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Larson wins pole position for inaugural Xfinity event at Sonoma

By
Andrew Kim
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SONOMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Kyle Larson, driver of the #17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, poses for photos after winning the pole award during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series DoorDash 250 at Sonoma Raceway on June 10, 2023 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images).

Kyle Larson commenced his double-duty weekend at Sonoma Raceway on the right foot by winning the pole position for the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ inaugural DoorDash 250 at Sonoma on Saturday, June 10.

The 2021 Cup Series champion from Elk Grove, California, posted a pole-winning lap at 91.393 mph in 78.387 seconds in the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. It was enough for him to best 40 competitors vying for 38 starting spots on the grid as he will lead the field to the start of the series’ first-ever event at the 12-turn, windy circuit in Northern California.

The pole award was Larson’s first of this season as he will be making his second Xfinity start of the 2023 campaign, but first in the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro entry. It also marked his first pole since Road America in July 2022 and the sixth of his Xfinity career. The last time Larson competed in the Xfinity Series was this past May at Darlington Raceway, where he piloted the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet Camaro to a thrilling last-lap victory over John Hunter Nemechek.

“[The qualifying lap] was really good,” Larson said on FS1. “I feel like I got through most areas really well. I felt like, maybe, I over-slowed [Turn] 3 some, maybe over-slowed entry of [Turn] 4, but other than that, I felt really good. [The pit crew has] done an amazing job on this car. Every time they bring the No. 17 [Chevrolet] out, it’s fast. I knew we were gonna have a quick car. It’s up to the driver at this point to just put it all together. It’s been fun, though, so far this weekend. Hopefully, we can give [owner Rick Hendrick] another good run today.”

Larson will share the front row with veteran Justin Allgaier, who posted the second-fastest qualifying lap at 90.562 mph in 79.106 seconds. With Allgaier having made two previous Cup starts at Sonoma in 2014 and 2015, Saturday afternoon’s Xfinity event will mark Allgaier’s first career start in an Xfinity car.

Sheldon Creed, a native of Alpine, California, will line up in third place after posting a fast-qualifying lap at 90.429 mph in 79.222 seconds. He will be followed by Aric Almirola and AJ Allmendinger, both of whom join pole-sitter Larson as double-duty competitors between this weekend’s Xfinity-Cup doubleheader feature.

Sam Mayer will start in sixth place while Ty Gibbs, Daniel Hemric, John Hunter Nemechek and rookie Sammy Smith, all of whom contended for pole position in the final qualifying round, will start in the top 10. Alex Labbe and Parker Kligerman will start 11th and 12th, respectively.

Notably, Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez and Ty Dillon, all of whom join Larson, Almirola, Allmendinger and Ty Gibbs as Cup Series competitors performing double-duty roles for this weekend’s Xfinity-Cup feature, will start 15th, 17th and 32nd, respectively. In addition, Cole Custer, a native of Ladera Ranch, California, and winner of last weekend’s Xfinity event at Portland International Raceway will start 26th.

With 41 competitors vying for 38 spots, Brennan Poole, Leland Honeyman and Mason Filippi were the three competitors who failed to qualify.

Qualifying position, speed, time

1. Kyle Larson, 91.393 mph, 78.387 seconds

2. Justin Allgaier, 90.562 mph, 79.106 seconds

3. Sheldon Creed, 90.429 mph, 79.222 seconds

4. Aric Almirola, 90.375 mph, 79.270 seconds

5. AJ Allmendinger, 90.274 mph, 79.358 seconds

6. Sam Mayer, 90.210 mph, 79.415 seconds

7. Ty Gibbs, 90.172 mph, 79.448 seconds

8. Daniel Hemric, 90.017 mph, 79.585 seconds

9. John Hunter Nemechek, 89.918 mph, 79.673 seconds

10. Sammy Smith, 89.780 mph, 79.795 seconds

11. Alex Labbe, 89.886 mph, 79.701 seconds

12. Parker Kligerman, 89.872 mph, 79.713 seconds

13. Austin Hill, 89.868 mph, 79.717 seconds

14. Brett Moffitt, 89.868 mph, 79.717 seconds

15. Ross Chastain, 89.550 mph, 80.000 seconds

16. Parker Retzlaff, 89.549 mph, 80.001 seconds

17. Daniel Suarez, 89.512 mph, 80.034 seconds

18. Kyle Weatherman, 89444 mph, 80.095 seconds

19. Josh Berry, 89.377 mph, 80.155 seconds

20. Chandler Smith, 89.310 mph, 80.215 seconds

21. Sage Karam, 89.232 mph, 80.285 seconds

22. Josh Williams, 89.214 mph, 80.301 seconds

23. Riley Herbst, 89.130 mph, 80.377 seconds

24. Jeremy Clements, 88.942 mph, 80.547 seconds

25. Josh Bilicki, 88.898 mph, 80.587 seconds

26. Cole Custer, 88.850 mph, 80.630 seconds

27. Kaz Grala, 88.658 mph, 80.805 seconds

28. Brandon Jones, 88.650 mph, 80.812 seconds

29. Connor Mosack, 88.644 mph, 80.818 seconds

30. Jeb Burton, 88.591 mph, 80.866 seconds

31. Brad Perez, 88.510 mph, 80.940 seconds

32. Ty Dillon, 88.444 mph, 81.000 seconds

33. Dylan Lupton, 88.390 mph, 81.050 seconds

34. Ryan Sieg, owner points

35. Jeffrey Earnhardt, owner points

36. Blaine Perkins,  owner points

37. Anthony Alfredo, owner points

38. Joe Graf Jr., owner points

With the starting lineup set, the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ inaugural running of the 2023 DoorDash 250 at Sonoma Raceway is set to occur on Saturday, June 10, at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.

CHEVROLET NCS AT SONOMA: Kyle Larson Press Conference Transcript

By
Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
SONOMA RACEWAY
TOYOTA / SAVE MART 350
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
JUNE 10, 2023

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 VALVOLINE CAMARO ZL1, met with the media prior to the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Sonoma Raceway. Press Conference Transcript:

YOU WERE FASTEST IN THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES’ PRACTICE YESTERDAY. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO LEARN TODAY FOR XFINITY AND FOR CUP?

“I don’t know.. I mean obviously I get excited about qualifying here because we’ve done so well in it the last handful of years. And then excited to run the Xfinity race later on, just to try and learn as much as I can. I qualify well here, but I don’t typically race the best. So yeah, there’s still a lot of areas to improve on and get better. I’m excited for the opportunity and hoping for a good weekend.”

