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Spire Motorsports, Corey LaJoie Agree to Multi-Year Extension

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Official Release
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CONCORD, N.C. (August 2, 2023) – Spire Motorsports has reached a multi-year extension with Corey LaJoie to remain the driver of the team’s No.7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS).

A third-generation racer whose father and grandfather are members of the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame, LaJoie won his way to the NCS ranks through top developmental series like the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (six victories), NASCAR Whelen Modified Series (two wins) and the ARCA Menards Series (three wins). The 31-year-old driver also competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series enroute to his full-time seat in NASCAR’s premier division.

“Corey LaJoie took a chance on Spire Motorsports before we had any tools, any cars, or even a race shop,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “He is part of the fabric of this race team so it’s hard to put into words what his commitment means to T.J. (co-owner T.J. Puchyr) and I. He made a very thoughtful and deliberate decision to return to Spire Motorsports. He had plenty of other opportunities and chose to stay the course. We’re excited that Corey will continue to anchor this team and we’re ready to keep making meaningful progress every time we unload.”

LaJoie, a cornerstone for Spire Motorsports, has been with the team since 2021 and is a veteran of 222 NCS starts. His career best finishes include a fourth- and a fifth-place showing, both coming at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In 22 NCS races this year, LaJoie has scored one top-five, and 11 top-20 finishes.

The Concord, N.C., native is a staple on social media platforms and hosts the podcast “Stacking Pennies.”

“When Jeff, TJ and I sat at the conference table three years ago, with a whiteboard and vision to build a competitive race team, I was excited for the challenge,” explained LaJoie. “Since that meeting, I’ve grown, matured and developed my skills and will continue to improve myself and my extended family at Spire Motorsports for years to come. We will continue stacking pennies and deliver for our great partners on and off the track. We’re even more eager to bring our loyal fans on the journey with us.”

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to action this weekend for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. The 23rd of 36 points-paying races on the 2023 NCS schedule will be televised live Sunday, August 6 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports is a full-time, two-car NASCAR Cup Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2023, Spire Motorsports will field the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for driver Corey LaJoie and No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Ty Dillon. The team also fields NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series teams in select events.

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFSTMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 20, 2023 when Kyle Larson took the checkered flag in the Tyson 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Konica Minolta Extends IMSA Partnership

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Official Release
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Konica Minolta Business Center Continues to Serve as the Hub of Business in the IMSA Paddock

Ramsey, NJ, Aug. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announced an extension of its Official Partnership with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). The renewal continues its relationship with IMSA that began in 2015, and confirms the business hub of the paddock will remain known as the Konica Minolta Business Center, which has become a highly recognizable element of the paddock at race events.

“Our partnership with IMSA gets stronger every year, and has grown into so much more than a platform to enhance our brand profile. It’s about the people, celebrating our wins and evolving in our shared vision to make the series more sustainable,” said Michael Mathé, Chief of Operations and Sales Enablement, Konica Minolta. “The track is a place to share our mutual love of racing and enjoy the camaraderie of the experience. As part of this, we have greatly benefitted from having the Konica Minolta Business Center at every track, an ideal atmosphere to connect with current and future partners and explore new B2B sales opportunities.”

The center includes two conference rooms in the 53-foot transporter and additional meeting space that provides Konica Minolta, IMSA, manufacturers, corporate partners, a multitude of race teams and other series stakeholders a place to conduct business at race events.

The prime location in the middle of the action assists Konica Minolta in supporting IMSA partners and stakeholders with business-to-business opportunities. New for 2023, the Konica Minolta Business Center can now run fully “off the grid” thanks to rooftop solar panels and battery storage units installed prior to this season. The system also provides Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) charging for IMSA OEM partners to use for at-track product launches, VIP rides, media events and more.

“Konica Minolta is one of the most visible corporate partners in our sport between its relationship with IMSA and its longtime association with the No. 10 WTRAndretti team,” said John Doonan, President, IMSA. “IMSA’s commitment to showcasing sustainable technologies was a significant contributor to Konica Minolta’s decision to renew its partnership. Looking toward the future, IMSA and Konica Minolta will continue working together to bring more of our sustainability efforts to life.”

Also a longtime partner with the Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport team, Konica Minolta uses the series partnership to expand business development opportunities for the company and its dealers. Konica Minolta will continue hosting VIP Experiences at IMSA events for dealers, customers and business prospects. Konica Minolta guests are immersed in the IMSA experience that provides all-access credentials, behind-the-scenes pit and paddock tours, Hot Lap experiences for high-speed laps around the track in the passenger seat of an IMSA OEM high-performance car alongside a professional driver, and access to the exclusive IMSA WeatherTech Paddock Club VIP hospitality chalet.

About Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.’s (Konica Minolta) journey started 150 years ago, with a vision to see and do things differently. The company innovates for the good of society and the world. The same purpose that kept it moving then, keeps it moving now. Konica Minolta aims to partner with clients to Give Shape to Ideas by supporting their digital transformation through its expansive Intelligent Connected Workplace portfolio. Its business technology offerings include IT Services, intelligent information management, video security solutions and managed print services, as well as office technology and industrial and commercial print solutions. Through its ongoing work, the company is fortunate to be continuously recognized for its products and services. This includes, but is not limited to being included on CRN’s MSP 500 list numerous times; named a finalist in the IT Software Category by The World Technology Awards; recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys and presented with Keypoint Intelligence’s BLI 2021 A3 Line of The Year and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Awards for its bizhub i-Series.

Sustainability also continues to be a key driver for the company. As such, Konica Minolta Inc. has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for nine consecutive years and has spent six years on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list. For more information, please visit Konica Minolta online and follow its accounts on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA):

International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) was originally founded in 1969 and owns a long and rich history in sports car racing. Today, IMSA is the sanctioning body of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier sports car racing series in North America. IMSA also sanctions the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, as well as four one-make series: Ferrari Challenge North America, Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and Porsche Carrera Cup North America. IMSA – a company within the NASCAR family – is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. For more information please visit IMSA online or via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Kaulig Racing Weekly Advance | Michigan International Speedway

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Official Release
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FireKeepers Casino 400
Michigan International Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, August 6 at 2:30 p.m. EDT on USA

  • Kaulig Racing has made two NCS starts at Michigan International Speedway.
  • 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 Nutrien Ag Solutions FARMSMART Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger has made 21 NCS starts and has led one lap at Michigan International Speedway.
  • The FireKeepers Casino 400 will be Allmendinger’s first NCS start at Michigan since 2018.
  • So far in the 2023 season, Allmendinger has led seven laps and earned a best finish of third, four top 10 and seven top-15 finishes.

“I’m looking forward to going to Michigan; we’ll have a lot of on-throttle time and it’s a racetrack I’m excited to go drive at. Last year, Noah [Gragson] had really good speed in the No. 16 car, and our big racetrack speed has been there this year, so I think it’s a track we can go to and do well at.” – AJ Allmendinger on Michigan International Speedway

Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1

  • Justin Haley has made two NCS starts at Michigan International Speedway.
  • 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.

“I’m looking forward to going back to Michigan. Our No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1 has had a lot of speed on the larger tracks this year, so hopefully we can break our string of bad finishes and start gaining back momentum.” – Justin Haley on Michigan International Speedway

Cabo Wabo 250
Michigan International Speedway
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Saturday, August 5 at 3:30 p.m. EDT on NBC

  • Kaulig Racing has made 10 NXS starts at Michigan International Speedway and has earned one win, one top five, six top-10 finishes, and 100 laps led.
  • So far in the 2023 NXS season, Kaulig Racing has earned four wins, 15 top fives, 33 top-10 finishes and five pole awards.

Ross Chastain, No. 10 Jockey Chevrolet Camaro

  • Ross Chastain has made six NXS starts at Michigan International Speedway and will make his 201st NXS start at the two-mile race track with Kaulig Racing.
  • Chastain earned Kaulig Racing its first-ever NXS win at Daytona International Speedway in the 2019 Circle K Firecracker 250. He went on to earn 19 top five and 34 top-10 finishes during his time at Kaulig Racing.

“I’m pumped to be hopping back in a Kaulig Racing Chevy this week at Michigan and have some fun with a team I’ve had success with in the past. I appreciate the opportunity to be racing with old friends and teammates. It’s cool to have Jockey on board supporting me as well, just like they did in Chicago with Justin [Marks]!” – Ross Chastain on Michigan International Speedway

Daniel Hemric, No. 11 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet Camaro

  • Daniel Hemric has made four NXS starts at Michigan International Speedway where he has earned one top five and two top-10 finishes.
  • 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.

