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Kaulig Racing Weekly Advance | Watkins Glen International

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Official Release
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Go Bowling at the Glen
Watkins Glen International
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, August 20 at 3:00 p.m. EDT on USA

  • Kaulig Racing has made two NCS starts at Watkins Glen International and earned a runner-up finish in the 2022 Go Bowling at the Glen.
  • So far in the 2023 NCS season, Kaulig Racing has earned two top fives, nine top-10 finishes and led 30 laps.

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger has made 11 NCS starts at Watkins Glen International Raceway and has earned one win, four top fives, seven top-10 finishes and has led 58 laps.
  • Allmendinger earned his first NCS victory at the 2014 Cheez-It 355 at The Glen.
  • So far in the 2023 NCS season, Allmendinger has led seven laps and earned one top five, four top 10 and six top-15 finishes.

“Watkins Glen last year was probably one of the most fun races I’ve been a part of. Our car was really good, conditions were tough with the rain early in the race and trying to drive up through the field. It’s always a racetrack that has a special place in my heart knowing it’s where I got my first Cup win. I really believe we can go there, have a solid points day and hopefully have a shot at the win.” – AJ Allmendinger on Watkins Glen International

Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1

  • Justin Haley has made two NCS starts at Watkins Glen International, with a best finish of 18th.
  • So far in the 2023 NCS season, Haley has earned one top five and five top-10 finishes with a best qualifying effort of third.
  • Haley’s best finish of the season came from his runner-up finish in the first-ever race at the Chicago Street Course where he led 23 laps, the most he has led in a single race.
  • After completing the 2023 Coca-Cola 600 and Alsco Uniforms 300, Haley now holds the record for the most NASCAR National Series miles completed in a single day by any driver in NASCAR history.

“Watkins Glen is one of my favorite road courses that we go to. Last year we were really competitive but had some things happen that were out of our control. I think if we can execute on our end, we have a chance to really contend.” – Justin Haley on Watkins Glen International

Shriners Children’s 200
Watkins Glen International
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Saturday, August 19 at 3:30 p.m. EDT on USA

  • Kaulig Racing has made 11 NXS starts at Watkins Glen International and has earned two runner-up finishes, four top-10 finishes and has led 33 laps.
  • So far in the 2023 NXS season Kaulig Racing has earned four wins, six pole awards, 16 top five and 35 top-10 finishes.

Kyle Busch, No. 10 LA Golf Chevrolet Camaro

  • Of 11 NXS starts at Watkins Glen International, Kyle Busch has earned one win, one pole award, three runner-up finishes, six top five and seven top-10 finishes. He has also led a total of 155 laps at the Glen.
  • In Busch’s previous two starts for Kaulig Racing in 2023, he earned one top five and a top-10 finish.

“I love Watkins Glen, so I’m excited to run the No. 10 LA Golf Chevy; thanks to all the guys at Kaulig Racing for letting me do it. I’m actually going to have to relearn an H-pattern again for the Xfinity car. Extra track time is always good, but the Xfinity cars and the Cup cars are vastly different from each other this day and age. I don’t anticipate there being a whole lot of learning going on.” – Kyle Busch on Watkins Glen International

Daniel Hemric, No. 11 Cirkul Chevrolet Camaro

  • Daniel Hemric has made four NXS starts at Watkins Glen International where he has an average finish of 20th.
  • Hemric currently sits eighth in the NXS standings and has earned four top five and 11 top-10 finishes so far in the 2023 season.

“Watkins Glen is considered the superspeedway road course that we go to. You have to have a lot of mechanical grip and aero does matter. We know that Watkins Glen is one of our weaker road courses, but we look forward to hopefully going there and having an opportunity to do something really cool amongst the package we have been building on over the last couple months. I’m excited to see what kind of fruit it bears and go have some fun.” – Daniel Hemric on Watkins Glen International

Chandler Smith, No. 16 Quick Tie Products Chevrolet Camaro

  • Chandler Smith will make his first start at Watkins Glen International in the NXS in the Shriners Children’s 200.
  • Smith has previously made one start at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS).
  • He currently sits seventh in the NXS points standings with one win, five top five and eight top-10 finishes.

“Watkins Glen is one of those road courses that feels like it was made for NASCAR. There’s lots of passing opportunities, especially in turn one. From that point on, you’ll need to get good drive up the esses to carry speed throughout the lap. Hopefully we can gain some momentum back and get a clean finish.” – Chandler Smith on Watkins Glen International  

 
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 an all-star lineup, the No. 11 Chevrolet driven by Daniel Hemric, and the No. 16 Chevrolet driven by Chandler Smith. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

United Rentals Racing: Ryan Preece Watkins Glen Advance

By
Official Release
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RYAN PREECE
Watkins Glen Advance
No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Go Bowling at The Glen (Round 25 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 20
● Location: Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International
● Layout: 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course
● Laps/Miles: 90 laps / 220.5 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 20 laps / Stage 2: 20 laps / Final Stage: 50 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● New York State of Mind: Ryan Preece and the No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) are heading to the 2.45-mile, seven-turn Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International road-course layout for Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen at 3 p.m. EDT. Coverage will be live on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

● By The Numbers: Sunday’s race will mark Preece’s third start at the road course in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes Region. His first outing came in 2019 for JTG-Daugherty Racing. He started 29th but had to retire from the race early due to a rear-gear issue on his No. 47 racecar. He returned with JTG-Daugherty in 2021, when he started 23rd and finished 28th. This weekend will mark his first Cup Series start at the track for SHR and his first since the 2021 race. Preece has made three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Watkins Glen, the first in 2016 for JD Motorsports, when he started 21st but was relegated to a 27th-place finish by a suspension issue. He returned in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing entry in 2018, when he started eighth and finished fourth and led eight laps. His third Xfinity Series outing at The Glen came in 2019 with JR Motorsports. He started eighth and finished 10th in that event.