I KNOW YOU’RE A HUMBLE GUY, BUT AFTER XFINITY PRACTICE YESTERDAY, A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE SAYING EVERYBODY WAS PICKING KYLE LARSON TO WIN HERE. DID YOU THINK THE EFFORT WAS REALLY GOOD YESTERDAY IN XFINITY, AND ARE YOU FEELING LIKE YOU’RE GOING TO BE REALLY STRONG TODAY?

“Yeah, I know we’ll have a shot, for sure. I don’t get too overly excited because I think I was like 1.2-seconds faster in practice at Road America too, and I wasn’t even the fastest car in the race and got beat.

Yeah, I don’t know. This is the first time for a lot of the guys here (in the Xfinity Series), so I know the spread will get much tighter after they’ve had a night to sleep on it. But yeah, regardless, I know that No. 17 Chevy is fast every time it hits the track, so we’re going to have a good shot to have a good run.”

WITH NO CAUTIONS AT THE STAGE ENDS, DOES THAT MAKE THINGS A LOT SIMPLER FOR YOU, OR DO YOU NOT REALLY GET INTO TIRE STRATEGY AND JUST PIT WHEN CLIFF (DANIELS) TELLS YOU?

“Yeah, I don’t know.. I just go until they say to come in. But I think, yes – it makes it simpler. It makes qualifying even more important I think because hopefully you qualify well and the race could potentially run out.. I know that won’t happen, but yeah you just have a better shot of staying towards the front. Rather than with the stage breaks before – if you stay out, then you’re restarting like 20-something and it’s just hard and you’re in the hornet’s nest. So it should be a little bit more straight forward, hopefully. But depending on when cautions fall, it can still get kind of mixed up.”

NASCAR ANNOUNCED MORE CHANGES TO THE CARS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE FOR ATLANTA (MOTOR SPEEDWAY) BASED ON THE RECONSTRUCTION OF YOUR WRECK WITH RYAN PREECE. HAVE YOU SEEN THE CHANGES AND ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW NASCAR WENT ABOUT FIGURING THOSE OUT?

“Yeah, I mean not an engineer, so I don’t know. I can’t look at it and really give you an opinion on how well they did with the changes or what not. But I am very happy that me being in that wreck at Talladega (Superspeedway) and seeing how close it got to being really bad – seeing them go straight into action, compile data and make quick moves on improving the safety was something I was happy to see.

Yeah, I think it’s a great thing and great for them to move along quickly.”

FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, IT APPEARS THAT THE DRIVERS HAVE A LITTLE MORE EXCITEMENT ABOUT SONOMA RACEWAY BECAUSE IT DOESN’T HAVE THAT INHERENT CHAOS OF LIKE INDIANAPOLIS. IS THAT TRUE FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, AS WELL?

“Sure.. I mean I think there’s a little bit of that, yeah. I mean there’s no 90 degree corner directly after restarts, so yeah I think this is more of a true road course race than the newer ones on our schedule. But I think everybody looks forward to Sonoma (Raceway) because of the area – the region that we’re in and the stuff to do outside of the race track, as well. But then yeah, the the race track is flowy. It’s got pace fall-off, which is a lot of what we like as drivers. Yeah, it’s just a good track.”

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WON HERE, DO YOU HAVE A LAYOUT THAT YOU PREFER?

“I like the layout with the carousel, personally. But I think for viewership-wise for the fans, I think this layout is a little bit better maybe. I don’t know.. I like the carousel because you can kind of reshape that corner a few different ways and set people up either for the next braking zone and stuff like that. Where with turn four and how it is now, it’s not really very easy to pass. It’s kind of a fast corner, too. And then that leads into turn seven, which is a passing zone.

I just feel like there’s a little bit more room for mistakes with the carousel with it being really bumpy getting in and you can kind of reshape that corner and setup some passes. But like I said, I think viewership-wise, it sounds like it’s maybe better this way.”

HOW HAVE YOU GROWN AS A ROAD COURSE RACER THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER? OBVIOUSLY YOU GOT THE POLE HERE (SONOMA RACEWAY) A COUPLE OF TIMES AND YOU’VE WON HERE AND AT WATKINS GLEN (INTERNATIONAL). HOW HAVE YOU ADAPTED AS A ROAD COURSE RACER – FROM WHERE YOU STARTED TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

“Yeah, I don’t know. I’ve always qualified well at road courses. COTA (Circuit of The Americas) is probably the only one that I don’t really qualify that good at, for whatever reason. But I don’t know.. I’ve always qualified well. And when I was at Chip Ganassi Racing, I didn’t race good at all, especially here (at Sonoma Raceway). We would qualify on the pole and then run like 20th in the race. At Watkins Glen (International), I would qualify good and we could race better there.

But since I got to Hendrick Motorsports, I still qualify well and our race car is good. I’m not sure where I’ve developed. I think our race cars are just really good and can kind of handle me being crazy, abusing my tires and stuff.

I don’t know.. I look forward to road courses just because it’s different – it’s fun and it’s something I feel like I’m good at.”

ON THURSDAY, ONE OF THE DRIVERS SAID THAT BECAUSE THIS HAS SO FEW PASSING OPPORTUNITIES, THAT YOU ALMOST HAVE TO BE AGGRESSIVE TO TRY AND CREATE SOME PASSING ZONES SOMEWHERE ON THE TRACK. HOW DO YOU BALANCE BEING AGGRESSIVE ON A RACE TRACK WITH BEING CAUTIOUS ON A TRACK WHERE IT’S PRETTY NARROW AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF TIRE WEAR?

“I don’t know.. every road course is tough to pass on, so I’m not sure. Honestly, I feel like maybe there’s a little more passing zones here (at Sonoma Raceway) than some others. Like Watkins Glen (International), kind of turn one, maybe.. the bus stop is really tough to pass in (turn) two. That’s it, really. Turn one is really the only good passing zone. Where here, you kind of have a little bit in (turn) four. (Turn) seven is obviously really good. (Turn) 11 is obviously really good. Restarts and stuff, you can make some moves. Off of (turn) eight to nine.. and off of (turn) two to three. So I feel like there’s more passing zones here if your car is good. But hell, ovals are tough to pass on, too. It’s just racing.”

THEY KIND OF PATCHED AN AREA IN TURN THREE AND BY THE CURB IN TURN EIGHT. DURING XFINITY PRACTICE, DID YOU NOTICE MUCH DIFFERENCE IN THOSE AREAS?

