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Chicago Cup Series Street Race is NBC Sports’ Most-Watched NASCAR race in Six Years

By
Official Release
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Grant Park 220 Averages Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 4.795 Million Viewers; Most-Watched Cup Series Race Since 2023 Daytona 500

First City Street Race in Series History is NBC Sports’ Most-Streamed NASCAR Race Ever

NBC Sports’ 2023 Two-Race Average is Best Since 2017

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 3, 2023 – NBC Sports’ coverage of the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series city street race from Chicago averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 4.795 million viewers (6:32-9:45 p.m. ET) on NBC and Peacock, resulting in numerous viewership milestones, according to Fast National data provided by Nielsen:

  • Most-watched NASCAR Cup Series race on NBC in six years, since Indianapolis in 2017 (5.647 million) and NBC Sports’ eighth-most watched race under its current rights agreement;
  • Most-watched NASCAR Cup Series race on any network since Daytona 500 (FOX; Feb. 19; 8.173 million);
  • Projected to be the most-watched sporting event of the weekend;
  • Up 144% vs. NBC Sports’ second Cup Series race of the 2022 season (USA Network; 1.962 million; Road America)
  • Up 72% vs. NBC Sports’ 2022 Cup Series average on NBC (2.784 million)
  • Most-streamed NASCAR Cup Series race in NBC Sports history with 163,500 viewers across Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms

Despite a weather delay at the start and a shortened race due to sunset (from 100 to 75 laps), excitement for the Grant Park 220 in Chicago never dampened and was bolstered by the improbable victory of New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen, who became the first driver to win a race in his first NASCAR Cup Series start in 60 years. He entered the race as part of Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program.

Viewership peaked at 5.383 million TV-only viewers from 9:15-9:30 pm ET when van Gisbergen took the checkered flag. Chicago delivered a 9.29 rating and is expected to lead all markets once final local data is completed. The rating is more than three times what the market did for this year’s Daytona 500 (2.99 on FOX).

Through two races, NBC Sports is averaging a TAD of 4.009 million viewers, its best start for the NASCAR Cup Series since 2017 (4.202 million). Last week, NBC Sports’ coverage of the Ally 400 from Nashville Superspeedway averaged a TAD of 3.230 million viewers, making it NBC Sports’ most-watched season opener in three years.

NBC Sports’ NASCAR coverage continues this week with NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races from Atlanta Motor Speedway on USA Network.

–NBC SPORTS–

Beard Motorsports: Austin Hill Atlanta Advance

By
Official Release
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AUSTIN HILL
The Ladies and ‘HILL’ Take on Atlanta
No. 62 Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevrolet Camaro

Event Overview

● Event: Atlanta 500 (Round 10 of 36)
● Time/Date: 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 9
● Location: Atlanta Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 260 laps/400.4 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 100 laps / Final Stage: 100 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Driver Austin Hill will make his second NASCAR Cup Series start of the 2023 season and the third of his career this weekend in the Atlanta 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The driver of the No. 62 Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevrolet Camaro made his Cup Series debut last season at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn driving the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). He raced his way to an 18th-place finish after starting 31st. In his first start this season, April’s GEICO 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Hill finished 23rd despite sustaining minor damage in an accident that unfolded in front of him during the final stage.

● While Hill is a Cup Series rookie, his racing acumen on the tracks with superspeedway-style racing is anything but novice-like. Driving for RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Hill has a resume that features a total of five series wins. Among those victories is a pair of wins at Atlanta. In fact, Hill has won the last two Xfinity Series races to take place at the 1.5-mile oval, including his most recent visit to the track in March.

● Sunday night’s race in Atlanta will be just the second of the season for both Hill and Beard Motorsports. The Beard family fielded the No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro with Hill during Speedweek at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with plans to race in the season-opening Daytona 500. The team was poised to advance to the starting field for the 500 when the No. 62 Chevrolet was caught up in a multicar accident during the closing laps of its Duel qualifying race.

● The Bennett Family of Companies is back with the No. 62 Beard Motorsports team for Sunday’s 500-mile race with its Bennett Transportation and Logistics brand. Providing logistics and transportation services for companies across America, the Bennett Family of Companies offers a suite of trucking and specialized logistic services, from flatbed and step deck trucking and manufactured housing transport to RV delivery, customs brokerage, and warehousing. With more than 46 years of experience in the industry, Bennett’s network provides the safest and best possible service to all of its business partners.