“Michigan is a huge race for everyone on the schedule, especially from the manufacturer’s side. You always want to go there and run well. It is a racetrack that brings out all of your strengths and weaknesses. I feel like it takes execution and minimal mistakes to have a good day at Michigan. We look forward to building off of some things we have done within that style of package this year. I’m looking forward to going there and hopefully giving ourselves a good opportunity.” – Daniel Hemric on Michigan International Speedway

Chandler Smith, No. 16 Quick Tie Products Chevrolet Camaro

  • Chandler Smith will make his first NXS start at Michigan International Speedway in the Cabo Wabo 250.
  • Smith qualified on the pole in his lone NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) start at Michigan in 2020.
  • Smith currently sits seventh in the NXS points standings with one win, five top five and eight top-10 finishes.

“I feel like I’ve got a bit of unfinished business at Michigan, because I had some speed there a few years ago in Trucks but ended up wrecked early. It’s a pretty unique track; I don’t think we go to any other ovals that are two miles long anymore since Fontana is gone. It’s important to keep speed throughout the corner there, because it’s a big momentum track. The straightaways are pretty long, so we’ll be at a high speed on entry, and since it’s so wide in the corners, there’s going to be multiple lanes to choose from each time.” – Chandler Smith on Michigan International Speedway  
 
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.

Party with Pardi at the Pardi Batch Spirits BBQ Showdown Presented by Pit Boss Competition During NASCAR Playoffs Weekend

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Official Release
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Pardi Batch Spirits named Official Whiskey of Texas Motor Speedway

  • Competition sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association showcasing competition in brisket, pork spare ribs and chicken
  • $5,000 total payout with cash prizes give for the Top 10 in each category
  • Winners of each category announced on pre-race stage prior to the start of the Sept. 24 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race

FORT WORTH, Texas (Aug. 2, 2023) – Texas Motor Speedway and country singer/songwriter Jon Pardi’s Pardi Batch Spirits have joined forces to bring the intense competition and smoky burnouts the speedway is known for to the GEICO Infield Campground for the Pardi Batch BBQ Showdown presented by Pit Boss Grills during the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Playoffs weekend.

In addition to title sponsorship of the Pardi Batch BBQ Showdown presented by Pit Boss Grills, Pardi Batch Spirits has also been named the Official Whiskey of Texas Motor Speedway.

The Pardi Batch BBQ Showdown presented by Pit Boss Grills will be sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association. Contestants will compete in three categories – brisket, pork spare ribs and half chicken – with cooking beginning Sept. 22 and judging taking place Sept. 23 at noon (chicken), 1:30 p.m. (spare ribs) and 3 p.m. (brisket).

A $5,000 total payout will go to the top 10 finishers in each BBQ category. The top-five awards will be announced and presented during the pre-race activities for the Sept. 24 NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. The Pardi Batch BBQ Showdown presented by Pit Boss Grills is sanctioned by International Barbeque Cookers Association contest rules apply and full contest rules are available at www.ibcabbq.org/organization-documents.

The $500 participant package includes a 40’x40’ infield RV spot and BBQ pit area for the weekend, two infield weekend wristbands and a tow vehicle pass.

“Jon Pardi and Pardi Batch Spirits Bourbon & Whiskey are committed to Texas and we are proud to partner with Texas Motor Speedway” said Heath Lollar, National Sales Director of Pardi Batch Spirits.

Jon Pardi is an American country music singer and songwriter. Signed to Capitol Nashville, he has released four studio albums: Write You a Song (2014), California Sunrise (2016), Heartache Medication (2019), and Mr. Saturday Night (2022). Pardi has also charted fourteen singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, of which five have hit number one on the latter: “Head Over Boots”, “Dirt on My Boots”, “Heartache Medication,” “Last Night Lonely” and “Beer Can’t Fix” with Thomas Rhett. Pardi’s music style is defined by neotraditional country influences. On October 24th, Pardi became the first California native to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

“Last year’s BBQ Showdown presented by Pit Boss Grills was a great success and a great deal of fun for all involved so we’re proud to partner with Jon Pardi and Pardi Batch Spirits to take this year’s competition to a whole new level,” said Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark Faber. “The Pardi Batch BBQ Showdown presented by Pardi Batch Spirits & Pit Boss Grills is just one of the events and activities we have scheduled to provide our race fans with a full slate of smoke and sizzle entertainment during our Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Playoffs weekend.

“We’re also very proud to welcome Pardi Batch Spirits as the Official Bourbon & Whiskey of Texas Motor Speedway and we look forward to a successful partnership for years to come.”