●#WorkUnited: This weekend, United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI), the largest equipment rental company in the world, returns to the No. 41 Ford Mustang serving as the primary sponsor. United Rentals has an integrated network of 1,449 rental locations in North America, 13 in Europe, 27 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 24,700 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers approximately 4,700 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $19.3 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index®. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Additional information about United Rentals is available at UnitedRentals.com.

● Turns for Troops: In an effort to make every lap a lap of honor, United Rentals is supporting military veterans and families. Through the Turns for Troops program, United Rentals will donate $50 for each lap that one of its three sponsored drivers complete during specific races throughout the season. So far this season, there have been two Turns for Troops races (Phoenix and Michigan). Preece completed all 512 laps possible and raised $25,600 for Operation Homefront. This weekend at Watkins Glen, Preece can raise a total of $4,500 for Operation Homefront if he completes all 90 laps of the race. Funds from the Turns for Troops program will go to Operation Homefront. Click here to learn more.

● Last Weekend: Preece and the No. 41 Ford Mustang took to the 2.439-mile, 14-turn Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course last Sunday, where he qualified 30th and was not able to overcome an unscheduled pit stop due to a tire issue six laps into the race. He spent the remainder of the race trying to rally toward the front, but the final 77 laps were caution-free and Preece could finish no better than 31st.

● Where He Stands: Preece heads to Watkins Glen 25th in the driver standings with 403 points.

● VIP Race Day Experience: RaceChoice.com, a proud partner of Preece, has launched its second special racing experience giveaway for fans this season. Fans can enter through Sept. 30. The winner will receive airfare and a two-night stay in Phoenix for the season finale race weekend. RaceChoice.com will also give the winners two pit passes for the race and a meet-and-greet with Preece, driver of the No. 41 SHR Ford Mustang. Click here for more information.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

What are the challenges of racing at Watkins Glen, and what is the importance of practice and qualifying there?
“Practice is really key for us. I didn’t necessarily grow up road racing, so it’s really important. I’ve logged laps at Watkins Glen before, most recently in 2021 in the Cup Series. But track position is always a topic, right? There are some things that we worked on in the Ford Performance sim to be able to prepare. But for a driver, it’s getting out there and doing it – the visuals and a lot of the braking marks that you tend to get. I mean, when you think about it, how many laps are we really going to get in practice? I think nine, 10 laps, maybe, which kind of reminds me of the SRX race when we got five laps. The only difference was that I’ve raced at Stafford all my life. So, it’s going to be extremely important to get everything we have out of the racecar and qualify really well.”

What is different about Watkins Glen compared to other road courses on the schedule?
“Comparing the Indy road course and Watkins Glen, it seems to me like going to a short track versus an intermediate track. Watkins Glen is very high-speed and it kind of flows, whereas Indy, it reminds me somewhat of COTA, where it’s a lot of transitions and making your car change direction really quickly – stop-and-go. So, from the short-track style of racing that I’ve done – the heavy braking and a lot of those things – I’m comfortable with that. But there are certainly things that I can do better as a racecar driver to be a better road racer – when it comes to the downshifting and all those things that, really, growing up racing at the short-track level, what I did is different. There’s definitely a lot of training that a driver can do to continue to grow from a road-racing perspective. We saw it at Chicago with Jenson (Button) in the Cup Series – SVG (Shane van Gisbergen) and those guys. They grew up and lived it. There is just a lot of preparation to do for a road race and they’re all different.”

What is your mindset heading into road-course weekends now?

“I mean, our team knows that we’ve got two more chances to make the playoffs and we have to win. That’s my mindset. We need to go out there and execute, make no mistakes, qualify well and be there at the end. From a road-course perspective, I didn’t run Formula 1, IndyCar or V8 Supercars, but it’s always something I’ve enjoyed because of my short-track background – heavy braking and the downshifting. All those little things you do as a race-car driver. The road-course races are ones I look forward to being aggressive and having good days. We didn’t have a good day in Indy last weekend but I’m ready to have a good day at Watkins Glen. I’ve had some good runs there in the past in the Xfinity Series and would love to pull one off this weekend.”

No. 41 United Rentals Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece
Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Tony Cardamone

Hometown: Bristol, Virginia

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen

Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotter: Andy Houston

Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Kevin Teaf

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher

Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Underneath & Interior Mechanic: Clint Leatherwood

Hometown: Rockmart, Georgia

Shock Specialist: Aaron Kuehn

Hometown: Kensington, Connecticut

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgway

Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

Hometown: Orange, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

JR Motorsports — NXS Watkins Glen Preview

By
Official Release
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JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Watkins Glen International
RACE: Shriners Children’s 200 (82 laps / 200.9 miles)
DATE: Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023

Broadcast Information – TV: 3:30 p.m. ET on USA / Radio: 3 p.m. ET on MRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Sam Mayer
No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet

  • Sam Mayer heads up the coast to the Finger Lakes for his third NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Watkins Glen International.
  • The Franklin, Wis. native is coming off a second-place finish at the Indianapolis Road Course after making a thrilling pass for the runner-up position with two laps remaining in the event.
  • In the six road courses races so far in the 2023 season, Mayer has landed one win, three top-five and five top-10 finishes. His win came at his home track of Road America and marked his first NXS victory.

