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Kaulig Racing Post-Race Report | Nashville Superspeedway

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Allmendinger Wins Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway

 Tennessee Lottery 250

AJ Allmendinger, No. 10 Bailey Zimmerman Religiously Chevrolet

  • AJ Allmendinger qualified 11th for the Tennessee Lottery 250.
  • Allmendinger was quiet on the radio during the caution-filled opening stage at Nashville Superspeedway. Allmendinger drove the No. 10 Chevy up to third by lap nine where he would finish stage one. The team opted to make an air pressure adjustment under caution at the stage break to help with the handling of the car in the corner.
  • Allmendinger restarted stage two in third, on the outside of the second row. On the restart, the leaders, No. 21 and No. 19 made contact with each other, and the No. 19 made contact with Allmendinger as he tried to avoid the spin. Allmendinger pitted multiple times before the restart to make repairs and change tire strategy to get back out on track and make it till the end. Falling as far back as 32nd while making repairs, Allmendinger moved through the field after the restart on lap 65. Happy with the handling of his race car after repairs, Allmendinger went on to finish stage two in 13th.
  • The No. 10 Chevy restarted sixth on lap 97 for stage three after a quick pit stop for four tires and fuel. The caution flag quickly came out on lap 103, and Allmendinger told his team his car had good stability. After restarting fifth, Allmendinger battled inside the top five before taking over third on lap 122, second on lap 140 and first on lap 142. Allmendinger made his green-flag stop from first place on lap 148. As green-flag stops cycled through, the No. 10 Chevy made its was up to second on lap 161 with the leader (No. 48) still needing to pit. Allmendinger caught the No. 48 and took over the lead on lap 176. A late-race caution flag with five to go resulted in NASCAR overtime. Allmendinger took the lead on the restart before an additional caution came out for the No. 16 car spinning. On overtime attempt number two, Allmendinger took the lead and went on to win the Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway.

“This is all thanks to all the men and women at Kaulig Racing. We’ve got Bailey Zimmerman on the car; he flew in from Chicago this morning, so it’s awesome to have him here and win a race for him. Our car was really good, we got caught up in that wreck on that one restart. I thought our chance to win was over, but the guys did such a great job of fixing it. I’m just so proud of it. This is one of those iconic trophies you want to win, what a cool way to do it. I love winning on ovals because I know a lot of people doubt me on ovals. Life is good.” – AJ Allmendinger

Daniel Hemric, No. 11 Cirkul Chevrolet

  • Daniel Hemric qualified 33rd for the Tennessee Lottery 250.
  • Although Hemric struggled with rear grip in his No.11 Cirkul Chevy, he made steady gains in the caution-filled opening stage and was able to gain 16 spots to finish 17th in stage one.
  • The No.11 team executed solid pit stops throughout the stage that helped Hemric maintain track position. Hemric fought his way into the top 10 and stayed near the front. He went on to finish the second stage in 3rd place, earning stage points.
  • In the final stage, Hemric charged toward the front of the field and took the lead on lap 111. After battling for the lead with his teammate, Hemric continued to say in the top five a majority of the final stage. Hemric restarted as the second car on the outside lane on the double overtime start and got shuffled back in the field, finishing the race eighth.

“It was a challenging weekend for us, our eighth place finish won’t really tell the whole story. I had made a mistake in qualifying by asking too much of it [the car]. It was good to get a top five in stage two and even battle for the lead for a little bit and get a couple stage points there in stage two. In the last green flag run, under the green flag pit stop I was just too free and lost some time in the final stage. I went to try to get second there in the last restart and got shoved around a little bit and landed an eighth-place finish. I’m proud of this race team and the speed we have in our Kaulig Racing Chevrolets.” – Daniel Hemric

Chandler Smith, No. 16 Quick Tie Products Chevrolet

  • Chandler Smith qualified second for the Tennessee Lottery 250.
  • Smith started the race avoiding multiple wrecks in the chaotic opening stage. Halfway through the stage, Smith fell back to eighth but made positive gains in the short 24-lap run to the green-and-white-checkered flag to finish sixth in stage one.
  • The No. 16 Quick Tie Products team made trackbar adjustments during the stage two opening pit stop to help with Smith’s lack of rear grip. Smith reacted positively to the change and quickly took over the lead for the first time in the race on lap 67, powering his way underneath both the No. 00 and No. 1 cars, three-wide. Smith won stage two, his second-career stage win.
  • Smith continued his strong run most of the way through the final stage, leading all but one lap from lap 67 to lap 141, when he came down pit road for the final scheduled stop. He went back out on the track the highest-placed runner of all the cars who already made a stop. Teammate, AJ Allmendinger made a move around Smith for the provisional lead, and Smith settled into third after getting passed for second. A caution came out with five laps to go, and Smith restarted as the first car on the outside lane. The No. 98 forcefully shoved and unsettled Smith as the green flag waved, and Smith was quickly absorbed by the rest of the field. He spun after being forced four-wide, bringing out the final caution and another overtime attempt. Smith pitted for scuff tires and hung on to finish 12th.

“It is what it is. That’s racing. I get it. It just sucks really bad because we had a really solid day. We got on the wrong side of the balance in stage three but were still having a solid day, what we needed. Unfortunately, we’ve got nothing to show for it.” – Chandler Smith  

Ally 400

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger qualified 19th for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.
  • Allmendinger was quiet on the radio in the early laps of the opening stage, as he made his way up to 13th before making a scheduled, green-flag pit stop on lap 42. He told the team he was happy with the rear of the car and asked for no adjustments on the stop. By lap 70, Allmendinger drove his No. 16 Celsius Chevy up to 10th where he would finish stage one.
  • Under the first stage caution, the No. 16 team had an unplanned, long, pit stop. Allmendinger restarted 18th on lap 98. Still happy with his car, Allmendinger made his way up to ninth by lap 134 before green-flag pit stops started. Allmendinger made his green-flag stop from fourth place on lap 136. The caution came out before the No. 16 car exited pit road, trapping him a lap down. Fortunately, the team was able to take the wave around to get back on the lead lap and restart on lap 147 in 10th. Allmendinger avoided a wreck on the restart and restarted from seventh on lap 152. He went on to finish the second stage in eighth place.
  • Allmendinger came down pit road under the stage caution from eighth place. The team lost spots after suffering an equipment issue. Allmendinger restarted the third stage in 15th and struggled in traffic. He maintained position and ran lap times better than the cars in front of him. He began to make passes on lap 219, making it up to 12th before coming down pit road for his final green-flag stop on lap 236. Allmendinger made his way back in the top 10 on lap 261 and took over ninth place on lap 269 where he remained before being passed at the checkered flag, ultimately finishing 10th.