Limited availability remains in the GEICO Infield Campground for those interested in being right in the middle of the infield action throughout the weekend. The campground is located inside Texas Motor Speedway’s 1.5-mile oval with easy access to restrooms, showers, Turn 4 dump station and No Limits Grill. Interior spaces (20×40) are available on the infield’s east side from Turn 2 to Turn 3 while paddock spots (20×50) are available in Turns 1 and 4. These paved, gravel and grass surface spots accommodate RVs, 5th wheels, travel trailers and pop-ups.

For more camping information and options or to reserve a spot, please click HERE or call the TMS Ticket Office at 817.215.8500.

The NASCAR Playoffs weekend will be highlighted by the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 on Saturday, Sept. 23 (2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90, and PRN), and the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, Sept. 24 (2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90, PRN, and 95.9 The Ranch-local).

Texas Motor Speedway’s always-busy events schedule is well under way. Upcoming events in 2023 include: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Playoffs weekend (Sept. 23-24), Goodguys’ Summit Racing Lone Start Nationals (Sept. 29-Oct. 1), Speedway Children’s Charities Smoke Show (Oct. 11) and Gordy’s Hwy 30 Music Fest (Oct. 19-22). The year wraps up with the family-favorite and speedway tradition Gift of Lights holiday light show.

TICKETS:

For ticket information for the September 23-24 NASCAR Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 weekend, please visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

MORE INFO:

Keep track of all of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, X and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the speedway website and TMS mobile app.

ABOUT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Texas Motor Speedway is among the largest sports stadiums in the United States and features an array of amenities such as the world’s largest TV that make it one of the premier venues in the world of sports. The 1.5-mile superspeedway located in Fort Worth hosts all three NASCAR national series as well as the NTT IndyCar Series among its various races and specialty events throughout the year. Texas Motor Speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, LLC, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit texasmotorspeedway.com.

ABOUT PARDI BATCH SPIRITS

Established in 2021 as part of the Buffalo Chip family, Pardi Batch Spirits is inspired by country star Jon Pardi’s music and energetic live performances. Like his hit songs, it all starts with the best ingredients working together in perfect harmony. The perfect notes come together to create 2 masterpieces: Pardi Batch 112 Bourbon and Pardi Batch Tennessee Whiskey. Pardi Batch Spirits are available for purchase online and can be shipped to 47 states by visiting www.bourbonhuntusa.com. For more information about Pardi Batch Spirits and to find it at a location near you, please visit www.pardibatchspirits.com.

ABOUT JON PARDI

Multi-Platinum award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Jon Pardi has refined and defined a country sound that gets people drinking, dancing and drowning their heartaches. His fourth studio album, Mr. Saturday Night, earned Pardi his third consecutive ACM Album of the Year nomination and proved Pardi has “blazed his own trail over the past decade” (Billboard), with Taste of Country noting, his “refusal to chase sets Mr. Saturday Night apart” and Nash News raving, Mr. Saturday Night “proves he might be the most successful at combining the old-school sound with today’s need for hooks.” The album reunited Bart Butler, Ryan Gore and Pardi- the same producing team behind the boards of his critically-acclaimed album, Heartache Medication, and produced the award-winning artist/producers’ fifth #1 single “Last Night Lonely,” as well as his current radio single, “Your Heart Or Mine.” Mr. Saturday Night follow’s Pardi’s album, Heartache Medication, which debuted among the top albums on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and was named in 2019 Rolling Stone’s “Best Album of the Year” and by the Los Angeles Times as one of the (Top 10) “Best Albums of the Year,” as well as his breakthrough Platinum-selling album, California Sunrise, which featured the multi-platinum, chart-topping hits “Dirt On My Boots,” “Head Over Boots,” “Heartache On The Dance Floor” and “Night Shift.” The unrepentant Cali-tonker acclaimed by The New York Times, Cowboys & Indians, Variety, Rolling Stone, NPR and the Los Angeles Times has appeared on Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, TODAY, Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Kelly Clarkson Show and more. Pardi recently announced his 2023 Mr. Saturday Night World Tour, which will kick off in Northern Ireland and across the UK and Europe starting in August, before launching its US run starting in September.

Jr III Racing Heads to Road America for IMSA SportsCar Weekend

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Official Release
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Chris Green | ChrisGreenPhoto.com

Noble replaces Lundqvist in the No. 29 Wing S2 Cyber Ligier

Elkhart Lake, Wisc. (1 August 2023) – Returning to where the team first launched its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program, Jr III (“Junior-Three”) Racing will be making its third start in the category this year. Having made the team’s WeatherTech debut at the track in 2021, Road America has a lot of meaning to the Jr III Racing crew, and this year it is extra special as the team debuts a second WeatherTech entry into competition with the No. 29 Wing S2 Cyber Ligier driven by Bijoy Garg and Colin Noble.

