top-10 and 14 top-15 finishes in 25 starts this season.

“We punch above our weight with what we have, and I think we take a lot of pride in that,” continued Stenhouse Jr. “We wish probably that we had more things to go to battle with, but I am happy with the tools we have and how we do battle. It has been a fun season. We know where our strengths and weaknesses are. We need to make sure that we continue to make our weaknesses less because we do have strong suits. We work hard and it has been cool to see everybody kind of hold hands and go forward together. We are okay with being under the radar going into the Playoffs. It is completely fine for us.”

For more information about Boost by Kroger Plus visit Kroger.com/pr/boost.

Also, visit racingprizes.com/boost/ for a chance to win a trip for two to a race of choice in 2024.

For additional details on the Entenmann’s “Ride with Ricky” sweepstakes visit ridewithricky.entenmanns.com.

Advantages of Transforming Your Vehicle with Expert Body Repairs

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SM
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Photo by Gustavo Fring

Your vehicle is more than just a means of transportation; it reflects your personality and style. However, scratches and dents can diminish its aesthetic appeal. This is where expert car scratch repair services, such as those offered by Southend Smart Repairs, come to the rescue. In this article, we’ll explore the numerous advantages of transforming your vehicle with expert body repairs.

Restoring Aesthetic Appeal

1. Flawless Finish

One of the primary advantages of expert body repairs is the restoration of your vehicle’s flawless finish. Skilled technicians at Southend Smart Repairs have the expertise to seamlessly repair scratches, dents, and other imperfections, leaving your vehicle looking as good as new.

2. Preserving Value

Maintaining your vehicle’s aesthetic appeal also helps preserve its resale value. A car with a well-maintained exterior is likely to command a higher price when you decide to sell or trade it in.

Preventing Further Damage

1. Rust Prevention

Scratches and dents can expose your vehicle’s metal frame to moisture, leading to rust. Expert repairs not only fix the visible damage but also prevent rust from taking hold and spreading.

2. Structural Integrity

Some damages, even seemingly minor ones, can affect your vehicle’s structural integrity. Expert repairs ensure that your vehicle remains safe and performs as it should.

Cost-Effective Solution

1. Affordability

Expert body repairs are often more cost-effective than you might think. They provide a budget-friendly alternative to full panel replacements or extensive bodywork.

Environmentally Friendly

1. Reducing Waste

By opting for expert body repairs, you contribute to reducing automotive waste. Instead of replacing entire panels or parts, only the damaged area is repaired, minimizing the environmental impact.

Convenient and Quick

1. Minimal Downtime

Car scratch repair services offered by experts like Southend Smart Repairs are known for their efficiency. You can expect minimal downtime, allowing you to get back on the road with your rejuvenated vehicle sooner.

Conclusion

Transforming your vehicle with expert body repairs is not just about restoring its appearance; it’s about preserving its value, preventing further damage, and making an environmentally conscious choice. With the skilled technicians at Southend Smart Repairs, you can enjoy the advantages of flawless finishes, rust prevention, and structural integrity. Plus, it’s a cost-effective and convenient solution that minimizes downtime. So, if your vehicle has suffered from scratches or dents, consider the numerous benefits of expert car scratch repair services for a transformation that goes beyond skin deep.

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Daytona Advance

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Official Release
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ARIC ALMIROLA
Daytona Advance
No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Round 26 of 36)

● Time/Date: 7 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 26

● Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway

● Layout: 2.5-mile oval

● Laps/Miles: 160 laps / 400 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 40 laps / Stage 2: 40 laps / Final Stage: 80 laps

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

Notes of Interest

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

● History at Daytona: Almirola scored his first career Cup Series win in the rain-shortened July 2014 race at Daytona, when he led 14 laps. At the 2021 Daytona 500, he won his Duel qualifying race for the first time in his career, and in this year’s Daytona 500, he led 16 laps before getting caught up in an accident during the second of two overtimes, which relegated him to a 21st-place finish. Almirola started on the pole in his first Daytona outing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in July 2007, and he captured an Xfinity Series win there in the No. 98 Biagi-Den Beste Ford Mustang in July 2016. Almirola also has three Daytona starts in the NASCAR Truck Series with a best finish of 12th in the 2010 season opener. He won his second Duel qualifying race at Daytona to kick off the 2023 season.

● Playoffs: Almirola arrives at Daytona 25th in the playoff standings. The 39-year-old veteran is in a must-win situation this weekend if he is to make the 16-driver NASCAR Playoff field.

● Almirola’s career: In 449 career NASCAR Cup Series starts, Almirola has three wins, 28 top-five finishes, 93 top-10s, five poles, and has led 1,068 laps.