Josh Berry
No. 8 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats & ATV’s Chevrolet

  • Josh Berry’s No. 8 Chevrolet will carry the distinctive colors of Bass Pro Shops and TRACKER Boats & ATVs this weekend at Watkins Glen.
  • On road courses in his NXS career, Berry has earned three top-five and eight top-10 results in 13 starts, with the best finish a third last season at Road America. He was ninth last year at The Glen.
  • In six starts on the road circuits this season, Berry has a topfive at Portland and top-10 finishes at both Circuit of the Americas and Road America. His average finish this season on such tracks is 14.7.

Brandon Jones
No. 9 Menards/MagickWoods Chevrolet

  • Brandon Jones has made six starts at Watkins Glen with a best finish of sixth coming during the 2021 season. His average finish at the New York facility is 13.5.
  • Jones picked up the ARCA Menards Series win last season at the 2.45-mile road course after leading just one lap.
  • With four races remaining in the NXS regular season, Jones currently sits 13th in the standings, 65 points below the 12th and final spot in the playoffs.
  • Jones has finished inside the top 10 in three of the last four races dating back to Pocono Raceway in July.
  • Crew chief Jason Burdett hails from nearby Arkport, N.Y., roughly an hour’s drive west of The Glen. Burdett’s racing journey began with several local teams in 1998.

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

  • Justin Allgaier has earned four top fives and seven top 10s in 11 career NXS starts at Watkins Glen.
  • Allgaier’s best finish in the Empire State is third, occurring in both 2018 and 2019. Additionally, the Illinois native has placed inside the top five in four of the last five events, dating back to 2017.
  • In the six previous road course races in 2023, Allgaier has scored four top fives and five top 10s, with a best finish of second coming at Portland.
  • In his NXS career, Allgaier is a three-time road course winner, having gone to Victory Lane in Montreal in 2012 and at Mid-Ohio and Road America in 2018 for JRM.

Driver Quotes

“I am looking forward to getting back to Watkins Glen as we have had super good runs there in the past, pulling two top-10 finishes. Road courses have been fun for me this year and this No. 1 team has really set me up to be able to succeed. I am hopeful that we can go in with our heads held high this weekend and be able to contend for that second win.” – Sam Mayer

“We had a solid day last weekend on the road course at Indy and we have been really strong all season long on the road courses, which makes me really optimistic heading into Watkins Glen. We’re not out of this fight for the regular season championship and I know that Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and everyone on this BRANDT Professional Agriculture team will give me a Camaro capable of closing that gap on the points leader and battling for the win this weekend. We just need to keep all the fenders on it and execute the best we can and I feel like we will be there when it counts on Saturday.” – Justin Allgaier

“Watkins Glen is a lot different than Indy in that it has a lot of elevation change. We ran ninth there last year, which was a good finish for us. We are in good shape in the points, but I really want to get a win and concentrate on prepping for the championship run. We’ve ran well on the road courses this season, hopefully we can keep that going this weekend.” – Josh Berry

“We have been getting better and better on the road courses this season and I think this weekend in Watkins Glen will be more of that. We’ve been preparing in the sim this week to make sure I am ready when we unload and I feel confident as we get closer. Jason (Burdett, crew chief) and this entire Menards/MagickWoods team have been hard at work, hopefully we can put it all together this weekend and come home with a solid finish.” – Brandon Jones

JRM Team Updates

  • JR Motorsports at Watkins Glen: JR Motorsports has competed in the “Finger Lakes” region of New York a combined 46 times in the NXS. In those starts at the 2.45-mile road course, the organization has recorded one win, 10 top fives and 28 top 10s. JRM is the defending winner at Watkins Glen after Kyle Larson took home the checkered flag at this race last season.
  • Road Course Racing: JR Motorsports has competed on road courses a combined 212 times in the NXS. Over the course of those 212 starts at such tracks, JRM has recorded six wins, 55 top fives and 113 top 10s. The most recent win on a road course for the organization came with Sam Mayer at Road America in July of this year as he captured his first career NXS win.
  • Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Josh Berry and Brandon Jones will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m

Mahindra Tractors Racing: Chase Briscoe Watkins Glen Race Advance

By
Official Release
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CHASE BRISCOE
Watkins Glen Race Advance
No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Go Bowling at The Glen (Round 25 of 36)

● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 20

● Location: Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International

● Layout: 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course

● Laps/Miles: 90 laps / 220.5 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 20 laps / Stage 2: 20 laps / Final Stage: 50 laps

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

Notes of Interest

● Chase Briscoe and the Mahindra Tractors team for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) head to Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International looking for back-to-back top-10 road course results after earning a sixth-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last Sunday. It was Briscoe’s sixth top-10 of the season and first on a road course in the NextGen car.

● Briscoe finished 29th at Watkins Glen after being caught up in an on-track incident but had a strong Ford Mustang in the debut of the NextGen at the 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course last year. In 2021, he finished ninth in his first Cup Series start at the track.

● The 28-year-old from Mitchell, Indiana, has one Xfinity Series start at Watkins Glen. He started and finished sixth in 2019.

● It’s a doubleheader weekend for Mahindra Tractors as the SHR partner joins Briscoe at the dirt track Friday night. Before climbing behind the wheel of his Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang, Briscoe will make his return to Sprint Car racing at Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, New York. He’ll pilot a 410 Sprint Car in the All-Star Circuit of Champions event, which will be streamed live on FloRacing.

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

You just had your best finish since April and a lot has changed for the No. 14 team since then. Is there a chance to improve on that sixth-place finish from last weekend with back-to-back road course races?