Garg who currently drives the No. 3 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge (VPRC) entry for Jr III Racing will be making his WeatherTech debut this weekend. The young Californian has driven to four wins and three additional podiums in VPRC so far this season. Garg will be making his first start in the WeatherTech LMP3 category at Road America, but has eight starts in open wheel competition at the quick Wisconsin track, having scored a fourth place finish in 2022 in USF 2000.

“Road America has always been one of my favorite tracks,” said Garg. “I think we’ve been pretty fast in everything I’ve driven there. I’m really looking forward to the weekend. I feel like I’ve been preparing for this moment all season between competing in VP and Asian Le Mans Series. It should be a pretty exciting race!”

Noble joins Jr III Racing to make his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut. The Scottish driver started racing in go karts moving up the ranks to the Radical European Masters before racing in Formula Renault. In 2021 Noble won the Michelin Le Mans Cup Championship after scoring two wins and three podiums in the LMP3 category. During the 2021 and 2022 seasons Noble competed in the Asian Le Mans Series as well as the Michelin Le Mans Cup. For the 2023 season Noble competes in the Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 category scoring a second and third place finish so far this season.

“I am really looking forward to getting started with Jr III Racing this weekend in the WeatherTech Championship at Road America,” said Noble. “The team has been performing well all year and hopefully we can continue that form this weekend!”

Jr III Racing’s full-season drivers Ari Balogh and Garett Grist are on the hunt for their first win in IMSA WeatherTech competition. Over the last two seasons the duo has scored six second place finishes. Last year Balogh and Grist overcame changing weather conditions and multiple caution periods to score a fourth place finish at Road America. This season the No. 30 Airbnb Ligier has led laps at all three LMP3 championship events this season.

“Road America will almost be a completely different race this year,” said Grist. “The track was repaved over the off season, but thankfully we have been able to test there a few times. Last year the race was a bit crazy at Road America. Ari did great his stint keeping the car clean and staying on track as a lot of others were going off and hitting other cars. I struggled a bit during my stint with pace, and I could never get around the guys in front of me. The team had prepared a really good car, as they always do. I’m excited to get back out there this year to see what we can do.”

The IMSA SportsCar Weekend kicks off on Friday August 4th, with the two hour and forty minute race taking place on Sunday at 11:10am ET. Watch the full race live on USA Network with coverage starting at 11:00am ET.

Toyota Racing – Michigan International Speedway – Weekly Preview – 08.02.23

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: July 31-August 6, 2023

· NCS/NXS/ARCA: Michigan International Speedway – August 4-6

PLANO, Texas (August 2, 2023) – Toyota’s teams and drivers take on the Motor City this weekend in Michigan.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

Hamlin on a strong run.… Denny Hamlin continues to climb the point standings after another strong run at Richmond Raceway on Sunday. The Virginia-native earned a runner-up finish at his home track to move up to second in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, just 39 points out of the lead. Hamlin has two victories at Michigan International Speedway – in 2010 and 2011.

Truex adds to his points lead… Martin Truex Jr. added to his Cup Series points lead on Sunday despite battling through loose conditions. The 2017 Cup Champion holds a 39-point advantage over his teammate, Denny Hamlin, coming into Michigan. Truex is looking for his first Michigan win, but comes into the race this weekend with six consecutive top-10 finishes at the track, including three third-place runs.

Double Duty for Gibbs… Ty Gibbs is back running double duty this weekend. Gibbs will make his second Michigan Cup Series start in the No. 54 Toyota Camry TRD. The Rookie of the Year leader earned his first career Cup Series top-10 finish in this race one season ago. In the Xfinity Series, Gibbs will look to defend his 2022 Xfinity Series win at Michigan in the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra.

Nemechek looks to take back points lead… John Hunter Nemechek sits in second in the point standings, just 14 points out of the Xfinity Series championship lead coming into Michigan this weekend. Nemechek ran at Michigan last season in the Xfinity Series, and has three starts overall with a best finish of eighth in 2019.

Grala looks to continue to build… Kaz Grala earned his second top-10 finish and fourth top-15 in the last five races on Saturday as the Boston-native continues to move up the point standings. Grala cut 30 points off his deficit to the top-15 in the Xfinity Series point standings in Road America. He has two Xfinity Series starts at Michigan, both of which resulted in top-20 finishes.