“I thought that in (turn) three that you would feel it.. feel the new patch. But I didn’t really feel a grip change there, which was kind of nice. And then yeah, (turn) eight is where I think they added it right next to the curb, and again, you don’t really have much weight in your left-front tire right there, so you don’t feel the grip of the patch.

But yeah, I don’t know. Maybe as it rubbers in (turn) three, maybe you’ll feel some grip there, but it didn’t feel any different. So, it was fine.”

 
 

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Trucks for Sale: Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Needs

By
SM
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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

When it comes to purchasing a truck, whether for personal or professional use, the options can be overwhelming, particularly with choices like Volvo trucks for sale. With a wide variety of makes, models, and configurations available, finding the perfect fit for your needs can be a daunting task. However, with some research and careful consideration, you can navigate the market and find the ideal truck for sale that meets all your requirements.

One of the first factors to consider when looking for a truck is its intended use. Are you looking for a truck for daily commuting, off-roading adventures, or heavy-duty hauling? Different trucks cater to different needs. If you primarily need a truck for commuting and occasional light hauling, a mid-size or full-size pickup truck may be the right choice. On the other hand, if you require a truck for heavy towing and hauling purposes, a heavy-duty truck with enhanced towing capacity and payload might be more suitable.

The Engine and Drivetrain Options

Another essential aspect to consider is the truck’s engine and drivetrain options. Trucks generally come with various engine choices, ranging from fuel-efficient V6 engines to powerful V8 engines. The engine power and fuel economy should align with your requirements and preferences. Additionally, the drivetrain plays a crucial role in determining a truck’s capabilities. Standard options include rear-wheel drive (RWD), four-wheel drive (4WD), and all-wheel drive (AWD). 4WD and AWD trucks are ideal for off-roading and handling challenging terrains, while RWD trucks often offer better fuel efficiency and towing capacity.

Payload and towing capabilities are vital considerations, especially if you plan to use the truck to haul heavy loads. The payload capacity refers to the maximum weight a truck can carry in its bed, while the towing capacity indicates the maximum weight it can tow behind it. Be sure to evaluate these figures and choose a truck that can handle your specific requirements. It’s crucial to remember that exceeding the truck’s payload or towing capacity can lead to safety issues and potential damage to the vehicle.

Comfort

Comfort and interior features should not be overlooked, especially if you spend significant time in the truck. Consider the cab size and configuration, seating capacity, and available features such as infotainment systems, connectivity options, and advanced safety features. If you often travel long distances or use the truck as a mobile office, a comfortable and well-equipped interior can significantly enhance your overall driving experience.

Your Budget

Budget is another crucial factor when searching for trucks for sale. Determine your budget range and explore both new and used options within that range. Used trucks can provide excellent value for money, but be sure to thoroughly inspect them and consider their maintenance history before making a purchase. Additionally, consider the long-term costs of owning a truck, such as fuel consumption, insurance premiums, and maintenance expenses.

Once you clearly understand your needs, preferences, and budget, it’s time to begin your search. Visit local dealerships, browse online marketplaces, and check classified ads to explore options. Take advantage of test drives to experience the truck’s performance and handling firsthand. If you’re not confident in assessing the mechanical condition of a used truck, consider consulting a trusted mechanic or hiring a professional inspection service.

In conclusion, finding the perfect truck for sale requires careful consideration of your needs, budget, and desired features. Evaluate the intended use, engine and drivetrain options, payload and towing capacity, comfort and interior features, and long-term costs. By conducting thorough research, test-driving different models, and seeking professional advice when needed, you can make an informed decision and find the ideal truck that meets all your requirements. Happy truck hunting! viste more

Cadillac at Le Mans: Taking aim at overall victory

By
Official Release
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Drivers of three Cadillac Racing V-Series.Rs ready for endurance test in centenary race

LE MANS, France (June 9, 2023) – Speed, reliability and consistently quick pit stops are important ingredients — among a myriad of others — to prevailing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Cadillac Racing’s trio of Cadillac V-Series.R hybrid racecars have displayed all three, with the two full-time Grand Touring Prototype cars each winning an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race and the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R entering the endurance classic a respectable fourth in the standings in its initial FIA World Endurance Championship season.

This weekend, man and machine will be tested again in the 91st renewal of competition at Circuit de la Sarthe. Cadillac’s last visit was in 2002, and the last American manufacturer to win the overall title came in 1969.

For a different point of view

Cadillac.com/live is the home for on-track action from Circuit de la Sarthe from a different perspective than the MotorTrend (U.S.), Velocity (Canada) and Eurosport (Europe) TV feeds — from the cockpits of the three Cadillac V-Series.R racecars.

Updates hosted by NBC’s Briam Till, special guest interviews and other surprises are part of the programming. Watch starting at 3:45 p.m. CEST/9:45 a.m. ET June 10.

What they’re saying

No. 2 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R (qualified sixth)

Earl Bamber: “It’s fantastic to here at Le Mans racing in the top category and it’s awesome to be here with Cadillac Racing. To return to the top class of Le Mans is something really special. We’re looking to put on a great performance and hopefully achieve all our dreams and be the first American manufacturer to win the overall in many years. The car has been great. It’s been a long journey, which started for me in mid-2021 with simulator work, and now to see it on track with two cars in the Hyperpole for the 100th running of the 24 hours is something fantastic for the whole team at Cadillac Racing.”

Richard Westbrook: “The car is really comfortable to drive, not too edgy, which is important when you have to drive it for 24 hours. That’s what you want and what we have. It’s quick as well. It’s so nice to drive this car finally at Le Mans. It’s been too long since we’ve had so many cars evenly matched in the top class. It’s what every fan wants and what everyone was crying out for — more cars and more manufacturers in the top class. And now we’ve got it. Each car is quick in different places, bi the overall pace is very tight. I’ll tell the fans and those watching on TV to savor it, enjoy it. It’s going to be a classic. I feel proud to be here with Cadillac Racing, bringing back Cadillac to Le Mans after such a long period out. There is so much that has gone into this project, and to come away with a win or even a podium would be absolutely fantastic.”

Alex Lynn: “The driver crew that we have is extremely motivated to succeed and we’re pushing each other. I think that’s shown in our results, in that sometimes we might have a bad moment or we’re not right on the pace as we are still developing, but every single time the checkered flag falls we’ve bagged a result and we’ve been there. That’s important. We’re fourth in the Drivers’ Championship, right there close to third. I think that’s because we dig in and we fight for a performance every single time the race is on.

Winning Le Mans takes perfection. From our side, it’s a difficult race to win but the most rewarding.”

