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Toyota Racing – Weekly Preview – 08.09.23

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Official Release
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his Week in Motorsports: August 7-13, 2023

· NCS/NXS: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course – August 12-13
· NCTS/ARCA: Indianapolis Raceway Park – August 11
· NHRA: Heartland Motorsports Park – August 13

PLANO, Texas (August 9, 2023) – It’s a busy motorsports weekend with four races in Indianapolis, and NHRA will compete at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka as they close into their regular season finale next month.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS | NCTS

Kobayashi debuts… Kamui Kobayashi will make his NASCAR debut this weekend in a third entry for 23XI Racing. Kobayashi, a Formula 1 veteran, has been a part of the Toyota family for over a decade. He is currently a driver and team principal for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Truex looks to close in on regular season title… Martin Truex Jr. expanded his NASCAR Cup Series points lead with two stage wins and a runner-up finish in Michigan on Monday. Truex leads by nearly a full race with three races remaining in the regular season. The former Cup champion is looking for his first top-10 on the Indianapolis road course. His best finish, 15th, came in the track debut in 2021.

Gibbs plans to expand advantage to the Playoff cutline… Ty Gibbs continued his strong performance in Michigan with an 11th-place finish on Monday afternoon. With the finish, Gibbs moved into the Playoff field by three points heading into Indianapolis. Gibbs finished 17th in his track debut in the Cup Series last season, while earning a top-10 finish – after starting on the front row – in the Xfinity Series event.

Nemechek looks to expand lead… John Hunter Nemechek took back the NASCAR Xfinity Series points lead with his fifth win of the season at Michigan International Speedway. With the win, Nemechek is tied atop the point standings with five races to go in the regular season. Nemechek is making his first start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series on the Indianapolis Road Course.

Grala continues to be strong on the road courses… Kaz Grala has been impressive at the two most recent road courses. Grala drove to a top-10 finish on the Chicago Street course to start July and closed it with a season-best qualifying run and seventh-place finish at Road America. Six of Grala’s last 10 top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series have occurred on the road courses.

Heim looks to continue incredible consistency… Corey Heim’s first full Truck Series season has been nothing short of impressive. The Toyota development driver scored the regular season title on the strength of 13 top-10 finishes in 15 starts, as he won the championship by over 50 points – despite competing in one less race than his competitors. Heim goes in as the top seed and has a Truck Series start at Indianapolis Raceway Park where he finished in fifth place last season.

Sawalich double-duty… William Sawalich has been impressive in his limited Truck Series starts as he has earned top-10 finishes in two of the three events he’s competed in – including a 10th-place run at Richmond Raceway. Sawalich will compete in double-duty on Friday in Indianapolis, competing in the ARCA Menards Series event for Joe Gibbs Racing before getting behind the wheel of the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA

Love desires to add another victory to his tally… Jesse Love continues to impress as the California-native earned his sixth victory in 11 races this season to expand his points lead to over 80 points with nine races to go in the regular season. Love competed at Indianapolis Raceway Park last season and finished sixth.

NHRA – Top Fuel | Funny Car

Ashley, Torrence battle for points lead… Justin Ashley and Steve Torrence continue to battle for the points lead. With Ashley’s series leading fifth Top Fuel win of the season at Sonoma Raceway, Ashley took back the points lead over Seattle winner Torrence by 32 points. Both drivers had strong runs at Topeka last season with Ashley earning a semi-final finish, while Torrence drove to a final round appearance – coming up just short to his Team Toyota teammate Antron Brown.

Todd continues to improve… After another victory in his self-described ‘favorite track’ – Sonoma Raceway, former Funny Car world champion J.R. Todd continues to move up the Funny Car point standings ladder. Todd has five semi-final appearances or better in the last six races, including in the last four events. He moved up to eighth in the point standings after his victory but sits just over 100 points out of third.

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.

Elevate Your Event with Premier Valet Parking Services

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SM
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Photo by Soscenic Photography

Planning and hosting a party or event requires overseeing a lot of moving pieces, and dealing with parking logistics can quickly become a headache. Trusting this responsibility to the right valet parking service can make a world of difference. These are some of the benefits of employing a valet service to elevate your event and ensure a seamless arrival and departure experience for you and your guests.