“We had a really good day. Our car was really balanced all day; we didn’t have to make adjustments. We just couldn’t get the track positions and we lost spots on pit road and had to make up for it. At the end of the day, that probably cost up three or four spots overall. I’m proud of the team. We are making a lot of progress, we had a lot of speed all weekend. I’m looking forward to going to a street course here to hopefully make up some more ground.” – AJ Allmendinger

Justin Haley, No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1

  • Justin Haley qualified third for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, his best-ever qualifying effort in a points race.
  • After dropping back a few spots at the start of the race, Haley settled into the seventh position by lap 14 of the race, battling back-and-forth with the No. 9 car for the sixth position. Haley reported feeling “edgy” on the right rear, prompting the crew to make an air pressure adjustment during its first green-flag stop of the day on lap 43. After the green-flag stops cycled through, Haley settled into 16th place where he finished the opening stage.
  • During the stage break, Haley made his second pit stop of the day, as the team decided to make an additional air pressure adjustment that would hopefully help the No. 31 Chevrolet take off better.
  • Haley started the second stage in 22nd but quickly fell back to 25th by lap 105, as he battled tight-handling No. 31 Chevy. Crew chief, Trent Owens, called Haley in to pit on lap 132 under green. A caution came out six laps later, trapping Haley a lap down before before the pit cycle was complete. Haley was able to take the wave around under caution, putting him back on the lead lap. Haley radioed that the handling of the No. 31 Chevy felt better following the adjustments on lap 132. The field restarted on lap 147 but was immediately put back under caution for a wreck on the restart. Haley pitted under caution for an adjustment to further loosen up the car, as the car seemed to continue trending tighter throughout the evening. The field restarted on lap 153 and continued to go green for the remainder of the stage. Haley went on to finish 23rd.
  • Although Haley’s No. 31 Chevy continued handling tighter throughout the final stage, he was able to consistently race in 23rd place. On lap 230, Haley radioed that he began to trend on the freer side. He made another green-flag pit stop on lap 233 before settling into 23rd place where he would finish the race.

“I feel very positive about this weekend overall. We weren’t great in practice, but everyone worked so hard to get the car where we needed it for qualifying. I feel like qualifying is crucial with track position, because passing is so difficult at this top level of motorsports. I feel like we’ve really gotten our program into a spot where I feel better driving the car. The car reacts to what I’m doing.

We started off pretty strong in the race, but we just kept getting tighter and tighter with the way the track was trending into nighttime.” – Justin Haley  
 
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.

Yadea Again Brings Its Leading E-bikes to EUROBIKE 2023

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Official Release
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Yadea at EUROBIKE 2023

Wuxi, China, June 26, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Yadea, the world’s leading electric two-wheel mobility brand, was again making waves at EUROBIKE 2023 (June 21-25), following its first participation last year. EUROBIKE, the global trendsetter in the cycling industry, attracts buyers, manufacturers, agents, retailers, professional visitors and cycling enthusiasts from around the world to visit, interact, and discuss global cycling trends and the future, helping drive development in the global cycling industry.

Throughout the growth of the green commuter market, the global demand for e-bikes has grown significantly. In 2022, the European e-bike market exceeded 5.5 million units sold, a y/y increase of around 20%. And Yadea has a leading position on the e-bike circuit. With its relentless pursuit of innovation, quality, and sustainability, Yadea is now the world’s number one in sales of electric two-wheelers.

At this year’s EUROBIKE, Yadea showcased the Yadea Trooper 01, Yadea Innovator and Yadea Camper e-bikes, all well received by dealers and the media, with especially positive reactions from the global e-mobility, technology, and new consumer sectors. With engaging interaction and fruitful discussions, Yadea further consolidated its position as the industry front runner.

Innovation Never Stops: Yadea Provides All-scenario E-transportation Solutions for Global Users

The e-bikes on display were user-centric and covered multiple scenarios of daily commuting with their functional features.

The retro-style Yadea Trooper 01 is designed for young riders who love competition and exploration. The Yadea Trooper 01 is available in two versions, with a 750W single motor and with a 1000W twin motor. Both are controlled by the ELSD system, which guarantees safety with the bike’s powerful drive. Its 20×4-inch wide tires and full suspension system enhance stability and maintainability, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride on various terrains. Trooper 01 leaves plenty of room for modification, allowing users to explore new adventures with a DIY e-bike.

For riders who are keen on the “4+2” (4-wheeler + 2-wheeler) travel mode, Yadea also provides an ideal solution. The Yadea Innovator Foldable Electric Bike adopts a single-arm front and rear design and has a folded volume of only 0.27 cubic meters. The Yadea Innovator features an intelligent mid-mounted high-torque motor and a high-sensitivity torque sensor for a premium and stable driving experience. Its one-piece bird-shaped frame design won the IDEA (International Design Excellence Award).

Mastering Technological Innovation and Quality, Yadea Creates a New International Commuting Lifestyle

Technology is the cornerstone of Yadea’s ability to achieve a full coverage of its customers’ mobility scenarios. According to its financial report, Yadea’s R&D expenditure during 2022 increased by 31.1% year-on-year. To date, Yadea has established 2 national CNAS laboratories, 6 technology R&D centers and a professional R&D team of more than 1,000 people, and has obtained more than 1,890 national patents.

In the field of electric bicycles, Yadea had already laid out 5 years ago, continuously injecting top talents and experts. 90% of the motors of Yadea electric bicycle products come from independent R&D and are equipped with industry-leading configurations such as LG21700 power lithium battery and large TFT display to empower them. The motors of all products are covered by a 5-year warranty. What’s more, all products are CE certified to ensure high quality and safety of each product.

Yadea provides quality products and services to 70 million customers worldwide and has a presence in more than 100 countries and regions, creating a brand that is “localised and deeply cultivated in overseas markets”. Its internationalisation is also progressing at an impressive pace. Yadea will continue to create high-performance, high-end, international products to meet the diverse travel and entertainment needs of global customers, not only further expanding the boundaries of e-mobility solutions, but also giving rise to a new kind of happy travel providing a sustainable commuting lifestyle for the world.

About Yadea

Yadea (01585.HK) is the world’s leading electric two-wheeler brand, with a product range covering high-performance electric motorcycles, electric mopeds, electric bicycles, and electric kick scooters. Yadea has provided products and services to 70 million riders in 100 countries and has built a network of 40,000+ retailers worldwide. With a mission to help “Electrify Your Life”, Yadea will continue focusing on green technology innovation to deliver superior electric mobility solutions and creating a new generation with a low-carbon lifestyle while building a shared and sustainable future for mankind. Visit https://yadea.com and https://store.yadea.com.

Buescher Finishes 18th in Fastenal Ford in Nashville

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No. 17 Team Battles in 300-Lap Race Under the Lights

LEBANON, Tenn. (June 25, 2023) – Chris Buescher finished 18th Sunday night at Nashville Superspeedway after qualifying the Fastenal Ford 12th.