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

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

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

Could there be a better track for you to be in a must-win situation?

“I don’t think so. I know a lot of guys look at these superspeedways as a wild-card race, but I always look at it as an incredible opportunity for us. We are always consistent at superspeedways and we have continued to be consistent at them this year. I’ve won at Daytona in the Xfinity and Cup series. We have been so close to winning it many times and we are almost always in a position to win if we don’t get collected early. Daytona is my home track, too, so I love going there with the added bonus of winning not far my hometown.”

Why has superspeedway racing fit your driving style?

“Early in my career, I always had to find a way to perform at the superspeedway races because, at Petty, it was our only realistic chance to win. I paid a lot of attention to the superspeedway races and learned strategies and how to be there in the end. Superspeedway racing is a high-speed chess match and you have to make the right moves early to be there in the end. Then seeing the hard work pay off to win in the Xfinity Series and Cup Series at Daytona, and winning at Talladega here at Stewart-Haas in 2018, gave me a lot of confidence moving forward. I think we have a great opportunity this weekend to catapult our way into the playoffs, and I think this first round could be really good to us with Bristol being the cutoff.”

What will it take to win this weekend?

“Honestly, luck will play a big part in winning this weekend. It starts with bringing a fast race car and making the right moves and executing. Luck doesnt matter if you dont have a car fast enough to run up front, but you have to avoid the inevitable wrecks and be there at the end. In the last five laps you have to have the perfect formula of things going your way to execute and win.”

No. 10 Smithfield Ford Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Aric Almirola

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Jerry Cook

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Lead Engineer: Lee Deese

Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina

Engineer: James Kimbrough

Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Joel Edmonds

Hometown: Dobson, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder

Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard

Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotton

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener

Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Jacob Cooksey

Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Tire Specialist: Russel Simpson

Hometown: Medford, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Steven Casper

Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Local, regional musical talent to complement a great weekend of NTT INDYCAR SERIES action at World Wide Technology Raceway

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Official Release
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ST. LOUIS, August 22, 2023 — World Wide Technology Raceway’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES Weekend has always been known as one of the most festive events on the schedule. A midway filled with displays and attractions, driver autograph sessions, and great local and regional music acts are set to complement two incredible days of open wheel racing. This year’s lineup of local talent showcases some of the most popular musical acts from the St. Louis area on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday’s Pole Day offers something for everyone, with the inaugural WWTR appearance by pop and punk cover band Shut Up Mark to kick off the party at 11 a.m. Following a momentous day of racing, The Bobby Ford Band will take the stage to play an incredible set of country music.

“This weekend is more than just a race, it’s a great party. Fans are going to love Saturday’s lineup with Shut Up Mark and The Bobby Ford Band,” said Chris Blair, World Wide Technology Raceway’s Executive Vice President and General Manager. “Shut Up Mark covers Blink 182, The Killers, Panic! at the Disco and even some Miley Cyrus. You can’t help but have a good time when they are on stage. The Bobby Ford Band is a great country band that actually plays real country music. After amazing performances at last year’s INDYCAR race and again during the NASCAR weekend in June, they are quickly becoming WWTR’s go-to house band.”

WWTR’s live Sunday performances features the classic summertime grooves of Yacht Rockers and Dirty Muggs, a band best described as having a high-energy show that offers something for everyone.

“The Yacht Rockers are the perfect way to ease your way into a Sunday morning with their covers of Billy Joel, Hall and Oates, Tears for Fears and Toto,” continued Blair. “The party continues with the Dirty Muggs. Lead singers Nikko Smith and Lotty London, along with lead guitar player Dee Dee James, have a well-choreographed show that our fans will love.”

In addition to the live bands, WWTR is featuring a stellar collection of DJs throughout the venue. On Saturday, DJ ISIDRO will be performing on the midway, while DJ Shaggy will play in the infield as part of the Gateway Garage Experience. DJ ISIDORO returns on the midway again on Sunday while DJ Brian Akin takes over in the infield.

On Sunday, St. Louis’ DJ Vincent Lin, a.k.a. DJ Vincent Van Go will perform a set of house, tech house, trap, drum-and-bass, and Psytrance (psychedelic trance) music.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, DJ Flosstradamus will not be performing as originally announced.

WWTR’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline weekend features the OUTFRONT Showdown for INDY NXT on Saturday, along with INDYCAR practice and qualifying, and exhibitions by Vintage Indy Registry. On Saturday night, the racing action moves to Federated Auto Parts I-55 Speedway in Pevely, Missouri, for the IRA Sprint Car Series’ St. Louis Speed Fest Summer Slam.