No. 3 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R (qualified eighth)

Sebastien Bourdais: “Since the car hit the track for the first time last July, it’s been a lot of work but a lot of fun developing this new car. We have all the tools we need to fight for the victory, which as a driver is all you can ask for. It’s a huge effort. We’re not here for show; we’re here for the real deal. It’s still an endurance race, of course it’s a 24-hour sprint first and foremost, but you can’t make any mistakes. Having an opportunity like this with Cadillac, being a factory driver and coming back to Le Mans as a contender for victory is an honor. (About being the local hero in race) “There have been a lot of requests of me being the local guy, but you always have to think back. It’s the biggest endurance race in the world, a huge crowd and if they were not there we wouldn’t be either.”

Renger van der Zande: “It’s the most famous classic race in the world and that’s what we’re aiming to win. I think Cadillac is a super American brand. I’ve been racing in America for 10 years and most of my time with Cadillac, so going with my American racing family as I call them to go for the Le Mans overall victory is something special. A lot of people from Holland will be watching us fight for the overall win, and that would be special.”

Scott Dixon: “Coming here with Cadillac, with all the centenary celebrations and in the premier category of endurance , is very special. The formula has also changed, with the organizers grouping all the LMDhs and LMHs together, which is pretty cool. This is a great moment for motorsport. I think we have a good shot at doing well. We have all the tools to fight for a podium.”

No. 311 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R (qualified 12th)

Pipo Derani: “To race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with this group of guys that we’ve achieved so much with is incredible. It’ll be a dream come true for the 100th anniversary. We are here as one Cadillac team in a way, so we are definitely trying to do the best we can for the brand with one objective, which is to try and give Cadillac a strong result here at Le Mans.”

Alexander Sims: “We’ve had good sessions and have shown race pace. Now we need to execute in all phases during the race. The team has been preparing for this race for a long time already, so they’ll do a good job. We’ll give it our best shot.”

Jack Aitken: “I’m excited. There is still a bit of a question mark on how the race is going to play out both with the weather with some thunderstorms hanging around and the race pace of all the cars. We’ve got a good spread of manufacturers across the field and I think that’s going to make for a good race. We’re just focusing on executing the best race we can and we’ll see where that puts us.”

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Unveils “GR H2 Racing Concept” at Le Mans 24 Hours

By
Official Release
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GR H2 Racing Concept

Toyota City, Japan, June 9, 2023 – (JCN Newswire) – At a press conference of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) at Circuit de la Sarthe in western France on June 9, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda revealed for the first time the hydrogen engine vehicle prototype “GR H2 Racing Concept”.

Developed with future competition in its sights, the prototype’s unveiling was spurred by a recent announcement by the ACO, the organizer of Le Mans 24 Hours, that it would allow hydrogen-engine vehicles to compete–in addition to fuel cell electric vehicles–in the race’s hydrogen category.

Speaking at the press conference, Toyoda congratulated the ACO on the centenary of the Le Mans 24 Hours (Le Mans) endurance race and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to hone cars through the race.

Toyota has been competing using a hydrogen-engine Corolla in the Super Taikyu Series since Round 3 of the 2021 season and raced the same car in the IDEMITSU 1500 SUPER ENDURANCE 2022 at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit in December 2022. By doing so, it has been honing its technologies in the harsh environment of motorsports and, with like-minded partners in and outside the automotive industry, accelerating its efforts for producing, transporting, and using hydrogen toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society. Toyota intends to further advance such efforts for making ever-better motorsports-bred cars and realizing a carbon-neutral society and it looks forward to taking on the challenge of a new generation of Le Mans 24 races.

The “GR H2 Racing Concept” will be on display at ACO’s “H2 Village” at the venue of Le Mans during the race. (Exhibition period: Friday, June 9, from 9:30 a.m. local time to Sunday, June 11).

For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/39298048.html.

Wright Motorsports Well Represented on Le Mans Grid

By
Official Release
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LE MANS, France. (June 9, 2023) – As the motorsport world prepares for the excitement of this weekend’s centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Wright Motorsports is on site in France, in proud support of drivers Ryan Hardwick, Jan Heylen, Zacharie Robichon, and Charlie Luck as they compete in the historic activities. This is the second consecutive year that the team has had a presence at the iconic event, following drivers Fred Poordad, Jan Heylen, and Max Root finished fifth last year with Dempsey – Proton Racing.

“We’re a tight family here at Wright Motorsports, and we’re pleased to have a continued presence at Le Mans,” said Team Owner John Wright. “This race is held in the utmost regard, and we’re pleased to have our drivers make it up to this level again, proudly representing Porsche. We’re here to not only cheer them on but to also observe and take notes as we consider the continued growth of our future racing programs.”

Drivers Ryan Hardwick, Jan Heylen, and Zacharie Robichon race together for Wright in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, competing in the four North American Endurance Cup races in the GTD class. Before the trio races in two weeks at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International in New York, they are competing at Le Mans with Proton Competition in the No. 16 Porsche 911 RSR. The trio achieved endurance racing glory in 2022, winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the No. 16 Wright Motorsports 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R. They hope to again celebrate on the top step, this time at the illustrious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an iconic endurance sports car race held annually in Le Mans, France, now one of the oldest and most prestigious automobile races in the world. The event takes place on the Circuit de la Sarthe, a challenging combination of public roads and a dedicated racetrack, spanning a length of approximately 8.5 miles. The origins of the race date back to 1923 when it was first organized by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO). The race was initially conceived as a test of both speed and endurance, where manufacturers could showcase the reliability and performance of their cars over an extended period. Since then, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has become an ultimate test of man and machine. The 24 hours of racing action begins on Saturday, June 10 at 10:00 AM Eastern, and can be viewed live in the United States via MotorTrend TV.

Virginia Native Charlie Luck rounds out the Wright driver efforts in France, competing with IMSA LS Group Performance in the Road to Le Mans Cup, a support endurance race for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Racing the No. 76 Porsche 911 GT3 R (type 992) with co-driver Marco Seefried, the several-time-championship winner continues adding to his extraordinary list of achievements in motorsport. An impressive 58 cars will compete in the pair of GT3 and LMP2 races, taking place on Thursday, June 8 at 6:30 PM CEST, and Friday, June 9 at 11:30 AM CEST. Fans can watch live at live.lemanscup.com.

“Each of these drivers is such an important and valued part of our team, and I’m happy to be on the ground to support them on such a significant weekend,” concluded Wright. “We wish the best for them in their respective races, and hope they come back to our North American efforts with some additional hardware.”