Expert Handling of High-Value Vehicles

As a car enthusiast, you understand the value of your collection and the need to handle these vehicles with utmost care. Attendants hired and trained by premier valet services are fully trained in dealing with high-value cars, ensuring that your guests’ prized possessions are parked and retrieved safely. With expert handling, you can rest assured that your vehicles are in capable hands, allowing you to focus on enjoying your event without any worries.

Elevating the Atmosphere

A valet parking service adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to your event from the moment your guests arrive. As they pull up to your venue, they are greeted by professional valet attendants, setting the tone of a first-class, well-organized event. This leaves a lasting impression as it sets your event apart from most other parties and events.

Convenience and Time Savings

By entrusting the parking responsibilities to a skilled team, you eliminate the need for guests to search for parking spaces or walk long distances. Valet parking saves time and reduces stress, enhancing the overall experience of your event.

Maximizing Parking Space

Especially in venues with limited parking, a valet service can make the most of the available space. Valets are experts in parking optimization, ensuring that every inch of space is used efficiently and safely. This ensures that your guests’ vehicles are parked in an orderly manner, reducing the risk of dings or scratches.

Personalized and Professional Service

Well-trained, professional valet parking attendants provide personalized attention to each guest. They’re always ready with a warm smile and eagerness to be of service to your guests. Professional valets often assist with carrying belongings and cater to your guests’ individual needs, making everyone feel welcome and valued. 

Safety and Security

With a valet service in charge of parking, you can be confident that your guests’ vehicles are in a secure environment. Reputable valet companies have protocols in place to ensure the safety of parked cars throughout the event, including CCTV cameras and security patrols. This security measure gives both you and your guests peace of mind, allowing everyone to fully immerse themselves in the moment.

Streamlined Departure

How many times have you enjoyed an evening out only to be stuck in a traffic jam trying to leave the venue with everyone else?

At the end of your event, a valet service ensures a safe, smooth and organized departure for your guests by controlling traffic flow. Premier valet parking attendants are also experts at creating efficient, streamlined systems to ensure that your guests receive their cars and are gone in a timely manner. This seamless exit reinforces a positive final impression that your guests leave with, causing them to fondly remember your event.

Ride with Caution: Motorcycle Accident Statistics

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SM
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Photo by Kelly

With their promise of unbridled freedom and the thrill of the open road, motorcycles have long captivated the imagination of many. Yet, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this mode of transportation comes with its fair share of risks. As motorcycle enthusiasts traverse the highways and byways of the United States, being well-informed about the current trends in motorcycle accident statistics is prudent and could be lifesaving.

Rising Number of Motorcycle Accidents

In recent years, a rather disconcerting trend has emerged in relation to motorcycle accidents across the United States. Data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) underscores the gravity of the situation. In the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 5,014 motorcycle-related fatalities were recorded. This number constitutes 14% of all traffic-related fatalities during that period. In Kentucky, motorcycles accounted for 46% of fatal motor vehicle accidents. Notably, this figure marks a concerning escalation from previous years, raising alarm among riders and safety authorities.

Contributing Factors

A myriad of factors contributes to the prevalence of motorcycle accidents. Foremost among these is the lack of protective barriers that distinguish motorcycles from enclosed vehicles. This inherent vulnerability exposes motorcyclists to greater risks and more severe injuries in case of accidents. Furthermore, factors such as speeding, alcohol impairment, and insufficient training are often found to be common denominators in motorcycle accidents. Addressing these factors through awareness campaigns, education, and law enforcement measures remains paramount to curbing the rising tide of accidents.

Age and Demographics

Beyond the raw numbers, a closer examination of motorcycle accident demographics offers intriguing insights. Recent data from the NHTSA highlights a notable shift in the age distribution of those involved in these accidents. Increasingly, older riders are becoming a larger segment of motorcycle accident statistics. This shift could be attributed to several factors, including the growing popularity of motorcycling among older adults who seek to infuse their lives with adventure or those who opt for motorcycles as fuel-efficient transportation.

Helmet Usage

The role of helmets in mitigating the severity of injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents cannot be overstated. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes that helmets are estimated to be around 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries among motorcycle riders, with a slightly higher efficacy of about 41% for passengers. Despite this evidence, helmet usage varies significantly across states, largely due to varying helmet laws. Some states mandate helmets for all riders, while others have less stringent regulations or none at all. Worryingly, recent data from the NHTSA indicates a decline in helmet usage, potentially contributing to the rising seriousness of injuries in motorcycle accidents.

