Home Blog Page 1448

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Charlotte

By
Jeffrey Boswell
-
Charlotte Motor Speedway, Nascar CocaCola 600

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. William Byron: Byron started from the pole at Charlotte and was strong throughout, but was one-upped by Ryan Blaney for the win and settled for the runner-up spot.

“Congratulations to Blaney,” Byron said. “He deserved this win, not only because he broke a long winless streak, but also because he clearly had the best car, as you can see by the fact that he led 163 laps. Ryan towered over the competition, just like Fox’s Jamie Little towers over any driver she interviews.”

2. Ryan Blaney: Blaney outdueled pole sitter William Byron late and pulled away to win the Coca-Cola 600, snapping a 59-race winless streak.

“What’s the best thing about ending a winless streak?” Blaney said. “Starting another one.”

3. Kyle Busch: Busch finished sixth at Charlotte, posting his seventh top 10 of the season.

“I spun on Lap 176 and dropped way down the order,” Busch said. “But I made my way back to the front. If you saw the aftermath of my spin, you could say I ‘reversed’ my fortunes.”

4. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex came home third in the Coca-Cola 600.

“It was great to see Jimmie Johnson race in the 600 for his team, Legacy Motor Club,” Truex said. “Unfortunately, Jimmie finished dead last. This is a prime example of Jimmie destroying his legacy.”

5. Tyler Reddick: Reddick led 28 laps and finished fifth in the Coca-Cola 600.

“My 23XI Toyota sported the Air Jordan logo,” Reddick said, “and Carolina blue. We could have made it completely a Michael Jordan look had we added a golf club and an image of MJ paying his bookie.”

6. Kevin Harvick: Harvick started second at Charlotte and fell back to last early, but took the lead early in Stage 3. But Harvick went high into Tyler Reddick on Lap 358 and spun, sending him back in the field. He finished 11th.

“My car featured the Hunt Brothers Pizza cam,” Harvick said. “Usually, when you hear ‘Hunt Brothers Pizza’ and ‘camera’ mentioned in the same sentence, it’s often a doctor discussing your colonoscopy.”

7. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin crashed out of the Coca-Cola 600 on Lap 186 when it appeared Elliott retaliated for contact moments earlier that caused Elliott to brush the wall. Hamlin finished 35th.

“As I said after the incident,” Hamlin said, “Chase threw a ‘tantrum’ and wrecked me intentionally. He should be suspended. I’m sure he’ll profess his innocence, but, much like after his idiotic snowboarding accident, he won’t have a leg to stand on.”

8. Ross Chastain: Chastain finished 22nd at Charlotte.

“There was a shoving match,” Chastain said, “an incident with Denny Hamlin, and many other spins. None of that is unusual. What’s unusual was I wasn’t involved in any of it.”

9. Kyle Larson: Larson struggled early but came on strong midway through Stage 3 with a charge to the front. But Larson’s No. 5 Chevy got loose on a restart with 25 laps to go and suffered extensive damage. Larson’s day was done and he finished 30th.

“I’m planning on doing the Indianapolis 500-Coke 600 double next year,” Larson said. “I think I can do that in less time than it took to complete Stage 4 in Charlotte on Monday.”

10. Christopher Bell: Bell got loose and spun into the infield on Lap 236 but luckily suffered little damage. He wasn’t so lucky on a restart with 25 laps to go when he was collected in a pileup triggered by Kyle Larson’s spin. Bell finished 24th.

“The Coca-Cola 600 is a grueling, time-consuming, and energy-sapping race,” Bell said. “And that’s just for the fans.”

NASCAR issues one-race suspension for Elliott as part of penalty report from Charlotte

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

NASCAR released its penalty report and a notable name was issued a major suspension following the recent on-track action at Charlotte Motor Speedway that spanned throughout the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The first news to headline the penalty report is that Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has been suspended from competing in next weekend’s Cup Series event at Gateway’s World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

The news comes after Elliott was found to have intentionally wrecked veteran Denny Hamlin on Lap 185 of 400 during the Coca-Cola 600 that occurred this past Monday, May 29.