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

Brett Moffitt | AM Racing Sonoma Raceway June NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Preview

By
Official Release
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AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway | DoorDash 250

Fast Facts

No. 25 AM Racing Team:

Driver: Brett Moffitt

Primary Partner(s): AM Technical Solutions

Manufacturer: Ford Mustang

Crew Chief: Joe Williams Jr.

Spotter: Tony Raines

Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. 929

Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

Driver Championship Point Standings: 16th

Team Championship Point Standings: 18th

Notes of Interest:

Inaugural Journey: After spending the past several seasons as a full-time team in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, AM Racing will embark on its inaugural journey in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season with driver Brett Moffitt for the entire 33-race tour continuing with Saturday afternoon’s inaugural DoorDash 250 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway.

Future Focused: With AM’s inaugural Xfinity journey set to continue at the track surrounded in Wine Country in the heart of Northern California, the team has chosen veteran driver Brett Moffitt to lead the team’s campaign from the driver’s seat aboard the No. 25 Ford Mustang.

Moffitt, a native of Grimes, Iowa hails numerous starts across all three of NASCAR’s National Series, including the 2018 Truck Series championship with Hattori Racing Enterprises.

Moffitt, 30, arrives on the scene at AM Racing after a stint at Our Motorsports.

Back For More: The Statesville, N.C.-based team will sport the signage of AM Technical Solutions on the No. 25 Ford Mustang for the 14th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season.

Headquartered in Austin, TX, AM Technical Solutions (AMTS) was founded in 1994.

AM Technical Solutions is a Global Architecture, Engineering & Construction firm specializing in the high-tech markets. AMTS has managed over $20B of global capital projects for over 170 different customers in 24 countries and across five continents.

AM Minute: Last weekend was a quiet weekend for AM Racing.

However, prior to this weekend’s Xfinity Series race at Sonoma, AM Racing announced that their ARCA driver Christian Rose will attempt his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut at Richmond (Va.) Raceway on July 29, 2023.

Rose, a native of Martinsburg, W.V. will pilot the No. 22 Secure Testing Services | Labworks USA Ford F-150 for the Worldwide Express 250 for Carrier Appreciation race.

Richmond is the first of a limited Truck Series schedule this season for the former Division 1 pitcher turned race car driver.

Thanks For Your Support: With more than 39 percent of the 2023 season complete, AM Racing and Brett Moffitt would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AIRBOX Air Purifier, CForce Bottling Company, Concrete Supply, Destiny Homes, Flying Circle, Kreuz Market, Lane Frost Brand, Mechanix Wear and Mobil 1.

AMerican Heroes: NASCAR and its fans have always put Patriotism and American Pride at the forefront of every race weekend. That same passion runs just as deep at AM Racing, a team whose family lineage is deeply rooted in the Armed Forces and First Responders workforce.

We’re a team whose blood bleeds Red, White and Blue every day, which is why we are proud to launch, AMerican Heroes.

At AM Racing, it is our mission to recognize and highlight the men and women who continue to put their lives on the line every day, as well as honoring and paying respect to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

We are a nation that is united by one flag, which represents all the liberties and freedoms that we would not be able to enjoy without the sacrifices of those willing to answer the call.

Continuing with Sonoma this weekend, AM Racing will carry the AMerican Heroes livery, which will continue for the remainder of the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series seasons.

The team will work to salute all the men and women, past and present, who truly deserve the title of Hero, every weekend.

Brett Moffitt Xfinity Series Sonoma Raceway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s inaugural DoorDash 250

will mark Moffitt’s first start at the famed 2.520-mile course.

Crew chief Joe Williams Jr. has elected to bring a new road course purpose Ford Mustang chassis No. 929 for the 79-lap race.

Brett Moffitt Xfinity Series Road Course Stats: At NASCAR Xfinity Series tracks classified as a road course, Moffitt has made 15 starts throughout his career earning one pole and one top-10 finish. He also holds an average finishing position of 25.1.

Brett Moffitt NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In 97 career Xfinity Series starts, Moffitt has earned two top-five and 26 top-10 finishes, including a second-place outing at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in February 2021. During that tenure, he also holds an average finishing position of 17.8.

He earned a career-best Xfinity Series qualifying effort of fourth earlier this year at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway with AM Racing.

In addition to 96 Xfinity Series starts, he has achieved 45 NASCAR Cup Series and 92 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts to his credit.

Portland International Raceway | Pacific Automation 147 Race Recap: In the most recent NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Portland International Raceway, Brett Moffitt and the AM Racing team attempted to conquer their second road course of the 2023 season.

A solid practice effort for Moffitt and the No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Ford Mustang team transferred into the 19th fastest lap in group qualifying on Saturday morning.

From the drop of the green flag in the 13th Xfinity Series season race of the season, Moffitt methodically moved forward and avoided some late-race chaos to maneuver a respectable 12th-place result.

In 13 races this season, Moffit has delivered three top-10s, seven top-15s, eight top-20s and an average finish of 17.8.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Joe Williams is Brett Moffit’s crew chief.

He will be crew chief for his 112th NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday and his first on the 12-turn road course.

In his previous 111 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected one win (Auto Club Speedway | February 2022), seven top-five and 24 top-10 finishes.

Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Brett Moffitt, please visit BrettMoffitt.com, like his Facebook page (Brett Moffitt Racing), or follow him on Instagram (@brett_moffitt_racing) and Twitter (@brett_moffitt).

Brett Moffitt Quoteboard:

On Sonoma Raceway: “We are bringing a brand new No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Ford Mustang to the race track this weekend and I hope it will prove to be beneficial.

“It is going to be a stacked field on Saturday, but I hope our new Ford Mustang and the extended practice on Friday afternoon will prove to be the key ingredients that allow us to hunt a top-10 finish.

“We are coming off a respectable finish at Portland and definitely recovered from our misfortune at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but we need to start delivering more top-10s and get closer to those top-fives and hope we can be in a position to score a win and put us in the Playoffs.”

On 2023 Season Outlook: “Through the first 13 races, we have definitely showcased speed, but we know we have to turn that speed into performances.

“We are approaching a crucial summer stretch for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and we are doing everything we can to make sure we are prepared to attack and put ourselves in the Playoffs.”

Race Information:

The DoorDash 250 (79 laps | 156.95 miles) is the 14th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2023 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, June 9, 2023, from 1:05 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag later in the day shortly after 5:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Pacific).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events in its seventh year of competition.

The team has named Brett Moffitt, Christian Rose and Austin Wayne Self as their primary drivers for the 2023 Xfinity, ARCA Menards Series and Dirt Modified seasons respectively.