“We struggled a little bit today, and we chased a few things – a few gremlins – and couldn’t quite get on-top of them,” Buescher said. “So, I guess we’ll definitely learn something from it. We have some work to do. I thought we were in a better place, so I’m a little bummed with our result.”

Buescher rolled off the grid 12th in a race that was interrupted just twice by non-stage end cautions. The first stage of 90 laps ran caution-free, with a green-flag pit cycle occurring halfway through the segment. Buescher hit pit road for the first time at lap 42 from the ninth position and finished the stage 11th.

After firing off 10th for the second stage, Buescher again hit pit road under green at lap 136, just laps before the first caution was displayed. He took the wave around as one of numerous cars to work back on the lead lap, and went on to finish the stage 16th.

From there, Buescher restarted the final stage 13th, and went on to cross the line 18th as the final stage ran caution-free.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Chicago next week for the series’ first-ever race in the streets. Race coverage Sunday is set for 5:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Keselowski Battles Back for 11th-Place Finish in Nashville

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Official Release
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Solomon Plumbing Ford Earns Solid Finish in 300-Lap Race

LEBANON, Tenn. (June 25, 2023) – In the return from NASCAR’s off week, Brad Keselowski hung around, led a couple of laps and finished 11th Sunday night at Nashville Superspeedway.

The 300-lap race saw just two non-stage cautions as green-flag pit cycles and a slick race track dominated the storylines.

“There’s always something to learn,” Keselowski said. “We’re not bad, we just need more speed. We have the pit crew to do this, and I needed to do a little better on the restarts, for sure. I got ran over a couple times. But, we’re dabbling with it and need a little bit more.”

Keselowski began the day from the 20th position after Saturday’s single-car qualifying session. After a green-flag cycle 40 laps in, the Michigan native ended the opening stage in 24th.

He fired back off 18th for stage two, after one of a handful of impressive stops from the No. 6 team. By the next green flag cycle around lap 135, Keselowski was one of three cars to long pit, and the strategy paid off as the No. 45 spun at pit road entry. Keselowski was scored third at the time, and would restart there for the ensuing restart.

That restart was not in Keselowski’s favor as the No. 6 failed to gain initial speed, stacking up the field and ultimately bringing out just the second non-stage end caution of the night. Keselowski would restart 11th and went on to finish the stage in 12th.

After restarting inside the top-10 to begin the final stage, one final green flag cycle occurred with 50 to go as Keselowski inherited the lead, then was the final car to pit road at lap 247. With no more breaks in the race, Keselowski went on to battle late to finish 11th.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Chicago next week for the series’ first-ever race in the streets. Race coverage Sunday is set for 5:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Stewart-Haas Racing: Ally 400 from Nashville

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STEWART-HAAS RACING

Ally 400

Date: June 25, 2023

Event: Ally 400 (Round 17 of 36)

Series: NASCAR Cup Series

Location: Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway (1.333-mile, concrete oval)

Format: 300 laps, broken into three stages (90 laps/95 laps/115 laps)

Race Winner: Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing (Chevrolet)

Stage 1 Winner: Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing (Toyota)

Stage 2 Winner: Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

SHR Race Finish:

● Ryan Preece (Started 25th, Finished 16th / Running, completed 300 of 300 laps)

● Kevin Harvick (Started 17th, Finished 24th / Running, completed 299 of 300 laps)

● Aric Almirola (Started 21st, Finished 25th / Running, completed 299 of 300 laps)

● Chase Briscoe (Started 18th, Finished 31st / Running, completed 298 of 300 laps)

SHR Points:

● Kevin Harvick (6th with 515 points, 61 out of first)

● Ryan Preece (24th with 290 points, 286 out of first)

● Aric Almirola (27th with 272 points, 304 out of first)

● Chase Briscoe (31st with 189 points, 387 out of first)

SHR Notes:

● This was Preece’s fifth straight finish of 17th or better.

● Harvick finished ninth in Stage 2 to earn two bonus points.

● While running fourth with 61 laps to go, Harvick suffered a flat tire and was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop.

Race Notes:

● Ross Chastain won the Ally 400 to score his third career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his first of the season and his first at Nashville. His margin over second-place Martin Truex Jr., was .789 of a second.

● Chastain was the 11th different winner in the 17 NASCAR Cup Series races run this season.

● There were four caution periods for a total of 24 laps.

● Twenty-one of the 36 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.

● Truex remains the championship leader after Nashville with an 18-point advantage over second-place William Byron.

Sound Bites:

“Today was tough for our team, but that was a great rally at the end. I battled a loose racecar all day long and then I lacked forward drive. Our car really came to life at the end of the race, and the last two adjustments my guys made were spot on. We salvaged a really decent finish for the day we could’ve had, so I’m happy about that. We’ll keep building on it and head to Chicago where who knows what will happen.” – Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 41 Morton Buildings Ford Mustang

“Tonight was, for sure, a struggle and not at all what we expect as a team. It takes longer than one race for things to improve. It’s no surprise we have a lot of work to do, but I’m confident in every guy on the 14 team and I know we’re going to get it figured out.” – Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the inaugural Grant Park 220 on Sunday, July 2 on the streets of downtown Chicago. The race begins at 5:30 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Toyota Racing – NCS Nashville Post-Race Report – 06.25.23

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TRUEX EXTENDS POINTS LEAD WITH RUNNER-UP RESULT
Truex leads three Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas in the top-seven at Nashville

NASHVILLE (June 25, 2023) – Martin Truex Jr. extended his points lead with a runner-up finish at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday evening. Both Truex and Denny Hamlin (third) spent time in the lead as the Toyota drivers combined for 131 laps led of the 300-mile race. Hamlin also added to his Playoff bonus point total with a victory in the second stage. Christopher Bell joined his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates inside the top-10 as the Oklahoma-native was scored in seventh.

Toyota Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Nashville Superspeedway
Race 17 of 36 – 399 miles, 300 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, Ross Chastain*

2nd, MARTIN TRUEX JR.

3rd, DENNY HAMLIN

4th, Chase Elliott*

5th, Kyle Larson*

7th, CHRISTOPHER BELL

14th, TY GIBBS

15th, BUBBA WALLACE

30th, TYLER REDDICK

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry TRD, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 2nd

What needed to go differently there in the end?

“Just needed to get the lead. Once we lost it – I probably made a move picking the bottom on the restart, just too loose on the long run. I could hang with whoever leading, just could never get off the corner to make a move – just lacking the side-bite, overall, just burning off the rear tires a little bit too much. I was really loose there at the end of the race too. Just needed a little bit. I’ve got a lot of speed, just could never get the balance where we needed it to be. Without having clean air, it was difficult. Overall, good night for our Bass Pro, Tracker Toyota Camry. The guys are doing a great job, just that close again. If we can keep doing this, we will be in good shape.”