During the event, Hamlin and Elliott were battling inside the top 10 when Hamlin slipped up the track and crowded Elliott towards the frontstretch’s outside wall which resulted in Elliott making contact with the wall. Elliott quickly responded back by veering his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to the left and turning Hamlin head-on into the frontstretch’s SAFER Barriers at full speed that resulted in both competitors being wrecked out of the event. After the incident, Elliott cited the lack of control over his damaged car after scrubbing the wall that resulted in the contact with Hamlin.

“[Hamlin] ran us up in the fence,” Elliott said in the infield care center on FOX. “Once you hit the wall in these [cars], you can’t drive it anymore. An unfortunate circumstance.”

Hamlin, however, did not mince his words over the incident and called for Elliott to be suspended for the upcoming Cup event at Gateway for jeopardizing a driver’s safety amid a retaliatory act.

“I got right-rear hooked in the middle of the straightaway,” Hamlin said. “It’s a tantrum and he shouldn’t be racing next week. Right-rear hooks are absolutely unacceptable.”

Following the news of Elliott’s suspension for violating NASCAR’s Behavioral and Code of Conduct policy, Hendrick Motorsports released a statement, citing the team’s decision to not appeal the penalty and submit a formal request for a Playoff waiver for Elliott to remain in contention to make the 2023 Cup Series Playoffs. In addition, HMS announced that Corey LaJoie will be serving as an interim competitor for the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry for the upcoming event at Gateway. LaJoie currently competes as a full-time Cup Series competitor for Spire Motorsports. He is set to become the third different competitor to pilot HMS’ No. 9 entry alongside Josh Berry and Jordan Taylor.

With LaJoie joining HMS for a one-race deal, Carson Hocevar, a full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitor for Niece Motorsports, will make his inaugural presence in NASCAR’s premier series by piloting LaJoie No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry this upcoming weekend at Gateway.

Elliott’s suspension marks the first time NASCAR has suspended a competitor for a retaliatory act since Bubba Wallace was suspended from competing in the Cup Series Playoff event at Homestead-Miami Speedway last October for intentionally turning and sending Kyle Larson into the frontstretch’s outside wall during the previous event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The incident involving Wallace and Larson mirrored the on-track scuffle between Hamlin and Elliott, where Larson forced Wallace up the track as Wallace hit the frontstretch’s outside wall before Wallace quickly retaliated by veering left, clipping and sending Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry into the outside wall as both competitors were knocked out of the event.

Elliott’s suspension also means that he is set to miss his seventh event of the 2023 Cup Series season. He was absent for six consecutive events from early March to the first half of April after suffering a left leg fracture from a snowboarding accident in Colorado during the week of the Cup Series event at Las Vegas. In eight starts through the first 14-scheduled events, including the Coke 600, Elliott has secured two top-five results and four top-10 results, with his best on-track finish being a runner-up result at Auto Club Speedway in February. With an average-finishing result of 14.6, however, he is currently situated in 29th place in the driver’s standings with 215 points and trails the top-16 cutline to make the Playoffs by 81 points. Elliott has until the series’ return to Daytona International Speedway on August 26, which marks the conclusion of the regular-season stretch, to win or point his way into the Playoffs, which will commence at Darlington Raceway on September 3.

In other penalty news highlighting the Cup Series, the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford Mustang team piloted by Michael McDowell has been penalized for the loss of a wheel or a wheel that was improperly installed on a racing vehicle when a right-front wheel rolled off of McDowell’s entry on the track’s backstretch with 57 laps remaining. As a result, front-tire changer Scott Brzozowski and jackman Adam Lewis have been suspended from NASCAR competition for the following two Cup Series events.

In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Jeff Meendering, crew chief for rookie Sammy Smith and the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Supra team, has been fined $5,000 due to a lug nut infraction, where one lug nut was found to have not been properly secured on Smith’s entry following Monday night’s action. In addition, the No. 74 CHK Racing team piloted by Dawson Cram at Charlotte has been docked 10 driver/owner points for violations involving the air duct, outlet hose and quarter window of Cram’s entry that did not meet NASCAR standards.

In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Derek Hartnagel, truck chief for rookie Daniel Dye and the No. 43 GMS Racing Chevrolet Silverado RST team, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sport’s substance abuse policy.