● When Hill and the No. 62 Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevrolet Camaro take the green flag for Sunday’s prime time NASCAR Cup Series race, it will mark a program first for Beard Motorsports. For seven seasons, Beard Motorsports has been a stalwart at NASCAR’s “big tracks” – Daytona and Talladega. Atlanta is one of three tracks that will be new to Beard this season as the team is slated to make starts later this summer at Michigan, as well as the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval in October.

● If there is such a thing as a “home-field advantage,” then the No. 62 Chevrolet team is well-suited this weekend as both the driver and sponsor hail from the Peach State. Hill, a Georgia native, is from just outside of Atlanta in Winston, a little less than 60 miles from the 1.5-mile oval located in Hampton. Meanwhile, Bennett Transportation and Logistics is even more closely situated in McDonough, a mere 20 miles from the track.

● Sunday’s event kicks off a five-race run over the next three months for Beard Motorsports. In addition to this weekend’s race in Atlanta, the Aug. 6 race at Michigan, and the Oct. 8 race on the Charlotte Roval, the No. 62 Beard team is slated to compete at the season’s second races at Daytona and Talladega in August and October, respectively.

● Linda Beard, along with her children, Amie and Mark Jr., continue to carry on the pursuit of their late husband and father, Mark Beard Sr. The management of Beard Motorsports has been and continues to be a passion project for the Michigan natives. Leading the charge for the team in North Carolina is crew chief Darren Shaw, and providing guidance when it comes to navigating the NASCAR community is Brendan Gaughan, the former NASCAR Cup Series driver who made 17 of his 67 career series starts with Beard Motorsports. Additionally, Beard Motorsports continues to be powered by ECR Engines – a partnership that has existed since the team’s inception in 2017.

Linda Beard, Owner of the No. 62 Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevrolet Camaro for Beard Motorsports:

This weekend’s race at Atlanta is a first for the Beard family and Beard Motorsports as Daytona and Talladega have historically been the only tracks featured on the No. 62 car’s yearly schedule. What made you decide to run at Atlanta?

“Racing was important to my husband – something he enjoyed and loved. And it’s something we now enjoy because of him. As a family, we enjoy being at the racetrack, competing and having fun. The current car has given us the chance to do some different things and we are doing that because you will see us at a few tracks this season where we have not raced before. This weekend, though, it really made sense for our team, especially since Atlanta was reconfigured a couple of years ago and has the kind of racing you see at Daytona and Talladega. We feel like what we have and the power we get from ECR Engines, we are set up really well for the weekend.”

How do you feel working with two sponsors that are also Woman-Owned?

“We are thrilled to have Bennett Transportation and Logistics on our car again. Lynette (Mathis, vice president of the Bennett Family of Companies), her family and team are wonderful people and we feel they are very similar to our family. They are family owned and are just as driven as our family owned company, Beard Oil Distributing, which is also women-owned and certified by my daughter. This car in Atlanta will be a powerhouse of successful women, and for that I am proud. I hope young girls can see that with hard work comes success and you also can be here on America’s great stage.”

Did you ever envision this evolution of the Beard Motorsports team?

“I did not. When Mark (Beard Sr.) started doing this, I would look at myself down on the grid with all of those people and think, ‘Is this really happening?’ It didn’t bother him at all. He was confident about the whole thing. I’m still in awe and so thrilled to be at the track and racing at this level. And that’s what happens every time I go on the grid and do this. Our whole family is just very thankful to be here and have this experience.”

Austin Hill, Driver of the No. 62 Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevrolet Camaro:

This will be your first time in a Cup Series car at your home track. How do you anticipate you’ll feel when you get into that Cup Series car at home? And what are your expectations for the race?

“It’s a really cool opportunity to show up at my home track and compete in the top series of NASCAR. It’s special to be able to race against the best in the Cup Series, but especially at home. My expectation for Sunday is a little less than my expectation for the Xfinity side, where I expect nothing short of winning. On the Cup side, the goal is to race our way forward from wherever we start, make all the laps, contend, and be there at the end. If we can get inside the top-20 and get experience to see how Cup drivers race, it will go a long way. We struggled a little bit at Talladega with not getting right in the front or middle of the pack to race with others and see how the car reacts in comparison to the Xfinity car.”

“At the end of the Cup race, if we have competed, got inside the top-20, and been in contention, whatever happens at the end of the race happens. It’s a superspeedway-style race, so anything can happen when you get close to the checkered flag. Even if we run really well, get into the front half of the field, and end up wrecked at the end, I’m not going to be disappointed, simply because we showed speed and that we could run up front. I would be more disappointed if we ran in the back all day and finished the race but didn’t really get anything out of it. I’m trying to get as much experience as I can.”