“I’m looking forward to staying in the road-course rhythm. Last year, we were really good at Watkins Glen, winning the first stage, but then got caught up in a wreck and couldn’t really get it together. We had a lot of speed, so hopefully we’ll have that again this year. And I feel like after what we saw at Indy, that could be the case. Watkins Glen is a track where you can definitely play some strategy and maybe that will give us what we need to make it a top-five or get closer to a win. It’s always a beautiful weekend at Watkins Glen and I’m looking forward to getting there.”

Was the run at Indy a confidence boost for the No. 14 team?

“For sure. The road courses haven’t been very good to us ever since the NextGen car. We’d find something good – good speed or track position when we needed it – and then something would happen. This is the most competitive that I’ve been and the best feel I’ve had. It’s the closest we’ve been to what it used to feel like for me on the road courses when I ran really well, so I’m really hoping it carries over into this weekend.”

No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe
Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: Richard Boswell
Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

Car Chief: J.D. Frey
Hometown: Ferndale, California

Engineer: Mike Cook
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Spotter: Joey Campbell
Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala
Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Dakota Ratcliff
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Jack Man: Dylan Moser
Hometown: Monroe, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola
Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams
Hometown: Naples, Florida

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips
Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Rob Fink
Hometown: Mocksville, North Carolina

Beard Motorsports Partners with United Rentals for Two NASCAR Cup Series Races

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Official Release
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United Rentals to Serve as Primay Sponsor for No. 62 Chevrolet and Driver Austin Hill at Daytona and Charlotte Roval

MT. PLEASANT, Michigan (Aug. 16, 2023) – Beard Motorsports announced today that United Rentals will appear as the primary sponsor on its No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro and driver Austin Hill for two NASCAR Cup Series races – the Aug. 26 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, and the Oct. 8 Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 on the road course at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

“NASCAR is a natural partner for us with its focus on performance, teamwork and safety,” said Craig Schmidt, Vice President, National Accounts, United Rentals. “The same goes for United Rentals and the way we Work United ™ for our team, customers and communities. We have developed some wonderful relationships through our NASCAR partnerships, including the one we have with Austin Hill. We look forward to working with him in his Cup Series endeavors and with the entire Beard family and team.”

Beard Motorsports made its NASCAR Cup Series debut in the 2017 Daytona 500 under the leadership of the late Mark Beard Sr. The team began as a way for the family patriarch to embrace his passion for motorsports and is now run by Linda Beard and her children, Amie and Mark, as a family-run organization in his honor.

“We are thrilled to have an organization like United Rentals join us for these two races,” Linda Beard said. “It’s surreal to me how much this team continues to grow and evolve because it’s still very much a passion project for me, my daughter Amie and son Mark Jr. This has been such an amazing season for our race team and family. We’re so excited to have the opportunity to take this No. 62 Chevrolet to some tracks that are new for us as a race team, and we couldn’t do it without the support of the partners that have signed on with us this year.

Back behind the wheel of the No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro, Hill will attempt to qualify for just his fifth career NASCAR Cup Series start at Daytona. The 29-year-old driver from Winston, Georgia, raced to a 24th-place finish at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April and earned a 37th-place result at Atlanta Motor Speedway on July 9 after being taken out in an incident not of his own doing. In February, Hill was poised to be part of the field for the season-opening Daytona 500 before getting collected in an accident not of his making during his Duel qualifying race.

“I’ve had a great relationship with United Rentals throughout my entire career, and they have been supportive of each step I’ve taken,” Hill said. “It’s an honor to have them on board as a primary partner in the Cup Series, and I look forward to sporting their colors on the No. 62 Chevrolet at Daytona and Charlotte.”

Hill is a six-time winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the stepping-stone division to the elite Cup Series. Of his six career wins in the series, four have been on superspeedway-style tracks – two at Daytona and two on Atlanta’s reconfigured oval.

About United Rentals:

United Rentals, Inc., is the largest equipment rental company in the world. Founded in 1997, United Rentals has an integrated network of 1,487 rental locations in North America, 14 in Europe, 23 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 25,750 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and other customers. The company offers approximately 4,800 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $20.64 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index®. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Additional information about United Rentals can be found at UnitedRentals.com.

GMG Racing Set with Four Cars and Five Drivers in 10-Race Schedule of SRO Competition at Road America this Weekend

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Official Release
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  • Experience Gathered During Previous Road America Weekend to Aid GMG Racing Drivers Kyle Washington and Todd Parriott
  • Washington Debuts 992 No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R in Weekend’s Featured Fanatec GT World Challenge Races Co-Driving with Jeroen Bleekemolen
  • Parriott Co-Drives No. 13 GMG Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 with Tom Dyer in Pirelli GT4 America and Solos in Same Car in GT America
  • GMG Racing Principal and Founder James Sofronas Returns to GT America Competition in No. 14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS EVO II

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (August 15, 2023) – GMG Racing embarks on a busy schedule of competition at Road America this weekend within three different SRO America series. Team drivers Kyle Washington, Todd Parriott, James Sofronas, Jeroen Bleekemolen and Tom Dyer will compete in a total of 10 races across the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, GT America powered by AWS and Pirelli GT4 America series this Friday through Sunday on the 4.048-mile Elkhart Lake road course.

Washington competes in both Fanatec GT World Challenge and GT America in a pair of No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R cars for a total of four races. He debuts a new 992 Porsche 911 GT3 R co-driving with Bleekemolen in GT World Challenge, which are two 90-minute races with a driver change.

In the single-driver GT America races, Washington wheels his previous generation No. 32 Porsche 991.2 GT3 R in the weekend’s pair of 40-minute sprints.