Peugeot Hybrid Hypercar With Gentex Digital Vision System Ready for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

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Official Release
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LES MANS, France, June 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), an official supplier partner of Peugeot Sport and leading provider of vision-related technologies to the global automotive industry, has equipped Peugeot’s all-new 9X8 Hybrid Hypercar with an intelligent rear vision system designed to optimize the vehicle’s rearward view during the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans and for the FIA World Endurance Championship.

With a focus on performance and safety, Peugeot Sport and Gentex partnered to implement a state-of-the-art digital rearview mirror that will enhance the driver’s visibility and situational awareness during the race. The system is an enhanced racing version of Gentex’s Full Display Mirror (FDM), a digital rearview mirror available on more than 90 passenger vehicles around the world. The technology captures video from a rearward-facing camera and streams it to a mirror-integrated LCD display, providing drivers with a wide, unobstructed view behind the vehicle.

“The Gentex mirror has really changed the game for us, especially in endurance racing in these closed-cockpit cars that we have today,” said Gustavo Menezes, racing driver at Peugeot Sport. “You always had cars in your blind spot and had to assume when to leave the space. Now, fighting through traffic, the moment you see the car that you’ve just overtaken in the Gentex display mirror, you already know that you are clear and can move back to the racing line.”

To highlight the benefits of a digital rear view, Gentex and Peugeot Sport produced a short video featuring interviews with driver Gustavo Menezes and François Coudrain, head of powertrain for Peugeot Sport’s WEC program.

The passenger-vehicle version of the Gentex digital rearview mirror offers bi-modal functionality. In mirror mode, the product functions as a standard rearview mirror. But with the flip of a lever, the mirror enters display mode, and a clear, bright, LCD display appears through the mirror’s reflective surface, providing a wide, unobstructed rearward view.

The Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar is a high-performance racing car designed to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This season, after a 12-year absence from the Le Mans 24 Hours, the French carmaker is looking forward to following in the footsteps of the brand’s famous endurance models, the Peugeot 905 and Peugeot 908, winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1992 and 1993, and in 2009 respectively.

The flagship race of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is one of the world’s oldest motor races and is admired around the globe. Started in 1923 as a showcase for car manufacturers to prove the durability of their vehicles in competition it has become the ideal testing ground for a multitude of technology developments which can be subsequently applied across the motor industry. The century of the Le Mans 24 Hours race will take place on 10 – 11 June 2023.

About Peugeot Sport
For more than 10 years, Peugeot Sport has been perfecting its mastery of Hybrid-Electric technology in competition and on the road. After the 908 HY, 908 HYbrid4, 308 R Hybrid and 208 FE projects, neo-performance is now available to everyone with the launch of the new PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED line, which will be supported from 2022 by a new World Endurance Championship (WEC) program.

About Gentex
Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is a supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for aviation markets, and fire protection products to the fire protection market. Visit the company website at www.gentex.com.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview: Sonoma Raceway

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Official Release
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Race Information

  • Round: NASCAR Cup Series Race No. 16 of 36
  • Race Name: Toyota/ Save Mart 350
  • Track Location: Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California
  • Broadcast: Sunday, June 11th at 3:00 PM ET live on FOX (TV), PRN (Radio) Sirius XM NASCAR Ch. 90
  • Team Entrants:

No. 42 | Grant Enfinger & Luke Lambert – Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet Camaro Zl1
No. 43 | Erik Jones & Joey Cohen – Allegiant Chevrolet Camaro ZL

Grant Enfinger, No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Sonoma Raceway Stats

NASCAR Cup Series: Grant Enfinger will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Sonoma Raceway

NASCAR Truck Series: Starts: 1; Best start: 8th; Best finish: 11th; Laps Led: 1

About Sunseeker Resorts: Opening in 2023, Florida’s newest luxury resort located in Charlotte Harbor is the first resort property of Sunseeker Resorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company. Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor occupies over 22 waterfront acres with 785 guest rooms, including 189 Signature Sunsuites™. Set upon the Peace River and Florida Gulf Coast, this premier resort offers 20 original food and beverage concepts; including seven stand-alone restaurants, eleven bars and lounges, two poolside offerings and a 25,000-square-foot multi-dining experience. Additional hotel amenities include a waterfront promenade, two unique rooftop and waterfront pool experiences, 60,000-square-feet of combined convention space, full-service spa and salon, a 7,100-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center with four group exercise studios with specialty instructor lead classes, three retail and market shops, and an 18-hole championship level golf club exclusive to hotel guests only. The resort is conveniently located within a short drive of Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Sarasota, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Tampa airports. For more information, visit www.sunseekerresorts.com. Follow on Instagram: @sunseekerresorts and like us on Facebook: @sunseekerresorts.

NASCAR Cup Series Debut: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veteran Grant Enfinger will make his first NASCAR Cup Series start at Sonoma Raceway. He will be substituting for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB driver Noah Gragson. Enfinger has never driven a NASCAR NextGen car before but has an impressive resumé in other forms of stock car racing. In 2015, Enfinger won the ARCA Menards Series championship driving for GMS Racing, securing Maury Gallagher’s first championship as a team owner. Enfinger was promoted to a full-time Truck Series ride in 2017 and has regularly competed for the championship ever since. Today, he is known as one of the most accomplished and well-respected drivers in the series, earning a total of nine wins at nine different racetracks. He currently ranks third in Truck Series points with two wins this season. Enfinger sits only nine points behind the series leader with four races left to run in the 2023 regular season.

Most Recent NCTS Winner: Enfinger recently made headlines at World Wide Technology Raceway where he performed in dominating, yet dramatic fashion as he scored his second NCTS race win of the 2023 season. Already in the playoffs with a convincing win at Kansas Speedway, Enfinger, along with veteran crew chief Jeff Hensley, were bold in their race strategy as they went off-sequence from the majority of the field, resulting in a win in Stage 1. As the race continued to play out, Enfinger once again found himself near the front of the pack, where with just a handful of laps to go, two of the race leaders got together, allowing the driver of the No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Silverado RST to narrowly slip by and hold off his nearest competitors for his second win of the year. On top of that, he pocketed a coveted $50,000 bonus along the way as part of the series’ Triple Truck Challenge program.

Baby On Board: During his post-win celebratory interview with FOX Sports analyst Regan Smith, Grant Enfinger made a shockingly wholesome announcement that he and his wife, Michelle, were expecting the birth of their second child. The couple have been blessed with one son already in their family, Carson Enfinger, who will turn two-years-old later this month

Past Road Course Experience: Grant has one prior race under his belt at the challenging road course in Sonoma Raceway, which was held last year in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series return to the facility. On that weekend, Enfinger qualified in the eighth position, earned stage points, and even led a lap en route to an 11th place finish. He’s no slouch turning left and right, however; Enfinger has had success turning left and right before. In nine total Truck Series road course starts, he has one top-five and three top-10 results, including a best finish of fourth at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in 2021.