Bennett Transportation and Logistics is back on the car for Atlanta, and it’s the company’s home track, as well. What will it mean to put on a good race?

“Doing both races this weekend at Atlanta with Bennett Transportation and Logistics is really cool, especially with their headquarters being 15-20 minutes away from the track in McDonough. Winning earlier this year at Atlanta in the Xfinity Series was huge for the company and myself, as well, with it being my home track, so hopefully a strong run on Saturday plays into Sunday and we can do well for them the entire weekend. Bennett will have a lot of folks at the track to support us, so we will do our best to put on a good showing for them.”

You’ve had experience on the tracks that the No. 62 team will visit in the next four months. How does that impact your approach? What can you take away from those experiences?

“There are tendencies that you can take away from the Xfinity car and transfer to the Cup car, but they drive completely different, so I’m not sure how much you can actually take away from a driving perspective. The thing you can take away, though, is the characteristics of the track. I have competed at all of the tracks that we are going to in the next few months with the No. 62 Beard Motorsports team, so I have experience on the actual surface. For instance, knowing where certain bumps are on the track, if it’s good to wrap the white line or is it better to run the top, what the track does if it’s cold or hot out. Just knowing the tendencies of the track itself can play a factor and help us.”

No. 62 Beard Motorsports Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Austin Hill

Hometown: Winston, Georgia

Crew Chief: Darren Shaw

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Drew Mickey

Hometown: Walkerton, North Carolina

Spotter: Ron Lewis

Hometown: Cleveland, Tennessee

President: Linda Beard

Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

VP of Racing Ops: Brendan Gaughan

Hometown: Las Vegas

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Tim Sheets

Hometown: Carmel, Indiana

Rear Tire Changer: David Mayo

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Damien Wermes

Hometown: Huntersville, North Carolina

Jack Man: Ethan Hindman

Hometown: fork Union, Virginia

Fuel Man: Bobby Grant

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Jack Gagnon

Hometown: Quebec, Canada

Mechanic: Mark Sanders

Hometown: Springfield, Ohio

Mechanic: Nic Hill

Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida

Tire Technician: Mike Harrold

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jason Watkins

Hometown: Ridgeway, Virginia

Transporter Driver: Terry Burger

Hometown: Lexington, North Carolina

Haley: ‘Big confidence boost for me’

By
Tucker White
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CHICAGO - JULY 2: Justin Haley, driver of the #31 Benesch Law Chevrolet, Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Hooters Chevrolet, and Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #91 Enhance Health Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 at the Chicago Street Course on July 2, 2023, in Chicago. Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The call came from the Tower. The race ends on Lap 75.

When Alex Bowman’s engine expired on Lap 45, NASCAR did the math and realized with the pace of the race and the remaining daylight, the Grant Park 220 wasn’t going the advertised 100 laps.

Eleven cars stayed out under the caution, and Justin Haley inherited the lead.

Now, he’s in the unfamiliar territory of holding off winners and champions of NASCAR in the waning laps.

“Obviously, I have in the Truck and XFINITY Series,” he said, “but the level of talent — I had Chase Elliott behind me and Kyle Larson and Shane (van Gisbergen) and Austin Dillon for a little bit, all champions and multi-race winners.”

In the midst of contract talks and a rotten weekend, his drive to a runner-up finish gave him a “big confidence boost.”

And it didn’t come easy.

For the final 26 laps, he thwarted charges from Dillon and Elliott.

The former clipped the wall entering Turn 12 and plowed into the tire barrier with 14 laps to go.

The latter lost second to Gisbergen in Turn 2 with eight to go.

As Haley sped along South Shore Line Drive, the reigning Supercars champion closed the gap from half a second to his bumper.

They turned onto East Balbo Drive and crossed the bridge over the Metra Electric District. Gisbergen set him up for an overtake, but Martin Truex Jr. plowed into the Turn 1 tire barrier and brought out a caution.

Similar to his maiden Cup Series victory at Daytona International Speedway, four years earlier, Haley, on older tires, sat in the catbird seat of a race that could end at a moment’s notice. All he needed to do was hold off Gisbergen, a street racing veteran, and his fresher tires.

“It wasn’t much of a battle,” he said. “You’re just trying to do everything you can.”

Gisbergen overtook him into Turn 2.