With this past extended weekend’s events at Charlotte Motor Speedway complete, the Cup and Craftsman Truck Series embark to World Wide Technology Raceway for their next scheduled event while the Xfinity Series travels west to compete for the second-ever time at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon. The Truck Series’ event at Gateway, which is also set to serve as the second of three Triple Truck Challenge events, will occur this Saturday, June 3, at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1 while the Xfinity Series event at Portland will follow suit at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The Cup Series action at Gateway will conclude the weekend and occur on Sunday, June 4, at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Jack Wood – No. 51 Logitech Silverado Craftsman Trucks WWTR Preview

By
Official Release
-

Jack Wood: Driver, No. 51 Logitech Chevrolet

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:
Event: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 200, Race 12 of 23, 160 Laps – 35/35/90; 200 Miles
Location: World Wide Technology Raceway (1.25-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: June 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Get to Know Jack:

Jack Wood will make his fifth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of 2023 for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) behind the wheel of the No. 51 Logitech Chevrolet in Saturday’s 200-mile race at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR). Wood has finished inside the top 10 in two of his four Truck Series starts this season, including recording a career-best ninth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in early April. Wood has an average finish of 14.5 across his two prior Truck Series starts at WWTR, with a best result of 10th coming in the 2021 event at the 1.25-mile oval.

Wood, who will make a total of 13 Truck Series starts this season, will be behind the wheel of the No. 51 Silverado for the next three events on the schedule including Saturday. Saturday’s race is the second event of the 2023 Triple Truck Challenge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. For the races at Charlotte, World Wide Technology Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway only points earning drivers in the Truck Series are eligible to participate in those events, with each event having extra money on the line. If a driver wins one of the three races they will earn a $50,000 bonus, if they win two of the three races, they will earn a $150,000 bonus and if Charlotte winner Ben Rhodes is able to win all three races, he will earn a $500,000 bonus. In its four year history, no driver has won all three races. Wood finished 18th in the Charlotte race last week.

Logitech G will be the primary sponsor on Wood’s No. 51 this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway. Logitech G, a brand of Logitech, is a global leader dedicated to serving the needs of Gamers and Creators with award-winning hardware, software, and solutions. Logitech G’s industry-leading products include keyboards, mice, headsets, mousepads, simulation products such as wheels and flight sticks, webcams, lights and microphones, and specialized furniture solutions; all made possible through innovative design, advanced technologies and a deep passion for gaming and creator communities.

In addition to his part-time schedule for KBM in the Truck Series this season, Wood is running a limited schedule in the ARCA Menards Series with Rev Racing. The California native has one top five and four top-10 finishes with an average result of 11.4 across five starts with Rev Racing this season. He currently ranks third in the ARCA Menards Series point standings, 22 points behind Jesse Love. Wood is not scheduled to race in the series’ next event June 17 at Berlin Raceway but will be racing the ARCA Menards Series West event at Sonoma Raceway June 9. Wood has also been running a limited schedule in the TA2 Series, where he captured the pole and brought home the victory at Sonoma in late April.

Veteran crew chief Brian Pattie is calling the shots for the No. 51 team this year in his first season at KBM after spending the last 14 seasons atop the pit box in the NASCAR Cup Series. It took the veteran signal caller just two races to get his first win at KBM, winning with owner-driver Kyle Busch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In the Cup Series, his drivers produced six wins, nine poles, 57 top-five and 131 top-10 finishes across 528 starts. In 2012, he guided Clint Bowyer to three victories and a runner-up finish in the Cup Series championship standings. In 2017, he guided Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to two wins and a berth in the playoffs. The Florida native has also recorded 11 wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and now has two wins as a crew chief in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Saturday will be Pattie’s first time atop the pit box for a Truck Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway. He was victorious with Reed Sorenson in the 2005 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race at Gateway and earned finishes of seventh or better in all five races he crew chiefed in the NXS at the Missouri track.

The No. 51 team currently ranks second in the Craftsman Truck Series owner’s point standings. With five races remaining in the regular season, they trail the No. 11 team by 22 points. Over the first 11 races, they have recorded one win, one pole, 163 laps led, five top-five and eight top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 8.5. After Wood finishes his four-race stretch, Kyle Busch will return to the No. 51 Zariz Transport Silverado at Pocono Raceway.

Corey Heim put the No. 51 in victory lane in last year’s race at WWTR. It was KBM’s third victory across 10 races that have been held at the Missouri track since the organization originated in 2010. Bubba Wallace was victorious in 2014 and Christopher Bell brought home the trophy in 2016.