On Sunday — along with another round of exhibitions by the Vintage Indy Registry — the USAC Silver Crown Series will compete in the 80-lap, 100-mile OUTFRONT 100 prior to the seventh annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 INDYCAR event.

For INDYCAR tickets and information, please call WWTR at (618) 215-8888 or visit wwtraceway.com. Follow @WWTRaceway on social media.

BOMMARITO AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Weekend fan schedule

Saturday, August 26 – INDY NXT; INDYCAR practice and qualifying

7 a.m. – Parking lots open.

7:30 a.m. – Spectator gates open. Paddock and Gateway Garage Experience open.

8 a.m. – Vintage Indy exhibition.

8:55 a.m. – INDY NXT practice.

10 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice.

11:45 a.m. – INDY NXT qualifying.

1 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying.

2:35 p.m. – INDY NXT OUTFRONT Showdown race.

4 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group A highline practice.

4:15 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group B highline practice.

4:45 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice (all cars, 60 minutes).

7:30 p.m. – Paddock and Gateway Garage Experience closed.

Sunday, August 27 – Bommarito Automotive Group 500 INDYCAR race, USAC Silver Crown Series

7 a.m. – Parking lots open.

7:30 a.m. – Spectator gates open. Paddock and Gateway Garage Experience open.

8 a.m. – USAC Silver Crown Series practice.

9 a.m. – Vintage Indy exhibition.

10:15 a.m. – USAC Silver Crown Series qualifying.

11 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver autograph session.

12 p.m. – USAC Silver Crown Series pre-race ceremonies.

12:15 p.m. – USAC Silver Crown Series OUTFRONT 100 (80 laps, 100 miles, 60 minutes).

1:46 p.m. – Law enforcement appreciation laps on track.

1:55 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline driver introductions.

2:19 p.m. – Invocation and national anthem.

2:22 p.m. – Command for drivers to cars.

2:35 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline (260 laps, 325 miles).

5:30 p.m. – Paddock and Gateway Garage Experience closed.

Schedule subject to change.

About World Wide Technology Raceway

World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the only track in the world to host the premier series of NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA . Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering more than 700 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1/4-mile drag strip, 1.25-mile superspeedway, 2.0-mile road course, the Gateway Kartplex (a state-of-the-art karting facility), and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and owner Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association.

Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.

Matt Mills – No. 51 J.F. Electric Silverado Craftsman Trucks Milwaukee Mile Preview

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Official Release
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Matt Mills: Driver, No. 51 J.F. Electric Chevrolet
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:
Event: Clean Harbors 175, Race 18 of 23, 175 laps – 55/55/65; 177.625 Miles
Location: Milwaukee Mile (1.015-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: Aug. 27, 2023, at 4 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Mills’ Best:

Matt Mills and the No. 51 team head to the Milwaukee Mile for Sunday’s Clean Harbors 175. Mills we be looking to build on the momentum of a career-best fifth-place finish in his KBM debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Richmond Raceway in late July. Mills qualified fifth and finished fifth earning his first career top-five finish across 143 national touring series starts.

The 26-year-old driver has made 22 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series including seven this season. He produced a career-best starting position of fourth at Michigan International Speedway in 2018 and a career-best fifth-place finish in his KBM debut at Richmond. Most recently, he qualified 17th and finished 23rd driving for Young’s Motorsports in the series’ last stop at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the Virginia native has made 121 career starts with a best result of 10th coming at Daytona International Speedway in 2019. He also made one NASCAR Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway in 2021.

After the first race of the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series owner’s playoffs the No. 51 team sits 10th on the playoff grid, eight points below the cutoff line for advancing to the Round of 8 with two races remaining in the Round of 10. Jack Wood will return to the No. 51 Chevrolet Sept. 8 for the final race of the Round of 10 at Kansas Speedway.

The No. 51 team qualified for the owner’s playoffs after finishing seventh in the regular season owner point standings. Across 17 starts in 2023, the team has recorded two wins, one pole, 170 laps led, seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.2. Owner-driver Kyle Busch recorded both of the 51 team’s victories winning the second race of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and most recently collecting his organization’s historic 100th win July 22 at Pocono Raceway.

The No. 51 team has captured the NASCAR Craftsman World Truck Series owner’s championship three times (2013-2014 and 2019) and as an organization KBM has collected a series-record seven owner’s titles.