Haley drag-raced him down Shore Line Drive and retook the lead in Turn 3, but his struggles with Turn 4 caught up to him with five to go.

“That’s where I wrecked, yesterday, and our car was just so rough in the braking zone and I was really struggling there, trying to adjust my brake bias to be better there, and I just couldn’t,” he said.

Gisbergen out-braked him into Turn 4, and that was game over. Even with a second chance in overtime, Gisbergen left Haley in his wake and scored his maiden victory in his first start.

“Yeah, Shane was just better,” he said. “He had 16 or something lap better tires. Just a world-class racer. He was very calculated, very precise, and very smooth. He wasn’t overdriving it. He was very calculated.

“For someone to come in and race like that was just incredible. Very clean, as well. Our race for the lead was clean, and he gave a lot of room and very respectful.”

For Haley, however, he didn’t feel it was “a complete loss.” Given his and Kaulig Racing’s season, to this point, this was a much needed run for a team “just trying to get better.”

“This is my and the team’s second full-time season, and unfortunately I haven’t been in a position like that legitimately to try to hold off championship-caliber drivers,” he said. “I’ve just never found myself in that position early in my career.”

Mathematically, Haley could still point his way into the playoffs. His performance over the season, however, means his best chance is to win at either Atlanta Motor Speedway, Sunday, or Daytona in August.

Conor Daly – O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (67 Laps / 151.3 Miles)
Saturday, July 8 | Lexington, Ohio | 1:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team: No. 41 Unishippers Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Conor Daly (Noblesville, Indiana) | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman Jr.
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Conor Daly: Twitter: @ConorDaly22 | Instagram: @conordaly22 | Facebook: /ConorDalyOfficial | Web: www.conordaly.net

Nashville Recap: Bayley Currey was behind the wheel of the No. 41 Unishippers Silverado in Nashville where he collected his second top-five finish of the year. Currey moved the No. 41 team to 14th in the owner’s championship standings, just 30 points behind the cutline with three races remaining in the regular season.

Daly at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course: Though Conor Daly has not raced a stock car at Mid-Ohio, he has eight starts at the road course in the NTT Indycar Series, with a best finish of sixth in 2016. In his eight attempts, Daly has only finished outside the top-15 three times.

Daly on Saturday’s Race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course: “I can’t wait to work with everyone at Niece Motorsports again. Even though we’ve only done a few races together, it feels like I’m part of their family. I have a lot of respect for Al Niece and the supportive partners of the team like Unishippers and Worldwide Express. It means a lot to get to represent them, as well as Chevrolet. Mid-Ohio is one of my favorite tracks and with the experience I have there I think it will be really beneficial in getting me up to speed quickly.”

On the Truck: Daly’s No. 41 Unishippers Chevrolet Silverado will race with support from the WWEX group of brands, which comprises Worldwide Express, Unishippers and GlobalTranz, and offers full-service logistics expertise to more than 115,000 customers across the country.

About Niece Motorsports:

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2023, Niece Motorsports enters its eighth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com | www.niecemotorsports.com

About Worldwide Express:

The WWEX group of brands, which comprises Worldwide Express, Unishippers and GlobalTranz, offers full-service logistics expertise to more than 115,000 customers across the country. With access to industry-leading small package, truckload, less-than-truckload and managed transportation solutions, its customers benefit from enhanced visibility and value for their supply chains. The company is the second-largest privately held freight brokerage and largest non-retail UPS Authorized Reseller® in the U.S. , with an annual systemwide revenue nearing $5 billion through a network of company-owned, franchise and agent locations. A highly selective carrier portfolio, proprietary technology, unique data assets and business intelligence capabilities provide clients with unmatched options and flexibility to meet their shipping needs. The WWEX Racing initiative was borne of a desire to address the complex but underserved logistic needs of the performance motorsports industry, using the unique combination of capabilities offered by the three brands’ combined 80+ years of insight. To learn more about the WWEX Racing program, visit www.wwexracing.com. For media inquiries, contact racing@wwex.com.

Lawless Alan – O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (67 Laps / 151.3 Miles)
Saturday, July 8 | Lexington, Ohio | 1:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team: No. 45 IEDA / Easton Sales and Rentals Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Lawless Alan (Los Angeles, California) | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Lawless Alan: Twitter: @lawlessalan25 | Instagram: @lawless_alan | Facebook: /LawlessAlanRacing | Web: www.lawlessalanracing.com

Nashville Recap: Lawless Alan felt confident about his truck at Nashville Superspeedway, but unfortunately, his night was cut short after being collected in an accident. The California-driver finished 36th in the event.