Parriott continues his first-year learning and development program with GMG Racing and will have a similar busy weekend of four races. He’ll compete in a debuting No. 13 GMG Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 in the Pirelli GT4 America series, co-driving with Dyer, in addition to running the same car solo in the GT America GT4 class. The two-driver Pirelli GT4 races are 60-minute sprints.

Adding to the eight-pack of races mentioned above, GMG Racing Principal and Founder Sofronas will also be back in action in his No. 14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS EVO II, a GT3-specification car, in GT America. His two sprints complete the 10 total races GMG Racing will compete in at Road America.

GMG Racing is no stranger to running multiple cars in multiple series across the same weekend, so Sofronas is keen on the challenge that presents itself at the freshly repaved 4.048-mile, 14-turn permanent, natural terrain road course.

“Four cars aren’t unfamiliar to us, but we are running a total of 10 races,” Sofronas said. “It’s two for each Porsche GT3 R, four for the Aston and then my two races. I’m actually looking forward to it. We’ve run a lot of cars in one event, so we are prepared when it comes to the logistics, crew support and technical preparation. Our team is prepared and so are our drivers, so we are as ready as we can be!”

Both Washington and Parriott recently competed at the IMSA Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America races as part of the NASCAR Xfinity Series weekend at Road America last month. That experience of four races should behoove them as they head back to the track for four more races apiece.

“I haven’t driven it yet, but both Kyle and Todd have advised me that off line is very slick,” Sofronas said. “The track hasn’t fully cured yet, and it has a lot of nuances. Some curbs you can use, while there are others you can’t. That will be something to get used to and give yourself the margin of error.”

Washington, who has driven the track, explained the challenges and learnings he discovered during the Carrera Cup weekend as he prepares for SRO weekend.

“This newly repaved track is the hardest thing I’ve ever driven, by far,” Washington said. “If you go two tire widths off the line, you’re gone. It forces you to dial in your focus and avoid the snap lock that can happen. The competition level in Carrera Cup is amazing, and all that provided valuable time for me. Knowing the track for the time we did last month should be an advantage for us for SRO weekend.”

Sofronas explained how important the extra track time across all these races will be for Washington and Parriott.

“This is Todd’s first full year, so he’s where Kyle was a few years ago in terms of experience level,” Sofronas said. “They both push themselves as they have bigger plans in the future. Kyle has been committed to multiple series and platforms, so he’s gathered a ton of seat time. For Todd, this year is about learning the tracks, getting comfortable with our racing program and utilizing all of our experience and knowledge. They’re both extremely fit, so, as they progress, they’re learning how to get used to racing pace and managing different levels of competition. They’re successful businessmen and entrepreneurs, so they’re striving for challenges like SRO America and Carrera Cup.”

A three-day event weekend, Friday features two practice sessions apiece for all three series. Qualifying takes place on Saturday for GT America at 8:05 a.m. CDT, GT World Challenge at 9:05 a.m. CDT and GT4 America at 10:25 a.m. CDT.

The race action begins after lunch on Saturday with GT America at 12:55 p.m. CDT, GT World Challenge at 3:10 p.m. CDT and GT4 America at 5:00 p.m. CDT.

Sunday’s second set of races conclude the weekend with GT America at 8:45 a.m. CDT, GT4 America at 10:55 a.m. CDT and GT World Challenge at 2:15 p.m. CDT.

GMG Racing Car Overview:

  • Kyle Washington/Jeroen Bleekemolen, No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R, GT World Challenge, Pro-Am (2 races)
  • Kyle Washington, No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R, GT America, SRO3 (2 races)
  • Todd Parriott/Tom Dyer, No. 13 GMG Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, GT4 America, Pro-Am (2 races)
  • Todd Parriott, No. 13 GMG Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, GT America, GT4 (2 races)
  • James Sofronas, No. 14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS EVO II, GT America, SRO3 (2 races)

About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a 30,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility located in Santa Ana, California in Orange County and with a trackside motorsports facility at 28,000 sq. ft. currently being built at The Thermal Club. The staff, attention to detail, and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped us support our customers to the highest level possible. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona and Spa, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes – Harrison Burton Transcript (8.15.23)

By
Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Go Bowling at The Glen Advance | Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Harrison Burton, driver of the No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing, spoke with members of the media this afternoon ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series race weekend at Watkins Glen International. Burton discussed his 2021 top-five finish in the Xfinity Series, his preparation for The Glen and more during this week’s media Zoom call.

HARRISON BURTON, No. 21 DEX Imaging Ford Mustang – MUSTANG HAS ACCOUNTED FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE WINS IN THE CUP SERIES MOST RECENTLY. IS THIS A FEAT THAT PROVIDES SOME ADDED CONFIDENCE HEADED INTO WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL? “It’s definitely good to see – I always root for Ford, obviously, because you get to know these guys. [Michael] McDowell winning is pretty cool. It’s like, someone told me that he’s the Kirk Cousins of NASCAR. I’d say that’s pretty accurate. So, everyone was pretty happy to see him win, I think, and just [Chris] Buescher doing what he did two weekends prior was pretty impressive. So, we know it’s out there for us to go get it. The Fords are capable. Now it’s up to our own groups to go figure out and try to figure out how to do it and what direction we need to go in to be able to do that. I already feel like we’ve made steps on our oval program. Last weekend was not necessarily what we wanted for the road course, but we did learn a lot. I feel like we have kind of a direction to go in after last weekend. So yeah, I’m excited to get to Watkins Glen to try and tap into and test our theories on the racetrack, which is always kind of the fun of racing, right? You go, have all these theories in the shop, have all these meetings, and you take a setup to go with and then hope for the best, right? So, it’s a bit of that ‘try it and find out,’ and I enjoy that, for sure.”