You will leave with the points lead. Is that a net positive?

“Yeah, especially if we gained on them – if we extended it, that’s always good. That’s a lot of points at the end of the regular season to get that – a lot of bonus points, we will take all we can. I was disappointed to not get the stage win. We had it kind of wrapped up until that tire got away on the 45 (Tyler Reddick) but that’s kind of how these things play out. We weren’t just quite fast enough to take the lead, and that was our issue. Just burning the rear tires off and getting too loose on the long runs.”

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota Camry TRD, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 3rd

Where did the car go there in the end?

“The field is so close. Everyone is running the same times. It’s really hard. I think we had a third-place car the entire race. The 19 (Martin Truex Jr.) was a little better, and the 1 (Ross Chastain) came on strong there in the end. That’s all we had with our FedEx Ground Toyota. Just an optimized day with no mistakes. We gave ourselves a chance – just didn’t have quite fast enough car today.”

How would you describe the racing today?

“The side-by-side is really because whoever gets out front sets the pace. With everything being the same on the cars, the track position means more than anything. You just have to battle. I saw some great three-wide racing early on those restarts, but just wish I had a little more sped, that’s what we needed.”

CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 DeWalt Toyota Camry TRD, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 7th

How was your race?

“It was a pretty solid day and something that we can build off of. We had a great start to the season and then a terrible stretch of races these last couple of months, so between Sonoma and here, it seems like we’ve got it turned around a little bit, so it was a pretty good showing for the DeWalt Camry.”

Passing cars was something you proved you could do today, so how much confidence does that give you moving forward?

“Nashville is a place – and especially today – with long green flag runs. If you were better than the guys, you could move around and make passes. In the end, with the last stage going green, I feel like it shook out pretty much. Good cars ended up in the front, and I was kind of a fifth-to-10th place guy all day.”

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 48,000 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 22 electrified options.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes – NCS Nashville Post-Race Quotes

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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Ally 400 | Sunday, June 25, 2023

Ford Finishing Results:

11th – Brad Keselowski

16th – Ryan Preece

18th – Chris Buescher

19th – Joey Logano

21st – Harrison Burton

24th – Kevin Harvick

25th – Aric Almirola

27th – Austin Cindric

28th – Michael McDowell

29th – JJ Yeley

31st – Chase Briscoe

33rd – Brennan Poole

35th – Todd Gilliland

36th – Ryan Blaney

BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 6 Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang (Finished 11th) – WHAT WERE THE POSITIVE TAKEAWAYS FROM TONIGHT? “Pit road, we were so strong. We got better all night. I got better all night. The car got better all night. I was frustrated with the restarts there, but all-in-all, we got the best we could out of it.”

HOW DO YOU STRATEGIZE MOVING FORWARD FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON, AND DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING FROM TONIGHT THAT ADDS PERSPECTIVE? “There’s always something to learn. I’d like to find more speed. Just felt like I was driving over my head. Guys would miss corners, and I’d hit a perfect lap and just keep up. Then they’d finally hit the groove and drive away from me. It’s just frustrating as hell. We’re not bad. We just need more speed. We have the pit crew to do this, and I needed to do a little better on the restarts, for sure. I got ran over a couple times. But, we’re dabbling with it and need a little bit more.”

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE RESTART? “Yeah, the guys behind me had so much power that they ran me over. I got a great launch, and there they go. I just got run over. Got hit so hard, it literally knocked it out of gear. They were just that much faster. It’s frustrating, but we got work to do.”

RYAN BLANEY MADE CONTACT WITH THE INSIDE WALL AT THE ENTRANCE INTO TURN ONE, AND IT WAS NOT A SAFER BARRIER. THERE HAVE BEEN IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH THE YEARS, BUT DO YOU THINK THERE’S MORE WORK TO BE DONE? “I hope he was okay – that’s the most important thing. Sounds like more work to do there, too.”

RYAN PREECE, No. 41 Morton Buildings Ford Mustang (Finished 16th) – “Today was tough for our team but that was a great rally at the end. I battled a loose race car all day long and then I lacked forward drive. We were fast but we just needed to make so many adjustments to get it in the right spot and then we’d lose time on pit road. Our car really came to life at the end of the race and the last two adjustments my guys made were spot on. We salvaged a really decent finish for the day we could have had so I’m happy about that. We’ll keep building on it and head to Chicago where who knows what will happen.”

CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang (Finished 18th) – “We struggled a little bit today, and we chased a few things – a few gremlins – and couldn’t quite get on-top of them. So, I guess we’ll definitely learn something from it. We have some work to do. I thought we were in a better place, so I’m a little bummed with our result.”

How to Properly Fit and Adjust Your Motorcycle Half Helmet for Maximum Comfort

By
SM
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Photo by Roberto Nickson

You have got a cool motorcycle half helmet, but now you are wondering how to ensure it fits perfectly and keeps you comfortable on those thrilling rides. Well, worry not!

I have got you covered.

In this guide, I will walk you through the simple steps to properly fit and adjust your helmet for maximum comfort.

We will ensure it’s snug but not tight, with no annoying pressure points. Trust me, once you nail the perfect fit, you will forget you are even wearing it!

Let’s dive in and make your riding experience a breeze!

How to properly fit a motorcycle helmet for Safety and Comfort

1. Find out your head shape

If you want to ensure your best motorcycle half helmet fits perfectly and feels super comfy, I have some tips. First things first, you need to figure out your head shape.

Look at your noggin from the top and see if it’s more like an oval.

Depending on the measurements, you will fall into one of three categories: round oval, intermediate oval, or long oval.

Once you know your head shape, you can search for the right helmet. Keep in mind that different helmet brands cater to specific head shapes based on their main customers. 

2. What size should you go for?

You will consider the size that’s right for you. Most helmet manufacturers offer helmets in a few sizes, like Small, Medium, Large, and sometimes even Small.

To figure out your size, grab a flexible measuring tape and measure around the top of your eyebrows, all around your head.

Take a few measurements and go with the largest one. That will be your size. Just follow the specific measuring instructions provided by the helmet maker on their website.  

3. How snug should a helmet be?

So you have a motorcycle half helmet but are unsure how to fit and adjust it for maximum comfort. Well, let me help you out! First, you want your helmet to be snug on your head when it comes to fitting it.

It shouldn’t move around freely. Ensure that the helmet’s inner liner is in contact with your face but not so close that it causes discomfort or pain.

Some helmet manufacturers even provide additional liners to help you achieve the perfect fit. Remember, a well-fitted helmet is vital to your comfort and safety on the road!