Alan on Last Race at Nashville Superspeedway: “It’s tough for this team to work so hard and get taken out that early in the race. I’m thankful for our partners that allow us to go out there and race each week and we look forward to getting after it at Mid-Ohio.”

Alan at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course: 2022 marked Alan’s first start at Mid-Ohio where he finished 24th after starting 27th.

Alan on Saturday’s Race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course: “Since my background is in road racing, I have added confidence when we get to race at a road course. We ran really well at COTA before a penalty put us out of contention, but I’m looking forward to backing up that speed with a good run this weekend.”

On the Truck: Lawless Alan’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado will carry the Independent Equipment Dealers Association colors this weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. In addition, the No. 45 will also race with support from Eason Sales and Rentals and Rokbak.

The Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA) is a non-profit trade association promoting participation, professionalism and advancement in the independent distribution of heavy equipment. The IEDA focuses its efforts on providing discounts, marketing, advertising, education and networking opportunities to members that will result in increased sales for member companies. Members of the IEDA are committed to displaying leadership in the industry by making ethical decisions and sound judgement, by making accurate claims to customers and by utilizing the products and services offered to them by Associate Members. The IEDA was established in 2002 and has become a unified and powerful voice within the industry

Easton Sales and Rentals is the premiere provider of earthmoving equipment and attachments for rent or sale. Easton Sales and Rentals also offers a full range of parts and services. Its mission is to provide clients with quality, meticulously serviced machines from all major manufactures. The entire staff at Easton shares an ongoing commitment and dedication to ensure the success of its customers.

At Rokbak, there’s one thing valued more than anything else. Reliability. The Rokbak business is built on it. From brutal heat to biting cold, Rokbak articulated haulers are trusted to perform in the toughest conditions around the world. And the Rokbak global team is trusted to do the same – building the best haulers and giving rock solid support.

About Niece Motorsports:

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2023, Niece Motorsports enters its eighth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com | www.niecemotorsports.com

About AUTOChargit:

AUTOChargit designs, manufactures and installs EV charging systems for automated and conventional parking applications. AUTOChargit can decrease capital expenditures by up to 75 percent by providing automated coupling and decoupling of EV charging stalls from the power source. For conventional parking applications, a single 40-AMP circuit coupled with a single AUTOChargit System can be multiplexed to four, eight, or 12 stalls. Each charging stall is individually metered for the exact tracking of electricity usage. The AUTOParkit Mobile APP provides a touchless experience for the user.

About AUTOParkit:

AUTOParkit™ designs, manufactures, and constructs fully automated parking systems for new and existing buildings. AUTOParkit system structural steel and modular design can provide double the capacity of a traditional parking garage, providing up to 17 LEED points and drastically reducing construction time.

AUTOParkit automated systems are 40 percent less expensive to operate, safer for the user and reduces carbon emissions associated with parking by more than 80 percent. AUTOParkit’s charging pallets provided by AUTOChargit, are a fast and convenient way of charging EVs and Hybrids. AUTOChargit’s patented technology allows for shuffling charged vehicles cutting infrastructure costs by up to 80 percent.

For more information on AUTOParkit, visit www.autoparkit.com

Carson Hocevar – O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (67 Laps / 151.3 Miles)
Saturday, July 8 | Lexington, Ohio | 1:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team: No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Carson Hocevar (Portage, Michigan) | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Carson Hocevar: Twitter: @CarsonHocevar | Instagram: @CarsonHocevar | Facebook: /carsonhocevarracing | Web: www.CarsonHocevar.com

Nashville Recap: After setting the fastest lap in practice, Carson Hocevar and the No. 42 Worldwide Express team had their eyes set on taking home the trophy and the Gibson guitar in Nashville. Fortunately for the team, they were able to achieve their goal to pick up their second victory of the 2023 season. Hocevar collected 16 stage points, along with the race win, to close the gap to point leader Corey Heim.

Hocevar on Last Race at Nashville Superspeedway: “It’s so great to have this success after the beginning of the year started out so rocky. These Worldwide Express Silverados have been so fast no matter where we’ve been this year. I feel that we’re firing on all cylinders right now and this team wants it more than anyone out there.”