Mosack back in the 24…The Sam Hunt Racing team goes into Michigan with momentum after Sage Karam delivered a career-best finish of fourth at Road America on Saturday. After three races in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 entry, Connor Mosack returns to the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra this weekend. Mosack will drive the car in 11 of the final 13 events this season.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA

Love looks to continue to build advantage… Jesse Love looks to continue to build on his points advantage. The 18-year-old won his fifth race in 10 starts this season at Pocono Raceway and now leads the national ARCA standings by 69 points heading into his first career start at Michigan this weekend.

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.

JR Motorsports — NXS Michigan Preview

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Official Release
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JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Michigan International Speedway
RACE: Cabo Wabo 250 (125 laps / 250 miles)
DATE: Saturday, Aug. 5, 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 is coming off his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series win at his home track of Road America, in which he locked himself into the 2023 playoffs.
  • The Franklin, Wis. native heads to Michigan International Speedway for his third NXS start on the 2-mile oval.
  • In 15 starts on tracks 2 miles or greater in the NXS, Mayer has earned three top-five and five top-10 finishes, with a best finish of second at Auto Club Speedway earlier this season.
  • Mayer’s performance last weekend shot him up to sixth in the NXS Championship point standings.

Josh Berry
No. 8 LubeZone Chevrolet

  • In just two starts at Michigan, Josh Berry owns finishes of fourth and sixth and has led 27 laps. In 2021, Berry was in contention for the win driving JRM’s No. 1 Chevrolet.
  • On 2-mile tracks in his NXS career, Berry has finished fourth twice, fifth and sixth in his four starts. Combining Michigan and Fontana results, his average finish on such tracks is 4.7, with 30 laps led.
  • LubeZone Truck Lube Center makes its debut on the No. 8 Chevrolet this weekend at Michigan. A top-tier truck service company founded in 2017, the company operates from its headquarters in Bloomington, Minn.

Brandon Jones
No. 9 Menards/Criterion Chevrolet

  • Brandon Jones has made six starts at the 2-mile D-shaped oval of Michigan and has only one finish outside the top 10.
  • Jones holds a best finish of second that came during the 2021 season after starting from the 24th position.
  • Jones’ 8.2 average finish in the “Irish Hills” is tied with Martinsville Speedway for his personal best at active tracks in the NXS.
  • The 26-year-old owns three straight top-six efforts at Michigan (2019, 2021-22) and is coming off consecutive top10 runs at Pocono and Road America.
  • Jones currently sits 14th in the championship point standings, 61 points under the playoff cutline
  • Justin Allgaier
    No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
  • In 11 career NXS starts in the Irish Hills of Michigan, Justin Allgaier has scored three top fives and seven top 10s, with a best finish of second coming in this event last year.
  • Additionally, Allgaier has placed no worse than ninth at
    Michigan dating back to 2018.
  • By leading 42 laps last weekend at Road America, Allgaier (5,007 laps led) became just the eighth driver in NXS history to have paced the field for more than 5,000 career laps.
  • With six races remaining in the NXS regular season, Allgaier sits third in the playoff grid, just 40 points out of the series lead.

Driver Quotes

“Michigan has been a tough track for me in the past but I am looking forward to getting back up there this weekend especially coming off the thrill of my first career win. Road America was a dream come true and now that we finally got that first one out of the way, I am looking to keep this hot streak going and see what we can do in Michigan.” – Sam Mayer

“Michigan has been a strong place for this BRANDT Professional Agriculture team, and really everyone at JR Motorsports for the last few seasons. We came close to getting the win here last year, and hopefully we can be that one spot better this weekend. We have had some unbelievable speed here lately and I know that Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and everyone on this No. 7 team will give me just as strong a car again this weekend. Hopefully we can avoid any trouble out there and come away with the win when the checkered flag falls Saturday.” – Justin Allgaier

“There’s something about the 2-mile tracks for me. We seem to run really well on those, and this No. 8 team is hitting its stride. After a good run at Road America, I feel like the momentum is trending toward the positive and I look forward to getting on track at Michigan. I know Taylor(Moyer, crew chief) and this team is working hard to give us a LubeZone Chevrolet capable of going to Victory Lane.” – Josh Berry