4. Type of Motorcycle Helmet

Starting with the proper kind of helmet is crucial for fitting and adjusting your motorcycle half helmet for optimal comfort. There are several different types of helmets, including full-face, modular, ADV dual sport, open-face, and half-shell models.

According to your demands, each style offers a variety of advantages. You may read the useful advice “Picking the Best Motorcycle Helmet” to help you make the best decision.

Once you have decided on a half helmet, the key is to make sure it fits correctly and that it is comfortable. Let’s have a look at the steps together as we dig in!

Wrapping Up!

Properly fitting and adjusting your motorcycle half helmet is crucial for ensuring maximum comfort and safety while riding.

Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can find the right size helmet and make the necessary adjustments to achieve a secure and snug fit.

Consider factors like head shape, strap adjustment, and padding for personalized comfort. A well-fitted helmet not only enhances your riding experience but also provides essential protection in case of any mishaps on the road.

Take the time to fit and adjust your helmet correctly, and enjoy your rides with peace of mind and comfort. Stay safe out there!

The Repco Supercars Championship for Dummies

By
SM
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The Repco Supercars Championship, formerly the V8 Supercars Championship, is the event of the year for motorsport enthusiasts in Australia and across the world. But for someone watching a race for the very first time, understanding the rules of the race can get confusing really fast. If you’re one of those who have never watched a race before and are frantically searching for motorsport news to understand what’s going on, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

This blog will take you through the ins and outs of the Supercars Championship, from its format and history to the rules and what you can expect from a typical racing weekend. So buckle up your seatbelts, and let’s dive into the action!

The Repco Supercars Championship: What is it?

The Repco Supercars Championship is a nail-biting, fiercely competitive touring car racing series that highlights the best of Australian touring car racing. Multiple races are held during the championship season at different tracks throughout the nation. A points-based system is used to determine the champion, with teams and drivers accruing points all season long.

A race weekend often includes many races, allowing drivers to demonstrate their prowess on various circuit types. While the schedule may differ from one event to the next, a typical setup consists of practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and several races spread out across a weekend.

History and Evolution:

The Supercars Championship has a rich history that dates back to 1960 when the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) was established. The championship has changed its name several times over the years, evolved and gained popularity, eventually becoming the premier motorsport category in Australia.

In recent years, the championship has seen significant changes, including new regulations and rebranding to the Repco Supercars Championship. These modifications were made to boost on-track action, increase competition, and provide viewers with an even more thrilling experience.

How It Differs from Other Racing Series:

There are various ways in which the Repco Supercars Championship differs from other racing leagues. The kind of cars used is one significant distinction. 

Supercars are specially designed for racing, based on production cars modified to meet strict performance and safety regulations. These high-performance machines produce incredible speed and deliver heart-pounding action on the track.

Another distinguishing feature is the close racing and wheel-to-wheel battles the Supercars Championship is known for. The drivers exhibit exceptional skill and bravery as they navigate tight corners and fight for position, thrilling fans with intense overtakes and nail-biting finishes.

Rules and Regulations:

The Supercars Championship has a thorough set of rules and regulations to ensure fair competition and safety. These encompass various aspects, including technical specifications, proper sporting conduct, and sanctions for breaking the rules. To uphold the greatest levels of fairness and safety, the rules are regularly reviewed and modified.

Among the most significant guidelines are:

  • The vehicles must be based on production cars.
  • A V8 engine must power the vehicles.
  • The vehicles must be at least 1,400 kilograms in weight.
  • The vehicles need to be roll-caged.
  • Drivers are required to don a helmet and flame-resistant clothes.
  • Closed circuits must be used for the races.

A Typical Supercars Race Weekend:

A typical Supercars race weekend is an action-packed extravaganza that entertains both on and off the track. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect:

  • Practice Sessions: The weekend kicks off with practice sessions, where drivers fine-tune their cars and familiarise themselves with the track.
  • Qualifying Rounds: Next up are the qualifying rounds, where drivers battle against the clock to secure the best possible starting position for the races. Excitement builds as they push their cars to the limit, aiming for a spot at the front of the grid.
  • Support Races and Fan Activities: In between the main Supercars races, there are often support races featuring other categories, showcasing a diverse range of motorsport talent. Additionally, fans can enjoy various activities such as autograph sessions, driver meets and greets, and interactive exhibits.
  • Main Races: The highlight of the weekend is undoubtedly the main Supercars races. The roaring engines, the smell of burning rubber, and the electric atmosphere create an unforgettable experience. Fans cheer on their favourite drivers as they battle for supremacy, showcasing their skills and strategy on the track.
  • Podium Celebrations: As the checkered flag waves, the top drivers take their places on the podium. Champagne sprays and jubilant celebrations mark the end of a thrilling race weekend.

The Repco Supercars Championship 2023

The Repco Supercars Championship 2023 kicked off in Newcastle on the 11th of March, with drivers racing through 12 rounds to make it to the top. Currently, four rounds out of twelve have been played, with the full line-up being:

RoundEventCircuitLocationDates
1Newcastle 500Newcastle Street CircuitNewcastle, New South Wales11-12 March
2Melbourne SuperSprintAlbert Park CircuitAlbert Park, Melbourne, Victoria30 March – 2 April
3Perth SuperSprintWanneroo RacewayNeerabup, Western Australia29-30 April
4Tasmania SuperSprintSymmons Plains RacewayLaunceston, Tasmania20-21 May
5Darwin Triple CrownHidden Valley RacewayDarwin, Northern Territory17-18 June
6Townsville 500Reid Park Street CircuitTownsville, Queensland8-9 July
7Sydney SuperNightSydney Motorsport ParkEastern Creek, New South Wales29-30 July
8The Bend SuperSprintThe Bend Motorsport ParkTailem Bend, South Australia19-20 August
9Sandown 500Sandown RacewaySpringvale, Melbourne, Australia17 September
10Bathurst 1000Mount Panorama CircuitBathurst, New South Wales8 October
11Gold Coast 500Surfers Paradise Street CircuitSurfers Paradise, Queensland28-29 October
12Adelaide 500Adelaide Street CircuitAdelaide, South Australia25-26 November

The most current round of the series, the betr Darwin Triple Crown was as thrilling an event as can be. Officially dubbed The Indigenous Round, the Darwin Triple Crown saw drivers race each other for the coveted pole position in the three-part qualifying format, followed by the three 35-lap races. In a surprising turn of events, Jack Le Brocq of Matt Stone Racing saw the second win of his career. Stay tuned for more betr Darwin Triple Crown 2023 news and Supercars news!

Chastain fends off Truex for first Cup victory of 2023 at Nashville

By
Andrew Kim
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LEBANON, TENNESSEE - JUNE 25: Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, and crew celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 25, 2023 in Lebanon, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images).