Safety Initiatives

Numerous safety initiatives have been set in motion in response to the disconcerting surge in motorcycle accidents. These endeavors span a range of interventions, including enhanced rider education and training programs, emphasis on the importance of appropriate safety gear, and advocacy for responsible riding practices. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) stands as one exemplary organization, offering comprehensive rider training courses designed to enhance skills and heighten awareness on the road.

As the allure of the open road beckons and the call of adventure resonates, it is imperative to approach motorcycling with a heightened sense of caution and an unwavering commitment to safety. The escalating number of motorcycle accidents in the United States is an unequivocal reminder that each rider must prioritize safety above all else. This responsibility falls not only on individual riders but also on policymakers who must enact and enforce regulations to safeguard riders and passengers alike.

RFK Advance | Indy RC

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Official Release
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Indianapolis Event Info:
Track Info: Indianapolis Road Course, 14-turn road course
Date: Sunday, Aug. 13
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Format: 82 laps, 200 miles, Stages: 15-20-47
TV: NBC
Radio: SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 11:35 a.m. ET, Practice (NBC Sports App)
Saturday: 12:35 p.m. ET, Qualifying (NBC Sports App)
Sunday: 2:30 p.m. ET, Race (NBC, NBC Sports App, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • RFK is coming off another dominant effort in Monday’s postponed race in Michigan where Chris Buescher won his second-straight race, and fourth of his career.
  • Buescher is the first RFK driver since 2017 to win multiple races in the same season (Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.)
  • The Michigan win also marked the first set of back-to-back wins for the No. 17 car since Matt Kenseth won Daytona and Fontana in 2009.
  • It also marks the first set of overall, back-to-back wins since 2010 when Carl Edwards finished the season with wins at Phoenix and Homestead.

6 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Matt McCall
Partner: Socios.com

17 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Castrol Edge

Keselowski at Indy
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Keselowski makes his third start on the road course at Indy. Most recently he ran 20th a season ago, and finished 24th in its debut (in the Cup Series) in 2021.
  • Keselowski has 40 starts all-time in his Cup career with 11 top-10s and seven finishes inside the top five.
  • On road courses to date this season, Keselowski has finishes of 35th (COTA), 16th (Sonoma) and 24th (Chicago).
  • Keselowski has one road course win in the Xfinity Series – 2013 at Watkins Glen – with 16 starts overall and 13 top-10s.

Buescher at Indy
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Coming off back-to-back wins – the first RFK driver to accomplish the feat since Ricky Stenhouse in 2017 – Buescher enters the weekend in Indy with eight-straight top-10s on road courses dating back to the ROVAL last fall.
  • Last season Buescher was arguably one of the fastest cars at Indy, but caught on fire on pit road, then miraculously drove to a P10 finish. The year prior, he finished 12th.
  • Overall on road courses in his Cup career, Buescher has 10 top-10s in 29 starts and now an average finish of 14.3.
  • Since February of 2020, Buescher is the second-best driver statistically on road courses with nine top-10s in 17 starts, and a 10.6 average finish.
  • Buescher made six starts on road courses in the Xfinity Series with one win (2014 Mid-Ohio) and four top-10s.

RFK Historically on Road Courses
Cup Wins: 5 (Mark Martin, 1993-95, Watkins Glen; Mark Martin, 1997, Sonoma; Carl Edwards, 2014, Sonoma)

  • RFK on the Road: As an organization, RFK has made 250 starts on road courses in the Cup Series with five wins, 88 top-10s and 41 finishes inside the top five with a 17.5 average finish.

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Michigan: Buescher again stole the show this past weekend in a rain-postponed Michigan race, leading a race-high 52 laps to earn his second-straight win. Brad Keselowski had one of his best points days of the season, scoring stage finishes of fourth and third, before going on to finish fourth after leading 15 laps.

Points Standings (6: 8th, 17: 11th): Keselowski advanced to eighth in points, now within 15 points of fifth, with three races remaining in the regular season (Indy, Watkins Glen, Daytona). Buescher, one of six drivers with multiple race wins, is up to 11th in the playoff picture.