Jack Wood, Driver Q&A:

This will be your first Truck Series race at a track less than 1.5 miles this year. Are you looking forward to it?
“The 51 team had a lot of speed at Gateway last year and I think our sim time leading up to this week went really well, so I feel like it will be a good race for us. We just have to put together a whole race. We have had great qualifying speed and race speed in the trucks, our pit crew has done a really great job all year, but I just have to do a little better job of putting the races together.”

What does it take to be successful at World Wide Technology Raceway?
“I think you have to be ok with your truck being a little bit on the edge. I think track position is a huge thing there because it is really tough to make up ground once you lose it. Qualifying is going to be important, and the restarts are going to be especially important this week. You have to take care of your truck because you are going to be using up the transmission and using up the brakes. The biggest thing is that you have to stay mentally focused all day and do your job — especially with how hot it is going to be Saturday. I work hard to be in shape and hopefully with it being a little hotter this weekend that will come into play a little bit.”

Jack Wood Career Highlights:

  • Has produced three top-10 finishes across 39 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Posted a series-best ninth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April.
  • Has compiled 14 laps led, two top-five and eight top-10 finishes across 14 career ARCA Menards Series events.
  • Has totaled two top-five and seven top-10 finishes across 11 career starts in the ARCA Menards West Series.
  • Compiled one top-five and three top-10 finishes across 24 starts in the SRL Spears Southwest Tour from 2017 to 2021.
  • Jack Wood’s No. 51 Logitech Chevrolet Silverado RST:

KBM-66: The No. 51 Logitech team will unload KBM-66 for Saturday’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway. Wood has earned a pair of top-10 finishes in two starts with this Silverado this year, earning a career-best ninth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway and a 10th-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This chassis has been victorious twice in its career, both at Atlanta, winning with Corey Heim last year and with KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch in 2021.

Click Here for KBM-66 Profile
KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have collected three wins, one pole, 482 laps led, eight top-five and 14 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 14.7 across 29 starts at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. Corey Heim picked up the victory in last year’s event while Christopher Bell was victorious at the 1.25-mile track in 2016 and Bubba Wallace brought home the trophy in 2014.
  • KBM holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (99) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway last year, Corey Heim became the 18th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • With 40 victories, the No. 51 is the winningest number in KBM’s Truck Series fleet.

Carson Hocevar to Wheel Spire Motorsports No. 7 Schluter®-Systems Chevy at WWT Raceway

By
Official Release
-

CONCORD, N.C. (May 30, 2023) – Carson Hocevar will pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 Schluter®-Systems Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Hendrick Motorsports announced earlier today Corey LaJoie will fill in for Chase Elliott this weekend behind the wheel of Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet.

“We’re always happy to help our friends at Hendrick Motorsports and couldn’t be prouder to see Corey LaJoie get the opportunity of a lifetime to race a Hendrick Motorsports’ Chevrolet,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “When we were approached by HMS, it was really an easy answer. Our entire organization and the whole team at Schluter Systems are on board and thrilled to see Corey realize an incredible opportunity. At the same time, we’re eager to see Carson Hocevar get behind the wheel of the No. 7 Schluter Systems Chevy Camaro. Carson has proven to be more than capable and he’s done a great job in our No. 77 Premier Security Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This is a win for everyone involved.”

The Enjoy Illinois 300 from World Wide Technology Raceway will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, June 4 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 15th of 36 races on the 2023 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About Schluter®-Systems
Schluter Systems provides innovative, easy-to-use installation systems to support the durability, integrity and design of tile installations. With over 8,000 products within its growing portfolio, Schluter Systems is continuously improving the landscape of the tile industry. Educational workshops and intuitive approach to product design champions Schluter’s position as an industry leader in quality and service. Schluter Systems services North America with multiple Training, Distribution and Manufacturing facilities in Plattsburgh, NY, Montreal, QC, Reno, NV, and now, Fort Worth, TX. For more information, visit www.schluter.com.

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

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway.