Quoting Grant Enfinger: “My thoughts are with Noah, I know how much he loves this team and the guys on it. I’m happy to help out LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and the No. 42 team. With that being said, I am honored to have even been considered as the driver to fill in for him. I am very appreciative of Maury Gallagher, Jimmie Johnson, Mike Beam, Ron Booth, Joey Cohen, Luke Lambert, Chevrolet, Sunseeker Resorts, and Champion Power Equipment for allowing me to fulfill my dream of racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. While we all wish the circumstances were different, the most important thing we can do is put our best foot forward and make the most out of this opportunity.”

Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Sonoma Raceway Stats

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West: Starts: 1; Best start: 13th; Best finish: 6th (2018)

NASCAR Cup Series: Starts 5; Best start: 18th; Best finish: 7th (2018); Top 10s: 2; Laps Led: 1

2023 NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats

Starts: 15; Best start: 8th; Best finish: 6th (Talladega); Top 10s: 2; Laps led: 17; Points position: 30th.

About Allegiant: Las Vegas-based Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at its heart, focused on connecting customers with the people, places and experiences that matter most. Since 1999, Allegiant Air has linked travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop flights and industry-low average fares. Today, Allegiant’s fleet serves communities across the nation, with base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. For more information, visit Allegiant.com.

Stonefield Home on the No. 43: Jones will have a local associate partner this weekend at Sonoma Raceway featuring Stonefield Home. Stonefield Home was founded in 1984 by longtime residents of the Central Valley who share a passion for revitalizing neighborhoods and building high quality, value priced homes. Their legacy, a commitment to quality homebuilding- is reflected in every step of the process, from planning to development to building and beyond. Stonefield Home supports non-profit organizations, community events and a wide range of youth-oriented programs including Toys for Tots, as well as the California Highway Patrol, UC Merced, Merced County Spring Fair, and many local medical facilities, among others- is just one of the many ways in which Stonefield Home not only creates beautiful new homes and neighborhoods, but also builds Community. The founders of Stonefield founders live by the commitment to invest in the people who will call these community’s “home”.

Road Runner: Jones is no stranger to success on road courses. In his 24 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, Jones has three top-five and nine top-10 finishes. Across the three major track types (speedways, short tracks, and road courses), Jones’ has an average start of 22.3 and the series highest differential average finish in the road course category with 15.4. Jones historically moves up an average of 6.9 spots per race on a road course.

Passing with flying colors: Jones has five starts at Sonoma Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series and two top-10 finishes of seventh (2018) and eighth (2019). In last year’s race at Sonoma Raceway, Jones ranked sixth in quality passes with 991 passes throughout the event. He also led all drivers with 1,934 green flag passes while finishing 22nd.

Cohen at the Helm: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB VP, Race Operations, Joey Cohen will serve as the interim crew chief this weekend for the No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet. Cohen, 38, has a mechanical engineering degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has extensive experience in the crew chief position in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and in the Truck Series where he earned two victories with drivers Ben Kennedy and Chase Elliott.

Jones Takes it to the Bank: Erik Jones won the Super Late Model “Money in the Bank 150” race at Berlin Raceway on Wednesday, taking home the $10,000 prize. Jones is one of only two Super Late Model drivers to win the “Money in the Bank 150”, and the “Battle at Berlin” events at the historic Michigan short track.

Meet Erik Jones: Jones will sign autographs on Sunday, June 11th for approximately 100 fans at the United States Air Force activation display in the Sonoma Raceway fan midway at 9:30am local time.

Erik Jones Ticket Package: Byron, Michigan native Jones will return to his “home” track of Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in August. To honor the hometown hero, MIS will offer a special Erik Jones Fan Experience ticket package which will include a DJ, games and a chance to meet Jones. The Erik Jones Fan Experience will be located in Lot 3 – click here for details.

Quoting Erik Jones: “Going out to Sonoma will be a good time, it’s our first time at a road course this year since COTA. We learned a lot. I think we have seen growth as a team since COTA, this track should show the steps we have taken and put them to the test. We have what it takes to get out front and compete this weekend; the whole No. 43 team has made steady progress as a group. Hate the circumstances to not have Dave come to Sonoma, but confident Joey will do a great job filling in for us. Looking to have a good run still.”

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (NCS) Jimmie Johnson. The club competes full-time in the NCS fielding the Nos. 42 and 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for drivers Noah Gragson and Erik Jones, respectively, along with the No. 84 part-time entry for Johnson in 2023. Richard Petty “The King” serves as team ambassador.

In 2021, Gallagher acquired Richard Petty Motorsports and renamed the team to Petty GMS. With the addition of Johnson to the ownership structure in 2023, the organization rebranded to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY M.C.). With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level.

Based in Statesville, N.C., LEGACY M.C. operates alongside GMS Racing (GMS), which currently fields three full-time entries in the NASCAR Truck Series. Since the formation of GMS in 2012, Gallagher and Mike Beam, team president, have shared incredible success. GMS Racing captured the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship, the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championships and the 2019 and 2020 ARCA East championships, accumulating over 65 wins across six national racing circuits.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Keating, No. 33 C8.R Take Hyperpole!

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Official Release
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Perfect storm of tow, tires and team talent earn GTE Am pole

LE MANS, France (June 8, 2023) – A tow, tires and talent. Those all came together Corvette Racing as Ben Keating put the No. 33 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R on the GTE Am pole position during Thursday’s Hyperpole session ahead of this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Keating – teaming in the Corvette with Nicky Catsburg and Nico Varrone – posted a best lap of 3:52.376 (131.171 mph) to take Corvette Racing’s second straight pole position at Le Mans. The GTE Am championship-leading trio increased their points advantage by one with the P1 finish.

The stellar work by the Corvette Racing team continued after Wednesday’s heroics that saw Catsburg get the C8.R into Hyperpole following a fast repair job by the crew after a crash at the end of the first practice. The storybook result kept going even on Keating’s first lap Thursday when he picked up a tow from another GTE car all the way down the Mulsanne Straight. He cleared his competitor going into Mulsanne Corner to take provisional pole after the opening flyer.

Keating improved his time slightly before a red flag halted the session with five minutes to go. As the session went green again, Corvette Racing engineers decided to fit the C8.R with fresh, soft compound Michelin tires – the only team to do so during the stoppage.