THERE WAS A LOT OF EARLY AGGRESSION AT INDIANAPOLIS, AND IT WILL ONLY INCREASE HEADING INTO THE GLEN. HAVE YOU TAKEN NOTE OF THE PLAYOFF BUBBLE DRIVERS WHO MAY BE MORE AGGRESSIVE? “Yes and no. I mean, the Cup Series in my opinion has been much more aggressive than honestly any other series that I’ve ever raced in. I always heard the opposite. I heard that, ‘Man, when you get to come, those guys don’t like to race hard and they have all these rules.’ And then I got here and, ‘Man, these guys race harder than anyone I’ve ever raced with.’ I kind of go about that same sort of mindset every weekend, where you try to avoid situations that are coming. I picked on my buddy Todd [Gilliland] – on the first restart, I saw him kind of drive in way too deep and lock the rear tires, and I saw… I think it was the No. 1… on his outside and I was like, ‘Yeah, ok. So, Todd’s getting ready to move him out of the way so I can go to the right.’ Pass them both, right? So that’s kind of how it went down. You see those in the moment, and you try to take advantage of it. But, I think if you get kind of too worked up, trying to overthink it… I think sometimes you can be too passive. You just need to stay aggressive, be the aggressor, and then if you kind of get handed these moments and get all this momentum, you have to take advantage of it. So, that was definitely one of those, and I feel like it worked out for me. We’ll try to stay on the good side of that as well.”

DO YOU VIEW DAYTONA AS A FEASIBLE “WIN AND YOU’RE IN” SCENARIO FOR YOU? “You know, I think it’s pretty feasible. I feel like, honestly, this year we’ve had two legit chances to win. That’s like, honestly and in general, my whole Cup career – I’ve only had two legit chances to win. It was this year’s [Daytona] 500, where we were leading with like 12 or 13 [laps] to go. I categorized that as a legit chance to win that race, and I kind of got ping-ponged out of the lead. I think that was a legit chance. We could have had the win. Then, Darlington: Those last two restarts. Even with all the chaos, we had a good chance to win. Those two I think were good races for us. Obviously, Darlington is in the playoffs, so that’s too late. But, I think Daytona is obviously one anyone can win. We’ve obviously seen crazy Daytona 500s, yes, and then the last race trying to get in. It’s always chaos. So, trying to navigate that and understand that there are going to be a lot of other guys in the same boat. I see it as a legit, feasible chance. If I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t even show up. I feel like it’s part of what makes race car drivers tick.”

COULD YOU EVEN COMPREHEND THAT “WALK-OFF,” PLAYOFF-CLINCHING SCENARIO IF YOU WERE ABLE TO WIN AT DAYTONA? “No, not really. I mean, I’ve won races in the past, and it’s always been pretty special. But, I’ve never won a race that was kind of like a ‘must win’ scenario – like needing to win to make it into the next round or to make the playoffs. I’ve never had that feeling. I think that’s something the playoffs kind of create and it’s pretty special that wasn’t quite there before because of how the points structure was. There weren’t really that many ‘must win’ scenarios, and now we go through these rounds, and you know, at the end of the regular season there are ‘must win’ races. That feels different. So, I think that’s cool and you do see a lot more of those. Man, that would be special. Any Cup win is special, but anything like that has to be an amazing feeling, that’s for sure.”

DO YOU DEDICATE MORE TIME TO THE SIMULATOR WHEN YOU HAVE CONSECUTIVE ROAD RACES ON THE SCHEDULE, AS COMPARED TO A NORMAL OVAL WEEKEND? “I think it depends team to team. For us, it’s the same every weekend. I get four hours a week in the Ford simulator, and I’m always in there kind of doing last week’s racetrack. I was actually in there this morning – 7 a.m. was our start time, so I was in there 7-11 a.m. – and I was able to kind of work on last week and kind of ran Indy some to make that more accurate. Also worked a lot on Watkins Glen trying to get the setup accurate and all that. That process gets kind of ‘rinse-and-repeated’ for me throughout the whole year. There’s some other drivers that don’t do it at all. There are some that do it only for the road courses. For me, I kind of do the same for every weekend, and for us it’s a good tool to use to compare, especially for our engineers to build a notebook and setups off of. It’s so hard to get track time now to be able to build that notebook and try things. The better your simulation program is, the more accurate you can touch things up at the racetrack, fire off the truck and be fast. With 20 minutes of practice and right into qualifying – and all the changes you can make are very limited as well in that practice. It’s really, really important to show up with your stuff sorted out the way it needs to be. For us, the only way we can do that is with the simulator, in our eyes, so we try to really focus on that every weekend.”

YOU HAD A TOP-FIVE AT THE GLEN DURING THE 2021 XFINITY SERIES SEASON. WHAT PARTS OF THE TRACK ARE IMPORTANT, AND WHICH SECTORS SUIT YOU THE MOST TO HELP IMPROVE FROM LAST YEAR’S CUP RESULT? “Yeah, last year wasn’t very good in the Cup car. For me, it’s just experience, right? I think this Cup car is very different and to understand how hard it is to drive this car, and what it can and cannot do. Especially, through the bus stop. I think the bus stop is probably the most important lap-time corner at Watkins Glen. It’s where you’re going to kind of make your most or lose your most lap-time, well at least for me in the past. When I get to the bus stop, I’m usually really good there in general. So, I think for me, it’s all about understanding that. Last year at the bus stop, we were bottoming out the race car so violently – everyone was. It was really a handful. So, I think prioritizing that and understanding that before we get there, and just having a notebook of an actual race in this car. It allows me to kind of compare better. It allows me to be able to look back and see what we did well, did poorly. We can see that on data comparisons: Where we were fast and where we were slow. We just focus really hard on trying to make our weaknesses better and turn them into strengths. That’s been the process through last weekend and then this weekend as well. I think we made some gains. We didn’t put the whole picture together last weekend, but with the knowledge we gained from last weekend, I think we have a good chance to have a good setup and run really well.”