In a season that has been characterized by an up-and-down journey through his share of run-ins and challenges, all while remaining competitive, Ross Chastain capped off a historic weekend that commenced by winning his first NASCAR Cup Series career pole to capturing his first Cup Series victory of the season in the third annual running of the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, June 25.

The 30-year-old Chastain from Alva, Florida, led five times for a race-high 99 of 300-scheduled laps in a weekend where he led the field to the green flag for the first time ever from pole position. After leading early before spending the majority of the event keeping pace with the front-runners, Chastain commenced his late charge to victory by overtaking Denny Hamlin for the lead with 70 laps remaining. Following a series of green flag pit stops, he then cycled back into the lead with 34 laps remaining and fended off a late charge from Martin Truex Jr. to capture the first checkered flag of the 2023 Cup season for himself and Trackhouse Racing.

With on-track qualifying that determined the starting lineup occurring on Saturday, June 24, Ross Chastain notched his first Cup Series pole position of his career after posting a pole-winning lap at 160.687 mph in 29.797 seconds. Joining him on the front row was Tyler Reddick, who posted the second-best qualifying lap at 159.573 mph in 30.005 seconds.

Prior to the event, Daniel Suarez started at the rear of the field in a backup car after wrecking his primary car during Saturday’s qualifying session. Corey LaJoie, who also had an incident during his qualifying run, also started at the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments and repairs made to his Spire Motorsports entry.

When the green flag waved and the race commenced, Chastain fended off an early challenge from Reddick to assume the lead through the first two turns. As the field fanned out and jostled early for on-track positions, Chastain proceeded to lead the first lap ahead of Reddick while Joey Logano moved up to third. Behind, Justin Haley, who qualified third, settled in fourth in front of Martin Truex Jr. and William Byron. In addition, Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin battled for seventh as the event surpassed the second-lap mark.

The battles around the circuit would continue through the third lap as Truex and Byron moved into the top five while Haley fell back to sixth in front of Wallace, all while Chastain remained as the leader by a steady margin over Reddick. Chastain would proceed to retain the lead as the event reached its fifth lap mark.

Through the first 10 scheduled laps, Chastain was leading by two-tenths of a second over Reddick followed by Logano, Truex and Byron while Haley, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Wallace and Kyle Busch were in the top 10. Behind, Chris Buescher was in 11th ahead of Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman and rookie Ty Gibbs while AJ Allmendinger, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Christopher Bell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. occupied the top 20.

Just past the Lap 15 mark, Kyle Busch, who was running within the top 10, made an unscheduled pit stop under green due to a flat right-front tire on his No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. With Busch plummeting below the leaderboard and losing a lap, Chastain maintained the lead by within two-tenths of a second over Reddick. By then, Truex and Byron moved up to third and fourth while Logano was in fifth.

At the Lap 25 mark, Chastain retained the lead by a tenth of a second over Reddick followed by Truex and Byron while Hamlin moved his No. 11 FedEx Toyota TRD Camry into fifth place. With Logano falling back to sixth, Haley was scored in seventh ahead of Elliott, Wallace and Buescher. Behind, Larson was situated in 12th in between Blaney and Bowman, Harvick was in 17th behind Christopher Bell and Keselowski was in 18th. In addition, rookie Noah Gragson, who received medical clearance to return to racing after missing Sonoma Raceway due to concussion-like symptoms, was mired in 26th in between Corey LaJoie and Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric was in 28th and Chase Briscoe was back in 31st.

Ten laps later, Chastain slightly stretched his advantage to half a second over Reddick while Truex, Byron and Hamlin remained in the top five. By then, Haley and Elliott moved up to sixth and seventh in front of Logano while Blaney carved his way into the top 10 in 10th place. Behind, Bowman moved up to 11th ahead of teammate Larson while Wallace fell back to 15th.

Then just past the Lap 40 mark, green flag pit stops commenced as Ryan Preece pitted followed by Wallace, Harvick, Michael McDowell, Larson, Aric Almirola, Truex, Ty Gibbs, Hamlin, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Reddick and others. Chastain would then surrender the lead on Lap 42 to pit under green followed by more competitors as Byron proceeded to lead a lap for himself before he pitted during Lap 43 as Chase Elliott assumed a brief lead. Once Elliott pitted on Lap 45, teammate Alex Bowman cycled into the lead for a lap before he surrendered the lead to Suarez, who would pit after leading a lap for himself on Lap 46. By then, Ty Dillon, who had yet to pit, cycled into the lead while Michael McDowell, who pitted earlier, was assessed a pass-through penalty for a commitment line violation.

By the time Ty Dillon pitted just past the Lap 50 mark, which completed the first cycle of green flag pit stops, Chastain cycled back into the lead ahead of Reddick. Behind, Byron moved up to third ahead of Truex and Hamlin while Kyle Busch, Elliott, Logano, Larson and Buescher were running in the top 10.

At the Lap 60 mark, Chastain, who was trying to lap Noah Gragson, continued to lead by a tenth of a second over a hard-charging Reddick and by more than a second over third-place Byron while Truex and Hamlin remained in the top five. With Gragson refusing to relent to the leaders during the proceeding lap, Reddick gained a strong run on Chastain through the first two turns before he drew himself alongside Chastain’s No. 1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and assumed the lead, thus becoming the second leader of the event.

Fifteen laps later, Reddick, who nearly lost the lead amid a side-by-side battle with Chastain six laps earlier, was leading by half a second over Chastain, who continued to keep Reddick within his sights. Meanwhile, third-place Byron trailed by more than two seconds ahead of Truex and Hamlin while Elliott, winner of last year’s Cup event at Nashville, carved his way up to sixth in front of Kyle Busch and Larson. In addition, Bell was up in ninth ahead of AJ Allmendinger, winner of Saturday’s Xfinity event at Nashville.

When the first stage concluded on Lap 90, Reddick, sporting The Big 615 radio station on Tuneln captured his third stage victory of the 2023 Cup season after fending off Chastain by four-tenths of a second. Byron and Truex followed suit in third and fourth along with Hamlin while Elliott, Kyle Busch, Larson, Bell and Allmendinger were scored in the top 10. By then, 25 of 36 competitors were scored on the lead lap.

Under the stage break, the lead lap field led by Reddick pitted for service. Following the pit stops, the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 piloted by Byron managed to exit pit road first with the lead ahead of Chastain, Reddick, Truex, Hamlin and Larson. Amid the pit stops, Kyle Busch and Harvick were both penalized for speeding on pit road.

The second stage started on Lap 97 as Byron and Chastain occupied the front row. At the start, Truex launched a three-wide challenge on Chastain and Byron through the first two turns and the backstretch. All three continued to battle tightly amid three tight lanes for a full lap and they would all continue to battle tightly by the Lap 100 mark. Then during the following lap, Truex managed to launch ahead in his No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota TRD Camry and assume the lead with a clear racetrack around him while Byron and Chastain battled for second in front of Reddick and Bell.  