Jack Wood – No. 51 Rowdy Manufacturing Silverado Craftsman Trucks IRP Preview

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Official Release
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Jack Wood: Driver, No. 51 Rowdy Manufacturing Chevrolet
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:
Event: TSport 200, Race 17 of 23, 200 laps – 60/60/80; 137.2 Miles
Location: Lucas Oil Indianapolis (Ind.) Raceway Park (IRP) (0.686-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: Aug. 11, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Get to Know Jack:

Jack Wood will make his eighth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of 2023 for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) behind the wheel of the No. 51 Rowdy Manufacturing Chevrolet in Friday’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP). Wood will kick off the owner’s playoffs for the 51 team, who qualified for the postseason after finishing seventh in the regular season owner point standings. Wood qualified 19th and finished 25th in last year’s Truck Series race at IRP.

After the reseed, the No. 51 team enters the playoffs eighth on the playoff grid, right at the cutline for advancing to the Round of 8. Matt Mills will be in the No. 51 J.F. Electric Silverado at The Milwaukee Mile Aug. 27 and then Wood will finish out the remainder of the season. The Round of 10 will consist of three races before two teams are eliminated.

Wood has finished inside the top 10 in two of his seven Truck Series starts this season, including recording a career-best ninth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April. Across 42 career Truck Series starts, he has produced three laps led, three top-10 finishes and an average result of 24.9.

In addition to his part-time schedule for KBM in the Truck Series this season, Wood is running a limited schedule in the ARCA Series with Rev Racing. The California native has two top five and five top-10 finishes with an average result of 10.0 across six ARCA Menards Series starts this season. Across 15 career ARCA Menards Series starts he has recorded three top-five and nine top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.3.

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. It took the veteran signal caller just two races to get his first win at KBM, winning with owner-driver Kyle Busch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The duo won again in July at Pocono Raceway and collected KBM’s 100th career Truck Series victory. 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 three wins as a crew chief in the Truck Series. This will be Pattie’s first race atop the pit box for a Truck Series race at IRP. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, his drivers have collected two top-five and three top-10 finishes across five races, with the best result being a runner-up finish with Reed Sorenson in 2006.

Across 17 starts in 2023, the No. 51 team has recorded two wins, one pole, 170 laps led, seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 11.8. 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. Matt Mills finished fifth for the team in the Truck Series most recent stop at Richmond Raceway July 29.

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.

Rowdy Manufacturing will serve as the primary sponsor on Wood’s No. 51 Silverado Friday night. Rowdy Manufacturing offers precision machining of components from concept to completion across all industrial sectors including automotive, aerospace and NASCAR teams. Rowdy Manufacturing builds the chassis that KBM races as well as several other teams in the Truck Series including race-winning organizations Spire Motorsports and Henderson Motorsports. The same attention to detail that has made Rowdy Manufacturing owner Kyle Busch a two-time Cup Series champion goes into every component that comes out of his organization’s Mooresville, N.C. facility.
Jack Wood, Driver Q&A:

How hard is it having breaks in your schedule behind the wheel of the No. 51 truck?

“It has its ups and downs; it was nice to have time to kind of travel a little bit and spend time with friends and family. I’ll go to the simulator before the race this week and knock some of the rust off and try to get in some other vehicles before the race this weekend.”

IRP has a unique configuration. How do you attack that track?

“It reminds me a lot of a track that I grew up racing at in Southern California — Irwindale (Speedway). It’s a cool track to go to with the trucks and I think that it will race really well. Last year it was a struggle for me to get that place figured out, but the KBM stuff was really fast there last year and the short track program this year in general at KBM has been really strong, so I’m excited to go there with the 51 guys.”

Do you approach this race differently with the 51 team being in the owner’s playoffs?

“You think about it, but in the end, I just have to go out there and do my job. The trucks obviously have speed — Kyle’s been able to win the two races and bring home the 100th win for KBM. We are going to do our best to get the 51 team as far as we can in the owner’s playoffs and if we can just go out and execute, I think that we will be just fine.”