Heating Up: It took Carson Hocevar 58 starts to capture his first NASCAR victory. Now, just eight starts later, Hocevar is a two-time Craftsman Truck Series winner and the hottest driver in the series after his win in Nashville. The Portage, Michigan-driver has finished inside the top-five in five consecutive races and has tallied the most points in that time-span. Since his fifth-place finish at Darlington in May, Hocevar has an average finish of 3.6, the best in Truck Series competition during that span.

Hocevar at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course: In one start at Mid-Ohio, Hocevar started and finished third. He collected stage points in each stage, en route to a podium finish.

Hocevar on Saturday’s Race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course: We were so fast earlier in the year at COTA, so it really hurt that we weren’t able to finish that race. But, that gives me a lot of confidence going into Mid-Ohio this weekend that we’ll have a fast WWEX Racing Silverado yet again.”

On the Truck: Hocevar’s No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet Silverado will race with support from the WWEX group of brands, which comprises Worldwide Express, Unishippers and GlobalTranz, and offers full-service logistics expertise to more than 115,000 customers across the country.

About Niece Motorsports:

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2023, Niece Motorsports enters its eighth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com | www.niecemotorsports.com

About Worldwide Express:

The WWEX group of brands, which comprises Worldwide Express, Unishippers and GlobalTranz, offers full-service logistics expertise to more than 115,000 customers across the country. With access to industry-leading small package, truckload, less-than-truckload and managed transportation solutions, its customers benefit from enhanced visibility and value for their supply chains. The company is the second-largest privately held freight brokerage and largest non-retail UPS Authorized Reseller® in the U.S. , with an annual systemwide revenue nearing $5 billion through a network of company-owned, franchise and agent locations. A highly selective carrier portfolio, proprietary technology, unique data assets and business intelligence capabilities provide clients with unmatched options and flexibility to meet their shipping needs. The WWEX Racing initiative was borne of a desire to address the complex but underserved logistic needs of the performance motorsports industry, using the unique combination of capabilities offered by the three brands’ combined 80+ years of insight. To learn more about the WWEX Racing program, visit www.wwexracing.com. For media inquiries, contact racing@wwex.com.

98-year-old Marine, Iwo Jima Survivor Don Graves to Perform God Bless America Prior To NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Autotrader Echopark Automotive 400

By
Official Release
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Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President & General Manager Mark Faber stands with 98-year-old U.S. Marine and Iwo Jima survivor Don Graves outside Graves' home in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo credit to Texas Motor Speedway).
  • Fort Worth resident made first assault of Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945
  • Graves served his community as a preacher for 32 years
  • The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 will air Sunday, September 24, at 2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90, PRN, and 95.9 The Ranch-local)

FORT WORTH, Texas (JULY 3, 2023) – Don Graves, a 98-year-old U.S. Marine and one of a very special group of living American heroes who made the successful assault on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II, will perform God Bless America prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race Sept. 24 at Texas Motor Speedway.

The Fort Worth resident has sung God Bless America and The Star-Spangled Banner prior to numerous events but this will be his first time at a NASCAR Cup Series event with a national television audience.

“The opportunity to sing God Bless America to a national TV audience is a rare treat and I am so thrilled to be able to do it,” said Graves. “It is a great honor.”

Graves, the son of a U.S. Marine, joined the Marines the day after his 17th birthday in 1942 after being turned down, for being too young, immediately following the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941. He was trained as a flame thrower and his first combat assignment was the initial attack on Iwo Jima beginning Feb. 19, 1945.

The Detroit native was one of only 18 of the 335 men of his Second Battalion, Fifth Marine Division to survive the successful 36-day assault forever memorialized by the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph by Joe Rosenthal of the Stars and Stripes being raised atop Mount Suribachi. He was honorably discharged from the military in 1946 with the rank of corporal.

Graves became a minister in the mid-1970s and retired from preaching in 2007 after 32 years of service to the community and his parishioners.

Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President & General Manager Mark Faber made the invitation to Mr. Graves in person on June 22 at Graves’ home in Fort Worth.

“All of us at Texas Motor Speedway are honored to welcome a true American hero like Don Graves to sing God Bless America prior to the start of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400,” said Faber. “We will celebrate Mr. Graves for his valiant service to his country as a U.S. Marine in World War II as well as his 32 years of service to his church and parishioners. He is a hero to us all.”

The NASCAR Playoffs weekend will be highlighted by the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 on Saturday, September 23, 2023 (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, September 24, 2023 (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 underway. Upcoming 2023 events include Solar Car Challenge (July 13-15), Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Playoffs weekend (September 23-24), Goodguys’ Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals (September 29-October 1), Speedway Children’s Charities Smoke Show (October 11) and Gordy’s Hwy 30 Music Fest (October 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, Twitter 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.