Serial1.com Premium E-Bikes Adds Race with Todd Gilliland

By
Barry Albert
-

THE First E-Bike Brand to Join NASCAR as a Partner with No. 38 Team This Weekend

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 30, 2023) – Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and Serial 1 premium E-Bikes are proud to announce the extension of their partnership in the NASCAR Cup Series. The USA-based E-Bike company is back on the No. 38 Ford Mustang in support of the sophomore driver, Todd Gilliland. After success at the Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in May, Serial1.com has quickly stepped back up to support Gilliland and the team this weekend at the World Wide Technology (WWT) Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

“After our successful debut at the Darlington (S.C.) Raceway during NASCAR Throwback Weekend, we are proud to continue our NASCAR Cup Series program with Front Row Motorsports and Todd Gilliland thanks to the opportunity once again from Carl Ruedebusch,” said Dion Reif, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Serial 1. “We are hoping to ride the momentum built and continue to bring the thrill, excitement and FUN of Serial 1 premium E-Bikes to the millions of loyal NASCAR fans.”

Serial 1 premium E-Bikes is inspired by the entrepreneurial vision of Harley-Davidson founders- and the revolutionary impact of their first motorcycle, affectionately referred to as “Serial Number One”.

The decision to create the independent Serial 1 brand in 2020 represents the best of two worlds—an innovative arrangement that combines Harley-Davidson’s leadership in two-wheel electric propulsion with the agility and autonomy of a new brand dedicated exclusively to the E-Bike product and customer.

“It is cool that Serial1.com E-Bikes wants to come back and is excited to partner with us again,” said Gilliland. “They have a lot of cool, fun, and amazing E-bikes, I finally got mine this week and now I am excited for everyone to try one. I know I can help get the word out by getting a good finish.”

Gilliland finished 22nd in his NASCAR Cup Series debut at WWT Raceway last season. In NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series competition, Gilliland has five starts and two second-place finishes at the track. He knows he can have a great race on Sunday.

“I think I can do that because I love WWT Raceway,” continued Gilliland. “I have always run well there and now have that Cup experience. We are all pumped up to get a top-10 finish.”

The new-look Serial1.com premium E-Bikes Ford Mustang and Gilliland will race Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

About Serial 1

Serial1.com offers premium E-Bikes that are guided by intelligent, human-centered design and crafted using the most advanced bicycle technology available, to create the easiest and most intuitive way to experience the fun, freedom, and instant adventure of riding a pedal-assist electric bicycle. Serial 1 is currently under contract to merge with an affiliate of Life Electric Vehicles, Inc. (Life EV), bringing E-Bike manufacturing to the USA.

About Life EV

Life EV is a USA-based corporation, involved in the design, manufacturing and commercialization of electric vehicles, with a current emphasis on electric bicycles. Life EV manufactures its products utilizing free-trade zone processes in Broward County, Florida with a United States Certificate of Origin. Life EV through its affiliates, including Life Electric Vehicles Holdings, Inc. (OTCPK:LFEV), was established to support and grow the E-Bike industry, bringing manufacturing jobs back to the USA.

About Front Row Motorsports

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

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS STATEMENT

By
Official Release
-

We understand NASCAR’s need to maintain consistency in its officiating. The penalty will not be appealed, and we will submit a formal request for a playoff waiver.

Corey LaJoie, 31, will drive the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway. We are grateful to Corey for stepping in and to the team at Spire Motorsports for making him available.

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

By
Official Release
-

Chase Purdy: Driver, No. 4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:
Event: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 200, Race 12 of 23, 160 Laps – 35/35/90; 200 Miles
Location: World Wide Technology Raceway (1.25-mile oval)
Date/Broadcast: June 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

‘Chase’n a Playoff Spot:

Chase Purdy and the No. 4 Bama Buggies team head to World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) for Saturday’s 200-mile race. Despite being only 11 races into the 2023 season, Purdy enters Saturday’s race having already produced a career-high five top-10 finishes. With five races remaining in the regular season, he sits 13th in the driver point standings, 36 points below the cutoff line for being one of the 10 drivers to make the Truck Series playoffs. He will be looking to cut into that deficit this weekend at WWTR, a track where he has finished inside the top 10 in both of his starts there. The 23-year-old driver finished sixth in the 2021 event at the 1.25-mile track and 10th in last year’s race.

Saturday’s race will be the second race of the 2023 Triple Truck Challenge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. For the races at Charlotte, World Wide Technology Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway only points earning drivers in the Truck Series are eligible to participate in those events, with each race having extra money on the line. If a driver wins one of the three races they will earn a $50,000 bonus and if they win two of the three races, they will earn a $150,000. If Charlotte winner Ben Rhodes can go on to win all three races, he will earn a $500,000 bonus. In its four year history, no driver has won all three races. Purdy finished 16th in last week’s race at Charlotte.