Jack Wood Career Highlights:

  • Has produced three top-10 finishes across 42 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Posted a series-best ninth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April.
  • Has compiled 14 laps led, three top-five and nine top-10 finishes across 15 career ARCA Menards Series events.
  • Has totaled three top-five and eight top-10 finishes across 12 career starts in the ARCA Menards West Series.
  • Compiled one top-five and three top-10 finishes across 24 starts in the SRL Spears Southwest Tour from 2017 to 2021.
  • Jack Wood’s No. 51 Rowdy Manufacturing Chevrolet Silverado RST:

KBM-62: The No. 51 Rowdy Manufacturing team will unload KBM-62 for Friday’s race at IRP. This Silverado raced most recently at North Wilkesboro Speedway where William Byron led 11 laps before finishing 11th. KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch has finished second with this chassis twice, earlier this year at Martinsville Speedway and in 2021 at Richmond Raceway.

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have recorded one pole, two top-five and three top-10 finishes across five Truck Series starts at IRP resulting in an average finish of 11.4. Owner-driver Kyle Busch’s runner-up finish in 2010 was the organization’s best result.
  • 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.

The Fanatec GT World Challenge America Headlines an All-Sportscar weekend at Road America August 18-20

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Official Release
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SportsCar Racing Extravaganza Unites Global Luxury Auto Brands

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., August 8, 2023 – Brace yourselves for a spine-tingling, heart-pounding, and action-packed all-sportscar weekend at Road America from August 18-20. The prestigious Fanatec GT World Challenge America is set to take center stage, featuring an enthralling lineup of exhilarating sportscar races, including rounds for GT America powered by AWS, the Toyota Gazoo Racing North America GR Cup Series, Pirelli GT4 America, and TC America powered by Skip Barber.

This adrenaline-fueled event promises to celebrate speed, skill, and cutting-edge engineering, attracting the finest performance racing machines from renowned global luxury auto brands. Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche are among the elite manufacturers that will showcase their magnificent GT3, GT4, and Touring Car machinery on the legendary 4-mile, 14-turn road race circuit at America’s National Park of Speed in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

The racing action at the SRO GT World Challenge at Road America will be spectacular, offering a captivating blend of world-class drivers and precision-engineered cars from across the globe. This event is part of a prestigious worldwide racing series spanning Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, making it an unmissable spectacle for motorsport enthusiasts and industry insiders.

Prepare to be captivated by the pulsating sound of engines as these performance racing machines engage in 90-minute races on Saturday and Sunday. Each race will feature full-service pit stops and driver changes, adding a layer of strategy and excitement to the high-octane showdown. Spectators will witness non-stop, wheel-to-wheel action as these extraordinary machines push the limits of performance and engineering prowess.

To secure your spot at this unforgettable event, visit the official Road America website and book your tickets now. Whether you’re an avid motorsport aficionado or simply curious about the world of sportscar racing, the Fanatec GT World Challenge America at Road America promises a weekend of automotive brilliance that will leave a lasting impression.

Bring the entire family to the Fanatec GT World Challenge America weekend for non-stop racing excitement. Weekend campsites are also available, making the races fun and affordable. Ticket prices vary by day. Kids 16 and under get free general admission with a paying adult at the gate. Racing runs rain or shine. For additional event details and tickets, check out www.roadamerica.com

About Road America: Established in 1955, Road America is conveniently located between Milwaukee and Green Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The world’s best racers have competed at this legendary four-mile, 14-turn road circuit for over 65 years. Along with over 500 events held seasonally at the 640-acre facility, several major weekends are open to the public, which include the IndyCar Series, the MotoAmerica Series, three vintage racing events, numerous Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and NASCAR. Road America’s park-like grounds offer amazing viewing opportunities, numerous camping options, fantastic concessions, and high-speed excitement to hundreds of thousands of spectators annually. Fans can also stay and play in cabins conveniently on the grounds and find all sorts of souvenirs, collectibles, and apparel at the 7,500 sq. ft Paddock Shop. Affectionately known by many as America’s National Park of Speed, Road America can accommodate groups of all sizes, including weddings and corporate events in the Tufte Conference Center. In addition to public race weekends, Road America offers various group event programs, including geocaching, disc golf, and off-road adventure tours, karting, and the Road America Motorcycle and Driving Schools. For more information, visit www.roadamerica.com. Follow Road America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube or call 800-365-7223

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

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Official Release
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Chase Purdy: Driver, No. 4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:
Event: TSport 200, Race 17 of 23, 200 laps – 60/60/80; 137.2 Miles
Location: Lucas Oil Indianapolis (Ind.) Raceway Park (IRP) (0.686-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: Aug. 11, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

‘Chase’n Wins:

Chase Purdy and the No. 4 Bama Buggies team head to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) for Friday night’s TSport 200. The Mississippi native entered the 2022 season having never earned a top-five result in Truck Series action but has produced two across 16 races in his first season at Kyle Busch Motorsports (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 27th in last year’s Truck Series race at IRP. He led 24 laps and finished fourth in the 2018 ARCA Menards Series race at the 0.686-mile oval.