New England Native Kaz Grala Returns to Hometrack of New Hampshire Motor Speedway

By
Official Release
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Grala set to return to “The Magic Mile” for the first time since 2019 to compete in the Ambetter Health 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on July 15.

By Trisha Westfall, Sam Hunt Racing
Special for New Hampshire Motor Speedway

LOUDON, N.H. – Kaz Grala, a native of Boston, Mass., will make his return to his hometrack of New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) for the first time since 2019. On Saturday, July 15, Grala will pilot the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra in the Ambetter Health 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race at “The Magic Mile” on the hunt for the trophy and Sam Hunt Racing’s first win.

“It’s been a few years since I’ve raced at NHMS, and I’m so ready to get back there in front of my home crowd,” said Grala. “It’s always nice to see the New England race fans and how passionate they are about our sport in addition to having more of my friends and family at the track than anywhere else. The track is just over an hour from where I grew up in Massachusetts, so that makes it by far the closest track to home for me. I’m definitely going to make the most of my trip home and hopefully cap it off by finishing up front on Saturday.”

At the young age of four, Grala strapped in to a go-kart for the first time at the former F1 Boston in Massachusetts, unknowingly on his way to multiple karting championships as he continued to grow his skills behind the wheel. By the age of nine, Grala had started his journey to and from short tracks throughout the east coast, grabbing wins and championships in Bandoleros and Legend Cars, which catapulted the young talent to stock car racing at the age of 14.

Grala’s career at the grassroots level of stock car racing provided him the platform to gain experience, make a name for himself and move up the ranks from NASCAR’s local and regional levels to the NXS today. Throughout those groundbreaking years, Grala set records that still stand today including his first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win. At 18 years, one month and 26 days old, Grala became the youngest winner at Daytona International Speedway in NASCAR’s national series history.

In 2023, the 24-year-old Grala became Sam Hunt Racing’s first full-time driver in the organization’s history, piloting the No. 26 entry for all 33 races on the NXS schedule. The 2023 season also marks Grala’s first full-time season in the series. Out of 15 races, Grala has collected one top-five finish and two top-10 finishes, and he’s on the hunt for his first career NXS win and a playoff berth.

New England’s only NASCAR weekend is July 14-16 at NHMS. On-track action kicks off Friday with practice and qualifying sessions for the NXS and Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) plus Friday Night Dirt Duels presented by New England Racing Fuel at The Flat Track. The action continues with NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) qualifying, the Ambetter Health 200 NXS race and Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race on Doubleheader Saturday and culminates with the NCS taking on “The Magic Mile” Sunday for the Crayon 301. Don’t miss all of the exciting off-track action including Trackside Live, The Groove fan hangout, concerts from Dirty Deeds and Shot of Poison, family movie night featuring “Top Gun: Maverick,” driver appearances, a variety of live performances, fireworks and much more.

For a NASCAR weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Schedule/.

Tickets:

Log on to NHMS.com for tickets and more information on the weekend’s lineup of action-packed racing. Tickets for Friday Night Dirt Duels presented by New England Racing Fuel start at just $25 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Doubleheader Saturday tickets start at just $45 for adults while kids 12 and under are free. Sunday’s Crayon 301 tickets start at just $59 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under.

Follow Us:

Keep track of all of New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s events by following on Facebook (@NHMotorSpeedway), Twitter (@NHMS) and Instagram (@NHMS). Keep up with all the latest information on the speedway website (NHMS.com) and mobile app.

About Sam Hunt Racing

Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) is a NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team partnered with Toyota Racing Development that provides a value-packed platform for future stars. Owned and operated by 29-year-old Sam Hunt, SHR enters its third full-time season in the NXS and first season as a two-car team. In 2022, SHR hosted 10 drivers of various skill levels and captured two top-five and five top-10 finishes. The team led its first laps in the organization’s history and tied its highest qualifying effort.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through its Toyota and Lexus brands plus its 1,800 dealerships. Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 47,000 in North America. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks at its 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including its joint venture in Alabama that began production in 2021. Through its Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address society’s most pressing mobility challenges. Toyota believes that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Richard Childress named Grand Marshal for Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart

By
Official Release
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HAMPTON, Ga. (July 3, 2023) – NASCAR Hall of Famer and legendary team owner Richard Childress will give the command to fire engines for Sunday night’s Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart.