Veteran crew chief Brian Pattie is calling the shots for the No. 51 team this year in his first season at KBM after spending the last 14 seasons atop the pit box in the NASCAR Cup Series. In the Cup Series, his drivers produced six wins, nine poles, 57 top-five and 131 top-10 finishes across 528 starts. In 2012, he guided Clint Bowyer to three victories and a runner-up finish in the Cup Series championship standings. In 2017, he guided Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to two wins and a berth in the playoffs. The Florida native has also recorded 11 wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and now has two wins as a crew chief in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Sunday will be Pattie’s first time calling a Truck Series race at the Milwaukee Mile. Across two Xfinity Series starts at Milwaukee, his driver’s produced an average finish of 19.0 with a best result of 11th coming with Reed Sorenson in 2005.

J.F. Electric, an electrical contractor that’s in the business of creating connections, will be the primary sponsor adorning Mill’s Silverado Sunday. Mills will also carry associate sponsorship from Utilitra, a women-owned utility and technology solutions provider with a diverse team of specialized professionals, and Thompson Electric, a full-service electrical contracting company.
Matt Mills, Driver Q&A:

Do your expectations for this race change after a top-five finish in your KBM debut at Richmond?

“It certainly gives us some momentum. I really just need to go out there and have another solid weekend. If we can qualify in the single digits again and finish in the single digits, I think that would be a good weekend. It’s been more of a learning curve than I expected. Coming over here, it hasn’t just been show up and go faster, there’s been a lot that I’ve had to learn and things that I’ve had to work on. We will go into Milwaukee with some momentum and try and have another solid day in the J.F. Electric Silverado.”

Having never been to Milwaukee before, how are you preparing for this race?

“I’ve been asking lots of questions from lots of different drivers, spotters, and watching a lot of YouTube videos. Basically, that’s how I approached IRP last weekend since there wasn’t a lot to go off of. It worked out well for us over at Young’s Motorsports. I feel like I have more resources over here at KBM, so hopefully we can go out there and start out with some good speed and fine tune from there.”

As you’ve done your research, is there a track that you’ve been to that you feel will be similar to Milwaukee?

“Yeah, maybe 3 and 4 at Gateway. Honestly, growing up in the north, a lot of our racetracks are flat so hopefully that will play into my wheelhouse. Milwaukee is a little bigger, but I still have a really good feeling about it.”

Matt Mills Career Highlights:

  • Made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Kansas Speedway in 2021.
  • Has recorded one top-10 finish across 121 career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, which came at Daytona International Speedway in July of 2019.
  • Has produced an average finish of 24.7 across 23 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Produced a career-best starting position of fourth at Michigan International Speedway in 2018 and a career-best fifth-place finish at Richmond in his KBM debut this season.
  • Kyle Busch’s No. 51 Chevrolet Silverado RST:

KBM-69: The No. 51 J.F. Electric team will unload KBM-69 for Sunday’s race at Milwaukee. It is the same Silverado that Mills qualified fifth and finished fifth win in his KBM debut at Richmond in late July. Across nine starts, KBM-69 has recorded a best result of second twice, both at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with Busch (2021 and 2022).

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM’s Truck Series program has never competed in a race at the Milwaukee Mile, but the KBM Super Late Model team recorded three victories at the Wisconsin track. Kyle Busch won the Wisconsin All-Star 100 there in 2008 and also won the Howie Lettow Memorial in 2013. Erik Jones won the Howie Lettow Memorial in 2014.
  • KBM holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (100) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch picked up his organization’s first-ever win at Nashville Superspeedway in April of 2010 and also picked up its 100th Truck Series victory at Pocono Raceway in July of 2023. In addition to collecting a series-record seven owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • With 42 victories, the No. 51 is the winningest number in KBM’s Truck Series fleet.

Chase Purdy- No. 4 Bama Buggies Silverado Craftsman Trucks Milwaukee Mile Preview

By
Official Release
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Chase Purdy: Driver, No. 4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:
Event: Clean Harbors 175, Race 18 of 23, 175 laps – 55/55/65; 177.625 Miles
Location: Milwaukee Mile (1.015-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: Aug. 27, 2023, at 4 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

‘Chase’n Wins:

Chase Purdy and the No. 4 Bama Buggies team head to the Milwaukee Mile for Sunday’s Clean Harbors 175. The race will be the first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at the track since 2009. Matt Crafton is the only driver in Sunday’s field that was a part of the 2009 event. While KBM’s Truck Series program, which debuted in 2010, has never competed in a race at the Milwaukee Mile, the KBM Super Late Model team recorded three victories at the Wisconsin track. Kyle Busch won the Wisconsin All-Star 100 there in 2008 and also won the Howie Lettow Memorial in 2013. Erik Jones won the Howie Lettow Memorial in 2014.