By Lap 110, Truex was leading by nearly a second over Byron and Chastain while Reddick and Bell remained in the top five. Behind, Hamlin was in sixth ahead of Elliott, Blaney, Larson and Buescher while Bowman, Allmendinger, Ty Gibbs, Aric Almirola and Erik Jones were running in the top 15.

Fifteen laps later, Truex stabilized his advantage to more than a second over Byron followed by Reddick, Chastain and Bell while Hamlin, Elliott, Larson, Blaney and Buescher were running in the top 10. By then, Allmendinger and Bowman continued to duel fiercely for 11th while Kyle Busch had carved his way up to 16th. In addition, Harvick was up in 20th while Logano had fallen to 19th.

Nearly 10 laps later, the event’s second round of green flag pit stops commenced as Austin Dillon and Haley pitted. They were soon followed by Ty Gibbs and Kyle Busch as Reddick, Byron, Chastain, Bell, Larson, Blaney, Bowman, Almirola, Buescher, Bowman and Erik Jones pitted. Then on Lap 138, Truex surrendered the lead to pit as teammate Hamlin cycled into the lead.

Then on Lap 138, the caution flew when Reddick, who had just pitted and was trying to cycle his way back onto pit road, spun towards the pit road entrance as a result of a loose right-rear wheel, which the wheel popped out of the car and rolled down towards the pit road wall as Reddick spun backward on pit road. During the caution period, Hamlin, Keselowski and Wallace, all three of whom had yet to pit, pitted, but all three were able to gain a bevy of spots from second through fourth as Truex cycled back into the lead. As a result of spinning and losing the wheel on pit road, Reddick was assessed a tail end of the line penalty as he lost two laps in the process.

Just as the field restarted under green on Lap 146, the caution quickly returned amid a stacked restart as Keselowski struggled to launch forward when Blaney, who restarted within the top 20, got hit in the rear by Kyle Busch. While Busch briefly spun in front of Bowman, Blaney slid his No. 12 Menards/Pennzoil Ford Mustang all the way toward the bottom of the track and past the pit road exit before making head-on contact with the inside wall as his event came to an end just shy of the halfway mark.

During the proceeding restart on Lap 152, the field fanned out entering the first turn as teammates Truex and Hamlin battled for the lead in front of Bubba Wallace. With Byron launching his attack on Wallace for third during the following lap, teammates Truex and Hamlin continued to duel for the lead. Despite pulling away from third-place Byron by seven-tenths of a second, Truex and Hamlin continued to battle dead even for the lead until Hamlin managed to rocket ahead with a clear racetrack and the lead on Lap 157.

At the Lap 165 mark, Hamlin was leading by four-tenths of a second over a lurking Truex while Byron, Chastain and Wallace were scored in the top five. Behind, Bell was in sixth ahead of Elliott, Allmendinger, Larson and Erik Jones while Keselowski, Harvick, Ty Gibbs, Buescher and Daniel Suarez were in the top 15.

Ten laps later, Hamlin retained the lead by four-tenths of a second over teammate Truex while Chastain moved up to third ahead of Byron and Wallace.

When the second stage concluded on Lap 185, Hamlin captured his fourth stage victory of the 2023 Cup season. Teammate Truex settled in second ahead of Chastain, Byron and Bell while Wallace, Elliott, Allmendinger, Harvick and Erik Jones were scored in the top 10.

During the stage break, the leaders led by Hamlin pitted for service. Following the pit stops, Hamlin retained the lead after exiting first ahead of teammate Truex, Byron, Chastain, Bell, Elliott and Harvick. Amid the pit stops, Wallace, who pitted from sixth, exited pit road just outside the top 15 after enduring a slow pit service from his pit crew while Austin Cindric was penalized for speeding on pit road.

With 108 laps remaining, the final stage started as teammates Hamlin and Truex occupied the front row. At the start and with the field fanning out, Hamlin retained the lead ahead of Truex and Chastain while the field behind jostled for positions.

With 100 laps remaining, Hamlin was leading by four-tenths of a second over teammate Truex while Chastain, Bell and Byron were in the top five. Behind, Kevin Harvick carved his way up to sixth while Elliott, Suarez, Ty Gibbs and Logano occupied the top 10. Meanwhile, Erik Jones was in 11th while Keselowski, Buescher, Wallace, Larson, Allmendinger, Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch, Stenhouse and Harrison Burton were mired in the top 20, with 30 of 36 starters running on the lead lap.

Ten laps later, Hamlin stabilized his advantage to within two-tenths of a second over a hard-charging Truex while third-place Chastain trailed by more than a second. Hamlin would continue to lead teammate Truex by a tenth of a second another 10 laps later while Harvick carved his No. 4 Busch Light Peach Ford Mustang up to fourth as he trailed the lead by more than three seconds. Soon after with 74 laps remaining, Chastain battled and overtook Truex for second as he tried to launch his charge on Hamlin for the lead.

Then with 70 laps remaining, Chastain gained a strong run on Hamlin exiting the frontstretch as he returned to the lead over Hamlin while Truex trailed in third by seven-tenths of a second. By then, Harvick retained fourth as he trailed by more than a second while Chase Elliott was in fifth and trailing by more than five seconds.

With 61 laps remaining, late trouble struck for Harvick, who was starting to challenge Truex for third, as he fell off the pace and pitted under green to address a flat right-rear tire to his No. 4 entry. Not long after, another cycle of green flag pit stops slowly commenced as Elliott pitted followed by Truex, Corey LaJoie and Cindric. The leader Chastain would then pit with 58 laps remaining followed by Hamlin and after the pit stops, Chastain managed to blend back on the track ahead of Truex and Hamlin while more competitors pitted under green.

With 45 laps remaining and with most of the field having made a pit stop under green, Kyle Busch was leading by more than seven seconds over Bowman, but both were in need of another pit stop to make it to the event’s scheduled distance. Meanwhile, third-place Chastain, the first competitor on four fresh tires and a full tank of fuel, was trailing by more than 14 seconds while Truex and Hamlin were in the top five.

Then with nearly 40 laps remaining, Kyle Busch surrendered the lead to pit under green. Busch’s move gave Bowman the lead while Chastain cut the deficit to trail by more than four seconds. Once Bowman pitted his No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 under green with 34 laps remaining, Chastain, who started to approach lapped traffic, reassumed the lead ahead of a hard-charging Truex, who kept Chastain close within his sights.

Down to the final 25 laps of the event, Chastain was leading by a tenth of a second over Truex, who was trying to gain more ground on Chastain for the lead through every turn and straightaway, while third-place Hamlin trailed by more than three seconds.