“Michigan is always a track that I have run really well at in the past. This No. 9 team has been building fast racecars and we have been able to put races together as of late and it’s starting to show with our results. I’m ready to get to Michigan and hopefully be battling towards the front when it matters.” – Brandon Jones

JRM Team Updates

  • JR Motorsports at Michigan: JR Motorsports has competed in the Irish Hills of Michigan 43 times in the NXS. In those starts at the 2-mile oval, the organization has recorded two wins, 17 top fives and 30 top 10s. Regan Smith is the most recent winner for JRM at Michigan after taking the checkered during the 2013 season.
  • Team Chevy Display: JRM drivers will take the stage at the Team Chevy display located in the MIS Fan Zone on Saturday, Aug. 5. at the following times:
  • Justin Allgaier: 12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Brandon Jones: 12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
  • Josh Berry: 12:45 p.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Sam Mayer: 1 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
  • Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Justin Allgaier, Josh Berry and Brandon Jones will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sam Mayer will join the group beginning at 1:15 p.m.

Indianapolis-based Candy Dynamics and NASCAR Team JD Motorsports take on Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 12

By
Official Release
-

GAFFNEY, SC – The stars of the NASCAR Xfinity Series will return to The Racing Capital of the World for a shot at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in the Pennzoil 150 presented by Advance Auto Parts on Saturday, August 12.

JD Motorsports proudly announced today its new partnership with Candy Dynamics and its wildly popular brand, Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy. The No. 6 Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy Chevrolet will be driven by Brennan Poole, who is also a Toxic Waste Sour Candy superfan.

The IMS Road Course is 2.439 miles and features 14 turns.The NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series will race on the course on Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13.

Candy Dynamics is the creator of Toxic Waste® Hazardously Sour Candy® as well as the Internet’s favorite candy: Slime Licker®. Coming about from a desire to create the most sour candy on the market, Toxic Waste® certainly lives up to its name! Kids love to test their limits by taking the Toxic Challenge and daring their friends and family to do the same. The Toxic Waste® brand expanded its product listing in 2015 with the introduction of the Slime Licker®. With the emergence of TikTok, Slime Lickers® trended across the platform and have garnered over 265 million views.

“I’m excited to be behind the wheel of the No. 6 Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy Chevy for the first time,” said the 32-year-old Poole, who celebrated his 100th Xfinity Series start earlier this year. “The paint scheme is simply amazing, and I know there will be more than 50 employees from Candy Dynamics at the race so it is going to be a lot of fun to spend time with them.”

Candy Dynamics is equally excited to be a part of some hometown festivities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “We at Candy Dynamics, being an Indianapolis-based company, have been race fans for a very long time. We are excited to team up with driver and sour-candy-connoisseur Brennan Poole. We have dreamed of sponsoring a car for years. Now to see that dream come true in our hometown is a huge thrill for all of us,” president of Candy Dynamics, Laura King, shared.

The Pennzoil 150 presented by Advance Auto Parts is live on USA Network, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) on Saturday, August 12 at 5:30 p.m. EST.

NEWS AND NOTES

NASCAR Collectors Diecast Alert: The bright green and yellow paint scheme of the No. 6 Chevy will be made into a diecast that will go into production after the race on Saturday. The NASCAR collectors community and Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy fans can pre-order their own diecast at https://dailydownforce.com/toxic-waste

About Candy Dynamics

Candy Dynamics was established in 2006 as a creator and marketer of sour candy products. Its flagship product, Toxic Waste® Hazardously Sour Candy® is an innovative and phenomenally popular, one-of-a-kind, double-action sour candy treat that has become a hit with candy lovers of all ages worldwide. Currently enjoying ample sales and brand awareness, future sales expectations are high as the company continues to support the brand with unique marketing campaigns.
www.toxicwastecandy.com

About JD Motorsports
Team owner Johnny Davis first began fielding a team in what is now the Xfinity Series in 1983 with Joe Henry Thurman as the driver. From 1983-1985, Davis and Thurman competed in 41 races and put the JD Motorsports name on the map. Although JDM has seen a sharp rise in on-track performance in the past few years, success is nothing new to this team. Years of good drivers and excellent runs have paved the way for what JDM is today.
www.teamjdmotorsports.com

About A.E. Engine
A.E. Engine is a full-service sports sales, marketing and content creation company. Founded in 2005 by sports publishing and marketing executives, A.E. Engine has earned a reputation for creating and delivering high-quality, premium content and programming for passionate fans.
www.ae-engine.com

MBS MOTORSPORTS HEADED TO GP3R

By
Official Release
-
Credit: Motorsport Sam

(August 2, 2023) MBS Motorsports and driver Daniel Bois are poised to make their mark in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series event at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres-Rivieres (GP3R) this Sunday, August 6th. The team is geared up and ready to take on the challenging street circuit, and they are excited to see what talented and accomplished road racing driver, Daniel Bois can accomplish making his first start at GP3R.