Purdy has never competed in any series at the Milwaukee Mile. He qualified eighth and finished fifth at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, which many would say is the most similar track on the schedule, in the Truck Series earlier this year. He also had success in the K&N East Series at another similar track, New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He captured the pole for the 2017 race at New Hampshire, led seven laps and finished second to current NASCAR Cup Series regular Todd Gilliland.

The Mississippi native is in his third full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and first with KBM. He enters Sunday’s race having totaled two top-five and 12 top-10 finishes across his 69 career Truck Series starts. Purdy entered the 2022 season having never earned a top-five result in Truck Series action but has produced two across 17 races in his first season at KBM, including a career-best runner-up finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April. He has already produced a career-high seven top-10 finishes this season, after posting just two each in 2021 and 2022. He currently ranks 13th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver point standings.

Purdy finished 16th in the Truck Series final standings in 2022 after competing in 22 of the 23 events. He posted two top-10 finishes and nine laps led, with a season-best finish of seventh coming at Talladega Superspeedway in October.

Jimmy Villeneuve is atop the pit box for Purdy and the No. 4 Chevrolet team this season. Prior to being promoted to crew chief for the 2023 season, Villeneuve had served as a Truck Chief at KBM since the 2017 season and in that role was a part of 18 wins, a driver’s championship with Christopher Bell in 2017 and the 2019 owner’s championship with the No. 51 team. This will be Villeneuve’s first race calling the shots for a race at the Milwaukee Mile.

Bama Buggies, your one-stop shop for all the biggest names in powersports and utility vehicles, will be the primary sponsor on Purdy’s No. 4 Chevrolet Sunday and for the majority of the events on the 2023 schedule. They are Central Alabama’s powersports experts, serving as an authorized dealer of Polaris, Slingshot, and Seadoo.
Chase Purdy, Driver Q&A:

How are you preparing for the Milwaukee Mile?

“I’ve never been to Milwaukee, so I’ve just been watching a bunch of races on YouTube, getting on my iRacing Sim and obviously the Chevy Simulator — just using all the tools and resources so that I can be as best prepared as I can when I show up.”

As you’ve prepared for this race is there anything that you’ve found to be unique about the Milwaukee Mile?

“Yeah, I think it’s cool that it’s kind of a worn out surface. It looks like there are two grooves that you can race each other on, but I think that passing is going to be really difficult. So, it’ll be important to have speed early and qualify up front.

What does it mean to be a part of NASCAR’s return to the Milwaukee Mile?

“It’s just really unique. I watched the old Xfinity races there as a kid growing up, so I’m looking forward to going back there. I remember actually watching Kyle (Busch) race there years ago. So, it’ll be really fun and I’m excited about it. It’s kind of like North Wilkesboro. I don’t think this return has quite as much hype as that place did, but it definitely should.”

Chase Purdy Career Highlights:

  • Across 69 career Truck Series starts, has produced 20 laps led, two top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. Posted a career-best runner-up finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April of 2023.
  • Finished 16th in Truck Series championship standings in 2022.
  • Finished fourth in the 2018 ARCA Menard’s Series championship standings after recording 84 laps led, 10 top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.
  • Earned the 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East rookie of the year honors and finished fourth in the championship standings after posting four poles, 200 laps led, five top-five and eight top-10 finishes across 14 starts.
  • Won the prestigious Snowflake 100 Pro Late Model race at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., in Dec. of 2018.
  • Chase Purdy’s No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado RST:

KBM-56: The No. 4 Bama Buggies team will unload KBM-56 for Sunday’s race at Milwaukee. This chassis has two career victories across 19 starts, most recently with John Hunter Nemechek at Kansas Speedway last September. Nemechek also won with KBM-56 at Pocono Raceway in June of 2021. Purdy has piloted this Silverado three times this year, with a best result of eighth coming at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM’s Truck Series program has never competed in a race at The Milwaukee Mile. The KBM Super Late Model team recorded three victories at the Milwaukee Mile. Kyle Busch won the Wisconsin All-Star 100 there in 2008 and also won the Howie Lettow Memorial in 2013. Erik Jones won the Howie Lettow Memorial in 2014.
  • KBM holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (100) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch picked up his organization’s first-ever win at Nashville Superspeedway in April of 2010 and also picked up its 100th Truck Series victory at Pocono Raceway in July of 2023. In addition to collecting a series-record seven owner’s championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • The No. 4 has 18 career victories at KBM and was the number for both of the organization’s driver championships.
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