The 23-year-old driver is in his third full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and first with KBM. He enters Friday’s race having totaled two top- five and 12 top-10 finishes across his 68 career Truck Series starts.

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 IRP.

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 Friday night 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:

With not being in the playoffs, how do you approach the rest of the season?

“Honestly, more than ever we are hungrier, and our only goal is to go out and win races. At Richmond, I felt like we were on the wrong end of a judgement call and if we weren’t then we probably had the fastest truck there and had a good shot at the win. We need to move on from it and take it and let it fuel us for the rest of the season. We need to finish strong. We’re going to chase wins — we have nothing to lose now.”

IRP has a unique configuration. How do you attack that track?

“I’ve raced there two times before and had a shot at winning there a few years ago. It’s a track that I’m familiar with and have been able to be fast at. You need to have a truck that will keep turning and have good drive up off the corners. It’s just like every other worn-out short track, you have to take care of your stuff and be there at the end. Short tracks are my specialty, and we have a lot of them coming up on the schedule, so I’m really, really excited and hungrier than ever to try and get this Bama Buggies Silverado in victory lane.”

Chase Purdy Career Highlights:

  • Across 68 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-58: The No. 4 Bama Buggies team will unload KBM-58 for Friday night’s race at IRP. John Hunter Nemechek raced this truck three times in 2022, with a best result of second coming at Richmond Raceway. In 2021, Nemechek piloted KBM-58 to three wins: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. KBM-58 has recorded four career wins, three with Nemechek in 2021 and one with owner-driver Kyle Busch at Charlotte in 2019. This Silverado raced most recently with Purdy at North Wilkesboro in May, where he brought home an eighth-place finish.

KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have recorded one pole, two top-five and three top-10 finishes across five Truck Series starts at IRP resulting in an average finish of 11.4. Owner-driver Kyle Busch’s runner-up finish in 2010 was the organization’s best result.
  • 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.

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 gener8tor SKILLS Ford Mustang Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Competition Notes

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Official Release
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TEAM AND RACE NOTES

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Ford Mustang reunite with the black and red gener8tor Skills Accelerator scheme this weekend at the Indianapolis (Ind.) Motor Speedway Road Course for the Verizon 200.

gener8tor Skills Accelerator travels with Gilliland and the No. 38 team to continue to teach fans about their free virtual skill-training program where participants receive one-on-one support to achieve their goals. gener8tor Skills Accelerator was founded in the summer of 2020 to help those who have lost jobs or are struggling to find employment because of the COVID crisis. The program builds confidence with coaching and support to achieve your desired goals.

gener8tor Skills Accelerator last rode with Gilliland at the inaugural Chicago Street Race where the duo captured a top-20 finish. Gilliland hopes to best that finish on Sunday.

Track activity for the NASCAR Cup Series will begin with practice and qualifying on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. ET. Sunday’s 200-mile race is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. on NBC.

COMPETITION NOTES

Gilliland is no stranger to success at the 2.4-mile road course. With his one previous start at the track coming from his rookie season, Gilliland earned a career-best finish in the NASCAR Cup Series after he finished fourth.

Earlier this season, Gilliland brought Front Row Motorsports their first top-10 finish of the season at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas after he finished 10th.

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY

“Everyone on the team is excited for this weekend. Todd has had some good runs on road courses this year and even last year. I think coming into this weekend knowing he has his career-best finish at this track is a huge advantage for him and I look forward to seeing what he can do.”

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND

“I can’t wait for this weekend. The Indianapolis Road Course is one of my favorite tracks. I really like the technical challenges of it. Each turn is so different which makes it even more challenging.

“I’m excited to introduce the gener8tor Skills program to the Indianapolis area. They have such an interesting and helpful program to prepare people for jobs and I’m hoping people look into it.”