Childress will utter the most famous words in motorsports from inside the cockpit of the No. 29 car Kevin Harvick drove to victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2001.

“To be the Grand Marshal for Atlanta, one of my favorite racetracks as a driver and a car owner, is an honor,” said Childress.

His team Richard Childress Racing has scored 15 victories at AMS across NASCAR’s three national touring series, including nine at the NASCAR Cup Series level. With Sunday night’s race starting with an RCR car leading the field during pace laps, Childress hopes the race will end the same way after 400 miles of close-quarters racing.

“We’ve had some good runs there (since the reconfiguration). We’ve won with Austin Hill (in the Xfinity Series) but now we need to win a Cup race,” said Childress.

To visit victory lane, RCR’s drivers will need to out-duel NASCAR’s best on Atlanta Motor Speedway’s challenging high banks, with superspeedway racing that will see drivers race just inches apart under the lights. With just eight races left before NASCAR’s playoffs, sparks will fly as a hungry field of drivers chases victory.

For more information on the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend or to purchase tickets, fans can visit AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com or call 877-9-AMS-TIX.

About the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart:

The Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart headlines the summer slate of NASCAR racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 9. Featuring the first weekend of night racing at AMS since 2014, Atlanta’s summer NASCAR weekend comes with increased stakes with the NASCAR playoffs looming large.

Accompanying the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart is the Alsco Uniforms 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, July 9. The summer race will challenge the rising stars of the sport to stand out and succeed on one of the circuit’s most challenging tracks.

More information on the July 7-9, 2023, Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend and ticket availability can be found online at AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com.

Follow Atlanta Motor Speedway:

Keep track of all of Atlanta Motor Speedway’s events by following on Twitter, Instagram, and become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Atlanta Motor Speedway mobile app.

COLE CUSTER CLAIMS INAUGURAL CHICAGO STREET RACE WIN

By
Official Release
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CHICAGO, IL – July 3, 2023 – Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer won the inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Chicago following a rain-shortened Loop 121. This weekend’s win marked Stewart-Haas Racing’s 20th NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, Custer’s second victory of the season, and the 12th of his NASCAR Xfinity Series career.

“Congratulations to Tony, Gene, Joe, Jonathan, Cole, Ford Performance, and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing on the pole award and race win at Chicago,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Thanks to NASCAR and the France family for pushing the boundaries of our sport to create this unique street circuit. It’s an honor to compete and win this inaugural event.”

“Today, we definitely wish we could have run all the laps. We don’t want to win it this way, but at the end of the day we had a really fast car and I think everybody knew that. I think this team can compete with anybody out there and we’re really hitting our stride, and I’m really proud of JT and all the guys at the shop who have worked so hard to put us in this situation,” commented Custer.

Cole Custer qualified on the pole for Saturday’s Loop 121 race. The race was scheduled to consist of 55 laps broken into three stages. Custer led every lap of the race to win the first two stages and collect 20 bonus points and two playoff points. With 30 laps remaining, the race was postponed until Sunday due to weather. After persistent rain and water pooling on the track, Sunday’s race was called and Custer was officially declared the winner. This race marked Custer’s 10th consecutive top-10 finish of the season.

Ford Performance teammate Brett Moffitt with AM Racing finished in P7.

The NASCAR Cup Series also raced at the Chicago Street Course on Sunday. After a late start due to weather, the race was shortened from 100 laps to 75. Four Ford Performance drivers finished in the top-10: Team Penske’s Austin Cindric in P6, Front Row Motorsports’ Michael McDowell in P7, Team Penske’s Joey Logano in P8, and Roush-Fenway Keselowski Racing’s Chris Buescher in P10.

Both the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series head to Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia this weekend.
35 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 450 WINS – 415 POLES

About Roush Yates Engines
Roush Yates Engines is a leading-edge engine development company based in Mooresville, NC consisting of two state-of-the-art facilities – Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, a world class AS9100 Rev D/ISO 13485 certified CNC manufacturing facility. The company’s core business includes designing, building and testing purpose-built race engines.

Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines is the exclusive engine builder of the NASCAR FR9 Ford V8 engine and Ford Mustang 5.2L V8 engine, used in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series.

With an unparalleled culture of winning and steeped in rich racing history, Roush Yates Engines continues to follow the company’s vision to lead performance engine innovation and staying true to the company’s mission, provide race winning engines through demonstrated power and performance.

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