HOW WILL YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE IMSA MICHELIN PILOT CHALLENGE HELP YOU THIS WEEKEND? “For me, it was just good to get a win and get confidence on a road course. That was my first road course win other than racing Renault go-karts with my buddies. For me to win, in a high-level series like that, and do it with my friend Zane [Smith], it was really cool. But it was good for me because I gained some confidence there. I learned something about road course racing. I think what those cars do well is that they isolate your problems. There are two things that you really don’t have control over in the Cup cars that you do in that. Those cars have traction control and ABS. So your braking lock-up is kind of taken care of for you, and then a lot of your rear-tire slip is taken care of for you. What that allows you to do is focus on everything else. And a lot of times, the only thing that – before I did that – I really found is how to get the brakes down deeper, not lock up the brakes and how can I get power on exit. So those things were kind of taken care of for me, and I could focus on other stuff. I feel like that helped me in that way.”

HOW DO YOU FILTER ANY OFF-SEASON SPECULATION? “A lot of the silly season stuff, for me, has been interesting for sure to hear about. I don’t know where rumors come from for a lot of those. I see it and get surprised sometimes. I haven’t seen one yet that’s been right, because I don’t even know what’s going on for next year yet. It’s fairly easy for me because I’m happy where I am, and I hope to continue to race where I am. It’s fairly easy for me to just go to work with the guys that I’ve worked with over the last year and a half or so. It’s not super distracting at this point.”

USAC Silver Crown Series testing concluded at World Wide Technology Raceway

By
Official Release
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Father-son Hamilton duo are happy with their race cars for August 27 OUTFRONT 100

ST. LOUIS, August 15, 2023 – USAC Silver Crown Series testing concluded this afternoon at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Among the drivers who took part in the session under cloudy skies and favorable temperatures were Davey Hamilton, Davey Hamilton Jr., Kaylee Bryson and Nathan Byrd. The racers were testing for the August 27 OUTFRONT 100, the opening act for the annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 INDYCAR race.

Of all the drivers testing today, Davey Hamilton has seen the most action. The native of Nampa, Idaho, is a veteran of 56 Indy Car starts, including 14 Indianapolis 500s.

“It started off good,” said Hamilton. “You got to remember it’s been a while. It’s been 20 years since I’ve been here (WWTR) in a Silver Crown car. We struggled a little bit early, but then it got better. We’re headed in the right direction. I kept trying to catch up to my kid and he’s still a little quicker. He’s a haIf-second quicker than everybody else. I feel good that we came, and I feel we have a really good chance come race time.”

For Hamilton Sr., WWTR’s OUTFRONT 100 will be his first race of 2023.

“I follow the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, that’s my primary deal. I drive the two-seater. I do the Fastest Seat in Sports, so I’ll be pacing the field. Then I’m on the radio broadcast. Sunday’s gonna be busy, because I’m doing this – practicing – in the morning, then I’ve gotta race this, then I’ve got to go to the two-seater, then run up to the radio booth. It’s going to be a busy day.”

Hamilton Jr. did not turn many laps, but they were quick ones to be sure.

“It was short, but it was good, said Hamilton Jr. “We struggled with some oil leaking, and we didn’t want to push the car too aggressively today so that we could come back on race day and be 100 percent. I traced here last year and had a chance to win it. Led quite a few laps and we ended up finishing second. We were close.”

Hamilton Jr. also is trying his hand at race promotion, on December 1-2, in Las Vegas.

“It’s a $50,000-to-win winged Sprint Car race. It’s actually the largest pavement Sprint Car race that’s ever been done. Growing up years ago and hearing about the Copper World Classic (Phoenix) and Turkey Night at Irwindale (California), it doesn’t exist anymore. I’m trying to make sure all the right personnel are involved. It should be one of the best events of the year, for sure.”

For those unfamiliar with USAC Silver Crown Series cars, they are pure, simple – and fast – racing machines. The right rear tire is a whopping 18 inches wide. The engine sports mechanical fuel injection and burns alcohol. There are no aerodynamics to speak of. At WWTR, the cars hit 180 miles per hour at the end of the straightaways.

The race is an all-out sprint – no tire changes, no pit stops for fuel. Just take the green flag and race as hard as you can until you see the checkered. But that doesn’t mean there’s no strategy involved. The cars start with a full tank of fuel, 75 gallons. At roughly 6.5 pounds per gallon, that’s almost 500 pounds of weight sitting on the back of the car. As the race wears on, the car becomes lighter as fuel is burned, but there also is tire wear to consider. The USAC OUTFRONT 100 will be a wild, can’t miss race on Sunday afternoon.

The annual NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline brings the cars and stars of the Indianapolis 500 to the St. Louis-Metro East region. The August 26-27 race weekend includes INDY NXT and USAC Silver Crown Series racing, as well as Vintage Indy exhibition runs and displays.

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

Saturday, August 26

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

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).

1:55 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.

The Electrifying Innovation: Exploring the Corvette E-Ray

By
SM
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Photo by MurdaShots

The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with electric vehicles taking center stage in pursuing sustainable and high-performance mobility solutions. One of the most exciting developments in this realm is the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, part electric and part V8 version of the iconic Corvette sports car. In this article, we delve into the world of the Corvette E-Ray, exploring its electrifying innovation, cutting-edge technology, performance capabilities, and its role in shaping the future of sports car design.