About Front Row Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frmand Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Auto-Owners Insurance Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Indianapolis Road Course Advance

By
Official Release
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Martin Truex Jr.
Indianapolis Road Course Advance
No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry TRD for Joe Gibbs Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (Round 24 of 36)

● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 13

● Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

● Layout: 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course

● Laps/Miles: 82 laps / 200 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 15 laps / Stage 2: 20 laps / Final Stage: 47 laps

● TV/Radio: NBC / IMS Radio Network / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Martin Truex Jr., and the No. 19 team for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) set the tone for the season right out of the gate by winning the 150-lap feature in the non-points Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 5 in Los Angeles. Truex won his heat race, then went on to lead the final 25 laps of the feature en route to a victory that gave him and the team much-needed momentum heading into the 2023 season. While the team was knocking on the door over the first 10 points-paying races, the breakthrough win finally came at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway on May 1, and Truex has added two more points-paying victories and four overall this season – June 11 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and July 17 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.

● 34 and Counting: Truex’s win at New Hampshire was the 34th of his Cup Series career, putting him in a tie with 2004 Cup Series champion Kurt Busch for 25th on the all-time win list in NASCAR’s top series.

● Road-Course Ace: Truex has a total of five wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 18 top-10s at the three permanent road-course venues on the Cup Series schedule – Sonoma, Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, and Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Four of those wins came at Sonoma and one at Watkins Glen.

● So far this season, Truex has scored three points-paying wins, eight top-five finishes, 12 top-10s and has led an impressive 828 laps through 23 races. To put the laps-led number in perspective, Truex led just 572 during the entire 36-race season in 2022.

● Ahead at this Stage: With his two stage wins at Michigan this past weekend, Truex extended his lead in the NASCAR Cup Series with 61 stage wins since the beginning of the stage era in 2017. He is the only driver with 10 or more stage sweeps with another sweep coming at Michigan, and that most recent sweep of the opening two stages added more valuable playoff points to carry into and through the postseason. Truex also leads the series all-time in stage points with 1,966.

● After last weekend’s runner-up finish at Michigan, in which he led 55 laps, Truex retained his lead in the Cup Series driver standings. He has 799 points, 57 ahead of second-place JGR teammate Denny Hamlin. The regular-season champion will receive 15 playoff points when the postseason begins Labor Day weekend in September. Between his stage points and the playoff points earned with his three victories, Truex now has accumulated 20 playoff points this season. Three races remain in the regular season.

Martin Truex Jr., Driver of the No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Toyota Camry TRD

They are set to move the restart zone at Indy this weekend? How do you think that will change things, if anything, for this weekend?

“I think they are going to move it back further down toward turn 13. I think it will be better. Last year, we were like six- or seven-wide and I got destroyed on the green-white-checkered restart there. I had a good run and finished who knows where because of it. Same thing at COTA this year, it’s just become a mess on those restarts at a few of these types of road courses. I think it will help a lot, so we’ll see if it really changes things when it’s put into action. We’ve run well at the Indy road course, just haven’t had the finishes to show for it. Hoping we can keep our momentum going and have another strong run with our Auto-Owners Insurance Camry at Indy.”

What type of track causes the most chaos in the Cup Series these days?

“The obvious answer to most is the superspeedways and how things happen and how it can take out a lot of cars quickly. However, road-course restarts have become the next-craziest part of what we do. Looking back at last year, we crashed on one of the restarts with guys going five- and six-wide and guys trying to make up eight to 10 spots in one corner. I think that’s the biggest change in our sport the last few years. You saw it again on those last restarts at COTA, we all went up into turn one and someone dive-bombed and didn’t make the corner and it cost us and a few others a good finish. Indy is a similar type of first corner in that way. We’ll see if the restart zone change helps. I’m optimistic that it will be a positive change.”

What is the big takeaway as we head closer to the playoffs?

“We are excited. Every week we feel like we have a shot to win, that is all I can ask for. It’s exciting to come to the track every weekend knowing what these guys are going to bring me. Hopefully, we can keep it up. It would have been nice to get a win at Michigan, but we’ve been really consistent, lots of speed and laps led and that’s gotten us some good finishes. Those 15 bonus points are very important, so that’s what we’ll be focused on the next three weeks. That really helps you come playoff time. Just excited for what’s ahead with this team.”

No. 19 Auto-Owners Insurance Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Martin Truex Jr.