Purdy will be trying to etch his mark in the KBM historical archives Saturday at World Wide Technology Raceway as he looks to collect the organization’s 100th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory. KBM-owner driver Kyle Busch collected KBM’s record-extending 99th-career victory with his dominant victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this year leaving his organization one win shy of the century mark. Overall, 18 different drivers have won at least one race behind the wheel of a KBM truck, led by Busch’s 47. Four drivers rank second on the list with seven victories: William Byron, Christopher Bell, Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek. Three of KBM’s wins have come at WWTR. Corey Heim won last year, while Bell was victorious in 2016 and Bubba Wallace brought home the trophy in 2014.

The Mississippi native is in his third full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and first with KBM. He enters Saturday’s race having totaled one top-five, 10 top-10 finishes, and 20 laps led across his 63 career Truck Series starts. Purdy finished 16th in the Truck Series final standings in 2022 after competing in 22 of the 23 events. He posted two top-10 finishes and nine laps led, with a season-best finish of seventh coming at Talladega Superspeedway in October.

Jimmy Villeneuve is atop the pit box for Purdy and the No. 4 Chevrolet team this season. Prior to being promoted to crew chief for the 2023 season, Villeneuve had served as a Truck Chief at KBM since the 2017 season and in that role was a part of 18 wins, a driver’s championship with Christopher Bell in 2017 and the 2019 owner’s championship with the No. 51 team. Prior to joining KBM the New Hampshire native served as a truck chief at Athenian Motorsports in 2015 when the team won with John Wes Townley at Las Vegas. He was promoted to crew chief five races into the 2016 season. Villeneuve has guided one Truck Series start at Gateway, a 23rd-place finish with John Wes Townley in 2016.

Bama Buggies, your one-stop shop for all the biggest names in powersports and utility vehicles, will be the primary sponsor on Purdy’s No. 4 Chevrolet Saturday and for the majority of the events on the 2023 schedule. They are Central Alabama’s powersports experts, serving as an authorized dealer of Polaris, Slingshot, and Seadoo.
Chase Purdy, Driver Q&A:

Do you enjoy racing at World Wide Technology Raceway?
“Gateway is a track that I’ve had success at and run well at, so I’m excited to go back there. I don’t know what it is about that track — I just really like the feel of it and how you have to race it from a driver’s standpoint. It’s a really neat race track with having two different corners and both ends of the race track being completely opposite. I like to think Turns 1 and 2 race like a short track and we are shifting down there, then Turns 3 and 4 race like a traditional mile race track, like a Loudon. Aero is really important and makes it hard to pass. You need to qualify well and do everything you can to keep your track position. I’m excited to go there in a KBM truck and see what we can do.”

Is it important to end this five-week stretch of races with a strong run headed into two weeks off?
“We are coming to the end of a five-week stretch where there have been some bumps in the road, but it is crucial to end on a high note. You want to have some momentum going into a couple weeks off and then be ready to make a push to get into the playoffs in the final four weeks of the regular season. We just need to execute and have a good day on Saturday.”

How do you prepare for the heat that you’ll experience this weekend?
“It’s going to be 95 degrees and hot on Saturday. This place is notorious for that, during the summer it feels like it’s one of the hottest places on Earth. You need to hydrate during the week, work out and eat healthy. We do a lot of cardio and some heat training as well. Nothing that we are not used to, but it’s definitely going to be more demanding from a physical standpoint inside the truck.”

Chase Purdy Career Highlights:

  • Across 63 career Truck Series starts, has produced 20 laps led, one top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. Posted a career-best runner-up finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April of 2023.
  • Finished 16th in Truck Series championship standings in 2022.
  • Finished fourth in the 2018 ARCA Menard’s Series championship standings after recording 84 laps led, 10 top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.
  • Earned the 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East rookie of the year honors and finished fourth in the championship standings after posting four poles, 200 laps led, five top-five and eight top-10 finishes across 14 starts.
  • Won the prestigious Snowflake 100 Pro Late Model race at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., in Dec. of 2018.
  • Chase Purdy’s No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado RST:

KBM-60: The No. 4 Bama Buggies team will unload KBM-60 for Saturday’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway. KBM-60 will be making its first start in 2023. It was last driven by John Hunter Nemechek to a 10th-place finish at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park last July. This chassis has recorded two career wins. Kyle Busch won with KBM-60 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2020 and Brandon Jones won with it at Pocono Raceway in 2020.