Electrifying the Iconic

The Corvette E-Ray represents a bold leap into the future for an automotive legend. Chevrolet, the manufacturer behind the Corvette, has embraced the electric revolution while preserving the essence enthusiasts have cherished for generations. This adaptation is more than just a response to the shifting automotive landscape; it’s a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation and performance.

Design Meets Efficiency

The design of the Corvette E-Ray showcases a harmonious blend of aesthetics and efficiency. Retaining the sleek and dynamic lines of the traditional Corvette, the E-Ray integrates electric technology seamlessly. The absence of a conventional engine in the front allows for a redesigned front end that optimizes aerodynamics and airflow. This design approach enhances the car’s visual appeal and contributes to its overall efficiency and range.

Performance Redefined

While the Corvette E-Ray embraces electric propulsion, it does not compromise performance. It redefines the concept of speed and power. The E-ray is expected to return around 19 mpg combined, the same as the Stingray.

The E-Ray has a 495-hp 6.2-liter V-8 plucked from the Stingray Z51 plus the 160 horsepower from the e‑AWD (495 horsepower from the 6.2L LT2 V8 engine plus the 160 horsepower from the e‑AWD), and it will go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, creating a heart-pounding acceleration experience.

The vehicle’s electric powertrain also ensures consistent power delivery, eliminating the need for gear shifts and offering a seamless and exhilarating ride.

Innovative Battery Technology

Its 1.9 kWh lithium‑ion battery technology is at the heart of the Corvette E-Ray’s electrification for the first time. The vehicle utilizes cutting-edge lithium-ion battery packs that are self‑charging, picking up energy as you drive, and include an integrated power electronics system designed for efficiency, performance, and responsiveness.

Preserving the Soundtrack

Enthusiasts often associate the roar of a high-performance engine with the thrill of driving. The Corvette E-Ray preserves this auditory experience through advanced sound engineering. Engineers have meticulously crafted an artificial engine note that mirrors the resonating growl of a traditional V8 engine, ensuring that drivers are still immersed in the characteristic sounds of power and speed.

Driving the Future Forward

The Corvette E-Ray’s electrifying innovation transcends its own model and influences the broader landscape of sports car design and engineering. As other manufacturers follow suit with their electrified offerings, the Corvette E-Ray stands as a symbol of technological advancement, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of performance vehicles.

Conclusion

This fall, the Corvette E-Ray will arrive at a starting price of $104,295 for the targa and $111,295 for the convertible.

The Corvette E-Ray is more than an evolution, it’s a revolution of electrifying innovation that signifies a new era for the sports car industry that embraces sustainability, performance, and cutting-edge technology. As electric vehicles become increasingly prominent on roads worldwide, the Corvette E-Ray paves the way for a future where high-speed exhilaration and environmental responsibility coexist harmoniously.

For more in-depth information and a closer look at the electrifying innovations of the Corvette E-Ray, enthusiasts can visit https://corvetteerays.com.

The Basics Of Tipping Etiquette

By
SM
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Photo by Pixabay

Whether you’re out getting a bite to eat with your Tinder date or filling your car up with fuel for a road trip, you’ve probably been in countless situations where service staff must assist you. You might be wondering when and how to tip correctly. 

Even if you have worked in the service industry, the etiquette of tipping is not always clear. In some countries, it’s even frowned upon to tip restaurant staff. 

There’s also always a new viral story on social media shaming individuals for treating service staff poorly and tipping insultingly small amounts, absurdly large amounts, or not at all. While there’s a good chance you don’t want to go viral for all the wrong reasons, it’s more probable that you want to play your part in society well. 

So we’ve rounded up the basics of tipping etiquette to help you navigate your way as a pleasant customer. 

Restaurant Waiters

It’s no secret that working in the restaurant industry as a waiter can be highly taxing. For some service staff in this industry, tips make it possible to get by on minimum wage. 

However, when tipping, you’ll want to avoid insulting tips of less than 10% of the total bill, before taxes. The general tipping guideline is 10% of the bill for decent service, 15% for excellent service, and 25% for superior service. There’s no cap on tipping waiters, so feel free to tip as much as you can afford, provided you don’t tip less than 10%.

Gas Station Attendants

When tipping gas station attendants in NJ, bear in mind that you don’t need to tip attendants. In some states, it’s against the law to offer tips to gas station attendants. The primary reason for these laws is to regulate pricing and maintain transparency with customers. 

However, if you are visiting a state where it’s legal to tip attendants and you feel compelled to show appreciation for the services you receive, consider non-monetary tipping. Offering a cold drink or even a snack is a great option. Otherwise, you can acknowledge excellent services with polite interactions and verbal expressions of gratitude. 

Taxi Drivers

Whether you’re getting around with regular yellow taxis or enjoying the convenience of rent with driver and ride-share services like Uber, these service staff are generally also entitled to tips. The app will suggest different tip options, although tipping suggestions start at 20% of the total ride cost. It makes sense to apply this rule of thumb to cab drivers. 

Beauty Salon Services

Nothing beats the fresh feeling of having your hair or nails done at your favorite salon. But are you tipping these expert service staff enough to show appreciation? Many customers assume that it’s unnecessary to tip because beauty treatments already cost quite a bit. But tipping 10% of the bill is the general standard in the industry. This will vary depending on the salon service and what you are getting. So it would be wise to look into a nail salon tipping guide, as well as a hairstylist tipping guide, just so you can have a better idea before you go.

Whether you’re eating out, filling up with gas, or getting your nails done, remember to tip according to the general standards and express verbal gratitude to the service staff. 

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