Hometown: Mayetta, New Jersey

Crew Chief: James Small

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Car Chief: Chris Jones

Hometown: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Engineer: Nick Burton

Hometown: Arvada, California

Engineer: Jeff Curtis

Hometown: Fairfax Station, Virginia

Spotter: Drew Herring

Hometown: Benson, North Carolina

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Ryan Martin

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Virgina

Mechanic: Todd Carmichael

Hometown: Redding, California

Interior/Tire Specialist: Tommy DiBlasi

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Engine Tuner: Gregg Huls

Hometown: Beatrice, Nebraska

Transporter Driver: Kyle Bazzell

Hometown: Fairbury, Illinois

Transporter Driver: Eddie DeGroot

Hometown: Baldwinsville, New York

Over-The-Wall Crew Members

Gas Man: Matt Tyrrell

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Jackman: Kellen Mills

Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Tire Carrier: CJ Bailey

Hometown: Outer Banks, North Carolina

Front Tire Changer: Lee Cunningham

Hometown: Leaf River, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Danny Olszowy

Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

No. 10 Ford Racing: Aric Almirola Indianapolis Advance

By
Official Release
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ARIC ALMIROLA
Indianapolis Advance
No. 10 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (Round 26 of 36)

● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 13

● Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

● Layout: 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course

● Laps/Miles: 82 laps / 200 miles

● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 15 laps / Stage 2: 20 laps / Final Stage: 47 laps

● TV/Radio: NBC / IMS Radio Network / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Aric Almirola has 36 road-course starts in the NASCAR Cup Series with two top-10 finishes and a best of eighth at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in 2018. His road-course results include five top-20s at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International with a best finish of 12th in 2019, three top-20s on the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval with a best of 14th in 2019, and 12th-place finish in the non-points Busch Clash in 2020 on the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway road course. While Almirola is seeking a victory in the NASCAR Cup Series to catapult him into the 2023 NASCAR Playoffs, he raced his way to victory lane June 10 in the Xfinity Series race at Sonoma.

● Last weekend at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Almirola battled in and around the top-10 at the beginning of the final stage until handling issues relegated him to a 16th place finish.

● Driver Points: Almirola arrives at Indianapolis 24th in the driver standings, 81 points behind the playoff cutoff line.

● Almirola’s career: In 447 career NASCAR Cup Series starts, Almirola has three wins, 28 top-five finishes, 93 top-10s, five poles, and has led 1,068 laps.

● The No. 10 Ford Mustang will sport a new Ford Motor Company livery this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Almirola has been a Ford driver for the entirety of his 12-year fulltime Cup Series career. Ford is one of the most successful global racing programs and is the only car manufacturer to win the world’s most prestigious races, including the Daytona 500, the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Rolex 24 at Daytona, the NHRA’s U.S. Nationals, the Baja 1000, Rally Great Britain, the Bathurst 1,000, and even the Rallycross competition at the X Games. Ford has 722 all-time wins in the NASCAR Cup Series by 88 different drivers, including all three of Almirola’s career victories. Additionally, Ford has won 10 Cup series championships and 17 manufacturer titles.

● 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 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

Did your Xfinity Series win at Sonoma give you more confidence on road courses?

“Well, Sonoma is by far my favorite road course because of the long flowing style of the course compared to these other road courses that are extremely technical. We had a really fast car and the team made some really good calls to put us in position to win. It’s definitely in the back of my mind that I have more confidence knowing I can win at road courses, but the Cup cars are so drastically different than the Xfintiy cars that it doesn’t really transfer.”

You had a solid day at the Chicago street course, finishing 12th. Does that show you that you can compete at the technical tracks?

“Yeah I surprised myself at Chicago and left there feeling really good. I spun early and came back inside the top-10 for a while and held my own, so that to me is what will really transfer to a place like Indy this weekend.”

What are your thoughts on racing the Indianapolis road course instead of the oval?

“I think racing on the oval was so cool just because I was a kid and went and watched an Indy 500 back in the late ’90s. It was a special place, and to race on the oval was just special. I mean, you think about the history of that racetrack and the people that have run around that rectangular racetrack and crossed that Yard of Bricks and all those things, and all the races that went on before you dating back to the early 1900s, it’s just a very special place. So, to not race on the oval is weird, but the fans love these road-course races and they put on a great show, so we’re looking forward to seeing what we can do.”

No. 10 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

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