Daniel Bois has a commendable track record, showcasing his prowess as a road racer. With an impressive career spanning several series and events, Bois has demonstrated his dedication, skill, and tenacity on various circuits across the country, including a seventh-place finish in the Pinty’s Series race at the Toronto Indy in 2022.

The Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres-Rivieres has a storied history, and it is one of the most iconic events on the NASCAR Pinty’s Series calendar. Known for its challenging street course and passionate fans, the race demands exceptional driving skills, adaptability, and strategy. Daniel Bois’ proficiency in navigating tight corners and his ability to master complex circuits make him a formidable contender this weekend.

Race Event Preview
Sunday August 6th, Green Flag approx. 2:18PM ET
Les 60 Tours Rousseau Metal
Race nine of 14 in 2023
This is the 16th NASCAR Pinty’s Series race at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres

The Track: 1.521-miles, 11-turn, street circuit

Best finish: First appearance at GP3R

Quote:
“I am beyond excited to be competing at GP3R for the first time. The track’s history and the atmosphere created by the fans are unmatched. I am confident in my abilities, and I believe that the MBS Motorsports team has provided me with a strong car to compete at the front of the pack. This is an opportunity for us to make our presence known and to showcase the hard work and dedication that our team has put into preparing for this event.”.
-Daniel Bois, Driver #31 MBS Motorsports Chevrolet

TV & Live Streaming
All races will be streamed live on TSN+ and through FloRacing in the United States. Les 60 Tours Rousseau Metal will also be live on RDS2 and air later on TSN, date and time TBD.

The 2023 NASCAR Pinty’s Series will consist of 14 total races in five provinces on a mixture of oval tracks along with road and street courses.

Race fans are encouraged to follow the progress of MBS Motorsports channels all season long for behind-the-scenes info and updates.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbs.motorsports/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mbs.motorsports

About MBS Motorsports
Owned by Jeff Murphy and Dominic Scrivo with driver Daniel Bois, the team will compete in select events in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series in 2023. Jeff Murphy is an executive with Celestica. Dominic Scrivo is the owner of Sierra Excavating Enterprises. Driver of the #31 Chevrolet Daniel Bois is a high-performance driving instructor.

KENNINGTON READY TO RACE CASTROL EDGE DODGE AT GP3R

By
Official Release
-
Credit: Matthew Manor

August 2, 2023. DJ Kennington is set to showcase the #17 Castrol EDGE Dodge at the NASCAR Pinty’s Series race at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres (GP3R) this Sunday August 6th. The event is round nine of the 2023 Pinty’s Series season and is the longest running street course racing event in North America.

Throughout his career Kennington has been a consistent performer, earning and impressive seven top-five finishes at the prestigious event. Last year he narrowly missed the top spot, securing the runner-up position. Kennington scored the victory in his #17 Castrol EDGE Dodge on the famed circuit in 2013.

The NASCAR Pinty’s Series at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres is a must-see event, combing the excitement of street circuit racing with the festival atmosphere that envelopes the city.

Here’s what you need to know.

Race Event Preview
Sunday August 6th, Green Flag approx. 2:18PM ET
Les 60 Tours Rousseau Metal
Race nine of 14 in 2023
This is the 16th NASCAR Pinty’s Series race at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres

The Track: 1.521-miles, 11-turn, street circuit

Best finish: First in 2013

Career Victories: 24

Most Recent Win: Race one, Sutherland Automotive Speedway, 2022

DJ Quote: “I’m excited to be back at Trois-Rivieres. This event is very special, and I’m determined to give our best showing and put on an exciting race for the fans. The competition at this race is really fierce, but the Castrol team has worked hard on our street racing program, and we’ll be ready for the battle”.

TV & Live Streaming
All races will be streamed live on TSN+ and through FloRacing in the United States. Les 60 Tours Rousseau Metal will also be live on RDS2 and air later on TSN, date and time TBD.

Race fans can follow DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol EDGE Dodge team on their official social media platforms:

Twitter www.twitter.com/@djkracing
Instagram www.instagram.com/djkracing
Website www.djkracing.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DJKenningtonRacing/

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