Ten laps later, Chastain, who started to experiment with different racing lanes to place a reasonable gap between himself and Truex, started to stretch his advantage to eight-tenths of a second over Truex while third-place Hamlin trailed by more than four seconds.

Down to the final 10 laps of the event, Chastain continued to lead by six-tenths of a second over Truex as third-place Hamlin trailed by more than four seconds. Behind, Elliott and Byron were in the top five while Larson, Bell, Erik Jones, Allmendinger and Keselowski occupied the top 10.

With five laps remaining, Chastain extended his advantage to eight-tenths of a second over Truex, who was slowly losing ground on Chastain in his bid for a second consecutive victory in recent weeks.

When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Chastain remained as the leader by seven-tenths of a second over Truex. With Truex unable to gain ground to mount a final lap charge, Chastain was able to navigate his way around Nashville for a final time and cycle back to the finish line to capture his first elusive checkered flag of the 2023 Cup season.

With the victory, Chastain, the championship runner-up finisher from last season, became the 11th different competitor to win through the first 17 regular-season events and place himself in prime contention to make the 2023 Cup Series Playoffs. He also notched his third Cup career victory, his first in 42 races and since winning at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2022. The Floridian also achieved his first oval-shaped victory and the first win for Trackhouse Racing since teammate Daniel Suarez won at Sonoma Raceway in June 2022.

Ironically, Chastain extended Chevrolet’s winning streak at Nashville to three consecutive seasons in the three seasons the Cup Series has competed at Music City.

“[The] Only thing sweeter [than winning] is this Georgia watermelon, I gotta tell you!” Chastain, who smashed a watermelon on the frontstretch, exclaimed on NBC. “This is incredible. This is why every little kid out there, anywhere in the world, when you get criticized and you’re going to if you’re competitive, they will try to tear you down. You will start believing them [that] you can’t do it. You have to go to your people, trust in the process, read your books, trust the big man’s plan upstairs and just keep getting up and going to work. I gotta tell you, a lot of self-reflection through all of this, but I had a group that believed in me and they didn’t let me get down. They bring rocket ships and I just try to point them into Victory Lane…It’s absolutely incredible the fight that we have.”

“[The fun]’s just a desire to win,” Chastain added. “It’s just so hard at this level and it’s the best of the best. It’s where I’ve wanted to be since I was 18 years old. It’s a Cup win. I don’t care what happened the last month or by the rest of my life. It’s a freaking Cup win!”

Truex, the winner of the previous Cup scheduled event at Sonoma, ended up in second place after leading 50 laps, though he maintained the lead in the regular-season standings, while teammate Hamlin rallied from wrecking late at Sonoma to settle in third at Nashville after leading 81 laps.

“[I] Just needed to get the lead,” Truex said. “Once we lost it, I probably made a bad move, taking the bottom [lane] on the restart. Just too loose on the long runs. I could hang with whoever was leading. Just could never get off the corner good enough to make a move. Just lacking soundbite and then overall, just burning the rear tires off too much. Just really loose at the end of the race there as well. Just needed a little bit. Got lots of speed. Just could never get the balance where it needed it to be. Without having clean air, it was difficult. Overall, a good night for our Bass Pro/Tracker Toyota Camry. The guys are doing a great job. Just that close again. If we can keep doing this, we’ll be in good shape.”

“I just think we had a third-place car the entire race,” Hamlin said. “I thought [Truex] was a little better. [Chastain], obviously, came on strong there at the end. That’s all we had with our FedEx Ground Toyota. It’s an optimized day. It’s a day with no mistakes and we gave ourselves a chance. Just didn’t have quite a fast enough car to go up and contend.”

Meanwhile, Elliott notched his fourth top-five result of the season by finishing fourth, where he still trails the top-16 cutline to make the Playoffs by 64 points, while teammate Larson rallied to finish fifth.

Byron, Bell, Erik Jones, Kyle Busch and AJ Allmendinger finished in the top 10. Notably, Suarez, who crashed into Chase Briscoe at the event’s conclusion while trying to congratulate teammate Chastain on the track, ended up 12th after starting the event at the rear of the field. In addition, rookie Ty Gibbs settled in 14th in front of Bubba Wallace, Bowman ended up 17th, Logano fell back to 19th, Harvick finished 24th after never recovering from his late tire issue and Reddick could only work his way up to 30th following his early spin and tire issue.

There were 21 lead changes for 12 different leaders. The race featured four cautions for 24 laps. In total, 21 of 36 starters finished on the lead lap.

With nine regular-season events remaining of this year’s Cup Series schedule, Martin Truex Jr. continues to lead the regular-season standings by 18 points over both William Byron and Ross Chastain while Christopher Bell trails by 45 points and Kyle Busch trails by 48.

William Byron, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Martin Truex Jr., Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Christopher Bell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are currently guaranteed spots for the 2023 Cup Series Playoffs based on winning at least once throughout the regular-season stretch. Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suarez currently occupy the remaining vacant spots to the Playoffs based on points, with Suarez occupying the 16th and final vacant spot by two points over Alex Bowman, 10 over rookie Ty Gibbs, 24 over AJ Allmendinger, 27 over Michael McDowell, 45 over Corey LaJoie, 51 over Austin Cindric and 55 over Justin Haley.

Results.

1. Ross Chastain, 99 laps led

2. Martin Truex Jr., 50 laps led

3. Denny Hamlin, 81 laps led, Stage 2 winner

4. Chase Elliott, one lap led

5. Kyle Larson

6. William Byron, five laps led

7. Christopher Bell, three laps led

8. Erik Jones

9. Kyle Busch, 12 laps led

10. AJ Allmendinger

11. Brad Keselowski, two laps led

12. Daniel Suarez, one lap led

13. Austin Dillon

14. Ty Gibbs

15. Bubba Wallace

16. Ryan Preece

17. Alex Bowman, nine laps led

18. Chris Buescher

19. Joey Logano

20. Corey LaJoie

21. Harrison Burton

22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., one lap down

23. Justin Haley, one lap down

24. Kevin Harvick, one lap down

25.  Aric Almirola, one lap down

26. Noah Gragson, one lap down

27. Austin Cindric, one lap down

28. Michael McDowell, one lap down

29. JJ Yeley, two laps down

30. Tyler Reddick, two laps down, 33 laps led, Stage 1 winner

31. Chase Briscoe, two laps down

32. Ty Dillon, two laps down, four laps led

33. Brennan Poole, three laps down

34. Josh Bilicki, three laps down

35. Todd Gilliand, four laps down

36. Ryan Blaney – OUT, Accident

Next on the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the series’ inaugural event at the Chicago Street Course in Downtown Chicago, Illinois. The event is scheduled to occur next Sunday, July 2, at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

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