Keating made the decision pay off with his best lap of the weekend and put Corvette Racing out front to start its biggest race of the season.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is scheduled for 4 p.m. CET / 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, June 10. MotorTrend and MotorTrend Plus will provide both live television and streaming coverage. Radio Le Mans also will stream audio coverage of the race.

BEN KEATING, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTE AM POLE-WINNER: “I wanted to find a gap on my out-lap. I thought the GT cars were driving really slow for having hot tires. I was thinking that we have hot tires, it’s time to push. They were all going slow and I was push, push, push. So I had a big gap and I didn’t think I would ever catch the Ferrari ahead of me because he was so far up there. But the LMP2 cars, when they got to the chicane, just stopped to get a window. So I was right on the Ferrari and he gave me a perfect tow down every straight away. I passed him into Mulsanne, and he didn’t slow me down any. It was incredible and I thought that was as good as it gets, almost to the point that I was wondering why we were out there!

“I did a cool-down lap and the team told me that the 25 was 0.3 seconds behind. I thought then that I’d better get it in gear! I pushed really hard for another lap and had one in the bank because of no track limits. So I could push a little more, and the Corvette was set up so well that I didn’t have to worry about track limits. The car went exactly where I wanted it to go. I could push the car harder in every corner. I got better in Porsche Curves and came over the line at 3:53.0. I didn’t think there was any way anyone was going to touch me. But we came in for the red flag, and I didn’t understand the point of putting new tires on it because I didn’t think I could improve. But it makes sense now.

“The sun had gone down and the tires really came into the window. The air was a little cooler, and we were at bare minimum of fuel. So I got one out-lap and then one flyer. I got the peak of the tire, the peak of low fuel, the peak of the temperature, and I put a lap together. It was pretty magical, especially considering how close we were to not even making qualifying yesterday. The team did an amazing job to get the car out where Nicky could do what we needed to get us into Hyperpole. So I’m incredibly excited and happy for the entire team. This is the best way I can think of to go into the race!”

LE CORVETTE RACING AU MANS: Pole pour Keating et la Corvette C8.R!

Une parfaite combinaison d’aspiration, de pneus et du talent de l’équipe a permis à la GTE Am de décrocher la pole position.

LE MANS, France (le 8 juin 2023) – L’aspiration, les pneus et le talent. Ben Keating a signé la pole position de la Chevrolet Corvette C8.R Mobil 1/SiriusXM n°33 en GTE Am lors de la séance Hyperpole de jeudi, en vue des 24 Heures du Mans de ce week-end..

Keating – qui fait équipe avec Nicky Catsburg et Nico Varrone au volant de la Corvette – a réalisé un meilleur tour en 3m52s376 pour décrocher la deuxième pole position consécutive de Corvette Racing au Mans. Le trio de tête du championnat GTE Am a augmenté son avance d’un point grâce à cette pole position.

Le travail remarquable de l’équipe Corvette Racing s’est poursuivi après les exploits de mercredi qui ont vu Catsburg placer la C8.R en Hyperpole après une réparation rapide par l’équipe suite à un accident à la fin de la première séance d’essais. L’histoire s’est poursuivie dès le premier tour de Keating, jeudi, lorsqu’il s’est fait ‘remorquer’ par une autre voiture GTE tout au long de la ligne droite de Mulsanne. Il a dépassé son concurrent dans le virage de Mulsanne pour prendre la pole position provisoire à l’issue du premier tour.

Keating a légèrement amélioré son temps avant qu’un drapeau rouge n’interrompe la séance à cinq minutes de la fin. Alors que la séance repasse au vert, les ingénieurs du Corvette Racing décident d’équiper la C8.R de pneus Michelin soft et neufs – la seule équipe à le faire pendant l’arrêt de la séance.

Keating a fait en sorte que cette décision soit payante en réalisant son meilleur tour du week-end, ce qui a permis à Corvette Racing de prendre le départ de sa plus importante course de la saison depuis la pole position.

BEN KEATING, MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R n°33 – GTE AM POLE : « Je voulais trouver une ouverture lors de mon tour de piste. Je pensais que les voitures GT roulaient vraiment lentement pour avoir des pneus chauds. Je me disais que si nous avions des pneus chauds, il était temps de pousser. Ils roulaient tous lentement et j’ai poussé, poussé, poussé. J’avais donc un grand écart et je ne pensais pas pouvoir rattraper la Ferrari qui me précédait car elle était tellement loin devant. Mais les voitures LMP2, lorsqu’elles sont arrivées à la chicane, se sont arrêtées afin de trouver une ouverture. J’étais donc juste sur la Ferrari et elle m’a parfaitement ‘remorqué’ dans toutes les lignes droites. Je l’ai dépassé à Mulsanne et il ne m’a pas ralenti. C’était incroyable et je me suis dit qu’on ne pouvait pas faire mieux, à tel point que je me demandais pourquoi nous étions là ! »

« J’ai fait un tour de récupération et l’équipe m’a dit que la 25 était à 0,3 seconde. J’ai alors pensé que je ferais mieux de passer à la vitesse supérieure ! J’ai poussé très fort pendant encore un tour. Je pouvais donc pousser un peu plus, et la Corvette était si bien réglée que je n’avais pas à me soucier des limites de piste. La voiture allait exactement là où je voulais qu’elle aille. Je pouvais pousser la voiture plus fort dans chaque virage. Je me suis amélioré dans les virages Porsche et j’ai franchi la ligne d’arrivée en 3:53.0. Je ne pensais pas que quelqu’un allait me toucher. Mais quand nous sommes rentrés pour le drapeau rouge, je n’ai pas compris l’intérêt de mettre des pneus neufs parce que je ne pensais pas pouvoir m’améliorer. Mais maintenant, c’est plus logique. »

« Le soleil s’est couché et les pneus sont réellement devenus plus performants. L’air était un peu plus frais et nous étions au minimum de carburant. J’ai donc fait un tour de piste, puis un tour de piste. J’ai eu le pic du pneu, le pic de la baisse de carburant, le pic de la température, et j’ai fait un tour. C’était assez magique, surtout si l’on considère que nous étions à deux doigts de ne pas nous qualifier hier. L’équipe a fait un travail extraordinaire pour que Nicky puisse faire ce qu’il fallait pour nous permettre d’entrer dans l’Hyperpole. Je suis donc incroyablement excité et heureux pour toute l’équipe. C’est la meilleure façon pour moi d’aborder la course ! »

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in nearly 80 countries with nearly 2.7 million cars and trucks sold in 2021. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

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