KBM-60 Performance Profile:
KBM Notes of Interest:

  • KBM drivers have collected three wins, one pole, 482 laps led, eight top-five and 14 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 14.7 across 29 starts at World Wide Technology Raceway. Corey Heim picked up the victory in last year’s event while Christopher Bell was victorious at the 1.25-mile track in 2016 and Bubba Wallace brought home the trophy in 2014.
  • KBM holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (99) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway last year, Corey Heim became the 18th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
  • The No. 4 has 18 career victories at KBM and was the number for both of the organization’s driver championships.

100K Badlands Bronco Build | Stage 1 Reveal

By
Official Release
-

Turn5, Inc. Builds Anticipation for its Current Sweeps

PAOLI, Pa. (May 29th, 2023) – Aftermarket parts authority Turn5, Inc. (T5) unveils Stage 1 of its 2023 Badlands Ford Bronco build, coined “The Gator.” T5 is transforming the 2023 Bronco with mods totaling more than 100K which will then be given to the winner of its current sweepstakes ending September 30th, 2023. Customers can head to the “Gator” build pages below for a full rundown of Phase 1 including details on how they can increase their chance to drive away a winner.

According to T5, “This beast is ready to conquer any terrain and turn heads wherever it goes.” With the Gator theme in mind, T5 began the build by installing a PPF wrap over an Eruption Green Bronco resulting in a distinct satin sheen. With color and paint protection dialed in, it was time to get to work installing the other foundation pieces. Highlights of Phase 1 include Icon Vehicle Dynamic’s Stage 6 suspension lift, Mickey Thompson 37″ tires, Black Rhino wheels, and Air Design fender flares.

Phase 1 of the ultimate adventure machine is out! Customers of T5’s subsidiaries ExtremeTerrain.com (XT) and AmericanTrucks.com (AT) are invited to visit the respective YouTube channels to watch the video release and/or read all about it on the pages below.

T5’s 100K Custom 2023 Bronco Giveaway is accepting entries until September 30th, 2023. For every qualifying dollar spent on either XT or AT, participants will receive one entry into the draw up to a maximum of 10,000 entries per person, per email address. T5 is set to announce the winner on October 31, 2023.

ExtremeTerrain: https://www.extremeterrain.com/gator-build-1.html 

AmericanTrucks: https://www.americantrucks.com/gator-build-1.html

 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

About Turn5 Inc.
Turn5 is an award-winning e-commerce retailer founded in 2003, home to AmericanMuscle, ExtremeTerrain and AmericanTrucks.com. Employing more than 400 talented staff members who are driven and passionate about the work they do, Turn5 has received some of the most reputable business and e-commerce awards as a leader within the thriving automotive aftermarket performance niche. Located just outside of Philadelphia, Turn5 is focused on providing the highest level of customer service and an industry-leading shopping experience. Please visit https://www.turn5.com/ for more information.

Meyer Shank Racing Set for 100th INDYCAR Start at New Detroit Street Course

By
Official Release
-
#60: Simon Pagenaud, Meyer Shank Racing Honda

Detroit, Mich. (30 May 2023) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) drivers Helio Castroneves (No. 06 AutoNation / Cleveland-Cliffs Honda) and Simon Pagenaud (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) won’t get much time to recover from a grueling Month of May in Indianapolis, as they will head north to the streets of Detroit for this weekend’s Detroit Grand Prix on Sunday (NBC, 3:00pm ET, SiriusXM Ch. 160).

Castroneves posted his second-highest finish of the 2023 campaign, leading the race and finishing 15th in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. Meanwhile Pagenaud’s run of bad luck this season continued, as he was in contention for a top-10 finish when he was hit from behind while slowing for a spinning competitor, forcing contact with the wall that ended his race.

Looking to turn things around, MSR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will be greeted by a brand-new challenge in Detroit. After many years of racing on the temporary road course on Belle Isle, this year’s event takes place on the all-new 1.7-mile, 10-turn street course running through downtown Detroit.

Castroneves will also be welcome Cleveland-Cliffs back onboard as co-primary sponsor in his No. 06 Honda for the Detroit weekend. Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest flat-rolled steel producer and the largest supplier of steel to the automotive industry in North America.

Similar to Long Beach, the Detroit street circuit began as a Formula 1 race in 1982 before IndyCar (then CART) took on the track in 1989. This current circuit is nearly a full mile shorter than the previous street layout, and the lack of space creates a pitting situation unlike any in IndyCar racing. Teams will enter pit lane and then split, with half the field pitting on the left side and half on the right side.

Meyer Shank Racing will reach a milestone this weekend, as the Ohio-based team will make its 100th NTT INDYCAR SERIES start when the green flag waves to start Sunday’s race. The team made its maiden start in the 2017 Indianapolis 500 and has gone on since that debut to earn a win the 2021 Indianapolis 500, earn three podium finishes and 29 top-10s in its previous 99 starts.

Both Castroneves and Pagenaud are eager for a new challenge this weekend in Detroit. Both drivers earned their first-ever IndyCar victories on Belle Isle. Castroneves has three Detroit victories and two runner up finishes (one in Indy Lights in 1999). Pagenaud scored a podium finish in his maiden start on Belle Isle in 2012 and came back the following year to win the event in 2013.

Now both drivers will have to learn an entirely new course as they aim to keep their history of success going in Detroit. Sunday’s 100-lap race will air on NBC on Sunday starting at 3:00pm ET, with the green flag set to wave at approximately 3:30pm ET. SiriusXM will also host live race coverage on XM Ch. 160.

Meyer Shank Racing Driver Quotes:

Helio Castroneves:

“Detroit has always been special for me and I have had a lot of success there, now it will be very interesting with the new track layout. All of the drivers are in the same position with having to learn the new track, so there are a lot of unknowns for us all, but I am looking forward to see how it goes.”

Simon Pagenaud:

“I’m excited about the change in circuit at Detroit this year! A new circuit is always fun for the drivers and the teams to try and figure out the best package for the race car over the weekend. We had a lot of positives come out of the Indianapolis 500, so we will capitalize on that and I look forward to racing in downtown Detroit.”

Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Fr8Auctions.com Ford Team World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes

By
Official Release
-

TEAM AND RACE NOTES:

Michael McDowell and Fr8Auctions.com reunite as they head to the World Wide Technology (WWT) Raceway in Madison, Illinois for Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300.

Fr8Auctions.com, the Atlanta-based Asset Liquidation Firm that auctions excess freight inventory, returns as the primary partner of the No. 34 Ford Mustang. Fr8Auctions is an anchor partner of McDowell and Front Row Motorsports (FRM).

The No. 34 Fr8Auctions.com Ford will also carry the #BraveLikeWyatt decals. Wyatt is an inspiration to FRM. Wyatt was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and had a heart transplant early in his life. He was then diagnosed with cancer and chemotherapy unfortunately damaged his heart. Wyatt passed, but his legacy lives today through #BraveLikeWyatt and the Be Your Own Hero Foundation. The Foundation aids families who have children in hospital care. Fans are encouraged to visit and donate at www.bravelikewyatt.com.

Cup activity will begin with practice and qualifying on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. ET. The 240-lap race is scheduled for Sunday, June 4th at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

COMPETITION NOTES

McDowell and the No. 34 Fr8Auctions.com Ford team head to the World Wide Technology Raceway looking to better last year’s 18th-place result.

The team led 34 laps last season and nearly won a stage. The team was shuffled back late in the race and now want to get back to the track and complete their success.

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON

“How this race went for Michael, this is how we feel right now. We have good speed, good races, but need to get to the finish with a better result. We need to run an entire race in the top-10. We don’t want to keep shuffling through the field.”

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL

“This is track where we know a good finish is possible. We were fast last year, but we just need to close it out. The cars are fast and our Fr8Auctions.com Ford Mustang will hopefully be good on Sunday.

“It’s just the smallest things in these races that really determine so much. Just having a clean race should put us in a good spot at the end.

“Every year, each race we race for Wyatt and the Be Your Own Hero Foundation. And, for us, it’s important to bring awareness and ask fans to donate if they can. It’s such a wonderful cause.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

1...1,4471,4481,449...6,651Page 1,448 of 6,651